Sunday - Day 14 - Slow Down Day

I know what you`re thinking, yes, I know...slow down! From What! (The question mark isn`t working right now, so insert them in your mind`s eye, as need be.)

I really hadn`t spent the time with my hosts as I felt I should, so I wiled away the morning sitting in our chalet, drinking tea, doing laundry, watching some Games coverage, and having a great visit with Loraine. I also made a long call home, and found out you guys were all getting together at Mom`s with the cousins for Rosalee`s (my sister-in-law) birthday, and that made me a bit homesick. Happy B-day Rosalee!!

There was a Men`s Super G Race today, but it was finishing by the time I slowly made my way from home.

Another sunny day on the mountain, fantastic conditions, and met two local girls (separately) who each took me under their wing, and lead me down new runs I hadn`t tried, and I can`t believe this, but I actually descended a black diamond mogul run!!! It wasn`t pretty as far as technique goes, but hey, I did it. Thanks to Louise from Whislter, and Laura from Vancouver for being my guides - oh, and Laura for pitching in to a mountain-top rendition of Happy Birthday to You for Rosalee over the phone, followed by my technological struggle to send Rosalee a video message of the panoramic vista.

I had the best of intentions to go to Mass today - no, seriously, I did - those of you who know me well, know that that is something that I want, need, and love to do, and with the view from the church that I described in last week`s blog, that`s a bonus reason! Aaaanyway, I downloaded at 4pm, giving me plenty of time to get my gear off, and hop the bus to the church by 5pm, but juust as I was stepping out of the gondola, I realized ``Aghh!! I`ve left my backpack up at midstation``, so I had to sit right back down, and ride the gondola back up, retrieve my pack, and ride down once more - no way I could make it to the church on time. (I feel a song coming on! That`s for you Dad! )

I really needed that pack too, as it was full of my girly clothes and makeup for the evening, as the `Cool Kids` (the Course Crew from my station for races) were going out for dinner, and had invited me to join them. So, after the transformation from Smurf clothes to my civvies, we met up at the Weasel House for a few aperitifs, and then walked over to the Creekbread Restaurant for some wonderful pizza made in their wood burning oven. Yummmmy!

Sadly, no RCMP cruisers were poised to give a lift to a wayward volunteer, and none of our group was driving, which was definately a good thing - lushes! So, I had to play the waiting game for the bus once again.

PS If you are one of the daily followers, note that I added a bit to yesterday`s entry after the fact.

PPSS It`s awesome for me to hear from those of you who are following - I love seeing your names at the side of the blog where you`ve signed up, but there are many more who are just dropping in from time to time, and it`s just great to hear that you`re enjoying it. A special `Hi` to Monica, my CFF (cycling friend forever) back home who Siobhan tells me makes her morning tea, and first thing sits down to read the blog. I`m living the dream for you Monica, and all the other Moms reading this, who are craving just a little less responsibility, and maybe a bit more freedom in their lives - this is really food for the soul ladies - I know this sounds very ``Oprah`` of me, but be sure to grab whatever down time that feeds your soul that you can - for me, it`s found in nature and activities in nature. Seek yours, find yours, and celebrate it - just for you!