Day 296 - Volunteering & My Camping Cousins

Today was a pretty quiet day on the Richter scale. (4.0) I volunteered at EVIC while Shauna did an amazing Search & Rescue course. It was limited to 6 participants & when Shauna inquired about taking the course again, it was full. The Instructor offered to let Shauna come along as a 'guest' Instructor. Naturally Shauna was floored! I was more than happy to help out & harass Joe for a day while Jaco got over his jet lag. It was fun to fall back into the swing of things, although I didn't miss my Smoky the Bear girdle pants. (Think standard uniform designed in the 1980's that come up somewhere between my bellybutton & bosom. NOT flattering!)


It was a semi-busy day, seeing as the weather was nice, so we had quite a few visitors in the Centre. The day went well. I only had one fellow call me 'Sir'. Yes, not a word of a lie. I was wearing big earrings & makeup. Perhaps it was the men's size large fleece vest that gave me a 'unisex' look. I don't really know. In any case, it made me laugh. What was even funnier was when he showed up later in the day with all of his buddies who had to come in & see the 'She-Man' or 'Man-She' depending on which side of the fence you're on! :oP


Jaco & Valentina came to visit for a bit. Jaco & Joe gabbed about bears & cougars & things to do in K-Country. Here's hoping we can accomplish a few fun things while he's here! 


After work Jaco & I went for ice cream at the RIGHT place. Scoops & Snacks! We enjoyed our dairy delight & when we arrived home, Mom informed me that my cousin, Jamee, & her daughter, Rayna, were on their way over. They were on a summer holiday around Calgary & they were coming to camp in our yard. 


Mom left to chase some cows out of the pasture that kept crawling through the fence. Shortly after she left, Jamee & Rayna arrived. Rayna is 5 & a barrel of fun. She was pretty pumped to sleep in a tent tonight! She was also excited to see Valentina. By the time I helped them set up their tent, we had decided that Valentina would join them in her mini-tent. Then Mom was joining them, along with Oceana. It was pretty cozy inside the tent by the time they were all settled in with their sleeping bags, blankets & dogs! But I think they had a memorable time! The first thing Rayna said upon waking, was, 'Mom, next time you have meetings, can I come here to be babysat?' Cute. Very cute. 


It was after midnight by the time Jaco & I crawled into bed. We'd stayed up talking about our plans for the time he would be here. It had been a long day & I was happy to hit the hay! Tomorrow is a day of not much activity & I'm glad!


Lekker slaap!
Maria, Jaco & Valentina
xoxoxoxxxoxoxoxooxoxx

EVIC or Elbow Valley Information Centre

 Rayna & Valentina

It's a girls night out!

 Oceana & Valentina are slightly excited to be in the tent too!

Joe & his 'pose' & his directional heading on the desk.

Day 253 - Like A Wet Noodle.

Yup. That pretty much sums it up. I am officially feelin' the 'chemo fatigue'. I feel like I'm either 2 or 92, but either way, I can't make it through the day without a nap. Guess I'll be getting used to taking it easy!


I woke up at 0400, took another pill. Then again at 1000. Decided I was tired of taking these pills every 6 hours, so I called the hospital & asked when I could quit. I never did feel nausea, but I was afraid to stop the pills in case I did! It's now late & I haven't had any nausea whatsoever! Yay! 


I have drank 3L of water & my lips are still chapped. The plumbing still ain't workin' properly & I'm not sure what to do next! I feel a little like I've been dragged behind a stagecoach by my ankles, but in all honesty, the day was pretty slack. 


Dieter surprised us with a visit, accompanied by Hubertus & Victoria, 2 Germans en route to Oregon, San Francisco & Las Vegas. I have met Hubertus previously - he's a cutie... Like a young Brad Pitt. Sorry, no photos of him!


Mom dashed off for a whirlwind of southern Alberta stops for the day & I was left at home to fend for myself with the dogs. I spent most of the day trying to figure out the firmware update for my camera. I apparently needed the cd that I NEVER NEED, so it took me awhile to find it. Luckily I don't often throw things out! :oP I have finally figured out (sort of) how to record video on my SLR! Yippee!!! I formatted a hard drive to give to Mike & Jenn - we made a trade, I'll edit their wedding photos in exchange for some TV shows to watch while I'm stuck at home. Works for me! 


I finished sorting through the pile of papers sitting on my desk. They are all hole-punched & tabbed in binders, neatly organized! I programmed the MagicJack to send to Africa with Jaco & attempted at organizing mine so I can actually use it! If it weren't for the plethora of cables stemming from Mom's desk & the frequent power outages this evening, I might have had a bit more success! Oh well, I'm sure I'll have plenty of time ahead of me. It feels so weird not to have plans to go anywhere. I feel like I'm grounded by my own will. I NEVER stay home. Any bets on how many days until I get cabin fever???? :o)


The Burnett's arrived about 1700. They are camping in the yard for the weekend. They acquired a travel trailer & wanted to test it out, so I suggested they bring it this weekend. They have a house nearby if need be & they're not stuck in the back 40 somewhere! Harrison had a hay day. He ran & ran & ran, chasing 'Tina' & 'Nana', playing with a toy helicopter I found for him. He was still ready to run come 2230 - LONG past his bedtime! It will be interesting to see how he feels tomorrow! Every child needs wide open spaces. I am so grateful for the freedom I had as a child. I feel sorry for kids that grow up in cities & towns, without the opportunity to run wild & free. 


Anyhow, before I get too carried away, Laura phoned! She's alive! I was beginning to wonder! She's been crazy busy, poor girl! We had a great chat & I'm hoping it will work to get together this summer! I miss her & her family!


Okidoki, I'm signing off for tonight. I'm so exhausted, it's not even funny! I hope you had a great Canada Day & here's to a great weekend! xxxxx Maria & Valentina p.s. - today is my last full day with hair! AHHHHHHHHH!!!!

'Nana'

Cheese!

Giochiamo?

What intensity!

Oh to be young again!

'Tina' & 'Nana'

Day 2 post chemo - symptoms included:
-Chills
-Low grade fever
-Muscle aches
-Dehydration
-Plumbing problems
-Little to no appetite
-Absentmindedness (but perhaps this was a condition pre-chemo!)