The New YEAR 2022

Good Morning ALL! I hope that you are well this Tuesday morning. The only light out of my office window is coming from a upstairs window in a house behind me. Feels strange. I cannot wait until it is light earlier in the morning. Alvin and I had a choppy sleep as we were up at the usual 3:00 a.m., then he figured should be breakfast time at 4:00, then 5:00 and finally got him to sleep until 5:30, although likely we should just stay up about the 5:00 point. Oh well. He ate, then went outside again and then we hit the sofa until 6:45 a.m. when we were roused by some heavy duty barking/growling from out back. I ran into the kitchen and turned on the light and went to the back door but then it stopped. Not sure what happened. Perhaps there was a coyote coming down the back lane and one of the neighbour’s dogs were outside in the backyard and they could smell each other. I do not think that it was worse than perhaps that as I did not hear any more commotion and certainly there would have been more noise. Most of my immediate dogs do not leave their pups outside for any length of time, only to pee and poop.

Certainly was a brief scare early in the morning.

The big news in the neighbourhood was last night the city graders, two of them started about 3:00 p.m. on our street, graded the snow into “windrows” or “banks” along the side of each street. So people were still parked out front so I texted one of my neighbours so that she could move her car and others were out moving them. Some people on the street north of us left their vehicles out front and they now will have to shovel themselves out. The poor guys in the graders. Anyway. They did a pretty good job although it may be spring before I can locate the storm drain out front. The house directly in front of me at some point during the night parked his flatbed truck on the street which is partially blocking traffic coming in and out of that street and they also drove their other truck onto their lawn. They always park their vehicles on the street as apparently they use their garage for something else. Gossip on the block said “man cave” and it wasn’t actually gossip as one of my neighbours was speaking to them shortly after they moved in. They have a sporty car that is usually parked on the street so not sure where it disappeared to. Not my problem. They are blocking the sidewalk to pedestrians. There will be no parking on the street now with four-five feet banks of snow/ice chunks on the side. Usually we have so many people parking on the street that it brings the traffic flow down to one lane. People have to wait and take turns coming down the street. Kind of annoying. They worked on grading the street right down to the pavement until after 6:00 p.m. I can actually see the pavement now.

I went last night after work to put out the trash for this morning and the garage door wouldn’t open. So I lightly kicked at the door hoping to break the ice that was on the outside. Then I tried again and it opened but the weather stripping on the bottom of the door came off, all of it. ARGH. Annoying. I hauled out my ladder and tried to put it back to no avail. I texted several people before finding someone at home as it is really a two person job. One of my friends from a few doors down came over. It was starting to get cold out and the wind was blowing. The rubber would not go back into place. So I found that I could actually safely close the door and then I placed the rubber across the bottom of the door from the inside. I will have to fix it another day when it is warmer and will need some help for sure. There are just some things that one person cannot manage on their own.

Well it will be interesting to see if the City comes out and removes the snow or if it will remain for the rest of the winter. There will be no way of finding the storm drain without moving a pile of snow and ice chunks onto my lawn which will inevitably melt onto the street. So will have to wait and see. Not much that I can do now.

Have yourself a wonderful day. Enjoy that mug of coffee or tea this morning. I am.

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

Always, Carol & Alvin

P.S. perhaps I should download/upload the photos that I took of our streets and the windrows.

It is a NEW YEAR.

Good Saturday Morning!

Do you or have you ever had a day when from the moment you woke up you just felt incredibly happy!

More so than the usual daily happiness!

That deep to the core feeling that all was well, really well, it was great.

You felt good.

Your trusty companion was finally over the “worse” of whatever it was he was that kept him from being his best health.

The morning had started out raining.

The finishing touches on the fence were to be done at 10:00 a.m. and were pushed ahead to 1:00 p.m.

This did not diminish my overwhelming feelings of happiness, joy.

I had decided to take my morning 15 minute break from work a bit later as my friend was filling my grocery order from COSTCO.

She would drop it off and then I would put it away on my 15.

All worked out.

I was working away.

It was a great Friday morning.

I guess it was after 10:30 when she rang the doorbell.

I went down the stairs as my office is upstairs to unlock the door and quickly brought in the items as she brought them to the porch.

We chatted for a second, I thanked her profusely, and she left to put away her groceries.

After she was gone, I went upstairs to advise my Supervisor that I was taking my break now.

I had grabbed my coffee and my phone and continued to go downstairs.

Somehow I slipped, lost my footing and down I went.

I managed to hold onto my coffee (not spilling a drop) but dropped my phone as I slid on a angle down several steps.

My left foot stopped me just before the bottom landing.

Alvin started barking, he knew something was wrong.

It felt like I was in a dream, almost like an out of body experience, which seems strange as I type these words.

But it did feel very unusual.

I could tell that my left foot was not in it’s usual happy place as I began to regain composure.

In that moment there was pain for sure, not unbearable.

I was mad at myself knowing full well at that point that the next day or so would not be the same.

So I slowly made my way into the living to sit on the sofa.

I texted my daughter so that she would know what had happened and a bit later I texted my friend as well.

During the next few minutes I put away the groceries that needed to be refrigerated.

Some things I just left out.

Alvin and I managed to get outside so he could go pee.

Then I went upstairs very carefully and quite slowly to send a message to my supervisor to advise what happened.

After a bit, I went back upstairs to work.

The chap that was working on fence was coming at 1:00 p.m. so I decided to take a late lunch.

So I slightly elevated my foot while continuing to work.

The pain was easily bearable.

Later I took a couple of over the counter painkillers.

I received a text just before 1:00 that he was here to continue on the fence and I quickly told him what had happened knowing it would take me a few extra minutes to get back downstairs.

I advised my supervisor that I was taking lunch.

Then out we went, I opened the garage door so he could back his truck into the garage for easy access to his tools.

After a few minute chat back into the house we went.

While I was taking a break, my manager called to see how I was doing.

She mentioned that I should have a chat with our HR guy about the incident in case I had to report to WCB.

I said after lunch I would do so.

After my 45 minutes was over back to work I went.

Spoke to the HR guy and as it turned out did not have to complete WCB forms as it was not a “workplace injury.”

Not sure why as I am working from home and was on a paid break when it happened.

Anyway, that’s okay, whatever.

I had thought that I would take the rest of the afternoon off but then got busy and kept on working until the end of my shift at 4:00 p.m.

Just about the time I was finished so was the chap working on my fence.

So it worked out perfectly.

Over the next few hours I tried to stay off my feet but not realistic.

Anyway I fed Alvin and we had to skip yet another walk, argh.

I put my supper in the oven to cook and elevated my foot on a pillow.

In between somewhere I put out a call for an ice pack as the ones that I had just did not work on my foot no matter what I did.

I was just eating my supper when I received a text.

My friend who picked up my groceries – came to the rescue bringing me the perfect pliable “Barbie” ice pack and a couple of others.

Then finishing up supper, I did the dishes, cleaned up and made some tea.

After that I sat down and iced my toes while watching “Love it or List it.”

Quiet night.

About 9:00 p.m. we started to get ready for bed.

I was happy to lay down.

What a day …..

You never know what will happen.

Life can change in a blink of an eye.

Well I had better get going here.

I want to show you some fence photos.

Might even throw in a “toe photo.”

My foot had turned a light shade of purple after the fall.

The toes were swollen for a time.

I noticed at bedtime that my smallest toe is black and blue and it is a bit swollen.

Still this morning.

 

Okay photos.  Alvin needs a haircut and bath.

My daughter is coming to help me.

I am hosting a birthday party for one of my “young friends.”

So lots to do.

Hoping to have it on the deck.

I have a birthday present to wrap.

House to clean.

Cake was purchased.

A fruit platter to prepare.

Fresh strawberries, blueberries and watermelon.

The cake is a strawberry shortcake from COSTCO.

It looks so good.

One more day.

So much to do.

 

Finally got all of the fence photos from beginning to end for you to see.

Also added on of my ugly toe injury (I do not have pretty feet).

For some beauty, I added a photo of our tree.

 

Next spring the fence will be painted, there will be mountains of colourful flower pots filling in the deck space.

I will have a new umbrella or two for my tables.

But life is good.

Just a bit tender this morning.

Alvin, is sticking close by and keeping an eye on his Momma.

Time for coffee and some toast.

The sun is shining and there is a cool breeze coming in through the open office window.

Alvin will be receiving a haircut and bath in the next little bit.

The first load of laundry has been started.

I was very careful and holding onto the railing on the stairs going both up and down.

Lesson learned.

Slowly wins the race.

 

With kindness and respect,

I/We shall remain,

As Always, Carol & Mr.  Alvin

 

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Saturday the 30th day of July, 2016.

Well after a sweltering day it is overcast and wet.

We had quite the storm last night ….. lots of thunder and lightning.

I took my tablet out onto the deck to get some photos of the storm but not sure what happened they did not turn out.

But I did secure some beautiful video of one of my solar lanterns that is a tear drop style and made of glass that sparkles and shines.

So it was not completely a failure or maybe that is too strong of a word and so it goes.

We are really lucky at our office and get out early on Fridays so I was home one hour earlier than normal.

After Mr. Alvin went outside and had supper I set out to give him a hair cut and bath.

Three hours later we were finished and he looks wonderful.

His front paws could use a smidge more trimmed but all in all he looks great.

Needless to say I had supper at almost 8 p.m. but that was okay.

My friend “S” and I are having another garage sale today so that we can sell all of the stuff that did not sell last weekend.

It is cooler out so perhaps that will bring people out today.

“S” and her daughter came over to bring a few things like balloons and the signs that she placed in other parts of our neighbourhood.

After they left we settled down and watched one of my favourite food shows with Guy F …. the triple “D” one …… for the life of me the title has left my memory.

Likely because I am thinking about the sale and stuff.

Anyway we went up to bed just after 10:00 and there was so much lightning and thunder that Alvin did not settle down right away and then to add to it we could hear another dog, clearly outside and

clearly scared and distressed.

We listened for awhile as I tried to ascertain where the barking was coming from and it was not until I came into my office and opened the window that I found it was coming from that side of the house.

The poor puppy had been barking for quite some time.

So I grabbed my coat with a hood as it was raining by this time, key and shoes (still in my nightgown) and went onto the deck and opened the garage door.

I quickly figured out where the dog was and went to investigate.

Within a block of my house is this poor doggie …. outside in a built wire cage.

I managed to see just a bit of the dog through a space in the fence and he was pacing back and forth.

I ran back to the garage and to my house and called 9-1-1.

First thing I said was this is not a life and death situation and explained what was happened.

The operator was a sweetheart making me a bit relaxed and advising that she would transfer me to the non-emergency police line.

I explained the situation to the male operator on the other end.

My options were limited but he could hear the dog when I held the phone to my window.

We talked for quite some time and then suddenly there was human movement.

Someone was in the garage and the garage door opened and someone came out.

The dog stopped barking.

We listened for a few more minutes and no barking.

The lights went off and I could see someone going into the house via the back door.

The dog did not bark anymore.

I asked for the phone number of the non-emergency line – just in case.

Then hung up and we went back to bed.

Alvin, bless his heart did not bark much as I guess he could sense that I was anxious.

It breaks my heart to see people not taking proper care of animals in their care.

I may not be perfect but he will never be left out in the cold or in a severe lightning storm in a metal cage.

People truly are stupid …. how could you do that.

Well I need to wrap this up as it is time to get going and get the signs up for the garage sale.

Part 2, wish us luck.

I hope that you have an awesome Saturday.

Remember that dogs are living creatures and please respect them.

Special Hello to: all those people who love and respect animals in their care and all life whether two-legged, four-legged, winged or scaled.

Always, Carol and Alvin

 

Thought for the day ……

Good Morning and Welcome to Saturday the 17th day of October, 2015.

The sun is coming up and to the south from my office view the sky is almost a variegated peach.

So very soft and pretty.

I just am seeing now that the neighbour building the garage behind me now has his garage door and window in place.

WOW, it is almost done.

The house is so quiet this morning without me Alvin.

I sure miss the little guy.

Last night after work my daughter stopped by to pick him up.

As she was by herself (so her pups had someone at home) we had supper together.

Nothing like a grilled two kind of cheese sandwich and a hearty lentil soup with added peas.

We had a chat and caught up.

After supper the three of us went for a walk.

Once the house was clear I went to work with the exception of my neighbour stopping by to pick up another catalogue I spent until 12:30 last night preparing the house for the Open House today.

Laundry done, floors washed, bathrooms cleaned, table set up with teas, tea cups and such, and some of our jewellery (as one of my friends wants to pick up some earrings), balloons blown up.

There were so many little odds and ends but they are all done.

I always like to just get up and have breakfast and have a shower and be ready.

There will be a trip outside to tie some balloons to the tree and to the porch (already have some up inside the house).

Business cards out …..

Samples ….. catalogues ….. order forms.  CHECK.

DONE.

Well wish me luck …. it will be a great day between the Steeped Tea Open House and going out with my friends this evening.

Alvin will be having fun with his sister and family (there will be children as my son-in-law’s niece and nephew are also coming for a sleepover).

So on this great Saturday I wish you time with family and friends, time to work on your TO DO LIST items, time to relax and to have fun.

Happy Saturday.

Special Hello to: all my fellow tea drinkers ……

Always, Carol and Alvin