Vancouver - Spring Break 2021

 It's been awhile, but here is what we have been up to:

1. School and work.  Sophie is only doing school 2-3 days a week due to the pandemic, while Fynn goes full time.  Still mandatory masks at work and in businesses.

2. Lots of running and CrossFit.  The Open 2021 is on right now. We have completed 2 of the 3 workouts, with the next one coming up this Friday.  I can say that I have double unders finally in decent shape and I can grind out about 3 ring dips unassisted.  Ring dips haven't appeared in a workout yet!  I run about 4 mornings a week with Joedine, Lindsay, Joanna and Christina. I love it. It's hard getting up at 5am, but it has been a real game changer. I am running about 100 km per month, something I never would have imagined I could do years ago.  I also did a long trail run on the weekend with Sophie and some of the early morning run crew.

3. Fynn has officially finished minor hockey for the season, but he is still in hockey as part of his school programming.

4. We took a much needed mini vacation to Vancouver. Staying at the Westin Bayshore.  Mom and Dad have their vaccines (first dose) so it will be good to see them at Easter in a couple of week.

It's been awhile...pre Christmas getaway

 I haven't been on my blog in months.  But, we are in the holiday season and enjoyed 3 nights and 2 full days at Silver Star Mountain in the Snowbird lodge.  It's so convenient, I can't quite get over the fact that we can get up in the morning and go skiing!  We don't have to wrangle kids out of bed and drive an hour (not that is a hardship) and then get our skis out of our locker.  We are staying right on the mountain and we couldn't have asked for a better-situated unit. This year it's especially good because due to COVID they have closed the lockers so when we did ski earlier this week we had to get changed/get on our gear in our car/parking

Vacation - Kye Bay

 Back in 2008, when the kids were very little, we went to Kye Bay which is a fairly secluded area off the Comox peninsula.  Vic had great childhood memories staying there. When we stay here over 10 years ago it made the comment that it was rustic.  Perhaps using that term now would be too kind, as I would call the guest rooms that we were in run-down and a bit of a dump.  Between the bed that broke on the first night to the mold in the bathroom to the sloping floor, it has seen much better days.  After 3 nights we checked out and booked into the Old House Hotel.  Lovely!  I was not raised with a silver spoon in my mouth by any stretch, but this was no way to spend a holiday and it was so crummy I just wanted to go home.  Much better now that we are in some nicer accommodations :)

Tomorrow we are going up to Mount Washington.  Looking forward to that!

COVID-19 or Life During the Great Lockdown of 2020

Our lives have changed since mid-March

when the Province of BC declared a state of emergency.  Our spring break trip to Vancouver was canceled, the kids didn't return to in-class sessions, my workplace changed quickly (most of my team is now working from home) and some stressful days to help make preparations to support our staff through the pandemic.  Personally, I am missing Crossfit classes, my hairdresser, manicurist and going to the movies. On the positive side, we are able to take Zoom Crossfit classes with some of our 5:30pm crew. We are also doing more running, however our 1/2 marathon planned for early May in Vancouver was cancelled. We hope this ends soon and life can get back to some level of "new normal."

A fun ski day!

After a bout of -20 for about 3 days last week, our normal winter temperatures are back so we decided to head up to Silver Star. Sophie had to work at McDonald's, so it was just the three of us today.

The conditions were great.  Christmas Bowl was the most fun in my opinion.  A little bit of wind in the Vance Creek runs, but

nothing too bad.

running over Christmas

Vic and I have been running (with Sophie) each day since Christmas.  We are on day 3 of our running challenge, adding a kilometer each day.  I love my new Garmin Forerunner watch.  It's so great to be able to accurately record your distance.  Here is a photo of  our run today in Oliver near one of the oxbows adjacent to the river channel.

Tired mom

I can almost breathe again.  The past month has been crazy as usual.  My body, mind and soul feel tired.  Work, kids, fitness, hockey, skating, home stuff...the list goes on.  The usual Christmas activities have been full on the past couple of weeks.  Once my work Christmas party is over, I do tend to relax a bit more as a work party never feels like you can be "off" as I feel that I have to be very much "on."

On a fun note, we had our annual Christmas Crossfit Throwdown fun competition on Saturday.  My party Wendy and I had a great time and did fairly well too.

On Sunday, we went to Silver Star for our first ski day of the season.

ski

Around here..

It's been the usual busy week around here.

Work, kids' activities and fitness related stuff for us.  Sophie competed in the Valley's Cross Country race this week and qualified for Provincials in Abbotsford.  She's had a great running season.

The kids both had a Pro D day today. Fynn went to the mechatronics camp.  He and his friend Taylor made a cool robot.  Fynn's a bright kid.  He is building his own computer at home purchasing the various parts as he can afford them.  Love how his mind works.  He also took a keen interest in the recent federal election.

Vic and I are competing in the Crossfit Open again this year.  We had workout 20.3 today.  I finally kicked up from the floor into a handstand.  Now it is time to work on the push up portion of the movement.  Very difficult.

10 km - race day!

It's done! Broken down by stats: Sophie placed 21st overall out of over 602 participants! 5/393 females!! She placed 1st in women under 19 with her time of 44:37 chip time, 44:46 official time. A podium placement 🥇

Vic placed 48th overall, 32 for guys and 6th for his age category out of 36. Well done! His time was 49:23 (chip time), 49:33 official time. He did this 49:31 two years ago.

I had a PB that I was really working hard for. 54:24 (chip time), 54:34 official time. I was 104th overall, 46th for females out of 393 and 6th in my age category out of 65. I did this race in 58:39 two years ago. It was hard. Really hard and had nothing left in my tank but very pleased with my race. 

Thoughts for next time:  it helped to stay in Kelowna the night before.  We stayed at the Grand, so no parking hassles.  We just walked to the race.  A light jog also seemed to help as we walk/ran to warm up.  No coffee before the race, but Aleve helps (no tummy troubles).  To increase my time, I will need to do some tempo runs at my lactate threshold.  I was hurting and even though I shaved 4 minutes off my time (which is huge) I ended completely spent with nothing, NOTHING in the tank.  I am very tired.

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 :)

Alaska Trip

In July, we took our Alaskan Cruise with Celebrity Cruises (Eclipse ship).  We traveled from Vancouver, through the Inside Passage, stopping in Sitka, Juneau and Ketchikan Alaska and returning to Vancouver.  2058 nautical miles.

It was our "replacement" trip for our canceled Italy trip when our Uniworld River Cruise ship was involved in an accident which caused our trip to be postponed (we are going next summer instead).  We have no regrets about going to Alaska.  It was an amazing experience.  The ship was lovely, but most of all the incredible scenery was stunning.

Fynn's First Tennis Tournament

Fynn wrapped up his spring tennis lessons today by taking part in the Rogers Rookie tournament at the Salmon Arm tennis club today.  Fynn placed 2nd in his grouping.  Way to go, Fynn!

29 years!

Wow!  Our 29 year wedding anniversary this past weekend.  It was a busy time with Sophie working for a shift at McDonald's on Saturday, Fynn playing a bit of tennis at the grand opening of the new indoor tennis facility, Vic and I at the Crossfit Spring Shakedown and then a fundraising dinner for the tennis club later that evening.  On top of that, Sophie had her year-end dance recital.  While Saturday was super busy, we were able to go out for a quiet breakfast on Sunday.

Remembering

I have a few posts that I need to get written, such as going into the experience of the recent CPHR conference and the award I was presented with, but it seems more appropriate to remember my Uncle Richard who passed away last night.

We were in Oliver visiting my parents for the Easter weekend when we learned of the sudden decline in his health.  He is one of my dad's younger brothers and has been part of my life growing up in Oliver.  He leaves behind his wife Linda, and grown children Barb and Dean.  My fondest memories of him are seeing him at the Oliver Arena in the concession stand (he volunteered for the Lions Club) and in the Oliver Town Pool every summer. We would often drop in when we were visiting and we would find him there taking a cool dip.

He will be missed. (In the photo he is at far right).

Obituary

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.

Fynn - hockey

Here is Fynn (#20) playing defense for his hockey team.  It's the PeeWee tournament this weekend, so lots of hockey for us.  Not relishing the early start tomorrow morning, but proud of how he is playing, working as a good team member, building his accountability (he packs his hockey bag, I don't) and giving him focus and something to do in these long Canadian winters.

Christmas 2018

The weeks leading up to Christmas were the usual stressful gauntlet run that I typically do.  The parties, recitals, dance program,s, shopping, and decorating. 

A few things did help this year to keep the month of December a bit more manageable:

- we stayed in Salmon Arm for Christmas and didn't head down to my parents until the 28th.  They visited Salmon Arm which was nice.

- we bought a tree that, I swear, has not dropped a needle yet. It is a Nordman Fir.  It has excellent needle retention and just a light scent so if you have allergies, they are great.

- I did a lot of shopping on line.  It is just plain easier.  I did a bit of local shopping too, so I wasn't guilty of not supporting our local economy.

- I stuck to my tried and true routine for sending out Christmas cards. I get them in the mail early, so even if I don't do anything else, I feel very productive about that.

Here is a photo of a sleigh ride my aunt planned for the family on Christmas Eve. It was lovely.

My Birthday

My 51st birthday. Mixed feeling about birthdays these days. While I enjoy the festivities, it isn't the most pleasant getting older.  I don't feel 51 however, and I have a lot to be thankful for.

Some of my workmates and I went out for lunch today.  Vic got me a lovely Jenny Bird necklace and the kids got me a new hair dryer and mine died a few months ago and I  have been using Sophie's.  On Saturday evening, we went out for dinner with our friends, Kim, Bryan and Patti.

Sophie got a job!

I'm so proud of Sophie. Earlier this fall she had a goal that when cross country running club wrapped up, she would try to get a job at McDonald's.  A couple of weeks ago, we went on line and found out how to apply (including uploading her resume).  Within a few days she had a return email requesting an interview. She had her first interview this past Friday and then a second follow up interview today.  She got a phone call later today that she got the job!  She goes and picks up her orientation package this week.

I'm so excited for her. Such a big step in her independence.