While enjoying a New Years Eve party with our kids the subject of skiing came up. "We should plan a family skiing day", one said. "Yeah!" piped in a few others. I am not the athletic type and I don't love being out in the cold, but I've always loved skiing. I'm happy to report that I've just enjoyed one of the funnest and memorable days with Michael and several of our kids. We started out at "ski school" first thing this morning. Remembering that I hadn't been on skis for almost 8 years, I was feeling pretty good when early on I discovered that it really is like riding a bike. Mike, Andy, Kristin, and I had cute Jason from upper New York state as our instructor. Jeremy, Emily, Jeff, and Caitlin had Joshua. Andy, Caitlin, and Jeff were the only ones who had never skiied before, although Jeff had snowboarded. I was pretty impressed with how well they did. After an hour or so on the "bunny hill" we graduated to something bigger. And suddenly there I am at the top of the mountain. I. LOVED. IT. The entire day we were hit with snow, rain, and ice pellets but we never let it stop us. Poor Jason, he was riding the ski lift with Mike and I and we were being hit hard with ice pellets. I needed windshield wipers in the worst way. Jason offered me the soft cloth for his goggles to wipe my glasses off and when I handed it back to him he was concerned that I had icicles on my nose. "I don't think so", I said. "Well you look like you have frostbite on your nose, there's a big white spot", he seemed very concerned. Then it dawned on me what Jason was talking about, he was so apologetic when I explained to him "oh...that's just my skin graft." While taking a break for lunch I discovered that I was soaking wet, all the way to my first layer. I had some money rolled up in a zippered pocket of my ski pants, every bill was completely soaked. I watched as Emily was wringing water out of her gloves, but we still went back for more. Finally when I knew my legs weren't going to hold me up much longer, Mike and I did one more run and then we hung up our skis. The sore muscles are starting to settle in, I doubt I'll be able to stand up straight tomorrow, but it was a great day and I can proudly say that I didn't fall down the entire day. That is a very good thing, one less set of pains to endure.
Andy, Kristin, and Michael getting ready to head up the mountain
Jeremy is still dressing
Jeff, Caitlin, and Emily are set to go
At the end of the day soaking wet and smiling 
Drying my bills off and hoping I don't get reported for "laundering" money
Jeremy is still dressing
Jeff, Caitlin, and Emily are set to go
At the end of the day soaking wet and smiling 
Drying my bills off and hoping I don't get reported for "laundering" money
9 comments:
Looks like a lot of fun. I have NEVER skied in my life. Probably never will. But I'm glad you all had a good day!
Sounds like you have the fever! :-)
What a fun post about a fun day and laundering money is/was very clever and you do look wet, but STILL SMILING. Are you going to go again before another 8 years have passed? How about your kids, did they have as much fun as you?
Looks like you had fun! I don't really enjoy skiing myself, which is too bad since my mom is a ski instructor and can get me free ski passes.
I have to say I am quite surprised that you would ski... Looks like you had a lot of fun. What a memory. I skiied ONCE, it was in high school and I sat down on the side of the mountain and said to my friend, "Get me off of this mountain RIGHT NOW." I have never returned.
Lesley~ you and Mike did so well considering it has been a while! I remember skiing in blizzards when I was jr. high and high school during my ski classes and the snow and cold didn't bother me AT ALL! I would still race down the slopes with no fear and didn't care that I was soaking wet. Now that I'm older, it's not so much fun to be cold, wet, and uncomfortable. However, seeeing the permanent smile on your face the whole day, even though you were FREEZING cold, made me remember how I used to not let the cold bother me because of my love for skiing!
We will have to go again before the season is over!
What a fun day Les. Some of my happiest childhood memories are skiing. I remeber looking down at my dad's red hands (from the cold) helping my with my ski boots.
I'm so glad you guys had such a good time. Tim has never skied before either. All three of our kids have gone, but not too many times. You have inspired me to make a family ski plan. Where did you go???
You are a brave woman and no falls? Way to go!!! I can't remember the last time I skiied, maybe the ninth grade ski program when I fell off the lift in mid-air?
Wow,I almost missed this post for some reason. Glad I didn't. Sounds a like a fun day, Les. And my you are rich! I never carry that much cash on my person ever. "Laundering money"--ha! That's funny :-)
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