Away

I am in Beautiful British Columbia, and it lives up to its name.  Karen and I came up to Whistler earlier today.  We have our snowboard camp vouchers, lift tickets and gear.  We start tomorrow at 8:30 am.  I am looking forward to gaining new skills and confidence. 

We are going to do camp for two days, then work on our skilz the next two days.  We are also going to do karaoke on Tuesday night.  Kiki is a karaoke superstar, so it will be lots of fun.  Hopefully, I will be able to pick up some of her talent. 

Many pictures and maybe some videos to follow when I come home.

Mixed Emotions

It rained last night and earlier today.  It rained so hard there were waterfalls down the hill from our neighbors' house into the storm drain in front of our home, and waterfalls down the hill a block away from us.  It rained and it hailed for a brief period of time.


This totally scratched plans for the Baxter/Bricco mini triathlon, in which Amber and I would swim at a local gym, run three miles and then bike 10.  Alternatively, I planned to go to the gym at 7 am and take a spin class, then run on the treadmill, then go for a swim.  But at 6:20 am, it was much more appealing to stay in bed with R.

My plans to get up and run or swim or bike in the morning are always thwarted by my wanting to be with the rejuvenated Rowdstar.  We have gone for short runs together some afternoons, but I do need to stop giving myself excuses and pry myself out of the house to get some exercise.

I did get a lot accomplished today, even though I just did a quick workout with weights.  The box of costume jewelry that I bought last October for our Russian girls was finally mailed off.  The tax materials are at the accountant's.  There are now some groceries in the fridge and pantry.  Scootie is insured and a bit of house insurance paperwork was dealt with.  R and I went to movies and to lunch.  I am almost-completely packed for my trip to Vancouver tomorrow.

About the trip--my younger sister and I are headed north to Vancouver and Whistler to check out the sights and get some snowboarding instruction and practice time.  I know it will be fun.  My sisters are always fun to travel with, and I've never been to Vancouver.  It looks beautiful in pictures, and Whistler is purported to have the best skiing/boarding in the winter and mountain biking in the summer in the whole world.

But I am sad to leave my sweetie and our boy for a week and a half.  Now that Rowdy is feeling a ton better, he's back to his old, fun self.  He's competing in a Brazilian jiujitsu tournament this Saturday.  Not just any old tournament, but the Pan Ams.  Of course, I am an unlucky charm for him at tournaments, so I would have to stay away anyway.  Still, I will have to keep extra-busy while away for the time to go quickly.  Lots of time on the slopes and spa, I'm thinking.

And Now For Something Completely Different

Scootie II

I have upgraded to a Honda Elite scooter.  More power, just as frugal with the gas, and a bargain.  Scootie I is for sale.  We're asking $2,000.  It only has 400 miles on it, and it has been a joy to ride.  Now I need a real motorcycle license and helmet.  I am getting this beautiful thing:

If not for some interesting turns of events, I would be in Egypt right now.  Good for the people of Egypt to decide that enough was enough and things had to change.  I wish them the absolute best as they work towards a new government and better lives for all.

And if not for a very tragic turn of events, Keiler would be headed to Japan next week.  There are several options on the table right now:  1)  a partial refund from the tour company; 2)  postpone the trip to Japan until the summer; 3)  a tour to Europe in the summer; 4)  a tour to China in the summer.  We're fine with any of those things.  We just hope that the Japanese people have what they need during this time of recovery.  I know that they will overcome all of their obstacles.  They are a strong people.

Great Achievements

Last week, my parents celebrated their 50th anniversary.  Mom said that she and Dad pictured the stereotypical 50th anniversary couple as her with a big orchid corsage and him with his best suit and tie.  I wish I had the picture of my great-grandparents at one of their milestone anniversaries, either 50th or 60th (or 75th?).  They totally looked like that.  But my parents look at least 20 years younger than their stated ages, and heaven knows my sisters and I don't feel like we're as old as we are, given when we appeared in the timeline of Mom and Dad's marriage. 

Mom and Dad love and support each other.  They're each other's greatest fans, which has always been a great example to me.  Who knows, maybe they'll go on for fifty more years?

And if you've read my Facebook post, you will already know that Rowdy came running with me this afternoon.  It's the first time he's run in at least seven months.  He kept it up for two miles, which is awesome for being pretty-much on bedrest for the last six months.  For at least the next month, we will be able to run together.  After that, I won't be able to keep up.

I am being cautiously optimistic overall, since he still has a healing wound on his abdomen.  We've been let down before with mystery infections and things. 

Random Thoughts

 I totally could relate to The Silly Witch when she posted the other day that she had lots of things on her mind, but didn't really have time to write about them.  I, too, compose very cogent, intelligent blog posts in my mind, but I never get around to writing them.  Things don't always translate well from my brain to the screen, anyway.  But here are some snippets of things that I have thought recently:

Al Qaeda:  becoming irrelevant.  Hooray for grass-roots uprisings, fighting for a more-democratic system.

BYU:  Thanks for standing up for what is right.  Having integrity is more important than going to the Final Four.  But it would be cool if they still went to the big dance.  At least they whomped on the Aztecs twice.

"Mormon Mommy Blogs":  There recently was a piece on salon.com about how a feminist writer was obsessed with blogs written by young, LDS mothers.   I think that the joy and peace that people feel shines through, and that's why people are drawn to those blogs.  We don't all have adorably-decorated homes, and our families don't all look like they belong in a Martha Stewart magazine, and our lives aren't totally easy.  I mean, look at NieNie.  Hello--burned over 80% of her body!  But even when she has posted about being depressed or in pain or her kids were being kinda bratty, her testimony of the gospel shines through. I see that in my friends' blogs and those that I "blog-stalk". Three of my favorite blogs to stalk:  Erin Hayes' Booferd, Tara Lynn Bordrero's and Mallory Hansen's Living Here, Dreaming of There.  They aren't "Mormon Mommy Blogs" (only Erin is a mom), but I am always uplifted by them.

Gas Prices:  $4.15/gallon for supreme means that there will be more scootering, walking and bike riding in my future. Good thing I like to walk, scooter and ride my bike.

Oscars Telecast:  My expectations were quite low, so I was pleasantly surprised that it didn't suck as much as it could have.  Jennifer Hudson's dress would have really been spectacular if her boobs hadn't been squooshed like they were.

Mary Kay Timewise Skin Care:  I really like this skin care line.  Buy it online from Linda Nielsen!  For orders greater than $40, you get a free hand care kit.  I love how smooth and soft it makes my hands.

Just Relaxing

Yay!  I'm the only one home this evening, and I'm tired from swimming laps with Amber.  I ate homemade turkey salad and Haagen Dazs caramel cone ice cream for dinner, and a Simpson's DVD is on TV (season 13, so it's less-sucky). 

My latest obsession is jigsaw puzzles at the New Yorker.  Tons of fun!

Time Marches On

It's March already?! (Note the use of the interrobang.)

Just a couple of weeks until a snowboarding vacation with my sis.  I've never been to Vancouver or Whistler before.  Should be fun!