PANORAMA!

I can't believe it!
I am finally able to post a photo!

This is a picture of our local ski hill taken yesterday.
It shows the front side of the resort, but there is much more back country terrain over the summit. Some of the back areas are not lift-serviced, so skiers and riders have to boot pack - take off their skis or boards and hike in...
There are more serviced runs to the left and to the right around the shoulder of the mountain.

The snow has been falling here for a few days and it looks like we might have a great opening day.
The snow continued all last night and most of today. Forecasters have reported that more of the good stuff is on the way!

I am keeping my fingers crossed!

BACK TO WORK

Nine more days left and, so far, it's looking great.
It is still snowing! We have close to twelve inches piled up already.
Yipee!!!

I'm back to work today - I'd get hunted down if I didn't show up!
It's pay day and I'm the one who does up payroll...

Not much too exciting going on right now.
I have to fold the laundry, make lunches, put the dishes away, wake everyone up for breakfast and, then off to school and work.

In the snow...

TUESDAY and TEN DAYS LEFT...

This day is not my particular favourite...

But, today I don't mind at all, because it turns out that I don't have to go into work.

Now I can get all my household jobs done. You know, those scattered little items that collect in a corner, get ignored, yet continue to pile up...

I never seem to have enough time in a day to complete all that needs to be done.
Although, I am a stickler for having time for myself. That time usually happens about 8 or 9 p.m. when I crash after a long day.
Or at 5:00 in the morning when I get up.

One of the resolutions that I made at the beginning of this year was to always stay on top of what needs doing and not to fall behind.
It's been better this year than others, but I'm still a bit behind...

I am the only one who can remedy that!
The old saying that 50% of the work is done as soon as the job is started is very true.

The temperature dropped to -15 degrees C last night and it's snowing again!!!

I am listening to The Moody Blues singing "Tuesday".

ELEVEN

It snowed some more last night!

This must be a recent record for this time of year, as the past few seasons have been rather sketchy.
Let's hope this is "the one"!

I am preparing for school and for work this morning as I write this.
It's still dark outside and the odd flake is still drifting down.

Beth was up much of the night with a terrible cough and I think I will keep her in from school today, as she really is quite sick. I know she will not want to stay home, because she wants to see all her friends, but I am afraid that might be the best thing for her. One more day of rest.
Poor dear.

The younger kids and I took a walk up to the store on the highway yesterday afternoon. We towed the toboggan along with us and on the way back I was able to give the kids rides because it's downhill all the way home. That means it's uphill to get there...
The snowplough was duly "booed" as it rattled past us!

The Edmonton Eskimos won the Grey Cup.
I was hoping that the Montreal Allouettes would take it.

In four more days there will be only one week left till the ski hill opens!

I LOVE SUNDAYS, TOO!

Only TWELVE more days...

I was just reading Rachel's blog and she was mentioning how she loves her Sundays.
It reminded me of how much I love this day, as well.

It is early on a Sunday morning right now. Everyone is still asleep and I am preparing for the day.
The snow is continuing to fall gently around us. Six inches was delivered overnight!
I have my coffee in hand. The house is still warm, although I have yet to light the fire in the woodstove. The animals are lying about, happy and content. So is my family...

Jenny had a friend sleep over, so they are bunked out on the floor of her bedroom. Oh, to be eight years old again...
Poor Beth is suffering from a bad cough and a cold.
Bobby is cosy in his bed, too.

It won't be long before the entire house is stirring and the daily activities begin.
I picture sled tracks and snowmen in the yard, hot cocoa on the stove and wet boots with snow suits drying before the fire.
I believe that pancakes and bacon are on the menu for breakfast.

George was out late last night jamming with the boys.
I see the van is not home, but George and his guitars are...
I am glad that, if he had a few beers, he had the sense to leave the vehicle and walk home. We live in a very small town, so no place is too far to walk.
I'm glad that it wasn't me packing around that big and heavy bass guitar!

The Grey Cup is scheduled to kick off at 4:00 p.m. today.
Although I am no armchair sports person, it can be a good excuse for a change in routine.
My home team is playing, so that will make it a bit more interesting for me.

The kids have all woken up and are watching a movie.
And arguing...

Here's to the day!

PATIENCE

THIRTEEN more days until the ski hill opens.

It snowed last night.
But not nearly enough.
I checked out the webcam at the top of the Champagne Express chair lift and there doesn't appear to be much snow there.
But, what does a photo show anyway?

At the moment, I am downloading an Adobe Acrobat Reader update. Looks like it's going to take almost two hours.
Blast this slow dial-up internet system!
I swear, once we have all our back bills paid, I will be upgrading my entire computer system! That also will include converting to high-speed internet access.

I am unable to download and print Chapter Eleven of The Boy Who Heard Music until this update is complete.

So, I wait for many things...

MISSING RACHEL

TWO MORE WEEKS...

As many of you are aware, Rachel webcast her last "In The Attic" on Wednesday.
Although I was not able to watch her show on a regular basis, I enjoyed the opportunity to be involved in a small way.
What a novel idea she had!
Trust that idea to come to life from the girlfriend of the likes of Pete Townshend! That man continues to keep me in awe of his work.
I will miss the leads up to her weekly appearance, the friendly, fun and informative show itself, and the comments during and following her presentation.
This has been an amazing journey for me - the eternal Computer and Internet cynic - and it has opened my eyes to the wonders of this medium.
This has been a perfect example of the good that can be derived from global communication.
It has been a typical win/win situation...
Rachel and her guests have benefited by being put "out there" and being heard.
Pete has utilised this same technology to launch his novella.
We, as fans, readers and dedicated souls, have gained new insights and friendships throughout.
Not to mention the fact that we have benefited from the music downloads and we have the opportunity to read Pete's writing hot off the press!

To Rachel and Pete, I send my sincere love and thanks!

INVERTED

Fifteen more days!

And we are stuck in a weather inversion...

It has been almost two weeks since this low valley cloud settled in.
This is not the cloud that brings precipitation. It is the low fog that sits between the mountains and hangs over our heads delivering nothing but late sunrise and early darkness.
The wind is calm. The temperature hugs the freezing mark.

"Please, bring on the wind. Blow the valleys clear of haze.
Bring on the flakes! Ones of snow, that fill our days!"

We need snow...
Please!

COUNT ME IN!

Sixteen more days!

Today I will be doing my best to be creative in answer to a songwriting challenge.
I am no poet, nor am I anything close to being a composer. I hardly know how to read music!
But I love to write...

My song will likely be very simple. The title we have been given is one that could take us anywhere.
Or not - as the subject indicates.
A couple of hints there!

Pete Townshend graced PTfan's blog with a comment yesterday!
I am so envious, but my happiness for her completely and absolutely outweighs those pangs of envy!
PTfan deserves it. She is lovely and sweet and such a dedicated fan.

I am looking forward to taking up the pen - I hear it is mightier than the sword...
And having fun!!!

Seventeen more days until the ski hill opens!

FIFTEEN YEARS

I gave birth to my oldest child in the year nineteen ninety.
My daughter was the best thing to have ever happened to me. She was beautiful and she was definitely the apple of my eye.
She still is.

From when I first became pregnant I was forced to go it alone. My boyfriend wanted nothing to do with me nor the baby.
I will never say it was easy.
I had to respect his decision and, therefore, he mine.

My doctors had previously indicated that I would never be able to have children of my own, so when I discovered that I was with child, I was ecstatic with joy.
To me it was no less than a miracle!
I was thirty-three and well aware of the very loud ticking emanating from my biological clock.

After my little girl was born, I realised how she helped create so much more purpose to my life.

Since then, I was able to further my education, resulting in a love for the work I do.
We have settled into a wonderful community in a beautiful valley in the mountains.
Twelve years ago we met a wonderful man with whom we now share our lives.
We have been blessed with two more lovely children since.

We are now in the presence of a teenager...
Where did my lovely little girl go?
I know she is in there somewhere!

At the moment, our lives are a rollercoaster.
An undulating mix of love, worry, anger and any other emotion that can be tossed in for good measure.
I am a firm believer in Karma - or call it what you like.
Yin and Yang, what goes around comes around, payback time...

We can only trust that deep inside she has learned the lessons that we have shown her.
That she really understands that we love her and that we want her to be happy, healthy, safe and successful.
This is the proverbial "cutting of the apron strings".
We have to let her go.
But at the same time she will know there is a loving, caring, safe and comfortable place to come home to.

Much can happen in fifteen years...

It is a lifetime for our beautiful daughter.

I ALMOST FORGOT!

Eighteen...

COUNTDOWN

Only NINETEEN more days till the ski hill opens to the public.
It is open now to the Swiss and Canadian national ski teams for pre-season training.

My husband has just cranked his Marshall amp and is practicing on his Fender Strat.
I can't hear myself type....

TWENTY...

THE SEEKER

There is a force within that gives you life-

Seek that.

In your body there lies a priceless jewel-

Seek that.

Oh, wandering Sufi,

if you are in search of the greatest treasure,

don't look outside,

Look within, and seek That.

-Djalal ad-Din Rumi

TWENTY-ONE...

TWENTY-TWO MORE DAYS...

HAIRY LEGS

Today I would like to broach the subject of leg-shaving.

I have been diligently shaving off my leg hairs since I was a teenager. My regular bathing routine includes shaving my legs at least once a week - whether they need it or not...
I might add, that this trend also includes shaving off armpit hair.
Where did this ridiculous fashion trend begin?

In this past century, something has happened within the marketing industry where women have wound up falling into large fashion traps.
We are made to believe that we have to keep up with the unreasonable looks of the "women" in magazines, on television and yes, even movies and music videos.
Indeed, smooth and soft skin is nice to look at and pleasant to touch.
Personally, I like the look of my freshly smooth-shaven legs, especially after applying a lovely moisturizing lotion.

I have no idea how long my leg hairs actually are!
My challenge to myself is to find out the length of those pesky little hairs...

TWENTY THREE MORE DAYS...

PEACE and CONTENTMENT

It is another grey November day with a hefty sprinkle of white thrown in for good measure.
Snow fell the other evening and it has remained cold, so the landscape is still like winter.
Sunlight is gently kissing the white peaks of the mountains as the sun slowly climbs above the trees on the eastern horizon.
Clouds are striated against the backdrop of the Purcell Range across the lake.
Ice is beginning to form in thin patches over the black of the water.

I am at home.
The children have gone to school.
George is at work.
Now and then the guinea pig pokes her head above her cage to see what I am doing - curious little thing, our Henrietta is!
Murphy, the "burr" dog is curled on the matt by the door. She spent the other day frolicking in a twenty-acre field of brambles and nettles...
Scat the cat is sprawled, blissful, on his back - warm in front of the fire.
Spoons and Chicken Nugget, the goldfish, are swimming...

The day begins.

AND STRANGE...

That one is for "PTfan"!

This was going to be titled "The Countdown"...

Only twenty-four more days until the ski hill opens for the season!!!!

This time of year is always one of anticipation.
November can be such a grey, dreary month.
All the outdoor activities have to be put on hold for a while.
It is too cold to mountain bike, but not cold enough to go skating yet.
There are no leaves on the trees and the ones on the ground rattle about like lost soldiers.
It is our last chance for gathering.
We need wood for the woodstove to keep us warm during the next few months, canned goods to see us through until we have fresh fruit and vegetables again, dried pastas for energy and we stock up the freezer with baking and home cooked meals, so that coming home from work is that much easier.
The early evenings are dark.
We hunker down in front of the fire, catch up on homework, read to the kids and maybe watch some TV.
Or blog.

And wait...

COBWEBS

It was a late night...

The benefit for our friend went off without a hitch.
The dinner, that consisted of the juciest, tenderest roast beef on homemade buns, was a hit. The beef was accompanied by a crisp caesar salad and a variety of desserts. There was a cash bar and fresh cappuccino coffee to drink.
The music was a treat, as well. There are so many local artists willing to share their voices and their music.
The hall was overflowing with people, love and good cheer. There was the odd tear shed, as well.
The live and silent auctions were well met, too. The auctioneer is a local coffee shop owner, so he was able to cast out a few one-liners to several of the bidders.
At last count, which was done early in the evening, the total funds raised had reached $25,000.00, but that total did not include door entrance nor the cash bar.
It was good to see old friends again. Many of them we know from our skiing community, so talk of getting in those first turns was the usual topic of conversation.
Toward the end of the evening, the steadfast boyfriend of our fallen comrade made an eloquent (if not slightly drunken...) speech. He also read a note that she sent to all of us from her hospital bed. The words were full of hope and sights set to the future.
We ate, drank and danced till well after midnight.

Today is a quiet day while we clear our heads after the fun we had last night.

ANTIQUES and LIVING LEGENDS

A couple of weeks ago, I had a close-enough-for-me brush with a legend-in-his-own-time!

We live in a very small lakeside resort town in the Rocky Mountains. Not too much happens here, except that it can become very busy during the summer and on holidays. That is when the seasonal homeowners and tourists descend upon our valley.
We have been known to have our share of "famous" visitors, as well.
I work in a slightly larger centre, ten minutes away, with a population of slightly under five thousand souls. Main street is barely one-half km long...
Although the town is small, it is the business centre for the surrounding area about the valley.

We are located approximately one hour's drive from the internationally renowned resort town of Banff. That journey from here to there through the mountains and two national parks is a treat in itself!
Most people, if not familiar with, have at least heard of Banff. It is a beautiful mountain town. I know this firsthand, because I lived and worked there for several years before settling here. While living in the Banff area, I had several encounters with different "stars".
All in a days work...

Three weeks ago The Rolling Stones played a concert in Calgary, the nearest large city to us. It is about three hour's drive away and one must drive by Banff in order to get there.
Alas, we were unable to purchase tickets, as they were sold out within a matter of minutes.

One day, shortly before Halloween, one of the fellows I work with commented upon a group of people walking down Main Street. Their look was slightly out of place and the comment given was somewhat along the lines of "early Halloween, is it?".
I gave it no more thought after I watched them enter the antiques store next door.

Two weeks later, as I was reading the weekly local newspaper, an article caught my eye. It was about how a local antiques dealer was curious as to the identity of some customers who had visited his store. Upon further investigation later in the day, he discovered that the mysterious visitors were indeed Ron Wood, guitarist from The Rolling Stones, and his small entourage!
They had inquired about an antique tea chest and were discussing how to ship it back to London. In the end, they did not purchase the piece, but thanked the store owner and left as quietly and unassumingly as they had arrived.

The interesting part of this, from my personal point of view, is I have a blogging friend, Rachel Fuller. She is a sweet, funny, lively and talented singer/songwriter and musician.
She also happens to be the girlfriend of Pete Townshend...
(You may of heard of him - "My Generation", "Won't Get Fooled Again", "Baba O'Reily", "Who Are You" - yes! That guy).
Rachel is also friends with Ron Wood and his wife, Jo.

It is a small world, indeed...

MY FAVOURITE POEM

IN FLANDERS FIELDS

In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.
We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.

- John McCrae


As a post- script to the above poem I will add a short story regarding a discussion with my nine year old son.
Yesterday morning, before school and the ensuing Remembrance Day assembly, he asked me where the money for the poppy pins goes. (There are donation boxes in all the local retail outlets).
I told him that the money goes to the Canadian Legion, an organisation for Canadian war veterans.
Another item we touched upon was that the current membership of the Canadian Legion is decreasing, because members are simply dying of old age.
"This is good thing", I explained and asked him if he knew why.
To a young boy, people dying cannot possibly be a good thing...
Of course not, it never is.
But, when it involves membership to an organisation consisting of war veterans, it can be.

It means that we are so very lucky to be living in this time of peace.

AIRPORTS and WAITING ROOMS

On our journey to and from Fiji last summer, we spent many hours in many airports.
(My husband and I were travelling with our three children).
Due to the recent tightening of airport security, we had to instruct our three on "customs etiquette".
The journey went smoothly and the flights were relatively uneventful.

Just recently, while we were waiting in the office at the medical clinic, our eight year old daughter was busy playing with the toys. While we were still waiting, she came and sat by me.

A moment or two later she looked at me and stated, "This is just like the airport, Mum. Except in here we can say the word BOMB...".

"SPRING FEVER"

The above is the name given to an event being held in our town this Saturday.
It is a benefit and dinner and dance being held in the local community hall to help support our friend and her family.
They are in a great time of need, because she was very seriously injured in a mountain biking accident this past August.
In a fall from her bike she broke three vertebrae in her neck, partially severing her spinal cord. This resulted in her being paralysed from her neck down.
Since then, after several surgeries and intense physiotherapy, she has reclaimed limited movement of her arms and hands. She is also able to breathe and eat on her own.
But, she has a very long road ahead of her...

The outpouring of kindness and generosity that our community has displayed is overwhelming. Even from my healthy point of view.
She has friends looking after her business, her children are being cared for, a bank account has been set up in her name to receive all the monetary donations from so many individuals and several other benefits already been held in her name.
My family and I will be attending the big benefit this weekend.

We have our own amazing story of an act of kindness and trust.

My husband has been helping to build a house in a very ritzy location up at the local ski hill - on the golf course. The neighbouring new house was just recently inhabited by its owners who were holding a garage sale to rid themselves of excess "junk" that they had no room for.
My husband was checking the items out when he inquired about a guitar case he noticed in the corner. The owner then told him it was a guitar that someone gave him twenty odd years ago. Being a non-guitarist, he had never removed it from the case!
George asked him what the fellow thought it was worth and if he would sell it to him.
After a day or two, the fellow came back and said, "You know that girl in town who was injured? I'll tell you what. I will give you the guitar if you make a donation in her name for what you think it's worth."
Of course, George said, "Yes!".
We checked out the serial number and looked it up on the Internet. Then we checked E-Bay for a dollar amount on that particular model.

We now owe a donation of $300.00 and are the owners of a (never-been-played) 1987-88 black Fender Strat...

BOOM, BANG...

YAY!
Back up again.

I'm becoming a blogoholic...

CRASH

My computer is down. Blast!
Thank goodness I can use the one at work on my lunch break. As long as no one else needs it.
I just check my blog from here.
It should be up and running (stumbling) in another day.

Oh, the virtues of technology...

CHICKEN!

Firstly, I have this annoying habit of typing in the title of my post, then hitting ENTER...
Then I have to go back and edit the post in order to say what I have to say!

Once more, this is an early morning post. It is the hour when I have time for myself to have my coffee and muse without interruption.
I awoke, looked out the window and, to my surprise, was met by a glittering winter paradise.
There is a thin blanket of snow covering the landscape and the snow is still falling. It is slowly becoming light and the world is changing gradually to black and white.
Silently.

I have a recipe that I thought I would like to share.
The idea has come from fellow blogger, Adam. The guy who feels threatened by forests!...
Like Adam, I feel food is to be shared and recipes, too.
The following was a family favourite while I was growing up and I have continued the tradition with my own husband and children.
The recipe is very easy and certainly very tasty:


GARLIC CHICKEN WINGS

5 lbs. chicken wings
1 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup soy sauce
2 cloves garlic - crushed (or as many cloves you think you can handle!)

Combine brown sugar, soy sauce & garlic.
Place chicken wings in shallow pan or oven-proof dish & coat with sauce mixture.
Bake at 350 degrees F for approx. 1 1/2 hours until sauce thickens basting occasionally.
The wings may be served as a main course. They go very well with any white rice.
They can also be served as an appetiser - just have handy the napkins or serviettes or whatever you call them wherever you live...
When served as an appetiser, they go very well with sliced fresh veggies and dip.

"Bonus recipe..."

GARLIC VEGGIE DIP

1/2 cup sour cream
1/2 cup mayonnaise
2 teaspoons white sugar
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1/4 teaspoon dried dillweed

Mix above ingredients thoroughly. Let sit in refridgerator for 1 hour.
Dip veggies & enjoy!
*NOTE: The measurings of sugar, garlic & dill may be adjusted to your own tastes.


The kids are awake and have just discovered the fresh snow!

RACHEL AT WORK and TO SWEAR OR NOT TO SWEAR

Yesterday I was able to watch more of "In The Attic" live than I ever have!
The feed came through on the computer at work crisp and clear.
While I was watching the first half-hour or so, a few of my co-workers came through and checked out what was playing.
"COOL", they all commented, but I'm sure a certain few were just trying to humour me, knowing what a great fan of "The Who" (whoever they are...) I am.
But, before I knew it bosses and everyone were all looking over my shoulder at the screen, quite enthralled, with directions, "Make the screen bigger!".
My "boss" who is really a friend as well (she and her brothers own the small business), told me that if I didn't show up for work one day, she is going to look Rachel and Pete up, sure to find me there in London!
Is it really that noticeable??

Apparently we missed the juicy part of the show...

From what I understand, Pete called a group of people a certain bad word and that is when the sparks began to fly!
As I scrolled through the comments later in the day I caught the jist of what had taken place.
I am hoping that viewers took it all in the way it was presented - tongue in cheek.
We have to remember, this is Pete Townshend - the middle class boy from Shepherds Bush, Acton, Ealing or wherever...
(I have not got my London suburbs all figured out, having never been there).
It was just this attitude that attracted me to The Who in the first place! It was the potty- mouthed, unpredictable, hot tempered group of hooligans that, combined, could make this most amazing music - not to mention put on a great show!
When I was older I realised there had to be some brains behind it all...

I grew up in a household where the rule was "if you can't say anything nice, don't say anything at all". That included everything from one simple swear word to a distasteful comment.
They were words to live by, especially while around my Mum and Dad, but there is much truth to them.
As an adult I can choose whether to swear or not and, yes, I've been known to come out with quite a mouthful! But I know the difference...
As a parent I have to be careful what I say because I am my children's number one role model. My children, at this point, do not have that choice.
If I bring them up in a "swearless" household, they will learn to express themselves without having to use profanity. I am not shielding them from the big, bad world out there, either. They have heard the words and know them. But they are learning the difference...
When they grow up they will know what is appropriate and will have been brought up with that ability to choose.

And, when the situation requires, maintain their dignity...

FROST on the PUMPKIN

The pumpkins are outside and there is frost on them...

We left our jack-o-lanterns out, like we usually do, after Halloween. (Not lit up, of course). I hate to throw them away after just one night.

That's the thrifty part of me coming out.
I was brought up with the philosophy of "waste not, want not" and it is a very good philosophy - it works. Mostly...
I will keep the tiniest scrap of paper (grocery lists), any waste paper from work that was only used on one side (colouring for the kids or printer paper for rough work on the computer), cardboard boxes (build "cars" for the kids and/or kindling for the fire), newspaper (kindling for the fire), zip lock baggies (I actually wash them out and re-use them!), plastic grocery bags (to carry absolutely anything, liners for garbage cans), etc.

We recycle as much as possible, too.
There is a recycle bag for bags, a bag for plastic containers (eg. yogurt, household cleaners, shampoo) , a bag for styrofoam (now there's a big one we could do without), a bag for cardboard food boxes and the list goes on...
When a bag is full, we simply take it to the recycle bin at the same time we take the garbage.
We don't have the luxury of garbage pickup included in our taxes. We could pay to have it done by a private company, but we choose to do it ourselves. It all ends up in the same place.
During the colder months we burn as much as possible (and as is healthy) in our woodstove.
The only thing that we don't have at this time is a composter, which is the next thing on our list.

I have asked Santa Claus for one...

ADAM BURGERS and SNOWSUITS

Hey, we tried a fellow blogger,Adam's recipe for "Elvis Burgers" last night.
They were a hit!
I have been searching about for a good hamburger recipe that will not bore my family to death. I think this is it! I picked up the recipe from his blog.

It got really cold last night & the snow that fell is pretty crunchy at the moment. I've got the woodstove lit, so it's pretty cosy in here now.
Jenny is so funny! She busied herself last night getting out all the snowsuits, hats, mitts & boots in order to play in the snow this morning. She has them all layed out neatly ready to go.

Now I'm off to greet the day!

IT'S SNOWING!

This is good news if one is an avid skier!
It is rather early in the season - maybe too early to make any difference, but it's "dumping" at the ski hill!
George is up there right now building a house and he has had to work in the snowy conditions for the last two days. Long underwear, heavy jacket, gloves and a hat have are his work partners at the moment.
We live only a two-hour drive north of the 49th parallel, so our living conditions are far from "arctic"! We would have to travel much farther north and cross the 60th parallel to find those severe type of conditions.
That said, we are looking forward to a snowy winter - hopefully...
The past few seasons have been pretty sketchy - very little snowfall and too much ice. Thank goodness for snowmaking machines! Right now there are some international ski teams doing their pre-season training.
I LOVE snow.
Whether it's here in the valley where we have to shovel it, or up in the peaks where we have to ski it...

We will be saying the skiers' prayer tonight!

CHAOS and CANDY

Yesterday, to say the least, was somewhat hectic.
I dropped the two youngest kids off at school on my way to work. There was a stack of papers waiting for me in my "in" basket, but that I don't mind. The more work the better, but it is month-end so the push is on to complete everything.
Over my lunch break I went to see the doctor about an unusual irritated skin spot on my face. As it turns out, it is a squalor cell carcinoma, a non-malignant type of skin cancer. A little bit scary, I must say...
In order to have it removed I have to see a (get this) plastic surgeon. Due to its location on the bridge of my nose it will require certain amount of skill and care during removal. I am certain that it's from being sunburned while skiing - I can see the pattern from my sunglasses around the top of the spot. From now on I will have to apply sunscreen more often while I am on the hill, especially in springtime.
The plastic surgeon whom I have to see practices about 1 1/2 hour's drive away in the town where I lived for several years. My oldest child was born there. My husband will come with me for the procedure. At this time I am not quite certain what it entails, but I think it's a fairly simple one.
On the bright side, it's a beautiful drive crossing the mountains and driving through two national parks!

That is not the end of it all.
It was Halloween last night and I was very busy helping the kids do homework, carve pumpkins, get costumes ready and see that our candy and decorations were all in order.

In the meantime, I received telephone calls from the high school regarding my older daughter missing classes. We have been through this before and it has been discussed at length with the guilty party. Apparently she insists.
I feel very strongly about my children receiving a decent education and I am adamant about attending class on a regular basis.
Unfortunately, the ultimatum that had been presented to her previously was not enough. We have been forced to take the drastic measure of revoking her current seasons pass to the ski hill.
I feel utterly sad and completely helpless (useless might be a better word).

On a brighter note, the other children had a great time trick-or-treating with Dad!
(I would love to have gone along, but I had the letter to the auditor to complete and properly compose. It's done and will be sent away today).
The candy is piled high! There is no hope in heaven that we will be able to eat (and maintain our good health) all of it!
I so enjoy watching the children grow and have so much fun!

What is it that when a girl reaches that teen age they morph into someone/something else?
What happened to the fun little girl that I used to know?
I hope she is in there somewhere....

I cried myself to sleep last night...

On the bright side, it is times like this that I DON'T want a drink.
It is the furthest thing from my mind.