For a smile as wide as a country sunrise
We wait beside Olivia’s car which is in the small parking lot. Soon the 2 men come out of the building and I zoom in on them with my mini camera. This is a new addition to our equipment, made by one of Baldwin’s companies, it has a great telephoto lens so I take pics of the men and send them back to Annelie so she can check on them. I also show them to Olivia. “Do you recognize these men?”, I ask her. “No, no I do not,” she said firmly, “are they mixed up in this too?” “It would seem so,” I said, “they have been following your niece since she left home.”
Susan took a good look at the pictures too, but she did not know either of the 2 men. I asked Olivia if I could drive for a bit and she was okay with that. Off we went with those two men following in their car. Interesting that they had a car waiting for them. I led them on a nice chase around the streets, though I had no idea where I was going. I finally lost them so Olivia took over driving to her house. It was on the edge of town and although she kept referring to it as “her little house”, it was not so little. It was a 3 story mansion about 170 years old. The third story was not used however and Olivia said no one had been up there for probably 40 or 50 years.
That should be a good place to start searching then. Olivia showed Susan and I to our bedrooms, just across the hall from each other, which Susan requested since she was a bit nervous in this huge place. It certainly was not as big as our chateau however. After getting settled we all met in the living room to talk a bit. I showed some pictures to Olivia. “How did you get pictures of my son?”, she asked. “This is the man claiming to be your son?”, I asked in return. “Yes, it definitely is him,” she responded, “though I still have doubts about him.”
“This man is not your son,” I said, “his name is John, and he is a very dangerous man who is looking for the gold your husband left you in his will. He likely found out about it from your son and decided to take the place of your son to try and get the gold.” “Oh my,” she said, “then my son, he…would be in danger too.” “Yes, I am afraid he is,” I said slowly. She looked at me, “be honest, do you think my son is still alive?” That was a tough one to answer, but I had to be honest.
“I do not think he is alive,” I said, “that is the way this man works, and I am sure he is planning to kill you too once he gets that gold. However, I will do my best to make sure that does not happen.” She starts to cry and Susan goes over to her. I still feel this is a trap to get the cats and I, we are the ones that John really wants. But I do not want to mention that to Olivia and Susan. We look around the house a bit but nothing seems unusual. Finally it is time for bed.
The cats and I have checked both bedrooms and could not find any hidden cameras or listening devices, however, we didn’t really have time to check things too thoroughly, we will do that tomorrow. It was a nice uneventful night that passed much too quickly. It is now 7am and I could smell fresh coffee. The cats and I were soon in the kitchen with the ladies. “What would you like for breakfast?”, asks Olivia. The cats look at me. “Could we have pancakes?”, I ask. “Why certainly, just sit right down,” she answered, “I will have pancakes ready very quickly. What would the cats like?”
“Oh, they will eat pancakes too,” I said. She put a couple of extra plates on the table for the cats too. Meow,meow.=Something not right, I not know what, but it not right. Muffin said that quietly to me. We all ate our pancakes, stuffing ourselves thoroughly, all except Olivia. “I never eat breakfast,” she said, “only coffee for me.” “I remember that about aunt Olivia,” said Susan, “I just can’t imagine not having a good breakfast.”
Afterward we all went to the living room to talk some more about the case. I was still tired, even after a good sleep. “I am still tired,” said Susan, “and after such a good sleep too.” Hmm, that is kind of odd, I thought to myself. We all sat on the sofa while Olivia brought in more coffee. Wow, I was really fighting to stay awake. Looks like Susan gave up the fight and fell asleep. Meow.=We been drugged. MC was right, it was the only explanation, it had to be the pancakes. The cats were asleep too as John entered the room laughing, and Olivia had a big smile. I tried to pull my gun out, but it was no use…
To Be Continued.
©2022 Steve McLeod.
Ok, Steve, I want more… I’m happy I visited your blog today♥️
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I’m so glad you stopped by Lillian! I hope you are doing well and having a great start to the New Year!😁😻💖
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That didn’t take long!🙄 If it feels odd or weird or unusual it is! But I’m sure you’ve got a plan for this!😁😊
(You do have a plan?)😬😳
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This is all part of my cunningly devised plan to stop John. First I had to bring him out in the open.😒 Now that I have done that the next thing is try to stay alive long enough to stop John.🤔🙀🙀👩
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Yeah… the last part there kinda concerns me..😬😬 that staying alive peice seems to maybe have a small flaw…🙄🙄🙄🤭🤭
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I must admit, John does seem to have the advantage at the moment. But just wait until I wake up!😬🙀🙀👩
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Okay…😴😴😴😴😴🤭🤭
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Then perhaps I can escape somehow and then John will be in trouble! Don’t forget, I still have the cats too…I hope.😳
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Sounded like they were kinda sleepy too😬😬 but , they didn’t eat as much of the pancakes so they could be able to save you!!😁
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That’s true, but even though they didn’t eat as much, they are a lot smaller, so they could be out just as long, or even longer than me. But working together we’ll get out of here, um, wherever here is.😬🙀🙀 Although I imagine John won’t let us have our backpacks.🙄🙀🙀👩
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Knowing you and your team, you have something John isn’t expecting 😉😁
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That’s a good thought! Um, if you find out what that is, let me know.🤔😬
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Me??😲 I’m just a butler man…. I’m to busy dodging bullets from what’s her name… I got no ideas.😂😂😂
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Um, her name is Kristina, and you better hope she didn’t hear that or her aim might get better real fast!😂😂
But butlers are supposed to know things.
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Yeah… like opening doors and pouring coffee ☕ nobody said anything about saving Steve’s behind!!😛
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But you might hear what the rest of the team is planning, so you could relay that info…um, no wait, maybe I don’t want to know, they may not have any plans planned.😳🙀🙀👩
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😲 I hope Kat didn’t hear you say that!!😳🤭🤭
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But really, how could they have anything planned when they don’t even know what happened?🤔
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That’s true… but it wouldn’t surprise me if Baldwin had you tailed just to keep you safe!😉🙃😁
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But don’t forget, we found all the tracking devices and put them in the trash! I foiled that plan! Haha!😆 Of course, it might have been a good idea to keep one of them on us.🤔🙄😳
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But what if they followed you and you didn’t know it?🤔🙄
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I know they followed to our first stop, but after that there is no way they could. I can pick out when I’m being followed anyway.🤨😾😾👩
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I don’t know… this could spell the end for Steve!😳😲
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And that is exactly what John wants! But we want it to be the end of John instead!😠😾😾👩
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Definitely!! He’s been a pain in the rear over the years and needs to be dealt with!
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Yes indeed and this time it is over for him!
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I hope it’s grizzly end!🤭
He deserves it!🤨
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Hmm, wasn’t planning on having any bears in this one.🤔🐻
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Sounds like a plot change might be ahead?😂😂
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I don’t think I could change my head.🤔🙄
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It would be fun to try!😂
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Thanks. I think.😟
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Well I mean point of view… naw I was just messing with ya!😁😂😂
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Okay, I feel better now.😕
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I thought that might help!🤭🤭😂😂😉😁
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Oh, it did, it did.😒😕😐
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Why aren’t you smiling then??🙄🤔
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I’m trying not to stretch my facial muscles.🙄
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How’s it working?? Any luck with that?🙄
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🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣Sure, I had to go look in the mirror, now look what happened!😂😂😂😂😂🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
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Hey… whatever it takes!!!😉😁😊
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You shouldn’t make me laugh like that when I’m eating my dessert.🤣🤣
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At least you’re laughing!🙄🤭
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Always happens when I look in the mirror. Makes it very hard to shave. Cut the end of my nose once, took a chunk out of my ear, my lower lip is smaller now…😂😂🤣🤣🙄🙄
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A little cosmetic surgery huh!😂😂
Happens to me all the time too!🤣🤣
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Right now my eczema has popped out on part of my throat, next to impossible not to cut myself!😛😛😬😬
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Does stress make it worse?
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I don’t know if it does or not. I have tried to keep track of things to see what affects it. Dryness and cold does for sure.
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Yep those will do it!
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That’s what I discovered too.
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You need a warm place to go to….😉😁
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Hawaii always sounded good, until the hotel prices made all my hair fall off.😳😂😂
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Maybe it’s cheaper to stay there? Buy a little lot build a hut and there you go!😁😎
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Make up your mind, do I buy a little or buy a lot?🙄
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I think a lot!😉😁😂
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Such a nice thought, buy a little lot, in a perfect spot, then I get caught, and tied in a knot, sent back home right on the dot.😳😳
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Well… figuring out the knot that’s used is always entertaining !😂😂
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But I know knotting about those things!😳😂😂
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It’s fun to learn new things!😉😁😂😂😂🙄🙄
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Good morning sleepy!😁🌞☕☕ How’s the day going?🤔
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Absoposalutely great
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Is that good?🤔🙄😂
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Yesserie bub
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Here too.😁
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Fantastic I’ll I’m on my way home I’ll get back with you in about 20 minutes
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Okay, but I won’t be back right away, need to write my next chapter!
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I’ll be waiting for it!😁😊
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So, when do you leave for the tropics?😁😁
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I was think about next weekend if I can get a flight
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Fantastical everything got approved then?
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Well… kinda.. they are keeping us out of the office until the 24th. But my request will be considered Monday or Tuesday. If they say no I’ll quit if they say yes then I’m good… either way, no reason for me not to leave. So now I just need to see if I can get a flight. The airlines website is down right now so I can’t check yet.
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I knew you could do it! I’m only sorta here right now, busy making supper. But I’ll still be here. Don’t go away.
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No worries, let me know when you have free minutes😁
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I’m here!🏃♂️🏃♂️🏃♂️🏃♂️🏃♂️🏃♂️
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No you’re not!! you’re there!
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If I was there, we would be able to see each other!😁 I think.🤔🙄
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Hey… then we coukd have popcorn 🍿 and butter 🧈 😋 😁😊
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And maple sauce!😋🍁
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Ooooo…. I like Maple Sauce!😋😋😊😁
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It’s good on popcorn, and just about anything else.😁😁😁
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Sweet!😋 kinda like Carmel Corn 🌽 only with Maple!!😊😁😋
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Yep, it tastes great!
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I’ll have to try that!😋
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They have nice maple sauce at Walmart.😁
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I need to get a popcorn maker while there also.😋
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You actually hire people to make popcorn?😲😲
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No… no I mean a bowl one you can put popcorn in and microwave it!😋
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Oh, that kind of popcorn maker, that makes more sense.😁🍿
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Thank you😁
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You’re welcome.😀 I think.🤔🙄
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I think so too!!😂
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Good for us!🥳
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That it is!
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I agree with that.
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Oh I got a flight for next Sunday morning!😁
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Good for you! Must be busy right now.🤔
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There has been a lot of cancelations and there was only one direct flight.
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Guess it’s not too busy right now.🤔
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I guess not..
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That was my guess too.🤔
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Gee maybe I shouldn’t fly??🤔 there must be a reason it’s not busy!🤔🤔
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Probably all the pilots are down with Covid.😳🛫🪂🛸
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Yeah, I heard they are paying them a bunch of money to take more flights.
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Oooooo, I wonder how much, I could use the extra cash.😁
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Are you a pilot?
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I knew there would be a catch.🙄😒
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Always is!😂😂
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I know, it’s terrible.😳🙄🙄 Hey, are you getting snow tonight?
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I don’t think so🤔🤔 I just saw that Sidney Portier died today. That’s sad.
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We’re supposed to get 4 to 6 inches.
Yeah, I saw that earlier.😕
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Wow that much again? I better check maybe we’ll get some too??
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Yep, warming up, snows, then back to the deep freeze on Sunday.😳😳😳😳
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They say a chance of snow here..
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Same here, a 100% chance!😂😂😂
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Good One!😉😁😂😂
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It has started to snow now. It’s going to be a regular boot wallop tonight!😳😬😲👢🥾❄❄❄❄❄
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Well… wrap up good in a blanket and don’t go out in the snow!😁
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Why would I go out in the snow wrapped up in a blanket? Hard to shovel snow that way.🙄🙄
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Then don’t shovel… just stay warm and stay inside next to the heater.😉😁
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But if I stay inside I won’t be able to shovel the snow.😬😬
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Good! It’s settled then!😁😊 See that wasn’t so hard!!😂😂
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That’s true, the snow is usually soft.
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And always COLD!🥶🥶🥶
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Hmm, you could be right with that one.
Well, time to call it a night…it’s a night.
Good night Dusty!😴
Talk again tomorrow!😁
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Yeah, I’m worn out from the week too… I’ll be waiting to read and hear from you tomorrow!
Good Night! Sleep well and stay warm and peaceful dreams!😉😁😊
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😁😴
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I have some news for you it’s good stuff
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Sounds great!
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The snow and the cold behind it has my ankles so stiff and sore I couldn’t walk on them yesterday. It was a good thing I worked from home.. at least I could take some medi one without having to drive!
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That is a good thing indeed! See? Working from home is beneficial after all.
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Yeah, and being in a warmer climate is even better.. my manager is trying to push to get an answer when it will be approved. Well… I might have told him I’m getting impatient, and they better not slow walk this or I’ll just leave.😬😬 I’m not sure if that was a good idea… but! Too late now!😂😂
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Oooooh, getting brave in your older age!😳😳😂
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Or dumber!! I’m going g with that one!😬😬🙄🙄
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I didn’t want to say that…🙄
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Thank you! It’s better if I admit to it!😛😛😂😂😂
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That’s what I thought too.
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You’re Welcome!😉😂😂
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How was the rest of your day? Anything exciting?😁
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Well, I didn’t rest, but I finally finished sorting through my insulator collection and downsizing it.🤪 Plus I did some dusting while Muffin slept.😾 Had a visit from my former landlord.😁 And I (omit), so now I’m (omit). Sigh.🙄🙄
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Is it good thing?🙄 I hope?
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Which part?🤔
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The omit part..
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Oh, that part. Well, if it wasn’t for all the pain, it would be a good thing, but even with extra pain killers it isn’t going away, so it’s not a good thing. Sigh.😳😳🙄
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Ugh… Keep the faith.. You’ll conquer it!😉😊
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I think I lost the fight this time.😟😬🙄
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The battle maybe, not the war!😉
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Yep, only the battle! Let’s see, that’s 550 battles lost so far.😳😂😂
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Who knows… maybe 551 is the winner 🏆 😉😊😁 Have faith and courage!😉😁
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What? Never! I’ll fight it, it won’t win!!😠😠
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Now that’s the spirit!!😂😂
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Tomorrow.
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Good choice!😁
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Thanks!😁
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You’re Welcome!😁 As always!😉
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You only lose when you give up! I heard that somewhere or from someone..🤔🤔
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I’ll tell that to the next member of our team that gets killed.🤔🙄🙄
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I know it sounds like a quote… but you can’t win a war without someone’s sacrifice !
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It better not be Kat or you’re in trouble! We’ll find you no matter how many palm trees you hide behind!!😠😾😾🤨
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It won’t be anyone!😉
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It’s only me going, so the others will be safe this time.😒
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You better have a good plan with lots of contingencies 😁
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Plan?🤔 Oh, yeah,🙄 good thought,😳 I’ll get on that right away.😬
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Yeah!! Good idea!!😁☺😂🤩
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Yep, that’s what I thought too, the brain still works after all. Kinda, sorta, a little bita.🙄🙄
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Yepper doodlydooser!
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A little bita!😉😁😂😂
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Yeppa, yeppa!
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Must be the coffee ☕ 😂😂
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In a cuppa!☕☕😂
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In a cuppa!😁
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Now it’s time for bedda. Thanks for the chatta!
Good nighta!🌙😴
Talka tomorra!😁
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Okay doka that’s when we’ll polka!😁😊😉😂😂😂 Good Nighta Sleep Tighta!
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Guess you fell asleep,😂 good night, talk again tomorrow!😁🌙😴😴
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Sorry on the phone with Grandson doing g an interview on my career
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Not a problem!😁😂
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Thank you, 😁
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So sorry about that😔😔 he just called me out of the blue and he has to write his report this week so he needed to do his interview with me tonight.
Sleep Good! 😴😴
I’ll check in with you in the morning.. Good Night 😴 🥱 🌃 🌙 ✨
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Good Morning 😁😊🌞 ☀️
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Good morning Dusty!😁🌞☕☕😳
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Howdy 🤠 👢 🤠
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How’s your day going?
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Pretty good 👍 kinda slow 🐌 plus it’s cold 🥶 and getting colder! But I’ve got some warm thoughts about a warmer place I’ll be soon.😁😊 How about you??
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Good day,😁 nice and cold,🥶 almost sunny,🌞 a bit cold,🤯 lots of birds,🐦 kinda cold,🧊 made some coffee cupcakes,😋☕☕☕🧁🧁🧁 and it’s cold.🙀 Time to write the next chapter. Oh, it’s cold here too.😳😬🙄
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“How cold is it?”🤭
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Not so bad really, it was -22F this morning with just a light wind.
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Ahhh so balmy! Did you remember the sunscreen? Gotta watch them UV rays ya know!😂😂
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Don’t have to worry about that inside!😛😛😂😂
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Gotta watch those heat lamps!! Get too close and you coukd burn 🔥 😂😂😂
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Hmm, another one of those new fangled gadgets?🤔🤔
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Yeah kinda… it’s an infrared light bulb 💡 😁😁 they’re wonderful, you can get a sun tan from them and they warm you up!😁
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Hmm, I guess if they’re red they would be hot. I’ll stay with the good old fashioned heat blanket, heated chair, 3 sweaters, 2 pair of socks, slippers, 2 pair of pants, and sitting by the heater. But when I go outside I have to dress warm.😬😬
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Are you able to move at all that way?🙄🙄🤔
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Sure, though getting out of the chair is a bit tricky at times.😳😂
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Better hope sprong comes soon!!😂😂😂
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Sprong?🤔
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Okay Spring then!😂😂
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With all these clothes on? I can barely step and you want me to spring??🤔🤯😂😂
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You’ll make it!😉😁 It’ll be here before ya know it!
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What will be here?🤔 More snow?🤔❄❄ More cold?🤔🧊🥶
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That you can count on!!😂😂
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I would rather count on my calculator!😛😂
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Me to!!
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If it smells like a trap, looks like a trap, it is a trap!
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Yep, I really did think it was a trap, I just never expected to get caught so easily. Aunt Olivia played her part to perfection, the cats and I were completely fooled. Maybe I should have brought Kat after all.🙄🙀🙀👩
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When the cats said something was not right , I would be on the alert ! Make the food yourself and then you won’t get “ caught “ in tainted food ! And that means the coffee as well ! ☕️☕️🕵️♂️😼😼
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But even the cats got caught on this one. Well, as guests it’s a little hard to make our own food and aunt Olivia was playing her part perfectly, she fooled all of us. But we were on alert, we just never expected this one.😬🙀🙀👩
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Somethings Not right! but let’s the cakes anyway Steve tsk tsk tsk Not Smart
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Laugh today You wouldn’t want to miss the chance
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Hmm, Muffin did have it right that time. Still, the cats didn’t notice anything wrong with the pancakes, and they were good. Sigh.🙄😳
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Still if Muffin says something isn’t right… I’d stop 🙀🙀
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But we were hungry.😳🙄
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