25 Things About Me

This was a Facebook meme that I finally got around to...

1. I once climbed nine peaks in one day along the the Ruby Range in the Elk Mountains: Purple Mountain, Augusta Mountain, Richmond Mountain, Hancock Peak, Oh-Be-Joyful Peak, Afley Peak, Purple Peak, Mount Owen, and Ruby Peak. I thought about that day when I was in labor both times... it's still my most difficult physical achievement.

2. Speaking of labor, I don't know why anyone would want to be a doula. Picture it: You're a doula. You're in a hospital. You open the door to a birthing room and find a mother close to 10cm circling in her bed as if she's some animal bedding down. You say hello in an extremely perky voice and ask her if she wants to bounce on a ball for a bit. Seriously? No. Look in the corner. See that guy over there in the chaise lounge stuffing his face with a burger? The husband. That's what he's for.

3. My favorite sound is my husband's laugh.

4. We were married on the beach in St. John by some guy named Frank wearing a brown polyester suit. I have no idea what our vows were, but I remember that.

5. Swimming in open water scares the crap out of me. I blame my sister. (you know what you did)

6. Heights, however, are no problem.

7. I really miss climbing... the whole adventure of it.

8. But, I'm glad to be skate skiing again. I love skate skiing. I can have snot hanging from my nose, underwear riding up, a bunion on fire, and lungs that feel like they might explode and I still love it. There's nothing like the feeling of gliding on your skis.

9. I also love to cook. I am now extremely thankful for all of my restaurant and catering experience.

10. I have been a frozen yogurt server, a note-taker for the deaf, a nanny, a hotel maid, a banquet server, a waitress, a prep cook, a fast-order cook, a bagel baker, a dish washer, a pastry chef, a pantry chef, a caterer, an art gallery clerk, a lingerie boutique clerk, a chemist, and a paralegal.

11. I'd like to try farming... nothing huge, but enough land to grow most of our own food.

12. It wasn't until I was an adult that I learned that different chickens produced different colored eggs. (i know)

13. I really want to learn to knit.

14. I don't like shopping... for anything... especially with the kids.

15. If I ever have to retie one of my shoes, I have to do the other one as well because I can't stand them feeling different (one tighter than the other).

16. I also like to have all food items in my cupboards, pantry, and refrigerator placed so that their labels are facing out.

17. I have some issues.

18. I have a large mole on the top of my right thigh (should anyone every need to identify my body?)... and a huge bunion on my right foot... and some large scars on my right knee and left hip.

19. I tend to say offensive, stupid, morbid, and completely gross things when I'm trying to be funny... and trying to come up with 25 things about me.

20. One summer, during college, I camped out to save money.

21. I actually slept better that whole summer than I have in the past 5 years.

22. I now drink slightly more coffee in a day than I probably should... sometimes a whole pot... depending on the previous night.

23. For me, the most difficult aspect of parenting is the lack of sleep. That, and my super slow reaction time. I always feel like I should have said or done something much better...

24. I was never afraid of dying until I had kids.

25. I am an extremely lucky person.

Monday Nights

Max started ice skating lessons a few weeks ago and he LOVES IT. He also really loves Brittany (his super cute skate instructor). He'll try anything for her: jump, skate backwards, sing silly songs! She has quite the motivating presence. Apparently.

Anyway, he is always very excited for Mondays now... and I actually look forward to the lessons too. After we all skate together before his lesson, Alex and I go up to the heated balcony and watch. She sits there so happily and quietly... munching on a snack and captivated by all of the kids (I had no idea it was possible for a child to be still for that long). I can actually relax... and, honestly, there really is nothing more entertaining than a bunch of kids learning to march and glide on ice.

X-country Skiing with a 3 and 5 Year Old

The 1000 words... or so : Dan leaves for his turn to skate. Off we go - the three of us - shuffle, shuffle, shuffle. Max quickly realizes that he really likes to fall and flail about in the snow with his skis in the air - LOOK MOM, I'M A HELICOPTER! I plea for him to get back up (the correct way - yes, Max requires specification). Alex stops shuffling and insists that I take her gloves off so she can use Max's poles. I insist that she keep them on and she immediately drops to the snow in a crying fit. Max is back to making helicopter motions and noises. I help Alex up and take the gloves off. She shuffles away - yelling at me to not look at her. I make more pleas for Max to get up. He finally does so and actually begins to ski while trying to catch up to Alex. NICE JOB, MAX! Down he goes. Down Alex goes. Her hands get cold. She starts to cry. I pick her up and start skiing with her. Max gets up slowly and this time realizes that he can ski bent over with his hands resting on the tips of his skis. Alex is dying to try that. She screams at me to let her down. Now they are both bent over and, basically, skiing on their hands. It's actually an even slower motion than you might think. At least 50 people pass by - and enjoy the free spectacle that is my children on skis - most make a comment about my stupidity bravery. YOU HAVE NO IDEA, PEOPLE! An hour goes by and we finally make it around the quarter-mile-loop. Max yells out WHOO-HOO! THAT WAS SO MUCH FUN!!! Alex agrees. Our tour was a raging success.