It is a NEW YEAR.

Well another windy raining evening.

Everything is so GREEN as a result of the moisture, which is nice.

So nice to have a bright sunny day and then rain in evenings and or overnight.

My neighbour took care of the front lawn yesterday.

Thankfully I am still watching how much I am on my feet and although I have not put on shoes, am thinking that is still a day or two away.

I did put on my CLARKE flip flops with the thing between the toes.

Is there a name for that?

OMG, I totally forgot.

Yikes.

Anyway we walked just inside the park last night after work and then home.

Alvin really wanted to keep going but this time it was his Momma who cut the walk short.

Baby steps, my toes are still quite black and blue and although not painful, no sense in rushing things.

I must say though, I really miss our daily walks.

Our bellies are definitely agreeing with that statement.

 

I made the third meal from the GOOD FOOD package last night.

It was a COD dish with oven roasted potatoes, a green bean with cherry tomatoes, dill and olive salad.

Quite tasty.

 

Not much new in this corner of the world.

Which at this time, I am thankful for.

Quiet is fine by me.

 

The sky is beginning to clear.

Still quite a breeze so I will leave the windows closed.

Yesterday I had things blowing around.

I have cards and what not pinned to my wall mounted bulletin boards and things were jumping around a bit.

Looked like some pieces might have sprouted wings and flown away.

 

Well time to get to work.

I am not sure why the mornings seem to be passing so quickly but they do.

Wishing you a fantastic Wednesday.

Filled with amazing kindness and lots of respect.

We all deserve this ….. each and every “one” of us.

Yes, we do.

 

I/We, shall remain

As Always, Carol & Alvin

 

 

 

It is a NEW YEAR.

Good Morning All,

Welcome to a bright, blue sky, breezy morning here in Edmonton.

We seem to having a lot more wind here than we did when I moved here over ten years ago.

The garbage truck just went by ….. stopping and starting as they do along their route.

Geese honking and other birds chirping away.

Our window is open in the office so we are hearing all of the sounds that our neighbourhood is making as it slowly comes to life.

Not many people up and out.

So many of our neighbours are working from home.

I do know some of my neighbours that are slowly beginning to go back to their places of employment.

I love this time of day.

Perfection.

If I had my poop in a group or ducks in a row, I would have been organized earlier and sat out on the deck and drank a cup of coffee all the time enjoying the morning.

But alas did not happen.

Oh well, next best thing, window open, coffee in a travel mug and will enjoy as I start to work.

I have my coffee up here and ready to go.

I have been dragging my keister the past few mornings likely due to my watching how much I stand and such.

But anyway that is okay.

Perhaps on Saturday morning …… read my book on the deck and drink some coffee.

Alvin loves to lie on the deck and enjoy the sun until it gets too hot.

 

Did you plant flowers this year?

What kinds?

Are they doing okay?

Flowering?

 

Thanks to my darling daughter I have impatiens, petunias and marigolds.

Most of my perennials are up and some are even flowering.

I cannot believe that one day my ferns in the front flower bed were barely a spot of green and already they are several inches tall.

Before I know it they will be reaching for the sky …… over two feet tall.

They grow so fast.

The irises and others are up.

Unfortunately I don’t remember all the names of the shrubs and plants I have in the back and front gardens.

Oh and lilies.

Love the lilies.

The recent rain has definitely helped plants and the grass and trees grow, bud and bloom.

The grass is this most beautiful green, I guess kelly green.

So, so pretty.

The dandelions dot most lawns and they were in full glory a week or so ago.

Then they go to seed.

I hope that the bees got to them before they were sprayed or went to seed.

I feel so bad for Mother Nature and then Man happens.

 

Well time for coffee and get signed onto work computer.

 

Wishing you the most grand of Tuesdays.

Filled with some laughter, even on a Tuesday you must have a giggle or three, oh come maybe four giggles.

Our life is way to serious.

We must laugh along the way.

If we all live in kindness and with respect.

Even if we slip or have a moment, we all do.

Climb back up and live again in kindness and with respect.

 

Happy Tuesday.

With kindness and respect.

I/We shall remain,

As Always, Carol & Alvin

It is a NEW YEAR.

Good Morning All,

A bright beautiful sunny breezy Monday morning here in Edmonton.

What a great weekend we had despite my tumble down the stairs on Friday morning.

My daughter dropped by on Saturday to help her Momma give her little brother Alvin a haircut.

I still cannot believe we cut 1/3 of the time off the time it normally takes me.

Teamwork.

I was slowed down a bit on Saturday and even early on Sunday but now I can walk okay.

I will say that the bruising is still ugly but that likely takes a few days to fade away.

We hosted a great birthday party for our friend “G” yesterday morning.

Most of the party was held out on our deck in the bright warm sunshine.

We ate the birthday cake in the house as it was hot and I feared that the cream on the strawberry shortcake would melt.

 

A great time was had by all.

G’s Mom came as well as she was visiting.

The four of us ladies and Alvin had a great time.

The rest of the day was beautiful until it was not.

Well into the afternoon the sky clouded over.

By late afternoon/early evening it was very windy and raining.

I put away all of the cushions away.

I even put the umbrella in the garage as it was forecasting 100 km wind gusts.

 

I took these photos from my bedroom window last night during the wind.

The flowers are so pretty and the first two photos how can you tell it was kind of breezy.

 

Well time to get to work.

Running late ….. one would think with no commute that a person would be early.

Well I am not late for work as I start at 8:00 a.m. but I like to be starting before that time.

There is lots of things to do as one signs into the computer.

 

I hope that you have an awesome Monday.

With kindness and respect,

I/We shall remain,

As Always, Carol & Alvin

It is a NEW YEAR.

Well Good Morning All,

It is windy, overcast and warm here in Edmonton.

This morning I am hosting the birthday party for one of my younger friends.

I was hoping to have the party on the deck but it appears that I will have to wait until the last minute due to the skies and wind.

Perhaps we shall have coffee on the deck and grab our snacks from the house and just take them outside.

Time will tell.

There is a few minutes less than 2 hours till start time.

There will be four of us ladies as the birthday girl is bringing her Mother.

I have not seen her for awhile so it will be nice to catch up.

I have already prepped our snack which is a fruit tray of strawberries, blueberries and watermelon.

Actually three bowls filled with the delectable fruits.

The bowls are tupperware and so colourful.

I thought if we were outside, with lids would keep bugs out more easily.

All taste so yummy as I had to try them while I was getting them washed and prepped.

It has been a bit since I had watermelon and it is ripe.

The watermelon as well as the berries are from COSTCO.

Will be sending watermelon home with the girls as it is just at the perfect eating stage and will not last for long.

I am hoping that it is okay this morning after I cut up half of the large melon early last evening.

We are also having a strawberry shortcake from COSTCO.

It looks so good.

Nice and light and yummy.

We will have coffee as our liquid refreshment.

One of the girls not the birthday girl is very fussy about her drink so she always brings along her tea bag.

I have tried to convert her to Steeped Tea over the last five years but to no avail other than she loves our Sangria teas in ginger ale.

Well help from my daughter yesterday we gave Alvin one of his best hair cuts ever.

With her help the hair cut was done in just a bit over one hour and then the bath took a handful of minutes compared to the usual 3+ hours by myself.

He looks so handsome.

Perhaps I should have snapped a photo, cannot believe that I forgot.

She also helped with a few other chores around the house.

I feel like I did not get much housework done like washing the floors and dusting.

The floor honestly look okay and dusting …. well there are not many dust bunnies hanging around.

With my injured foot, I have been trying to be a good girl and stay off it here and there.

As my son-in-law said yesterday when he came to pick up my daughter …. “it looks like it” ….. meaning not really.

It is hard to keep me down especially when I have company company.

The bruises were definitely more prominent yesterday as the day progressed and even this morning.

My baby toe and the next one are badly bruised with the little one taking the brunt of the injury.

The top almost half of my foot from my toes upward is bruised.

Definitely looks worse than it feels.

I really have not had much pain but I am blessed as I have a high tolerance.

Which I suppose can also be a problem.

Anyway, other than taking it slow up and down the stairs and I am good.

I elevate the foot when I am sitting down.

Icing it from time to time.

 

Alvin for some unknown reason, decided to be up multiple times during the night from about 11:00 p.m. onward.

We were up to stay up just before 7:30 a.m. so I feel a bit on the tired side.

Perhaps an afternoon nap will be in store for us later.

He is napping now.

 

Well I suppose that I should hit the shower and get dressed.

I want to have a cup of coffee before the girls arrive.

Make sure that I have things ready although I will say that having my friends over is less stressful.

We are pretty laid back when it comes to our get togethers.

I have the gift wrapped and the card written up.

Cake and goodies are ready.

Just have to make the coffee and decide on where I am going to set up.

I actually wrote on the “new section of the fence” in chalk “Happy Birthday ….. ” and drew some flowers (my version of a flower).

I have a birthday banner and I will hang it after my shower.

So wherever we are you will know it is a birthday.

Long gone are the days of balloons and streamers.

I do not like balloons and do not use them anymore.

Bad for animals and for the environment.

 

Okay time to fly here.

It is almost 8:30 and I have a short list of things that I would like to do before the guests arrive.

 

I hope that you have an awesome Sunday.

Living with kindness and respect,

I/We remain,

As Always Carol & Alvin

It is a NEW YEAR.

Good Saturday Morning!

Do you or have you ever had a day when from the moment you woke up you just felt incredibly happy!

More so than the usual daily happiness!

That deep to the core feeling that all was well, really well, it was great.

You felt good.

Your trusty companion was finally over the “worse” of whatever it was he was that kept him from being his best health.

The morning had started out raining.

The finishing touches on the fence were to be done at 10:00 a.m. and were pushed ahead to 1:00 p.m.

This did not diminish my overwhelming feelings of happiness, joy.

I had decided to take my morning 15 minute break from work a bit later as my friend was filling my grocery order from COSTCO.

She would drop it off and then I would put it away on my 15.

All worked out.

I was working away.

It was a great Friday morning.

I guess it was after 10:30 when she rang the doorbell.

I went down the stairs as my office is upstairs to unlock the door and quickly brought in the items as she brought them to the porch.

We chatted for a second, I thanked her profusely, and she left to put away her groceries.

After she was gone, I went upstairs to advise my Supervisor that I was taking my break now.

I had grabbed my coffee and my phone and continued to go downstairs.

Somehow I slipped, lost my footing and down I went.

I managed to hold onto my coffee (not spilling a drop) but dropped my phone as I slid on a angle down several steps.

My left foot stopped me just before the bottom landing.

Alvin started barking, he knew something was wrong.

It felt like I was in a dream, almost like an out of body experience, which seems strange as I type these words.

But it did feel very unusual.

I could tell that my left foot was not in it’s usual happy place as I began to regain composure.

In that moment there was pain for sure, not unbearable.

I was mad at myself knowing full well at that point that the next day or so would not be the same.

So I slowly made my way into the living to sit on the sofa.

I texted my daughter so that she would know what had happened and a bit later I texted my friend as well.

During the next few minutes I put away the groceries that needed to be refrigerated.

Some things I just left out.

Alvin and I managed to get outside so he could go pee.

Then I went upstairs very carefully and quite slowly to send a message to my supervisor to advise what happened.

After a bit, I went back upstairs to work.

The chap that was working on fence was coming at 1:00 p.m. so I decided to take a late lunch.

So I slightly elevated my foot while continuing to work.

The pain was easily bearable.

Later I took a couple of over the counter painkillers.

I received a text just before 1:00 that he was here to continue on the fence and I quickly told him what had happened knowing it would take me a few extra minutes to get back downstairs.

I advised my supervisor that I was taking lunch.

Then out we went, I opened the garage door so he could back his truck into the garage for easy access to his tools.

After a few minute chat back into the house we went.

While I was taking a break, my manager called to see how I was doing.

She mentioned that I should have a chat with our HR guy about the incident in case I had to report to WCB.

I said after lunch I would do so.

After my 45 minutes was over back to work I went.

Spoke to the HR guy and as it turned out did not have to complete WCB forms as it was not a “workplace injury.”

Not sure why as I am working from home and was on a paid break when it happened.

Anyway, that’s okay, whatever.

I had thought that I would take the rest of the afternoon off but then got busy and kept on working until the end of my shift at 4:00 p.m.

Just about the time I was finished so was the chap working on my fence.

So it worked out perfectly.

Over the next few hours I tried to stay off my feet but not realistic.

Anyway I fed Alvin and we had to skip yet another walk, argh.

I put my supper in the oven to cook and elevated my foot on a pillow.

In between somewhere I put out a call for an ice pack as the ones that I had just did not work on my foot no matter what I did.

I was just eating my supper when I received a text.

My friend who picked up my groceries – came to the rescue bringing me the perfect pliable “Barbie” ice pack and a couple of others.

Then finishing up supper, I did the dishes, cleaned up and made some tea.

After that I sat down and iced my toes while watching “Love it or List it.”

Quiet night.

About 9:00 p.m. we started to get ready for bed.

I was happy to lay down.

What a day …..

You never know what will happen.

Life can change in a blink of an eye.

Well I had better get going here.

I want to show you some fence photos.

Might even throw in a “toe photo.”

My foot had turned a light shade of purple after the fall.

The toes were swollen for a time.

I noticed at bedtime that my smallest toe is black and blue and it is a bit swollen.

Still this morning.

 

Okay photos.  Alvin needs a haircut and bath.

My daughter is coming to help me.

I am hosting a birthday party for one of my “young friends.”

So lots to do.

Hoping to have it on the deck.

I have a birthday present to wrap.

House to clean.

Cake was purchased.

A fruit platter to prepare.

Fresh strawberries, blueberries and watermelon.

The cake is a strawberry shortcake from COSTCO.

It looks so good.

One more day.

So much to do.

 

Finally got all of the fence photos from beginning to end for you to see.

Also added on of my ugly toe injury (I do not have pretty feet).

For some beauty, I added a photo of our tree.

 

Next spring the fence will be painted, there will be mountains of colourful flower pots filling in the deck space.

I will have a new umbrella or two for my tables.

But life is good.

Just a bit tender this morning.

Alvin, is sticking close by and keeping an eye on his Momma.

Time for coffee and some toast.

The sun is shining and there is a cool breeze coming in through the open office window.

Alvin will be receiving a haircut and bath in the next little bit.

The first load of laundry has been started.

I was very careful and holding onto the railing on the stairs going both up and down.

Lesson learned.

Slowly wins the race.

 

With kindness and respect,

I/We shall remain,

As Always, Carol & Mr.  Alvin

 

It is a NEW YEAR.

As I typed the above words, It is a NEW YEAR.

I am filled with a sense of awe, slight confusion and a mix of other emotions and thoughts.

What a year it has been thus far.

 

No one could have seen this coming or perhaps they did.

I would never have thought in a million years that I would be working from my home.

Going into third full month in June and by the time we head back it will be close to six months.

Just about the time we are all adjusted and super comfortable we will be changing things again.

Such as life, I am finding.

Since I began to work for this company, nine years ago this July, I have found that nothing stays the same for long.

Nothing truly lasts forever and just when you start to get comfortable in your job, bam changes happen.

Sometimes it is hard to get your head wrapped around all these changes.

I guess that is good although sometimes it would be nice for things to settle down for just a bit.

But at the end of the day I am so happy to have a good job.

I am paid pretty good (although wouldn’t it be nice to have more pay), I have good benefits including vacation.

 

In my future I see change and more change.

So will this keep me “young?”

I have no idea …. I guess there is no time for “grey” to happen.

 

News from the home front or rather the backyard.

The fence is up and the middle post has to be trimmed.

It was to be trimmed this morning but it is raining.

Perhaps the rain will stop for this to happen.

The new fence looks awesome and both myself and the neighbour are happy.

I will have to post photos later, like tomorrow.

 

Some reason I am running behind the eight ball again, today.

Time to grab my coffee and sign in on the other computer for work.

 

I hope that you have an awesome Friday.

Yup it is Friday again.

Thank goodness, I need a break.

 

Remembering to be in kindness mode and with respect,

I/We shall remain,

Always, Carol & Alvin

 

It is a NEW YEAR.

Good Morning and Welcome to a BRIGHT SUNNY DAY here in Edmonton.

I hope that it is bright and sunny wherever you may be.

Today is the day finally that our fence gets repaired.

Work starts at 9:00 a.m. or rather the workman arrives at 9:00 a.m.

Hopefully it can be finished today or at the latest tomorrow at noon.

I would not wish there to be a space in our fence overnight.

 

Quick story:  last night after work when we arrived home from our walk.

Humphrey was out front.

The boys went nose to nose to say hello.

Humphrey followed us home.

I stopped to fix the drainpipe.

The boys were on their leashes and waiting by the steps.

When I was done.

They both ran up the steps.

It was then that I realized that Humphrey’s leash was not hooked to anything.

He went into the house with us, all safe and sound.

WOW, that was a close one.

His Momma was grateful.

Timing again, is everything.

Right place at the right time.

 

Yesterday the weather was beautiful in between the rain so we took advantage and went for two walks.

Today we will miss the noon walk as we will have the workman here fixing our fence.

I am so excited to have that done, finally.

 

With the rain, the grass just turned the most gorgeous shade of green.

My favourite “kelly green.”

I love greens, most greens with the exception of khaki, not a big fan.

The trees are swaying in any breeze in a rhythm all of their own.

The sweet smell of the trees that are in flower is intoxicating.

I love the birth of a new year.

Spring should be the beginning of the year with all of the renewal of life.

 

I feel like some flower photos …..

Nothing like colour to boost the day….

Flowers from previous years living in Edmonton.

I love flowers.

They are one of my most favourite things on this planet.

Thank you for the flowers.

 

Well time to get this show on the road.

Work is calling.

Coffee is ready to be poured.

 

Soon the workman will arrive.

 

Wishing you all a glorious day.

May you be surrounded with beautiful flowers.

 

Wishing you a continued live of kindness and respect.

I/We remain,

As Always, Carol & Alvin

 

It is a NEW YEAR.

Good Morning Everyone!

The sky is a patchwork quilt of deep blue and light blue clouds.

It is windy and cool.

Not a great morning to start the repairs on my fence but it is nonetheless the start day.

It has been delayed due to personal matters on the repairman’s side and then time delay this morning as I have a 9:00 a.m. morning.

The start time was to have been 9:00 a.m. but I didn’t think that would work out if I am in a meeting as I have to open the garage door etc.

Anyway with much luck from Mother Nature the work will begin today and hopefully end early tomorrow.

Not a huge job but big enough for sure.

 

Good news on the Alvin front.

Finally the closest to a normal poop that my boy has had since May 13th, 2020.

I will be so glad to get back to our new norm.

That seems to be an ever changing thing these days.

 

I am hopefully that we will get news on the return date to work.

Deep well not that deep in my heart, I am hoping that we will stay home until the end of August, 2020.

There are many people with children and with the schools closed and daycares closed, who looks after the children.

Not everyone has a parent or family members that is able to do this.

Hopefully we then have some more nice weather.

 

Every morning or most mornings Alvin stands by the fence that separates us from Humphrey and his Mom.

He loves his friend, Humphrey the cat.

They usually have a little visit by the fence everyday.

I guess we can all learn a lesson from animals.

Traditionally cats and dogs do not really get along but look at these guys.

They love being together.

Both are excited to see each other.

I can always tell when it has been a few days.

If we have a rainy spell and no one is really outside ….. man, are they happy to see each other.

When Humphrey visits, they both line up at the pantry door wanting a treat.

Everyone that comes to visit knows where the treats are located.

Man and Beast alike.

Too strong of words.

Okay, my daughter, grandpups, Alvin, Humphrey and Teddy to name a few.

That sounds much better.

 

Hey, if you have not heard of “PLUTO LIVING” – please go and check out YouTube, Facebook and Instagram.

Pluto is the cutest little dog and with help from Mom, well they are the best team to come out of Canada or anywhere in decades.

Great at giving us the news, telling funny stories, giving advice, poetry and so much more.

But most of all bringing us great joy through laughter in these uncertain and sometimes scary times.

Please seek them out you will not be sorry.

Take the time, please.

 

Well it is now time to get to work.

I have such a long, long, long commute.

I think it might be two regular steps, no maybe less from my personal computer and space to my work computer and space.

ARGH, so tough, I know.

No complaints, really.

Alvin is resting comfortably on his little bed that I made with some fluffy towels and two nice blue warm blankets.

Oh, I see the sun shining now that is a great sign.

Still pretty windy and hopefully that does not bring in any storms or hamper the work for today.

 

I wish you a day filled with love and laughter.

I wish you an easy Wednesday.

Perhaps time for a walk.

Enjoy.

 

I will continue to live my life with kindness and respect.

As I am human sometimes I have moments where I may be less than perfect.

But I will always try by best to be a good soul with a warm heart living with kindness and respect to myself and most of all to others.

 

I/We shall remain,

As Always, Carol & Alvin

 

I need a haircut as my hair looks nothing like this photo.

I do like this photo of me and I am not a huge fan of photos of me.

It is a NEW YEAR.

Good Tuesday Morning.

Overcast but warm here in Edmonton.

There are patches of clear blue sky up there but mainly deep dark rain clouds fill the sky.

Some of our neighbours have trees that have beautiful white flowers and they have a sweet pretty scent.

The only thing is I have an allergy to them.

Congestion, oh well.

They look so pretty and smell so good.

Earlier this morning when we were outside the birds were singing away.

I know why Alvin likes to just sit on the deck with eyes closed and sniff.

He is relaxing …..

 

 

Happy to report that Alvin has had some real good poops, thank goodness.

The “D” word is one word that I hope I never have to hear again.

My poor little guy, he has been through a lot.

Thankfully he is on the mend.

 

I was thinking the other day about things that I have not done for the past almost 2.5 months, here is my list:

1. not using my “work” purse(s).
2. I have used a small one three times when went to the vet with/for Alvin
3. good shoes/sandals
4. make-up (only a few days have I applied other than eyebrows)
5. work clothes (I mainly wear work tops but more comfy bottoms as I had been going for walks at noon and hope to soon get back to them)
6. had coffee at work (I make coffee each morning and have gone through more coffee beans than ever)
7. car pooled to work
8. drove a vehicle once since I have been at home
9. gone to a grocery store
10. left my neighbourhood (gone to vet but they are 6 minute walk from our house)
11. work jacket
12. had to pay for carpool or bus tickets
13. no commute

Changes in our lives in the past 2.5 months:

1. home with Alvin 24/7
2. can walk multiple times per day
3. can wear whatever I like to work
4. fewer visits with family and friends
5. higher water and electrical bills
6. bought more coffee beans to grind
7. not been shopping at all – other than vet
8. working from home
9. my office is for personal and for work
10. with no commute to work, more time to live my life with Alvin (we have over 1.5 extra hours each day)
11. can enjoy more time in nature
12. can enjoy more time in my back yard

 

I am so happy that I have been home for Alvin while he has not been feeling his best.

There are likely a great many items that missed the list as you know I write this off the cuff in the morning before work.

Now I am writing about one hour later than usual.

 

Time to go and grab that cup of coffee.

I can hear the garbage truck clanging away in the distance.

They just picked up on our back lane.

I only have garbage every second or third week.

 

Wishing you a wonderful Tuesday.

Filled with love and laughter.

We just gotta laugh, for sure.

 

Living our lives with kindness and respect,

is the only way to live our lives.

I/We, shall remain,

As Always, Carol & Alvin

 

It is a NEW YEAR.

Good Monday Morning.

What an absolutely gorgeous morning it is.

Alvin wanted to just sit on the deck and take in the morning but alas I have to go to work and that just is not possible.

The bright early morning sunshine has disappeared behind a bit of cloud cover but I believe it is temporary.

The forecast is for fairly mild temperatures with some clouds over the week.

We will take that.

 

I was able to upload/download some photos.

My flowers and the boys relaxing.

I just ran downstairs to grab some coffee as the photos was uploading to my photos on this blog.

Alvin was certainly enthralled with something out front as he gazed out the living room window.

I took a peek and it was a bunny.

He just stood there and checked him/her out.

No barking.

No growling.

Just silent gazing.

So proud of my boy.

 

Tomorrow the fence gets repaired, so happy about that.

Well it is almost time to begin work.

How did that happen?

 

We had such a wonderful weekend.

I hope you did as well.

 

Happy Monday.

Enjoy your coffee or morning beverage, whatever it may be.

Living with kindness and respect no matter what.

We just have to.

 

I/We, shall remain,

As Always, Carol & Alvin