Pictures and doings of interest to maybe one person (at least he better be interested!)

I’ve written about how any big change can be seen as a diet, and now I’m experiencing “vacation” as diet. A total break from routine and environment that allows you to see what you do (or don’t do) everyday, and perhaps, why. For example, Spot likes to take a long early nap. I knew this, but at home I do what needs to be done and the nap happens or not, long or not, depending on several factors. Here, I have my mom or sister to watch her or be there while she sleeps if I want to go and jog on my own. Nice.

Example #2. I’ve been wanting to highlight my own hair using this torturous product (yes, that is a crochet hook, that, yes, you are supposed to use to dig into your scalp, scoop up some hair, and then yank through the invisible, magically-closing holes in the rubber cap). This sounded like a good idea back in Florida, where my (much-more-talented-in-the-DIY-realm) friend Danielle looks fantastic after having tortured her own scalp thusly.

In Utah, after a few attempts and some help from my sil Hannah and little sister Karin (who had the hot prom date) this turns out to be a very bad idea. Here is the knot of hair that Karin had to cut out after a cup of conditioner and much gnashing of teeth failed to untangle it. Oh, and Mom says the highlights I did manage to put in look orange, so she thinks I might not want to do more. (How does she know orange wasn’t the color I was aiming for?). I’m thinking of going blondish for awhile. Maybe I’ll have more fun.

Example #3. My fears about all the good food to eat out here have been realized. Marcy had a bag of cookies frozen in her freezer that she can no longer eat since she is sticking to a freakish challenge that will earn her (the ultimate stay-indoors-girl) the dubious pleasure of a trip to Hawaii. I did the sisterly thing and took care of them for her, in as short a time as possible. Hey, I’m a good sister. Then we (and when I say we, I mean Marcy) had to make an ice cream cake for Mom’s birthday. Here’s Hannah with the finished product.

A big highlight of this trip was getting to see my friend Tara after a year without her companionship in Florida. It was great seeing her, although we didn’t have much to catch up on because we talk and IM often. So far I’ve also seen Tracey, whose son Joseph is very cute, especially with the deep dimples he inherited from her. Tonight I get to see a friend (Andrea) I haven’t seen for almost 6 years. I feel kind of nervous — should I take flowers or sparkling apple cider? Nah, how about some cookies? mmmmm.

I need to take more pictures, but here is one of Susan with Alden. The two terrible two-year-olds got along pretty well this visit, much better than they ever did when they saw each other daily a year ago. Notice how Susan is pushing the stroller and Alden the “lawn mower”:

Finally, a couple shots of Sally reading to her sister and cousins. These girls are getting along considerably better too. Of course, there is the friction of deciding who gets to be the Swan Princess. Why can’t there be more than one? Why not quadruplet Swan Princesses? Mooo-ooom, there is only ONE Swan Princess. Which leads me to wonder whether The Matrix was inspired by pre-tween girls’ sqaubbling when they designated Neo as The One. At least there is little argument over reading material. Thank goodness for Barbie I Can Read books.

Susan is loving the jewellry options available here.