Locks of Love & Love of Grillin'

A few weeks ago I finally tamed my mane! Patrick was getting his hair tidied up, so I decided it was as good a time as any since I wasn't going to be one of those people who lets it grow to their knees and get dried out over 30 years' time. Besides, there are some peeps in this world whose circumstances have left them a bit short changed- and face it, I had plenty to share!

Quite a bit past my waist and nearly to my butt! Most days it took me 10 minutes to comb my hair after the shower, and it often got pinned under Patrick's elbow when I'd be rolling over in my sleep. There are definitely some perks to shortening things up a bit.


Unfortunately when I held up the chopped ponytail, it was thick enough that the center just slid out onto the floor since there wasn't enough tension from the rubberband. The hairdresser retied it and told me that even without the stuff that fell out, it was more hair than a lot of donors' locks.

Take 2- it's not falling out this time! I guess there's still a lot of hair there, but it was annoying that another chunk coulda been added to a wig. There's still quite a bit of hair on my head too- nearly enough for a second donation! I can put my elbow over my shoulder and not touch the bottom.
Modeling my new haircut, and our new grill! Thanks to my birthday money, we were able to enjoy grilled pizza, chicken, corn on the cob, zucchini, homemade soft pretzels, brats, and fruit over the course of the week. Delish!

The grill came with free installation from a cute chef. He set it up and made me dinner- that's the best deal out there, no doubt! :)

Britt and Mom's Visit

During the last week of June, my mom and one of my sisters visited us, but the corresponding blog entry kinda fell through the cracks since we left for MI ourselves just 2 days later! Well, it's about time I catch up and show a few pics from their time here:

Mom & Britt arrived on my birthday. I was a bit downcast because I realized I officially entered my late 20s, but Patrick made me dinner and cake, and I was spoiled with presents and my special guests so I didn't stay too depressed for too long. :)

Angel food cake from scratch- it turned out perfectly!

The next day we showed Mom & Britt Glacier Point and the valley floor at Yosemite. It is ridiculously busy there during the summer, but it's basically impossible to spoil the beauty of the park.

The ice cream was overpriced, but Mom said when else would we have the opportunity to enjoy a drumstick or ice cream sandwich/bar at the top of Glacier Point? It didn't take much persuading for the rest of us to give in.

Interesting lichen/branches, especially with a perfect sky backdrop.

Lovely flowers cascading over a rock ledge on the pathway to Bridalveil Falls.

The waterfalls are super-swelled from all the melted snow, so the splash/mist at the bottom was not forgiving! But the weather was nice and it gave us a thrill, so we didn't mind. In fact, it was mom's favorite part of the day!

I don't approve of the people who carved into this wood, but I did revel in the coincidence of their initials.

Our guests showed themselves around during the week since we had to work, but we did get a second Saturday to hang out together in Fresno. There was a lovely courtyard near the place we ate dinner, and later we went to a Shakespeare play in a park. Having Mom & Britt here was a real treat for Patrick & me!