Last Half 2022 – November

Good Morning ALL! How are you this morning? We are doing great. I was outside with Mr. Alvin a little while ago to “clean up” from last night and it was so warm. The warm air kissed our faces. Just beautiful and now the sun is shining brightly. A slight breeze but so nice outside. I wish that this weather would stay all winter long. Hard to believe that today is November 20, 2022 already.

Yesterday was interesting. I was so far off my original plans it almost hurt, lol. We were up and at it early about 7:00 a.m. The first thing on the list was decorating the Christmas tree which was done and I will say with a bit of tweaking throughout the day and even this morning, I love it. Laundry was put on and I was upstairs putting things away when I decided to start replacing the “toilet handle.” I thought it may be a good idea to watch an YouTube Video about how to replace a toilet handle. I suppose that I should have been a bit wary when the inside of the toilet looked brand new. The videographer explained how it was to be done, showed the tools and it took him all of 3 minutes to do, actually might have been less. I figured – I got this. This smart 65 year old woman can do anything, I thought. Might have been a bit on the arrogant side but we will get to that in a minute. I took the tank cover off and gingerly set it on a floor mat out of the way. Then I unhooked the plunge chain (do not remember the real name) and with my pliers attempted to undo the bolt that held the toilet handle in place. Well needless to say that did not work so I went to the garage and looked for a different tool, some “open wrench” he called it. I thought that I had one but I did not but I brought in another wrench hoping it may work. Nope, it did not. I tried for over thirty minutes with no luck. Then I texted my daughter, then I texted my neighbours, then I texted their older son who got back to me right away. Lucky for me he was able to pop by with some tools and another thirty, forty or so minutes later it was done. Never, ever believe these YouTube Videos. The handle works were calcified and rusted a bit – after about 15 years. I have decided in the New Year that I am having the other two replaced as well as the towel bars and tissue holders. Time to update. I already hired my helper. Just so happens that he is working for a company that does renos so he knows how to do these things. I am so lucky. We had a great visit and some laughs. He even fixed the bedroom bathroom sink plunger thingy. YAY. After that, I had more COFFEE and then we went for a walk. Me and Alvin. Yesterday afternoon the weather was so nice. We are very blessed.

Basically between the Christmas tree and the bathroom toilet handle and some laundry – it was suppertime. Oh well, today I will get some cleaning done. Good thing that I do keep a clean house so the “cleaning” is not something that will take me hours. Oh, I also put up some garland that my friend Irene gave me with coloured lights and small coloured ornaments on the upstairs bannister. It looks so good, I am very proud. So I guess I did something else. To be honest, I was feeling just a tad unaccomplished.

My coffee is ready and I am ready to sit down for a mug before getting to work.

Have a wonderful Sunday.

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

Always, Carol & Alvin

Last Half 2022 – September

Good Morning ALL! I hope that you are doing great on this Wednesday morning. We are doing very well. Both Alvin and I had a fairly good sleep. I do appreciate when he wakes up for the first time after 4:00 a.m.

Last night I was in a slight panic as I watched the weather forecast stating there could be frost in low lying areas. This was just before we were going to bed. In fact, we were going out for Alvin’s last pee before bedtime. I took all of the remaining flower pots with the exception of the large pot with the tomato plant and either carried the pots into the house or placed them in the garage. The pink flowered Impatiens came in from the front porch and are sitting just inside the door on the entranceway mat. The Calla Lily and the Oregano plants are sitting inside by the back door, not blocking but inside, warm and dry. All of the other plants including the Lavender pots, the Citronella plant, the plant for which I do not remember the name are all in the garage safe from frost. I will take them out at some point today. My house looks like a flower shop. I must admit I do love all of the flowers and greenery. Who am I fooling I have a bunch of flowers and plants already in the house, lol. Anyway, I do love flowers and plants. They make me happy and content (when I am not freaking about the possibility of frost).

Yesterday we had two lovely walks. One at my lunch break and the other after work. The leaves are beginning to turn to different shades of yellow and gold. I do love the colours of “fall” or “autumn.” The word autumn is much more pleasurable than fall. I get where “fall” came from but why! Note to self: must get the tree trimmed this weekend. Saturday, if the weather is nice will be a busy outside day. Finishing off the winterizing of plants, putting away the patio furniture, trimming the tree, washing down the deck, the windows etc. Lots to do.

The sunrise is pretty as it lights up the morning sky in a more subdued palette.

Mr. Alvin is snoring away just outside the office doorway.

I am so excited that the fall shows have started. I watch 9-1-1 last night. Such a good show. The NCIS series are back which is great. I wished that they would have had NCIS Los Angeles in the season opener. I guess I don’t know if they are back for sure but I would hope so. Would be nice to see all three together for an episode or two.

Well time to head downstairs and plug in the coffee. Check the temperature and perhaps move some of the plants back outside. Or they can wait until later when the sun is shining and a bit warmer. Might be a shock for them to go out now.

I hope that you have a great Wednesday.

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

I am very grateful to be working for home on this day.

Thank you for joining me on this blog writing journey.

Always, Carol & Alvin

The New YEAR 2022

Good Morning and Welcome to Tuesday, June 21st, 2022 – the official first day of SUMMER! Yes, it is finally here. The sun is shining brightly in a blue sky with a slight breeze. The sky just got a bit dark but it will pass. Do you have any plans for the summertime? Are you doing things around the house and yard or are you going camping or away on vacation? I am going to take a few days and go visit my daughter and her family in August but otherwise I will be at home taking care of my house and yard. The flowers need tending as to other plants and the grass. I love being able to go for walks when we chose. If it is going to be an extra warm day we will go early in the morning and then again before bed. There may be those days when we only get one walk in and that is okay. Some days Mr. Alvin gets just inside the park and then wants to go home and that was noon yesterday. It was beautiful and we were not too far into the park and someone stopped and turned around. That is a strong hint that the decision has been made. I have to follow suit. Although there are times when I do try and coax him to keep going. I will tell you that I am not successful much of the time so I simply let him lead the way. After work we did the whole walk going past his BF’s house, Teddy. This time I could not stop him without strong restraint so I just let him go up the driveway and up the front steps to the porch, where he wagged his tail, waiting for his friend to come to the door. Unfortunately, Teddy was not home (he is at the farm with his family, where they spend most of their time these days). They have a doorbell with a camera so I decided to wave and say “that someone wanted to stop and say hello” and then I heard a voice. It was Teddy’s Mum Iris. I explained to her although she knows that some days or most days when we do walk past their house, he has the need to go in or at least try. If you think that it is only people that have feelings and miss their friends, guess again. Alvin truly misses his buddy and his family. It took a lot of coaxing and finally I had to lift him down from the steps to the sidewalk. They are coming home for a few days this week so we shall have a visit and that makes me happy for Mr. Alvin. I guess he had an inkling. ESP! That’s my boy. Very intuitive.

My neighbour gave me some things for the garage sale on this coming up weekend. I am actually excited to see my friends and hoping that we can all sell or give away our items.

Last night I made a “meatless” spaghetti sauce using the Mexican blend of YVES which I love with onions, tomatoes, spices and black beans. I used my hand blender and chopped/blended the tomatoes and beans into a thick sauce. It was delicious.

Well time to head downstairs and have some coffee and start work. Tuesday it is.

Wishing you a great first day of summer. Summer 2022, it has a ring to it! Yes it does.

Happy Day!!

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

Always, Carol & Alvin

PS: only 49 days until my 65th Birthday. YIKES.

The New YEAR 2022

Good Morning ALL! How are you this morning? We are doing okay. Not sure about Mr. Alvin. He seems to be freaking out more than usual. I don’t think he is in any pain but will have to keep a close eye on him. This morning it is pouring rain here. Last night my daughter came after work for a sleepover. So nice to have her in the house, we always enjoy her company. I made her favourite dish: chicken and vegetables stir fry and we had an angel cake with strawberries, blueberries and the whipped cream in the can. I had never used that until just a few years ago when I had a Christmas party here. I think it was December 2019. After supper Amanda helped me break down some boxes that I had in the garage and I have several bags of recycling as a result this morning for them to pick up. Also of course, in some of the boxes there was styrofoam and it is too difficult to break down so I basically filled my big black garbage bin with bags of plastic and styrofoam. I don’t like those things. The garage is getting more bare. My daughter is now on her way to work and it is just me and Alvin once again. I have been carrying him upstairs and down this morning and we are out of our normal routine. I also took the umbrella out with us so that he wouldn’t get too wet. I try to keep his ears dry and him, too. Of course, I dried him off when we got back into the house.

Yesterday at my lunch break we walked to our friend Pauline’s house to wish her a Happy Birthday. She was not outside and I was going to leave her a little package. I could hear Georgie bark in the house and I called out a couple of times and then out they came. We had a nice little visit before we headed back home for me to go back to work.

The sky is very grey, I think that those clouds are definitely planning to “hang” around for some time. I need coffee. It has been ready for a bit as I made it so that Amanda could take some with her to work.

I don’t have a clock in here so I had better get going. Not sure what happened to the date and time on my computer?

I hope that you have a good day.

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

Always, Carol & Alvin

PS: only 56 days till my 65th Birthday.

The New YEAR 2022

Good Morning ALL! How are you this morning? I am well, Alvin is okay. I have to stop all together giving him any kind of human food, he gets very bad gas which at the end of the day is not good for his tummy. I am sorry that he won’t be able to enjoy his favs. Since his surgery I have drastically cut back on what he gets and only for the most part the three items plus bell peppers that his vet said were okay for him. But now I think it doesn’t matter. He can only have his own food. So his food will be his treats. The sky is overcast this morning and we had a bit of rain earlier. This week’s forecast is for reasonably warm temperatures but with showers here and there. Hard to tell but looks like it is raining at this moment.

Alvin and I had a good weekend except for the nights. Days were good. Over the course of the weekend I was able to either sell or give away a great many items that have been taking up valuable real estate in my garage. Now the garage is beginning to look bare which is great. I only want to keep items that are being used and not odds and ends of things. We are almost there.

Yesterday I went to the ECO Station which was way different than I imagined. Kind of disappointing I might add. There were what appear to be empty train cars with the end off that were lined up with signs and you put your items in each of them accordingly. There was a building or two and a big pile of dirt. Not sure if the dirt is to be taken or people dropping off dirt. I think to pick up as the dirt looked very black and rich. So happy to be rid of those items.

Oh, today is 64 days to my 65th Birthday. I wonder if I will be able to remember, so I just wrote it down. I still do not believe that I will be 65 years old in August. Where has the time gone? What have I really accomplished, what have I really done? Where have I travelled? Good questions with somewhat complicated answers. I shall endeavour to answer them over the next 64 days.

Well it is time to head downstairs. Plug in the coffee. Work in a little bit.

Thank you for reading my posts. I really appreciate your time.

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

Always, Carol & Alvin

P.S. I am grateful to be alive and for my partner in crime, most days, lol. I found a video last night on FB from the first night that I met Mr. Alvin. I had forgot that it existed. WOW.

The New YEAR 2022

Good Morning ALL! Looks like another beautiful day on the way. It was actually not bad out earlier this morning when we were out in the backyard. Warmer than Saturday morning as there was frost then. No frost this morning. Alvin is hanging in there and me, too. Couple more days wearing socks when he goes outside and we should be okay. I have tried to examine the bottom of his pads but it is difficult by myself. Anyway, we are doing well. I am so grateful for the second day in a row for the sun to be shining so brightly. Thank you for the blue skies. There is a breeze but I think that is going to be part of the norm now.

Yesterday I cleaned out the office closet, went through all of my jewelry (which was huge), went through the spare bedroom, laundry and mowed the backyard. Not a huge amount of things but things done. Today I want to wash down the deck, sort through some of the things in the garage. Then basement left to do. I want to have everything ready for the garage sale. I have a pile of things in the spare bedroom to go downstairs and to the garage for the sale. But will leave them for now. Also do some vacuuming as well. I also moved the desk (table) that was storing my jewelry from the spare room to my room. My room is a bit more full than I normally would like but it is a nice change. I can put it back at some point.

It will be done in chunks as Alvin has to stay in the house unless I can keep an eye on him. Those dratted socks will not stay up all of the time. They slip from time to time. I am proud of them for at least allowing me to put them on his feet each and every time we go outside.

Yesterday there were two little blue/black/white birds flying about the birdhouse that I have in the backyard. It sits up on a pole that sits on the upper deck. The only thing is one of the birds kept flying too close to one of the glass windows on the garage. I was worried that it was going to knock itself out but gratefully it did not.

The neighbours are outside raking their lawn and doing outdoors things.

This is the time of year that most people if not camping for the first time this season that are out raking, going through their garages, getting things ready to haul to the Eco Station (not sure if it is open on the long weekend or not), and all things outdoors.

Tomorrow I am planting my flowers. I checked the weather station and looks like we should be okay for overnight temperatures. YAY. Cannot wait.

Have an awesome Sunday.

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

Always, Carol & Alvin

The New YEAR 2022

Good Morning ALL! How are you this beautiful Friday morning? Feeling great, I hope. We are doing very well. I am happy to see a beautiful sunrise with a clear blue sky. The ground is dry so no more snow overnight. Although I have been outside off and on since 4:10 am, lol. We are happy that it is Friday. I do think that it was Sunday only a day or two ago. The time flies even though it travels at the same pace always. This weekend I have a coffee date with my girlfriends which is exciting. The OSCARS are on Sunday night. For those movie buffs.

We did have a frost last night as I see frost on the rooftops and car windows. A bit of scraping involved this morning for some people. I still am over the moon grateful to be working from home. I have so much more time to do whatever I need or chose to do. Which is perfectly lovely. Even if I do nothing, I can make that choice. Plus to be home with my Alvin is so great. I am not sure what I would have done last year with his two surgeries. Would have been tough. But I am home, working from home and it is very good.

What are your plans for the weekend? If the temperatures are warm, I will be continuing to move about the snow from the backyard grass area. The snow of the deck is melting fast and his portable potty will be gone soon. I sure do not want to have to take him out front. Means putting on harness and leash. He would not like it and would be a pain for me, doable though. Back to the weekend, of course the regular laundry, cleaning the bathrooms etc. I am also going to bake a coffee cake for the get together on Sunday morning with the girls. We will get a few walks in this weekend. There is a good portion of the sidewalks that are dry and safe to walk upon which is great. I love to walk. I guess whatever we can squeeze into two days we will do. I am thinking of colouring my hair. Maybe tonight! Just to give me a pick me up! A little change of colour is good.

The time is flying by here. I kept hitting the snooze button this morning. I wonder what it would be like to go to bed at 10:00 and sleep through the night. Not even sure if I would be able to after years of Alvin conditioning. But it is not all because of him as two years ago I was always up at least by 5:00 a.m. to get ready for work. I am so grateful to have that extra time on the sofa to snuggle with Alvin these days.

I know that I was going to mention something that I thought of last night but of course, I did not write it down and have forgotten it. Hopefully will remember for tomorrow.

I saw a video on social media somewhere and I am not much for watching too many of them but this one caught my eye. It was about a young woman called Lizzy who loved to dance. So well done. It is a reminder that looks can be deceiving and do not judge a book by it’s cover. Body shaming needs to be a thing of the past. We all have dreams and even though we may not look like the “advertised version” – that does not mean it makes it impossible or unlikely that we should have to give it up. You have to watch the video. She is amazing. To all those bullies out there – you never know what a person has gone through until you walked a mile or thousand in their shoes. Next time you want to judge someone – keep your lips closed. We all have to do that.

Not all opinion have to be shared. Food for thought.

Time to go.

Have a great Friday.

Here comes the sun brightly shining on everything it touches (my neighbour’s garage is aglow).

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

Always, Carol & Alvin

2021

Good Morning ALL! How are you doing this morning? I am doing great as is Mr. Alvin. We are happily surprised to see the sun shining with a gorgeous blue sky. Last night we had a thunder/lightning storm and rain. Not too much but some. Good thing that I did not give my flowers/plants too much water last night. YAY, today is Friday. The last weekend of the month of May 2021. It has been a busy week. With the kids stopping by night before last, a coworker and her husband stopped by to pick up her tea order from April and we had “tea” on the deck. Masked and then physically distancing. I decided to open the office window and happen to see my neighbours garage door open so I quickly texted her and then I noticed some movement and a pedal bike in the alley by the garage and freaked thinking someone was trying to steal her things. So I yelled down “I see you there” and then phoned her to find out that it was her boyfriend who was getting things packed up for their weekend trip to Jasper. She laughed and I apologized for yelling at her boyfriend. I am not even sure that he heard me but if he did – likely thinking “oh that crazy old woman” or something! Anyway I guess better to be safe than sorry and that is what my neighbour said as she giggled. Alvin and I are good “watchers” even when we are not watching. The breeze coming in through the window is slightly cool and oh so, refreshing. Good to have that fresh air in the house. I have our bedroom window open as well. Last night about 1:00 a.m. some noises kept waking me up. Sounded like door shutting and I got up to make sure that I did not leave my door open or unlocked. Things happen right. Nothing was open. Even took quick look outside and never did figure out the source of the noises. There were various sounds that were not regular.

Tonight after work my daughter is stopping by to drop off some items and to have supper with us. I am making stir fry and having meat for the first time in a long time with the exception of the little bit of meat on the pizza. Mostly eating a plant based diet these days. I am thinking that I need to cut back on the sweets. Not helping me that is for sure. Sugar does not help any of us. I love fruit and eat a fair amount so do not need other sweets. Wish me luck.

Oh, yesterday the estimator guy came out about the shingles. He measured the house and took photos and gave me and my neighbours information about the company and about the shingles etc. The owner of the company will come out next week and give us the “actual price.” I am so excited to have new shingles and know that the house will be protected for 50 years. Isn’t that a great warranty. Almost unheard of these days and guess what if we happen to move within that time – the warranty can be transferred to the new owners. Cool, right. So excited.

Well time to go and get the coffee brewing. Open the main floor windows. I wish, we wish you a fantastic day. Filled with sunshine and rainbows. Love and laughter.

This life is filled with kindness, respect, compassion, patience, love and gratitude and so much more.

Always, Love Carol & Alvin

2021

Good Morning ALL! How are you this Tuesday morning? We are well. Both Alvin and I had a good sleep. The sun was shining brightly and now I see that the clouds are rolling in and the wind is still blowing. I was going to run out to the garage and put out my three geranium plants which I had placed in the garage yesterday due to the wind and rain. They do not like to have too much water. So far the other plants that remained outside seem to be doing well. I wished that the sun would shine. I have a chill in my bones just from the sound of the wind and the rain. Perhaps I should have turned the heat on but I have elected to wear warm clothing instead. I might just leave the geraniums in the garage for a bit but will keenly watch the weather. Fingers crossed for some sunshine. We are grateful for the moisture as it was very dry here despite the heavy rain and snow of last week.

I/We had a great long weekend. I forgot to wish my friend Mr. B a Happy Birthday for yesterday along with Queen Victoria. Not sure how I forgot them but I did. It was a weekend filled with outside visits with friends and checking off items off that never ending TO DO LIST. I finally have all my daughter’s things from childhood washed, dried and photographed and carefully packed away. There are some dollies that I have to figure out how to store with care. But the clothing, handmade dolls and blankets are all done. I only had a couple of mishaps and my daughter has already forgiven me. She is a gracious girl that one. I won’t share what item had the mishap but it was a big one. Momma was feeling pretty badly.

Have you gone through your house room by room and done the following:

1. Either pulled the item(s) or made a list of the item(s) that you no longer need or want?
2. Have you made a list of what to do with those item(s)?
3. Have you made a list of what repairs need to be done?
4. Have you started to figure out your finances for said repairs?
5. Have you started to call and make appointments/estimates for said repairs?

I have started doing the above. Sometimes things can get away on you. We quite often have the easy response “oh, it can wait until tomorrow” and then tomorrow never comes for one reason or the other. I have a few things that require attention. It can be scary of course. Sometimes being scared to make arrangements for the financing can be scary. Or perhaps just having to find someone to come and do the repair can be nerve racking. Unfortunately this is all part of being a homeowner. Yes, it is true. I find that being on my own – adds a level to the whole adventure. A level that I never thought about much ….. but I am learning ….. learned so much over the past decade or so since I bought this my first house/home.

Food for thought.

Well time to head downstairs and put on the coffee. Perhaps rearrange those plants on the deck. Looks like the sun is coming back out. YAY. Perhaps Mother Nature heard my plea.

Continuing to live this life with kindness, respect, compassion, patience, love and gratitude. We should add laughter to this list. We all need to laugh everyday.

Always, Love Carol & Alvin

2021

Good Morning ALL! How are you doing this “bright and sunny” Thursday morning? I am so grateful that the skies are pretty clear and that the sun is shining after a few days of clouds, rain and snow. It did freeze hard over night as I noticed the water that I have out for the bees froze over and there is frost on the cars. Most of the snow has melted now and the grass and trees appear to be renewed, is that possible? Of course, they gratefully soaked up the moisture in both forms. My lawn has not looked this good in years. Between the fertilizer that our neighbours threw on a few days ago and the extra moisture ….. well it looks like a lawn again. I was thinking that we may have to replant which I suppose throwing on some extra seed would not have hurt. If I would have had some grass seed in my garage I would have done so, at the beginning of the rain. Food for thought. I am going to pick up some seed to have on hand. Even our back patch of grass is coming back. Yesterday and earlier this morning there were a bunch of little birds flying about our backyard near the bird house. There was also a Magpie that was swooping in and about every once in awhile. They are pretty but not good for the little birds. Anyway, I am certain that by noon, or perhaps before I can remove the cover that is protecting the flowers in the front flower bed. Did I forget to mention? Yes, I did, that I pulled the cover back and checked some of the flowers and they are okay. If they survived last night, we all should be good. I also shook and dipped with a measuring cup all of the excess water off of the handmade tarp so that it would not crush them and not freeze. Fingers crossed.

I am looking forward to a walk with Mr. Alvin at noon. He needs to get out as I think he has a bit of cabin fever or at least he has been more anxious that usual. He barked short piercing barks the whole time I was in the shower. I kept calling out to him and hoping to calm him down but it did not work. I even tried singing my “put one paw in front of the other” song but to no avail. Luckily, he is okay now. What a guy. I tried to explain about how lucky that he is as I have noticed this poor little orange cat running on the front sidewalk and across the street. Poor cat looked like he or she had not had a good meal in a long time. So many cats on the loose in our area. Very dangerous as we have had coyotes in the nearby parks. Plus there are hawks and other birds of prey that can swoop down and take away little cats. I hope that he finds a home, soon.

Well time to head on downstairs and put on the coffee, need to smell that delectable aroma and drink some of that pure joy liquid before I start work. I am grateful that all my flowers survived this late spring snowfall and the wind. Thank goodness for a garage. I don’t have a car but man on man, that building has come in handy for storing and housing the vehicles of company.

I hope that you have a wonderful Thursday. May you laugh and smile and be surrounded with kindness and joy.

Continuing to live this life with kindness, respect, compassion and patience. Always working on patience I am patient. I am patient. I am patient.

ALLways, Love Carol & Alvin