2021

Good Morning ALL! How are you doing this Monday morning? I hope that you had an awesome weekend. Both Alvin and I are well. We are a bit sleep deprived or at least I am. Not sure what is up with the boy but we went to bed at our usual time, then up at 2:30, then 4:14, then basically every half hour until I finally stayed up at 6:30 a.m. I hope that he is okay. He does not appear to be in pain. Perhaps he had too much sleep. When I go out in a bit to pick up the poop, that might tell a different story. I should have gone out with him earlier to check. But I was so tired that I just could not. I guess that does not make me a very good pack leader or momma. I will keep an eye on him today and see if anything is out of norm with him. He is giving me that look and perhaps his eyes do not look their usual selves. Oh, how I hope and pray that he is okay. We cannot go through anything major. Now as it was cooler and windy we did not go for a walk so perhaps that is bothering him. I honestly do not know. Will just tryin to keep positive energy going to Mr. Alvin.

Yesterday five people celebrated birthdays that I personally know. Two were relatives and two live nearby. How cool is that?

The sky is clear this morning as the sun rises. The temperature is to be in single plus temperatures for today, I believe unless the forecast changed which is entirely possible. The next two weeks are going to be all over the place with respect to weather with even some snow flurries a possibility. Yikes. Oh well, Mother Nature will get this out of her system before settling into the summer weather. I have noticed that the bunnies are more and more brown with each sighting. We saw a robin on the weekend. That is always a good sign.

Well I have to go downstairs, sorry for another short post. I will leave with you with some beautiful photos.

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  Photo by Dominika Roseclay on Pexels.com

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  Photo by Chevanon Photography on Pexels.com

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  Photo by Poodles 2Doodles on Pexels.com

Continuing to life this life with Kindness, Respect, Compassion and Patience.

Always, Love Carol & Alvin

2021

Good Morning All. How are you doing this Thursday morning? I am well, we are well. Alvin was whining at the office doorway until I explained to him that we do this every morning and to come in and lay down on his bed. He complied. WOW, I did not expect that but he actually understood. YAY, pack leader.

Have you ever thought about when you were much younger where we would be in the year 2021? Did you think that we would be zipping through the air in cars equipped for off ground travel? Kind of like the Jetsons. Or that we might be able to teleport from our homes to anywhere on the planet that had a “telepad.” That holograms were a household fixture. I guess having the automated vacuum systems that zip about and clean our floors is a start. Also being able to turn lights off and on remotely by using an app on your cell phone. Do you remember the communication devices on Star Trek and how they resemble some of our first mobile phones? From the imaginations of the movie makers to the minds of inventors. Not every item but it gives people ideas. I also thought that by 2021 we would be living in peace worldwide and we are not even remotely close. I do wish for world peace. But is that even possible for human beings? Not as long as we have a need for power and dominance and for material wealth. Also I would have thought that by the time we could fly to the moon we would have conquered disease and many of our day to day issues. A big one is “the use of single use plastics.” The other day on television the ladies on this Canadian talk show were speaking about single use plastics and “tampons” were near the top of the list. It has been many years since I have had to use feminine hygiene products but I totally agree, we can land on the moon but we cannot come up with something to replace all tampons? Some Canadian provinces are banning single use plastics by the end of 2021 and that is a start. But how about we hire some of our best and brightest to come up with replacements for all of these items that are bad for us and for the environment. There has to be a way. I guess 2021 could be the beginning of us pulling together and doing what is right for us, for every creature, for nature and for the environment.

This is a subject much bigger than the time that I have at this moment. We have to do something and sooner than later. Stop standing with our heads in the sand so to speak. Pull off the blinders.

Time to go to work.

Teddy and Kobi will be spending the afternoon with me and Alvin.

Living my life as I hope you are living yours with kindness, respect and compassion for all.

Always, Carol & Alvin

It is a NEW YEAR.

Happy Saturday Everyone!

The sun is shining with a high of +6 degrees celsius.

The snow and ice are actually quite quickly disappearing from our landscape.

The once pool or pond of water in my backyard has gone.

There is a smaller bank of snow which I am going to break up and shovel over so that it melts more quickly.

There is only a couple of shovels of snow left on the deck.

I have been trying to keep the snow mould down to a minimum as I shovel and then sweep and pour clean water on.

Once dry sweep again.

So once the temperatures are warm enough with no hint of freezing overnight I will take either a pressure washer or garden hose and clean the deck.

I have a pressure washer but it is currently housed at my daughter’s house.

My neighbour has one so I could always borrow it.

But I will get it all nice and clean before bringing out the deck furniture.

The front yard still has snow but that is melting and where there were three to four banks a week ago there are perhaps one foot with clear spots.

So it is going for sure.

No snow covering the rooftops.

But what I am over the moon happiest about is the temperature for tomorrow +16 degrees celsius.

The forecast is double digits for the next two weeks so the cold temperatures should be behind us.

Then we can all get our yards cleaned up and start spending some time in the backyard and on our decks.

I am hoping that all of my perennials come up okay as I do not think that there will be nurseries opening.

Or perhaps they will, I do not know for sure.

I am grateful to have my geranium.

It is full of blooms and is so huge.

It will be ready to be transplanted.

I think that I will find a huge pot in a few weeks and put it on the deck.

It appears to like the southern exposure.

On those super hot days I can move it into the shade.

 

Yesterday my Director brought me a brand new computer monitor.

We all have new ones at work as we were going to start using two monitors.

Really with our jobs they are a necessity.

Now with the laptop and the monitor it seems like a workstation.

Having a full large screen is wonderful.

The best part was I set it up all by myself.

I am no techie so I was so proud.

I had a little moment ….. just me and Alvin.

He was proud of his Momma, too.

 

Well today.

What is on your list for the weekend.

We slept in a bit ….. after 8:00 a.m.

I had the craziest, most strange dream.

So real.

Then we were up.

Oh, we were up at 5:00 a.m. when Alvin got up to have his breakfast and go outside.

That is another reason to get that back grassy area in top shape so that he can go to the bathroom there.

I keep that clean.

Always picking up the poop.

That is part of my job as a pack leader.

Yes, it is.

 

Anyway back to today and for tomorrow:

Laundry

Clean out closets and put winter things away

Clean off the deck

Break up the remaining snow in backyard so it will melt more easily

Vacuum

Dust and Clean

Bathrooms

Bath Alvin

I usually shower so thought at some point I may have a luxurious bath

Work on the basement ( still putting things in order down there )

Go for walks

Relax and Enjoy this weather.

 

Well that is my plan for the weekend.

I will do what I can.

Likely all of it.

 

I hope that this finds you in good health and safe.

As summer approaches us and we want to go outside and be with others more and more.

Remember you can visit but keep the social distancing rules in place.

There can be outdoor visits in your front yard.

You in the garage and visitors at the entrance way.

Have someone bring their own chair.

You have your chair.

No one has to clean things afterwards.

If we all work together ….

We will get through this.

 

Take care.

Live with Kindness and Respect.

Enjoy your time at home.

Be grateful for what you have ……

Things can change quickly.

 

With Kindness and Respect,

I/We remain,

As Always, Carol & Alvin

It is a NEW YEAR.

Hello,

Sunday morning.

Sky is overcast.

I was just outside picking up poop from early morning.

Now as I glance out of my office window, it is lightly snowing.

I was going to wait until perhaps it warmed up a bit to go for a walk with Alvin, but perhaps we should go sooner than later.

It is not cold out by any means and Mr. Alvin has his warm winter coat.

Yesterday I gave Mr. Alvin a haircut.

It took less time than usual and likely the best one in a long while.

Lately it has been a struggle to trim his paws, most especially his front ones.

But even though he did not like having them done.

I managed between treats and patience to get them done.

YAY, Momma, the pack leader, not.

 

Today I have some projects to do, well actually one project.

I will tell you about it later.

Not that it is top secret or anything like that but I will show you later, how is that?

Keep you guessing.

 

Man, I could use a cup of coffee.

I will say that I am pleased that Mr. Alvin actually slept from 10:30 p.m. last night till 4:00 a.m. this morning.

 

As I glance around my office which is one of my happy places in my house, I see cards, notes and photos, books, and small treasures.

All reminders of a life well lived to this point.

I do love my life.

There are days or rather moments in time, where perhaps I was less than enthusiastic about some things but for the most part, I am over the moon.

I am surrounded by loving and supportive people.

I have the best companion on the planet, Mr. Alvin.

I have, who are included in the loving and supportive people above,  my daughter and son-in-law, they are incredible young people who give me the strength to want to be here.

I have the best sister on the planet and brothers, too.

I have cousins and friends, friends and cousins.

I am employed which is a good thing in this economic crisis.

I like my co-workers which is something not everyone can always say.

I am able to support myself and Mr. Alvin.

I am in good, no great health.

I am so blessed to live in this beautiful house.

I can plant flowers and veg, if I desire.

I have grass to cut in the summer and snow to shovel in the spring/fall and winter.

I am blessed to be able to cut the grass and shovel the snow.

I may not outwardly have a huge smile plastered/painted on my face but I am ALWAYS smiling inside, in my heart and soul.

So before the snow starts really coming down, I am going to take Mr.Alvin for a walk.

It is icy in spots so it would be good to walk before the snow covers the ice.

I am grateful for my life ……

 

Thank you so much for reading this post and perhaps some of the others.

Writing gives me such great joy.

As I live my life with kindness and respect to all other living creatures, I hope you do as well.

Life is too short to not.

 

Happy Sunday to You All.

It is a Happy Sunday for Us.

 

One of the best things about today is that it marks the 43rd birthday of my eldest nephew.

Happy Birthday T.

Wishing you the best day.

Surrounded by your family.

 

Always, Carol & Alvin