Heading Up North
The time to head back to Mount Prospect is quickly approaching but before we start the drive back, we are going to make a pit stop in Prescott, AZ. Prescott is located about 2 hours north of us and is a very charming mountain town with a great downtown square. The last time we were there was on our way back from Las Vegas in December 2022. This was Kuochun's first visit and prior to that Melinda, Mother and I spent an afternoon there which was not enough time. Unfortunately the weather was in the 40s and rainy and Kuochun felt kind of sick the entire time so we were not able to venture out much. I thought it would be a good idea to try visiting at a different time of year when we have a better chance for nice weather. Prescott is at about a 5,300 foot elevation so temperatures average about 20 degrees lower than the Phoenix area. At the moment we are experiencing a couple of days of a "cold spell" but by the time we leave I am sure it will be in the 100s or possibly even 110s. I booked a Vrbo which is close to the downtown area. A must-have on Kuochun's request list is a walkable neighborhood for the girls. This home received lots of rave reviews about how dog-friendly it is as well as the neighborhood being perfect for dog walking. The front yard is fenced in and the backyard looks very charming but is not totally enclosed. I am sure we will not be able to use the front yard because the girls will be able to see (and bark) at the passersby. The hope is for a peaceful week and to be able to get to visit some nearby towns such as Cottonwood and Sedona.
This week is a milestone for me - a year ago I made the decision to transition to my natural hair color. I have not been coloring my hair all that long (I have lost track exactly, maybe 10-12 years?) and it was something I was kind of talked into by my hairstylist. I was told it was the thing to do as a few white hairs were starting to show. At this time last year when I had the usual 3-hour plus extravaganza of cut and color I was disappointed to see the color leave my roots before I even washed my hair for the first time. This was the last straw for me. My current hairstylist thinks I only have about 3 months to go but I think it is going to be more like 6 months. My goal was to have it fully transitioned by my 60th birthday and I will easily make that goal. Maybe it will be completed by 59! Overall I really like the way it is turning out and I am excited to see how it will look in the end. It is a combination of my natural brunette and shimmering white highlights so in my opinion it not has been super noticeable. The overall look is still pretty dark. I always liked my natural color and feel it was the right decision for me not to put chemicals on my scalp anymore. It is also a great time and cost savings, it has been great to just go for a haircut.
Ever since we have been in Scottsdale this time around, I have been having regular medical pedicures. I probably have mentioned in the past that Mother and I were making a 40-minute drive each way to visit a dry pedicure mini salon suite. The experience was great at first but went downhill, as the owner was getting more and more booked, and when we could finally secure an appointment, it was rushed and not as beautiful as before. Last time she reprimanded me for not moisturizing my feet. It turned out we did not have to make that long trip because there was a wonderful place right under our noses, about 3 minutes down the street. It has been a game-changer for my feet! Maria has done wonders in 4 months and along with my keeping up with some simple daily homework, I have baby feet. The process has been so educational and I now only wear "barefoot shoes" like the ones pictured above. I also only wear toe socks now as well as silicone toe separators. I have worked my way up to wearing the separators about 3 hours per day. The process feels like having braces, as my feet and toes need to be retrained to splay like a baby's foot. Maria said this foot care will pay off in the future as well, hopefully preventing me from falling when I get older. The previous person never told me that my right big toenail was partially separated from my toe. Maria put a horizontal dam across my nail in an attempt to save it and so far, so good. It is about 25% grown in so far and is growing back properly. She said a podiatrist would have removed the nail altogether so I am very grateful for her efforts.
When Maria found out I was from Chicago, she said she went to intensive training in the Chicago area but she was sure I had never heard of the town. When she said Des Plaines I could not believe it! What a coincidence. She said I can keep up the good work by going there while we are in Mount Prospect. I looked it up and it is in the shopping center near the Shop & Save.
