A cold start to the new year

Happy Sunday everyone! I hope the first week of the new year was good to you, although for many people, it was a frigid one. I don't remember the weather being so cold for so long, not even when we lived in Huntsville. A nice warm up is on the way for this week. We look forward to it. I bet some people will be wearing shorts LOL!

Our week was quiet. On Tuesday, we took down all the Christmas decorations and our house was back to normal in a matter of a few hours. I went to the gym a few times although my energy level has been on the low side for the past few weeks. I also came down with a bad cold, so did Russell. We are still under the weather. Needless to say, today is a couch potato kind of day.

This cold spell has really put a damper on our daily walks with the pooches. We've had a few very short ones and their Muttluk booties kept their feet warm. As for their trips to the backyard, those have been frequent but short. We have resorted to putting socks on their feet and it has made a huge difference.  Coop & Spicy were able to take the time to find the right spot to do their business without freezing their paws.  They do not mind the socks and are totally conditioned to them. Having said this, we caught Cooper chewing on one of his socks the other day...what a little rascal! I guess he likes the open toe version! Needless to say I bought a few more pairs just as backup.

My mom is not doing quite as well as the past few weeks. We are taking it one day at a time and visit her as often as we can. She is well surrounded by the staff and the care she is receiving is the best. We are grateful for that. Dad is doing as well as can be given the circumstances. These times continue to be hard on all of us.

I leave you with two photos. One of them is a picture of a glass friendship ball that my mom gave me for Christmas. Thanks to the many gifts donated by the volunteers at Vivalis, each patient was given the opportunity to select presents for family members. Such a wonderful and caring gesture. This precious glass ball is hung with care in front of our kitchen window. The other photo, of course, is of our two pooches. Can you spot the open toe sock?

I wish you all a great week. Enjoy the warm up, it will feel good.

The hand blown glass Friendship Christmas
ornament from my Mom hung in the kitchen
to catch light and remind us of precious times!

Cooper and Spicy taking a moment to pose with
their winter socks...Cooper decided he wanted an
open toe for his so, a nibble here and a nibble there. And
no he did not get to swallow any of these nibbles.