Second Half of the NEW YEAR.

Well we are one week into the second half of this NEW YEAR.

It certainly has been a roller coaster kind of ride thus far.

Who would have thought on New Year’s Eve when everyone is thinking about the New Year – that we would have a worldwide Pandemic?

Not me that is for sure.

This year has been stressful, caused anxiety I would say for most people on the planet.

Of course, certainly some more than others.

 

Children were disrupted in their school  year.

Likely the middle school aged children were the happiness to be away from school.

The little ones and the ones graduating not so much.

Although I believe that most schools did offer some online schooling which was great.

 

Parents losing their jobs or working from home adding to the household stress.

Children and their parents home together, 24 / 7 for months.

Not something we see everyday.

 

Then there are single folks and folks without children.

Some working and others not.

Whether you have a house full or not, we have all given our heads a shake in disbelief as the days pass.

By now most of us that are working from home have settled in, I have for sure.

Alvin loves having me at home and I really enjoy being here with him.

We have somewhat of a routine although I find that I am changing things up a bit here and there.

Which is likely a good thing.

 

Parents with school age children are likely happy that it is summer vacation.

Now they just have to worry about keeping them entertained for the summer months.

Although that is a word when used in this context, I am not fond of.

Children should be learning to do things on their own to some degree.

Bringing forth that imagination and such.

But this is a topic for another day.

Reading …. they should definitely be reading more.

 

This pandemic has given the human race much to ponder and consider.

I believe that we have learned so much and have even more to learn for the future.

The nature world has certainly enjoyed the respite from us pain in the butt, human beings.

 

On this Tuesday, we should pause and be think about things that we can do to make life for all.

Picking up trash.

Keeping your yard and neighbourhood clean.

Planting trees.

Being kind and respectful to yourself, to others and to nature and the environment.

 

Well time to head out on the long tiring commute to my workstation.

It is oh so far …….. away …… so far …… at least six inches ….. oh my!!

 

Enjoying my days and nights with me Alvin.

With kindness and respect,

I/We shall remain,

As Always, Carol & Alvin

 

P.S. thought there was a storm a brewing last night so I carefully placed most of  my potted plants into the garage.

What – no storm!

Oh well, better to be safe than sorry.

AND

I somehow managed to break off the arm on my glasses while doing yoga after work yesterday.

HOW?

 

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Second Half of the NEW YEAR.

Yup it is finally a blue sky sunshiny morning and it is Friday.

I am on my last day of vacation and then it is the weekend.

The birds are happily chirping their songs happy to see the sunshine.

With worms a plenty after the rain.

I have seen a few Robins out and about already this morning.

The early bird …… right.

Well finally up and mobile earlier than the past couple of mornings despite a whacky night.

I am pretty convinced that the damp cooler weather (although it did warm up yesterday) has wreaked havoc with his joints, legs and paws.

The book that I am reading is in the final chapters and I just could not put it down last night but finally after reading for almost two hours, I did.

Shortly thereafter Alvin woke up and wanted to go downstairs.

Yes, at midnight.

There was a full moon.

I don’t know would that play a role.

Who knows.

Anyway, I gave him another pain med, let him go outside and then back to bed.

After a bit of time he settled down and went to sleep until just after 5:30 a.m.

His usual hours of sleep in a row seems to be six.

Then after eating etc. he will sleep on the sofa for a couple of hours.

But chopped up sleep is not good for the Momma.

Anyway, feeling pretty good today.

Just before bed last night the sink in the main bathroom upstairs would not drain.

I tried baking soda and vinegar and the plunger but to no avail.

So with a bit of dirty water in the sink, we went to bed leaving the fix for today.

This morning I ran downstairs for a wire clothes hanger and figure it could not hurt.

A temporary fix at best.

At best I was able to unclog the drain.

I will take the temporary fix for now.

 

There are so many photos that I would like to share with you but unfortunately they are on my phone at the moment.

Something to do later.

I am also in the midst of deleting multiples and poor shots from my phone.

No point in clogging up the memory with them.

I also need to work on the computer photos as well.

Whittle that 35,000 + down, some.

I do have a problem with deleting photos as somehow it feels like you are throwing away your life, your memories.

Perhaps I am worried that I won’t remember some things, perhaps.

Does that make sense?

I am getting better and I am the same with emails.

But I am trying.

 

We are also on Humphrey and Bogart patrol as I call it today.

Their Momma had to go to the office so I will go and spend some time with them this morning and this afternoon.

So with the morning so nice, I figured no better time than the present to go for a walk.

There is a nice breeze this morning and that sun is shining.

Perfection.

 

I may not even turn on the work computer today.

Yesterday I did work another 2.5 hours but I feel it helps my sanity/stress level.

 

I hope that you all are doing well.

Perhaps reading a great book this summer, this week.

Taking a walk.

Doing yoga once again.

I have done yoga 3/5 last days and will do again today.

Trying to get into a routine.

Somedays it is difficult as I am quite certain you would agree.

Oh, some excitement.

I decided to put on my non-stretch blue jeans and a top that I had not wore since last summer/fall.

Everything fit without trying to hold my breath.

So happy.

Perhaps this is slowly working ….. watching a bit more how much I eat and exercising more.

May the YOGA instructor was correct in that some exercises help with metabolism and help the organs function better.

Perhaps.

 

Well time to get dressed.

Yup I fixed the bathroom sink in my pj’s.

Yes, I did.

With my blue disposable gloves on and my wire clothes hanger.

 

Go for a nice walk.

The sky seems to be clouding over a bit so better get the show on the road.

Happy Friday Everyone.

 

Take some time to read, relax and maybe do a bit of yoga.

I am doing the Healing Yoga and love it.

Good place to start, to begin.

 

Living my life with kindness and respect.

Trying to be kind and respectful to me as well.

I/We, shall remain,

As Always, Carol & Alvin

 

 

 

Living … One day at a time.

Hello,

A bright sunny blue sky morning.

We slept in this morning as were up quite late for us last night.

 

Last night I accompanied my daughter and son-in-law to her “opening night.”

So many of her co-workers, friends and family turned out in support.

It was fantastic.

 

There were three artists in attendance including my daughter who were show casing their art.

In addition to the art works there were other entrepreneurs such as SOBER SATURDAYS who are the first company in Canada to offer a non-alcoholic beverage line.

BODHISATTVA HEALING is a young woman who followed her dream leaving a 9 to 5 job to pursue her dream.  She is a Reiki Master Therapist/Teacher & Psychic Medium.

The artists were:  Emily Roth – Fine art Prints; MACRAMORR by Bailee Orr, a fiber artist; BYELLADOO, Botanical Watercolours & Illustrations by Ella Doo.

My daughter is  MIXED MATTER COLLAGE – Amanda Hobbs, Paper Artist.

Everyone was so wonderful.

My daughter I am very proud to say was incredible.

It was one of the best nights of my life.

So happy for her.

I snapped a few photos ……

Photos do not do justice to this incredible work.

The work by these incredible young women was incredible.

I wished that I would have taken more photos.

My daughter had unframed works also displayed.

So proud to have been their for this evening.

 

This Collage is one that my daughter did for me….. it is hanging proudly in my bedroom so that it is the first thing that I see when I get out of bed in the morning and

the last thing that I see before I go to sleep at night.

 

Well time to get this show on the road as it is almost 10:00 a.m. and Mr. Alvin has not eaten yet.

He usually will not eat until I do now.

Did not used to be that way.

 

So grateful to everyone for coming out last night.

Such a great night.

I believe that every neighbourhood should have a WELLNESS CENTRE.

When I walked through the door it felt so relaxing and smelled so good.

A place of peace and joy.

One of the owners does essentials oils among other things.

A place where people can go to meditate, come together, do yoga, show case their art, talk about life …. a place of peace and joy.

Maybe someday that will be the norm.

We would be all the better for the change.

 

Feeling so grateful to have met so many wonderful people last night.

Also had a great Angelic reading that quite possibly may have changed my life.

At least opened my eyes.

 

Have a great Sunday.

Time for breakfast and COFFEE.

 

Always, Carol & Alvin

 

Thought for the day ….

Good Morning and Welcome to Thursday the 11th day of October, 2018.

Appears to have rained/snowed a bit overnight.

The deck tells the story.

The streets and sidewalks may be a bit slippery so everyone be careful.

If you happen to live elsewhere then no worries.

I hope that wherever you live that you are safe and comfortable.

 

Last night after work Alvin and I went for a nice walk.

I had planned to do a 20-30 minute workout (recorded some different yoga/pilates/stretching shows).

On our way home I happen to glance at the mailbox and remembered that my friend “V” was shipping a parcel to us today.

So we careful made our way across the street and voile we had this HUGE parcel in the parcel mailbox for which they place a key in my mailbox.

It was tricky carrying the box in one hand/arm and Alvin in the other.

He kept wanting to cross the street and I wanted to ensure it was safe.

Finally we got across the street and safely home.

Alvin always goes crazy when we receive a parcel from our friend.

He barked and barked and barked even with a time out (in the bathroom).

Finally got into the box and pulled out his parcel which had the cutest note.

Part of which told him to not to eat it all at once (not her words).

We are so lucky.

I took a short video of him opening his parcel.

He was still pulling away at the tissue paper once his treat bag was unwrapped.

What a character.

Needless to say he loved the treats (only had two).

He still had not had his supper at that time.

I received a deep dish apple pie, carrot cake, two kinds of homemade buns, pumpkin muffins with seeds and multiple little treats.

 

Afterward we called our friend to say thank you.

We are so lucky.

 

Quickly here as it is almost time to leave and I must share a funny story.

So after we got the treats put away and wrapping dealt with it was on to my exercises.

I pulled out my yoga mats, yoga bricks and yoga strap (just in case).

I ended up going with a stretching program as I know I need some of that.

Moved some of the furniture out of my way.

Alvin started to bark.

He moved to the sofa and picked up one of his chew treats.

Oh how I wished that I had a video of his reaction.

For the first 10 minutes he fussed and stewed and stewed and fussed while I was exercising.

Perhaps it was something about the yoga mat or the chair or that he was not included.

Tonight will try some yoga and see if the dog can do downward dog …. just kidding.

He will get used to it eventually.

It was so funny seeing his reaction and kind of hard to explain.

You almost had to be here.

I guess he did not know what to think.

 

Well have to go.

Time to grab my lunch, don the coat and stuff (decided on boots or just shoes)?

Have an awesome Thursday.

 

Special Hello to: my friend who spoils us rotten and we love it.

Always, Carol & Alvin

Thought for the day ….

Good Morning and Welcome to Wednesday the 10th day of October, 2018.

Happy Birthday to our friends, the twin boys “R” and “R.”

 

Well mid week today.

Alvin is curled up on his blue blanket as I write this post.

All is well in our world.

 

Life reminds me that these extra pounds that have begun to accumulate around my middle, will not go away without extra work.

So I have to get my butt in gear.

I have been talking about doing “yoga” and “pilates” for awhile now and just have not been able to get into the routine.

But now is the time.

With winter right around the corner – there is no time like the present.

As we age it is so EASY to put on those extra pounds.

Our metabolism slows down or seems to be napping in my case.

Before things get out of hand and my health is affected – I am going to make this pledge to myself.

One form of exercise in addition to walking every night after work.

15-20 minutes.

I have two yoga mats, yoga bricks, yoga strap and yoga & pilates recordings.

I have no excuses.

None.

Not a one.

Plus I have my new yoga outfit that my friend bought me for my birthday which has been collecting dust in the closet.

Well no dust but you know what I mean.

Time to take action.

I would like to have my waist and “flatter stomach” back again.

A bit pouf is okay but not this.

No more muffin top ….. why do we put food related comments to being overweight.

Extra weight adds stress to your back, to your internal organs, to your overall health, to your mind and to your clothes.

No one wants to go and buy a larger size, argh.

NOT this “cookie”, so not appropriate.

NOT this person ….. now that is better.

Time to put down the sweets and cut back on portions.

I love veggies and time to add more to my diet.

We got this …… we got this.

I am also going to do a couple of extra flights of stairs at work today.

Start small and work up.

 

Happy Wednesday everyone.

 

Special Hello to: all those folks like me who just want to be a few pounds, “okay may more than a few” pounds lighter.  We got this. We can.

Always, Carol

 

 

 

Thought for the day ….

Good Morning and Welcome to Wednesday the 12th day of September, 2018.

Dark out and raining.

Last night after our walk; we put the remaining flowers into the garage.

They are doing so great that I wanted to have them for awhile longer.

They are watered and if the sun shines they will get some light through the windows.

This cold snap is only to last until next week and then we will have some mid teen temperatures.

The flowers will love that.

I was going to wear a long sleeved top today and it felt warm.

I also put on socks as am going to wear shoes with them today.

I also am wearing full length jeans today.

All of a sudden my body temperature soared.

So off with the long top and on with no sleeved-top and short sleeved shrug of sorts.

That helps.

The first time that we start to wear warmer clothes feels odd, feels strange and WARM.

Also changed my purse from summer white to fall/winter black.

I have other colours as well but somehow it feels like should be black.

Alvin is snuggled in all his cuteness on the little blue blanket.

 

With winter just around the corner and who knows how short that corner is …. I am thinking that I need to get doing yoga/pilates SOMETHING on a regular basis.

Somehow that “roll” is not going away …. walking is good but does not take that away once it has formed.

Oh the joys of being past 50, er um, now past 60.

No excuses.

There are plenty of folks past 60, even 70 and 80 that are slim and trim, and super healthy.

I was so inspired by CHER at 72.

Now I know that she has had some help along the way …. but you do not keep that figure without exercise.

So I am going to get back into it …..

I have recorded several 1/2 programs so that there is a variety.

Even found some to help with the midsection ….

That is what I need the most.

You know it is a problem when … well you know.

Who knows …. perhaps I can even get Alvin doing some exercises.

He will certainly wonder what I am doing.

 

Well here we go again …. almost time to leave for work.

I hope that you have an awesome day.

Perhaps it is night where you are ….. if that is the case ….. have a great night.

Happy Wednesday.

 

Special Hello to:  my friend “V” ….. who is one of the busiest and most hard working women I know.

Always, Carol & Alvin

 

These beauties are safe in the garage.

Still looking to dry some lavender.

 

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Wednesday the 13th day of April, 2016.

How are you doing this fine mid week morning?

I am doing pretty good – we are doing very well, I mean.

Me and Alvin.

Alvin enjoyed having Elton come for the day.

I took the boys for a walk after they had supper and stuff.

We even visited with some folks in the neighbourhood.

It was a great walk.

Elton was so full of energy …. you would never know he was almost 13.

So wonderful to see.

I hope that when I am of equal age that I have that much “energy and fire.”

Age is something that truly creeps up on you …. even though it is just a number ….. there are things that come with age.

Like forgetting things (but you can do puzzles that help).

Like getting stiff (exercise more, most especially stretching, do some yoga).

Like wrinkles (wash and moisture and do no smoke).

Like insomnia (drink herbal teas and take warm baths before bed).

Like being grumpy (have some patience).

These are just a few things that have been noted between me and friends who are over 1/2 century mark.

But if you live your life – take things in stride.

Reach for the sky (dream).

Then age is just a number and it is what happens.

I hope that you have an awesome day.

Time for this cat to leave for work.

Special Hello to: my sister who is soaking up the sun in Hawaii …… wish I was there.

Always, Carol and Alvin

 

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Thursday the 17th day of September, 2015.

Another glorious morning ….. no rain overnight or frost.

So we are good on all fronts.

I was going to put all my flower pots into the garage just in case of frost and then saw that it was to be 5 degrees overnight so decided to take a chance.

This has been a long season for them to this point.

Pretty much all of my flowers and the ones in the neighbourhood are still blooming like crazy.

Especially with the rain over the past few days.

Now sunshine and we will be good for another few days or maybe even weeks.

This morning me Alvin decided that he wanted to be a “LAP DOG” …

Usually when I am writing in my gratitude journal he is laying on the sofa in the spot that I was on just a few minutes prior.

We still find time for a few minutes on the sofa before getting up to stay.

Anyway …. he was standing by the chair beside mine and looking up ….

I asked him “would you like up?”

He backs away ….

So I lean over and ask him once again.

Finally he walks over to me so that I can pick him up.

OO methinks that Mr. Alvin needs to cut back on the treats or more walks … yikes.

Footnote to his Momma …. you both need to start yoga ….. “downward dog” …… our cores need help.

As soon as I have him in my lap I place my legs on the other chair so that he has room to move.

With one arm around me Alvin the other one grabs the pen and begins to write.

Meanwhile Mr. Alvin does his “little 360” on my lap so cute.

He then ends up facing the other way with his head facing outward resting on my arm.

I always say to me Alvin and it is my favourite thing to say “cuteness alert” …..

He is pretty cute.

Mr. Alvin goes wherever I go.

He is attached to my hip.

I only hope that he is not too lonely when I am at work.

Hopefully he sleeps and keeps entertained with all that goes on in the neighbourhood during the day.

Anyway …. one more day this week … Friday…. once I start a day …..I am up so it doesn’t count.

I am taking different scheduled buses to find the best one for me to take.

Yesterday the bus got me to work at 7:25 and I start at 8:00 ….

Today I am hoping it works out to be at work by 7:40-45.

I wish you all the best day.

Also today marks the Happy Birthday of my Steeped Tea Leader “C” …. Happy Birthday.

She is an awesome person and I am glad to know her.

Special Hello to: my Steeped Tea Leader “C” …..

Always, Carol and Alvin

Thought for the day…..

Good Morning and Welcome to Friday the 15th day of May, 2015.

It is the long weekend here in Canada, and I also have today off.

So what do you think a person would be doing on their vacation day?

I thought a great way to get me started ,and because I missed a couple of classes is to go to BOOTCAMP.

The sky is overcast and it is windy.

The temperature in the house is 65 degrees …. but by the end of BOOTCAMP, I shall be nice and warm.

I did find my core …..

Now what?

It does require some work … oh, what am I saying …. it requires a lot of work.

I still have not got my head wrapped around fitting in yoga and some other exercises.

Once I get these into a regular routine with walking, life will be great.

But until then I shall do the best that I can.

I just keep telling myself that I am in great shape.

Always a work in progress.

This is one of those weekends where I have a TO DO LIST but I am going to what happens ….

Perhaps I shall clean the windows or maybe I will read my new book.

Perhaps I shall power wash the deck or maybe I will take an extra walk with Mr. Alvin.

Actually I decided that part of this weekend would be his ….. bath …. more playtime.

He needs some extra attention….. my little guy.

Well time to get ready for bootcamp.

Put on the lightest, coolest clothing that I own.

By coolest, I mean light weight.

Definitely not COOL …… if you know what I mean.

Oh well.

Grab the water bottle, yoga mat and TOWEL.

A girl always needs a little towel to wipe her brow!

Special Hello to: my sister …. we have to sKYPE this weekend.

Always, Carol and Alvin

Thought for the day…..

Good Morning and Welcome to Wednesday the 13th day of May, 2015.

The sun is coming up with promises of a lovely day.

Well last night was “bootcamp”  …… my mind keeps saying you are young and “can do this” and my body says “wait a minute.”

We did circuits ….. OMG.

Oh the YING and YANG of it.

But I survived and I will admit, yes being honest here.

There were a couple of exercises okay maybe three that I modified as I did not feel that I could pull them off just yet.

But the thing is …. I am trying.

I want to get back into shape ….. have a toned tummy.

I want to know that I have a core and it is doing what it is supposed to do.

Not to find out after doing a class filled with exercises for the core that I pulled a stomach muscle(s) and had a hard time getting in and out of bed.

So lesson learned I do the class at my pace but building it up every time I go.

One of these days I will be able to do what the 30 somethings are doing.

I will continue to walk every night with Alvin and on the weekends double time.

I am going to start doing yoga on a regular basis as I have found that I am not very flexible.

Well it is time to finish getting ready for work but I just wanted to let you know that it is never too late to get your body into shape.

It will take time and patience and hard work but we can do it.

I want to have a flater tummy …… bye bye love handles.

They are not very “lovely” to me.

Time to fly.

Have a great day.

Remember walk when you can ….. do some squats ….. something but get moving.

We sit way too much ….. I know that I do.

Special Hello to: my fellow bloggers ….. you rock.

Always, Carol and Alvin