Last Days 2022 – December 31st.

Good Morning ALL! Well we have had a last twenty-four hours. Yesterday was quiet until it was not. I did some laundry, bit of cleaning, Alvin and I walked to the park and I shovelled the neighbours garage pad and driveway for them. The sun did shine for part of the day and it is shining brightly this morning. While Alvin and I were walking one of our friends (neighbour) was driving by and pulled over and we chatted for a couple of minutes from across the street. It had been months since I had seen her. We both said that we had a card and gift for each other. I asked her to let me know when I could pop by with her gift. She said that she would. After we got home, I decided to text two other friends that I had cards and gifts for to see when I could bring them by. Time just had seemed to got away on me this holiday season. It was cold and then Alvin was gone for three weeks and then it was cold again. So I did not get out to do much walking. Anyway, I heard back from one of the two and later in the afternoon, went over to drop off the gift. One hour and a few minutes later, I was heading back home. We chatted for over an hour. So much seemed to have happened and she wanted to tell me, so I listened. Sometimes people just need to share and sometimes we just need to listen. I did add my stories in here and there. I had mentioned that I had not seen our other friend until I saw her when we were out earlier for a walk. She seemed to be surprised by that revelation, and when I asked why, she did not want to answer so I left it at that knowing that I would see the other friend later. It was almost 5:00 p.m. when I got home to find a box on my front porch, I picked up the box and went inside. Alvin was wanting his supper so I fed him, and then popped a black bean burger into the oven. I realized that it was my new computer which had been delivered a few days early. That almost never happens so I unpacked my new pick iMac computer. A few minutes later I checked texts and messages and found one from the friend that I had seen driving earlier and she said “come over.” So I quickly texted her back to say that I could come but had supper in the oven so could only stay for a few minutes. When I arrived at her house (only a few door away), the friend that I had visited with earlier was there. I almost jumped out of my body. Not sure why I was surprised but I was. Nothing could have prepared me for the news. Our friend has breast cancer. She had a second surgery just last week and is waiting for the pathology results. I felt like I was having an out of body experience. We chatted and finally I had to go before my supper burned (no one wants to cause a fire). In between the news – we exchanged Christmas presents which seemed so surreal. Last night was odd. I could not get my friend out of my mind. I pray that they were able to get all of the cancer with the second surgery. Life. We never know.

I was going to post photos of this past year and a summary of what happened in our house. Maybe some wise words or thoughts. But now it does not seem appropriate. I know the stats of cancer, of breast cancer so I should not be surprised that I would know someone. Keeping positive thoughts for a full recovery for her, for my friend.

Instead, I will just say that it is a reminder to us all to listen to our “intuition” and go for checkups. Get those mammograms done, I will be making an appointment in the New Year. If we do not look after ourselves – no one else can.

Happy New YEAR, cannot believe it will be 2023 at 12:01 tonight. Where has the time gone. I am excited to set up my new computer but for now, I need a cup of coffee. Oh, this morning, earlier when we had come back upstairs, I had just opened the blinds in our bedroom to see one police car turn up the street, then a second and then a third. My heart went into my socks. What the heck? They stopped up the street and got out. Twenty minutes later they left. I hope that everything is okay. Seems like there is always a police car or two up the street and around the corner.

I am happy that Alvin and I are in good health at this time. I am grateful for the sunshine this morning. I am grateful for our family, friends, this house – our home, to be financial “secure,” and my life. We are very blessed. I am grateful for that. Many blessings.

Continuing to live this life, this coming New Year with kindness, respect, compassion, patience, love, laughter, understanding, gratitude, focus, possibilities and coffee.

Always, Carol & Alvin

P.S. hoping to be able to set up my new computer after some coffee ……….

Last Days 2022 – December 30th

Good Morning ALL! We had a great sleep so why I am still tired? Last night I was home and we were in bed by just after 11:00 p.m. and up at 6:30 a.m. I gave Mr. Alvin his glucosamine chew followed by his breakfast, he had a drink of water and then went outside. It was me who was up twice last night having to go pee, okay I will just say it. Why do we think bodily functions that every living creature on this planet does in some way shape or form? No idea. I guess people think it is gross. Once you have a baby or have a pet – all that goes to the wayside. Cleaning up after them is not pretty. You can be chewing on a mouth full of something and then have to go outside with your dog and pick up poop and it is okay. Not that I do that on a regular basis but I have found myself in that situation. Part of life. So we must get over it. As you know, I say the words “poop” and “pee” quite often and why at age 65 would I stop now. LOL. Anyway we are up and I am dressed with my eyebrows on writing this post.

Last night I was invited over to our friends Norbert & Irene’s house for a visit. This was my first real visit since the loss of their son in November. I had previously stopped by to give my sympathies, to drop off an arrangement, to drop off a card and Christmas baking but not long enough to take off my winter boots, and stay awhile. They are doing incredibly well and I am not sure how I would be in their position. We did speak about their son, Darcy throughout the evening. I let the conversation go where it needed to be. We chatted about so many things including Darcy and the accident leading to his passing. There was a Chinese checker game board out so I knew at some point we would be playing games. After much conversation, Irene asked if I would like to have a game of checkers and I said “yes.” I do not remember the last time that I had played this particular game but it did not take long to figure it out although I am not very good at it. Irene won every round we played. Next she brought out a mind teaser game which was interesting followed by another game which I knew “Connect Four.” I love that game. Cannot remember the last time that I played that game, oh yes, I do now. It was at a games day that we had a work a few years ago. Connect Four was one of the games that we played. Irene still won most of the games (she said that she likes to win and she wins) but I managed to score a win here and there. We kept saying “one more game.” Then it was nearing 11:00 p.m. and I knew that Mr. Alvin would wonder where the heck I was and likely needed to go pee. We said our goodnights with Irene handing me a package which contained a thank you card, a copy of the Eulogy, copy of newspaper clipping, the card from the funeral for their son Darcy. I graciously accepted and was on my way.

The once brightly lit bushes were dark as I left their house. They have their lights on timers. The lights were so beautiful when I approached the house. I forgot to mention that in the previous paragraph, I guess I could have added it but why? This is when I thought of it. LOL. The air was filled with fog as I walked the two minute walk home. Very eerie but the air was warm.

When I arrived home Mr. Alvin had been laying on his bed near the window. I deliberately placed it so he could see outside. Happy to see me, he did let me know that I should have been home with him. I pulled off my boots and we walked to the back door so I could let him outside to pee. Yup, he had to pee. A few minutes later we were upstairs and I was getting ready for bed. A great night.

Earlier in the day – I gave Mr. Alvin a haircut and bath followed by a shower for me. His hair clings to my clothing like flies to honey. He looks oh so handsome.

Well on the agenda for today. Do some laundry. A bit of cleaning. Go for a walk. Shovel the neighbour’s driveway. Relax. COFFEE, oh yes, I need to make some coffee.

Well it is time to head back downstairs. The sky looks so amazing with the sun trying to peek through the fog with the frosted tipped trees lining the horizon with the white tops of the houses and garages. That is the view from my office window. Amazing.

Have an awesome day. I guess tomorrow is New Year’s Eve. No real plans but will have to figure out what my post will be so that I have some kind of idea. Maybe some photo highlights of 2022. It has been quite the year for most of us, actually all of us.

Continuing to live this life with kindness, respect, compassion, patience, love, laughter, understanding, patience, understanding, gratitude, focus and possibilities.

Have an awesome Friday.

Always, Carol & Alvin

Last Days 2022 – December 29th

Good Morning ALL! How are you this morning? I would say that I am okay, we are okay. Not sure why but Mr. Alvin was up basically every two hours last night. He did have to pee when we first were up at 12:30, then at 2:30 (just up), then 3:00 (gave him his glucosamine chew), then I don’t remember if it was 4:00 or 5:00 then it was 6:15; needless to say we were not up to stay up until 9:15 a.m. I hope that we get our schedule worked out before next week. Working with such disruptive sleep is not much fun and I can say that from experience. Fingers crossed.

We had a quiet day. My daughter ordered a new iMac from Costco for me. It is to be delivered on next Tuesday. I also placed an order to Ricki’s for some new items. There is no way on this planet that I would pay their ticketed prices so with a massive sale; it was the perfect time to pick up a few things. I am very excited to have a new computer. This computer has served me well. She has been here with me for the past 13 years, I purchased her the summer after I moved to Edmonton. The poor girl is no longer able to take updates but that is okay. She is able to do what I need for the most part. A new computer is a huge deal. This will be my third iMac or is it the 4th? Oh my, now I am not sure. I do think it is the third one though. LOL.

Alvin and I went for a short walk yesterday. I had planned to walk at least to the park but not Alvin. So grateful for this nice weather. There appears to be clear skies developing on the horizon. Sunshine would be wonderful as it has been cloudy here for the past few days. I did some shovelling yesterday. Yes, I also went and paid for my eyeglasses and they should be here in a couple of weeks which is about the same time as I go back for another eye pressure test. Hopefully it has gone back to normal. I was reading that coffee is not good for high eye pressure. I also went to Shoppers and cashed in my “winning” lotto tickets/scratch tickets from Christmas for the grand total of $44.00 and a freeplay on the Lotto 649. YAY, me.

In a little while, I will give Mr. Alvin a haircut and bath.

Christmas Eve 2022 hanging out with Alvin, Aspen and Mi-Mi (aren’t they adorable). Alvin was snooping under the tree looking for his gifts to open.

Alvin looking for his presents

I will post more Christmas photos tomorrow.

We hope that you have a great Thursday. Tonight, I am invited to a neighbours home for a visit.

Fingers crossed that Alvin’s haircut goes well.

Continuing to live this life with kindness, respect, compassion, patience, love, laughter, understanding, gratitude, focus, possibilities and coffee.

Always, Carol & Alvin

Last Days 2022 – December 28th

Good Morning ALL! Well Mr. Alvin was up and down all last night. So we slept in until just a few minutes ago. The phone rang at 9:00 and it was my Optometrist’s Office. They left a message as I did not get to the phone fast enough. Jennifer was calling to let me know that they processed my insurance towards my new glasses and that the balance was XXX amount. Two years ago when I went for my eye checkup I had gone on the 11th of December but for some reason had gone back again on the 28th therefore my insurance used the 28th as the date for payment of insurance. Anyway, does not matter but at this appointment they were not able to process my insurance benefits until today which they did and were calling me to give me the news and the final balance. In the message Jennifer said “cute message” which was my Christmas message. A reminder to change that sooner than later. I called and spoke to Jennifer and mentioned that the balance did not seem like it included my sunglass clips, she checked and said you are correct, it did not. She recalculated the total and gave me the amount less the insurance. I said that I would be over this morning to pay the balance owing. After this post, I will be walking over to their office which is a few blocks away. Not too far.

Well yesterday I decided to take down the Christmas Tree and most of our decorations. I left up a few things so it still looks like Christmas. Feels better to have the chair back where it belongs opposite the other chair by the window. Opens it up inside. I love Christmas and all the decorations but it was time for me to put things away. It took the better part of the day to do so. Bye, Christmas 2022 was great.

In the background I was playing Disney+ ….. Snow White & the Seven Dwarfs, Cinderella, 101 Dalmations and other classics. I love those movies. One day I will sit down and watch each one from beginning to end. Last night I watch the Taylor Swift conversation about the album that she put out in 2020. I do not remember the name of it but it was made remote during Covid. Really enjoyed it. Quite the departure from her usual albums which I love. I am a fan of Taylor.

Mr. Alvin needs a haircut and bath. The plan is to do it when I get home from paying for my new glasses. Looks like the sky is brightening so perhaps the sky will clear and it will stop snowing. I called the Vet office to make an appointment for Alvin but no one was there or maybe busy. They may be closed a few extra days, will try again. Alvin needs his nails trimmed and the usual.

I am waiting until I get home to make coffee so I need to go as I NEED some coffee.

Have an awesome day. Wednesday.

Continuing to live this life with kindness, respect, compassion, patience, love, laughter, understanding, gratitude, focus, possibilities and coffee.

Always, Carol & Alvin

P.S. looks like we are back to our normal, lol.