Holiday Wishes

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO EVERY ONE!!!!!

Merry Christmas In Nova Scotia

It is great to be back in Nova Scotia again. After postponing our trip in May we waited for 'permission' to leave the US, hoping and praying we would be able to get home for the holidays. We received our "advanced parole", giving us permission to leave the country up to 30 days at one time, valid until September 2008. We also have an application in for permanent residential status (a perm. work Visa) which will be processed sometime in the next year (or two). That will clear up any issues going across the border and will allow me to work (if I would like to) as well.

Our actual flight back to NS was relatively uneventful. Air Canada/United co-share a direct flight from Washington Dulles International Airport to Halifax. The actual flight time is only a little more than 2 hours so it is a quick trip. We arrived in frosty NS around 3:30 pm on the 13th of December. We had been informed that it was cold here but of course we were still a little surprised at exactly how cold. We have gotten used to the warmer weather - a relative term I suppose as it does get cold in Virginia, just not to the degree that it does up here. We have only made two trips back here at Christmastime since we moved to the US and I don't recall either of them being very cold. However I do enjoy the cold weather far more than Chris and I miss the snow so I guess every one special ordered some just for me as we have had one big storm and lots of flurries on top of the snow that was already down.

We have been enjoying the company of friends and family since arriving. We are a little like gypsies, moving every couple of days, except we just go back and forth from Brian and Thelma's (Galletly) to Kenny and Patty's (McKenna). One of the things I most look forward to is seeing our beautiful nieces - we now have four; Norah (9), Emily (4), Rachel (2) and Sophie (8 mos.). To date we have only had opportunity to see Norah and Rachel (my sister Sandy's two darlings), with plans to visit Oxford this coming weekend to get reacquainted with Emily and meet Sophie for the first time. Of course we enjoy spending time with everyone else, but the children grow up and change so fast, each moment is special to be sure.

We will try to post pictures of the beauty of winter in NS as well as the wonderful people make it special for us.

Happy Holidays to all, and best wishes for the New Year!

Night out with the Caps

Just a few shots from early in the first period of Thursday's game against the New York Islanders. Unfortunately we lost 5-2. But it was a good night out with friends from home.

The new Hi Def scoreboard

Olie Kolzig clearing the puck to the side

Matt Bradley digging for the Puck in the Islanders goal

Joe Motzko called up from Hershey to fill in

Nicholas Backstrom skates for the puck

Fall Colours

Just an couple of pictures from yesterday's walk in the woods. The leaves are only in the first stages of change, but the dry weather we've had this summer will make the change short, and there won't be a lot of colour. The peak should come in at the end of the month.




This one is a shot I played with in Photoshop. You can see the original in a previous post.

It's that time of year again...finally!

After a long break from the great game hockey season is finally here! We went to see the Caps at Verizon Center last night and had a great time even though we lost 2-1. The Caps looked pretty good (especially the defence) and we look forward to a promising season. It was a little strange feeling patriotic singing O Canada and then not rooting for the Canadian team (I justify this by saying that there are Canadians on every team). Chris and I purchased t-shirts with the new (old) Caps logo - we will post pics of them soon.

In other news, Chris and I are still doing Weight Watcher's and both have enjoyed success. I have lost 30 lbs and Chris is down an astonishing 66 lbs. He was also able to stop taking Metformin, a medication his doctor prescribed for diabetes (he was on the cusp). That itself was no small accomplishment! Yesterday at our WW meeting, a woman asked Chris how he was able to lose the weight and stop his medication. She had been at the meeting a few weeks back when Chris was talking about coming off his medication and she was moved to tears (she also has to take medication for diabetes and sees a nutritionist). He is an inspiration, proof positive that change is possible. I am so very proud of him!

Walk Along the River

Took a walk along the riverbank at Bull Run Marina Park, and snapped a few shots of the local flora and fauna. The river is exceptionally low due to the lack of rain we've had this summer.

Photos From Glen Burnie

Just a few shots taken at Glen Burnie, a local historical estate and museum. We were there last weekend with my parents when they were down for a visit. The grounds have several garden areas which include rose gardens with a large selection of rose varieties, and areas with Greek, Roman and Oriental themes. Unfortunately the batteries died only a short time into the visit, and I forgot to check to see if I had a spare set before we headed out for the day. The next time we go out, I'll try and get a better series of shots from the rest of the garden areas.

Hockey In July

Here are a few of the better shots from today's Development Camp scrimmage game for the Capitals future prospects. A couple looked ready for the big time, some needed a bit more time in the minors. It was a good game, especially in the middle of July.

Celebrations on the 4th

Here are a couple of pics of tonights Fireworks over Manassas Park.

DC Summer

I went in to DC for the day, the weather was quite nice, no humidity, only in the 80's. Got some good shots, and thought I'd post them for everyone to see.

Click on the image to see a larger view.

The Washington Monument

The World War II Memorial

Where are all the people?

The Lincoln Memorial


The Korean War Memorial


Birds In The Korean Memorial Fountain


Roses in Front of the Smithsonian