Day 315 - Claypool's, Taylor's, Schultz's & Steel's

Today was an action packed day! Well, as action packed as you can get when you involve a 95 year old Granny! We had a rip-roaring start to the day, well, not really, but it felt early when I finally woke up! We left for Granny’s with a quick stop via Claypool’s. We were staying close by & I always like to check up on the latest cowgirl duds. To our luck, Kelsy arrived shortly after we did! We enjoyed a great chat & did our best to try & make plans for brunch/lunch tomorrow with the elusive hunter Cody. As usual, Kelsy looked like a million bucks. They are getting married soon & I can’t wait to see the photos… She will be a knockout bride!

We left Claypool’s & stopped at the bakery & Tim Horton’s to pick Granny up a few treats. By the time we made it there, she was already in bed. (It was 1400) She was in pain & quite tired from her day yesterday. I had expected this, so we didn’t stay long. She was quite confused & struggled to understand us. She did enjoy cuddling with Valentina though! They are 2 peas in a pod, those two! Granny ate half of her sandwich & Valentina eagerly cleaned up the crumbs & droppings Granny left behind. Once the food was cleaned up, Valentina snuggled up right beside Granny, her nose shoved up against Granny’s arm. They were quite the pair! I could tell Granny needed a nap before her supper, so we said goodbye for today.

I sent a quick text to Trisha & Joleen to let them know we were on our way. We found the family inside, but not for long! A pantless Huxley charmed the pants off… wait, he was the pantless one… He wanted to be held, so no bottoms & wearing his blue rubber boots, Aunty Jill got in a few cuddles with the big little boy, while Buster woke up from his nap & rubbed the sleep from his eyes. We went outside & Trisha showed me the horses while Buster & Huxley & Brad fired up the John Deere Gator – for kids! It’s quite the little set of wheels! The kids were having a hay day bombing around the yard in it. We chatted about the ponies & a few other things… and then it was time to go.

We motored down the road & ended up right on the road to Doug & Joleen’s. I was worried we would be late, but we weren’t! By the time we found their house, Doug had just arrived home. We were pretty excited to head out on the lake in their new boat, but part way through dinner, Doug’s niece needed to go to the hospital. So, with a change of plans, Joleen & the kids toured us around town & down to the docks to see the boat & let the kids & Valentina burn off some steam. When we returned to the house, we had some dessert & then it was hot tub time! They were still breaking in their new Jacuzzi, and I was only more than excited to participate! We were pruned by the time we got out. Poor Doug was pretty bored in town waiting for the Doctors to make their decisions. When we left, he was wandering around Superstore – surely something was needed? Anything? I hope his niece is alright.

The kids were wonderful. Adison has started kindergarten (crazy!), Rhett is so talkative & little Nate is already one & starting to walk! Man! They grow so quickly! Their children are so well behaved. I can’t say it enough. I am amazed at what a great job Doug & Joleen have done with those kids! I know where to come for lessons!

It was a fantastic night! I look forward to the next visit! We motored home & crashed into our king size bed. Jaco on one pillow, Valentina on another pillow & then me on my pillow. Sweet dreams!

xxxxx

Maria, Jaco & Valentina

Tweet Pea cuddles with Granny

Nestled right in.

Three generations! :o)

Where'd those kids go?

Having fun with Valentina

Sittin' on the dock of the bay...

Watchin' the world go by...

Joleen gives us the grand tour...

I miss those Saskatchewan sunsets!

Everybody got their exercise tonight!

G'nite all!

Day 252 - The Day After

Well, I will definitely contest to the fatigue factor! I finally fell asleep around 0100. I set the alarm for 0400 to get up & take my anti-emetic. It would have helped if I had turned the alarm on after I set it! Thankfully my internal clock was paranoid & I woke up at 0420!

I set the alarm for 1000 & double checked that it was indeed turned on! I woke up 2 minutes before the alarm went off. I lazed around for an hour or so & then climbed in the shower. I was feeling a bit feverish, but according to the thermometer I was not – thank goodness.

When they shatter your immune system with chemo, your body doesn’t pick up germs & colds like the regular person. No sneezes, no sniffles, no aches, just a raging fever & when that hits, you’re in BIG trouble! The tell you to go straight to the nearest emergency room!

I took a Tylenol & it seemed to help. I had already drank 1L of water by noon. My cousin Joleen, her husband Doug & their three children, Addison, Rhett & Nate showed up for lunch & a quick visit. They are from Saskatchewan & had traveled to Fairmont for a holiday.

I absolutely love their kids. They are some of the sweetest, most polite & well behaved children I have ever met.  They are 5, 3 & 1. Nate, the youngest, was SO EXCITED to see the dogs. They were trying to feed Nate (Doug & Joleen, not the dogs) some yogurt, when Nate had to sneeze, mid-excitement & mid-bite. It was a Yoplait shower all around!

Mom had made a beautiful salad for lunch & garnished it with some edible flowers. Addison & Rhett thought that was pretty neat, although they were a little reluctant to eat them!

After lunch we all went for a walk in the woods. Addison stepped smack dab in the middle of a cowpie. It was crusty on the outside, fresh in the middle – how I like my cookies, come to think of it! She asked me what it was & when I told her, she quickly notified her Mom of the nice green stuff on her pretty pink shoes! The next drama came when we stopped to take a photo of our group & somebody bumped into an anthill. Poor Addison ended up with ants all over her feet! Luckily they weren’t the biting kind! Poor girl!

We finished the rest of the walk unscathed & they hit the highway for the city to visit some more friends & family. Mom & I came inside & we both laid down for a nap. I slept until 1900 when she woke me up to see if I wanted to go to prayers. Of course I said yes. At least my mind did. My body was a little hesitant. My limbs felt slightly detached & ‘floaty’ but away we went.

It was great to be back in the Prayer Group. I miss the ‘embraced’ feeling of being surrounded by so many wonderful prayers & the knowing that I’m asking for direct guidance or help for myself & others. We always have a few good laughs too… Kevin told me tonight that YouTube bought out Twitter & Facebook. It’s now going to be called YouTwitFace. Ha ha ha. I was howling on that one! :o)

Mom & I left around 10 & I was feeling kind of warm. We stopped at Shopper’s Drug Mart to buy a better thermometer & a large bottle of Tylenol. Sure enough, I took the measurement & it was 38.4 with a little red unhappy face. I was pretty worried, so I called the hospital straight away & Dr. Owen called me back promptly. She told me not to worry about it just yet, as my WBC wouldn’t be low enough to cause any alarm. She said it was probably something viral & to take some Tylenol for it. If it didn’t change in the next day or so, give a call again. Phew! No dramas please!

We motored the rest of the way home, spotted a dog running in the clouds & went straight to bed. When was the last time you found shapes in the clouds? It had been a long time for me, but that little doggie jumped right out at me! Ears back & tail straight out the back too! Nice way to end the night.

Tomorrow will be preparing for the par-tay. I’m excited to see everyone & looking forward to a fun evening of close friends! Lotsa love & hugs…

Maria & Valentina

xoxoxoxoxoxoxox

Chatting with Jaco while the pooches snooze.

Doug, Addison & Valentina read a book.

On a nature walk.

Checking out the ant hill.

Family Photo of the Steel's!