The New YEAR 2022

Good Morning ALL! I hope that this post finds you doing very well. Both Alvin and I are good. I think that Alvin has had a turnaround in how he has been feeling. Part of how I can tell is from his “poop.” Argh, yuck, you might say but poop is important for animals and humans alike. It can tell a lot about your current state of health. Al was having some loose stuff happening, I will skip the details. This morning it was more firm and that is a good thing. Yesterday was an odd day. I had BIG plans but then they completely changed. OH well, I say, Oh well. I did some laundry in the morning, cleaned bathrooms and reorganizing a bit. By the afternoon, after being up so often Friday night, that I laid down beside Mr. Alvin on the sofa and ended up falling the asleep. Yes, I had a nap. I woke when something happened in a dream. This is what I remember: I happen to see our old neighbour Sherry outside looking around as if she did not remember she used to live in the other half of our duplex so I opened the door to check on her. I was so caught up in what was happening with her that I did not notice that Mr. Alvin slipped out quietly through the open door and was gone. When I realized he was not there, I happened to look down the street and there he was walking down the sidewalk toward the park. That is when I screamed and woke up. I really did scream. Poor Alvin in real life. I hope that my now neighbours did not hear me, I don’t think I had the window open at that time. Anyway, no one came over or called. So all good. But when I woke up to find myself drooling and Alvin right beside me on the sofa, I breathed a sigh of relief. It seemed so very real. Yup, drooling, I was. I had fallen asleep sitting up with my legs up on the sofa and head back on the back cushion of the sofa. Very comfy. Anyway, I still have that scared feeling running through my veins.

The sun shone for most of the day and it was nice out. After I woke up I checked on the laundry and then decided it was time to go for a walk. We had a great walk to the park and did our usual walk. When we first got into the park we came across this woman and a little white dog. So cute. Anyway, Alvin decided he wanted to say hello. We, humans decided to chat. I found out that her dog’s name was Bailey and Bailey is 16 years old. She has a heart condition but is on medicine. Bailey’s Mom’s name is Gail (not sure if this is how she spells her name or not). So they are going to be moving into our neighbourhood in June and she was just bringing Bailey here to get her used to the new place. What a good Momma. We had the nicest chat and I learned so much. I happen to mention to Gail about my concerns about Alvin, about how I thought that perhaps he may have the onset of dementia. She said that one day a while ago, Bailey would get lost (at home), starr into nowhere and have accidents. She took her to her vet and found she did have the onset of dementia. There is a human drug for Parkinson patients called “selegiline” (not sure of the spelling, I forgot to look it up) and you can buy it at Safeway. So she gave her the medicine and after 5 weeks, she was much better. The vet said if you catch it in time, you can stop or greatly reduce the effects. So I will keep an eye on Alvin and take him to the vet if required. I had no idea that there was a drug out there – that helped with dementia to that degree. If you catch it soon enough. All about the timing. We had a great chat. I am so happy that I fell asleep and that the dream woke me up when it did and that we met Gail and Bailey. After our walk, I worked on the laundry, cleaned up my plants and watered them. Baked a banana loaf. I checked a basic recipe and then decided to have some fun so I added pumpkin instead of oil or butter and orange zest. OMG, it turned out so good. I cannot wait for the girls to try it this morning. This morning is coffee visit with my pals Gillian and Signe. In less than one hour.

Considering we had a quiet day yesterday, I am going to clean out the office closet. I have things neatly put away in there and I think that there are items that I can sell or give away or even toss. Better to see if someone can use them. Remember spring is the time to go through closets, things stored away and decide if those items bring you JOY. Do they make you happy? How often do you look at them? Do you really need or use them? We in North America get so stuck on keeping things. Hoarding is getting to be a problem for a lot of people. That is a whole other topic for another day.

Time to get Mr. Alvin downstairs as he is patiently waiting. I will make myself a cup of coffee before putting on the pot for Gillian. Signe is not a coffee drinker she likes a specific kind of tea and she always bringings her own. I have the banana surprise loaf and some oranges for a snack. Which will be breakfast for us all.

I have decided to hold off and plant my flowers, tomatoes and oregano next weekend. If it gets colder after that, I will have to put them in the garage overnight. I do love having the plants filling the kitchen table.

Have an awesome Sunday. Thank you so much for reading my posts, this blog. I love to write, share stories about my life with Alvin and my thoughts.

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

Always, Carol & Alvin

P.S. do what makes you feel good ….. you can clean the toilet tomorrow…..enjoy the sunshine!

2021

Good Morning ALL! How are you on this bright and sunny Monday morning? I hope that it is bright and sunny where you are. Alvin and I are doing well. We had a fantastic weekend despite Mother Nature’s spring snowstorm. As I mentioned before I got to use my brand new Bissell Crosswave. Yesterday I submitted a tea order and baked a banana loaf / bread. Did some cleaning and put away the laundry that was air drying from Saturday. I even did some shovelling and I enjoyed the day. Here we are again at Monday morning. Most of the snow has now melted. The sidewalks are clear. Front lawn still sporting a white blanket.

I wanted to share a daily affirmation that I came across on Facebook. It has become my new mantra.

Daily Affirmation – stand in front of the mirror and look at yourself and repeat daily

I am healthy. I am strong. I am powerful. I am happy.

I am grateful. I am wealthy. I am loved.

I am appreciated. I am lucky. I am prosperous.

I am divine. I am confident. I am proud. I am blessed.

I am beautiful. I love the person that I am.

Stating a daily affirmation is good for us to do.

It is surprising how quickly you begin to see a difference in your being.

Have a wonderful day.

Continuing to live with kindness, respect, compassion and patience.

Always, Love Carol & Alvin

2021

Good Morning ALL! How are you this morning? Looks like Christmas outside or at least winter. Alvin and I are well. Yesterday morning when we got up the ground was bare and I raked the front lawn in the afternoon after our walk. This morning when we got up we have half a foot of snow covering the deck, the street, the lawn, rooftops and anywhere the snow could stick. Actually yesterday in the late afternoon when it was looking like a snowglobe outside and the wind was blowing …. Alvin had to go outside to pee …… when I opened the door, the snow blew into the house. The door was covered in wet sticky snow, the house was covered in snow, the lone broom that was standing against the back of the house was covered in wet sticky snow, my two wicker chairs that I had brought back out were completely covered in wet sticky snow, the trees were covered in wet sticky snow and even the doorknob was covered in wet sticky snow. I guess that I have painted a pretty thorough picture of how “sticky” the snow was as it clung to everything in sight. This morning the cars out front are covered in snow as well. Looks like there will be shovelling in my future and I just put away the shovels, argh. Oh well. It is spring in Western Canada and anything can happen with the weather. Just to give you an idea of the temperature on Friday it was plus 15 degrees celsius so a light jacket or sweater weather AND yesterday when we went for a walk in the early afternoon I wore a light jacket and was comfortable at 8 degrees celsius. I raked the front lawn about 3 p.m., I think it was, and I wore the same light jacket and it was windy and starting to cool down. My neighbor that share the front lawn with me … loves to feed the bunnies in the winter and the birds. So there was a massive amount of bird seed, bunny food and bunny poop covering most of her side (especially around her tree) and quite a lot on my side. I was careful and was wearing gloves when I scooped it all into a garbage bag along with the leaves that were covering the lawn. Every fall I rake and rake and rake until I can rake, no more. Usually I would say about 5-7 times. This past fall I raked several times and gave up because none of my neighbors were raking when the leaves fell off their tree(s) or not many of them. So throughout this spring as the snow melted there were leaves that freed themselves and blew around the hood in the wind. We have had a lot of wind this spring. Yesterday was windy as well. Guess what this afternoon is to be +4 degrees celsius so the snow will be melting. What an interesting last 24 hours. Poor Mr. Alvin was having quite the time last night. I told him to just pee in the snow. Poor guy.

Well yesterday I managed to get quite a lot of things knocked off my TO DO LIST. I got to try out my new Bissell Crosswave and it worked. I found that it used a lot of the cleaning liquid (water + cleanser). I filled to clean 350 square and only did the top of the stairs landings and the stairs and it was almost all gone. I cannot imagine that that space is 350 square feet in total. Anyway, the amount of hair that was in the water when I was done and cleaning out the machine was crazy. The water was dark so I know it was working. It was pretty easy to take apart and clean ….. now just putting it back together. I left the components out to dry on the counter as they have to be completely dry. The strangest thing just happened. Right in the middle of typing this post, the computer shut down as thought there was a power outage but the lights did not even flicker. Thankfully WordPress has autosave and I did not lose my whole post. WOW. I did lose some and I don’t remember what that was. So will just carry on. I think that I was about to mention that I decided to submit the tea order today, an executive decision. So I will do that this afternoon. I am also considering giving up selling the tea and Norwex. At this point in time, I would have to reactivate my NORWEX account and it is not worth it to me. I do not have any regular customers. The tea is another story. I love the tea so much but I have not had a “party” for a long time and was just selling to my regular customers and the odd new one. Sometimes I have had to place large orders myself just to keep active or maintain selling privileges. At the end of the day is it worth it? I am not sure. I would have to place an extra large order this time and I simply do not need that much product. So after six years this may be it. I guess time will tell. I do not have to make the decision at this moment. Life, right. Sometimes giving up things can be freeing as well.

Well after the seriousness of that last bit, it is time to sign off and go have a cleansing shower. I always feel differently after having a shower. Clears the cobwebs. Things have a way of working themselves out. I am giving these decision over to the Universe for guidance and will just go about my day. I want to bake a banana loaf this afternoon. Likely will be shovelling. Maybe if I remove some things off my plate it will clear the way for me to start writing more. Sometimes it is good to clean out your “closet” and if it does not “spark joy” as per Marie Kondo, then perhaps it is time to move it out of the closet. I think it may be time to do just that. I am feeling better already. Time to remove some old things and replace with new. Spring, time to grow!!

Wow, that was freeing and rejuvenating. Thank you for listening and helping this girl out.

I wish you a wonderful Sunday. Take care and I hope that you and your loved ones are in good health.

Perhaps this is the day that you “clear out your closets.”

I am feeling a lot lighter at this very moment, thank you.

Continuing to live with Kindness, RESPECT, Compassion and patience.

Always, Love Carol & Alvin

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

It is a NEW YEAR.

Happy Monday Morning Everyone.

No colourful sunrise as yet but am hopeful that we shall see some sunshine today.

More snow yesterday and overnight.

 

Yesterday I snapped a couple of closeups of Mr. Alvin.

Is he not the cutest boy?

He has such a cute innocent face.

His eyes …. I guess only one is visible…

When I am eating something and he comes up close with his face and turns on the cuteness …. those brown eyes can melt you into a puddle.

 

A Story of Six Bunnies

Over the past few days I have become enthralled with the bunnies that gather in the nighttime on our front lawn.

Okay, on the front snow covered lawn area.

Last night as I started to turn off the lights in the house before we went upstairs to bed, I noticed five rabbits out front of our house.

One came bounding over to join them.

We watched the bunnies as they munched away on the food that my neighbour so graciously has left for them.

It has been a hard winter for these little ones with all this snow.

At one point in the second photo, I saw two of the rabbits leaving the group to the other side of the street.

They stopped along the side where there was an abundance of soft fresh snow (not packed down by traffic).

One of the bunnies laid down and rolled around in the snow.

Well yes he/she certainly did roll.

Then jumped up while the other bunny watched.

I giggled as I watched the playfulness of the bunny.

The little one did this a few times before continuing to the other side of the road.

I figured perhaps I could grab some better photos so we raced upstairs and I took the photo on the left.

The one on the right captures the two bunnies, the one on the left was the one playing in the snow.

 

This morning from our bedroom window.

Appears to have been a party happening in our front yard (my neighbour and ours together).

The tracks filled the front yard or at least most of it.

There are tracks from every direction.

There was lots of good food and good company.

I should have put out some liquid refreshment.

 

Well that is what was happening in our neck of the woods as Al Roker would say.

I am an Al Roker fan (Today Show).

 

Well the time is passing and is almost time to start working.

 

In addition to watching the bunnies yesterday I made another banana cranberry orange with coffee spice load and a massive pot of the best chili ever.

I am so proud of both.

Good eatings ahead.

 

Time for caffeine …..

Have an awesome day.

 

It is the small things in life that mean the most.

A snuggle with Alvin.

Video chat with my daughter.

Text from my sister.

Fresh made banana loaf.

Smell of chili bubbling away on the stove.

A bunny rolling in the fresh snow.

Fresh perked cup of coffee.

 

Time to go.

 

As Always, I/We

Carol & Alvin

 

 

Thought for the day ……

Good Morning and Welcome to the 20th day of March, 2017.

YAY, today is the first official day of SPRING.

Are we excited?

Yes.

It did snow last night and the wind did blow.

Much the same as Saturday night but without the rain (or at least I did not hear or see signs of rain).

Back to work after a great weekend.

Yesterday, I had coffee with two of my girl friends followed by a nice walk with Mr. Alvin.

We finished the laundry, baked some banana muffins and a banana loaf.

My daughter had given me some rhubarb/strawberry dried fruit so I added some to the mixes.

I submitted my tea party orders and made my lunch and then made oatmeal for three breakfasts.

Followed by tea and watched TRANSFORMERS, Age of Extinction (the newest one).

I have seen them all and for some reason I love them and have watched them numerous times.

Last night after supper I SKYPED with my sister.

We caught up on all the news and had a couple of laughs along the way.

Well over one hour later we said “good-bye”  …… you know the 1-2-3 and then hung up.

The time always flies by when we chat.

I am looking forward to this summer as she plans to come for a visit.

So on this first day of spring, I am at a loss as to what to wear for a coat.

Will have to check the temperature on the weather channel before donning my outer clothing.

I hope that you had an amazing weekend.

Wishing you a Happy First Day of Spring …..

Perhaps wherever you are …. the flowers are blooming.

Ah, so cute …. Mr. Alvin is laying under the computer desk on the wee piece of rug …… all curled up.

Usually he stays in the hallway but today he wants to be right beside me.

I sure love the little guy ……

Well time to get going …. gotta check the weather.

Hopefully it melts the bit of snow that fell through the night so that I do not have to shovel.

I keep chipping away at the ice out front.

Until the snow melts from my lawn and the neighbours – there will be chipping and removing ice and water from the front.

Have a great Monday.

Special Hello to:  my sister, thank you for the chat.  Have an awesome day.

Always, Carol and Alvin

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