Saturday was a day of firsts for Zayne. He had his first slalom ski race. He did great and didn't even miss any gates. Then Dan took the family out to Haines Steak House for Valentines Day dinner where he had his first T-bone steak, 20 ounces. He ate about half of it after eating two meals worth of food from the salad bar. He finished the rest of it for breakfast. I think Dan was proud of his little carnivore son.

Zayne's a winner and how skiing is work

Zayne was so proud to receive first place for the Scouts Pinewood Derby tonight. Yeah Zayne! Dan's hard work paid off.
I haven't done any posting for awhile. I know you all must be "pining" for my updates. In short, this is what we've been up to since November: holidays trips, homeschooling, skiing, visiting family in Utah, loving being with family, homeschooling, skiing, looking at houses, getting frustrated looking at houses, homeschooling, skiing, looking at lots, getting frustrated at the lack of lots, homeschooling, skiing, selling some of our Poodles, homeschooling, skiing and not much else.

Ah. . . the joy of frolicking through fresh fallen frosty flakes brings me such peace and exhileration at the same time. Since the skiing season began I feel that there is more sunshine beaming into our lives as it is one of our favorite family past times. I must admit that skiing on weekdays was one of the reasons we opted to homeschool. The children and I have even started XC skiing which has been interesting. After taking Zayne for the first time he stopped after 20 minutes and panted, "I thought this was going to be fun, but this is work." Hopefully they will stick with it.
Devon Zayne, Dan and Joshi at Alta
Devon getting to know his local snow.

Playing with the cousins in Deer Valley
Joshi

first blood

Yeah, one might think that recording such a picture is lame, and it is, but fellow mountain biking weirdos will understand why recording the first bike inflicted wounds after my surgery is important. It somewhat symbolizes a passage through an unseen barrier back into the sport. One of my great passions in life is mountain biking. It is a sport that truly fits my personality. It is wonderful to be outdoors and enjoy the beauty of God's creations. When I am alone on a mountain overlooking everything that He created I feel closer to Him. I am a person somewhat partial to higher elevations and mountain biking gets me there. Biking across the tops of mountain ranges fills a part of my soul that otherwise would be left empty. Let's face it, I also love the dirt, the sweat, the challenge of an obstacle, or the grind up a huge hill that makes me want to hurl.

The road back to mountain biking has been a lot longer than what I and the doctors expected. Aside from dealing with the physical challenges I find the mental challenges the toughest. One being that I find myself more protective of my body after that fall. That is why getting over the first wreck is important. To help push myself more, as in tough climbs, I imagine Jeff Diehl aside me saying, "Do you know your going 3.5 mph? You really should be at 10 mph. Come on! Push it harder!" Grr! He always had a way to get me riled. Or I might imagine Mark Bolton come up from behind. "I can't left Bolton pass!" These guys along with Mark Anderson, Mike Perdue and Rich Eddy were in a riding group that I tagged along with in Colorado. I miss having such a good group of friends to ride with. I am riding with some guys from the local bike shop now, but who can compare the guys that introduced me to Nutrolls as trail food, the fact that having your camera on the trial is almost as important as a spare tube, (well that is an exaggeration), and "The Cowboy Song" by Thin Lizzy? Love the rocky trails in CO for me guys.

lake powell

Cousins, aunts, one uncle, Grammi, Bampa, sand, sun, warm smooth water, cards, dice, meteor showers, fishing and a good book. Can things be any better? Oh, and yes, I did water ski and wake board. Thanks Grammi and Bampa for a great time!

knee stuff

Today in PT I did 20 minutes jogging on the treadmill. I really shouldn't call it jogging as it is more of a grandma trot, but I'll take it. I am so pumped to be moving again. Last night I trotted for about 15 minutes around my neighborhood in the warm rain. It felt so good. I felt like me again. My stamina is up on the bike also, though I am still slow, but who cares, I am outside and moving. Ah. . . I love playing outdoors.

Today it is 91 F. It sounds like a good day for a float on the James. I'll miss the James River more than anything else in Richmond.

nyc shopping newbie

Since last Thursday I have been in New York City with my friend Liza Anderson. It has been a fun girl's trip shopping, seeing broadway shows and visiting Liza's favorite old haunts. Liza used to live here a few years back. Today we hit church, ate at the Glen and Marsha Nelson's house and walked through most of Cenrtal Park. My knee is doing great with all the walking and stairs. The repitative movements proabably broke down some of my scar tissue.

Before I left home Dan told me that I needed to come home with some new clothes. I wasn't looking forward to shopping because I actually hate to shop unless I am at a REI or Go Lite sale. Liza has been a sport holding my hand while we shop. At first I was really out of my comfort zone, but Liza made the whole ordeal fun and I actually started enjoying this new female ritual. She'd give me the thumbs up, thumbs down, or tell me I looked to much like a grandma or bar maid.

bikes, bikes bikes

I know. I know. I have an "irrational devotion" to my bikes, an obsession. Yesterday evening my new Fetish frame came. The bright red paint says, "Shazam!" Its hot, hot hot. You might be thinking, "Didn't Heather just get another new Titus frame?" The answer is yes. But, that bike has gears. The new Fetish will be a single speed.















The last week has been like Christmas for me. All this wouldn't have been half as fun without Dan there obsessing with me. I get excited to ride again just watching his enthusiasm for building up my bikes. That is a good thing he feels that way because putting together things frustrates me. Last night we got home from the Bodeans' concert around 11:30 pm, past our bedtime. He stayed up for about an hour putting most of the bike together. That is true love. It could also be his way of saying, "Lets get you biking and get some meat back on those bones."

Our living room is now getting a little tight with bikes. Yes, I did say living room. We just love our bikes.














My old Titus.

Let me add on a bit here. This evening I went for my first bike ride since my last surgery. I put it in the easiest gear and went for a blissful stroll around a few blocks. It couldn't have been a lovelier evening. Blossoms were blowing in the spring breeze like cheerful snowflakes. Birds were happily singing. I even saw a bluebird in a blossoming Dogwood tree. I arrived home with revived energy and found Dan finishing up my Fetish. What an evening.

Rusted Root

For the past four years Rusted Root has been at the top of my "Must See in Concert" list. Their music is original, the percussion work is phenomenal, and its just plain fun crazy music that makes you want to dance. For years it has been our family's "Get Ready to Ski" music. Every time we hear it, especially "Drum Trip," we think of getting our coats, boots and goggles on. Last night Dan and I watch Rusted Root perform here in Richmond. It was everything that I hoped for, energetic beats combined with orignal instumentation, superb vocals, tribal like drums, but minus me dancing. Thanks Dan for sharing the evening with me. Looking forward to seeing The Bodeans this Monday with you and John.

Utah folks, Rusted Root is performing at The Canyon April 5th. Check them out at:

http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=115306309

Bodeans site:

http://www.bodeans.com/index.shtml

getting my cheese kicked

Today Dr. Laughran gave me the okay to start putting weight on my leg. I am starting by walking with two crutches and gently putting a bit of weight on my left. He said it could take me 3 - 4 weeks to walk without crutches. I think I'll throw a party here when that happens.

Walking with both feet contacting the ground is much easier on my body. I am hoping this will enable me to be more mobile for field trips with the kids. When I first got back on the recumbent bike at the gym I was so slow. Darn slow. The bike's monitor kept turning off because I wasn't fast enough. The old lady next to me must have been feeling pretty good for she was kicking my cheese. I better get used to that for awhile.