The Rest of the Story

You would never know the full story, just looking at these photos.  Context helps.  Details.  I am determined to ask better questions, give more complements, and to try and school my face. The weird, goofy looks we all make can be funny when the camera catches them.  I was having focusing problems in the dark gym.  The last two photos of Sam are for his mission application.  He chose the bottom one, without glasses.

Roxie Hair and Cookie Quote

This weekend I had a mad scramble on Pintrist researching Renaissance hair dos, intricate braids, updos, the tricks behind the locks.  The night before we experimented:  I came home with some yarns that matched her costume and she chose two that were "strong and not overly feminine."  The theme is something about chivalry, and Roxie didn't want to look like a damsel in distress, but a swords woman who could do some saving!  She is busy studying the map of the festival, plotting what she wants to do this year.

Adding yarn fibers instead of fake hair, for color and bulk.

We twisted the back hair section into rope braids

It was so long!

And lightweight, she said, not heavy (not as heavy as hair alone that long would have been).

She is at the Renaissance Festival with 4 cousins and Grandma Sandy and Grandpa John, only one in costume.

Even when you think you know your child, sometimes you hear a story from someone else, and it fits with their personality, and you know it is true, but it still surprises you:

Roxie got a taste of these cookies at Church when the cub scouts were making them:  When the last one was gone, she said, "Sadness ensues" and made an impression.  A family brought dinner to us this week and these cookies, with the recipe and the story about Roxie!

Suzu is Home!

Welcome home, Suzanna! It is hard to come home after a year away at college, back to parents with opinions about how to spend your time and $. We are proud of her hard work and pleased of her kindness and service.

Before.

During...

Donation minimum was 8" and her braid was 15".

Haircut & Road Trip to See Max

Haircut, super short in back this time.

Daycare home spotted on way to visit Max:  horizontal siding stripes.

Open gate in middle of bridge...

The sister missionaries came by Wednesday (both from out west) and we laughed about the "dead trees" look of Maryland winters.  But the lighting Saturday from 4:00-5 pm was beautiful.  Loved the sky, the clouds, the shadows...

I took over 700 pictures on way home, just pointing out my passenger window.  A few keepers.  We weren't allowed to take any photos inside the re-hab where our son is staying.  He looks calm, sedated (medicated).  Should have brought him more treat food (nothing homemade allowed).  He was wearing one of his Boychoir t-shirts.  He thanked us for the 11 books we brought him to read.  He read Grandpa's letter and a copy of Sam's letter to the senator.  He is still struggling with the 12-step program-getting hung up on acknowledging help needed from a Greater Power.  He doesn't like to ask for help, and he is still not sure how to mesh his incredible drug-induced "spiritual" experiences with reality, still nostalgic for the certainty he felt from delusions and adamant that he doesn't believe the Mormon story.  He is says he lied to us about quitting smoking because he doesn't want to disappoint us again.  He doesn't feel like he has anything in common with all the other people being treated there.  Scary-sad, for me.  There is nothing I can do but love him, pray for him, visit him, write to him.  Can't change him.  Can't love him sober. 

Dr visits & Hair Guy

Officially I have Tennis Elbow.  Well, really "Hammer" elbow.  I was hammering with gusto early June, hurt myself by overdoing it, then held a heavy baby to sleep, increased the inflammation...then had an allergy attack and was put on prednisone (which helped the elbow) and then went on Pioneer Trek, did too much.  For the last 3 weeks I have been sleeping with an ice pack and unable to lift anything heavy.  Saw the doctor finally Wednesday and I am back on steroids and Physical Therapy.  And I am pain-free at the moment.  Wonderful.  Typing doesn't help...

Painting is out right now.  Cleaning.  Lifting weights with right hand...I need to get the inflammation down and get better.  The therapist showed me things to do on our Utah trip, even in the car.  I go in tomorrow 6am for 2nd round of ultrasound, electrical stim, ice, heat massage, etc.

 

Sam needed a physical before High Adventure Scout camp, so he went in today.  There was a time when he was shorter than this carousel horse in the waiting room.  He is just shy of 6 feet today, 5'11 1/2 inches barefoot.  The doctor pointed out stretch marks on his back from growing so quickly (just like pregnant women get on their tummies, but horizontal across back).

 

Haircut day for me, thank you Michael Harrington. Yes, he is accepting new clients.  Love it when I tell him to do whatever he wants, and he just plays, and I walk out happy.  A 17 year old young woman told me Sunday that I "rock" my short hair.  Made me feel good.

 

Not what you were looking for?

More sister-ing:

I thought I had the other Utah Opera photos for Luanna saved.  Came across these today in my searching. 

Same cute smile here with her husband below:

(photo credit:_____?  Copied from Luanna's blog)

I've been thinking a lot about aging, what happens as the years go by, not just the gray/white hair, but the good wrinkles of laugh lines, the wisdom in the eyes.  Yes, and the aches  & pains of mortality.

My mom and her sister Betty, and another sister Laurie below (photo credit Jen Babcock)

(photo credit:______ YW camp photographer)

Their mother, Grandma Laura

Laura's mother, Jane whose square jaw...

 

... I have inherited!  Look, bright yellow pants back in style today!

Recent-ish photo of 5/9 Babcock siblings.  Do I look like them, as we turn into old people?

 

Great Grandma Jane, again, reading her scriptures.

Younger version, teenager Great Grandma Jane before married...

Then there are the men:  Grandpa Jack here and my Dad below:

(My parents are home safely) Dad's hair is almost all white, like his Dad's.  Compare this photo to the very top one, much younger Daddy.  Can't wait to see family in person!

 

The collection of photos may not make sense, but to me this is a good way to go back and forth, look at eyes, faces, family similarities.  Updated photos in a week!  If I can figure out how to blog long distance!

 

From Barney to Warp/Weft

Creative licsence is scary/wonderful thing. To have the trust of client to just do whatever, with a few parameters: keep it light, please.

Before:

During (first I had to prime and get rid of purple. I felt the room height needed the ceiling color pulled down to the top 1/8 of the wall to make walls look taller, so I started with an ombre mix of ceiling and wall primer, then it turned into rick-rac! AND TEXTURE, something I have always wanted to try, create a woven fabric-appearance, perfect for future sewing room!):

Almost After (red polka dots on floor & at least 2 coats of poly WHEN IT ISN'T RAINING, or it takes too long to dry!):

Note to self: buy hairnets before I paint floor again. And ones for the cats in the house.