The New YEAR 2022

Good Morning ALL! Happy Monday morning. I hope that you are well this morning. Alvin and I had a great sleep, yes we did. Lights out just after 10:00 as I was reading and still did not finish the book that I am reading. This will be the third time that I have read this book so I know the ending. I am re reading the Shopaholic Series by Sophie Kinsella. They are a nice light read and always make me smile. Rebecca or Becky as she is affected referred to, is just one of those characters that you can one minute shake your head in disbelief that someone would do that and in the next one you are feeling so sorry for her or so happy. She also reminds me of me in some aspects. I think she would likely remind most of the population of themselves. If you have never read the series, please do so. I am certain that you would them very most enjoyable. The characters are so well done. I hope that Sophie writes another new one soon. Maybe she has and I just have not heard. Reminder to check.

Well yesterday was a GREAT day. The to do list remains the same as I strayed greatly. Started out with the girls coming for coffee. We had a “muffin” day as everyone brought muffins in addition to my banana pumpkin with orange zest loaf. We had carrot cake muffins with cream cheese icing and then a mix of blueberry, chocolate chocolate chip, and raisin bran. I also had some oranges, (two kinds). We had a lovely visit. I just love these girls. I am so blessed to have such good friends near and far. After the girls left for home, I just settled down on the sofa with Alvin for some snuggles and to finish my coffee. In the end I watched a movie. Afterwards we went for a great walk. Mr. Alvin is feeling better and seems to have rounded the corner of concern and coming out the other side. In the afternoon, I tended to my flowers in the house, ended up trimming back and pulling one of my old bushes from the back garden. The bush used to be so pretty and then at some point it has turned into a thorn bush. I was tired of getting pricked all of the time so I trimmed it back and pulled most of the roots. I had to wear two sets of gardening gloves and the second pair on top were a heavy duty glove. Anyway, I was happy that I got it trimmed back and mostly out. I will need to get a small shovel and dig out the remaining roots. We just had a quiet afternoon for the most part. I made myself a big supper of pork chops and baking sheet of vegetables including sweet potatoes and carrots and onions and brussel sprouts. So good. After supper there was some action outside. A woman that I did not recognize looked like she was herding something as she moved about with her hand in the air. I looked out the window to see that a goose with two goslings was walking down the street. She was stopping traffic so that she could get the geese to safety. When I looked closer and actually went outside as were some of my neighbours, I saw two adult geese with the goslings. Little fluffy balls of cuteness. Nice of this stranger to get out of her car (someone else was driving) and help the geese. She herded them to the back lane which is busy enough but definitely more safe than our busy street where people drive insanely fast. I was happy to see kindness for the innocent birds. They will live to see another day and that is so wonderful.

The sky this morning is overcast. Not cold outside. I am happy that I decided to plant my flowers later.

After the geese were saved, I decided to take Mr. Alvin for a walk to the park. We bumped into another neighbour walking with her two dogs so we chatted and walked home together from the park.

Perhaps that is why we slept so good. FRESH AIR in the evening. Perhaps I will change our after work walk to after supper. Might be better for Mr. Alvin.

Time to go and have my first cup of coffee and start this day.

I hope that you have a great Monday. Be well and safe. I hope that there is something for you to laugh about today. Laughter is truly the best medicine.

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

Always, Carol & Alvin

P.S. thanks Val for the text last night …….

P.P.S. to Pluto ….. I howled at the moon last night even though it was not visible at that time.

Living … One day at a time.

Hello, sorry but it is late afternoon already.

Yesterday first thing in the morning my son-in-law dropped my grandpups off for the day.

After I got them settled, I went for a walk with Miss Aspen.

She is the Yellow Lab Shepherd Cross.

This was just a few minutes after 8:00 a.m.

Our walk took us to our nearby park

We had some fun.

There was a Bunny being chased by some very aggressive Magpies.

We should have turned back but this silly Grandma thought we could scare the birds giving the Bunny time to make his escape.

It was a great plan in theory.

The reality was a far different story.

Needless to say I found out the hard way just how strong my girl Aspen is as I almost did a head plant into the sidewalk.

But managed to stay upright as I made that sill trip after her.

I was very careful during the rest of our walk.

Once we arrived back home I went into the backyard with Aspen, Alvin and Milo.

Humphrey the cat was in his backyard.

Aspen was trying desperately to get to him.

She would have pushed her way right through our fence.

She was very determined and she did not want to visit or make friends.

When she was a pup during her first year of life the poor dear had to fend for herself.

So she will go after rabbits, cats and birds.

She is fast and they do not stand a chance.

Needless to say I am careful with the cats and wildlife.

I did figure that the birds had a better chance of escaping.

Anyway it was an exciting way to start the day.

After that, I needed a COFFEE.

So perked up a pot of coffee and had a late breakfast.

We just had a quiet couple of hours or so.

About noon I went for a walk with Alvin and Milo.

We stopped by the garage sale.

Yes, the same one that I attended last weekend and Friday night.

They were happy to see Milo and Alvin.

We, I took a check around and picked up a couple of items.

Alvin and Milo and I continued on our walk after the garage sale.

We were on our way to the park when I heard my name being called and turned to see our friends had stopped in their van.

So we walked back to their vehicle.

They were wondering if I had a six foot high ladder as they were putting up Christmas lights and their son had borrowed theirs.

I just happen to have one and told them I would take it to them after we got back home.

When it arrived near Alvin’s Best Friend Teddy’s house we saw his Dad or actually Alvin spotted him up a ladder.

We were invited to go into the house so of course, the pups were up the steps in no time.

It was nice to see Teddy and his Mom.

We had a little visit and of course the babes had a treats before we continued on our way.

Stopped briefly at the garage sale and picked out one more item.

Leaving them there for pick up another time.

Which reminds me I have to go and pick up my items.

After we got home – I grabbed the ladder and walked it to my friend’s house.

Had a short visit and then back home.

We had a quiet rest of the afternoon.

Eating supper early.

Followed by some quiet time and then another walk with Miss Aspen.

Our walk was filled with more adventure.

While walking around the park there was a bunny running through someone’s backyard.

I managed to hold onto Aspen.

This time it was short lived.

After that a couple of small dogs who seemed friendly …. well ended up one was not.

So we carried on.

On the home stretch we walked by our new friend John’s house with Bug the black cat who spends some time on a leash basking in the fresh air.

Now I was watching for the cat as I know Aspen and cats.

I did not see her but Aspen walked close to the bush that circles their front yard and all of a sudden I heard a hiss.

Quickly called Aspen and pulled her back.

There was Bug in the bushes.

Everyone came out safely.

Thank goodness.

Finally back home …. we just had a quiet evening.

The kids were going to pick up the pups last night.

They ended up staying over last night.

Poor Miss Aspen was up at 3:00 a.m. with diarrhea.

Is this a reoccurring thing at my house?

Seems like poop and more poop.

Anyway it was poop and more poop throughout the night.

I felt so terrible as she had been whining/crying for a few minutes before I got my backside out of bed to take her downstairs.

Of course, we all went outside.

After that, we spent the rest of the night/morning on the sofa which was closer to the back door.

Poor Aspen.

Bad Grandma.

I texted my daughter about 8:30 a.m. to let her know about Aspen.

She came a bit later and spent some time here which was great.

Well that was my excitement.

Time to go and check on supper.

How about some photos?

The first photos from out on the deck were from yesterday and I am not sure what they were seeing?

I did not see anything but the pups certainly did.

Inside photos were from this morning while we were waiting for my daughter to arrive.

Well what a wild and wacky weekend we had …. I learned several valuable lessons.

1. Always wear running shoes not flip flops when walking with Miss Aspen.
2. When Aspen whines/cries in the middle of the night – Grandma needs to get the heck out of bed right away.
3. Pups make me happy.

Time to fly …. Alvin wants his supper.

 

Always, Carol & Alvin