growing up

Last night I taught the women in my church congregation about making the most of technology and mobile devices.

I feel like all my years of blogging really paid off and I was amazed how far I have come when the first time I called my friend Jill to ask her how to load a photo on my blog.

Instead of making a handout I made a web page with all the links of what we talked about.

Here is the link if you are interested or try to venture to teach a class in your community.

Modern Mobile

I have no idea how St. Peter found his way to our Colorado home from Maryland, but he did.
He has been hiding all over our house all month and this morning we found him in the Night at the Museum Position , "Boom, Boom - Fire power"
That Stinker!

Vail Vonderland Vacation day 3

This morning the girls and I went to the breakfast buffet set out for Jeff's conference in the hotel. Since it is a ENT conference put on by Vanderbilt we had a mini reunion with Jeff's fellow former residents and mentors. That was so fun for me (and the free amazing breakfast was pretty great too)
We got dressed and walked to the slopes all while saying goodbye to the heated pool and hot tubs knowing our aching bodies would need there help at the end of the day. We all opted to do a little exploring and go to the very back of the mountain and find some new terrain. We saw 8 grooming trucks groom the runs and Jeff said, "Yea courdoury!" Who knew my fabric world could collide with skiing. I don't really like skiing on the snow like this but it sure does look beautiful!

The day was beautiful. Sun and blue, blue skies. We stuck with the blue theme and skied blue runs all day.I am always amazed when we come in for lunch and there are people there handing out Kleenex to wipe our runny noses.


I loved this sign in the women's bathroom. I wonder if they have this in the Men's bathroom too. I am barely overcoming my fear of getting on and off the lift. One guy on our chair today got stuck and wrapped back around becuase his backpack got stuck. Today I rode with someone from Minnesota, Chicago (Nora she didn't know you), Columbus Ohio (yes Stacy he was a buckeye like you) New York, East Vail and a cute red headed snowboarding grandma from North Carolina. (she was in all pink)
I guess this is where skiing and me are meant to be. I love talking to people on the lifts and getting their 2.5 minute life story.

Here is a video of Sally Jane practicing her booty shake. I could barely keep up with her while filming.
The backside of the mountain had so much snow. Look at this roof line.

We have learned the importance of stopping for little breaks. Out of no where there was a hot dog house. We stopped, took of our gloves and had a snack.
Jeff is warming up to me taking tons of video and photos with my iphone. He even took this one without me asking!
look at that view. that is the backside of vail and we are standing the back of the backside. this place is huge!!We came back to the lodge and hot some much needed hot tub time and then walked the amazing streets of Vail Village. It is like we drove 3 hours to Switzerland. I figured out my fur and acted like I was all that even though I am totally not!


they had these cool polar bear ice sculptures all over the village. we opted to not get dessert at dinner and glad we didn't because the girls loved sucking on the gigantic icecles everywhere. Annie Kate and I went to the laundry room and got our laundry out of the dryer (which the manager offered to do for me at no charge - I just can't be that indulged in one trip) because we have one more day of skiing tomorrow and we needed clean socks!
Oh help my poor out of shape body!




favorite photo of the day. Coming back from the lift at the end of the day, Jeff and Annie Kate. And this is why we ski!

Vail Vonderland day 2

Jeff's meeting began early while us girls got to sleep in until almost 9:00!

We had a little breakfast and then went to the chair lift and said our last name and then we were holding our skiis and poles. Really this is the life! My kids are not going to know what to do for the rest of the season when they have to do these tasks all by them self. The kids at the top of the mountain after lunch at 2 Elks lodge

Jill asked me if I am liking skiing. The answer would be yes, with a twist. I enjoy the skiing part because this is the first year I don't think I am going to die doing it.
But....I can't ever imagine not feeling totally exhausted by putting on the gear. It is all so uncomfortable, heavy and bulky. I am constantly amazed when we are skiing how many people are doing it as well as how many people over 60 ski. It is quite motivating to see so many people skiing with senior discounts.
Jeff told me I would see a lot of fur at Vail. I so far have seen 1 man with a full length fur coat, 2 women and lots and lots of those fur head wraps. (it kind of makes me want one) So it seemed appropriate to zip on my fur hood to my fabulous pink jacket that Jeff gave me for Christmas (I am so not worthy of this great coat).
Even though I don't use the hood because I wear a helmet I thought it would make feel so "She-She".
Well so much for me being she she. When I looked at this photo Jeff took at the end of the day, I realized that I zipped it on backwards and inside out.
Oh my, I have so far to go to be a she she Vail girl. Oh well, I like the disheveled me much better.

We have a Flat Stanley visiting us right now ( from Arizona) and he came skiing with us all day, pinned on Caroline's back. Oh my this was the cutest thing ever. Fun to see everyone in line say, "Hey Flat Stanley!"
He will be going home next week to see his friend Luke and we will be sad to see him go.

The kids (and mom) are getting so much better. Caroline rarely stays on the run and is always in the trees somewhere. If we don't see her come out after a few minutes then Jeff will go in there and find her face planted in the snow. She is tough!
Annie Kate probably had her best day today and is still trying to get out of the snowplow. Sally Jane followed her down the last run of the day inch by inch and it made Annie Kate feel so proud. (Sally Jane is probably a better skier because she has NO fear, so Annie Kate felt like the true big sister today)The trees on top look like they have been frosted with white icing. It is so beautiful up here and I am grateful for the people who invented skiing, because I can't imagine what else I would do to be outside in 20 degree weather enjoy God's beautiful creations.


Vail Village is AMAZING. I may never want to go anywhere else. It feels like Germany or Switzerland.
I was thrilled to be in a photo today and Jeff even got video of me skiing.
I am usually the one taking photos the whole time.





Jeff had his afternoon meetings and so I took the girls ice skating in the village. Flat Stanley even got into the fun. Man that guy is a pro at anything he tries.
(note his ski board Jibbit from the Croc store, because Crocs were invented in Colorado. Hey it's not the White House, but it is something)
Annie Kate was loving the grandma walkers on the ice rink to help the ice skating fun.
and I just have to end with this last photo of Jeff.
The Happiest man on the planet skiing with his girls.
A few weeks ago he was skiing with the girls and a dad, with his comparable ski level (amazing) was skiing with his kids and he looked over at Jeff and said,
"isn't this the best feeling in the world, skiing with your kids?"
Jeff, the adventure skier, has really come to realize skiing greens and blues all day with your "littles" (as Lisa would say) is the best feeling in the world.
I can't imagine how he will feel when they are on the Black Diamonds.

Goodbye and Goodnight from Vail Village.

Oh ya, forgot to mention the hot tub 3 feet from our room along with coming home from dinner with turn down bed service and chocolates on the pillows! Yowza!

This week, for the past 4 years, has been the worst week of the year, hands down.
Jeff teaches at a medical conference at Vail (the largest ski resort in the US - who knew?)
He has flown to Colorado for a week right when we always got hit with a huge snow storm in D.C.
I seriously had to pace myself through every day just to get through.

Well now that our ski passes cover Vail for 10 days we got to hop in his truck today and come with him. I seriously can't believe this place.

We are in a different life. I have not opened one door since I got here, carried my skis more than 20 feet and was greeted at the end of the day with Berry Water and fresh homemade cookies... oh ya and a hot chocolate bar.I found my reflection in 2 places today.

The awesome framed mirror in the lobby andThe dryer in the bathroom.

Taking kids to the bathroom while skiing is not so fun. Lots of undressing and dressing. It was so much work for Sally Jane and I, we opted for a Kit Kat and Gatorade break. We sat at the outdoor tables at 28 degrees and it was surprisingly enjoyable. (But as Whitney says, "we are hugging the sun up here)


It has surely been worth the wait to come join Jeff on the ski hill. Looking forward to a great week! I love Colorado!

this photo is the only proof of my gift to Jeff for his 40th Birthday.

Since last October I have been planning a ski trip with his two brothers, who live on either end of the country, to come to Colorado and surprise Jeff.

Jeff's favorite thing to do in the whole world is ski. Again it is why we moved here. And when I asked him what he wanted to do for his 40th he said, "Ski". Remember I said I wanted to go to Italy. Oh how does this simplistic guy put up with me?

I asked Jeff to drive to the airport to pick up our neighbor who was coming from a business trip. It was really snowing and I said his wife didn't want to have to drive in the snow. Jeff was happy to go and while sitting in the cell phone waiting area got a phone call from his brother from NY that he was at gate 10. Jeff was totally surprised and even more surprised to find out his other brother was coming in 2 hour later.

They skied two days straight and as they said had an "Epic" day on Saturday. Seriously there is nothing else Jeff would have rather done and rather been with to celebrate turning 40. (again I am still sticking flea markets in Italy)

The night they came home, we hosted a dinner for 40 people to end our month long celebration of our birthday's. Yes, let me say it again 40 people. It was awesome. My sister in law and I cooked for 2 days straight. Homemade ravioli's with Marscapone cheese, burned butter sauce with poppyseeds. Pasta flutes with sun-dried tomatoes, artichoke hearts and Alfredo sauce. Salad in mini bread cups, the best fruit dip ever, wrapped asparagas and fried ice cream stuffed with homemade chocolate sauce.

It was a wonderful night and just amazing to finally have a home that can hold so many friends (well I guess it is more amazing that we have 4o friends)

I didn't take one photo of the food, friends or the amazing gifts we received (I feel bad I never expected anyone to bring a gift) but the top photo will have to do to remember Jeff's wonderful surprise and the close to our wonderful month long celebration of turning 40!

Thanks friends for coming - it was a wonderful night.

Everyone in my house is always looking for a pencil. To find one is a true find, but to find one that is sharpened is a as rare as Charlie finding a Golden Ticket.
When I found these Pink and Green pencils in the Dollar section at the craft store I knew I could solve 2 problems. One, fill the corner of my desk and two make homework a whole lot easier.

I bought 70 pencils and came home and sharpened them all.

The Year of the Rabbit

I have thus found out that if celebrating the Chinese New Year that this is the year of the Rabbit.
I brought the girls each something from Vegas. While it was tempting to buy them some fun colored poker chips that I am sure their imaginations would run wild with what to do with, I ended up picking up these ring holders at Anthropologie.
They are so feminine and beautiful and only $10.00!

And a perfect place to hold Sally Jane's new CTR (choose the right) ring!

These would be darling for little girls Easter baskets.

As Paul Harvey would say, "Here is the rest of the story..."

Poor Jeff had to get up at 5:30 Saturday morning to go to his training. I was so thrilled he took of photo for me of the set up of where he was.

He trained 25 doctors from around the country to do a new procedure. They all sat above in the circle while he was down below teaching all day. (kind of feels a little Grey's Anatomy don't you think?)
It is so funny because this would be my dream, to have a skill that I could teach to people in such a setting. That they would come in from all over just to see me do it. This opportunity for Jeff fell in his lap a few years ago and he is happy for it, but does not crave it like I would. Sometimes it is funny how different we are.
So while Jeff was cutting, snipping and sewing I decided to take a walk on the strip with no one on it (this is my attempt at finding the runner in me again)
I really wanted to find the Welcome to Las Vegas Sign to take a picture of me in front of it. I knew it was on one end of the 4.25 mile strip. I was pretty much in the middle so I figured I will just head out my door and go to one end and then if that is not it, I will go the other way and then getting back to the hotel will be about a 6 mile walk.


Boy, I tell ya this is a must if you are in Vegas. Get up early and go for a walk. 2 reasons. 1. the great weather and 2. no boobs and butts. It was so quiet. Only runners on the sidewalks. (not like the night before where you are like cows in a herd inching across the sidewalk)
I didn't bring my camera with me, I just used my phone the entire time, but I wish I had it that morning to get some better photos. It was a visual party going on seeing the sun reflect on the buildings and all the colors and such.
so I made it down to one end and figured I was not close to the sign. I texted my friend in Maryland, who grew up in Las Vegas and sent her a photo of where I was and she said, "you are on the wrong end" (how is that for technology)
I was a little bummed as I had taken so many detours that I was already 1.5 hours into my journey and knew I still had 4 miles to back track.


I then looked up and saw this sign! What a Monorail? I went into the casino looking for the Monorail stop and it took me seriously 20 minutes to find it. Jeff always says Casino's always have 100 ways to get in but only one way to get out. True that!

This turned out to be a good choice for me as I was able to see the entire strip from the train. I got off on the other end but at that point was just hungry and gave up on going to look for the sign.
I got off at the MGM grand and saw my first wedding chapel inside the hotel lobby.

Since I tend to judge products and resturants by their advertising and packaging, this Sandwich shop seemed like the perfect spot to eat.(cute name and colors) It was now 11:00 and I had not eaten anything yet. (me hungry!)
It was a bacon, egg and blue cheese sandwich and I loved it!

I then finally found my way out of the MGM and snapped a reflection in the mirror of me with slots on one side and Wolf Gang Puck's restaurant on the other.

I still felt like I never knew if I was going north or south and got constantly turned around each time I went in and out of each hotel.
I was able to get my New York fix with seeing the Statue of Liberty (with roller coasters in the back)

and took a walk across a mini Brooklyn Bridge

The weather was incredible. I had left behind 2 feet of snow in Colorado and enjoyed cruising around in shorts all morning!

One of the hotels ( don't remember which one, it is all a blur) had this cool store frontlined with old fashioned sewing machines. It was really cool!
I also saw the real Woody, Jack Sparrow, Luke Skywalker, Superman and a bunch of people who were silver walking the streets.
My dream was to get tickets to Donny and Marie for Saturday night but was really sad to find out they took the weekend off! I guess everyone needs a little R&R. But really did you have to do it the one weekend I was there!!
Being at Harrah's got me excited to celebrate Mardi Gras this year and I have never seen beads so big, even in New Orleans.
The was a place in the Forum that was selling warm shots of chocolate. People were buying them up like crazy! I think they were $8.00 . I waited in line to buy one because I always love trying something new, but then got out of line when I imagined by self giving my mouth a shot of chocolate with a syringe. I figure if I am eating anything that is too embarrassing to eat in public then I should not be eating it.
strolling through a Swatch store always makes me happy. Memories of my childhood. Jeff got me a swatch watch for Christmas and it makes me happy every time I look at it.


I then finally got back to the hotel at 1:00. Not really planning on taking a 4 hour walk but I get so easily distracted. On may way up to my room I stopped off to get some Chineese food and went back to our lovely step down lounge in our room. I used the remote to shut the blinds (just like in the movie the Holiday) and make it feel like midnight. I wrapped myself up in the down comforter I took off the bed and I ate chineese food and watched a movie. It was pure bliss. I got up and spent a good hour in the biggest Sephora I have ever seen. I left with 10 different scents on my body and both my hands were covered with eye shadow, lip stick and blush samples. I also left with some products by Fresh. I bought Annie Kate this scent called Strawberry Flowers. It is the perfect pre-teen scent!
Jeff finished his long day and we met back up at the hotel. On my way back up I stopped at the Concierge and got some tickets to a show for that night. (I was still in awe that I was doing this 2 hours before a show started) I could have bought tickets to Cher or Barry Manilow, but didn't want to have to take out a second mortgage on my house.
We grabbed some dinner and then went to

Love - by Cirque du Soleil featuring the songs from the
Beatles.



I want to say that I loved it! But I can't. I was a tad underwhelmed. I guess if I really loved the Beatles and I was on LSD then I might have loved it. It was a little "out there" for me.
I was still coming off of my Jersery Boys high and would rather see a Broadway show with dancing AND singing. Am I becoming a show snob?
All the while I give credit to the most flexible people on the planet- you were amazing, but just not my favorite show.
I did get a message from a blogger that said she thought she saw me in the bathroom at the Mirage after the show - yep. That was me. Why didn't you say anything! I would have given you a huge hug!

We stepped outside and Jeff said, see I took you to Paris and Italy! What a guy!

The next morning we stayed in our room until the very last minute and even tried to check out late with no luck. We watched the Bears and Seattle play football and I wish we could have stayed there all day until our flight.
We went to the Wynn for Sunday Brunch and waited in line for about 45 min. We were starving.


I always get eggs Benedict and oatmeal at any buffet I go to so I wonder why we don't just go to a restaurant and order that. I guess it is fun to go to a buffet because you think that you can just eat as much as you want. This cupcake while delightfully darling was GROSS! yet it did inspire me to buy some of that food glitter to use at home. It makes anything look great.

We then had a little too much time to kill before our flight so we walked around and then waited out side Caesars for an hour to get a seat outside at Serendipity 3. I guess if you go to Las Vegas and don't gamble you eat!We sat and watched all the different people walking around and talked about what we want to do before we are 50.

So my summary of why I loved going to Vegas is this!

1. An hour and half flight
2. cheap flights
3. airport is close to the strip, no need for a car
4. the weather
5. great places to eat on every corner
6. no planning needed before you go (that is my kind of vacation - never over plan)
7. Great shows on every corner
8. Wonderful accommodations for not that much money
9. Fun and EXPENSIVE window shopping (who is buying all that stuff - yowza)
10. Being there makes you feel like you are doing a pretty good job with your life and you crave just being back with your family and kids!

Would you say hi to a blogger you have never met in a bathroom of a casino?
Have you seen Love? Am I being too harsh?
What do you always get at a buffet?
Have you heard of that line of make-up called Fresh?
Do you still have a Swatch Watch or wish you did?
Would you have gotten on the Monorail too?
Thoughts on a chocolate syringe?