Monday, March 28, 2011
Hannah's turn to blog!
Sunday, March 27, 2011
I'm a Grandma
After being a waitress for close to 30 years, and still admitting it, I thought I had heard it all. The comments I have received over the years are not something one can make up. Especially when you live in a tourist town. It gets old but I never stop laughing because people are just plain amazing with the things they'll say and do. Just when my self esteem is high, I had two days off and spent it with my kids, I went back to work feeling pretty good about myself. The night was busy enough and I was going to make some money. We already sent 2 people home and I was not one of the two so I was guaranteed my shift and I felt good about it. It was my Monday and I know it's going to come to an end here for awhile so I might as well work and make money. Put a smile on my face and wait on those tables and call it a night. No problem. I can do that with my eyes closed.
Speaking of my eyes, I hate, hate wearing make-up and rarely do. I usually wear at least mascara at work because I think it makes me look a little more alive. OK, and young. I can use all the help I need with that too. At 46 I don't look too bad but I'm no spring chicken anymore and I am getting more and more concerned about the aging thing. Well, last night I decided not to put on any make-up. I figured I had skied and I had some sun on my cheeks and I didn't want to be bothered with the make-up thing. A little color on the lips-wha lah! My first table, a 7 top, 4 adults and 3 kids. Not typical in a fine dining restaurant. They were nice and the kids were very well behaved. Grandpa, on the other hand, was a pistol. Grandpa was obviously paying for the family. He ordered nice wine and expected his grand children to order off the menu and behave. They did. He was a nice guy and I liked him even though he was kind of loud and quirky. He wasn't your warm, fuzzy grandpa but nice enough. I said a few things that made him laugh and he said a few things that made me laugh. I cleared the table and invited them to move into the living room so they could enjoy their desserts in front of the the roaring fire on the comfy couches and chairs. They were so thrilled to do that. Everyone got up to retire to the other room except him. He sat there with his way to full glass of wine that I didn't fill. He obviously had poured the rest of the bottle into his glass plus the leftover wine from the glasses left on the table. He was sitting there with his monster glass of wine so I went over to him and
told him he could bring his wine with him if he would like to. I was doing small things at the table so I wouldn't make him feel uncomfortable because I didn't want him to feel rushed. He said, in his loud, gruff voice that he was enjoying his peace and quiet. He then looked at me and asked,
"Do you have grandchildren?"
REALLY?????? Did he just ask me if I had GRANDCHILDREN???
Now, I'm not saying I'm not old enough to have grand kids, in fact, some of my friends, one, is a grandparent. But, did he really just ask me that? Is he going to ask me if I'm pregnant next??
Our dining room at work is tiny. 10 tables total. When he asked me that, everyone stopped talking and looked at me waiting for my reply. I could tell table 2 was wondering if I would just haul off and smack this guy. Table 6, four men, chuckled. Table 5, romantic couple, pretended like they didn't hear him just ask me that. My reply was, "I have CHILDREN." which I said in an extra loud voice.
I went back into the kitchen and stood there looking in the small mirror on the wall. It's the mirror that we all use to see if we have food in our teeth, or a boogar in our nose or if our make-up is on too thick-before we walk out to a table. Or in my case, a whisker coming out of my chin.
I told everyone what grandpa just said to me and, of course, huge laughter. Even from me.
It was a good comment and my self esteem was hurting a bit but I knew we would have fun with that one for awhile.
Thanks Grandpa, for making me feel as old as your ancient, geezer ass.
I love my job, seriously.
Maybe the reason I dress up as an elderly lady practically every Halloween is because I am pretty convincing.
Speaking of my eyes, I hate, hate wearing make-up and rarely do. I usually wear at least mascara at work because I think it makes me look a little more alive. OK, and young. I can use all the help I need with that too. At 46 I don't look too bad but I'm no spring chicken anymore and I am getting more and more concerned about the aging thing. Well, last night I decided not to put on any make-up. I figured I had skied and I had some sun on my cheeks and I didn't want to be bothered with the make-up thing. A little color on the lips-wha lah! My first table, a 7 top, 4 adults and 3 kids. Not typical in a fine dining restaurant. They were nice and the kids were very well behaved. Grandpa, on the other hand, was a pistol. Grandpa was obviously paying for the family. He ordered nice wine and expected his grand children to order off the menu and behave. They did. He was a nice guy and I liked him even though he was kind of loud and quirky. He wasn't your warm, fuzzy grandpa but nice enough. I said a few things that made him laugh and he said a few things that made me laugh. I cleared the table and invited them to move into the living room so they could enjoy their desserts in front of the the roaring fire on the comfy couches and chairs. They were so thrilled to do that. Everyone got up to retire to the other room except him. He sat there with his way to full glass of wine that I didn't fill. He obviously had poured the rest of the bottle into his glass plus the leftover wine from the glasses left on the table. He was sitting there with his monster glass of wine so I went over to him and
told him he could bring his wine with him if he would like to. I was doing small things at the table so I wouldn't make him feel uncomfortable because I didn't want him to feel rushed. He said, in his loud, gruff voice that he was enjoying his peace and quiet. He then looked at me and asked,
"Do you have grandchildren?"
REALLY?????? Did he just ask me if I had GRANDCHILDREN???
Now, I'm not saying I'm not old enough to have grand kids, in fact, some of my friends, one, is a grandparent. But, did he really just ask me that? Is he going to ask me if I'm pregnant next??
Our dining room at work is tiny. 10 tables total. When he asked me that, everyone stopped talking and looked at me waiting for my reply. I could tell table 2 was wondering if I would just haul off and smack this guy. Table 6, four men, chuckled. Table 5, romantic couple, pretended like they didn't hear him just ask me that. My reply was, "I have CHILDREN." which I said in an extra loud voice.
I went back into the kitchen and stood there looking in the small mirror on the wall. It's the mirror that we all use to see if we have food in our teeth, or a boogar in our nose or if our make-up is on too thick-before we walk out to a table. Or in my case, a whisker coming out of my chin.
I told everyone what grandpa just said to me and, of course, huge laughter. Even from me.
It was a good comment and my self esteem was hurting a bit but I knew we would have fun with that one for awhile.
Thanks Grandpa, for making me feel as old as your ancient, geezer ass.
I love my job, seriously.
Maybe the reason I dress up as an elderly lady practically every Halloween is because I am pretty convincing.
Thursday, March 24, 2011
Just Having Fun
I should have been a stand up comedian. As I get older I realize how funny I actually am. I am the funniest person I know. I take after my Mom. She cracked herself up, big time.
Some would beg to differ. Like my kids. And some of my friends. And my husband, when the joke is on him. And...
I just finished watching Richard Lewis on The View. He has always cracked me up. I remember first seeing him when I was young. He is the neurotic comedian that made fun of himself. On The View just now he was rambling on and on and some might say it was inappropriate. I thought it was funny. Which is why I am thinking about how funny I am. I am often very inappropriate and immature and yet it cracks me up. I get a couple of cocktails in me and look out. I am funny. I don't hold back. I make fun of myself talk about real life situations and make it funny. I'm sure I offend some with my humor and I don't mean to. It's just who I am and how I am. So, get over it and lighten up. I'll never make fun of anyone except myself. OK, maybe Jack but he knows I'm kidding. Plus, Jack is part of my act. He's my husband and he's fair game. We said it in our vows. Plus, he's an excellent target. Thankfully, he puts up with it and never complains. He's a good sport.
Life is funny. Yuk it up a little.
Some would beg to differ. Like my kids. And some of my friends. And my husband, when the joke is on him. And...
I just finished watching Richard Lewis on The View. He has always cracked me up. I remember first seeing him when I was young. He is the neurotic comedian that made fun of himself. On The View just now he was rambling on and on and some might say it was inappropriate. I thought it was funny. Which is why I am thinking about how funny I am. I am often very inappropriate and immature and yet it cracks me up. I get a couple of cocktails in me and look out. I am funny. I don't hold back. I make fun of myself talk about real life situations and make it funny. I'm sure I offend some with my humor and I don't mean to. It's just who I am and how I am. So, get over it and lighten up. I'll never make fun of anyone except myself. OK, maybe Jack but he knows I'm kidding. Plus, Jack is part of my act. He's my husband and he's fair game. We said it in our vows. Plus, he's an excellent target. Thankfully, he puts up with it and never complains. He's a good sport.
Life is funny. Yuk it up a little.
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
March in the Mountains
Whew, oooffdah, mannymolin!!
It's March, full on here in the resorts and I am feeling it. Work is starting to get to me. Every ones moral is needing a boost and we are all getting snippy with each other. But, we know it and we all are talking at the end of the night and doing our "debriefing." It's kind of funny. It's great to be busy because it just means things are coming around and people are starting to spend money and have fun again. Keep it up America. We need to get out of this funk we've been in.
The snow is still pretty amazing. The skiing has been excellent all winter and we have the biggest snowbanks I have seen in years. I need to drive up Loveland Pass and get a picture of the biggest snowbank up there. It's HUGE and so cool to see.
I have been trying to avoid the supermarket and shop at off times but it doesn't always happen that way. City Market is nowhere to be from 3-7pm. Trust me. Don't go there. I am so thankful for Vitamin Cottage. Never busy, always a parking spot, not to mention the best produce up here. I'm not kidding. Their produce is the best. City Market comes in 2nd and even Target has pretty good produce. I now have 3 stores I shop at for my groceries. It's not quick, in and out. Safeway has terrible produce. However, Safeway has the best meat department up here. Just my opinion.
Bottom line. March is crazy and it's kicking my arse. I can't wait for it to slow down, get warm and we get to get a parking spot quick and easy at the supermarket.
It's March, full on here in the resorts and I am feeling it. Work is starting to get to me. Every ones moral is needing a boost and we are all getting snippy with each other. But, we know it and we all are talking at the end of the night and doing our "debriefing." It's kind of funny. It's great to be busy because it just means things are coming around and people are starting to spend money and have fun again. Keep it up America. We need to get out of this funk we've been in.
The snow is still pretty amazing. The skiing has been excellent all winter and we have the biggest snowbanks I have seen in years. I need to drive up Loveland Pass and get a picture of the biggest snowbank up there. It's HUGE and so cool to see.
I have been trying to avoid the supermarket and shop at off times but it doesn't always happen that way. City Market is nowhere to be from 3-7pm. Trust me. Don't go there. I am so thankful for Vitamin Cottage. Never busy, always a parking spot, not to mention the best produce up here. I'm not kidding. Their produce is the best. City Market comes in 2nd and even Target has pretty good produce. I now have 3 stores I shop at for my groceries. It's not quick, in and out. Safeway has terrible produce. However, Safeway has the best meat department up here. Just my opinion.
Bottom line. March is crazy and it's kicking my arse. I can't wait for it to slow down, get warm and we get to get a parking spot quick and easy at the supermarket.
Monday, March 7, 2011
March 5th, 2008
3 years ago my Mom died. I didn't and couldn't write about it then and didn't give any inclination to it because it's still just too sad. I had a great day and didn't expect it. I was anticipating the day for awhile and with so much going on in our lives I was just going to see where the day led me. I knew I was going to do something in honor of my Mom and I did. I skied.
Even though my Mom didn't ski I feel she would have loved it had she taken it up. She was me only 31 years older.
The skiing was excellent. We had received a few inches of snow overnight and it was my first day off in awhile and after skiing the back country the day before I felt like getting many runs in at the Basin and I knew, when I woke up that morning, that I was going to ski and ski fast.
My good friend Joe was here from MN and after Jack got the kids off to school that morning we decided to drive to the Basin. We got there at around 9:30 and surprisingly so, we go more snow then I expected. We rode the chair and I could feel my adrenaline as I was looking around and watching the skiers coming down. It was good. Even though Jack took my fat skies down to the shop with him for a tune up I wasn't upset thinking my Volkl's would be perfect. They were great to ski on but my fatties would have been much more fun. Not a big deal because I was having fun regardless.
I purposely skipped breakfast because I really, really wanted a breakfast burrito. After skiing a few runs it was time for a water break and a burrito. We went into the A-frame and they stopped serving breakfast at 10:30. It was 11:00. No bueno.
I got some soup and fries and water and after fueling up it was time to ski again. We skied until 2 something and called it a day. It was pure winter up there and it was just what I needed to remember the day my Mom died. I thought about it all day. I was skiing lines I haven't skied in years just because we haven't had the snow to do so. The Ally's were amazing. You could ski "The Waterfall" with confidence and the same with "My Chute." It was very cool. My Mom would have loved it and she did.
I miss my Mom something fierce and think of her every day. She is still with us and I feel it now.
I am so very proud to have been her daughter.
Even though my Mom didn't ski I feel she would have loved it had she taken it up. She was me only 31 years older.
The skiing was excellent. We had received a few inches of snow overnight and it was my first day off in awhile and after skiing the back country the day before I felt like getting many runs in at the Basin and I knew, when I woke up that morning, that I was going to ski and ski fast.
My good friend Joe was here from MN and after Jack got the kids off to school that morning we decided to drive to the Basin. We got there at around 9:30 and surprisingly so, we go more snow then I expected. We rode the chair and I could feel my adrenaline as I was looking around and watching the skiers coming down. It was good. Even though Jack took my fat skies down to the shop with him for a tune up I wasn't upset thinking my Volkl's would be perfect. They were great to ski on but my fatties would have been much more fun. Not a big deal because I was having fun regardless.
I purposely skipped breakfast because I really, really wanted a breakfast burrito. After skiing a few runs it was time for a water break and a burrito. We went into the A-frame and they stopped serving breakfast at 10:30. It was 11:00. No bueno.
I got some soup and fries and water and after fueling up it was time to ski again. We skied until 2 something and called it a day. It was pure winter up there and it was just what I needed to remember the day my Mom died. I thought about it all day. I was skiing lines I haven't skied in years just because we haven't had the snow to do so. The Ally's were amazing. You could ski "The Waterfall" with confidence and the same with "My Chute." It was very cool. My Mom would have loved it and she did.
I miss my Mom something fierce and think of her every day. She is still with us and I feel it now.
I am so very proud to have been her daughter.
Thursday, March 3, 2011
Jack Said Yes
Tonight we are attending a fundraiser for our good friend John Flanagan. He got out of the hospital a few days ago and is now back in summit county.
Here's another John Paul story.
I think it's because of John that Jack and I got married. Our first date was huge. With John's help, Jack set me up with back country gear. I had these old leather Fabiano boots and long skinny skis with flimsy 3-pin bindings. He made this plan for us to hike up Webster Pass with our skis and ski down then hike up to Santa Fe cabin and spend the night. The cabin sits on the side of the mountain above tree line and it has a wood burning stove in it and it's rustic. We spent the day hiking and ended up at the cabin and I remember how tired I was. It was gruelling and I think Jack did that to me on purpose to see if I could handle it. I could. Barely. John was so impressed with the fact that Jack took me up there and I held my own. He told me so over and over. So now, Jack and I are a couple and John is becoming a good friend. After over 4 years of being with Jack, living together, etc, I wanted to settle down. Jack, claiming he was not the marrying type, was not going to go down that road. Well, we were at the Snake one night with John and we were having a blast, as usual. I decided it was time and I got down on one knee and took Jacks hand in mine (what the hell is wrong with THIS picture) and proposed, right in front of John. John was extremely floored and he was telling Jack he better not say no. John was laughing so hard and being John and just couldn't believe it. Shots of Jamison.
The next day, Jack called my Dad. He then called John to ask him to be our best man in our wedding. It was classic. To this day we laugh at the whole proposal, from me, thing. John was the best man in our wedding and that is another story.
Good Times.
Here's another John Paul story.
I think it's because of John that Jack and I got married. Our first date was huge. With John's help, Jack set me up with back country gear. I had these old leather Fabiano boots and long skinny skis with flimsy 3-pin bindings. He made this plan for us to hike up Webster Pass with our skis and ski down then hike up to Santa Fe cabin and spend the night. The cabin sits on the side of the mountain above tree line and it has a wood burning stove in it and it's rustic. We spent the day hiking and ended up at the cabin and I remember how tired I was. It was gruelling and I think Jack did that to me on purpose to see if I could handle it. I could. Barely. John was so impressed with the fact that Jack took me up there and I held my own. He told me so over and over. So now, Jack and I are a couple and John is becoming a good friend. After over 4 years of being with Jack, living together, etc, I wanted to settle down. Jack, claiming he was not the marrying type, was not going to go down that road. Well, we were at the Snake one night with John and we were having a blast, as usual. I decided it was time and I got down on one knee and took Jacks hand in mine (what the hell is wrong with THIS picture) and proposed, right in front of John. John was extremely floored and he was telling Jack he better not say no. John was laughing so hard and being John and just couldn't believe it. Shots of Jamison.
The next day, Jack called my Dad. He then called John to ask him to be our best man in our wedding. It was classic. To this day we laugh at the whole proposal, from me, thing. John was the best man in our wedding and that is another story.
Good Times.
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