Day 357 - Sleep.

Finally! A day of nothing but rest. We didn’t go anywhere or do anything. I thought about cleaning up the house, as it is quite messy, but decided against it. Cleaning can wait. Sleep is needed. Gotta go! Cuddling with the dogs & my hubby are mandatory today! :o)

xxxxMJV&O

Day 353 - Finally! We Saw It!

Last night Jaco gave me my Neupogen shot & this morning found me with plenty o' bone pain. I wasn't moving too swiftly, as any up/down movements would send me over the edge! Jaco cleaned the pantry, vacuumed the bedroom, swept the kitchen & folded the laundry. I washed/dried the clothes & edited the rest of the Stirr photos. 


We decided to go to Cochrane & attempt to see Life As We Know It for the 3rd time. We tried on Saturday evening, but the show was sold out at Chinook & the only 2 seats together were in the very front row. We couldn't even see the screen properly! We asked for a refund & left for home. We tried again last night on the way home from Ken's, but we had missed the first 12 minutes of the movie. 


We were going to go this afternoon to a matinée, which I thought started at 1620, but as it turned out, it started at 1530! We finally decided to go to the 1920 show. We left a little late, got stuck behind a big fuel truck & lo & behold, the movie started at 1930! We were actually early!! Mark it on the wall! 


We both really enjoyed the movie. It was funny - the audience was chuckling the entire way through - and it was sad & it was lovey-dovey. All the necessary items to have you leave the theatre feeling good about life. It's worth the money & buttery fingers!


We fuelled up at Safeway, picked up a few things for tomorrow & headed home. I had bathed both dogs before we left for the movie, so they were dry by the time we arrived home. And they smelled a lot better, too! 


Tomorrow is round 7. I am so NOT excited about it. I hope the day flies by & the night too. I wish they could just give me a drug to induce a 24 hr coma. I pray this ends soon. 


xxxxMJV&O

Day 249 - I Drove All Night...

First off - did I mention my dog is experiencing a false pregnancy? Yup. Lactating & all. Nesting, collecting toys, whining, depressed. Guess who is getting spayed as soon as this is over?!? Are you kidding me?!? Who would have thought...


Second, I heard the wolf again tonight! Sweet! Only once. I ran for my camera/video, but I haven't heard a peep since. I've been sleeping with the fan on lately, so maybe he's been here for awhile.


Today was my CT scan. I was 1/2 an hour late. I didn't think Canmore was that far. Yeah, it's been awhile & I usually just keep plugging on to Banff. I had to drive Mom's car because, lo & behold, my battery was dead! Mom's car was a bit freaky to drive, as the steering isn't quite right. It's really stiff & hurky jerky. 


When I approached the Diagnostic Imaging desk, I had to fill out a consent form. Before I filled it out, I asked how much radiation I would be receiving. It was like I'd slapped them across the face. They all sat there for a moment, deer in the headlights look, and I thought, 'Oh boy. Here we go.' To my delight, they were WONDERFUL!!! They called around & found out as much information as they could & sent me home with some googling to do. 


The gal who helped me out was really sweet. She's getting married next March, either in Panama or Cuba. She was asking me about different islands in the Caribbean, so of course, I babbled incessantly about my favourite islands. She was really good at her job too. She was very explanatory & was gentle with the IV. Also, in the past, when they inject the contract dye, it is a big flush & you get that I-just-peed-my-pants feeling. (You don't actually, it just feels that way. Weird, I know.) The gal was re (just hear the wolf again! AWESOME!) She was really gentle with the injection, so it wasn't a mad, overwhelming rush of heat & flush. Much appreciated! 


As I left the Imaging area, I dropped off a note with Kim Ing's details. When the gal mentioned Cuba, I remember Kim having shot a wedding in Cuba & perhaps they could work something out... You just never know! 


The hospital had wonderful artwork decorating the halls - most of it was for sale. The piece in the Imaging waiting area was donated by EVIC's Boss' Boss! Hah! Small world! I will say, if I had to be hospitalized, I would prefer to stay at Canmore. The view is spectacular! You're surrounded by mountains - Wow!


I stopped at the Rocky Mountain Bagel Co. as mentioned by Dave yesterday. It was so good, I nearly did a yooee (UE, u-ee, U-turn?) on the #1! It's been a long time since I had a bagel that light & fluffy & delish!


I motored to Calgary to return/pick up a few last minute things, then boogied back home. I slept for 1/2 an hour & then motored back into Bragg Creek for dinner with Karen!


Karen is a Teacher in Pincher Creek & today was a field trip to Calaway Park, so we agreed to meet afterwards for a quick visit. Karen was my roommate several summers in Waterton. She also introduced me to hiking & sparked the adventurous explorer in me. We had a great meal at Infusion (again!) & I enjoyed hearing about her plans for the summer & her BIG trip around South America! Including the Galapagos! I wish I was tagging along! I can't wait to hear ALL about it!!! It was so great to see her & catch up before she gets caught up in busy summer plans!


After we said goodbye, I raced back home. I was supposed to meet Mom at Infusion at 1830 & we were going to go to Cochrane together. I pulled into the yard at 1827 & no truck. But the inside door wasn't shut. And there were no dogs. What's going on? I called her cell. No answer. I called again. And again. x5. Finally she calls me back. She was down in the field helping Jim. His Arctic Cat quad was stuck. Quite bad too. Mom said the front wheels were 2 feet off the ground! He'd pounded a crowbar into the ground & was trying to use that to winch himself out of the mess. Jim is 83 or 84 & is quite the character. He doesn't get upset or angry. He always calm & finds something to chuckle about! Needless to say, Mom was a bit late leaving for her meeting. I dropped her off & headed over to Mike & Jenn's. They were using Mom's truck to pick up a mattress & box springs some people had been storing for them, but were unable to do so any longer. 


My heart nearly broke when I pulled up I could see Harrison sliding open the patio door calling, 'Tina? Tina? Tina?' I had left Valentina at home, with Oceana while Mom & I were gone. He was so sad that she wasn't there to play with! Poor fella! He had a hair cut & I am pleased to say that we'll look like twins after Saturday night! Although I think he looks much cuter in a buzz cut than I will!


Jenn & I had a good visit while Mike ran to get the mattresses. I am so happy they are here. They are wonderful friends & such good people. I've enjoyed spending time with their children & seeing some fantastic examples of good parenting! I'll know who to call when the totsicles are finally here! :o)


Mom & I drove home & were in the house by 2200. Both of us exhausted, we had a bite to eat, played with our dogs until we were crying from laughing so hard & then it was bed time. Oceana was really funny tonight. She jumped up & put her front paws on Mom's leg. When that didn't work to get her attention, she starts digging on Mom's leg. She digs so fast - it's a flurry of paws & claws! When that didn't work, she give one big leap into the air. Then another leap! Mom was giving me a play-by-play of how it usually goes down & Oceana acted right on cue. Priceless! Then Mom got up to grab a tissue & both dogs came over & jumped up. Mom jumped, the dogs jumped, again & again... About 4 times in a row! Crazy dogs!


Anyhow, enjoy your day tomorrow... I hope it's a good one!
xxxxx
Maria, Valentina, Kim, & Oceana

The artwork donated generously by...

My old Boss' Boss!

The view from the front entrance of the Canmore Hospital

Sometimes I make words/abbreviations up with license plates. I thought this one was 'Tom Baker Centre' & my immediate afterthought was 'BAH!' That's when I saw the next plate...

I'm not sure if the spelling is right, but this word means 'poo' in Afrikaans. Struck me funny that it was the next plate I saw!

Karen & I

Mom was miffed the cops didn't stop the old cars from holding up traffic, but made her call a tow truck & not drive any further!

Day 128 - All In A Day

Today was another relatively early start. I was off to Leduc to watch Alina, Kerry & Shawn's daughter, also Janis & Dustin's niece, play ringette. Janis drew me a map to get to the rink the back way & I was off. The rink was amazing! Brand new & quite schwanky! I was impressed & I don't even skate!

Kerry is very easy to spot in the crowd. Gorgeous little blonde who looks like she just stepped out of a Vogue magazine. Her little boy, Mason, has the same striking blond hair. I spotted him sitting with his Dad. Kerry was sitting in the centre of the bleachers & I made my way over to her. I'd smuggled Valentina into the rink, so of course the gals sitting around Kerry had to have a peek at 'what was in the bag'. Kerry & I had a little visit while we watched Alina's team win the game! Hooray! (FYI - they made it to provincials!)

After the game we went to this fantastic Greek/Italian/French/everything else restaurant for lunch. It was wonderful to spend time with Kerry's family. Usually when I meet up with her, it's her & a few other friends, so this was extra special to me! Kerry & I met in College & although she couldn't make it, she, too, was supposed to be a bridesmaid at Wedding #3. (there were 15 bridesmaids, so keep counting!) Kerry is one of the busiest Moms I know. In fact, I don't think I know a busier one! She is always on the go & kudos to her for having the oompf to get up before her family, hit the gym & be back in time for breakfast before anyone has woken! 

Although our visit was short & sweet, I'm hoping to stop in for a quick hello & hug on my way back. And here's hoping they'll make it down to K-Country this summer to visit! 

After I said farewell to the family, I was on my way into the city to visit Corre. Corre is another friend from College. Her & I were inseparable during those 2 years. We would spend all day together in class & then go home & talk for 2 hours on the phone to each other. She was also a bridesmaid! She teaches near Edmonton now & recently moved in with her man. I'd never met him, so I was quite excited to meet Mr. Wonderful! 

I had been texting Corre that morning, as I was still waiting for directions on how to find her house. She had said something about 'a novel', but I didn't understand her, so I just called to find out. Apparently my phone is anti-directional, as I never received the text with the directions in it! Funnily enough, I did receive a few 'spam' texts that were all jumbled numbers & letters. Sorry, but woman's intuition will only get me so far & in Edmonton, that's not even close!!! I drove forever & ever on Anthony Henday or Tenday or something like that. I thought I'd be at Sylvia's before I ever reached Corre's! (Sylvia lives north of Edmonton a fair distance)

Eventually I pulled up in front of her house & she came out to greet me. I was so happy to see her! She is next to impossible to track down & I later discovered why... She teaches full time, on top of coaching basketball & volleyball! Yikes! I met Mike & was also greeted by Zeus, their dog that Corre's former roommate rescued from the Reservation at Fort Chipewyn. Valentina loved Zeus. I'm not too certain it was mutual. If Valentina's nose wasn't in Zeus' face, it was in her, well, other end. Poor Zeus! Anyhow, we took the dogs for an hour long walk. Oh my gosh, I'm out of shape & Corre motors! I was trotting to keep up! When we got back to the house, I sat down & Corre said, 'Are you ready for hot yoga?' Gulp. 'Yeah, sure.' Oh dear, I might be here for 5 days until I can move again!!!

While we discussed yoga & supper, we threw the ball for Zeus. I've never seen such a dog. She was obsessed with her ball & would do anything for you to throw it. She would even put the ball gently into your hand, time after time. At one point, Valentina had the tennis ball. I don't know how she managed to fit it into her little mouth, but in any case, she approached Zeus & gave the ball to her via mouth-to-mouth. It was very cute!

Mike agreed to stay at home with 'the Girls' while Corre & I ventured out. She had done hot yoga before, I had not. I had no clue what to expect, only that I hadn't done yoga for a very long time. I loved it! It was so nice & warm & it felt really good to sweat! The room was chokka block full & it wasn't too insane of a workout. Perhaps the most embarrassing moment of my life came about when I accidentally added a little 'hot air' to the room & unfortunately it wasn't that silent. Just my luck the 'cutest (gay) boy in class' was on the mat next to me. What?! It could've been the girl behind me! Phew, she was sweating pure nicotine! Ugh! Anyhow, it was a brilliant class & I'd love to do it again! Hopefully a little less embarrassing!!

After our 2 malicious workouts, we went to Culina for supper. It was fantastic! Okay, so we were a little sweaty & a tad underdressed, but it was still scrumptious! I would highly recommend it! They even had rooibos tea! Sigh. A little reminder of my Honey while I'm on the road! Miss you Handsome!

On our way home, we stopped at Zellers. I got the bright idea that I wanted to get a red 'Canada' olympics zip hoodie. Yeah right. If you know of anyone who doesn't want theirs, I'm a size S! We returned home to find 'the Girls' keeping Mike company. Zeus on top of the couch behind him & Valentina on the blanket with Mike. What a great day. I'm so blessed to have so many wonderful friends! This has been a great trip!

Sleep well & here's hoping my body still loves me tomorrow!

Maria & Valentina

xoxoxoxoxoxoxox

Alina is number 6 - under the ref. And check out that scoreboard! Way to go!

Shawn, Kerry, Mason, Alina & myself.

Walkin' the dogs along the river

If I was smart, I would have taken the camera out at the start of the class, but oh well. It adds some 'ambience' to the photo! :o)

Hot & Steamy! 

Culina! Funky logo!

Mike & Valentina - she just makes herself at home!

Corre & Zeus, who is thinking, 'When are you leaving with that mutt??!!'