Even the snow didn't keep Santa away!

Ok, so here's the scoop: I came come tonight after nearly a week away from my house (I alternated my stay during the snowstorm and then Christmas holiday with Raleigh and my parents) and to my surprise, found 4 beautifully wrapped packages lying underneath the Christmas tree and a card propped against my bathroom mirror. I was so stunned, that I almost didn't notice the note scrawled into my dresser mirror (with window markers), that indicated although I'd already received my gifts for the holiday, Santa had managed to find my house as well!

The card was a beautiful note of love that warmed my heart instantly and held the gift of a relaxing massage and the gifts under the tree were equally as wonderful. I cried for several minutes at the sheer cleverness of the whole thing (I'm still scratching my head wondering how he pulled this off and once he did, how he managed to keep quiet about it!) and the realization (yet again), that someone I love and care about with all that I have loves me the same. Actions speak louder than words and again, I'm blown away. The ginormous smile that emerged from my face after this evening's discovery, I'm sure, reflected just that. :)

What a very merry end to a very merry holiday with a very merry (and special) man! :)

The Black Eyed Peas have said it before . . .

Seriously . . . where is the love?

I know that most folks here in town were cooped up for days because of the blizzard, and that many are simply more irritable during this time of year because of regular holiday and family stresses, but is that really any reason to behave as I've seen the masses behave over the past day and a half?

My analysis of the situation (after my not-brief-enough Christmas shopping experience earlier today) reveals that there are obviously three key components missing:

1) Common Sense--Don't expect it, because it's gone. Drive the right direction on a one-way? Keep whining, crying, cranky, tired kids at home? Walk on the sidewalk instead of the street? Nope . . . not this time!

2) Common Courtesy--This, too, seems to have disappeared. This time of the year it's ok to drive in two lanes at once, block the entire store aisle with a shopping cart (and NO intention of moving), cut in lines at shopping centers and gas stations, and leave unwanted items (carts, products, trash, etc.) where it doesn't belong simply because.

3) Grace--Where some may have existed before, expect absolutely none now. The little bit of random kindness and charity that is usually extended to older folks who have trouble walking long distances, single parents with their hands full of groceries and bouncing little kids, hardworking people who shovel the walks, plow the streets, stock the store shelves, and deliver the mail . . . all seem to get the short end of the stick this time of year. Why are they suddenly overlooked, forgotten, and/or ignored?

It's almost as if the public's motto is "Everyone out for himself/herself" or "Who I am and what I want is most important and nothing (and/or nobody) else matters."

So the question still stands; where is the love?

First Ski

I finally did it! I snow skiied! :) Hooray, hooray!

The day began with me getting up at the crack of dawn, getting dressed in many layers and gathering all I would need for the day. I had pants and hats and boots and skis and gloves and sunglasses . . . Heck, I even had special socks! Maybe I went a bit overboard, but I figured it'd be better to do this right (and stay warm and dry all day) the first time.

After the truck was packed and I had fuel in my belly (Thank you, Chef Raleigh!), we left town and headed West.

Now, half-day ski school at Breckenridge begins at 10am. When the clock was quickly approaching that special hour and we were still over 20 minutes away, a quick decision was made and we decided intstead to invade Keystone. We parked the truck and headed into the village to register me for class. :)

For those who don't know (as we clearly didn't), Keystone doesn't offer half-day morning ski school . . . they only offer afternoon classes! So instead of learning how to ski with a half-dozen or more other first timers late in the afternoon, I opted for a private lesson. :)

My crash course on snow skiing began with me stepping into my skis and letting Raleigh push me 50 ft. or so up the hill. He turned me around, taught me how to point my skis so I could stop, then walked back down the hill to watch me in action. I must not have done too badly as my lesson only involved another 20 minutes or so (learning how to turn, lean, and lift my skis) before we hit the gondola to go to the top of the mountain.

I ended up making 4 full runs that day (with only one really good tumble), and at the end of day, I was beat. My legs were so sore I could barely walk, and as the sun started sinking below the mountains, the air chilled rather quickly.

Overall, I had a wonderfully wonderful day and couldn't have asked for more. I had an excellent teacher who was patient and kind and supportive and encouraging . . . and helped made the experience as fun and as special as possible.

Granted, there are many things I'm still working on. For example, how to walk gracefully in ski boots, how to perform an emergency slow-down without eating snow, and how to carry my poles and skiis at the same time. Oh, and so far, the chairlift is considered an uncharted territory, so that item may require additional assistance later on as well.

Point is, I'm now officially a snow skiier and look forward to the days when I'll get to practice and then perfect my skills. Bring 'em on! :)