2021

Good Morning ALL! How are you this Monday morning? I hope that you are well and doing the things that you love. Alvin and I had a good night. I will admit that some Sunday nights I find it hard to turn off the “thoughts” and fall asleep. This was one of those night. We had a good day yesterday. Full of surprises. Early in the morning as it was raining I ran outside to move the downspout (I have a flexible one) as I had remembered that it was turned facing the area in between ours houses. When I went out to move it – I noticed to my surprise that the end stone retaining wall around the flower bed at the front of the house was falling over. It was close to coming down. I made a mental note and would come out and properly assess the situation once the rain was over and it was light outside. I finished some chores in the house and later in the morning, I collected some tools like a shovel, mini raking tool and a large pail and my heavy duty gardening gloves donned my spring jacket and my shoes and headed outside. Oh and I also opened the front window and pulled up the blinds so that Alvin could see and hear me. Out to work I went. I quickly realized the job ahead. I had forgotten about the heavy stones under the top couple of layers of flat rocks that were about two inches by 10 inches. Luckily I was strong enough to remove most of the wall. I had gone to ask the advice of my neighbour and her friend who agreed that the stones come down and have to move the dirt away from the styrofoam covered with black cloth to move it back into position. So digging I started after removing all but the bottom row of stones which is also semi buried in stones that cover the area in between our homes. These stones would be much hard to remove as I would have to move the stones first. ARGH. Also after doing some digging I realized that some of my plants would have to be removed and some had deep thick roots. At point I figured that it would be easier to dig being up in the flower bed so up I went. I dug out all the plants thinking maybe this is the perfect opportunity to start over again. Last year the plants were beginning to look bedraggled. After I dug them up I continued to dig up the dirt by the end of the wall and after two hours, I was done. I took the pail of plants and a garbage bag that I had semi filled and put them in the backyard. Then I grabbed two more garbage bags and divided them accordingly so that it would not be so heavy and placed the bags into the garage. Put away the tools (actually left the shovel by the front door hidden behind the bench, partial out of sight. So I think it will likely take me a couple of days after work to finish this project. I see some physical work ahead. Good exercise. I definitely used some muscles that I do not often use.

After I had finished cleaning things up, I went into the house to have a small snack and a bit of coffee. Alvin had some treats, too. I sat down on the sofa and felt so sleepy that I decided to have a nap. Two hours give or take I woke up and it was almost four o’clock. Yikes. Felt so much better. I worked on a few things around the house before giving Alvin his supper and once he was done – we headed out for a walk. I was happy that when we got to Pauline and Al’s house, I found Al and his grandpup Georgie outside on the patio along with his grandson. Then when she heard my voice, Pauline appeared followed by her daughter. So we had a good chat from the fence. I filled her in on receiving my first vaccine and the story along with my “flower bed wall” situation. We decided to get together sometime this week after work and go for a walk.

After our chat, we continued on our way. I cannot believe how much new grass has sprouted and how many buds there are on the trees. Still waiting for my tree to bud.

Well it is getting late and I have to turn on the coffee and get to work. Alvin needs to go outside.

I hope that you have a wonderful Monday.

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

Always, with Love Carol & Alvin

December 31, 2020 – last day

Good Morning ALL. Can you believe it? The very last day and down to last hours of 2020. 2020 came in with all of the promise and hope that a New Year could bring and is leaving us with thoughts of promise and hope that 2021 will bring. So we will start and end with the same dreams for the New Year although the in between could never have been predicted. This year has been the same and different for so many of us. I cannot compare my year to that of my friend who lives down the street and works in the healthcare field. We both have had much different experiences this past year. She has faced all of the stresses and anxieties that came with COVID19 and the Pandemic as she continued to work. Me on the other hand, when our employer announced that we would be closing our doors to the public on March 16, 2020, and start the process of having staff work from home, I had mixed feelings but mostly I was overjoyed. On March 19, 2020 I was sent home with my coworkers with a laptop and whatever supplies we required to work from home. Later that afternoon I was set up and March 20, 2020 I was working from home. In the beginning there were definitely some stressful times but over the last nine months I have smoothed out the kinks and working from home has certainly been a godsend. Of course, there are moments of stress, but that is inevitable, as my job can most certainly be stressful at times. But I no longer have to spend a minimum of 1.5 hours travelling to and from work. There are no worries about leaving a senior dog, my Alvin home alone for such a long period of time. We have figured out a few things over time and one being that we will need to go to the office for one day per month as we have some large print jobs where the documents need to be prepared to be mailed. I can handle one day each month. Of course, this may change over time. My friend down the street lost her beloved pup Abi in February and in July brought baby Bailey home. Having a puppy at any time is a lot of work and with the stresses of working during a pandemic has been difficult for our friend. We have kept in touch with porch / sidewalk visits, texts and video chats. We live only a few doors apart and yet our lives that were so similar are so different this year. She was not able to spend Christmas with her sister and brother-in-law who are expecting early in the New YEAR nor her parents. Her parents are in her sister’s pod as she is expecting. I on the other hand was so blessed to be able to spend Christmas with my daughter and son-in-law and pups. In January my friend will be hosting a “virtual baby shower” for her sister. So many firsts this year. This is a reminder that I must check out the registry and chose a gift for the new baby. I always love to buy books for little ones, cannot go wrong with books.

I am grateful that we have the technology to see family and friends. This is the time to use this technology so that no one is alone. Take a few minutes and reach out to family and friends. We are blessed to have the technology to physically see each other.

So as we wrap up this YEAR, I have mixed feelings. I would say for the most part I have positive feelings. Working from home was always a dream, a thought that I had but never thought would come to fruition. I missed spending time with my sister and brothers in August. My daughter and I did not take our annual girls road trip in August. Since March, I have mainly seen my friends from the doorway although we did have a few visits. Our girls Annual Christmas party was done virtually. I never thought that I would not enter a store for several months. From March until August, all of my groceries were picked up by my friends and my daughter. I have since that time been to the store a grand total of 6 times, been to the vet numerous times, to Shoppers once to mail Christmas cards and parcels on November 20, and to the Optometrist twice since August. I will say that the handful of times that I have entered a grocery store have been anxiety ridden for me. For the past month or so I have not been to the grocery store although I was to the Bone & Biscuit on December 11th, to pick up gifts for the fur babies including Alvin. I have been to the office three times, twice in September and once in November. Most of my time has been spent at home or going for walks. Thankfully we are able to go outside. As the time passes, I think that the only way that we can stop this virus is to follow the protocols set out by the Health Care Professionals and Government Leaders. While it is not ideal as we are social creatures, it is imperative to follow the rules. Wear masks when in public, wash your hands, stay home when you can and social distance. I will say that trips to the Vet are different now. The last time Alvin went I was not allowed to be with him, I sat with my mask on in one of the exam rooms while they took him to the back exam room. The Optometrist was definitely different. Two visits one for the exam and the other to pick up frames. They as the Vet only book one appointment per hour. Better to be safe.

Perhaps if we would have taken more precautions sooner and taken this more seriously – we would be in a better place, I don’t know. Going forward we must do what is right for everyone. This is not the time to be selfish. We do want to see our family and friends in the New Year.

The sun is up although it appears to be cloudy. This is the last day of 2020. I hope that 2021 brings us hope and promise. I know that it will take months and likely most of this next year before the vast population can be vaccinated and at this point we do not know if that is the complete answer or not but I remain positive that the scientists will figure it out and we will end 2021 in a better place. To all of those folks who lost loved ones this year, I keep you in my heart and hope that your memories will help to bring you comfort. To all those families who lost beloved pets, I keep you in my heart and hope that memories of them will bring you comfort.

May the New Year be filled with hope and promise. May you find your way through this next year with faith, hope and grace. Continue to be kind and respectful and compassionate to all others. We need each other even more now than ever.

Thank you for taking your precious time to read my words, this post. I appreciate your time.

So from our home to yours, Alvin and I want to wish you and your family a Happy New Year.

Always, Carol & Alvin

It is a NEW YEAR.

Good Morning and Welcome to a sunny bright Friday the 13th of March, 2020.

Last night we celebrated my daughter’s 40th birthday.

She wrote a beautiful thank you to my post from yesterday and this was my response.

“You are so welcome my darling. I am quite certain that I could literally write a book on our first forty years together and I look forward to the next forty. I can imagine me at 103 baking your 80th birthday cake ensuring the icing is perfect but the cake a little crumbly but tasting yummy. Thank you for bringing your family to our house (me and your brother’s) and for the wonderful meal and for our time together. I treasure every second with you all and always look forward to your next visit. Thank you.”

 

I wonder where this year is going to take us.

The panic around the world including here at home with respect to the CORONAVIRUS is at moments overwhelming.

I would say that I am not worried about the virus as much as I am concerned about food for me and Alvin, most especially Alvin.

I have lots of cans of black beans etc. that would keep me going for some time should the shelves become bare.

But Alvin is another story.

I wished that people would calm down as being in a panic mode and crazily purchasing things that you do not require is not helping anyone.

There are folks house bound or do not have a car to scour the city looking for bathroom tissue for example.

I am still in disbelief that people have bought out bathroom tissue.

One friend had to go to 8 places before she was able to purchase bathroom tissue.

I am blessed as a friend of mine picked me up some bathroom tissue yesterday from COSTCO (that should keep us going for awhile).

I am grateful that Alvin does not require to wipe his little bum.

 

Well, I am determined to remain calm and remain in a positive frame of mine.

Last day was a celebration of a life of 40 years thus far, my daughter’s as you know.

I look forward to each and every birthday of hers and ours.

Life is precious.

Remember that each and every day.

Life is precious.

All life is precious.

 

Well we, okay me, slept in, this morning.

I took today off as a vacation day to just have an extra long weekend.

It is almost 10:30 a.m.

I have looked after Alvin’s breakfast much earlier, changed bedding and readied the laundry (next stop), paid some bills and am just finishing this post.

So I guess my last few hours have not all been sleeping.

Anyway, that is okay.

Sometimes we need to sleep in and just be.

Not worrying about what could have been ….

Just be in the moment.

 

I am most grateful to live in a country, in a city that has good overall health practices.

I am grateful to an employer who is concerned for our well being.

I am grateful to have soap and water so that I can wash my hands whenever I wish.

I am grateful to be in good health.

I am grateful that my family and friends are as well.

If you are not feeling well – stay home if you are able.

A self imposed quarantine is a good move.

Better safe.

I understand the momentary crisis that is evolving for cancelled concerts, sporting events, meetings, etc.

But at the end of the day that us get this virus under control sooner rather than later.

I heard that Saskatchewan (our neighbour to the east) is working on a vaccine.

YAY and thanks to our neighbours.

Be safe.

But most of all BE SMART.

Do not just think of yourself ….

Think of EVERYONE ….. this affects possibly EVERYONE on the PLANET to some degree.

 

Have an awesome Friday.

I guess that I had better get out of my pj’s and have some COFFEE.

I can smell that brewing in my mind.

Toast with cheez whiz ….. I think so.

 

Respect and Kindness, always.

 

Always, Carol & Alvin

 

 

 

It is a NEW YEAR

Good Morning and Welcome to Saturday.

Just received a text from my daughter who has asked for a pancake breakfast tomorrow.

And of course, I said “YES.”

We love having pancake breakfasts together.

YAY.

 

It was snowing earlier but appears to have stopped now.

We have enough snow, thank you Mother Nature.

Alvin has his regular vet appointment along with a vaccine and exam this morning.

 

Weekends are usually busy for us.

Between laundry and cleaning and projects.

Things have to get done.

Sometimes I procrastinate which is not a good thing.

It is odd but it is a fact and I own up to that fact.

Anyway, lots to do.

 

Perhaps a take away today is “not to procrastinate” as it always comes back to bite you in the butt at the end.

So not today.

I am getting in there and getting things done.

I can smell the coffee brewed and time to get this day going.

Even though we have been up for awhile now.

Feeling refreshed as I had a shower earlier.

 

I wish you all a great Saturday.

In between all of the “madness” – I mean work, take some time for you.

No one else will ……

Look after yourself and you can look after the world.

 

With Kindness and Respect and Love,

 

Always, Carol & Alvin

It is a NEW YEAR.

Hello to Thursday.

I just read something as I was signing on …..

“Love is anything but logical”

Interesting.

Heart over Head.

Head over Heart.

 

Last night after work I looked after Mr. Alvin right away.

Outside and then his supper.

While he was eating I ran to the mailbox to retrieve the parcel that our friend “V” from Regina mailed to us.

Alvin watched me and did not eat while I ran to the mailbox.

Now that is strange ….. he always eats.

Anyway, once back in the house, he did eat while I got changed from work to “play” clothes.

After Alvin was done into his harness and jacket so that they we could run over to the Vet to pick up his food.

As per always we played the run around the table for a few minutes.

I even got down on my knees to gently coax him to come out as he nervously shook.

Finally I was able to coax him to come out and put on his jacket and harness.

Outside he always knows exactly which direction to take.

We were about halfway to the Vet when we saw a woman and her small dog in the near distance.

As we approached the doggie got more excited.

We stopped and chatted and ended up walking together.

Her three year old dog Pippa (yup, named after Katherine’s sister, Pippa) was so cute.

Her Mom said how she had recently lost another of her dogs due to dementia.

That was even a thing with dogs.

I guess so.

She said looking back there were so many signs.

The dog that passed was “11.”

She got mixed up with day and night.

She depended on the other dog when out for walks.

Even more subtle signs before the above two.

They walked with us to the Vet, so nice.

I hope that we meet up with them again.

At the Vet, picked up Alvin’s food and toothpaste.

We made his appointment for his regular stuff and the receptionist mentioned that his Bordella (did I spell correctly??) shot was due.

So this coming up Saturday at 11:00 a.m. – Alvin will have a shot, checkup (as that always happens with the vaccines), nails trimmed and anal glands cleaned.

After we got home, I ran over to pick up Mr. Humphrey who spent the evening with us.

The boys were very happy to see each other.

My daughter mentioned that she may visit this weekend (we are certainly excited about that news).

Yes, back to the package.

Alvin lost his mind once again when I brought out the package which I had tucked into the fridge as I wasn’t sure if something needed to be kept cold.

There was a package of homemade doggie cookies for Mr. Alvin.

I hit the motherload.

There were three kinds of buns including my fav “cheese”, apple pie tarts, two kinds of muffins, mini chocolate bars, a organic milk chocolate bar, coconut almond candy and some sauce/spice

mix from Epicure and a hot dog holder and condiment container from tupperware.

My friend certainly knows how to spoil me, us.

 

The boys just chilling….

 

Well it is time to split.

Get back downstairs.

I hope that you all have an awesome day.

Thursday it be.

Weather it be warming up.

It was so nice after work yesterday.

 

Happy Thursday.

Treating each other and ourselves with kindness and respect always wins the day.

 

Always, Carol & Alvin