Good Morning ALL! I hope that this finds you well. Yesterday was definitely different. First day going to work without Alvin in the house. Leaving the house felt strange as I said to him – I love you Alvin and I will see you after work, habit. The house was dark as I turned the key in the lock. As I walked to the car, I turned to the living room windows where I had always waved to Alvin who would be sitting on the sofa looking out watching me as I left for work. When I got into the car, Michelle was crying as she remembered how he would look out the window at me as I was leaving. We had some tears on the way to work. Oh my boy, how I miss you. The continuing saga at the office was a temporary reprieve from my new life. I thought of him often as I had also brought one of his favourite toys, his Teddy Bear with me to the office (carefully tucked away in my purse). I felt as though he was beside me all day.
The walk to the house after work felt long as I climbed the steps to the house, the realization that there would not be someone waiting for me on the other side hit me like a ton of bricks. As I turned the key in the door, I still hung onto hope that I would see him as I opened the door and called out to him. But he was not there. I locked the door behind me and stepped into my new reality. Alvin is only a memory now, a recent one but now a memory. One to remain in my memory and in my heart for all time. I will always remember that little guy who brought so much joy and laughter to my life.
We did not have coffee at the office yesterday so I made a pot when I got home from work. By this time, I had a headache from lack of caffeine, I suppose. I took a few minutes to just enjoy the coffee before starting supper as Amanda was coming for a sleepover after work and a dental appointment. She arrived earlier than expected which was wonderful. Supper was a bit later. Tears were shed. It is difficult for her when she steps into the house and Alvin is not there to greet her. No barks of joy. No little fur bundle looking out the window waiting for her to come into the house. It was definitely a difficult moment. We had a good evening. Even a wee bit of laughter.
Time to head downstairs as I have to make a pot of coffee before work as we have none.
I hope that you are safe, warm and have a wonderful Tuesday.
Continuing to live this life with kindness, respect, compassion, patience, love, laughter, understanding, gratitude, focus, possibilities, coffee and forgiveness.
Good Morning ALL! Well today is another day. Alvin is doing okay. There is a bit of change in his poop, less blood but he still has diarrhea. I know not really the kind of thing one wants to see first thing in the morning. I still feel kind of blah but likely due to the up and down during the night. Missing two days is a lot so back to work today. Hopefully things are “quiet.” I am grateful that I can work from home during this time. Between going outside with him to monitor him and giving him medications, one cannot do this from the office and also it would mean having someone stay with him and that is not possible. So I will work from home. Thankfully today is Thursday, it is Thursday, correct? I am totally lost on the days at this time.
Thankfully the weather, the temperatures have been nice as sometimes we are outside for a bit as it takes Alvin time to be done. I am hoping that by tomorrow there is a major difference in his bowel movements, if not we may be going back to the vet. For now, medications and keep an eye on him. Thankfully he is eating and drinking water and his pee is clear.
I am still figuring out this new computer and some of the new updates over the last few years have changed things quite a lot. Hopefully on the weekend I can get things figured out. My daughter is coming for a sleepover tomorrow night. She will help get the external hard drive set up (formatted) so that we can put all of my photos, almost 50,000 of them on the HD. I will be so happy when they are on something that can be easily accessed. YAY.
Hard to believe that today is January 5th, 2023. Almost one week into the New Year.
A reminder of Christmas Eve 2022. Aspen at the window looking out to see where her Mom & Dad are or perhaps at someone out for a walk, I do not quite remember. Alvin and Mi-Mi watching her. The fireplace, the mantel with stockings. We had a great Christmas. A good memory.
Time to head downstairs. Put on the coffee, I need a boost this morning.
Continuing to live this life with kindness, respect, compassion, patience, love, laughter, understanding, gratitude, focus, possibilities and coffee.
Good Morning ALL! As the mornings begin to be progressing cooler and the daytime temperatures slowly start to return to normal (not for today, tomorrow, or Sunday) we breathe a collective sigh of relief. I am not saying that folks do not like warm temperatures but there are hot temps and then there are HOT temps. 30+ celsius is way too hot. Thankfully with the cooler mornings and having had the windows opened last night, it is quite cool in the house this morning and hopefully it will remain comfortable as the day progresses. I have noticed over the past few weeks how our daytime highs seem to be hitting so much later in the day. I wonder why that is? Note to self: google it.
This has been a transition year for so many people as some people are making their way back to their “offices” to their jobs at their place of employment. We have been working from home with the minimum attendance at the office. Our productivity has been off the charts and minimum use of sick days but at the end of the day our management team has decided that they “need” us back in the office. The reasons that we were given are “social” – better to have face to face with other teams and your own teams, training is easier and they want to see us. There has been much debate and many tears as we crumble to the decisions made by others. After coming up to three years of mainly working from home, we would we turn back? As one team member said “why fix something that is not broken.” If it is training that is an issue, staff could go to the office to be trained. I am so filled with emotion over this decision. At first we were told that effective immediately we go to the office “three days a week” and now didn’t that put everyone into a tailspin. How can people get child care and other arrangements in place over a long weekend? Not likely very easily. The decision after some discussion was changed a few times and the end result was one day at the office per week for September, two days per week in October and then transitioning to three days per week come November. I am not quite sure how I am going to be able to manage these changes with Mr. Alvin and his health issues. One day per week and possibly two, I may be able to get a friend to come and check on him at lunch time but that is quite a time commitment and I have not got my head wrapped around this. There are other options but I am not ready for them at this point in my life. They would mean major changes. I have had plenty of major changes over my lifetime. So anyway that is the story. We will be back into being crammed into an area that has very little natural light, packed in like sardines as I like to say (well maybe not quite that close but very close) and the noise level when everyone is back makes it difficult to talk on the phone. Anyway the decision was made and that is that as they say. I am grateful for the time that I have been able to work from home and yes, it would have been perfection to continue until I retire. I guess unfortunately for most of us this is not a perfect world. Not where close.
The back to the office also adds with it, additional costs. Parking/transportation/long commute. Poor Alvin, I worry about him. I worry for all those pets now being left alone once again. Did you know that they will not drink or very little if they cannot go outside to pee? Or there will be accidents. I wish in hindsight that I had known to train him to pee on pads, then some of the stress would have been relieved.
Well time to head outside for a walk. I am only working this morning as Mr. Alvin has another vet appointment, this one is to trim his nails etc. His regular appointment. It has been a stressful and financial straining week.
I look forward to a hopefully quiet and uneventful weekend.
Continuing to live this life with kindness, respect, compassion, patience, love, laughter, understanding, gratitude, focus, possibilities and coffee. Lots of coffee!
Good Morning ALL! What a beautiful morning it is! The sun is shining, the sky is blue and there is a slight breeze. We will be hitting the trail shortly for our morning walk before the heat of the day sets in. Today is also my first day back to work after six days of vacation. Although I wished that I had a few more days of vacation – it has felt like I had time off.
I was thinking what shall I write about this morning and I was thinking “what’s it like to be sixty-five years old.”
Well to be honest – not much different than 64 or 63.
I am excited to have a much cheaper eye exam fee come December.
I am happy that I can apply for Senior’s Benefits.
I am happy that I am in good health.
I think that 65 has given me more confidence.
I feel more free.
I think 65 is the beginning of the next chapters of my life.
I think 65 shows you the way.
I know that as we age we need to exercise our minds and our bodies more.
Wow, I still cannot believe that I am 65 years old.
Good Morning ALL! I am back and will be working today. OH my goodness, it is COLD in the house. Got down to 64 degrees fahrenheit overnight. I could not warm up and even though I likely had the warmest shower that I have ever had, I am still feeling cold right down to my bones. The sky is blue and the sun is shining so hopefully it will warm up. Earlier when Alvin and I were outside in the backyard I noticed that the water in the dish for the birds and bees had frozen over. My poor plants. The pansies and violas are still doing okay but the others are having quite the time. I haven’t checked the front plants as yet. I will admit, just a tad bit afraid. I sure wished that the overnight temperatures would warm up. Yes, it is just the last day of May. But would be nice.
Today is the last day of May and also the Happy Birthday of one of my most dear friends and also a neighbour “G” ……. Alvin and I wish you the best day ever. This was the birthday party that another of the friends hosted on Sunday. We had such a great time. Signe went over the top with the food. There was laughter and no tears. I love these girls. They are such great friends and neighbours. I got so lucky when I chose this place to live. So blessed and so fortunate and I am so grateful.
I can tell you something that I know for sure and that is that a cup of coffee is going to taste so good this morning. I am still cold.
I stepped in poop somehow again, the only poop in the backyard (that was last evening). The grass even though I cut it only a few days ago is growing so fast, that it needs a trim again. That way, the poop cannot hide in the grass. I have been going out with Alvin especially at night. How is it that poop always seems to “step” into the conversation, lol. It may be gross but the word is kind of funny. Poop, poop, poop, poop!
Well on that note I need to head on downstairs and get the coffee made.
I hope that you have a wonderful Tuesday.
Continuing to live this life with kindness, respect, compassion, patience, love, laughter, understanding, gratitude, focus and possibilities.
Good Morning ALL! How are you this morning? Alvin and I are fine. A bit tired but okay. Our company, our beautiful pups Aspen and Milo have gone home with their parents. My kids arrived weary but overjoyed to see their babies and to get home to their own bed. It was an up and down night. I thought originally that we would just wait up until they arrived knowing it would be well after midnight. My daughter texted me about 11:00 that they had landed in Edmonton. Knowing it would be at least 1.5 hours before they arrived, I made an executive decision to just go upstairs to bed, the pups were happy. We made one last trip outside before heading upstairs. Upstairs and a few minutes later the lights were out. My daughter texted their progress. She didn’t have my house key with them so I instructed them to ring the doorbell or knock at the door. I keep my bedroom door closed at night so wasn’t sure that I would actually hear them knock but I did. 1:00 a.m. they arrived. I turned on the lamp beside the bed and grabbed my socks and got up. As I opened the door and headed downstairs, Milo and Aspen followed. It was a great reunion. Alvin surprisingly did not come downstairs. I had their belongings ready to go so it was a quick in and out except for one bathroom break. Then we were alone. We had quickly made friendly exchanges and hugs before the departure. When I headed back upstairs I found Mr. Alvin sitting on the bed. I think he was sad and confused. The house was so quiet. I pulled up the blinds and waved at my daughter as they headed for home. This morning I had a text that they were home.
Yesterday was a good last day of vacation. The sun shone and it warmed up enough to melt a lot of the snow. I had shovelled my walk, neighbours in other half and Humphrey & Bogart’s Mom’s, as well. On the deck I moved the snow around. All in all, only snow left is on the front lawn and a little pile on the deck and a small amount in the backyard.
Lots of stories to tell and about a parcel but I hit the snooze button a couple of times this morning. Time to get downstairs and put on the coffee and start work.
I will finish my story tomorrow.
Have a wonderful Thursday.
Continuing to live this life with kindness, respect, compassion, patience, love, laughter, understanding, gratitude, focus and possibilities.
Good Monday Morning ALL! How are you this morning? It is still dark outside so I don’t know if we will see the sunrise or if it will be overcast. I think that it might have been raining overnight. It would appear to be so with the icy covering on parked vehicles that I could see out the front window earlier. The streets will be super icy so if you are driving and in our area, please be careful. Always better to err on the side of caution especially in the winter time. Perhaps you are reading this post from a sunny warmer climate and that is wonderful. Winter in Canada is serious business. Our weather can change in a heartbeat from sunny skies and warm temperatures to blowing snow or freezing rain. We had warm temperatures yesterday although it was overcast a good portion of the day. Unfortunately we were not able to walk. Looking at the ice out there made me cringe and after our short walk to the park on Saturday, I was not really looking forward to doing that again. We did see some friends and neighbours which was good but slipping and having to walk so carefully is not really much fun. So we stayed put.
I did go out and chip away more of the ice and we have an area carved out that the water can run to the drain. That took some doing but certainly has helped with the water/ice problem.
One of my girlfriends was going to Costco yesterday morning so she picked up a couple of things for us. I was so happy that she had time to stop in for a coffee and visit. She only had 1/2 hour as she had to pick up one of her sons from his Rock Climbing Class. I think RC would be so much fun. Can you imagine scaling a small mountain / hill? It was funny that I made extra coffee with the thought that perhaps she may be able to stay for a bit. YAY.
I got through my utilities and sorted that out for tax time. One of the things about having a small business. Keeping records and then finding where you put them, is another. Anyway all ready to go or at least pretty close.
Well almost time to start work, a few minutes away. I always like to get my computer turned on and be settled before the actual start time. Being prepared. I am not a fan of rushing at the last moment.
Mr. Alvin did get some fresh air outside with me on the deck when I was removing some ice from parts of the deck.
I wish you a wonderful Monday.
Continuing to live this life with kindness, respect, compassion, patience, love, laughter, understanding, gratitude, focus and possibilities.
Good Morning ALL! Welcome to Tuesday, December 7 and we are “17” sleeps until Christmas Eve. WOW. I missed the boat doing the daily countdown. I would imagine most of you do not need me to tell you how many sleeps it is until Christmas, lol. For sure not. How are you today? I clicked on the SNOOZE twice this morning. Last night was like a Sunday night and I tossed and turned and turned and tossed and then Alvin was up and it was 3:00 a.m. Downstairs we climbed. He had a glucosamine chew and outside to pee. Then back to the sofa for some more sleep. Pretty much right away into a deep sleep. It was about 4:30 when Alvin woke up and wanted his breakfast but I coaxed him back into the sofa and we then slept until almost 5:30. He ate and went outside. Then back to the sofa. I know that I was dreaming but I have absolutely zero recollection on what. I had good feelings when I woke up and wanted to continue to be in that place. But where was it? Do you ever wake up and want to go back to wherever the dream place was? This was the first in a while but I felt so good there, in that place, so relaxed and joyful. I will try and keep in that zone for every minute of this day. When I find myself going to the “dark side” – I will simply close my eyes and feel GREAT.
I sure hope that the temperatures are warmer this week so that Mr. Alvin and I can get out for a walk or three. We haven’t been out since last week. I think that he misses them for sure. My trusty companion is laying on his belly on the hallway floor. He is so darn cute. I noticed that usually once a day he grabs one of his toys and tosses it around and then carries it either to a resting spot on the sofa or onto his dog bed. What a guy! Sometimes I wished that I had been able to have a companion for him. In hindsight, it is always 20/20. I guess I just have to try to be a better companion for him. Play more. I am a good snuggler but playing hasn’t always been my thing. But for his sake – it needs to be. Now that being said if I am in the same room when Alvin grabs his toy, I do play tug with him and then toss the toy if he will give it up. So I guess I do play. Just have to play more. Likely good for me, too. Right. We all need to take life a little bit less serious. I know that I am way too serious. How about in the next 17 days – we have fun. Each day. Laugh more. Toss that doggie toy about. Do some funny dancing. Maybe I could dance with Alvin. We used to dance. Dancing was me holding him in my arms with his head at my shoulder and swaying to the music and there were some good steps in there, too. But he is a solid 30 pounds so makes it a bit more difficult. But I need to bring my core back. Just like in the summer when he had his surgery and I had to carry him outside and everywhere and then carefully bend over and place him on the ground. I found my core but over the last month or so, it has been misplaced. So I am on the hunt to bring my core back. Oh, that CORE!
Well it is time to get back downstairs. Work is calling in a bit and I have to put on the coffee pot. I can smell that STARBUCKS Christmas blend calling my name. It is so yummy. My favourite blend of all time.
Have a wonderful Tuesday! Remember to LAUGH and if you have lost your core, start looking for it.
Continuing to live each day with kindness, respect, compassion, patience, love, laughter, understanding and gratitude.
Always, Carol & Alvin
P.S. my lips are chapped and I used Burt’s Bees Lip Balm everyday. How can that be?
AND I iced 18 dozen sugar cookies yesterday and wrapped some Christmas presents. Alvin was sniffing around under the tree looking for something for open. Will have to watch the boy.
Good Morning ALL! How are you this morning? Well other than not falling asleep quickly we had a great night sleep. Alvin woke up at 4:00 and then we were up to stay at 6:22 a.m., now does not get more perfect than that. YAY Mr. Alvin and yay Momma. The wind was cold last night and I was worried for my flowers but looking at them earlier they appear to be okay. We do have some cold weather coming this week with even possible “snow” flurries, I sure hope that the sun shines and the only moisture we receive is rain. Some of the overnight temperatures are in the single minus number range and that means covering the plant pots that I cannot move. There are three that I struggled to get to the lower deck from the garage and there is no way that I can easily move them into the garage and out for the daytime. So covering is the only option. I finally was able to download my photos and I now have figured out why everytime I download photos from my phone to the computer ….. that I get a message stating a number of files did not download and that is because they were LIVE shots. Gotta love technology. So yesterday when after two years with this phone (should have asked my daughter) the light bulb came on and I made the realization. So I spent over an hour deleting live shots from my phone. Luckily I had some portrait mode ones that I could download. I reshot the flower photos last night. The jewelry party was a success, I have no idea the sales but there were more people attending and watching the replays than ever before and I am grateful for that.
This is my back deck area. Lots of flowers and different than I usually plant. Of course, there are some of the usual. I did forget to pick up marigolds so will have to grab a couple of those at some point during the next couple of weeks. Marigolds help keep mosquitoes and wasps away.
I hope that you all have a wonderful day and that your weekend was great.
Continuing to live this life with kindness, respect, compassion and patience.
Good Morning All. Welcome to Monday, January 4, 2021. Still dark outside as today is my first day back to work and it is much earlier than the mornings I wrote for the past week. I could not shut down my thoughts/mind last night so this morning came early for me. I was grateful that Mr. Alvin slept until 4:30 and that we had time to lay down for some zzz’s on the sofa. He is whining at the office doorway so I am thinking that he may have to go outside. This will be quick and I apologize but that is my life and is subject to change. I hope that you had a good sleep last night.
We had a great Sunday. Quiet and relaxing. Time for a short walk (I would have done our whole walk but someone was not into it, so we went about half way and then headed for home). I watched a couple of Hallmark Movies, baked some Gingerbread Raisin Cookies (yes, I know baking not even a month after Christmas, lol) and set up my workstation for today. I also went and changed my out of office reply and changed my phone message so that I would have time this morning. I guess prepared. First day back and all.
My daughter is coming over at noon to bring us some fruit and pick up some items she forgot at Christmas. Even though I checked, we all checked, there will still a few items that were missed.
Well I guess it is time to head on downstairs as Mr. needs to go outside.
Continuing to live our lives with kindness, respect and compassion.
My New Life @ 51 