Day 366 - Hello Shermans & Strilchuks!

This morning we were up & at it bright & early. By the time Jaco & I got up, Henk was already out in the barn & Laura had all the girls up & dressed & was busy braiding the last one's hair. Oh, and she had breakfast ready for everyone - Quinoa, omelet & fresh cinnamon buns. How does she do it, Folks? How does she do it?

I took along my blonde wig for the trip, but forgot the little bank robber stocking that goes under the wig. It helps a lot with the itching. I hadn't worn the wig & was having fun showing off my henna. I wasn't sure if the church we were going to today would be ready for my henna'd head or not. Laura told us that 500+ people go to their church every week. When I tried the wig on for the girls, they liked it. I told them I was now Mommy's sister (because I was blonde too!). I decided to wear the wig. Thank goodness I did, as we ended up sitting in the very front row! I guess they would have only stared at the back of my henna'd head, but this way I couldn't see either way!

I met Laura's friends, who have a daughter with a rare medical condition called AVM - Arteriovenous Malformation. She is taking treatments in Colorado, as they have much success in treating her AVM. Canada offered to remove 1/2 her face & do reconstructive surgery & by the way, she might not survive the surgery. Did I mention their daughter isn't even old enough to drive a car? TRAGIC! (Insert prayer HERE!)

We drove back to the house & had a bite to eat. It was then time for us to dash away. We hugged & said our farewells. I sure do miss those guys. What a wonderful family they are! I wish we lived closer. (Did I say that already?!)

We made our way towards Beaumont. We were stopping in to see Janis & Dustin, Caleb & Baby #2. Janis is due in March. I think it's a girl. But I always think every Mom-to-be is having a girl. Janis is the ultimate Mom. I've never seen a woman handle pregnancy so smoothly. I think it's her general laid-back attitude. It rubs off on Caleb & their two Goldendoodles, so it's only naturally that pregnancy would go smoothly as well. I hope I'm like that one day! She looks stunning & I've never heard her complain about ANYTHING. What a gal. My hat's off to you!

We were planning on staying for an hour or so, as we needed to get to Rocky Mountain House before dark. Well. If Dustin didn't come home & start making thin crust Italian pizza. They asked us to stay & I think they asked right about the time the garlic was sauteéing on the oven. Psychologically they could have asked me for my first born child & I would have handed over the baby for a piece of pizza. Yeah. It was that good. Seriously, I haven't had pizza like that since... Italia! Bellissima!

While Dustin was preparing the pizza, I went to the living room to play with Caleb. This kid amazes me. He's 2 years old & he has the craziest vocabulary & best pronunciation I've ever heard. Not that I'm a Speech Pathologist or anything, but he's pretty clever! He read me a book full of animals. Lion, bear, giraffe, zebra, tiger, butterfly... I was VERY impressed. Note to self: Read your child PLENTY of books. Note to self: Read your self PLENTY of books!

We were on the road with full bellies & memories of homemade tomato sauce dancing on our tongues. We arrived at Le Strilchuk Château just past 2100 in the snow. I scared the daylights out of Mom2. She didn't hear us drive up, or come in the house. They were all watching a movie in the living room, with a fire burning. She screamed & jumped. Whoopsie! We had a wonderful chat & enjoyed a cup of Toasted Walnut tea from David's Tea. I sat up & watched the last of the Karate Kid. It was good! I like Jackie Chan.

The girls were happy to see us. I think. Valentina cuddled with Ricky, Mom2's nephew, & Oceana cuddled with Mom2. All the dogs got along fine! It's a miracle! I think it was great for them to have a few more 'pack members'.  We'll see what happens once we're back home!

I went to bed after the movie & what a cozy bed! The mattress was nice & cushy & the duvet was big & fluffy. Great sleep!!!

While I was paging through a magazine in bed, Jaco went to the loo. I heard someone get up, I think it was Mom2. She walked in on him in the bathroom. So did Laura at her house. So did Drayton at Sylvia's house. I think it's quite funny. For all other parties involved, maybe not. What are the chances of this happening at EVERY house you stay at? Maybe they don't lock doors in South Africa? They lock every other door, that's for sure!

Tomorrow we motor home... Lekker slaap!

xxxxMJV&O

 Soooooo Yummy!!!

 The Master at work!

 Caleb enjoying his ice cream

 Smiley Guy!

There's a bit of a belly bump there! 

 Laura, Henk & the girls

Tianna playing shy!

Day 288 - Bronwen & The Art Class...

Phew. It's a busy weekend! Today Bronwen came to visit. I met Bronwen at a pub in South Calgary when I went to listen to Jessica sing. I commented on her beef dip looking yummy & she offered a bite. I declined, but sat down & visited with her instead. She has a 9 year old Rottweiler, named Roxy, and we had a great time talking about our dogs & traveling. I invited her out to the ranch & she decided to come out this weekend. 

We had a great chat & only realized how nice it was outside when she went to leave! I told her to bring Roxy out next time & we'll take the hounds for a walk. We also went through my beading stuff, as she wants to start making some jewelry... Should be fun to get creative together!!! 

After she left, I decided to visit Janis & Dustin. They were camping at a group campground on the north end of Kananaskis Country. I took the dogs & drove through a flash hail storm on my way. Once there, I met Janis, Dustin, Caleb & all their friends. One fellow had biked from Airdrie (!!), one couple was from Kamloops & the rest were mostly from Calgary. I enjoyed visiting with a Chiropractor & his wife, a Dental Hygienist who works WAAAAAAAY up north for one week a month. She was telling me that South African Doctors fly in & work for one month & then fly back home. That's how desperate they are for Doctors! Hmmm... I could smell a sunny way to make it through winter! :o)

Janis helped me make signs for Jenn's triathlon tomorrow. Janis is an amazing artist, so how happy was I when I realized I could sneak her talents in to sketch some letters! The orange paper was so bright we were colouring in the letters until 2300! It was nearly glow-in-the-dark! 

And Caleb. Wow! What a smartypants! I am so amazed at his vocabulary! He is 21 months & Janis counted over 170 words the little guy uses! I was impressed! I asked her what she's done - her secret - they never talk 'baby talk' to him & they read A LOT of books. 8+/day. My kids will be bookworms! Maybe I'll catch on one day too! :o) I love the fact that I can experience my friends becoming parents & observe the skills & tools they use. No pressure for myself as a parent, though! :oP 

Interestingly enough, I met Carl. Who's Carl? Well, when I met Bronwen the first time, she commented on wanting to go to the World Cup in South Africa. Of course I encouraged her to go, but she didn't have anyone to go with. The next day I met up with Janis & Dustin, who had just visited their friend Carl. Who was going to the World Cup. Who had extra tickets. He was hoping to trade the tickets for accommodation. I immediately thought of Bronwen & my pals in SA who would love to have a few Canadians crash on their sofas. I emailed Bronwen & waited patiently to hear from Janis/Dustin/Carl. But nothing. Oh well. 

Turns out Bronwen watched EVERY game, but in Canada. Carl went & had a blast. Bronwen still wants to get to SA... Anyhow, I haven't seen Bronwen since our first visit. I heard about Carl the next day. Now, Bronwen visits again & I meet Carl the same day. Hmm. Something tells me I should introduce the two of them... Not in a cupid way, but in a 'I feel like I should do this for whatever reason' way. In any case, it just seems odd that the 2 of them keep showing up in my life at the same times!

On that note, I boogied home to try & catch a few zzz's before Jenn's big day! I can't wait!!! I'm such an emotional sap, I'm sure I'll be bawling my eyes out when she crosses the finish line! Of course, after I photograph her winning finish!!!

Sleep well & see you tomorrow! 

xxxxx

Maria, Valentina & Oceana

The guys played soccer whole heartedly for quite a while!

Janis & Caleb - what a pair of cuties!