2021

Good Morning ALL. How are you doing today? I am/we are well. Last night or rather this morning, first time up and downstairs was at 4:08 a.m., yay Mr. Alvin. Next time up when I set the alarm. Feels like I had a good sleep. I am most grateful. The night sky is just starting to show the morning sunrise as it begins to lighten on the horizon. My view from the office window facing southward.

News on the block. My kids bought a new car. So exciting for them. They brought it to show me on their way home from the dealership last night. It is a beauty.

Today is the 44th birthday of my eldest nephew. One of my high school classmates turns 64 today as well. It is a reminder that this is the year me and my graduating class turn 64. I cannot believe it. Does not seem real but then again on the other hand – my nephew just turned 44, so it does. Happy Birthday Nephew – Wishing you a wonderful day. He is away working up north and it has been minus 50 celsius. Now that’s cold. Sending you good wishes and warmth. Take care and be safe. To my friend Barb, Happy 64th Birthday. Wishing you a wonderful day.

As I look about my office, I see that my African Violet has a great many purple flowers. She is most beautiful with her deep purple blooms and rich green leaves. The smaller Spider Plants that I have brought up stairs are doing well. They seem to grow like nobody’s business no matter where they are placed. Easy peasy. My Geraniums downstairs are blooming with bright pink flowers. Love them. Poinsettias are doing well. The one from last year has some leaves that are turning red. So pretty with green and red leaves. I would say that my little garden in the kitchen and in office are bright and cheery and bring joy to my days. Always good to be surrounded by greenery with a pop of colour. Good for the air as well.

I can see the sky starting to turn oranges and pinks on the horizon and soon the sun shall be up and shining every so brightly.

Another cold day but by Friday it will be warming up. Which is a good thing as I have to make a run to the vet for supplies for the boy.

Well time to head on downstairs. The boy is standing staring at me from the hallway. He has a piercing look when he wants something.

I wish you a great Tuesday, be safe and warm and take care.

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

Always, Carol & Alvin

Second Half of the NEW YEAR.

Good Morning and Welcome to Thursday.

So happy that it is payday.

Pay those the bills and wait for the next ones.

What a circle!

I am grateful that I am able to pay my bills in full and on time.

I am grateful to have a roof over my head.

I am grateful that I am able to look after me and Alvin in good order.

I am grateful that I am employed.

I am grateful for each and every day that I am able to get out of bed in the morning.

I am grateful for all of my dear family members and all of my friends.

I am grateful to be surrounded by goodness and light.

I am grateful to have Alvin as my housemate.

I am grateful to have this beautiful weather as we fast approach the first day of fall.

I am grateful to be alive.

 

Last night and early this morning – I had the strangest of dreams.

Unfortunately I remember nothing of them other than they were odd.

How often does this happen to you?

Me, lots.

Sometimes I remember little things and sometimes I remember the dream in some detail.

But not often.

 

I prefer to daydream.

Where I can somewhat control and remember what I am thinking.

What do you daydream about?

I think daydreaming is good for us.

I daydream about things and people.

 

Another beautiful day on the way.

Yesterday was gorgeous.

We went for a walk in the morning as I worked the late shift yesterday.

Our walk was lovely.

Quiet …. not too many people out before 8:30 a.m.

Today at lunchtime I am going to the Vet to pick up food for Alvin, some pain meds and toothpaste for him.

We will walk after work when it cools down.

I guess we could / should have gone this morning but alas I did not get my butt going soon enough.

If I got dressed now and we went …. we could be home in time for me to start work.

But I think we will wait.

Although …… it looks tempting but it would be cutting it close.

We shall wait.

Can always go after supper if it is too warm at 4:00 p.m.

 

Tomorrow I got to the office for the first time since I left on March 19, 2020.

I am a little nervous – I will confess.

Must remember to take a mask or two and some other supplies.

Lunch, I guess.

Sounds like the coffee machine is in use so that is good.

Only for one day.

I shall miss and feel guilty leaving Alvin for a whole day.

He is not used to it.

Perhaps he will be happy to have the day to himself.

Who knows?

 

Well time to get this show on the road.

I have to get ready.

Turn on the coffee.

Actually turn on the coffee first and then come back upstairs and get ready.

I have all of the windows open so that cool air can come into the house.

Smells good.

Not really any breeze this morning.

Happy Thursday.

 

Have an awesome Thursday.

Be safe.

Be kind and respectful.

I shall/we shall remain,

As Always, Carol & Alvin

I am so excited to see the Snapdragons coming up in the pot with the Geraniums.

Orange and pink so pretty.

There are more Snapdragons since this photo was taken.

 

It is a NEW YEAR.

Good Sunday morning.

Well shortly after I wrote my post yesterday the sun shone brightly.

It was a lovely day.

Lucky me, I went to shovel the driveway and there was no snow.

It had melted.

That was a first.

YAY.

Alvin and I enjoyed a beautiful walk in the afternoon after several loads of laundry.

Ended the day watching the newest STAR WARS movie “The Rise of Skywalker.”

Thoroughly enjoyed it.

 

This morning it has been lightly snowing since we were first up at 5:00 a.m.

No worries we did not stay up but I can tell by the amount of snow that it did not stop.

Actually it appears to be coming down with more intensity at this time.

Oh, last night we had a good show with the rabbits.

Alvin watched them intently gathering and having a snack out front.

At one point there were four of them.

Happy to report they are getting pretty brown.

We have so much snow which is not great for the wildlife.

 

I was thinking as I walked to the computer this morning.

List of things that change when staying at home / working from work during a PANDEMIC

1. Transportation to work, no bus tickets or payment for carpool.
2. No need to carry a purse, cause I do not use anything in my purse
3. More snacks
4. Changing up exercise routine
5. More television
6. Baking more
7. More snacks, did I say that already (very important)
8. More time spending with loved ones and in my case, my dog Alvin
9. No commute time to work (ten steps from bed to laptop in office in my case)
10. More time to clean the house
11. Less time actually spending cleaning the house
12. Less energy the longer at home
13. Overthinking everything
14. Trying new recipes
15. Waistline expanding
16. Need to start wearing button up pants instead of the stretchy ones
17. No gatherings
18. Quietness
19. Having television on during work hours for background noise
20. Routine, trying to keep work and home separate
21. Time spent looking out of the window
22. Did I say changing up exercise routine, gotta start that ….
23. Walking more (when weather allows)
24. Hoping for sunshine
25. Happy when receive texts from family and friends
26. Learning new things
27. No coworkers
28. If you have school age children at home, then you have now become a teacher
29. Trying to remember what day of the week it is
30. Resting, maybe too much (depends on who is in the house with you)
31. Excited to see the rabbits gathering out front to have a snack (no social distancing for them)
32. Happy to be alive and well
33. Wondering how long this will last
34. Nervous about going back to work
35. Staying away from news and social media for a time to be less stressed
36. SNACKS, so important for one or more in a household
37. Food has become so important
38. Realizing that one’s leaking tap is going to be this way for some time before can get fixed
39. Supposed to be spring now, why more snow?
40. Anyone at home that has folks bringing by groceries and supplies, we are grateful, realizing this will end someday and I will be shopping again
41. No going to the mall (I did not go much, anyway)
42. Thinking of how much the world has changed over the past month or so
43. Thinking of how much things will change going forward
44. Realizing that this would be retirement minus the working Monday to Friday
45. Getting stairs in several times per day (if you live in a multiple storey home)
46. Getting close to 50 (points to make)
47. Making a list that never gets completed
48. Day 3 cleaned the junk drawers
49. Day 6 cleaned the front closet
50. Day 18 cleaning the junk drawers again, and the rotation begins.

NOTE:  two things enjoying being with Alvin all day everyday and having my own perked coffee in the mornings.

 

Well time to hit the shower before having breakfast and enjoying some perked coffee.

 

Happy Sunday everyone.

I hope that you are smiling …..

 

Remembering we are living in kindness and with respect.

 

I/We, remain

Always, Carol & Alvin

 

P.S.  trying to decide if I should just cut my own hair.

That could have been point 51.

My hair is much longer than this photo.

Am thinking I could put the long clipper attachment on Alvin’s hair cutting machine and cut my hair.

What do you think?

If in household with children ….. cut their hair.

If in household with a dog that needs a haircut ….. already done.