Day 322 - Spruce Meadows!

The Masters started on Wednesday at Spruce Meadows. Show Jumpers from all over the world come to compete for big bucks. I went with our 4-H club when I was about 13 or 14 years old & I haven't been since! Seeing as Jaco had never been to Spruce Meadows, I thought it would be a fun thing for us to 'tick off the list'. It was!

Spruce Meadows celebrated its 35th anniversary this year. They had photos showcasing the development of the facility throughout the years. It was quite fascinating to see the original vision develop into what it is today. It was also, um, disturbing (?) for lack of a better word, to see the growth of Calgary in the background of the aerial photos. Spruce Meadows used to lie outside the city by a quite a distance. Now it is engulfed by developments. As much as I love my city, it is disgusting that Calgary takes up more surface area than New York City, which has over 8 million people! Calgary has just over a million - if you include the metropolitan area. (NYC swoops to 19 million if you include their metropolitan area!) I get that we are a city wealth with oil money, but really... how disgusting is THAT carbon footprint!

Anyhow, back to the show jumping. Jaco told me he used to watch show jumping on the weekends at home when there weren't any sports on TV. He found it quite boring. Thankfully he enjoyed watching the event live! In fact, there were several moments when I said, 'Well, should we go now?' and Jaco was the one to request that we watch one more... And then one more... And then one more!

I sported a wig today. The henna design is gone & my hair is getting sparse, so I put on the long red wig & painted up my face. I must say, since I put a big more effort into my appearance, I have received more compliments than ever! Talk about a confidence booster! It's nice to know that I don't look like a clown with a wig on! 

We strolled around the grounds, checking out the different barns, filled with exhibits of various equine & not-so-equine related booths. We visited Traci, Mom's friend, who was selling western clothing for Cavalier. I chit-chatted with a fellow from Montana who makes custom cowboy boots. He offers a course... maybe I'll go one day & make my own 'Italian' boots. (It's on my bucket list, although I'd rather learn in Italy!)

While we were waiting for the International Ring to begin the next group of jumpers, the cutest little old lady came & sat beside Jaco & I. She had a pudgy little chihuahua dog with her. She was the sweetest little lady, telling us where she was from, her daughter was out from Montreal, they were in the horse business, how she got her dog... She was adorable! Of course, so was Oscar, the chubby chihuahua... There's a photo below that I snapped after we moved down the bleachers to get a better view. She still warms my heart at the thought of her & her little dog!

Jaco & I had picked out the perfect seats to get the best photos. The jumps were right in front of us. Lo & behold, they jumped on the other side of the ring & in the middle. No where near where we were sitting! Argh! Oh well, we enjoyed the jumping nonetheless. 

The Celle stallions from Germany performed prior to the jumping. They were magnificent! It was incredible to see them perform - what athleticism, grace & strength. There are a few snaps below. Enjoy!

We left shortly thereafter to stroll around the grounds & visit a few more places before we left. We stopped to say goodbye to Traci & while we were waiting, Jaco decided to go to the car & wait for me. He took the camera bag & left. When I was walking to the car, I stopped by the International Ring. They were jumping RIGHT IN FRONT! ARGH! Sigh. I guess there's always next year! 

All in all, it was a great day. We enjoyed our day at Spruce Meadows. Sleep well for tomorrow we DevinFest!

xxxxx MJV&O

Welcoming the jumpers from various countries around the world.

The wig for today.

My how the city has grown!

South Africa!

Checking out the black & white photos of yesteryears!

Pretty pony.

Jaco makes friends

One of the Celle Stallions

Getting ready

The rider prepares

Lost in thought?

The little lady & Oscar

Oscar hopes for a few crumbles

Oscar & his jacket

Celle Stallion reaches out

Beautiful!

Wow!

Whee!

Up & Over!

Hup!

Over the top!

Last jump!

Collected.

Day 277 - Errands.

Wow. I'm realizing that today is day 277 - it's nearly a year since I started this blog! Where does the time go? I mean, July is pretty much done! Life is whizzing by at an incredible pace... No wonder I get dizzy!


Today was low key, compared to the action & vibrancy of yesterday! I muddled around most of the day at home. I'm not too sure what I did, but it took me most of the day! I left for town at 1600 & went to Calgary to get some groceries. I picked up a toy for Valentina. It was a cute crocodile. With a squeaker. It didn't last long. Poor fella. Even after I picked up the pieces, she still whiled obsessively & contemplated a way to climb up the table legs! 


It poured rain in town tonight, but it was nice & warm. I was at Costco in the northeast when it rained & they have a bunch of cedar shavings in the parking lot. They were wet (obviously) & they smelled wonderful! 


While I was checking out at Costco, the clerk was grabbing for a hair she felt stuck to her lips. I commented & said I don't have that problem anymore. She said she never thought of it that way, but maybe she'd give it a try (shaving her head). I told her I was going to lose mine anyways, so I might as well shave it off. I explained that I had cancer. She then says, 'Well, I suppose, it could be worse.' Um, pardon my ignorance & maybe it very well could be, but isn't the more 'worse' than cancer death? Before I had time to contemplate it any more, I hear the clerk behind me getting yelled at by some guy 'with a funny accent' who tried to sign with his wife's credit card. His wife was standing right beside him. Why couldn't she sign for it? Oh these cultural differences really get to me... Especially when they put down women... But I need to sleep, so I won't get started on that! :o)


Tomorrow is a cleaning day, as James & James are coming to visit! I'm very excited to see them! They are ship mates & have been traveling around western Canada these past few months, so I'm grateful I get included as a stop! 


Okay, I'm wiped & I'm am flat out of things to say... Lekker slaap & see you tomorrow! Oh, Jaco comes in 17 days... FINALLY!!!! It feels like I haven't seem him for 12 months, not 2! 


xxxx
Maria & Valentina

Terrorizing the croc

The croc gets a breather

He looks happy, but...

Some vital anatomy is missing!

Day 263 - Git Yer Yee Haw On...

Giddy up! I was excited for today - Mom & I were meeting my cousin & heading off to the Stampede. My cousin, Jori, is a teacher in Roswell, New Mexico & I can't remember the last time I saw her! She has been on a 'Western Canadian' tour, visiting the relatives here, there & everywhere. I knew we were going to have a fun day when we pulled up in the Safeway parking lot & her car looked like a ghost car. It was a big ol' silver Lincoln with black tinted windows. The best part was her license plate - 740 PMS. Ha ha. And she didn't even have to pay for personalized plates. Too funny!


Just our luck, we decided to hit Stampede on a wonderful stormy day. Apparently the weather hasn't been too great so far & today was no exception. Lovely dark clouds, downpours & some brutal hail hit the city this afternoon. Luckily we didn't get the hail! 


We parked in the City of Calgary parking lot & thankfully we didn't get towed. Supposedly after 5 p.m. it is a STARS parking lot & you can donate money to help out STARS. Mom didn't know that. We thought it was a STARS parking lot all day! Luckily the car was still there at the end of the day!


We were late (of course) for the rodeo, but we ended up going anyhow. We managed to catch a fair bit of it. It was a great time! Flint Rasmussen was the rodeo clown & Jori went to University with him. She also knew a lot of the barrel racers. Jori also had the good fortune of being affiliated with the winning horse at the Kentucky Derby - Mine That Bird. It was a very exciting time for my Mom's side of the family. Jori's Mom races horses & our Grandpa had a love of racing horses all his life. It was pretty amazing that someone in our family was in the Winner's Circle!


Meanwhile, back at the ranch... er, rodeo... We were entertained to no end. Flint was hilarious, the barrel racing was intense - it was pretty soupy in the arena after all the rain, and the bull riding was really good too! Of course, the end of the rodeo brought us the wild pony race, which has teams of 3 kids. They give the kids the halter shank and then let the horse out of the chute. They have to get one kid on the horse & ride it for 'a while'. In all that mud, it was VERY entertaining!


After the rodeo, we wandered through the BMO Centre to look at all of the exhibits. I enjoyed looking around at all the interesting displays. I found a 'blingy' belt that called my name & also met a couple from Victoria that sell Springbok bags. The husband is from South Africa, so I enjoyed chatting with them about my beloved South Africa. :o) 


I also bumped into Shawna Whiteside. She is the creator & owner of Sweet Iron Silver & was busy making the belt buckles for the winners of Stampede. I was excited to see her, as she has just finished her quest in conquering breast cancer. I have seen various Facebook updates from Shawna & she has sailed through her treatments with grace, humour & of course, a little attitude! She was very encouraging & I was so glad I bumped into her. She is amazing & an inspiration like no one else! She still has a few rounds of chemo left to do, but she shared with me the events of her last week. She had reconstructive surgery on Friday. Her appendix burst on Monday. She was out of the hospital at noon on Tuesday & setting up her booth at 1430 the same day. Stampede means she has 14 hour days for 10 days straight! Can you say 'Trooper'!!!??? Wow! What a gal! What an inspiration!


I was exhausted after a full day of walking around. Anxious to get home, Mom & Jori actually beat me home! I had talked for so long to Shawna & the South Africans that I left later than planned! I was given a boost when I hopped on the shuttle bus to take me down Spiller Road & the gal across from me commented on my haircut & how well it suited me. *grin* It makes my day when someone comments on it, as it is a big change! I love it, but it's always nice to be reassured that someone else out there thinks it looks good too! 


When I arrived home, I was happy to see the Stephan's camping in the yard. Collet & Dave were in limbo between a family reunion & a wedding. I told them to come & visit rather than pay camping fees elsewhere. Collet was still up & we had a quick chat before we both crashed. I was pretty excited to see her. Her belly is big & beautiful!!! We're going to do some photos before they go. I can't wait!!! 


Okay. This cowgirl's done & dusted. It's time to hit the hay... G'nite y'all...
xxxxx
Maria & Valentina

Best plates ever!

The Greatest Outdoor Show On Earth!

Sorry Mom! You're on the fisheye film!

Checking out the heavy horse action!

The Bobsey Triplets!

**There were more photos, but I think I deleted them by accident. Smooth, I know.**

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!