One-Two-Eleven

Since we had plans to go skiing, I opted out of bed at my first real opportunity. That came around 715a. Mindy didn’t budge. I brushed my teeth, gathered my running clothes, and then slipped downstairs. Because it was Sunday, I didn’t plan to do sit-ups or push-ups. I started a pot of coffee then glanced out the back door. I could see ice on the deck, confirming that it was once again below freezing. In addition, the sky was completely clear. I enjoyed coffee and internet for about an hour before getting ready for my run. Glenn came down around 830a. He was expecting Dad to swing by to pick him up around 9a. I bundled warmly after seeing that it was 20 degrees. I stopped and did a stretch. Then, just before heading out, I heard Frankie barking, who slept upstairs in bed with Jacob. I looked back inside. Jacob was just coming down the stairs with her. I asked him to make sure and take her out then headed off on my run. It was a gorgeous morning. I didn’t mind the return to the cold at all. I was dressed for it. Like most Sundays, I ran just three miles. Seemed to go fast. I was a little surprised that no one else was up yet it was already after 9a. Frankie was wandering the downstairs. I headed upstairs to make sure Jacob took her out as asked. Nope! Was back in bed asleep. Simply dumped her off and put up the puppy gate. I wasn’t pleased. I headed downstairs to take Frankie out. She took care of business out by the tree house. After a few more minutes, I headed upstairs with coffee for Mindy. At some point I asked Mindy if she knew how Jacob handled the Frankie thing. Yes, he told her himself. Downstairs, I made a cheese and bacon omelet for Mindy & I. The kids wanted cereal. After woofing down breakfast, I headed up for a shower. I already had most of my ski gear organized and ready to go. After my shower, and while Mindy and the kids got ready, I packed a cooler and snacks, and then loaded the Honda with all of our ski gear. We were loaded and ready to go shortly after 11a. Right before we walked out of the house, Chrissy called to ask if we were still going skiing. Yep. Sounded like their plans changed. They were gonna ski too. And why not? Looked to be a gorgeous day on the slopes. They agreed to meet us there. We phoned Bob I. during our drive up. No answer, left a VM. But after the three days of unskiable weather, I was almost certain that he’d be there. We arrived near noon. No question, the smallest crowd yet this season, but still well attended. We were slow gearing up, especially me. I had to help both kids. They left me to myself and headed up to get their passes. We weren’t on our way up the lift until 1220p. The weather was ideal – about 22 and sunny. The snow wasn’t ideal but manageable. About an inch of man made icy snow on top of a solid ice base. Hard and fast in places. A few thin spots too. But after hitting 63 on Friday then rain all day Saturday, shoot, they did good getting it in shape. We did 5 or 6 runs before hearing from our neighbors. We figured the plan was for the kids and Chrissy to take lessons. Chrissy’s never skied before. We skied over to the bunny hill to look for them. I found Chrissy in a private lesson. Meanwhile, the kids were off in a group lesson. And according to Chrissy, Kenny out by himself riding Sundowner. We opted for a break and food. After checking my skis, I went to the Honda for the cooler and then met Mindy & the kids in the lodge. As usual, they came to the table with a tray full of food – fries, chicken noodle soup, chicken tenders, etc. I opted for a can of Diet Coke and the nuts I packed. I did sneak a couple of Bella’s fries, too, though. Mindy celled Kenny who later joined us for a break and a beer. We didn’t stay in long. Went back out to do some runs. Rode up 4 Star but skied down Sundowner, a run he’s more comfortable with. Kenny’s borrowed snow board is an old one, clip on boots/bindings. He did pretty good, but fell a few times too. We eventually skied over to meet/find Chrissy, whose private lesson was only for one hour. We rode up the Momentum lift right away. She was game. I think she fell one time, but all in all, did pretty darn well considering this her first run on her own. Told her to make more S turns, but as she built up speed she only went straight. Pretty much the same thing every other new skier does too. After a couple runs Chrissy & Kenny skied over to meet the girls. Jacob and I did a couple more runs together while Mindy & Bella took another break with the neighbors. Planned on meeting Mindy & the neighbors inside after those few runs. Jacob and Bella bickered and fought quite a bit both in the line and even on the lift all day long. I had to get in their hide after seeing them exchange punches while riding high above the terrain. Oh, hell no! Both were skiing well, though. Bella was eager to help show Makayla the ropes. After another brief break where I enjoyed some of the snacks I packed, we headed out as a pack and rode up 4 Star. A little tricky with all the little ones. More than once we caused a slow down on the lift, especially when we had two little ones on the same chair. The icy slush at the lift lines didn’t help their cause. Hard for them to ski skate through it. They were all doing well as the evening wound down. As a final run, I suggested we take the 4 Star to the Sundowner Run but cut across to the blue portion of 4 Star feeling certain everyone could handle it. Chrissy did great, maybe a tad wobbly, but she made it without falling. The girls, Makayla and Lillian both fell after going too fast near the bottom. They were OK though. I’m thinking it was 6p when we headed to the Honda. Just before pulling out the lot Mindy listened to her VM then called Kenny. Apparently, Kenny lost his car keys on the slopes. Lucky for him, someone scooped them up and turned them in to lost and found. We would’ve had to do some shifting of the gear had they not turned up. Guess we could’ve put our skis up top in the Thule. We were home by 7p. I insisted that everyone help carry in the gear. Mindy gave orders to. I suggested we give Jacob a hall pass from helping carry in the gear and instead have him walk Frankie. Everyone agreed, including Jacob. Turns out, though, he gave her just a short walk. He was out there without a coat. I wasn’t pleased. I stacked all the skis and poles onto the racks while Mindy stowed some of the gear inside. She started warming dinner (leftover chicken) too, although that didn’t sound remotely good to me. While getting all my indoor ski gear stowed and to the basement, I spotted Glenn’s wallet on the table just inside the front door. Knowing he was at dinner with dad, I figured he might want/need it. I called his cell just to let him know. Hadn’t yet realized it was missing, but was thankful I called. Said he would’ve been in full fledged panic mode had he come to dinner’s end only to discover his wallet missing. Meanwhile, I opted for some Tostitos and salsa in lieu of leftover chicken and potatoes. Yum-yum. Glenn returned from dinner with dad about the same time Mindy was serving dinner to the kids. Mindy wasn’t too pleasant with me for skipping out on her dinner, or so it seemed. In fact, she even challenged me in front of the kids when I tried correcting Jacob for repeated slobbish behavior. This is something she’s done a handful of times over the course of the last week. We'll be talking. My stomach now satisfied, I plopped down on the sofa to enjoy some football, and the last regular season game of the year, Seattle vs. St Louis. Who ever won would be in the playoffs. Exciting! Apparently still agitated, Mindy tossed a few verbal barbs my way for all to hear, but I chose not to respond and ignored them not wanting to squabble. With the kids now showered and in their PJs, Mindy allowed them to watch part of the game. She declared it their bedtime at 9p. I tucked both in a few minutes later. Mindy headed to bed around 920p. Glenn and I stayed up watching more of the game. At some point, Glenn asked if he could burn my Enya, Winter Song Xmas CD. I quickly found it in my CD magazine and handed it off for burning. As the 3rd quarter ended I begged off for bed. It was 1030p. I was tired and needed a good night’s sleep ahead of my return to work. Wished Glenn well and a safe flight home. Well see him again next month when we fly out there to ski.