Last Half 2022 – December

Good Morning ALL! How are you this morning? Well the question was there when I signed in. This morning was “Do you like to eat meat?” I am thinking that Word Press has these questions incorporated into the program. For what purpose, I have no idea. Anyway, for the most part “no.”

Countdown to Christmas – 21 sleeps till Christmas Eve.

Story: Last Night

Ride home with my carpool after work – took longer – home at 5:15 p.m. – my daughter was coming for a sleepover after work – Alvin outside to pee & poop – fed Alvin – shovelled driveway – started supper – took down workstation – continuing to make supper with apple crisp for dessert – tidying up – doing dishes as went along – daughter texted as she stopped to do some shopping – she was looking for winter boots as I had wanted / needed some new ones – couldn’t find any – then found some – relaxed for few minutes – Alvin was whiny – texting with Val – texting with Amanda – doorbell rang – three ladies – one with a guitar – fundraiser – I had no cash – would sign any Christmas song – take e transfer – was flustered as was on phone – Alvin was whiny – I was hangry – tired – said I am sorry, no – not a fan of e transferring strangers who come to my door – why on a night that was minus 20 or more with a guitar – my daughter found me boots – supper ready – kept warmed in oven – apple crisp baked – daughter arrived about 7:45 p.m. – we were both tired and hungry – ate supper – tried on one of them – while going to try on other one realized it was a size “11” – daughter mad at her oversight – cleaned up – decided at 8:30 with Winners being open – quick trip back to the store to return – back to store – not many people – thank goodness – overwhelmed with stuff – had not been shopping for literally years – looked around – found another size 8 in that boot style – almost did not – that would have been maddening – used my gift card from my birthday – picked up Alvin a new food dish – a beautiful storage box – some serviettes – some Christmas string – Christmas tags and a Christmas game – see the running them – check out – home – did dishes – ate apple crisp – looking through Val’s Epicure catalog to place an order – bit of t.v. – snuggles with Alvin – Alvin tired – finally bed at 11:23 p.m. – up at 2:30 – up at I do not remember and up for awhile. Happy Saturday. Baking day. I think that Alvin is going home with Amanda.

I am texting with a friend about a Christmas gift and I have lots to do so better go now. Wasn’t last night fun! I need a vacation.

Happy Saturday.

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

Always, Carol, Alvin & Amanda

PS – need coffeeeeeee

2021

Good Morning All! How are you this morning? We are great. Glad that it is Saturday. The sun is shining and the sky the most exquisite blue. Had some excitement this morning. I regress to yesterday. We had a great walk at lunchtime yesterday. It was windy but we managed to remain on the ground and even got to see two families of geese. Oh, the goslings are so cute and fuzzy. You just want to cuddle with them. Later in the afternoon, it started to rain. My daughter came after work to drop off some lawn chairs that they no longer had room for on their deck so I accepted them. I have lots of room on my multi leveled deck. We had a yummy supper of stir fry. After cleanup we including Mr. Alvin went over to check on Humphrey, Bogart and Cynder as their Momma is away for a well deserved weekend away from home. Humphrey said hi to us all and Bogart was a little distanced. One of the cats had thrown upstairs so I cleaned that up. Neither seemed to be ill or anything. He wasn’t quite sure. Not like he doesn’t know us but he was cautious. When we were going to leave he growled as Alvin was going to pass close by him. Just playing it safe, I had his leash on at that point so I steered him the other way. After my daughter went home, I did some clean up and then watched a bit of television before heading to bed. I think that I have mentioned before that I had purchased some “fake” nails from my friend’s daughter who has her own little business. When we girls were all together last weekend purchasing some nail kits, I thought that it would be fun to have all three of us wear our nails to Gillian’s birthday party which is in 1.5 hours on my deck. The instructions are not to put your hands in water for at least two hours after putting them onto your nails. Well the only time that would work for me would be before bed. So that is what I was doing a 10:30 last night, in my bathroom putting on these nails. Which by the way is making it difficult for me to type. Hopefully I get used to them before Monday. I work the late shift on Monday. I have them on and managed to keep them on so far today.

This morning we were up about 4:00 and then Alvin ate at 6:00 but I did not wish to get up to stay at that time. I really could have as I felt more awake at that time then I did at 7:30 when we got up to stay up. But it was so cozy on the sofa and I had been dreaming. Shortly after up, I made the bed and grabbed a sweater before heading over to feed the cats next door. I was in the kitchen putting out some wet food (already filled their dishes with dry) when the front door was starting to open, almost had the big one (okay being slightly dramatic) when a female voice called out and it was my neighbour bestie who comes every Saturday to use her basement for a zoom dance class. We startled each other. Shortly after that the orange cat that was out visiting stopped by. One minute on the fence and the next on the deck. Bogart was inside of course and the cat was sitting outside patio door on the deck. Bogart was not impressed. I am not sure what he was saying. Humphrey came along and he just sat and watched the cat. A few minutes later the cat jumped the fence from the ground, scaled the fence and then jumped onto my garage and down the other side to the fence and was gone. What an agile creature. Kendra had her class so I said that I would be over later.

What an interesting morning. Not sure how excited I am about these nails. Hard to type. I suppose you get used to them. Anyway. Time to go and get dressed for the party. It is a nice morning. Cannot wait to see the girls.

Have an awesome morning, and rest of your Saturday.

Continuing to live this life with kindness, respect, compassion, patience, love and gratitude.

Always, Love Carol & Alvin

P.S. I am so close to 1000 followers ….. very exciting. Thank you to everyone. I appreciate your time.

2021

Good Saturday Morning ALL! I hope that this day finds you feeling great and ready for whatever the day may bring to you. We had a rather odd start but I am feeling good and Alvin seems to have recovered from his early morning tummy upset. Thank goodness. Might need a nap later but that is okay. I have gone through my clothes closet and moved “my winter clothing” to the spare room closet. Or at least the rest of the items that I had not already moved. Honestly, there are only a few steps from one closet, to the other so not a long way to go in case, I need something. Bedding changed and ready for the laundry, clothes ready for laundry. I was writing in my head the list of things that I need to get done around the house. For example: painting the fence, fixing the fence (couple of boards that need to be replaced and I have the boards, just need help to switch them out), having the furnace vents, dry vent cleaned and A/C serviced, replace the roof shingles on the house, and a few more items. So lots to get done. I know you know this. All homeowners have those regular maintenance items to look after and that makes sense. Of course, there are the things to do inside the house as well. I would love to have the whole inside painted except for my office which was painted two years ago now, I believe. Before the pandemic. I have many lists. Then the immediate items like vacuuming, dusting, laundry, cleaning etc. Enough to keep us all very busy.

I am excited to finally remove the covering from my front flower bed and allow the flowers to just be, to drink in the sunshine and the warmth of the sun. Thankfully it looks like they have survived. I was surprised and shocked, really, to see that some of the plants that were not blooming are now blooming. They were when I removed the sheets yesterday for the day time. A good sign. My poor babies in the garage will be happy to get out into the sunshine. These are the first things on the list to do once this post is completed and I am dressed for the day. So grateful that from this day forward the overnight temperatures look to be on the plus side. Hopefully Mother Nature had her fun, one last blast of late spring weather and now we can enjoy. I am grateful for the moisture even though I could have done without the snow and howling winds. Our grass is nice and green. Grass in the backyard could use another cut. Life is good.

Well I am going to leave you with this: Always remember to take some time for yourself. I know the list is long of things to do when you have only the weekend or a couple of days off to do everything around the house but it will get done. Remember to take a coffee, tea, cold drink, or just a water break even on the weekends. Most especially on the weekends. Time to just BE. Close your eyes and just shut out the noise, the words, the thoughts (if you can). This usually takes some practice but it can be done. Really important. We all need to take time for ourselves. I know that you have heard this only a billion times but if we do not look after ourselves how can we possibly look after others or do anything for others or even ourselves. You are important to the world, to your family, to your friends, to your community. You are!

Continuing to live this life with kindness, respect, compassion, love, patience and GRATITUDE. Always with gratitude.

Always, Love Carol & Al.

2021

Good Morning ALL. I hope that this post finds you well and enjoying your Saturday whether you are doing things around the house, in the yard, at your job or maybe even at school. Saturdays are my day to get laundry and housework done. With only having Alvin (my dog) and myself in our home – there really isn’t too much to do. I have always made a point of putting things away after I have used them. Quite often I go through drawers and cupboards and the pantry to see what is what. The pantry is so important to go through on a regular basis. I would say once a month or two. Then you know exactly what you have and do not over buy/purchase. My pantry is like actually a cupboard that was once a piece of office furniture from prior to the renovations at my place of employment. It had shelves and has doors and fit perfectly in the back cubby area by the back door. I also keep small appliances, supplies of garbage bags as we have for kitchen, recycling and black heavy duty ones. I buy them at COSTCO as I have found that to be the most economical for me. I keep my canned goods, a small wooden crate of sorts for onions and sweet potatoes and miscellaneous food/dry goods. I like things in order within the pantry and that is likely why I clean it on a regular basis which is likely due for a clean/rearrange now. Also I decide if between what is in the pantry and freezer of the fridge what can be used for meals and then I stop buying groceries other than fresh produce for as long as I can. Might as well use up what you have before you have so much on hand that you lose track of best before / expiry dates. That has happened to me in the past and I do not like to be frivolous with that kind of thing. Also I vacuum and wash the floors on Saturday. Clean the kitchen and the bathrooms. Sundays are for less labor intensive chores. This Sunday, tomorrow I am going to video chat with my one of my girl friends from the neighbourhood. Our other pal’s husband is coming home from working in another province so she wants to spend time with him. We totally understand. Looks like Mr. Alvin is starting to lose his patience with his Momma. Also tomorrow is continue to work on Income Tax. We were issued our T4’s from our employer so I now have everything to complete my taxes.

The bright sunny blue morning sky with wisps of white clouds awaits us this day. The temperatures are rising so walking can happen once again for me and Alvin. We went for a walk at my lunch break yesterday but only went half way as it was snowing and raining. Always fun. I don’t like Alvin to get his ears wet as he can end up with an infection which he has had in the past. Looks like there is a breeze out there. The snow will be melting.

Well time to go and start the laundry and put on some coffee. I always look forward to coffee on the weekends.

We wish you a wonderful Saturday.

Continuing to live with kindness, respect, compassion and patience. Both Alvin and I are working on patience.

Always, Carol & Alvin

2021

Good Morning ALL. How are you this bright and sunny Saturday morning? I hope that you are doing well. Alvin and I are doing great and looking forward to a walk today as we missed our walk yesterday. I had to go to the office yesterday and then pick up groceries on the way home. My daughter was working yesterday so she gave me a ride as I do not wish to take public transit. NO offence public transportation. On the way home we went to COSTCO which had the longest line that my daughter had ever been in since the pandemic hit. It would seem that everyone decided to go to COSTCO last night at 4:40 p.m. Don’t worry about Mr. Alvin – he was well looked over by my neighbour who was over to let him out for a “pee,” for snacks and snuggles and then later for supper. I am over the moon grateful to have such kind and wonderful neighbours. Alvin did make sure that he was stuck to me like glue for the rest of the evening which actually is much the same as most days but even moreso. If you can imagine that. What a guy? Yesterday morning I finally was able to drop off the last Christmas present that I had …. yes, it was really late but isn’t it nice to have something to open when there are no other gifts around and always makes you feel better. This was the case with my friend Karen. She was tickled and I was as well. I always feel so good when I give. It was nice to see a handful of folks at work. Also was able to have a chat with our new retiree as yesterday was her very last day. How exciting? I remember when I retired once. I did have almost three years off which was incredible. Just like a long vacation. Everyday was the weekend.

Last night we had a quiet evening after my daughter left for home and I put the groceries away. She had picked up some sushi at COSTCO and I had some for the second time in my life. It was really good although my daughter did say it was not the best but still very good.

I had the oddest dreams all mixed mashed up with people, places and things. I won’t even begin to explain or describe. If it had meaning – I have no idea what they meant.

I guess there be laundry to do, an Alvin to go for a walk or perhaps two with, some rearranging and to put away the last bits of Christmas as I have given the last gift.

Wishing you a great Saturday. Time to reflect, to relax, to laugh and to enjoy along with some work of course. It wouldn’t be a weekend if we didn’t have some work to do.

Happy Saturday as I continue to live my life with kindness, respect and compassion for all others.

Always, Carol & Alvin

P.S. – I am at a loss as what to give Mr. Alvin for a birthday gift? Any ideas?

Second Half of the NEW YEAR.

YAY, it is Saturday and the sky is a beautiful blue and the sun is shining every so brightly.

There is a breeze.

Last night was only my second time away from Alvin since March 19, 2020.

The first time was last weekend when I had morning coffee with one of the girls.

Last night first evening time away and for about four hours.

I had such a great time.

There were four of us.

The fourth girl/woman was a lifelong friend of the friend who hosted the “Diamond Painting Party.”

We had pictures with beach motif, lovers walking down a tree lined lane, a red truck filled with pumpkins and a colorful tree.

We all took appetizers to have for the best kind of supper.

There was so much food ….

My peanut butter chocolate chip cookies and coffee cake with a thick fruit sauce were a hit.

We ate, laughed, ate some more, shared stories, opinions, had some drinks.

Enjoyed the evening.

After supper we did the Diamond Painting.

Best night ever.

When I came home to Mr. Alvin he was so happy to see me.

After the initial hello – he did let me know in his own unique way that now that I am home, pay attention to him.

 

So it is Saturday.

We were up early but not too early and then hit the sofa once again which seems to be our routine.

I am so happy that I had a great Friday night with friends and now Mr. Alvin is feeling like his old self, a great Saturday and Sunday to follow.

We might be finally able to meet the new puppy Bailey down the street.

I have to get in touch with Bailey’s Mom to see what time will work for us all.

I have laundry and cleaning to do.

Some yard work along the way to do.

Bit of weeding if the flower beds dry out.

Even if they do out …. I will wear my DAWGS or CROCS whichever they are ….. I know they are different companies.

Perfect little sandals for working outside.

 

Feeling pretty happy this morning.

Thinking wouldn’t it be wonderful if a close family member or friend won the $60 million Lotto MAX draw last night.

Someone who loved me so much that would love to share a bit with me.

That would be amazing.

 

Okay time to make coffee, drag the laundry down to the basement and have some breakfast.

Let’s get this day going.

Well actually I have changed the bedding and put out fresh towels in the upstairs bathrooms and am doing this post.

So I guess this day is already going.

 

Have the best day my friends.

Living our lives with kindness and respect.

I/We, shall remain

As Always, Carol & Alvin

 

 

It is a NEW YEAR.

Welcome to Saturday, June 6, 2020.

 

A Saturday morning in June.

 

The skies are grey with tips of white on the horizon.

The trees are swaying back and forth as the wind gusts.

Grass is green and gleaming with the moisture from the overnight and continuing morning rain.

A sleepiness fills my brain.

 

The birds are huddled beneath the leaves on the branches of the nearby trees.

Our neighborhood rabbits are not anywhere to be seen.

The sidewalks and pavement of the streets are wet with rain.

Sounds of only the wind and the rain filling the air.

 

The quietness does not give my body and brain the desire to move about.

We, my body and brain just want to lie back down on the sofa or bed and sleep.

Alvin on the other hand wants to get up and go.

Where I do not know.

 

Push myself during this grey morning, I must.

Otherwise clothes will remain in the laundry basket not clean.

Floor will remain unwashed.

This blog would not get posted.

 

Grateful that our grass is cut and the weeds are pulled.

Outdoor chores all done.

Perhaps it okay to just slow down.

Quiet Saturday?

 

Dreams of zzz’s on the sofa.

Not this day.

Chores to do.

I will say.

 

Not to follow a pattern this poem has done.

Just the words as they come.

I hope you enjoy.

This was fun to do.

Have a great day.

 

 

Living with kindness and respect.

I/We, remain

As Always, Carol & Alvin

 

P.S. truly did complete my outdoor chores last night after work.  We also met up with Georgie and his Grandma P and had a great walk.

Georgie is the cutest chocolate brown doggie and another of Alvin’s friends.

 

 

 

Thought for the day ….

Good Morning and Welcome to Saturday the 8th day of December, 2018.

Funny how a few hours can change the course of your planned weekend.

Not in a bad way – just changed it.

I noticed a FB message from Teddy’s Mom yesterday when I was on break at work.

She asked if Teddy could come and spend the night on Friday and then they would pick him up on Saturday night; as they were going to the farm.

Of course, he can.

We cannot say “no” to Alvin’s BF.

Then I received a phone call from Humphrey’s Mom and she had an unexpected trip out of town and wondered if I could keep an eye on Mr. Humphrey.

Well, yes I can.

After work I caught the bus as my carpool stayed downtown to attend a work function.

The bus was close to 1/2 hour late and it was 5:00 p.m. when we rolled up to Lewis Farms, the bus terminal.

The gal that was driving the bus ….. was at least 20 miles per hour under the posted speed limit.

I am not sure if that was what was making her tardy but it certainly did not help.

She also slowed near every posted pedestrian walk even as it was clear ahead that there were not pedestrians.

She also let every person come in from every side street.

ARGH.

It was hellish, I will say.

I am all for being polite when you are on a bus after a long day at work and the first bus that comes is full to the rafters and then the second one is full but you manage to squeeze on and

then she drives like she has all of the time in the world …. well, there are words.

People just want to get home.

I was very happy to turn the page in my bus riding adventure when the 119 pulled up just after we were unloaded.

That driver was also over 20 minutes late and he did not wait around so we left right away.

I still did not get home until 5:40 p.m.

It is at these times that I am so GRATEFUL to be in a carpool.

Not so much looking forward to the time off my friend has before Christmas, in January and February.

ARGH.

Oh well.

I was happy to get home to Mr. Alvin.

We went for a short walk but a walk nonetheless.

Teddy arrived about 7:00 p.m.

I then had supper and started to write up some Christmas cards.

Did not get them all done but at least a good start.

Now it is 915 on Saturday morning and there is so much to do.

Laundry and baking and baking and laundry.

Perhaps I should scale back the baking OR will have to buy another deep freezer and start earlier.

I would do some next weekend but I have that DENTAL appointment on Friday and am having a tooth removed.

So might not feel like baking on Saturday but then again just having one tooth removed is not the end of the world.

So I will chug on.

Time to get things going.

I can always do most this weekend and then perhaps a smaller batch next Saturday.

The following weekend will be Christmas and I am also hosting an office Christmas party on the 22nd.

I can do this.

I know that I can.

Keep the Christmas party simple.

No need to get carried away.

That is what I keep telling myself.

I am not trying to impress the coworkers.

If they do not like it …. well …..

Okay time to get some breakfast into me and that all important COFFEE.

I have already been up off and on since midnight.

For some reason Mr. Alvin just was restless.

He is not ill that is for sure.

I also have been over to check on Mr. Humphrey.

So the day has begun.

 

Have a great Saturday.

Any ideas for hosting a simple but great Christmas party – please share them.

It will be all ladies except one might bring her 4 year old.

Not really appropriate but what can you say.

As she put it “He will be the life of the party.”

Likely Alvin will have something to say about that …..

He loves kids so he would like the little boy.

The little guy is also used to pups so that is good.

 

All in the life of a single 61 year old working woman.

Happy Saturday.

 

Special Hello to:  all those folks who have lots going on …. cannot always say no and sometimes no is not the answer. Where is the paradigm in that?

Is that a real thing?  Need coffee starting to babble.

Always, Carol & Alvin

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Saturday the 13th day of August, 2016.

It is a bright and sunny morning and once again the air at this time has a coolness to it.

I am munching on my toast as I write these words.

Once done, I am going to go on a walk with Mr. Alvin before it gets too warm.

Also this morning I am invited to a belated Birthday party for me.

I have the best friends.

Seems like I am having a week of celebrations and it is so nice to be loved.

Just getting together with everyone is so wonderful.

Yesterday, was the lunch with some of the Steeped Tea girls in our group.

My group leader picked me up and explained that the last two girls were not able to go so it was just me and her.

We went to a nearby restaurant and had a great lunch and visit.

 

The Universe always works things out.

Today I have a short list of things to do keeping in the back of my mind that I only have one more day left until back to work.

Oh well, it was a great vacation and so grateful that I was able to have this time at home.

Some was by myself as Alvin was away visiting at his sisters and the most was home with the guy.

 

Alvin is waiting patiently at the office door not knowing what lies in store for him.

I do not think he suspects that they are going for a walk.

Have to hustle it up as my party is in one hour.

But there is always time for the boy.

 

I hope that you have an awesome day.

Take a walk in the sunshine ….. breathe in some fresh air.

I hope that the sun is shining where you are and that you have good fresh air to breathe.

 

Special Hello to:  my sister ….. let me know when to SKYPE.

Always, Carol and Alvin

Thought for the day…..

Good Morning and Welcome to Saturday the 4th day of October, 2014.

It has been an interesting morning thus far with the weather.

When I got up with Alvin about 6:00 a.m. ….. the sky was beginning to lighten but the deck was wet.

Hint that we had received rain sometime between I got home from work just after 10 p.m. and 6:00 a.m.

Alvin and I of course, hit the sofa for some extra zzzz’s and when we got up the sun was shining brightly.

Now it is almost 11:00 a.m. and it is overcast and windy.

All sorts of weather this morning …. but it remains beautiful out.

Well it is Saturday, my day off …. so I put some pinto beans, chick peas and kidney beans for their long soak; had breakfast and shared my banana with the puppies (they love banana); gathering laundry to do; trimmed my hair as I want to colour it in a bit and then get started on this day.  I always have an ambitious “TO DO LIST” for my day off but at the end of it all I feel very much rewarded when I look at all that I have accomplished.  It just makes my work week easier if I get all of my household chores done on Saturday.

In there I brewed a pot of coffee because one must have some of that before tackling the LIST.

I do want to take all the puppies for a walk at some point likely early this afternoon.

The kids are off to watch over their friends children for the day.

So it is just me and the puppies.

I am excited to colour my hair (it will be like I am a new person and so easy just with a box from the drugstore and 20 minutes on the clock)

Also get the house tidied up ..then this evening I can sit back and get caught up on my recorded shows and or watch a movie.

So on this now bright sunny Saturday morning I hope that you are busy doing things that you love.

I am surrounded by love and my puppies.

Doesn’t get better than that …..

After all when you arise in the morning and can walk down the stairs, breathe in and out, see the rain or the sunshine, hear the dogs bark and taste your breakfast …. it is life’s simple pleasures that we often take for granted …. but at the end of the day it doesn’t get better than that…..

Special Hello to: all those folks who have Saturdays off ….. ENJOY…..

Always, Carol, Alvin, Elton and Penny …… I have to include my grand-puppies as it is just us today.