Animal with Home Value

 Routes, Rentals, and Holiday as work, winter, resilience in Pay Snow, Shifts, and Small Victories Christmas party and long day Friday was a long one: I woke at 4 a.m. to get ready, stretch, and grab my coffee, and didn’t finally fall asleep until around 8 or 9 p.m. Even so, Kim and I made it to the company Christmas party. I was wiped by the time the awards rolled around, but I stayed for her and for the chance to be social for a few hours—she looked beautiful and carried the conversation while I rode out the day’s fatigue. Hours and holiday pay Lately I’ve been wrestling with my schedule and holiday pay . My Monday holiday pay disappeared in spring and summer, then reappeared in November, and now I’m missing a Wednesday right before another holiday. I’m eager to work hard and I want to be reliable, but it feels like I only get the pay restored when winter hits and other drivers can’t do the routes—like my benefits and pay are tied to everyone else’s mis...

 Another beautiful walk with the dog. plus 10 Celsius outside and its wonderful day I am here walking with my nephew and the dog for my birthday walk.  It's my cousins birthday today and we share a birthday together.  My brother got me my pants for work and a work shirt for my birthday.  The dog is on an adventure for sure.   I  got a principle to read more.  And write in my dog blog more often.  This morning i used my Tim's card to buy some coffee and English Homesytle sausage and biscuit  that i shared with my dog after i got home from work.  The dog was super happy with it.  Birthday weekend walks,  With my brother on Friday and walk with my nephew on Sunday, My birthday was on Sat. but I've been working all weekend  I have family dinner tonight.  I am excited for my birthday dinner with my In-laws.  Always nice to spend time with my brother In-law's family, nephews and niece.   I so...

  🎉 Celebrating 10 Years Together Last night was a beautiful celebration of a decade spent with Kim. We marked our 10-year anniversary with a cozy dinner at The Keg, where I indulged in a hearty 20 oz steak and Kim opted for a more modest 8 oz cut. It felt so good to get out together and enjoy a special evening. We kept things simple—just water to drink, with fresh bread and salad to start. The atmosphere was perfect, and I soaked in every moment of our time together. We’re incredibly grateful for our families, who made the night even more special. My parents generously gave us cash to enjoy our dinner, and Kim’s parents gifted us movie money so we could extend the celebration. Their thoughtfulness reminded us how lucky we are to be surrounded by love and support. Family and friends made it sweeter We were so blessed by our families: my parents gave us cash to enjoy the night and Kim’s parents sent money for a movie treat. Our friends even gifted us a 20% tip card ...

 A Thanksgiving weekend of family meals, long walks, and reaching 86 books this year Bryan and I headed out for a walk after he returned from his sister’s Thanksgiving gathering, settling into a steady 30‑minute pace that carried us just under 2 km. The air was crisp with a light breeze, the kind of weather that makes movement feel effortless. I’ve always loved these cooler temperatures—my body doesn’t have to work as hard, and the transition from “easy mode” into a gentle warm‑up felt natural. Carrying 30 pounds with me added that extra layer of challenge, but it blended seamlessly into the rhythm of the walk. We paused at a park bench along the way, taking a moment to sit together before snapping a photo. That small break reminded me how these walks are as much about connection as they are about distance or weight carried. The combination of fresh air, conversation, and the grounding presence of the season made the outing feel restorative. It wasn’t just a walk—it wa...

 The mental tug-of-war and the ritual of writing motivation into motion. Lines Before Laces Some mornings, motivation doesn’t come with the sunrise—it arrives in fragments. Today was one of those days. I sat down more times than I stood up, each attempt to lace my shoes interrupted by the gravity of comfort and the weight of hesitation. It took writing lines in a Word document—simple, stubborn affirmations—to coax myself into motion. Not poetic, not profound. Just necessary. Dixie and I finally made it out for a short run. My legs protested with sharp shin splints , a reminder that I hadn’t fueled properly—protein was missing, and my body knew it. I stretched mid-run, paused, breathed, and kept going. It wasn’t graceful, but it was real. And despite the discomfort, I found joy in the rhythm, in Dixie’s steady presence, and in the fact that I’d overcome the inertia. Funny how workdays make it easier. I say I’ll run, and I do. No mental tug-of-war, no negotiations with th...

  Frost , Hills, and a Chewed-Up Start October 6 greeted us with our first frost of the season—just a whisper of white across the grass, crisp enough to make the coffee taste richer and the walk feel sharper. Dixie and I took full advantage, clocking an hour through one of the few routes around here with real elevation gains. Not many places in Lethbridge or Medicine Hat offer hills worth mentioning, so when the land lifts and dips just enough to challenge the legs and lungs, it feels like a small triumph. Joe joined for the first leg, and two cups of black coffee later, the morning ritual felt complete. But nature giveth and nature gnaweth. Back at home, I discovered the mice had chewed through my windshield washer lines . The pump still hums with purpose, but only a few weak spurts make it to the glass—like a faucet with a cough. It’s a small annoyance, but one that reminds me how even the tiniest creatures can reroute our day. I’ll patch it up, of course, but part ...

  Today was a full-body kind of day—the kind that leaves you feeling strong, clear-headed, and quietly proud. I started with two weight sessions totaling 68 minutes and 46 sets, pushing through each rep with focus and intention. My doctor recently recommended two to three strength workouts per week, and I’m already ahead of the curve. After the weights, Dixie and I hit the pavement for a 5 km run. She kept pace beautifully, and I could feel the rhythm of the day settling into my stride. The energy didn’t stop there. I rolled that momentum into a deep clean of the house—vacuuming the night before, then mopping floors, scrubbing toilets and sinks, and picking up scattered papers. There’s something grounding about tending to your space after tending to your body. It’s like syncing the inside with the outside, clearing clutter both physical and mental. I didn’t rush it; I moved with purpose, letting the satisfaction build with each task. I’m feeling good—really good. The ...