The Next Chapter

Good Morning! How are you this morning? I am okay. Had a much better sleep last night. I have been going for walks after work and I am finding that this enables me to clear the “crap” from my brain and then settle down for the evening. Did you ever see that when you slow down and concentrate on one task or one thought at a time, that you feel more positive and just feel more relaxed? I have noticed that with me. Yesterday when I was feeling better and then last night after work. Just refocused to one thing at a time.

Starting to feel like spring during the day as the sun rises higher in the daytime sky. Yesterday there was a lot of water that had melted so it begins to get sloppy. I noticed when I was outside that the storm drain is plugged again. People driving over it pushing the snow onto the grates and eventually plugging it. So tonight if it is melting and the ice has softened I will chip away and try to open it up so that the water does not pool on the street. Our streets are always a pain. Either icy or full of massive ruts. Most of the time in the winter it is massive ruts. When the street was “plowed” a few weeks ago, they basically went down the middle of the street so the middle is clear but they pushed the snow up. Anyway, it is always fun when you are driving. Of course, cars line both sides of the street so down to one lane driving. I am grateful that spring is close.

I am going to try something different today and have breakfast before I leave home. Finding eating at the new office is a pain. Everyone is so busy – no one takes a coffee break. Lunch, I usually don’t eat anyway so unless I go for a walk, it is hard to actually take a break. So have to work out some things. Anyway, I will see what my body likes. I used to always eat in the morning and then eat at supper and sometimes have a snack at noon. I like breakfast and supper, not so much lunch. But have to have something during the day (including morning) otherwise I get a headache. Experiment, I guess.

I hope that life is treating you kindly. May your day be filled with possibilities of all good things and that your dreams are coming true.

Have a wonderful day.

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

Always, Carol & Alvin (my forever Angel)

A New YEAR 2023

Good Morning ALL! How are you this morning? We are doing great. So happy that the sun is shining and that the temperatures are on the mild side. I am also very grateful to be on vacation now for TWO WEEKS. There is lots to do but today will be scaled back as it is the first day. We were up a couple of times during the night so we slept in and got up when our bodies told us that we were ready to begin the day. I have changing my bedding and some banking and now writing this post which will be followed by a quick shower. After that I will put on some coffee and start the laundry. This afternoon I plan to work on the photos. I kind of fell down on the promise to do some every day this past week. They need to get done as soon as possible. Hopefully it goes quickly.

I have been going through my head, my mind about all of the things that I want to do over my vacation time and when I retire. Oddly enough, the list is similar except with retirement there are not as many hard fast deadlines. I cannot wait to retirement.

Alvin is patiently waiting for me. Last night at supper he decided to pick up out the chicken pieces from his supper leaving some of his wet food and rice and pumpkin. I decided to order pizza to celebrate vacation. You know that you order pizza much too often when the delivery guy comes to the door and calls your dog by his first name and says “How are you doing Alvin?” Makes me feel good. He is such a nice young man. I asked how he was doing. He is taking schooling to work for Immigration Canada. Also he has a new “tire” business and he delivers pizza. Very enterprising you man. I must remember next time to ask his first name. Seems only right as he knows my name and Alvin’s. When I went to eat my supper, I brought to the sofa the rest of Alvin’s supper and very quietly he ate it with no fuss. That was a relief. This morning he did the same thing so I put the rest of his breakfast into the fridge and will bring it out when I have my breakfast. Fingers cross that it will work once again.

Well keeping this short. I need coffee and am excited to get this day going. YAY, clear blue skies and bright yellow sun shining. There is a breeze. The snow is melting.

Have an awesome Saturday.

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

Always, Carol & Alvin

The New YEAR 2022

Good Morning ALL! How are you this morning, doing well I hope. Alvin and I had a good morning thus far. I was up and stayed up at 6:20 a.m. – going to make a point of trying to get up at least by 6:00 a.m. each morning so that I can enjoy the early morning sunrises. I can feel the sun on my heart and soul. Erasing the anxiety of days gone by. The sky is blue and the wind is blowing and life is good.

We had a wonderful weekend. Sunday was basically a repeat of Saturday. My friend Gillian came for coffee in the morning and we chatted up a storm. So much good conversation. Friends are the best. I love her, she keeps me thinking and young. Gillian is also going to pop by and check in on Mr. Alvin while I am away at the office tomorrow. So grateful to have such dear friends. Very grateful. The other pea in our pod has a cold and decided to keep her “germs” at home. We missed her. I shared some of the delectable baking that my friend Val had sent to me from Regina. So good. Love(d) the cinnamon buns and my favourite the “biscotti.” I love that word. Sounds beautiful, so Italian. I would love to travel there some day. But for now I go there in my dreams.

The earlier plan had been for my daughter to come for a visit in the afternoon but then she decided to come today and then spend the night. She will come later this afternoon. Makes sense as she is going to drive me to work in the morning. Then we have the evening to get caught up on all things the trip to VEGAS! I am making her favorite supper – chicken stir fry.

With the change in plans yesterday, I decided to go for a walk a bit earlier. Another sweater day. When we got around the park to our friend Lucy’s house, who did I see hanging from a ladder trimming one of her trees, but LUCY! OMG, all alone and doing that. We caught her eye and she happily accepted me to stay while she finished the tree. We had some great conversation while Mr. Alvin sat patiently. She was up and down the ladder. I handed her her trimming shears and the long handled ones. I was wishing that I had those sizes as well. I only have the one on the pole. She likes things to be clear and simple. So all the extra branches some of which had died, she wanted gone. Most people wouldn’t be bothered but not Miss Lucy. Up that ladder and leaning on the trunk of the tree, took my breath away. She kept saying how much she appreciated us being there but we could go as she did not want to interrupt our walk. I plainly said “No, we are not leaving until you are done pruning the tree.” We stayed. There was no way I was leaving her alone. Once she was finished we were on our way. By the time we got home it was close to two hours of walking/fresh air/visiting. I was in my happy place. Alvin was in his and pooped. I think he figured it was suppertime but no too early for that but I did give him a snack. Likely better as he gets older to cut back on the breakfast and supper and give him snacks (his food) late morning and mid afternoon. Keeps his belly full and happy.

I also cleaned out my pantry and discarded and recontained all of my spices. Thank you Val for the new tupperware spice containers.

I made a really delicious pasta with tomato sauce. Was disappointed when I went to put it away and noticed that I had forgot to use the pepperoncini and roasted tomatoes that I had purchased for this meal. Oh well, I can also add them to the leftovers. LOL. The fresh PARM from the Italian store was so darn good.

Well we had a nice evening. Oh and before supper I brought out some of our patio furniture. Now it looks like spring/summer. I am happy.

Time to go and plug in the coffee and soon to start work.

Looking forward to seeing my girl later today.

Have an awesome Monday.

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

Always, Carol & Alvin

2021

Good Morning All! How are you this Saturday morning? We are doing well. My first time in weeks using the computer to write this post and it feels a bit strange. Mr. Alvin is patiently waiting downstairs for my return. I have been upstairs for a bit as I had a shower, put on makeup (yes, I did), got dressed, made the bed (yup) and a few other little things (okay brushing teeth). I am so happy that we had our first sleep upstairs in five weeks. It did not go quite as I had planned or hoped. There was a glimmer of hope that he would be so happy to be in the bed again that he would not react to the harness and leash although he has been wearing it the previous couple of nights on the sofa. I had washed his harness and dried in the dryer. Usually I let it air dry and I think that perhaps it may have shrunk a bit. Anyway, it just looked uncomfortable. So I put him in the main bathroom while I ran back downstairs to get the one dog collar that I have and put that on him. Now he has only ever wore a collar a couple of times since he came to live with me so he was freaked out by the whole thing. Perhaps it was more that we were upstairs, I don’t know and will never really know. We will see what happens tonight. He/We slept until just before 5:00 a.m. which was good considering we went to bed at 10:00 p.m. I gave him his breakfast and we went outside in the cool morning air. Once done I thought we would have a bit more sleep on the sofa. This time I was going to try and just keep my arm over him but he kept jumping up. I honestly think that those metal gate things are giving him anxiety. So I got his bed out of the kitchen and put in the living room. I laid back down on the sofa and although it took him a couple of minutes he did lay down on the bed. So that will be our future routine when we get up in the morning. If we keep doing it he will get used to it and not get so freaked out. When we got up the second time it was 7:22 a.m. and just now a huge ROAR of THUNDER. The once clear skies are overcast and perhaps we are going to have some rain. That would be nice. Although I did plan to take him for a walk in the next few minutes and almost my friends are having my birthday party here at 10:00 a.m. It was supposed to be at Gillian’s house but with Alvin, I cannot leave him for that long or at least not yet. It is one thing being upstairs. Back to getting up…. I gave him a pain pill and anti-anxiety pill and some food. He has actually been quite good since I came upstairs. Only a few barks.

Perhaps he will finally get used to the new routine. I have to start getting ready upstairs and it would be great to do this post on the computer. I am still figuring things out on the phone. The set up is a bit different. I was not able to change the category and it has been saving as miscellaneous and things like that.

Well I had better get going. I have a few things to do before the party starts. I guess there will be no walk. Don’t need to get rained on or to be struck by lightning. Good thing that Mr. Alvin is not scared of storms.

So this is our life. Living with a senior dog and being a senior, Yes, I will be 64 on Monday. That just seems not right. My mind is still in the 1970’s most days.

I hope that you are doing well. Thank you for continuing to read my posts, I so appreciate it.

Time to go back downstairs. I am going to make coffee early ….. need some.

Feels strange to have makeup on ….. I have not even been putting my “eyebrows” on lately.

I think it is raining. Good thing that I did not have the chance to water the flowers. HAIL. It seemed like hail as coming down so hard. The party may be delayed if the rain does not stop. ARGH.

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

Always, Carol & Alvin

2021

Good Morning ALL. How are you today? I am well. Everytime I typed “2021” – I feel as though I am living in the far future. But yet here we are and I guess when I was a little girl in the early 1960’s – 2021 would have felt very futuristic. I also cannot believe we are less than four years away from 2025, which is another year that always interested me. Not quite sure why. Anyway. Got slightly sidetracked. This morning I am going into the office. We have quite strict protocols in place when we go to the office. I had to submit an online self assessment which I was finally able to do. At first I get receiving messages that my password or server weren’t something or other. Did not work. After many attempts I was able to complete the self assessment. YAY, me. This not very tech savvy “woman” was able to download the APP if that is the correct terminology and then actually get signed in and do the assessment. Well it is just over thirty minutes before my daughter picked me up. She is in my “bubble” or “pod.” I am not sure which term to use as I have heard both used. Guess it really does not matter. Mr. Alvin is feeling that something is up. It will be a long day for him without his Momma. Thankfully our neighbour Sonja will pop in and check on him. Let him outside and give him a treat or two. Then she will feed him at supper and let him out. He is used to eating around 4:30 p.m. and I won’t make it here by then. So grateful to have such great neighbours. I can smell the coffee perking as I am making some to take to work. I have my snacks or rather my breakfast on the go which consists of almonds and grapes. Usually I have oatmeal with cinnamon and cranberries but I didn’t want to eat this early and I also did not wish to take that to the office where I would have to warm it up in the microwave. Just want to keep my contact down to a minimum.

Well it is Friday and that is a good thing. I am looking forward to the trip to work chatting with my daughter along the way. I am excited to see the handful of staff including my Manager and a gal that is retiring and today is her very last day. I will have an opportunity to personally wish you all the best. We had a virtual Retirement party for her yesterday ….. no food, no card, no gift to hand to her. That part was sad. Some of us including her Management team had lots of nice things to say. She worked for our company for almost 39 years.

Okay time to go and finish getting ready. I am thinking I can get away with only wearing shoes instead of boots. Not much snow. I will be brave.

Have an awesome Friday. Continue to live our lives with kindness, respect and compassion.

Always, Carol & Alvin

2021

Good Morning ALL. How are you? I am well and happily settling into my new bras. Happy Woman here. Well last night ….. earlier, much earlier this morning up and down as per our normal routine. It would seem that whenever we go to bed whether early or a bit later we are always up six hours later. That six hour mark could be at 3 a.m. or 4 a.m. or anything in between. Depending on the time I either give Mr. Alvin his glucosamine chew OR the chew and breakfast. I don’t want him to have breakfast before 4:00 a.m. Too early. Then we head to the sofa for a few more zzz’s and when we get up depends on whether or not it is during the week or the weekend. What a life! This morning I am going to have a “coffee visit” with my friends Gillian and Signe on TEAMS. So excited to see them and catch up.

I also had a pretty nice surprise when I went into my office (where I am now) to turn on the computer …. I found that my African Violet had some pretty purple flowers. She did not have them yesterday and there are several buds as well. A very deep rich vibrant purple. A royal purple if you will. I cannot remember how long I have had this plant and she has never bloomed but I think that she does like being in the office on my desk. I have placed two smaller Spider plants on the desk beside her for company. Even plants need company. They were babies when I moved them into the office and she was older so a good match, I thought. Miss Violet’s leaves are finally becoming larger and stronger looking. I am so over the moon happy about this plant and all of my plants as they are all doing so well. My Geraniums are blooming …. beautiful pink flowers. Three other plants that I have are also blooming and I am not quite sure what there names are … Since I am home all of the time now, I give them a lot more TLC and they appear to be liking the extra attention. Yesterday morning I spent about one hour fixing them up and moving them about. They do all seem to love the southern exposure whether in my kitchen or in the office. Although yesterday I tried something by moving my large Spider plant to the 1/2 wall that divides the kitchen and living room. I moved Spidy because my plant area is getting so crowded with plants. I will see how Spidy does and if shows signs of stress I will move him back to the window area or perhaps even upstairs to the office where there is more room. My daughter brought me a Poinsettia from her office on Friday thus overfilling the space. So I will keep an eye on them. Plants are so good to have around. I am grateful that several of them seem to bloom all year round. Now I have my beautiful Violet plant blooming. So grateful. Also I have two geraniums that my friend Pauline gave me last fall which are becoming massive in their small pots and need to be transplanted. So I will have to put out a call for someone to pick me up some potting soil and two medium sized pots.

Last night I spent the evening speaking to my friend Linda who lives back home. We worked together, were neighbours and are friends. She recently celebrated a birthday. We chatted about our lives, the world and the pandemic for close to three hours. What a great way to spend a Saturday night. Perfection.

Now this morning I get to chat with two of my girl friends. YAY.

Well time to get dressed and put on the coffee and have breakfast before our get together.

The sky is partially overcast this morning as the sunrises. I love the colours of the morning sky as the sun begins to rise in the sky.

This has been a great weekend thus far. Alvin and I also had the best walk yesterday afternoon. The air was so warm and there was no wind. I could have walked forever. Who would have thought it was almost mid January.

Wishing you a great Sunday.

Continuing to live with kindness, respect and compassion for all.

Always, Carol & Alvin

Second Half of the NEW YEAR – last quarter.

Good Morning All. Finally the snow has stopped here in Edmonton or at least in my neighbourhood. So much snow has fallen. The sticky heavy stuff making shovelling difficult and time consuming. My neighbours and I shovelled the front sidewalks several times yesterday and there was still about a foot to shovel this morning. Thanks to my neighbour Sonja for shovelling the front. When we got up about 1.5 hours ago I went outside with Alvin so that I could pick up his poop from earlier in the morning (it had stopped snowing by that time) and that’s when I decided in my pj’s to start once again shovelling the deck and Alvin’s grass area. There is so much snow that it is hard – where do you put that snow? As I was shovelling I realized that Sonja was in her backyard, yes that is Humphrey and Bogart’s Mom. She was shovelling away singing to some tunes on her earphones. I got her attention and we both thought this is just the beginning. So much snow. She was further ahead of me and after a few minutes went into her garage so that she could shovel her driveway. Our garages are detached from our homes. After a few minutes I decided that I would go and join her and shovel the driveway. It is the place that is not visually noticeable from the house and better to do it now than later. Of course, she’s younger and in better shape and had a head start, not that it was a race but she finished ahead of me and said that she would go and start the front and see how far she got as she was also getting tired. I said “thank you,” of course and carried on shovelling the driveway. Oh, Alvin had been cold several minutes before so I put him into the house. It was shortly after I started shovelling the driveway, I found my mini gloves were not keeping my fingers warm so back into the house and into my big girl MITTS and also put on my high warmer boots. Back out and finished the driveway and then the deck. By the time I got back into the house, removed my boots and walked to the front door, my neighbour was heading up my front steps as she had almost finished the shovelling. What a workout we girls had this morning. She is almost on her way to look after some horses of a friend. The horse shelters have to be cleaned so she will be getting lots of exercise and really building up those arm muscles. To all my friends in Alberta and elsewhere – be careful shovelling. The snow is heavy. Take your time. Be safe.

Well it is definitely time for some COFFEE and I actually have earned the appetite that I now have ….. for a change.

Happy to see that the United States will have their first female Vice-President. It is about time. Congratulations to the new leadership team.

Well time to get this day going although I am feeling a bit tired after all that shovelling. I have vacuuming to do up and downstairs. Bring up the laundry that was drying in the basement. I want to bake some scones using the Steeped Tea mix. I think that I am going to make pancakes for breakfast as I have milk to use and do not wish to waste it. Also have to work on a project for Christmas but cannot reveal at this time. I am going to place a Pampered Chef order from a friend’s online party which will bring my Christmas shopping close to being done. I have Alvin, Aspen and Milo left and some stocking stuffers for the kids. I will do some baking in the early part of December and hand it out to friends and family. I did write up most of my Christmas Cards yesterday but still more to do. A few letters to do as well.

Have an awesome Sunday. I am so happy to see somewhat clear blue skies this morning and the sun was shining earlier, wasn’t it? I thought so??? Well at least it is not snowing. I am so relieved that it stopped.

Take care everyone. Be safe and I hope that you are in good health.

I/We shall continue to live our lives with kindness and respect for all living creatures and the environment. I guess after all it holds life including ours.

Always, Carol & Alvin

Second Half of the NEW YEAR – last quarter

Good Morning All, We were up and down as per usual but up to stay just before 8:00 AM. I marvelled at the way some of the leaves are hanging on as if for dear life on our tree out front. They almost look like upside down umbrellas. These poor pods of leaves almost appear to be social distancing as they hang in groups every so often on the branches. Our tree has almost dropped all of its’ leaves. I can definitely see some raking in my future. The colours of the leaves on the ground look so beautiful against the lighter green/yellow grass as it prepares for winter. The contrast to the sidewalk and street is gorgeous ….. reds and yellows to gray.

The last half of this week has been well should I shall lousy. Likely just as good a word as any. Lost a friend that I used to work with at BBW at the MALL and have others who are awaiting the results of COVID19 testing. Work is off the charts, busy, which is slowly eating away at my “patience” and heart. I like to be busy but not so busy that you cannot see the light of day. This morning I looked inward for some guidance, for perhaps a thought that may get me back on track. There are many blessings in my life and I am truly grateful for each and every one of them. I know that I am extremely lucky to have a decent job in this landscape and that this time. But that does not help me but feel anxiety. Anyway, lots to do this weekend. Today is going to be a particular busy day once I finish this post, start the laundry, already started the coffee, have breakfast, give Mr. Alvin a haircut, boil potatoes and eggs for tomorrow’s potato salad, make a fruit pizza for tomorrow, dust and clean bathrooms, wash floors, pull more flowers that have gone to the other side, bring up the FALL and HALLOWEEN decorations and whatever else I can squeeze into this day. Perhaps the best thing for me right at this moment is to get busy. I know that life is life and there are things beyond my control and that I can get through anything. There might be stop signs and potholes along the road but I will keep on walking until it is my time to leave this earth. Sorry not meaning to be dark. I am so grateful to have my Alvin with me and for my life.

I am going to see later today or this weekend if I am now able to upload photos from my phone to the computer. That would be nice.

Well my friends, I hope that life is treating you well. No matter what is going on in your life and mine, we “got this.” No one ever said it would be easy all of the time but we can in our reactions to the situations determine our joy or sadness or anxiety. I am learning each and everyday and hoping to become more wise as the years go by.

Take Care and Be safe. Live with kindness and respect and laughter. I am going to add laughter to our mantra. We need to laugh. Find the funny in something each and everyday. We must.

Happy Saturday.

I/We shall remain,

As Always, Carol & Alvin

Second Half of the NEW YEAR.

Good Morning and Welcome to Saturday September 12, 2020.

Overcast and cool with a slight breeze this morning.

We were up at our usual about 4:00 a.m.

Alvin had his glucosamine chew and ate his breakfast, peed and then we were back to sleep to the sofa.

We did not stir until just after 8:30 a.m.; I guess we were tuckered out.

Or at least I was.

Alvin did well while I was at work yesterday.

My neighbour came over at noon to check on him.

They went to the backyard but Alvin would not pee.

Not sure why.

She gave him a biscuit …. guess he never says “no” to food.

Work went great.

It was so nice to see the girls.

There were four plus me on the main floor at the office.

One of the girls I did not see.

But did see the other three.

We all wore masks when we were not at our work stations which were well over 6 ft apart.

In fact we were in opposite corners from each other.

I got everything done just before 1:00 p.m.

My daughter had to cover for a lunch break so she picked me up at 2:30 p.m.

In between I took a lunch break in between and cleaned out my desk.

Nice to have a chat with the girls whom I have not physically seen since March 19, 2020.

Went through papers as there had been a few things that needed to be scanned to client files.

Nothing life threatening.

I sanitized both workstations before I left.

It was a reminder that others have been experiencing large volumes of emails when arriving back from vacation.

I felt not alone in that respect.

Reminder that we are more alike than different.

That things will get done.

I was happy that I was able to work quickly and get my task completed – now one of my teammates won’t have to go to the office on Monday to finish up.

I was in my zone and it went fast.

 

We went to COSTCO after work.

Oh my goodness that place was busy.

I have not seen such a long line at the check-out in years.

People were wearing masks.

Some still had a thing about keeping proper distance though.

 

Now the fridge and pantry are stocked for sure.

 

Alvin was surely happy to see us ….. he was so excited he forgot to go pee until I urged him to go.

I pretty much had to stop what I was doing and say “Alvin go pee” about four times.

What a guy.

 

Perhaps that is why we slept in this morning.

Busy day yesterday.

I folded and stuffed so many envelopes that I rubbed the skin off my hands in two places.

ARGH.

 

Well no real sight of the sun coming out.

Time to get this show on the road.

I have housework to do.

I want to rearrange and clean out the pantry again.

Laundry as usual.

Clean the main floor.

Walk at some point.

Vacuum …..

Write ……

Relax ….. for sure.

 

Living with Kindness and Respect.

I/We shall remain,

As Always, Carol & Alvin

 

 

Second Half of the NEW YEAR.

Good Saturday Morning,

Yesterday was our Humphrey the Cat from next door’s 6th Birthday.

He is a great friend to Mr. Alvin.

I didn’t realize it was his birthday until later in the morning so I missed mentioning it here.

He is quite the character and we love him dearly.

 

I was thinking about how blessed both Alvin and I are to be surrounded by so many friends.

Both of us have a great many friends.

Do I have friends because of him?

Does he have friends because of me?

I don’t know for sure.

Perhaps a combination of our personalities and his cuteness, of course.

I am grateful that Alvin has a great home.

Alvin endured a rough beginning but the majority of his life has been great despite a few health hiccups along the way.

Nothing serious health wise.

I would always wish that both him and I continue to be in good health.

My wish would be when it is our time to leave this place that we simply go to sleep and not wake up.

Okay off that subject.

 

We slept in this morning …..

As usual we were up earlier and Alvin had breakfast and went outside for his morning “constitutional.”

After that we laid on the sofa and both dreamed away.

I did wake up at 7:30 ish and looked outside to see it was still dry even though the sky is filled with rain clouds.

Thinking that perhaps we should get out for a walk before it rained.

But then my body and mind …. said “no way” and then ….

It was after 9:00 when Alvin and I got up and really started our day.

The sky is overcast and it just started to rain a bit ago.

We will find a spot during the day to go for a walk.

Yesterday we walked at lunchtime and then again after work.

 

So what is on your plate for this Saturday?

Mine, I think will be doing laundry and washing the main floor.

Bit of cleaning.

The blinds still glare at me each time I open and close them.

They are the one thing on my list that I did not complete during my vacation time.

So they do need to be cleaned.

Procrastination, perhaps.

I don’t mind cleaning them but ….

They will get cleaned at some point.

Have to be cleaned before winter for sure.

I think that it is the whole job that now seems so daunting.

There are blinds on every window in the house so that is a lot.

But maybe if I do the main floor one weekend and the upstairs the next, it won’t seem like so many.

Also it won’t take all day to do them.

Yikes, now it is all about the blinds, lol.

 

Another item on my agenda is another haircut and bath for Mr. Alvin.

Man, it seems like only yesterday that I gave him a haircut.

Because he is not a huge fan of getting a haircut, okay not a fan at all, I am trying to trim a bit from his paws each day.

That will help when I do give him a haircut.

What a guy!

 

Writing I am writing my book.

I have not been writing every day, I will not tell a fib.

But I have made some great progress.

I have a lot of material already written which helps.

I have to get it all in one place to edit and then write in the missing pieces.

This happens when you write everyday for most of your life.

The work has been done in some cases (depending on what you are writing, of course).

But I do have a lot of material for this book.

The book about my life with Alvin.

Photos.

I have them, too.

I love looking at photos in books.

So definitely will include some of them.

I also have our “family photos” that my daughter takes every year of me and Alvin.

Alvin really has not changed at all.

Me, on the other hand, well that is a different story.

 

So to end this post, I will post some photos of our dear Humphrey.

A belated Birthday Tribute.

I did post some photos on Instagram yesterday.

 

Happy Birthday Humphrey

I searched and searched and was not able to find one of my favorite photos of Humphrey and Alvin sitting on our bed looking out of the window.

Always realized how many photos I have of Humphrey.

When you are looking for something specific through 40,000 photos …. not easy to find.

Also a great reminder to clean up my photos on the computer and on my phone.

I found duplicates and bad shots.

Oh my goodness ……

 

I hope that you are having a great Saturday.

Time for coffee and breakfast before you know it …. it will be noon.

ARGH.

Oh well …..

Blustery day so good time to get things done in the house.

Just got a text …. coffee tomorrow morning with one of the girls, the other is away.

Always nice to have coffee with a friend.

 

Wishing you the best Saturday filled with kindnesses and respectfulness.

I/We shall remain,

As Always, Carol & Alvin