Skating is back!

January 10, 2019 I started adult figure skating lessons. I kept at it once a week until May when the lessons wrapped up.  Lessons started up again tonight.  Tonight I worked on 3 turns, edges and a few other elements.

I'll track my progress on the blog and see where it takes me :)

Skating and Skiing

We seem to be all in as far as winter sports go this year. Between hockey, figure skating and skiing, we have been busy!

Vic and I took Fynn up to Silver Star today.  Being March 3, we are never too sure how much more good ski days are left before the conditions turn to more spring-like.

Today was probably the best day we have had. It was crisp, clear and snow was beautifully groomed.  I think it was ski day #9.  Sophie had dance practice, but she has easily skied about 11 or 12 times as she is picking up extra skiing as a member of the high school ski club.  This video shows Fynn really tearing it up!  He's really come a long way this season. 

When we got home from the mountain today, I headed out to public skating, as I am trying to get as much skating in as possible.  My skates are getting more comfortable, but still not 100%. I had my 8th lesson last Thursday, and I think today was my 4th-time public skating in 2019.

Figure Skating

One of my 2019 intentions (or goals) was to become a better figure skater.  I took lessons for two years in 1976 and 1977.  I liked it but I think due to my shyness and general anxiety, I didn't really want to continue, plus my mom had 2 other kids that took skating too and I think it got to be too much.  Fast forward to this past December when my work did a fun family skate.  I really enjoyed it and realized how good it felt to be on the ice and not worried about anything or "in my head" as that is where I seem to spend a lot of my time.

We skated a couple of more times over Christmas and it really twigged something in me.  I started checking into adult skating lessons and found out that I could take them with our local skating club.  They are not true adult lessons, as there are kids (I'd say early teens and a few 10 year olds) but there are a couple of adults too.  It's kind of cool, but my co-worker Randi has also joined in the lessons after seeing a few Facebook posts I made about skating.

After a couple of lessons my coach suggested a new pair of skates would be in order.  That brought me to being fitted with new skates at Blade Runner (which was a two trip process).  My skates had to be ordered and then heat molded to my feet. They are beautiful skates, but the first time I put them on I hated them.  They really hurt and I could not imagine actually skating on them.  I wore them this past Thursday to lessons and it was a little scary getting a feel for the blade.  The right boot in particular hurt like crazy and I formed a painful blister about 30 minutes into the class.  Everyone at my lessons said it will take some time to get used to them.  I was really second guessing my decision to spend $300 on new skates after the pain I was feeling. I decided to public skating today and I must say they are about 75% better than Thursday.  The left foot feels good and the right foot is almost bearable.  My front cross overs and my edge work are coming back.  I did the lunge and several small two foot jumps and they all felt good.

So far (since I am a counter) I have had 7 lessons, and gone public skating 3 times this year.  I'm hoping to get in as many times on the ice before the season ends.

moving the marble

We are committed that the kids will learn the fundamentals in the 3s.  Skiing, skating and swimming.  Fynn finished up his 6th and final skating lesson today.  He has come along nicely and Vic who has been taking him, remarked that he is really getting the "glide/push off" piece.

Yah, for Fynn moving the marble or making progress.

A bit fuzzy, but here he is.

hockey jersey day

Salmon Arm celebrated Jersey today where you could wear your hockey jersey to work or school to show your hockey spirit for Hockeyville.

Most of our staff wore wearing jerseys today, and here is a photo of Cherie and I in ours.  I borrowed a New Jersey Devil's jersey from a coworker.  Fynn wore his Canucks jersey (of course) to school.

In other related news, Fynn is enrolled in 6 skating lessons every Thursday afternoon.  We are trying to get him a bit more comfortable on the ice.

Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Day in Oliver

I love this poem of Robert Frost.


Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening


Whose woods these are I think I know.

His house is in the village though;

He will not see me stopping here

To watch his woods fill up with snow.


My little horse must think it queer

To stop without a farmhouse near

Between the woods and frozen lake

The darkest evening of the year.


He gives his harness bells a shake

To ask if there is some mistake.

The only other sound’s the sweep

Of easy wind and downy flake.


The woods are lovely, dark and deep,

But I have promises to keep,

And miles to go before I sleep,

And miles to go before I sleep.



Robert Frost, “Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening” from The Poetry of Robert Frost, edited by Edward Connery Lathem. Copyright 1923, © 1969 by Henry Holt and Company, Inc., renewed 1951, by Robert Frost.

This photo is of my kids and their cousins and my brother playing pond hockey. It is located just down the road from my parents house and was a pond that we skated on many winters as kids. I have fond memories of being out there is the cold, bumping along (frozen pond ice is bumpy) and having loads of fun. I am grateful my kids are able to experience it too.

Happy New Year!

hectic mondays

Mondays are my hectic days. Actually, it is Monday afternoon.

After Fynn's nap and my lunch, we drive over to Baby Talk at our local health unit. Yesterday the discussion was about car seats. It was information that I had heard before and I didn't find the speaker very interesting or too informative. She didn't have children and had never installed a car seat. Argh!

We then head over to Sophie's daycare and pick her up at 3pm and bring her home. Snacks and a bit of TV, then it's off to go to skating lessons. Dad and Fynn also come along. My little girl made me so proud today when she did the whole lesson without needing me to come out on the ice with her. Sophie's little friend Hunter was also there, so that really helped. Sophie's attitude has come a long way with skating. Considering the tears and "I cant's" that she went through earlier in the fall.

When get home about 5pm and then I quickly get changed and nurse Fynn and then it's my turn for some exercise at the gym.

Back home for dinner with the family. After dinner Sophie plays for a bit and gets ready for her bath. Usually around then Vic is heading out for his time at the gym for a run on the treadmill.

I always feel extremely productive after a Monday, but they are busy and chock a block full.