Christmas gone, Boxing Day Done.

Good Morning All. How are you? Someone I managed to miss writing this blog post yesterday. We slept in a bit after being up earlier, then the kids were up and we were visiting, having breakfast, then packing up their things and then they were gone. The morning was gone and then we were alone and it was early afternoon. Boxing Day used to be the day where I would pop out and pick up Christmas cards and wrapping paper for next Christmas. We did not leave the house except to the back yard. After the family left, I did laundry, put things away and did more dishes. We also had FACETIME with one of our friends down the block. She lives alone with her puppy Bailey. She only briefly saw her parents as they dropped of Christmas Dinner and her sister who is expecting could only visit from a distance outside. Very different from mine which actually did not change from other years. We chatted for almost two hours. While Alvin snuggled beside me on the sofa and just rested. I think that he was plum tuckered out. We had a great Christmas. Weather was amazing and we had a one hour walk all of us on Christmas Day. The sun shone and it was beautiful. Yesterday and today are overcast. Temperature not cold compared to other years. I spoke to my family on Christmas. Texted friends. We had baked chicken breasts, whipped potatoes and gravy, vegetables, cranberries, dressing (stovetop stuffing) and for dessert key lime pie and chocolate chip cookie ice cream sandwiches. My daughter and I had the pie and my son-in-law was too full for dessert. So they took the ice cream sandwiches home with them. I gave them the lion’s share of the baking that was occupying my fridge and freezer. Not that any one of us really needs more “sugar” but I definitely do not. In fact, I may freeze the small container that I left in the fridge. I am tossing about freezing the chocolates that I received as well. Never thought that I would be saying this but I am “sugared out.” Too much. I feel like a large sugar cube. Now that Christmas is over and I was going to visit with some folks this week but the restrictions are on and I am following the rules. I want this VIRUS gone. It will only be gone if we follow the rules. So this week, I am going to stay home except for going to pick out my new glass frames tomorrow (they have massive protocols in place at my Optometrist’s office and Alvin will need food, so there will be a trip to the Vet likely on Wednesday. Will have to check and see what hours they are open. That is other than some walking. No visits from or visit friends. But that is okay. I want to do my part. What did you get for Christmas? I was spoiled by everyone this year. I received every kind of chocolate you can think of, baking, pj’s, two pair comfy pants, lots of beautiful scented items from my favourite store, Bath & BodyWorks, candles, a pretty top, a hand held blender with so many attachments (something new to learn), books, about ten different kind of hand creams (I think we all had them on the brain as we used so much as a result of washing our hands so often), towel for my stove, and I know I am missing items as that is why I am going to sit down and write down everything I received. After a few days ….. I don’t seem to remember everything. Alvin was spoiled and loved his toys and treats and his new leash.

My daughter helped me figure out why I could not upload photos to the computer. Remember when I decided to use my photo library as my screensaver, I guess it was too much and prevented me from uploading/downloading from phone to computer. So nice to have my photos from my phone to my computer once again.

Well cannot believe we are now two days past Christmas. Time flies. I am needing a shower. Then will get this day started. We were up early as usually about 3:30 and then again at 5:00 and then back to the sofa until 8:30. I needed that extra sleep.

I hope that Santa was good to you and that you were able to celebrate Christmas even though it may have been different.

Wishing you a great day. Hopefully you can relax on this Sunday. Take a breath. No cooking (I have enough food for several days with no cooking). I will be chatting with a dear friend a bit later.

We will continue to live our lives with kindness, respect and compassion.

With the different format on WordPress I will figure out again how to post some photos but that will be later.

Always, US, Carol & Alvin

Welcome to December 2020

Good Morning ALL. How are you doing on this fine Thursday? I just had a refreshing, relaxing wonderful shower and am so ready for the day. Countdown to CHRISTMAS EVE DAY brings us to “15” days. WOW. I must have miscounted! Oh well, we got this. Right. Christmas and the Holiday Season will be a bit different, okay a lot different for most of us this year but different is so much better than the alternative. If we can open our eyes and take in that first breath of the new day, if we have food to eat, technology to reach out to family and friends and are in good health – no complaints. We have so much more than so many others. I recognize the fact that I am more than truly blessed at this point in my life. I have a beautiful home to live in and to call my own with a yard and deck and a tree. Mr. Alvin has been my trusty companion for almost 11 years now which I will say the longest period of time that I have lived with a “guy.” I am employed by a employer who was actually prepared for a situation that would call for us to work remotely. Yes, there have been a few hiccups but very, very few. I am so grateful that I am able to work from home with no commute to and from the office, and be with Mr. Alvin who is fast approaching 12 in January of this coming New Year. This gives us the opportunity to go for walks at noon and have more time together. I have more time to read and so much more. More time to sleep as well which has been wonderful. Yes, it is true that there has been much less contact with friends and family. But we have figured it out. There is Facetime, Skype, Zoom and texting and more. So we are good. Right, we are.

Tomorrow after work I am going to have my two year eye checkup and get new glasses. So stoked to get some new shades. I wished that I would be able to have my daughter with me to help me pick them out but that is okay, I got this. New glasses for the upcoming new year. Might have to really whack off my hair and be a really new me for the New Year. Time will tell. I was thinking that tomorrow night might be wrapping the gift night. This is the gifts for my daughter and her husband. I will be stopping at the Bone & Biscuit to pick up gifts for Mr. Alvin, Aspen and Milo after my eye appointment. My daughter has the gifts for the other pups on our list which I realized could have been much longer had I remembered them all. I have the gifts here for Humphrey and Bogart so will get them wrapped and over to them shortly. There may be more baking on the weekend, I have not decided.

Well Mr. Alvin is giving me that look – that look – get the heck off that thing and come downstairs. Okay, I need some coffee anyway.

I hope that you have an awesome Thursday. Remember we shall live our lives with kindness, respect and compassion for all. We will get through this, together!!

Always, Carol & Alvin