Day 316 - Back To Alberta

I swear, Super 8 puts something in the bedding laundry that makes you sleep. I could NOT wake up this morning. (Or any of the other mornings for that matter!) Jaco woke me up at 1000 & I was finally able to become coherent enough to stay awake & start the day. We packed up our things & picked up a soup & sandwich for Granny. She was in the middle of lunch when we got there, so we waited in her room until she was finished.

They wheeled her back to the room about 4 minutes after we sat down. She managed to eat half of her soup & drank 2 tiny glasses of water. She also ate one of the zucchini muffins Mom had sent, although she gave half of the muffin to Valentina. I think Granny thought we couldn’t see her divvying up the muffin & ‘dropping’ it on the floor. Valentina thought this was fantastic!

We visited with Granny for a few hours – she was quite a bit better today than she had been the previous days. She talked about the days gone by & different things from the past that made her smile & laugh. It is really heart breaking to see her sitting there, unable to hear & see & walk. What is the point of living if you can’t communicate with anyone else? She has given of herself for her entire life – she helped her less than pleasant mother raise 8 other siblings, she was widowed after 25 years of marriage (35 years ago) & she has selflessly given her time, patience & money to so many others for her entire life. And now she sits in the home, waiting for the end to come. It is gut-wrenching sad.

If I can throw out my 2 bits worth, cherish your family & keep them close, as you’ll want them nearby when the days of your life have been lived.

We had a hiccup with the meds for Granny’s infection – the Lodge told us yesterday that someone had picked them up. Today they told us that no one had picked them up. So we went & collected them, returned to the Lodge & delivered the meds.

Finally we were on our way. I drove out of the city via downtown & showed Jaco the University, riverside parks bridges & the Delta Hotel. He was impressed with Saskatoon.

We drove as far as Brock when we turned off the highway to head towards the Massey’s. I met Elaine when I was in Mexico at Castillo’s. She had Lymphoma & was there for treatments. I had spoken to Elaine back in January after Dr. Castillo had given me her bio with a telephone number. I called Elaine & she told me all about her experience with Dr. Castillo. When I went to Mexico in April, I saw Elaine & thought I recognized her from somewhere. It wasn’t until I heard her voice that I KNEW I had spoken to her before! Finally I put two & two together… Or so I thought. We visited for a bit & when I told her I had worked as a Photographer for Princess Cruises, well, it turns out that her & her husband had been my subjects when I worked on the Star! They remembered me! The crazy thing is, I remembered them too! They had traveled with 2 other friends & I shot them all on the white backdrop.

When we stopped today to see Elaine & her husband, I recognized him right away. Of course, they showed me the photo & it was so cool to return to that moment, forever frozen in time. We had a great visit & I was disappointed we had to leave. I am sure we could have chatted all night long about health & travel! Elaine has had to start chemo again & her hair is falling out because of it. I think she looks fabulous with short hair! Anyhow, I am excited for the day when we can celebrate of good health & look towards the future without the shadow of cancer following us!

We left for Kindersley where we stopped to wash the bugs off the windshield & grab a quick bite. It was nearly dark when we left & there was a lightning storm on the horizon. We soon drove through it, with very little rain & plenty of wind.

We chose a different route home as to avoid the construction, but in any case, it was a late arrival home. I’m happy to have a morning to sleep in & not have to go anywhere!!!

Lekker slaap & don’t call early!!! :o)

xxxx

Maria, Jaco & Valentina

Elaine & Wendell & their grandson

Trying to capture the lightning on the way home. It didn't work.

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