More Snow and Taking a Break

I've heard through the weather rumor mill that we're slated to get up to 12-14 inches of snow, if you can believe that one. J at the ski hill is probably livid, but I have to confess, I'm into it. It means that our ski season will push on that much longer, and we might actually get to ski the Dartmouth Ski Hill before the season ends, but let's not get too far ahead of ourselves. We do have to be in Hanover this week, however...

On the subject of skiing, we are taking what is probably a much needed break this weekend. Besides probably being a zoo at the Quechee Ski Hill, today it is snowing, and that makes skiing all the more challenging, at least for me. So on Sat and Sun, we'll hang out and relax, because last week we skied for six days straight. Don't get me wrong, it was awesome, and the kids really made leaps and bounds in their skiing, but I found myself getting into OCD/frantic mode and scrambling to ski every day. It gets a little crazy, and at some point it's good to take a step back and regroup.

I think we'll just sit back and watch the snow come down. What a great idea.

Until the next time, thanks for reading.

Ugh! So Much To Do and Practicing My Katas

Today is a good example of owning up to your responsibilities and not being a whiner about it, much in the spirit of living in New England. It snowed for days yesterday, and I'm talking feet... well, not quite, but nearly two feet, which when you get down to it, makes for "feet." Anyway, since it was coming down in buckets and we were out playing, of course I didn't get around to shoveling, because we were having too much fun playing in the snow.

Well, as the saying goes, you play, you gotta pay. Today we are slated to have a playdate with our buddies over on Webster Road, and it's an early morning gig, but I have to shovel and fill the wood box. AND, I've got to make something to bring over for lunch. The question is, when do I get to whine about it?

I'm going to have to get out before everyone wakes up and shovel astronomical amounts of snow, not to mention rake the roof, but that can wait until later. The main thing is to clear a path to the wood pile so I can get more wood, because it gets cold once the sun goes down.

Anyway, I'm a firm believer that parenthood has given me the emotional and psychological fortitude to just deal with it, which is no small thing when you're training to be a real man.

Speaking of which, I've been practicing my bo katas and the biggest problem I face is not remembering them properly, though I do think practicing them wrong is better than nothing. It's so much to remember, and my mind goes blank when Master Hammond (Joe to everyone else) is glaring at me. I feel the strong desire to win his approval, but that's the Asian in me.

We'll see. Until the next time, my name is Fred Lee, and thanks for reading.

Roughing it in New England

We got so much snow yesterday that I actually found myself doing the unthinkable-wishing for it to stop. The main reason I had had enough was because we were having car issues and for whatever reason Kurt never showed up all day to plow. I'm guessing that he was busy with life stuff, but we got probably upwards of 15 inches of snow throughout the day, and we could have used two plows, but it makes sense in a way that he waited until the end of the day. Even still, we got stuck.

The biggest issue we face is that our darn windshield wipers aren't working. It's a seemingly small thing but we can't drive without them. Plain and simple. We'll see how this one plays out, and if the weather permits, try to get it to a mechanic. We're hoping it's not a major problem.

The snow was amazing yesterday, and I tried to go skiing at Quechee but it was a complete whiteout and the wind was whipping the stuff into my face. I called it a day after about five runs because I couldn't see a thing. I hate trying to ski with zero visibility, and quit while I was ahead. It was nice, in the end, to get home and be with my family in a blizzard.

Also, all my friends at the ski hill have left or are leaving. Total bummer. I spoke with Jake and he said he's done with New England and he's off for North Carolina. I understand that it's a pain living in this area because it really puts you to the test, but we've found value in overcoming challenge. It really engages you in life and makes you appreciate the little things, but I'm not going to convince the skeptics in the audience of this.

I shoveled so much snow yesterday, and I'm going to have to go out today and finish the job. I broke out my ladder and looked at the roof, thinking I was going to rake the top of the house, but it's a little hairy and I'm not sure what to do about the snow. I'll have to consult Kurt about it and see what he thinks.

Today will be a mellow day, Christmas is just few days away and I still need to get some shopping done. It may have to wait until after Christmas, since Ruth will always understand. We've gotten a boatload of stuff for Audrey and Nicholas, so they'll have lots of fun.

My name is Fred Lee, and until the next time, thanks for reading.