Happy May 1st. May Day, as some remember it. I remember May Day. When we lived on Estate Drive in MN, I used to make May Baskets with my friend and we'd leave them on the front door of our neighbors and ring the doorbell and run. It was fun and it brings back good memories. Especially remembering the weather. I remember the weather used to be spring and spring in MN means warm, green, flowers, etc.
Good Times.
Today, 3" new (that would be snow), 104" base (at Arapahoe Basin), 408" snowfall (for the season so far), 17 degree's, snowing.
My facebook post read: "May Day! May Day! We have a problem. It's still winter!" And it is. Big time. There is absolutely no sign of spring in the air. None what-so-ever.
We went to the movies today. We usually see one or, at the very most , two movies a year. Today we saw, Soul Surfer. Jack and I cried pretty much through the entire movie. It was good. I thought Jack was going to book a trip to Costa Rica the minute we got home. He is so wanting the ocean right now. We all are.
After the movie Hannah and I went to get some groceries. The store was crowded and we got out of there pretty painlessly. We got home and didn't turn on the computer or TV and put on Bob Marley and did our own thinng. I cooked, Hannah drew a picture and colored it, Jordan grabbed a board game and as she does a lot, she played the game alone. She loves doing that. Jack went to his man cave and worked on his custom skis. It was peaceful and happy in our house. It was snowing so hard when we sat down for dinner. It felt like December.
Life is good right now. I'm not working and I'm getting exercise, Jack is happy skiing everyday, Jordan is in a good place and so is Hannah. The pets are content.
Thanks life.
Sunday, May 1, 2011
Wednesday, April 27, 2011
Skiing Corkscrew
Today I hiked with my husband. We hardly ever ski together anymore and as he left the house at 6:40am, to get the kids to the bus, he yelled up to me to "get your ski gear on and be ready to hike something!"
I sat on the couch, drinking my coffee and made my mind up that I was too tired. Then, a minute later, I decided that I was lame and needed to get some exercise. No excuses.
He got home a half hour later and I was eating eggs, all dressed in my ski clothes, ready to go. I think he was a little blown away that I got my act together at 7 in the morning. Never happens.
We left and drove down to our mailbox in Montezuma, parked the car on main street and started hiking. The temp was 18 degrees and it was partly cloudy. After 30 minutes, I shed my jacket, hat, and put on my spring gloves. We got up to treeline and I felt great. Jack kept on hiking and hiking, as usual. Every time I thought we were there, he would crank out another 10 minutes. FINALLY!!! THE TOP!!! It took us 2 hours. Time to take off our skins and look at the situation and pick our lines and ski. But first, we had to wait for a sunspot. So, now, we waited. The sun finally did come through the clouds and I went first. The one thing about skiing Corkscrew is that once you get in there you are completely committed. If it slides you are going with it and as I made my first turn I was just praying that the snow was stable and it wasn't going to crack on me. I knew if it did sluff, it would be a surface sluff and I could go straight, as we talked about, and I would hopefully not fall. I made 3 or 4 turns and the skiing was incredible. I mean INCREDIBLE!!!
I was getting face shots every turn and the snow was perfect. I felt safe and sound and happy. I came around the corner and waited for Jack and he came down skiing getting face shots and hooting and hollering. It was crazy good.
When we got to the bottom we were blown away and both of us were looking up at what we had just skied. We skied aprox. 3200 feet of fresh, deep, untracked powder. Just the two of us. What a day. And, we were home by 11:30am. I had to meet some friends for lunch in Frisco and called to let them know I was running a little late. I got showered and dressed in 20 minutes and started driving to Frisco. It was snowing so hard by the time I crossed the damn road. It was surreal.
I still can't believe we have these mountains literally out our front, back and side doors. We are so lucky to get to enjoy them all year round. Can't wait for mountain bike season. I kept thinking of it as we were hiking today. It's hard to see that summer ever comes. We are still buried in snow.
I sat on the couch, drinking my coffee and made my mind up that I was too tired. Then, a minute later, I decided that I was lame and needed to get some exercise. No excuses.
He got home a half hour later and I was eating eggs, all dressed in my ski clothes, ready to go. I think he was a little blown away that I got my act together at 7 in the morning. Never happens.
We left and drove down to our mailbox in Montezuma, parked the car on main street and started hiking. The temp was 18 degrees and it was partly cloudy. After 30 minutes, I shed my jacket, hat, and put on my spring gloves. We got up to treeline and I felt great. Jack kept on hiking and hiking, as usual. Every time I thought we were there, he would crank out another 10 minutes. FINALLY!!! THE TOP!!! It took us 2 hours. Time to take off our skins and look at the situation and pick our lines and ski. But first, we had to wait for a sunspot. So, now, we waited. The sun finally did come through the clouds and I went first. The one thing about skiing Corkscrew is that once you get in there you are completely committed. If it slides you are going with it and as I made my first turn I was just praying that the snow was stable and it wasn't going to crack on me. I knew if it did sluff, it would be a surface sluff and I could go straight, as we talked about, and I would hopefully not fall. I made 3 or 4 turns and the skiing was incredible. I mean INCREDIBLE!!!
I was getting face shots every turn and the snow was perfect. I felt safe and sound and happy. I came around the corner and waited for Jack and he came down skiing getting face shots and hooting and hollering. It was crazy good.
When we got to the bottom we were blown away and both of us were looking up at what we had just skied. We skied aprox. 3200 feet of fresh, deep, untracked powder. Just the two of us. What a day. And, we were home by 11:30am. I had to meet some friends for lunch in Frisco and called to let them know I was running a little late. I got showered and dressed in 20 minutes and started driving to Frisco. It was snowing so hard by the time I crossed the damn road. It was surreal.
Monday, April 25, 2011
Skiing Cadillac
On Friday a friend and I went for a hike/ski. She called me the night before and asked if I wanted to ski Cadillac. Cadillac is this big, huge blue run in the sky. The only way to ski it is to hike up to it. Off we went. I got ready the night before since we were going to get started at 8am. It was 8:45 when we started hiking but it was cold so we weren't worried that by the time we got up to the top it would be too warm which would make the skiing more difficult.
It's a steep hike, in many areas and a great workout. We stopped for lunch after about an hour and a half and drank some water and ate some food. I did manage to snap a few pictures.
We got to the top around 2 hours later and took off our skins and put on our goggles and skied the most creamy, soft, fresh snow and the smile on my face lasted all day.
What a great ski and the hike is well worth the ski.
I love Montezuma.
It's a steep hike, in many areas and a great workout. We stopped for lunch after about an hour and a half and drank some water and ate some food. I did manage to snap a few pictures.
We got to the top around 2 hours later and took off our skins and put on our goggles and skied the most creamy, soft, fresh snow and the smile on my face lasted all day.
What a great ski and the hike is well worth the ski.
Saturday, April 23, 2011
Las Vegas, Day-3
It was our last full day and night in Vegas and we were looking forward to seeing something new. Jack called the Mandalay Bay to ask if we could use the pool even though we couldn't check in until 3. They said sure so we nixed the idea of driving to see the Hoover Dam. We drove to the Mandalay Bay and decided to try to check in and it was 11:30. We did and we couldn't believe how nice the hotel was. The girls were extremely excited to be there. We found our room and it was gorgeous. We literally could have spent the day in the room it was so nice. But, we didn't. We went to the pool and it was sunny and hot and the girls and Jack played in the water for hours. We lounged in the lazy river, caught the waves in the wave pool and, of course, people watched.
After hours in the sun and water we went back to the room and enjoyed the room with a view. I took a nap and the girls watched some TV and then we all got ready to walk the strip. We hadn't yet done anything on the strip so we were looking forward to it. Since the Mandalay Bay is at the very South end we knew we were going to walk and walk. And we did. There is always something to see in Vegas and we sure did get our fill. We made it to the Bellagio and saw two fountain shows which were beautiful. We were all tired and our feet were killing us because our flip flops were rubbing our feet raw. Jordan, Hannah and I had to keep rotating flip flops because we were all in such pain. Time for the walk back and it was a fun night.
We all slept like babies and the next morning I woke up before the sun came up over the horizon. I had left the drapes open so I could see the view and just then the sun came up and Jack woke up too and we watched the sunrise from the 19th floor laying in bed. It was beautiful.
We packed up and drove away from Vegas with not even one penny gambled away.
The drive was uneventful and we arrived back home having to put the car in 4WD to make it up the driveway in 2 feet of snow. We ended up getting stuck at the top of the driveway and had to walk up to the house in knee deep snow in our flip flops.
Welcome home and we are back in winter. 80 degrees never felt so nice.
After hours in the sun and water we went back to the room and enjoyed the room with a view. I took a nap and the girls watched some TV and then we all got ready to walk the strip. We hadn't yet done anything on the strip so we were looking forward to it. Since the Mandalay Bay is at the very South end we knew we were going to walk and walk. And we did. There is always something to see in Vegas and we sure did get our fill. We made it to the Bellagio and saw two fountain shows which were beautiful. We were all tired and our feet were killing us because our flip flops were rubbing our feet raw. Jordan, Hannah and I had to keep rotating flip flops because we were all in such pain. Time for the walk back and it was a fun night.
We all slept like babies and the next morning I woke up before the sun came up over the horizon. I had left the drapes open so I could see the view and just then the sun came up and Jack woke up too and we watched the sunrise from the 19th floor laying in bed. It was beautiful.
We packed up and drove away from Vegas with not even one penny gambled away.
The drive was uneventful and we arrived back home having to put the car in 4WD to make it up the driveway in 2 feet of snow. We ended up getting stuck at the top of the driveway and had to walk up to the house in knee deep snow in our flip flops.
Welcome home and we are back in winter. 80 degrees never felt so nice.
Sunday, April 17, 2011
Las Vegas- Day 2
Jack, naturally, got out of bed super early and left for some coffee. The girls and I slept in and with the wooden blinds closed tightly it was dark and we could have slept until noon. Jack came back with coffee for me too and we all slowly woke up looking out at the clear, warm skies. We talked about what to do and see and I had so many of the free things planned out. Jack really wanted to walk down to the Stratosphere. Since no one brought any shoes except flip flops I knew the walk was at least 2 miles one way and even though that doesn't seem like far, for our tender, non-broken in for flip flop feet, it was. We got in the car and drove and had breakfast at Denny's. It was fine and the waiter was funny and I picked his brain on all sorts of stuff. We had that waiter bond.
We walked from Denny's to the Stratosphere and like I thought, we had to pay to get to the top. It wasn't cheap and we are so we weren't about to splurge nearly $20/person for a view of the city. The girls were upset but they got over it quickly because they know that we just aren't the family that can pay for that and whining will definitely not fix that problem. Back to the car and we drove to Walmart instead because we were on a budget and needed food for the hotel room so we wouldn't spend any more money on food. Except for dinner. But, with 2 for one's who cares?
The Bussy's obviously don't get much in the culture scene because Walmart, in Las Vegas, was sure entertaining for us.
We got back to the hotel after awhile and got on our suits and went to the pool. Books in hand, it was relaxing and warm. I slept and Jack read. The girls got into a humungous fight and thank God they left the pool area. We had our peace at last. They ended up in the room. After a couple of hours of getting sun we went back to the room and I took a nap. It was great!!
Time for dinner and another good time on the street. With all of the street shows, homeless people, and just everyday people watching we sure did enjoy ourselves. We had dinner at a place called Hennessey's and the food was good. We loved it. We all got a good nights sleep and I was excited to get to the next destination the next day. It was sure going to be a treat and I saved the best for last. I didn't tell them where we were going but I did tell them we were moving for our last night.
I love surprises.
We walked from Denny's to the Stratosphere and like I thought, we had to pay to get to the top. It wasn't cheap and we are so we weren't about to splurge nearly $20/person for a view of the city. The girls were upset but they got over it quickly because they know that we just aren't the family that can pay for that and whining will definitely not fix that problem. Back to the car and we drove to Walmart instead because we were on a budget and needed food for the hotel room so we wouldn't spend any more money on food. Except for dinner. But, with 2 for one's who cares?
The Bussy's obviously don't get much in the culture scene because Walmart, in Las Vegas, was sure entertaining for us.
We got back to the hotel after awhile and got on our suits and went to the pool. Books in hand, it was relaxing and warm. I slept and Jack read. The girls got into a humungous fight and thank God they left the pool area. We had our peace at last. They ended up in the room. After a couple of hours of getting sun we went back to the room and I took a nap. It was great!!
Time for dinner and another good time on the street. With all of the street shows, homeless people, and just everyday people watching we sure did enjoy ourselves. We had dinner at a place called Hennessey's and the food was good. We loved it. We all got a good nights sleep and I was excited to get to the next destination the next day. It was sure going to be a treat and I saved the best for last. I didn't tell them where we were going but I did tell them we were moving for our last night.
I love surprises.
Saturday, April 16, 2011
Las Vegas
For a city I once could only take for a day and a half I sure have a different attitude about Las Vegas.
Our kids have been on spring break since last Friday and we had no plans to do anything. Looking out at all of the snow I was becoming more and more antsy to get them some sun and warmth. A good dose of vitamin D was just the answer. Jack had unburied the camper and hauled the bikes out of our shed. Except, Hannah still doesn't have a bike. We gave it away last year before we left for Costa Rica because she had outgrown it. I kept thinking of where we were going to go camping and even though it sounded great I knew it would be cold in the morning and night and I really didn't want to put on my down jacket, not even once. Plus, Jack mentioned, casually, that the heater wasn't working in the camper. I don't think so.
I got on the computer and started looking for cheap hotel rooms in Las Vegas. There were many. Now, I had to convince Jack and the girls that the Bussys needed a good road trip. I had stashed most of my cash tip money from the winter so I could justify the cost. Which was not much considering I booked a hotel for 2 nights at $34.00/night for the 4 of us. I sold my trip to the family, not easily mind you, but it sold. We loaded the car at 8p.m. Monday night and drove. Jack didn't want to drive the whole way on Tuesday so we drove to Grand Junction and got a good nights sleep.
The next day we made it to Las Vegas and it was 77 degrees when we arrived.
After spending a few hours on the computer at home looking for a place to stay I booked a room at a hotel downtown. I figured we had never explored the downtown area. Plus, I splurged and booked us a room on the strip for our last night. I knew we could only handle the strip for so long.
We found our hotel, The California, which was in a great location a block off of Fremont street. We checked into our clean, non-smoking room and I was pleasantly surprised. It didn't smell like rank smoke, the hotel was clean, the room was big and bright and nice and the beds were wonderful. So far so good. After getting off on the 13th floor I had my doubts. I'm not kidding. We were on the 13th floor. Superstitious?? Not really.
We decided to find the pool and get on our suits and lounge. After all, we came here for the sun and warmth. It was now 80 degrees after all. The pool was a disappointment though. It was ice cold and small but we enjoyed the pool anyway and of course, the girls went swimming regardless of the temp. It was nice.
We went back to the room and got ready to explore. I had done some research on the downtown area and I liked the thought of the Fremont Street Experience. Not knowing exactly what that was we would soon find out. We walked the block to the pedestrian mall and it was all action. Not many people but for us coming straight from Montezuma, the lights, shops, casino's, it was action. We walked up and down and found a restaurant that was serving 2 for one dinners and decided on that for dinner. We were still a couple of hours from dinner time so back to the room for a bit. We all chilled and explored our hotel and found shops and the arcade and the 9 different restaurants and we were getting the lay of the land. We were now ready for dinner and walked back to Fremont Street and things had changed. It was happening. There were people everywhere and street shows anywhere you looked and it was going on. We were the rubber neck family and loving it. We ate dinner and as we were walking back it was 3 minutes to 8 and Jack got a feeling something was going to happen. Hundreds of people were standing, no one was walking anymore and all of a sudden all of the casinos turned off their lights and the music started playing. Coming out of the speakers throughout the mall was Don McLeans, American Pie. It was in sync to the video that ran the entire distance of Fremont Street and the video was showing above our heads. It was incredible. If you have never seen this, go downtown and experience that. It was so cool and I couldn't get over the fact that we were watching this amazing show. We were just in awe over this. Everyone was.
The Bussys were warm and happy.
Our kids have been on spring break since last Friday and we had no plans to do anything. Looking out at all of the snow I was becoming more and more antsy to get them some sun and warmth. A good dose of vitamin D was just the answer. Jack had unburied the camper and hauled the bikes out of our shed. Except, Hannah still doesn't have a bike. We gave it away last year before we left for Costa Rica because she had outgrown it. I kept thinking of where we were going to go camping and even though it sounded great I knew it would be cold in the morning and night and I really didn't want to put on my down jacket, not even once. Plus, Jack mentioned, casually, that the heater wasn't working in the camper. I don't think so.
I got on the computer and started looking for cheap hotel rooms in Las Vegas. There were many. Now, I had to convince Jack and the girls that the Bussys needed a good road trip. I had stashed most of my cash tip money from the winter so I could justify the cost. Which was not much considering I booked a hotel for 2 nights at $34.00/night for the 4 of us. I sold my trip to the family, not easily mind you, but it sold. We loaded the car at 8p.m. Monday night and drove. Jack didn't want to drive the whole way on Tuesday so we drove to Grand Junction and got a good nights sleep.
The next day we made it to Las Vegas and it was 77 degrees when we arrived.
After spending a few hours on the computer at home looking for a place to stay I booked a room at a hotel downtown. I figured we had never explored the downtown area. Plus, I splurged and booked us a room on the strip for our last night. I knew we could only handle the strip for so long.
We found our hotel, The California, which was in a great location a block off of Fremont street. We checked into our clean, non-smoking room and I was pleasantly surprised. It didn't smell like rank smoke, the hotel was clean, the room was big and bright and nice and the beds were wonderful. So far so good. After getting off on the 13th floor I had my doubts. I'm not kidding. We were on the 13th floor. Superstitious?? Not really.
We decided to find the pool and get on our suits and lounge. After all, we came here for the sun and warmth. It was now 80 degrees after all. The pool was a disappointment though. It was ice cold and small but we enjoyed the pool anyway and of course, the girls went swimming regardless of the temp. It was nice.
We went back to the room and got ready to explore. I had done some research on the downtown area and I liked the thought of the Fremont Street Experience. Not knowing exactly what that was we would soon find out. We walked the block to the pedestrian mall and it was all action. Not many people but for us coming straight from Montezuma, the lights, shops, casino's, it was action. We walked up and down and found a restaurant that was serving 2 for one dinners and decided on that for dinner. We were still a couple of hours from dinner time so back to the room for a bit. We all chilled and explored our hotel and found shops and the arcade and the 9 different restaurants and we were getting the lay of the land. We were now ready for dinner and walked back to Fremont Street and things had changed. It was happening. There were people everywhere and street shows anywhere you looked and it was going on. We were the rubber neck family and loving it. We ate dinner and as we were walking back it was 3 minutes to 8 and Jack got a feeling something was going to happen. Hundreds of people were standing, no one was walking anymore and all of a sudden all of the casinos turned off their lights and the music started playing. Coming out of the speakers throughout the mall was Don McLeans, American Pie. It was in sync to the video that ran the entire distance of Fremont Street and the video was showing above our heads. It was incredible. If you have never seen this, go downtown and experience that. It was so cool and I couldn't get over the fact that we were watching this amazing show. We were just in awe over this. Everyone was.
The Bussys were warm and happy.
Sunday, April 10, 2011
Complaining
It's Sunday and my kids are on spring break. I'm feeling sorry for ourselves that we aren't in Disneyland or at the beach or camping or in Costa Rica. It's snowing out right now and it's not even 30 degrees. Wah!!
I got home from work at around midnight last night and today I slept in. Unfortunately, I had to wake up to a snowmobile reving up its engine and it sounded sick. For hours this guy was out there and after listening to the sick pig I got my coat on and boots and walked down the driveway to see what the deal was. Here is this guy stuck in my yard with his fancy schmancy sled and there are 5 or so guys down there digging and shoveling. I climbed up on the snowbank and threw up my hands clearly pissed off at these bozo's. I told them I was sick of the noise and to get out of my yard. What a bitch, is what they were thinking. Well, after a huge winter and not wanting winter anymore I AM a bitch and would like not to hear anymore machines stuck in my yard. So, I'm sure they all took a pee in my driveway and left. I didn't stick around to see. But I did leave my ginormous dog outside to intimidate them. I love big dogs. Except, my big dog barfed 3 times on our carpet at 7am this morning so that was actually the first thing I heard when I woke up this morning.
I got on facebook to catch up on some reading, pathetic, I know, and it's depressing reading that so and so's family is flying South, such and such is in San Diego, blah blah blah is at the beach. Woe is me.
Time to get over it and go out and shovel off some snow from the deck.
Keystone closes today so the season is definitely ending. After today we should see things really slow down. This seems to have been the season that never ended. Work is still busy and that's a good thing.
Happy snowy day and for those of you who are at the beach, get over yourselves.
I got home from work at around midnight last night and today I slept in. Unfortunately, I had to wake up to a snowmobile reving up its engine and it sounded sick. For hours this guy was out there and after listening to the sick pig I got my coat on and boots and walked down the driveway to see what the deal was. Here is this guy stuck in my yard with his fancy schmancy sled and there are 5 or so guys down there digging and shoveling. I climbed up on the snowbank and threw up my hands clearly pissed off at these bozo's. I told them I was sick of the noise and to get out of my yard. What a bitch, is what they were thinking. Well, after a huge winter and not wanting winter anymore I AM a bitch and would like not to hear anymore machines stuck in my yard. So, I'm sure they all took a pee in my driveway and left. I didn't stick around to see. But I did leave my ginormous dog outside to intimidate them. I love big dogs. Except, my big dog barfed 3 times on our carpet at 7am this morning so that was actually the first thing I heard when I woke up this morning.
I got on facebook to catch up on some reading, pathetic, I know, and it's depressing reading that so and so's family is flying South, such and such is in San Diego, blah blah blah is at the beach. Woe is me.
Time to get over it and go out and shovel off some snow from the deck.
Keystone closes today so the season is definitely ending. After today we should see things really slow down. This seems to have been the season that never ended. Work is still busy and that's a good thing.
Happy snowy day and for those of you who are at the beach, get over yourselves.
Saturday, April 2, 2011
April 1st. No Kidding
This is the bottom of our driveway
Leaving the driveway. This is the garage on the right.
View from the front door.
View from the front door.
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.
Sunday, February 20, 2011
John Flanagan
This post is hard for me to type. It's titled after one of Jack's best buddies ever who has been in the hospital for 9 days now. He went in originally for what they thought were gall stones and when they got in there they realized that it wasn't gall stones at all. He has cancer and they ended up removing his gall bladder and his appendix. Both were diseased with cancer and now they are trying to determine how far it has spread. It's looking pretty grim.
We decided John needed some support and Jack would be just the guy to cheer him up. We got the kids set up at some friends for the night and the dog and cat taken care of and drove to Colorado Springs. We got to the hospital at around 4 or so. He hasn't eaten in 10 days. The can't give him anything but water. He's lost 30 or so pounds but he looked good. It was another night of story telling and laughter.
Jack and John met in about 1982. That was the year I graduated from high school. Jack moved to Colorado and started living in Summit County after attending college for a year and a half in Durango. Of course, Jack was a skier and so was John and they were eyeing each other up on the mountain and started skiing together, both earning the respect of one another. Jack needed a place to live and moved into the small 100 year old cabin John shared with his girlfriend at the time, Marilee.
Jack and John are nothing alike. Jack is from the West Coast, San Diego, and John is from the East Coast, Connecticut. Pure opposite, geographically speaking. John is Irish and parties like no other. Jack is usually responsible and quits drinking before he gets severely drunk. John has a huge, huge temper. Jack has no temper. John is wild, Jack isn't. But they do share that incredible bond of skiing. And skiing big. They became ski partners quickly and 30 years later nothing has changed with those two on the mountain except they ski wiser, they don't take the chances they used to. Well, John still does, I'm sure. When Jack and John get together they laugh and tonight they were telling stories that I have never ever heard before. It was so much fun listening to the two of them. Here are some of the stories.
John used to drive an old white truck. Jack used to drive an old blue truck. John's truck was a good truck. I still remember it. Jack's truck was a piece of crap. It had no power and the tires were bald and Jack, being so frugal, didn't care. He'd drive that thing up Montezuma Road at a crawl in the snow and John was driving up the mountain and came up behind Jack, driving slowly. The first time he saw Jack driving that truck up the 6 mile road, with an elevation climb of around 1000 ft, he decided it would be funny to ram Jack's truck. He is gaining on Jack and Jack sees him in his rear view mirror and is wondering why John is getting so close. John is driving at full speed ahead and rams right into the back of Jack's truck. and Jack, of course, spun out and did a 360 right in the middle of the road. John took advantage of that 360 and passed him, flipping him off as he's passing. So now Jack is behind John. John takes off up the mountain laughing his ass off. They both get to main street so you now have to slow down just out of pure respect for driving slow through town. We all know that. John is driving respectively slow through town and Jack comes up behind him and rams John's truck now. Game on. They did this over and over. I never knew this before and it shocked me to hear of the bumper game they played with each other. Never mind the danger. That's why it was so much fun.
Jack then was reminiscing about the time they were at the Snake. The Snake is a bar/restaurant that has been up here longer than any other in the county. It is in Keystone and John worked there for years as a waiter. How he didn't kill an unruly table is beyond me. We have spent countless hours there, sorry to say. One night after skiing all day, Jack and John ended up at the Snake. Not unusual. John's infamous for Jamison shots. He can drink a lot of Jamison. The bartenders were sick and tired of John and told him to leave. John informed us that he told the bartender he wasn't finished drinking yet so he wasn't going to leave. Jack, the guy who hates confrontation more than anyone I know, is trying to pacify drunk, Irishman John. Jack thinks he has done his job. They walk out and the folks inside lock all of the doors so John can't get back inside. John didn't like this one bit so he gets in his old white truck with Jack in the passenger seat and drives around to the back and rams that truck right into the side of the building. This is an old log building and probably not very sturdy. John is hanging out of the window of his truck yelling "I'LL HUFF AND I'LL PUFF AND I'LL BLOW THIS HOUSE DOWN!!" Well, he was serious and kept ramming the side of the building until they decided to let him back in. They did and John did another shot of Jamison.
One of our friends was telling us about the first time he met John. John and Jack were at the Snake, shocking, and John was extremely pissed about something another one our friends did. John leaves the bar and comes back in with his chainsaw because he is so pissed off he decided he was going to saw the bar in half. He's trying to start the chainsaw but he's too liquored up to figure out where the start switch was and never could get it started. If you knew John, everyone in that bar was praying to God that he wouldn't get that chainsaw started because if he did, there would be carnage.
Jack and John had more fun skiing together than anything. Both were into going big. They'd hike and hike and ski huge vertical and talk about it over shots of Jamison. They were skiing uncharted territory before anyone was skiing it. They were taking big chances. I'm surprised they survived any of it. Powder day's were abundant and they were like kids in a candy store. And they still are. When it snows on the mountain and they run into each other they are like little boy's enjoying the best day of their lives. At the time it is the best day of their lives.
As we were sitting there in the hospital talking about the past and all of the stupid things that took place John was pressing his pain med button because he was laughing and it was causing him a great deal of pain. He kept telling us he couldn't laugh so we had to stop telling these stories. He was happy talking about the good ol' days and it was great to see him smile. The ski stories started up and we could have gone on and on. Visiting hours were coming to an end and we had to get dinner so we said our good buys.
It was a good visit and our good friend John has been diagnosed with cancer. I'm going to try to get as many of those crazy times on paper because they are so worth telling.
We'll know more next week how bad his cancer is. I'll keep you posted.
We decided John needed some support and Jack would be just the guy to cheer him up. We got the kids set up at some friends for the night and the dog and cat taken care of and drove to Colorado Springs. We got to the hospital at around 4 or so. He hasn't eaten in 10 days. The can't give him anything but water. He's lost 30 or so pounds but he looked good. It was another night of story telling and laughter.
Jack and John met in about 1982. That was the year I graduated from high school. Jack moved to Colorado and started living in Summit County after attending college for a year and a half in Durango. Of course, Jack was a skier and so was John and they were eyeing each other up on the mountain and started skiing together, both earning the respect of one another. Jack needed a place to live and moved into the small 100 year old cabin John shared with his girlfriend at the time, Marilee.
Jack and John are nothing alike. Jack is from the West Coast, San Diego, and John is from the East Coast, Connecticut. Pure opposite, geographically speaking. John is Irish and parties like no other. Jack is usually responsible and quits drinking before he gets severely drunk. John has a huge, huge temper. Jack has no temper. John is wild, Jack isn't. But they do share that incredible bond of skiing. And skiing big. They became ski partners quickly and 30 years later nothing has changed with those two on the mountain except they ski wiser, they don't take the chances they used to. Well, John still does, I'm sure. When Jack and John get together they laugh and tonight they were telling stories that I have never ever heard before. It was so much fun listening to the two of them. Here are some of the stories.
John used to drive an old white truck. Jack used to drive an old blue truck. John's truck was a good truck. I still remember it. Jack's truck was a piece of crap. It had no power and the tires were bald and Jack, being so frugal, didn't care. He'd drive that thing up Montezuma Road at a crawl in the snow and John was driving up the mountain and came up behind Jack, driving slowly. The first time he saw Jack driving that truck up the 6 mile road, with an elevation climb of around 1000 ft, he decided it would be funny to ram Jack's truck. He is gaining on Jack and Jack sees him in his rear view mirror and is wondering why John is getting so close. John is driving at full speed ahead and rams right into the back of Jack's truck. and Jack, of course, spun out and did a 360 right in the middle of the road. John took advantage of that 360 and passed him, flipping him off as he's passing. So now Jack is behind John. John takes off up the mountain laughing his ass off. They both get to main street so you now have to slow down just out of pure respect for driving slow through town. We all know that. John is driving respectively slow through town and Jack comes up behind him and rams John's truck now. Game on. They did this over and over. I never knew this before and it shocked me to hear of the bumper game they played with each other. Never mind the danger. That's why it was so much fun.
Jack then was reminiscing about the time they were at the Snake. The Snake is a bar/restaurant that has been up here longer than any other in the county. It is in Keystone and John worked there for years as a waiter. How he didn't kill an unruly table is beyond me. We have spent countless hours there, sorry to say. One night after skiing all day, Jack and John ended up at the Snake. Not unusual. John's infamous for Jamison shots. He can drink a lot of Jamison. The bartenders were sick and tired of John and told him to leave. John informed us that he told the bartender he wasn't finished drinking yet so he wasn't going to leave. Jack, the guy who hates confrontation more than anyone I know, is trying to pacify drunk, Irishman John. Jack thinks he has done his job. They walk out and the folks inside lock all of the doors so John can't get back inside. John didn't like this one bit so he gets in his old white truck with Jack in the passenger seat and drives around to the back and rams that truck right into the side of the building. This is an old log building and probably not very sturdy. John is hanging out of the window of his truck yelling "I'LL HUFF AND I'LL PUFF AND I'LL BLOW THIS HOUSE DOWN!!" Well, he was serious and kept ramming the side of the building until they decided to let him back in. They did and John did another shot of Jamison.
One of our friends was telling us about the first time he met John. John and Jack were at the Snake, shocking, and John was extremely pissed about something another one our friends did. John leaves the bar and comes back in with his chainsaw because he is so pissed off he decided he was going to saw the bar in half. He's trying to start the chainsaw but he's too liquored up to figure out where the start switch was and never could get it started. If you knew John, everyone in that bar was praying to God that he wouldn't get that chainsaw started because if he did, there would be carnage.
Jack and John had more fun skiing together than anything. Both were into going big. They'd hike and hike and ski huge vertical and talk about it over shots of Jamison. They were skiing uncharted territory before anyone was skiing it. They were taking big chances. I'm surprised they survived any of it. Powder day's were abundant and they were like kids in a candy store. And they still are. When it snows on the mountain and they run into each other they are like little boy's enjoying the best day of their lives. At the time it is the best day of their lives.
As we were sitting there in the hospital talking about the past and all of the stupid things that took place John was pressing his pain med button because he was laughing and it was causing him a great deal of pain. He kept telling us he couldn't laugh so we had to stop telling these stories. He was happy talking about the good ol' days and it was great to see him smile. The ski stories started up and we could have gone on and on. Visiting hours were coming to an end and we had to get dinner so we said our good buys.
It was a good visit and our good friend John has been diagnosed with cancer. I'm going to try to get as many of those crazy times on paper because they are so worth telling.
We'll know more next week how bad his cancer is. I'll keep you posted.
Friday, February 18, 2011
The Celebration
Last night was definitely a memorable night. It was the celebration of Leif Borgeson's life and let me tell you, it was amazing. The first part of it was held at the Keystone Conference Center and there were 700 chairs set up, each one filled and there were still so many people standing up in the back. There were 2 huge screens set up for an incredible presentation after a few people got up and spoke. There were 7 or so people that took the podium with fun stories and memories and the last person to get up and say something was his oldest son who read a Hopi Indian Poem. It was beautiful. The presentation was the most amazing thing and there was not a dry eye in the room. Grab a tissue and watch it. THIS IS GOOD! http://vimeo.com/20102602.
We then travelled up Loveland Pass to Arapahoe Basin for the Celebration. It was this long procession of cars for the 6 mile drive. And a Celebration it was.
The Basin provided food and drinks and it was done up so well. There were people there I haven't seen in years. And I didn't miss a beat with any of them. It was one of the best parties I have ever been to. The "family" we have here is like no other. Everyone lives large, goes big and talks about it as if it's nothing. We all share the common bond of skiing. The night ended after so much laughter at around midnight with many going out to the Snake to carry on. Jack said no way. Home for us. Thank God one of us was thinking.
I woke up this morning not feeling up to par. The memories of last night were amazing.
Jack had to work at the ski shop this morning so I got to lay around for the morning not feeling guilty. He got home at around 1:00 and we decided to drive to Colorado Springs to visit our friend, John Flanagan, who is in the hospital. I'll blog about that visit tomorrow. I'm in a hotel room in Colorado Springs and I'm wiped out. Time for bed.
We then travelled up Loveland Pass to Arapahoe Basin for the Celebration. It was this long procession of cars for the 6 mile drive. And a Celebration it was.
The Basin provided food and drinks and it was done up so well. There were people there I haven't seen in years. And I didn't miss a beat with any of them. It was one of the best parties I have ever been to. The "family" we have here is like no other. Everyone lives large, goes big and talks about it as if it's nothing. We all share the common bond of skiing. The night ended after so much laughter at around midnight with many going out to the Snake to carry on. Jack said no way. Home for us. Thank God one of us was thinking.
I woke up this morning not feeling up to par. The memories of last night were amazing.
Jack had to work at the ski shop this morning so I got to lay around for the morning not feeling guilty. He got home at around 1:00 and we decided to drive to Colorado Springs to visit our friend, John Flanagan, who is in the hospital. I'll blog about that visit tomorrow. I'm in a hotel room in Colorado Springs and I'm wiped out. Time for bed.
Thursday, February 17, 2011
Sad
This past week has been extremely sad. Tomorrow is the service for our friend Leif Borgeson and it's going to be huge. Ever since his death Jack has not been himself. He is really effected by this loss.
Tonight, I was in charge of dinner for Hannah's confirmation class. Each parent has to sign up for a night and back in December I signed up for tonight. I had to work so I knew that I had to put together something for dinner in the crock-pot and Jack would have to bring it to church and set up and serve. But, dummy me, I made tacos and it was high maintenance. I had bags of stuff for him to bring and there is a vegan couple there, so I had the vegan tacos as well, that had to be heated. All pretty easy right? Not if you're Jack. I have totally enabled him to not know how do anything but boil water. Shame on me. Well, he did great and pulled through.
I went skiing today and knew I would have to get home to get everything together for Jack which would make his life easier. He picked up the kids from my work and left after extensive direction from me. I need to learn to shut up and let him deal. Well, he was cranky and I was pissed that he came in so cranky.
I got home early, 10pm. He wasn't home but all of the leftover carnage was still in the bags waiting to be put away. I was annoyed and started cleaning up and thinking of how cranky he was. I got over it and sat down to watch the news. He came in and he had a couple of cocktails down in the garage with our tenant.
He just started crying when he saw me and said shit is hitting the fan. He told me that our friend, and our best man in our wedding, has been diagnosed with stomach cancer and we need to get to the hospital asap to be with him. It was all too much for him to handle. He was so freaked out about the life and death concept and we sat there for a long time thinking about our friends.
I felt so bad for being pissed and annoyed at him after seeing how he was not handling all of this death and sickness very well. Shame on me again.
I'm not sure why things happen the way they do but it sure is hard to see friends die, friends have cancer, friends get divorced, friends suffer. Jack has not had to deal with many of these issues and he is not having a very easy time of it. Tomorrow will be very difficult.
Friday, February 11, 2011
Heavy Hearts
Many of us here in Summit County have heavy hearts. Our community lost an incredible person on Tuesday. He was only 50 years old and died hiking in Aspen with one of his sons. I was working the day shift in the office and my good friend called to give me the bad news. She was crying and I was not understanding her and when she told me who had died I was in shock. I hung up the phone and just stared at it.
When a friend dies you don't believe it at first and in my mind I kept thinking maybe it just isn't true. They must have made a terrible mistake and word got out wrong. Obviously, that was not the case. I called Jack who was skiing in Beaver Creek and he answered. He was already in the car driving home and when I told him the terrible news he just broke down and couldn't talk.
All I could think about for the rest of the day was his family. His wife and 2 sons, one who has gone to school with Hannah since they started.
I picked up the girls from the bus stop and Hannah asked me what was wrong. I said nothing. I said I was tired. I didn't want to say anything in the car. We got home and Jack was not home yet. We did homework and I started cooking dinner. Jack came in after awhile and he came up to me and we just hugged and cried. Jordan came up to us and we all hugged. Hannah came down, from upstairs and there we stood, in our kitchen, in a big family group hug. It was an incredibly sad moment.
R.I.P. Leif. You will be missed.
When a friend dies you don't believe it at first and in my mind I kept thinking maybe it just isn't true. They must have made a terrible mistake and word got out wrong. Obviously, that was not the case. I called Jack who was skiing in Beaver Creek and he answered. He was already in the car driving home and when I told him the terrible news he just broke down and couldn't talk.
All I could think about for the rest of the day was his family. His wife and 2 sons, one who has gone to school with Hannah since they started.
I picked up the girls from the bus stop and Hannah asked me what was wrong. I said nothing. I said I was tired. I didn't want to say anything in the car. We got home and Jack was not home yet. We did homework and I started cooking dinner. Jack came in after awhile and he came up to me and we just hugged and cried. Jordan came up to us and we all hugged. Hannah came down, from upstairs and there we stood, in our kitchen, in a big family group hug. It was an incredibly sad moment.
R.I.P. Leif. You will be missed.
Wednesday, February 2, 2011
BUTT COLD!
Yes, I'm going to bitch about the cold. Being from MN I thought I was tougher than this. I'm not. I know, I've said this before. As I type my thermometer reads -25 below zero. I can't believe we didn't have a pipe freeze, or a few pipes freeze or like what happened one year, our entire line to our well froze. That year we were without water for a couple of weeks during the winter. The girls were itty bitty and it was no bueno.
This morning we woke up to -20 something and I decided I needed to check to see if there were school delays. Jack informed me that we didn't have Internet and since we don't have cell service at the house I couldn't get the Summit County Alert, which is set up to go to my email and cell phone. I turned on the tv thinking the ticker tape at the bottom of the screen would tell us which counties were effected by the cold. Well, Summit wasn't on that row of schools so game on. We were all freezing in our house and the girls were getting ready fast and at 6:40am they left for the bus. It takes us 15 minutes to drive to the bus and when they got down there they had just heard on the radio that all buses for school were on a 2 hour delay. So, back home they drove, up the icy road to our icy house. It never got above 0 all day. I mean, our whole country is in a deep freeze.
Tomorrow it's suppose to be up in the 20's for our high. Balmy. I am going to ski with my cousins and I will be wearing my battery operated heated socks and glove liners. Thanks to my sister in law. I love those things.
Stay warm and enjoy those cracks and creaks in your house. My house sounds like it's falling down.
This morning we woke up to -20 something and I decided I needed to check to see if there were school delays. Jack informed me that we didn't have Internet and since we don't have cell service at the house I couldn't get the Summit County Alert, which is set up to go to my email and cell phone. I turned on the tv thinking the ticker tape at the bottom of the screen would tell us which counties were effected by the cold. Well, Summit wasn't on that row of schools so game on. We were all freezing in our house and the girls were getting ready fast and at 6:40am they left for the bus. It takes us 15 minutes to drive to the bus and when they got down there they had just heard on the radio that all buses for school were on a 2 hour delay. So, back home they drove, up the icy road to our icy house. It never got above 0 all day. I mean, our whole country is in a deep freeze.
Tomorrow it's suppose to be up in the 20's for our high. Balmy. I am going to ski with my cousins and I will be wearing my battery operated heated socks and glove liners. Thanks to my sister in law. I love those things.
Stay warm and enjoy those cracks and creaks in your house. My house sounds like it's falling down.
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
Social Networking
I love facebook. I have been on fb for around 2 years now and have connected with many high school friends that I am happy to be re-connected with. However, I do need to be smarter when I am friended and really ask myself if I care whether or not we are fb friends. The answer will most likely be a big fat NO. This is what I am speaking of.
A few weeks ago a guy sent me a friend request and I saw that we had many, 15 or so, mutual friends, all from high school. Sometimes I get a friend request and the same thing has happened that we weren't great friends or I really can't remember that person and it turns out that I am happy we are now fb friends. So this time, same thing. I didn't have my yearbook to look up his picture but no biggie. I figured what the hell. So I accepted his friend request. after looking at some of his pictures I still couldn't figure out who the hell this guy was. Well, he was fine, commenting or posting. His posts were fairly normal and as I was going through my fb one day he posted something to the effect that his life was shit and he needed to figure it out. I, for some stupid reason, decided to comment and I wrote, "time to start living the dream." Big mistake.
The next day I was checking my fb and he posted something on my wall, in Russian. Well, I don't speak Russian so I didn't know what it said. I didn't even know it was Russian. I thought that it was a spam thing so I ignored the post. Then, I get a private message from this guy basically chewing me out saying that he now knows I don't answer direct questions, the message in Russian was asking me if I answered direct questions, that I was difficult to communicate with in high school and he asked if I was having marital problems because I am spending a lot of time on fb. He called me passive aggressive, blah, blah, blah. Well, my go to gal, a great high school friend and still is, was who I went to with all of this weirdness. I had replied to his message asking him if I had offended him. Another big mistake. I should have just let it be and moved on. Well, he said, in fact, YES, I had offended him by saying he needs to start living the dream. OH MY GOD!!!! It was all too weird and I decided to end all communication with him and after sharing all of this with my friend she agreed, end the communication. So I did but the funny thing is, he had already unfriended me so it was over. Boo Hoo. I wanted to be the one to unfriend first (oopsie, there I go being all passive aggresive). I shouldn't have thought about it for a day and just did the unfriending.
It's all so high school isn't it? That what is so darn funny about fb.
So, if you get a friend request and you are thinking, "hmmmm. I wonder who this person is and I wonder if I should just click accept?" Don't. I have to admit. I am still scratching my head over this and rolling my eyes.
For those who don't know me, I have a huge sense of humor and love to laugh and I am laughing.
omg, lol, rotflmao, lmfao. I love fb.
A few weeks ago a guy sent me a friend request and I saw that we had many, 15 or so, mutual friends, all from high school. Sometimes I get a friend request and the same thing has happened that we weren't great friends or I really can't remember that person and it turns out that I am happy we are now fb friends. So this time, same thing. I didn't have my yearbook to look up his picture but no biggie. I figured what the hell. So I accepted his friend request. after looking at some of his pictures I still couldn't figure out who the hell this guy was. Well, he was fine, commenting or posting. His posts were fairly normal and as I was going through my fb one day he posted something to the effect that his life was shit and he needed to figure it out. I, for some stupid reason, decided to comment and I wrote, "time to start living the dream." Big mistake.
The next day I was checking my fb and he posted something on my wall, in Russian. Well, I don't speak Russian so I didn't know what it said. I didn't even know it was Russian. I thought that it was a spam thing so I ignored the post. Then, I get a private message from this guy basically chewing me out saying that he now knows I don't answer direct questions, the message in Russian was asking me if I answered direct questions, that I was difficult to communicate with in high school and he asked if I was having marital problems because I am spending a lot of time on fb. He called me passive aggressive, blah, blah, blah. Well, my go to gal, a great high school friend and still is, was who I went to with all of this weirdness. I had replied to his message asking him if I had offended him. Another big mistake. I should have just let it be and moved on. Well, he said, in fact, YES, I had offended him by saying he needs to start living the dream. OH MY GOD!!!! It was all too weird and I decided to end all communication with him and after sharing all of this with my friend she agreed, end the communication. So I did but the funny thing is, he had already unfriended me so it was over. Boo Hoo. I wanted to be the one to unfriend first (oopsie, there I go being all passive aggresive). I shouldn't have thought about it for a day and just did the unfriending.
It's all so high school isn't it? That what is so darn funny about fb.
So, if you get a friend request and you are thinking, "hmmmm. I wonder who this person is and I wonder if I should just click accept?" Don't. I have to admit. I am still scratching my head over this and rolling my eyes.
For those who don't know me, I have a huge sense of humor and love to laugh and I am laughing.
omg, lol, rotflmao, lmfao. I love fb.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
