Last night my family tried to persuade me to stick with short hair. Although I’ve found the experience a lot more fun than I ever expected, I am not at all convinced.

At 4 months post-chemo, my hair is about an inch long. It seems perfectly straight and a medium brown in color with one little patch of grey. It is thick and soft. It is certainly easy to maintain.

 

 

 

 

 

Before our dinner conversation (this occurred during Anne’s birthday supper) we’d decorated cake pops to look like Hobbit characters. After dinner, we all went to see the second episode of The Hobbit movie: The Desolation of Smaug. The dwarves had really interesting hairstyles (though certainly better than Orc hair.)

Speaking of orcs with their ghastly gashes and scars, my neck scar is finally doing better. After three fluid extractions, the surgeon put a drain in for three days and the lump finally seems to have disappeared for good. The scar still seems to “weep” a tiny bit of clear fluid on occasion, but seems okay. I have one more check up on the 24th.

Life has been pretty crazy this week. Anne and James arrived home late Tuesday night and we’ve been enjoying the fun and laughter of having them around. We’ve tried to be as relaxed as possible about our schedules so that they could catch up on badly needed rest as they are both coming off intense ministry schedules plus jet lag. But that is easier said than done at this time of year, especially with Anne’s birthday coming on the 21st. We planned a simple dinner with the family and going to see the Hobbit. While John and Anne went out to look at cameras, James and I had a great time creating a Hobbiton cake and character cake pops. John cooked a whole lobster and steak (outdoors) and we added some favorite greens including steamed artichokes. (Basically a butter meal.) The kitchen is still a disaster.

Tomorrow we are headed downtown for lunch under the Big Christmas Tree at Macy’s/Marshall Fields. This is an annual tradition for our family, one often celebrated on Anne’s birthday. And part of that tradition was always a visit to the girls’ department to try on fancy, expensive dresses (but never buy.) As Anne grew older, we wandered past the prom and wedding gowns. This year we have an appointment at the wedding salon. We’re planning to continue the tradition of looking, trying, but not buying. It should be fun.

In the next few days, I’ll post more pictures from our trip downtown and Christmas. Hopefully I’ll get some good pictures of my short “do”. We’re planning on a lot of crazy fun–and imagine that you are too. Enjoy!