That, along with the project itself being pressure packed, led to a higher stress level and the need for a break. As soon as I was able to get back to my desk and see the eye of the storm, I requested a vacation from work. With no trip in mind, the sole purpose of the vacation was just to take a break from work and relax.
The first day of vacation was Friday and I started it off with a big change for me. I chopped off my hair as a donation for Lock Of Love. The initial chop was expected. The length was still a little below my shoulders. However, after telling the cosmetologist what I wanted, there was a lot more clipping than I expected. I sat in the chair wondering "What the HELL am I doing." Yet, as I sat in the chair, the scissors still in her hand, I asked for more. I made an appointment for the next day for her to do highlights. Besides shampoo and conditioner, and the occasional hair smoother, I haven't put any sort of chemical in my hair since two perms when I was a pre-teen. Now, not only was I chopping my hair off, but the next day I was going to get highlights. I left the shop and immediately went for some comfort food in the way of a BK Whopper.
Before
After - day 1
Day two of vacation was started at the salon again, getting the highlights done. Once again, I was in the chair wondering how I had lost my mind. However, when I got in the car and looked in the mirror, I realized I liked it more than I had expected to. After I got home, Sagittarius and I headed to the park since it was a beautiful day that shouldn't go to waste. We had snacks, played a few games Sorry, and talked (something we do quite well) while taking in the sun and the scenery.
Hard to see, but there's a Redtail Blackbird perched there
On day three, my mother and I made the trip to New York City to see "Billy Elliot" on Broadway. It was a fantastic show. The dancing was fantabulous. With two boys tap dancing in a full blown spoof of a typical Broadway performance, complete with huge vanity lights and silver streamers, you know it had to be good.
An appreciation for the art grew at a very young age, thanks to my mother taking me to my first shows and continuing to accompany me occasionally throughout adulthood. I have been lucky enough to see a few professional musicals - My One and Only, The Tap Dance Kid, Into The Woods, Annie Get Your Gun, Guys and Dolls, Miss Saigon, Cats, Les Miserables, Phantom Of The Opera, Rent, Moving Out, Sweeney Todd - not to mention what I've seen in schools, and was happy to add "Billy Elliot" to the list.
A tradition that my mother and I share is to visit the Hard Rock Cafe if the city has one. A few years ago, they opened one in Times Square and this was our first opportunity to go.
Mom and I in front of the guitar wall just before being seated for dinner.
Yesterday was day four and I spent most of it getting caught up on sleep. I hadn't realized just how much the long drive down and back from the city had taken out of me, as well as how charged up I was after getting home that I couldn't sleep for hours and had to start working on editing the photos. Monday Night Craft Night dinner was on me this week, but I had no energy so I just got supplies to make mini subs.
Sara takes a break from crocheting her purple baby blanket to find us some music to listen to
Rose knitting her circular baby blanket - a project I'll have to have her teach me
Today is day five of my six-day vacation, which will end on my birthday. I am planning on doing nothing but reading and crocheting today, just enjoying my time away from work. Tomorrow, is my birthday so the plans are left up to Sagittarius. I can't wait.
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