Good Morning! Well we made it, Happy Friday. Yesterday was so beautiful outside. After work, I worked on chipping away at the huge lake of ice/water out front of my house. The storm drain is front of my house. Our backyards were graded so that when it rains or the snow melts the water runs downhill to the drain. Only thing is in the spring before the temperatures stay above zero overnight, we get thawing and freezing. This year we had a lot of snow therefore lots of ice. Just works that way. So I spent over one hour chipping and clearing the ice from the drain. Also when people park on the street they push the snow and block the drain. Never ending fun. Anyway, I got some exercise. During the day I received a text from Alyaa, one of my neighbours and the friend who spent the most time with Alvin since our last October return to the office. She texted that she would come for a quick visit around 5:00 if that was okay. While I was outside, I did not have my watch on but it felt like it should be close to 5:00 and she wasn’t coming so I walked to her house (only a few away) and rang the doorbell, only Cookie barked. I went home and a little while later here she comes with her daughter. She was carrying something and when she got closer I saw that it was a glass dish with food in it. Alyaa made me a casserole of sorts. An original traditional Middle Eastern dish with kabobs, rice and potatoes. I was so excited. Funny thing is I had been thinking earlier what am I going to have for supper as I did not have leftovers and wasn’t really wanting to cook. Talk about blessed. So we had a lovely chat on the sidewalk with me holding my prize carefully in one arm and the ice pick in the other. We got splashed a couple of times from people not paying attention and hitting the water on the street and spraying us so we moved behind a nearby vehicle. When they left for home, I put the food into the house for safekeeping. Oh, the dish was already cooked, I only had to warm it up. Then it was back to chipping for me. I am afraid to look out front this morning as likely it has iced over again. I cannot wait until the temperatures get into the double digits and remain that way over night and the sidewalks are dry. Then I can get out walking. After supper, I walked to drop off another thank you card but my neighbours were not at home. I texted them and they are leaving on a trip for a week. So perhaps will get it over to them after work. By the way, the dish was so delicious, so good. I thanked Alyaa profusely.
Tonight after work, my daughter is going to pick up Alvin’s paw prints from Guardian. I am happy and greatly saddened to receive them. Just another reminder that he is no longer with me. I have all of these reminders of this passing and of his life. All memories, some great and others incredibly sad. I know that he will always be with me. His urn is sitting beside me right now on the computer desk. I have to take him with him from going upstairs at night and going downstairs in the morning. He was my boy. He will always be my boy and I miss him so much.
I hope that you have a good day. Happy Friday.
Continuing to live this life with kindness, respect, compassion, patience, love, laughter, understanding, gratitude, focus, possibilities, coffee and forgiveness.
Good Morning! The sun is shining and it is snowing. What a sight. The time changed today and the best news for today is that it is my darling daughter’s BIRTHDAY. We celebrated yesterday and had such a great time. First of all, I had Miss Aspen, Milo (Mi-Mi) and Miss Betty Ann here for a few hours while the kids went to see some friends in from out of town. The pups were in perfect behaviour. No grrr action between Milo and Betty Ann. We had a nice few hours just hanging out and snuggling. So great to have them here. Still hard to believe that it has been three weeks since my buddy Alvin left us. He is with me everyday and everywhere I go. I hold him in my heart and mind. Happy Birthday Amanda. Despite the time change, it is looking to be a great day.
We had “chicken fingers which are really homemade deep fried chicken nuggets” with homemade honey mustard dip, potato salad, peas and corn. Steven likes corn and we girls like the peas. I seldom eat deep fried anything but once or twice a year, I make this meal usually for the kids birthdays. For dessert I made a fruit pizza which in the pan transferring to the fridge felt like it weighed ten pounds. Not really but was heavy. Needless to say the kids took lots of leftovers home and I have leftovers for a few days. I love leftovers. We definitely missed Alvin at the party. Seemed strange to have three pups all of similar colour and no black & white one. No Alvin. He loved a good party and especially if there was something for him to open.
Well I have a busy Sunday planned. More laundry to do. I need to work on transferring more photos from the old computer to the external hard drive. NEED COFFEE now. I have to go through the box that I brought from work and see what needs to go to the new office. Minimal room. Vacuum upstairs and stairs. Some other photo work to do as well. Lots to do.
Happy Birthday Amanda, I hope that you have a wonderful day.
Have a wonderful day. Oh, the 95th OSCARS are on tonight. I think I may try and watch some of the awards. Would nice to see Michelle and Jamie Lee win.
Continuing to live this life with kindness, respect, compassion, patience, love, laughter, understanding, gratitude, focus, possibilities, coffee and forgiveness.
Morning, this morning is two weeks since I said goodbye to my precious Alvin. I sat cradling his urn for awhile this morning because it is the closest that I can get to him. This is hard to do. I miss him so much. My heart hurts and I feel empty inside, the house feels empty without him. I can walk through the motions of what I need to do everyday but honestly my life sucks so much right now. He was my everything. Nothing will ever be the same again. He was my joy, my sorrow, my laughter, my breath, my company, my heart. I wish so hard that I could hear his little paws as he walked across the floor. I wish so hard that I could have him next to me again at bedtime. I wish so hard to sleep beside him on the sofa when he would move around until he had his head next to mine on the pillow. I wish so hard for things to have been different for him and that he could have been here with me longer. I miss him so much. There are no words to express how I am feeling at this moment. This is hard to do. The tears staining my face as they fall. The sun is shining which is good because two weeks ago it was dreary. There is a bit of a breeze. I held his urn close to my heart as I sat on the bench at the foot of my bed and starred out the window. That was one of his happy places to be sitting on the end of the bed looking out of the window at his world, our neighbourhood. I know that he would miss this. I remember years ago when I worked away from home pre Pandemic and when I would arrive home and open the door and he was not there to greet me. There would be a thud from upstairs and that would be Alvin jumping off the bed and then he would run down the stairs to greet me. First thing we would do as run to the back door so that he could go to the grass and pee. I cannot imagine having to hold that all day long but he did. They all do and that makes me sad. Poor babies. My poor Alvin. Then he was hungry and wanted to eat. So I would give him his supper and then we would go for a walk (weather permitting). Oh, how I miss those days. My life will never be the same that is for certain. He left a huge impression on my life and in my heart and for that I am truly thankful. Love you my buddy, my darling Alvin. Always and Forever……..
Today I am struggling as I live this life with kindness, respect, compassion, patience, love, laughter, understanding, gratitude, focus, possibilities, coffee and forgiveness.
Good Morning All! I am writing this post from my smart phone, not sure how smart it is. Alvin is laying on the sofa beside me. I apologize for the font size, not sure why the default is not a bit larger. Break out your magnifying glasses, lol.
Last night it was late when we went to bed. Lights were out at 10:30 and next time we were up was 4:30. To be honest I got up once but Alvin did not. Then outside at 4:30 to pee and then it was 7:22 when we got up. I wanted to try something different with Alvin’s breakfast so I only gave him his wet food. He sniffed it and walked away. So clearly with no chicken, he won’t eat. I felt badly as he hasn’t eaten much the last day so I added chicken and he pulled out the chicken leaving his wet food in the dish. I have created a monster, a spoiled one. Yesterday I took an unplanned trip with my friend Gillian to Costco and upon arriving at home found a pile of semi digested food in the middle of the living room floor. That was the little bit of hard food that I have him a bit before I left the house. He still does his “downward dog stretches” morning. Okay, not sure how that means anything. Just to mention.
So not sure what to think. He does not seem to be in pain or uncomfortable.
Baking in the oven is an Epicure Lemon Cranberry loaf. Smells good.
We walked over to Gillian’s to take some lemons as I bought a bag at Costco. Too many for me. I bought them to make the glaze for this loaf and to clean my glass stovetop. I saw a video on Instagram to use baking soda and lemons. Worked pretty well even removing some cooked on stains. Hsppy about that.
Once back home I thought that I would try to download some photos from my old computer to the external hard drive but ended up just looking at about 1500 photos, some I don’t remember even taking. So many memories.
Then it was tome to make supper. I baked a chicken breast and some root vegetables (sweet potatoes, carrots & onions) snd boiled a chicken breast for Alvin. Again for second day in a row, he picked out the chicken. I also whipped some cream to top my chocolate pudding. So good.
Then it was cleanup followed by movie watching. I, we watched Ant Man & The Wasp. I have seen before but always enjoyed.
Now I am drinking coffee and writing this post while curled up on my comfy sofa with Alvin resting beside me.
I am going to get some photos onto that hard drive.
Happy Sunday.
The homemade chocolate pudding and Mr. Alvin, such cuteness.
Time to go. Have a great day.
Continuing to live this life with kindness, respect, compassion, patience, love, laughter, understanding, gratitude, focus, possibilities and coffee.
Good Morning ALL! How are you this morning? I am okay despite being up six times during the night not including the time we actually got up for the day. NOTE: it is darn cold outside. I pray and hope every night and day that Alvin will be better that day. So fingers crossed today is the day that he makes the switch to good poop and that it continues from now on. I went to Save-On on my lunch break yesterday with one of my coworkers to pick up chicken breasts for Alvin and lottery tickets for me. At this point, the possibility of money out weighs my desire to buy groceries for myself (don’t worry my fridge, freezer and panties (whoops, meant pantries) have enough food to keep me going for awhile. As I was typing and notices that I typed “panties” instead of pantries, I thought well that is funny, just leave it. Sometimes an error needs to be left but not quite undone. Although considering I may have had four hours sleep during the past two days, I apparently still have sort of a sense of humour. Hopefully I keep that to myself today as we have a meeting with our AVP and Director followed by a lunch meeting with them and all of the site teams. I will take my coffee and sit as close to a wall out of the way as I can. Surely do not want to nod off or anything. Yesterday, I was bouncing off the walls and like a squirrel could not stay focused for very long at a time. This is not by any means, my normal self but is due to lack of sleep, stress and anxiety between Alvin and work. Oh well, I have so much to be grateful for …… that every morning I wake up in this beautiful house that I wait until I was 52 to have …… that even if we are waking up on the sofa, I have Mr. Alvin beside me ……. that I, we have lots of good food to eat …… that I can afford to order pizza every so often (which I did last night and believe you me, it is like buying a small car, these days) …… that I am in good health except for being tired …… that I am surrounded by so many good, caring, compassionate family and friends who love and support me who matter what …… that I live in this country where we can live our dreams so we should decide to ……. that I have beautiful plants that are flowering at this time and their colours bring me great joy ….. there is so much more but I am running out of time. Alvin needs to go outside before I leave for work and that is fast approaching.
One more day this week and then it is the weekend. I have five days next week to work and then I am on two weeks vacation. I was thinking that perhaps I should only take one week as I am using all of my earned vacation and then I thought …. no …. I need this break ……. so vacation time in February in Edmonton …… on my sofa and figuring out my life……
Wishing you a great day.
Yesterday was our friend Signe’s birthday. I did remember in the morning to send her a birthday text and we are celebrating her birthday at Gillian’s house on Saturday. I forgot to send her wishes from this blog. I try to remember people here but honestly when I write these posts early in the morning, sometimes I forget. Trying to remember! Looking forward to Saturday morning with my friends with a short break from the “madness” of my home. Not really but sounds good, not really……..lol.
I be needing those mugs of coffee this morning for sure. Perhaps I should take my big mug today.
Continuing to live this life with kindness, respect, compassion, patience, love, laughter, understanding, gratitude, focus, possibilities and coffee.
Trying to keep remember “when nothing is sure anything is possible.” I love that thought.
Good Morning ALL! How are you this morning? Well still bitterly cold here in Edmonton, I don’t even want to check to see what the windchill is this morning. I am sending out gratitude to the Universe for my furnace who is working overtime to keep the house warm and for my coat, boots, scarf and mitts that keep me warm when I am outside. Gratitudes for meltdowns and quick pick me back ups and back to business. Gratitude to my body at the cellular level that keeps me healthy. Gratitude that I am able to smell all the scents of the Holiday season. Gratitude for my hands and feet and body that I can feel the warmth and the cold when it surrounds me. Gratitude for my eyes that they can see my family, my friends and all the beauty that surrounds me. Gratitude that I can taste all of the good food and the treats that enter my mouth. Gratitude that I can hear the sounds of music, of the voices of family and friends and the world that surrounds me.
Sometimes during the holidays we tend to overreact to situations and yes, at other times of the year. There is something about the holidays that makes us emotional. I think it is due in large part to the high expectation that we put on ourselves for perfection. We want the gifts to be magical, the food to be the best ever, the company to be kind and the house to stay clean with no unpleasant surprises along the way. Of course, does this happen? Sometimes but not always. So this Christmas be easy on yourself. Let the perfection stand aside. “Let it go.” Your guests will love whatever you make and if they do not, well that is okay. If there is one thing that I have learned over my 65 years on this planet is “that you cannot please all of the people all of the time.” If they are not tickled pink by the gift that you spent hours selecting – smile and walk away. DO NOT ENGAGE. It is always in how we react to a situation. We cannot change people – no matter how hard we try. This Christmas do things that make you HAPPY and in turn all around you will be okay. I do not want to promise that they will be as happy as you because “their happiness depends on them.” Okay, you got this! WE got this!
Time for me to head downstairs and get ready to leave the house for work.
COUNTDOWN TO CHRISTMAS EVE: OMG, only four sleeps, I am so excited to see Alvin, Aspen and Milo, Amanda and Steven. This is going to be a great Christmas. I am ready!
Have a wonderful Tuesday. Take some time for you!
Continuing to live this life with kindness, respect, compassion, patience, love, laughter, understanding, gratitude, focus, possibilities and coffee.
Good Morning ALL! How are you this cold Monday morning? I am doing well. Up and dressed and all of that. Today is an office today. Although I am not looking forward to going outside and would rather be tucked under the warm blankets still in bed, it is okay. I am always grateful for the days that I work from home. With a 5 second commute from upstairs to downstairs, more in bed under the covers keeping toasty warm time, lunch break in my own home, drinking my own perked coffee, after work turn off the computer at the end of my work day and I am home. More time at home doing the things I love especially in the evenings. The work/life balance is perfection. We spend so much time over our lifetimes working and away from home. I get it, I understand, we need to work to earn a living to live our lives. Money does not grow on trees, well it kind of does, or at least paper comes from trees although perhaps our money is not made totally from paper anymore. Anyway you get the picture. So I am grateful, grateful that when Mr. Alvin comes home, I will be home. Thankfully I am on Christmas break until January 3, 2023. Perhaps the New Year will have me working from home more, I love being at home. Home is my happy place with the lime green painted office walls to the plants in the kitchen window, I love my house, my home.
Countdown to Christmas: today is Monday, December 19th, 2022 and that brings us to “5” more sleeps till Christmas Eve. 5 more sleeps until I have my family under the same roof for a time. 5 more sleeps until Alvin comes home. 5 more sleeps until we open our gifts. 5 more sleeps until we continue to eat lots more goodies. 5 more sleeps!
Oh, we are almost at the shortest day of the year which is Wednesday, December 21st. We will go to work and come home in darkness. Then the days will start to get longer once again. I hope that the sun will start to shine more. We all need that brightness to fill our daytime.
Well it looks like I have to finish this post and head downstairs to finish getting ready for work. Throw my snack/breakfast/lunch into my backpack.
I hope that you have a wonderful day. Yesterday was a nice day. I did a bit of work and I almost forgot that I had a little furry visitor. Cookie’s Dad reached out to see if she could stay with me while they went to a movie as they were celebrating their son’s birthday. Of course, I said “absolutely.” Miss Cookie came to stay with me. She was looking for Alvin and for her family as she kept jumping up on the chair and looking out of the window. We had some play time, she ate a bit of Alvin’s food and we just hung out. Cookie is an energetic little dog. Her Mom picked her up about 8:15 and we had a little visit. My friend has been working at her new job a lot as of late. An unexpected delight! I had a great Sunday. Bit of work, company and some downtime. Perfection!
Continuing to live this life with kindness, respect, compassion, patience, love, laughter, understanding, gratitude, focus, possibilities and coffee.
Always, Carol & Alvin
P.S. Definitely need coffee at the office this morning. Something HOT.
Good Afternoon All, as I pull out from under a blanket and freshly showered after being almost two days in my pj’s. Feeling human again. Tis the season for giving and receiving. I guess that I picked up a bug somewhere along the line. It happens.
We were deeply saddened to hear of a loss to a family who live nearby. Their 47 year old son was killed in a workplace accident over the weekend. I was told last night by a phone call from another neighbour. Today I struggle with calling them to extend my deepest sympathies. A card lays on the counter for them.
The day has been mostly sunny and warm. Mr. Alvin has been enjoying having me all to himself. I would love to take him for a walk so that he can enjoy the sunshine. Perhaps a bit later. Fresh air is always good for everyone.
Sunday night was so enjoyable. I had supper with my friends Pauline and Al and another neighbour of theirs and friend, also, Lucy. We laughed and laughed. Al cooked us a “fish fry” ….. nothing like fresh fish from this summer’s catch (froze till now). The food was great, the company even better. We learned a new card game which was so much fun. I am grateful to have such amazing friends.
Monday morning, I woke up with a sore throat and headache. Not a great way to begin a week but nonetheless, it did. Thankfully it is over now and I feel close to normal. Refreshed from the shower. I drank lots of tea with ginger when I was awake.
I just wanted to reach out so that you did not think that I disappeared. I am here. Mr. Alvin just sauntered into the office wagging his little tail and walked onto his bed and is sitting there looking at me. I wished that I knew what he was thinking. Er, maybe not.
Time to head downstairs and perhaps do a couple of little things. Not going to overdo it, no, no No.
Have a great rest of the day!
Continuing to live this life with kindness, respect, compassion, patience, love, laughter, understanding, gratitude, focus, possibilities and coffee.
Good Morning ALL! What a wonderful morning! We were up at 4:30 to go outside and then back to the sofa until 6:30, I cannot believe that Mr. Alvin slept until 6:30. Then we were up at he had his breakfast and then outside for a few minutes before returning inside. The sky was slightly overcast at that point and the air was cool and refreshing. I could have laid on the deck and just been so comfortable. Once inside the house we “hit” the sofa for some more zzz’s because it is Saturday and I was still tired. Next thing I know it was 8:30 so up we got. The sky still overcast with rain in the forecast for this afternoon, I thought that I would just get dressed and we would head out for a walk. So upstairs, I went to get dressed and afterward happened to look out the window and the pavement was dark, say “what?” Well shortly after that it really started to rain and now it is pouring as the rain bounces off the roof of the garage. We desperately needed some moisture but I worry and wonder about the farmers and their crops. Now the sky is that foreboding gray which makes it appear that the rain is here to stay. So much for getting out for a walk this morning or perhaps it will just stop as quickly as it started. I am concerned about Mr. Alvin as he did not poop since last night and it is not fun going out in pouring rain. I guess we will figure it out as usual, grab that trusty umbrella and hope for the best. It is windy outside. I certainly do not wish to be Alberta’s version of Mary Poppins, lol. Now that would be a sight. Feels like the time for a cup of hot coffee and relaxing. Will be nice to be able to do some cleaning and things with the temperature decreasing in the house. I think that someone is squeaking so likely has to go downstairs so this will be quick.
Last night only one of my friends was able to attend the potluck as the other had fallen ill. I hope that she is feeling better today. We, two had a good time. Way too much food but lots of leftovers so no cooking this weekend or even Monday so that makes me happy. Next week is forecasted to be hot again. So not really looking forward to that. One more thing about the potluck, I should have been clear that I was bringing supper items and not just dessert and beverage. For next time, lol.
Okay, sorry we have to go.
I wish you sunshine and rainbows. Beautiful walks with a friend or your pup.
Happy Day.
I can hear thunder in the distance.
Continuing to live this life with kindness, respect, compassion, patience, love, laughter, understanding, gratitude, focus, possibilities and coffee.
Life is what you make it.
Today is wonderful and I am so happy for the rain. It is still raining.
I guess I should check the main floor windows especially the kitchen one as it opens out.
Always, Carol & Alvin
PS: We are what we want to be. If you slip off that place, then pick yourself back up and try again to be where and what you want to be. We are responsible for what we put out into the universe.
Good Morning All! How are you this morning? Third day in a row we have been up extra early. Tuesday we were up early to go for a walk before the heat set in, yesterday I went to the office and today we are going to walk as it will be another warm one here in Edmonton.
The sky is extra pretty this morning. There are wisps of dark clouds hovering below the lighter blue sky. The sun is up and slightly covered by the cloud cast. I can hear a dog barking behind us somewhere, that dog is always outside and always barking. I feel for the poor guy or girl. In the background there is the hum of vehicles on the Anthony Henday highway that circles the City of Edmonton.
When I compare work at home to work at the office there is no difference. Perhaps I have become too comfortable getting up a bit later or earlier to go for walks, having a view of my backyard, being here for Alvin, not having the noise of the office. Working from home is so much easier and way less expensive. With the ever increasing costs and no increase to our pay – having to go to the office more often means changing what I buy for food and not buying anything extra. Someone thinks it is a good idea for people to return to the office but really is it? Most offices have staff in open workspaces with perhaps lower dividers to separate them. Noise carries. When you are on the phone it is hard to just speak in a whisper as not to disturb those around you. The commute time is horrible. Then less time at home. We were finally having a great work – life balance. Back to people being sick all of the time. Meetings for the sake of having meetings. It is always easy to say “go back” when you have a door on your office to close when needed. I am sure it will all work out but in the meantime, there are millions of people worldwide that are suffering from the anxiety of returning to work at the office. I know that millions of people have no choice. But if we can help some of those millions to be less stressed, why wouldn’t we?
Well time to go as I want to take Mr. Alvin for a walk. The cool air wafting in through the open office window is divine. I need to clear the above chatter from my mind.
Continuing to live this life with kindness, respect, compassion, patience, love, laughter, understanding, gratitude, focus, possibilities and COFFEE. Definitely coffee this morning.
Always, Carol & Alvin
PS: only 26 days till 65! I was carrying the decorator pillows from the spare bed back to ours and I usually look to see where Alvin is located, this time I was preoccupied and tripped. Luckily I didn’t put my full weight on his paws or anything but I did come very close to hitting the corner of the hallway wall. That would not have been pretty. Oh, my life with Alvin
My New Life @ 51 