Last Half 2022 – August

Good Morning ALL (it is just barely morning). What a great last almost 24 hours we have had. There is something about having your brother, his husband and your daughter and your pup in the house at the same time. We laughed and cried as we shared news and talked about “the old days.” Some of us remembered things a bit differently but it was all good. Just after the boys arrived, my brother and I left the house to go to the grocery store. Likely not a great idea for Mr. Alvin as he was left with my brother-in-law who is a lovely human being but Alvin really didn’t know him. Todd said that he tried to get him to go outside with him but did not work instead he sat on one of his beds and looked out the living room window waiting my return. Clearly no separation anxieties here, lol. I get it – for most of the time he sees only me and he had not met Todd before and to be honest, I never really thought about it. Note to self. Do not leave the house right away after bringing someone new inside. It is funny not funny ha-ha that Todd has never been to my house here in Edmonton and I moved here in 2009. My brother has been here several times over the years. My poor Todd is awaiting double hip replacement so it was not easy going up and down stairs but he does not let that get in his way. He is a real trooper. Good mindset about his whole ordeal. He will be 54 in a few days. Hopefully after waiting for over two years, the surgery will happen soon. It breaks my heart when you know someone who has been waiting to have surgery and in constant pain. So it seems to be the standard thought process to give you drugs that you may or may not become addicted to help with the pain instead of doing the surgery right away. Drugs that over time damage and destroy your muscle/joints and whatever else. So why not do the surgery sooner than later. I wonder what the real reason is? We also realized that my brother and Alvin are on the same pain medication – just a different dosage. We had a real giggle over that.

I was so happy that my daughter decided to stay and visit. We had a cold supper if you will which was great. After supper and the sun went lower in the sky we sat outside on the back deck. It was wonderful listening to the laughter coming from my house. It has been awhile since I have had that many people enjoying the deck and each other’s company. I am so grateful that they took the time and came out of their way to come from Calgary to Edmonton before heading to Regina with final destination Winnipeg – then the lake. I remember to a few days ago when we were out at my daughter’s. I love the laid back lifestyle. So much fun.

Well it is almost time to head downstairs and get the laundry going and set up the fans and close all the blinds before it gets too hot in the house.

I am grateful to the Universe for bringing some of my family together for a great evening. I drank a bit and even had a few puffs of a cigarette (my brother-in-law smokes). I was a bad girl but sometimes you just have to be “bad.” We had good food, laughed, cried, shared stories, took pictures and just enjoyed being together. Does not get better than that.

We made a pact that next summer for us to get together again but we will make sure that our sister and other brother will be there, too.

Well I should go. Get things back to normal and do laundry. Always laundry.

Have a wonderful Saturday. Oh, I have to check my lottery ticket from last night -that would be a perfect end to a wonderful time. Especially if it were enough to share with family and friends.

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

I do love to entertain. This morning I made buns with two kinds of toppings, some cut up raw veggies and a container of unbaked chocolate macaroons. That was my gift to the boys – the macaroons. A request made by them. We celebrated my birthday and Todd’s which is coming up last night. Now they will have a good snack to have on their trip.

Always, Carol & Alvin

P.S. we had some rain earlier this morning.

Thought for the day ….

Good Morning and Welcome to Friday the 13th day of July, 2018.

Overcast with a slight breeze this morning.

Last night or shall I say a few hours ago this morning, we had quite the storm.

The light show and the thunder roaring was enough to wake us up.

For some reason I could not close my thoughts last night.

Kept thinking about a situation/conversation at work.

ARGH, not great when that happens.

But today is a new day and all is good.

Looks like rain.

Also when Mother Nature was putting on her show earlier this morning, I decided to get up and check the window.

I always leave our bedroom window open at night.

Sure enough this time, the rain was coming in at an angle and the window sill was wet as was the floor.

So I grabbed a towel to wipe it dry.

I was happily surprised to see my flowers still standing this morning.

The worse of the storm seemed to be at the front of the house, from the north and at the back to the south is partially sheltered.

Anyway, I am happy, pleased, relieved that they continue to look their most beautiful selves – my flowers and plants.

 

Last night we decided to go for a walk about 8:00 p.m. – was 26 degrees celsius earlier and I feel that is too hot for us, older “farts.” (me and Mr. Alvin).

It was actually quite nice when we went.

We were so HAPPY to see our friend out in their back yard (she just had hip surgery near the end of June).

Alvin caught a glimpse of her and he ran for their back gate.

We chatted for a few seconds through the fence but Alvin was so loud we went in …. he calmed down and we were able to visit.

He gets so excited with the people that he loves.

She is doing so well.

So very happy for her.

 

Well here we are and it is Friday morning.

Thank goodness.

My daughter and pups are coming over on the weekend at some point.

We always love to see them.

 

Not sure what this day is going to bring.

We are hopeful that our update to our computer system will be running smoothly on Monday.

Testing was going pretty good, I thought.

 

Well folks have a great Friday the 13th.

Be safe and dry.

Be kind to yourself and to others.

We only have but one life so make it count.

You do not have to do things one may consider GREAT like inventing “electricity” or finding the “cure for cancer” BUT if we all do our very best it is enough.

We can be GREAT by treating others including animals and the environment with kindness and respect.

If we all did just that ….. the world would change dramatically.

Just think …. just dream …. just BE your good self.

Maybe you will be the one to find the cure for cancer or to write the next best selling novel.

You are important and you are great.

Have an awesome Friday.

 

Special Hello to: all those folks who are lost – you are found.  You are important.

Always, Carol & Alvin

Thought for the day ….

Good Morning and Welcome to Monday the 25th day of June, 2018.

There is a delightful breeze blowing through the open window in the office as I key/type these words.

The house is/was pretty warm this morning.

We enjoyed our walk at 5:00 a.m. with the COOL breeze blowing on us as we walked along.

There were a few mosquitos but the breeze kept them blowing by us.

This is the last day of this heat wave according to the long range forecast.

A few days in the low 20’s would be refreshing and welcome at this point.

I love summer but the heat is hard on most of us and animals.

The birds were singing their songs this morning as we walked through the neighbourhood park.

We have three ponds in the park so it attracts all sorts of birds.

I enjoy listening to them as we walked along.

We, well actually I saw a couple of rabbits out playing in the grass as we were on our walk.

Alvin was busy sniffing in the grass and did not see them in the distance.

I love watching him happily walking about sniffing away.

He is so cute.

Grateful that we got his hair trimmed and bath on the weekend.

Certainly helps him with the heat.

 

Yesterday morning I enjoyed coffee with my girls.

We laughed and told what was new with us.

The girls always have work stories.

I guess we all do.

They asked me if I like the movie “HALLOWEEN” and I said “not really, why?”

Apparently there is a new one coming out and they are going.

Nope not my thing.

The 50 Shades were not really my thing but I went to the last one with them as I wanted to spend time with my friends.

That is what you do.

Big difference between the 50 Shades movie and HALLOWEEN.

For me, anyway.

So after some discussion we found something that all three of us wanted to do.

Da da …..

PAINTING.

We are going to a paint night this Thursday evening.

I am so excited.

Our picture is of a sandy beach with the word “DREAM” in the forefront in the sand.

Will be so much fun.

I had booked this Friday off as a vacation day so then I do not feel quite so bad leaving Alvin home in the evening.

We will be walking in the morning for sure on Thursday.

 

Well almost time to go.

Gather things up.

Close windows.

Wish the breeze would be cool all day long.

 

My friend “P” is having hip surgery today.

So our thoughts are with her.

I know that she will do great.

 

Have an awesome Monday.

Be kind to yourself and to others.

I hope that you are safe and cool today.

 

Special Hello:  all of my friends ….

Always, Carol & Alvin