So 2009 was a quiet year for us. Not a lot happened. The biggest thing of course was our trip to China, Korea, and Japan to see a total solar eclipse. The trip went well and we plan to go back at some point. Probably the most interesting thing we found was that airport security in the People's Republic of China is more polite, respectful, and competent than the US TSA. Who would have guessed, (OK I would have but that's another rant for another day.)

There were a couple of other trips this year. Marsha went back to Minnesota twice. Once for a funeral and once for our nephew's wedding. I stayed behind and played crazy bachelor and his cats. I wasn't able to go because I started a new job and with the eclipse trip I didn't have any vacation time. Oh yeah, I started the year, with a new job. I left NCO and joined Aviawest Resorts. This meant more money and more regular hours. In another vein I also changed from hard contact lenses to glasses, a process that took over a month. A month of fuzzy vision and finally no driving for a week. Once the eyes had adapted though, and I got the new glasses they've worked great.

We also did a couple of projects around the house. I remodelled the ensuite bathroom: new flooring, sink, paint, and fixtures. We also painted the master bedroom. There'll be more to do in there in 2010. We also did a full overhaul of the entryway with ceramic tile, paint, and new lighting. And then I guess we also did the laundry room; moved the water heater to the garage, stacked the washer and dryer, installed a new floor, paint, and lighting, (mind you, not necessarily in that order).  We also painted the guest bedroom, and the hallway and repositioned my office from the back bedroom to the living room. Outside we moved a few dozen concrete blocks that were randomly scattered around the back yard to the front to make a pad to park our pickup truck. Oh yeah I sold the Mini and picked up a Mazda pickup truck. Also in the yard we repainted the trim on the house a nice cinnamon, it looks so much better than its former greenish colour. Marsha also completed her 10 ton rock project - aka  hauling rocks from the beach to our front yard. And this fall the neighbour took down the huge tree that overhung our back yard, and the house. Lastly, in the kitchen we replaced the countertops, the refrigerator, and the stove.

Whew I'm tired just writing all this down. I guess we DID do a lot last year.

Here's to hoping that 2010 is a little quieter.

Here are a few more pictures from our Xmas morning walk on the beach.  We have so much rain recently we have not had a chance to take new pictures.