The Next Chapter

Good Morning! Well we made it, Happy Friday. Yesterday was so beautiful outside. After work, I worked on chipping away at the huge lake of ice/water out front of my house. The storm drain is front of my house. Our backyards were graded so that when it rains or the snow melts the water runs downhill to the drain. Only thing is in the spring before the temperatures stay above zero overnight, we get thawing and freezing. This year we had a lot of snow therefore lots of ice. Just works that way. So I spent over one hour chipping and clearing the ice from the drain. Also when people park on the street they push the snow and block the drain. Never ending fun. Anyway, I got some exercise. During the day I received a text from Alyaa, one of my neighbours and the friend who spent the most time with Alvin since our last October return to the office. She texted that she would come for a quick visit around 5:00 if that was okay. While I was outside, I did not have my watch on but it felt like it should be close to 5:00 and she wasn’t coming so I walked to her house (only a few away) and rang the doorbell, only Cookie barked. I went home and a little while later here she comes with her daughter. She was carrying something and when she got closer I saw that it was a glass dish with food in it. Alyaa made me a casserole of sorts. An original traditional Middle Eastern dish with kabobs, rice and potatoes. I was so excited. Funny thing is I had been thinking earlier what am I going to have for supper as I did not have leftovers and wasn’t really wanting to cook. Talk about blessed. So we had a lovely chat on the sidewalk with me holding my prize carefully in one arm and the ice pick in the other. We got splashed a couple of times from people not paying attention and hitting the water on the street and spraying us so we moved behind a nearby vehicle. When they left for home, I put the food into the house for safekeeping. Oh, the dish was already cooked, I only had to warm it up. Then it was back to chipping for me. I am afraid to look out front this morning as likely it has iced over again. I cannot wait until the temperatures get into the double digits and remain that way over night and the sidewalks are dry. Then I can get out walking. After supper, I walked to drop off another thank you card but my neighbours were not at home. I texted them and they are leaving on a trip for a week. So perhaps will get it over to them after work. By the way, the dish was so delicious, so good. I thanked Alyaa profusely.

Tonight after work, my daughter is going to pick up Alvin’s paw prints from Guardian. I am happy and greatly saddened to receive them. Just another reminder that he is no longer with me. I have all of these reminders of this passing and of his life. All memories, some great and others incredibly sad. I know that he will always be with me. His urn is sitting beside me right now on the computer desk. I have to take him with him from going upstairs at night and going downstairs in the morning. He was my boy. He will always be my boy and I miss him so much.

I hope that you have a good day. Happy Friday.

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

Always, Carol & Alvin (My Forever Angel)

The Next Chapter

Good Morning! I hope on this first full day of spring that you find yourself feeling more renewed, joyful and at peace with the world. I am feeling pretty great this morning. I have Alvin in my thoughts and with me. Grateful for all the love and support that has surrounded me most of my life and most especially during this time. Soon we shall see rabbits with coats of brown. The trees will start to bud. The snow will melt and the streets and sidewalks and yards will be dry. I still find it hard to believe that today is Tuesday, March 21st, 2023. This has been quite the year thus far. Hopefully I will be able to get my bearings. I look forward to planting flowers and figuring out what to do with the front flower bed. I know that Alvin always loved to be outside with me while I was puttering in the garden and with my flower pots on the deck. When I would be out front working in the flower bed, I would let him sit on the step and he would watch me or sometimes I would clip his leash to the anchor in the ground for just this purpose. He would sit on the grass and just be so happy. On the deck he would follow me everywhere. I always had water outside for him and if it were warm, I made sure he would be in the shade. This is going to be a different spring and summer for sure. Missing my little buddy.

Last night after work, I decided to deliver some thank you cards to friends and neighbours who had shown their love of Alvin and support for me with cards, flowers, gifts and themselves. We were/are so blessed to be surrounded by some of the nicest people on the planet. While out delivering we bumped into Allie and Bailey. As soon as Bailey spots me, she lets out this wail, so cute. She loves her Auntie Carol. We walked together and they waited while I dropped off cards. I walked them home and then gave them their cards and on the way home dropped off other cards and had a visit with one of my neighbours Dave. He is so nice. They have four children and have been here since I moved in, back in March of 2009. Actually at the end of this month it would be 14 years since I moved into this house. Then I went home. Popped leftovers into the oven and then wrote up a card for my neighbours Sonja and Steve. She has lived next door since I moved here and is like a daughter to me.

Last night was quiet as it had been another busy day at work. Yesterday we spent the morning going to all of our sites picking up garbage as our CEO is visiting the office today. I am not sure why that was so important although the garbage is another story. I honestly never thought my job would include picking up other people’s garbage. My back is a bit stiff this morning, always is whenever I use muscles that I don’t use on a regular basis. I woke up this morning at 4:19 and never quite got back to sleep, next thing the alarm was going off. Whoops time to fly. I did not realize the time.

Have a wonderful day. Be well.

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

Always, Carol & Alvin (My Forever Angel)

Last Half 2022 – October

Good Morning ALL! I am very happy to say that Mr. Alvin did not wake up until 5:00 a.m. (we were in bed lights out just after 10:00 p.m. last night). The air outside just after 5:00 was not as cold as I thought that it may be – we are experiencing a very beautiful, sunny for the most part, October. My screensaver came up with photos from a recent winter since my move to Edmonton where I had to shovel the snow about six or so feet high along the front sidewalk and the backyard looked like somewhere in the country. Yikes, that was not a great memory.

We are slowly and surely making our way into this new normal for us. Our friend came over twice to check on Mr. Alvin. I am so thankful to have such great friends and neighbours. After I got home, I went outside with Alvin, then gave him his supper while I ran upstairs to get changed and then called our friend Pauline. The call went to voicemail where I left a message. Shortly thereafter we were on our way outside for a lovely walk. We saw so many people that we knew and had not seen for a while so that was great. Met new people and who do you think we saw (just like out of a movie)? Our friend Pauline with Georgie in tow coming around the bend at the park. She had got the message and was coming to meet us. We walked back to her house and had a visit in the backyard. The pups got to run around. No matter the time of year – her yard – is my “happy place.”

Our conversation was chalked full of information. She had been recently to the grocery store where a container of margarine was anywhere from $8.99 to $9.99 and she noticed that some items had increased again and was told they would increase over the winter as well. All thanks to Mr. Putin. Jackass. There I said it. This is 2022. Why is this happening? Why are the peoples of Ukraine and Russia at war? I know why but really this is complete crap. Mr. Putin, you are a disgrace to humanity. So meanwhile the world suffers because of him. She also mentioned that she had been watching a Canadian news program that spoke about how England is buying “wood pellets” for heat from Canada, namely our neighbour to the west, British Columbia. Apparently they are cutting down forests and making these pellets to send abroad as Putin has cut off sending fuel to the U.K. Bye bye forests in B.C. I know that I am missing some “info” here but you get the picture. If you are interested, please google for more details. The long and short of it is: we, meaning the government is allowing forests to be destroyed without replanting from what I understand. How quickly we forget that once the forests and the jungles of the world disappear – goodbye human race for they are the lungs of the planet. We cannot survive without them.

Okay, I am truly sorry about the negative aspect of my blog but sometimes we just have to say things aloud and hope for change.

With the price of food soaring, the war continuing and the supply chain slowing down and in some cases stopping altogether, it will be a long winter. I worry about that. Shortages.

We have to remember that each of us can make a difference. There is a way.

I hope that your day is good.

Continuing to live this life with kindness, respect, compassion, patience, love, laughter, understanding, gratitude, focus, possibilities and coffee. Man, do I need some coffee this morning.

Always, Carol & Alvin

Last Half 2022 – October

Good Morning ALL! How are you this morning? Alvin and I are doing okay. Up first at 4:00 and then at 5:30 for the day. I woke up with a headache that I cannot seem to shake. Might have to take something. Back to the office today, tomorrow and Friday. Not too excited about that but it is okay. I have resolved my thoughts about going to the office. Sometimes you just have to get over it and do go ahead. Not much point in going on and on about it at this point.

The air did not seem too cool this morning and the morning sky was delightful with the moon still shining ever so brightly and what appeared to be stars, although I suppose some may be satellites. I have been using the feature “Siri” on my phone this morning. I had no idea that she would turn on the flashlight or could look up the spelling of a word in the dictionary. She is my new best friend. Very cool. I said “thank you Siri” and she said “my pleasure.” Who knew they even built ”manners” into the program. I am impressed.

My friend and neighbour from a few doors down is coming over to check in on Mr. Alvin for the next three days. She did not get booked for hours at her new job. Lucky us.

Yesterday my neighbour mowed the lawn before I had a chance to rake up the remaining leaves that had not blown away – the lawn has red and gold stains. Good fertilizer, I suppose. I had been thinking of putting some of the fallen leaves onto my back garden but did not get to it.

I heard from a friend that today is supposed to be cooler and windy. I thought that was yesterday, lol.

I suppose it is almost time to head downstairs and put the finishing touches on preparations to leave for the day. I shall miss my guy but I know that he has someone to check on him so that makes me feel a bit better in the worry department.

Have a wonderful Wednesday.

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

Always, Carol & Alvin

PS: coffee at the office

Last Half 2022 – September

Good Morning ALL! Another beautiful day on the way. The sun is shining and the sky is that perfect powder blue, there is a breeze and the trees are sparkling in the rays of the sun. Oh, how I love Nature. She is glorious. Beautiful and Wondrous.

Well yesterday went okay. I was concerned that Alvin did not drink water before I left for work but my neighbour Sonja to the rescue she came over three times ensuring that he drank water, peed and had a little treat and some snuggles. I thank whomever is watching over us everyday for the wonderful people that surround me and help me to live my life. Because after all, it really does take a village. No one human is an island. We all need someone or multiple someones. He was over the moon happy to see me. The construction held us up a bit but made it home before 6:00 p.m. Well before he needed his medication. He had his breakfast at 6:00 so having his supper around 6:00 p.m. was perfect. Once again, I am so very grateful for all the Sonja’s in my life. I have the best friends and neighbours in the world. My, our family has been so supportive now and always. I am grateful for them.

Work, so it was okay. I was concerned that my tag would not let me into the building as I had some issues with it the last time that I was at the office. But it worked. I entered a dark building which was kind of freaky. There should be some lighting. It took me a few minutes to get to the lights. Then I unpacked my laptop and few items that I brought from home. Had some coffee and then a couple of staff arrived. One being my direct coworker. We had a chat about work (nothing personal). Then it was too work. I found that I have got so used to no arms on my chair that I kept hitting my elbows again the arms, kind of annoying but oh well. There were a few things that I am realizing will have to be changed as they are not comfortable. But that can be done. Working from the office back to the disruptions and distractions and noise. Oh, how I missed being at home. My daughter drove me to work and home. She works until 4:30 so I just hung around inside the office chatting with a couple of staff that were “done” but just tidying up. I had no desire to wait outside. Our downtown area is not safe at the best of times. So inside I stayed until she pulled up out front. I love the drives with her. We chat about everything. It seems to be our catch up time.

I think that we have lost the art of conversation. Chatting about the little things like maybe “where did you get that nail polish from” OR “did you notice all of the robins in the neighbourhood” OR “did you see the sunset last night.” We are so caught up in the major “dramas” in our life that the little things slip away, fall to the wayside. No time for them when we are trying to do what is expected or needs to be done. Anyway, it would be nice to have a conversation about good things, nice things, loving things and stay away from the drama. We all need to vent, I certainly get that as I do that just like the rest of the human population. Back to living in the moment. Keeping positive. Even the way we talk affects our minutes, our hours and our days on this planet. How about when the Universe seems to be giving up that little nudge, or that kick in the butt – we listen and take action. I just realized that with these recent changes that I am not listening and I need to listen. Remember your dreams. If we just sit back and let the things that we tolerate or do just because we feel there is no choice and let our dreams just be that, dreams , then we will never move forward and realize them. Nothing is perfect, for sure. But if I have learned anything in the last few weeks, months and years – if you are not happy doing something and excited to get out of bed in the morning – then you are not living your best life. Sometimes the first step is the hardest. I believe in you and me and all of us. We can do anything. WE CAN.

On that note, time to head downstairs and get that coffee plugged in, I know that I would love a cup of coffee. Time to get this life full of happiness once again. Forget just settling.

Have a glorious day!

Sunshine and rainbows.

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

Always, Carol & Alvin

Last Half 2022

Good Morning ALL! I hope that you are well. We are doing well. We were to bed later than usual as we were over visiting at Cookie’s home, the visit lasted over 4 hours and we had the best time. We laughed so hard. Mr. Alvin spent quite a bit of time sniffing about the main floor learning about every nook and cranny and also, I am quite certain looking for food. He is always looking for food. No, he is anything but starving. What a guy? I have known these neighbours for several years and even worked with the Dad for a few years although not in the same department. We became closer friends after looking after Cookie at Christmas time. They are such a lovely family. I always love learning about people. They had so many yummy treats, I felt extra special. We chatted about everything from government to work to family to different cultures as they are originally from Iraq and came to Canada thirteen years ago via Saudi Arabia. Perhaps I will even be able to learn some Arabic. That would be most interesting. It was a great night. Alvin took some time to get used to being in a different house – not his own. He does not visit many other houses except for his best friend Teddy so this was a big deal for him. They love Alvin and were very attentive to him. I am so blessed to have so many wonderful neighbours. Cookie’s Dad has a different job now so I don’t see him at work but then again, I am working from home so I am not seeing work people on a regular basis. I love working from home. I love working from home. I love working from home. Did I say that I love working from home. It is great. More “family” time and I get way more accomplished at home for my job than when I was in the office. Less distractions.

We also watched the weather change from a few clouds with sunny breaks last night to these big bad very eerie clouds. I knew something was coming. We had strong winds and the rain was being blown in sheets temporarily flooding the street. It was incredible to watch but scary to think of what damage it may have caused. I was thankful that I had closed all of our windows before leaving the house. Oh, now with all of the rain, I am being attacked by mosquitos. Yup, they are back. Surprised they have not shown up sooner. I was very happy to arrive back home from our visit to find most of my flowers intact. I had much concern about the ones at the front of the house as the wind and rain were coming in from the north west. Just a few petals were laying on the porch. Same in the back. So they survived. Hardy little things. WE just need some sunshine. I am asking for sunshine and the long range forecast is for 30’s next week or at least for a few days and that may not be the most forecast.

Well it is time to go and plug in the coffee and get to work. I have lots to get done today. That is the one thing about deadlines. So much of my job is about deadlines and timelines that are very tight. Oh well, I can do this and it is Friday. The sun is shining at this moment and the sky is light blue. We are good.

Have a great Friday.

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

Always, Carol & Alvin

PS: 32 days till 65.

Last Half 2022

Good Morning ALL! What a gorgeous morning. Bright sun shining and mostly blue sky. There are a few deep blue clouds but for now the sun is shining and that is what matters. I of course, am running late as I cannot seem to stop clicking on that darn “snooze button,” why oh why!

Today is the birthday of a friend (co-worker). Wishing you a great day Miss Suzette. She took a few days off for her birthday week. Another huge birthday – Happy 4th of July 2022 to our neighbours to the south and to my friends and cousins who live in the United States. Wishing all a wonderful, safe and fun day.

We had a great Sunday. I veered in a total different direction from my original plans for the day. WE were up in good time. I thought that we should go for a walk while it was still morning so we did. We walked right over to our friend Pauline’s house. The garden did not require any watering between my Friday watering and the rain on Saturday. I let Mr. Alvin off his leash so he could wander around unfettered. We both just enjoyed the sunshine and the beautiful garden, my secret garden, of sorts. Of my favourites, the roses. She has multiple bushes and one of them is right near the house, so it looks like it is running up the house. The bush was just filled with incredible pink blooms. The fragrance is another story. I do not know how long we sat in the garden as I did not wear a watch and that is the best kind of time, not paying attention to the minutes, living in the moment. I gave Alvin a few drinks of water while we hung out in the garden.

I, noticed when we were walking through the entrance to the park that there appeared to be a pink rose bush growing out of a white one??? So I investigated to find that someone had picked a bunch of pink roses and set them on the white rose bush. So on our way home, I picked them up and took them home so that they could be appreciated and not wasted. I was able to take most of them and have a beautiful rose bowl which is filling up the main floor with that incredible fragrance.

Yesterday I finished some laundry and decided that I should go through the odds and ends of jewelry that we have accumulated for our Dear Stella Jewelry business but not jewelry that we made. When my daughter and I had our business, technically we still do. Anyway, on a couple of trips and from around Edmonton, we came across some unique pieces so we kept them thinking that perhaps we would reuse them and never did. So I had this container filled with jewelry of all sorts. I spent several hours going through and had the realization that I have some very cool pieces. So at some point when I am ready, I will gather together and have a sale.

I also decided to make some changes with pictures and managed to get two of them moved and asked Sonja to help with the others and she also changed some light bulbs for me. I have the best neighbours.

Well it is getting very close to work start time, so have to go. Plug in the coffee pot as I always enjoy that first cup of coffee.

Have an awesome Monday – go outside.

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

Always, Carol & Alvin

PS: today is 36 days until my 65th birthday. WOW.

The New YEAR 2022

Good Morning ALL! How are you on this gorgeous Sunday morning. The sun once again for the second day in a row is shining ever so brightly upon a clear blue sky. As there was yesterday – wind. I am so grateful for the beautiful wind this weekend.

The garage sale for the most part went really well. All the participants made some sales. We have decided to do this for a second day and are going to start at 10:00 a.m. Hopefully everyone will sell more and get the inventory down so that folks do not have to carry it back home to dispose of it. I am so grateful to all those people who turned out yesterday. We met some very nice folks and even some neighbours and friends came by and made some purchases, so grateful for their support.

Alvin did pretty good. I tried to put him in the house but he just barked. Finally with about 45 minutes to go and after he pooped I put him back into the house and did not hear a peep out of him. He may have had to go poop for a few minutes before I realized. But he had water breaks and he was looked after ( I did not ignore him). He was on a leash on my arm and he followed me around the garage. I will say that he was very happy to meet the people and for the most part everyone liked him and even commented on him and loved his name.

We had some bad news yesterday morning and my thoughts, prayers and every bit of positive energy that I can muster is going out to my Cousin and her family. Love you Cousin.

I was thinking that perhaps if I took Mr. Alvin for a walk now it might use up some of his energy so I will keep this post short.

Also we had one young man who is putting on some classes for old film cameras and was out at garage sales buying up old cameras. I took his phone number and will call him back. I have a couple of film cameras, if I can part with one or both of them. Also, a woman was looking for antique or old rhinestones to make a bouquet ( I didn’t ask if it was for her wedding). I took her phone number as well and will check out my jewelry and see if I have some vintage pieces (she said doesn’t matter if pieces were whole or broken because she can use them to fill in between the whole pieces). It was an interesting day.

Okay time to go so I can take a walk with the boy.

Wishing you a great Sunday.

I was speaking to my sister late yesterday afternoon and so grateful that they were finally getting some rain. So good to chat with you my darling sister.

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

P.S. 44 days now until my 65th birthday. Also met the new neighbours behind me at one point during the garage sale.

The New YEAR 2022

Good Morning ALL! How are you this morning? Alvin and I are well and happy for the weekend. Although the weather is not quite cooperating this morning thus far. When we first were up around 4:00 a.m. it was raining and now it has turned to fluffy snow. So the roads and sidewalks may be icy out there so if you are out and about, please be careful. Take your time. Don’t be rushing around even if it means you will be late to your destination. Better to be slow and arrive. What a winter we are having. One minute it is minus double digits and the next it is warmer and raining. I see some shovelling in my future. The sky is that completely overcast with no sign of Mr. SUN. Where oh where did he go? I miss the sun. I know that he will be back and hopefully this afternoon. I promised Mr. Alvin that we would get out for a walk this afternoon as I had hopes the day would allow it. I guess that time will tell. In the meantime, I have a list one mile long of things that need to get done. Have I been slacking? Well, er, perhaps a little. Not like the house is filthy, I would never let it get to that point. Does it need to be vacuumed upstairs? Well yes it does as I found a dust bunny by my nightstand last night. He was hiding. I found him and that is a sure sign that yes I need to haul up the vacuum. For some reason, upstairs seems to get the least amount of attention other than the bathrooms of course, cause I do not like a dirty bathroom. But as far as vacuuming goes, I tend to leave it perhaps just a tad longer than one should but not so bad that when we walk I am kicking up dust bunnies. Not that bad. Okay, I am babbling. Who wants to hear that from a 64 year old woman. Not me! I just realized that I will be an official senior coming August when I turn 65. How in the world did that happen? Me, a Senior, not it cannot be. My body is kind of starting to sag a bit, and the weight is not as easy to lose than it was in my 20’s, 30’s and even 50’s. But to be honest I am not so worried about a few pounds at the end of the day. The only spot I want to work on a bit is my middle as it seems to expand and contract daily. It all seems to depend on what I eat and I am finding that the foods that I have loved my whole life are not exactly loving me at this point. So perhaps it is time to cut them out or cut back on them. ARGH. Doesn’t make me happy but then again I want to remain in good health. Wow, is it ever coming down out there. I will have to get out to the back and pick up that last poop before it is completely covered. I can barely see it from the office window.

So some good news! On our third attempt on the DEADBOLT, we have touchdown, we have success. My friend returned the second one to LOWES and upon careful thought and consideration decided to go to WALMART and see if they had the one that was needed. WALMART came through for us and she found exactly the right one and it took us like less than five minutes to install it. I am so grateful for my friend. It was less expensive than the the second one so there was a bit of money left for her to keep. After all she made three trips well actually four due to that first unforeseen situation. I am happy. She is happy. We are happy. I learned to do something should the occasion arise again.

Today Humphrey and Bogart’s Mom is playing in a curling tournament so I am going to check in on them a few times. Bogart is recovering from a “playing injury” so his Momma is a bit concerned. I do not blame her and I will certainly go and check on the boys. I love spending time with the cats. Too bad that Alvin could not come over, well actually he could but if it is snowing I won’t take him. I am hopefully this will end this morning so we can walk this afternoon.

Well that is all that is new from our house. I had the strangest of dreams. Must have been the toasted salmon sandwich that I had for supper last night. LOL.

Time to get the laundry hauled downstairs to the basement. Somedays I think it would be nice to have main floor laundry but I like having my bedroom upstairs. Anyway.

Have a great day. Be safe and be careful.

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

Always, Carol & Alvin

P.S. I put on my purple pants this morning, mainly because all of my “comfy” pants are in the laundry. I have not had them on since last summer or spring and they fit. Which is a good sign. Feels strange being kind of “dressed up” on a Saturday at home doing laundry and cleaning. LOL. Oh, I forgot I am going out to see the boys next door (Humphrey & Bogart) and we may get out for a walk. Fun times.

The New YEAR 2022

Good Morning ALL! Despite the rocky start to the New Year, things are starting to get better. Yesterday over my lunch break, I asked a neighbour to come over and check behind the stove to see if you know what was in the you know what! I won’t say because I am not one that takes taking a life no matter what lightly. All life is important for this Earth unfortunately there are some that are short lived. Anyway, K checked behind the stove and it was there, so it was disposed of properly. I felt bad but I also felt a massive sigh of relief and the anxiety that I had been feeling for two days was substantially lifted. I will not say that I was immediately anxiety free, as I was not. Continuing to work upstairs likely helped. After work I took a deep breath and started to empty the dishwasher, put away the clean dishes that filled the kitchen table and wiped the counter completely with disinfectant wipes once again before return any items. The only items on the counter are the electric kettle, food processor, stand mixer and the glass cake container which houses the bananas but I am using it as though they were a cake. They are covered. There are two containers with utensils. That is it. I also folded up some tin foil and placed it at either end of the top of the stove resting against the countertop. I pushed in more foil beside the bottom of the stove as well. It just gives me a bit more peace of mind. After that I started to gather some of the remaining Christmas decorations to put away. I even got brave on my own and went into the basement, not the furnace room but the “family room” and got some empty rubbermaid containers for the ornaments/decorations. In between I gave Mr. Alvin his supper. Every time I have food out I scrub and wipe to ensure there are no crumbs anywhere to be found. The lid from a new tin of Alvin’s dog food well I took it off the can, washed it and the can once emptied into a covered container and place clean items in a bag and put in recycling. NO CRUMBS. It took awhile but I managed to put away most of the Christmas stuff from the main floor. There are still a few things up and out but I think I will leave them until the weekend. I have to decide what things I will bring back up from the basement from my regular ornaments and things. I am again grateful to my neighbour for bringing me coffee yesterday late morning per my request and for her bringing me some today. Tomorrow the new coffee perk arrives and I hope it is early in the day. I will have to keep an eye/ear out for the delivery. My office is at the back of the office so not easy to see the street without getting up and physically going into my bedroom and looking out the window and I am unable to see the porch from there. Oh well.

All things considered it was a good day. Work is a bit on the scary side at the moment being short two people and issues with our computer system. I am happy that once again most of the anxiety has been lifted, erased. Although I am not able to sleep on the sofa in the mornings when we are up at 3 or 4 and 5 but I will in time. Poor Alvin has to make those steps a bit more often than he normally would. I do like having my workspace upstairs for a change but will have to decide if I leave it up here for awhile. Might be a nice change!

Well time to sign off. I hope that you are doing well. Hopefully things in your home are good. I am trying to remain positive and hopeful that this does not happen again. I fully realize that had I had the virus or everyone around me had it – I would have been in a much worse place. I did try and contact a professional but for a time yesterday I was unable to make outgoing calls or take incoming ones. That has now been rectified.

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

Today is a much better day and I am so grateful for my awesome neighbours. I could not have got to this place and I am happy to be here both mentally and physically. Thank you.

Always, Carol & Alvin