Birthday Marathon

It was supposed to be a weekend to weekend birthday fest - starting the weekend before my birthday and ending the weekend after my birthday (which was on a Tuesday).  It started great.  Jim, Al and I went for a really nice ski before heading to Augusta to meet my sister and her family.  Barry joined us - he was coming from a volleyball tourney in Southern Maine.  We sucked down margaritas and food then headed to the Civic Center to watch the boys WIN states.  It was a fun game - to say the least.  I am so happy they won.  I always say this about the kids at Dirigo, but man, these kids are nice.  It was excellent to see them play as well as they did and leave with the gold ball.

I woke on Sunday with plans to ski my butt off with Al, but I did not feel well at all.  I was getting sick.  I kicked it on the couch most of the day and then headed to work on Monday feeling poorly.  I had already put in for a personal day on my actual birthday (planning on a big ski and a big hike with Dixie while the rest of the world worked) but instead, I kicked it ANOTHER day on the couch.  Not my speed at all.  At 4pm I levitated and drove to Temple for a walk.  This is Dixie out on Varnum Pond around 4pm on my birthday.  It was an epically beautiful day and I was tortured to not feel well enough to celebrate in my most favorite way.  But one thing I love about being sick is how much it makes me appreciate when I feel well.  Jim and I had planned for dinner in Bethel at a favorite restaurant, but unable to taste, I canceled that plan begging for a rain check.

By NEXT weekend, I was feeling a lot better.  We had plans to spend the weekend at my parents with them and my sister and her family.  I told the kids (freshman and sophomore) that it was MY birthday and they had to go night sledding with me (full moon had been on Thursday).  We had a good time.  I think it helps that they know I take kids their age on trips like that one and those kids do it willingly.  It was an incredible night.  So much fun.  I have said it before, and I am saying it again, I LOVE where I grew up.

I decked Kylie in all kinds of my extra clothes.  She looked so cute.  And stud boy, I can't even believe how tall he is getting -- he left on Saturday for a DATE.  Gasp.  Too fast.  Too fast.  I remember when I would pick him up at daycare and he would drop whatever he had in his hand and beeline to me.  I took him on long nature walks, teaching him about acorns and trees.  My sister would marvel at my patience, but I loved it - loved him - and still do - so much.  And Kylie is getting cooler and cooler with every day.  I can't wait to take her on college tours.  I have already primed that pump with my sister.  She is a cool kid.  They are both super smart and kind.  And they love to laugh. 

Can you believe that's my sister?  She is tiny.  She is not outdoorsy (I know she looks it a little here, but really, she is trying super hard for my benefit).  But we are most certainly sisters.  She stayed outside for about a half hour - we stayed out far longer.  But when we came in she was crashed on the couch, all wrapped up in her flannel shirt (well, my mom's flannel) - sleeping.  30 minutes outside and she is done!  Not to mention she gets up at 4:30am to run with her running partners - anywhere from 6-10 miles.  So yeah, I guess we are sisters after all.

See the moon?  It was such a nice night.  Loved it.

Jim took this one - the house, the moon, the snow.  All we need in this shot is the river and it would be complete.

On Saturday, Kylie surprised me by joining me on my hike up White Cap.  She did awesome.  She took this one of me when I was taking pics of the gross wind project in Roxbury.  Why do I torture myself by taking pics of those eyesores?

Kylie - near the summit.

Summit

Near the car - almost done.

On Sunday Jim and I headed to the barn and the greenhouse.  We did some chores and then went for a killer (probably last) ski around Peru.  We were out for two hours and covered some miles.  This is where we sopped for a snack - on a bridge.  It was so warm out.  Absolutely awesome.

A week of work and the birthday love continued.  We decided to hit Sunday River on St. Patty's Day.  It was warm and epic.  We skied from 9:30 - 3:30 with one break.  Grabbed a beer at the Brew Haus at the bottom of White Cap and then headed to the Matterhorn for my birthday dinner.  The food was as excellent as it always is, and I was about as happy as I could be.  A full day outside and then a spell in a bar/restaurant where a cute waitress brought me drinks and good food -- all while sitting across from my sunny husband.  Soooooo nice.  It finally felt like my birthday was being appropriately recognized the way I like it to be. 

Liftie Love - I asked him where I could get some beads, and he gave me his.  Awwww.

Our one water/snack break (had to be HUNGRY for my dinner) - Dix is feeling the St. Patrick's Spirit.

Goose Eye - a favorite hike in the summer - it was looking good on Saturday.

Presidentials from the Observation Deck at The Rivah

Strapping in after a Sunday River Special Traverse - Goose Eye behind him

Once back to my parents, a quick sunset walk for Dixie then off to Farmington

Shrooms on Aunt Avis's Tree

On Sunday we drove fah to get a cap for Jim's truck - for the TRIP TO NC!!  Wahoo!!  Can't wait for that.  It's his turn to drive, and we needed the cap to keep gear dry and in our possession (not stolen).  Had to go clear to Waterboro for it, but of course I found a little hike to hit while there.  It was a non-view, but it was a walk on public land, and it went UP (my favorite) - if it is there, I will find it.  The guy who sold us the cap works at Lindt chocolate, and when I raised my eyes, he offered to give me a golden bunny.  The bunny is sitting next to a favorite pot from my girl Laura - given to me for a birthday - and that sits next to a carving by my friend Blue. 

Sunday Morning Sunrise Walk - over Temple Stream

Another year older, and now we are seriously in the thick of Spring.  Mountain biking is about three weeks away, and we are stoked.