In about four hours, this is where Becky and I will be. I can't wait! The first skiing of the season. I love night skiing. Partly because it's how I first learned, I'm sure. I'll always remember my first time up the mountain. I asked Jim if I could spend some time on the rope-tow hill (yes I was a little scared). After one time down the little slope, Jim said, "You're ready...come on!" and we boarded the chair lift. Believe me...I was not feeling ready. Many falls later, that first ride seems like a breeze.

One of my favorite parts about night skiing is gliding through an area where the lights fail to illuminate. For a few dark seconds, you have no idea what's in front of you and the little bumps and dips in the terrain throw you off balance. Just enough out of control to still be having fun. When there is no wind, I love the quiet swish of snow carved off the edge of the skis.

Becky started skiing last year, and she picked it up like a champ. I can't wait to be up on the chair lift with my wife...my arm wrapped around her (cause it'll be cold tonight) with the bitter breeze on our noses. I love being able to do little tricks to try to impress her. I'll most likely fall and embarass myself, but it's a good excuse to laugh together. And I love being able to encourage her and watch her confidence grow and see her make progress. It's a joy all around!

Woohoo!! Can't wait to be up there!

Just you wait, Carson!

Today, Jim and I planned a lunch outing that included a trip to REI (for new trekking poles) and a visit to the brand new POPEYE's restaurant that opened near work. We've actually been counting down the days till it opened, and in fact, we thought yesterday was the day (due to some erroneous info from someone...coughstephanie). So I guess the story starts yesterday. We were ready for some chicken y'all. As we drove up to the restaurant, we read the sign that said, "Opens Nov 16th!" We quickly realized that it was only the 15th and we would have to come back tomorrow...today.

So we drove into the parking lot (which was noticeably full). I saw some reverse lights and in a cat-like move hit the clutch with my left foot, hit the brake with my right, rocked my right foot over to the gas to keep my beater from dying, and flipped my blinker on to claim the spot before the van circling the lot could see it...all in about 0.45 seconds. It was impressive...Jim said so. After that unprecedented move, I realized that the van contained an elderly woman, and I felt that I had an unfair advantage due to my youthful and skilled driving. So...Hesitantly, I turned off my blinker and waved her into the spot. I am a nice guy. Fortunately, there was a miscommunication and she thought I was just waving at her to get out of the way. So when she drove by without turning into the spot, I counted it as good fortune (or parking lot karma) and pulled in.

As soon as we cleared the first row of cars and could see the door to the restaurant, we were met with a horrendous sight. The line was out the door, and there were approximately 329 cars in the drive-through line. Our stomachs would have to wait another day (or a week if it stays like this) to be rewarded with fried chicken and biscuits.

We gave up the dream and headed to REI. As we pulled into the parking lot, I spotted a new restaurant called "Buffalo Wing something or other". Jim had mentioned this place a couple days ago, so I pointed at it excitedly as if to say (because for some reason my mouth didn't work), "Look Jim! There's that place you talked about the other day. I'm glad you hyped it up, because now we get to have lunch there!" But mostly I just went, "ah...uh....hmm." So we made a quick trip into REI, and I decided on a nice set of Black Diamond flick-lock poles.

The wing place was good. I commented to Jim, "So basically Hooters without the tight shirts." (I actually said "boobies," but sometimes my mom reads this blog.) He concurred...Although neither of us have been to Hooters! (we saw it on The Office). When the non-tight shirtted waitress asked us what kind of sauce we wanted on the wings, we said, "What are our options." Bad question...there are 14 different kinds...so we chose Honey BBQ and Caribbean Jerk. Not bad...the latter was a little spicy, but it was good nonetheless.

Aaaaaanyway. Just thought I would share a little of my day with you.

PB

Learning is fun!

I had forgotten how rewarding it is to apply your mind to a new concept, and then see yourself putting the pieces together.

I've been on auto-pilot for a while now, and today I'm thankful for some new challenges.

That's all! Never stop challenging yourself!

-PB Robbins

:-)

PB

Wha happen'd?!?! That's right, it was time to overhaul my digital facade. I'm actually surprised it took me this long. Today we had a marvelous lunch at the Olive Garden with the Jaggers and Thompsons. Nothing like a bowl of soup and several (or seven) breadsticks on a rainy Portland Saturday afternoon. Yum! Prior to that, however, Becky and I realized that it's possible to accumulate bags and bags and bags full of junk in 5 years of marriage. We need to take another visit to Wenatchee so we can be inspired anew by the Posenjaks' organizational skills. We've been in our new apartment for about 2 weeks now. In the first couple days, we brought over all of the things we needed. Since then, we've happily inhabited our unit without even thinking about all the stuff we left over there. Kinda makes me think we don't need most of it. So this morning, Becky and I spent about 3 hours dumping old papers and school notebooks (not the education ones, Dad...I know your heart started beating a little faster), ridiculous souvenirs, CD cases, dried up aquarium salt, etc...etc...etc...

Anyway...so, sometimes I think about what you all look like when you are blogging away in your respective domiciles. In case you're anything like me, this is for you:



PB

We had a wonderfully full weekend! Enjoy a few of the pictures.

PB

This is my friend Kristen's baby, Amelia. Kristen took the pic, but I was proud of the treatment I gave it, so I thought I'd post it.

PB