Last Half 2022 – August

Good Morning ALL! What a beautiful morning it is! The sun is shining, the sky is blue and there is a slight breeze. We will be hitting the trail shortly for our morning walk before the heat of the day sets in. Today is also my first day back to work after six days of vacation. Although I wished that I had a few more days of vacation – it has felt like I had time off.

I was thinking what shall I write about this morning and I was thinking “what’s it like to be sixty-five years old.”

Well to be honest – not much different than 64 or 63.

I am excited to have a much cheaper eye exam fee come December.

I am happy that I can apply for Senior’s Benefits.

I am happy that I am in good health.

I think that 65 has given me more confidence.

I feel more free.

I think 65 is the beginning of the next chapters of my life.

I think 65 shows you the way.

I know that as we age we need to exercise our minds and our bodies more.

Wow, I still cannot believe that I am 65 years old.

Photo by Polina Tankilevitch on Pexels.com

Photo by Secret Garden on Pexels.com

To my friend Val who celebrates her birthday today, Happy Birthday my friend.

To my great nephew Azlin, I apologize for missing your birthday on the 14th.

To all those folks who celebrate a birthday this week.

Happy Birthday.

Time to hit the dusty trail.

Have an awesome day.

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

To the next 65 years!!

Always, Carol & Alvin

2021

Good Morning All! Welcome to Saturday morning and an even warmer day than yesterday. Here in Edmonton our temperatures will soar to +30’s Celsius for the next several days. We will do what we can to stay cool.

Last night was not quite the repeat of Thursday night but we managed a couple of hours in earlier this morning. Not feeling too bad. I think Alvin is feeling the heat. His tummy was upset as we sat outside at 200 am with him eating grass. He did not throw up. He did just sit on the grass and with the cool air surrounding us, I was happy to just sit. I could hear coyotes howling in the distance which kind of have had me concerned. There was some smoke in the air but I could see the moon looking orange through the smoke. We went back into the house sometime later and after 300 am, we fell asleep and awake just before 700. After giving Alvin his breakfast, meds snd going outside we ventured back to the deck and slept Till 900. Up and going. I placed Alvin on one of his beds on the floor and blocked off sofa just in case he had the urge to jump up. I washed my face, applied moisturizer, put on eyebrows (just because) and brushed my teeth before getting changed for the day. Following this I put on a pot of coffee and grabbed the baby gate so I could quickly water the flowers on the deck with the boy watching my every move. Once done I grabbed his water dish, my phone and a mug of coffee and put items out on the deck coffee table before returning to grab the boy. We thoroughly enjoy sitting on the deck on the love seat. The air was cool, sky a bit smoky and a cool breeze blew over us every so often. I enjoyed my coffee and Alvin some water. There was a huge dragonfly dipping in and out of our yard to say hello. I love dragonflies. My favourite insect. Once I was finished my coffee, I moved the table to block Alvin’s possible escape by jumping down to the deck. Also moved a chair on the other end. With the table giving him a clear view of me while I deadheaded my flowers. I also moved some of the planters away from the hot area for later. Reminds me I should have moved two other pots but I still have time before the heat spikes.

As I write Mr. Alvin rests. I cannot tell if he is sleeper not but he is quiet. I elected not to give him pain medicine this morning and will monitor him throughout the day.

It is funny how your life can change in the blink of an eye. Things you took for granted like walks are for the future. We can walk a bit in the backyard for now. Even doing laundry or having a shower.
I have decided that once Alvin’s staples and sutures come out on Thursday that shortly thereafter we will sleep upstairs. I will be able to carry him partially over my shoulder. Even if we can sleep alternate nights in our bed and on the sofa, I would feel like I have a wee bit of my life back. Time will tell. At least I can give him a bath and haircut on the weekend.

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  Selfie

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  Lily blooming

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  Photos taken this morning

Well time to finish my coffee as I think he is now sleeping.

Wishing you a great day.

Continuing to life this life with kindness, respect, compassion, patience, understanding, love and gratitude.

Always from Carol&Alvin

Second Half of the NEW YEAR.

Good Morning.

Today is Monday, August 17, 2020.

First day back to work after two weeks of vacation.

Alvin is wondering what the heck is going on.

Once I have finished this post – it will be out for our walk as we are going to have another day in the 30’s.

Too hot at lunch and at 4 p.m. to be out walking with a fur coat on.

 

We had a great weekend ending with the birthday party at my friend’s home for her Mother.

There were great snacks including fruit.

My friend made her Mom’s birthday cake and it was delicious.

Also yesterday was my friend from Regina’s 60th Birthday and I was lucky enough to have a chat with her on the phone on her big day.

Seems like so long ago that I turned 60 but alas it is not as I was 63 this year.

 

Also this past weekend I was the HOST for a Fifth Avenue Jewelry party.

This time not in person but on-line.

My friend who is a Jeweler with Fifth Avenue Jewelry out of Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan did four live “shows.”

We had a good turn out to view the jewelry.

I like doing the shows “live” on Facebook ….. had an opportunity to view 30+ pieces of jewelry each segment.

So it was great.

 

Well Alvin and I had a great vacation.

Hard to believe it is over for another summer.

Missing from our August 2020 vacation this year was a visit from my sister and our annual siblings trip to see our brother AND girls road trip with my daughter.

I did miss seeing my sister and brothers and also taking a short trip with my daughter.

Hopefully next summer we will be able to travel more easily.

If everyone wears a mask in public, cleans their hands often and does the social distancing – perhaps this will be possible next summer.

 

Well it is almost 7:00 a.m. and time for us to head out for a walk before starting work.

I hope that you have an awesome day.

May you be shown kindness and respect by all others, and in turn show kindness and respect to all others.

What goes around – comes around.

Keep safe and cool.

Enjoy the summer days remaining.

I am excited for FALL.

My favorite season.

 

Living my life with kindness and respect.

Learning new things everyday.

I/We shall remain,

As Always, Carol & Alvin

Second Half of the NEW YEAR.

August 2nd, 2020 and a beautiful morning.

We were first up at 5:00 and Alvin had his breakfast.

Then back to the sofa for some extra zzz’s.

It was so hot in the house yesterday that I was really wishing that I had the A/C working.

But we made it through with the help of some electric fans.

I had the windows open with a breeze coming in earlier and have already started the fans.

I can only imagine what our electric bill will be next time.

We slept until 7:00 and then were up and got ready to go for our first walk in over a week.

 

One of neighbour’s down the street, Norbert was already out trimming his hedge that lines the sidewalk before their fence wraps around the yard.

They are on the corner lot and have a huge yard.

All of the neighbours are envious of their beautiful yard and flowers and the trees.

They truly have one of the most glorious yards.

We stopped and chatted of course and when I said that Alvin has a pulled muscle in his neck, he thought something must be wrong as they had not seen us out walking.

We walk like clock work unless one of us cannot.

After catching up we were on our way.

One of the people down the street from us had not cut his grass at all this summer.

I was surprised to see it finally cut.

Norbert said he had three people out cutting the grass.

Now that person is in half of a duplex so the front yard is not huge and likely the back was in as bad shape as the front.

So I could see multiple people.

It looks like a real bad haircut.

On the upside, the weeds are cut down.

Hopefully he keeps it cut.

Another neighbour, in fact, a young woman had some work done in the front yard.

She added some shrubs and some beautiful little solar lights and wood chips in the front lining the sidewalk from her house to the street.

Looks so good.

Man, so many changes since we were out last walking.

I miss seeing everyone’s flowers and chatting with folks.

We saw a couple sitting on their front porch enjoying “breakfast,” I would assume.

Although this morning Norbert was the only person we knew out.

There were a couple out for a morning run and then on the way home, a lady was out for a morning stroll.

Funny story, while we were out, we or actually I noticed this squirrel with a white belly on these huge rocks in the front yard of a neighbours a few blocks away from our house.

The squirrel was sitting and then would run a bit and then stop and then I noticed there were two black cats watching him with anticipation of what …. well who knows.

Likely not good.

They were on long leashes out enjoying the cool morning air.

So no immediate danger to the squirrel.

But I noticed the squirrel and the cats noticed the squirrel but not Mr. Alvin.

He was just sniffing away.

 

We had the best walk.

Enjoying the sights and smells of the flowers along the way.

 

Well I am going to make pancakes for breakfast before the heat really sets in for the day.

I guess this is going to be an easy not much going on kind on day.

But later our friend Alison is dropping off puppy Bailey for a couple of hours as she has an outing.

Bailey is busy so I will be busy.

 

I have some craft projects that I am working on so that will keep me busy for the day.

Something not requiring a lot of running about.

 

Well time to get this day underway ….. well to have coffee and breakfast.

I hope that you are keeping cool and enjoying your weekend.

We are so grateful to be feeling well and for the walk, it was absolutely glorious.

Another hot one on the way, 30 degrees celsius.

Then tomorrow 23 or 24 degrees celsius.

That will feel cold, wild laughter !!

 

Living my life with kindness and respect for all.

I/We shall remain,

As Always, Mr. Alvin and Carol

 

 

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Saturday the 28th day of July, 2018.

The sun is shining brightly and there remains a bit of coolness from the night air.

I have the windows open so that we can cool off the house.

It is already begin to warm up.

Today is to be a warm one and tomorrow even more so.

I love the weekends.

Time at home with Alvin.

Time to fuss with my flowers and garden.

Time to do things around the house.

Having your one house is wonderful.

I will admit that sometimes having everything to do myself – can be a bit much but at the end of the day – it is all worthwhile.

I LOVE my house.

 

We are preparing for our company.

Plans changed and everyone is staying here.

Have lots to do so that it is all done as they arrive Tuesday evening and I work Wednesday.

It will be great to see everyone.

Following the company will be my mini vacation with my daughter …. just a few days but I am so excited to get away.

 

Alvin has his regular Vet appointment for nails and such this morning.

Followed by a hair cut and bath by his Momma.

Laundry to finish.

Bedding.

Grass to cut.

The list is long but that is okay …. it will get done.

I have two days, I have the weekend.

 

Life is life.

Plans change.

I have found that much better to go with the flow than to stew too much.

Oh, do not get me wrong, I still can stew with the best of them.

But it is usually short lived.

Just like work.

I plan to get this and that done and ten minutes into it – I have a million phone calls, an unexpected meeting or unexpected clients arrive at the office and need to see me.

That is life.

Right.

 

Have an awesome day.

Just enjoying life.

I hope that you are as well.

 

Well time to fly.

Have an awesome Saturday.

 

Special Hello to: my sister – just three sleeps – the countdown is on.

Always, Carol & Alvin

 

 

 

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Tuesday the 17th day of July, 2018.

What a gorgeous morning, clear blue skies.

This morning when Al and I went for a walk at 5:15 a.m. – there was quite a lot of activity at our lakes/park.

The birds everything from ducks, geese, robins and more where chirping, quacking, singing and communicating.

There were frogs and crickets.

The ponds (not actually lakes) were alive with all sorts of wild and wonderful creatures.

It was glorious to listen to it all as we made our way through the park.

 

Another HOT HOT one on the way.

OMG, yesterday was so hot.

The fans and air conditioning barely keeping things cool.

 

Somedays you just need to share some photos.

Here are some photos from my “61” BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION.

The partying beings ….. a tad early but who am I to rain on my parade.

Why not celebrate for a month?

Right.

Party complete with Birthday Banner and Balloons.

Nothing like FRESH GLORIOUS FRUIT

Homemade CARROT CAKE to die for ….

The Birthday Girl hiding behind your PRESENTS.

Oh, I love presents.

So blessed …. received yoga pants & top and sweater and long no-sleeved fancy tank top.

I had so much fun with my girl friends …. we laughed and laughed.

 

AFTER the birthday party my daughter and grand-pups came for the afternoon & stayed for supper.

Both Aspen and Milo looked out the window pretty much the whole time that my daughter was out.

She slipped out for a few minutes.

Oh the babies.

My LILIES be blooming.

They are the most gorgeous shade of red, the ferns are taking over the front flower bed.

Who does not like impatiens?  I kind of missed most of the flowers.

They are filling up two pots on the front step.

What a glorious Sunday I had.

Absolute perfection.

 

Well here we are at Tuesday.

Will be trying to keep cool.

Thank goodness it is cool at 5:15 am when we go for a walk.

 

Special Hello to:  YOU, thank you for reading my blog.

Always, Carol & Alvin