Countdown to the end of the year...

A good friend reminded me today that things have been awfully quiet around here. I blinked and a whole month went by.. how did that happen? Cuz SO MUCH has happened.

First, we figured out that the trials were not for an IDBF world championship competition, but for an ICF (International Canoe Federation) event. We're still a bit confused by how it all relates, but have come to the conclusion that there is no way we can do Hong Kong in July and then Italy in September, plus tryouts and training camps and everything else in between. So we're sticking to the IDBF circuit... phew!

Second... what happened second? Oh yeah, that Christmas present from G? Well, it involved dressing up and public humiliation. Of course. But it was all for a good cause :) We ran in the first ever Burlington Santa Run.. a 5K through Burlington in a full Santa suit (beard and all... or you risked being DQ'd) with 1199 other similarly attired human beings.. a fundraiser for the Make-A-Wish Foundation. I wonder how many children who previously thought there was only one Santa (hey, make a small typo and you get "Satan"... hmmm) were traumatized by the sight of MILLIONS of red-suited ho-ho-ho-ers..?

Third we had our first fit test of the season. It was tough and I don't really wanna talk about it. Suffice it to say that we are going to be working our butts off this month in preparation for the next one in early January.

Fourth... ah yes, fourth... I had surgery on my foot yesterday. Note to self.. next time I let G take me anywhere that involves me getting undressed and drugged up - make sure she leaves her phone in the car. As she picks me up at 6am, she asks if my underwear is clean and sans holes. Oui oui... nice looking, clean underpants and bra. Just in case. Cuz you never know who is going to see you in it.

First, they give G a tracking number for me. She decides I need to have my mugshot taken.  

I'm stripped naked, in a gown that i can't close, and all the nurses (coached by my friend Pam who works on this floor) are threatening me with a series of enemas. The bag they give me for my clothes is of clear plastic.. i neatly fold all my apparel (A! You'd have been proud!) and place it inside, with my pretty bright red bra on top. G about has a heart attack.

"Could you please fold that up and tuck it BETWEEN your clothes?"

"Why?"
"I'm not carrying that THING around the hospital. How embarrassing."
I of course am beside myself at this point, and thinking thank goodness there is a rubber pad under my naked butt should I accidentally pee myself with laughing.

"I'm not folding it up! My memory foam cups are gonna get squished."
"Just fold one under and into the other and tuck it in. I'm serious."

"Oh ok fine. But first..."

This photo apparently started a good rumor that I'm in here for a boob job.  HA.

The nurses took my vitals, and removed all my jewelry. That was a bit of a production. Enough said.

In pre-op, the doctor marks which foot gets the knife... 

There's another photo of me with cap and also a video.. but I think I'll keep those to myself for a bit longer. Apparently by the time I was done the ward was under the impression I was a dancer, I was professing my love to all, crying like a baby and generally extremely loopy. Good times.

Everything went well, my foot got all bandaged up, I got some free pants (scrubs are so hot right now!), G bundled me into the car and off we went home. First though, I made her stop at the tattoo shop so I could get my jewelry back on :) (Ears people, ears!!) 

So here I am, on the couch, bored as all $%^! and looking forward to next practice. Doc says if I can do it in my cast, I can do it. So paddling and weights on Saturday - here I come! Two days of rest is enough right?