Ski Mountaineering Saturday @ TDD C&C

[FrenchFlybebe]

Triple Dog Dare!

Pick 3 things
Do them
Post your TaDas!

»»—-Cheers! WTG! Ygg!—-««

Don't think about it. Just do it!
~~ I Triple Dog Dare ya! ~~
Good Morning!
»»————　✼　————««

[FrenchFlybebe]

Ski mountaineering is a winter sport that combines uphill climbing and downhill skiing in high-mountain terrain. Athletes use lightweight skis fitted with removable climbing skins to ascend snow-covered slopes, then remove the skins to ski back down off-piste routes. The sport takes place in natural, unmarked environments and demands a high level of endurance, technical skiing ability, and strong mountain safety skills, including avalanche awareness.

Ski mountaineering was officially recognized by the International Olympic Committee in 2016 and will make its Olympic debut at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milano-Cortina, with events such as sprint races and mixed relays. Training typically includes aerobic endurance (often from trail running or cycling), strength training, and extensive time on skis to master efficient uphill movement and controlled descents. Specialized gear is essential: very light skis, bindings and boots designed for climbing, climbing skins, safety equipment like avalanche transceivers, shovels and probes, and often a helmet.

A few interesting facts about "skimo" :

• It started as a way to get around, not a sport: ski mountaineering grew out of military patrols and alpine travel in the early 20th century, long before ski lifts existed.
• Athletes race uphill more than downhill in competitions — sometimes up to 80% of the effort is climbing.
• Gear is incredibly light: a full racing ski (with binding) can weigh under 700 g, and boots are closer to hiking shoes than alpine ski boots.
• Transitions matter: elite racers can remove skins, lock boots, and start skiing downhill in under 10 seconds.
• It’s one of the few Olympic sports with mandatory safety gear, including avalanche transceivers, shovels, and probes (even in some race formats).
• Dogs are sometimes involved in recreational skimo — “ski-joering” with a dog pulling uphill is a real (and exhausting) thing.

[FrenchFlybebe]

◕‿◕ * * * Good Morning! * * * ◕‿◕

Thinking of kittykatt, I hope you're not suffering too much from the winds, rain, flooding rivers of Storm Ingrid. Interestingly I had neveer thought that the cabinet under the stove could warm up plates.

helia indeed I now remember you mentioning some adventurous via ferrata events a while back. Funny that your DH's family are avid moutain-hikers, coming from the Netherlands which is not a country known for its altitude.

MrNG just left for his consulting mission, for the day. It's in Broceliand, a large wooded area in Brittany which is full or Arthurian legends. There are a few towns in there (obviously) but also many lakes, hills, strange shaped rocks... We did a bike trip for a full day there last year (or the previous one) with the kids.
Now I'm in charge of the kids and home for the day. Sports in the morning, a haircut appt for both at 1pm, DS10 needs a new pair of sports trousers for Tuesday and here all shops are closed on Sundays, so... Also, many house chores to catch up on. Tonight's family movie night will be my reward.

TADAs
up, read news, tea
toast and cheese
quickly cleaned the pellet stove

TODOs
wake up the kids : noise, then bigger noise.. or music ?
load pellets into pellet stove
everyone ready by 9.40

[Kittykatt]

Good morning, FFB, and thank you for starting us off. Ski mountaineering sounds very energetic! I hope Mr NG has a successful day, and that your day alone with the boys isn't too stressful.

Thank you for your concern - we are fine, I think we've missed the worst of the storm, and the wind direction means we're actually sheltered from the worst of the winds. It's very wet and windy, but no snow, thank goodness ! We live half way up a hill, so although many roads are flooded here in Devon, (and , I think, some people's homes too, ) we're quite safe. I'm currently still tucked up all warm.amd cosy in bed, with no plans to go outdoors, at least for a while!

Helia,.Dogged and Bama, Freddie is far too (in)famous to need a last name! Even at the vets, when animals are called for their turn (for example , Minou Smith) they just call out, "Freddie" , and everyone knows who they're referring to. When I walk through the waiting room with him hissing, growling and snarling in his carrier, the crowds part like the Red Sea!

I'm not sure what's happening today. DH was up early, so I think he's planning to meet up with his friends - not sure if they will need to modify their activities, as I'm guessing many trains and some buses will be cancelled due to the weather. I think it's going to be another mostly indoor day for me. So more work on the kitchen cupboards will be in my future!

[Kittykatt]

To do:
Cuddles and treats with Matilda, Freddie and Jude
QT
Update latest Waitrose order
Cup of tea
Get up!
Shower/wash hair/moisturiser and sunblock/ clean and floss teeth
S/S bathroom
Physio exercises
Get dressed in casual clothes
Make bed
Scoop cat trays and give everyone fresh water
Cat breakfast and meds /supplements
Breakfast and meds /vitamins for me
Quick kitchen clean up
Load DW
Quick PUPA downstairs
Quick dust and Hoover downstairs
Wind clock
Quick PUPA upstairs
Quick dust bedrooms
15 minutes in tiny front garden
15 minutes in back garden
Go for my walk - if the weather improves!
Walk Freddie -ditto
Lap time with Freddie, Jude and Matilda
Head rubs with Freddie, Jude, and Matilda
Play with Freddie, Jude and Matilda
Run DW when full
Unload DW
Lunch
Cats' supper
Our supper
Sort out lunch for tomorrow
Bake something? Not this week, there are still a lot of biscuits, shortbread we were given for Christmas that needs eating up!
Text DF E re coffee tomorrow
Towels in machine ( the new machine has bigger capacity, so can safely take all the towels)
Towels hung up to dry
Clothes laid out for tomorrow

Extras:
Pack up wicker basket with Christmas tins, now we've eaten everything! Wrap it in a bin bag and tie on its label. Leave it on the landing ready for DH to put up in the loft (he'll probably do this tomorrow)
More work on kitchen cupboards
Can I do some more to the filing?
Do some more to the photos?
Have another look at teatowels online
Have another look at fabric for tablecloths online
Order part for handheld hoover
Order wooden drawer for under spare room bed (I'm not sure if it comes ready made, or if it will be another job for MJ? )

Garden extras:
Probably not today!

[Gma]

Thanks for the interesting start, FFB, and for the information on ski mountaineering. It certainly is a demanding sport! Have a good day with your children. Sounds like you have great activities planned.
Kittykatt, Freddie certainly knows how to make his opinion known! But he loves you, and that is what matters!
It's -18 F here. It will be all of -14 when I get on the bus to the airport in the morning.
My suitcase is packed and zipped shut. It's pretty full. It's just the small, carry-on size, but I plan to check it. Getting everything for a whole week, including toiletries, an extra pair of shoes (sandals), into that size was a challenge. I removed one pair of slacks with its accompanying tops and sweater. After I had spent half an hour steam pressing it the slacks, that were incredibly wrinkled. Discovered that the weather forecast has changed, probably due to the storm going across the southern US, but north of where I am going. Forecast is 20 degrees lower than last time I looked. But still more than 50 degrees warmer than where I am. In fact, about 100 degrees warmer when I arrive! So only 1 pair of capri's. 3 slacks plus the ones I will be wearing. My breads are in a cloth bag, along with a book to read. In the porch, frozen. My ID and itinerary with confirmation numbers for flight and car are in a necklace "thing" that I got on a trip 15 years ago. I just have to remember to put my phone and its charger into my purse in the morning, lock all the doors and turn down the heat.
I'm leaving my computer home. It's more difficult to post with my phone, so I am not sure if I will pop in or not while I am gone.
((( ))) to all!

[Kittykatt]

Safe travels, Gma, and I hope you have a wonderful time in Florida with your cousins!

[Gma]

The chaplain at my college is undergoing radiation for an aggressive cancer after having first chemo to reduce the tumor size, then surgery. He reflects on his experience so eloquently. I thought his words about "vocation" may be meaningful to some here. If this is not appropriate to post here, plese let a moderator know to remove it.

He writes: “This is my story, this is my song, praising my Savior all the day long.”

This week, I walked out of my weekly “management meeting” (surprisingly empowering terminology for my weekly check-in with the oncologist) to hear this hymn being played on the piano in the Charlton lobby by someone in scrubs. I stopped at the top of the staircase to listen. A gentleman walked up the stairs, singing along. He smiled at me, and then I found myself joining in the song.

This is my story, I guess.

I’ve always been captivated by the concept of vocation. That we are more than our jobs and what we do. Our stories, our whole selves, involve a way of be-ing in a world that is grounded in values and receptive to callings in life. As many know, a helpful paradigm for understanding vocation comes from Frederick Buechner’s definition, where vocation is the place, “where your life’s deep gladness and the world’s deep hunger meet.”

I’ve recently heard about the good work of Deanna Thompson, a teacher of vocation from St. Olaf College. In 2008, she received a stage IV cancer diagnosis. She writes that vocation doesn’t always come from callings we choose, but rather callings we wish we didn’t have to face. She writes that vocation not only involves listening to one’s “deep gladness”, but also one’s “deep sadness.”

For me, I’m 18 radiation treatments down, 9 to go. I keep waiting for the physical symptoms to hit me hard, but they have not yet. Minor redness and irritation on my chest. Perhaps some fatigue, but I’ve been able to get my steps in every day, see my family most days, and keep going with work. Physically, I’m doing well.

But if I’m honest, this is more difficult mentally and emotionally than I anticipated it would be. I’m affected by the stories of cancer companions. I know this is short-lived, but it’s still so hard to hug my family goodbye each time I head to Rochester. For someone who’s largely been healthy and well my entire life, I’m “sick of being sick.”

This Monday, I found myself telling part of my story at a campus MLK round-table event. I was anticipating a conversation about racism (which we did have), but we also found ourselves discussing vulnerability. I was sharing that I’ve always cared for others, but admittedly from a position of power and wellness. And now, being on the receiving end of charity and care, I cringe a little bit each time I surrender to the help. I really don’t like being in a position of powerlessness, even though I hope and pray that it’s temporary. But this experience certainly makes me aware that I simply had no idea how difficult it is to be sick. I’m going to listen differently now.

As I struggle through my own battle, it feels like my “deep sadness” at least makes me more aware of the “deep sadness” of others. I honestly can’t begin to imagine the emotional/mental toll that current events, particularly in MN, will have on vulnerable populations of people for years to come. While I feel more powerless than usual, I am actually grateful for it. And I hope that I can daily recommit to compassion and mercy for all of our neighbors.

Now I'm going to bed, as I have to get up early!

[Kittykatt]

Wow, Gma, that was powerful and thought provoking! What a truly great man the chaplain is.

[trissie]

Safe travels, gma, and enjoy the warm weather! looking at the weather forecast, just about time to go south!
and to all affected, stay safe and stay safe during the cold spell!
Frenchie, is MrNiceGuy going to actually be outdoors in Broceliand? BTW I didn't know there would be a new winter olympics sport this year!
kittykatt, glad you are not badly affected by the weather.

we're still cold and freezing, but nothing like the USA. Today's the day of the 57th annual scout hike, which started as a protest action after the Soviet occupation in 1968. So we were up early to get DBD and DS ready. And then I wasted the rest of the morning on political news (Dogged, I absolutely loved Mark Carney's speech - but I am a sucker for great political speeches, I actually read and listened to We shall fight them on the beaches and the other two Churchill war speeches many times and they still give me goosebumps). Enough of that to make me depressed for the day, now is the time for some action!


TaDas
- morning madness
- dressed to shoes
- lunches for DS and DBD
- DS and DBD off the door with DH
- computer time
- coffee time
- DW unloaded

ToDos
- morning routine
- 30 on laundry
- 15 in kitchen

Braindump
- midday routine
- afternoon routine
- evening routine
food
- lunch
- dinner
- bake something sweet
organization
- DBD's speech therapy apt
- update land contract
- 15 on filing
- homework and backpacks
- check the dates on seeds and note what to buy
cleaning
- clean office
- spiff up DBD's room
- spiff up twins' room
- spiff up DS13's room
- spiff up master bedroom
- spiff up master bathroom
- spiff up kitchen floor
- spiff up living room
- spiff up downstairs bathroom and hallways
laundry
- load of darks
- load of towels
- load of cleaning rags
- ironing
- folding
- mending
- laundry put away
me time
- 15 of exercise
- Bible study
- reading