Bus trip to the slopes

Living in Ohio, the skiing and snowboarding isn't exactly the BEST ever... but not too far away in NY there are some decent resorts. Today I was lucky enough to hook up with a bus trip out of a ski shop in my home town to go spend the day snowboarding. Double bonus.... group discounted lift tickets, and I didn't have to drive myself there or home!!

Haven't gotten the chance to ride in almost 2 years, so I was pretty psyched to get out there today. My friend was trying her hand (or feet?) at snowboarding for the first time, so while she checked out a lesson, I hit the lifts. Found some friendly lift riding people to chat with in the beginning, then later did some riding with a girl that was on the bus trip with us (her fiance was also back on the beginner hill). Overall, a pretty great day. Slopes were a little crunchy and icy at first, but with it snowing all day, we had some powder at the end of the day before we had to pack it up and get on the bus.

Such a great feeling riding down the hills, and even better, NO INJURY! Had 1 pretty impressive wipeout that I hope someone enjoyed watching, but nothing hurt after, so that's a plus! I knew I was going too fast! :-)

Time to get ready for work. Pretty cold tomorrow AM... think we can get another snow day? HAH

Time to read

It was a very unusual January with about 7 snow days! The beauty of these snow days was the time I got to read!! I have always enjoyed reading, but most of the time I just read a few pages before bed. During all these snow days I was able to read 4 new books! The whole Divergent series by Veronica Roth really had my attention, and I think it's a good thing I find these books after they are all published because I don't know how I would have been able to wait for book 3 especially! After finishing those, I popped off one quick girly romance just in time to head back to work. I have to say I am extremely thankful my parents were both solid readers, they really encouraged a life long hobby and love!

Sunday fun day (version 1)

There isn't much better than a Sunday with knowing Monday is a day off! One thing that is better is getting to fully enjoy the day with a good book, and the time to read it! Started the day off with a great workout downtown (cold run and then good swim). Then came home and spent the day with the goal of finishing the book I started a day or two before.

If you haven't read Divergent yet, highly recommend it! Fast read, interesting story, and has that futuristic "what could happen" story line. It's similar to Hunger Games but I think this one is a little better written. I like the main character a little more. It is slated to come out as a movie this year, so do the right thing and read it before you see it! 

Thankful for the time to enjoy a good book! 

Thank you mom.

Today I am missing my mom. A lot. But I can't dwell on how much I miss her. So instead I'll do a brief post about one of the many things I loved about her. Really I could write for days on all the amazing things my mom meant to me. And I am sure over the remaining 352 (approximately) posts I will mention her amazingness again!

But tonight I'll talk about how thankful I am that she taught me to love the water. My mom loved the water. She loved sailing, swimming, listening to the waves, watching the lake change and so much more. And she has passed that passion on to me in every way possible. Tonight I returned from a great swim practice. And I'm preparing my year for some great swimming and sailing challenges. And although I can't call her or have her come watch my next milestone.... I know she is with me, every stroke, every wave and every race. 

The picture is from about 1985-6? Either Lake Erie or Florida on my grandfathers boat.