2021

Good Morning ALL. How are you today? Sun is starting to rise in the morning sky. Just out of a most refreshing morning shower. Al is waiting patiently in the hallway for me to finish this post. Yesterday was another gorgeous day and the forecast for today is even better. I hope that we can safely say this is SPRING. The ice is starting to clear in front of our house. I go out everyday after work and chip away at the ice on the sidewalk to ensure that the water finds it way down the drain as it melts. It feels like I am making tiny river beds for the water to follow as it melts. It is all good until someone drives over them and then I start again. But it is clearing and hopefully this will be the last of the thick ice that needs to be cleared.

How many folks out there are ordering from places like Good Food, Hello Fresh and Chef’s Plate? I have tried all three. Last weekend I went and SKIPPED weeks so that they would not automatically send me an order that I did not want. Guess what? Somehow or other, I missed this week? Not sure how I did that but I guess I did. My word against theirs. They have already billed the credit card so no going back now. The three meals were not even what I would have chosen. One is red meat which I do not eat. How is that for wonderful? Makes me mad but I guess it was my fault. I was so certain that I had skipped the dates for way into the future. I think that it should be the other way around ….. if you want to order you make the selections and if you do not make selections then an order does not arrive. But I guess they likely get more business with this automatic ordering process. I am not a fan will just say that. Luckily for me, my kids ordered this week and we can switch a meal and I will give them the “red meat” meal that I will not eat. I sent an email to the company and they sent me a response in French stating that the English email would arrive shortly. Well that is great customer service, why would you send a French email first to a English speaking client. Why bother sending the French one? Perhaps this automatic food delivery is not for me. I do love eating things that I would normally not cook but the ordering process, I could live without. Okay, I usually do not rant but it is good to get it out of one’s system and besides perhaps you were pondering the thought about trying one of these companies. Buyer beware. If you forget to skip you are on the hook. That is why they get your credit card. Easy for them. Anyway, that is done.

Mr. Alvin is still waiting patiently for me.

I am grateful that he has recovered from his surgery in fine fashion. He seems to be having no issues with the new food as I am gradually introducing it to him. So that is a relief.

I am grateful that my daughter will be popping by after work to drop off the food order and I will give her the one that comes today in return.

I am grateful to see my daughter not just about the food order. Any chance that I have to see her is the best.

I am grateful to be employed and earn a decent living.

I am grateful that the weather is good for walking.

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

Always, Carol & Alvin

2021

Good Morning ALL. Welcome to Tuesday, February 16, 2021. Last week I was writing the month of May in my phone log and this morning I almost wrote January. Oh well. Could be worse, I could be actually thinking it is January or May. Would that really be worse. Guess it is not doing any harm. Funny, actually. Sometimes our brains go in strange directions. Or at least mine seems to from time to time. Did you have a good weekend? I thoroughly enjoyed my long weekend. Teddy, Kobi and their Mom dropped a piece of “key lime pie” off just before my supper last night. Always nice to see the pups. They bring instant joy to the house. Supper was the last of the Chef’s Plate meals for this go around. Not sure that I will be ordering from them again or not. I think that I will just cook on my own for awhile. Last night’s meal was a roasted chickpea and red pepper dish with a tabbouleh salad and baked feta. It was quite good. I most especially loved the warm soft feta. Never have had that before and I really enjoyed the feta baked. I eat a lot of chickpeas and peppers roasted/baked in the oven so that part was not new to me. The tabbouleh salad I have made over the years a handful of times but I will be making the feta with a similar dish again. After supper, I had part of the key lime pie for dessert. It was different than I have had before …. but good. I watched a couple of my recorded shows and then it was off to bed. We had a good night sleep and of course, we were up a couple of times before the final get up and go for the day but that is okay. Life is what you make it. If I choose to be cranky and miserable and think that I am tired because of our odd sleep schedule then I have no one to blame but me. As we age and the same applies to animals ….. they have aches and pains and need to go to the bathroom at all times of the day and night. Alvin and I are on the same schedule in life so it makes it so much easier. I wouldn’t change a thing. I am grateful that I am working for home as I end up with a couple of extra hours of sleep. So grateful. I really hope that our employer decides to let us continue to work from home. We go to the office once every month of two and that suits me fine. It is great for Alvin ….. most especially as he is getting older. It would be an incredibly long day for him by himself and not being able to get outside when he needs to as he does now. Well looks like the sun is beginning to rise as it gets closer and closer to springtime in Western Canada.

Well it is time to head on downstairs. I put on the coffee when I had to take a quick break from this a few minutes ago to let Mr. Alvin outside. This afternoon at 3:00 p.m. – Alvin has his regular appointment and his two/three year vaccinations. His nails are getting a bit long as this appointment is a week longer I think than his last one and then two weeks earlier to have his shots. Kind of in between. Today is to be much warmer so we will be able to walk to Alvin’s appointment.

Take care on this Tuesday. Remember to live with kindness, respect, compassion and patience for all other living creatures.

Always, Carol & Alvin

2021

Good Morning ALL. How are you this morning? It is bright and sunny and still a bit on the cold side but far from the frigid temperatures of days gone by. I am happy that it is the weekend. Wondering why my font seems to have changed and I did not change it. Gotta love technology. I am also working on downloading/uploading photos from phone to computer, which it appears that I have successful completed. Now to add some to this post. For some reason as of late, this process has changed somewhat. Here goes!

I am not quite certain why the photos did not go to my gallery when I downloaded them but here a few recent photos and items that I saved to my phone.

The food photos are some of the recent meals that I have ordered from CHEF’s Plate.

I have also been saving quotes from THE SECRET that are posted on social media. A good reminder.

My geraniums are once again blooming. Nothing like having some pink flowers show up in time for Valentine’s Day. The Poinsettia is so pretty as it is beginning to turn red.

A photo of Mr. Alvin snuggled with one of his toys as I work.

The last photos were taken this morning in my office as the sun shone through the window ……. so beautiful.

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I wish you a bright happy Saturday. I hope that some flowers arrive for you this weekend to brighten your day. This is also a long weekend for me which makes me happy. I love spending time doing my own thing. Sometimes that thing is laundry. Yup that is high on the list. When I arrive downstairs again, coffee will be the first task to be done. My daughter said she will come for a visit at some point this weekend and I look forward to seeing her.

I was experiencing technical difficulties and somehow the last paragraph did not save. Of course, I do not remember exactly what I said so here goes.

Continuing to live with kindness, respect, compassion and patience (even with technology, as I paste a smile onto my face).

Always, Carol & Alvin

P.S. Daughter just texted tomorrow is the visit date. We are over the moon.

2025

Good Morning ALL. How are you doing today? I hope that you are well. Alvin and I are doing great. Another cold day. I noticed there was some extra snow on the sidewalks and on the deck. Guess there was some snow before we were up earlier. I love that the sun is beginning to rise earlier and earlier each day. I found out that March 14, 2021 is the date that we here in Alberta turn our clocks forward by one hour. The time change always seems to play havoc with me and Alvin, most especially Alvin for at least a couple of weeks before we are used to the difference. I will say that it is harder to turn the clocks back than forward. Mr. Alvin is barking at me from the office. What a guy. Oh my goodness. He is hard to please. I had moved his little blanket bed from the office to the doorway thinking he may like to make eye contact from where he is but that was not what he wanted. After I had a shower and while still in my housecoat with my hair wrapped up on top of my head, we went downstairs and out he went. Does he need to go again? Anyway I guess this will be quick. I did want to mention that yesterday doing the list jogged my old memory about many other items around the house that I love. I have this seashell with pearl brooch that my grandparents bought for me when they went on their cruise to Hawaii. I have jumpsuit that she took on that trip. I believe the trip was about 1968 and I was 11 years old. The brooch is so exquisite. I will take a photo and share with you soon. It is so delicate and beautiful. I have managed to keep it safe and intact for all these years. Now one small pearl did come loose and I have that little pearl. I do treasure that gift so much. Another item was a solid green jade ring that my best friend in Grade 12 gave to me in 1976 and I have wore it everyday since then. I may changed fingers as my fingers changed size but I wear it to this day. Two more treasures. I am very blessed.

It is time to head downstairs. I was even up a bit earlier but today was pay bills day so that takes a couple of extra minutes and we did go downstairs in the middle of things. Oh well, such as life.

The sky almost looks periwinkle in colour from my office window and that brings a smile to my face and joy to my heart.

Wishing you a wonderful Thursday.

Today they deliver my second Chef’s Place meals for this next week. So excited.

Warming up tomorrow so that I can walk to the vet for supplies for the boy.

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

Always, Carol & Alvin

2021

Good Morning ALL. How are you today? Both Alvin and I are well. He/We/I were awake just after midnight and up and out and then back to “BED,” yup the actual bed not the sofa until guess what time? I was so excited “5:00 a.m.” Felt like I actually slept through the night. So that was a great way to start the day. Oh no, we did not stay up. The sofa always calls our names.

I am so happy that our sunrises seem to be happening earlier each day and I guess they really are, so nice. No snow yesterday that actually accumulated which was good. No walking. Seems to be a lots of no’s happening. We did some up and down the stairs. Alvin does get fresh air more than me when it is this cold as he has to go out for the obvious reasons and sometimes he likes to just go out on the deck for a few minutes under the careful eye of his Momma. Have to watch that the pads on the bottom of his paws do not freeze. It is something that most folks do not think about when they are out walking their dogs in the winter time and in the summer they can blister/burn on hot pavement and sidewalks. We rescued a dog on a hot summer day who has his/her pads badly burned. My family took the pup to the Emergency Vet for treatment. Unfortunately we never did find out where she belonged. Very sad.

Today is the Happy Birthday of one of my two nieces. Happy Birthday KENZI. Alvin and I are hoping that life is treating you well. Best Wishes.

As I look around my office, I see that I am surrounded by my favourite inanimate objects such as cards, photos and books. I love to read. Every night when I go to bed – I read. I love all sorts of books. My daughter also has a thirst for reading books and quite often passes hers to me which is great because right now who gets out to shop for books. I have another friend who reads with a passion and she sometimes passes a book or three to me. Books are so very important to us human beings. They can lift you up and take you to places that you never imagined. The power of words. I am grateful to have a room filled with the things that I love. A thank you card from the CEO of a company I used to work for, a very beautiful birthday card from my sister, lots of cards displayed, photos of me and Alvin, my daughter, places I have been and favourite sayings. All hanging up on my wall size bulletin boards made my talented daughter. I must say that my office upstairs is my favourite room in the house. Truly. Makes my heart sing and my heart warm. Do you have a favourite room/place in your home. I also had this room painted the most glorious shade of green. I love this room. Truly I do.

Well I think that it is time to head on downstairs and plug in the coffee. Busy day ahead. Alvin is being patient this morning. He went outside just before we came upstairs. We both had a good sleep.

Wishing you a wonderful Thursday.

Oh, my Chef’s Place meal delivery order is coming today. This is the third one that I have tried. Fresh (cannot remember the name at this moment), GoodFood (which I love) and this one Chef’s Plate. Nice to try things that I would not normally cook and to have all of the ingredients. Just remembered it was called Hello Fresh.

Remembering to live with kindness, respect, compassion and patience. Oh, I am working on patience, every day. Alvin will attest to that for sure.

Always, Carol & Alvin