Blessings and my Bed Time Routine

 Yes, you read that right, my dog and  I have a bedtime routine and here it is.

    A few months ago I realized that my dog has dry skin and needed some coconut oil for moisture. Well, being the princess that she is she did not want it on her food. So being the good dog mommy I am I started spoon-feeding it to her instead. Worked great. A week later I remember that she likes to lick feet, she does not care about licking your hand or your face. She likes feet. Yes, I know, a little odd. Works for me though because  I do not like dogs licking my face.

    So, being the smart doggy mom that I am I added coconut oil/foot licking to our bedtime routine. After I shower, Blessing goes into our bedroom and waits for me to come to bed. She knows she is not allowed on our bed without permission, so she patiently wants on my side of our bed until I am ready for bed. Once I climb into bed and put down a towel to prevent any oil from dripping on my comforter I invite her up onto the bed and she excitedly lays at my feet and waits for the coconut oil. Occasionally I also turn on my battery-operated candles and my diffuser for extra relaxation and if I have enough energy I also read a book. All of which are calming and relaxing activities for me. For Blessing, she is simply excited to be on the bed with me getting her oil.

    To some, this routine may sound silly or gross. For us, it's one of our favorite parts of the day. It's a chance for us to continue building our bond. It also gives her the nourishment that she needs and from a human perspective, who does not like a foot massage at bedtime? We all do. The texture of her tong is very relaxing.

    A co-worker asked me the other day what I do to come down from the stress of the day when I get home. At first, I did not have an answer for her, mainly because I was so tired I could not think straight. Then I got home and realized that Blessing's and my routine is what helps me come down from the stress of the day and puts me to sleep.

    For those of you who are also pet parents, I would love to hear about the things you do with your dog that others may think are silly. To me, my dog is more than just a pet who needs to be fed and walked. She is my little girl, my four-legged best friend and I love spending time with her and enjoying all kinds of different activities. It also helps that my hubby and I do not yet have children of our own, so Blessing is our baby.

So as always I hope this post blesses you and gives you a little chuckle.

God Bless

~Ruth

All Jobs Are Essential

    Note: This post is in no way slandering Premier, Dough Ford, our current Covid-19 situation, or any other politician at this time.  It is simply my thoughts on the importance and purpose of all jobs.

    I saw a meme on Facebook, it was one of the characters from the TV show The Office saying that all jobs are essential if they put food on your family's table. I thought it was well said. After our latest lock-down orders I started to think about all the different jobs that work together to run an economy and society and of the importance of each of them.

    Grocery stores and farmers are important because they provide us with food to feed our families and nourish our bodies and giving us the energy we need to do our everyday activities. They also offer the ingredients for those who enjoy cooking and consider it a hobby. To all those who do work in these two industries, and especially during these difficult times. Thank you. I see you and see how hard you are all working to provide us with all the necessary food that we need.

    Car factories are important because they make our cars so that way we have something to drive. They may not be the most glamorous job, I know I am not a fan of working in factories but some people do enjoy them and if you are reading this and work in a factory, thank you. By you working in a factory and producing a car or any of the thousands of products that are made in a factory, you are creating important everyday items that if we had to go without, life would be very different. So thank you for doing a job that I do not wish to do.

    The list goes on and on counting all the different jobs and explaining how each one of them is important, but this is a blog post and not a book. :) 

    After I thought about these few basic industries and how they keep society as we know it running smoothly I thought about hairdressers and nail salons. Now, I do not get my hair cut regularly, but  I know people who do and enjoy getting it done. It's an important job because not everyone wants their hair as long as I do and thus they need regular cuts or colours.

    Nail salons are also important because on occasion I enjoy treating myself to an acrylic nail set. Just like the people who maintain one hairstyle, some people like to get their nails done regularly because they work in an office or because they consider it a part of their self-care routine. If that is you, then I am happy you have found something that you enjoy doing.

    For myself, I enjoy retail therapy via Value Village and have done so all my life. I have some amazing memories shopping there over the years with my mom, my husband's grandmother, and on my own. My last job was actually at Value Village and I loved working there and now hurt for my former co-workers because they are currently out of work due to the lockdown.

    Banquet halls and wedding venues are also essential because without them a bride and groom have no place to host their wedding and celebrate the start of their lives as husband and wife. Now, most people do not get married more than once in their life and thus will not rent a banquet hall regularly, but there are enough couples in the world who wish to get married and thus those halls and venues are very important and needed on a regular business. Besides, have you ever tried to tell a bride that a banquet hall was not essential or an important part of her big day? I know I have not and do not plan on it because I was a bride a few years ago and I know how essential that building was for my fiancé's and my big day. Plus I also worked in a banquet hall for years. If they were not essential, they would not be in business.

    So you see, there are so many jobs out there and in their unique ways, they are essential because they provide a product or service that we will all at some point in time need or want. Because without all these different jobs, and of course, I only mentioned a few, life would be very different than what we are used to here in Canada, not necessarily bad, but different.

    On the Covid-19 side of things, to all you front line workers, whether that be in health care, emergency response teams, grocery stores, etc. Thank you. Thank you for doing your part and getting us through this difficult season.

    To those who are working from home, in whatever capacity that may be, thank you. Thank you for staying safe and continuing to take care of your families and the rest of your community by continuing to provide whatever product and or service you do all while trying to balance your home/work lives. I know I could not do what you are doing.

    Lastly, but certainly not least, to those who have been laid off because you cannot work from home and because in the eyes of the government your job is not essential. I am sorry. I too was laid off last year before switching to another job, which I would later find out is an essential job. So I too was stuck at home last year for a few months, it was not fun. There is only so much housework you can do or only so many walks you can take your dog on before you go stir crazy. Like the rest of you, I too had a routine of going to work every day and doing certain activities and this pandemic has messed with that. So I see you and my heart goes out to you.

    The one thing that brings me comfort in all this is that I am a believer in The Lord Jesus Christ and therefore I know that God is in control of everything and I do not need to worry because He is bigger than the boogie man and bigger than this pandemic. Yes, I am human and therefore I still stress over our current situation and cannot wait until my hubby and I can go see a movie in the theatre. It has always been a favorite date night for us and we miss it. Thankfully though I know that God is in control and will take care of everything.

    As always, I hope that post encourages and blesses you wherever you find yourself during these times.

God Bless

~Ruth