I was outside today from 9:30-5:30 (with a 1 hour drive home in between).  That is my kind of day.  Gabe dragged himself out of bed at 7:45 to eat and leave for Sugarbush.  Today was the last day of Billz For Skillz.  Gabe qualified to attend however they only did 1st place so we don’t know how well he actually did.  I thought he did great.  His age group has stiff competition.  As always he had fun.  Unfortunately Tyler took a face plant in warm ups and had to go off to the hospital for a concusion.  He could not remember anything.  We heard he was okay.  Gabe was sure that he would have taken first place.

I met up with Karen (Cole’s mom) at 9:30 and we took a snowshoe up our normal trail.  We made it up to the lift line of the lift that goes in between the mountains.  It was cool to see the line.  I guess it cuts right through the bear territory and it took quite a bit to get approval.  We had a really good time.  We would be very good friends if we lived closer.  We think the same.

Here is Gabe…   

This picture is at the end of the competition.  Cole (in light blue pants) is to the right of Gabe.  He won first place in his ski category and got $500.  He also got a new set of skis last night from Night Riders.  Not bad for a 12 year old.  His brother, who turns 16 next week, is ranked 5th in the nation for speed racing.  Something in the genes I think.  They are a great family who spends many Saturdays just like this.

I dropped Gabe at Bolton around 3:30 and then went home to walk the dogs.  They had been in all day and really enjoyed getting out.  Satori has moved on from taking my socks downstairs to taking my other clothes that she finds on the floor.  I found several pieces of clothing around.  She must miss me while I am out.

The River Shore has been an ice rink however today was passable due to the 40 degree weather.  All along the ice you could see leaves and branches melted down several inches into the ice.  The sun must warm up the brown pieces and then they melt in.  It was fun to see the different shapes.  

Char and Alex were off to take the horses for a romp.  Can you just imagine coming home and hopping on your horse for a walk?  George and Jane went to Lucinda Williams last night.  Remember they got us tickets.  We would not have been able to go anyways due to the Night Riders change.  George said the music was great.

I went home and did another scour of the yard for dog droppings.  Glad I didn’t include pictures.  Lacrosse will go better with a cleared yard.

I got Gabe & Trevor from the mountain and they are watching “The Dudesons”, eating homemade popcorn and drinking fruit smoothes.  They are sore and tired.  The Dudesons are the Finnish jackass guys.  I’m not sure how they survive.  I am convinced that they have damaged so many brain cells they have no clue how stupid they actually are.  I’ll just leave it at that.

The joke show was on Prairie Home Companion tonight.  I like the classic silly jokes the best.

Look…I am done writing with enough time to read tonight.  You have been out of communication for 2 weeks now.  I like writing to you.  I feel like we have just talked on the phone.  I can’t get too gushy with others being able to read this.  Know you are missed, loved and still a part of our days.  Love….d

I am exhausted so this will be short.  The morning started off well.  I cleaned up from last night and put the house in order.  I went to start some computer work and I noticed that my outbox did not send out all of my messages.  After a few tries I called Martha.  She helped me get a full scan going so we could make sure all the updates were in.  She told me to go away for a while because this would take some time.

I took the dogs for a sunny walk with Jen, Julie and Wilbur.  It was just what we needed.  I returned back to home and still waited while I did various tasks in the house until it was finally complete.  Martha continued to help me with all that needed to be done.  All in all about 3:00 the computer was ready to be used.  I am not sure I would have been able to say that without Martha’s help.  Thank you Martha.

After school Gabe & Mitch waxed their boards and then they headed to the mountain.  I met up with Sue…then Patti and for a bit Jen B.  It was a treat to be in that sunny weather however once the sun dipped so did the temperatures.  Here are a few pictures of Gabe.  I have a ton more of Gabe and others but they will just have to wait.   

Check out the Gordidi goggles…

Awards ceremony was nicely handled again by Zach the man.  Dylan got first in Gabe’s age group and Ryan second.  Luke got first in the 18+ group.  Ellis & John got 3rd in their categories.  Tim Farrell and Talent also did their generous giving.

The last award was for the Sam Cohn award.  This year Douglas Fay got it due to his perseverance, good attitude and great smile.  I’m sure snowboarders don’t want to be called cute but he really is.  It was good to hear Sam’s name spoken at Night Riders again.

Good night John.  I will have no trouble falling asleep tonight.  Sleep well.  love…d

I am way tired so this will be short.

The morning was filled with my 8 am yoga class followed then with my toddler class.  That is a great way to start any day.

I spent the rest of the day getting ready for my Arbonne party I was hosting for Marcie.  I also took the dogs for a walk.  I thought Satori was healed until half way through she started limping again.  Maybe we will take tomorrow off from a walk.  I’ll see.

Gabe went to the mountain for about 2 hours.  The park was closed again.  I was happy to get him home for the party.

The party more fun than I expected.  I really don’t do this kind of thing.  The only other time was for Pampered chef with Jeanne A.  I did like those pizza stones.  Anyways…we had a blast.  I had more people than expected.  I am glad that Nan came to help Marcie.  I was happy that many kids came like Morgan, Avery, Isabel, Burke, Sydney and Kristin…oh and Gabe.  We had chocolate fondue and strawberries (again!) and other munchies.  The food went…yeah…so did the wine.  The wrinkles always look better with a few glasses of wine.  It was a blast and Marcie was thrilled.

I am off to sleep.  I think I am keeping your hours now…plus I am keeping my morning hours.  A nap may be in the forecast.  Right now it is 12 degrees.  Sleep well.  Love you…d

Marcie & a gaggle of girls…

Sydney applying a mask to Isabel…

Kristin had the good idea to put cucumbers on my eyes.  The cucs were really for the garlic dip.

Hi John…

Remember the last full moon was on your birthday?  Tonight’s moon is beautiful.  This morning when I walked out in the rain at 6:00 I thought it looked extra dark out.  It was hard to see.  I thought I had it wrong and it was a new moon.  Tonight is clear and windy.

Today was a prep day.  I spent the morning preparing for my 2 yoga classes, one at RES and the other is my toddler class tomorrow.  I took the dogs for a short romp in the front field.  I kept Satori on leash for a bit due to her limp.  At the end I let her run just a little.  Following that I went to Costco and Shaw’s grocery store to get supplies for my Arbonne party tomorrow night.  I am doing a party for Marcie.  I think 8-10 may show up.

Gabe took the bus home for the first time in a long while.  With the new bus route due to the bridge closure he was the first off and was home by 3:00.  The other way took about 45 minutes…or longer if they didn’t let him off at the bottom of Wes White Hill.  See, there are benefits to the bridge closure.  Many folks are talking about the bridge closure.  If we just pretended the bridge never existed then who would really care.  Besides the businesses of course.  Times are tough enough with out another financial complication.  In another month sports will be happening at the park and that should give a boost to some restaurants.  I wish them well.

I had RES yoga and this was the first in the last 6 week series.  A relatively new group…and young.  It was fun.  I begin my first class with foot appreciation day yoga.  We wash our feet and have a foot massage.  The kids also pick up marbles with their toes. 

Gabe went up to Bolton just to try out the old board he refitted.  Night Riders has been rescheduled until Friday due to high winds.  When I dropped Gabe off there was only one lift moving.  There still is a ton of snow.

We came back to throw the lax balls around a bit however Martha B. grabbed me and I went to see their new house.  It is really nice.  You will have to see the high tech passive heating system.  It is a work of art.  There is a wood/oil furnace in the garage.  Downstairs there are two huge silver blankets units that house the water for recirculation.  The house looks comfy and nicely made…beautiful Maple wood.  To think that their house burned down on December 1st and they will be living in this by the weekend.   I think they are okay with this.  It is a lot to take in as you know.  I signed up with Barb to help with landscaping in the Spring.  

I came back and made peanut butter noodles and egg rolls.  Jean and Jack dropped off some eggs and chatted for a while.  Sitting right next to the bridge they do have an interesting perspective.  With no through traffic it is lonely.

Gabe & I watched Role Models tonight. 

Well, I am off to sleep in the moonlight.  I am happy to think we can look at the same moon.  love…d