Good bye February

Happy Sunday to all! We're getting a real mix bag of weather today...a little snow this morning, followed by freezing rain, plain rain and now just strong winds and sun. I can't wait for Winter to be over. It's been a hard one this year. Our snow is melting away though, so it's a good thing. I've also been hearing the Spring song of the cardinals and the chickadees really early in the morning. Such a sweet sound at this time of year.

This past week was good although very busy for me. I was not able to go to the gym once, too much on my plate. My goal is to go twice this week, at least. We'll see.

Mom's health continues to decline.  We see changes in her almost daily now. I know that the staff at Vivalis is keeping her comfortable and pain free. It is a situation that is becoming almost unbearable for us and very hard to watch. Such is life though, we are not in control of when it's time to say good bye to our loved ones.

Meanwhile, we go on with our lives as best we can. Yesterday was a nice day so Russell and I took our pooches for a beautiful walk at Morgan Arboretum. We were the only ones on that particular trail. It was so peaceful, just the four of us and the birds chirping.

Cooper and Spicy are doing well. Although this past week was busy, I did find the time to take Cooper to his weekly Fun Obedience training. We both had fun. It was good for him and for me. As for Spicy, I have not registered her yet for Level 2 Obedience. I will do so when I have a better sense of what the next few months will bring for us. In the meantime, we practice training at home and do fun games with her. On the Spicy topic, we discovered a hernia on her belly last week. Nothing too serious but she will have surgery on March 7 to repair it. We're not looking forward to that day but I know our little girl will be fine.

Today is a quiet day. We had Auntie Lorraine over for lunch. It was nice to see her. The rest of the day will be spent doing nothing, literally. My brother and sister visited mom today, I will go tomorrow and every day this week. Just taking a wee break today.

I wish you all a great week. Good bye February!

Me and our two pooches on the trail....Cooper and
Spicy like to 'rough it' on the trails of Morgan
Arboretum.

Spicy likes to take the lead on the trails!

Time for a photo opportunity with
me, Spicy and Cooper...family time.

True BFFs, Cooper and Spicy love to share the quilt during
the ritual TV time post dinner.

Time for a little healing

Happy Sunday to all!

It feels like a Spring day...the snow is melting, it's messy out there but we're not complaining. Lots of rain on the way though and there is concern for flooding in many areas, not good. It's been a tough Winter, no doubt about it, but I can see a tiny light at the end of the tunnel.

This past week was difficult, getting ready for my dad's service on Friday. All went well and mom was as strong as ever. It was a beautiful celebration of dad's grand life. We put together a montage with photos spanning from his youth all the way to the last family photos of us this past Christmas, with dad's favorite music playing in the background. A keepsake that will last forever. Thanks to Russell for putting it all together. He truly put his heart into it. Thanks to my brother for choosing the music. Thanks to my sister, her sons, dad's brother and cousin for sending us the perfect photos.

Now, it's time to reflect on dad's life and start the healing process. Given mom's current health, loosing dad first was truly a blow to the entire family but not surprising when I think back about his devotion to mom in the past few months. As the priest told us, caring for a sick spouse does take its toll. My dad's heart just couldn't take it any more.

So, life goes on. This week, we will try and resume our daily routine as best we can. I'm handling all the necessary paperwork on behalf of my mother so my list of "things to do" is rather long...my organizational skills from my work days have resurfaced and are helping me get through these times. I bought myself file folders, writing pads and highlighters. I spent this morning organizing all the files in a very orderly fashion. That's just me.

Our pooches are doing very well and truly make us feel like we don't have a care in the world.

That's it for my blog this week. For many, tomorrow is a holiday, Family Day. Enjoy every minute with your precious ones.

Last family photo with Dad, Christmas 2017. Wonderful memories!

Spicy loves to visit Mom and makes herself right at home. This was last Wednesday.

Cooper and Spicy assume the pose....'what is next?' In
other words...where are those treats?

Russell with a lap full of Havanese love from Cooper and
Spicy on his birthday.

The Birthday guy

Hello everyone! It's been four weeks since my last blog. I thought today would be a good day to resume my weekly stories. This week is off to a good start with Russell's birthday tomorrow. Cooper, Spicy and I will make sure his day is special.

As most of my fellow blog readers know, the past few weeks have been difficult with the unexpected passing of my dad on January 29. We were dealt with a huge blow that day, especially my mom. We are slowly coming to terms with the fact that dad is gone. Mom's physical condition is somewhat stable although her health is on a decline. Emotionally, she is very sad but she knows that dad is in a good place now, watching over all of us. She is surrounded by the presence of her three children and the wonderful staff at Vivalis. For that, she is grateful.

This coming Friday, we will celebrating dad's life with family and friends. We are making arrangements for mom to attend. It will be an emotional day for all of us, especially for mom, but she is strong and I have no doubt that she will get through that day.

I have been leaning on Russell through these tough times. He is my rock in more ways than one. I couldn't get through all of this without his presence. I have been "task oriented" since dad's passing and haven't had much time to grieve. It will come. Meanwhile, both Russell and I are trying to bring back some form of normalcy to our lives. I went back to the gym last week, although I'm not pushing myself as much as I normally would. But it feels good just the same. We've been having small walks with our pooches, not too long because I'm anxious to visit my mom every afternoon. That's my routine now....gym/home stuff in the morning, visits with mom in the afternoon. Russell keeps the Coop & Spicy busy while I'm gone, and when I get home, I get hugs and kisses from all three. It's the best!

I leave you with a photo of my beloved Russell, whom I love so very much. I am so grateful to have you in my life. I also include a few photos of Dad....he loved Cooper & Spicy so much, and they loved him in return. The photo of me and Dad was taken a few years ago at my aunt's place. I remember saying to myself then, that one day, when dad passed away, I would cherish that particular photo, and I am.

Have a great week everyone. Good luck to all Canadian athletes. Happy Birthday Russell!

Happy Birthday my love!

Cooper and Dad... a bromance
that will persist for all time!

Spicy knew how to love Dad up and
he enjoyed every second of her love!

The bond between Father and Daughter is very
special and this moment captured it perfectly.
Miss you dad...loved always and never forgotten.