Second Half of the NEW YEAR.

Good Morning and that it is ….

The sun is shining and there is a nice cool breeze.

We survived a HUGE storm last night …

It has been awhile since I have heard thunder booming like a massive drum held up to your ear.

The light show was nothing to sneeze at either.

Lighting up the entire room when it flashed.

I looked out of the bedroom window at one point when the lightning flashed and it lit up the whole street in my view.

I must have fallen asleep shortly after I put my book down because the storm woke me up before 10:30 p.m.

Poor Alvin was a little stressed by it all but likely didn’t help when I was startled by the start of it all.

I heard that extra cracking and thud of hail as it hit the house and ground.

So happy that I had moved my precious flower pots out of harm’s way.

We were lucky as I surveyed the damage this morning.

Oh and the wind …. it was scary.

There were moments when I thought the roof was going to blow off.

My mind wandered briefly to the thought of a “tornado” but again we were lucky.

Just a huge wind.

It was the whole package …. one of those out of this world summer storms.

The rain was coming down so hard at one point that I could not see the other side of the street.

I have not got to the basement to check things but our drain system seems to function well.

I can hear the slight mews or it sounds like a cat but then as it got closer it was a crow.

Well as you can imagine after last night it was most difficult getting out of bed this morning.

Alvin did not want to lay down.

We were up and down a few times before finally settling on the sofa.

That seems to be his safe place.

 

Well as I am running extra late this morning …..

Will have to cut this short, I am sorry.

We are doing well.

Had two awesome walks in yesterday.

Which we so badly needed.

 

Supposed to be hot tomorrow so likely another storm tomorrow night.

Take care.

Be safe.

Live your life with kindness and respect.

Time for that first cup of coffee.

I/We shall remain,

As Always, Carol & Alvin

It is a NEW YEAR.

Good Morning All,

Well it is a bright, sunny morning here in Edmonton, Alberta.

Alvin actually slept until a reasonable hour this morning and then of course we hit the sofa for a few more hours of sleep.

Sometimes it is even nice to just lay in the quiet and just be.

No voices or sounds but our breathing.

 

Yesterday we had a good day.

My decision to stay away from SOCIAL MEDIA and leaving my cell upstairs in the office was a great decision.

Before I went “dark”, I sent quick texts to my daughter, sister and a few friends that I usually have daily contact with so that they would not worry if they did not reach me.

Also did not wish for my house phone to ring off the wall either.

It was a good decision.

I think it was cutting off the demon before my body and mind could not stand the constant barrage of opinions, news and such.

I no longer feel as though I am going to implode.

I felt wonderful yesterday.

The majority of the massive feeling of anxiety was bringing my job home with me.

I have always felt as though my house was my safe place away from the madness, the stress, that is sometimes my job.

Not really in a bad way as I am grateful to be employed in a time where folks do not have work and I am grateful to be working from home.

But at the same time, now work has invaded my space, my sanctuary, and my phone.

We have our phone system set up with an APP on our mobile phones, so we can call out without giving out our personal phone numbers and people can call in.

So now my cell phone is not just for personal use, I have to use it for work.

It was less than a year ago that I did not have a cell phone, who would have known.

Anyway, we shall see how tomorrow goes.

I guess I will have to adapt and ensure that I step away when I or if I am feeling anxious.

Thankfully I have Alvin here with me.

 

Yesterday the good day that I started to tell you about.

Well I even cleaned out the “junk drawers” in the kitchen.

Those spaces where every little thing goes to hide.

It always amazes me at how fast they fill up and with the most interesting items.

Checked that off the list and it was not even on the list.

 

I did some laundry.

Alvin and I went for a walk.

Cleaned the bathroom.

Washed the main floor.

My neighbours in the other half of the duplex and I chipped away at the ice out front on the street and managed to drain the lake that was out front.

We are so proud.

It took us just over an hour despite the interruptions by passing vehicles.

Funny how most people slowed down and some did not.

Would they think that we are out doing this for our health and that we wanted to have dirty water splashed all over us?

I guess they must.

Anyway, it was nice to chat with them while we worked.

Alvin watched out of the window.

We had a quiet night after supper.

 

I watched a movie called “Dark Waters.”

I heard the name but did not know what it was about.

DUPONT ….. I learned some things. C8 and Teflon.

This all happened during my lifetime and even recently but I do not remember.

Makes me want to check my pots and pans.

Anything coated with teflon is not going to remain in my house.

I know that the list is likely long of the items that we use on a daily basis.

They gave out a staggering and very frightened statistics at the end of the snow.

One being that 99% of the world human population have C8 in their bodies.

C8 causes cancers amongst other things.

I urge you all to watch this movie, it was disturbing in places but informative.

 

Well it is Sunday.

Time to go put on some coffee and have some toast.

Then I am going to give Mr. Alvin a haircut and bath before vacuuming the upstairs and washing the floors up here.

 

I hope that you are having a good day.

Be safe and I hope you remain in good health.

Practice the social distancing and stay home when you can.

I would think we will have the cleanest homes and will have all of our odd jobs completed by the time this is over.

Who knows how long that will be.

 

I am grateful to have supportive, generous and amazing family and friends.

Take care.

Remember we must be kind and respect to all our human counterparts and also to all of the animals and life out there.

We need each other now more than ever.

Maybe the reduction of manufacturing will help the environment.

Maybe we will learn to do with less.

We should.

 

 

Have an awesome Sunday.

Alvin is ready to go back downstairs and I need some COFFEE.

 

Take Care.

 

Always, Carol & Alvin