Day 131 - Rawkin' Rawksy's

This morning was an early start! We had to take Brooklyn to school, leaving at just past 8. We drove her to a private school about 20 minutes away & accompanied her inside. Of course, Valentina had snuggled inside my jacket, so she came along. As soon as she heard all the children's voices, she began to wiggle her nose out of the top of my jacket. She was very excited to see all the kids! Of course, they were just as excited to see her! The kept coming over & commenting on the dog's head sticking out of the top of my jacket! It was a little busy! There were kids & books & jackets coming from every direction! Wow! We said goodbye to Brooklyn & made our way to the local Co-op for a few groceries. 


You know you're in a small town when you can visit with pretty much everyone you see in the shop! Laura knew everyone! It was great! So & so was en route to Australia for a wedding in a few weeks, so & so had a baby... I love it! Small communities have so much more than a big city. It's nice that everyone is courteous & friendly, not just in a rush & giving no concern to the guy beside them! The world needs more of a small town outlook on life! 


We drove back home & went for a walk outside. We ended up walking to the barn, so Laura & the twins showed me around the inside. It was impressive! So clean & smoothly run! State of the art! 


It was back to the house to make some lunch! I had planned on leaving about 1300, as I was headed to Roxy's house, via Janis' house to pick up some pills I forgot there & hopefully a quick stop at Kerry's, as I've never been to her house before!


I had a wonderful lunch with Laura's family & we had another great visit after lunch. A very teary goodbye & the biggest lump in my throat (yes, bigger than the one in my neck!) when I pulled out of the yard. Laura is such a special woman & I am so thrilled that we have had the chance to meet! Here's to a healthy & happy friendship Gorgeous!!! Now have fun in Mexico!!!!


I made it to Janis' about 1630. Roxy had texted me & was going to Innisfail with a few cows, so I thought I had a little visiting time. I enjoyed a quick chat with Janis & Caleb, popped over to Kerry's for a quick 'Hi & Bye' & then hit the road. I was glad I did when I did, as the fog rolled in shortly before I turned off at Red Deer. I can honestly say I've never driven in such thick fog as I did that night!!! I could barely read the road signs to know when to turn! I drove on the left hand side of the gravel road because I couldn't see the right hand side from my side of the car! I noticed the next day on my way to town that I'd driven right through a stop sign! I couldn't see it for the fog! 


It was nearly 2100 when I pulled into Roxy & Kevin's yard. We had a quick visit & then my eyes started to get heavy & I apologized, but it was bed time! Roxy was quite excited, as she'd just finished a raw cleanse & was anxious to share her new found knowledge with me. She is quite adventurous in her diet & health. She creates some pretty fantastic foods using her dehydrator & blender! We keep telling her to open a restaurant - Rockin' Roxy's Raw Cuisine! Roxy was also a bridesmaid, in fact, she was one of two Maids of Honour at Wedding #3. 


Tomorrow we would chat some more... 


Sleep well!
Maria & Valentina
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Asleep at the wheel. Again!

Asleep at the food cooler.

Okay, so I know nothing of what makes a good practical kitchen. But this one sure does look good! I love it! One day!

The Little Tree Hugger Alberta office!

Janis & Caleb. What a pair of cuties!

The doggie version of 'dumpster diving'?

Day 109 - CT Scan

Oh my. Is it really necessary to wake up this early? Really? Apparently it's time to change the batteries in my alarm clock. It sounded mighty ill this morning. Had I not been paranoid of over sleeping, I may have completely ignored the faint flickering of a beep!


Up & at 'er, I was out the door on time! Yes, ON TIME! Poor ol' Contemplate did not want to start this morning. I don't know what the temperature was, but it was 'Crunchy Car Seat' cold. Away we went. Luckily it wasn't foggy. Until I hit Priddis. What's that? Freezing fog? Great. Here comes Granny! I slowed down to about 80 km/h & I could feel the adrenaline pulsing through my body. I just don't enjoy winter driving! 


I decided to take the long way, rather than the back roads. At least I knew there would be a lot of traffic & help if I needed it. I don't have a cell phone, so if I'm in trouble, I sit & wait. Luckily I made it to High River only 20 minutes late. 


I wasn't allowed to eat 6 hours prior to the test & could only drink clear juices. Luckily there was a vending machine with some apple juice in the entrance to the hospital. I was planning on heading to Jenn's right after the test, so naturally I had Valentina with me. Since it was so cold out, I didn't feel I could leave her in the car. I packed her into her carrier with her little red jacket on & plopped my pink fuzzy blanket over her carrier. No one was any the wiser. She even shook a few times in the carrier, her ears & tail rattling the sides of the carrier, but nobody even glanced our way! Lucky! 


Blech. They made me drink this awful drink named Telebrix. Since they were scanning my abdomen, I needed to drink the contrast in order to make the scan look better. They really ought to consult a few folks with tastebuds before they approve these drugs. First, I'm a water snob. I don't drink chlorinated water, always bottled & mineral water. I don't care what you say about tap water being just as good. Hogwash. Do they monitor everyone's pipes? No. Does every town have the same chemical cocktail? No. Anyhow, this drink is mixed with chlorinated water. Gross. Then the drug itself has a nasty taste. The worst of it is, I have to sip, not gulp, this concoction for the next hour and a half! I think I gagged the last portion of the 1 litre bottle! Then the Nurse offered me more right before the scan! Can't I be the Designated Driver or Scanner or something?!? Enough already! 


I took Valentina out to the car right before the scan. Luckily it didn't take long. About 20 minutes in total from change time to out the door. And she was still in her coat & under the blanket. She climbed into my jacket as soon as I got in the car. She's a great heater!


Anyhow, back to the scan. It wasn't that bad. I have had one before. This time they injected the contrast dye a little slower, which was great. For whatever reason, it makes you feel like you just peed your pants. I am completely serious. You don't, but if feels all warm down there. This time the feeling came on a little slower, which was good! Secondly, the first time they did the test, they made me hold my breath & the contrast dye made my chest feel like it was going to explode. In fact, had they not said 'Breathe', I'm sure they would have scraped bits of me off the ceiling 2 seconds later! But this time, I told them I wouldn't hold my breath any longer than felt comfortable. When I started to exhale, the Doctor got cranky & sternly said, 'DON'T SWALLOW, DON'T BREATHE, DON'T MOVE'. I told him, 'Sorry, but it hurts.' They did one more scan & thankfully that one didn't hurt my chest at all. 


The Nurse that helped me was really nice. She has fun at her job, which makes it that much more enjoyable for the rest of us! They monitored me for 10 minutes to make sure I was okay. Apparently 1 in 25,000 people die from the contrast dye. It can cause serious allergic reactions. Luckily I beat the odds! 


Feeling extremely fatigued & the fog having not lifted, I decided not to visit Jenn :o( & made my way home. I was bummed to miss out on a visit with a friend I've hardly seen in the past ?? years, but I'm glad I went home. The roads were extremely icy & I could NOT stay awake behind the wheel. I barely made it home. I fell asleep 6x. I hit the rumble strips & the snow on the side of the road. I have never been so out of it. I was wide awake one second & the next my head was snapping up. I called the Diagnostics Department as soon as I got home to check the side effects, but they claim diarrhea is the only side effect. Needless to say, I called Jenn to tell her I would have to take a raincheck & headed back to bed. I slept until 1830!


I woke up when Mom got home, only to have her leave 20 minutes later. She had been riding all day & then headed off to her Toastmaster's meeting. I answered a few phone calls, made some dinner &, what's that? Yes, I cooked! I made some pasta with clams & spices... Mom makes it from time to time & I quite like it. Apparently Valentina loves pasta too. She went manic for the penne! 


Anyhow, I headed to bed shortly thereafter, but I couldn't sleep. I am so stinking itchy these days, it's crazy! I put stuff on it & it burns. I itch it & it burns. No matter how I lie in bed, it itches! I try & try to not touch it, but sometimes the itch is so intense I just can't take it! I will be very excited for the treatment to take away the itch!!!


Oh, I also heard from Jaco's Mom. Sadly there place was broken into on the weekend. They only took a TV & no one got hurt, but nonetheless, I can only imagine how scary it would feel to be woken up at 0400 to the alarms going off. It frustrates me that people get away with these petty crimes, let alone the serious crimes. I suggested a big ol' Rottweiler or Doberman to take care of would-be criminals, but she told me they just throw poisoned meat to the dogs & they die! How awful! Anyhow, if you come up with any great ideas to solve crime in SA, let me know! So far my best solution is to feed them the same birth control corn as they do the pigeons in San Marco's Square in Venice, Italy. Any other suggestions?? :o)


Sleep well, stay safe & here's a hug!
Maria & Valentina
xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo

Finished that awful drink & my smuggled dog! I think she has her nose mashed up against the screen!

My friendly scanner!

Hoarfrost

Heavy Hoarfrost

Winter wonderland!