July 2005

I must say that my summer vacation has been awesome. I've been off work since July 2 and I still have 3 more days after today. The only down side is that I NEVER want to go back to work in an office!

Last week our family went to stay in a cabin in Arkansas. It was very beautiful as you can see by the pictures that I've posted. We did the hokey touristy thing, but we had a good time. I don't think I'd been swimming at a beach for several years and it was good to be in the lake. Beaver Lake has the clearest water I've ever seen and the temperature was great. Even Sarah and Sami enjoyed it. They met a native Arkansas gal named Stormy and also a very funny college girl named Stephanie. I think Stephanie would've hung out all night, but thankfully, her ride was leaving so off she went. Very nice girl, just maybe a little over-bearing and naive.

We also went to a spa in Eureka Springs. Tom and I did the hot tub, full massage and facial and the girls decided on facials and reflexology. I really loved the spa we went to! Very nice, professional and very relaxing.



Then, this week I have been able to just hang out at home. This is the first time I've done that since we first moved here 6 years ago. Even though I've done lots of laundry, grocery shopping, dishes, cleaning of the bathrooms, mowing the lawn and trimming the constantly growing jungle we like to call our backyard, I have been having a marvelous time.

I've taken the time to sit out in the sun, and I've almost been able to totally put out of my mind that I'm probably getting skin cancer! I do look quite nice with just a little color.

I've also been reading, a lot. Currently I'm reading John Grisham's "The Broker". It's good, but I'm looking forward to either a Danielle Steel that my friend Lynn recommended or possibly my new Maeve Binchy paperbook. I can't remember what it's called, but she has become one of my new favorite authors! Anything she writes is perfect! I love her varied and many characters.

Well, better go for now. Hope you like the new pictures!

D