No More Days...

Okay, this is it. I'm no longer going to post everyday. There I said it. I have been feeling guilty about not posting everyday, but then when days go by & no one has looked at the blog or commented, I feel like I should just call it quits. But then, I remember how it feels to get the day's events off my chest & down on paper, er, something like that, and think I should keep plugging away.

So, instead of panicking when I'm 3-14 days behind, I'll simply let it be & do my best to keep you up to speed on what's happening! Naturally, the day after I decided to do this, there were about 20 people who checked out the blog all the way from Poland to Korea! But I have to be honest with myself & say that I need to start doing things that are a bit more productive - like editing the gazillion photos I have sitting on hard drives waiting to be shared with the world.

Take the previous photo from the Mother's Day post. I showed it to Jaco & he didn't think it was a photo that I had taken. He was surprised & said it was good! (Thanks Babe!) When I sent the photo to his Mom, she asked me if it was a postcard & where did I get it. It's certainly a confidence booster that they think I'm that good, but just reinforcement that I need to get crackalackin'! And now that I've said it, I'm sure you'll hold me accountable! Right?!

I have a business name registered, a blog registered & now I just need to edit some photos for the website & I'll be up & running! Oh & then there's the actual business side of it where I actually take photos & get paid for it. But that's a minor detail, no?

In any case, my love affair with blogging has become, well, somewhat unhealthy, as I've been obsessed with posting EVERY day. Realistically I could still do it, but when it's same old, same old, what's the point? The few readers I have will just become more & more bored.

If you care to still see a daily post, let me know you're out there, otherwise, I'll do my best to post once a week at the very least. More if life gets exciting!

So what have I been up to? Well, let's see. A little shopping at the V&A, making some raw cuisine - sushi & some seaweed/sprout salad, and raw chocolates tonight!

I made raw sushi with untoasted nori sheets, alfalfa sprouts, avocado, orange pepper, carrot, cucumber & of course, wasabi. Hennie enjoyed the sushi & Petro tried it for the first time ever. I was quite happy I walked in when I did, as she was about to have her first taste of sushi with a HUGE blob of wasabi on top! She thought it was avocado paste! Phew! I would have been the worst daughter-in-law ever! I'm sure she would have still had draining sinuses!

The seaweed salad was also quite yummy. I used soaked arame, chickpea, mung bean, adzuki, and lentil sprouts, along with some carrot, cucumber, and pumpkin seeds. I used the leftover dressing from the other days tabbouleh, but added more olive oil, cumin & cut up some candied ginger. It was pretty good, if I dare say so!

Lastly, the raw chocolate. My first attempt & I think it will satisfy my sweet tooth while I'm on the detox. Cacao powder, cacao butter, coconut oil, powdered vanilla, goji berries soaked in agave nectar... and then I got creative. I added some maple flavouring & pumpkin pie spice to one batch, and then I added some chipotle to another batch. That batch is officially my sexxy chocolate. It's so darned spicy, it has to be sexxy. I thought chipotle was just regular peppers that have been smoked. Not HOT peppers that have been smoked! Whoops! I then did a final batch with coconut flakes & made a chocolate bark, so to speak. Jaco enjoyed the goji berry one, as did Petro. Looks like I'll be the only one eating my sexxy chocolate. Maybe I should patent that!

On that note, I'm off to bed. Tomorrow is the big Roxette concert & I'm super stoked to hear them belt out the good stuff!

Lekker slaap,

xxxxMaria

So we were driving this fast... (110 km/h)...

When we saw this car in front of us. Note the donut tire! Crazy!

Silliness! Full car too!

This friendly little spider was outside the door to our place the other morning.

Yes, those are his EYES you can see.

In case you thought he was smaller than he is. He's not.

Cool fish at the Fish Market.

The crustacean in the background had his lunch in his grasp. The fish swimming about were trying to steal his lunch. He would use his antennae to bat the would-be thieves away. It was quite entertaining to watch!

The cockroach stuck to the hood of our car. He lasted until about 80km/h. So gross.

Here's a video of Papa Roach...

Walking back home.

The stunning bouquet of flowers the flower shop was making for Mother's Day.

Where I'll be tomorrow night! Yay!

Day 501 - The Aquarium, Grenada

Since we had a late sail last night, we had a late arrival this morning. We docked around 1030 & shortly thereafter, Leana called & asked me if I wanted to go with her & Bronwyn to a beach. Of course!

We left just after 1100 & Leana directed the taxi driver to take us to the Aquarium. I hadn’t been further than Grand Anse Beach, so I was excited to see what laid beyond it! We weaved in & out of traffic, past the airport & finally turned down a VERY steep hill. It was so steep, in fact, that when the driver turned the van to park perpendicular to the hill, I thought surely the van was going to tip over. Of course we exited the van on the downhill side! Thankfully we lived to tell the story!

The Aquarium was BEAUTIFUL! It was a restaurant built at the foot of a rock cliff right on the beach. The waves were quite intimidating, but the water was inviting. We enjoyed some virgin piña colada’s & the scenery. It was a very impressive restaurant – many sections wrapped around the cliffs & trees, earthy décor, and of course, the view was unbeatable!

After our drinks were finished, we found a little tree to put our things under & went into the water. There were only about 6 other people on the entire beach. It was very quiet. Getting into the water was a challenge. I knew getting out would be an even bigger challenge.

We swam away from the shore for a short distance to escape the waves tossing us into the sand – there was quite a little swell for this prairie chick! These were definitely the biggest waves I’ve ever swam in. I’m not too brave when it comes to water, but I’m proud that I managed so well today!

We then swam parallel to the beach towards a darker patch of water where Leana knew there was more coral, thus more sealife. The sealife was actually really good! I haven’t had a whole lot of luck snorkeling from shore & finding plenty of fish, but today was a great exception! We even saw a few seahorses! My favourite! Leana & Bronwyn saw a funky fish that I missed, but I saw plenty of other fish. I don’t know the names of the fish yet, but I am trying to learn! I know I saw Blue Tangs, Sergeant Majors, Butterfly Fish, and those really pretty black ones with yellow tails & luminescent blue dots on their bodies.

We managed to gracefully exit the water & waves without drowning ourselves & Bronwyn caught a little sun while Leana & I bobbed up & down in the waves. We caught the same taxi back & worried about tipping the van down the steep hill – thankfully I didn’t eat anything at the restaurant, otherwise the chain of events could have been VERY different!

The girls did a little shopping in the terminal & then headed back for afternoon clinic. I returned to the ship & took my laptop off to do a little blogging. We were in port with a magnificent Windstar ship – one of the tall sailing ships. They are beautiful with 4 giant sailing masts. They sailed a little before our ship & when they blasted the ship’s whistle to signal their leaving port, I got a little nervous, so I packed up & headed back to the glorious Sea Princess.

The evening proved fairly uneventful. My right ear blocked today while we were snorkeling, so Jaco blew it out for me. It was rather disgusting, but the return of my hearing capabilities to that ear were worth it! In fact, it now feels like the left ear is blocked, as I can hear so clearly from the right ear! Jaco assures me that both ears are clean & clear.

The same ear blocked in 2003 – I was in Victoria with an old boyfriend. We were walking along the waterfront & he said, (or so I thought) ‘The trees sure are pretty’ – it was Autumn & the leaves were changing colour. I replied, ‘Yeah, they sure are.’ He looked at me like I was crazy & started to laugh. He asked if I’d heard him right & I repeated what I thought he’d said. He laughed harder & said, ‘No, I said, ‘Gee, I have to pee’’. Oops.

This should prevent any diving escapades, as well as any miscommunications… I hope.

xxxxMaria

Yours truly 

 Nice view!

 Bronwyn & Leana

 Funky place

Turtles!

Sunset as the tall ship sailed away

Day 390 - Up For Half A Day.

Today was pretty much a write-off. Seeing as I didn't fall asleep until 0600, I slept until the afternoon, upon which Jaco called & told me that he was sorry he didn't call earlier. Didn't matter to me, as I was dreaming of him! He is having internet & phone card difficulties, so he couldn't get ahold of me that easily. Oh the joys of being half a world away. The dogs cuddled with me to stay warm, they don't like the winter either. Oceana is enduring the trials that Valentina endured last winter. Going potty fast enough before her limbs start to seize up. As if she doesn't walk bow-legged enough already - you should see her once a leg starts to freeze up! She'll learn quick enough what she needs to do when she goes outside! Bless her little heart & short legs!

I finally took the time to catch up on the blog, although it is driving me a little crazy right now with the video editing. I just don't know how to get the clips small enough to load quickly, but yet stay a decent quality. Any suggestions? I'm not too experienced at loading videos, but I don't have the right software, either!

In any case, I'm attempting to retire early tonight & try to straighten out this terrible sleep pattern I've got rolling! Sleep well & stay warm! xxxxMV&O

Here's the personality of the day:

Meet Xtina

Day 381 - Boxes, Lost Dog, & Blogging

Today Jaco helped me look in the bunkhouse for a lens box. With no luck. I was a little worried that he would grow impatient & start chucking around my boxes, filled with breakable stuff. Nope. He was so patient & careful, I was amazed! Unfortunately we couldn't find the lens box, but in any case, I found a few toques I'd forgotten about! Yay! Party for my head!

We weighed the dogs last night. In a grocery bag with my luggage scale. Oceana is 10.6 lbs (0.6 overweight) & Valentina 'Porkchop' Rose is a whopping (ding, ding) 13.6 lbs! So, it looks like we're all going to be hitting the treadmill in the near future! But for now, they accompanied us to the bunkhouse. We threw the ball for Valentina all the way there & one we arrived, she was on her own. Shortly thereafter, we hear a scratching, digging, whining noise. She'd pushed the ball under something & couldn't get it. We used the end of a curtain rod to pull out the ball. Papa to the rescue! We return to looking for the lens box. 5 minutes later, the noises are back. Only this time, Valentina crawled around the side of the bunkhouse & is now stuck between a slanted dry erase board & a box. Papa to the rescue again! No more ball! More Cesar!

We returned to the house with toques & no lens box.

Nurse Wendy also arrived today & changed the dressing on my Picc line. I'm starting to have a reaction to the adhesive on my arm. The skin is very red & itchy & pretty much gross. I'll be happy to have it taken out & not have to shower with a veterinary glove anymore! That said, the vet gloves work well! Wendy asked about Jaco & so I introduced the two of them, showed her the wolves on the blog & also the wedding slideshow. She asked! I told!

The remainder of the day? Well,  Jaco studied & I caught up on the blog again. What a day.

xxxxMJV&O

Wendy cleans the Picc line 

 Paparazzi torments Oceana

Hu-llo! Trying to rest here! 

STOP!!! 

 Pick me! Pick me!

 Peekaboo!

Go away already! 

 Tee hee hee!

 Wiener dog bunk beds!

 Head shot!

And this is comfortable how?!?

Day 318 - Volunteering At EVIC

After my wonderful sleep in yesterday, I couldn't fall asleep last night. Thus, I was exhausted today! I was quite excited to spend my day with Shauna though! We had such a great time last summer, it wasn't the same this summer as I didn't get as many chances to visit with her. 


I had agreed to volunteer at the centre for today, as they needed help & I was able to give them a hand. It wasn't too busy of a day, even though the weather was quite nice. There was fresh snow at the higher elevations, so perhaps that deterred a few would-be hikers &/or picnickers. 


Shauna helped me re-henna my head, although we didn't get the entire head finished. I look like I'm wearing a little cap on the back of my bald head. Hopefully Jaco will spruce up the rest of my head tomorrow while I'm in treatment. It will never be the same as Larissa's artistic talents, but at least we'll have a little fun in the meantime.


I came home just before 1700 & did my best to get caught up on the blog. Jaco did his exercises & terrorized the dogs for the better part of the evening... I have to finish getting ready for tomorrow's big day, so pardon me while I cut this post short & finish sorting things out... 


Sleep well & see you soon! Wish me luck tomorrow! 
xxxxx
MJV

Shauna helps a visitor

Shauna helps a colleague!

Papa works out with the Big Dogs...

Day 307 - Summer Sunshine!

Wow! Another beautiful summer day! Keep 'em coming! Today was simply stunning! If only my stomach would stop flip flopping, I could actually enjoy it! Today was a recovery day. I slept until 1000 & managed to keep all my food down today, although I certainly didn't eat much of it! 


I laid outside in the sun for an hour or so & enjoy every morsel of Vitamin D & warmth the mighty sun could offer me. Jaco skyped with his Mom, I skyped with Baby Dash, Ross & Krystle - it was a pretty low-key day. 


I managed to catch up on half of the week's missing blog posts & google a few of the locations where Jaco might be able to work. Some of them are scary, some of them are not. I found a nice location, only to find out it has 251 days of rain per year. NEXT! Okay, so I googled 'most days with sunshine per year'. Lo & behold, it's Kamloops! Unfortunately, there weren't any postings for Kamloops. Although there was one for Osoyoos, which boasts great weather, fruit orchards, wineries, and we even found a beautiful house, they have... are you ready? Rattlesnakes. Ugh. My nemesis. I despise snakes. They freak me RIGHT OUT. So, we'll have to wait & see what happens when the time comes. The perfect location has yet to be found. Either that or I need to invent a snake repellent. Some kind of supersonic, ground shaking device that sends them all to their dens. Gross. 


On that note, I'm praying I don't dream about snakes tonight! Sleep well & safe!
xxxxx
Maria, Jaco & Valentina

It looks so perfect! Minus the snakes!

Day 286 - HTML... What? Ham, Tomato, Mayo, Lettuce?

A rather uneventful day. Or was it? As far as accomplishments go, I really didn't do a whole lot. I was energetically drained from the hype & let down of yesterday & trying to process what is going on! 


I looked through my blood work from when I was in Mexico, as they did blood work every week there. Sure enough, my Neutrophils were high when I arrived, but then they stabilized by the time I left. I find it interesting that even though my levels were at 0.7 yesterday, I still haven't caught any bugs floating around. I've been to the city enough times & around enough people that you would think I would have caught something with such a shattered immune system. Looks like all those prayers are paying off after all! Thank you! 


I really like my Doctors, some MUCH more than others, :o), but all these extra weeks at the hospital... come on! I need to make some new friends! This is ridiculous!


Anyhow, I was thinking of Mom2 this morning, as she was booked to have surgery today. I remember looking at the time on the phone & it was 1022. I thought she would either be in the recovery room or just finishing up. That's when I noticed there was a message on the phone. It was Mom2. She didn't have surgery. The Doctor noted that she had borderline Hemophilia and decided it would be too risky. He is sending her to a specialist later this month. Crazy!


Whoa, whoa, whoa. Stop the train. Wait a second. Blood problems = Hematologist. She is being treated at Peter Lougheed Hospital. I ask her who her specialist is. She says Dr. Daly. Ha! Can you believe it? We're at the same hospital seeing the same Doctor. That is just too crazy! It still makes me giggle to think about it. Of course, the reasons we need to see Dr. Daly are hardly a laughing matter, but there are times when you just gotta chuckle! Like now! :o)


I also decided to give the blog a facelift. Approximately 4 hours later & in the wee moments of the night, I finally decided on a likeable template. Of course I then had to figure out how to change the font, size, spacing, shading in the HTML code. It was kind of fun & thank goodness I didn't run into too many problems! It's certainly a different language! I hope you like the new changes! I'm not finished yet, but I'm getting there! I'm going to attempt at designing my own blogskin one of these days!


Anyhow, Tweet Pea & I are finally off to bed. I can sleep soundly knowing that I can rest all day tomorrow, seeing as I stayed up so late tonight!


Lekker slaap!
xoxoxoxoxox
Maria & Valentina

Crashed! She's not too interested in my HTML hacking!