It is a NEW YEAR.

Good Morning and Welcome to Monday the 23rd of March, 2020.

We had a great weekend.

No cell, no FACEBOOK, no other social media, no internet except for writing this post.

It definitely took my anxiety down several notches to almost nil, I would say.

I started to put together a little mantra to repeat throughout the day.

Hopefully it will help keep me settled down.

It all comes back to bringing work home.

I like my job but home is home.

I understand these times and I am grateful that I have a job and am able to work from home.

But it does not change the facts that I am invading my home with work.

Something that I will have to work on …. through this time.

 

I love being home with Alvin.

Yesterday I gave him his regular haircut followed by a bath.

As always, he cringed and balked at having his paws trimmed.

I somehow managed to get them trimmed.

Back ones always look better than the front.

I have started to keep the scissors close by at bedtime.

When he has settled down and just before I brush his teeth, I give a couple quick snips.

It helps.

The sun is beginning to rise as I can see the beginnings of beautiful colours to the east.

Those colours make me happy …..

We had a nice walk yesterday.

Changed up our route once again.

Mainly due to the ice on the sidewalks.

 

I love the morning sky.

Back to the sunrise.

It is 7:09 a.m. and the sky is beginning to grow light as the darkness dissipates into the day.

I love the whispers of pink, oranges and blues as they fill the morning sky.

The colour pallette brings joy to my heart and a calmness to my mind.

Both great things for sure.

 

I hope that you had a wonderful weekend.

I wish you a day filled with kindness and respect.

If you are feeling anxious …. try to step away from that which is making you feel that way.

I hope that you are able to do so.

If not, write down a simple mantra.

Words that bring you to a state of gratitude and joy.

Words that will reduce your anxiety.

This is one of my mantras.

 

“I am grateful to have more time with my Alvin.”

“I am grateful to have a beautiful home.”

“I am grateful to be surrounded by considerate and supportive people.”

“I am grateful to have freshly perked coffee each morning made in my kitchen.”

 

Take care out of your day for yourself.

It is the little things that will get us all through these days.

Go for a walk.

Get away from where you are whether you are at home or at work.

Being outside makes a huge difference.

Try to go near some water and trees, nature is a wonderful healing force.

 

With heartfelt feelings of kindness and respect to everyone including myself,

and to Alvin,

 

We remain, Always,

Carol & Alvin

My geranium is blooming, I cannot wait to transplant it outside.

 

 

 

 

It is a NEW YEAR.

Good Morning, 2020 has certainly turned into a year that no one unexpected.

Alvin had me up every couple of hours last night so I am feeling tired and grumpy.

Trying to turn those feelings into energy and positivity.

We were at the VET yesterday for his regular nail trim and anal gland expressing (gross, I know).

Our Vet is closing on Saturdays now as she is down from a handful of staff to two.

They hope to remain open Monday through Friday but if they get run down or become sick that all changes.

Or even a member of their household.

That scares me more than anything not having Alvin’s Doctor available.

 

Thursday was my first full day of working from home and it was productive and good.

Friday was not.

Too much information.

Too many emails with updates from government.

A video from our CEO.

Information for our clients.

Emails regarding our workspace from home.

What to do with this and what to do with that.

So much too read and then work on top of it all.

I think all of that was too much for me yesterday.

 

Yes, I am feeling that I am not a computer person so that does not help.

I have a MAC and we are working on a WINDOWS based laptop.

 

We did go for a walk yesterday at lunchtime so that was nice.

Also walked to the vet after work.

Alvin’s friend Teddy came for a unplanned visit.

 

Now Alvin is resting on his blanket beside me, argh.

What a guy.

 

Well enough of blah, blah, blah.

We are all in this together.

I am just going to do what I can do.

 

I hope that you are well.

That you are not having too many overwhelming feelings.

Please reach out to others when you are able to.

I am so grateful to my family and friends for taking such great care of me and Alvin.

Walking is a good thing.

If you are able ….. get out out of the house.

Go for a walk.

Do the “social distancing.”

A new phrase for me and for most, I suspect.

Remember Kindness and Respect.

If you are overwhelmed at time, like me.

Sit down, close your eyes and visualize your happy place or someone that brings joy to your heart.

Stay away from SOCIAL MEDIA for a day.

Watch a movie no NEWS for a day.

We will get through this in time.

I know we will.

Be safe and in good health.

 

Always, Carol & Alvin