Must Be Time For Another Road Trip... 2015 Edition

Lately I find that I just don't have the patience for much of anything aside from keeping my nose to the grind, as it were. I don't know if anyone else goes through phases like this, but I certainly do. I feel restless and the things I normally derive joy from doing on a day to day basis, are either boring me to the verge of tears or causing me a great deal of frustration. It's the same feeling that you would educe from taking one step forward and three steps back in a walking race. Uh-Huh.

I have no patience with long stoplights or people who seem to be asleep for the first few seconds after the light changes to green, because they are talking on their freaking cell phones. I have no patience with people who ring my doorbell unannounced. I have no patience for neighbor's dogs who bark for hours on end, nor do I have the patience to suffer through visits from Jehovah's Witnesses or anyone selling anything. The people who block grocery store aisles are now on my hit list. I'm beginning to scare even myself. And today, a neighbor child is blowing an industrial size whistle, seemingly non-stop and I'm envisioning ripping it from her mouth and tossing it to Kingdom Come. You know. Right after I ask the parents if they are deaf or something (like stupid).

I used to refer to this strange emotional phenomenon as PMS and later, I thus blamed menopause. I no longer have either *condition* among my repertoire of excuses for foul moods, so I'm fairly perplexed as to what I can blame this on. Am I really just a total bitch after all is said and done? Possibly, but hopefully not that uncomplicated. Perhaps it's just *crotchety old age syndrome*. Whatever. I think I'll go with Early Spring Fever.

Mr. Snoots, the poor dear, doesn't really understand but in an effort to prove his allegiance he feigns sympathy and understanding. I cannot say that I blame him for that ploy. Were I in his predicament I'd probably resort to the use of a sledge hammer, so I must praise him for his acumen.

Oh patience, where art thou?

Sensing this, Mr. Snoots, in his infinite wisdom, has suggested a road trip. I'm always game for a road trip! So, we're headed to our favorite little ski town. Ruidoso, New Mexico. We'll only be gone for 4 days but usually that's all I need to set me right with the world again. As I've said before, all work and no play makes Snooty a very cranky entity indeed. Very. Cranky.

Mr. Snooty plans to stay at the hotel and take care of business on the computer, which will keep him busy. Then, we can go to dinner in the evenings. Normally, when I go skiing alone, I have room service, watch a movie and go to sleep. So, this should be tons more fun! However, when the hotel removed my person from the casino for taking pictures, they completely squashed my pension for gambling. I wouldn't give them my money even if they begged me and rolled out the red carpet.

Of course, Mr. Snoots doesn't ski anymore but I don't care. I'm just thrilled to not be going alone. I went alone for so many years once the kids were gone and after a while, it just wasn't fun anymore. We humans need contact with other humans and he's my #1 choice, so it will be nice to have him along.

Did I mention that I'm now considered a senior and can ski for a discount price? When I turn 70, I can ski for free! That's my goal. So, I'll finally be getting a *deal* after skiing HERE all these years.

Anyway, I'm out of here as soon as I can gather all my ski things but that might take a while. I promise to try take lots of pictures but I'm more forgetful these days. Two full half days of skiing is probably more than I can handle in my out-of-shape condition. It might well kill me, but I doubt it. Only the good die young.... Most likely I'll be as sore as a two bit floosie on payday. Besides, I ski like an old lady now. You know. Because I'm an old lady now. I can only dream about how I used to ski but, I'm perfectly good with that. As always, I'll take my bottle of champagne, a jar of Icelandic caviar, cream cheese, chopped red onion and toast points to have for my afternoon snack. It became a ritual for me about 20 years ago and I'm not one to break tradition. Well, not this one anyway.

See you soon!
 

Everything Else Paled In Comparison To The Skiing....

The week before we arrived, Ruidoso had received two separate storms that dropped something like 26 inches of fresh powdery snow. This made me even more excited about getting up to ski the next day. It was also being predicted that another storm was scheduled to arrive within a day or two. Honestly, this little New Mexico ski town has not seen so much snow in a number of years.


Now, in order to reach the Ski Apache ski area, you have to drive approximately 45 minutes to an hour, up a mountain with winding roads and breathtaking views. The first time I ever skied there I was shocked that you had to travel so far to get to the mountain and frankly, I hated it. I was spoiled by being able to ski in and out wherever I skied, and this was a major irritation. But, over the years, I came to accept it and fell in love with this little ski area. Unlike many other ski areas around the country, it's always warmer skiing there and every year they continue to make improvements and add new runs, as well as new lift chairs. So, it has pretty much always satisfied my needs in the skiing department. This year was no exception. The snow was incredibly light and fluffy, with many of my favorite runs being *groomed* daily. Old ladies who are out of shape like the groomed runs, trust me.

Since I had not skied in several years, I was careful to start off slowly as I tried to locate my *skiing legs*. After several rather shaky runs, I at last found my skiing balance and made something like 23 or 24 runs by the end of the day. My last trip up the Capitan Chairlift, I decided the run next to Capitan (my fave) looked pretty good but discovered a bit too late that it had not been groomed. Seriously, my legs simply don't have the strength any longer to tackle runs with choppy, deep powder. So, I did what I always do in these situations. I freaked out and panicked. After I calmed down for a few minutes, I mustered up the courage to point my skis down the hill and go for it, not caring how ridiculous I looked. And, I did look ridiculous. I think I might have also done the unthinkable... I reverted back to a snow plow several times, which I had not done since I was 12 years old. It got me down the mountain, so I didn't care, as long as I made it down the hill without somehow maiming or hurting myself.


By the time I reached my car, I was sweating and whooped. All I could think about was getting back to the hotel and a nice hot bath to ease the aches and pains of the day. But, the fun wasn't over yet! For some reason, my car would not unlock with the button on my key chain so I opened it manually. I immediately tried to start the car so I could get some heat going but the 4-Runner wasn't even making an attempt to rev up. It wasn't making a sound. I knew this was going to be the proverbial pain in the ass of an experience.


As luck would have it, a local man and his two daughters were parked next to me and were preparing to leave after a day of skiing, so I asked if he'd mind giving my little 4-Runner a jump start from his Ford F-150 truck, which he was more than happy to do. I was so relieved. Until it wouldn't start my car. UH-OH.

About this time one of his friends came along (headed home with his kiddos) and he tried to help as well. It turned out that the two dads worked together in Ruidoso as firemen and EMT's. They were two of the nicest young men you'd ever want to meet. One even called a mechanic friend who made some suggestions that they tried, but still nothing worked.

I finally told them thanks for trying and that I'd just call AAA and let them take care of it. I told them they needed to get their kids home and that I really appreciated everything they tried, but they refused to leave this little old lady alone until they were certain help was indeed on the way. I can't begin to tell you how comforting it was to have them there. Eventually, I received a call from a local tow service (who they knew & approved of) who said he was on his way up the mountain to get me and tow my car back to town. I was finally able to talk the guys into leaving me there alone and they agreed that I'd be in safe hands. (It was at this moment that I realized I'd forgotten to charge my cell phone the night before, which meant it wouldn't be working for much longer.)

Remember, it takes 45 minutes to an hour just to get up the mountain and even longer when there is bumper to bumper traffic trying to get down the narrow roads on the mountain. The tow truck finally arrived just as it was beginning to get dark and I was beginning to freeze my hiney off. I was also on the verge of tears, the darker it got. I couldn't even call Mr. Snoots to let him know that I was okay and he expected me back at around 4:30 PM. Uh-Oh.

Anyway, the tow guy turned out to be an angel and we talked about all manner of things as we made the slow descent down the mountain. He also called one of the other guys at their shop and arranged for him to give me a ride back to the hotel so that I wouldn't have to call and wait for a taxi. It was almost 7:00 PM before I arrived back at the hotel and the warmth of our room. Mr. Snooty was beginning to panic, unsure of what might have happened to me.

So, here is praise (Woot! Woot!) for Harlan and Michael, the firefighters/EMT's who were like gifts from God to me that day. You guys were so wonderful to work so hard trying to get my car going. I just want you to know that you both TOTALLY ROCK! In addition to my heartfelt thanks, I'm sending a donation to the Ruidoso Fire Department naming the two of you as my reason for donating. I hope that your wives are as proud of you as I am!

Also, I want to give a big shout-out to Francisco and Sal at Sierra Blanca Collision Center, in spite of the fact it cost just under $200.00 for the tow and fixing whatever it was that was wrong. Sal is the Manager and is the one who gave me a lift all the way up to the Inn of the Mountain Gods, for free. You two guys TOTALLY ROCK as well!

The next day Mr. Snoots and I spent the morning checking to see if the car was ready, getting a taxi to come get us at the Inn, taking us into town where the car was, and going back out to the Inn. By then, I had no desire left to go skiing, even for a half day, which meant my second day of skiing went *poof* in the blink of an eye. Then, it began to snow and snow and snow and snow.

To be continued...

Must Be Time For A Road Trip... Hello Land Of Enchantment

Lately I find that I just don't have the patience for much of anything aside from keeping my nose to the grind, as it were. I don't know if anyone else goes through phases like this, but I certainly do. I feel restless and the things I normally derive joy from doing on a day to day basis, are either boring me to the verge of tears or causing me a great deal of frustration. It's the same feeling that you would educe from taking one step forward and three steps back in a walking race. Uh-Huh.


I have no patience with long stoplights or people who seem to be asleep for the first few seconds after the light changes to green because they are talking on their freaking cell phones. I have no patience with people who ring my doorbell unannounced. I have no patience for neighbor's dogs who bark for hours on end, nor do I have the patience to suffer through visits from Jehovah's Witnesses or anyone selling anything. The people who block grocery store aisles are now on my hit list. I'm beginning to scare even myself.


I used to refer to this strange emotional phenomenon as PMS and later, menopause. I no longer have either *condition* among my repertoire of excuses for foul moods, so I'm fairly perplexed as to what I can blame this on. Am I really just a total bitch after all is said and done? Possibly, but hopefully not that uncomplicated. Perhaps it's just *crotchety old age syndrome*. Whatever.


Mr. Snoots, the poor dear, doesn't really understand but in an effort to prove his allegiance he feigns sympathy and understanding. I cannot say that I blame him for that ploy. Were I in his predicament I'd probably resort to the use of a sledge hammer, so I must praise him for his acumen.


I could have sworn I saw a pin head size hole of light at the end of the whole getting-the-house-on-the-market tunnel last week. It's entirely possible I was daydreaming since it is no longer there. I'm thinking I need to work even harder now but so far I've kept my nose to grind. I need to see some substantial progress but it all appears to be nothing more than light scratches on the surface of the overall scheme of things up to this point. One step forward and three steps back....


Oh patience, where art thou?


Sensing this, Mr. Snoots, in his infinite wisdom, has suggested a road trip. I'm always game for a road trip! So, we're leaving this morning and driving due west for about 5 hours to a little ski town. We'll only be gone for 4 days but usually that's all I need to set me right with the world again. As I've said before, all work and no play makes Snooty a very cranky entity indeed. Very. Cranky.

Mr. Snooty plans to stay at the hotel and take care of business on the computer, which will keep him busy. Then, we can go to dinner in the evenings. Normally, when I go alone, I have room service, watch a movie and go to sleep. So, this should be tons of fun!




Of course, Mr. Snoots doesn't ski anymore but I don't care. I'm just thrilled to not be going alone. I went alone for so many years and after a while, it just wasn't fun anymore. We humans need contact with other humans and he's my #1 choice, so it will be nice to have him along.

Anyway, I'm out of here! I promise to take lots of pictures but we'll only be gone 4 days. Two full days of skiing is probably more than I can handle in my out-of-shape condition. It might well kill me, but I doubt it. Only the good die young.... Most likely I'll be as sore as a two bit floosie on payday. Besides, I ski like an old lady now. You know. Because I'm an old lady now. I can only dream about how I used to ski but, I'm perfectly good with that. As always, I'll take my bottle of champagne, a jar of Icelandic caviar, cream cheese, chopped red onion and toast points to have for my afternoon snack. It became a ritual for me about 20 years ago and SD loves it as well. I just wish she were going to be along with me to share it....It just won't be the same without her.



OH! Speaking of our daughter, today she emailed me that she's so far been accepted at William & Lee (VA) and Baylor (TX) (who also offered scholarship money). However, she's in on the long haul for the Big Holdout. She still wants U of Texas. Besides, Bad Boyfriend #2 is in law school at Baylor. I think she'd rather chew off her right arm than go to school there. At any rate, she plans to be back home in Texas by the start of summer so I AM PUMPED THRILLED! Keep those prayers for U of Texas coming! (It seems to be working so far.)


I'll keep up with everyone's blogs while we're gone although I might not be able to comment. I'll be with you in spirit!

My Little Corner Of The Skiing World....

Ever since I moved back to Texas in 1975, I've been skiing in New Mexico at my favorite ski area, Ski Apache located in the mountains above Ruidoso, New Mexico. Unlike my beloved Colorado, the temperatures tend to stay mild all winter, which makes for comfortable skiing and makes old ladies like me want to get out their boards and take some turns on the hill.

Ruidoso has had some hard hits the last few years but thankfully, they are still there. Last year, not only were they hit with the worst flooding in their history, but they also never accumulated any significant amount of snow, which means the ski area was hurt as badly as the funky little town of Ruidoso. Frankly, they haven't had snow for the last couple of years. Global warming? Perhaps, but I doubt it. They are just located closer to the equator than most ski areas, I suppose. In all my years I've only heard of them not opening at all, just once. They have great snow making equipment and NOW they have a great WEB CAM. Pretty much all of the land is owned by the Mescalero Apache Indian Tribe and they have enough money from other endeavors that they don't really worry. The ski area is located in the Sierra Blanca Mountain Range (also known as The White Mountain Range) of New Mexico, which is really breathtaking countryside.

Of course, we could go to Taos, which almost always has snow, but the drive is too long. Ruidoso is a mere 5 hours from our front door (or 4 hours if I'm alone). Taos is about a 9 hour drive (12 hours if driving in deep snow). Although I prefer the challenges offered by skiing Taos, I don't care to make the long drive, nor does anyone else.

Unfortunately, the Ski Apache Web Cam is a bit depressing at the moment, although a couple of weeks ago it was all totally covered in snow, but I'm going to try to keep a positive perspective. In fact, I've been so positive as to rent a house there for Christmas. Neither of the kids has skied in years (they can't afford it) and we haven't skied together in a very long time so this year we're going away for the holidays. Farmer's Almanac is predicting plentiful snow for that region during the week of December 23rd and since they are seldom wrong in their predictions, I'm going with it. Actually, we can back out by December 1st without paying a penalty, just as an option. Both of our children have reached the point that they would rather be with us than their friends (yes, it does happen eventually if you've done your job right), so they aren't in the least bit worried about not seeing their friends over Christmas. Five years ago it would have been a completely different story.


I'm just praying I don't fall this year while skiing. No telling how that will affect my Osteoporosis. Yikes. It's really kind of scary, but I've never been much for falling anyway. I check my speed constantly ever since turning 50. I had a bit of a *freak out* that year when I was up in Ruidoso skiing alone. I started my descent down a run called *Caliente* (a run I've skied many times and at high speeds) and I suddenly froze. I couldn't push off, or make another turn, or even side-step. I even sat down and cried (okay this was probably due to the onset of early menopause because I cried a lot). It was something like 20 or 30 minutes before I mustered up the courage to continue my descent. It wasn't in the least bit funny. It scared the life out of me, to the point that I left after that and returned to my my hotel room to lick my emotional wounds.

Anyhoo, I found a great house (this isn't the house, but is a comparable option) to rent for this Christmas that has a hot tub to soothe tired muscles after a long day of sliding around on our boards, a wonderful gourmet kitchen, a wood burning fireplace, plenty of TV's, a pool table, and all the other comforts of home, located on a secluded 7 acres. Now, all we need is some snow...