Wrapping up 2020

Happy last Sunday of 2020! What a beautiful sunny day we're having. Not too cold and the ground is now covered with a tiny dusting of snow. A nice change from our very green and mucky Christmas day. 

We went for a nice walk today and took some photos of the waterfront. So pretty with the icicles on the branches.  Lots of people were out and about walking, some sitting on the park benches taking in the sunshine. 

Christmas came and went as it always does. This year's celebrations were more subdued but nice just the same. It was just the four of us. My sister spent the day with her two sons. My brother, who lives alone, well, was alone for Christmas. I did however drive to his place on Christmas morning to deliver a care package of homemade holiday nibbles. We met in the parking lot, with a mask, safely distanced, in the rain. I was glad to be able to see him even under those weird circumstances. We later video chatted with my sister. All in all, it was a good day.

Our pooches are doing good. We finished the Advent exercise program on a high note...doing the Limbo! Both Cooper & Spicy enjoyed the exercise and they are getting very good at walking backwards. 

Boxing Day was an ordinary day for us, as always. We have never set foot in a store on that day so the fact that we are now in a lockdown makes no difference to us. Funny enough though, Russell finally sold his Canada Goose Parka on Boxing Day, which had been listed on Facebook Marketplace for a few weeks. A nice young man, who works for the Starlight Foundation, bought it and picked it up Saturday morning. A whole new meaning to Boxing Day shopping! 

So, here we are, just about to wrap up 2020. When I think back to the first few months of the pandemic, Russell and I were anxious, nervous, frustrated about not being able to do the things we wanted to do. We felt all kinds of emotions. As time went on though, we became calmer and less anxious. Somehow, the things that we couldn't do became less important, things such as travelling, going to a gym and eating out. We decided to focus on the present, one day at a time. We stayed in touch with family and friends through the magic of the internet, be it emails or video chats. The one thing that I learned to do really well is to set some quality time aside for myself, daily. I read a lot of books, watched some good Netflix series, enjoyed spending quiet times with Russell and had fun relearning to play the piano. I also enjoyed training and exercising Cooper & Spicy, something that I didn't do as much before the pandemic. Having said all this, the one thing that we have missed, and still miss terribly, is to be able to see our family and friends up close and give out hugs. That will come.

This week will be quiet for the most part. On Tuesday, Cooper has another consultation with the internal medicine specialist as well as blood work to check his triglycerides and pancreas function. He will have to fast again. Poor thing, no food until lunch time. Thursday is New Year's Eve, I will make a special dinner. We don't always stay up until Midnight....but this year we may, just to usher in a brand new and better year.

We're thinking of Russell's Dad today who left us 19 years ago. He is always in our thoughts. That's my last blog for the year. We wish every one of you a Happy and Healthy 2021! We know deep in our hearts that it will be a much better year, filled with renewed optimism. Love and hugs from the four of us!

Russell, Spicy and Cooper took time to sit
and relax while taking in Lake St. Louis.

The ice has formed again on the lake, looking
Eastward toward Montreal.

Just a light dusting of snow to keep things
clean and bright.

A forest of sails in dry dock at the Pointe
Claire Yacht Club.

Merry Christmas! Joyeux Noel!

Happy Sunday to all! Here we are,  just five days away from Christmas 2020. I know I sound like a broken record when I say that it will be a different one for most of us this year. Russell and I have been reflecting on past Christmases since we've been married...about 38 of them to be precise. We spent our very first Christmas as a married couple alone. We lived in Edmonton then. We went to Jasper Park Lodge for a few days. It was lovely and romantic. Oh, I so remember the wood fireplace in our room and those Rudesheimer Coffees! Many years ago, we went to Los Cabos, that was also very nice.  We also spent a few others alone over the years because it's always been important for us to create our own memories. This year, it will be just the four of us but not because we want to. We're doing it to stay safe, keep our family safe and protect our health care system. We will miss my brother, sister and our two nephews but they will be with us in thoughts. Next year will be a better year.

Today is Day 20 of the Advent Fitness Calendar. I have to say that I've had a lot of fun exercising our two pooches these past twenty days. They both have mastered most exercises with the exception of a couple. That's OK, there is no rush. This is fun for us and good for them so it's a win win for all. 

Last Wednesday, I received a beautiful gift from my good friend Lori, a heart shaped necklace with Cooper & Spicy's names and birthstones engraved. I will cherish this gift forever. Lori, Roger, Russell and I have developed a special bond of friendship over the years. Our respective pooches keep us connected in more ways than one. It's very special.

Russell got to visit his aunt last week, even if it was for a brief moment, through the entrance door of her retirement residence. He brought her a huge container of my Christmas cookies, some for her and some to share with her friends. She was happy and Russell was glad to be able to see her.

This past week was terribly cold and most days windy. We are getting a bit of snow now but it doesn't look like it will stay on the ground for long, rain and warmer temperatures in the forecast for Thursday. We may not have a white Christmas after all.

On Friday, Russell took Cooper to the vet clinic for his last weekly B12 injection. It will be monthly starting January 18. At the same time, he brought food donations for Sun Youth, a non-profit organization that has been serving the Montreal community since 1954. This year has been difficult for many families so any help we can give is greatly appreciated.

That's my story for this week. The four of us wish you a wonderful and healthy Christmas. Stay safe and well my friends! 

We wish everyone a Merry Christmas - stay
safe and be kind to each other.

Our stockings are hung with care, Cooper and
Spicy are excited for Christmas day!

My parents' Christmas wreath, with love

Russell's parents Christmas wreath was set in 
place on a bright sunny morning.

Cooper and his Daddy catching a few winks
while 'watching' TV.

A lovely new addition to our Christmas 
ornaments, from the Bears!

Pretty in pink with Cooper and Spicy
and my wonderful necklace from 
Lori, Roger and the Bears

Looking East to Montreal from Edgewater
Park in Pointe Claire, ice on the lake and no
snow on the ground.

Making it work

Happy Sunday everyone! It's another cloudy day for us, truly haven't seen the sun much since the start of the month but it's in the forecast for this week. We got a sprinkle of snow one day last week but it's all gone now. Not sure if we will have a white Christmas. Time will tell.

Today, I had an outside gathering with my brother and sister...by outside I mean in our heated garage with the door open. We're trying to make it work the best we can. Technically, no gatherings are allowed, inside or outside. Having said this, it was important for me to be able to see my siblings in person before Christmas so we decided to tempt fate. We wore a mask and were safely distanced from one another. Gotta do what you gotta do during these COVID times. I never thought that one day I would be sitting in our garage entertaining family! While I was doing that, Russell was busy giving our pooches a bath. They both smell and look delicious. Thanks to my hubby for having taken on that role. He truly excels at it. 

This past week was quiet. I started my holiday baking and I'm almost done. I was able to bake enough to share some with my brother and sister. I had some good workouts with this new online Obe Fitness outfit. I managed to get 12 "classes" in, including some pilates and stretch. My body is still somewhat hurting from it, in a good way, but it will get better as I become more nimble.

Cooper & Spicy are doing well. They seem to enjoy their daily Advent Fitness Calendar exercise. It's so much fun and what a great library of exercises I will have after this is done. Coop has one more weekly B12 injection this coming week then it will be monthly. Both have adapted well to their new food. I had to tweak their portions downward a bit. Their weight was up slightly. It's back down now and it's been stable for two weeks. My friend Angela feeds her two Havanese the same food. She kindly shared with me how much she feeds them and it's been extremely helpful to us.

I find it hard to believe that Christmas is less than two weeks away. So different this year but I'm very hopeful that next year will be much better. Our province may (will) introduce more restrictions during the holiday period. More on that in a day or two. It won't change a thing for us. 

Last week, Russell put together our Family calendar for 2021. We started this tradition years ago when we only had Cooper. Each month has a special photo of our pooches. It's quite nice and we use it to keep track of our busy social life 😊

Those are my little news for today. One more blog before the big day! Have a great week everyone. Stay safe and well!

Our display of Christmas cards continues to
grow - it is nice that the tradition of sending
cards is sustained by a number of our friends.  

Spicy and Cooper in their 
"spots" - is it Christmas yet?

Our annual Family calendar for 2021.

These BFFs gladly watch me sweat it out during
my morning workout - happy puppies!

A good start to December

Happy Sunday everyone! We finally saw the sun today after a somewhat cloudy and rainy week. We went for a nice walk before lunch and soaked up the sun, although the wind was brisk by the lake. 

The month of December started off on a good note. On Tuesday, the pooches and I got going with the first day of our Advent Fitness Calendar. What a brilliant idea to do this. The person who came up with the concept is the owner of Fun Fit Canin, right here in Quebec. Her name is Marie-Josee and she is a Certified Canine Fitness Trainer. Although I haven't had the pleasure to meet her in person (yet), I met her via Facetime last April when she put together a fitness program for Cooper and Spicy (thanks Wanda for recommending her). It's been fun to wake up every morning since December 1 to a new exercise. Today is Day 6 and we worked on the shoulders and stretching the neck. Coop & Spicy had to put their front paws flat on my thigh, which was at a 90 degree angle, while stretching their neck upward in order to get the treat. To make it a little harder, Cooper had his back legs on a cushion. It's all about balance! It's so much fun for all of us.

On the 1st of this month, I also started a new on-line fitness program. Since the start of the pandemic, my fitness journey has had its ups and downs. My motivation level just hasn't been the same so getting some meaningful workouts in has been difficult. That's OK as I've learned through this pandemic that we shouldn't be too hard on ourselves. This is not an ordinary year by any stretch. Having said all this, last Monday, by accident, I stumbled across a post that someone made on Instagram (a Food Network chef that I follow). It had to do with this "online fitness boutique" called Obe Fitness, which offers live and on-demand workouts, geared for people of all ages and fitness levels. Long story short, I signed up for a seven day trial and I'm loving it. I can honestly say that I think I may have found the perfect "online gym" for me. It has a library of over 4,000 workouts, from Pilates to Strength to Yoga, etc. Workouts range from as little as 10 minutes to 60. I get to pick and choose what I want to do depending on my mood, what my body can handle, and when I want to do it. It doesn't get any better than this. I feel motivated all over again. My trial ends tomorrow and I plan on signing up for a membership at the low cost of $27/month. It's all good.

Russell is doing good and has been keeping busy refreshing his family tree. While doing so, Russell renewed contact with possibly his 5th cousin, Sandy in Scotland. They became friends on Facebook two weeks ago and they have been exchanging ever since. I include a snapshot of his most recent family tree. Quite fascinating!

Christmas is a little over two weeks away. For sure, it won't be a normal one this year. Our Government has made it official that gatherings will not be allowed this year. We had already decided not to have family over this year. Just too risky. Although there is a vaccine on the way for 2021, the next few months may be the toughest. Better be safe than sorry. Next year will be a better year.

That's my blog for today. I leave you with a few photos of our doggies by the Christmas tree. We often catch them just sniffing the tree...perhaps they wonder why there are no gifts under the tree yet? Have a great week everyone. Stay well and safe. 

Spicy and Cooper stretch for it, doing the Fun
Fit Canin Advent Program.

Russell's family tree...on the Duncan side, he has
traced back to 1686.

Spicy lounging by the Christmas
tree, what a present she is.

Cooper wondering when the gifts 
and treats arrive. What a sweet face!

Spicy making sure everything is in
order and well placed.

Cooper and Spicy waiting on the next event
in their lives.