This lady has NO filter...

Today, 23 Dec, Nicole and I were shopping at Winner's in Halifax. We were behind a lady with a very very full cart. We switched lanes. THANK GOD. I think the people who ended up being behind her must have turned into instant scrooges, cursing everything blonde under the sun.

The picture shows less than half of what was in her cart. This is her discard pile.

She would pick up an item, inspect it in agonizing detail for pulled threads or stains, etc, and then give it to the cashier for either purchase or the reject pile.

Who goes to the cashier with a cart loaded with items and THEN starts inspecting and deciding? Two days before Christmas?? Has she never shopped before? What do you think you're going to get at Winner's, anyway??

Well, obviously, she thinks she's going to get someone who will put all this crap away for her....

Snowshoeing in the BC Mountains

From 20 Dec 09

We should have known better. Chris, Brooke, Bob and I went out snowshoeing in Strathcona Park in BC, near Comox. It started out beautiful, if a little cloudy. We headed into the snow, first time on snowshoes for me!

Through the trees, onto a cross country ski trail, back into the woods. We did the WHOLE lake loop - we figure over 10 km on snowshoes (not much trail till the end.)

And then we realized - we don't know if we are heading BACK to the car - OR NOT. What was supposed to be an hour in the snow turned into FOUR hours of hiking, and about 3 hours of that was wondering if we were lost. We had the ski trail, fortunately, but really couldn't tell if we were getting closer to or farther from the car. By the time the ski patrol was coming by to do a 'last sweep' of the trail, to make sure everyone was coming off the trail, we knew darkness was coming. By the time we found the road (and had to ask a passing truck which way to the parking lot, AND had to walk back 1/2 km ...) it was DARK. And we had spent 4 hours in the woods, without the bare essentials. Little water, less food, nothing for surprise inclement weather, no compass/gps, not even EXTRA socks for my freezing wet feet!! Did I learn nothing in basic training?

Flying to Halifax!

Here's hoping WestJet continues their reputation for on-time flying and NOT losing your bags.

This morning I was at Bob's and we were discussing my flight. When I recalled that I was flying Westjet and NOT our nationally funded (rhymes with "we suck and no one wants to fly with us so we need a bail out) airline, I experienced a moment of .... calm .... and peace ..... and relief!

To which Bob commented - that's a pretty good commercial for Westjet.

Schmair Mamada - not so much....

Granatstein

Influential and instrumental reading for those of us in the Canadian Military, and anyone else who cares about living in Canada.

At least you don't have to shovel it??

I had many many bags of leaves to rake up (thanks for helping Chris!).

This was December 12. The same day I was putting up Christmas lights!

I was hoping to take pictures of the snow that followed, but it didn't last long enough!!

heeheehee ......

I'll probably end up getting posted to Cold Lake or Moose Jaw, and then I'll regret this!

We don't do CrossFit

WE do BATTLEFIT! You know you're done when you feel like throwing up. How much pushing, running, pulling and squeezing can you do at once? Is it really necessary to feel dizzy to get maximum benefit? How good is it for a dentist to have jiggly arm muscles all day?

These questions may never get answered,

but as long as I can (almost) keep up with people half my age, I will keep sweating. And not just at night.

Oh rats ......

No, Really, RATS. I found the droppings. I was hoping it was just a mouse, but the traps were flipped and the peanut butter licked clean. Obviously, the beast in the basement was much too large for the teensy little mouse traps.

Fortunately, the poison in the outside shed worked.

Unfortunately, it kicked in in my crawlspace.

I am very proud of myself for being able to pick up a dead rat and drop it in the garbage.

This is NOT the actual rat. Mine was much bigger.

Hello from the Prince!

My buddy Chuck stopped by to say Hi. I saluted him, he saluted back. It was a moment.

Sunny San Diego

So, the CF sent me to San Diego for a 3 day course on Oral Surgery techniques. So, naturally, I took 4 days leave while I was down there. My sister Barb and her daughter Taylor joined me, and we got to play in the surf and sun, and shop!

As I like to say, Livin the dream.....

ENGAGED!

Here is a picture of the ring with which Bob proposed! He made it himself (till we could go shopping.) So excited to plan a shared life with this wonderful man.

He must be a good guy, my dog Maddie loves him!

And here's the 'real' one (although the first one stays on my dog tags). The claddagh ring - two hands in friendship, the heart for love, and the crown for loyalty.

what my dog does when I'm away

Yep, goes sailing. This is her (the cutie on the right) on her way TO the big sailboat! Apparently, she's a very good sailor.

I think she mopes when I get HOME because it's so much more boring with me home!

Has it been that long?

Where does the time go? Almost Christmas ....
What's new in the zoo?
Hallowe'en Party at the Clinic - ooohhhh, a MURDER MYSTERY!! Who killed Professor Necrosis?