Mud's Here

One LAST (sniff sniff) ski this past Sunday up at Sugarloaf.  Alison and I met at the Outdoor Center and skied for a couple of hours.  There was still so much snow up there on the trails, and it was a bluebird day.  Capris and short-sleeves the whole way.  It was excellent to be out there with her and the dogs and the few other hardcore types like us.  Everyone we saw was all smiles.  Then to The Bag for lunch and back to her place to meet her new puppy.  An epic day.  I will miss the snow; I already do.

Dixie, Jack and Phoenix waiting in the woods.

As Al and I do, we got off piste and tried to connect a section to the alpine hill.  We were unable to make the connection but got this stellar view of the Bigelow Range.  God, I love skiing.

My incredible sister came up Monday and Tuesday (stayed overnight) to help me paint and clean our house for selling.  We got a lot done (it is amazing to me how little I can do well and with energy these days) and had an excellent walk in the Farmington fields on Monday evening.  She got a little taste of life up here, and it was nice to have her here.  She rarely makes it up here, so it was good, and I am so thankful.

And this is what people are so hot to get to?  Mud season!!  Nah, I know it is summer that people really want, but damn, mud season with dogs is not that much fun.  I mean it's fun in the woods, but then when they load up in the car or need to be wiped down after a walk, it's not as much fun.  This is my Temple trail - where I ski religiously.  Not skiing this day - walking in the mud.  And of COURSE Dixie found the deadest, ripest, grossest SOMEthing to roll in.  God did she stink.  She got a full on bath once home.  Jim took one for the pregnancy team and did it for me.  I had walked with them for an hour and was making dinner, so he washed her for us.  Good man. (Not to mention him wearing the "Empathy Belly" at our birthing class this past Saturday.  He wore it for over an hour and tried to run up the steps with it - it has boobs and everything.)  Again, good man.

Melting.

First one back when called...

Last one back when called - before the carcass - it came very soon after.

A washed Dixie - she does not look nearly as ashamed as she should.  I almost think she rolled in the carcass because I had given her a serious brushing before the walk - I am sure that did not sit well with her wild ways.

On Friday we had plans to eat dinner at Ebeneezer's in Lovell with Jesse and Ian.  It was forecasted to be a beautiful day, so I planned a hike up White Cap with the dogs.  Epic day to be out.  Took some photos around Mom and Dad's before heading up the trail.  This is the Ellis along the backyard.

Next winter's (yay!!!) woodpile.

Summit of White Cap - Old Speck and Bald Pate - no matter how many times I am up there (I wonder how many) I never tire of the view or the photo opps.

Someday Bigger - White Heat.  The Presidentials in the background - Washington still has snow - bet Tuckerman's is good this spring.

28 weeks along - 12 weeks until due date.  Self timer and Jim's shirt : )

Dixie May

Phoenix J 

Birthing class the next day at CMMC.  Holy SHIT labor looks INTENSE!  Duh, right?  I know, but still...it was just a little scary.  But how many woman have done it?  Many.  I am tough.  I can do it.  I know my mind body connection and ability to focus through pain and discomfort and really get crap done will help me, but as Jim and I talked on the way home, I heard him when he said, "You are just going to do what you have to do.  You can't judge yourself or be anything in that moment that you are not authentically being."  I want to be tough and brave and not be a baby (I value toughness and grit), and I had verbalized that to him, and that is how he responded.  He is right.  Glad he will be right there beside me...it's going to be wild and amazing.  

And now, the home stretch -- back to school for about seven weeks.  Annnnnnd...GO!