Day 373 - David Wolfe, Hippocrates & Zero Energy

Another lazy day. Wow. I must've needed some sleep. I slept from midnight until 1300 today! Wowser! I managed to sneak outside for a few minutes of sunshine while I finally spoke to Jenn! Yes! I am missing her terribly, but I was happy to hear her voice, what's left of it, as she has a cold. They are settling into their new home just fine & the kids are adapting well to life in Texas. I keep thinking that I can hop in the car for a few hours & I will see them. Sadly, I don't know when that day will come, but it will!!!

I also had a message from a wonderful girl I met on ships about 3 years ago. She lives in Florida & suggested I come to see her & her son, while I go to the Hippocrates Health Institute. I started watching a few YouTube videos & one thing led to another. Then I ended up watching some David Wolfe videos, also on YouTube. Ironically enough, Andrea recommended Hippocrates & Roxy follows David Wolfe's program & is planning on attending his Longevity Now Conference early next year. As both programs are Raw Vegan diets, I find it quite interesting.

A raw diet is quite daunting to me. I am not sure I have the commitment to do it. I would like to think that I do & certainly more chemo vs. a raw diet should make for a VERY easy choice, however, I still feel myself sitting on the bench, rather than plunging into the pool. I think I'll visit Roxy for a while once Jaco flies home & see if I can't get a better grasp on how to make this raw thing work.

I have tried Wheatgrass shots on a few occasions & they have made me quite nauseous. I guess I'm fairly toxic from the chemo & a poor diet - I smell a good detox in my future!

Anyhow, even Jaco was impressed with David Wolfe's information. He agreed with his 'Hormone Health' lecture & even looked up his Longevity Now program.

Sadly enough, we were pointed towards some disturbing food facts. Like chocolate bars - "every time you eat a chocolate bar, it may contain a rodent hair and 16 insect parts and still carry the blessing of the FDA.  For chocolate powder or cakes there must not be more than 75 insect fragments in three tablespoons of powder. Four percent of cacao beans may be infested by insects. Animal excreta (such as visible rat droppings) must not exceed 10 milligrams per pound." Umm, I think I'm going to be sick. I'll leave that one alone for now. I don't even want to look into it, as I'm scared I'll never be able to touch chocolate again - raw, organic or otherwise!

The rest of the day was spent fussing over the dogs. I've never seen two more spoiled dogs in all my life. I had really wanted to take them out for Halloween, but my costume is buried deep in the bunkhouse, so I guess it will have to wait until next year. For those of you who did go out trick or treating, I hope it was a great evening - just watch out for the chocolate!!!

xxxxMJV&O

 Why the sad face?

It's all smiles... 

Smiles & kisses... 

around here!

Day 361 - Farewell to the Burnett Bunch! *Sniff**Sniff*

With all that insomnia last night, I didn't have a very good sleep. I think it was around 0400 when I finally dozed off & then I heard little voices around 0700. Eish. Three house of sleep was really going to hurt me today!

I helped Jenn pack up a few things & once Heidi was napping, she took Harrison outside & I took the chance to crash. I thought I'd slept for hours, but it was only one! We loaded up the kids & went to town for a few last minute things before the big departure.

It was a good thing Jenn drove, as we would have crashed from all the tears in my eyes. I savoured every moment with the kids & her (after my nap, of course!). Jenn ran into one of the shops for a few moments & Harrison & I had some fun times screaming & making silly noises... Poor Heidi didn't know what to think!

When we arrived back at the Farm, Harrison wanted to show me the kitties. They have 3 orange kittens. I asked him what their names were. Kitty One, Kitty Two, & Kitty Three. Too cute. What a guy. I'm going to miss that kid something fierce!!! And Miss Heidi's smile - she's stolen my heart so many times... I can't believe they're going to be so far away.

We walked back to the house & I knew it was time for me to go. I packed up my things, hugged the kids goodbye & of course, hugged Miss Jenn goodbye too. As I sobbed my way out of their yard, I was happy to see a beautiful sunset. Signifying the end of our times together in Alberta, but knowing the dawn will come soon & our lives will both take turns for the positive. Her, happy in Texas surrounded by friends, sunshine & God's calling... and me, healthy & with my husband, not caring where I end up! (hopefully someplace exotic!)

I stopped in Fort McLeod to get fuel & oranges for the man I love & then boogied on home. I was happy to see my Baby & go to sleep!

xxxxMJV&O

 Aunty Jo!!!

 Cheese!

Over the seat shot! 

Selfy of Harrison & I 

 Little Miss Smiley!

 Harrison's driving Aunty Jo's car!

 Can you see his little head?

 My Smiley Girl!

 Too cute for words!

 20 years old & I'm sure Harrison is Contemplate's youngest driver at 2 1/2!

 Family portrait with Kitty One

Harrison & Kitty Two 

I'll get the gate! 

 The Charmer!

Got your nose! 

 Tickle, tickle!

 Awh!!! Miss you Much!!!

 Travel safe Momma J!!!

 The girls

Sunsets on this chapter in life... 

And tomorrow comes the dawn of a new one...

Day 360 - The Burnett Bunch

It's 0317 & I can't sleep, so I might as well type the blog post. I am having some arm pain these last few days & I'm hoping it goes away soon. I don't like taking drugs, but it may just come to that!


Today I drove to Fort McLeod to spend the night with Jenn & the kids. They are leaving in a few days & this is my last chance to spend time with them before they disappear for a long time. 


We went to the city for a few hours to pick up some last minute things for their big trip. The kids behaved marvellously & I have no idea how Mom's do it these days. We picked out some super cute Halloween costumes for the kids & I can't wait to see some photos of them wearing them! We also picked up a movie for the evening. Letters from Juliet. Oh dear. I'm in love. With Italy all over again. It's a brilliant movie about love (duh!) & I think it just moved onto my Top 10 list. Yes, it's a chick flick, but aren't all the good ones?!? 


Speaking of which, why are women so romantic & men not? Well, minus the Italian men that is. Yeah, so they have a double edged sword there, but let's face it, they earn the other side of the sword! If you haven't seen the movie, WATCH IT!!!


I've been wasting the last hour tossing & turning thinking about my 2-minute video blip. I'm applying for the Transat Vacationer job. You get paid to travel for one year. I KNOW I'm qualified for the job & I can't think of anyone I know who would love to do it more than I! (feel free to correct me if I'm wrong!) I just need to brush up on my Final Cut Pro skills & I'm set. Well, besides the packing that is!


Jenn & I had a wonderful visit this evening. I am so grateful that I have been able to spend so much time with her & her kids this summer/fall. Had they not moved back to Canada this year, I wouldn't have had the chance to get to know the kids & reconnect with Jenn. I'm thrilled our friendship has had this revival & I can't wait to see what the future holds for both of us! 


She showed me her route to Texas today on Google Maps. I am always amazed when I look at a map & see all the foreign towns & cities. They are brimming with people just like you & I living their lives to the fullest. We all think we are important & a certain part of the world 'revolves around us', but in actual fact, it doesn't. Map dots & faces of people we'll most likely never meet... It makes me feel small and it certainly humbles me. And of course, it fascinates me! I could spend hours reading the names of towns on the map! :o)


Well, it's 0330 now & I KNOW that there will be pitter patters of feet in a few short hours. I don't know if I've spent enough time tiring myself out, but I'll try to sleep again...


Lekker slaap!
xxxxMaria

Day 350 - Aunty Jo & Harrison!

Today was a bittersweet day. We stopped just outside of Fort McLeod to see Jenn, Harrison & Heidi. They are leaving for Texas shortly & I will miss them horribly. Jenn & I have been friends since 1997 when we both worked at Lammle's Western Wear & I have been so grateful for the times we've been able to spend together again this year while we've both been 'back home'. She is now married with 2 wonderful children & I've grown quite attached to them. In fact, Heidi is the first 'baby' I've ever WANTED to hold. Usually babies & little kids scare me. I've never been one to have that 'maternal instinct'. I think I'm still a far cry from anything maternal, but at least I can say I love these kids & I'm going to miss them something fierce. 


Harrison just melts my heart when he calls me 'Aunty Jo' & Heidi does the same when she looks right in your eyes & gives you that sweet little smile, regardless of what's happening around her. 


We stopped in when the kids were still napping, so we had a little 'adult time' & then, once the kids woke up, we went for walk outside so Harrison could show us the kitties & drive the tractor. It was adorable. 


I took him a toy fire engine & he was elated with it. When his Grandma came home, the first thing he said was, 'Grandma! Look! Fire engine!' I was happy I could give him a little bit of joy!


We visited with Jenn & the kids until 1800 & then it was time to leave. I was very teary leaving, as I've never been to Abilene & strangely enough, it feels further away than South Africa! I'm sure I'll get there, but it just won't be the same. Thank goodness there is Skype to fall back on! 


I'm sure going to miss Jenn, Harrison & Heidi. I could feel the hole in my heart as we drove away... And I'm all lumpy throated typing this blog post... I'll post some photos of these stinkin' cute kids before it gets any worse!


xxxxAunty Jo, JV&O

 Heidi wasn't her usual 'smiley' self today... Sigh... (but she's still stinkin' cute!)