On the plane from Austin to El Paso, I sat between a girl my age and a grandma. Then, from El Paso to Phoenix, I sat between a married couple. We had no problems this time at the airport [recognizing each other]. The first night here, I called home, and Barry answered. I asked for me, “No, she’s not.” Ha Ha. Is Mom there? I confused him but got to talk to Mom. I went with Grandma and Dan [her boyfriend] to the lake on Tuesday. I got up on the ski once, fell, and hurt my wedding finger. Then, got drug around on the kneeboard quite a ways.

My arms are sore, and the back of my shoulders sun-warmed, but it was worth it. I had heck of fun. Wednesday, I slept late, then I tried out the Bowflex, got up to 5.5 mph on the treadmill, burned 100 calories in 9:40 [under 10 minutes] on a bike, and did a few laps in the pool. I’ve slept nice without my dad’s snoring or having to use earplugs. I was helping Great-Grandpa [Herbert] and [his sister] Auntie [Eleanor] with the laundry. I pushed start on the dryer, but the lint guard wasn’t in, so in an effort to stop it, Great-Grandpa (GG) pulled the start button out.

I had to fix that and clean the lint guard with my fingers, not a paper towel, as advised by GG. Then I went upstairs laughing as I told Grandma. She’s taught me how to play this pharaoh computer game. You build an Egyptian city. I called my mom again at noon. It’s hard to know when with the 2-hour time difference. It’s hard to adjust, and now I’m going to California for another hour’s difference. I guess I better get used to it if I’m in the Navy [or will be soon].

Thursday, I woke up and went swimming with GG in the 82° pool. I got to watch him shave, and Auntie got to watch me paint my nails ruby chrome. When I had been running on the treadmill, GG had commented on how it made my boobs bounce. [Well, I don’t want to keep going now.] I got to try another Indian dinner with 4 Indian people [Dad’s friends]. Friday morning started off with a nice argument [me feeling attacked] and my crying at the end of the couch.

I don’t think we’ll be able to make one visit without my tears amongst us all. I’m looking forward to California. I cried again on Saturday, in the car, till Caroline made me laugh, telling my dad the straight-up truth. We got to Aunt Tata [my great-grandma’s sister] and Uncle Woody’s at 11:45 or so. We left their house late with toilet paper and chocolate [always a parting gift. I wish I could’ve had more time.] The rest of the trip was great.

Me and my dad went to Colorado to ride a train through the mountains and ate dinner at Mexican Hat [Lodge], “The Home of the Swingin Steak,” where I had a burger. Then I came home [while Dad posted pictures of us in Petrified Forest National Park and Monument Valley on his blog].