My View from the other side of the hill . . .

The Aha moment.

"The Aha moment" - that moment of clarity where you gain real wisdom- wisdom you can use to change your life.

Our grandchildren were on spring break last week so we decided to go to Snow Summit for one last time before they closed for the season. Noah yearns to ski. Hannah however, informed us, "she couldn't ski without her dad". Only he knew how she liked to ski, holding on to her hand, or onto poles held on the other end by him - but never letting go. She finally agreed to go, but Grandpa would have "to ski the way she wanted to ski-- holding hands".

Her father prepped her for the trip by role playing, "Hannah being difficult" and "Hannah being good". Which way works best? Noah reminded her over and over again, as we drove up the hill- "remember Hannah- don't be difficult". If you know Hannah, you know at times, she can be difficult.

The plan was for Noah and I to take off to a far away place on the hill so we wouldn't be around to witness the inevitable battle between Hannah and her Grandpa.

Things got off to a rocky start. Grandpa held her hand as they traversed to the bunny slope, but when he attempted to explain that skiing doesn't work well holding hands, Hannah threw a "little fit".  (her words not mine) Grandpa said "that's it we're heading back to the locker room". She regained her composure and agreed to  "hang on to just the poles" for the next run. Except Grandpa let go of the poles, and Hannah skied away from him not knowing.

There was the angry look and "Grandpa you tricked me!" And then---Aha! She could ski, without Dad, without Grandpa, without holding hands or hanging on to poles.  She was free! 

"I'm ready for that chair over there Grandpa" she said, pointing to chair 2, which takes you to the top of the hill. Grandpa insisted on one more run down the bunny slope, unassisted, and she complied. Grandpas do have some wisdom of their own.

Noah and I were at the top of Chair 2 when Grandpa and Hannah glided easily off the chair. Noah took off, Hannah followed without hesitation, full speed ahead, hooting and hollering down the hill to chair 9. Chair 9 is the family park- it ain't the bunny slope. (Excuse my slang)

Grandpa, who is this child and what did you do with Hannah? 

Then she fell and I thought, this won't be pleasant, but nope, she pulled herself up, slid on her bootie until she could stand up and off she went- hooting and hollering- and screaming at me "hurry up Grandma Shirley!" She fell over and over again with never a whimper. I'd rush to her side and she'd inform me- "got it Grandma!" as she slid away. She informed me later that falling was her "emergency brakes".

I have to admit, Hannah's "Aha" moment was an "Ought oh" moment for me. There's no stopping her now. She's felt the wind in her hair and she's taken flight. Watch out world. Here comes Hannah!

March Madness

I'm not talking basketball either. Noah's birthday and baseball games, 2 days of a golf tournament, (Cindy and I won first one week and fourth the next) 4-days skiing in Mammoth, (Ben took a bad fall and is still suffering from sore body parts) work, a feeble attempt at cleaning my house for a 70's party last Saturday night, a BSP brunch in Diamond Bar on Sunday, a meeting here tomorrow night and the Worlds Figure Skating Championships begin Wednesday (we bought tickets for four events). Oops, forgot hat shopping tomorrow with Susie. Yep. Hats.

I can't keep up with my blog and now I'm posting on Ravelry and I've jumped into Facebook.

What is wrong with me? If you decide to comment please be kind.

Lost in Space. . .

Once again I've spaced and neglected by blog.

So here is a recap the events of the past few months since my last post:

Backpacking in October is always fun! Ben, Blair (our adopted son-according to Miles), Travis (Ben's oldest son) and I were snowed in at Long Lake, above Bishop, October 10-12. High Temp 15 degrees. I lost the camera in the snow and several hours later I found the camera in the snow. Believe it or not it still works!

The Leimel Halloween "Kids Party" for invited guests and their parents or grandparents is an annual event hosted by Pam and Dan Leimel- Riverside California. Heidi, my daughter in-law, and I went as witches and Hannah was our black cat. "Grrrr! Watch out boys" Those were Hannah's words. Her mother and I were both amused and a bit concerned. Pam Leimel loves Halloween and spends the three weeks prior to the party decorating her home from ceiling to floor. She feeds the kids their favorite foods - hot dogs and macaroni and cheese, lets them have as much popcorn as they want from an old fashion popcorn machine, treats them to cotton candy- made on the premises, entertains them with a magician, and sends them home with a special goodie bag. Truly, I don't know how she does it all and then does it all again the next week for the adults. (Except for the magician, mac n' cheese and the cotton candy) The adults are served Dan Leimel's special homemade chili's- one for mice and one for men. Good stuff. For the adult party I went as a flapper and Ben went as himself with a gangster hat. He's Just Not That Into Halloween.

 

November 16, Snow Summit Race Team Silent/Live auction. One year Ben bid on, and won, a ski lift chair from the old chair #2 lift at Snow Summit. The following year he bid on, and won, a 4 1/2 foot carved Bear that greets people at our front door- in Riverside. This year he bid on, and won, a pair of jumping skis from the '60's. Don't ask.

November 20th-Left Riverside at 7:00 a.m. for a WGA Officers workshop in Bermuda Dunes at Bermuda Dunes Country Club- $25. Back in Riverside by 2:00 p.m. for a WGA board meeting, then home at 4:30 p.m. to change clothes for the 6:00 p.m. Anniversary Gala at the club - $25. Left party at 8:00 p.m. and went home to change clothes for a girl’s night out. Joined Heidi, friends and family in line at the Riverside Plaza Theater for the 12:01 a.m. showing of "Twilight" - $11. A theater full of screaming teenage girls and the look on Heidi's face when the movie went "cheesy"- PRICELESS. Sometimes good stories are best left to the printed page.

 

Thanksgiving at Miles and Heidi's with representatives of all sides of several families in attendance.  My niece Summer and her friend Dustin joined us and had a good time talking with the rest of the  "Kansas connection" - Dean and Nancy. Dean, who has been fighting a valiant battle with cancer, was and is still healing from his treatments. We are so thankful that Dean was able to join us for Thanksgiving and we're hoping we didn't frighten Summer, our newest "Californian" from Kansas.

 

Black Friday. Need I say more? Okay I will. There is nothing like getting up at 4:00 a.m. in the morning after a big Thanksgiving dinner and shopping at Kohl’s with your daughter-in-law, her friends, her mother, her other mother-in-law and her sister. I repeat. Nothing like it.

December 5th was the LAE Sorority Silent/Live Auction. We had 60 people in our house and no parking available for a block. We did raise $2,200, some of which was donated to the Arlington Assistance league for making Christmas baskets for those in need. We also contributed to a fund for several sorority sisters whose homes were destroyed in the fires this fall.

The December Dilemma-Contrary to what you might think, the dilemma is not about whether or not to celebrate Christmas or Hanukkah, its about how to manage your time and still have some. Squeezing everything in- WGA parties, bunko parties, sorority parties, office parties, open houses, Big Bear parties, cookie exchanges, birthday parties, Hanukkah parties, New Years eve parties, skiing and WORK is a challenge.

Very Special events in December:

December 12- 18 Todd and Antonio came for a visit expecting "sunny Southern California" and got 6 days of rain. Oops.

Noah received a Principals Best Award for the first trimester. Congratulations!

 

Hannah Banana turned 7 on December 27th!

 

TWENTY years. That's right folks. Ben and I were married twenty years ago on December 28th. We thought about celebrating by returning to Jackson Hole or flying to Hawaii

but- SNAP! 7 years ago Hannah started having birthday parties so instead, this Grandma and Grandpa are buying a Wii for their anniversary.

If we make it to fifty maybe we'll buy a boat and sail to Hawaii. 

"Big Foot" in Yellowstone

The Big Foot Clan is on the move again. There are six original members -Brent & Bonnie Tregaskis, and Chris & Erin Riddle from Big Bear, and Ben and I. This year we officially added a seventh member- Daniel Cook, Erin's brother, who hails from Texas. We came by the "Big Foot" moniker because on several previous trips we placed our "Big Feet" in places where they oughtn't to have been. We like to explore canyons, caves, cliffs, mountains, rivers, ruins and wildlife, not by car, but by foot, and we generally choose to backpack or car camp. We do, however, usually begin and end a trip with carpeting underfoot and feather pillows.

Our Clan adventures first began with a trip to  Moab, Utah and Canyon Lands in 1994 to explore  Anasazi ruins in the canyon.  At this point we hadn't "earned" the Big Foot name. However, in 1996 the "Tregaskis Party" launched an expedition to Canyon de Chelly, Betatakin and Keet Seel, again to explore the remnants of the Anasazi, and the name "Big Foot" clan began to take hold. We concluded this trip in Zion with the discovery of our clan "symbol" at the Zion National Park Gift Shop.

Did I mention that half of the clan loves to shop?  Oh, and we also have a fondness for eating well . . . in camp, on the trail, off the trail, on the road, in a boat on a float . . . you name it, we are always planning our next meal. 

In 1999, the Clan and the "Riddle Havasu Canyon Party" of 11 took on Havasu Canyon in Arizona -(expeditions are named after the person who uses his credit card to make arrangements)This particular trip included Chris & Erin, their boys, Bryce and Spencer, Mark Fulton and his daughter Kinsey, Erin's brother Dan, Brent, Bonnie, Ben and of course- me, the trip historian.  Incidentally, Supai Village, which is in Havasu Canyon, is the village that was recently evacuated due to a break in the Redland Dam. No injuries were reported however, a number of the campers in the Canyon where we had camped, we're stranded in trees and on ledges.

It was been nine long years since our last major expedition.  In that time, there have been 2 weddings, 4 grandchildren born, 2 boys graduated from high school and off to college, job changes, relocations, and  major health issues. Although we've traveled in smaller numbers on trips, to Zion and Hawaii and points beyond, we haven't been able to pull the entire Clan together (except for Big Bear parties of course), until this year.

Plans for this expedition began in December of 2007. Since I am the historian, I'll name this trip the "Big Foot Reunion".  It has been a long time so we made this a big one- in fact, this was a seven state road trip. We were in California, Nevada, Arizona, Utah, Idaho, Montana and Wyoming. We explored Bryce Canyon, Cedar Breaks, Brian Head Peak, the Salt Lake City airport, the Idaho Ranch House and surrounding land, Grand Targee, Driggs, Victor, Grand Teton National Park, Yellowstone National Park, Moose National Reserve and Jackson Hole Wyoming.  We were cold (a low of 27 degrees) and rarely hot, (except for me but that's another story) and slightly wet but never drenched. We saw vivid red canyons, the magnificent Tetons, waterfalls, lakes, rapids, mud pots galore, geysers everywhere, osprey, elk, deer, moose, bison and a long lost friend, Patti Johnson. Best of all . . . we played, laughed and explored together again.

My personal favorite spot was Driggs, Idaho. I'd move there in a minute except for the fact that I'd end up being a fugitive, because of course, I'd have to kidnap my grandchildren and take them with me. 

If you're so inclined, a photo album is attached. I promise, very few of the 400 photos we took are included. Anyway . . . so long Tetons. Until we meet again.  And we will!

 

Home away from Home and the 20 things we learned last week.

Noah, showing off our Home Away from Home.

August 17th, Grandpa Ben and I loaded the 4-runner with camping gear, fishing gear, art supplies, and two eager grandchildren and headed to Lake George in Mammoth Lakes. This is our third summer camping trip with Noah and Hannah and our second trip to Lake George. Our first trip in 2006, was to Malibu Beach RV park and we had a great time but we've found that camping in Mammoth includes quality time with Uncle Travis. Each year gets a little easier. Both Noah and Hannah are at the age now when they are a little more self sufficient and very entertaining. Learn what we learned, then check out the Camping in Mammoth Photo Album.

Just a few of the things we learned on this trip:

1. Hannah is a first rate, 6 year old, backseat driver. "Slow down Grandpa, I think you might be going to fast.",  "Grandpa, you'd better stop for gas.",  "Grandpa, roll up your window please.", "Grandpa do you think you should turn here?", "Grandpa do you know where you're going?"
2. Like father like son. And neither, necessarily, like Grandpa or Uncle. After reaching our first destination at Mono Lake, Noah asked sarcastically "are we walking 100 miles to see a rock?". After taking a shorter path back to the car and finding really spectacular Tufa just 100 YARDS from the car, the answer would be, "yes".  This one was uncle Travis's adventure so we'll blame him.
3. Hannah is not intrigued nor interested in millions of bugs, salt water, sea gulls, beach sand, cat tails or miniature tufas. She demanded to be taken home. Now. I told her "Thompson women were tough" and we we're going to reach our destination. We did, whimpering all the way, but then she simply couldn't walk another step. I suggested, if she caught up with Uncle Travis, he might be willing to carry her. Her aching feet sprinted a good 75 yards to her Uncle, who of course, carried her. For awhile anyway. Go figure. 
4. The Mobil Mart makes a really great pitcher of Mango Margaritas. They are particularly great after a hike to see miniature tufas with disgruntled children.
5. Boys of all ages underestimate the intellect of 6 year old girls. Playing Apples to Apples Jr., Hannah and I drew a green card with the word "beautiful" (or something like that). Grandpa, Uncle Travis and Noah played their red cards, not a one of which correlated to the word "beautiful". Hannah responded loudly and with dramatic flair, "WHAT, are you kidding me?"
6. Tooth Fairies in Mammoth pay big. Noah lost a tooth. Tooth Fairy paid in the dark. No light. No checks and balances. $15. That's one Fairy that has some accounting to do.
7. Even 6 year old girls can have hot flashes. Maybe. Sunday night Hannah slept through the night. Monday night she whimpered all night long. We weren't sure if she was dreaming and crying or awake and whining. Her eyes were closed and when asked what was wrong she would say "I don't know". She kept throwing off her sleeping bag. It was really cold so I kept covering her up and she'd throw it off again. Finally I pulled her on to our air matress and with just a bit more whimpering she finally slept.  Hot flashes or skillful manipulation?
8. The best cure for a cranky little girl is another cranky little girl. After Hannah's bad sleep night she was a bit sullen. She refused to oblige anyone with conversation or a smile, try though we did. Next campsite down was another little girl in meltdown. We got the two of them together to color and draw and the mood in the camp ground shifted magically.
9. Hannah may have a future in Healthcare, most likely as a supervisor. She demanded often, that everyone, especially her brother, clean their hands with the Healthy Hand Cleaner and she faithfully reminded us to "drink lots of water because we're in the mountains".
10. Noah loves to be with his Uncle Travis. (Like we didn't already know that.) Even when Uncle Travis is being "mean" to him Noah loves it. Grandpa dutifully reminded them that "the harder you play the more likely it is someone will get hurt." SO?
11. Travis loves to play with his niece and nephew. Enough said.
12. Fathers sometimes pass the burden of teaching precarious skills to others. Miles gave Noah a small pocket knife. Okay fine, not much danger there. Miles also sent a larger and sharper knife along in the tackle box. Really sharp. Heidi gave us specific instructions to bring back Noah with both of his thumbs. Travis took on the challenge and taught Noah to open and close the knife safely and how to whittle without drawing blood.  Noah came back with both thumbs and a really sharp stick.
13. Bodie's a handful. Bodie didn't go with us, but, at Uncle Travis's house we we're watching the Animal Planet show where the British dog trainer, in the black leather getup, comes in to help people who have unmanageable dogs. Hannah quipped- "It's a good thing she doesn't know about Bodie or my family would be on that show."
14. Hannah has the cure for what ails you. Grandpa got an "ice cream headache" drinking a peach margarita at Gomez's. She explained that he needed to push on his front tooth with his finger and count to ten. It worked. Who knew?
15. When your done your done. Hannah fell asleep at Gomez's and didn't wake up until late the next morning (in the tent, not at Gomez's) She asked for a "high five" since she didn't wake up at all in the night crying. I asked her what made the difference- she said "when I talked to Dad on the phone he told me to knock it off."
16. Tough love works. Wednesday, our last day, was the best. It was warm and not windy. We decided to go for a hike to lakes, Barrett and TJ. Hannah confiscated one of my trekking poles and off we went. The first two hundred yards were reminiscent of the Mono Lake hike. "Grandma you have to wait this is too hard." She and I were already way behind the others and we had a steep stretch ahead of us. Noah was leading the pack with Grandpa and Travis in close pursuit. Hannah and I seemed destined for another "whineific" long haul. I tried my mantra once again, "We're Thompson women and we're tough--now go catch Uncle Travis." She did and never whined a second more, even though the hike was steep, and not the easiest hike for a 6 year old. When we we're almost back at camp she proclaimed this was "the best hike ever" and she would call herself "MRS. Thompson Tough Pants" (Except later she wanted to drop the "pants" part and change MRS to Miss) I guess not backing down at Mono Lake had it's payoff.
17. The best tent is a messy tent. And an air mattress is the perfect trampoline. I'm not sure yet, but I believe we may need to buy air mattress number 3. That's one air mattress per trip. Hmmm.
18. Packing up is not as much fun as packing. Especially if you're 8 and 6.
19. Grandma earned a nickname. Grandma Crabby Pants. It fits.
20. According to Hannah, home is always "Home Sweet Home".

June 30th Thompson Adventure

I know, it's August and I'm just now following up on our trip to Baboon Lake and Mt. Thompson. In a nutshell, it was memorable for the "off trail" trekking and the mosquitoes. The latter did us in and we bailed before climbing Mt. Thompson. Upon our return we were able to take a good look at where we'd been without swatting incessantly at the swarms of mosquitoes. Odd that the bugs don't really show in the photos.

Looks like spectacular scenery. We'll go back sometime when it isn't mosquito season.

Another Adventure

We're off to the Sierras for another adventure. Ben's going to climb MT. Thompson. I am not. We are going in at Lake Sabrina and then making a base camp Monday night through Wednesday night at Baboon Lake. We'll be doing just a little "off trail" trekking and hopefully not encountering too much snow. Sounds enticing huh. Stay tuned for the adventure journal.

A Starry Night

Every year, my grandson Noah and I attend the Mother/Son Dinner Dance at Canyon Crest Country Club. This year was extra special. Believe it or not, I think Noah looks forward to going to the dance with Grandma- even though Grandma can't quite do the "dancing" like she used to. He makes up for my lack of mobility with his "hip hopping and break dancing" and he's especially gifted at performing the "sprinkler" move. You'll have to ask his father about the origin of that one. Sliding on his knees on the dance floor is another specialty. Who knew dress pants could hold up to the task? He threatened to fall asleep on the way home but I warned him, "Grandma doesn't usually carry her dates inside."

A Full Plate

My daughter-in-law Heidi, www.heidit76.typepad.com, recently listed a post titled "My Plate". I loved the analogy she created and the comments she received. Here's my problem. I don't try to keep my food separated on my plate. I don't intentionally mix food together either, but I'm okay with the touching. I mean how else can you enjoy a potluck? (Click on the plate for a better look)

I have the same philosophy in the rest of my life- why not have something of everything- which is why, my plate is always full, and you're just looking at the top layer. Underneath is golf, sorority, work, a new business venture, more work and thoughts of how to organize my office so that my brain can whirl without causing trouble. My "noggin" is swirling, twirling and sometimes a bit foggy. I rarely finish one thing before starting on the next and I have book marks in about 5 books right now. Hence the lack of recent posts. I simply don't know where to start, or for that matter, when I left off.

The lovely lady on my plate, the one wearing the white hat, is my mother-in-law, Velma. Velma stayed with Ben and I for 9 weeks while we attempted to solve medical issues, memory issues and moral issues. The moral issue being-though she insists "she's fine and doesn't need our care and does not have a memory problem", do we let her go home to fend for herself? After much thought and consultation, everyone, including her primary physician, agreed we should let her go home-under a few conditions. She has caregivers that visit her in the morning and the evening to make sure she takes her medicines. I've taken over the task of the medications, filling the weekly pill dispenser and basically making sure she's staying on track with multiple visits during the week. She went home May 4th and as of today, with only a few medication hiccups, she's doing okay. She loves her little place and her "freedom" and believe me, nobody wants to take that from her- on the other hand we all know this is short term.  Take heed! - Growing old ain't for sissies.

Fresh & Easy

I'm home from my first shopping trip to Fresh & Easy. I love it! http://www.freshandeasy.com/ Check it out. The prices are amazing.