Parades and Preparations

Tonight begins parades for us. St Charles and Milan was the spot for the night, as Druids and Pygmalion (rescheduled from last week due to rain) rolled.

Charlie dusted off his trusty hat, slipped an Abita into a koozie, and off we went...


We traveled light tonight, since it wouldn't be too long of an event. The party wagon may have to wait to make it's debut tomorrow.

The crowds were light and the throws plentiful.



The O'Dwyers found us on the neutral ground, after scoring just the right parking spot (ah, Kevin was quite impressed with himself on that one). Ana's got her "throw me something, Mister" cries down,


and Elliot is more of the observer for now, taking it all in.


I didn't take too many photos tonight, but most of what I did take were of the bands.


It really wouldn't be a parade without them.




We were walking home by 8pm, searching for just the perfect spot to park the potty, and now that we're home preparations for the weekend are in motion...a pot of jambalaya on the stove, ice chest loaded with beers and ice, chairs loaded into the truck, and most importantly....


the potty is strapped in and ready for action. Tomorrow morning we're hoping that just the right spot is open on Coliseum and Napoleon, and that we won't be huddled inside waiting out the rain.

Other preparations include making a pot of corn soup, picking up poboys from Dorignacs, and then there is this little issue of a preliminary exam to be finished up before Friday. If we seem a little behind this year, well, we are. But, we're not worried. It's Carnival, after all.

Quadruplets

Here they are, all four of them, now at rest in my uterus, hopefully burrowing in for the next 263 days. Well, maybe not all four of them, we hope.

They are all grade 2, one four cell, one five cell, and two six cell. I think. I am sure of the two six cell.

Dr. C said off the bat that he'd definitely advise going with three since last time we did two, but kind of left it open. I told him we wanted all four. I mean that's all we had, why not? He agreed that it was probably a safe call, adding in that although my lining was ok, it still left something to be desired.

The transfer was relatively easy, with the burgeoning bladder being pressed upon being the most difficult part. Charlie and I watched each step on the monitor...embryos loaded into the catheter, catheter inserted into the uterus, air bubble following embryos apparent on ultrasound, catheter examined under the microscope to ensure no one was left behind. It's all very amazing to see the steps on the screens. The ultrasound technician mentioned she wasn't really seeing the "triple stripe" pattern of the endometrium they like to see. No surprise there, I suppose.

So after an hour of lying in recovery, I was released to bed rest at home for 2-3 days. Pregnancy test is scheduled for February 8th.

Mardi Gras Lacrosse Tournament

The New Orleans Lacrosse Club hosts a tournament each year the weekend before Mardi Gras. And each and every year since Charlie and I have been together, the weather has been rainy, and usually cold, no matter when the tournament happens to fall. Last year I was a supportive wife and faced the damp cold once to see him play and again to see two good teams play and see how lacrosse "should look." This year my supportive wife role was limited to a load of wet, muddy laundry washed and dried each night. There's always next year.

Day 3 Transfer

The nurse called this morning while I was at the park. I need to be there for 8:30am for a 9am transfer. Begin drinking water on the way there so my bladder is full and bring along my Valium.

There are 4 grade 2 (mediocre) embryos...One is two celled and three are four celled...Or maybe it was the other way around, one four celled and three two celled. I was having a hard time focusing. Regardless, they'll transfer them in the morning.

Wondering how many he'll advise transferring. Wondering how they'll look in the morning.

I know Dr. C probably wants to reserve discussing this egg quality issue I seem to have this time around for the next office appointment, and I most likely won't ask any questions until then either. But I've got to say I am disappointed and am already thinking of this as not working. Last night I got on the CCRM website (best stats in the country) to look at what I need to do for a telephone consultation. I'll try to focus on the current cycle for now, but I've got to tell you that I am not very hopeful.

Under the Influence

Here I am, post retrieval, all drugged up still.

Charlie let me know I was still rather looped after coming out of the egg retrieval. My blood pressure was quite low and the nurse and anesthesiologist kept trying to wake me, speaking loudly to me. That's a bit scary.

But, apparently I began "chatting" shortly, although I was still very much out of it. It wasn't exactly a conversation, but rather a series of questions that repeated, as though they were a recording (thinking not much unlike my nondrugged conversations with Charles sometimes!).

And here I am this morning, in my $6 flannel pjs found on clearance,
free of drugs, and with a little more sense

At least I knew somewhat what was going on because I asked over and over how many eggs they were able to get. I also wanted to know my pulse. But the funny thing is, and it is quite telling of my personality, is that I wanted to know if Charlie had gotten a look at the couple in the next room!!! I am quite the people watcher, and want to know what's going on, watching everyone's move. I watch everything from how people tie their shoes to how they spread butter on bread. I joke that I'm writing a book, but mostly it boils down to being nosey, I guess.

Now I am wondering what on earth I had to say to the doctors during the procedure. Probably best that I don't know.

Less than half

Dr. C called. Only 4 eggs are showing signs of fertilization. The embryologist will check on them again this afternoon, but "the only information" he had at 1:30 this afternoon was we have four.

I feel a 3 day transfer coming on.

Medicine Notes

Although Dr. C didn't think much change in the protocol was needed from last cycle, he has done a few things differently:

• Stimulant dosages increased over the nine days to deal with slow stimulation which he didn't think we saw last time
• No trental: began taking after second medicated IUI to help blood flow and thicken the lining, but figured it wasn't really making a difference, so didn't want to add it to the mix
• Steroids post retrieval: last time he gave me a choice of a low dose steroid for several days up until retrieval or a high does steroid for a few days after retrieval. I opted for 0.5 mg dexamethasone during stimulation. This time I did the dexamethasone dose during the stimulation and he initially prescribed Medrol (steroid) for after transfer, but when he learned how much extra dexamethasone I had, he just upped the dose of dexamethasone to 3mg rather than changing to Medrol. (For me, steroid side effects I see are increased appetite, of course.)
• Progesterone: last cycle I used progesterone in oil, post transfer. I had intramuscular injections with a large needle in the rump each evening. This cycle I'll be using Crinone gel (8%) once a day. I've used the gel before, and actually think I'd rather the shot than the vaginal gel. The worst application for the progesterone that I've tried to date is the suppositories, twice a day.

So now, in the luteal phase (post ovulation) I will begin taking baby aspirin (same as previous cycle as well as IUIs) in an attempt to decrease potential clotting and increase blood flow to the uterus. I'm also taking antibiotics for a few days. I'll start up the estrogen patches, two patches every other day, just like last time in a day or so.

Today, still recovering from transfer and waiting, patiently waiting, for the fertilization report.

Ain't no place to pee on Mardi Gras Day

Keep singing (Charlie is)...only rick folks get to pee on Mardi Gras Day.... you know the tune (but don't get it confused with the "G.E.D. fight song")

This is up there as one of Charlie's all time favorite "holiday songs." Who doesn't like a good ole yat like Benny Grunch, telling it like it is.

We're four blocks from Napoleon, but too far of a walk for emergency bathroom trips. And all of those $1 bathroom tickets at the chucrch add up, right?

So Charlie decided to even the playing field for us every day folks without big homes and marble thrones on the St. Charles parade route.


It's going in the back of the pick up, and will be parked right off the route near our parade viewing spot. It will be relocated for Endymion since they're making their return to MidCity this year!

Many locals are having private, locked potties dropped off on the neutral ground; quite convenient, but I've got to think that eventually the city will crack down on that (as well as stacks and stacks of ladders saving spots) and remove everything one night when we least expect it. So, we'll have to cross the street, and pull down the step stool to find our way to the commode.

Surely we'll manage 100 uses so we break even, keeping the cash out of the pockets of the greedy church, right? At least we won't have to listen to our favorite high school marching band from the line to the bathroom.

So come on by, let Charlie make you a cocktail, and use our potty!

Got 'em

Of the ten he thought were there, Dr. C managed to get 9. Let's hope they're all mature and high quality. Charlie tells me he gave his "boys" a pep talk before handing them over to the embryologist, so surely they'll get right down to business and give us 9 perfectly dividing embryos.

We'll get a fertilization report sometime tomorrow. Until then I'll be hanging around the house in a moo moo and maybe lounge around in my Mardi Gras costume for kicks.

Going for 10

Dr. C did my ultrasound this morning, before the office opened. He didn't measure all of my follicles, as the technician would have, but just generally got an idea as to what size the lead follicle was to confirm tonight's trigger shot.

Lead follicle is a 21, so unless something unexpected turns up from my bloodwork, I will administer the hcg trigger shot tonight and go in Friday morning for the egg retrieval.

He commented that I have fewer follicles this time, but thought my E2 (estriodal) level was more in line with the number of mature follicles. Last cycle, my E2 (which correlates with the number of mature follicles) was higher than it should have been according to follicle measurements attained from the ultrasounds. So, he figures there will be 10 mature follicles to go for on Friday and he estimates he'll get 8.

And even MORE meds

He upped my Menopur again today from 150 to 225. The Follistim will remain at 200 IU. I'll also take a Ganirelix shot.

Thinking I'd be happy to get the 10 eggs we got in November this time around, but doesn't look like that'll be the case. Fretting doesn't help, so says Charles. "It is what it is." I'm trying here.

The endometrium is hanging on between 6 and 7.

I go in again tomorrow at 7:30 am (requested the first appointment of the day to get out of there in time to get some work done) for another ultrasound and more bloodwork, but it appears as though I am on track for a Friday retrieval.

Perhaps now that my body is no longer in shock from plummeting temperatures and we once again feel like we live in the south, my eggs will get back to growing.

I think...

"I think..., I think..., I think it needs more tonic!"


He's got a new hobby....bartending. I'm not talking about for work. This cocktail concocting is a hobby, for here, at home. It's pure hobby, and he can be borderline obsessive about hobbies.

This is going to be interesting. He's gotten a book.

When he decides he's going to do something, he does it. So I've been handed a list of items to stock the bar with, as he's got a repertoire of drinks to practice shaking and muddling before he attempts drink preparation on the neutral ground during parades. My vodka tonics and bloody marys aren't quite interesting enough. He wants me to request something with bitters or Rose's lemon or at the very least an interesting name. The best I could do was a fuzzy navel.

We'd love to see you on the parade route, but you better get your drink requests in now before I stock the bar!

The first of the season

On my way home from the park this morning I walked right into some of the first sights of Mardi Gras...fat, drunk men in drag trading flowers and beads for kisses. So, I stepped right up so I could bring home a bouquet, my first treasures of this Carnival season.


The Jefferson City Buzzards were making a trial run, just like last year, stopping at all the bars along Magazine, making sure their dancing shoes fit and their sons and nephews donning skirts and long locks for the first time knew the drill. Where else do young men aspire to wear skirts and parade through the city kissing women. Well, maybe such aspirations happen everywhere, but where else would one have the opportunity to have a police escort to do so besides our city?

Even more meds

My right ovary appears to be working overtime, with nearly double what the left is producing. I have several immature follicles that may or may not ever catch up in time. My lead follicle is a 14, with five or so other follicles being in the 10-14 range.

Tonight I continue on 200 IU Follistim and increase the Menopur from 75 to 150. I'll also take my first of three Ganirelix shots to suppress ovulation. I'll most likely continue this protocol through Tuesday, administer the hcg trigger shot on Wednesday, and then go in for retrieval on Friday.

In the mean time, I need to figure out how to get more drugs. I don't have enough since the dosages were increased. You hate to get extra when the costs are so high. Hoping the one pharmacy carrying the stuff in the city is open on MLK day.

Spent the better part of the morning at the doctor as all 9 IVF patients had to return today for ultrasounds. I hate spending my time at the office having to do this, but met a couple today who makes a 5 hour drive from Texas to visit the clinic. Can't even imagine.

Blooms

I've switched from coffee to tea, in an effort to cut down on caffeine and lead a generally healthier life. So it's been green tea each morning, so I get some caffeine and antioxidants and then an herbal tea in the evening.

Charlie, with the help of Kim in the lab, got me some blooming teas for Christmas. He wasn't aware that this gift would require another purchase...a clear pot to see the blooms. Jenny came through with helping him with that one.

This morning I got to have some green tea with jasmine...along with a bloom.

This is what I started with....


And then....

Tea!


Generally I have my tea out of an insulated mug, but I'm thinking I may have to invest in at least one beautiful cup and saucer (maybe from the thrift store? or maybe to match my china?) and make my tea drinking more of an event. That event just may keep me from partaking in the event of choking down endless slices of king cake!

Eat over your plate!

As we enter the third week of Carnival and the parades are getting started, we brought home one of our favorites, a king cake from Haydel's.


The sugar smell knocks you out when you open the bag!


This is a yummy one, and it comes with a ceramic doll, along with the king cake baby. Got to have one each year for my window sill parade!


This year, the beignet waiter joined the "krewe"!

And yes, this one is almost gone as well...


Purple, green, and gold sugar are everywhere, but I ain't complaining!

More meds

I am not responding to my meds as well as I have in previous cycles. My lead follicle today was only an eight, where in the last cycle it was a nine by this time. Doctor believes that perhaps the different birth control pills surpressed me a bit more, so Follistim (FSH) dose is being increased from 150 IU to 200 IU, with the Menopur (FSH and LH) dose remaining the same, 5 mL. Each of my three medicated IUI cycles' protocols and IVF #1 protocol consisted of 150 IU Follistim, with fairly consistent results, so I'm not sure what's going on.

The nurse also told me some numbers today as far as bloodwork: FSH is 13 and Estradiol is 129. She said the labs looked good, but this is the first time she's talked numbers with me. I've only been told that things looked "good," "normal," or "just as they should." I am not sure what these numbers mean for cycle day 5. Suppose I have something to google now.

Oh, and I have 7 follicles on each side, and of the 14 total, 5 were measuring at 8.

I return on Sunday for bloodwork and ultrasound. I should have some questions between now and then about my new stimulant protocol and bloodwork.

Resizing

This happens to be Charlie's ring, sitting on my desk. He is not wearing it for the first time in three years. It's too big! and he's afraid it's going to get lost. I want to take it to our jeweler and have it resized, but thinking it's best to put that off until he's holding at his goal weight.

Sizing this ring will be no easy task, you see. It's quite the complicated ring. Each time I think about us sitting in the jeweler's office, a big grin comes to my lips.

As we sat with our jeweler, Ken, to talk wedding bands, he suggested we take care of me first as surely I'd take longer. I giggled and suggested that perhaps Charlie be first. He had a special request, and it wasn't just an inscription. And out came the sketch.

He carefully explained he wanted a wide platinum band, with three perfectly spaced infinity symbols, inlaid in gold. They should be spaced so that if viewing the ring from above an equilateral triangle would form when drawing a line which would connect the symbols. Oh how I wish I still had that sketch.

If you know Charlie, I am sure you can imagine how exact he was in his description, and how serious he was throughout the entire discussion with the jeweler. And if you know me, you know my face was beet red as I tried to stifle my giggles.

Ken let me know he's had more unusual requests. If you know Ken, he's a hell of a salesman, and wasn't going to make my dear Charles feel the least bit silly for his designs symbolizing his infinite love and commitment, even though he had to have been thinking my future husband was just the tad bit out there. You think strange, but I think endearing. It's pure Charlie for ya.

To make sure he understood correctly, he retrieved the man who actually forges the metal from the workshop to go over Charlie's diagram and instructions. He got it right: platinum, with three gold infinity symbols, spaced to create a triangle of perfect proportions. So I figure sizing it and maintaining such a harmonious design won't be easy, so we're holding off.

In the mean time, I'm searching for just the right twisty tie for him to wear, and I think it may do the job in expressing how infinite his love truly is that he'd wear it to show the strength of our love and commitment.

Our Other Team

Tonight we made it out to our first Hornets' game of the season. Shame on us that it's taken us so long to get to the Arena this season.

We've been hearing about what a good team we have and how poorly attended the games are. Surprising, as taking a family to see the Saints is unaffordable for most, but at $7 a ticket (upper level, end court) supporting our basketball team seems like a perfect family outing.


It is always fun to go to a game, and I love the fast paced, in your face plays of basketball.

Charlie wasn't much into entertaining my self portraits tonight, so this one was taken with the camera on my lap!


Now we're off to sit down with our calender to pick out some other nights to head out and support our team, as well as share some nachos and beers!

Round Two

Today I went for my baseline ultrasound and bloodwork and administered my first injection for our second attempt at pregnancy via IVF. Feeling a bit nervous, more so than last. You'd think by now I'd be numb to it all, but hardly the case. Tears began to well up during my ultrasound at thought of the month's end marking three years that I've been taking prenatal vitamins. The new ultrasound technician probably learned the hard way not to ask questions.

In any case, all numbers were as to be expected, with the exception of a small lingering cyst on one ovary. We're full steam ahead, however, anticipating egg retrieval on or about the 25th and transfer on the 30th.

Another week, Another cake

This week we had to have a taste of the "French" king cakes from LaBoulangerie, right down Magazine. I think this is Charlie's favorite.


I like the crown that accompanies it...

Charlie sucks the "baby" clean.

This year's babies are of the Peanuts theme, and we got Snoopy.


We made short work of this little cake in a hour's time...


Wondering if the last slice will be around to pack in Charlie's lunch tomorrow.

They're good for your heart

Charlie's eating red beans and rice from my kitchen for the first time. Doesn't he look thrilled?

Usually, I make beans sans meat, and I eat the entire pot myself. He doesn't like beans but I guess he got tired of hearing me talk about how good they are for you, high in fiber, low in fat, easy to make, and cheap. If sausage was added to the pot, he'd force some down.

He got his way today, with some low fat turkey sausage. He didn't quite have a grimace the entire time he ate, but we'll see how it goes when he's got to eat them as leftovers later this week.

On Soup

My love affair with soups began at Houston's on St. Charles...tortilla soup every Thursday. Yum. Or maybe it was the corn and crab bisque at Vincent's. Yum-my. That one's in a bread bowl! And I can't leave out the smoky gumbo at Dick and Jenny's. De-lic-ious.

I generally have a cup of soup, no matter what it is, each time we eat out, and sometimes it's even my entree. I love the creamy, fattening varieties, potato and chowder being high on the list, but I really love all kinds of soups.

I make soup each time we have a turkey or a chicken. Just can't bare the thought of tossing that carcass without boiling those bones. And with that generally follows tossing a bunch of stuff into the stock: leftover poultry, a can of corn, some tomatoes, chopped parsley, a can of beans, some rice, and anything that just so happens to be available in the pantry, refrigerator, or garden. No planning when making a pot of soup, with the exception of a gumbo (which I'm thinking we'll have for Mardi Gras as the early date bodes well for chilly, gumbo eating, weather).

I made a pot today with my newest, most favorite ingredient: barley. It's high in fiber and much better for you than rice, noodles, or potatoes. High fiber was my mission, but I omitted the beans because I'm serving it to picky Charlie for supper, with a grilled cheese sandwich. There's enough to freeze half and enjoy during the next cold snap.


As the pot was simmering, I have been poking around the net looking at actual soup recipes. Lentil soup may have to be next and then potato leek. But that would involve some advance planning on my part. We'll see how it goes. I'm open to any tested and approved soup recipes if anyone's got any!

Inaugural Ride

He's been talking about it for a while now, but this morning it finally happened. Charlie road his bike to work.



He figures it's good for the environment, helps keep money in our wallet rather than in Shell's, and best of all, it'll help his waistline.


The trek Uptown to Downtown took him 30 minutes.

An hour on the bike each day should do him some good, body and mind.

Vet Visit

I brought my neighbor's cat to Crescent City Veterinary Hospital this morning for treatment.

I do not know my neighbor. I do not know this cat. She didn't answer her door, and when phoned by another neighbor, she didn't answer her phone.

I knew the cat needed help from the looks of her, but my asinine neighbor who is a vet wouldn't even touch her much less allow her into his office without my paying for vaccinations. So Charlie called the vet on Jefferson Ave. who asked that she be brought in right away and agreed to do a preliminary exam for $50.

The vet there examined her and explained she was in pain and would require monumental surgery and care, if she was even able to be stabilized, and made the decision to put her down. She explained she was the professional and the decision was hers.

I know we would do anything, absolutely anything, for our dogs and would hope that if they ever needed care someone would do what we did this morning. I'd also hope the vet would be as compassionate to both the person and to our pet in her approach as this vet was this morning. She absolved me of wrestling with which decision was right, whether it be based on cost or compassion. And she did what was necessary to help the cat pass on free of pain, and asked for no monetary compensation. She asked that my neighbor be left the office phone number so she may explain.

I admire her. I admire her strength and decisiveness. Talking to my neighbor is going to be tough, and its something I'll do before giving her the vet's number.

I've checked my dogs, and they have their collars and tags, each with our cell phone numbers. I think I may need to have new tags made with the emergency instructions in place: DO NOT bring to the animal hospital four houses away, contact Crescent City Vet. Sounds like such a shame, doesn't it, but at least I know, and I now know where to find good care.

Smash Cake

This is ALWAYS a hit...

a.k.a. Chess Squares

Ingredients:

• 1 box yellow cake mix
• 2 eggs, beaten
• 1 stick butter, softened
• 1/2 c. chopped pecans
• 1 (8 oz.) pkg. cream cheese
• 2 eggs, beaten
• 1 (1 lb.) box powdered sugar
• 2 tsp. vanilla or 1 tsp. coconut flavoring and 1 tsp. vanilla

Directions:

1. Mix pecans, cake mix, 2 beaten eggs, and softened butter.
2. Crumble into a 9x12x2 inch pan, pressing evenly into the bottom.
3. Mix cream cheese, 2 beaten eggs, powdered sugar and flavoring.
4. Pour over top of cake mixture.
5. Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes.
6. Serves 8 to 10.

It's rich, so I'd say cut into about 16-20 small squares, rather than the 8-10 recommended servings.

What I'm talking about...

Bigger the word, the more frequently it's used here...


already around baby bake believe better birthdays bit boots box brunch care carrying casserole charlie cheese christmas cold coming cookie cooking corn cream degrees difference dinner doesn't eating erin etc ever family game garden gift going green hands happy holiday hope hours improvement jacket janet kids life lift links lots lsu magazine meal morning mountain myself night orleans pants photo pushing quite ready rebuild recipe recommend ribs rolls runs saints santa season shopping skiing skip slopes snow something spring squares street sure taken thanksgiving think tomorrow tonight top town tradition travel until vail video waiting walked warm watching week zipper

created at TagCrowd.com

Ribs!

You must have cooked these all day, she said.

Nope, put them on at 3:30 this afternoon and by 7:30 they were ready for eating. I worried all day that we'd be eating at midnight, post LSU game, since I hadn't gotten the ribs going before work. Some estimated that they'd need to cook for eight or more hours!

These were done at 350 degrees for 4 hours and turned out well. Of course, some more slow cooking wouldn't have hurt, but these were definitely tasty, tender, and moist. Good thing I didn't phone Corky's BBQ for take out.

Next time I may try the preboil method or even cook them for 8 or more hours. The baby back ribs are more expensive, but are definitely worth the extra expense. Anyone have a good dry rub recipe?

It's Carnival Time

Last night was Twelfth Night and today we celebrate the Epiphany, but everyone knows what that really means...

We picked up our first king cake of the season this morning and it's already half gone, despite our professed efforts to "get back to eating healthy" before Fat Tuesday. There was no resisting this cake...it was still warm as we walked out of the bakery!

The "den" down the street is bustling with artists readying the floats and I'm hoping to put away the Christmas decorations tomorrow (while watching the LSU game with one eye) and pulling out the purple, green, and gold.

It won't be long before we hear the marching bands weaving through the streets as they practice for their parade debuts.

Christmas Shopping

Wrapping paper and boxes on sale at Walgreens for 50 cents! Can't beat that! Now I wonder if I can find cards and lights still on sale somewhere.

This past year I shopped year round for gifts, both Christmas and birthdays. It made for a more pleasant holiday season without running around shopping, but it also changed gift giving in general. If I saw something that reminded me of someone, I bought it. I got them a gift, rather than waiting until December when I would more likely be just trying to fill a box with their name on it.

And I've already bought a handful of gifts for birthdays and yes, even for Christmas. I'll keep a word document going to keep up with what I've got and all gifts will be stored in one box in the closet upstairs until they're ready to be wrapped.

I'm also thinking I may start making some gifts for next year...

Our Travel Partners

I have neglected to introduce Stanley and Stanley, as in "Flat Stanley".


These guys were put into our care by Anthony's class. We take them on all of our trips and make sure Stanley and Stanley pose for photos and send postcards to the kids at school.

They are starting to show some wear from all the travel they've been doing, but I think they are having a great time and the kids at school love hearing about their adventures and finding their location on the map.

Last day on the mountain

Charlie was the camera carrier so there seem to be lots of pictures of me. Now that I think about it, he was the everything carrier!

Here I am as I walk out after lunch....


Still walking, but with mountains in the background...


I went on several runs down Swingsville. Although I did some blue, more difficult runs, Whistle Pig wasn't one of them. Too many bumps, but that'll be my goal when we come in the spring.


And the last lift ride of the holiday...

What a day will do

One more day and so much better! These videos where taken on the "Christmas" run. I come from way up top...look for the gray pants.




Charlie's instructions are:

1. athletic stance (that is lean forward pushing shins to tongue of the boots) hands up, poles back
   
2. hand "pushes" your ski around
   
3. knee into the mountain
   

And Charlie continues to be a show off...he's coming down in red!

A New Year

The first light of 2008 coming up over the mountain in Vail.


I was quite cold on the deck snapping this photo during the hustle and bustle of getting ready for skiing this morning.

Look at the thermometer...


And that is a negative sign in front of the 1o! But with sunny skies in the forecast for Vail, skiing was the only option for the first day of the new year.

Our first self portrait of 2008 as we rode up the first lift!

Charlie provided instruction on the novice slopes all day. He is very patient and I hope, hope, hope I am improving.


I think we have to come again in the spring so I am able to keep up my new skills. Let's face it, skiing two or three days a year (or every other year, as it's been the case in the most recent past) doesn't allow for any improvement.

Another good day skiing, but it is always nice to come home and take off those boots.