Day 546 - Good Friday

Jaco & I went for a walk today! We strolled downtown & then walked along one of the sea cliff paths admiring the views, beautiful homes, rock dassies & the fresh air. After our walk, we headed over to his primary school. We walked the grounds & he pointed out where he used to play games, hoist the flag when he was Headmaster, play tennis, his first classroom, where he used to park his bike, where he got into mischief and what buildings were new from the time he went to school there.


We also booked my flight to Rome today. At $760, I think that's a screamin' good deal! The next cheapest flight is $1300.


In other news, I shaved my head for the last time today. I'm planning on a photo every day until I have somewhat of a hairstyle. Wish me luck on both ideas. 


We returned to the house & Petro found us with some prickly pear. I am not sure I've ever had it before. It tasted a little like watermelon & a little like cucumber. With plenty of 'pips' or seeds in it. It was interesting!


We spent the night watching a bio on Christina Aguilera & then plenty of sports. Oh! And we saw a wiener dog tonight! We were walking down a street close to the house when this little red wiener with a white chest came roaring down the street - ears flopping & little legs justa hoofin' her! He turned off the street & disappeared into his house just before he reached us. I was all set for a little snuggle. Boo.


And the balance of the evening was spent trying to catch up on the blog. Phew. It's a big job!


Hopefully more excitement tomorrow! Lekker slaap!


xxxxMaria

 Rock Dassie

 Pretty flower

 GROSS Spider

 Tuscan style home

 Jaco's first school!

 On the grass

 At the school

They used to pull this to level the Cricket pitch

Day 335 - A Headache & A Walk

Today was a gorgeous day! It was a little cool, but I felt well enough to go for a little walk with the dogs & Jaco. We walked down to the bunkhouse to grab some winter clothes & then down the driveway. Jaco suggested we go over & sit on the hillside, which I've never done - in 10 years of living here. It was a great idea. Jaco & Valentina ran up & down the hill until they were both breathless. Valentina chased her ball, Jaco gave his legs & lungs a workout & Oceana chased bugs. 


I laid in the sunshine & contemplated life - past, present & future. I thought I was feeling well enough to venture in to town, but by the time we got back to the house, I had a headache, so no go. 


On our way back to the house, I was throwing the ball for Tweet Pea. I accidentally threw the ball into a big mud puddle. She barrelled in after it, without a second thought! What a dog! 


We watched a bit of The Office & that was it... Pretty mellow day... Maybe tomorrow I'll get out!


Enjoy your freedom folks! It is a wonderful thing! :o)


xxxxMJV&O

Brilliant colours!

Stormy skies 

My Man

Tweet Pea & Papa playing fetch on the hill

Snapped this one mid-shake

Just about to get a wet-willy from my dog. 

Valentina's version of 'cheese'

Papa running up the hill

I was fascinated by all the veins in the leaf.

 The other side was pretty cool too.

Blue skies & poplar trees. 

Who doesn't love the sunshine?!

Home sweet home. 

The good life.

I was fascinated by these small trees. Side by side & one is green, the other is yellow. Why? 

Tweet Pea waiting for me to release the ball from under my foot.

The cows that climbed through our fence all summer long.

After her bath, Valentina curled up inside my shirt. Then she decided she wanted out, but couldn't figure out how. She figured the only way out was up.

Oceana's done for the day.

Day 331 - Dog Tag

Today was pretty low key. Much like the past 5 or 6 days. I've got a nasty pain in my arm that doesn't seem to want to leave me. Bah! I decided to take the dogs for a walk & nearly pee'd my pants laughing while doing so.

Oceana doesn't like to go for a walk. She usually plants her back feet & refuses until you tug on her leash. She doesn't quite get it. Meanwhile, you grab your jacket & Valentina is all over the place! I thought I could get away without a leash for Oceana, but no. I carried her to the road & then put her down. She didn't want to walk, so I 'nudged' her from behind for a short ways. When she realized what was happening, she did her best to beat it back to the house. Ha! I grabbed the leash from the back seat of the car & we were off.

I threw the ball for Valentina down the driveway, while Oceana grumpily trotted alongside me. Valentina would drop the ball into my hand & be off like a rocket in the next moment, anxiously awaiting my next pitch. When suddenly it struck me. If I put both dogs on the same leash & throw the ball, Oceana will be FORCED to run alongside Valentina while she obsessively chases the ball. Perfect! Both dogs get exercise!

I thought I was going to die of laughter. Oh. My. Goodness. Poor Oceana didn't know what hit her. Valentina was dragging her all over the yard. I was gasping for air when the ball rolled across a mud puddle to the other side. Valentina was trying to get the ball & Oceana was NOT going in the puddle to help her sister out. 

When I got back to the house, I called Jaco out to show him my ingenious exercise idea. I was laughing so hard I could hardly breathe. Here's the video we managed to capture. This was the END of the exercise session, as decided by Oceana. I hope you get a chuckle out of it. Next time I'll use the harnesses to save the occasional whiplash & help them (Valentina) pull a little easier. Let me know what you think! :o)

xxxx MJV&O

Polar Opposites

Although you'd never know they would ever want to be apart...

Day 327 - Walk In The Woods

Yesterday I felt pretty decent... In fact, I thought I'd aced this round of chemo. Today it's kicking my butt. Jaco & I decided to take the girls for a walk. I took my camera, as the leaves are turning colour, and I thought I could have some fun. It took a lot of photos, but half way through the walk, I started to feel light headed & weak. I thought I was going to pass out in the bushes! Looks like I overdid it. I am absolutely knackered tonight. 


My brother arrived this evening. He & Mom are off to BC tomorrow for a wedding. He's 27 & single. 6'3" & I think he's pretty darned handsome. He's very polite & although he is a bit 'rustic' in his cowboy ways, I think he's a catch. We'll see how he makes out this weekend. Otherwise I'm thinking of writing to Pioneer Woman to see if she has any girlfriends looking for their very own Canadian Marlboro Man...


Tomorrow we'll have breakfast early before Mom & Jeff dash off...


xxxxMJV&O