Wednesday, May 28, 2008

Here's "A Little Ditty...........

About Chelsi and Steve".........

I wanted to finally tell everyone about what has been going on in my personal life with respect to my relationship with Steve. If any of you have read the beginning of my blog, you may remember a post way back in December that talked about my situation with men and primarily Steve. I also have had posts here and there about my adventures to Florida and the Caribbean to see Steve. I haven't been very forthcoming about what has been going on between he and I because it has been complicated and the timing wasn't right.



To give you a recap of what has been going on since, actually last March....yes, there is that much history.... Steve and I have always been just friends. For a couple of years previous to March of 2007 we were more like acquaintances. I was friends with his now ex-wife, Adrienne and knew him through her. He and I have been friendly, we have gone skiing, hung out at The Osprey, (A local bar where I used to live in Georgetown, Maine) and we have been to a few of the same parties. We never really thought much of anything other than we just knew each other from the same social circle.

We were both married when we knew each other. I ended up getting a divorce in 2005. Steve and I skied together the winter of 2006/2007 and became more friends than acquaintances. He had been going through some huge life changes during that time and we started talking more. I remember really noticing a difference in him that winter particularly one day when he was having a phone conversation with someone he was concerned about while on the chairlift one day and that is when I noticed what a truly nice and caring person he is. Before that, I honestly just knew him as "a local party dude".




















Shortly after that is when, out of the blue, he reached out to me. I was someone he hoped he could talk with because I had been through a divorce and he was going through one and wanted some advice. He asked me about my divorce and we talked about what I went through. He did more listening than anything because I think he wanted to keep his divorce very private which I really appreciated because I was friends with both he and Adrienne. I noticed that they both had a very amicable and private divorce which is very rare. They are still very good friends today which is great.

He and I communicated on a regular basis and he actually invited me to go river rafting with him that fall. That trip was very interesting and was definitely the turning point in our relationship. We both had a great time and realized that we both had a crush on each other. This was actually very awkward at the time because for one, I had a boyfriend and I also felt like I was backstabbing Adrienne in some way.


As I mentioned in my December post, Adrienne and I spoke about the fact that Steve and I liked each other and she was very cool about the whole situation. There was really nothing we could do about it at that time, which I now realize was perfect for us. Steve and I went our separate ways for a couple of months. He dated a few people, I had a boyfriend and he was also planning on leaving in November to live on a sailboat for 6 months.

Just before he left, I ended up breaking up with my boyfriend. Steve and I started talking quite a bit when I became single, but it was drag because he was leaving. I realized then that I still had a very strong feeling about Steve. He asked me to come visit him while he was on the boat once they hit the Caribbean. I was all about that and booked a trip in December to see him in March. But for some reason that wasn't soon enough for us, we were both really excited to see each other. So we made a plan to see each other while I was in Florida at a trade show in February.




















When he came to visit me in Florida, that was the very first time we had ever hung out alone and were both single with the fact that we liked each other out in the open. It was very interesting because going into it, I wasn't really sure what would happen. Would we get along? Would we still like each other? I mean, it had been September since we had seen each other even though we spoke all the time. I have to say, that was it for me. We clicked so well, we got along great, we had a blast. All we did was laugh and have really deep talks.



















It would be three weeks after that trip that we would see each other in the Caribbean. I couldn't wait to see him! We had another amazing 7 days together. Again, laughing, talking, becoming closer and closer. It was such a strange situation that we had from Florida until he came home. We had a very open relationship at the time because we knew we couldn't really be a couple until he came home. It wouldn't make any sense and I don't think either one of us wanted the pressure of a long distance relationship. It is too difficult.
Plus, this trip for him was very important that he focused on himself, self discovery, growth, etc. I completely understood that because after my divorce, for about 1 year I needed it to be all about me. I needed to focus on myself and my rebirth. A divorce really puts you through the wringer and I feel like you learn a lot about yourself and change. I really appreciated that time I had and I knew he would as well.
The timing wasn't right for Steve and I, he needed his time and I was perfectly happy focusing on my snowboarding season. I get a little OCD about Snowboarding season. (Good thing Steve Ski's!) ;-) We remained in constant contact, but there wasn't pressure on either end. I continued to date and he had "visitors".



















Once he got home, which was 5 weeks ago....we knew we wanted to be together because we had grown so close over the last 7 months and we knew it was right. The timing finally came and I have to say, it has been amazing. I feel like my boyfriend is my best friend. We get along so well, we laugh, we communicate really well, have the same interests. We have been "officially" together for 5 weeks now and it has been great. Not a fight or an awkward moment.

It is funny how things happen. We started off as friends and now we are a couple. I was really worried at first about it being a bad situation because of Adrienne. I didn't want to be malicious to her as being a friend that is now dating her ex-husband. The fact that we all were very open with each other and communicated about it, I think helped. I also think that because Adrienne and Steve are still friends has been good for both of them.


That is my Steve and Chelsi story, officially out in the open.

I am sure my future posts will involve Steve as my blog is mostly about my life's adventures and we both love adventure. We have done a lot together already: a wedding in California, dirt biking, boating, family gatherings, etc. We also have a lot planned so far for our summer together. We have some concerts coming up, more dirt biking, wakeboarding, BBQ's, friends and family parties, etc. It is shaping up to be a fun summer already.

Until next time...........

Tuesday, May 13, 2008

A plane, a car, a wedding, add some Rock - Now that's a good time!!

What a whirlwind!! Steve and I flew into LA this past weekend to go to my friend Sue's wedding in Newport Beach, California. It was a very quick, but very fun 3 day weekend. My friend Sue is one of my girlfriends from Colorado whom, ironically enough, I met at a Bachelor auction shortly after she moved to Colorado. She is from California originally but needed a change of scenery. Colorado is the best place for that for sure! Sue and I hit it off right away, she is a lot of fun. She met Stuart shortly after I moved away and the rest is history. Stuart is a sweetheart of a guy who I know will take amazing care of Sue. It is awesome to see her so happy, to see both of them so happy!




Steve and I stayed at the hotel where the wedding was being held. What a BEAUTIFUL hotel in a beautiful location. We had an amazing time.

Here are some pics from the wedding:

























Sue had incredibly beautiful centerpieces! I loved all of the flowers, they were so well done. Very artistic.













CHEERS! Here's to Sue and Stuart!! And no, that is not champagne that Steve is drinking. It was sparkling cider. They thought of everything! Stuart doesn't drink, so it was perfect for Steve.



























Before the wedding, Steve and I had ample play time, it was awesome! For those of you who don't know Steve very well, I need to give you a little background so you understand some of the following photos. Steve is EXTREMELY into music, very passionate. His genre of choice is Classic Rock. When he was growing up, he was super into the LA music scene. Not in such a way that he hung out down there, but in that the bands that were born from that scene he loved and always dreamed of going to the Sunset Strip and seeing one of his favorite bands play. Well, years later, here he is, finally on the strip, in his glory!! The only missing piece is that we unfortunately, didn't get to catch a show. And to add insult to injury a band he would have LOVED to have seen, played the NIGHT BEFORE!! Bummer! Camp Freddy is Dave Navarro's band who has "special guests" pop in now and then to jam with him and we heard that Slash and Tommy Lee made an appearance the night before. Oh damn!! Sorry Steve!!

Steve in front of The Roxy - His dream club, The Whisky-A-Go-Go and the Viper Room. He was like a kid in a candy store. It was broad day light, in the middle of the day and he was all fired up. I can't even imagine what he would have been like at night when shows were in full swing. Look out!!






























Right here, Steve is thinking to himself, "FU%K!!!"




























I rented a really fun car while we were there. Speaking of cars, holy crap the cars there are RIDICULOUS! We saw the usual BMW's, Mercedes, Lexus, you see everywhere in New England. But what was so crazy is that in addition to everyone owning an expensive vehicle, there were just as many Ferrari's, Lotus's and tricked out Hummers; falling into the ridiculously expensive category. It was crazy! Very beautiful cars. I have no idea how these people have so much flippin money because the cost of living out there is crazy. Well, that lifestyle isn't for me, but it was fun to people watch.




We were able to also check out Laguna Beach. The weather was kind of cold for California, but the beach and surrounding area was very pretty. It was fun to see. We also ate very yummy food while we were there. We found an amazing Asian-fusion restaurant in LA that was so delicious. Checking out different restaurants is one of my favorite things to do when I travel. The food was a treat!

Thank you, Sue and Stuart for inviting us to join you on your special day. The wedding was wonderful and we had a great time checking out California.

XOXO

Sunday, May 4, 2008

The end of one season.....the beginning of another.

I love spring skiing! You can be outside on the mountain with your buds, enjoying the awesome conditions all while not freezing your ass off. It is all about great turns, wearing tank tops, getting a tan and BBQ's. It is great. This spring at Sunday River was particularly awesome because we had so much snow this season that the base was incredible. I couldn't believe how many trails were still open until the bitter end. My last day was April 27th. What an amazing season.




At the beginning of the season, I questioned whether it was a good idea to switch from Sugarloaf to Sunday River. I really enjoyed Sugarloaf, the terrain is amazing, (For the East coast) the apres ski and nightlife is a lot of fun and I know a lot of fun people up there - Skip especially. I really enjoy hanging out with and riding with Skip. I missed all of that, but I just couldn't do the drive anymore. It took up way too much of my time and it was killing me how long it took. I was always half asleep by the time I finally got up there.

I have to say, even though I miss Sugarloaf a lot, I am so glad I made the switch back to Sunday River. I met up with all of my old friends and met some new ones. I feel like I have really bonded with everyone again and have some good friends that I will see more than just at the River. We all have plans to hang out this summer. There is talk of dinner out in Boston, Red Sox games, a Black Crows concert, and even a girls night out on the town. That will be a great time. I am looking forward to that. We had a lot of fun and a lot of laughs this winter.

So, thank you Sunday River peeps for hanging out this winter and giving me such a memorable experience this year. I am looking forward to next winter already. Here are some pics from one of the last weekends up at the River. Until next season!!!

Mikey ripping it!!


Another Mike......visiting his Doucette peeps from Hunter Mountain..... air guitar....

(This guy rips by the way!!) His girlfriend is a sweetheart too.


Spring skiing season brings out crazy outfits and crazy looks.....this guy thought he was Glen Plake.

I am not quite sure what this guy was thinking. I think he was a little confused about his gender. He appears to be going for the Madonna / Dominatrix look. Most men are not the dominatrix, they especially do not carry whips! Hummmm?? As a matter of fact, one of the girls in our group thought he was a woman at first as she commented on, "at least she has nice legs".....ummmm.....that is a dude, dear!! Not quite appropriate attire at a family oriented ski resort!!



This guy was sporting the beach look....go grampa!! I think he forgot to consult with the local beauty salon prior to his unveiling for the season though....his back needed a little TLC. ;-)


























During the week he leads a normal life, living in disguise as a mortal man. On the weekends, he is known as, "Beer Man".....quenching the thirst to all of those in need of a buzz. Thank you Beer Man!!!



I have never seen Bobby - D get so excited before until we spotted, "The Hammer" from the Chairlift. To all of you who are not familiar with "The Hammer", please allow me to enlighten you. The Hammer is a self proclaimed professional Ski bum who makes it his life's mission to work all summer as a landscaper just so he can ski bumps all winter long. He is featured in a local movie series by a film company called, Meathead Films. One film in particular that Bobby owns and loves is called, "Snow Gods". I watched it with him after we spotted The Hammer. It is a pretty good film, mostly consisting of Killington Footage....but I have to say, this guy DOES rip on the bumps. Check out some footage here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hqb9w1ZLz4E

This is the Movie if you are interested.

http://www.usoutdoorstore.com/outlet/ally-snow-gods-dvd.html

Bobby was extra excited when he was able to get and give, "knuckles" with The Hammer. Giddy like a school girl!!

Here is The Hammer on a bump run which they happened to be filming at that moment.





Here is a close-up of the Hammer and his buddy, "Radio Ron" who is also featured in these films. I chatted it up with them for a bit and it wasn't until after I took these pictures that I realized that the Hammer was giving me the Shocker in these pics. Nice dude! What a classy guy, huh? LOL!!




















"What is in the cooler Ron?" I asked. "Oh, this? It is filled with Vodka. You need something to quench your thirst after skiing bumps all day." He responded. Mikey thought that was hilarious.




















Here is Bobby with his Kiddos. He is raising two little rippers. His son Henry was flying down black diamonds no problem....faster than most of the adults! He is super cute! His daughter Gracie is trying out the Teli's. He is starting them young. (Silly Pinners!!) ;-)

She is 8, willing to learn and kicking butt!



















Tracy, all smiles as usual!! Love that girl! She is soooo funny.....did I mention that yet?? ;-p













Chuck and Mary.......they are so cute!!


Look out for the patrollers!! Mike and Chip......












Whoa! Look out Tracy!! Don't fall!!!




Well, here's to the end of another really fun season.....onto other fun hobbies of mine. Dirt Biking and Wakboarding / boating. I can't wait!! As my friend Regina said to me recently, "enough already! Time to put the flippin snowboard away and to get out the dirt bike so we can ride!!" LOL! She was a little passionate about the fact that we don't get to hang out much in the winter because I spend my entire winter up north every weekend. SORRY! Stay tuned for photo's and stories about my summer adventures.

I have a lot to tell you about already....but I will save that for a different post. :-)