Second Half of the NEW YEAR – last quarter.

Good Morning ALL. What a beautiful morning it is outside. A great day is its’ way to us all. Are you ready? Close your eyes and imagine you being over the moon happy. Maybe it is talking with a family member that you have not been able to see during this pandemic. Maybe you are finally able to do something that you never have done before! OR maybe you found the most perfect gift for your sister and you have mailed it to her for Christmas. Perhaps you sent Christmas cards to a bunch of family and friends and you received your first card in the mail and it is from a friend not on your current mailing list but someone who missed you and wanted to reconnect. There are so many things that can make us happy. I am happy when I am living in a state of gratitude. I would say that I am happy more than not. Perhaps possibly yourself, a family member or friend was recently in contact with that dreadful virus and was tested and are waiting for the results – the text arrives – negative. Happiness ensues. Maybe a friend brought some unexpected treats to your door. Maybe you just woke up today. I hope that you are happy without having to actually imagine it. But if you are living in fear, doubt, sadness or the like …. then close your eyes, imagine it. Imagine that feeling of joy. Maybe it is time to grab a piece of cardboard and make a vision board. Glue or tape on some pictures of things that you would like, something that would help you in the happiness field. I want you to be happy. I would like us all to be happy, to be joyful. That does not mean that life is going to be a constant bowl filled with cherries but it does mean that if you are living your life in a state of joy and gratitude that when something to the contrary occurs, you are much better equipped to handle it. Now I am not a doctor of anything but I am 63 years old and have learned a few things over the years. What can it hurt? Try making a list of what you are grateful for? A good place to start.

Yesterday afternoon Mr. Alvin and I went for a visit to his best friend’s house. Yes, we took precautions. Teddy’s Mom does “Energy Healing” and last time she worked on Alvin but this time out of the blue she asked if she could massage my feet. An odd request. She mentioned that she missed giving her sister a foot massage. I cannot remember the last time I had my feet massaged so after some tea and treats, I had what started out to be foot massage. She told me that I am not drinking enough water and could tell by pressing on my legs that I was not. I learned a few things. About how important keeping your lymphatic system moving is. She told me that my core needed some work. Both things that I knew but when coming from someone else gave me a kickstart. I started drinking water as soon as I got back home. I am going to start ensuring that I drink 8 glasses of water each day. She showed me some exercises to get things moving. The results of not keeping the lymphatic system unblocked are not good. So let us remember to drink lots of water and not coffee like I have. Working from home …. we are sitting more than ever now. Get up and move about. Shake your legs and arms. Move it!

Well I have to go as it is almost time to start work. I have been moving about this morning and drank 2 glasses of water already. I am going to get my system going so it does not clog up.

Living my life with kindness and respect for all.

Have an awesome Monday.

Always,Carol & Alvin

It is a NEW YEAR.

Good Monday Morning,

Happy Birthday to my friend who has always been like an older sister, L.

We are wishing you a day of full of sweet surprises and perhaps even a delectable birthday cake.

 

Well folks it is raining here in Edmonton.

The rain is washing the earth nicely.

Along with the earth, plants and trees; I noticed that the neighbours across the street are going to be needing to paint their fence, shortly.

Likely the paint was peeling but now it is noticeable.

It will be time to paint my fence but that will be next summer as this summer we are getting it fixed.

The fence that separates me and my neighbour in the duplex is leaning due to one of the posts.

Not the whole fence just a section.

But it gets a bit tricky as I have a deck on my side that is right up to and touching the fence and on the other side they have a raised garden up against the fence with

no retaining wall.

No one thought of it at the time.

The whole backyard is done in stone.

It really is beautiful.

So we have someone coming to check it out and give us an estimate.

It has to be fixed.

This young man is the grandson of my good friends down the street.

I will he will be honest and forthright.

He is popping by this afternoon to take a peek.

Hopefully it has stopped raining by then.

Oh, my backyard is nice and sopping wet.

Perhaps it is more wet under the grass that one may have first thought, meaning me.

 

Well we had a great weekend.

I chalked off everything on my list and it was a long one.

Thankfully everything outside got done and inside as well.

We had a great walk yesterday afternoon just as the rain began.

 

For some reason I could not shut off my thoughts last night so I tried to take as many extra zzz’s this morning as possible.

Running a bit late well not really late.

But I like to sign on to the work computer well before my actual start time.

I like to be early.

Just a thing about me.

 

I hope that you are doing well.

Doing the social distancing.

Not having massive crowds over for a visit.

Just having common sense so we get through this safe and to the other side.

Remember to rest and to hydrate.

Wash your hands often.

 

Have an awesome Monday.

Time for coffee.

Alvin is resting on his little bed.

 

With a deep respect and sending so much kindness your way,

I/We remain,

As always, Carol & Mr. Alvin

 

It is a NEW YEAR.

Monday morning.

Good Day.

How are you doing?

Did you have a good sleep?

The sky is overcast here in Edmonton this morning.

I had a fair good sleep for a Sunday night.

Noticed that most nights have been filled with strange dreams.

The coffee is perking away.

Always a great way to begin the day.

No wind this morning for a change.

But I will say that having some wind has definitely made short work of the snow banks that lined our side of the street.

The houses that face south have had no snow for quite some time now.

I have been gradually shovelling and moving the snow in the backyard and it is almost gone.

Leaving behind a mucky yucky mess.

Yup, yes a mucky yucky mess.

I am hoping that once the bit of snow melted back there and with warmer temperatures this week that it will dry so that I can give it a good raking.

Then Alvin will be able to start using it.

This morning he went to where the last remaining bit of snow was and then could not get turned around so he walked through some of the muck.

Luckily I was keeping an eye on him and grabbed him at the door wiping off his paws.

Usually I wipe them off when he comes in from outside as you never know what he could be tracking into the house.

This is a practice that I have always done.

Not just since COVID-19 made its’ appearance.

I do not see a beautiful sunrise anywhere as I gaze out of my office window.

Oh well, we will have sunshine at some point.

 

I am excited to have the full size computer monitor to work with today and for the remainder of my time working from home.

 

Yesterday was a great day.

I had a luxurious bath with one of our Steeped Tea bath bombs.

Strangely enough I had always bought them and given them away never even trying them.

I tried to keep one in the house so that I would try them out and then a birthday would come around and I would add one to the birthday gift.

Yesterday, I did and it was wonderful.

Unfortunately we no longer see them.

Boo hoo.

Sad about that.

I actually stayed in the tub for just over 30 minutes.

Feeling really relaxed and skin so soft afterwards.

It was great.

 

Then it was Alvin’s turn.

He did not quite have the same experience as I did but I think it was okay for him.

I made sure the temperature of the water was just perfect.

Not too hot and not too cold.

Just a nice temperature for the boy.

I massaged for quite some time the shampoo into his body and I could tell that he was loving it.

He does like to have his neck and back massaged most days.

So he did enjoy it.

Not so much the drying off.

But anyway we were both feeling pretty pampered.

 

After our baths we made some phone calls.

I called my youngest brother and my sister.

I had made arrangements to speak to my older of the two brothers after supper.

So nice to speak to my family.

Everyone is doing well.

Two of them are working from home and the other is not.

Yesterday was self care day.

Relaxing baths, chatted with siblings and followed by a walk.

I will say that our walk …. well Mr. Alvin is not quite as white as he was.

He is black and white …. the white fur is not as brilliant as it was after his bath.

Oh well.

 

Well I hope that you all have an awesome day.

It is almost time to get the other computer turned on and start this new work week.

My tea order arrives today.

Tomorrow the HELLO FRESH food order arrives.

I am excited for all of the packages to arrive.

Try some new teas and check out some new food dishes.

 

Have a glorious day.

Take some time to be in nature.

Even sit in your backyard and see if you can hear the birds.

Perhaps a Robin.

On the deck or on your living room floor (place something soft under your bum).

Close your eyes and just relax.

Self-care.

Remember to hydrate.

Very important.

Nap if you can.

Enjoy.

 

Time to go and get some COFFEE.

 

In life, with kindness and respect,

I/We remain,

As always, Carol & Alvin

 

It is a NEW YEAR.

Holy catfish it is Thursday April 16, 2020 today.

The sun is shining on this new morning.

The sky is that faintly powder blue.

Sunshine is gleaming off the frost tipped cars on our street.

There is a pool of water in my backyard and on the other end is a snowbank.

Soon there will be grass.

YAY, it feels like a great day ahead.

 

How are you doing today?

I hope that this finds you well and happy and safe.

 

What are you doing these days?

Has your day to day schedule changed dramatically?

Are you working from home?

Are you studying from home?

Teaching young children?

Perhaps you are retired and the big difference is leaving the house for supplies and for visits?

Perhaps you are laid off from your job?

 

Whatever you are filling your days with remember to look after yourself.

Hydrate and exercise.

Lots of sleep and rest.

Now you have the time to take a nap in the afternoon.

How about that?

Now you have time to read that mountain of books that are falling off the bookcase.

Now you have time to maybe write a book.

Go through the house room by room.

Clean that closet.

No better time.

Now is a great time to reduce the extra things that have been taking up space in your space.

Time to make things simple.

Our future is going to change.

There is no doubt about it.

So why not make your life simple.

It all starts at home.

We do not need 20 pairs of black pants.

Do you really use 3 sets of dishes?

How about your pots and pans cupboard/drawer?

Clean it out.

You know that you have pots in there that you just cannot bear to part with.

Think about it and take action.

 

Well it is time for this gal to go and grab a cup of that fantastic perked COFFEE.

My workspace is beginning to call my name.

I really do not start until 8:00 a.m. but I will admit that most days I start much earlier than that …. oh well.

 

I hope that you are well and safe.

Don’t forget about your single neighbours, senior neighbours and perhaps that family that just may need a bit of help …

You have the time …. do something nice for someone today.

Even if it is a baking a cake.

 

Have an awesome Thursday.

Living with kindness and respect.

I/We are,

As Always, Alvin and Carol