I feel like I’m in a smooth, comfortable rut. Everything is going fine (other than my hair–my husband has taken to calling me ‘Freak Girl’ and I can’t say I object), I’m getting exercise, I’m not overly tired, overly worked, overly stressed. I’m writing, reading, and still getting everything done. But it seems as if nothing out of the ordinary is sparking my days. I’m not having any of those ‘over-the-top’ emotions. No fits of giggles, shocked gasps, horrified shivers, not even any anger. I’m just here, following the schedule, slowly, patiently getting things done.

Maybe the calm before the storm…

I finished reading ‘The Origins of Fingerprinting’–really fascinating stuff, and couldn’t help myself–moved on to Girls in Pants-The Third Summer of the Sisterhood. I love those quirky girls, and I’m really enjoying my third installment. Although part of me wishes I’d never seen the movie, because now I’m picturing the actresses, trying to reconcile their appearances with the changes the characters are going through. Next up is Twilight. In my over-eager zest for books, I had way too many checked out to read before the due dates. So I had to let Twilight go. Now it’s back, and I’m just about ready. After that, I really need to buckle down and read a Jane Austen. I’ve been meaning to do that for forever and just gotten distracted by other books. And I call myself a devoted admirer…

I’m still off Coke and still studiously plugging along with my manuscript. Wait! Could Coke have been responsible for all my ups and downs? Is it the reason I’m flatlining now? Good grief, I hope not. I’m just getting the hang of things here.

I got my hair highlighted yesterday. And today I’m trying to think of ways to fix it. I have only had my hair professionally highlighted one other time in my life (about eight years ago), and it basically just brightened up my natural color. As of today, I have my normal hair color (sort of a medium brown) interspersed with pale, pale blond streaks. I have absolutely no problem with this look–if it suits a person. It absolutely doesn’t suit me.

The colorist asked me if I’d like the highlighting to stand out/be obvious (or some similar wording) or if I’d like it to blend. I remember that word specifically. I emphatically said, I’d like it to blend. By that I meant I’d like it to marry with my hair color. When I looked in the mirror for the first time, I saw these platinum strands scattered all over my head. How is that blending??? Using a food metaphor, I’d say I ordered salsa and got pico de gallo instead. And I have no idea what would be best to fix this. I’m wondering about a toner (recommended by my hair stylist), but I worry that’ll lighten everything up too much and I’ll be a blonde. I’m wondering about colored shampoos, but then question whether that’ll undo the highlights completely. I’m at a loss, and it’s making me very nervous.

I have only a week to figure this out, so if anyone has any ideas…I’d LOVE to hear them. If necessary, I could post a picture.

I think maybe it’s because I haven’t had a vacation all summer that I can’t stop dreaming about being somewhere else. Well that, and having had just about all I can take of scorching, humid weather. Although, today it’s raining, so we’re likely at a steamy 80 degrees. Anyway, whether it’s the setting in books I’m reading, photo essays in magazines, movies, TV, or vicarious living through other lucky people, I’m positively yearning to be off somewhere, preferably someplace cool.

Before my sons were born, my husband and I went on our only really, totally loner vacation together. (Everything else had been wrapped around a visit to see family.) We flew into Seattle in October, rented a car, and took the ferry over to Orcas Island (and I discovered I adore ferries). We hiked, stayed in a bed and breakfast and relaxed before the ferry took off for Victoria, and later Vancouver Island where we stayed at the lovely, mysterious Whikaninnish Inn in Tofino (click the link to be wowed!), at the edge of Pacific Rim National Park. Beautiful and lush…you feel like you’re at the tip of the world.

I digress…anyway, I’ve been dreaming of Vancouver and Washington State, Oregon, and Maine. I want some scenery. I want to wear a jacket, I want to experience fall weather. For those of you who don’t live in Texas, we don’t really have a fall. We barely have a winter. Many a Christmas Day has found me wearing shorts to go outside. Often we need the air-conditioner. It’s just not right–for this part of the world.

I guess I’m stuck with just the rain and vicarious living for now.