It wasn’t my idea. It was my husband’s birthday gift to us.
The boy talked about it for days before hand. He was super-excited. Me? NO! No, No. Terrified is what I was. At this stage in my life, careening down the snow and ice-covered slopes of Mount Pakenham while standing on two slippery sticks in the dead of winter seemed a little foolhardy to me. I didn’t want to do it, and I didn’t pretend otherwise. Oh sure, I’d heard all the stories. Alpine skiing is the funnest thing ever… You’ll have a blast… It’s easier than it looks… Blah blah blah… I assure you, I’ve heard those stories p-uh-lenty of times. I’ve also heard the story of Glen Bonsall, a classmate of mine who broke a leg in Grade 3 and had to stumble around in a cast for the rest of the year. I remember as a child seeing the 1975 movie “The Other Side of The Mountain“, based on the true story of the skier Jill Kinmont who was paralyzed from the neck down after a terrible fall during a ski race. And most recently, I’ve heard the tragic story of the movie star, Natasha Richardson, who died after hitting her head while downhill skiing. These are the stories that did not sit well with me. These are the stories that scared the living snowflakes out of me and help to explain why it’s taken me 43 years to finally do it.
But I put my fears aside. I did it. So did my son. We alpine skied. With the skis and the boots and the snow and everything. Down a mountain. Yesterday. And happily, we’re still here to tell the tale. We also agree that we may just have to try it again someday.
Thank you to Peter and Miranda for teaching us how to ski. We very much appreciate you coming along and taking such good care of us up on the slopes.
And Lo, I’m glad you’re brave enough to let me know me that I am a work-in-progress who still has a LOT to learn. Thank you for strong-arming me out of my comfort zone. I know I’m a bull-headed, stubborn, know-it-all sometimes. But lucky for me, so are you. ♥
Oh, and speaking of works-in-progress (WIPS), the above pictures show glimpses of a WIP that will be revealed on Wednesday when I take on my little sister Ariane from Ariane’s Crafts in my next Make It Good Challenge… I’m so excited to see what she’s been up to, I cannot wait until Wednesday! Eeeee!
Until then, have yourself a lovely day!
Oh, a Make It Good Challenge with Ariane?? I will look forward to seeing that! How fun!
I have to say that we've had the same conversations in our house about skiing. I am terrified but now the kids are starting to get interested and my husband likes skiing.
Glad you had a great time although admit I'm a wee bit jealous. I would give anything to try some skiing! Our kids have been begging for us to go somewhere during the winter months. Maybe one day…
woohoo! I LOVE skiing. Way to go Michele – I may not have had the huevos to try at 'our' age either. Glad to hear you had fun. I can't wait to see what this challenge will produce…so far I'm thinking spacey robot belt, but I have a feeling I'm no where near the mark.
Oh wow… well done on the skiing…. glad you loved it…. I have never done any… only experienced light snow once!!
The pictures are so intriguing… and amazing…
Hugz
ooo it sounds like you did much better than my attempts at skiing….I like to make snow angels between the cartwheels 😀
xxh
Sounds like fun! Don't you feel so good when you push yourself out of your comfort zone every once in a while! Good on you!
I could never do that. Too much of a coward. If I'm riding a bike down hill I have the brakes on squealing all the way!! Is it a snowflake? Can't wait to see the big reveal.
Lucky you! And well done for trying new things 😉 I would love to try proper skiing one day with snow and mountains and all!
Looking forward to seeing yours and Ariane's challenge!
I grew up in Vermont about 20 minutes from one of the most famous skiing mountains in the US, and I have only been skiing once in my life… my husband dragged me there on one of our first dates. I enjoyed it, but it always scared me too much. Glad you were brave enough to try:)
oh its so nice & interesting to know about it..i will also wait for the next post..
You are brave, girl! I'm glad you came home with all crafting appendages appended! And I am on the edge of my internet to see what you two have made – can't wait!!!
Oh Michele,
That's fantastic and you were ever so brave to go skiing! Lol, imagine someone more stubborn than yourself!
big hugz and glad you're all in one piece…lol
At least you DID try and skied – I am still awkward about it (due to almost the same reasons you stated above)and I don't believe I will ever try skiing. I am good with the sledge, thank you very much and the kids are having too much fun watching me sledge. I would not like to disappoint them, now would I?
As per your sister – my that is one very talented lady (it runs in your family)! I checked her blog and must say that hexagon star quilt is a KILLER!!