Big Bear Skiing

The second vacation we took as a married couple was a quick ski trip to Big Bear. I don't even know that you would consider it a vacation in the true sense of the word. Hubby's grandparents lived in San Bernadino CA which is right at the base of the mountain where the ski resort is located. In the interest of money, we opted to stay with them and drive up to the resort each day.

We skied for 5 days. I remember that for Southern California the snow was extremely good that week. There was actually a little powder instead of the usual ice-skating rink type snow/ice we typically have the pleasure of skiing on. We skied some days at Snow Valley and others at Snow Summit. Today, even the name has changed. Snow Summit is no more. Now it is Bear Mountain.


30 year old very grainy picture of Hubby getting ready to ski.

I don't remember much else about the actual skiing, but I can pretty much guarantee you that something like this happened (I know this because it ALWAYS happened....lol):

Hubby: (Whose skiing abilities far surpassed mine and whose daredevilness put me to shame) "Let's try this run."

Me: "What level is it?"

Hubby: "Medium. You'll be fine."

Me: "Are you sure?"

Hubby: "Positive."

Not wanting to disappoint, I would agree to try the run.



While on the chair lift and looking down at the run, the conversation would continue.

Me: "Ummmm, this looks pretty steep."

Hubby: "Oh, good grief. It's not like it's a black diamond or anything."

And there you would have it. ONLY black diamond runs were hard in his mind.

After getting off the chair lift, and starting to ski down, the conversation would continue like this:

Me: "Why do I listen to you? You do this to me all the time."

Hubby: "I really didn't think it would be this hard. You can do it. Just make big turns back and forth across the mountain."

Me: "I hate you."

Of course, not every run was like this. It would be unfair to depict him to be that big of an idiot and to make myself out to be totally stupid. There were a lot of runs that challenged me beyond my comfort zone and then there were many that I had no problem with. In retrospect, I suppose his pushing actually caused me to become better. I just HATED it when it was happening.


Picture of me no doubt praising God that I got down the run in one piece. (This picture was taken back when I would still allow pictures taken from behind.)

Hubby's grandparents were very gracious hosts. When we would return from skiing, his grandma would have a delicious dinner all prepared. She made the very best roast beef and gravy that I have ever tasted. I remember having that whenever we would visit, so I can safely assume that she prepared it on this trip too. One night we told them that we would like to take them out to dinner when we got back. His grandma (trying to be sweet) suggested that we order pizza. They were in their 80's and I doubt they ever ordered pizza. We agreed and when we got back she had already ordered for delivery. I clearly remember that at the time I hated veggie pizza. The bell pepper and onion grossed me out. Of course, that is what she ordered. There is nothing worse than trying to subtly pick off pieces of things you dislike. Funny how, almost 30 years later, that dinner still stands out in my mind.

Before I started to write this post I went on line to see how much lift tickets were now. For the 2007/2008 season an adult full-day lift ticket was $51.00. For us to ski 5 days would now cost us $510.00. That plus gas and lunches at the resort, we would be looking at a trip costing somewhere around $700, if not more. Back in 1979 we spent $110.00. And that is not a typo.

Next up: 1980 and a real ski vacation to Lake Tahoe.

And The List Goes On

For those of you who know my hubby this won't surprise you. He is a record keeper. He keeps records of EVERYTHING! Most of the time they are just dumb things that no one would ever care about. Including him. He has a list of how many days he has taken in sick leave since he got hired in 1980. Who cares? I only need my two hands to keep track of how many times he has called in sick. He keeps lists of all the work that has ever been done on one of our cars. Ok, I get that. But, why do you have records about cars you don't even own anymore? He has a book of monthly expenditures dating back to Jan 1998. That's just the book I can find, there are probably more. He has a list of all of the major purchases we have made, ie. furniture and appliances, dating back to when we were first married. I could actually tell you how much we paid for our first couch or how much we spent on electricity in March of 1998.

That brings me to the point of this blog. He has a list of every vacation we have ever taken. Every single backpacking trip he has taken with our son. Every weekend getaway we have taken as a couple. This list tells you where we've been, how long we stayed, and how much we spent. While I will it admit that I'm not exactly sure why he makes, or keeps, these lists, looking at the vacation list is a nostalgic walk down memory lane. It got me to thinking that I might do a blog series on some of our vacations.....starting with our honeymoon in November 1978. If there are any memories that stand out in particular, I'll share them with you.

We were married in November 1978. The first night of our honeymoon was spent at the Sheraton Harbor Island Hotel in the honeymoon suite. I'll spare you too many details about that night :o) I do remember Hubby went back to the car to get something and while he was gone I "prepared" for his return. When there was a knock on the door, I went to answer it wearing my honeymoon lingerie. Obviously, I thought it was him. Imagine my surprise when it was room service delivering our champagne and who knows what else from hotel management? Embarrassed? I'll say.

The next day we started our drive toward Lake Tahoe. We stopped and stayed in a cute little hotel in Mammoth. I don't remember anything eventful happening there. As funny as this might seem, I do remember eating pancakes in a little restaurant across from the hotel.

Our next stop was Lake Tahoe where we stayed in a cabin owned by a friend of Hubby's parents. Rustic isn't even the right word to describe this little place. This would be our first trip to Tahoe as a couple. This summer we will be taking our 16th trip. We've stayed in the cabin 15 times.



The cabin is actually a little converted garage. One bathroom, a kitchen, living room and upstairs loft. I can't even begin to tell you how many memories our family has created in this little cabin. The generosity of this family is immeasurable, as they refuse to charge us to stay. Over the years we have done work on the property or purchased something that the cabin might need, but that has been it. Because of the opportunities they have given us to vacation there year after year, Lake Tahoe has become our 'heaven on earth.'



I remember seeing Lake Tahoe for the first time on our Honeymoon. I had never been there before, and I'm not sure what I expected. I remember driving around the lake and seeing glimpses of blue off in the distance, between the trees. At the point when we popped out of the trees and I had my first unobstructed view, I was amazed at the size, the color and the sheer beauty. November was crisp, clear and sunny. I was instantly in love with Lake Tahoe.



The cabin is not designed for winter use. Normally they close it for the winter right after Labor Day and open it back up around Memorial Day. As a favor to Hubby they kept if open that year. It has no insulation and, let's just suffice it to say, it's a good thing we were on our honeymoon. We slept as close together as possible, right by the fire. We spent our days hiking and exploring and enjoying each other's company.

The last weekend of our honeymoon we spent in San Fransisco. We stayed right at Fisherman's Wharf.




I remember walking up and down Pier 39 and watching all the street vendors and performers. The act that stands out in my mind was people diving from way up high into a not so big pool. I thought they were really stupid. Funny how you remember things like that. I also remember having a great seafood dinner the last night before we had to drive back home to reality.

Knowing me, the drive home was spent planning our next vacation. I tend to do that. I need something to look forward to and almost always have a 'plan' I'm trying to sell to hubby.

So, there you have a recap and a few pictures of our first vacation as a married couple. 3 nights worth of hotels, a rustic cabin, gas and food. The trip cost us a grand total of $320.00. Wow! I'm sure that 30 years ago that was a good chunk of change for 2 twenty year olds, but I don't think it would go very far today.

Next up....a short get away skiing in Big Bear.

To Be 14 Again

There are a few of you who will laugh royally when you read this post. Not because you find it funny, but because you can't even imagine that I would waste my time like this.

Last night my sister and I took my niece to the American Idol Concert. We went last year and found the show to be very entertaining. What's not to like about 10 people who genuinely want to perform and are enjoying themselves immensely? This year, we assumed would be no different. We got there early. Really early. This was by design. We knew that they would be charging an arm and a leg for parking, so we got there before they were manning the gates and we drove right in. Did the same thing last year too. Good thing. Parking was $20 this year. Something doesn't seem quite right about that. Do you realize that's $100 for every 5 cars? For the privelege of parking on flat asphalt? Sounds like corporate greed to me.....but, that's a post for another day.

Feeling very smug and a little like we had just pulled off some huge scam, we killed some time by walking through Target. Then it was off to an awesome dinner at Black Angus. Where, by the way, my niece ate an entire of piece of Mud Pie by herself! My sister and I shared one and then teasingly picked up our forks to start in on hers. She instinctively wrapped her arm around hers in a protective mode. Hmmm.....we must teach that girl how to share.....lol.

When we got back to the Sports Arena the lines were long. The doors weren't open yet and people were standing in line. This is when we realized that this year's concert was going to be different.

Let me rewind a little here. Like all the way back to 1972 and I'm 14 years old. Same Sports Arena. Different concert. The Osmond Brothers. Yep, now you know......I was in love with Donny Osmond. While I intellectually knew that I was never going to meet him, my heart thought I was going to marry him. He was 4 days older than me. That just had to count for something. His pictures were plastered all over my walls. I read Tiger Beat and every other teeny-booper magazine. I saved my allowance for months to pay for half of my ticket. My friends Patty and Georgia and I went to the concert. While we didn't faint or throw any undergarments at the stage, I can guarantee you that when Donny sang 'Puppy Love,' each of us was sure he was singing to just us. I still look back at that night as one of the best concerts I ever went to, as it serves me with such fond memories.

Fast forward to last night. There were teeny-boopers EVERYWHERE! Most of them with way too high of heels, way too much make-up and smiles on their faces that would make any orthodontist proud. They were wearing T-shirts with HIM plastered all over them and a lot of them were carrying 'I Love You' posters that they had no doubt spent hours working on. When asked why she wasn't dressed like this or carrying a sign around, my niece replied that she thought it was silly because "you're never going to actually meet him." She is way too practical and grown up for her own good.

The concert finally starts and the top 10 performed in 10 - 1 order. They each sang 3 or 4 songs and it gave you a chance to see what going to one of their concerts would be like. Some of them were better than others, but all entertained. Carly Smithson, our local girl was welcomed in a big San Diego way. Then it was finally time. HE was finally going to sing. The arena went crazy and out of the floor rose a piano and David Archuletta was sitting behind it. The girls were insane! It brought a smile to my face to think that 36 years later they were acting the same way I was when it was Donny Osmond. They screamed and they yelled and they waved their signs. It's good to know that some things never change.

The concert wasn't over though. After all, the American Idol had yet to perform. When David Cook performed he was amazing and soooooooo cute! He is entertaining and humble. When he flashes that little grin of his (come on, you all know what I'm talking about) the inner-14 year old in me considered for a moment of screaming "I Love You David." Of course, the grown-up, refined and sophisticated (hold your laughter) 50 year old did no such thing. My sister and I were in total agreement that if he ever comes to San Diego again, we might just have to make an evening of it. Should I start working on a T-shirt or a sign?

Recap:

American Idol Ticket $86.00
Parking (Doesn't matter that we skipped this) 20.00
1/3 of Dinner (I promise we paid this) 20.00
Entertainment factor and trip down memory lane: Priceless

I'd Change It If I Could

As a mother, there are things that we would like to go back and change...if only we could. There are things that we would have done differently. Things we wouldn't have made a big deal about. Things we would have done that would make us better moms.

This blog posting is to my beautiful daughter, who in spite of one such moment in time. when you were 2 1/2 years old, grew up to seem unscathed by my attempts at motherhood.

Let me say that this event has always bothered me. When I've thought about it I've wanted that moment back. Now to realize that it is your first memory of me, absolutely tears my heartstrings. I hope that it is your first memory of me because it is the first memory of yourself. I hope that in the rest of your early memories of me, I didn't let you down.

It was when you were 2 1/2 years old. You were sick. You had been sick for a few days. You were whinny and clingy and over dramatic. (That adjective is really me trying to push a minuscule amount of blame your way.) You had wanted to be up against me 24/7. Nothing I did seemed to make you feel any better. I had taken you to the doctor and it was determined that it was "a virus that needed to run it's course." Your brother was a baby. He wasn't sick, but he still wanted his turn at being held and sitting right up against me. Your dad was working midnight to eight am shifts. Sleeping during the day and gone at night. There was no relief for me. After a couple days of this I was over it! I put you both to bed and I went to bed early.

A side note to this story is that we were having trouble getting you to stay in your bed at night. The pediatrician had told us to allow you to sleep on the floor of our room when you got up, but not in our bed. It was a work in progress.

A few hours after I put you to bed, you woke me out of a dead sleep. You wanted to get into bed with me. You felt hot, but you were running a fever after all. I told you that you couldn't sleep with me, but that you could lay your sleeping bag beside my bed. We did that and we tried to go back to sleep. All of a sudden you were running around the house screaming. You were seeing Lions and elephants. You thought your brother was standing up in his crib (something he couldn't do yet, and certainly wasn't doing in the middle of the night.) I grabbed you and you were burning up. I took your temperature and it was 106. I freaked out, called your dad at work, had a neighbor watch your brother, and we took you to Kaiser. We were home a few hours later, fever in check, and the virus eventually ran it's course.

IF I could do it all over again, I wouldn't have been so tired. I wouldn't have been so OVER you draping your hot little body all over me. I wouldn't have been so worried that letting you sleep with me would move us back to square one. I would have let you sleep with me. I would have held you tight so that when you started seeing the scary things you wouldn't have been alone. I would have somehow known that someday I would give anything to have that moment back. I would have been me, now, looking back and realizing that you would be all grown up before I knew it. I would have made a much better memory of me for you. I would have been a better mommy at that moment.

If you want it done right....do it yourself.......

Starting on July 1st, here in the State of California, you must use a hands free device when you are driving. No more holding your cell phone. I think that this is an excellent idea, in theory. Hubby and I went out and purchased our blue tooth devices so that we would be in compliance with this new law. We've actually had them for several months, but most of the time I just chose not to use mine. Today, I was being good and left to run errands with my blue tooth firmly wrapped around my ear. Within a few minutes of the house I decided that I could probably be more distracted by this stupid device than I ever was holding my cell phone. Let me also say here that we purchased the blue tooth at Costco. It is supposed to be a good brand. It was not purchased at Big Lots or the Dollar Store. Here is the dialogue that transpired between me and that annoying little piece of plastic:

It: Please say a command.

Me: Call Lori Cell.

It: Did you say 'Call Corey Cell'?

Me: No. (Though I totally understood the error/confusion)

It: Please say a command.

Me: Call Lori Cell.

It: Did you say call Vicki cell?

Me: NO! Are you kidding me? What part of Lori sounds like Vicki?

It: Please say a command.

Me: Thinking that I might get further I simply say the number slowly and clearly.

It: Did you say 361-568-4625? (Numbers which are not even remotely close to what I actually said.)

Me: NO!!! (At the top of my lungs)

It: Please say a command.

Me: I try the number again, slowly and calmly.

It: Command has timed out. Please try again.

By this point I am digging through my purse to find my phone so that I can dial the number by myself. I stopped short of rolling down the window and throwing the dumb thing out.

When I was done I realized that I had no real memory of the last couple of miles. I was most certainly distracted. I was having road rage at my own ear! How is that for safe? I'm guessing that the real solution here is that, unless it's an emergency, I don't really need to be talking on my cell phone while I'm driving, but who wants to go back to the Stone Age?

That's NOT Unconditional Love

Tonight, while sitting in the spa, I was acting goofy. I was asking my husband ridiculous questions like:

Me: "What would I have to give you to get you to wear toenail polish in public?".

Him: "There's absolutely nothing you could give me to embarass myself like that."

Me: "Aren't you comfortable enough with your masculinity to suck it up? What if I dare you?"

Him: Dirty look....."No.....don't even think it."

So, I try a different game. I start making faces and asking him if my face froze in different positions would he still love me? The following exchange took place with one particularly odd looking contorted face:

Me: "Would you still love me if I looked like this?"

Him: "Yes, but I'd put you in a home."

Hmmm.....so much for unconditional love.

I Enjoyed Watching Paint Dry

When I was a kid one of the things that I hated the most was that if my dad thought that his opinion, or idea, or whatever was right he would tell you the same thing over and over and over again. I guess it was his way of making you believe it or making sure that his opinion became yours. I hated it then and I still hate it. Oftentimes when I was a kid I would dig my heels in and do or think the exact opposite....just because I could. Well, this weekend he started in about how much he hates Tiger Woods. He ranted and went on and on and on about how Tiger has ruined the game of golf. His reason for thinking this is that, according to him, no one in the media talks about any other golfer except Tiger. He says that they don't tell you how many strokes ahead someone is in a game, they just tell you how far behind Tiger is. I don't know how to put into words how emphatic he was and how obnoxious. Until then I had never followed golf. Don't get me wrong, I totally knew who Tiger was, and probably several other golfers. I knew that Tiger was GREAT. I knew that our fine city was hosting this years Open and that everyone in the world was here visiting. But, to actually sit down and watch a golf game....never would have happened. That is, of course, until my dad started and wouldn't stop.

My sister says that watching golf is like watching paint dry. Sunday afternoon I decided that I was going to watch paint dry and I was going to decide for myself what it was that Tiger had done to deserve my dad's wrath. Well, I'm happy to say that watching paint dry isn't all that bad. The announcers that I heard talked about several of the men on the tour and it didn't take me long to figure out that Tiger has earned every last accolade spoken about him. I found myself actually enjoying the round on Sunday afternoon. By the time Tiger had forced an 18 hole playoff on Monday, I found myself pulling for him. I do admit that some of this was purely because my dad told me not to.....lol. Monday morning found me watching the playoff round and becoming more of a Tiger fan. Oh my.....to do what he did with a bum knee! He was amazing. On the 18th hole, down by one stroke...my hands were over my eyes because I couldn't bear to watch. Then to force the game to sudden death? All I have to say is Tiger Woods you are awesome! If the media only talks about you, then the rest of your field needs to bring their game up a notch. Watching you with your beautiful baby girl afterwards was adorable. The way she held her arms out to you....yep you are just a horrible person. The fact that, when interviewed, you only had kind words of praise for Rocco Mediate....yep you are bad for the game. I probably won't tell my dad that I think you deserve everything said about you, because, well, that would never be in my best interest, but I'm glad that the rebellious little girl in me reared her ugly head. Otherwise, I might just have missed something really special.