Day 183 - Sea Day

Well, I suppose I had my share of sun, sand & sea these past few days, as I slept quite late today! I do love a good sleep-in! Even more exciting was the fact that Valentina used the potty box! I got her started (expressing her bladder) & then she finished up the job! Sadly, she didn't go again & there was no #2 involved, but tomorrow's another day! She's pretty much on the ship all week, so she had better get used to it!

Her & Papa are bonding wonderfully. They cuddle & play all the time. It makes me laugh - Jaco & I will share a kiss or two & as soon as her little ears hear the smooching noise, she's right in there, licking our faces! Every time, without fail! :o)

Today, I also finished my last & final expense sheet for bankruptcy! I am official finished with my bankruptcy! YAY! Celebration!!! If all goes as planned, I shouldn't be hearing from the Insolvency company again! Let the rebuilding begin! I also found out I had a parking ticket… You remember the post right before I left for Mexico this last time? I was running around downtown Calgary trying to pay my speeding ticket? Well, those little turkeys tried to ding me with a ticket! I had Mom's truck & accidentally entered in one of the incorrect numbers on the license plate. I entered 'RXY 221' instead of 'RXY 721'. You'd think they would pick up on that, as it's only a one block section with only a few parking spots. Nope. They sent me a ticket. Luckily I had printed receipts both times I paid my parking. We scanned them tonight & sent them off to Mom. Hah! Take that Parking Authority!

I am also pleased to report that the eczema is pretty much gone from my forearms, bicep & belly. BUT. I am NOT pleased to report that I have a far more intense case of eczema breaking out on my feet, calves, wrists, chest, back & knees. Ugh. It is brutal! I'm quite sure it's the chlorinated water on the ship, but it's pretty hectic itching! I had a good sand scrub yesterday in Aruba, but I can tell it's going to need a whole lot more to get rid of it!!! The old stuff was patchy & scaly. The new stuff is bumpy & blistery - like pickle skin. How sexxy! 

I called the Oncologist back home today, but unfortunately he is away until Monday. I also called Mom. Still no Annie in the picture, but she did tell me about a nearby kennel. Why would you need a kennel when you don't have a dog? That's like having braille on a drive through ATM. No really, it seems to be a recurring joke in my life these days. And it's seriously true! How many blind people drive? I get they need money, but really? 

It's been a little 'queer' these past few days. As I sit in this beautiful big cabin, typing my long overdue blog posts, I glance over at the 'Officers Telephone List'. It reads - 'Staff Captain - Nick Boon' & 'Seco (Security Officer) - Jane Boon'. What's so queer about that? Well, Nick was my first 'ship boyfriend'. He's now married to Jane, a former ships Assistant Shop Manager/Former Bobby (Cop) now Security Officer. They are no longer on the ship anymore, but it just seems weird that they were here shortly before I arrived. I haven't spoken to Nick in 3+ years. I thought we were good friends, but one day he emailed me & asked me to never contact him again. Bizarre. I think his fiance/now wife had some control issues. Anyhow… Thank goodness that is part of the past!  

Tonight we watched sports. Yawn. Then we watched The Hangover. Or rather, I watched the Hangover while Jaco & Valentina slept. They are both so adorable when they sleep. Did I mention my husband is a dead ringer for Christian Bale? Only Jaco can save your life too! :o)

Okay, I better stop tooting my horn & get to bed… Love & hugs… Tomorrow is Montego Bay. Man, this cruise is like living that Beach Boys song - Kokomo… 

xxxxx

Maria, Valentina & Jaco (Yaah-ku)

Beach bums catching up on zzz's

Looooooong day at sea!

Papa keeping an eye on Tweet Pea

Day 158 - Holy Cow! What A Day!

Phew! Today was a LONG day! I had planned on heading out early, but as usual, the morning got away from me... Then dear ol' Contemplate wouldn't start! My last day to drive my lovely car for many months to come & it was no go. Mom was already gone with NeverLate, so I was left with the truck. I don't mind driving the truck, but it's a gas hog & a bit of a tank to drive in the city. Regardless, I headed out around 1100 for Cochrane.


First up was the TD bank for the $25 Barbados Import Permit. $25 Barbados dollars is equal to about $13 Canadian. It cost $50 (!) to post to Barbados. Ouch! 


I stopped in to see Jenn on her first day of her new job. She looked like a supermodel!!! Wow!!! I couldn't help but stare! She is such a beautiful woman! With those big eyes & perfect smile, no wonder Mike was so swiftly enamoured with this gorgeous Canadian gal! :o) I hope the job goes well for her.


I will admit. Today was a weepy day. I cried on my way to Cochrane, I cried on my way to Calgary & I cried on my way home from the city. I cried at songs on the radio, I cried when  I couldn't find the courts office... Yeah, I was a bit of a wreck. I'm sad to be leaving all my friends & Mom & happy to be leaving to get healthy. I'm sad I'm not already healthy, I miss my husband & I'm sad we're not already living somewhere together... And pretty much anything else made me cry.


I stopped at GAP Adventures to say goodbye to Michael - he was busy as usual! Then it was downtown to sort out the speeding ticket I got in September. I was caught doing 102 km/h in an 80 km/h zone. I was 3 hours late leaving for the wedding weekend, with a million things on my mind. It is my first speeding ticket in Alberta. Grrr. Anyhow, it had gone to trial so I had to see a Prosecutor about it. I phoned & was given the wrong directions. I went to 5 different places & couldn't find the right floor when I finally found the right building. Needless to say, I was getting close to losing it! I ended up having to buy a Jugo Juice just to get more change & pay for parking. My luck I'd get a parking ticket while paying for my speeding ticket! Hmpf!


The Prosecutor was actually human! He was very much unlike the Judge I visited in January - thank goodness! He reduced my ticket & I received 2 demerits instead of 3. 


I motored over to Meyers Norris Penny with minutes to spare on the parking meter. I paid my last payment & hugged my Bankruptcy Consultant goodbye. I was very excited to have made my last payment... Just another 3 weeks of receipts to submit & I am free & clear! Yahoo!


I boogied through the rest of the afternoon trying to get the rest of my to-do list accomplished. Community Natural Foods, then I tried to get a roll of slide film cross-processed. I was rejected at Vistek, Costco & Black's. I'll just take it to California with me & have it done there. I stopped at PetSmart, the Luggage Shop, Chapters, Jugo Juice (again), and then I stopped at Mom2's. She'd been away all weekend & I was quite worried, as I didn't know she was gone & I couldn't get ahold of her! She hadn't checked her email recently, so she didn't know I was leaving - for 4 months! 


It was nearly 2000 & I was pretty pooped. I decided to pick up some veggies for Mom & head home. Hungry as a horse, I decided to have some sushi. I chose a chai tea & sushi over a burger & fries. I thought that was a wise choice! Sushi Ginza was delish!


It had been quite windy all day & I swear in a matter of minutes, the temperature dropped by 10 degrees! It was freezing cold!!! Yuck! Of course, I arrived home to find a lovely blanket of fresh snow! Oh the joys of living in the mountains! 


Tomorrow it the last chance to pack & hit the skies enroute for health & happiness... Sleep well & I'll see you soon! 
xxxxxx
Maria & Valentina

Jenn on her first day!

Yahoo! Last payment!

Great Sushi!

Great service!

Great times!

Day 141 - Wow! Blessings Abound!

I just have to say, I'm very much enjoying having the house to myself! So much so, that I'm going away tomorrow & I was away for most of this afternoon/evening!


As usual, I took my time waking up, talked on the phone & walked on the treadmill (while talking on the phone!). I tried to clean up the house a little, but decided to head to Cochrane instead. 


My beloved friend, Jenn, whom I blogged about earlier (Day 116) has had the grace of the Good Lord shine upon her & her family! I'm pleased to report that prayers have been answered! Her best friend, Cindy, arranged a heap of help & blessings through her Bible Study Group to help Jenn & Mike relocate to Cochrane. 


They have put Jenn & Mike in a duplex, supplied them with everything they could possibly need & more! It was so awesome to see them in their own space & able to see outside of the deep dark place of 'will it ever end'. I had picked up some baby clothes from Kerry & needed to drop them off for Jenn before Heidi outgrew them! While I was there visiting, a member of the church came by with a hot meal, salad, desert & fresh baking. Oh yes, also a box of baby wipes & 2 boxes of diapers! Wow! Later on another member of the church came by with card plum full of gift cards for the grocery store! Wow! It was so amazing to see the community pull together to help Jenn & Mike out in this time of need. It is also awesome to know that the people helping are feeling good about what they are doing! It feels so good to give, doesn't it?


We had a wonderful visit. It is such a blessing for me to be able to hop in the car & visit Jenn whenever I choose. Well, whenever she's home! Their little girl, Heidi, is growing like a weed & Harrison, their son, is absolutely adorable!!! Him & Valentina had a blast playing fetch, but I'm not sure who did the most fetching! :o)


I motored home around 2000 & did a little laundry & tried my best to pack for tomorrow's road trip. Oh, when I got home, I had a lovely email from the bankruptcy company telling me that all I had to do was write a letter stating that before I was sent home ill, my income was based on Photography & after I'm healthy, my income will again be based on Photography. Done! Oh please let me keep my gear!


I'll be dreaming of shooting for National Geographic or Conde Nast... 
Maria & Valentina
xxxxxx

What a cutie puh-tootie!

Handsome Harrison!

Mike is only smiling because Jenn is threatening me with the fork! Thank goodness her aim  isn't spot on! :o) 

Heidi, the newest blue-eyed addition to the Burnett family!

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!