So, I conquered my fear of skiing today!

Ever since moving here to Bend, which boasts a major ski resort just 20 miles from our doorstep, I have felt the nudge to join Dan on the slopes. Amy learned to snowboard our 1st winter here with the local homeschool coop and so now I was the lone holdout. Dan, being retired, with all sorts of free time on his hands (HA!) would go up during the week - smaller lift lines - and I would sit in the lodge - warm & cozy - and read. Perfect! Only one problem - I would look up from my book & out the windows at the glorious vista with smiling happy people (ages 5-80) enjoying themselves immensely. What was holding me back??

There were a few 'good' reasons to procrastinate:

-fear of falling and breaking a leg, arm, head etc.
-fear of humiliation (falling/causing others to fall because of my fall)
-$$$$$$$
-I don't like to be cold & wet

(just to name a few)

At the beginning of this year Mt. Bachelor came out with a ski package that I just could not say no to - 5 lessons with rentals included, a 12 day pass after completing the 5th lesson and 50% off a pass for the 2010/11 season - all for $199.
The bargain shopper in me could not resist!

After some crummy weather earlier this month and illness which took 8 days to clear up, we finally got to my 1st lesson this morning. I had a private lesson with Ben from Wisconsin and he said I did really well. The first hour was grueling learning the basics - hardest part being getting back up the very slight slope after 10 seconds of sliding down. What a workout! But then the second hour I graduated to the chair lift and that was where it got really FUN! I even skied with Dan when the lesson was over.

It was a glorious day up there and I'm so glad I finally 'gave in'.

What took me so long??


Going again on Monday - we'll try to take some pictures(for proof) ;o)

Happy Birthday, Dan!

Dan is another year older today but as Amy's b'day card to him stated, "Being one day older only matters if you're a banana."
He has had a good year - still searching for the answer to "What retirement is really all about??" - but other than that...

Here is his year in pictures with his beloved 'Dj Tiesto' playing in the back ground.

(click on pictures to go to slide.com and view in a larger format - you may lose the music but that may be OK for some of you.)

A few highlights that were not reflected in photos:

* Winner of 2 Innocentive.com Challenges!
* He was "chased" by a headhunter to work in S. Korea, which would have been great fun, but fortunately (for practical reasons) it didn't work out.
* Celebrated 20 years of wedded bliss on June 24, 2009!
* His garden provided us with strawberries, lettuce, tomatoes, zucchini, thyme, rosemary & dill. (the experiment with leeks did not fare too well)
* He planted 6 raspberry bushes, as well as peach, cherry, and apple trees.
* He met with 2 U of O alumni who updated him on current University news and invited him to tour the new Science Center, which we hope to do this year.
* He took a class at Kilns College this fall - 'The Book of Matthew'
* He has worked on 2 Habitat for Humanity projects here in Bend and hopes to do more of that in 2010.
* He was (and is) our primary chef, providing delicious dinners and freshly baked bread.

Amy, Dan & I are blessed to have him as a father & husband!