Lazy Sunday

Happy Sunday everyone! For us, it's a lazy day although we went for a nice walk at Morgan Arboretum. Other than that, we're not doing much. Neither are our two pooches as you can tell from the photos today. Russell and I are a little tired. We haven't slept too well for the past few nights. That's because our little Cooper is suffering from a case of dietary indiscretion, as it is called in the doggie world. He is much better today but he's kept us up during the past few nights. He should be back to his old self in a few days and we will hopefully return to uninterrupted nights.

This past week was quiet. The weather was beautiful although a tad cool. It's been nice to have that stretch of sunny weather. Our snow is melting very quickly and I noticed some buds in our trees. Our neighbourhood racoons are back, living in our neighbour's tree. A sign of Spring.

Today, we booked our trip to Italy for July. We will be going to Rome and the Amalfi Coast. It will be the perfect place for us to celebrate my birthday...the big 60. Oh my, I can't believe I will join the sixties club in a few months. It truly makes me want to slow down and enjoy each day.

Not much else is going on. This coming week will be a bit busy for both of us, with a few appointments here and there. I will attempt to go to the gym three times. I haven't felt much like working out lately. Russell has been going on a regular basis and I applaud him. He's also seeing an osteopath for his knee. It's been acting up again. He needs to get that knee better for those walks on the Barbados beach in a few weeks.

That's it for my blog. I wish you all a great week, a short one for many people, with Good Friday being a holiday. We will be having my brother, sister and her two sons over for Easter lunch. We look forward to it. It will feel strange not to have my parents with us. Have a good one!

Cooper and Spicy know when it is pizza delivery
time and they keep watch of the front door.

Cooper sure knows how to sprawl out to make himself
comfortable on the sofa in the TV room.

Spicy is an expert at "digging in" to find the comfort
she likes the most...safe, secure and all tucked in - in
a word, nested.

Spring is upon us

Happy Monday to all! A beautiful sunny day and week ahead. Nothing but sunshine in the forecast. It feels wonderful.

All is good with us. We are slowly getting back into a somewhat normal routine. It takes time. Every now and then, I feel the aftermath of the past few months. I have moments of sadness but also moments of comfort knowing that mom and dad are together.  Mom's service was beautiful. Her flowers were lovely. The celebration ended with what became her favorite song during her stay at Vivalis, Que Sera Sera. One of the staff members, Missy, would always sing that song while attending to mom. Very special to us.

So, our days are getting brighter. Yesterday was an especially bright day for us. Spicy and I successfully completed the Caring Paws Therapy Dog Evaluation. When I visited my mom with the Spice girl, I knew then that she would make a wonderful therapy dog so I signed up for the evaluation. We are very excited about this. As a team, we will bring lots of comfort and love to those that need it most. I look forward to this new journey with Spicy. One day, I may try the evaluation with Cooper. He has all the qualities of a therapy dog but add to that a BIG dose of exuberance and vitality, two of the many qualities that we love about our Coop.

Russell and I booked a trip to Barbados for later in April. We look forward to this time alone. It will do us good. Today, I bought myself three books, a trilogy, to read on the beach. I haven't felt like reading much of anything lately so I really look forward to reading these books. Thanks to Lise for the recommendation!

This captures my blog for today. I leave you with some photos that Russell took on Saturday. He went to the Ecomuseum Zoo with the Lakeshore Camera Club. This place is a mere 10 minutes from our house. He had never been. It did him good to be out and about with his camera. I stayed home with the pooches and prepared our St-Patrick's Day dinner:  Dublin Coddle for Russell and Irish Whiskey marinated salmon for me. It was delicious.  I also include a photo of the butterfly cookies that my brother bought and dropped off at Vivalis last week, his way to thank the staff for all that they did for mom. Very nice gesture.

Have a great week everyone! Goodbye Winter, Hello Spring!

A Lilly and a Rose in full bloom were the center piece
of my Mother's final flower arrangement.

A colorful Wood Duck swims along full steam ahead at the
Ecomuseum.

A male Gray wolf and his female mate took
advantage of the bright sunshine and had a warm nap.

A Bald Eagle took time to bask in the warm Spring
like sunshine.

A Sharp Shinned hawk took a moment for a
photo opportunity.

Russell and his fellow shutter bug buddies
at the Ecomuseum.

Francois' gift of butterfly shaped cookies
for the wonderful staff of the Vivalis.

Cooper and Spicy on their best behaviour...thanks Tracey
for taking care of the duo during Mom's service.

Together again, forever

Mom and Dad are together again, in a serene place. Last Monday, March 5, Mom passed away peacefully, surrounded by her three children and two grandchildren. Although we are very sad, we are at the same time relieved. As the strong woman that she was, she fought hard until the end. It was time for her to leave us and join Dad.

When I reflect back on the past few months, I remind myself that in life, things happen for a reason. I am a firm believer of that. Although dad's sudden passing was a shock to all, watching my mom decline would have been too much for him, especially these past few weeks. Going first was a blessing in many ways. They are both at peace now, so are we.

Tomorrow is mom's celebration of life. Just like dad's celebration was, it will be simple and yet it will reflect who mom was....a beautiful woman, inside and out, with a heart of gold. Her favorite music will be played, photos of her will be displayed. Family and friends will be present to remember her.

After mom's passing last Monday, a small knitted butterfly was hung on her door.....the freedom of a butterfly, the freedom that comes with the end of life. Such a beautiful gesture.  I cannot say enough about the medical staff and volunteers that have brought care, compassion and love to my mother during her stay at Vivalis, not to mention the support each and everyone gave to our family. Truly an exceptional place.

On a happier note, our little Spicy's hernia surgery went very well. Her incision is healing nicely. Within two days, she was back to her old self, tail wagging, full of love and kisses. The only drawback is that she can't run or jump for 10-14 days. We have re-arranged our living room so that she can't jump on the couches, neither can Cooper for that matter :-)  At night time, we pick her up and put her on the bed. I think she quite likes the royal treatment that she's getting. It's all good.

So, here we are, Daylight Saving Time has arrived. We look forward to brighter days ahead.  I leave you with some photos of my mom and a special photo of a cranberry vase that I inherited from my parents before they passed. Last night, we put tiny lights in it and thought fondly of them. I wish you all a great week.

My beautiful Mother, full of
radiance, elegance and grace.

Mom wonderfully dressed, ready for one of the many gala events she attended with my dad,
 the love of her life.

Mom and Dad enjoying each other, 2013

Me and my mother celebrating their 60 years of marriage this past
August, with her beloved Larry.

Mom's room at the Vivalis and the hand-knit
butterfly hung to symbolize
her freedom after her passing.

The cranberry glass vase, given to me by my
 parents...a wonderful keepsake to remember them.

Welcome March!

Happy Sunday to all! It feels good to have the first two months of the year behind us. Spring is just around the corner, I can feel it, although I read somewhere that March will bring more snow to our area. Que sera sera, as my mom would say.

Mom is not doing well and she is hanging by a thread. Yesterday, we were told that end of life was imminent, however she is still with us today. There is nothing else that I can say except that dad is waiting for her. They will be reunited soon.

This past week was a repeat of what our weeks have been for the past few months. I did go to the gym twice, as I promised myself. This coming week, I will try for three times. I am not pushing myself as hard as I normally would but it's a nice change of pace. Not that sweating up a storm is a nice thing but it feels good.

Russell has been diligent with his workouts, although like me, he is not quite feeling up to it - that said, he did a personal best this week: a 4 minute plank. Good for you Russell, well done! The reality is that our lives are on hold for the moment. One day, though, I will look back and be glad that we put our lives on hold for a while. My mom deserves it.

It's hard to predict what this coming week will bring. The only sure thing is that our little girl Spicy will have hernia surgery on Wednesday. I will be glad when that's over with but I'm sure she will bounce back quickly.

That's it for my blog today. I leave you with a few photos of our pooches that I took last week. I was doing a little training with them....those two will do anything for treats. Have a great week everyone!

Cooper and Spicy say OK, you have our attention...enough of this Sit Stay business,
where are the treats.

Spicy asks Coop, how long do we have to do a Down Stay
before Mom gives us the treat?

Is it time to go out yet? Cooper and Spicy are always ready
to go for a walk.