Hello, Blendies, and Happy (or maybe not) Monday to you!

I hope the start of the week finds you well.

I’m starting off this checkin today with the adoption picture of my Mable girl. I will explain to you why soon, but first, I wanted to stop for a moment and thank each and every single one of you who has, and still does, partake in, or has ever hosted, these Daily Check-ins. Not only for being a part of them, and telling us about your day and your workouts--but for the incredible compassion you have all shown Raven in the past week when she has needed it the most. For stepping up for her without question. Each day, every checkin, you honored Cobalt and Raven in your own incredibly thoughtful way. It has completely blown me away with your kindness (not that I ever doubted you. You guys are beyond amazing.) So, thank you.

I also very much want to thank Raven. You have done so much for me, for these checkins, that ‘thank you’ doesn’t begin to cover it. And I can only imagine you are going through hell right now, Raven. Losing Cobalt like that is….well, even ’horrible’ doesn’t seem to do it justice. I am so, so sorry.

I wanted to share something with you, and it starts with this adoption picture of Mable. As some of you may know, before I got both my Mable and Alphie pups, I was down to two: my twins, Bailey and Maisy. We had lost their baby brother, Tango, to cancer last July when he was just 15 months old. We had already planned on getting Alphie even before Tango got sick. We had wanted to get another younger pup to keep up with Tango as the girls got older and couldn’t play the way they used to. But life is cruel, and that all changed.

Fast forward several months, and Alphie was still happening. He was gonna come home with us no matter what. One day, however, I happened to see this picture. This beautiful, sad, little girl whose picture made me cry instantly. She has Tango eyes. They look just like his.

Despite that, I seriously doubted that I could handle having four dogs. I’ve almost always had 3, and that felt right. So: an adoptee, plus a puppy, plus my twins? I was pretty sure I didn’t have it in me to do it.

But you know what changed my mind?

Raven and Cobalt.

No joke. I thought of Raven, who’d never had a dog before, who adopted Cobalt, who needed help. She adopted Cobalt, and worked with him, without question. You could tell from his pictures how well he had responded to her kindness and patience. You could tell that he loved her as much as she loved him.

And if Raven could help Cobalt (plus Copper, Curium, and her feline elements too), then I could take care of 4.

So, Raven, if you are reading this, Cobalt is the reason Mable has a home. Cobalt is the reason Mable is unconditionally loved, and will always be. Every time I look at Mable now, I think of Cobalt. His memory will stay alive with us forever.

I don’t know if this helps you at all, Raven--but I know for myself, I found it hurt(s) more when people didn’t want to speak of Tango. Like they shied away from it. Our situations are much different, but to me, it was more difficult when they didn’t want bring him up at all. So, if this causes you more pain to speak of Cobalt: I’m so sorry. But I just wanted you to know that Cobalt mattered to a lot of people. I know he left a lasting mark on you and your family—and he left one on ours too.

I just wanted you to know that.

And with that said: we’ll now get back to our regularly scheduled checkin.

I’m afraid you’ll all be stuck with me for the weekday checkins for a while. For as long as Raven needs. We’ll keep having alternating weekend (g)hosts as per usual.

Thank you to Alexi for hosting this past weekend—you did a fantastic job! I think this upcoming weekend we have either Shabnam or Lea in the ghosting pool? Let me know if either one of you still wants, or is able to, host the weekend! I appreciate it!

So, my awesome, Blendies, how was your weekend? Relaxing?

Busy? Somewhere in the middle? For the American Blenders: did you partake in any Super Bowl activities on Sunday?

We watched the game (as awful as it was), and had some snacky things, but that’s about it.

Now, let’s talk about them workouts! What’s happening in the world of workouts on this Monday, Blendfriends? Is it a HIIT it hard kinda day? Or maybe a softer, stretchier kinda day?

I’m thinking it’s a good day for an upper body routine today. (It’s always a good day for upper body work, it my book.) I’m going to go with my tried-and-true favorite: https://www.fitnessblender.com/videos/upper-body-strength-workout-guaranteed-muscle-burnout

And what’s happenin on the menu side of things, Blendies? Any fun, exciting, delicious noms going on today?

I don’t have anything particularly interesting planned. Might just be a raid-the-fridge kinda night!

Well, I think I’ve said more than my fair share today.

I hope you all have a great day, enjoy your workouts (and/or rest), and take care of yourselves, Blendfriends!

(P.S. We love you, Raven.)

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***Note: These Daily Check-in posts are open to anyone and everyone who wishes to participate! All are welcome here! These check-ins are a way to stay motivated, accountable, and be supported as we all try to be our healthiest selves. Feel free to pop in and say 'hi' anytime, and post as much or as little as you wish! No prerequisites here! Feel free to add photos if you want as well! Whether you need advice about working out/eating well/life in general, just want to comment, or maybe need support during a hardship--we're here for you! So: Welcome to the FB Family, and to the Daily Check-ins! We appreciate you being here!***