Two Thousand Thirteen "TTT"

2013 has been an explosion of events and activities here with us Wisemans, so I have decided the title of this letter is appropriately abbreviated from Two Thousand Thirteen to "TTT".

Welcome to the most wonderful time of the year!  At my house, we celebrate Christmas as a time to be grateful for what's been given to us- the time we've had together over the past year, and the adventures and experiences we've shared.  We remember the birth of a tiny baby many moons ago, celebrated on December 25 year after year. We celebrate the season of Christmas which started a long time ago in that tiny manger.

Part of my Christmas tradition is the writing of this Christmas Letter. Don't call it my holiday letter, ok. That would be written while I'm vacationing somewhere- that's a holiday. This is Christmas.

I like to take an evening or two (which often turns into 20) to write this personal recap of the year, throw in some Christmas goodness, and hopefully get you to crack a smile or Lol (older folks, that's "laugh out loud"). Some experiences this year deserve a little more reflection than laughter. Overall, I'm grateful for everything that happened to us as a family. Once again, it's a bit of a story but I hope you'll take the 3 minutes to read it and send me your own.  I would love to hear from you about your TTT year.

January 2013 - New Years Eve found us banging pots and participating in other non-offensive behaviour with friends.  It was a great evening. Next morning I ran my traditional New Years Resolution 8k race at Crescent Beach Park.

Mid-month David begrudgingly celebrated his 50th birthday which he cleaned the house for. Ha! (You might recall that he has a much better relationship with the Dyson vacuum than I do). It was a full house including David's mom & dad who came all the way from "The 'Loo" Ontario.  They were the surprise factor and snuck in the back door as David was welcoming friends at the front. Got ya! David was still tolerating enjoying his continued sabbatical which meant he had time to visit with his parents and perform other necessary tasks formerly completed by the Mrs. including, but not limited, to cooking/ cleaning/ chores/ shopping/ and taking the boys for orthodontist/ dentist/ doctor/ meetings/ appointments.

February - While I am grateful for medical advancements, I didn't much appreciate the colonoscopy my doctor sent me for.  Some may know that my dad had colon cancer years ago so my 40th birthday present from my doctor was a referral to a specialist for this memorable procedure.  Gee thanks, Doc. I am super pleased that the results came back good. Days later I ran my first half marathon of the year and I will say both those experiences were equally quite terrible.  I have no pictures to share of either.  You're welcome. 

Thankfully, February also included Valentines Day and David and I had a wonderful evening out and enjoyed a delectable dinner and live jazz entertainment at our most amazing church, Johnston Heights. Love.

March was an emotional month. My brave sister, Megan went in for two surgeries. She had growths removed off her ovaries then a large mass removed off her liver. The surgeon also removed part of her liver as needed. That surgery was difficult for Megan and the surgical team. She lost a lot of blood during the procedure and it was necessary that doctors gave her a special injection called Factor VII = a blood-clotting protein.  Megan ended up in ICU for a couple of days, mostly fast asleep, waking only a couple times for a bit of jello. It was scary seeing her like that. Dario spent many hours by her side. When she finally came to, she thought it was still Friday but it was actually Sunday. On a positive note, the doctors were impressed with her speedy recovery once cleared from the ICU. She was in the hospital for 6 days total. 

Later that month I started donating at the blood donor clinic.  Every 56 days or thereabouts you will find me there. Sometimes, I go in and my competitive nature takes over so I'm willing my blood to come out faster so I can beat the person next to me and get to the cookies & juice before them! I've come to know a couple of truly amazing volunteer staff there as well so it's not really as dreadful of an experience as it could be. I figured it out that I have to donate every 56 days for three years to make up for Megan's donators, and I thank them.

Here's a pic of me and Megan taken Dec 2012. We look virtually the same today but I would argue that we are even more gorgeous now.  She is a very special person and I adore her.

Also in March, David completed the IT project of his lifetime. Home videos from 1998 through to current day were distilled down from 1 terabyte of data to virtually 12 DVDs. That's a lot of 5+ minute videos chopped down to memories now short enough to want to watch. Hooray!

Later in March we drove 9.5 hrs to Northern BC's Prince George. Thankfully we have a vast CD selection so we don't actually have to talk for any of the trip. JK. We had a good visit with my brother, SIL, and fun, smart nieces and nephew. David and Sage wrestled with our negative scanner and the technology required to do more converting of negatives to digital files. It would have been funny/weird if the scanner wasn't involved in that last sentence...  How's that going anyways, Sage?  While in PG I ran with a local group of die-hard women of the North. We ran 23 km through snow, up mountains, through trails, as if pioneers but without the aprons.

April is a beautiful month here. Our magnolia tree comes into full bloom as does the camellia bush. Daffodils and tulips were bearing their petals.  It was a fresh start all around as David started working at Mati Therapeutics. Finally, I got the house back and could make it messy again! April also marks the month we noticed Jacob was 1" taller than David. Suddenly I feel short.

May was a happy month. With the help of a few wonderful people, I hosted a baby shower for my SIL, Athena Han- beautiful, hot wife to my BIL, Jamie.  Baby was due in June so we decided to have the baby shower while Athena still had energy and time!  The theme was "Ready to Pop!"  I drew & cut-out silhouettes of a curvaceous pregnant woman, we ate popcorn, lollipops, cake, ring-pops, popcorn cupcakes, sushi- not necessarily in that order!  I made a three tiered diaper cake, decorated with bibs & baby toys. We DID NOT eat this.

Later that month I ran my second ever full marathon: Run for Water in Abbotsford, BC. You won't remember but I do- it rained that day. Now, I don't mean little sprinkles of water coming down to keep me nice and cool. We're talking torrents of non-stop water gushing down, charging at  me sideways like a linebacker, then jumping back up from the ground like a wet ninja.  My running shoes are still wet. 42.2 km (26.2 miles), 4 hrs and 20 minutes later I crossed the finish line, received my medal, ate like a horse and was wrapped up in one of those rescue blankets you get after being stranded on a mountain.  Somehow, I managed to find joy through that experience. I had a big smile at the finish line. Well, who wouldn't- my family was there for me and my fantastic running friends. Great day!

June was even better! Amica Jade Han-Wiseman entered our world and now it's a better place.  It's so nice to be an Auntie again!  Amica is over 4 mo. old now, happy and healthy. Babies are an amazing miracle.  Don't you think?

July brought staycation time! David's family came from Ontario to visit us which saved us thousands of dollars of travel. Thanks guys!  It was nice to have everyone here for a change. We took a few local outings: Steveston; White Rock Beach and some shopping, of course.  The men ventured to Jamie's cabin for a few days and had an all around guys weekend away.  You know, fishing, shooting guns, campfires, rousing games of Stock Ticker and consuming plenty of meat.  Back here in the civilized lower mainland, baby Amica and Athena got lots of support and attention! It was a good week off work for me but sadly too short when it came time to say farewell until the next Wiseman family visit. I do have a great husband and with him a super fantastic extended family.

Our four Wiseman family adventures continued in August.  We hiked and backpack camped up to Garibaldi Lake. It was an epic trip!  David's backpack was over 50 lbs and mine was 45-ish. The boys carried their own gear. Now, if only I had packed better bandages and mole skin I wouldn't still have these lovely purple circles on the backs of my heels, proof of the worst blisters of my life! This pic is a the top of Black Tusk. Yes, that's Garibaldi Lake and I am on top of the world.  They boys did an amazing job hiking up to the Lake. Next day, blisters and all we made it to the top of Black Tusk. Looking back, I am so impressed and proud of my guys- and me!

September was a great month to be out running and drinking with my quick training husband!  This marks David's longest running race ever, 15.5 km.  Perhaps the only thing that got him through it was the wine served at Vineyards along the race route. Yes, it was a wine run! Cheers!

Also, I ran another half marathon right here in Surrey and of course, it rained. Here's me with some of my fun-loving friends that swam ran with  I'm wearing a tu-tu. Uh-huh! We don't always finish fast but we do have fun doing it!  

Also in September Jacob started Grade 10 at his high school, LA Matheson. This semester he has Math 9, English & Social Studies 10 plus a tutorial/spare block. Not the most exciting bunch of classes but he's getting through them. Dominic started Grade 8 in the Inter-A program at Kwantlen Park. This is a district wide program with a focus on community service, leadership, and independent working. Wow, I hated high school. They don't. YAY!

Teenagers have so much pressure these days to be cool and accepted among their peers. Jacob and Dom are good, respectable young men and I am proud of them and the choices they've made to be who they are today! 

October was a solid month: My BDay. Thanksgiving. Jacob's 15th. Halloween. No wonder I'm always tired by the end of October. Every weekend was a party. That's me with the purple hair and terrible 80's makeup. I could go on and on about October but I will leave you with this fantastic picture because I am laughing.

Which brings us to the current month, December (I'm not sure what happened to the month of November- it went by too fast. Practically exploded before my eyes).

Now that my Christmas letter is done, I will post it on Facebook, my blog and snail mail some of you. I also have a "Merry Christmas" family photo that will be sent out. If you want one for your fridge, or to frame for your living room (that was a joke), let me know.

From my family to yours, wishing you peace, love and happiness and may you be touched with kindness and gifts from the heart this Christmas.  We have so much to be thankful for.  Let's not forget it.  Let's pass it along.

Today in the town of David a Saviour has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord.  This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.
-  Luke 2:11-12

“Maybe if we focused on being light & less on the dark, we might actually see things change.”
― Michael M. Rose

Triple co-inky-dink

Today is Tuesday - it's mid February. Blah. Need I say more.  It's a fairly regular Tuesday.  I'm at work, coughing (getting over a cold [yes, another one]).  I've had my lunch and it was delicious.  My brain has had it's 30 minute de-frag and is preparing to gear up to return to my desk/ work.  In that last moment of free time I own during my break a thought comes to mind... I wonder if anyone texted me- I check.  Wow- a message from hubby!  What?! He walked around Stanley Park today just for the heck of it?!  Well, my man deserves a good dinner after that!  I reply, "awww good boy!  I will make you a hamburger for dinner!"

Let's recap - it's Tuesday, not Bbq Friday, or Bbq Saturday. Certainly not Bbq Sunday!  I don't believe Popeye, Wimpy, or the phrase "I'll gladly pay you Tuesday for a hamburger today." had any part in my decision making.  Perhaps it was the glorious sunshine that inspired such an unusual choice of jollification for dinner.  Regardless, it was a millisecond, keen decision and I said I would so I immediately made the necessary grocery list in not-yet-fully occupied brain.

4:30 pm - I'm heading out the door. Oh, I must add that I thought I might run out of gas on my way home so I was a little stressed about that.  Point A (home) to Point B (work) is 30+ km drive.  From work, the nearest gas station is not very near as I work pretty much out in the currently-being-developed-into-yet-another major-industrial-park boonies.  Fear not.  I made it.  Before gassing up, I had to resist the urge to sit there idling until I ran out of gas (estimated 2 minutes) because I sort-a, kind-a wanted to experience what that felt like.  Refrained. Filled up and on my way.

Grocery store purchases done. I am home around 5:50 pm.  Dusk is upon us. No need to panic!  My barbeque is on the back porch and we have one of those really fancy working man's lights.  You know, the type with the metal cage on it. Whatever, it works.

Ok now my husband would say this is getting to be a Wendy Goudsward story.  I'll try to get to the point.

At approximately 4:00 pm my youngest son apparently suggested to my husband that he should make hamburgers for dinner.  Alas, earlier in the day my husband inconceivably had the same thought (long before I texted him).  So, my text to him at 1:58 pm indicating I would make him a hamburger for dinner was the triple coincidence (ie. co-inky-dink per title) and proof beyond a doubt that great minds in this fam-jam think alike. How's that for Wiseman intuition?! Hmm?

While I happily digest, I wish you well and many delicious hamburgers in your future.  I'm certain there will be plenty at my house.

Amen.


per Wikipedia - The usage of Amen, meaning "so be it", as found in the early scriptures of the Bible is said to be of Hebrew origin.

Colonoscopy, oscopy, oscopy

Before you exit this blog for fear of "TMI" do not despair. My goal here is to write a light hearted, optimistic view of why this rather uncomfortable procedure is a great idea for many of us- and to help me forget how dang nabbit awful it was.

Years ago my dad had colon cancer.  Thankfully, because of early detection, and a third of his colon removed shortly after, he is a healthy 70 year old who still enjoys an active lifestyle.

As a responsible adult (most of the time), my doctor's 41st birthday present to me was an introduction to one of the most respected Gastroenterologists.  Ok, yes, she's impressive and I am always thankful to meet wise, successful professionals.  However, we didn't meet for drinks, we met for a consult.

Needless to say, I'm always thankful to meet health professionals who effectuate the most undesirable work related procedures while still managing to smile as if serving ice cream to a small child.

Survey Says (Wen style):

• Failure to complete the required "Prep" the day prior to a colonoscopy may mean you get to do it again at a later date!  Super bad news for you.
• Successful completion of the required "Prep" can be painful but all is not lost- take the time on the throne to evaluate your bathroom floor and surroundings, and if a reno (or at least new floor tile) is due.  Or, read a good book.
• Drink plenty of water.  It's good for you no matter what.
• Don't plan on sleeping much the night before. Make it your night to watch that movie you love that no one else wants to watch with you.  But keep the remote handy- you'll need the pause button... often.
• Major bonus- after the procedure, the nurses will tell your significant other that they need to do the cooking for the remainder of the day. My experience is that men listen to nurses.
• The drugs given intravenously during the procedure will affect you the majority of the day and are a good excuse to lay around at home useless- or blog if your brain can manage it.
• You get to wear one of those cool plastic wrist bands home and can pretend you were at a resort rather than Surgical Ambulatory Care for the morning:

I do have to say this and will leave you to guess it's significance: 6 ft.

There you go.  I did it and managed to stay positive. You can too.  May you have a happy colon, and like me attempt to find humour in the most unusual places.

The end (no pun intended).

Male Refrigerator Blindness

Not so long ago, my then 11 year old son asked what the picture image with above noted caption, stuck to our beautiful Kenmore 21.0 cu. ft. top freezer fridge meant.

My response went something like this: "What it generally means is when certain people open the fridge door looking for something to eat, they should move a couple items around rather than immediately chime out to the lady of the house, "IS THERE ANYTHING TO EAT!?"  Interestingly, women generally don't have trouble finding food in the fridge."  He understood how this related to him straight away because even though he is young and a quick study, he is still a man.

Of course, he is also delightfully good humoured:   Unequivocally advantageous to his understanding of said image!  Also of great benefit to him, is his willingness to listen with a humble attitude- essential to learning.

Now, don't get me wrong here.  I'm not just making this up or dissing men. According to the Canadian Medical Association Journal, there has been a thorough study of Male Refrigerator blindness. CMAJ December 6, 2005 vol. 173 no. 12: The Case: Three male offspring, aged 9–14 years, of one of the authors (M.B.) were observed to experience visual problems profound enough to imply functional blindness. The visual deficit was evident on almost every occasion when any one of the children of this physician went to the refrigerator and opened the door. http://www.cmaj.ca/content/173/12/1494

Regardless, he is still a boy and like many men still needs a woman to magically find the slice of pie or leftover ham from the night before. Oh right, it was on the middle shelf at the front! Not kidding.

My son has since determined that the fridge is an appliance to be conquered- not just a place of cooling on a hot day, or a white dictator forcing him to limit his options of nutrition; but rather the keeper of edibles of hidden goodness, delectable treats & deserving refreshment.

Having been taught this important practical, dare I say life-lesson, my boy is learning to take individual action prior to the instinctive reaction to shout out for human help- Ahhh blessed independence!  Seek and ye shall find. As long as he doesn't find my beer underneath the carrots.

ps- you can order this fridge magnet here- http://annetaintor.com/product/magnets/male-refrigerator-blindness-claims-another-victim

pss- slightly related to this blog post is some biblical truth- http://bible.cc/matthew/7-7.htm