Kids these days

The hubster and I had his son for the weekend.  We had fun playing with the Xbox Kinect and watching old Disney movies.  They are old in that they were made over 10 years ago, but I wouldn't refer to them as old.  The animated movies with all the songs will never be old.  After watching Mulan and Hercules, I wished that they still made movies like this.  Tangled was ok, but it was lacking in the song area.

Anyway, as we were finishing up lunch on Sunday, the hubster asked his son what he wanted for his birthday.  Do you want to know what he asked for?

• a million dollars
• through constant denial, he lowered it to a much more reasonable $250 (*note the sarcasm in this line)
• a nintendo 3DS

WTF?!?!  This kid has a habit of asking for super expensive gifts when it comes to Christmas and birthdays.  I mean we just got him a Nintendo DS for Christmas which was to replace the one he broke from the previous Christmas.  I think he broke it a couple months after he had it.  I was originally was against getting him a replacement.  What does that teach him?  That if he's not careful with this toys that it doesn't matter because someone will replace it for him.  I don't think I started asking for pricey gifts until high school, but I think that's about the time where kids become brand conscious and stuff.  He's going to be 10!

I wonder where he picked up this habit.  I wonder if he knows the value of a dollar (God, I feel old just typing that out).  We've kinda touched on the subject with him before.  The usual doing chores for money/allowance.  He's never actually followed through on any of the "chores".  They were simple tasks: walking the dogs, cleaning his room, cleaning up after himself after a shower.  He can do the math.  If walking the dog gets him $0.50 per walk (and by walk, I mean taking them out to do their business), he knows how long it will take him to save up $50 for a game or whatever, but he still asks for big ticket items.

He's not entirely bad with money.  He does save his birthday cash which he loans out to his mom.  Seriously, what kid has to loan money to their parents at the age of 10.  I think it's more the entitlement that bothers me.  Enough rambling for now...

Spring Cleaning

I spent the better part of Sunday cleaning.  I find that I'm always in a cleaning mood when the step son or one of the hubster's friend is over.  I think it's some sort of stress relief mechanism.  I always feel so much better when stuff is clean, and I always wonder why I ever let it get so dirty in the first place.  As much of a neat freak that I am, it's really kinda gross how dirty I let my house get.  I've been trying a new system in my kitchen where I clean it up after every time it gets dirty as opposed to a deep clean every week.  I think the first mistake was that I put the hubster in charge of cleaning the kitchen every week.  I love him, but it was a disaster.  He would put it off until the last minute i.e. Sunday night at like 1:00 am.  I would then get up Monday morning to find a half clean kitchen.  I felt cleaning it myself in small increments as it gets dirty is better than our old system.

I cleaned the master bathroom a few weeks ago and I noticed that the whole bathroom and shower stall are much brighter after the cleaning.  It kinda makes me feel icky that it got so dull in the interim.  So a recap of what I did over the weekend:

• vacuumed - twice (kids are dirty)
• broke down boxes
• laundry
• organized mail basket - I let mail pile up in the basket and then I got through and file them away
• cleaned up kitchen and got rid of all the clutter so that you can eat at the table again
• picked up and organized all the dog stuff
• hung a corkboard in the office (that's been sitting there since early December) and cleaned up the clutter on my desk
• hung up all of my clothes that has been sitting in my basket for god knows how long
• finally cleaned out the fireplace (we have a gas fireplace that uses a switch to turn on and off.  It's great, but it collects dust like no other.)  It looks so much better now.
• swept the entryway

I feel so much better when my house is clean.  Too bad I don't have to time to keep it that way.

Red grunts

The hubster told me this story this afternoon. We were taking the dogs out. Usually, I have Egg Roll and the hubster has Red. Egg Roll is a speed peer and pooer. She's out and back in. Super quick which is awesome when it's cold or rainy out. The poor hubster has to stand out there with our ADD dog. If there's a slight breeze, it will take at least 10 extra minutes for Red to do her business. I guess today, Red was finishing up a number two and she had a "dangler". She was concentrating to get it to come unattached to her bottom. I guess she got so frustrated that she started grunting and grumbling. The hubster said it was the funniest thing ever, and he just stood there laughing his ass off. I kinda wanted to see this grunt and grumble. I'm sure it was as funny as he made it sound.

Home Owning Guide for Dummies Part 1

We bought our condo in 2006.  Somewhere between then and now, the garage door light bulb went out.  I want to say it's been out for about a year and a half.  We tried replacing the bulb with a regular light bulb.  No dice.  We tried one of those energy efficient ones.  Again, no dice.  We thought it had to do something with the unit, but we didn't want to buy another one.  So we gave up.  Our nice neighbor asked the hubster about it one day and he kindly looked up the issue in his manual.  By the way, his garage door is super quiet compared to ours.  He said we needed a special garage door light bulb.  The hubster stored that little tidbit away for eternity, never to actually act on it.  I come home from work yesterday and Mr. Neighbor asks if the hubster fixed the light yet. I say he hasn't gotten around to it.  He hands me a light bulb.  I'm amazed and grateful and say thanks.  Today, the hubster screws in the new bulb and voila, let there be light.  We are idiots.  Thanks, Mr. Neighbor.  File that under things no one ever tells you about owning a home.  So now I don't have to get into my car in the morning in the dark.  Yay for the little things

Fridays

Here at work we have flex time.  It basically means as long as we work 40 hours a week, we are allowed to portion out our hours as we see fit.  There are some basic guidelines that you should be here during core hours, but it's at the discretion of your manager.  So I usually bank up hours throughout the week, so I can leave early on Fridays.  This is usually not a problem, but some weeks, I'll get that surprise meeting from the same colleague and end up staying later than I want a Friday.  It totally messes up the start of my weekend.  I usually plan to go shopping or hitting the gym earlier so we can go out at night.  This is one of those Fridays.  I know you have to have this meeting today, but why schedule it at 2:00??  What's worse is that I started to car pool to work with two people and today was my day to drive.  I made a big stink about leaving early today, and lo and behold, this happens.

Heading to Cali

In addition to the awesome news I got this morning, I found out I'm heading to Huntington Beach, CA for a quick one day trip for work.  Yay!  More frequent flier miles, just in time to get gold status for my Hilton Honors Rewards, and I get a chance to visit with some friends!

Baby Stuff

My cousin's wife is pregnant with the first grandchild.  Very exciting.  He/she/it is due in May.  My cousin won't let his wife find out the sex of the baby.  How rude!  Anyway, I got around to looking at their baby registries and realized I had no idea what to get them.  I know from friends that a lot of baby stuff is unnecessary and just plan suck.  So I gmail chatted a good friend from high school to get her take.  By the end of the conversation, I had come to the conclusion that babies and the accompanying baby stuff are complicated.  All these new terms were being thrown at me: swaddling, bouncy seat, blow out (this wasn't in today's chat, but this was a while ago, I was shocked to learn this one), udder cover, my brest friend, boppy, bumbo.  It's like another universe.  I've got a good idea what to get them, but man, after talking with my friend, it left me the feeling that my parents were super parents and it's a miracle any of us survived with all these baby things available to us.

*Happy Dance*

I got the best news this morning at work and my stupid husband who sleeps like the dead won't get up and answer his phone so I can tell him.  I'm bursting at the seams to tell someone!  Yay!  *happy dance*

Hoggy's

I love their fireplace. There's a pig above it.

Greek Yogurt

While grocery shopping on Monday with the hubster, I decided to try out Greek yogurt since I've heard a lot of people talking about it.  I had no idea why/how it was different than regular yogurt, but it was definitely more expensive.  I had my first one yesterday for lunch.  For some reason, I thought it would taste differently, but it tastes just like regular yogurt.  It is a lot thicker which I don't mind because I used to buy the custard style yogurt.  This is much thicker than that.  It's good, but I don't know if I'd continue buying it.  I like my Lite and Fit yogurt at 60 calories a pop compared to this at 140.  It's also twice as expensive.  I'll probably buy it on sale or if I'm craving a thicker yogurt.

Half a Half Marathon

I officially signed up and registered for the Silver Strand Half Marathon in San Diego in November this past weekend.  It's a little too early to train for it, but I've been trying to run more than my usual three miles when I go to the gym.  So after my run on Saturday and my general sedentary lifestyle for the past two weeks, I decided to go the gym last night.  I got there and started my run.  I went with the goal of running three miles and doing some mat exercises and some weights.  Well, I know when I'm in the mood for running and last night was one of those nights.  It's only happened once before and that time I ran for 55 minutes and my Nike Plus app said I ran a little under 6 miles.  So I scratched my plans for weights and ran 6.5 miles in an hour.  Yay, so that's half a half marathon or a quarter marathon.  I was exhausted which was good, but my right knee was aching.  Once I got home and ate dinner and showered, I was pooped.  The tiredness settled in and I could barely move.  My plans are to sign up for a 10K in April.  Now that I've been up for a few hours, I realize the back of my knee if hurting a lot more than I thought.  Maybe it's time to make an appointment with my doctor.

On a separate note, people need to learn some track etiquette:

• Group of 4 high school girls walking on the track, please don't take up all three lanes.  People need to pass you while you gossip away.
• Man doing moving jumping jacks, please don't do it in the middle lane and stretch your arms out as far as possible.  I don't want a black eye.
• People walking in pairs, please also do not take up all the lanes.
• People who walk and pass other walkers, please look before you pass.  I really love it when I have to come to a complete stop because you are walking slightly faster than the people you are passing, but leave no room for ME to pass.
• Walk on the inside track!
• If you choose to walk on the outside lane, don't be surprised when I pass you on the left.

Dog pictures of the day

Egg Roll's picture took about 8 tries to get a decent looking picture.  Those are Red's first three shots.  Red poses way better than Egg Roll. I think that's why there are so many more pictures of Red than Egg.  I am officially crazy now that I am talking about my dog's "photo shoot".  Is this America's Next Top Dog?

The couple that obsesses together, stays together?

I know I get completely enveloped and obsessed about every thing I do.  If I want to plan a trip, I look up airfares and hotel rates obsessively up until the time I purchase a flight or book a room.  I'll run scenarios and different set ups to see what gets us the best deal or whatnot.  Take my foray into snowboarding.  I scoured ebay and craiglist and got downright emotional over buying my gear.  I cannot just let go of something if I don't finish or doesn't get done the way I want it to.

Apparently, the hubster is the same way which is completely surprising and mind blowing.  He is one of the most laid back and relaxed people I know.  He's always a go with the flow, it is what it is kinda guy.  So when I heard him obsessing about modding an XBox 360 and finding the right one to mod, it was scary.  Apparently, there are three different kinds of XBoxes you can mod and the one he bought the other day was one of the harder ones.  He returned it and called every game stop in a 20 mile radius to see if any others had them in stock.  He also called this morning and went to a local Gamestop to buy THREE (3!!!!) to check.  Luckily, the employees were cool and let him check before purchasing.  They were all the harder ones.  He got me to call and check the ones by my work.  Yep, I got sucked into his obsession and I'm heading to Gamestop after work to buy one for him. If it's not the right kind, then he can drive his butt back here to return it.

I've never seen this side of him before and now wish he would exhibit some of this determination (obsessiveness) in other aspects of his life.  One can dream right?  I am sure we'd drive each other crazy though.

Sunday

Sunday seemed like a big day for me.  Aside from the being unbelievably forgetful early Sunday afternoon, I did accomplish a lot.

• I bought my tickets for Vail and San Diego.
• I officially signed up for the half marathon.
• I finally bought a striped ref jacket
• We had dinner with the hubster's cousin down in Cincinnati and met his fiance.
• We went outlet shopping where we bought one shirt for the hubster.  Very disappointed.
• I finally ran outside - it was cold and I was not prepared.

After review the list, I don't think accomplish is the right word.  I just did a lot, but not really cause most of those I just sat on my butt in front of my computer.

?!&?$&@

Ugh! Today is not going well. The hubster and I went out to run some errands before our trip to
Cincinnatti today. I wanted to go to Giant Eagle to buy some Southwest gift cards for my trip back home and to Vail and earn some Fuelperks. Well, on the way home from Easton, I realized that I didn't have my rewards card so we had to stop off at home. Then I went alone to Giant Eagle only to realize I didn't have my wallet because I took it out this morning to register for my half marathon and buy a striped jacket for reffing. I'm sitting in the parking lot waiting for my wonderful husband to bring me my wallet. What a way to start my day! I feel a headache coming on.

Doggie Nationality

Today in the car, the hubster and I had a conversation about our dogs.  The question came up:  What nationality were our dogs?  Obviously, we decided that Egg Roll was Mexican.  She is a chihuahua mix after all and she's very "street".  I posed the same question about Red.  I had already decided what I thought she was and wanted the hubster's take.  He said "Duh, she's obviously Swedish."  I was like "No way!  I was going to say she was Scandinavian!"  I have no real reason why I think that, but the hubster thinks the same way.  We don't know any Scandinavians thought I met my friend's Finnish friend once.  I wonder what it is about Scandinavians that remind us of Red.  Are they happy all the time?  Very friendly?  Are sheltie/collie/retrievers popular in those countries?

Law and Order: UK

Why do you taunt me on BBC? Why?!?!?!?

Jeni's!

I had a hankering for dessert tonight, so I decided tonight was the night to head over to Jeni's. I had first heard of Jeni's from a coworker, but also saw it on Food Network's TV show, Best Thing I Ever Ate. They were featured on the spicy food episode for their Queen City Cayenne ice cream. I didn't get that nor did I try it. I did try Salty Caramel. It was quite tasty, so I got the Black and Tan sundae. It was good and soooo rich. The hubster got the Buckeye State sundae. His was even richer than mine.





Mine is top one and his is the bottom. They look very similar.

Dog pictures of the day

She pants so hard when she's this happy she shakes the bed.



Bat ears

All Grown Up

I feel like such a grown up today.  I'm filling out paperwork to get reimbursed for using my flexible spending account.  First, it was choosing the right type of health insurance, now this.  *sigh*  I miss the simple life.

Snowboard for the hubster

After his successful lesson and subsequent trips down the mountain, we decided to buy the hubster a snowboard to learn on instead of renting.  Buying his is a lot more time consuming and lot harder than mine was.  First of all, it's going to cost more.  I spent $160ish getting my board and bindings.  So far every auction I've watched has ended in the $200+ range, some as high as $335 (not including shipping!).  The closest we've come is losing an auction last night.  My high bid was $170 and it sold for $187.50.  That's not including the $40 shipping.  Hopefully, my cousin has more luck on craigslist.

Cooking Dash

I downloaded a free app called Cooking Dash and I'm obsessed.  It's one of those nonsense games where you run a restaurant.  It's completely pointless, but I can't stop playing.  I hope the novelty ends soon.  I need my life back.

Joint Accounts

I've noticed that I know a few people who have joint accounts.  I'm not talking about savings/checking accounts, I'm talking about shared email and Facebook.  Am I the only one who finds this weird?  I would never dream about having a shared email account with the hubster, let alone Facebook.  Email is just too private to share with another person.  I guess some could compare it to a land line at home, but the hubster's email is too disorganized with a billion unread emails.  That would drive me nuts.  I think I'm too independent to share something like that. It's like sharing the same toothbrush or something.  It gives me the willies.

Funfetti

I made cupcakes tonight. I love funfetti. It's my favorite kind of cake. Give me $2 a box funfetti any day of the week!


I got a little overzealous with the second row second from the left cupcake while icing.

Mumford and Sons

I'm not really into music.  I listen to NPR 90% of the time I'm in the car and then switch over the pop station the other 5%.  I'm a top 40 kinda gal, but every so often (when I watch award shows), other types of music pique my interest.  Last time, it was Florence and the Machine (saw them on the MTV Music Awards - yes, I'm 28 and I watched it).  This time it's Mumford and Sons (Grammy's).  I had the hubster get me the album and I've been listening to them for the past couple of days at work on a loop with Florence and the Machine.  I like the lead singer's voice.  I think it's sexy.

I never thought I would like this type of music, but it just pulls me in.  Maybe I'm finally transitioning out of my pop phase.

Dog picture of the day

Red watching the Westminster kennel club show. I think she's picking her new brother or sister.

Happy Valentine's Day

This year's Valentine's day was pretty non-existent for us.  I think we just don't buy into the holiday anymore.  Sure, we might go out to a nice dinner this weekend so we can avoid the Valentine's Day crowd and mark up, but celebrating on the actual doesn't really mean anything to us.  So this year, we ended up going to Champps for discount burgers.  Yes, if that doesn't say love, I don't know what does.  We even went halfsies on it!  I'm happy with a yummy burger and a Corona in my tummy.  I'm watching No Reservations right now and couldn't be happier.  So thanks for a perfect unconventional Valentine's day pookie.

Disturbing

I came into the office this morning to find this:





A Grumpy doll that was given to me by a co-worker hanging by a lanyard. I don't know if I should be afraid or what. It's weird, but I don't think it's a direct threat to me or something. I'm wondering if I should take it down or add to it.

Weird stuff like this keeps happening to me at work.  Just a few weeks ago, someone took all my candy and placed it all over my cube.  I think I'm still finding hidden candies.

Downward Facing Dog

I took my first yoga class last year at my gym, and I never really understood the names for the different stances and positions until one day I saw Red stretching, and lo and behold, downward facing dog was looking me right in the face!  It was like a light bulb went off in my head.  My dogs have perfect form on their downward facing dogs.  I love catching them doing it in the morning before I take them out to do their business.  I can't quite decide has the better form.  I think the hubster and I side a little bit more with Egg Roll.  She also makes ewok noises when she does it too which does help her edge out her sister.  I just need to catch a picture of them in action.

Bath vs Shower

Last night, the hubster wanted to take a bath to soak his poor muscles after a day of snowboarding.  I found out that he does not know how to draw a bath.  I discovered this when a) I found the hot water running and the tub stopper was not in place an b) I went to take a shower after his bath and ended up taking a cold shower because there was no hot water left.  We have a 3 Br, 3Bath condo.  I am sure our hot water heater can heat at least 3-4 showers before the hot water runs out.

I grew up taking baths as a kid, so when I draw a bath, I turn on the hot water and plug the tub.  This way the cold water is not wasted.  The water will get hot enough and warm up the cold water.  I came the conclusion that he was letting the hot water go down the drain as he waited for it to get hot.  After I plugged the tub for him, I never checked back on it.  Probably mistake number 2.  Next time, I'll know to take a shower first or run the bath for him.

Anyway, I reffed a play day today and as I was in the shower, I was thinking about baths and showers.  As I said before, I grew up taking baths as a kid.  Apparently, this is not the norm in most American households.  I found this out in fourth grade.  One day we were learning about recycling and conservation.  The question was posed: What uses more water: baths or showers?  My initial thought was baths, duh!  But I was enlightened that it was showers because the water comes down in drops.  I was like WTF!  Turns out taking baths sequentially and just adding more hot water to the bath water is not normal.  Some would call it dirty, re-using water!  I always felt clean and it may have been better at conserving water.  After that, I never told anyone about the baths just so they wouldn't think we were dirty.

Dog pictures of the day

Red likes to sit in our laps because she thinks she is Egg Roll's size. She also treats us like a chair because she always plops her giant ass on your chest and stares at either the hubster or me, whoever she isn't sitting on.

What are you looking at?

*perplexed*

Mad River Mountain

The hubster and I went to Mad River Mountain today. After my awesome lesson at Snow Basin last weekend, I'm a firm believer for beginners to take a lesson. So I signed up the hubster for one. It was a huge improvement for him. Also a huge confidence boost. He had some issues with his boots which turned out to be way too tight for him. After his lesson, he was linking turns and everything. I am so proud of him. He even did three runs that used lifts. Here he is at the end of his lesson. He was definitely the star of the class.


I was not impresses with MRM. The runs were not that difficult, but it is Ohio. Utah has spoiled me. Definitely a good place to learn. I'm sure we'll be back before the end of the season.

Dog Farts

Egg Roll was not feeling very well this morning.  She woke me up with her throwing up.  When I got home from work, I took her out and she came to lay with me on the bed as I watched TV.  Every so often when I got up, I thought I smelled dog poo.  I searched and searched and couldn't find it.  I febreezed the room and the smell was gone.  Then all of a sudden it came back!  Turns out it was coming from Egg Roll's butt!  In the 4+ years I've had Egg Roll, she has never once farted in my presence, and then all of sudden, it couldn't stop coming from her butt.  Boy, it was rank.  I hope her tummy feels better soon because I don't know how much more I can handle.

Wedding Dress

I just got the urge to put my wedding dress on for the first time in over two years.  It's been hanging up in the upstairs bathroom since it got back from Hawaii.  I tried to sell it, but had no takers.  Perhaps I priced it too high.  I think I'll try to sell it again.  After two years, it's done absolutely nothing and I haven't really given it a second thought unless I happen to see it when I go upstairs to clean the bathroom.

Dog picture of the day

Nose to nose!

*cry*

Just found out I won't be headed back to Utah next week.  *sigh*  It's ok.  Hopefully, there will be another opportunity before the season is over.

At least, I get to finally go to my eye doctor appointment which I have re-scheduled 3 times.  I'm down to my last pair of contacts and my cheapy replacement glasses are driving me nuts.

I spend too much time at Dick's

Last night after dinner, the hubster and I went out to do some shopping and errands before seeing a movie.  We stopped in at Sports Authority to buy me some new tights since my current pair hate me.  See here.  It's my own fault really.  They are youth sized tights and they ride up which is the cause for the pain.  Anyway, I picked up a pair of tights and used my $10 off Goal Card which is a whole nother story.

We skipped over to Nordstrom to get some jeans hemmed, and scooted over to Dick's since we weren't going to make the 8:00 showing.  I wanted to go there to see if this jacket I wanted went on further sale.  No such luck.  Still 40% off.  We moseyed on over to the snowboarding stuff and they still had these 50% off snow goggles and helmets sign everywhere.  I asked a sales associate if it only  meant goggles and helmets and he said any snow clearance ending in .97 or .93.  I had misheard and thought he said .99 too, but I was wrong.  The poor hubster didn't get a new set of bindings, but I did!

I scored 2010 Burton Scribe EST bindings for $65!!!  Retail is $200+, but I did see them on REI for $130.  Woohoo for extra 50% off.  I'm pretty stoked.  I can't wait to put them on and try them out this weekend.  These are brand new and only cost an extra $20 than the ones I bought on ebay.  I figure I can resell the ones I bought on ebay or craigslist.

Pure awesomeness

Saw this gem tonight after watching The Mechanic.




Yes, it says Beyonce! So did the license plates.

In n Out

How could I forget to write about In n Out?  On my previous trip to Salt Lake City, I had noticed that there was an In n Out on the way to the hotel.  I made a mental note for later trips.  After my day of snowboarding at Snow Basin, I knew this was the perfect opportunity to have me a double double animal style!  It's been a while since I've had In n Out.  The last two visits back to San Diego resulted in not enough meals to devote a trip to the burger haven.





It was as good as I remember it!  Doesn't even compare to 5 guys.  I even grabbed a strawberry shake for the ride back to the hotel.

The odd thing about this visit is that there was a Latino family there and one of their kids decided that he would crawl under all the tables.  He particularly liked my table and made at least 5 visits to my table.  It was weird, but all their little kids were running around the restaurant like it was a McDonald's play place.  It did not detract from my meal.

Home sweet home

I got back home from Utah yesterday.  We had a little delay leaving Salt Lake City, and I had to hurry to a different terminal when I landed in Minneapolis to catch my connecting flight.  I sat next to two guys on that leg of the trip and they did not shut up the entire time.  I think they were upset with me because I slide the window down so they couldn't see outside.  Ummm, hello, I'm trying to sleep here and I don't want the sun in my eyes.  They were quite obvious with this as I heard them say "Wish we could see" or how about when I got back from the bathroom, the window was magically open!  I was tempted to shut it again, but I ended up playing sudoku for the remainder of the flight.

On my flight to Columbus, I was seated next to a large Asian man (I'm gonna go with of Japanese decent).  He snored so loudly the entire flight.  He was asleep before we took off, so I had to endure 20 minutes of snoring before I could turn my iphone back on and listen to music to block out his snoring.  Snoring really annoys me.

The hubster was not at the airport to greet me.  WTF.  I called him and he said he was in the garage listening to NPR and that he did not think the plane would arrive 15 minutes early.  No excuses, buddy!  After we got my snowboard bag, we headed to Polaris to buy him some snowboard boots.  We're going to Mad River Mountain this Saturday.  After that, we had an early dinner before he headed to class.  I thought I would run some errands while he was in class, but that didn't happen.  I did some laundry, picked up around the house, put away my traveling stuff, and watched TV.

I'm back at work today and I'm slowly easing back into work.  The way I write this it sounds like I was gone for a month and not 2 days.  I'm so overly dramatic.

In other news ...

Look what my tights and boots did to my leg. I think I need a new pair of tights. And yes, I need to shave.

Sore

Ugh, I'm so sore today.  I think I was getting a headache from how sore and stiff I am.  Today, I had to work and I had hoped that my 10:00 meeting would finish by lunch and I could sneak off for a quick last run at Snow Basin, but alas, it was not to be.  My colleague has a knack for talking and outwearing his visit.  So I'm robbed of my last run.  After the meeting, I'm not so sure if I'll be coming back next week for another meeting.  It doesn't  look good for getting on the general's schedule.  I'll be bummed.

So I love snowboarding.  LOVE.  I don't know what it is, but it's an amazing feeling when I am snowboarding.  Just the way that my bodies feels the mountain and reacts accordingly.  I still over-think it a bit, but I'm getting better.  I love it and I can't wait to go to Mad River Mountain next week even though it will only be a shadow of Utah.  *sigh*  I'm obsessed.

Snow Basin

I had a blast at Snow Basin today.  I checked out of the hotel and headed on over.  I got the intermediate lift ticket to save some cash.  Seriously, I'm not going to be using most of the mountain.  The day did not start off that great.  I had removed the bindings from my board last night on the advice of my cousin and when I put them back on this morning, I had the angles reversed.  I didn't know until I got off the lift.  I strapped in and was like "Hmmmm, this feels weird.... Oh, fuck"  So I had to do an emergency fix at the top of the bunny hill. It still wasn't 100% right.  My right foot was more angled than usual, so I had to fix it again at the bottom of the hill, but I made it down!

I did two runs down the bunny hill and decided to brave a green run.  I got onto the lift and about peed myself.  This was by far the longest lift ride I'd ever been on.  I was thinking the whole time, what did I get myself into.  It was way steeper than anything I'd ever done and I took a nasty fall.  I hurt my arm/elbow pretty bad.  My confidence was shattered and was feeling dejected.  I finished my run and sat by the lodge for about 30 minutes.  I decided that I could not learn anymore by self teaching and signed up for a lesson.  Best. Decision. Ever.

It was a great experience.  My teacher was awesome.  I was linking turns and carving and all sorts of other things.  We spent a few runs on the bunny hill, but went back up the intermediate lift.  It went a million times better than the first.  I was amazed with myself.  We did two more bunny hill runs and that was it.  A pretty quick 2 hours, but well worth the $50.  I felt so good that I went back up again for one last run.  I still fell, but I felt so much better.

Here are some pictures I took:



















Utah is beautiful and I can't wait to come back.  Perhaps cousin's trip 2012!!

Wiped out

I am completely wiped out.  I got up at 5:00 am to catch my rescheduled flight to Salt Lake City.  I landed a little before 11 and waited in the horrendous Hertz line for what seemed like an eternity.  I got upsold a different type of car, but whatever, I'm not too concerned.  Headed to the hotel, got early check and proceeded to change into my snowboarding stuff.  I have to say traveling with a board and board bag is a huge pain in the ass by yourself.  Anyway, since the Hertz line was too long I wasn't going to make it in time for a lesson.  I hope into my $33/day Altima and zoom off to Park City.  I figure I'd drive through some place and grab a quick lunch, but Salt Lake City is kinda barren.  I was losing hope 10 minutes into the drive.  I somehow find myself in downtown Salt Lake and there is no Wendy's where there should be one.  Oh well, give up on lunch.  Head to Park City.  The drive is pretty fun, winding and pretty.  I don't like the Altima though.  It has what feels like loose driving.  Like the wheel is too sensitive.  I didn't like it.  It felt like I was swaying in my lane too much.  Anyway, I got to Park City.  What's this?  A McDonald's!  I stop and grab a $3 lunch and hit the slopes.

Park City offers this Quick Start lift pass which gives you a free all day lift ticket if you pre-register, bring your voucher, out of state driver's license, and your boarding pass.  It's pretty much the only reason why I went and because they do night skiing until 9 PM (most places close at 4).  Anyway, I get my ticket and hope onto the "First Time" lift.  My first run down the beginner hill (which was awesome) was rough.  I was completely despondent and hoped that this isn't how it's going to be for the rest of the day.  It was only 1:45 pm so says my lift ticket.

I don't know when, but something clicked and I was doing a lot better.  I wasn't falling as much, my toe to heel transitions were smoother, my heel to toe transitions could use some work, but there was definite improvement.  By the time I went down for my last run of the night, I felt like a real snowboarder.  I'm awesome!  Now time to try something other than the bunny slope.  I'm so proud of myself.  I stayed until a little past six.

I did manage to hit the gift shop at Park City and got myself a mug and the hubster a t-shirt.  In hindsight, I should have waited until I was done to walk over there, but I needed to go back to my car to rest a bit.  At this point, the hunger pains were coming in and it didn't help that my pants are a bit tight.  I definitely need to buy new ones.  By the time I left, I had unbuttoned my pants and my jacket was holding my pants up.

Of course, by the time I got back to the hotel I was starving.  I skipped a shower, put the clothes I flew out here on, and went to the hotel restaurant.  I think I stunk, but I was hungry.  While waiting for dinner, that is when the exhaustion hit me.  My arms/shoulders are tired from falling and picking myself up.  My feet hurt.  Everything hurts in varying degrees.  I finished dinner, came upstairs, took a shower and laid on my bed for 20 minutes before moving.  It's 9:30 here and I'm about to pass out.  It was  great day and I hope tomorrow will be just as good.  I'm headed to Snow Basin and then I'll prep for my presentation and meeting on Monday.

"You look like a bitch"

In my first quarter in my year in college, I became friends with this guy who lived across the hall. His name was Ryan. It took three weeks to talk to me on the shuttle loop on the way to class. After a while, he confessed to me that he was hesitant to talk to me because "You looked like a bitch". At this time in my life, I was sporting black sunglasses with rhinestone details on the frames. This is not the first time to hear such things. One of my very close friends that I played lacrosse with in college also told me that I was scary and unapproachable. So apparently I give off people repellent vibes/ anti-pheromones. Sitting here on the plane, I realize that no one has ever struck up a conversation with me... ever. I wonder what it is about me that keeps people from talking to me. Most of the time I'm grateful for such a talent, but sometimes I wonder what is wrong with me.

I can't remember if I blogged about this, but just last week the security guard told me I looked mean and needed to smile more. This is also something I have heard before. I'm sorry I don't always walk around with a smile on my face. It just looks like that when naturally at rest. I'm not looking to change anything about me. Just commenting about personal observations in my life.

Fraud

I was accused of being fraudulent today.   I decided to return my helmet because Brock bought me a new one for the same price that had a feature that mine didn't.  So I went to Dick's to return the helmet.  I forgot that I used a gift card to pay for part of my purchase and was expecting a credit back to my credit card.  The cashier told me that I would get a gift card for the amount.  I asked why I can't get credit since the total was $75 and the helmet was $50.  Couldn't I get $25 on credit and $25 back on the gift card?  He was reluctant to try and then just put it all back on my card.  I didn't even ask for that.  I was fine with half and half.  After I had signed the receipt, he went on to say they can't legally do that and that it was considered fraudulent.  I was like ok, then why did you do it?  Hmmm... I never argued that I wouldn't accept the gift card.  If that's how it is, then fine.  I've spent a lot of money at Dick's lately, so I'm sure I would have spent it eventually there, gift card or not.  I just found it particular that he took the time to tell me I'm fraudulent.

Anticipation

I am sooooo soooo sooooooo ready to go to Utah.  This week has been a roller coaster for me.  I've bounced back and forth from nervous/anxious/scared to excited to tired/exhausted and back to excited.  I can't wait to go snowboarding.  I've spent the last month slowly getting everything I need and I finally have it all.  I spent a good chunk of change and I tried my boots on with my board and bindings for the first time last night and the difference between what I have and the rental was amazing.  I feel I'm going to be that much better.

All those negative feelings I've had are a result of a big presentation I'll have to present on Monday to an colonel.  If he buys in to it, then I go back to Utah to present to his boss in two weeks.  It's kind of a big deal.  The last time I presented an older version of this presentation, it went ok.  Not swimmingly, but I wasn't laughed out of the conference room.  Still need to work on that public speaking and confidence thing.  I'm as prepared as I can be.  I know the presentation and info forwards and backwards, it's just when I start talking all the trouble starts.  I don't want to over prep because then if I don't say it exactly as rehearsed I get frustrated and tongue tied.  If I don't prep enough, I don't know what to say.  I'm not very quick on my feet.  I'm the kind of person that if you ask me a question that I'm not an expert on, I like to sit, think, mull over, and then answer.  I don't always have that luxury in these settings.

This post has gotten off track.  Bottom line, I'm ready to get on that plane and get everything over with.

Dog picture of the day

If there are any articles of clothing on the floor or bed, Egg Roll will find it and lay in it.

I have the best husband ever!

He's off running errands of his own and he called me to ask if I wanted him to pick up my snowboard and do a quick Costco run for me since he was driving by the area.  *swoon* Of course, I took advantage of his offer.  He knows how stressed I've been for this upcoming meeting in Utah.  I've been run pretty ragged this week and running all sorts of errands on my own after work.  I've only made it to the gym once this week and there's no chance I'll make it tonight.  I'm flying tomorrow night.  I am bringing my running stuff to run at the hotel *crosses fingers*

He's the bestest.

FML

I forgot my chapstick at home.

I have 4 tubes of chapstick by my bed (in the free heart shaped glass thingy that we got for registering at Crate and Barrel) and another tube in the bathroom by the sink.  How could an addict like me forget?!?  This just adds to how sucky this day is going to be, and I know the suck level is going to run high today.

Yes, I know.  A little dramatic for just chapstick.

Must resist...

 Pretty shoes...

Utah Bound!

I finally booked my flight for work travel to Utah.  Hotel accommodations have not been set.  I'm still waiting to see if my little brother will be coming with me.  I hope he can.

I've been running around trying to get ready for this trip.  I think I'm more concerned with getting my equipment squared away than finishing and prepping for my presentation for the colonel.  It's the same presentation as before, so I'm not too worried.  I dropped off my board for a tune-up and lesson on how to attached bindings last night.  While we were there, I bought a snowboard bag, but when I got home I decided that it was way too long for me.  It's probably a good foot longer than my board.  So I'm sending the hubster back up to Polaris to return the damn thing.  Getting everything ready for a snowboard trip is tiresome.  Who knew?

Dog pictures of the day

Exercise gives you endorphins - Endorphins make you happy.

It's totally true.  I got off work yesterday and I was in the worst mood and feeling completely wiped out.  I got a few announcements at work that threw my plans for the week into a tizzy and I hate that.  I have to know what's going to happen and it has to follow my schedule.  I had plans to go the gym, but on the drive home decided I didn't want to go.

I get home and my snowboard had arrived, so that put me in a better mood.  The hubster said some "encouraging" words to get my butt out the door, and I'm so glad he did.  I felt so much better after my work out.  Maybe not happy per se, but an overall improvement in mood.  Even though I tell the hubster he has to make me go to the gym and then bitch and complain when he does, he really has a knack for knowing when to push and when to let go.  <3 my hubster.

Ice Ice Baby

I got up this morning to walk the dogs and my front yard is completely iced over.  It's  good thing the girls just charge right on out or I might have slipped on my walkway.  It didn't even look icy.  It was fun to see them slipping and sliding all over the yard trying to do their business.  Poor Egg Roll had the hardest time.  I guess there was just freezing rain last night, not the snow, sleet, freezing rain as forecasted.  Now time to get dressed and head to work.  It's going to be a great commute this morning.