Last Half 2022 – December

Good Morning ALL! What a beautiful morning! The sky is blue with hints of orange on the horizon as the sun rises on this Sunday morning. How are you doing? Considering I was up until after 2:00 a.m., I am doing well. Likely the energy will dissipate over the course of the day as I usually go to bed just after 9:00 with lights out no later than 10:00 p.m.

Two of my friends Gillian & Signe came over and we celebrated our Annual Christmas Party, I cannot even tell you which number this is. I would have to look back on photos but we have been doing this for years not long after I arrived here in Edmonton. These girls are amazing and I love them dearly. They are about my daughter’s age and give me a modern outlook on life. I do not feel 65. Also last night at some point before the girls left we got a fresh blanket of snow and when I looked out of the window a few minutes ago – there it was – waiting to be shovelled. So once I get downstairs and put on the coffee and before I do some more laundry (bedding), I will run out and shovel. I guess I figured the Christmas Shoveling Angel would have magically swept it up, lol. We had such a great time last night. We chatted about everything from A to Z and everything in between. Everyone brought appetizers to contribute to the potluck and we had so much food. Enough for 10 not 3. Lots of leftovers. Everyone got great gifts. All things that we can use. We were all happy to revel in each other’s company and the gifts were an extra special touch.

I am going to cut this short this morning as I want to get laundry done, bring up the dried clothes and do the shoveling. This will be a day to relax as I have an even bigger party coming up next Saturday and then of course, I work all this week. Starting the week off at the office.

Perhaps free air will do me some good. Nice to see the sunshine or at least a clear sky. Have an awesome Sunday. Take some time just for you. I might go out for a walk as I have not had a “real” walk since Alvin went to Amanda’s a week ago yesterday. I do miss him but he is doing so well out there, it has been worth my missing him.

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

Always, Carol & Alvin

Photo by Brett Sayles on Pexels.com

Photo by George Dolgikh on Pexels.com

Photo by Brett Sayles on Pexels.com

PS: whoops had to edit my post as I forgot the countdown to Christmas – for this Sunday, December 11th, 2022 there are 13 sleeps left until Christmas Eve.

2021

Good Morning ALL. How are you this morning? I guess this is a bit later writing than have been for awhile. Well we went to bed at 10:00 p.m. and I changed the clocks ahead at that time. We got up at 5:18 p.m. which was good. Alvin had his breakfast and did his thing and then we hit the sofa and next thing I knew it – the time was 9:30 a.m. Of course, it does not help that it is overcast and there is no bright sunshine pouring in through the windows lighting the main floor and giving us a hint that it was time to get up and at it. Oh well, lol. I am, we are up now. Alvin wanted to go outside so while he was outside I emptied the dishwasher and put on the coffee (which smells divine or at least I think so as I am stuffy). Once he was in, I ran downstairs to grab the laundry that had been drying on drying racks and then up upstairs we came. First put away the laundry (which was my clothing), then washed up and put on my eyebrows (at the very least a lady must have on her eyebrows before beginning the day) and got dressed. I had turned on the computer when first coming upstairs as it takes a few moments to get started, much like me, lol. I am trying to have a sense of humour about it all as you can hopefully tell. So washed, dressed and writing now. There is a bit of a breeze as I can see the bare trees swaying back and forth. I believe that I have mentioned this before but spring is on the side of the street that is north of us but faces south and on our side we still have winter but the snow is melting. I was out trying to break up the ice and have it move on down the storm drain. I noticed when I looked out the living room window earlier than the water has not frozen over during the night. WOW. That is amazing for March 13/14. I guess that perhaps spring is on the way or has arrived. Apparently our groundhog was not located as he/she moved residences. Now that is funny. So we went with another locale’s which was spring will be early. I am going with early.

We had a great Saturday. I did laundry, we went for an amazing walk and bumped into our friend Ali (Bailey’s Mom) on her way home from work (she stopped her car and chatted for a moment). Alvin had a muddy belly but he enjoyed every drop of that mud. I am so grateful that we have these opportunities and I will always be grateful for all these moments. Later in the after I finished my income tax, whew. Over and done. Always glad to have them done for another year. OH big part of our Saturday was the morning, the best start to anyone’s day, really ….my girl pals Gillian and Signe came over for coffee on the deck. Remember I had hauled out the chairs and had Amanda help move the table down from the top landing by the garage. We have not had a visit since the end of January when I hosted Signe’s birthday celebration in the garage and it was cold. We had heaters. Well not yesterday. The rays of the sun beamed down upon us and we sat out with no coats just sweaters and Signe even took off her boots and was barefoot. We laughed and laughed. Shared stories of our lives. Just caught up on everything. I love my friends, they are the best. Oh and Gillian brought muffins and Signe brought cinnamon buns (all homemade). Poor Alvin really wanted some. No human food not that I ever gave him those types of things anyway, but no human food. I feel bad about the fruit and veg but until I get word back from the vet. None for the boy. So as you can see this has been the best weekend ever. Started out with a vacation day on Friday, Alvin getting his stitches out and my daughter coming over and her birthday and celebration, visit with friends, two walks thus far, income tax done, laundry (good to have clean clothes) and odds and ends. Thank you to everyone for a great last couple of days. Later today we may get together on the front sidewalk / porch with Alison and Bailey. Depends on how she feels after work. Also we watched some great, funny movies in the late afternoon and until bed: Jane Fonda and Robert Redford in “Our Souls at Night,” Shirley MacLaine and Jessica Lange and Demi Moore in “Wild Oats” and then a new one “Yes Day” with Jennifer Garner. All three funny and most enjoyable. Sometimes you don’t need an action film!

Well time to go and have that coffee that I am smelling. I hope that you are having a wonderful weekend. Perhaps you had a birthday celebration in your home or were able to have an outdoor visit with your friends or a walk with your dog or a walk period.

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

Always, Carol & Al.

It is a NEW YEAR.

Good Monday Morning!

Well this morning has certainly been a mix of sun and clouds.

Looking as though it will clear up.

They are forecasting 25 degrees celsius for today.

There is a bit of a breeze wafting in through our open windows.

I started this spring opening the windows in the morning.

If it gets cold …. of course, I close them but on those days where the temperature soars, the refreshing cool air early in the morning is welcome.

I still have not had my central air conditioning serviced.

It is on my TO DO List for this summer.

Finally found someone that will take a look at it.

Just have to set up a date and time.

COVID19 kind of changed some of my plans or at least timelines.

Oh, I see the SUN flashing through the corner of my eye as I am still at my desk right close to the window.

My favourite spot.

I had thought of flipping my workspace but then decided against that thought.

I love having my personal space by the window with my elephant and box of kleenex on the ledge.

Sitting beside my green gauze curtains and little beaded curtains always makes me feel good.

 

Last night one of  my friends brought over the diamond paintings that I had ordered.

We girls, well they have done more than me, I only have done one thus far but that is about to change.

In July we are having a big GIRLS NIGHT and working on a diamond painting.

We will have snacks and all sorts of different liquid refreshment.

I cannot wait.

Anyway last night we sat on the deck and had a “long island iced tea” and chatted.

First time in many years that I have “drank alcohol” on a Sunday night.

Just one over ice.

Lovely.

The evening was perfect.

Sunshine and not too hot.

The mosquitoes kept at bay.

It was much later than usual when we went to bed which I thought would have been a good thing.

I decided as Alvin had been fussing with his ears to clean them.

Bad idea.

I tried to look at them closer with a flashlight and it looked as though the one is inflamed.

At one point I thought there was something in the one.

I of course, was panic stricken thinking there was a worm or something in his ear.

Then he got really anxious and panting.

Finally after awhile he settled down and then I couldn’t sleep.

It felt like one hour, then two, then three and then I don’t know.

At 4:00 p.m. Alvin was up and we went downstairs.

He had his glucosamine chew and I caved and let him have breakfast.

A tad early but he was hungry.

So I will call the Vet this morning and make him an appointment, clearly something is not right.

 

Introducing Baby Bogart, Humphrey’s little brother.

So cute and so little.

I snapped a million photos but found that I took even more video.

I

Gotta run.

Time to work.

 

Have an awesome Monday.

Living with kindness and respect.

I/We shall remain,

As Always, Carol & Alvin

 

 

 

 

 

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Tuesday the 30th day of May, 2017.

WOW, almost June.

Can you believe it?

We are well into summer, I guess.

Not officially ……

 

This morning for some reason ( likely because I was not in bed until almost 10:00 p.m. ), I am tired.

We enjoyed our walk last night but on the way home ran into some people with their large dog off leash in our park last night.

Just on the way home ….. really, people.

They were quite offended/upset I think when we mentioned “Did you know that this is not an off leash park?”

I do not understand people.

They said that their dog was trained but seconds before he had walked through a gate into someone’s yard.

Good training.

I feel for all the dogs caught in the middle of all of this …..

If only people would use some good old fashioned common sense.

 

Well I am running late …… but food for thought ….. common sense ….. leashes ….. dogs.

 

Have an awesome day.

Happy Tuesday.

Windy but to be a hot one today.

 

Special Hello to:  my sister …..

Always, Carol & Alvin