Good Sunday Morning,
The house is so quiet this morning without Alvin here.
We had a great time yesterday.
The wind was blowing so we decided to take the photos in my backyard.
Starting with my daughter, son-in-law and pups Aspen and Milo.
Just so you can visualize these are their pups.
Aspen is the yellow lab/shepherd cross and Milo is the pomeranian/chihuahua mix.
Not sure when this photo was taken.
I believe it is Alvin’s bum showing near the back door.
Aspen was good for about a hand full of photos before she had had enough.
Milo well he was in and out of the photos like a jumping bean.
But I managed to snap some quite good photos for them.
Aspen was laying on the main floor and the rest of the family sat on the edge of the deck.
The photo had my daughter, son-in-law and Milo in the foreground, close up and Miss Aspen in the background.
It was a cool shot and they were happy.
The whole family was in the photos.
That is all that counts.
She was happy just laying there.
Then came photos with me and Alvin.
My daughter ever the professional was moving flower pots about and positioning us to get some good photos for our annual shot.
I would say that my patience is not as good as it used to be.
She took some this way and that and I checked them as we went.
Found some ones I like and then it was over.
I just wanted to make sure that there was one worthy of placing in with my Christmas cards and there was.
So we had all of the photos done about fifteen minutes before supper arrived.
We had a TACO feast.
I do not remember where they ordered it from.
But it was very good.
After supper was over we had the “birthday cake from scratch.”
I would have to say it was not my best cake but it was edible.
Not the favourite one as the results came in.
It was more like a coffee cake, more dense than fluffy.
My daughter said it would be good with berries.
Ever the diplomat.
We had a great birthday party despite the less than perfect cake.
I guess one out of 20 isn’t bad.
Lots of laughter.
Good food and okay cake.
When the party was over they gathered up their things including Mr. Alvin and were on their way.
About mid afternoon they had a grocery order delivered from COSTCO.
This is cool.
COSTCO hires this company and they hire people to in essence be personal shoppers.
I don’t know how the billing works but that does not matter.
The shoppers take the list and pick up the items.
If the items are not in stock – they text the customer and see what can be substituted or not.
When a white SUV pulled up in front of my house about 3:00 p.m. – I did not realize at first that it was the delivery.
I did not realize about the personal shoppers and that they used their own vehicle(s).
The couple brought out the boxes of the order.
We had a short conversation.
They were both out of work so this was helping them pay the bills.
What a great idea.
Who knew?
As I started to pick up a box, the woman said can you please wait as I want to take a photo.
I gather they send the photo to the customer (I explained my daughter had the groceries delivered here as they were coming over later).
They were really nice.
I carried the groceries into the house.
Went through and put the items into the fridge and freezer that needed to be put away.
Texted my daughter and advised that they were here and items put away accordingly.
She already knew.
She gave them a pretty generous tip, $30.00.
What a great girl I have ….. she said it was well worth not having to go to COSTCO.
Well time to go and put on the coffee.
Oh, when we were packing up the car to leave.
The items in the fridge I had momentarily taken out and then it seemed like it was going to be a few minutes longer, so I put them back into the fridge.
There was so much to go into the car, groceries, three dogs, two humans and Alvin’s stuff…… some special arranging had to be done.
I forgot the items that I had placed back into the fridge.
My daughter said that she would come back today or tomorrow.
One more story from last night.
Earlier I had texted one of my friends to see if she had any of the COSTCO popcorn as I was having a craving for some and thought that later in the evening I might watch a movie.
When the house was quiet.
She texted to say “yes of course.”
So after everyone left, I texted to see if I could go over.
At this time, my friend and her husband had stepped out for a few minutes leaving their 12 year old daughter at home.
She said to call out when I arrived and she would bring my popcorn to the door.
So that is what I did.
Madeline came to the door.
She is getting so grown up.
I cannot believe she is 12 …. seems like yesterday she was 6.
She gave me a bag with popcorn (not one bag, of course).
We spoke for a few minutes and I told her that if she was feeling lonely she was welcome to come and hang out with me as Alvin was gone and I was alone.
She likes Alvin but is a bit nervous around dogs due to an incident with other dogs a few years ago.
Wasn’t even five minutes later and the doorbell rang ….
I asked who it was and I heard a little voice ……
Opening the door there she was ….. invited her into the house.
I let her pick a movie as I was rewatching “It’s Complicated.”
Thinking that might not be appropriate.
She picked MEG (the one about the prehistoric shark).
I had seen it before and she said she has watched it several times.
I got us something to drink and we started to watch the movie.
It was nice having human company to chat with ……
Her Mum texted her just over one hour later and then she was off home.
I watched out the window and saw that her Mum had met her halfway.
I should have walked her home.
Of course, I did not think of that.
My daughter is 40 and not 12.
The thought did not enter my head.
I do miss/did miss Alvin ….
Time to get going here.
The sun is starting to shine, no longer overcast.
Take care today and be safe.
I hope that you are having a great day.
Living our lives with kindness and respect.
My New Life @ 51 