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 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!