Another Ski Day at 49 Degrees North

Another day at 49 Degrees North in a winter wonderland.  Monday and no one was up there.  Well, when I say no one I don't mean there weren't any people skiing.  There were but not many.  This was my last weekday skiing.  Next week starts full time teaching.  I must be more talkative than I used to be because I am meeting a lot of people.  Just briefly, not for a long term friendship.  We just talk for a while and then go our separate ways.  Except for Joe who I met my first day up this year.  We talk every time I am there.  

My favorite.  Love the sound of my skis hitting the groomed corduroy slopes.   I of course hit the bell on the way down this run.  It is a strict rule you must hit the bell.  There is more than one bell.  I only know where one other one is.  I should find them all and ding them all one day.  Good idea!

I rode up the chair lift with Larry.  He wanted me to take a picture of him for his wife so he could send it to her.  I did and then I asked him to take a couple of me.  That's only fair!  I was looking right into the sun.  That is why the squint.  

 This is Larry.  He is 75 years old and still making turns.  He was in the Navy for a while and then taught school.  He did express some lack of motivation for getting out the door to ski.  Didn't see him again after the chair ride.  I am not shy about taking a stranger's picture. I was going to comment on the SC hat but bit my tongue. Being a California girl I am not a big fan of USC.  UCLA yes! You can't like them both.  Seriously, you can't.

 I also talked to Roy and his girlfriend in the lodge for a while and rode up the chair with Sean who works at 49.  I told you I must be more talkative.  

 It was a beautiful start to the day and I thought for sure the sun would continue to appear.  I kept thinking Mike would love these conditions and the weather.  I wish he was here.  It was perfect.

Never mind.  The fog started rolling in and it was thick.  Mike would have been in the lodge.  Doesn't like skiing in the fog.  I decided to go under chair one and to the left.  It is a wide run and I couldn't even see the trees on the sides.  Of course no other silly person was on the fog run so I had no one to watch or follow.  I figured down would be good.  I had a certain path in mind and had no idea if I was on it.  I wasn't.  I was able to get to the top of chair 2 and I could actually see the place to get off the chair.  Now I know where I am except I needed to get to the other side of the chairlift.  Done.  Still foggy but at least I had some sense of where I was.  I decided the ridge run and Silver Queen might be better.  It was a bit better.  The trees were closer and it wasn't as wide of a run so it was easier to maneuver.  These pictures are not of the worst fog but it gives you and idea!  It was definitely worse.  It was still fun and I loved almost every minute!

 This is pretty close to the bottom of the hill.  Not too bad here but not that good either.  I kept skiing but called the day earlier than normal.

There is something I just love about the snow!  I smile and I am in awe all the way up the mountain.  To be able to ski in the beauty is an amazing feeling.  I get so excited.  God is great and so is his forest covered in snow!

Layover at Denver Airport

We had a layover in Denver. Keri and Easton came to see us at the airport.  So great to see them! Thanks for driving to see us!

Easton is full of energy.  He ran around that directory post a lot.  Keri would time him.  The coolest thing was his face as he got back close to Keri.  So intense.  This was a serious activity for Easton.  Love you guys!

One Man's Dream is Now Reality

This was amazing, it is one of those things where you had to be there to really experience the inspiration and the feeling of the whole thing.  I will try with my words to share what we experienced.  First of all Stephen.  God created a wonderful, inspirational person when he created Stephen.  He never ceases to amaze Mike and I with the spirit God gave him.  He is living with ALS but his wonderful spirit has never changed.  "From adversity heroes are born!" SG Steve went and visited a ALS facility a few months ago.  It was a place where ALS patients could live with all the modern technology and have fellowship with other people that have ALS.  Their own rooms, a large community living space, a kitchen that is wheelchair accessible gardens for viewing and more.  Steve approached the company that had purchased a large hospital that they were beginning to remodel as a nursing home.  He asked if the bottom of the nursing home could be an ALS facility just like the one he had visited. The answer was yes but Team Gleason has to come up with the dollars for the technology. Not sure if they have to finance more than technology!  The process started and we were able to tour the facility.  I just cried it was so darn wonderful.  Steve had a vision and dream it is now a reality.  I kept thinking about the time in the Seattle hospital that I pulled myself up in my bed and said, "Never Give Up!" and then fell back in my bed.  So true to never give up!  

This tent is for a public announcement outside the facility.  JP Morgan Chase announced that they were contributing $350,000 for the facility at the public announcement.  Wow! These pictures are of a work in process.  They were taken on Tuesday and the public announcement was on Thursday.   They did finish off a room to show off!  I probably won't remember what all the different rooms are but I will try.  

This is the outside of the building that is being remodeled.  You can see all the people working like crazy to get things done before Thursday.

Wow!

Closer shot of the front!

This is Michael getting Steve ready for the tour of the building.

A bunch of Gleasons!

This is why Steve had to wear a face mask.  I sort of wanted one too but it got better.

Here we go down the main hallway.

Fireplace in the main community area.

Gardens all over the place!

I believe the fireplace is to the right of this picture and this is the large community room.  Does not feel like a medical facility, it feels like a home.  The nursing home will be the same way.   No medical supplies in view and the nurse's station is in an inconspicuous space.

Beautiful paint colors!

This is the kitchen it will have normal appliances in it not commercial ones!  Just like home.

This fireplace is a bit more finished.

Another view.

These are our tour guides.  Sometimes when you meet people you can just feel that they are good people.  These are good people!

Another garden!

This is one of the restroom areas of the private rooms that people will stay in.

Nice view outside!

This is a better view of the rooms.

This is a picture of a different floor that is more finished.

Another garden!

Kitchen

Mike was pretty fascinated with how they did the seams on the flooring  He got all of it explained to him.  I would repeat it but I only half listened to it.

This is the material that was used to fill the seams.  The flooring was made out of a unique material but again, can't remember but maybe Mike will.  If so I will be back and add it if he does.

This is part of the hospital.  The old hospital.  Quite a difference isn't it!  There will be a path from the nursing home area all the way to the French Quarter that will be wheelchair friendly.

The man that was telling Mike how they seamed the flooring earlier grabbed Mike because he was actually doing a seam.  Mike jumped right in to listen and learn.

This is a chapel and it was dark so the picture had to be lightened a bit but you get the idea!

The hospital that has not been remodeled.

All throughout the tour we just kept saying how wonderful this all was.  Wonderful isn't the best word.  Maybe inspirational.  No words to describe how it felt to see what Steve got started.  How many times do we want something and never ask because we think it won't be possible.  Or we don't try something because we won't be successful.  Don't do it!  Go after your dreams no matter what.  Help each other and love each other.  God can do anything with your life.  Believe it! I do!  Steve, NO White Flags!  What a great motto.  Never Give Up.  I also want mention Michel and her family who are so gracious, loving and caring!  Michel and Steve have such love for each other and Michel takes good care of Steve.  Thank you!  Also all the people that help Michel, Steve, and Rivers daily.  You are angels and a blessed gift from God!  Inspiring!

Project Day in NOLA

Monday was a pretty relaxing day.  Not much on the agenda.  This was such a marvelous visit.  Lots of family time.  Thanks so much Michel, Stephen, and Rivers!

Blair helps out almost daily with Stephen.  I happened to be outside as he was hacking down a branch of the palm tree.  Nice outside tool don't you think?  He looks a little scary with that thing but he isn't.  He is a very good man!  Great help to Michel and Steve.  They call him Manny, man nanny!  He does a bit of everything for them!

Rivers wanted to visit the dog across the yard and Blair watched over him!  I was trying to get Rivers to say grandma and Blair was trying to get him to say Manny. I looked at Rivers and said grandma several times.  Nothing.  Blair said Manny once and Rivers popped out a Manny right away.  Ahhh!  Next visit Rivers!

Steve crusin' the yard!

This was Mike's project.  Making a chime tree for Stephen.  It made me nervous watching Mike climb up the ladder in flip flops.  Plus it was very high.  I was the holder of the ladder.

Apprehension on my face!

Ahhhh!

Rivers wanted to know what we were doing!

He was watching closely!

Then off to play in the house!  I guess he thought grandpa was safe!

Some of the chimes!

Dinner with Janet.  We met Janet and Dave in New Orleans.  They lived across the street from Steve and Michel before Michel and Steve moved.  We stayed at their home when we were visiting.  Love them both.  So giving and genuine.  We had a great time visiting with Janet.  Dave was out of town and we missed him.  You know when you meet someone and your friendship just click.  That is how it was with Dave and Janet.  Feels like we have been friends for a long time.  A great ending to the day!