Day 479 - 'Want Some?'

I slept toasty warm until 0830. I could hear the boys quietly moving around the house. They are such great kids! Trisha was on the couch with them watching some cartoons. We visited & watched part of Under The Sea II. At some point the boys decided they would rather be nude, so 2 nekkid little cowboys streaked around the house. It was rather adorable.

Trisha's friend, Ellen, showed up around 1100 & helped Trisha get lunch ready & do some laundry. I got ready for Granny's house & also called the Nuc Med dept at Tom Baker regarding a message I received last week. I was a bit mortified when I found out what I did. Apparently I am not to be around children for 24 hours (to be on the safe side) after I've had a PET scan. I've never been told this before! What about my poor puppy? I know I cuddled Tweet Pea after my last one! I can't even ride in a car with a child for AT LEAST 6-7 hours! That's insane! I must be 'glowing' after the scan! Argh! I'll be very happy to be finished with this chapter!

I stopped & picked up a few groceries for Granny. I hope she eats them. I took her a salad, fruit, puddings, & some baked goods. She ate quite well when I got there. When they brought her supper, she pretty much turned her nose up at it. I had to laugh, she had some cherry cheesecake on her tray. She picked it up, took a bite, made a face like she'd just sucked a lemon, turned to me & said, 'Want some?' I'm guessing by her face that it wasn't that yummy! I politely declined.

Granny went through her drawers, as we used to do, and found some treasures for me. She gave me the little blue Mickey overalls I wore when I was a wee one, a knitted red sweater I also wore, a photo of my Dad when he was one, and some schwanky socks from Lac La Ronge. Hey! Those socks are a collector's item for sure!

We visited for 4 hours. I did my best to reassure Granny what was real & what wasn't. She is still quite confused. I'll do my best to call her more often, but it's tough when she's so hard of hearing. My heart breaks to see her stuck in there.

I filled up Trisha's van with fuel & drove out to the farm. I packed up the luggage & visited with Trisha for a little longer. Before we knew it, it was time to go. Brad whisked me off to the airport. The three of us joked about Brad & I's date on Valentine's day & that he was going to 'dump' me (at the airport) on our first date. Ha ha. They are so good to me. I wish we had more frequent visits.

The security team gave me a bit of hassle about my hand inspection for my veggies, but eventually the obliged. They swabbed everything & seemed quite concerned that I had a stuffed pepper full of some illegal drug... The flight home was smooth & short. I wish I could fly 45 minutes anywhere in the world. Whee! I watched some TV on the plane & Mom2 was right there waiting outside for me!

We arrived home & talked raw until 0100! I'm pretty tired & not excited about the scan tomorrow, but anxious to have it all over with. I AM excited to talk to my husband, though. I think it's been a week since we last spoke! Yikes! I'll see him soon! Can't wait!

xxxxMaria, Valentina & Oceana (so happy to be back with my girls!!!)

The adorable Huxley feeds his horse play-doh hay.

Helping with the laundry. Apparently ALL the laundry!

A little half-naked rodeo in the kitchen. He'll love Aunty when he's older!

Kingston & Easton get some cuddles

Granny & I - just before her 96th birthday.

Day 478 - What A Long Day!

Yikes! Up at 0615 to get ready for the flight, I was surprisingly well rested. Even the girls didn't get out of bed with me! In fact, Valentina went back to bed after her potty break! We left the house just after 0700 & I was right on time for check in. I ordered a wheatgrass juice from Jugo Juice. I was going to have a cucumber, celery & spinach, until the clerk told me he'd have to charge me $3 more for omitting the carrot, beet & green pepper. Um, no. That's not how I roll.

I sat next to a WestJet employee who knew Dannie & Kim, two friends of mine working for WestJet. He was from Birch Hills & sounded like quite the guy. When I disembarked, I realized that Colleen, a gal who's wedding Mom photographed, was one of the Attendants! Small world!

Brad, Trisha & the boys were waiting for me when I walked outside, so away we went to the Farm. I visited with them for a bit until I thought I ought to head into Granny's house. Dad was arriving around 1600 & I thought I'd have an hour or so to visit with Granny before Dad arrived. We made arrangements to take Granny out for dinner, so I bundled her up to head out into the elements. Granny always has her room like a sauna, so I knew she'd be cold. I suggested an extra sweater, but she declined. Now, Granny has always been particular about her clothing - she always dresses nicely & never hopped off the fashion band wagon. I think if she could have seen herself clearly, she would have punched me. She had her red jacket on. I lent her my little red plaid hat. So far so good. However, the only scarf I could find was lilac. Whoops. And then she got cold in the car, so I lent her my mittens. They were neon pink. I guess there is a point where purpose takes over looks.

We went to Red Lobster. 45 minute wait. No. We went to Mano's. 40 minute wait. We went to the Keg. Well, we looked for it, missed the turn, took 10 minutes to get back, decided to go back to Red Lobster. 45 minute wait. Granny feasted. Soup, biscuits, salmon, & a baked potato. Not bad for 96 year old taste buds! It's funny - it was very busy in there & the following day, Granny told Uncle David that the restaurant had 3 weddings that night - busiest they'd ever been! I have know idea how she heard that, but anyhow... 96 year old ears too!

We brought her back & said goodnight until tomorrow. Dad & I had a quick chat in the car & then he took off for home. I drove back to the farm - Trisha had been so kind as to lend me her van - and visited with Brad & Trisha while we watched the 2010 Olympic recap. I started to doze off about 2300 & went to bed. What a day!

xxxxMaria

Mother & Son

Mother/Granny & Son/Father & Granddaughter/Daughter

Day 224 - Last Day With My Baby

I'd like to say it was a crummy day, as it was the last time I will see my husband for many weeks, but, we actually had a really great day!


When I had joined the ship, we were in port from 0600-1400. Today we were in port from 1200-1800. That left me plenty of time to pack in the morning, which didn't take me long at all & I even had space in the 2nd bag! (Miracle!)


Jaco had arranged with Reuben to go ashore. They take turns, but sometimes special exceptions are made. We went off about 1230-ish & took a cab downtown. We walked to Karen's work & had a great visit with her. She was happy to see Jaco & we talked her ear off until her clients popped in for a meeting. 


We went to Shopper's Drug Mart so Jaco could pick up a few snacks for the ship, Chapters so he could read the (very expensive) foreign sports magazines, and then to Rebar, the healthy cafe Karen introduced me to awhile back. I ordered a juice - orange, apple, lemon & ginger. Jaco liked it so much we ordered two more. He was watching the gal who rang our order through & if she washed the rubber gloves she was wearing after she handled the money. He recently did a food safety course, so he's quite keen on it! Luckily it was another gal who did the juicing! Unfortunately when they put our drinks on the table, the lids weren't on properly. The rubber glove gal attempted to put the lids on tight & managed to SMASH the plastic cup of juice & it exploded everywhere! They made us another juice & away we went...


We took a cab back to the ship & I got my bags ready. We said a sad goodbye & headed up to the gangway. As I walked away from the ship, I looked behind me... Jaco always waves goodbye & waits until I am out of sight. I love that he does that. It makes me feel loved. I wish everyone could have a husband like him. He's just plain wonderful. 


I walked to the Pilot's Station to wait for the Airporter shuttle I had arranged the day before. The gentleman on the phone had told me approximately where it was, but I couldn't get a good idea in my head, so I googled it. Amazingly enough, I found it. But the cool part was the street view. I could actually read the sign on the door that told me it was, in fact, the Pilot's Station! Crazy! 


I rode out to the airport & waited for about 25 minutes before I went through security. They were very friendly today! It was a great experience. Of course, I flew with Westjet & they were just as wonderful as always. I had checked in about 10 minutes after the flight had opened up the day before, so I managed to get a seat in the second row, which was perfect for deplaning. I sat next to a couple from Duncan who were on their way to the East Coast for a holiday. They had lived in Saskatchewan for awhile, but then moved out West. They love it! The wife & I watched So You Think You Can Dance & giggled & cried the whole flight to Calgary. Did you see the fellow who has scoliosis & dances like a robot?? Wow! 


Mom was there to pick me up & the dogs were in the truck waiting for us. Valentina happy pee'd all over the concrete, but once we were in the truck, she could care less about me. Hmpf. Guess I deserved that. I'm hoping she'll get over it soon!


Thankfully the snow was gone & it wasn't as cold as I had prepared myself for. Here's hoping that summer is here. Soon. Now please.


Sweet dreams & here's to a wonderful warm summer...
Maria & Valentina
xooxoxooxoxxoxo

Waiting for more juice.

This one's for Uncle Jerry...

Parliament buildings

Adieu, Sea Princess

It's no South African flag, but...

Just like Google!

I saw three ships come sailing in...

Beautiful seaside walk

The last spot I saw Jaco... :o(

Flying home...

Day 218 - Downtown with the Browns!

I've decided 5.5 hrs of sleep isn't near enough! After being rear ended & driving home in a blinding slush/snow storm at 1/2 the speed limit, having to wake up at 0600 is just not my idea of a rockin' good time.


Nonetheless, I haul my butt outta bed & get everything packed up. I was off to the coast to see Jaco for a mere 4 days. Our last chance to see each other before I'm deep in the throngs of chemotherapy. Yay. Thankfully WestJet had a seat sale, otherwise it was a no go! 


I was quite upset, as when I arrived home, I hadn't felt well & my neck was HUGE. I had decided to cancel my trip to San Francisco to see Jaco & Ami & her family. I was very bummed about having to do this. I had also dashed any hopes of flying to the coast to see Jaco the following week. By the time I had spent enough time at home, resting & getting on track with me supplements, my neck had gone down a lot & softened up. However, my flight to California would have been, gulp, $1000!!! I was shattered. I managed to talk to Ami a few times & there is a glimmer of hope that I can still see her in September when she's back for her best friend's wedding. FINGERS CROSSED!!!


So, with Westjet on my side, I booked a record low flight to Vancouver & back from Victoria. I think it was $270 return. (!!!) Mom took me to the airport for 0745 & as luck would have it, my flight was delayed by an hour. I called Krystle & let her know not to dash off for the airport anytime soon! When I landed in Vancouver, OH MY GOSH!!!! I was so excited to see her! She is due with Baby Boy Brown in August & she has the most beautiful belly & is the most beautiful pregnant Mama I've ever seen! Krystle & Ross were colleagues from ships, but since we've left ships, our friendships have grown & I'm so grateful for them both! 


Krystle took me to a place where she gets her eyebrows threaded. I had previously heard of it, but never had it done. I'm VERY particular about my eyebrows & generally only go to the same girl at Merle Norman to have them waxed. When Krystle told me it was only $5 & I'd most likely be losing them during chemo, I thought, why not? It was so cool! It didn't hurt a bit & the lady was so fast! At first I didn't recognize myself - debushing accomplished - but the more & more I looked at them, I realized I finally had beautiful eyebrows! Yay! I'm hooked! Now I just need to find a place in Calgary!


Our next stop was her Mom's house. Krystle has the most wonderful mother. She is an amazing woman, with so many talents! She sewed ALL of the bridesmaid dresses for Krystle's wedding & each one was a different style. She's the kind of person you feel like you've known forever & you're completely comfortable being around them... We didn't stay at the house for long, as we were off to IHOP for lunch. We were meeting Krystle's sister, Mikita, & her niece, Camilah, there. Mikita is due two months after Krystle & she is also having a boy! They will be like brothers! I couldn't believe how much Camilah has grown! She has the cutest little smile & listening to her talk made me smile... Her high pitched little 'Hey!' Melt my heart!


We strolled through the mall close to Krystle & Ross' place & visited Krystle's aunt for a moment. We headed back to Margarita's house & we enjoyed a cup of tea & cookies, while having some chats about this & that. Before we knew it, it was 5 o'clock! Krystle & I headed to Metrotown for a little shopping - Krystle knows all of my weaknesses! But she also finds me the BEST deals! I found a necklace with an old family seal on it. It's a dagger with French writing around it. Translated it means, 'Courage without fear'. I figured that was definitive of my months to come. It will be the first necklace I will wear regularly in over 2 years! I can't wait to have a 'normal' neck again!


We headed home to their new condo. Ross came down & met us at the car. Oooooh! So excited to see the Proud Papa!!! Their new pad is gorgeous!!! I'm so excited for them! They showed me the baby's room, the BBQ patio, Krystle's ever-creative decorating touches, and WOW! The stunning canvas from their PERFECT wedding day! Krystle, again, creative, put together a beautiful wedding album of all their favourite moments from the day. She did an amazing job! I wish you could see a digital copy of it! You can check out her photography here: http://www.krystleimages.com 


We watched an episode of GLEE & the Big Bang Theory. I think I'm a closet nerd, because I really loved the Big Bang Theory! I laughed out loud! I was very impressed with Ross' setup. He had the TV connected to the computer so Krystle & I watched GLEE while he monitored his other downloads! Nice! Oh & we enjoyed a loaded baked potato during our feature presentation! :o)


Pretty soon it was bed time... They made the couch into the craziest sofa bed ever! I was so tired from a full day of adventure! It didn't take long before I was out for the count. 


Lekker slaap!
Maria & Valentina
xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo

Light packing!

Eyebrow threading

What a gorgeous little girl!

She's a heart breaker!

Chillin' at the Pad!

Krystle's crazy talents!

Day 197 - The Journey Home

Forgive me if I'm not too excited to be coming home. I'm leaving my husband, getting off a luxury cruise ship, leaving the warm weather of the Caribbean & heading home to snow & 6 months of chemo. Yay.


I was up early & in the shower before Jaco was up. That's a rarity! I had to disembark by 0915. Luckily they were running behind, so it actually gave Jaco & I a chance to say goodbye. We hugged & hugged & kissed & kissed & hugged some more. It was awful. I'm getting really tired of saying goodbye. I have such a wonderful husband & all I ever seem to do is say goodbye to him. What's that about? 


After he left, I called the photo lab. Galina, AKA Gorjus Galina, was embarking today. I met Galina on the Star in South America. She is a STUNNING lass from Bulgaria & her personality matches her smile. To my happiness, she came to the dining room where I was waiting to leave & we had a quick visit before I had to go. It was wonderful to see her! My heart was a little happier after having just said goodbye to Jaco. 


But soon enough, it was time to go. Ronel came to my rescue & helped me with my luggage straight through to the taxi cab's door. What a sweetheart. Ronel is the Medical Steward who also helps keep the cabin neat & tidy! Luckily we were swept through a quick line. Sometimes it pays to be Canadian in a slew of British passengers! :o)


And then I was off. I had a bit of a wait in the airport, but thankfully it wasn't long before the Westjet folks showed up to take away my luggage. I visited with a Surgeon from Toronto who specializes in retina surgeries. Wow! While I was visiting with him, I spotted my friends from Pennsylvania from the ship! We said our farewells & I lugged my stuff onto the scale. I was 1/2 a lb under on one case & spot on the money on the other. That's 25 lbs over spot on the money... $50. Told ya. :o)


Luggage free, I grabbed some lunch & ate outside. The bench I sat on was concrete & it was so hot from the sun, I had to put my scarf under my butt because it was actually causing me pain - it was that hot! I took Valentina down one level & let her roam around on a grassy patch so she could get a bit of exercise & have a potty break before the flights. 


I then came inside to call Jaco. Today was his big day at the fertility clinic. I was so nervous he wouldn't make it to his appointment in time & the chances of ever having a mini-wee running around one day would be shot. Thankfully he was there & everything was in order. He said the people were really nice & he was enjoying the medical/scientific side of things. 


During my flight, I ended up sitting next to a lady from Ontario. She was heading home to celebrate her parents 65th wedding anniversary! She is a semi-retired events planner, so she had organized a big To-Do for them. The local newspaper & TV crews were going to stop by & an Italian radio station was going to do an interview. The were Italian - I knew I liked her from the beginning! How fun!


Westjet had told me I would sit behind the bulkhead with Valentina, but when I checked in online, I had no idea where the bulkhead was, so I just picked a seat. When I boarded, I went to the seat I had selected & got settled. (row 22) I had no sooner settled in when the Attendant came by & told me they had a seat for me in the front. Sigh. Okay. I haul my stuff all the way to the front of the plane. I was grateful for the seat, but would have appreciated being told a little sooner! Oh well. I'll know to ask for the next flight.


Next flight. Nope. Sorry. Dogs are in rows 21 & 22. I asked if that was where they put service dogs. She told me to wait until everyone had boarded & then we'd see if there were any bulkhead seats available. Luckily there was a lady who couldn't use the arm tray in the front, so she gladly took my seat in row 18. That left me in the front. But then the Attendants said I couldn't sit there with my dog. I explained that I had done so on the previous flight & I had been told I would have a bulkhead seat on both flights. They said 'All dogs are in rows 21 & 22'. I said, 'Even Service Dogs?' & showed them Valentina's card. It was like I'd slapped them across the face. They instantly apologized & said, 'Oh my gosh, I'm so sorry, yes, this is where you sit.' Done. Thank you very much.


While I was in TO, I asked at information if there was a spot for dogs to relieve themselves. No. NO?! What do you mean, no? Is there seriously no grass anywhere at the Toronto airport? No. Now that is a crying shame. I'm sure I'm not the only person to travel through Toronto with a dog! Hmpf. Shows how much they know. I walk out the arrivals door & lo & behold... Across the road is a nice chunk of grass, trees, & shrubs. No where to go, huh? Yeesh. I had a notion to leave them a 'donation', but I didn't! I did, however, let them know where it was located when I came back inside! They didn't look overly impressed. 


On this flight, I sat next to a man whose eyes didn't really stay together & he prayed out loud the entire time they were doing the safety announcements & the Captain was speaking. I was slightly nervous. I was listening for the words, 'Allah, Allah, Allah', but didn't hear them. He went to sleep after his prayers were over. I'm typing this after I've landed, so nothing horrible happened, but it was creepy nonetheless! 


Naturally, Mom was late picking me up, but when she did arrive, oh boy! Valentina was pretty excited to see her! She went crazy! She whined most of the way home & didn't want to sit on my lap, only Nonna's lap! 


I was horrified to see snow on the ground. It made me want to cry. Oh please, send me back to the land of heat & sunshine. I could feel the vitamin D deficiency settling in already! I prayed that it would be melting & gone by morning!


What a day. I'm home, safe & sound & I suppose that's all that matters. 


xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxox
Maria & Valentina

Ronel has a 3 month old baby back home. That he's NEVER EVEN SEEN! :o( 45 days to go!

Contemplate is frozen!

to.snow.es

NeverLate made it through the snow!

Nonna & Valentina

Just a little unpacking & rearranging to do!

Out for the count!