Aspen Ski and Board Blowout Sale

There goes the budget for this month.  Didn't blow it by a lot, but still over.  The actual clothes part of the sale was kinda slim, but it didn't really matter since the hubster and I are pretty much set.  We've got everything we need to get by for next season.  We ended up picking up another snowboard bag (not one you would check in), a Dakine backpack/camelbak, Dakine mittens for the stepson, and a face guard for the stepson.

It almost didn't happen.  The place was slammed.  And I'm pretty sure they knew it would be.  The prices on some of the stuff were pretty decent.  I almost walked away with another pair of snowboard pants for $60, but put them back because a) I don't need another pair of pants and b) they didn't match any of my coats.  We got in line around 11:30 and pretty much hadn't moved anywhere in 30 minutes.  We have a 1:30 golf lesson and still had to make it home, grab a quick bite to eat, and pick up our golf shoes.  A decision had to be made whether we would stick it out or leave.

Suddenly, an employee came out to explain that the lines inside were shorter and that we could follow him inside through the back to get in line.  We figured we had nothing to lose and we'd get out of the sun.  We moseyed to the back with 5 other customers.  Of course, the end of the line became the front and were at the end.  WTF =(  So once again, we're standing there...waiting.  Again, suddenly an employee signals me over and asks if I need to be rung up.  I'm like "YES!".  I also decided at that moment to ditch the pants.  I run to the front of the store and drop them off on a table.  When I make my way back, this woman who was BEHIND us originally is bitching that they were in line.  Well suck it lady, we were in front of you in the first place.

We get rung up, hop in the car, and head home with just enough time to reheat some Costco pizza for lunch before heading out again for the golf lesson.

Souvenirs

Ever since the hubster I got married, we have been buying Christmas ornaments at most of our vacation destinations.  It started with a glittery turtle ornament from Maui.  I was super tempted to buy an enormous Mickey Mouse head ornament when we went to Disneyworld for our first anniversary, but getting it home without breaking was the deal breaker.  So guess what I picked up in Vail?

He's currently sitting on the fireplace mantle awaiting the tree to come out this Christmas.  I noticed that that is where my late purchase ornaments are stored when I have already packed away the Christmas decorations.  It's a good thing I bought that second tree for like $5 last year.

<3 end of season sale

I picked up a Helly Hansen jacket at the Snow Trails ski shop for 50% off right before the season ended two weeks ago and I got a new pair of snowboard pants today at Aspen Ski and Board.  I really like the color combination.  I already got to use the new jacket since the weather has gotten colder again, but I can't wait to use the new pants next year.

Snowboards Galore

We received a package in the mail today.  It was Logan's snowboard.  Yes, it's the end of the season, but we couldn't pass up a board and bindings for $50.  It's a little big for him, but he'll grow in to it.  We scored at
Dick's too.  We got him boots (a little big) and Burton bindings for $50.  They had an extra 50% off on clearance items.  I know boots are supposed to be the most important part, but I figure he's a kid and won't really know.  It's a pretty sweet set up and it looks great!  Now the Florida room is a full on snowboard room, just got to clear out the elliptical and some other furniture.  Can't wait until next season and we can go out as a family.

Snow Trails

The hubster and I took the step son snowboarding today.  Apparently, the season ends pretty early in Ohio.  I can't blame them since it was 60 degrees today!  Mad River Mountain had already closed up for the year last weekend, so Snow Trails was our only option.  The beginner area of Snow Trails is much better than Mad River Mountain, but their more advanced runs were not as good as Mad River.  Overall, it was a great experience for the family.  The hubster opted out of snowboarding since his neck and wrist are still bothering him from the last time we went.  It was a beautiful sunny day and the only thing wrong was that it was too warm!  The snow was turning into slush and quick.  Now that I love snowboarding I wish it would stay cold and would snow more!

I was also able to take advantage of their end of season sale at their ski shop.  I bought a Helly Hansen jacket (which I've been obsessing about) for $137.  I didn't find any pants I liked or goggles.  They also had Girl Scouts camped out at the entrance and I ended up with 2 boxes of Girl Scout cookies.  I think $3.50 is the cheapest I've seen them.  I swear I've paid $5 a box in San Diego.  We had a fun time together, but I'm glad the hubster was able to stay with the step son for most of the day.  I found yet another reason why I would make a bad mother, but that's for another post

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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?

Gym? What's that?

I've been slacking off about going to the gym.  I only went once last week and the week before that.  Around this time last year, I had just signed up and was going a minimum of 4 times a week.  I think since I reached an acceptable weight, I've definitely relaxed the work out and eating plans.  I've been eating like a piggy too.  I think spaghetti on Friday night was the only home cooked meal we had!  My fitness goal for this year is not focused on losing weight, but working on my tone and definition.  I'm sure weight loss will accompany that (which I don't mind, my dream weight is another 5 pounds away, but I think that is pretty unrealistic), but I think this requires more lifting than cardio, and I don't think the machines at the gym are going to cut it.  To achieve my goal, I think I have to spend more time with weights, but still have time to run now that I'm signing up for the half marathon.  That seems like to achieve my goals, I have to spend longer in the gym (ick) or go more often (not so icky).  I have to train, but it's so hard to run that many laps around a track that is a little more than .1 mile long.  Now I'm just making excuses and this entry has lost any coherence to it if it ever had any.

Bottom line, I need to start going again and more consistently.  I'm hoping to go 3 times this week, but at least two.  I think since I'll be snowboarding on Sunday that can count as a workout.

More Snowboarding Stuff

The little bro got me a gift card to Dick's for my birthday.  It finally arrived in the mail today, and of course, I ran out and spent it.  Well not really.  I read on slickdeals that Dick's had snowboards on sale for 75% off.  I figure I'd take a look and see if I could get something for the hubster.  Turns out there were none, so I figure since I was there I would take a look around.  I had a 20% coupon and a $10 off $25.  I ended up looking at helmets and some other cold weather gear.

If you know me, I agonize over buying things at full price.  I'll find something I like and usually, it's the most expensive one there, and then I find a suitable substitute that is less expensive, but I don't like as much.  I'll walk around the store or just sit in front of the display and think and rationalize and text and call and talk about it until I can make a decision.  This usually drives the hubster insane since I am texting/calling/talking to him.  My first pick was a Bern Berkely white gloss helmet with a gray knit fuzzy ear warmer thing that attached to the inside of the helmet.  It was $110.  I thought that was it.  Then I'm thinking that's a lot for a helmet.  I found a white RED helmet, but it was white matte, but it was also $65.  So I spend the next hour trying on the two helmets and yes, looking at myself in a mirror.  Not like I can look good with a big ole helmet on my already large head.  I finally decide and I got a white RED helmet and two neck gaiters.  The Bern was just not as comfortable even though it looked cute and was slightly smaller in size.  I just could not justify spending $55 more for it.  Even though the white matte initially was not my favorite, it was just way more comfortable than the Bern.  I also was afraid the Bern would get dirty since the chin strap was white and the knit attachable hat was partially white.

I also got my bindings in the mail today.  They look like they are fine.  The latch things all work and that's all I really checked.  All I need to do is wait for the board which comes in on Monday.  I've also got some socks, gloves, and a tool thingy.  Yay!!  I'm all set for snowboarding next weekend and the hubster only needs is some pants.

So Close

I'm thisclose to being snowboard ready.  My cousin picked up the board today and I won my auction for bindings.

I'm very pleased with how everything turned out.  Even if I totally suck and don't get better, at least I'll look super awesome with my board.  Now all I need are mittens and to wait for everything to get here.  Maybe I should get a new snowboard jacket...  Ha, I think the hubster would kill me.

Success!!!!111!!!1

I won the auction for some snowboarding pants.  Now I can return the ones I bought and save $20!  I'm pretty sure these pants I bought are much better than the ones I bought at Sports Authority.  In other news, my cousin was able to buy me a snowboard.  So take that stupid ebay and esnipe.  I don't need you for a snowboard!

He really went above and beyond to help me out.  I think he likes introducing new people to the sport and we're family!  So a big shout out to Cousin Andrew!

From the sounds of it, it's a pretty decent one.  Now to find some bindings and mittens, and I'm pretty much set!  So freaking excited!

Ebay Fail

So I'm not sure I'm ready to write this post.  I lost my auction last night and I was pretty upset/disappointed/devastated.  If I could produce tears, I would have cried.  I was being a real baby and even the hubster said I was acting like a princess.  I don't even know what that means, but I was acting like a retard.  I don't even know why... sorta.  I got caught up in the auction and desperately wanted to win.  I know, mistake number one.  I used esnipe as my cousin suggested, but it never put my bid in and what stings worse was that my maximum bid would have won my auction!  So I sent off an email to figure out why the hell it didn't work.

So I'm trying to find another suitable board.  My cousin has been providing a lot of help and advice which is greatly appreciated.  Knowing me, I'd pick the prettiest board with a brand name and call it day.  I'd probably pay way too much for it too.  So he sent me a few auctions to keep an eye out on.  I'm giving esnipe another try, but I hope it doesn't let me down.  I don't want to be disappointed again.

A Sunday morning at Easton

We went to go see "The Green Hornet" at Easton this morning.  It sucked.  Really, really, really sucked.  A terrible movie.  I wanted to walk out about 20 minutes into it.  We went to Panera for lunch and went to a few stores.  I wanted to go to J Crew because they had an extra 40% off their sale items, but as usual, there sale stock sucks.  I did see a shirt I had contemplated buying on-line, but since it was kind of a weird shape/cut, I didn't want to risk buying it on-line without trying it on since their sales are final sales (which I think is totally absurd).  It was way too big, but I got an idea of what it looked and felt like.  I should scoot on over to their site and see how much it is and if they have my size.  After J. Crew, we went to Banana Republic.  They had an extra 40% off sale and 25% off regular items.  I bought two things which is a lot since I don't own much from Banana Republic (my suit and a wrap top).

First, tuxedo pants:

They didn't have my normal size, and by normal, I mean the size I bought my suit pants in since that's the only reference I have.  So I tried on a size smaller since the suit pants weren't too tight, and they fit!  The site has them on sale for $90 (regular $110), but I got them for $20!  Score!

Second, a dress:

I have to say I'm late to the whole color blocking thing, but it took me a while to find something I liked, in my size, and cheap.  Also, I look way better than the model in this dress.  I ended up buying a petite size only because it was the only one I could find.  It still fit, maybe a little on the short side, but it's still super cute.  I guess I sacrifice a little on the fit for price.  Oh, well.  So the site has this dress on sale for $100 (regular $140), and I got it for $30!

I love sales and good deals.  Now if only I can win my ebay auction for a snowboard and snowboard pants...