Day 159 - The Next Next Chapter

Back to where it all began. Well, the blog anyways! Yup, today Lil’ Miss V & I boarded a big ol’ aero-plane bound for San Diego.

I had a particularly crappy night’s sleep, probably because I was so worried about today’s flights & getting to the airport on time always stresses me out. (No just because I’m generally always late, but also because my luggage is usually too heavy & today I was flying on my own with Valentina.

My day started off with a call from Roxy. Then Collet. Then Granny. Then Jaco. Then Laura. I will certainly say, I am so sad to be saying goodbye to all my wonderful & dear friends. They have been there for me through thick & thin & I will be quite lonely without my daily calls to at least one of them! I know I will have Skype & Facebook for awhile & then email, but it’s just not the same. Don’t kid yourself, today saw a lot of tears fall from my eyes!

Mom took me to the airport & we also had a teary goodbye. We’ve had a rocky few months, but I’m happy to say that we parted on proper Mother/Daughter terms & not disgruntled roommate terms! :o)

Security was a nightmare. The queue was ridiculously long & they didn’t even have enough bins to put your stuff in! I put my shoes, belt, jacket, (1/2 my clothing) in one bin, with my liquids. My laptop in one bin & then I had my carryon case, purse & of course, Valentina’s carrier. Apparently one person can’t have 5 ‘scans’, so they made me chuff the bag full of Valentina’s food & treats into my existing luggage. They swabbed ALL of my bags & clothing & even made me put my hands in my pockets & swabbed them! Thank the Good Lord I didn’t have to do the full body scan! It was there, but I didn’t notice anyone in it.

Getting on the plane was just as bad. I had just bought a tea from Starbucks when the started boarding. Having my hands full, I awkwardly made my way down the passage. When I approached the plane, the ‘friendly’ stewardess tells me I can’t bring my carry on case onto the plane. Yeah, right. It’s the one that has my laptop, hard drives & cameras in it. Like I’m going to let those out of my sight! Thank goodness I’d used my bowling bag of a purse, so I could fit my cameras in it & I just carried my laptop onboard.

I sat next to a beautiful Mom from California. She had her 3 month old son with her & we chit chatted our way through most of the flight. Her Grandma stays in the same Assisted Living Home my Granny used to live in! Her little guy had the cutest dimples & was all smiles until we started to descend. With half an hour to go, he got quite fussy, understandably so, and I started a game of peek-a-boo with the in-air shopping magazine. When peek-a-boo didn’t cut it any longer, I tore a page out of the magazine & crinkled it. MAGIC!! He was completely enthralled! It sounded just like those little crinkle book toys you get for babies, so I thought, ‘Why not?’ I went through about 5 pages – they lose their crinkliness after awhile – so sadly, if anyone wants to order the ‘Caveman/Yeti’ for their garden or the hair growth powder, I’m afraid I’ve ruined their chances! The little fellow fell asleep shortly before we landed.

After a brief wait in the San Francisco airport, they announced it was boarding time. I had my luggage prepared like they had asked me to on the previous flight, so when I fumbled my way up to the attendant checking us in, he took one look at me & said 'You're going to have to check one of those bags. You've got 4 bags & you're only allowed 2. You'll have to put a 3rd one inside one of the other bags.'


I looked at him in disbelief. 'You're kidding me, right? This is what they made me do on the last flight & it was fine. One bag is my carry-on, which is too big, so I put it a la carte & take out my camera gear & laptop. Another bag is my purse & the third bag is my dog's carrier.'


He considered the LIVE ANIMAL a bag. Are you kidding me? After I notify the airline & no one tells me this will count towards my carry-on total... I don't think so! I was furious! I rammed my laptop into my purse & asked if he was happy. I was so frustrated getting on that plane! Then, to my surprise, I see these HUGE overhead bins! I could have left everything as it was & been fine! I really wish these airlines would get their act together. And Mr. Jeremy Smith should be a little more helpful when it comes to his paying customers! Yes, United Airlines will be getting an email from me!


I sat next to a Swedish Pole Vaulter. What? You haven't met a Swedish Pole Vaulter before? You need to get out more! Ha ha. I thought this was about the most random combination I could have possibly met! He was a sweet young chap, on his way to San Diego for 5 weeks of training. 


I was met by Alexandra, who turned out to be Dr. Castillo's daughter! I was tickled pink when I saw the sign reading:
'JILL & VALENTINA'


Awh! How cute! They even included Valentina in the welcome sign! Alexandra drove us to the hotel & helped with the luggage. On our drive there, I asked what she did. It turns out she is a Psychologist & she helps people with addictions, eating disorders, and hey! Did I ever have some questions for her! She helped me understand the reasons behind my 'closet eating' & well, I just love it when things like that happen! Little serendipity moments make life beautiful!


Exhausted, I crashed at about 0200. Morning is going to come early! Sleep well & see you in Tijuana!


xxxxx
Maria & Valentina

Tweet Pea & Nonna enjoying a ride in NeverLate

Nonna says goodbye to Valentina

Last minute stuffing before we leave Canada!

The Gorgeous Alexandra who fetched us at the airport

Day 156 - Confession.

So today started as a fairly regular day. I was going to round up some stuff & try to start packing & preparing for Mexico. I had a list your arm's length long of things to do, people to call & things to sort out. I think I had 5 pages worth of stuff to do! 


I had planned on heading to Cochrane to the bank & then into Calgary to sort out a few things. I was going to stop at Jenn & Mike's to visit for a bit & then Jenn was going to come with me into the city.


Before I left, I phoned Nicole to talk to her about the workshop in San Diego this coming June. I wanted to tell her I had spoken with Jaco & decided to attend. While I was talking to Nicole, we somehow came across the topic of diet. I divulged that I had been struggling off & on with a healthy diet for quite some time. I eat healthy when I am in the public eye, but as soon as I am on my own, especially when I drive, I 'closet eat'. Yes, I ate McDonald's, Dairy Queen, Burger King, you name it, I ate it.


I started to tell her about my problem & she asked me what it was about - I thought maybe it was self-worth or self-esteem. But when I told her a particularly pathetic story of fast food cravings that would rival the desperation of a crack addict, she commented, saying that it wasn't about self-worth. It was punishment. 


I was speechless.


I hadn't thought of it too much before. Yes, I felt guilty & yes, I was mad at myself for doing it & why couldn't I control what I shoved in my mouth? Lord knows of all the things in my life out of control, I would jump at the chance to control at least something!


Needless to say, I was left with a lot to think about. I felt an overwhelming sense of relief with the realization of something I knew was affecting my life on so many levels.


Moving along, I headed to Cochrane & had a wonderful visit with Jenn & Mike. Little Heidi has changed so much already! It's amazing! And of course, Harrison was charming as ever. We left for the city about 1930, but silly me. Saturday night, not much was open! We ended up picking up a new carrier for Valentina & having a plate of nacho's at Montana's. (I didn't eat the forbidden tomatoes - I'm trying!) It was so fantastic to sit & visit with a girlfriend. Just the two of us. It was great! I had a good cry on my way home, as I'm really going to miss my girlfriends. They keep me going & have been such a big source of inspiration & support since I've been back in Canada these past few years.


I drove Mom's new car to Cochrane - it's a Camry, like mine, although it's only 4 years newer, it's a whole different car! It even had a stereo! I was so distracted driving, I couldn't find a decent radio station, until I finally decided on some station playing reggae music. I got to thinkin' - Calgary needs a 'Caribbean' bar where people can listen to reggae music, eat authentic island foods, learn how to dance caribbean style... I carried on with my imagination - the bar could be nice & hot & humid. Wear your flip flops & bikini & oh yes, tanning lights so you can work on your tan while you have fun - maybe we could do the healthier lights that give you your dose of Vitamin D... Just a thought. I would like to go there! Sand on the floor & palm trees...


Anyhow, back to the car... Jenn asked what we were going to name it. (She's so good with names! She always remembers the car's names, & is the only one who calls my lump Frank) The car prior to Contemplate was a Honda Civic named Meditate because it also lacked a stereo. We talked about different names & I thought I should keep the -ate theme going. It took me awhile, but I've since decided on 'NeverLate'. My Mom is notorious for running behind & I'm certainly no better. Maybe with a name like NeverLate the punctuality in the family will improve! :o)


So that's the update for today... Sorry for the delay & I'll do my best to keep up to speed! I'll be sure to update you on the food thing... Just another bump in the road. 


Love & hugs,
Maria & Valentina
xoxoxoxoxoxoxxo

Harrison Jumps!

I think this was 'touch your toes'

Heidi learning to roll over & Harrison being a great big brother!