Last Half 2022 – October

Good Morning ALL! We had a good sleep. Lights out at 10:00, first time up was 3:00 a.m. (we both had to pee, lol). It was so nice out at that time, the sky was clear and you could see so many stars. Beautiful. We hit the sofa and the next time up was almost 7:30, then up to feed Mr. Alvin. At that time the sky was overcast and dark. We slowly started the “get up” process after that 7:30. I am finding it hard to get up when it is dark and when I do not have to worry about going anywhere, like work. I have a list of chores to do today but the most important thing is to get through to the bank regarding my mortgage renewal. Still hoping that I have the winning lotto ticket from last night. ONE MILLION DOLLARS would be perfect and I would be mortgage free and RETIRED. Oh, I can see it all in my head, in my mind. It would be great. Get up in the morning when we wanted to or at least not have to worry about going anywhere early in the day. I would be here for Mr. Alvin. We could walk whenever. I would have more time to write, to go through and organize my photos on the computer. Perhaps make some jewelry. Just more time for myself. Oh, that would be wonderful. Mortgage FREE, that is a dream of mine. It is probably a dream for most people. Especially these days with the ever increasing costs of utilities, food and mostly everything. Keep dreaming, we have to hold onto HOPE and DREAMS!

This morning when we were laying on the bed, Alvin was dozing and I was looking out of the window, actually not long ago. I watched as the few remaining small red leaves on my neighbours’ tree danced in the breeze. They were doing this little hula dance. Behind that tree and in between the dancing leaves, I could see a gold light as the sunrise lit up the leaves on some very tall trees. I was surprised by the amount of leaves still on those trees. So beautiful. Now there is daylight but the sky is overcast. I have to check to see what the temperature will be for today.

Yesterday, I used my brand new SHARK vacuum and it is amazing. Picked up the dust and hair, was light and easy to handle and most importantly easy to put together and to clean. I love my new vacuum. Best purchase award. Besides vacuuming the floor, I actually put on the attachment and cleaned the blinds or at least if there was dust on them. I still need to wash them but the day got away on me. We went for a walk mid afternoon and walked to our friend Pauline’s. At her back gate, Mr. Alvin started to bark before I could call out as I could see her kitchen window open. She happen to look out and to see us and invited us in for a visit. We had a great chat with a cup of tea. The conversation was at lightning speed as we covered all of our news, questions and the lot. Pauline’s husband was on his way home from a hunting trip up north and some of her family were also coming over for supper. So we did not have much time. We were home at 4:30. The walk was most enjoyable. I only had a sweater on over top of my tee shirt and jeans and was very comfortable. Once home I fed Mr. Alvin, turned on the dryer to finish the load and one last load of laundry. I decided to call the bank and see if I could get the mortgage process started but spent several minutes on hold. I tried a second time and still waited. So I decided that I would call them this morning. So have to get this day going. Already it is after 9:00 a.m. It would be so nice to be more of a morning person and able to get up easier. Oh well.

Fingers crossed when I check my lotto ticket – that I have a large windfall winning ticket. Oh, that would be wonderful. Can you imagine winning the lotto? I sure can.

I hope that you have a great Sunday. One more day remaining in October, where did the time go? I work from home tomorrow which is great with it being Halloween and all. I will be set up when the kids start coming around. I have leftovers for supper as well, so that will be great.

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

Always, Carol & Alvin

PS: I am so grateful that Alvin and I are in good health. I am grateful that we have a good life. I am grateful for our home, our amazing family and great friends, to have a source of income, to see, to hear, to taste and smell, to touch and to be me. Life is GREAT!

Last Half 2022 – October

Good Morning ALL! We went to bed last night as my daughter stopped by after work and after her trip to COSTCO for a few things including some items for us. I bought a new vacuum. A Shark something or other. I cannot wait to give it a try – most especially on the stairs. It is cordless and has handheld for the stairs. Very exciting. We had a great supper. My daughter loves roasted root vegetables so they were a hit. YAY. Amanda had also picked up a pair of blue jeans from COSTCO for herself and decided to try them on here and found out they were too big for her and so she said “you try them on.” My first thought was they would be too small but guess what they fit. I have noticed that my regular pants are fitting a bit loosely lately, so I can now fit a size 12. Perhaps that sounds large to some people and that is okay but for me that is great. Always better when you are a bit older to lose some weight instead of adding to the number. So now I have two new pair of blue jeans which is great. I have not bought new jeans in a long time. They are high waisted and I LOVE THEM, they are skinny cut which I find laughable but they are very flattering, I must say. Who knew, I am feeling like a “semi sexy woman of a certain age.” LOL. Life is good. Between new jeans and a new vacuum, I feel like a million dollars. My order also included a box of poop bags (which should keep someone going for awhile), light bulbs (because you cannot see in the dark), some grocery items which included some red seedless grapes which are so yummy. I could have eaten the whole container last night and then decided not a great idea at 9:45 p.m. (I had just finished cleaning up and putting things away and did not realize how late it was). I am so grateful to have one of the BEST daughters on the planet. She also gave me a black skort (which happened to be the same one that I bought this summer except this one fits perfect) and a black skirt. The black skirt fit but was very short and I thought, we thought, not likely too appropriate. If I bent over – it would not be pretty, lol. So a great evening. YAY.

Today is bright, sunny and windy. I was looking out of the bedroom window and saw that the eavestroughs are full of leaves. OMG, perhaps I could get someone to climb up on the ladder and clean them out. Will have to see if that is a possibility or not. Yesterday late morning and into the afternoon, I spent almost 2.5 hours helping my friend Signe trim her tree. I supplied the tree trimmer and ladder (although we did not use it in the end). We managed to cut down most of the black rot from her tree. She is going to call the City and see if they can help her with the last branch which is several inches thick and not something we could do. I helped her with the cutting up and bagging of the branches so that she can dispose of. It was fun helping a friend and manual labour yet!

I am wanting a cup of coffee at this moment. Nothing like the first cup of coffee on a Saturday morning. I have changed the bedding and collected the laundry to be washed. Before heading downstairs I want to water my plants which are in the office and spare room. All doing well. Signe helped me move the plants from the main floor to the basement. I had a Canna Lily in a big ceramic pot and a Citronella in a small ceramic pot. They have to be winterized. Cut back a bit. But I want to check out exactly what to do with my “plant friend Pauline”. Also I will clean all of the blinds on the main floor and do the upstairs tomorrow. Oh and vacuuming with my new machine. So exciting.

Well I hope that you are doing great. Have a wonderful day. Hopefully the temperature is warm today. There was no frost last night.

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

Always, Carol & Alvin

PS: there is nothing like sharing a meal with your wonderful daughter, walking with your pup, receiving an unexpected new pair of jeans in a small size that fit and buying a new vacuum. Happy Saturday to me.

I almost forgot that I wanted to share something with you, the Health Properties of PUMPKIN. Some of you may have bought a pumpkin for Halloween to carve. Did you know that the flesh of a pumpkin can: help keep your joints limber, good for your eyes with the Vitamin A, Immunity booster Vitamin C, has Potassium, good for weight loss, skin saving antioxidants and helps with pooping (or at least it does with dogs). Eat some pumpkin. You can add to a stew or a sauce, make muffins or a loaf or just roast with potatoes, carrots and onions. So many great benefits.