The New YEAR 2022

Good Morning ALL! Wow, another Saturday morning! How are you this morning! I hope that you slept well. Alvin did again wake up at like midnight and a couple of times after that but I coaxed him to stay in bed and then he slept until 4:00 a.m. I went outside with him as it was still dark and I wanted to ensure that he had no problems getting down to the grass area of our backyard. Thankfully one deck of the deck is actually lower (isn’t life great, the actual deck is level but because the backyard is graded on such a slope, one end is close to the grass when he jumps off). So happy to see that beautiful powder blue filling the sky with that sun shining so magnificently. We are off to a great start.

Yesterday we lost a great Canadian, Pluto the cutest four-legged pup. She and her Mom Nancie created PLUTOVERSE (PLUTO LIVING). Nancie posted so many videos over the Pandemic of Pluto giving us advice and sharing their lives with the world. Pluto is now known worldwide. She had the best advice, sense of humour, told the best stories. She brought so much joy to us all. Pluto had the cutest laugh and wore the hippest apparel. I was very sad to learn that Pluto had passed away.

To Nancie, Pluto’s Mom: Oh my goodness Nancie, so sorry to hear that your beloved Pluto has passed. I think it is safe to say that we all felt like she was part of each of our families. We will miss her and “her” unique view of the world. You and Pluto will stay in our hearts forever. The sheer joy and laughter you brought to us, to the world, when most of our skies were cloudy and grey. Please accept my deepest sympathies to you and your family on the loss of your beloved Pluto.

Yesterday we went on two walks and although neither were our regular full ones, it was still great to get outside. On the walk after work, we chatted with two neighbours on the way to the park. One neighbour I had not seen in awhile due to their household having COVID twice in since March. I still cannot believe how many people I know are coming down with COVID in the last couple of months. Seems odd why now? Maybe not when I think about it, a vast many people are back to work and not everyone is wearing a mask. I get the mask thing. Not my favourite thing to do but in large crowds, I still wear one and will likely do so for the rest of my life. Pre COVID, I remember people wearing blue masks on the bus (public transportation) going back to my first times catching the bus in Edmonton. So nothing new. I know that in the larger cities in China they were wearing masks for years mainly due to the pollution. Although I am not sure how much they actually helped but even if it gives the wearer a “false” sense of security – that may be enough. You know if we keep telling ourselves the same thing over and over again – that we can convince our brain that it is true. Now is the time to start telling myself all of the time that I have more than enough money to retire, pay off my mortgage and get on with the next chapter of my life.

Talk about being all over the place. That is what lack of or reduced sleep will do to one. That was my week. We had what was supposed to be a 30 minute meeting yesterday which turned into 1.5 hours. I was chatty Carol. Wishing now that I would have kept my mouth closed but I did not. Sometimes being vocal or having the need to share is not a great thing. I just keep rolling the conversations over and over in my head and just gag. Not that I said bad things but just maybe too much. You know those times when you have been in a meeting or with someone that does not seem to “shut up” well I feel that was me yesterday. Although honestly I did not talk continuously but almost. I did tell everyone that I had literally no sleep Thursday night and that I was sorry. Here I go again. I am sorry. Done. I wrote my feelings down – so walk away.

This morning I am invited to Gillian’s for coffee along with our friend Signe. I am excited to get out of the house on my own. I won’t be leaving Alvin for long, only a couple of hours. Good for me and good for him. I love my boy but 24/7 is not healthy for any relationship. So I may just start to go for the odd walk by myself in the evenings. Alvin just cannot walk as far as I can. So will see. Just a thought. Also I can walk to the grocery store and pick up a couple of things. I also am planning to go outside and pick up trash in the neighbourhood today if time allows, I would like to trim our tree and rake the front lawn. So those are things that I will be doing on my own.

Life, is always about some kind of balance. Never even, but if we are happy, joyful, content and in good health – then whatever that balance is – works.

Well time to get cleaned up for my coffee date with the girls. I have gathered up the laundry and changed the bedding on our bed. So at least started some of my chores.

I hope that you have an awesome day.

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

Always, Carol & Alvin

P.S. I have Miss Pluto in my head and will try to live up to her positive, unique view of the world instead of the direction that I have been finding myself going lately. Even with little or no sleep, I will remain positive, happy and ready to do what needs to be done. To give Mr. Alvin or to continue to give him the best life I can with whatever time he has left. It may be years or not, I do not know. Even Alvin cannot live forever, I know that.

2021

Good Morning ALL! How are you this morning? I am well, we are well, except for being a bit on the sleep deprived side. Definitely sleep deprived. It is awesome having my daughter in the house this morning. Seems like old times. I had a rather typical untypical Sunday night. We chose to sleep on the sofa as I thought we would be more comfortable there than the spare bedroom. I also decided to watch the ADELE special on television from the start at 9:00 p.m. until 11:00 p.m. It was so good. I absolutely love her voice. The new songs were wonderful and listening to the old ones was amazing. The people attending the concert which was held in Los Angeles on top of the world at The Griffith Observatory with a star studded audience including Melissa McCarthy, Oprah who did an interview and introduced her for the concert, Ellen DeGeneres, Drake, Seth Rogen and Jessie Ferguson. Part way through the concert she brought out a fan who proposed to his long-time girlfriend. It was a great night and worth staying up. Most times I don’t fall asleep until after 10:30 anyway. But this Sunday my brain would not shut down. It went into hyperdrive thinking about the concert, about work, about this one file that I have to finish tomorrow when I am back working from home, going to the office today and on and on. Then just before 1:00 a.m., I hear these two teenage girls laughing wildly and I at first think that I am losing my mind and then I jump up and go over to the window. What I saw disturbed and scared me on every level. Outside my window, on the street, two young girls were running down the street which was icy, slipping and sliding. Just behind them stopped on the street was a black sedan. Then the girls ran back to the car to the rear of the car. My heart stopped as they held onto the back of the car. The driver accelerated the gas taking the car forward with the girls holding on behind. He kept going a bit faster and finally they slipped and fell. I almost ran outside but I was scared. The car stopped. Then I could hear the girls as they jumped up from the pavement and slipping and sliding they crawled into the car and a few seconds later the car took off. What in the world is wrong with kids? They think that they are invisible. So after that, I definitely was not sleeping. Then it was two and Alvin woke up and I managed to coax him to sleep and then it was 3:00 and we were up and outside. I have my trusty flashlight app on my phone, best thing ever. I did sleep about the time I had to get up but oh well. Should sleep good tonight. Mr. Alvin was happy to come upstairs with me and quickly put his nose to the bedroom door where our girl was sleeping opening the door and jumped up onto the bed where he curled up next to her. Looks like the time is evaporating here.

We had some snow yesterday and I did my first round or two of shovelling. Hopefully the streets and roads are not icy.

Wishing you a great day.

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

Always, Carol & Alvin

2021 – Day after EARTH DAY

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Good Morning ALL! Happy Friday to each and everyone. I hope that you are doing well. We had another sleep deprived night but Alvin seems to be okay so not exactly sure what is wrong if anything. I did clean his ears at 3:30 or so as he was shaking them about. I had checked them earlier and they did not look dirty but there may have been something irritating him that I could not see so the cleanser from the vet is good so I put some in both ears and using the medical gauze squares (not cotton balls) I gave him a little swish about. Nothing was on the square. Anyway clearly something was bothering him as basically we were up from 2:20 till about 5:30, when I must have dozed off and realized that he was not on the sofa so I got up and could not find him on the main floor. So I ran upstairs to find him in the hallway. We went back to bed and slept until the alarm went off at 6:45 a.m. I hopped into the shower and feeling refreshed I should be okay for the day along with some caffeine. Poor guy.

We did have a walk at noon yesterday despite the cold wind and that it was snowing. Yes, it was. Bright sunshiny morning for this Friday. YAY.

I cannot believe that I forgot yesterday was EARTH DAY. Then I got to thinking and thought shouldn’t every day be EARTH DAY? Perhaps reminding everyone the day after the OFFICIAL DAY is even more important. So here are some everyday tips to help the environment – Mother Nature – our EARTH:

  1. Pick up the trash from your property.
  2. When you are out for a walk pick up trash that you see
  3. Organize a garbage/trash pickup in your community
  4. Stop using single use plastics (or at least cut down)
  5. Stop using the to go coffee cups from your local coffee place, take your own. Everyone has a mug or fifty.
  6. Start shopping at Thrift Stores/Garage Sales and the like for clothing and other items for items you need.
  7. Use the “Marie Konda” method of organizing in your shopping practices. Make sure you REALLY LOVE the item.
  8. Clean out your closets and perhaps swap with friends and family.
  9. Check with local animal shelters to see if they need any towels and blankets (if you are cleaning out your linen closet)
  10. Old suitcases – contact Foster Homes
  11. Be mindful of what you buy (yes, I am repeating myself).
  12. We in this country and in the United States – simply buy more than we need. Way more.
  13. Live more simply.
  14. Only keep what you use.
  15. Let us each make a difference.
  16. Make sure that you pack your garbage for pickup properly. If you live in a windy location or where there are a lot of birds, ie: magpies and crows – you may wish to use a closed container instead of just putting put a bag. Maybe your municipality is changing to covered bins like ours.
  17. Please do not put your loose papers and egg cartons on top of a “blue bin.” They will blow to my house and I will end up putting them into the garbage.
  18. Check with your local municipality about what can be recycled
  19. Stop using balloons (they are killing our wildlife and birds).

Well it is time for me to sign off and get the coffee on and go to work.

I wish you a wonderful Friday.

Remember each one of us can make a difference. It is each one’s responsibility. This does not just lie with government.

Continuing to live with kindness, respect, compassion and patience.

Always, Love Carol & Alvin

2021

Good Morning ALL! How are you doing this Monday morning? I hope that you had an awesome weekend. Both Alvin and I are well. We are a bit sleep deprived or at least I am. Not sure what is up with the boy but we went to bed at our usual time, then up at 2:30, then 4:14, then basically every half hour until I finally stayed up at 6:30 a.m. I hope that he is okay. He does not appear to be in pain. Perhaps he had too much sleep. When I go out in a bit to pick up the poop, that might tell a different story. I should have gone out with him earlier to check. But I was so tired that I just could not. I guess that does not make me a very good pack leader or momma. I will keep an eye on him today and see if anything is out of norm with him. He is giving me that look and perhaps his eyes do not look their usual selves. Oh, how I hope and pray that he is okay. We cannot go through anything major. Now as it was cooler and windy we did not go for a walk so perhaps that is bothering him. I honestly do not know. Will just tryin to keep positive energy going to Mr. Alvin.

Yesterday five people celebrated birthdays that I personally know. Two were relatives and two live nearby. How cool is that?

The sky is clear this morning as the sun rises. The temperature is to be in single plus temperatures for today, I believe unless the forecast changed which is entirely possible. The next two weeks are going to be all over the place with respect to weather with even some snow flurries a possibility. Yikes. Oh well, Mother Nature will get this out of her system before settling into the summer weather. I have noticed that the bunnies are more and more brown with each sighting. We saw a robin on the weekend. That is always a good sign.

Well I have to go downstairs, sorry for another short post. I will leave with you with some beautiful photos.

Continuing to life this life with Kindness, Respect, Compassion and Patience.

Always, Love Carol & Alvin

2021

Good Morning ALL! How are you on this beautiful bright and sunny Wednesday morning? Alvin and I are okay. For some unknown reason he was up starting from midnight and every couple of hours until I am up for the day. I am feeling a bit on the tired side but hopefully it does not affect the day too much. Perhaps some caffeine soon will perk me up and I hope that night we sleep through the night.

I was looked through my posts back to near the beginning of this blog and found one that I thought was pertinent today and always and will share it now:

April 2010

I have been thinking lately of family and friends.  About how easy it is to lose track of people.  Recently I have connected with old friends on Facebook, and am thrilled to hear about their lives.  I find people fascinating, and it pleases me a great deal to hear from them.  To hear their stories.

My thought for this day is:  send an email or SKYPE someone you care about, do it right now.  Time is of the essence.  It can get away on you.  Take advantage of this new technology.

Make someone’s day……. you just made mine.

I am not sure how many people still use SKYPE now, likely more TEAMS or ZOOM but the idea remains the same. There is also INSTAGRAM in addition to Facebook and other Social Media platforms.

The point being reach out to family and friends. They might love to hear your voice over the telephone.

Whether you phone, use messenger, FB, Instagram, SKYPE, Teams or ZOOM or something else, the point is our family and friends need us more than ever.

Time can pass so quickly and it is very easy to say “I will call her or him tomorrow.”

Reach out today.

Continuing to live with kindness, respect, compassion and patience.

Always, Love Carol & Alvin

2021

Good Morning ALL. How are you this morning? Is there snow where you are? It be snowing here. Not too much overnight but some that warrants shovelling later on. The fresh blanket of snow gently covers the sidewalks and the rooftops and the roads. When the light shines on fresh snow it reminds me of a field of diamonds, shining ever so brightly. Best of Nature. I love snow and am hopeful that it is only a light blanket that we receive this time. Tuesday morning. Did you have a good sleep? Alvin woke me up at 2:38 a.m. to have his glucosamine chew and to go outside. He pooped and it was snowing. I guess I do not have to tell you that now it is covered by fresh snow. I remember roughly where it was so hopefully in the light of day I can dig it up and dispose of it in the garbage can. ARGH, I should have put on my coat and boots and went outside with him but somehow the idea of going outside at 2:39 a.m. did not have much appeal to me. Not much at all. Oh well, my fault entirely. We then went back to the sofa until almost 4:45 a.m. which was lovely, up and he has his breakfast and then outside again (I know same story and yes more digging will happen when the daylight appears) and then back to the sofa until 6:45 a.m. and then I just had to have 15 more minutes. Some mornings I feel as though I am a robot moving automatically about. In the hours before our first time up – I did have some good sleep. I should have one of those watches or that phone app that can monitor your sleep patterns. I wonder just how much “good” sleep I am having each night?? Likely a great question. Oh well, such as life. If I was not getting up with Alvin …. I am getting up myself to go to the loo. Age?? Likely. Perhaps enough of silliness and the talk of poo and the loo, which by the way takes up a large part of our lives.

Next subject. What is the next subject? I feel a sneeze coming on? I am hopeful that this cold snap will disappear soon and we can go out for walks once again. I noticed some neighbours out walking with their dogs. I just cannot take Alvin out when it is minus 30 or colder with the windchill. The pads on their paws can freeze easily. Don’t they know? Some of our neighbors have booties for their pups and nice coats which makes me happy. They are well looked after. They are big big dogs and need the exercise each and every day. Speaking of doggies, my Mr. Alvin is whining and staring at me from the hallway. What now Mr. Alvin, what now? He is spoiled and that is clear. Too late for us. Oh well.

Almost the end of January, thank goodness.

I had thought of a good topic as I was going to bed and should have written it down as I have forgotten.

Time to head downstairs. I hope that you have a great Tuesday.

Filled with kindness, respect, compassion and patience.

I work on patience every single day as it is not something that comes naturally to me. Personally I think that it does not come naturally to most human beings. LOL.

Always, Carol & Alvin

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