Last Half 2022

Good Morning ALL! Today is Sunday, July 17th. Wow, July over half way over. This morning the sky is overcast and there is a breeze so it is much cooler than it was yesterday, thank goodness. I love the sunshine but not so much those +30 degree celsius days. We were up at 6:00 this morning but I was pooped from the heat yesterday so we slept until 8:00. Now I am up, laundry is put away and I am dressed and we will go for a walk after I publish this post. We have company coming at 10:00 for coffee so we have lots of time. I spent most of yesterday after our early morning walk, cleaning and cleaning and doing laundry. I even cleaned out some kitchen drawers – the utensil ones. They needed to be cleaned and reorganized. So now they are done! I also revamped the kitchen counter – meaning I reorganized the items that usually sit out. It was so hot in the house – that I had to just do things slowly. Even with all of our fans running it was HOT. I had Mr. Alvin covered with wet cloths from time to time during the day. Last night the temperature dropped with the rain so with the window open and the fun running it was comfortable for us.

I just realized that I did not vacuum the stairs and the landing where lies the only carpet in the house except for the family room in the basement and the stairs going down. I much prefer the laminate or some kind of non-carpet flooring. Easier to clean and just easier period. Someday I will replace the flooring including the stairs and the family room in the basement. Yes, we can always spend time in the basement if it gets too hot. It was somewhat cooler down there. Last year when we had a hot stretch we spent time in the basement.

I even baked a banana-raspberry loaf yesterday morning for this company today. That likely did not help with the heat in the house. Oh well. All done. I made a great salad last night with the lettuce and green onions from Lucy’s garden and a homemade dressing. It was so yummy. There is enough left for tonight.

Well not much new in our world. I was happy to get some rearranging and cleaning done. Washed the floors as well, up and down. Not that my house ever really gets “dirty” as I keep things tidy as I go along but there are times that we just need to do a more deep clean. I always feel better.

Last night I gave the plants/flowers a drink of water and then a few hours later it rained. Before bed we were outside for Alvin to pee and it was a beautiful slow easy light rain and I could have stood out there forever except for the mosquitoes.

I hope that you have a great Sunday.

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

Always, Carol & Alvin

PS: only 23 sleeps till I am 65. Just a bit over three weeks, hard to believe.

The New YEAR 2022

Good Morning ALL! How are you this Monday morning? The sky is partially overcast but earlier the sun was shining brightly. My how fast things can change. Alvin and I are doing well. Busy day yesterday. As you know we were up and at it earlier than most Sundays. We even went for a walk in the morning. I worked for a few hours in the basement and then realized that this is going to take more than one afternoon. I managed to haul up the Christmas tree and a portable stand as I had planned to give them away on social media. I also decided to give away the Christmas tree that I have for outdoors. Just feeling like changing things up. I am going for a small tree. My 7.5 ft tree was just too much for me to set up and take down and then I do not need to ask for help, I can do a smaller tree on my own. Easy peasy. Anyway, I posted the items later in the afternoon and the metal stand has been picked up. YAY.

I separated all of the rubbermaid containers between Christmas decorations and my daughter’s childhood things and my things consisting mostly of papers, like cards etc. I am going to be very strict with myself and only keep a small amount of things. I found my journals so perhaps scanning them might be an option in the future. A lot of work but I will see. I have a lot of them but I do know that my daughter would be interested in them. Whether she wants to keep them all, that is for her to decide.

The second pantry (cabinet) did not get done but I figured that I could do it after work as it does not take much time. I think my “tupperware” drawers and cupboards need to be gone through again. I am not keeping what I do not use on a regular basis.

The office closet up here desperately needs to be gone through and that will take a few hours.

I have one month to get this done as we are having a garage sale in June. Although everything won’t go in the sale as I will post some things on social media, still want to get it done.

We collect so many little non-essential items – I see everywhere I look. I get the minimalist look, I get it. Just have what you use. Although I won’t likely take it that far, I am going to keep reducing my “material things.” No point in keeping so much especially if people will use them.

We did not get a second walk in because it rained. Moisture is good, cleans up the dirt and dust and helps our trees and perennials start to grow again.

Well time to head downstairs. Happy Monday ALL!

Just getting rid of that wood – still makes me feel lighter! Big weight off my shoulders as I had been concerned as to where I could take it and who could take it away.

Thank goodness for friends.

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

Always, Carol & Alvin

2021

Good Morning ALL! How are you this fine Saturday morning. Alvin and I are doing well and have been up for hours. We have already been for a walk, watered all of the flower beds and flower pots and did some yard work. I wanted to get in all of the outdoor work before the heat sets in for the day. I really am enjoying our early morning walks. Other than two people out for a walk we were the only ones. Surprised that folks with pups were not out for a walk but perhaps they were out even earlier. Alvin really loves his new travel water dish and usually drinks the whole bottle on each of our walks. I put the coffee on to perk while I am writing this post. Lots to do this Saturday. After this post, coffee and breakfast followed by changing and preparing to give Mr. Alvin a haircut and bath. His hair is not really long but in this next week heat wave a shorter cut will be better for him. Then of course, there is laundry and I think in the heat of the day we will be in the basement. My daughter and son-in-law gave us a leather love seat which fits perfects in the family room in the basement so we have a place to sit for my, lay for Alvin and watch a movie and just hang out and be cool. I have some rearranging to do in the basement so perfect time when it is hot outside. The fans on the main floor keep the temperature at about 80 which seems hot but isn’t too bad. I am not a heat person by any stretch of the imagination. Not at all.

Last night we went to one of our neighbors and hung out in their beautiful backyard. It really is gorgeous. First thing that Alvin does is to roll around on the grass as it is cool and thick unlike ours. He really loves this couple as do I and we always have such a great visit. Laughing and sharing news and information. Alvin made sure that he sniffed every part of the yard. He was fixated on something in one of her flower beds and surprisingly enough lifted his paws as not to squash any of the flowers. We were shocked. It was an deliberate action. What a guy!

Well this is going to be short as I have to get going and get Alvin’s haircut done. At least the fans will help. I need that cup of coffee and perhaps some toast before starting.

I am grateful to have fans for us to be cool. Not much housework this weekend. Thankfully I usually keep things tidy and clean so really not much to do. I am grateful that we were able to go for a nice walk earlier. The roses smelled amazing and the birds singing their morning songs. So beautiful out.

I hope that you have an awesome Saturday. Keep cool and safe. Enjoy the weekend.

Living this life with kindness, respect, compassion, patience, love, understanding and gratitude.

Always, Love Carol & Alvin

Thought for the day…..

Good Morning and Welcome to Thursday the 8th day of August, 2013.

Today is the birthday of my friend and niece-in-law “S” – Happy Birthday.

August is a huge month for birthdays in my family.

Mine is tomorrow ….. wow …. I cannot believe I will be “56” …. where has the time gone.

Do you feel that way the closer a birthday gets?

I love having birthdays and celebrating them.

It is a good time to take stock of what is going on with your dreams and perhaps revise them.

I have a few days off from work starting tomorrow and I am looking forward to being at home.

I have one project that I want to complete and that is going through my office and reorganizing.

It seems that it needs to be done at least once a year.

Go through papers and stuff.

It will be nice to have that done.

If time allows I would like to go through my front closet and perhaps my bedroom closet and drawers.

Always good to stay on top of things wherever possible.

So on this Thursday I am excited to get all my work done and then enjoy some time off with my Alvin at home.

We will take an extra walk each day and I will go back to the sofa for those extra zzz’s should I desire.

So on this Thursday …. I wish you all a great day.

Special Hello to: the birthday GIRL …… have the best birthday ever …… kisses and hugs from me and Alvin.

 

Always, Carol and Alvin