Surgeon, coins, elections, helicopters... just a typical October

In early October, Eric and Wendy went to the specialist surgeon (a graduate of the program in which Eric teaches!). He explained what he saw in the image and later showed us the CT so we could take a look at the enemy.  

Essentially, he needed several biopsies (an absolutely horrible procedure!!!!) and an ultrasound of the thyroid. It appears that the mass (nodule/goiter/tumour.... so many names) fills one half of the thyroid, but the main functions of the thyroid seem normal. The only choices really were to take out half the thyroid (several advantages over the long term with this option), the whole thing (not a great option, but might be needed), or the whole thing plus all lymph nodes in the neck (the worst case scenario).  The surgery is now booked for October 28th and Eric is eagerly awaiting that day. 

The fall has been moving quickly and the temperatures are getting lower. Our crabapple tree has been very productive, and Maddy has been vocal about all the friends who come to stand on her lawn to eat the crabapples. 

Seeing several deer at a time is normal in the evening - they are not afraid of much

Adam finally got his commission in the Cadet Instructor Cadre (CIC) from the Canadian Armed Forces. He is now an officer cadet. He was happy to get it at the same ceremony as his favourite Prof at the college (Mike). He also received a CADPAT badge and was coined (received a special coin from the CIC). Unfortunately, we could not drive up to attend the event (Eric will likely be many months before getting his licence back). A few photos were sent our way after the event. 

Adam received his commission Oct 7 to become an Officer Cadet

CADPAT  badge for the squadron he works with

CIC coin

CIC coin

Adam recently threw his hat into the ring up at Canadore to be one of the candidates for the position of student representative for the Aviation campus.  Wendy helped to design some infographic posters and suggested that he give away candy at a drop in session that he planned. The election happened this week, and he won!!! By two whole votes! The candy may have done the trick! Now he has additional responsibilities at the college, and he seems to be fully up to the task. He needed to send his bio and a photo to the main campus (as the new rep), so here is one of the pictures from the photoshoot that he and a friend did a few days ago. 

Adam at Canadore Aviation campus

Will try to post again soon, likely after the surgery.

Early August in our neighbourhood

August is typically a slow month around here, and this month is following suit. We take Maddy out for a walk most evenings and usually go to the local park. Below is a quick video of the previous visitors to the park that were not sure whether they wanted to play. They normally come out at night, but this time we spotted them at dinner time!

If the video doesn't play, click https://goo.gl/photos/cgE1wCBTbwcpqpKn8 

https://goo.gl/photos/cgE1wCBTbwcpqpKn8

This is another common sight around our place on weekends, and they were apparently out taking video of the Dundas Valley using the Lancaster Bomber this fine Saturday morning. FYI, a 60-minute flight in this beautiful (but loud) aircraft is $3,500 (http://www.warplane.com/aircraft/flights/buy.aspx).

If the video doesn't play, click https://goo.gl/photos/wD3p7wxPU2Gufn4g9

https://goo.gl/photos/wD3p7wxPU2Gufn4g9

On Monday, Wendy had some surgery on her thumb to fix a longstanding problem. Here she is showing all her "pink" things. Although hard to see, you may be able to detect a slight pink tinge to her fingers (they spread a sticky pink solution on them prior to surgery... it is hard to get off). As well, you can see her sort of pink scarf/sling. That was Eric's idea to help keep her hand elevated for the first 72 hrs. If you look a little higher, you might see her pink hair! Yes, that is truly pink hair (on the front, at least). She wanted to try something a little different and see whether a splash of colour would change things. She says it doesn't make her feel too differently, so she will see whether she will repeat it in the future. To round out the ensemble, she also wore a pink watch, a shirt with a pink butterfly, and stood in front of some pink flowers.

All in pink!

Wendy will be getting the bandage off on Friday and is hoping to return to work on Monday. Until that time, Eric is going to be tying her shoes.

OK, you've got to admit that it would be entertaining to watch Eric tying (or struggling to tie...) Wendy's shoes!

October is more normal...

September was relatively benign as months go and things are starting to get back to normal. One major change is that Adam has grown a beard!

The crabapple tree has provided a nutritious snack for the many deer in our area. They will even come across the street to have their fill when people are standing on the driveway! We know... we watched it happening. Our house might be the most photographed on the street as people routinely stop to take pictures of our lawn ornaments.

Maddy sure likes the fall. She now likes to stick her head out the window to smell what is going by. 

We took a trip on the Thanksgiving weekend to have supper with Carrie, Ken, and family. Here are a few shots. 

Sandbox time with Laura! 

The beard was a hit with Jacob

To go with Parker's blue tongue from August

The parents get a moment to relax while cousin Parker reads the story

A rare snuggle! 

Just a typical weekend

Last weekend we dropped Adam off at cadet camp to begin his week of training and evaluation. All the staff enter at the arbitrary rank of Sgt. until decisions are made as to where these staff cadets will perform their duties for the summer. We received a text from Adam yesterday that indicated that he had been promoted to the rank of Flt. Sgt. (at the camp only - his rank is normally Warrant Officer Second Class). He is now in command of Training and Service Support for the summer. He will also be running the zipline for the thousands of cadets that come through the camp over the whole summer. Below is the last we saw of Adam as he headed away from the car to walk over to the intake area at CSTC Blackdown (Borden).

Adam leaving for camp

Wendy and I did a few hikes this weekend in the heat. We tried a few new locations and took some photos. The waterfall below was one we had visited previously, although we did find a nice side trail that took us a different direction and connected us to the Heritage trail (not far from the main loop where we usually hike).

Sherman Falls

An interesting pile of tree trunks on the Heritage trail

Although the trails were not great, today's hike seemed to be filled with wildlife.We came across a family of 4 deer on the Princess Point trail (near Cootes Paradise). The deer let us get reasonably close to them - they seemed very curious about us and not at all afraid. Maddy didn't notice them for several minutes - well, at least until one of them crossed the path right in front of her.

Curious deer

Not two minutes after the deer encounter, the trail we were following took us across the middle of an expansive and rather empty soccer field. The only sign of life was this medium-sized turtle. Seemed that it was heading for a very tiny depression in the field (it had a purposeful walk) where it could settle down and start digging in the dirt. Pretty unconcerned about us even with me taking photos. Wendy thinks it was preparing to lay eggs. Maddy wasn't sure what to think.

Soccer turtle

We did see a number of different wildflowers on our hike, but I will only bore you with this photo of a green teasel plant (Dipsacus fullonum).

Young Teasel plant

We've been trying to keep Parker busy to reduce the chance he will miss his favourite brother Adam over the summer (yeah, right!). Yesterday, he had a friend stay over to play video games and eat junk food - a typical teenager thing to do in July. We convinced them to go out and do something, then drove them up to the mountain in Hamilton to get some fresh air and to race go-karts for a while.

Parker taking the corner

They did 10 laps each in the very strong sun and brisk wind. Wendy and I were able to sit in the shade and watch their race.

Parker with the "Yeah, I'm cool" look.

Not so cool once the helmet comes off...