Last summer I took the kids up to my parents place near the lake. We spent the entire day at the beach. The lake was like glass (as you can see above). There is something wonderful about being up there without the rest of the family. We can be loud and play and not worry about being considerate of others. My Mom used to like it when we went up and it was just us and her -- she bought into the adventure thing too. She was fine with noise and merriment (my Dad is awesome, I love him, but he can freak out a bit over noise like untrained piano playing). When I'm in the house she worked so hard on I feel like it is her arms wrapped around me and hugging me. She loved sunsets in all of their glory. When I see the sun setting on the lake I know she is with me, watching and enjoying it from an even better view.

The kids and I take adventures -- like our three hour walk down the beach last year. We were in search of pirates or treasure. We walked until our feet nearly fell off. Walking back was sweet misery as we complained of the ice cold water and kept asking each other to carry each other. My kids are 9 and 10 now. I am so glad they are still up for adventure.

We will listen the adventure of "Prince Caspian" from the Chronicles of Narnia as we make the drive. We have read this far in the series so listening to the radio production on CD is fun. The rule is that we can only listen to this series as far as we have read. I must make a few stops for work, but the kids have promised to be angels. I trust them.

Friday night my cousins are vacationing nearby so we will visit with them. They live 4 hours from their vacation place and we live 4 hours in the opposite direction. It is a blessing to see them outside of the context of a wedding or a funeral. Sadly, this is usually the only way we meet up. But last year I went and saw them and had a wonderful evening with the cousins around the bonfire. I look forward to doing it again. It is supposed to be in the 90s this weekend. That's a tad warm for me. But when you are on an adventure the heat doesn't get to you.

I thought of the Mean Picture Lady again today as I went into a walk in haircut place and got my hair cut (think Fantastic Sam's, only this place is called E -- The Salon for Everyone). My hairdresser would be appalled. I know my evil sister will choke. But darn it, I was HOT and needed cut RIGHT THAT MINUTE.

I seem to be fearless with my own hair now that I dye it myself (2005 was a heck of a year for me -- an amazing rush of gray hair arrived as testimony to the hard times). Rather than wear my grey badge of courage (I can never decide, is my hair turning gray, or is it turning grey?), I decided to dye it myself rather than highlight. I've called it the Year of Many Colors and have danced through reds, auburns, and browns. I have gained the perspective that I really need to have more adventure, so my hair has become another adventure. Currently I'm a brownish with a little bit of red in the highlights. Apparently my mega grey streaks become highlights over time as my gray is a pretty silver white.

My Year of Many Colors has been quite an adventure. That and I'm broke. The money saved is gas money for our weekend adventure. A weekend escape with the kids is much more fun than a professional color and cut. The cheapo place did a great job -- what a bonus! Somehow it turned out pretty cute!

Now I'll have an excuse to go back for another picture at the DMV. I have cuter hair now Mean Picture Lady, try not to mess this one up. I want one chin, good hair and the perfect smile. I put my goal weight down as my weight on the form -- can you adjust the lighting so it is believable? Thanks Mean Picture Lady! A new picture is mandatory! I wish I didn't have to wait 3 weeks for the new one to arrive before I try again. There should be an option where you can pay another 10 bucks and try again if your picture is truly fugly. I'd be willing to stand in line again. I'm still shallow. I should be ashamed :) Why do I obsess on things?

Now off to pack! The lake calls me!