Day 295 - Soccer on the C-Train & Walking With The Dinosaurs

Wow. What a great day! We were up early (for me) & off to town by 0900. We met Sylvia & Drayton at the south end of the city & took the C-Train to the Saddledome. 


Sylvia is a long time friend from my Wrangler days at Three Bars Ranch in Cranbrook, BC. Her little guy, Drayton, is 4 1/2 & shares his birthday with my brother. Drayton is all boy, but has a heart of gold. He's got a very special place in my heart! I mean, how could he not with those blue eyes & gorgeous blond curls, but in any case, he's got the manners & personality to make anyone's heart melt! 


Last summer when Sylvia & Drayton visited, we went to the Calgary Zoo. It was a fun trip. I was still juicing then & Drayton helped Aunty Jill make her juice for the day. We also did a photo shoot on the old truck in the yard. When I visited the family in February, Drayton didn't remember going to the zoo with Aunty Jill. I was devastated! He didn't remember the fun times we had at the zoo??? That's it. We've got to do something AWESOME this time, so he'll surely remember! :o)


Mom2 suggested the Dinosaurs show that was playing at the Saddledome. Perfect! What little guy doesn't think dinosaurs are cool!? So I phoned Mom (Sylvia, not mine) & asked permission to go. Mom said she'd check it out & let me know. The next day she called back & said Drayton was already excited. Perfect! I thought we could take the C-Train from Shawnessy, as Drayton has never been on the train before. 


We pull into the parking lot & I can see Drayton & Sylvia sitting on a bench waiting patiently for us. I wave at Drayton & he recognized me right away! We bought our tickets & hopped on the C-Train that was waiting for us. We found a row of benches facing each other. I gave Drayton the soccer ball I'd picked up for him & the 'Thank You' card for the lovely care package he & Mom had so thoughtfully sent to me awhile back. Drayton was tickled pink (that's for you Gary!) with the ball. Him & Jaco tossed the ball back & forth for the entire train ride. It went off without a hitch until 2 old biddies sat down beside us - one on either bench. At one point the ball rolled towards the one biddy's foot. Drayton grabbed the ball & I apologized. The biddy quipped, 'Really, soccer on the train? It's a bit ridiculous.' I quipped, 'Well, we only see them once a year & it was my gift to him.' She quipped back. I quipped back & played the Cancer Card. That was the end of the quipping. Thankfully our ride too! 


Whoops! We got off one stop too soon & poor Drayton had to trot the entire way to keep up with the adults. We made it to the show just in the nick of time! He LOVED it. He was enthralled the entire time! Of course, T-Rex was last & that was the best part! 


It was actually a very interesting show. Amazing creatures, those dinosaurs! The dinosaurs looked very 'real' & the effects were quite good! It was a nice trip down memory lane, as I haven't studied much about the dinosaurs since I was in elementary school! We only bought the cheap seats, so we couldn't see everything on the screens, but I don't think the luxury seats would have been worth the extra $20-50. 


We played soccer on the way back in the C-Train again, without any biddy mishaps, and then it was time to say goodbye... I sure wish they lived closer! **Sniff, sniff** They were off to a birthday party & we had to stop a few places too. 


Our first stop was Community Natural Foods. And apparently our last stop too. I don't know what happened, but as soon as we arrived, my energy went right out the door. It was all I could do to pick up what I needed, leave the baby gift for Zoe, wait for Jaco & drive home. I went straight to bed & slept for 2 hours. I didn't feel much better by the time I woke up & I'm happy to say I'm finally off to sleep now. Mom bbq'd some portobello mushrooms for dinner & that's it... I'm done... 


Jaco is sleeping peacefully beside me - no snoring yet. Although he did just kick Adios off the bed, even if he was asleep, but I've never heard my cat 'thud' quite like that before. It must not have hurt that bad, as Adios is already back on the bed. Poor Valentina. Her nose is still out of joint that she can't sleep in the bed anymore.


Anyhow... Lekker slaap...
xxxxxxx
Maria, Jaco, & Valentina

Drayton enjoys his new soccer ball on the C-Train

It's a nail biting, straight ahead staring, hot dog eating kind of event! 

Don't ask me anything about the dinosaurs. It was cool.

Enjoying the show. Full stop. 

Drayton gives me a T-Rex RRRRRAWR!!! 

Some flying bird with fur.

Fast moving carnivores 

Is it Taurosaurus? The ripped off Triceratops? 

Taurosaurus. Was he born in May?

I forget this one's name, but he was pretty cool. Small brained, but cool.

Couple o' dinos. 

Digging in steaming poo for dung beetles. 

RRRRAWR! It's T-Rex!!!

Drayton is pretty pumped about T-Rex! 

Mama T-Rex chases off the other 2 dinos to save her baby. Reminds me of the 'Dingo Ate My Baby' story... 

A little T-Rex affection. 

All smiles! 

Cool teeth!

This sign was made for Jaco! 

Some kids new favourite outfit. I liked the tail. 

Drayton & Uncle Jaco try on the T-Rex heads. 

Jaco, Yahoo, & Drayton 

We sport the T-Rex heads... 

Drayton & Mom try on the heads... 

Playing soccer on the C-train (without the biddies!)

Ready!

Got it!

Smiles! 

Silly faces! 

More silliness! 

So happy to see you!!!

Day 140 - Results. Or Not.

I know I posted earlier about the results or lack thereof, but I'm still trying to catch up! 


Jaco did indeed call this morning. I had left Skype on, but my computer went to sleep. So when he phoned at 0400 on the house phone, he woke the house up! Whoops! Mom woke up & brought me the phone, looking all disheveled & nothing like herself. I love that she says to me, 'It's 4 o'clock, what are you still doing up?' Um, what are YOU doing up? Maybe we're up for the same reason? We heard the phone ring? :o) She later came back to my room to tell me to talk quieter - I love how she can hear a pin drop without hearing aids at 0400, but can't hear me talk across the table when she's wide awake & hearing aids in. Sigh. 


Anyhow, Jaco was on his way... Capetown to Johannesburg to Atlanta to Montego Bay. He was flying business class, so hopefully he'll catch a little rest on the plane & not be too wiped for work!


I went back to bed & fell asleep to the sounds of Mom printing, typing & clicking away in the next room. She was up & didn't want to go back to bed. Yes, I feel bad! They left about 1100 for their big road trip.


I left for town shortly thereafter. I had some running around to do & of course, the biopsy results at 1400. As I mentioned earlier, I waited 2.5 hours only to be told they didn't have the results back! $8.75 in parking... The poor fellow at the pay booth. He received all of my change! I am glad he didn't drop the parking 'arm' on my car as I exited!!


After I was set free with a week of wiggle room, I ran my errands, the usual, CNF, Costco, and then to prayers. It was a great night at prayers! Valentina was exceptionally charming & managed to gain the affection of everyone there! That's my girl! :o)


So there you have it! The exciting day that wasn't! Here's to a bigger & better tomorrow! Ha!


Love & hugs, 
Maria & Valentina
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Doesn't this room look like a fun place to hang out for 2.5 hrs?

I mean, who wouldn't want to chill out in this avocado green chair for half the day? It looks so comfy! I'm sure there's a massage button somewhere!

Even Valentina got bored!

Day 139 - Heartland

I woke up at about 0530 this morning to the sounds of trucks rolling through the yard, one after the other. They were filming an episode of Heartland on the ranch today! I was pretty excited, even though I've never seen a single episode, I thought it was awesome to have a little 'Hollywood' in the back yard!


I was supposed to meet Roxy in town today while she ran errands, but I had a lot to do at home today as well! I did up everything as quickly as I could & left for town around 1500. I met Roxy at Community Natural Foods & we left for the Asian market in search of a young coconut. We didn't find one & then Roxy had to leave. It was the shortest meeting ever! 


Roxy left for home & I went into CNF for some goodies. My next stop was Winners, to replace the wicker basket. I called Mom on my way & she informed me that Heartland was only there today! Oh no! I was so sad! I really wanted to go & check things out! Darn it! I asked Mom to go down to the barn & take a few photos for me... :o(


Shortly after I got home, Mom's friends, Gena & Sue, arrived. The three of them were off to Kamloops for a week. There is a big Western Art Show happening & Gena is an amazing watercolour artist. Check out her work! Mom was taking her photography & Sue's son, Mark, works near Kamloops. 


It was quite funny to watch the girls when they met Valentina. Here's two grown women talking the cutest baby talk you ever did hear. Now, when you talk high pitched baby talk to Valentina, she gets excited & most often 'happy pees'. Sue made the mistake of running into the bathroom for a wee, but left the door open behind her & Valentina followed suit.  Sue, not knowing the 'happy pee' effect, picked up Valentina & talked away. Pretty soon Sue was peeing & Valentina was peeing! Oh dear! I'm sure that is a first (& hopefully a last!) for both of them!


Sue had lost her cell phone, but her other son, Kirk, found it under a car in the parking lot where they had dinner! Kirk & his friend, Ty, brought it out to the ranch. Everyone had a good visit!


Oh, the other part of the day! The bankruptcy place called & told me they want to confiscate my 'Tools of the Trade' because I haven't made any money from them since I declared bankruptcy. My tools of the trade would be my camera gear. That's like another limb. I was quite distraught! I had traded website photos for pies & ice cream, wedding photos for Keith Urban tickets... Doesn't that count?!? She responded to my email by telling me that my photography is more of a hobby than a career. Oooooh, she does know the right buttons to push, let me tell ya! I was so offended. Crap. Is she right? Well, no. I worked 5 years on ships as a full-time Photographer, so that has to count for something! I only left when I got sick & I haven't been well enough to focus on a land or sea based career! Argh! 


Perhaps this is the 'Ah-ha' moment where I realize it's time to get a little more serious about my photography... But for now, it's off to bed... My hubby is hopefully calling before he flies to join the ship...


Sweet dreams!
xoxoxoxoxox
Maria & Valentina

Heartland Props

Down at the barn

...And ACTION!!!!

Adios charms Ty

Kirk, Ty, Gena & Sue. (Note Adios still charming Ty)

Day 117 - Running Around!

Hello everyone! I hope this finds you well!


Today was my day to run around the city & accomplish everything on my LONG list of 'To Do's' before Mexico. As usual, I got a roaring good start to the day & left at the early hour of 2. (p.m.) Yes, hardly early, but hey, I did good to get out of the house at all! Luckily for me my bank is open late & I could do most things at Chinook Centre - a large mall that is fairly centrally located.


First stop was the finance division. After today I have two remaining payments on my bankruptcy - Yay! I will be happy to have the shadow off my back & begin rebuilding in the sunshine! After I left MNP, I headed over to Chinook. Again, to the financial divisions. Trying to sort out a bank draft for 2 doctors when you're not quite sure what either of them is going to do to you is a bit of a dilemma! We managed to get things sorted out & one more stop back at the bank before we leave will have Mom as the Power of Attorney, so she can help with any pickles that might arise while I'm away. The Teller I dealt with was the same Teller I had before I left to see Jaco. She has this amazing pearl/bee pendant. Her boyfriend gave it to her, along with some other unique pieces of jewelry. I was excited to see her & find out what she got for Christmas & Valentine's Day, only to hear her say she got a Wii. Apparently my face must have looked disappointed, because she quickly told me that was what she had wanted! :o)


Off to another bank to change the PIN number. Holy Jeopardy music while he sorted things out! A cute young feller with an Aussie accent, he takes my card & says he needs to check with someone. Then he comes back & says he needs to make a call. Great. Does this mean they're taking back my card?!? What have I done now? I'm sure I've been good. I didn't break any laws. I think. No, I am sure I didn't... Finally, after a million scenarios play out in my mind, he returns & with a smile, hands me my card & sends me to the ATM. Relief!


Next stop was the accessories shop. I picked up some headbands for one of the nurses at Castillo's clinic, as well as a few necklaces for the receptionists & the other nurse. $15. Next stop was LuLuLemon. I walked in, looked around & walked out. Yay for me! Didn't buy a thing! I'm getting so good at this game! :o)


I headed across the street & stopped at the pet store to pick up a harness for Valentina's 'Service Dog' patches. Unfortunately they were out of the kind I needed, but I did get her a 3-pack of mini-tennis balls, along with some treats for Adios. Next door was Staples & I was in need of refills for my day planner I picked up in Ushuaia, Argentina. Unfortunately they didn't have a size that would fit, so it looks like I'll have to order them online. By the time I get around to it, the year will be half over! Oh well!


Next stop was Community Natural Foods. I needed another bottle of MCP to last me the month while I was away. I hadn't purchased it before at this particular location, so I asked for help. While the new clerk went to ask for help, I picked up a few other things I needed & put them in the reusable bag I was carrying. The give you $0.05 if you use your own bag, plus I don't enjoy plastic bags. I managed to find the MCP on my own & waited until the clerk came out of the bag to let her know I'd found it. She brought another clerk with her & when I showed them I'd found it, I put it in my reusable bag. The 2nd clerk proceeds to tell me that I should use a basket & not my reusable bag, for 'product control'. My jaw hit the floor. Is she accusing me of stealing? WTFiretruck is going on? I always bring in my own bag & put my stuff in the bag, proceed to check out & PAY for my things! I had a cold & I don't like to touch the carts that EVERYONE else has touched & will continue to touch after my 'sick' germs have been added to the mix. 


I was 100% offended. When the clerk brought me the basket, I said, 'It's okay, I'm finished shopping now.' She looked annoyed & said, 'Okay, I guess I'll put it back now.' (Again, not necessary) Thank goodness it wasn't Zoe's store. I think I'll report it to the Manager. Preposterous! FYI - I went to the competitor's store - Planet Organic that night & asked the clerk if there was an issue in using a reusable bag instead of a cart. He said, 'Absolutely NOT!' I told him what happened & he apologized that I had to go through that. Hmpf. Well, I guess that's settled!


Next stop (after CNF) was Costco. Generally a zoo, but tonight it wasn't bad. I even managed to get good parking! Costco always has so many fun things. You go for three items, come home with fifteen & twelve of them you didn't need! Anyhow, I only came home with the necessities. A hard drive for Mom ($100 for 500gb - portable!) & some fruit & nut bars for moi.


I dropped by Mom2's to leave her the water bottle she forgot in the car. Luckily she was home & we had a quick chat. She sent me home with this delicious soup. It was kind of like a miso soup with beet greens, rice, & some sort of chinese root in it. She made it from scratch & was it ever yummy! You should try her stuffed salmon one day... Wow!


The last stop of the night was at Pet Planet & Planet Organic. Pet Planet managed to find Valentina's harness & Planet Organic didn't feel the need to give me a criminal record for shopping there. The day has been a success!


I motored home, exhausted & trying to be excited about the impending packing day waiting ahead. Mom had left for Nanton & Valentina waited at home for me. Boy, was she excited to see Mama! She reminds me of the Tasmanian Devil when she's been alone for awhile. There's this flurry of motion every which direction. I've learned the trick is to greet her outside. Open the door & walk back outside, otherwise, you're left cleaning up 'happy pee' everywhere. Think pee & a wagging tail. Not a pretty sight! So, if you come to visit, just IGNORE her for the first 5 minutes until she settle down. It will be ALL good & much cleaner! :o)


Alrighty, there you have it... another enthralling day in the city running around. Here's to a good night's sleep & an efficient day of packing tomorrow! 


Lekker slaap!
Maria & Valentina
xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo

Nonna has a lump in her side! Oh no! But wait! It's moving... :o)

My gorgeous little girl, who loves me unconditionally!

Mom2's Super Duper Souper!

Days 105 & 106 - Rock A Bye Baby...

Hello Everyone!

I hope this finds you well, enjoying the last day of the week & packing plans in for the weekend! Tomorrow I am off to the Health Show in Calgary. Here's hoping I can score a discount on some supplements & learn a little more about cancer & health! Yay! 

Yesterday was interesting... I have been extra sleepy since the biopsy, I suppose my body is trying to recover. I can barely get myself organized by 1500! Yikes! Mom & I left for the city about 1530 for my acupuncture appointment. As I was lying on the table in Dr. Mah's office, I realized... 'Wait a second. I dread giving myself a needle & here I am with 8 needles pricked into me at once!' Something is definitely wrong with that picture! Anyhow, I think all the needles are helping my health out - if only I didn't have to administer them to myself! But you learn to be (gulp) BRAVE, right??!! 

After the acupuncture appointment, we stopped at Community Natural Foods, Calgary's equivalent to Whole Foods in the US. They have a wonderful selection of health food, natural products & very helpful staff. I inquired about a few products & got an earful on new ones I've never heard of. One of the gals in CNF, Zoe, was helping me find Graviola several months back & asked if I'd tried Modified Citrus Pectin. I said 'No, I've never heard of it.' She proceeded to tell me that she was given a bottle by the supplier & had no use for it. Did I want it? Wow! Of course I said yes! I gladly took the bottle & when I went to replace the empty one, Yikes! $97!!! Anyhow, I took a second bottle & ended up in Mexico a few weeks later. I stopped the MCP until I read the Knockout book. Mom was in CNF the other day when Zoe was working & called me to make sure she got the right stuff. I told her to put Zoe on the line & thanked her again & again, sharing my news about MCP! What a wonderful gift & how generous of Zoe! 

Next up was Prayers. Mom & I joined Neil & Lawrence & shared our weeks happenings & the people we would like to pray for. It's a nice relaxed atmosphere in Neil's living room. He has tea & snacks for us, we sit & talk & then have a group prayer. I enjoy the informality of it & it is wonderful to hear the stories of these gentlemen. They have done some amazing things in their lifetime. 

When I returned home, I checked my emails before bed & sadly, my friend Glen passed away that morning. I am glad that his pain is over with, but sad that he had to leave on such unfortunate conditions. His funeral is Monday & I'm not sure I'll be able to make it, as I have my CT scan. I'll see what the weather is like & what time I finish. I am hoping to visit his wife, Stella, the next time I am in Medicine Hat. They are both such wonderful people. 

The night for me was an unpleasant one. I'm not sure if I drank some bad juice or exactly what, but at 0600 I was sick to my stomach. Only once. I finally fell asleep after that & didn't wake up until 1300!!! I haven't accomplished much today. In fact I didn't eat breakfast until 2130, I just haven't had the will to move today! Here's hoping tomorrow will be much better! 

Jaco called & we had a nice visit. He is working so hard these past few weeks. He will be so happy to make it home & relax... Although! I heard from the recruiting agency & they want to see Jaco's CV ASAP for the position in Bragg Creek! Yay! Fingers crossed he can get it up-to-date before the lady returns from holidays on the 16th. It would be wonderful if this job would materialize into our reality! Apparently they even supply a place for us to live! I know my mother wants her house back & I eagerly want to give it back to her! As soon as I can manage & my health is on the upswing, I'm outta here! When I was chatting with a girlfriend today, I said I think I know the title of the book I'm going to write when I'm healthy... 'Having Cancer Is Easier Than Living With Your Mother' :o) My Mom is wonderful, but grown women need their space. I know, I need to leave - I am counting down the days until I can afford to pack up my things & go! Until then, it's a lot of deep breathing for both of us.

On that note, I'm going to watch one more episode of House & hit the hay. I love House. What a jerk. He makes me smile though. Ever since the first episode I've been a fan. Anyhow... Continuing with the Zuma saga... Here's a little funny to keep you going... Compliments of my friend, Werner...

Love & hugs & sweet dreams (keep your daughters close!)

Maria & Valentina

xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo

Ha ha... funny funny...

Lawrence - What an amazing man!

Neil - Our humble host & also an amazing man!

Yours truly - I'll take off the toque when the grass is green & the trees have leaves!

Mommy Dearest

Seduti Bella - Sitting pretty for a nibble of cheese. Isn't she adorable?!? :o)