Day 482 - Roxy Rolls In & Panic Packing

The gorjuss Roxy showed up this morning for a visit. I’m doing my very best to get organized & everything packed & ready for the big departure. I still had some errands to run in the city, so her & I decided we would go into town & stop by a raw shop she’d discovered, go for lunch at a raw café & then meet Collet at Ikea.

And then I took too long. For everything. Roxy ended up rushing home to sort out a tenant issue, so we missed our stop at the Light Cellar (Bowness – check it out!), as well as our lunch. I did meet up with Collet at Ikea. That seems to be our thing as of late! I think the past 3 times I’ve seen Collet, it’s been at Ikea!

Zeke has grown so much! He is a little cutie! He was very smiley & happy-go-lucky. Ezra, well, Ezra was a handful. He certainly didn’t like me! He went spastic when I tried to push the cart – he didn’t want me to touch the cart & tried to peel off my hands, punch my hands & scream VERY loudly. Oh dear. I’m telling you… Give me girls!

It was a long day & a VERY cold day. I can’t get out of this country quick enough! Give me heat & sunshine!

Oh! I also posted Jaco’s application for Canada! Finally! It’s on its way! We’re one step closer to living in Canada together!

Gotta run… plenty of packing yet to do!

xxxxMaria

Gorjuss Roxy - even at -20 or whatever the temperature was!

Gorjuss Collet - Mama of 2 busy boys & she still looks stunning!

Day 405 - False Alarm!

Well. Thank goodness for that! Dad called this morning & said that I didn't have to move my stuff until Spring. Yesterday April went over & tried to get into the shed to get some of her things & the snow was so deep in the lady's yard that April nearly got stuck & chewed up the yard a bit. The lady got upset & said we could leave it until Spring. Apparently Dad knew yesterday afternoon, but didn't think to call me. MEN! Oh well. So all that fussing for nothing. At least nothing until Spring.

Other than that, it was a pretty low-key day. Mom & I went to town in the evening. We were supposed to go to visit Mike & Nancy at the Tom Baker, as he's just finished a successful stem cell transplant, then to see Collet & family at Ikea & then to Mom2's for boxes. Well, thanks to my own personal time zone, it happened in the exact reverse order!

We went to Mom2's first, visited with Greg until Mom2 got home from work, then to see Collet & the boys  & Peggy & Chris & later Dave at Ikea. Wow! Has Zeke ever grown! After that, we crossed the city to see Mike & Nancy. I used to board with them in Medicine Hat when I went to College. They are some of the nicest people I've ever met. I miss those days!

Mike has to have all of his inoculations over again, he can't be around plants or mow the lawn for a year! Crazy! We currently have the same hairstyle. :o)

I think I over did it tonight. I fell asleep in the car & by the time we arrived home at 2130, I was completely exhausted. I went straight to bed. It was a great day, but I was totally bushed by the end of it!

Here's to more energy tomorrow!

xxxxMaria, Valentina, Oceana & Adios

What a good lookin' Mama! Zeke is sleeping, but he's grown so much!

Day 387 - Skype & Phone

After a late night of Skyping around the globe, I tried to sleep late. Although Jaco told me he would call around 9. I forgot to ask if that was 9 my time or 9 his time. So, I woke up with a start several times throughout the morning thinking that I'd missed his call. Nope. He meant 9 his time.

Luckily the dogs were content to sleep late with me. I guess they were tired from their big day of goodbyes yesterday too. I woke up late & found Jaco online. I called him right away & we had a chat for an hour or so before he had to board his plane & finally journey home. He'll arrive around 4 or 5 this morning - my time! The dogs were very cute when they heard his voice. They were looking on both sides of the laptop, unable to see his face on the screen. Poor things. They really miss him!

After I skyped with Jaco, I called Mom2 & we spoke for about 2.5 hrs. Yup. It was a long one! But we had a lot to talk about! We are going to our first raw food lesson next Sunday. I'm excited to learn!

I then realized that I had no water, so I boogied into town to buy another jug of water. The girls chased away the bulls from the car when we went outside. It was cute. 10-13 lbs chasing away gargantuan bulls with horns & hooves!

Once I was back inside, I skyped with Jenn in Texas. Harrison was still up! He made my day! 'Hello Aunty Jo!' 'Valentina!' 'Miss you Aunty Jo!' 'I love you Aunty Jo!' Be still my beating heart! What a little star that boy is. He's grown so much already! I can't believe it! I'm so grateful for Skype & beautiful friends! Jenn & I had a fabulous chat about life & all its splendour. I can't wait to visit them!

I phoned Dad after that & April answered. Apparently Dad & Jeff left for Texas for 10 days! If I had only known! I would have gone to see Jenn & the kids! Dad & Jeff are going to a cattle course of some sort, so hardly my cup of tea, however, it would have been fun to see Jenn!

Next up I called Collet. She is humming right along with her 2 boys. Zeke is growing like a weed & I can't wait to see him. She is so busy trucking all over the place, I'm not sure when I'll get my chance, but hopefully soon! I have intentions to visit & help her out. I'm not the best 'Mom', but I'll clean or something like that!

What a day! I'm doing my best to get caught up on the blog (again) & tomorrow is treatment again. Only three treatments left after this! Gosh! Can't they just give me one super dose & have it all done & dusted? That would be nice!

Oh! If you're a friend on Facebook, you'll see the photos already, but if you're not, I'll share my wigs & their 'personalities' with you - one by one - over the next couple of weeks. Let me know which ones you like the best! There's a special surprise at the end! I hope you like it!

Lekker slaap!
xxxxMV&O

Meet Julia!

Day 323 - DevinFest 2010

Today Jaco & I went to Brooks for DevinFest. What's that you ask? Well, DevinFest is a day of family fun, a fundraiser & a tribute to a really amazing young man. Devin is the brother of my best friend, Collet. Devin passed away two years ago from a brain tumour that he battled for most of his teenage years & all of his adult life. He was 25 years young when he passed away. I never had the chance to get to know Devin like so many others did, but what I do know is that he was an incredible individual. I was amazed to hear the stories at his funeral about his positivity, his determination to survive & his gentle, passionate, fun loving ways of living life. A true tragedy & nothing can replace the empty space where he used to fill up so many lives. 


His parents decided to have a celebration of his life each year & raise money for local students wanting to pursue music or arts. They have a silent auction, dancing, activities for kids, live music for adults only in the evenings - a lot of hard work goes into organizing the day's events. 


Jaco & I decided we would go for the afternoon, as I didn't want to be traveling home late at night. We arrived just past 1600, of course, only after a near death experience from a driver backing out of his parking spot on the side street. I seriously saw my life flash before my eyes! 


We took the little dogs with us. Last time we visited Dave & Collet, Ezra was CRUSHED to find out that 'Nini' wasn't with us. I was crushed to see the disappointment on his face! So, along came the dogs! He was quite happy to play ball with Valentina, although it was a bit of a nightmare with Valentina on a leash & a 2 1/2 year old throwing the ball! (Add in tables, chairs & people everywhere!) 


We visited with Dave & Collet & checked up on little Zeke. He's changed a lot already! We had a nice chat with Collet's Mom & Dad. They are truly wonderful people - Collet is very blessed to have such amazing parents. 


While the dancing was happening, Jaco got to visiting with Collet's Mom's friend, Jacqui, who is a Nurse at the local hospital. She offered to walk Jaco over to the hospital (a few blocks away) & introduce Jaco to one of the South African Doctors on call. Away we went. I think Jacqui was hoping to recruit Jaco to Brooks. No comment. In any case, Jaco had a great chat with Dr. DeWitt. He seems to be enjoying life in Brooks. It was fun for me to hear the Afrikaans accent again, and Jaco enjoyed the 'inside' information on applying for work in Canada.


We left Brooks around 2000. Here's to you Devin! 


xxxx MJV&O

Dancers from In-Sequins & Tweet Pea madly searching for her ball!

Dave, Collet, Ezra, Zeke & Peggy & Chris

Awesome little bunch of Michael Jackson dudes!

The guy on the left was my favourite - he had SOUL!

The Rec Centre had beautiful flowers all around the building.

Jaco gets the inside track from Jacqui

Collet gets her DC tattoo from Chelsea of Licious Lines (DC are Devin's initials & also one of his favourite brands)

Wow! Crazy talent! Chelsea also airbrushed a guitar for the silent auction.

The finished product!

Three generations & a whole lotta good looks! Aren't they beautiful girls!?

Today was the black wig - Lara Croft style.

No backseat drivers here. Oceana was insisting we turn left. 

Day 305 - Newborn Photos... OH BOY!!!

While Jaco & I had a brilliant sleep in the trailer, Collet, Dave & Ezekiel did NOT. Little EJ was feeling pretty rough & spent most of the night fussing, crying & feeding. Oh dear. I was going to have to make it a swift & effective photo shoot. I started getting things ready - hot water bottles, blankets in the dryer, setting up props, checking exposures... For what, I'm not really sure.


We shot inside first. Lil' EJ cried every time he left his Mama's arms. He pee'd on the blanket, which ran onto the basket, which ran onto the box, which ran onto the carpet. Then he pee'd on Mama. Then he pee'd on Papa. Thank goodness I was holding the camera! :o) He was NOT loving any of this photo business. We thought we could get him to sleep & then simply shoot whatever we wanted. He had other plans.


It wasn't until we went outside, as a last resort, that he peacefully fell asleep in the warmth of the sun. He was as limp as a rag doll. I couldn't believe it! I didn't think I'd see the day! We managed to get some wonderful shots & I'm excited to have survived my first newborn shoot! Yay! I'm pleased with the results & excited to edit the shots & send them off to Mama & Papa... 


On a side note, I'll also know to bring Valentina with me next time. I had left her at home, as I didn't know if there would be any issues staying with Jenn's parents & of course, the new baby. Unfortunately, as soon as Harrison saw me, 'Tina?' was the first thing out of his mouth. And Ezra had been waiting all day to see 'Nini'. We had a near meltdown when he found out she wasn't with me. Whoops. Aunty Jill's bad. I've learned that lesson!


Jaco & I left for home about 1700. Only 3 hours behind schedule. But at least we got some fabulous photos! Yay! Tomorrow is round 4 - 1/3 of the way there! Amen to that! Here's hoping it goes smoothly! 


xxxxx
MJV

Big Brother Ezra helps out!

Introducing Ezekiel Jasher... Enjoy!

Day 301 - Shermanators In The Elbow & Oh Baby(s)!!!!

It was a quick zip over to the mechanics to pick up the car & then to the grocery store... We were having company in a few short hours & we were supposed to be having a picnic! As my timing would have it, we arrived home, only to have our company call - they were 3 minutes away! Oh dear! Panic! Thankfully they were patient enough to wait while we finished getting lunch ready.


Kerry & Shawn, Alina & Mason were coming for a visit today. They have an Aunt & Uncle in Calgary & would visit them after our time together. Doing the traditional 'Tour', we headed down to Elbow Falls & of course, as luck would have it, the weather turned cold as we drove up. That didn't stop Mason! He ran around & raced Alina up & down the paths. Kerry, Shawn, Jaco & I enjoyed more lunch while the kids burnt up energy! We walked the path around the falls & I managed to find a few raspberry patches to share a few bites with the kids. 


After our visit at Elbow Falls, we headed for Forget-Me-Not Pond. We strayed off course to the river & Alina & Mason had a blast hopping over rocks & trying (somewhat successfully) to stay dry. We picked a few wild strawberries along our way & they were deeee-lish!


Naturally, the Tour ends at the Scoops & Snacks for ice cream. Everyone enjoyed a big dip of the good stuff before the Shermans were on their way...


When we returned to the house, I discovered that Collet had her baby! A boy! We were supposed to visit for the birth, but the newest Stephan wasn't going to wait any longer in there! He made his entry swift & there would not have been time for us to get there! Mom was exhausted, but tickled pink with her newest son. 


After my chat with her, Jaco & I skyped with Ross & Krystle & Baby Dash... Awwwh!!! What a cutie pie! I'm excited for all of them! But yeesh, I'm going to have to watch what I eat/drink, all these babies... only means trouble!!! Valentina is enough for now!


Lekker slaap
xxxxx
Maria, Jaco & Valentina 

Elbow Falls!

The Shermans

The Happy Couple

Great to see you!!!

Mason burns off some energy!

Alina strikes a pose

The boys talk shop

Our little monkey for the day!

Mason chases Shawn

Throwing rocks in the river

Mason walks on the water

Blowin' in the wind

Flower feathers

Yum yum on the ice cream cones!