For a smile as wide as a country sunrise
Good morning on this very cold Saturday! The coffee is hot and ready to go, so please help yourself and relax with us for a few minutes. I guess it’s not really that cold this morning, -5F (-20C), but it feels colder in the wind. It was nice and red in the eastern sky this morning too, would have made a beautiful picture but this big hill here beside me prevents that. I don’t get to see the east very well from here. The pic I would have gotten wouldn’t look like much and all those hydro wires out there really mess up the pic anyway. From the top of that hill it must look quite nice though. Poor Jasper yesterday. After I told him about Jenny, then about an hour later another squirrel showed up. It was a male though so Jasper had his first big fight protecting his territory. Squirrels can really fight it out at times. But finally the other squirrel decided it was enough and ran off with Jasper chasing him until they were both out of sight.
Jasper was back a little while later, victorious! But he didn’t come over, I was ready to give him a nice very large peanut. He’ll get it next time though. Then shortly after that Baxter and Betty, the blue jays, were out here by themselves and suddenly a third blue jay came along and went after Betty, quite viciously. Then I realized it was a shrike! Baxter was after it in a flash, but shrikes are much more aggressive than blue jays even though the same size. Amazing that it would attack a blue jay though, he must have been getting hungry to do that. Poor Baxter was all alone in his fight though, I think the shrike knew that too. Other winters there have been 10 blue jays around, which gives 5 males to fight any enemies, they work together at times like that, which also protects the smaller birds. No other birds were in sight, the small birds had gone into hiding.
Finally 2 more blue jays came along, the must have heard the calls for help. In all 10 other blue jays came, obviously pairs, and the 5 males took turns going after the shrike and finally chasing it away from the area. Baxter and Betty were okay, and the other 3 regular blue jays stayed around too. I put out more peanuts for them. Generally the females won’t fight the shrike, unless there are no other jays around beside their mate, then they join in. Hopefully that shrike will stay away now. The blue jays work together to help each other, and with that they help the other birds in the area too. A good lesson there for people too. As is typical for Saturday, I have a couple more scenery pics from down at the river, though they don’t show the river, but rather a couple of spots that I really like. I hope you have a very enjoyable weekend and God bless!
Steve and Muffin (presently sleeping on my lap)
©2020 Steve McLeod
I’m craving hot chocolate. Do you happen to have that? I’m not typically a fan of hot chocolate but lately that’s what I’ve been drinking.
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Oh my, hot chocolate for breakfast! Hmm, never thought of that, only have coffee, guess I should add hot chocolate and tea as well. But coffee is still best to start the day, just that wonderful aroma in the morning even! How’s things going?
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I add a candy cane to the hot chocolate which gives it flavor. Sometimes I add marshmallows too. Tea is a good option too, but steeped tea is by far the best tea. I agree that nothing beats the aroma of coffee first thing in the morning.
Things are going okay. I’m really tired these days and have been sleeping a lot. Still haven’t started the new job yet and I’m finding it very difficult to not stress about stuff.
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Hmm, minty hot chocolate, sounds interesting. And marshmallows are always good with hot chocolate. I was going to get some but they didn’t have any left at the store.
This has been a tough year for stress for a lot of people. Getting out in nature is a great stress reliever, harder to do in the city unless there is a park nearby. Even a walk along a tree lined street helps a lot, something lacking in too many city neighborhoods these days. Of course winter makes it harder to get out. So far my path to the river is okay.
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It’s the right balance of mint and chocolate. Tastes like a hot-beverage version of After Eight mints. I use the full sized-peppermint candy canes per 1 mug of hot chocolate (1 packet of cocoa). The candy canes I use are the cheap Great Value ones!
I get what you mean by stress, but in a different way. I am trying to start a job and the paperwork has been a complete headache. Still haven’t started that job yet even though I have 2 job offers now. Whoever said that there are no jobs to be had was wrong. I honestly cannot complain though – never thought I would find work opportunities right out of school. With my last degree, I had no such luck.
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That’s great! Yes, there are jobs, but sometimes people don’t look too hard or they listen to others and so never try. Guess these places saw something they really liked about you, that’s fantastic!
I have never tried mint hot chocolate before, and it’s impossible to find candy canes around here now, anything to do with Christmas sold out amazingly fast this year. I guess with the pandemic people want extra cheer this year.😁🎄
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It could have been my previous degree. I have an educational background but not much work experience. I also switched fields (from science to healthcare) which was a good choice I think.
Speaking of selling out quickly, I went to Dollarama yesterday and most of their Christmas stuff was gone. I did the most cliché thing and accidentally bought toilet paper instead of paper towels, which was what I wanted. 🤦♀️
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Paper towels have been almost impossible to get here for the last 2 months now, don’t know why that is, very odd.
Not being able to get the decorations I wanted this year I really haven’t done much decorating at all, meaning I hung up my Christmas cards, put up some lights, candles and a wreath. Terrible really. Oh well. I don’t think Muffin notices anyway!😂😹
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My apartment isn’t decorated. We have the saddest looking miniature Charlie Brown tree and that’s about it. Pathetic I know 😛
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I would like a tree, but Muffin likes to climb and trees were made for climbing, so I don’t think it would work out too well. But if I had my parents decorations I would definitely have a tree.😀😺🎄
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My mom has some gorgeous decorations and used to decorate a full-sized tree. Over the last two years, she downgraded to a miniature real tree from a fake Costco tree. Most of the Costco lights died and it looked ridiculous – it stayed that way for many years until my parents finally decided to get rid of it. One day I plan to collect the box of ornaments which I use when I eventually have a full-sized tree.
My childhood cat didn’t climb trees but she would play with the ornaments and try to eat the needles. She wasn’t much of a jumper.
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Yep, a full size tree would be nice, even something about 5 ft tall would be good for my apartment. My childhood cat would climb our tree all the time so my dad had to tie it to the wall, it was in a corner of the room. He also liked to play with the ornaments he could reach.😂😹🎄
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Great picnic spot, Steve! Happy Saturday :))
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Happy Saturday Saania! Hope you’re having a great day!😀😺🌞☕☕
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Have a great weekend you two
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Thanks Sheree!
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I’m glad Betty is ok, and that Jasper has successfully defended his territory…
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Yes, Jasper has never had to defend his territory before so it’s nice to know he can do it. It was kind of close with Betty, I thought she got hit that first time.
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You’ve got a front row seat to the world of nature!
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Yes, and it can be quite interesting at times!
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It is amazing how God equips them to defend and to be there for one another. What a blessing to have a front roll seat to see that. Reading it had me on pins and needles. I am so glad Betty and Baxter are okay. Also glad that Jasper was able to defend his territory and he is okay.. They are precious. Thank you for sharing this experience, Steve. Have a good evening! 🙂🌙
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Yes indeed, God has equipped them in so many different ways, with the blue jays, and others, it’s working together that does it. It is a real blessing having all these little animals around each day. Have a wonderful day Beverly!😀😺🌞
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Amen! Yes, truly a blessing! 🙂 Although it is almost over, have a wonderful day as well, Steve! 😁🌞
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Thanks Beverly!😀😺
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You’re welcome Steve! 😁
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Nice pics!!
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Thanks Dusty!
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Very relaxing looking 😌
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Yes, that is so true. Are you relaxing in your tropical locale now?
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I am in bed relaxing my way to dream land.
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Good, now you can sleep for the next 36 hours or so.
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Ahhhh… now wouldn’t that be great. Good Night Steve😁😴
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Sleep well!
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You also!
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I sure hope so, but it may be tough.
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Do the best you can…😁
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I will try, might have to sleep in my chair tonight.
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Oh I hope not…😬
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Me too.😬
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No kidding! Naw it’s nice today. Been to the grocery, Now I need to get out for my walk in the 1/2 hour. How about you ? You been out today?
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I was out briefly, too cold, 12F and windy and cloudy. Snow coming tonight.
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yikes! I’ll soak up some sunshine for you today.🌞 Then I’ll be warm all night! The bed here is very comfy! It will be nice to walk without freezing.
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Why do you want to walk on your bed? Wouldn’t it be better to sleep on it?
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Hey… Good thinking! I’m gonna try that!! You are the best thinker I know!! How come that never occurred to me??
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Must be that nice weather, doing something to your brain!
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Doesnt take nice weather to do that😂😂
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Probably helps though.🤔🙄
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True, all the warmth and sun makes goody🤪🤪
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Ha! Probably not that great! Rain every other day. Mosquitoes. Sunburn. Rain. Trees dropping coconuts.
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Hard hat weather😂😂
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Or an umbrella.
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Again with great idea!! You are on fire!!🔥🔥🔥🔥
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I hope not.😳😳
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Just step outside you’ll cool off!😉😂😂
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Hey, I’m already cold!😬🥶
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Your hot your cold… Put on your asbestos long johns then you’ll toasty😁😁
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Kinda stiff though.🙄
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Better than wool though😳😲
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I’ll take wool any day of the night.
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Kinda itchy though
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It is?
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Can be.. I had a wool Army issued blanket that thing was terrible itchy and coarse
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That’s army issue stuff, it can be like that. I have a couple wool blankets, nice and soft, not itchy at all. Wool doesn’t normally bother me anyway.
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Yep wool sweaters are nice though.
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Yep, nice and warm.
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Ah huh!!
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Kinda behind on the morning coffee post. Good thing I bought some coffee at the store.
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Good thinking, you might want some in the morning.😁☕
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Especially if your delayed getting your post out.😉
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Yep, I might be late again tomorrow, shopping day.🤪🤔
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Ahhhh. Then I’ll get the coffee maker setup tonight before bed
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Good thinking, wake up to that beautiful aroma!😃😃☕☕
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Yeah…. I can almost smell it already! That reminds me.. I need to buy a timer so it will turn on by itself
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That would be nice, then it’s done when you get out of bed.
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Yeah….Mmmmmm….
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I should do that too.
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I had a good idea!? I thought of it before you!! How about that??😁😁
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Who said it was a good idea? I just thought it would be a good idea.
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I don’t know who!
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Neither do I, but I think he’s on first.
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LOL 🤣🤣🤣 Ithought he was on second!
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What’s on second.
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Not what! He’s on first I- dun-know is o. Second!
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I dun know is on third.
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Is he gonna make it home is on second
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Hey, now you’re making up names, doesn’t count.🤨
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But will he??
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Who’s Will He?
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No not Willie! Will he make it home…
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All depends on where he lives.
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Ahhh… that’s right!! Lol 😁
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Thank you.😁😁😁
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You’re welcome😁
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Thanks.
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You said already!
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But then you said you’re welcome so I said thanks again.
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You’re Welcome again then..
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Thank you.
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Stop that!!🤨🤨
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Stop that? Stop what?🤔
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Saying Thank you!!
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You’re welcome.
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No I welcome!🙄
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Thank you.
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Okay!! If you insist! You’re Welcome! But I really wanted to be!😛
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Wanted to be what?
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Welcome!
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Thank you.
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You’re Welcome!
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Actually I’m Steve.
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I’m not so sure anymore..🤔🤔
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Me neither. Oops, past my bedtime again. Good night Dusty! Don’t leave any food out for the exterminators.
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Will do! Good night Steve!😴😴
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Who’who btw!
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Shouldn’t that be what’s who? Or is that a sneeze?🤔🤧
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Bless You! I thought what’s what was whoever🤪
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I think your tongue is going in circles.🤔😵
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It was wrapped around my eye teeth and I couldn’t see what I was saying😜
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That can happen. Some pirates had to give themselves up one time because they all lost their aye teeth.🤣🤣🤣
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Aye yie yie!!
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Hit ’em with a pie!
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Apple or Blueberry??😋😋
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Coconut scream.
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But I scream for Ice Cream!!
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Good with pie.
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Ohhhh yeahhhh
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Start baking.
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If only!!
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Can’t bake?😳
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Only when I’m at the beach in the Sun!!😎😎
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See, you can go to the beach tomorrow.
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Really?? Thanks! Do you think there’s one at the aquarium??🤔😲
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They have water, must have a beach.
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Thats3what I was thinking!! You did it again!!🤨
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Thank you.
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Is your back feeling better?
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Still kinda rough.
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You should shave it! It will be nice and smooth then!😁
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That’s a good one! Ha…I’ll finish tomorrow.
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That hairy huh?😬😬
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Got a text from the landlord. The exterminator is coming tomorrow. I need to find somewhere to go for awhile. There’s an aquarium nearby. I’ll have to see if they’re open. I also need to buy a toaster tomorrow.
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Exterminator?? You just move in and they’re calling an exterminator?
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She said they come once a month… must be a lot of pests around here.. Do you have relatives here??🤔
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Once a month?? What kind of pests? Cockroaches probably.
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That’s not nice… I’m sure your family loves you!
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I don’t let those ones in.
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Eat to.much huh?
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They just lay about everywhere and don’t do a thing.
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Ahahahah…🤣🤣🤣🤣
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Does your landlord ever come into your place when you leave? I went for a walk and when I got back the light was on in the laundry area… not sure I cool with that..🤔😏
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Not legal for a landlord to come in without permission here. Doing that would not make me happy!😒😾
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I hope it’s a common thing. We’ll see.
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Maybe your landlord didn’t know you were there yet.
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Yeah, they know.. they were both here when I arrived. I’m not gonna worry to much, unless it becomes an issue.
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Good thinking. Hopefully they don’t start to borrow your stuff.
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Yeah for sure.. They don’t seem like would though. More concerned about my laptop and work information.
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Get a chain and lock for it.
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Might need to.
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That’s a good thought, I should get good thought’s like that too.🤔🤔
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If you keep reading my mind it may never happen!!🙄🙄
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Think I better bring a broom next time.🤔🪓
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Vacuum cleaner is easier🤭🤭🤭
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Hmm, not a bad idea, I could just stick the hose up to your ear.
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That way I won’t sneeze!!🤭🤭
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Be quite the dust storm.😳
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Ha and HA!😛😛 that’s what you get for messing around up there!
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I didn’t make the mess, someone did that before I got there.🙄🤔
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Hahahaha…. ohhh how right you are there!😂😂😂😂😂😂
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You expected me to be somewhere else?🤔
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I can never tell where you are !!🤔🤔🙄🙄
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That’s okay, neither can I.😳🙄🙀
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Your here your there you’re everywhere!😳
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It’s stupor Steve!
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I thought it souper Steve!🤣🤣🤣
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I seldom eat soup. It’s too soupy.
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But does it have sails??😲
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I don’t eat snails either.😖😖😖
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Me either!! To fishy 🤮
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Don’t know how people do it, really don’t.
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No kidding! Yuck! Clams either!
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Yep, too clammy for me. And people eat these things raw, like meaning not cooked. Enough to make a person faint.
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Or gag! I think I just did!🤑
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That’s the money guy.
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LOL 🤣🤣🤣
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I am glad Baxter and Betty are okay…good thing Jasper won the battle ! Lovely pics ! How does sleeping in a chair help ? Am praying…☕️☕️🤭😮🙂😻🎄
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Yep, it was a busy day for the critters yesterday. That way I don’t have to lie down. Have a great day!😀😺🌞☕☕
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Morning Coffee Steve….😋 Cheers… How was your morning coffee on this beautiful sunday snowy morning… Looks like a mini war got over, Jasper won his territory, Baxter and Betty then… Hope you had a wonderful Saturday… Wish you a pleasant Sunday 🤗 Hope all is well. Take care of your health, have your regular checkup done. 🤗🤗🤗
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Yes, it was a bit lively here for awhile yesterday and again today Jasper chasing that other squirrel again. Looks like he will have regular problems with that new squirrel. It’s a nice day…to stay inside! It was sunny this morning, cloudy now, snow coming tonight. Have a great Monday Simon!😀😺🌞
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New squirrel 🙄 Poor Jasper, Wish I could help him, Hey Jasper !! need a hand?…😋😜have fun Steve 😁 Stop doing more shovel…😋
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Oh well, the new squirrel will help keep Jasper in good shape for spring! Sunny and cold right now, great day to stay inside and drink coffee!! No more shoveling…until next time!😁😸🤪🧹⛄
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Yay!! No more shoveling, stay warm inside then…🤗
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Lots of shoveling coming up with this snowstorm arriving soon!😳🙀🌨🌨
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Snowstorm😳😳 Prepare to….. Warm up 😁
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More like, prepare to get cold!🥶🥶🥶🧊🧊
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Cold cold cold 😳😳😳 it’s cold here.. freezing… But nothing frozen yet 😐🙄but very cold 🙄😳
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You can do it Simon! Show everyone you’re not afraid of the cold!😁🥶
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28 C on a daytime 11 am 🙄 it’s cold here, i kind of caught a light cold,😐 climate change is terrible 🙄
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Hmm, let’s see, we are -35C this morning, that makes it 68 degrees colder here!😳😳Hope you get better quickly!
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Merry Christmas Steve 💐🤗 Christmas day, cold day.. stay warm.. and don’t forget have that cake and wine 😎✨
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Thank you for the morning coffee, Steve and Muffin. Love the story about Jasper, Baxter, and Betty! With all of that entertainment, who needs TV! ☕️☕️🍩 🍪🧣 🧤
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That is so true! The outdoor entertainment is a lot more fun! Have a nice afternoon Eugenia!😀😺🌞☕☕
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