Happy 40th Birthday Kathy!

As my sister’s 40th birthday approached, I knew we had to do something special for her. It was a little hard because both my mum and I don’t live nearby, but my mum was able to recruit a few of her friends to help plan a surprise dinner. My job wasn’t too hard; I just had to make it 3000 miles (to Comox, British Columbia) without her finding out. Well everything worked out as planned and we were able to get over to the island and be waiting at the restaurant for a big surprise.

The biggest surprise was that me, mum, dad and a friend from Calgary all made it in from out of town to surprise Kathy. I haven’t seen Kathy since last spring, so I was definitely the big surprise for her….and the tear said it all.

Me and Jenn (from Calgary) setting up for the party
We were able to spend the next 4 days on the island and make Kathy’s birthday a weeklong celebration. Everyone had a great time and I’m so glad we were able to give Kathy some wonderful memories she will never forget.

Jarid, Kathy, Alan, and Darin

Another Deployment

Everyone who is part of the military knows that deployments are inevitable. You know it going to happen and you try to do everything to prepare….but it doesn’t matter what you do, it is still never easy.

Honestly, I think one of the hardest parts is the time leading up to the deployment. It starts with the tan uniforms entering the house, writing “Ott” on every piece of clothing, stuffing two A-3 bags with everything they could possible need in six months, visiting the lawyer for a will and a POA, calling banks and insurance companies…..and so on. Then comes the day you have to drop them off and say goodbye...

That said, Glenn has left on another deployment. But I have to say, that now he is gone I have a small sense of relief that we can stop talking and preparing for it, and we can get this deployment over and done with!

Saying our last goodbye at Green Ramp
So the guys have headed off to Iraq. I know it was a little rough for them getting settled and Glenn got hit with the flu his first week there...nevertheless, things seem to be going well now and I’m just looking forward to the day that everyone gets to come home safe and sound.

Learning to shoot a handgun

I guess I should start here with telling you just how afraid I am of guns. There are so many reasons, but the biggest is that I just don’t trust them. Glenn has always said he wanted to teach me to shoot a gun, so that maybe I wouldn’t be so scared. So for Christmas last year Glenn got me a gift certificate to Guns Plus (yeah, aren’t I a lucky girl). Anyways, the gift certificate sat on my dresser for a year and Glenn finally asked when I was going to use it. So Glenn and I made it a date and spent a whole afternoon with a 9mm handgun, going over the safety features and teaching me how to shoot.

It is definitely harder than I expected.

Not too sure if this is something I should be proud. But I should thank Glenn because it did help me get over some of my fears.

I actually hate to admit it...but I had fun. I think I may even be up for going again someday.