Last Half 2022 – December

Good Morning ALL! How are you this morning? I could hear the wind howling earlier and all I wanted to do was to curl up and stay in bed. I did reset the alarm for a bit and hit the snooze button on my phone for one more bit of sleep. Now I am up and “ready” to get on with the day. Working from home today which is great as I have to go into full party mode preparedness after work. I just realized that I will need to move my winter coats out of the front entrance closet so that the partygoers/guests have a place to put their coats and of course, foot wear. There is definitely going to be “cleanup” on Sunday.

Last night after work, I gave the oven some love with my steamer. Kind of disappointed that it did not clean it as easily as I first thought but it is still looking pretty good. Oven cleaning is not my favourite thing to do. After that, I brought up my step ladder with thoughts of cleaning the area which is a shelf above the start of the upstairs. I am not sure why the builders thought that was a good idea, because it is not. You cannot put the step ladder there to clean because there is no room on the landing. If you are short – no way in ever you can reach it. Even with a long handled duster you cannot reach it. When I moved into this house, sometime during the first year I purchased a vase with some pretty artificial plants and the letters spelling out P-E-A-C-E. It looks beautiful. But sadly the last few years it has not received much love. Mainly due to me forgetting about it and then when I do, I am frustrated because I cannot reach it. So I had a plan but sadly the plan backfired. I did however, with my new SHARK cordless vacuum clean some of the ledge and lightly go over the vase and lettering. So it is not so bad but I cringe at the thought of it not being “dusted.” I am going to find someone tall that can easily reach OR a one step stool that is taller (maybe not a great idea) and take the vase and lettering down to give a good cleaning. Please do not get me wrong, my house is clean and neat. I just have this space. Oh well, the story is out. Perhaps someone out there may have an idea for me. I must remember to ask my neighbours as they all have this space in their homes. How do they clean it? Maybe they do not. You are likely asking how did I get that stuff up there to begin with? I honestly do not remember. I think my old neighbour helped me. Wishing I was taller now. Lots to do after work. I want things to be perfect or at least as close as possible.

I definitely need some coffee this morning. Just noticing my poor Begonia plant that is on the other desk here in my office is bending over. Oh no, now not enough water. Not sure why in the summer, I had the watering down perfectly and now I am either over watering or under. I am sorry “Begonia.” Just had to run and get her some water.

Countdown to Christmas: Wow, today is Friday, December 16, 2022 and “8” sleeps till Christmas Eve.

I hope that you have a great Friday.

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

Always, Carol & Alvin

P.S. Oh, I forgot to tell you about Mr. Alvin. He is having such great fun with Aspen and Milo. Alvin has this toy ice cream float and I guess that is everyone’s fav right now. They were playing with the toy and then Miss Aspen “took it outside.” I cannot wait to have all three of them here on Christmas Eve. Oh my sweet babes.

The New YEAR 2022

Good Morning ALL! How are you this morning? The sun is shining this morning so we are off to a great start. Today is Wednesday. Another great thing about having a long weekend. Short work week. The sky is a glorious powder blue. I could see my breath outside earlier this morning which is not great for the plants. My geraniums are not doing great. I should have taken them in and out for a few days. But who knows, maybe they will make a come back. I hope so. I have had those plants for over two years now. They have brought me great joy with their beautiful green leaves and pretty pink flowers. Fingers crossed. Most of the other plants look to be doing okay. I hope that we are in for some nice low 20’s celsius temperatures from now on. Perfection.

Mr. Alvin. He always seems to have it the worse at night. I think he is tired now, too. He can doze on his bed but I have to work. Which is sooner than later. I slept in. The SNOOZE BUTTON is way too easy. Not a good thing either. But anyway, I am grateful that we are both breathing and are here for another day on this beautiful planet. We did get out for a walk yesterday. The whole route. I was a bit apprehensive because of his recent issue with his front paws. I cleaned them immediately upon our return home. I cannot see anything “pink or red” so hopefully all is well. If he licks his paws or is out of sorts today, I will call the vet right away. We should get a “family discount.”

Not much new in this house. I am happy it is Wednesday and that I have ground coffee beans to make myself a wonderful cup of perked coffee. The best coffee ever.

I hope that you have a wonderful day. Perhaps you planted your garden and flowers on the weekend or maybe you are waiting until the beginning of June. Our growing season is so short here in Western Canada that as soon as we can – we plant.

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

Always, Carol & Alvin

The New YEAR 2022

Good Morning ALL! How are you this morning? Both Alvin and I are well. I am just back in the house from shovelling the front walk. More snow overnight. A bit of exercise. Thank goodness today is Friday, I am always excited for the weekends. This weekend the weather is supposed to be almost what we could consider to be TROPICAL for Western Canada in the winter time. Plus +6-7 on Sunday and I think plus 2+ or so for tomorrow and that is in celsius. YAY. We will be walking and I cannot wait. Not many walks in this winter.

Well still haven’t be able to get just the right “deadbolt” can you believe it? Oh well, three times is the lucky charm. What can you do? We are trying. My poor friend making all these trips to LOWE’s and with the price of gas! I will be giving her some more money when I am paid.

Not much new in our household. Alvin and I are happy to have quiet non eventful evenings and days for that matter. I will, we will be happy to have dry sidewalks once again and warm temperatures so that we can enjoy walking.

Well this is going to be a short one. I kind of hit the old snooze button a couple of times this morning when I should have been getting my “fanny farkle” out of bed, off the sofa, is more accurate. Anyway, not much new and I have no words of wisdom to share this morning.

I hope that you enjoy this day. Be kind and take care.

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

Always, Carol & Alvin

Second Half of the NEW YEAR – last quarter.

Good Morning All. As we are winding down and fast approaching November with then one month until 2021 …. what are your thoughts? What a year this has been! There have been so many changes and for some people those changes have not been great. For others of us those changes have turned out to be blessings in disguise. I am so grateful that I have a job and that I am working from home. I have said this before and I will say it again, I am ever grateful to my employer. I have found out that I do thoroughly enjoy those rare occasions when I go outside of my house other than our walks. I don’t mind going to the office once every month or so. I don’t mind going to the grocery store once in awhile. Lately as statements come in from my benefit provider, it is giving me cause to get my poop in a group and make some medical appointments ….. like eye checkup and dentist. The dentist and staff were wearing masks even before COVID19 hit the Western World. I would think that they are taking even more precautions like limiting the no of patients at one time. Lots to think about. Do you find that you procrastinate some things and even more during these uncertain times? You are not alone, you are not alone. So much to consider and to think about ……

Well it is five sleeps until Halloween and six sleeps until my Christmas Tree goes up and the house transforms into “Christmas.” I have contacted all the folks in the neighbourhood that I know with children and they all were happy with my idea to drop off bags of treats for their children. I am working on decorating the treat bags for the kids. Then Sunday the TREE goes up. I am so excited. My daughter as agreed to come over and I have a backup to help me erect the tree just in case. Always good to have a plan B. I thought that I would before bed on Friday night, I would take down all of the fall/Halloween decorations and other ornaments and put them in the basement. Maybe even bring up the rubbermaid containers of Christmas decorations and be ready to decorate. I could do some of the decorating before the tree goes up. Those are my thoughts for now – time will tell.

Yesterday my girl friends were over for coffee in the morning. We always have a great time. One of the girls brought over muffins and the other gave me my own little Halloween treat bag. They spoil me. Love these girls, they are the best. I am so blessed to have great friends, truly.

Alvin and I went for a walk in the afternoon before I watched the LIVE Open House for my friend Amber’s Fifth Avenue Jewelry Collection. I enjoy seeing all of the new jewelry. GUESS WHAT? Mr. Alvin hardly fussed at all in his new sweater and in fact, we did the whole walk without any unnecessary stopping. It was great.

I also watch “THEN CAME YOU” twice yesterday. Really loving that movie.

I am so excited that our weather is going to be all plus temperatures for the next two weeks with multiple days in the high single digits and even going into the double digits. The bunnies will be able to forage for food easier and longer.

Well time to go and put on the coffee. I hit the snooze and then the time on the microwave a couple of times this morning. ARGH. Oh well, there is time to make coffee and get ready to start work before my 8:00 a.m. start time.

Have an awesome Monday. If we all live our lives with kindness and respect for ALL, what a wonderful world this would be and can be.

I/We shall remain, As Always Carol & Alvin

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Friday the 22nd day of April, 2016.

The sky is overcast and it is windy outside.

The forecast is for a mix of “snow” and rain for today with temperatures of 12 degrees celsius.

Mother Nature ……

 

Today I am feeling kind of like the weather.

Our family as are others is undergoing some sad times …..

Although the word “sad” does not really name what our hearts are feeling at this time it is the only word that I can muster.

Sleep is disruptive with dreams that fail to give meaning.

Work keeps me distracted.

Hitting the sofa this morning much the same as hitting the snooze button has made me late.

So this will be short.

 

When someone we love and cherish suffers, we suffer, too.

I / We are trying to keep our hearts full of the joy and happiness that we are rewarded with our loved ones lives but it is difficult.

 

I am trying to say that keep your loved ones close.

Remember to tell them and show them how much they mean to you.

 

Special Hello to: all those folks who are in the midst of family sorrow …. my heart is with you.

Always, Carol and Alvin.

 

Thought for the day……

Good Morning and Welcome to Thursday the 16th day of October, 2014.

Yesterday was an exciting day for us, finally some great news about my nephew.

Twice yesterday he opened his eyes and once was with my daughter and myself present in the room.

He did not move this eyes around but just the simply act of opening them is cause for great hope.

He also squeezed the heck out of my right hand from the time we got there until we left ….

Of course, breaks in between.

I sincerely thought he might break my hand he was squeezing that tight ….

Anyway more cause for hope and that is all we can ever ask for ……

Rained late yesterday afternoon and throughout the night.

We are still to have some beautiful warm days for the next week or so …..

I am so grateful that all of the positive energy and prayers were taken to him.

Well almost time to leave for work.

I “hit the snooze button” so to speak a couple of times this morning.

I guess I should say “hit the sofa” a couple of times extra this morning.

Thank you for reading my blog and for your support it truly means the world to me.

Have a great great day.

Special Hello to: my nephew “J” who is in the hospital and is on his way back to us.

Always, Carol and Alvin

P.S. I think I mentioned that Alvin and I finally had our annual photo taken ….. so excited to see the final product.  My daughter always does a crazy good job.