Last Half 2022 – November

Good Morning ALL! I hope that this post finds you doing well. Hard to believe today is Monday, November 28, 2022. Almost the end of November 2022. Where has the time gone? Almost time to start the countdown to Christmas. Do not want to start too early, lol.

Yesterday I borrowed my neighbour’s car and went shopping to the nearby strip mall where I went to Shoppers Drug Mart and Bone & Biscuit and Save-On-Foods. The first place that I went to at Shoppers was the Post Office to mail a small parcel and Christmas Cards, what did I find, CLOSED sign. I was grateful to find out from a clerk who happened to be walking past that the Post Office would open at Noon. This was about 10:45 am, so that was okay. I had some things that I wanted to pick up at Shoppers so I consulted my list on my phone. Sometimes I bring a paper list but this time it was more efficient to have the phone so that I could delete the items that I bought without carrying a pen. After that I headed to the Bone & Biscuit to pick up Christmas gifts, possibly a new sweater and harness for Mr. Alvin, only to find that it was closed until noon. What is this new business, lol? So I took my purchases and placed them in the car and was off to the grocery store which I knew for a fact that it was open. When I arrived inside the store I grabbed a cart and consulted my list. There were a number of customers in the store but it was not too bad. The cashier was young, friendly and I really appreciated the way that he packed my groceries. I almost forgot to drop off the batteries that I had placed in the bags provided (they were in with my bags that I had brought to the store). Old batteries dropped off. Another items off my list but in hindsight I forgot to grab more bags! OH well, next time. I checked over the receipt to ensure that nothing was charged incorrectly as he had initially charged the wrong price for a non-food item that I had picked up for a gift. Who knew that I would find something that was requested on my pick for Secret Santa. Loaded up the car and then back to Shoppers to mail the parcel and Christmas cards including one to Sweden to my longtime “pen pal” Ingrid. No lineup, how wonderful. Then I was off to Bone & Biscuit where I checked my list for the items that I wanted to purchase for Mr. Alvin, Aspen and Milo for Christmas. I found a sweater, new leash and toy for Alvin and then a toy each for my grandpups. Success. I even received 10% off my purchase due to the points that I had accumulated. Then back to the car, loaded up and on my way home.

Once I was home, I unloaded the car with a few trips and then returned the car keys to my friend. She was down with something and had been resting on the sofa. Poor girl. Her boyfriend was relaxing on the sofa, just having a quiet lazy day. He drives long distance trucking. Alvin was enjoying sniffing around the bags. I had to put the bag up that had his Christmas present in it. They must put something inside those items or else just the scent from the store lingering, I do not know because I semi hid the bag in the spare room behind a large rubbermaid which is containing other Christmas presents and he keeps going in and sniffing. He cannot get to the bag with his gifts but he sure knows something is in there. Funny. I unpacked and as I was putting the groceries away, I realized that one item was not there. I looked back over everything and not there. So I texted my friend to see if I could borrow her car once again and before you know it, I was on my way, back to the store. ARGH. Back at the store, a young man who had just come back from bringing cards into the store, came back to Customer Service and asked if “he could help me,” I said yes and explained the situation. He said that he remembered one of the cashiers had a list of the items that were left at cash and had returned them to their places in the store. He just had to find the list. He found the list and then another clerk came to Customer Service. They were able to secure another item for me and then I was on my way. YAY. Normally, I would have not bothered but this item was almost $10.00. Too much money to throw away. After I put everything away, I got Mr. Alvin into his harness and sweater (not new ones, although I did try them on and they fit perfect) and we went for a walk. I was so fast trying them on that I think he will forget what they looked like, lol. We enjoyed a walk. Then back home. I decided to bring up the ladder and change the light bulbs and clean the light fixture by the back door. Could not get it down so I texted another neighbor’s son to see if he could come and help me, he said yes. In the meantime, I replaced a bulb in another fixture. I am so blessed and was happy to get these chores done and for the help. I e transferred him some money for helping me as this was the second weekend in a row, I reached out to him. I cleaned out and rearranged the back cabinet / pantry before starting supper. After supper it was a quiet evening.

Whoops time is slipping away and is almost time to start work. I have the coffee ready to plug in.

Have a great Monday. Stay warm.

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

I am grateful to be surrounded by great people.

Always, Carol & Alvin

2021

Good Morning ALL! Hard to believe we are now at FIVE sleeps until Christmas EVE. I am starting to get SUPER excited for Christmas. Later this afternoon our little neighbour Cookie is coming over to spend the next two weeks with us. We are preparing for her arrival. I got most of the laundry done yesterday. Spare room bedding all washed and changed, should someone other than my kids spend the night. I made a double batch of fudge as somehow we ran out of fudge and we cannot have that. I had to make a bit of change to it as I was short of chocolate chips so I added a bit of peanut butter. So will see how that goes over. I sure hope that no one has any allergies to peanut butter. It is the only item made with peanuts. I did my last shopping which included gifts for Mr. Alvin, Aspen, Milo and Cookie. That took two hours and I will say quite a lot of money, things should have increased over the past year or so. I am grateful that I did in fact have the money to pay for them although I was a bit disappointed that Shoppers did not honour the President’s Choice Gift Card that I received from my Employer. Oh well.

Last night I wrapped the gifts for the pups and one extra item that I picked up for my son-in-law’s stocking. Alvin was sniffing around the table where I was wrapping as he did smell in the shopping bag some little peanut butter treats that I picked up along with their main gifts. I added ribbon and secured the treats for the pups and put them into the fridge. Once the gifts were wrapped I debated about putting them under the tree as we know what happened last year. I had them on the kitchen counter and then thought that would be four more gifts under the tree which would look nice so I went to put them under the tree and guess who was in there like a dirty shirt? You got it, Mr. Alvin. So back to the counter they went. Last year I was in the kitchen working and I heard this rustling in the living room so I quickly went to check things out only to find someone had found his gift amongst all the presents under the tree and was starting to open it. OMG. I did not wish a replay of last year. So the gifts will remain on the counter in the kitchen.

This morning I will vacuum, dust and clean the bathrooms and the floors. Hoping to get out for a little walk with Mr. Alvin before our company arrives. It is to be minus 12 celsius this afternoon which is the warmest temperature according to the long range forecast for awhile. So we shall see. I have shovelling to do because it snowed more overnight. Thank you to our neighbour Steve for shovelling the front walk decreasing the amount that I have to do. There is snow in the forecast so I will have to stay on top of it. The sun is shining which energizes me. The coffee has perked so time for a coffee break. Lots to do before 4:00 p.m. and luckily there is pizza left from Friday for more leftovers tonight. Planned that right, yes, I did.

Happy Birthday to my great nephew LEVI who turns THREE today. I cannot believe you are three. We wish you a wonderful day and year to come.

Have an awesome day everyone!

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

Always, Carol & Alvin

2021

Good Morning ALL. How are you today? I, We are well. The birthday party was awesome. We had a great time. Alvin received very thoughtful gifts. He received a beautiful i.d. tag with his name Alvin and our phone number engraved on the back. So thoughtful. From his best buddy and his little sister – two different chew treats. I gave him a toy. The guests all arrived right on schedule. Alvin was slightly overwhelmed when everyone arrived. The kids and grandpups came in the back door from the garage and Teddy & Kobi from the front door. Alvin just ran around barking while everyone said hello. I could tell he was overwhelmed. At one point he jumped up onto the sofa and just barked and stared at me. Poor boy. After several minutes of loving attention from his sister he calmed down. I guess we have not had that many pups in the house since his last birthday. The birthday cupcake and frozen yogurt were a hit with the pups. Amanda had picked up the birthday cupcake and frozen yogurt from the Bone & Biscuit. The cupcake was the same as last year. I should have remembered how hard it was to cut into pieces after being frozen. The packaging said to keep frozen. Even with a hot knife to cut …. it was difficult. Between me and my son-in-law, we managed to get it cut into pieces to share with the five pups: the birthday boy, Aspen, Milo, Teddy and Kobi. I loved how they pretty much all were in a circle around Steven who was holding the cupcake while Amanda and I snapped video and photos. I should say that Steven doled out the yogurt by the spoonful to each pup while I was cutting up the frozen cupcake. At the end of it all …… the pups gobbled down the cupcake and the yogurt. A fine time was had by all. A bit out of order here but we had the pasta salad and garlic bread first and then followed by gift opening. I must say that gift opening is my favourite part. Not because of gifts but I love watching Mr. Alvin open his presents. He has got so proficient at gift opening over the years. All due to the many parcels that our friend Val has sent to us and she always sends a separate gift for the boy. One paw on the gift and with his mouth he rips opens the wrapping. His favourite I think is the tissue paper. Never eating it …. just ripping it, well actually shredding it. So cute to watch. After the pups were all done with their treats – we had the homemade vanilla cupcakes that I had made for the humans. They were a hit as well. The recipe turned out to be a good one. I will keep it in my treasure trove of recipes. Before the kids left for home, my daughter helped me bring the green chair back downstairs from its’ temporary home in my bedroom. I had been thinking that Mr. Alvin was missing sitting in the chair and looking out the window. At Christmas – we took it up as it made more room. For some unknown reason it took us way longer to get it out of the bedroom than it took us to get it into the bedroom. Steven had taken the pups out to the backyard thinking it would only take us a couple of minutes. He had to bring them back in as it took us more than a couple of minutes. Then we had pups running between the chair and the door and under foot. Finally we managed to get the chair out of the bedroom and called the pups to go downstairs which they did. The only ones that had run upstairs were Alvin, Kobi and Milo. In the living room, I moved the brown chair back to its’ spot and the green chair to where it belonged. I would have thought that Alvin would have jumped up but he did not. I placed his blue blanket on the chair but nothing. I guess too much going on.

After everyone had left ….. the house was quiet and still once again. No pups running about. We just sat down on the sofa and chilled. I think that Mr. Alvin was pooped out. Thankfully I made enough pasta salad for an army and will have salad for supper for the next few days. So pasta salad it was for supper. After I washed the dishes that would not fit into the dishwasher – we just say on the sofa and watched t.v. for the evening. Well actually Alvin napped and I sort of watched television. What a great day we had.

We were up early a couple of times before at 5:00 for Alvin to have breakfast and then up to stay at 6:45 this morning. I had the most strange dream ever. Somehow I ended up with these people and I was much younger. Over the course of a few hours I realized that they must be some kind of cult as things just were not normal. The children and young adults were not siblings. The woman in charge was scary. There was a man, that I knew and he was visiting with another adult male. At one point I told him that I was scared and wanted to leave with him. When it was time to go – he was gone. Even the coffee they offered me did not taste like coffee and then I asked for a glass of water and they gave me water with cauliflower. Very strange. I managed to get some plain water. It was all a blur. Very strange and frightening. At one point, I grabbed my belongings which was some books and a small black case and ran out of the door. Another strange thing was that my Mother lived a short distance away. An easy run or walk. Then I woke up. There was also a young girl who was expecting and she was cooking something, I do not remember what at this point. Where this came from I do not know. But definitely woke up with a dry mouth from being scared.

Okay time to head downstairs and put on the coffee and go out and pick up the poop. It is very cold outside. Minus 30 degrees celsius roughly with the windchill. No walking today for us. Likely not this week so we shall have to figure out another means of exercise. Perhaps going up and down the stairs.

I hope that you had a great Sunday.

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

Always, Carol & Alvin

Welcome to December 2020

Good Morning ALL. How are you doing on this Saturday December 12th, 2020 which is only “12 sleeps/days until Christmas Eve Day?” Are you busy baking? Busy wrapping gifts? Shopping? Cleaning? Cooking? Crying? Having a sadness episode? Watching a lot of Christmas movies? Playing board games with your family? Giving your pup a bath? Watching this glorious sunrise? All of or none of the above. For whichever you are doing know that you are not alone. We are all having an unique experience this year, this holiday season, this Christmas 2020. That’s okay. Whatever we do, wherever we are, we will get through this together. There is not one person on the planet (unless they are away from technology) that is not or has not been affected by the PANDEMIC. So you are not alone. It is how we deal with emotionally, respond to physically, press forward with that will bring us more together than ever before in human history. I truly believe this. I see much more kindness and compassion happening this year. That is so great for us all. Take a deep breath and if you feel like releasing a tear or two that is okay. This year has been so overwhelming for most of the people on the planet. Even Mr. Alvin has been wondering “what the hay is going on?” We can do this. We can.

Okay, so last night I had my eye appointment. I have always had the same Eye Doctor but this year I got a wonderfully funny cute (can I say that, well I just did) male Doctor. I always enjoy my visits to the Eye Doctor but this younger man (well considerably younger than me, anyway) was a breath of fresh air. He had such an amazing sense of humour and definitely is in the right profession. Apparently my vision has improved. Wow, is that crazy or what. I have super healthy eyes when he reviewed the photos some other staff had taken earlier. The whole experience starting at the door. You walk in through the outside door into a little area where there was a table with hand sanitizer set up. The door at that side of entranceway was locked as per the sign and as I entered the door was opened by the receptionist who asked me (hard to tell with the mask on at first) so I responded with I am Carol Lewis and I have an appointment at 4:40 p.m. Why not give the information and save some time. I took off my mitts, placed them in my coat pockets and sanitized up my hands and followed her into the office. She went around the counter and asked me a few questions and then asked me to have a seat. The chairs in the reception area were all spaced at least six feet apart. There were two folks in the waiting area. One by one they went in and finally it was my turn. A young man sporting a black mask called my name and I stood up and he asked me to follow him. So I did. Into this room with three machines. He asked me to sit down on the stool at the first machine, I complied. I also noted and mentioned, “hey you guys are tag teaming.” as there was a young woman at the second machine. So I had the puff of air, saw bright lights and had multiple photos taken of my eyes in just a few minutes. Also had a couple of giggles with the staff. Why not enjoy the experience. Then I was back into the waiting room for a few minutes before the Doctor asked me to follow him. Oh yes, that was not a difficult request. I sat down in the exam room. Doctor Joel asked me several questions and I answered them. We had a couple of laughs. He told me that my eyes were in great health and to keep doing whatever it was that I was doing. He asked if I liked “salmon”? and for a fleeting moment I thought “is he asking me out for dinner?” (not really but makes for a great story and I bet you were smiling, right?). Dr. J proceeded to explain how the salmon has lots of OMEGA 3’s and they are good for the eyes and to help keep them moist so no dry eyes. I explained that while I love salmon I actually don’t eat a lot of it. He went on to mention avocados and I said now I eat a ton of them. He said great. I was amazed by how many different health conditions and diseases can be identified by looking at photos of the eyes, the back story. Very cool and so interesting. He asked if I was wanting to get new glasses, I said yes and he advised that I would have to set up another appointment to come and pick out frame. Totally understand. Luckily they are open most of the week between Christmas and New Years. After we were finished he handed me my prescription and I followed him to the reception area where we chatted for a moment before he went back to look after the last patient. Dr. Joel mentioned in a timid tone at first as if it may be a sensitive topic for me, When you come in for your next visit you will be “of a certain age.” I smiled and said, you mean 65. We laughed. I told him that does not bother me and that I am happy to get older as long as I live to be older. He explained the benefits once you turn 65. Lucky me. Once the receptionist was done, she gave me the bill of the remainder owing (I was shocked that my insurance only covered half of the $125 exam fee). Anyway I paid the bill, made my appointment to go and pick out frames. I was just doing up my coat to leave when I saw this woman on the other side of the door and realizing it was my friend Iris, Teddy’s Mum, who had given me a ride to my appointment and had come back to pick me up. She had said to call her but turns out she had to go out so waited for me. Am I not, the luckiest gal in the world. I have so many wonderful, thoughtful, kind friends.

On the way home, we stopped at the Bone & Biscuit so that I could go and pick up Christmas gifts for Mr. Alvin and my grandpups Aspen and Milo and some treats for them and to include Teddy and Kobi. Ssh, don’t tell anyone. Now to get things wrapped.

Last night after supper and clean up, I just watched a bit of t.v.

Lots to do today. Some baking, laundry, cleaning and Iris and the pups are coming for a visit. I had better get this show on the road. I was even up early and look it is 9:03 a.m. already. Light outside and appears it is windy. I already have a load of blankets that should be done washing by now, changed bedding and gathered laundry, got dressed and now finished this post. WHEW.

Wishing you an awesome Saturday. Living our lives with kindness, compassion and respect for ALL others.

Always, Carol & Alvin

P.S. something went wrong when I was trying to publish this post. It was in an auto saving mode for what seemed like forever. So I went ahead while I thought it was doing its’ thing and did another load of laundry, had breakfast, did some tidying up and cleaned up poop outside. When came upstairs not published and here it is almost 11:00 a.m. So I went back in again and went to the draft version but part of the post did not show. So anyway, I got it finished and will try again. Oh well, nothing like a bit of technical difficult to start your Saturday. LOL.

Welcome to December 2020

Good Morning ALL. How are you doing on this fine Thursday? I just had a refreshing, relaxing wonderful shower and am so ready for the day. Countdown to CHRISTMAS EVE DAY brings us to “15” days. WOW. I must have miscounted! Oh well, we got this. Right. Christmas and the Holiday Season will be a bit different, okay a lot different for most of us this year but different is so much better than the alternative. If we can open our eyes and take in that first breath of the new day, if we have food to eat, technology to reach out to family and friends and are in good health – no complaints. We have so much more than so many others. I recognize the fact that I am more than truly blessed at this point in my life. I have a beautiful home to live in and to call my own with a yard and deck and a tree. Mr. Alvin has been my trusty companion for almost 11 years now which I will say the longest period of time that I have lived with a “guy.” I am employed by a employer who was actually prepared for a situation that would call for us to work remotely. Yes, there have been a few hiccups but very, very few. I am so grateful that I am able to work from home with no commute to and from the office, and be with Mr. Alvin who is fast approaching 12 in January of this coming New Year. This gives us the opportunity to go for walks at noon and have more time together. I have more time to read and so much more. More time to sleep as well which has been wonderful. Yes, it is true that there has been much less contact with friends and family. But we have figured it out. There is Facetime, Skype, Zoom and texting and more. So we are good. Right, we are.

Tomorrow after work I am going to have my two year eye checkup and get new glasses. So stoked to get some new shades. I wished that I would be able to have my daughter with me to help me pick them out but that is okay, I got this. New glasses for the upcoming new year. Might have to really whack off my hair and be a really new me for the New Year. Time will tell. I was thinking that tomorrow night might be wrapping the gift night. This is the gifts for my daughter and her husband. I will be stopping at the Bone & Biscuit to pick up gifts for Mr. Alvin, Aspen and Milo after my eye appointment. My daughter has the gifts for the other pups on our list which I realized could have been much longer had I remembered them all. I have the gifts here for Humphrey and Bogart so will get them wrapped and over to them shortly. There may be more baking on the weekend, I have not decided.

Well Mr. Alvin is giving me that look – that look – get the heck off that thing and come downstairs. Okay, I need some coffee anyway.

I hope that you have an awesome Thursday. Remember we shall live our lives with kindness, respect and compassion for all. We will get through this, together!!

Always, Carol & Alvin

Thought for the day……

Good Morning and Welcome to Monday the 4th day of May, 2015.

It is raining at this moment …. or at least it was ….. we could use the moisture so that is good.

Mr. Alvin and his chewy bone are like a pair.

After I voted on Saturday I stopped by our local “Bone & Biscuit” store and picked up a couple of treats for Alvin.

When I got home I gave him the first one.

It was pretty big.

He carried it around the house hiding it along the way.

Alvin likes to him them for a long while before actually eating them.

That first one last well into the night on Saturday.

Yesterday when our company arrived I decided to give him the second and last one that I had bought.

He is still hiding it.

He brings it to bed ….. hides it behind the decorator pillows until I removed the pillows from the bed.

Then he hid it at the foot of the bed …. not really hiding it …. as it was in plain sight.

Then this morning he brought it downstairs …..

After he ate he wanted to take it outside.

Then he brought it back in and when he sat on my lap it came to the table.

He dropped it on the table before snuggling onto my lap.

Then I went to the bathroom …..

He always wants to come in …. in came the treat.

Alvin pushed it behind the bathroom vanity.

When we left the bathroom, I had to get it out as he just stood there and gave a little bark.

It was too tight of a space for him to get back into …..

After breakfast he brought it back upstairs and hid it in the bathroom where I was putting on makeup.

It remains there for the moment as he is stretched out on the carpet in front of the office.

He is so darn cute.

He has hid his chewy behind the cushions on the sofa, on the chair, on the mat by the back door, in the corner by the back door, downstairs in the family room …. anywhere really.

I just wanted to share my morning thus far.

Well almost time to leave as I am on Aussie patrol ….. have to go and look after one of my neighbour’s cat.

I hope that you have an amazing day.

Happy Monday everyone.

Special Hello to: anyone that has a dog or cat or any companion …. they always make us smile.  I am smiling now.