Walking on Thin Ice?

I was up at Wollaston, Saskatchewan last week with Cyrielle and wanted to go for a walk to the Northern Store in Hatchet Lake... well there are two options - the ring road around the bay or across the bay. As we were walking, we considered that the bay was a considerably shorter distance to traverse than the ring road, we saw people playing hockey and we saw ski-dooers crossing... we decided to cross the bay.

Now initially we hesitated as I've heard that ski-doos can cross open water if they maintain their speed... I've even seen a picture of it... maybe youtube even has videos. I would personally not want to test the theory as I did hear a story about someone running out of fuel in the middle of the bay and their ski-doo sank.

After what seemed like a significant delay in neural processing, we started across the water. We did however stop to check the depth of the ice as we proceeded... it seemed to range between 4 inches and thinker. If you look closely, my foot is next to a transverse section of crack (horizontal across the photo) - it is about 4 inches deep. The unerving part of crossing the bay was that when we started we could see the bottom with the rocks... then as we delved farther from shore the water beneath the ice turned black!!!

It was exhilarating to walk cross the ice!! Our current philosophical debate is now centred on whether that consitutes walking on water??

Stitches Out

Yesterday was the day to remove my stitches... but I forgot until it was too late.

My first thought was to ask a friend. I went for dinner with my friends Debbie and Linda but neither of them thought it was a good idea to take out my stitches. I told them it was fine, Mike would do it if he was here... they kindly let me know that neither of them were Mike and couldn't bear the thought that they might hurt me cause the stitches were so tight to my skin. Fair enough.

Today I remembered to call my doctor's office only to find out she was booked up, which was to be expected. Really she is a very good doctor. I think this cyst thing was just... well I don't know what it was.

So, I resorted to ask a couple of colleagues if they would cut the stitches out. I mean I would cut out someone's stitches. Jane flatly refused and told me to take a hike. But Cyrielle finished my sentence before it was out of my mouth and said sure! She'd done it before... sort of. =) Hurray!! Now to find a sharp blade and a pair of tweezers... well we found a knife, disinfected it, but the blade was too dull so out to my car I tromped to find my leatherman. I haven't carried it on me for years now, not since I walked through the airport security gate with it on my belt. I no longer wear a belt through security either, most of the time.

We also borrowed Rich's leatherman so we had scissors and pliers for the procedure. It was a great success!! So to remove stitches at home you need one or two leathermans, alcohol swabs and a good friend. =) Here's a photo for the record.

About Mike

Finally the blog to tell you about Mike!! Fear not, I will not leave you hanging for another two months.

I just want you all to know creating this timeline was an enormous task as I was trying not to know how long we'd been together so I didn't have to worry about that terrible 6 week stage when I typically crash any relationship!! But for all of you, I had to step up and give you your story. Here it is...

May 20th, 2009 - Mike and I met at the shotgun range. He was with his friend Lee and I don't think I knew Mike could even talk for about a month. Thankfully Lee was there to talk for all of us.

I went out to spend time with Mike and Lee, but I often skipped out cause I was too tired from my kayaking bender and also wanted to visit friends. Mike's friend Lee did call from time to time to encourage or nag... not sure which... me to come out shooting.

September 2nd, 2009 - I emailed Mike to ask about something Lee told me.

September 9th, 2009 - Mike and I agreed to meet at the range to practice before trap night. (Lee takes full credit for this as he was out of town and told me to call Mike.) We had a really good time!!

September 16th, 2009 - Mike and I met up again to go shooting. I pressured Mike to come kayaking with me. I think he’s a pretty cool dude.

September 21st, 2009 - Mike came kayaking with me and he was really good. We're looking forward to paddling this summer. I tactlessly turned down Mike’s invitation to go out for a beer after kayaking cause it was my bedtime. Really who the heck goes out for beer that late at night? Not sure if he likes me yet.

October 17th, 2009 - Mike came to a wine tasting with me. I thought he wasn't going to come because he had to wear "business casual" and working on the rig, he told me he didn't wear or own those type of clothes. Well being a stubborn Taurus he couldn't shake me that easily so I called to tell him we were going shopping after work, only to find that he was already shopping. =) I thought perhaps he liked me. I was glad that he went shopping cause I was tired so I laid down for a nap before hockey. The wine tasting went great! I drank too much and in the end couldn't decide what bottle to buy so I just linked arms with Mike to steady myself for the rest of the evening. (He liked it.)

Anyways, have to tell you about the end of the night - Mike found me sitting on a chair... may have been talking about him so my cheeks could have been burning. I joked that it would be wonderful if he would bring the truck around so I didn't have to walk. He pointed out the door and replied, "That truck?" WOW!!! I just laughed - he's a keeper.

October 22nd, 2009 - Mike, Kirsten and I went to the Strathcona Haunted Ghost Walk. Still not sold on whether Mike was interested in me or not, I thought I should invite him out again. =) I surreptitiously linked arms with him and Kirsten so I could casually have a reason to touch him. It worked well and Mike took the initiative to hold my hand. Yay!!!

October 23rd, 2009 - I had the day off so Mike and I spent it together talking. Oh and he drove me to my flu shot and took me out for lunch and cupcakes and he doesn't even like sweets! We agreed we were interested in each other. I let him know that I was spoiled with my work travel so I never open doors or pay for food and I only drive occasionally. If he thought I was a spoiled princess he never let it show. But we did have to argue about opening doors. I haven't driven since, but I do open some doors, and we split food bills.

We also discussed "what is dating?" and I'll share that in the next blog.

October 26th, 2009 - We kissed - okay Mike kissed me and then I kissed him back and I really liked it.

October 27th, 2009 - We agreed to spend time together exclusively (and I was supposed to dump all my other boyfriends).

October 28th, 2009 - Mike met my friends Mark and Chelsea at their weekly bible study kick-off party. Mike let me know that he wasn't really interested in going regularly cause he's illiterate and wanted to do other stuff with me. But he did reassure me that if I wanted to read to him I could and if I wanted our kids to go to church he's okay with that too.

October 31st, 2009 - Mike and I were supposed to meet up to hang out before going to my friend Scott, Carrie and Virginia's place for Halloween. Well, Scott was working so Mike and I agreed we would take Carrie and Baby V grocery shopping together if Mike came back in time from shooting or just me if he was late. Well he was late so I took Carrie and we planned to only be an hour... two hours later Mike called to see where we were and we were just on our way to the grocery store... we had to shop around for fake eyelashes!!! =) Honest to god, Mike found this endearing and laughed - thank goodness because I think it happens more frequently than I'd like to admit.

Halloween was awesome! And Mike even scored points cause he brought extra candy which was much needed when we ran out!!! My only concern is that Mike is getting all the awesome boyfriend points and all I do is arrive late. I guess I should be thankful he likes my cooking. =)

November 5th, 2009 - Mike and I agreed it's okay to be boyfriend-girlfriend.

November 10th, 2009 - Mike insisted we've crossed the line and are dating. This is so embarrassing, but here goes... I had just come home from visiting my mom and dad and what should I get? A painful pimple on the back of my neck where I can't see it. Mike saw it and screamed, "What is that on your neck?!" Oh the shame. I befuddledly responded, "I don't know a zit or a hive, I just got it this morning and it hurts!" Unfortunately for Mike he asked if I wanted him to pop it. My eyes lit up at the thought that Mike might be a kindred spirit and like popping other peoples pimples!!! (Okay this may be an exaggeration, I only do this for special friends.) So Mike took out his gloves and safety glasses and was all geared up for the process. The irony is that he did pop it - I just about died from the pain, but didn't want to be a wimp - and part of it hit him in the forehead, just above his safety glasses!! So much for keeping himself sterile. Oh god, I'm laughing too hard here. And thus Mike decreed that we were now officially dating. =)

November 16th, 2009 - Mike and I were both out of town working and I called him everyday and talk for about 40 minutes; the highlight of every day last week.

This week I'm back in town and he's still away for another two weeks. Now we talk for over an hour every day... I miss him alot.

I have a plan though - "My Missing Mike" therapy plan - I have lots of things to do around my house and friends to visit so I'll just keep busy while he's away. I'm good at that, plus my tv misses me so I may have some much earned couch time to catch up on. Today I have work to do for teaching at Augustana in January and laze around, tonight I'm going to a shooter party, ... and lots more. =)

Resolution of the Dating Faux Pas

Well after two months I am happy to say that my dating faux pas is out in the open and resolved. In the end, that extremely good looking young man who ditched his dad to come kayaking on Monday evening with me, won my heart. His name is Mike and we're officially dating and I've put in my vacation request for next summer to Prince George or Whitehorse... it sounds promising.


I will admit that it was a tad stressful and I have no intention of putting myself in said position again. There were a number of nights that two of them showed up to the pool and really, it was awkward for me. Enjoyable to my friends who knew what I did. Glad you could have a laugh at my expense. =)

Thankfully I was honest with Mike and told him about my poor judgement cause he's also extremely smart and found my blog. I tried to find my blog and couldn't!!! How could he just find it on his first try!?!? I was somewhat shocked as this is my private journal to all of you!!! But then he confronted me with the question, "Were you just going to keep it a secret from me?" To which of course my jaw dropped as that was not my intention, it had just not occurred to me yet that it was something I should share with him. Well crisis averted, Mike still likes me and is enjoying my blog... I am feeling rather exposed though as I try to remember everything I've written about in the past... I suppose if it was important enough to tell you, I should tell Mike at some point... the bright side is, he'll read about it, so I don't even have to remember. =)

Mike, material published on this site can in no way be used against me in any manner - it's in the fine print.

Epic Punch Biopsy

For anyone who has had a sebaceous cyst before, they are rather uncomfortable, for those of you who haven't a sebaceous cyst is a blocked gland under the skin's surface that can't drain. I used to have a pair that resembled little horns; one on the left and the other on the right side of my head. It was an extremely appealing characteristic of mine. =)

So about 5 years ago I had one removed cause it rubbed on my kayaking and hockey helmets. No problems! Doctor did a great job, had a few stitches for a week and then I was off to play. A year later it came back, maybe because a portion was left behind the year before, hard to know for sure. A resident doctor removed it that time and my doctor gave play by play commentary, it was rather interesting; I was only missing the video feed.

This fall after my kayaking bender it was time to remove the other one. Smartly I thought let's do it in between kayaking and hockey seasons. So into the doctor's office I went (same one as before), but instead of a scalpel she decided it would be better to do a punch biopsy. It's like the equivalent of taking an itty bitty cookie cutter to my head with my scalp being the dough. I'll admit, it's not my favourite sensation. But you know, medical technology is always progressing... well supposedly. I inspected the alleged cyst they removed and I couldn't see it, I said, "it's pretty small to be causing all that kerfuffle." To which they agreed and I started having deep philisophical thoughts about my seeming oversensitive hyperchondriac reaction to a bump in my head.

Well because it was a punch biopsy I had to leave the stitches in for 2 weeks. Come week 2 I went to get the stitches out and finally touched my head... you'll guess immediately what I found!!! They cyst!!! The target cyst was missed by 5mm. =( Of course I'm annoyed, but think I should go back to my doctor and let her know the problem.

Of course, she reassured me that they had in fact removed a cyst last time. Fine, I'm thinking, but I asked you to remove this other one. So a bigger punch was used this time. I just about spoke up to say that I thought perhaps the punch was not the most appropriate method, but really, my medical skills involve polysporin and bandaids. And really, how could they miss the cyst a second time?

So on with the procedure. I saw the cyst this time, and it was smaller than I expected, but it was there. They stitched me up, I was happy, and off I went. Two weeks later I am in Fond du Lac, SK about to get my stitches out and I feel my head again... WHAT THE HECK!!!! The cyst is still there, granted there is a little nick missing from it, but it's still there!!! How can this be possible? Even the nurse practitioner was dumbfounded. I'm concerned that I may soon be balding with all these punch biopsies!

As I am travelling all this week and on the suggestion of the nurse practitioner I went into the Stony hospital the next morning before my meeting to have it removed by a different doctor. After a 20 minute check in and a meander to the emerg section I got to sit in the waiting room for 2 minutes before being ushered to a bed. I gave the nurse a rundown of my purpose in Stony, the paramedic took my blood pressure, and the doctor asked about my case history.

Now we're ready, the doctor marks the cyst with a pen, shaves part of my hair off... it will grow back right??... and we begin again. The doctor was nice enough to comment that it wasn't that big and I felt a little silly making such a fuss, but really I like my kayaking helmet. So he cuts my head open and I hear a surprised remark, "oh this is a bit bigger than I expected". Well I saw the cyst and I am very disillusioned with my doctor - how could she possibly have missed the cyst? I now have a dint in my head and feel confident that it is gone. =)

And hopefully now, my helmet will fit my hornless head better. =)