Honeymoon Preparation I

*Whew! I'm glad I read this before our trip! I was starting to think I wouldn't know how to handle it.*

From The WORST-CASE SCENARIO Survival Handbook: EXTREME EDITION

HOW TO SKI OFF A 100-FOOT DROP

1. Look for danger below.

Just before you ski off the edge of the cliff, look down and out over the slope. If your projected path takes you toward rocks, trees, or another cliff, change your takeoff angle by jumping to the left or right so you will head toward safer, wide-open terrain.

2. Jump up and off the ledge.

Just as you are leaving the ground, hop up and slightly forward to help you clear any rocks or other obstructions that may be hidden just below the ledge and that could knock you off balance.

3. Pull your legs and skis up and tuck them under your rear end.

This compressed "ball" position will help you maintain balance while airborne and help you to land safely.

4. Thrust both arms out in front of you, elbows slightly bent.

Avoid the "cat out the window" position, where your arms and hands are splayed out above your head. That position will put you off balance when you land.

5. Look out, not down.

Looking down at the ground will lead to a "door hinge" landing, where you bend forward at the waist and plant your face in the slope. Look out over the mountain.

6. Focus on a suitable landing site.

Land on very steep terrain. Avoid a low-angled slope or, worse, a flat section of the mountain. As long as the snow is powder and at least one foot deep, you should be able to land without serious injury.

7. Bend your knees as you land.

As you approach the side of the mountain, keep your knees bent to absorb the force of the impact with the ground. Avoid leaning back, which will cause a "tail first" landing and probable back injury. If you cannot ski away from a landing, land on your hip. Do not lean too far forward or you will fall on your face.

8. Extend your feet, bend your knees, and turn across (or "into") the mountain to slow down.

Because of your extreme speed while airborne, you must minimize acceleration by turning as soon as you land, or you risk hurtling down the mountain out of control. Modern skis should stay on top of deep powder instead of sinking, giving you a reasonable amount of control.

9. Continue making turns to keep control and reduce speed as you ski away.

BE AWARE

• If you feel yourself falling backward while airborne, move your hands further in front of you and make fast circular motions, forward and back. This balancing maneuver is called "rolling down the windows."
• In any jump greater than 15 feet, avoid landing in the same spot a previous jumper landed; the snow will already be compacted and will not provide sufficient cushioning.
  

Let's make a deal

Two weeks or so ago Mr. P made a trip up to the neighbor's house above us to see who they use to do their lawn. Yesterday, the guy came down to the house to talk about what we'd like done and how much he would charge.

Well, turns out he used to live in my house! He's married to the woman from whom I bought the house! He's the one who put all the planters in and I'm pretty sure he also built the firepit. I hope we haven't disappointed him too much by how we've let it grow up!

I had called a different guy to come and give an estimate, but I think I'll scratch it. This other guy is just too perfect. He knows the property lines, what's planted (weeds vs. plants), and he's charging a lot less than I expected. He's going to trim up the hedge (great b/c I don't have a hedge trimmer), cut off some lower branches of the trees above the house, clear out the rubus (blackberry--man I hate that stuff) from the front of the house, and do the regular weedeating. I can't wait! I wouldn't even do this work for the amount he's charging. And then he wasn't even worried about getting paid. He says, 'Well, if I don't get it the first time, I'll just get it the next time.'

Too bad he can't come by until next week. :o(

2 Notations

1. My veggies are growing! The watermelon plant has finally started growing, I have peppers (hot & bell), a real nice yellow squash (last year I had a problem with bugs, so I'm diggin' this nice looking squash), two big ol' tomatoes, some killer cucumbers (have never actually seen these suckers grow), and cilantro that's so potent it'll knock your socks off. My lettuce is still hanging in there--not doing much of anything really. And the strawberries are non-existant. Damn you birds! My fiance is in charge of making a scare crow, but I think that's not high on his priority list.

2. Had a job interview for a receptionist position at a new dermatology clinic in town. I'm super excited about this and have a second interview with the doctor on Monday. We discussed the possibility of me moving up in the clinic (because of my advanced degree--hardy har), so that's pretty frickin' awesome. Definitely better than the sporadic paychecks I'm currently receiving...or not receiving rather.

Need to go. Have to get up at 5:15a to go feed some people breakfast. Ugh. What one will do for money. I guess I should count my blessings.

Such hostility!

I went to Walmart today and got CornPops, 2 packs of thank you cards, & provolone cheese. Since I didn't have my grocery bags with me, I told the cashier that I'd just carry them out without a bag. WHOA NELLY was that the wrong thing to say. She got very upset and informed me quite rudely that I'd have to show the Walmart welcomer (is that their official title?) my receipt as I left. I politely informed her that that was fine with me. She then yelled across the way to the welcomer that I would be leaving without a bag *gasp* and that she would need to check my receipt on the way out. The cashier then, with attitude mind you, tried to let me know that I would need to push...oh wait, I'VE ALREADY DONE IT YOU IDIOT! She tried to get all snotty when I didn't push no cash back, but alas, I had already done everything...just waiting on you to push your little 'Debit' button Miss Walmart Meanie. Sorry, she really perturbed me.

Final vindication: I started to stop by the welcomer and the lady waved me on and said, "Oh, you're fine...go on." Take that you silly cashier!

Whirlwind of a weekend

I figured I'd be recovered by now, but when you get sick the first day back in your house, it makes the recovery even harder.

The bridal shower was on Saturday and just about went off without a hitch. There was some family feuding before and after (only 1 of which related to the shower), but I ignored it as best as I could. It was a little awkward because I didn't know a lot of the people and didn't know where to look to thank the person whose present I had just opened. I was also a little nervous to make sure Mr. P's mom, grandmother, and cousin felt at ease. They all had driven a substantial distance and I was (am) really honored.

We had our engagement session Sunday with my bridal portraits taken after Mr. P left. I had my makeup done at Mac (they only hire makeup artists btw--as opposed to anyone off the street) and was worried it was too much, but I think it worked. I can't wait to get the proofs! We had so much fun doing them...we got some in front of the pond, on the dock, in the barn, and I got some in my dress in the hay field and in the creek. It was such a let down too when we were done, and the only thing I had to show for it was stinky armpits and running makeup. I wanted to see the pictures right away!

On Monday I went with my mom to the wedding venue and I think I nailed down where the ceremony will take place. Woo! We also went by the rental place to look at linens. We narrowed it down to two and then we were told one was $39 per linen and the other was $40. I think we'll go with the $16 polyester, thank you.

I got home Monday afternoon and quickly realized there's little space left in this house for the bridal shower presents. Where do you put an 18qt roaster when you're already storing crockpots on top of your refrigerator?? It's a sad day when 960 sq ft is too small for two people.

I can't wait to move.

I got sick this morning and it pretty much ruined my mood for the entire day. That's expected I guess. Despite this, I still managed to reserve our hotel room for our wedding night and reserve the room in which we'll have the day after wedding brunch (lunch?) for select guests. The lady was so cute...she was really excited to put it under my new married name. She even added the "Mrs." which she normally doesn't do apparently. We got a pretty good deal on the room too!

I also still managed to go into the lab and run a gel that I wasn't able to do on Friday. Now I'm at work waiting for my other half to bring dinner. I only have 2 hours left to go!

Job interview tomorrow! I've never wanted a job so badly.

My lilies

My lilies have finally bloomed! I've been waiting months! I had no idea it would take them this long.