Last Half 2022 – October

Good Morning ALL! We had a good sleep. Lights out at 10:00, first time up was 3:00 a.m. (we both had to pee, lol). It was so nice out at that time, the sky was clear and you could see so many stars. Beautiful. We hit the sofa and the next time up was almost 7:30, then up to feed Mr. Alvin. At that time the sky was overcast and dark. We slowly started the “get up” process after that 7:30. I am finding it hard to get up when it is dark and when I do not have to worry about going anywhere, like work. I have a list of chores to do today but the most important thing is to get through to the bank regarding my mortgage renewal. Still hoping that I have the winning lotto ticket from last night. ONE MILLION DOLLARS would be perfect and I would be mortgage free and RETIRED. Oh, I can see it all in my head, in my mind. It would be great. Get up in the morning when we wanted to or at least not have to worry about going anywhere early in the day. I would be here for Mr. Alvin. We could walk whenever. I would have more time to write, to go through and organize my photos on the computer. Perhaps make some jewelry. Just more time for myself. Oh, that would be wonderful. Mortgage FREE, that is a dream of mine. It is probably a dream for most people. Especially these days with the ever increasing costs of utilities, food and mostly everything. Keep dreaming, we have to hold onto HOPE and DREAMS!

This morning when we were laying on the bed, Alvin was dozing and I was looking out of the window, actually not long ago. I watched as the few remaining small red leaves on my neighbours’ tree danced in the breeze. They were doing this little hula dance. Behind that tree and in between the dancing leaves, I could see a gold light as the sunrise lit up the leaves on some very tall trees. I was surprised by the amount of leaves still on those trees. So beautiful. Now there is daylight but the sky is overcast. I have to check to see what the temperature will be for today.

Yesterday, I used my brand new SHARK vacuum and it is amazing. Picked up the dust and hair, was light and easy to handle and most importantly easy to put together and to clean. I love my new vacuum. Best purchase award. Besides vacuuming the floor, I actually put on the attachment and cleaned the blinds or at least if there was dust on them. I still need to wash them but the day got away on me. We went for a walk mid afternoon and walked to our friend Pauline’s. At her back gate, Mr. Alvin started to bark before I could call out as I could see her kitchen window open. She happen to look out and to see us and invited us in for a visit. We had a great chat with a cup of tea. The conversation was at lightning speed as we covered all of our news, questions and the lot. Pauline’s husband was on his way home from a hunting trip up north and some of her family were also coming over for supper. So we did not have much time. We were home at 4:30. The walk was most enjoyable. I only had a sweater on over top of my tee shirt and jeans and was very comfortable. Once home I fed Mr. Alvin, turned on the dryer to finish the load and one last load of laundry. I decided to call the bank and see if I could get the mortgage process started but spent several minutes on hold. I tried a second time and still waited. So I decided that I would call them this morning. So have to get this day going. Already it is after 9:00 a.m. It would be so nice to be more of a morning person and able to get up easier. Oh well.

Fingers crossed when I check my lotto ticket – that I have a large windfall winning ticket. Oh, that would be wonderful. Can you imagine winning the lotto? I sure can.

I hope that you have a great Sunday. One more day remaining in October, where did the time go? I work from home tomorrow which is great with it being Halloween and all. I will be set up when the kids start coming around. I have leftovers for supper as well, so that will be great.

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

Always, Carol & Alvin

PS: I am so grateful that Alvin and I are in good health. I am grateful that we have a good life. I am grateful for our home, our amazing family and great friends, to have a source of income, to see, to hear, to taste and smell, to touch and to be me. Life is GREAT!

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.