To say this summer was a flop is a MAJOR understatement. And by major I mean it was a total flop. It didn’t help that it started with Covid and ended with having to put our family dog down. Needless to say though I am ready for a new season and new adventures.

Our summer started off horrible with covid hitting out home. After dodging it for over 2 years including spending the beginning in Quebec where cases were super rampant, we got it. It literally kicked my butt. My two boys also had it and they were just having a really bad cold. I talk about this more in details in upcoming blogs, Be sure to look for those as it really isnt as big of a walk in a park as everyone makes it sound like. It completely sucked.

Another hard thing that happened this summer was that we had to put our Sheldon down, our family duck tolling retriever. I’m not sure if I was writing about it in previous updates however if you are a follower on any social media you would know that there is a bit of health issues that started the beginning of this year. We had tests done and what not but even medications at one point were not helping. As sucky as it was we made a promise to ourselves that we would never keep any animal alive just to have them alive. He just was not getting better and the medications he was on should have been causing some weight gain when he was steadily losing it. We made the tough decision that obviously something was wrong and to spend thousands to have the same outcome, he was not an young dog by any means either. It was by far one of the hardest things that we have ever had to go through but we feel like it was the right decision considering near the end the vet had said that she thought it was cancer and there basically is no coming back from that at his age and the surgery’s that would be needed and whatever interventions as well too. We will get another dog but it wont be any time soon though that is for sure.

Streaming has been rocky, I had suck high hopes for the summer to be able to stream some more than usual but here we are and I’m giving up on the 5 days a week streaming. We are back to focusing on the 3 days a week and getting back to consistency. When I want to do more I can totally do bonus streams but for the time being right now it is just going to be 3 days. I swear every single time I want to stream more though something ALWAYS pops up and I am unable to do it for some silly reason and this summer was no exception to that also.

I started another weight loss challenge in mid August, well the 8th of it. I feel a lot better about this than previous ones. I really need to control the munching late at night though so starting next week well, when I have the check in I will be keeping better track of calorie counting though because the over eating is not helping anyone. I have also recently have started back at the elliptical which is a huge win for me and I am really happy about that too! I kind of was sitting at the computer one day and was like wow I am going to find the cord to plug it in, and there you have it! It worked great and I was so happy to finally be able to get back to it. Why have one if you don’t use it!

I HAVE 2 BOOKS PUBLISHED! I did not think they would be done as fast as they are but I have two books out. The Darkness which is explained here, and The Light is explained here. Both are poetry collections with 100 poems, and I still have a third that is also coming out in the near future. I am so happy and excited to share them and feedback I have been getting has been tremendous. I am so happy though to be able to have this chapter opening. I have a few blogs talking about my methods and what not on how I could get not one, not two but three books published this year!

And lastly, in a little over a week I will officially be married, after being with the same person for nearly 12 years it was about time after 2 kids, and hopefully a third that we actually settle down and make it paperwork official. I will have a blog coming up about that also too. It is pretty low key and super low maintenance. It is kind of more of an elopement but kind of not? There is literally 9 people including myself and spouse and our two kids. To the point that we have to actually buy a package! It includes 10 digital photos on an online album so like that is pretty cool too! I am pretty excited but also not super excited because we didn’t want it to be a big deal either. Eventually maybe on an anniversary we will do something bigger like a mock wedding and reception but right now our focus is on the kids and home renovations to set us up for the winter and hopefully saving money.

Overall though, The summer was nothing like I expected it to be, but then again what in life is. Nothing. I just am still bummed about our dog being sick. I had this feeling back in April but hearing and having to actually go through it. No one ever talks about having to put down a pet because they literally are members of the family and do everything together. People also forget I find that Sheldon was around long before we had kids and he was a huge part of me feeling safe when I was home alone. I hope the fall has some more pleasant surprises but time will tell wont it!