2021

Good Morning ALL. How are you doing this morning? We are well. Another night where Mr. Alvin was up and down. I think it may be his arthritis. Poor guy. He has pain meds when he needs them and of course takes glucosamine daily. Which I need to go and pick up more this week. Starting to snow about 4:30 this morning, just lightly.

Last night I was thinking:

“What have we learned in 2020”

Patience

To be more patient

Not to take family and friends for granted

To be grateful at all times

That grocery shopping is a good outing

That we gave Nature a deep breath and that they would like more

To be good to nature in 2021

All creatures are important to our planet

To be responsible

To be compassionate

It is okay for women to go without makeup (who makes these rules anyway)

We no longer need heels

To Live simply

We do not need so much “stuff”

Have an organized house and workspace is important

Yes, you can do anything you put your mind to

Technology

Learning things

To laugh more

Taking care of our Mental Health

Going for a walk

Being in Nature

Exercise is important for body, mind and soul

Getting up from your desk (home) or at the office and moving about

To dance even if someone is looking

Smile even if you are alone

Call, text or email those you love or even those you do not

Keep in contact

Snuggle with your dog, cat and children more

Play board games

Appreciate just being quiet

Masks are mandatory to wear in a bank now

How to bake break and a good banana loaf

That stretchy pants and sweats are okay for everyday wear

On that note, I have to go and get to work in a few minutes.

I guess I/We have learned a lot in 2020.

Living with kindness, respect, compassion and learning to be more patient everyday.

Always, Carol & Alvin

December 31, 2020 – last day

Good Morning ALL. Can you believe it? The very last day and down to last hours of 2020. 2020 came in with all of the promise and hope that a New Year could bring and is leaving us with thoughts of promise and hope that 2021 will bring. So we will start and end with the same dreams for the New Year although the in between could never have been predicted. This year has been the same and different for so many of us. I cannot compare my year to that of my friend who lives down the street and works in the healthcare field. We both have had much different experiences this past year. She has faced all of the stresses and anxieties that came with COVID19 and the Pandemic as she continued to work. Me on the other hand, when our employer announced that we would be closing our doors to the public on March 16, 2020, and start the process of having staff work from home, I had mixed feelings but mostly I was overjoyed. On March 19, 2020 I was sent home with my coworkers with a laptop and whatever supplies we required to work from home. Later that afternoon I was set up and March 20, 2020 I was working from home. In the beginning there were definitely some stressful times but over the last nine months I have smoothed out the kinks and working from home has certainly been a godsend. Of course, there are moments of stress, but that is inevitable, as my job can most certainly be stressful at times. But I no longer have to spend a minimum of 1.5 hours travelling to and from work. There are no worries about leaving a senior dog, my Alvin home alone for such a long period of time. We have figured out a few things over time and one being that we will need to go to the office for one day per month as we have some large print jobs where the documents need to be prepared to be mailed. I can handle one day each month. Of course, this may change over time. My friend down the street lost her beloved pup Abi in February and in July brought baby Bailey home. Having a puppy at any time is a lot of work and with the stresses of working during a pandemic has been difficult for our friend. We have kept in touch with porch / sidewalk visits, texts and video chats. We live only a few doors apart and yet our lives that were so similar are so different this year. She was not able to spend Christmas with her sister and brother-in-law who are expecting early in the New YEAR nor her parents. Her parents are in her sister’s pod as she is expecting. I on the other hand was so blessed to be able to spend Christmas with my daughter and son-in-law and pups. In January my friend will be hosting a “virtual baby shower” for her sister. So many firsts this year. This is a reminder that I must check out the registry and chose a gift for the new baby. I always love to buy books for little ones, cannot go wrong with books.

I am grateful that we have the technology to see family and friends. This is the time to use this technology so that no one is alone. Take a few minutes and reach out to family and friends. We are blessed to have the technology to physically see each other.

So as we wrap up this YEAR, I have mixed feelings. I would say for the most part I have positive feelings. Working from home was always a dream, a thought that I had but never thought would come to fruition. I missed spending time with my sister and brothers in August. My daughter and I did not take our annual girls road trip in August. Since March, I have mainly seen my friends from the doorway although we did have a few visits. Our girls Annual Christmas party was done virtually. I never thought that I would not enter a store for several months. From March until August, all of my groceries were picked up by my friends and my daughter. I have since that time been to the store a grand total of 6 times, been to the vet numerous times, to Shoppers once to mail Christmas cards and parcels on November 20, and to the Optometrist twice since August. I will say that the handful of times that I have entered a grocery store have been anxiety ridden for me. For the past month or so I have not been to the grocery store although I was to the Bone & Biscuit on December 11th, to pick up gifts for the fur babies including Alvin. I have been to the office three times, twice in September and once in November. Most of my time has been spent at home or going for walks. Thankfully we are able to go outside. As the time passes, I think that the only way that we can stop this virus is to follow the protocols set out by the Health Care Professionals and Government Leaders. While it is not ideal as we are social creatures, it is imperative to follow the rules. Wear masks when in public, wash your hands, stay home when you can and social distance. I will say that trips to the Vet are different now. The last time Alvin went I was not allowed to be with him, I sat with my mask on in one of the exam rooms while they took him to the back exam room. The Optometrist was definitely different. Two visits one for the exam and the other to pick up frames. They as the Vet only book one appointment per hour. Better to be safe.

Perhaps if we would have taken more precautions sooner and taken this more seriously – we would be in a better place, I don’t know. Going forward we must do what is right for everyone. This is not the time to be selfish. We do want to see our family and friends in the New Year.

The sun is up although it appears to be cloudy. This is the last day of 2020. I hope that 2021 brings us hope and promise. I know that it will take months and likely most of this next year before the vast population can be vaccinated and at this point we do not know if that is the complete answer or not but I remain positive that the scientists will figure it out and we will end 2021 in a better place. To all of those folks who lost loved ones this year, I keep you in my heart and hope that your memories will help to bring you comfort. To all those families who lost beloved pets, I keep you in my heart and hope that memories of them will bring you comfort.

May the New Year be filled with hope and promise. May you find your way through this next year with faith, hope and grace. Continue to be kind and respectful and compassionate to all others. We need each other even more now than ever.

Thank you for taking your precious time to read my words, this post. I appreciate your time.

So from our home to yours, Alvin and I want to wish you and your family a Happy New Year.

Always, Carol & Alvin

Second Half of the NEW YEAR – last quarter.

Good Morning ALL. How are you today? I cannot believe it is once again Monday morning. Usually at this time I am working but today is my late start so I am slowly getting up and at things. We were up at 3:00 and 5:15 and then to stay up at 8:09 a.m. What a crazy schedule if you want to call it that. Alvin had to go outside at 3:00 and I gave him one of his glucosamine chews, then we hit the sofa for some more sleep and then he was ready to eat at 5:15. Likely it is not such a good idea for him to eat and then for us to lay down but that is what has been happening now that I am working from home. He has the early time engrained now in his DNA and there is no way that is going to change after 10 years of us getting up between 4:45 – 5:30 to start the day. What a guy he is. Yesterday in the late morning one of my coworkers stopped by to get her tea order and we had a nice visit catching up with all the latest news. She had made a few dates with friends and family and was making the circle as she put it. What a great idea. After the visit and I was done a few household chores, we went for a walk. The walk ended up being only half way ….. he just stopped at one point and I said “Which way?” and he turned and headed for home. Once home I got things ready for his haircut and spent the next couple of hours grooming the Alvin and then a bath. He truly does not appreciate either a haircut or a bath. Poor little guy. This time I had none of his biscuits to treat him with. We spent the rest of the day, Sunday in quiet retreat other than cooking supper. I actually sat down and watched two movies “Must Love Dogs” and “A Dog’s Purpose.” Not quite sure of my Sunday night movie choices. I love these movies and have seen both of them but not for a long time. While Alvin laid sleeping beside me, I sobbed and giggled for a few hours. Especially during the second movie. I will say this, during this past year so many of my friends and family have lost their beloved four-legged family members, and a bit of my heart has gone with each one. I know that when it is time for Alvin to leave me, to leave us, I will be heartbroken and devastated. It has been just the two of us, well for ten years thus far, and I am hoping that for many more but we never know what life will bring us. In fact, it could be me that goes first. No one knows what the future will bring. But I will not dwell on this any further as life starts and life ends. We do have some control but at the end of the day, when it is our time to leave this place, it is our time to go. All we can do is to make the very best of the time that we have here and now.

So now it is much later and the sun is up. The horizon is filled with beautiful hues or oranges and pinks filtering up into the blue. So pretty. How can one not love and admire the sunrise? Appears to be no wind this morning so that is nice.

I was thinking about 2020, the year of COVID 19, the year of a global pandemic, and how this has been such an unexpected blessing for me. I never would have thought in a million years that I would be doing this job from home and actually quite easily. That I would no longer commute to and from the office …. no more early morning chats with the girl that I carpooled with or coffee from the machine at the office ….. or chats with coworkers or shopping …. or any of it, really. I seldom go anywhere except for monthly visits with my friends or once a month to the office and walks with Alvin and to the vet. Of course, I see my daughter from time to time (and today is one of those times). Most of my time is now spent at home. I will say that over the past few months, there have been incredible low points but I am slowly figuring this all out, separating home from work. Which by the way, truly has a new meaning now. I am grateful that I am able to spend this time with Alvin. I cannot imagine him without me being home all of the time now. He likely cannot imagine me not here either. I will say that I DO NOT take anything for granted these days. Nothing. I am more than grateful for my health, for Alvin’s health and for the good health of all my family and friends.

Of course, this virus has changed the landscape of how we work, how we socialize and how we live our lives. Not to be taken lightly is the loss of human life. My heart goes out to all those families who have lost loved ones during this past year. I also think about all those older folks who are left alone and separated from their families due to this horrible virus. I cannot even imagine being cooped up alone in my room all day, perhaps not being able to hear or to see. I cannot imagine. If we look after ourselves and make sure that we are doing what the medical professionals are instructing us to do, then at the end of the day, we are helping those seniors and all others and ourselves.

Time to go now and have a shower. Wash away the night and freshen this mop on my head called hair and get this day going.

May you be blessed with good health, the financial means to live your life and that you are able to share laughter with loved ones every day.

Take Care, Happy Monday.

I will continue to live my life with kindness and respect for all others.

As Always, Carol & Alvin

Second Half of the NEW YEAR – last quarter

Good Morning All. As we quickly seem to be moving toward the final countdown for 2020, we will remember what a YEAR! There are so many adjectives and likely a few verbs and adverbs to describe this year but in this moment, that is all I have “what a YEAR!” As numbers of COVID 19 seem to be on the rise in many countries all over the planet, I wonder as do likely millions of its’ citizens what will happen in 2021? Will it be better or will it be worse? I tend to lie on the positive side of the fence and I think although it may take some time initially but 2021 will be the breakthrough year. We will finally come together, yes even the U.S. and we will figure this COVID 19 out. It will slowly disappear from our rearview mirrors and we will be on our way. I do hope however that we may have learned as a planet just what can happen and if we join together sharing information that quite possibly maybe even in my lifetime, we will become a peaceful planet working together for every cause and situation.

Well outside Mother Nature once again has decided to let it snow. Yesterday while I was working away in the kitchen I heard something loud banging against the windows and looked up and out to see almost hail like not quite coming down in the bucketfuls. Tiny little snowballs? Lasting quite a while and finally turning into regular snowflakes. Overnight and now it is snowing big fluffy flakes. Beautiful but just means more shovelling. I shovelled the front for both sides of our house after work and the deck. I did not make it out to the driveway. I also took my first and hopefully last slip as I was shovelling my neighbour’s front walk. I was thrown “kind of off balance” as her Mom arrived with coffee and I had only started shovelling and went ahead of her to shovel and then wasn’t paying attention and went down. Nothing hurt not even my pride. Cause it happens. I do find that it takes a bit of effort to get back up. That could have to do with the extra weight and being 63. So that means I should be lifting some weights. Building my arm muscles up, perhaps. Food for thought. Two days in a row no walks for Alvin. Supposed to be colder today. Time will tell. If it stops snowing and is milder, we will go at noon.

Well I truly hit the snooze until 7:00 a.m. and it is now 7:42 a.m. and I start work at 8:00 a.m. – have to go. I have poop to pick up before I have to play “search and rescue” to find it and plug in my coffee.

I hope that you are doing great. Having some laughs and relaxing. A bit of exercise. Chatting with friends and loved ones. Remembering all the while to be kind and respectful. I reminded myself of the same as I was perhaps a bit harsh with a couple of clients yesterday on the phone. Not bad but just not as I should have been.

Always, Carol & Alvin

Second Half of the NEW YEAR.

Good Morning and Welcome to Thursday, September 17, 2020.

Over half way through September and fast approaching the first day of fall.

Just googled to see what day that is …. the winner is:  Tuesday, September 22, 2020.

I love FALL.

We certainly are seeing the beginning of fall already here where I live.

The trees are beginning to change colour and drop their leaves.

Even though we have not had frost most of the flowers are beginning to say “goodbye.”

I have already trimmed my front flower bed as the plants / flowers really did not do well this year.

I am not quite sure why.

Most of my flowers in pots on the deck are still doing okay.

I will leave them as long as possible.

Usually I am chipping away at the plants as they are still looking good till the frost.

Time will tell.

The weather forecast is good for the next while.

The sky is clear this morning.

Life is good.

Mr. Alvin was sitting in the hallway “whining.”

For what reason, I am not sure.

So I will make this short.

 

We did enjoy a visit with our friend Pauline last night after work.

As we were walking by we noticed her working in the yard.

Her yard is our sanctuary and it is so relaxing and peaceful.

We love to see her and be in their yard surrounded by flowers.

 

I am most grateful for this day and every day.

I think and pray and feel for our neighbours to the south.

I wish the fires would just go out.

Keep them in our thoughts and prayers.

 

I wish you the most exquisite day.

May you enjoy some time outside in nature.

Go for a walk.

Take Care and Be Safe.

 

Living with Kindness and Respect for ALL,

I/We shall remain,

As Always, Carol & Alvin

 

P.S. have you ever clicked OK to some changes to agreement for something on the computer?  Yup, I did in my haste. Just on WORD.PRESS so hopefully all is well and I didn’t agree to pay them a million dollars or something crazy like that….. be careful.

Second Half of the NEW YEAR.

Wow, can you believe it …. September 1st, 2020 today.

Happy to see the sun shining but there is a breeze once again.

Crazy to think that we are entering the ninth month of the year.

This has been such a year of unimaginable events, tragedy and change.

Who would have thought back in January or February that come September we would have spent the majority of the year working from home.

I have wished and hoped for a very long time that I would be able to work from home.

But never in a million billion years did I think that I would be doing this job from home.

Never, ever.

For that I am truly grateful.

Thank you Universe.

 

While a good portion of the working population were able to work from home many others were laid off.

Businesses closed their doors never to reopen.

Some people had to work despite the dangers to their health and wellbeing.

Those are the people who work in hospitals, fire and police, grocery stores and pharmacies, plumbers, electricians and HVAC.

Businesses that were/are deemed essential services.

It has been a long road for them with no real end in sight.

Schools closed down and children stayed at home with some doing online studies.

Many people worldwide have lost their lives to this pandemic.

Our lives may never be the same.

While schools are beginning to reopen and some folks are heading back to work; it is different.

We will be wearing masks when in public.

We will continue to wash our hands frequently and sanitize our work stations, doors, handles of cupboards etc and our hands and perhaps most importantly social distance.

I think that is most important.

 

So many people are ordering everyday goods online that we are seeing more and more delivery services in our neighbourhoods.

Some businesses are running out of products or the processes have slowed down.

I know that both the NORWEX and Steeped Tea products that I have ordered did not take the usual week to be delivered.

Anywhere between 2-6 weeks for delivery is the norm unless you have ordered groceries or from Amazon.

Our lives have changed and I think forever.

We will look at how we do things much differently than we did in 2019.

Going forward I think that we will make much better decisions than we did in the past.

Or at least I hope so.

 

Well it is now time to head downstairs, grab my coffee and get signed onto the computer for work.

I have so much to do and hopefully will have an extra productive day.

 

I wish you a great day.

Be safe and take care.

Be kind and respectful.

 

I/We shall remain,

As Always, Carol & Alvin

 

 

 

 

It is a NEW YEAR.

Wow, June 30th today, how did that happen?

Tomorrow will be the first day of the second half of this year.

Also tomorrow is July 1st, CANADA DAY.

The celebrations will be much different from other years but that is okay.

There does not always have to be such pomp and circumstance.

We can celebrate in smaller groups or just by ourselves.

Alvin and I usually watch someone of the televised celebrations followed by the fireworks in the neighbourhood.

 

Speaking of Alvin, I gave him a pain pill as soon as I got home from the vet yesterday morning.

It seemed to help or at least take the edge off which is great.

As the weather is still raining – I would think he may need one today but will see.

There were seven pills in the prescription and now there are six.

So will give them just when he appears to need them.

 

We had quite the start earlier this morning.

Alvin and I were outside in the backyard.

I looked up and saw this wet gold coloured cat on the top of the fence.

Immediately I thought of Humphrey and said “Humphrey” and his Mom came out right away.

Not Humphrey,  I realized that right after I said his name.

I recognized the gold cat with “four” legs from a few days ago.

He or She had been underneath a car and when we walked by …. of course Alvin had his scent.

So the cat came out and followed us.

Alvin likes cats so he was not startled by the cat.

The cat followed us down the street.

My neighbour thinks it belongs to a lady and her son down the street.

I think the poor cat is trying to find his home.

The cat took off when my neighbour came out and Humphrey was on the grass and ran after.

 

Alvin just barked.

Guess he needs something.

Anyway almost time to start work.

Yup, I kept setting the microwave timer for a few more minutes.

 

Okay, time to get this show on the road.

It has been raining since 5:30 a.m. this morning.

The grass is so nice and green.

My favourite shade of green.

The air smells fresh.

 

Wishing you a day filled with kindness and respect.

I only wished that everyone on the planet was surrounded with kindness and respect.

That would be perfection.

It is a NEW YEAR.

Good Morning and Welcome to Wednesday, April 29, 2020.

Second last day of April.

Can you believe it?

Today is a great day for many reasons.

My kitchen tap is getting fixed today.

Hip Hip Hooray.

So excited.

My daughter is popping by for a visit and lunch.

No hugging, I know.

Keeping the proper distance, we shall.

One of my friends is picking me up some light bulbs.

Then there shall be light.

So a great day.

I was lazy as we were first up just before 4 p.m.

Then up a couple of times afterward until up at 6:30 a.m.

Which is super late for us.

So running a bit late.

In this case, I am going to share some cheery photos.

Who does not like green, flowers and pets? and perhaps some geese?

I apologize.

Sometimes you just need that extra bit of zzz’s.

 

Greens, anyone?

Two friends just looking out of the window

Mr. Dave, gone but not forgotten.

A true gent.

Penny, Alvin and Elton.

Always looking for a bit to eat, a treat.

Miss Penny and Sir Elton gone to heaven.

Our little angels.

Two of my favourites: Mr. Alvin and Flowers.

Who does not like pretty colours dancing on the wall.

Ah, Mama’s boy…….isn’t he cute!!!

 

Well time to fly downstairs and grab my coffee.

Then to work.

I have a meeting this morning and lots of work to do.

This afternoon I am off as my kitchen tap is getting fixed.

So happy about that.

A visitor, too.

Great day.

Bit of work and a bit of play.

 

Wishing you days filled with kindness and respect,

I/We remain,

As Always, Carol & MR. Alvin

 

 

 

 

It is a NEW YEAR.

Good Morning, 2020 has certainly turned into a year that no one unexpected.

Alvin had me up every couple of hours last night so I am feeling tired and grumpy.

Trying to turn those feelings into energy and positivity.

We were at the VET yesterday for his regular nail trim and anal gland expressing (gross, I know).

Our Vet is closing on Saturdays now as she is down from a handful of staff to two.

They hope to remain open Monday through Friday but if they get run down or become sick that all changes.

Or even a member of their household.

That scares me more than anything not having Alvin’s Doctor available.

 

Thursday was my first full day of working from home and it was productive and good.

Friday was not.

Too much information.

Too many emails with updates from government.

A video from our CEO.

Information for our clients.

Emails regarding our workspace from home.

What to do with this and what to do with that.

So much too read and then work on top of it all.

I think all of that was too much for me yesterday.

 

Yes, I am feeling that I am not a computer person so that does not help.

I have a MAC and we are working on a WINDOWS based laptop.

 

We did go for a walk yesterday at lunchtime so that was nice.

Also walked to the vet after work.

Alvin’s friend Teddy came for a unplanned visit.

 

Now Alvin is resting on his blanket beside me, argh.

What a guy.

 

Well enough of blah, blah, blah.

We are all in this together.

I am just going to do what I can do.

 

I hope that you are well.

That you are not having too many overwhelming feelings.

Please reach out to others when you are able to.

I am so grateful to my family and friends for taking such great care of me and Alvin.

Walking is a good thing.

If you are able ….. get out out of the house.

Go for a walk.

Do the “social distancing.”

A new phrase for me and for most, I suspect.

Remember Kindness and Respect.

If you are overwhelmed at time, like me.

Sit down, close your eyes and visualize your happy place or someone that brings joy to your heart.

Stay away from SOCIAL MEDIA for a day.

Watch a movie no NEWS for a day.

We will get through this in time.

I know we will.

Be safe and in good health.

 

Always, Carol & Alvin

 

 

 

It is a NEW YEAR.

Okay MARCH 1st, 2020.

The sun is shining and I can only assume that somewhere the birds are singing.

So happy to see the sunshine this morning.

Yesterday was a gloomy gray snowy day.

I did manage to clear some of the ice pond that had taken “temporary” residence out front of our home.

Today is doing some odd chores around the house.

I have to get the basement in order or at least start.

We will try to go for a walk today and did not manage to get out yesterday.

With the snow covering the ice in many spots – just way too dangerous for us “older type” folks.

My friend who came to do the jewelry party last night is just recovering from a bad fall at work on the ice.

She fractured her elbow in two places, injured but did not break her shoulder, and had a concussion.

That was at the end of January and she is just back to the jewelry business and her job as a nurse.

She has a family so it was hard to do things with her injuries.

I should clarify that she was not at her job as a nurse or selling jewelry.

She has a teenager and a smaller child.

The teenager helped with the little one.

Her husband just started a new job so lots going on with her.

I was a bit disappointed that no one was able to come to the party but we had a great time, visiting and looking at jewelry.

I do love jewelry for sure.

I purchased some bangles and earrings.

So excited to wear them.

 

As I look out of the office window the snow on the garage roof is glistening, sparkling in the sunlight.

So beautiful …. just like a billion diamonds or crystals.

 

Well my friends.

Off to get dressed and have COFFEE and breakfast.

WE were up past 11:00 p.m. last night which is very late for me and Alvin.

Up at 4:30 briefly and then up at 7:00 to stay up.

Already finished a letter and birthday card to my Aunt.

My Dad’s only sister.

I started them yesterday but want to mail today so it stands a chance to make it to her by her birthday.

It will be close.

 

I hope that you have a splendid Sunday.

Filled with relaxation time, lots of laughter, good food and good company.

Happy Days ahead.

Be Kind and Respectful to yourself and to all others.

 

Always, Carol & Alvin