Second Half of the NEW YEAR.

Good Thursday morning and welcome to September 3, 2020.

Well we were up at 3:30 because that is how we roll.

Alvin had his glucosamine chew and outside for a pee and then we hit the sofa.

I had planned to get up at 6:00 but not because I had to be up at that particular time.

6:00 rolled around and I set the timer on the microwave for 6:40.

6:40 came and then again stopped and reset until 7:00.

Why do we do this?

Surprisingly enough I am almost ready and it is just 7:30.

I start work at 8:00 so there is lots of time to write this post, grab my coffee and take the boy out for a poop.

Not sure why some days but perhaps it was the extra early start.

I am very lucky that I can go back to sleep right away.

 

Yesterday I was checking my email and found one from Good Food.

I have ordered from them a few times and then you have to remember to check the calendar and SKIP deliveries or else they automatically are sent out.

I was surprised to see a delivery was scheduled for today.

I had skipped ahead but that was from June …. my how time flies.

So today I have a food order coming.

I guess I know what my meals will be for the next week.

I did go into my account and skipped the meals until December 3, 2020.

The calendar on my fridge has been marked so I know in advance next time.

Now you can always check to see what the meals are at any time and order if you like.

You can always change to order by a certain date.

I was kind of mad at myself for then you have no choice in the meals.

Luckily only one is perhaps not something that I would have ordered.

It will likely be okay and now I won’t need groceries, so that is good.

 

Well it is getting on and time to head back downstairs.

Definitely needing that coffee this morning.

 

The sun is shining and there is a bit of a breeze.

No gale force winds at this time.

Quickly have to tell you.

Yesterday at lunch time we were out for a walk.

There were some pretty fierce looking rain clouds out there but I thought let’s go.

The sun was shining and the clouds appeared to be to the south and not close enough for a rain shower.

We were about half way when out of the blue there was a large boom of thunder.

I said to Alvin, “Okay, that is a sign to head home.”

We did.

Luckily the rain only started near to home.

We did not get very wet.

There is always a sign ….. you just have to pay attention…. and listen.

 

Living with kindness and respect.

Grateful for each day.

I/We shall remain,

As Always, Carol & Mr. Alvin

 

 

It is a NEW YEAR.

Well HELLO FRIDAY, April 24th, 2020.

 

I have long since forgot how many days exactly that I have been working from home.

To be honest 95% of the time it is wonderful.

I love the “short” well actually no commute to my work.

I love sharing more of my time with Alvin.

I love being able to walk for 1/2 hour at lunch and then right away after work.

I love arising a bit later (truth be told even Mr. Alvin is starting to wake up a bit later).

I love being able to stay up a bit later to enjoy the evening light.

100%, I absolutely adore having more time at home.

Who doesn’t like working in their sweats and a tee-shirt and no makeup.

Bad hair days …. who cares.

It does not matter …. whatever you are comfortable in.

Some days it is office attire with makeup and others it is not.

More time for walking.

More time to get housework, yard work and exercise done.

It is nice being able to have more free time on the weekends.

I am off work at 4:00 p.m. (not granted some days I leave 10-15 minutes later but that is okay).

I can have supper and dishes done well before 6:00 p.m.

When working at the office by 6:00 p.m. – Alvin would have his supper etc, we would have walked and I may have started supper.

Usually it would be 7:00 by the time supper and dishes were done and sometimes later.

So even though there are moments throughout my day that I could honestly pull my hair out by the roots, I do love being at home.

I know that there is no separation between home and work.

But I have come to terms with that fact.

Life is meant to live.

If we continue to wrap ourselves in the negative before too long it is over.

What a waste.

 

I am off today at 3:00 p.m. (took one hour off).

The plan is to go for a walk right away, then come home and start the laundry and then rake the front lawn.

I have been raking the back out of necessity for Alvin.

Luckily the mucky mess is drying up (in the back).

The front needs some TLC.

Tonight will be the second of the three meals from HELLO FRESH.

Excited for that.

Tomorrow Mr. Alvin needs a haircut and bath (yup again).

My daughter is dropping some items by and for a visit (miss her).

Whether Saturday or Sunday – we hope to visit with our friends in their backyard.

Tomorrow is supposed to be really nice so I want to take advantage of the warmer temperatures.

 

Well almost time to grab that cup of java and start work.

Technically I do not start until 8:00 a.m. but I like to get things started and I have a contest to enter (matching pets through work).

Have to submit my entry.

Wish me luck.

 

I hope this finds you and your family in excellent health, safe and having lots of giggles.

Happy Friday.

 

With Kindness and Respect,

I/We Remain,

Always, Carol & Alvin

 

It is a NEW YEAR.

Holy catfish it is Thursday April 16, 2020 today.

The sun is shining on this new morning.

The sky is that faintly powder blue.

Sunshine is gleaming off the frost tipped cars on our street.

There is a pool of water in my backyard and on the other end is a snowbank.

Soon there will be grass.

YAY, it feels like a great day ahead.

 

How are you doing today?

I hope that this finds you well and happy and safe.

 

What are you doing these days?

Has your day to day schedule changed dramatically?

Are you working from home?

Are you studying from home?

Teaching young children?

Perhaps you are retired and the big difference is leaving the house for supplies and for visits?

Perhaps you are laid off from your job?

 

Whatever you are filling your days with remember to look after yourself.

Hydrate and exercise.

Lots of sleep and rest.

Now you have the time to take a nap in the afternoon.

How about that?

Now you have time to read that mountain of books that are falling off the bookcase.

Now you have time to maybe write a book.

Go through the house room by room.

Clean that closet.

No better time.

Now is a great time to reduce the extra things that have been taking up space in your space.

Time to make things simple.

Our future is going to change.

There is no doubt about it.

So why not make your life simple.

It all starts at home.

We do not need 20 pairs of black pants.

Do you really use 3 sets of dishes?

How about your pots and pans cupboard/drawer?

Clean it out.

You know that you have pots in there that you just cannot bear to part with.

Think about it and take action.

 

Well it is time for this gal to go and grab a cup of that fantastic perked COFFEE.

My workspace is beginning to call my name.

I really do not start until 8:00 a.m. but I will admit that most days I start much earlier than that …. oh well.

 

I hope that you are well and safe.

Don’t forget about your single neighbours, senior neighbours and perhaps that family that just may need a bit of help …

You have the time …. do something nice for someone today.

Even if it is a baking a cake.

 

Have an awesome Thursday.

Living with kindness and respect.

I/We are,

As Always, Alvin and Carol

Living … One day at at time.

Hello, good morning and it is a bright sunny Sunday.

There is a bit of a breeze and the air is still cool as I can feel the coolness flowing in through the open window.

This will be a short one as I have four pups in the house.

Alvin is upstairs with me as he always has to be with me and the other three are quiet downstairs.

Teddy was supposed to have gone home last night but his parents got home later and were tired.

So it was me, Alvin, Aspen, Milo and Teddy.

I elected for us to sleep on the main floor and had made that decision before I knew that Teddy was staying for a second night.

Just easier as I have that huge dog bed and Aspen likes to lay on it and the others would be with me on the sofa.

It was a tad crowded as all three had to lay right beside me.

I will say that took some doing but they all managed to be right next to me.

So it was an up and down night.

We were up to stay up before 6:00 a.m.

By 6:30 all were fed and had gone outside.

Before 7:00, Aspen and I were on our first walk.

Teddy is going home between 930 and 10 this morning so will take Alvin and Milo after that.

So for now will share a few snapshots of me and the pups.

Considering there are four of them and only one of me, I am surviving quite nicely.

Oh, feeding them this morning.

I had four dishes out for them in different spots.

Did not work so good this morning.

Alvin ended up eating some of Aspen and Milo’s food before I could snag the dishes.

Ended up feeding them all by hand.

Well that was a treat.

 

Yesterday just after Aspen and Milo’s parents left on their two day trip; I took Miss Aspen for a 30 minute walk and that was about 10:00 a.m.

I had taken Alvin and Teddy for a 30 minute walk at 7:00 a.m.

Aspen had a second walk at 3:00 p.m.

Milo was the only one who did not have a walk.

He is also the smallest and runs around quite a lot but I will make it up to him today.

Here are a few shots.

The first ones were just as Aspen and Milo’s parents were leaving for their trip.

Relaxing on the deck in the sunshine.

 

I will say one thing when it comes to dogs, I now know my limit at a one time.

FOUR no more than four.

Well time to head back downstairs.

It is pretty quiet.

Which is a good thing.

I am starving and need a cup of COFFEE.

Have an awesome Sunday.

Try dog sitting …. that will boost your exercise.

I walked for 90 minutes at three different times yesterday.

Already completed 30 and it is not even 8:00 a.m.

 

The pups remind me about kindness and respect,

and PATIENCE.

MUCH PATIENCE.

Perhaps patience is a form of kindness and respect?

 

Always, Carol, Alvin, Miss Aspen, Baby Milo, Master Teddy……..

Thought for the day ….

Good Morning and Welcome to Monday the 21st day of May, 2018.

Today we celebrate “Queen Victoria Day” with a statutory holiday.

A day at home with our loved ones.

How perfect is that.

Another simply gorgeous day has already begun.

The sun has been up for a few hours now and the sky is sprinkled with with a few clouds.

There is a BREEZE, a cool one at this time.

I have opened all of the windows to keep the house cool.

Later this morning I will close them unless the breeze stays cool.

Sure has helped to keep the house comfortable for me and Alvin.

Well three days of my extra long weekend have already passed.

Certainly I did get a few things on my to do list completed but still a few left to do.

I figure while it is cool, time to get the floors washed with my steam mop.

It has take a couple of days for me to recover from staying up all night.

I guess that is something to do while you are a young one and not when you are over 60.

Although it was great at the time.

Sometimes one just feels lazy and just wants to putz about.

Yesterday a good portion of my day was giving Mr. Alvin a hair cut and bath.

Followed by a shower for me after being covered in his hair.

I baked some chocolate chip cookies and we went for a walk.

Oh, there were dishes washed and put away.

Some small chores.

I patched a pair of PJs that I love, and wish to keep.

Oh, I watched “BLACK PANTHER” last night.

It was one of the best movies that I have seen as of late.

The house is quiet as is the neighbourhood.

It is about mid morning now.

Soon the children will be up and outside.

People will be out walking their pups.

Me, after a quick breakfast and sharing coffee with my neighbour it will be on to getting those floors all washed.

I also feel the need to tidy up the garage.

I have stacked a few empty boxes in there and they must be broken down to put into the garbage.

Tomorrow is garbage day.

This morning before it gets hot I will get that housework done.

Sometimes it is just a matter of being in the mood and then I can zip through that list in no time flat.

I kind of feel like housework now.

So better get to it.

 

Mr. Alvin had some drops from his Doctor for his ears as they are a bit inflamed but not infection.

OMG, you would think I was doing something dreadful to him.

He clearly is becoming more difficult when it comes to his ears.

Not good for the Momma.

I could barely hold him still.

ARGH, my boy.

 

Well folks time to spring into action.

Actually there appear to be some clouds blocking the sun and this is a good time to get things done.

Then one can relax in the afternoon when it is warm or something like that.

I had some interesting dreams that at the time seemed like a good idea for a book and now they have evaporated from memory.

 

Have an awesome day.

Enjoy the time.

Each day is special.

Every moment.

Each one only comes once.

 

Special Hello to: my sister ….. we have to chat.

Always, Carol & Alvin

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Monday the 27th day of July, 2015.

It is overcast, breezy and a bit cool this morning but I LOVE IT.

Maybe rain today ……

Only four sleeps until my siblings and I are reunited once again.

Once a year the four of us get together.

I am so excited.

There is nothing like the conversation of siblings ….. no secrets ….. just great talks …..

Always love and much laughter.

I love that part most of all …… the laughter.

My brother “J” is a great “griller” so I am sure that he will whip up some fantastic.

We girls will make sure that the dishes are done.

My brother “T” will lend a hand where needed.

Friday …… I am so excited ….

I hope that you had a great Sunday.

Mine was awesome.

The trip to Costco was good ….. got everything I needed.

At Save-On I found the miracle grow for my flowers ….. they need an extra boost.

Wow, we have had 27 great days thus far in July.

August will be amazing ….. it is always …..

Perhaps because it is my birthday ….  no ….. I love August because fall is right around the corner.

Fall is my favourite season.

Well time to get on the road to work.

The bus won’t wait.

Alvin is in position …

Laying on the floor outside the office as I write these words.

Oh, my baby Alvin ….. love him so much.

This morning he wanted up to sit in my lap …. I love that …..

Have an awesome Monday.

Special Hello to: siblings …… enjoy your time together.

Always, Carol and Alvin