Last Half 2022

Good Morning ALL! It is a gorgeous morning. Another beautiful day, not too hot, just perfect. The sun is shining, there is a cool breeze and the Crows are cawing as they fly around the neighbourhood. My daughter and grand pup Milo are just waking up. My daughter did get up a bit ago to get some food for Milo. Alvin and I were up first about 4:40 and then just after 5:30 (he ate his breakfast then and had some meds). I am so over the moon happy to report that Mr. Alvin seems to have made a full recovery. Definitely close to 100% that is for sure. He has already finished two of the three medicines. Only the probiotics are left. He has a ten day supply of them and just finished day 5. I definitely have found that my thoughts are in fact my future, so I am, I have to change that. Keeping my thoughts focused on my dreams, the way that I want to live my life and away from the opposite. Oh, it is so very easy to say something negative about a situation or about someone but when you put the shoe on the other foot, it seems to be the opposite. Now shouldn’t it be much easier to say nice things, to act in a positive manner all of the time? One would think so, but I have found, not. But I no longer wish to keep dipping into that dark abyss where negativity is the norm. I want to get my JOY back, to speak only kind and happy words, to think only positive thoughts. So here we go. Training my brain to refocus. Please do not think that I have been thinking dark nasty thoughts and running around throwing things, that is not the case. I only want to keep those 60,000 some odd thoughts near to all being positive and good ones.

Today is the 40th birthday of one of my fellow coworkers, Happy Birthday Melanie. Happy Birthday to my great nephew Brandon who turns 18 years today. Wow, I can remember turning 18 and 40. I cannot believe that little boy has graduated High School and is 18 years old. Where does the time go? Happy Birthday to all those celebrating today. Best Wishes.

Last night we girls had a little late supper as Amanda went grocery shopping after work for us both with a quick stop at Value Village. We had black bean burgers on lettuce, oh my, how yummy! The lettuce was from my daughter’s garden which made it all the better. We made an apple crisp for dessert which we ate after 9:00 p.m. There was coffee on the deck in between and she cut my hair. Which I guess is a work in progress as she wants to do more this morning. I want to give Mr. Alvin a trim as now I have the new blade for his electric clipper. Part of my haircut last night was using the new blade, so nice to have a sharp one again. Makes life so much easier. My daughter also would like me to trim her hair in the amount of about two inches. We had so much fun last night with the hair cutting. I almost peed my pants, I laughed so hard. Alvin and Milo just say there – wondering what the heck was going on! It was late when we went to bed but that never stops Mr. Alvin from getting up early to eat. He has an alarm clock sitting in his belly, I think, lol.

I want to take Mr. Alvin for a walk before it gets too late. Temperatures are reasonable all day so I guess we could go later but there is something about the morning air. The smell and the coolness of the breeze. Maybe we will leave the sleepy heads and go ourselves. That would be okay, too. I also need that cup of coffee. I drank coffee minutes before bed and it certainly did not keep me awake.

Well I should get going. There be things to do. Empty the dishwasher. Do some laundry today. Walk. Coffee. Live our life. So happy that my daughter and grand pup are visiting and that they spent the night. I love having them with us.

Have an awesome Saturday.

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

Always coffee.

My favourite beverage.

Always, Carol & Alvin

PS: Now only 17 sleeps until my 65th Birthday. I wonder what that will be like? Great, I would think.

Last Half 2022

Good Morning ALL! Welcome to Friday, July 22, 2022. It is a beautiful morning. A mosquito got into the house earlier and wreaked havoc with the Momma but I survived. Not sure about the mosquito. There is a breeze, dark rain clouds to the south share the sky with the sun. Thankfully it will be a bit cooler today although I am not complaining about our temperatures. I know that all over the world including parts of Canada are experiencing way above normal temperatures. Climate Change! It is real.

I am happy to report that Mr. Alvin is closer to his old self. This morning he drank quite a lot of water from his dish without having it mixed in with his breakfast. He just looks and seems better. Yesterday in the later afternoon Michelle from the Vet clinic called to check on Alvin, she apologized for not calling sooner but they have been very busy. Oh, I get that. I told her all about how he was doing and she made me more confident that he was on the mend. She reminded me that he will not poop that much because he wasn’t eating that much and if he was getting water by way of with his food, that was great. As long as he was not vomiting, life is good. So I relaxed a bit. I will say that it put me in a totally different frame of mind and I felt more positive about how he was doing and this morning, well the proof is sitting not far from me. So happy.

Last night I had a wonderful video chat with my friend Val from Regina. They have had some wild weather as of late. One day they got 3 inches of rain, and the next day her garden was dry. Grateful that they did not have any flooding at their place and I checked on my sister, all good there. I am reminded that I need to chat with my friends and family back “home” a bit more often. Actually a lot more often.

My daughter and grand pup Milo are on their way here. Amanda is dropping off Milo on her way to work, and after work they will spend the night. We are so excited. I cannot wait.

They should be here in a few minutes so I want to be ready.

YAY, starting off to be a great day. It makes a difference in your mindset. I felt that I was slowly slipping to the dark side and now I am back. YAY, me.

Thank you friends and family.

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

Always, Carol & Alvin

PS: wow only 18 days till I turn 65. Coming fast. YIKES.

Last Half 2022

Good Morning ALL! I trust that you are well and enjoying the weekend. The sky is a brilliant blue, the sun is shining and there is the most refreshing breeze wafting through my office window as I type these words. Alvin is laying on his belly on the hallway carpet, waiting for me. Another glorious weekend. Everything from walks to visits to video chat and in between some work got done. Yesterday morning we started out the day with a walk and I was happy that we were able to do what I refer to as a full one / normal one, then there was some laundry, coffee, breakfast, more laundry, cleaning and laundry. Our friend sent us an email inviting us for a visit as she missed us in the morning. We were just in process of getting Alvin’s harness ready to put on when there was a loud knock at the door, I was not expecting anyone so I carefully opened the door, to our surprise on the other side of the door was Pauline and Georgie. They had decided to walk over and pick us up so we could walk together. She also gave me a very thoughtful thank you card with the most beautiful floral design on the front. I thanked her and set it on the counter and continued getting us ready to go. A few minutes later we were out the door, I picked up Alvin and carried him down the steps as I have been doing as of late. Helping to keep him from injuring his knees. We walked and chatted and even saw neighbours outside along the way. When we arrived at the park Pauline suggested that we go the back way through the grass (which recently had been cut) the opposite side of the park which does not have a sidewalk. It was nice as the grass was wet and cool. We took a shortcut through the trees between the second and third pond which had us walking on some stones to come out near her house. My flip flops were wet and I was almost going to take them off to cross the stones as I thought more safe in bare feet but decided to go slow and most of the stones had more flat tops and rounded. It only took us a minute or so to cross. The pups got a bit wet as there was water up near the stones/rocks. Next thing we were through their gate and in the backyard where I removed Alvin’s leash and a minute later decided to take off his harness as it was warm outside. He was happy. Pauline grabbed a couple of cushions for the chairs that sit under the deck on the patio out of the sun. Then she was in the house to get our refreshments. While she was in the house Georgie jumped up on my lap while Alvin paced the patio sniffing and what not. We had iced tea and banana bread. She also brought out some photos of their Ontario trip to show me. Sometime during the visit I had lifted Mr. Alvin up on a third empty chair which was in between us, and he relaxed while we chatted. Georgie on Pauline’s lap. It was about 5:00 p.m. when Pauline noticed that the sky to the west was beginning to get some very ominous clouds developing and suggested that we may want to go home before the rain. I took a quick look and decided that we best be going and grabbed Alvin’s harness and his water bottle and put on his leash and said our goodbyes and were on our way. We were coming by Lucy’s house and she was outside doing yard work, we quickly said hello and pointed to the sky and advised that we had to get home before the storm hit. A little while later we saw a neighbour walking her two yellow labs and pointed out the storm. We hightailed it home. Just about home and saw our neighbour who recently had surgery out front speaking with her neighbour. We stopped briefly to say hello before going the last couple of minutes to our house. I think we were home not even 10 minutes when it began to rain. The storm was not like Thursday night and I was very happy about that. After that I fed Mr. Alvin his supper, turned on the last load of laundry and the dryer. I got my supper in the oven and then texted my sister. We ended up having a video chat via messenger as my cell phone cuts in and out and one cannot have a very good conversation that way. I am chalking it up to dead zones in the house which appear to be increasing over time. I plan to call Telus who is our provider in the area and see what can be done. Just seems like there has not been time to do so. If it were a matter of calling and speaking to someone right away that would be one thing but it is always a long wait and then I would be cutting in and out. I will perhaps try and contact them on-line. I had a great chat with my sister and had a late supper at 7:30 p.m. I cannot remember the last time that I ate that late but it happens. We were out and about and enjoying life. Who cares, right. Most important things we had great walks, good exercise, good company and visits with family and friends! Last night was quiet. I watched a movie followed by bed. That was our Saturday.

Today my daughter Amanda and one of my grandpups, the little one named Mi-Mi or Milo is coming for a visit and will spend the night. She will go to the office from here and then pick up Mi-Mi after work. We have lots to do this afternoon and evening.

Time to fly and have a shower. I brought up all of the laundry that had been drying and put it all away. I dry most of my clothes on racks. They last longer that way.

Have a wonderful Sunday. Enjoy the morning, maybe even get out for a walk.

We might get out after my shower or wait for the others.

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

Always, Carol & Alvin

PS: now 30 days till turn 65. The card was beautiful with a gift inside for looking after her garden while they were away. I called her to thank her for her generosity and that it was not necessary but she insisted. Smells like weed outside, not the garden variety – coming in through my open window. Smells like skunk ….. lol

Second Half of the NEW YEAR – last quarter.

Good Morning All. Welcome to Thursday, November 12, 2020. Mr. Alvin is trying to get my attention at the doorway, so I better stop and see what he needs. False alarm. I guess he is the boy who cried wolf OR perhaps it could be that he is terribly spoiled. Nevertheless, all is well and he is laying on his bed in the office waiting impatiently for me to finish something that I have only just started. Patience is not something Alvin has much of, I would say. The sky is slowly beginning to lighten as the sun is thinking about rising to the east. Yesterday was cool but bright and sunny for the most part. I managed to finish my Christmas cards and letters, wrapped the parcel to be mailed next week with the cards, called a close family friend on his birthday, enjoyed a walk with Alvin (in his new coat). His new coat is so luxurious and warm but again he is not so great with the changes and he stood trembling after I put on his coat. I managed to get him out of the house but he did not wish to walk down the steps so I carried him off the steps. He managed to get down the one step on the sidewalk to the flat sidewalk area. It was slow going for the first while as he did not want to walk in the coat. I could see why as it covered most of his body from the top and in front came down quite a bit. We managed to get as far as the park which I thought was great and then he seemed to be okay for a bit and then just as we were about to turn around and head for home, we saw our friend Pauline and her grandpup Georgie. She hadn’t recognized us at first all bundled up. Funny how the Universe picks up on things as I had planned to call her after our walk. So we walked and talked. Alvin for the most part was okay, there were a couple of times that he stopped and did not wish to go further. I had to wipe his paws a couple of times to warm them up. But I found that it was not nearly as cold out as I had thought. Well this last while certainly has been chalked full of changes for Mr. Alvin. He conquered his fears of new coats, yay, buddy. He has moved and is waiting outside the office in the hallway. Patiently, not likely.

Another work day for me. Then tomorrow is Friday. Wow, the weeks are flying by and soon it will be December. I guess for most people they will be glad to see 2020 go but me I do not want wish any time away ….. good or bad as we only have this time, and once it is gone, it is gone. So no matter what is happening we have to make the best of things and carry on. There will always be something not pleasant going on in the world and around us. Most times things are good but there are always blips. Keep the faith, listen when the health professionals tell us not to or to do something, laugh everyday and be kind and respectful. That is how it is.

From our house to yours, Happy Thursday as we continue this journey called life with faith, kindness and respect for all.

As Always, Carol & Alvin

P.S. Happy Birthday Dad. May you be soaring with the Angels.

It is a NEW YEAR.

Good Morning ALL,

Wow, can you believe that it is April 30th, 2020.

Last day of April already.

 

Yesterday was an OVER the TOP FANTASTIC day for me and I will include Mr. Alvin in that declaration.

This is what happened:

1. One of my girl friends picked up some light bulbs that I had been needing.
2. My daughter and one of my grand-pups came for a visit, we did not hug and practiced social distancing and she wore a mask inside the house.  She also brought me lunch and a cold treat which I forgot to have for dessert last night.  My favorite “buster bars” from Dairy Queen.  She also gave me some “dilly bars.”  So great to see them and catch up in real time.
3. EPCOR phoned and arrived just before 2:30 p.m.
4. My friend the plumber arrived shortly thereafter.
5. TAP fixed with only a couple of momentarily hiccups just after 4:00 p.m.
6. Found out that my smoke detectors had expired (did not realize if they were hard-wired that they had to be replaced, but if one thinks about it, makes sense).  Check yours.
7. Went for a walk with Alvin.
8. Another friend down the street who is an electrician happened to be out walking with his youngest son  – so I asked him about the smoke detectors and replacing them.
9. Our friend P and her grand pup Georgie were out working in her backyard and she invited us in for a visit.  Social distancing of course.  We stayed in the backyard.
10. Happy to hear the sound of silence throughout the evening.
11. My neighbour mowed the front lawn and I was so caught up with everything that I did not notice when we arrived home from our walk.
12. Lovely evening …. just hanging out and watching episodes of “Love It or List It, Vancouver.”
13. Perfection and a full day.
14. I also worked in the morning.

 

What a incredible day.

I am over the moon happy to have the kitchen tap fixed.

Now I have a few more things to get repaired/replaced.

YAY.

It is the small things (and not to say that these are small things).

Does not have to be a luxury trip around the world.

Does not have to be a lotto win.

Having a tap fixed.

Lunch with your daughter and grandpup.

Chatting with a friend in her yard enjoying the early blooming spring flowers.

Having someone mow the lawn unexpectedly.

I am so blessed and so grateful.

 

Okay time to grab that coffee and do the poo pick up.

I wish you a world of small things.

Enjoy your Thursday.

With kindness and respect.

 

I/We remain,

As Always, Carol & Alvin