Last Half 2022 – December

Good Morning ALL! How are you this morning? I am doing well. When I looked out of the bedroom window I saw more snow so there will be more shovelling in my future. The sky is grey so more snow. I was pretty sure that the temperatures were getting colder so not sure why the snow but not much one can do about this situation. Mother Nature does what Mother Nature does in the winter on the prairies in Canada. Happy December! I am grateful that today is Sunday and that I do not have much on my plate today except putting my winter coats back in the downstairs front entranceway closet and emptying the dishwasher. Oh, and shovelling! I have done lots of cleaning last weekend and on Friday and earlier on Saturday preparing for Christmas parties each weekend.

Last night was so much fun. There were five of us in total. Two ladies cancelled at the last minute. That did not stop us from having a great time. We laughed, we “cried”, we ATE (oh my goodness did we eat), drank and spoke about our ups and downs, some about work. I was actually surprised that we held off talking about the “W” word for most of the evening and then we had a good chat. We were all feeling the same as we shared our anxieties and all of that. Next time I ask people to come over – I will not ask them to bring food as I made enough for about 20 people. We laughed about that …..

Well, I am keeping this short as I just want to have a lazy day and I want to get that started now. In fact, I am going to stay in my pj’s for awhile until I go out to shovel, might as well wait until the snow stops.

Tomorrow is back to the office. I was thinking last night and shared, “Wouldn’t it be great if our employer decided to change our “schedule for back to the office” down to one or two days per week. Dependant on whether or not your job required you to actually be in the office” What a morale booster that would be right before Christmas.” A girl can only hope. Maybe changing my thoughts will change the outcome. Oh that would be so nice. Fingers crossed. Changing my thoughts to change things!

Have an awesome Sunday. Coffee here I come.

Countdown to Christmas: only 6 sleeps until Christmas Eve. Only 6 sleeps until ALVIN comes home. I cannot wait to see him, Aspen, Milo, Amanda and Steven. YAY. Happy Christmas to me!

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

Always, Carol & Alvin

P.S. last night was a reminder, if you are feeling something, it is very likely that others feel the same way! Always reach out and know you are never alone.

Last Half 2022 – December

Good Morning ALL! How are you this morning? I am doing great. Up early so that I do not need to rush to finish the preparations for the second Christmas party that I am hosting tonight. Still really dark outside and I feel like it is still night. Not many lights on in the neighborhood but that is okay. I have lots to do and I would like to have some downtime before the guests start to arrive around 6ots to do and I would like to have some downtime before the guests start to arrive around 6:30 p.m. There are seven of my coworkers who have said that they are coming for sure. I guess time will tell. That number includes me. So a good number. We will have fun.

Countdown to Christmas: Saturday, December 17, 2022 which is exactly 7 sleeps till Christmas Eve Day. That is when my Alvin is coming home as well. Aspen and Milo will stay with us while Mom & Dad go to the Hobb’s side of the family for their Christmas celebration. I cannot wait. Alvin continues to surprise me with the updates from my daughter. He sure seems to have settled in – oh, dear, maybe he has forgotten me, possible?

I have changed my bedding, dusted the wall pictures/paintings upstairs, sprayed the toilets to clean when I am finished this post, and a couple of other little things. Might as well clean upstairs first and then it is done. Not much to do – a quick vacuum after cleaning the bathroom toilets and sinks and a bit of dusting and upstairs is done. Helps to keep on top of things for sure. Last night after work I took all of my winter coats out of the front closet and brought them upstairs to the office closet and moved my winter boots to the far right side leaving lots of room for all the coats and boots. I don’t like having a lot of boots sitting at the entranceway. I am shuffling and putting away all of my gadgets from the top of the kitchen counter (most of them, not all) so that we have room for food and refreshments and dishes and glasses. Garbage already emptied last night. I did quite a lot after work last night as I worked until almost 8:00 p.m. Whew!

We had some snow last night so I went out to shovel the deck and out front. Once back in the house, I was just taking a minute before going to shovel the driveway when the wind got up and the visibility was very low. It all happened so quickly. So I left the driveway until today. When I shovelled the deck I was just in a long cardigan and was not cold. The air felt so warm. It was strange. Weather!

Time to go and finish up here and then I can go and put on some coffee and have a little coffee break once the coffee has perked.

Have an awesome day.

I may not be posting early tomorrow! Depends on how late my guests stay!

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

Always, Carol & Alvin

Last Half 2022 – December

Good Morning ALL! What a beautiful morning! The sky is blue with hints of orange on the horizon as the sun rises on this Sunday morning. How are you doing? Considering I was up until after 2:00 a.m., I am doing well. Likely the energy will dissipate over the course of the day as I usually go to bed just after 9:00 with lights out no later than 10:00 p.m.

Two of my friends Gillian & Signe came over and we celebrated our Annual Christmas Party, I cannot even tell you which number this is. I would have to look back on photos but we have been doing this for years not long after I arrived here in Edmonton. These girls are amazing and I love them dearly. They are about my daughter’s age and give me a modern outlook on life. I do not feel 65. Also last night at some point before the girls left we got a fresh blanket of snow and when I looked out of the window a few minutes ago – there it was – waiting to be shovelled. So once I get downstairs and put on the coffee and before I do some more laundry (bedding), I will run out and shovel. I guess I figured the Christmas Shoveling Angel would have magically swept it up, lol. We had such a great time last night. We chatted about everything from A to Z and everything in between. Everyone brought appetizers to contribute to the potluck and we had so much food. Enough for 10 not 3. Lots of leftovers. Everyone got great gifts. All things that we can use. We were all happy to revel in each other’s company and the gifts were an extra special touch.

I am going to cut this short this morning as I want to get laundry done, bring up the dried clothes and do the shoveling. This will be a day to relax as I have an even bigger party coming up next Saturday and then of course, I work all this week. Starting the week off at the office.

Perhaps free air will do me some good. Nice to see the sunshine or at least a clear sky. Have an awesome Sunday. Take some time just for you. I might go out for a walk as I have not had a “real” walk since Alvin went to Amanda’s a week ago yesterday. I do miss him but he is doing so well out there, it has been worth my missing him.

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

Always, Carol & Alvin

Photo by Brett Sayles on Pexels.com

Photo by George Dolgikh on Pexels.com

Photo by Brett Sayles on Pexels.com

PS: whoops had to edit my post as I forgot the countdown to Christmas – for this Sunday, December 11th, 2022 there are 13 sleeps left until Christmas Eve.

Last Half 2022 – December

Good Morning ALL! How are you this morning? I am doing well. Had a great long sleep. As I look out of the office window the sky is grey and I almost think that I can see the trees swaying ever so lightly back and forth. Today is Saturday. The weekend has begun. I am so grateful for the weekends. Time to relax, readjust, clean the house and do all those things we do on our days off from work. Almost forgot that there is some shoveling that needs to be done. I can see the deck has snow from a few days ago and I imagine the same could be same for the driveway. So shoveling is in my near future. In fact, I might get that done in the next little bit. Tonight my friends Gillian & Signe are coming over for our Annual Christmas party. I cannot wait. We will have a multitude of appetizers, sweet treats and different kinds of drinks. We girls laugh, sometimes “cry” but above all we treasure our time together. They are such good friends and I love spending time with them.

I have some things to get ready for the party. Food wise. There would be some vacuuming in my near future, washing of the floors, some dusting, cleaning the bathrooms. Odds and ends. Make sure that the house looks perfect for my company.

My daughter dropped by last night on her way home to pick up some things. I also made sure that she tooks some Christmas baking. We had a nice visit. Alvin seems to be settling in well as yesterday morning for the second day in a row he slept through the night. In fact, everyone else in the house was up yesterday except for Alvin which had an immediate concern for them. Amanda carefully went over to ensure he was breathing and he woke up. She breathed a huge sigh of relief. Two weeks till Christmas and the boy comes home. I do miss him but I also realize that it is good for both of us to have some time apart. This is the first time in years and never for this amount of time.

Countdown to Christmas: 14 sleeps till Christmas Eve. Time is flying.

Yesterday we had a Secret Santa & Christmas party at work for our immediate three departments. There are 17 of us in total. Everyone brought something whether appetizers or sweet treats. So good. Then we opened gifts. I became the photographer of the event as I happen to have my phone out. There were giggles along the way and deep roars of laughter. During the gift opening people started to throw down the tissue paper as most gifts were in gift bags and I made a comment about recycling the tissue paper and of course the bags. We had some fun with the tissue paper. Some people folded it up and gave it to me. I found that another coworker also reuses the paper so we shared the excess tissue paper. Everyone was happy with their gifts. We had a fun couple of hours. Then back to work (some of us). Always hard for people to settle down after they had a big lunch and gifts. Then it was time to go home and start this weekend. I almost forgot our Manager had this gift exchange where she had wrapped as many gifts as there were people in the group and had a bucket of numbers for everyone to draw one. The person with no.1 got to pick any of the gifts and then went from there no. 2 and so on. If you did not wanted to “steal” the gift from the previous person you could and then you chose a gift for that person and so on. The first person got to choose from all of the gifts or one of the remaining ones. It was great fun.

Okay time to get downstairs and get this day hopping. Lots to do before tonight. I need coffee.

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

Last Half 2022 – December

Good Morning All! How are you doing this morning? I am doing great. Happy that today is Thursday and almost the weekend. Countdown to Christmas: we are at 16 days to Christmas Eve. I am so excited as this Saturday is my “friends” Christmas party. Well two friends. My dear young friends. I think it is a good idea to have friends of all ages. If you should be so lucky and I am. I love all of my friends. I have girl friends, boy friends, young friends, old friends, four legged and three legged friends, friends of all nationalities and backgrounds. A very diverse group. I grow from every moment that I spend with each of them. Every day I say to the Universe “how grateful I am for all my friends.”

My eye appointment went well. My Doctor said that I have very healthy eyes. Did you know that every person in their lifetime will get cataracts? I had no idea. The average age is 74. I learn so much from my eye Doctor. He is so interesting. I learned about eye pressure. Did you know that coffee can affect your eye pressure? Not me. Anyway, it was a good appointment and that is all that matters. I was very early to the appointment so while waiting I checked out the displays of frames and was immediately drawn to this red patterned pair. Subtle but not! One of the staff came over and even took pictures for me so that I could send to my daughter and one of my friends. My daughter was busy and did not get back to me right away but my friend was able to, so next frames are a red design. They are so cool. Likely the coolest pair that I have ever owned. Unfortunately because of the way the last appointment went two years ago, I have to wait until December 28, 2022 before ordering them. Waiting is good in this case as then my coverage from my employment eye plan will cover a portion of the almost $1000.00 bill. Yes, for one pair of progressive lens with a nice frame and sunglass clips. They are worth it. The glasses were over $850.00 and the clips were about $130.00 or so, I think. On the upside my eye exam is covered by the Alberta Government Health Care system. Whoot Whoot! I paid $25.00 for an extra exam which I also get. It will be covered by my Health Spending Account as will the rest of my glasses costs. Don’t feel bad for me. I am covered. So grateful for our great benefits.

Well time is slipping away. First time at the office with Alvin not being at home. Feels strange. I am sleeping better which is a good thing.

Last night I packed up cookies, fudge, and Christmas cards making several deliveries to friends in the neighbourhood. So much fun. It was so beautiful out. What a change from Tuesday. I walked over to the vet and dropped off some treats and cards to Dr. Karen and the staff and picked up some supplies for Alvin. His sister is stopping by tonight on her way home to pick them up. I overdressed for the walk as I was very warm when I arrived at my eye appointment, lol.

Have an awesome day.

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

Always, Carol & Alvin

PS: off to the office …… lol

Living … One day at a time.

Oh, what a weekend this has been so far.

Nice to see the sun shining this morning.

We were up at 5 a.m. for Alvin to eat and go outside.

Then headed back to the sofa for some extra zzz’s.

WOW, it was pretty late when we finally got up, I guess we really needed the extra sleep.

I was shocked to see the clock on the stove say it was 9:24 a.m.

Yes, we did not get our bodies up to stay up until that time.

Oh, well.

Yesterday was full of surprises.

I mentioned that Humphrey visited us unexpectedly arriving shortly after we got up.

I spent time between laundry and writing up letters and Christmas cards.

In the late morning Teddy’s Mom contacted me to see if he could come and visit Alvin for a couple of hours.

I said “sure.”

Teddy’s Dad dropped him by a little bit later.

In between doing chores and the Christmas cards I gave attention to my three buddies, Alvin, Humphrey and Teddy.

I had mentioned to Teddy’s Mom that I was just walk Teddy home when we went for a walk about 2:30 p.m. so that is what we did.

We were invited in for a visit and tea (for me).

So great to see the new puppy, OMG, she is so cute.

Just before 4:00 p.m. we headed for home as I had to shower and get ready for our girls Christmas party, finish drying some laundry and tidying up.

Humphrey was resting when we arrived home.

His Mom was to be home about 5:00 which worked perfectly as I was leaving about 6:00 p.m.

After I was ready and just finishing up a few things I texted Humphrey’s Mom.

She did not get away when she planned and was just leaving at that time.

Needless to say she was not home when I left for supper but the boys are fine together.

So it was nice that Alvin had company.

I was kind of surprised but more worried when Humphrey was still there when I arrived home two hours later at 8:00 p.m.

Cell phones are great, I texted his Mom and she said that she was only a few minutes away.

Whew, what a relief.

The girls had gone home to pick up a few things and then were going to walk back to my house (no drinking and driving).

Humphrey’s Mom was just leaving when they arrived.

What a busy day.

We, girls had a great time.

Laughing and venting and chatting up a storm.

Alvin laid mostly beside one of my friends wanting some attention.

There was no plan to exchange gifts but we all had brought a gift for each other.

Alvin even had a paw in opening one of my gifts.

The girls were surprised to see how well he could open a gift.

The one he opened was taped shut.

He found a place to start and between his mouth and paws, he did it.

There is even video proof.

I will share some photos of our gifts.

Funny just after 11:00 p.m. the party was over.

Everyone was getting tired after a long busy past few days.

We had such a wonderful time.

The food was great at the restaurant (company better).

I want to share some photos…..

Had some drinks.

Received some beautiful gifts.

I gave the hand made (not by me) Christmas tree ornaments in the Christmas tins and received the gifts in the photos above.

 

Now it is time to get some work done but before that happens it is time to make some coffee.

OMG, it is going onto 11:00 a.m. – how did that happen.

 

I wish you an awesome Sunday.

The sun continues to shine brightly this morning.

I think that Alvin is tuckered out after all of the company both two and four-legged.

He heard something and just sat up from a lying position.

 

Happy Sunday.

It is a good news kind of day.

 

Always, Carol & Alvin

 

 

 

Living … One day at a time.

Good Morning and welcome to a sky filled with a soft palette of pinks and oranges.

The sky looks as though you mixed some fog in with the sunrise.

It is absolutely gorgeous.

I just snapped a photo but the camera lens just does not grasp that wondrous beauty.

 

Humphrey unexpectedly has joined us today while his Mom is going out of town to visit family.

So Alvin will have some company while I clean the house and prepare for my girls to visit tonight.

We, three friends are going out for supper to a nearby restaurant called “Original Joes.”

This is our “Christmas party.”

Once supper is over we will retire to my house for a visit, perhaps a few drinks and maybe even a sweet treat.

Everyone can walk home from my house so not drinking and driving will happen.

There will be some cleaning and laundry to do today.

My friend who sells the FIFTH AVENUE JEWELRY is dropping off an order today around noon.

I will go with Alvin for a walk at some point.

We walked last night for our full walk.

Last night I visited my friends down the street.

We had such a great visit.

I was there for over three hours.

The time passed by so quickly.

 

With respect to our our family member who had surgery yesterday.

He is doing well and I pray that each and every report is great news.

It will definitely mean more hospital time but under the circumstances that is a must.

 

Well time to get this show on the road.

I actually took Monday off so that I would have some extra time at home finish Christmas cards and letters.

Some downtime.

Works has been crazy busy for me but I can finally see the light.

 

Well time to get dressed and start the laundry.

Check on the boys.

Alvin keeps walking back and forth so that means Humphrey is now upstairs.

I guess he likes to keep an eye on him.

Company?

 

Have an awesome Saturday.

I hope that life is treating you well.

 

Always, Carol & Alvin

 

Even though sometimes it is hard to be kind and respectful – we still have to put our best foot forward.

I had a bad day yesterday.

Not everyone is always happy about decisions.

I should know that by now.

 

 

 

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Thursday the 20th day of December, 2018.

Okay, we finished packing yesterday and spent the day in a dust bowl.

People were sniffing and sneezing.

It was dirty as some places that not seen the light of day for awhile.

You know how that is, right?

I am excited to move into our temporary workspace down the street.

Not far away which is nice.

Today we will unpack and get settled.

Tomorrow the office is open in the morning to the public and closed at noon as we will have our corporate Christmas Lunch.

Lucky me, my neighbour gave me a ride to work yesterday and will do so today and tomorrow.

So happy that I do not have to walk in baby steps to the bus.

I have my “ice picks” strapped onto my boots but you still have to be careful.

Deep sigh of relief.

Tomorrow last day and then I am off for “11” days including weekends.

So excited.

Tomorrow night I have a long list of things to do: starting with picking up the remainder of groceries for the Christmas party and for Christmas; bath Alvin, make another batch of fudge, and I know

that I had other things on the list (have to seek out that list, OR did I even write things down.

I forget.

Down to the wire.

Oh yes, wrap gifts that would be helpful.

Some items cannot go under the tree until the last night because of the pups.

Last night my daughter picked me up from work and we went to COSTCO.

I thought it might be really crowded to the rafters but luckily not bad.

Tonight I have to take the bus to Alvin’s Vet and pick him up some food.

Cannot have the boy without food.

Okay, clearly I am rambling here.

Things are all mixed up.

Oh well, I hope that you are smiling or chuckling.

Almost time to hit the “dusty trail” ….. wishful thinking.

I hope that this finds everyone doing well.

Both Alvin and I are doing VERY well.

We are as you know putting on the final touches for Saturday’s Christmas party and for Christmas.

Mostly everyone is done.

Just the final touches.

Oh, one more thing.

I am cheating this year.

I found at COSTCO (imagine that) a box with a frozen turkey breast.

So I bought two.

The instructions sounded ultra easy so we shall see.

Still will have the wonderful aroma of turkey roasting in the oven.

Time to fly.

Special Hello to: my friend “D” who I just found out reads this blog and that makes me happy & grateful.

Always, Carol & Alvin

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Wednesday the 19th day of December, 2018.

Well today is a BIG day.

Our office has slowly been moving into a new temporary location as our current office building is going to be renovated.

Today I am going to have to move my spider plant.

Actually not mine but someone it ended up that way.

I grabbed a blue recycling bag to cover it with and hope it will survive the walk.

It is not far and it is not cold.

The bag should offer enough protection.

So…..

Today is our turn to move.

Actually they will move us later today.

We have been moving in stages.

I am excited to move as it is a nice change.

New surroundings.

We are closer to the bus – for those times that I have to catch public transportation.

I am right beside a window – the first time in a long while.

Newer building.

Different setup.

A good change.

Our files are being packed so today is the day for us to pack the remainder of our work stations or desks.

YAY, excited for the move.

A new office when I/We go to work in the morning.

 

A couple of minutes ago, Mr. Alvin reminded me to put his blue blanket on the floor for him to lay upon.

It is funny, right, that even without words ….. he can make his “voice” heard.

This time I understood what he wanted.

I know there are sometimes I am not quite certain but have a good idea.

What a guy.

 

Well Christmas is truly knocking on our doors.

Tonight my daughter is picking me up from work and we are heading to COSTCO.

She is picking up her glasses and likely some groceries as am I.

The last bit from there before Christmas.

I will still need a few things from SAVE-ON and THE BONE AND BISCUIT (some cookies for the pups, they have to have something in their stockings).

Then I will be ready.

It will be a matter of preparing a few items for the Christmas Party on Saturday and then Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.

So excited.

I am excited to have an actual party with lots of people other than my birthday party.

First time in a while.

First big Christmas party in years, perhaps several decades.

WOW, I did not date myself.

This is one of the photos that my daughter took of me and Alvin at Thanksgiving.

October 2018.

We were one block from her house in a smaller city not far from Edmonton.

You would never know that it was bitterly cold with a big wind and then it started to rain.

She, my daughter, can always make us look great.

We are both getting on and she makes us look young.

So grateful for these photos of me and Alvin.

It was a tradition that I started the first fall/autumn after I adopted him.

I have nine photos of us.

Perhaps one of these days I will share them.

I might have to do some searching for them.

Always fun to look at photos.

Different hairstyles and makeup.

A wrinkle here and a pound there.

But that is life.

 

Well not long and time to leave for work.

My neighbour is giving me a ride this morning.

YAY.

Perfect Wednesday.

Happy Wednesday Everyone.

 

Have an awesome day.

 

Special Hello to: my friend “V” …… I hope that you have a few moments to relax and enjoy visiting with your Mom.  Please say hi to her for us.

Always, Carol & Alvin

 

Thought for the day ….

Good Morning and Welcome to Sunday the 16th day of December, 2018.

Well I would like to say that yesterday was super productive but I cannot.

Well I could say that yesterday instead that yesterday was a mix of rest and work.

I have a few things left that I wanted to get done this weekend.

This year I gave baking to “31” people.

Ranging from small cookies bags to large tins and containers.

I have a few left to hand out but they are all done and I had enough baking for them all.

 

I have Christmas wrapping to do but I will do that one night this week.

Finishing up some laundry today.

The coffee is now brewing.

Bathrooms and vacuuming to do.

The big stuff.

But I am feeling better today.

Yesterday I was just tired due in part to the tooth extraction.

One is supposed to relax and not be doing heavy work ( I guess vacuuming would fall into that category).

Oh well I can get it all done in a short amount of time.

Work has been ultra draining as of late, as well.

I will go after work on Friday and pick up the food for the Christmas party that I am hosting on Saturday next and for Christmas.

Then Saturday will just put the finishing touches on the party.

One quick “sweep” and putting the food and beverages in order.

I got this.

Oh and yes, I finally put the menu together for the Christmas party.

YAY.

Only took a couple of months.

Simple, someone said.

 

Mini Quiches

Caramelized Onion Cheese Dip (hot) – served with baguette

Pita Chips and Crackers

Red Chilli Jelly

Boursin Cheese – Cranberry with Cracked Black Pepper

Veggie tray ( carrots, grape tomatoes, cucumber and peppers) with dip

Sausage, cheese, pickles and crackers – one of the girls is bringing

Assorted Christmas cookies baked with love by Me.

 

Well I should get going.

Get dressed.

The last load of laundry is washing.

Coffee is perking.

Blog almost done.

Then breakfast and then vacuuming and bathrooms.

Afterwards time for a shower as I am going with my kids to see the Christmas Light Show at the Zoo.

 

I hope that you have a wonderful Sunday.

Everything is as perfect as you make it.

 

Special Hello to:  my sister ….

Always, Carol & Alvin