Welcome to December 2020

Good Morning ALL. Oh my goodness, cannot believe it is after 9:30 a.m.. I was up baking until almost midnight and then Mr. Alvin who had been sleeping most of the evening was up at 5:00 and then we had to hit the sofa for extra zzz’s, well I did for sure. Yikes surely puts a late start to the date. Yesterday was a great day but very busy. Of course, nothing are always subject to change and change things did. Yesterday it took longer to get things started baking wise, in fact I had wanted to start in the morning but it was closer to noon but I did get a double batch of fudge and unbaked macaroons done by noon, my daughter came, put away groceries, had a snack, visited, she left as another friend was stopped by to pick up her tea order which was at the same time as my Fifth Avenue Collection LIVE was starting (I just was attending), I watched and visited with her (COVID19 protocols in place), she left and I fed Alvin and decided what the hey – order pizza for supper, working on laundry in between and baking and then another Fifth Avenue Collection LIVE at 7:00 p.m. followed by more baking. WHEW …. no periods ….. just one long sentence, I know. Poor Alvin missed a walk so will have to get out today especially with this nice weather. My youngest brother is calling me at noon and the last Fifth Avenue Collection LIVE is today at 3:00 p.m. I can hear Mrs. Krank from CHRISTMAS WITH THE KRANKS speaking in my ear as she repeats the list of what she needs to do as her daughter unexpectedly comes home for Christmas EVE and expects their usual Christmas EVE party. On the upside I suppose I have an extra weekend and could some baking next weekend but really would love to be done so that I can wrap gifts and deliver baking only next weekend. Time will tell. Phone calls and company these days are more important. “18 sleeps till Christmas EVE.” Okay breathe Carol Yvonne breathe, there is lots of time. Remember I am working from home and and am off work at 4:00 – so could easily bake something in the evening, okay that is true. I guess I forget that when I was younger I would bake after work and supper on a Friday night while my daughter was sleeping and then get up and finish on the Saturday. Most extra things had to be done in the evenings. I am certain all you Moms out there can relate. I have walked myself down from the at peak of dread and am good now. Funny how small things can wind you up. I am a perfectionist and when I cannot for whatever reason get things done on the schedule ahead of me, which is usually set by my, I get a bit anxious, okay a lot anxious. But the sun is shining and I can imagine birds singing somewhere and life is good. I guess if not keeping my “baking schedule” is the only thing wrong in my life, well I should consider myself very blessed and do not get me wrong. I am MOST BLESSED. I have a great life. My friends and family are so amazing and wonderful. There is this beautiful house, I call home that I can spend each and every day and night in and then there is Mr. Alvin. My trusty companion. Who is laying on his little bed close to me and the computer at this moment. We are both in good health and I have a good job and am able to work from home. So really I should just be quiet. Out there I am sure that there are folks reading this who think OMG what is she going on about and then there are others who think, I hear you. I am not 20 but 63. I set my schedule as though I was 20 not 63. My mind has not slowed down but my body is thinking although in good condition is not 20 and it takes a bit longer to get things done. Not too much slower mind you but some. Anyway, I hope that you are having a giggle this morning about my silliness. Time to just get on with the day.

When I think of how great it was to see my girl and to have a visit with Maria from work. It was so wonderful. I have not had a chat with Maria for months. Very therapeutic. We both needed that. We plan to have a get together with another girl from work during Christmas holidays. Also I love spending time with my daughter. She brought me back a plush Santa that I had given her years ago and it was funny because I had been thinking of that Santa just the day before ….. funny how life works. I am still looking for a photo. I will find it. Next weekend.

Well it is almost 10:00 a.m. so I had better get hopping and have breakfast and get the cookie dough for the sugar cookies mixed up and get to chilling. At least get one batch on the go. I think the plan will be to get two batches of them done today. Chat with my brother, wash a load of towels, walk with Alvin and the LIVE with Fifth Avenue Jewelry at 3:00 p.m. …… that will be enough.

Well I hope that you are well. Happy Sunday Everyone. Remember living with kindness, respect and compassion starts with ourselves.

I will be kind, respect and compassion to myself and to all others.

Always, Carol & Alvin

Second Half of the NEW YEAR – last quarter

Good Morning ALL,

I could see my breath outside earlier this morning. Looks like Mr. Alvin may have another ear infection as he was shaking his head lots earlier but seems to have stopped for the last few hours. Will keep an eye on him. We had a good Monday. One of my coworkers stopped by to pick up her Norwex order and stayed for tea. We social distanced. It was nice to see her as I do not work directly with her ….. it has been March since I saw her last. After she left I spent the next couple of hours or so cleaning up, rearranging the garage and then moving in the deck furniture. I also broke down a bunch of cardboard boxes. I had to enlist my neighbour to help with a couple of heavier deck pieces of furniture as I am realizing that I no longer have the strength of my youth. Humphrey wanted to come for a visit as it was his Mom who came to help me with the heavier items. So over he came for a visit.

Sometimes I like to see what happened on this day last year so here goes:

Hello, Welcome to Sunday the 13th day of October, 2019.

We had rain overnight but now the sky is beginning to clear.

Last year (2018) at Thanksgiving it was raining and I believe it turned to snow.

Argh, I surely don’t like to say that word before Halloween.

It would be so wonderful if it would remain “brown” until November.

Change of plans, Alvin’s friend Teddy is arriving this morning instead of for a sleepover.

He should arrive in 30 minutes or so.

Yesterday we had Humphrey over for a bit.

We enjoyed a beautiful walk but were sad to leave Humphrey here at home.

I decided to take my phone so that I could snap some photos and am happy that I did.

My family are planning to come for supper.

We are always happy to have them over.

Keeping this short this morning.

But I wanted to share some photos of our walk late yesterday afternoon.

It was so lovely.

I also raked the front lawn as it was covered with a thick blanket of leaves.

Also cleaned out the middle area that has stones as it was covered in leaves as well.

So many leaves.  I filled two big black garbage bags.

Alvin and Humphrey watched from the living room as I cleaned away.

Here are some of the shots from our walk yesterday.

In the park not too far from our house.

Alvin sniffing away.

The fountain still running.

Leaves covering most of the trees but so many different colours.

So beautiful.

One cute story to share from near the beginning of our walk yesterday.

We had just arrived at the park when a car slowed down and pulled over.

I realized it was some neighbours.

Mom and three small boys.

The boys were screaming with delight at the sight of Alvin.

The older boy was out of his seatbelt and trying to get his head out of the window.

Mom and I were trying to speak to each other but all I heard her say was “I can’t hear anything but ALVIN.”

The boys were all screaming his name.

It was at that exact second that I came to realize something.

“Alvin is a ROCK STAR.”

Everyone loves him.

Everyone knows his name.

The kids get so excited to see him and even some adults.

So I have a ROCK STAR living in the house.

Doesn’t get better than that ….

Unless he had the finances of a Rock Star …. but I am happy that he is so loved and adored.

Makes me proud.

Now I also realize something …. he does have that mindset of a celebrity.

Okay almost time for Teddy to arrive.

Time to get that coffee perking.

I need a cup.

Happy Sunday and if you are celebrating Thanksgiving on this day …..

Well Happy Thanksgiving to you.

I find it interesting that my life has not changed much from last year or the year before except perhaps the weather. Well time to head downstairs and put on the coffee. The sky appears to be clear as the sun begins to rise in the morning sky.

Continuing to live my life with love, kindness and respect.

I/We shall remain,

Always, Carol & Alvin