Living … One day at a time

Good Morning …. New Year’s Eve Day.

Woke up earlier to being congested with a headache.

Went back to bed twice.

Mr. Alvin really wants me to get up so I am up.

Still not feeling great but will just get on with it.

The sky is partially overcast with blue cloud cover and the sun peeking through in spots.

I have things that I had planned to do today but now off to a late start.

Oh well, nothing that cannot wait.

It is the last day of 2019.

Tomorrow is a NEW YEAR and a new DECADE.

How exciting.

 

Well I do apologize for this being a short post as Mr. Alvin would like to go downstairs.

Perhaps he has to go outside.

I should get dressed as still in pjs.

It is almost 11:00 a.m.

ARGH.

But what can you do.

REST is best.

Not too difficult to change bedding and throw some laundry in the washing machine.

Just little jobs.

Perhaps having a shower would decongest me.

 

Well 2019 as every other year has seen good and bad.

There will always be births and deaths, it is life.

Work has been work.

Temporarily in a new space but our old building is now renovated and we move back shortly.

Met new people in the neighbourhood.

Enjoyed company of family and new and old friends.

Was able to go on another great road trip in the summer with my daughter.

My sister drove to visit and joined us girls on our annual road trip.

Finally had my office painted after several years of discussing and loving it.

Hung up the bulletin boards that my daughter made for me two years ago for Christmas.

The office is now a happy space

Alvin’s best friend has a new little sister.

My sister adopted a new four legged friend named RAIN.

I remain selling STEEPED TEA and NORWEX.

Summer of 2019 was wet and cool.

Christmas of 2019 was mild.

All in all it has been a good year.

I look forward to this new one starting tomorrow.

Will rest today so that I can start the new one in a good place.

 

Well time to get this day going.

I think that Mr. Alvin has to go outside.

 

Happy New Year’s Eve.

I hope that you have a great day.

Whether you go out on the town or just stay at home.

Happy New Year’s Eve.

 

 

Always, Carol & Alvin

 

 

Living … One day at a time.

Good Morning All,

A beautiful clear morning sky as I glance out of my office window.

As you may have noticed I took a two day break from writing this blog post.

I was inspired by a fellow blogger who had taken some time off during the holidays.

So I am back.

It is hard to believe that tomorrow is New Year’s Eve.

With today being the second last day of 2019 and of this decade.

WOW, crazy hey.

I have more photos to share (well that is no surprise).

When I was uploading them from my phone to the computer this morning, I saw unbelievable numbers.

I have 34,529 photos and 778 videos on my hard drive.

I guess that I had better start deleting some of them.

I find it difficult sometimes to go through them and delete the duplicate photos and the shots that are not in focus and such.

Somehow it makes me feel as though I am deleting my life.

Does that sound strange?

Or familiar to you?

But I have 3611 photos on my phone and 96 videos.

Now they are all downloaded/uploaded to my computer.

So why don’t I simply delete them?

I am trying.

Likely a good idea before I download/upload them to the computer to go through them.

But sometimes it is a timing issue as well.

But that is something that in this new era, new decade of 2020, that I must work on.

 

We just heard a sound and went to the bedroom window to investigate.

Our neighbours had some car problems so the tow truck was out to pick up their car and one of the owners.

I decided to video the car being loaded.

Very cool and took less than 10 minutes from beginning to end.

I hope very strongly that the repair bill is a small one.

 

I guess that I can get easily sidetracked, oh well.

It is my third last day of vacation and that is okay.

 

I have some photos of the past few days that I would like to share.

Why not I have 39,015 photos and videos to share.

Well perhaps not all of them.

These photos do not include the ones that I have from pre computer / digital age.

I have over 10,000 of printed photos.

But when you think of the difference in time ….. now it cost a lot of money to buy the film and then have them processed.

Also there were times that several photos did not turn out and those ones I did not have a problem discarding.

Somehow the on-line / digital ones are more difficult for me to dispose of  ….. but I will get better.

 

I guess it is “my life” in photos.

Alvin lost his spot on his blue blanket and Humphrey was quick to lay down.

The next photos were crazy beautiful shadows on the living room wall yesterday morning.

Just gorgeous.

 

Our last day with Humphrey – his Mama arrived home late last night.

Shot of my office …. just loved the sunlight shining on my books and stuff.

My last gift from my kids …. the one that was left behind.

I love it …. “even says SUGAR COOKIES.”

That is why my daughter bought it for me.

Table setting for my cousins who came for a visit and dinner last night.

We had a blast.

We always do.

 

Well I guess it is time to fly.

Getting late already.

We made a walking date for this afternoon with Teddy, his little sister and his Mom.

 

Time for some coffee, methinks.

 

I hope that you are having a great day whether at home or at work.

We are so blessed to have these extra days off during the holidays.

I have to make a list of things that I would like to finish before heading back to work.

It was nice to visit with my neighbours and friends and my cousins.

They were all on my list ….

Even had surprise visit from my daughter.

 

Happy Monday …. yes, it is Monday.

Oh, I am so confused.

Have to set some kind of alarm so that I do not forget to be ready for work on Thursday.

 

Always, Carol & Alvin

 

Living … One day at a time.

Good Morning, Yup still the A.M.

What a lazy morning.

Except for picking up Humphrey and looking after Cynder ….. it has been a morning of staying in pj’s and drinking coffee.

Now as the morning is evaporating I am thinking that I should get my act together.

Write this post, have a shower and get this day on the way.

The sun is shining and it feels warm outside.

Alvin is laying on his blue blanket beside me and Humphrey is under the desk by my feet.

Funny how they ALL feel the urge or need to be with me at all times.

It is groovy.

I think that I will share some more of our Christmas photos and a couple of stories.

 

MILO, Alvin and ASPEN

CHRISTMAS DAY – Kids took the pups for a walk while I prepped items for our supper.

CHRISTMAS with HUMPHREY

Alvin lent a paw as he is the gift opening expert in our family (and always eager to help)!

Humphrey and his gifts …. now I know why he was interested in the bag under our tree.

I read the label and there was “catnip” in some of the toys.

Not your typical Christmas Dinner but it was requested.

Everyone was happy …..

BOXING DAY shenanigans ….. Humphrey decided to be a WINDOW SILL LIVING ORNAMENT.

Alvin’s best friend Teddy, his little sister Kobi, their Mom and her sister, Aunt J ….. paid us a visit.

We had gifts for Teddy and Kobi but for some reason I only had one photo and there was a human in the photo so I decided not to share.

Teddy’s Mom handed me this huge box for Alvin.

So I placed it on the sofa and Alvin set to work opening it.

It took him a long while and I lent a hand here and there.

The gift was in a weed/grass trimmer box.

We had the box exposed when Teddy’s Mom handed a smaller gift to me and said “this is for Alvin.”

I was confused.

It dawned on me that the gift was in fact for me, not for Alvin.

Teddy’s Mom recorded the whole opening.

I was shocked and surprised at the gift.

It was actually a weed/grass trimmer for me.

I have wanted my own for a long time but never making it into the budget.

Teddy’s Dad wanted to get this gift for me, he researched the brand and bought it.

What what a crazy Christmas 2019.

Full of surprises.

 

One shot of all three of the pups …. Kobi dropped the chew treat a split second before I snapped the photo.

It would have been darling to have had all three of them with a chew treat in their mouth.

 

My daughter texted me yesterday to let me know that “my big gift” was still at their home.

She had mentioned Christmas Eve when we were opening the presents that something seemed to be missing.

Yes, something was missing and was home on their kitchen table.

She asked if I would like a picture of the gift and I said “No, thank you, I would like a surprise.”

This truly has been the season for surprises.

 

Well I had better hop into the shower before it is afternoon.

Feeling lazy but that is okay ….

Lots of time to do things…..

 

I hope that you enjoyed your holidays, your Christmas as much as I, we.

Humphrey managed to take over Alvin’s blue blanket and Alvin is patiently waiting in the hallway for me.

 

Happy Friday.

 

Always, Carol & Alvin & Humphrey ….

 

Living … One day at a time.

Well the sun is up and it is mid morning.

We have been up for a bit.

I went to Humphrey’s house and looked after Cynder, watered the huge Poinsettia plant and odds and ends.

We are all back at the house.

I am always surprised at how much this amazing creatures understand.

I was in the basement at Humphrey’s house cleaning out his litter box when I heard him come bounding down the stairs.

Said hello to him.

On my way upstairs I said to Humphrey, “Would you like to see Alvin at my house?”

He immediately ran to the front door and anxiously waited for me to don my coat and shoes.

He assumes the position and holds on.

The house is quiet once again with only me, Alvin and Humphrey.

Today will be rearranging things.

Placing my things back into my ensuite bathroom.

Cleaning out the fridge and repacking things so that I can see exactly what there is to eat and what needs to be eaten over the next few days.

But all in all today will be my quiet day.

Maybe watch a movie and call my sister in the early afternoon.

 

Yesterday afternoon my daughter, Milo and Alvin went over to see Humphrey and to give him his Christmas present.

Perhaps initially it might have been better to leave the pups at home but it worked out.

Humphrey really wasn’t interested in opening his present so Mr. Alvin helped him out.

OMG, Alvin and opening presents is a thing.

He had the gifts out of the bag and the paper and tissue opened lickty split.

He is so funny.

I wonder what will happen next Christmas.

Will he try to open all of the presents under the tree.

He did not this year except for the one from my friend in Regina but I get it ….. the smell was enticing.

Time will tell.

 

Yesterday while I was preparing the dinner – the kids took all three pups for a walk.

Alvin stayed on the steps, he kept turning around.

Yup, that’s my boy.

He reluctantly went for the walk.

My daughter said it took him awhile before he actually set into the walk.

I don’t have to worry about him running away.

 

Well I guess that I should get changed from my pj’s and get some things done.

Also have some breakfast.

Thinking some Raisin Bran cereal might be the answer this morning.

Also am going to freeze the baking that is in the fridge.

Good for another day.

Time to find a good stretching exercise program and then work it into my daytime hours … especially once back to work.

I am up at 5:00 a.m. and not really wanting to get up any early but then again, Mr. Alvin usually has me up at 4:30 so maybe I should just DO IT.

Cutting back on the amount that one eats is important.

Especially once you get older.

I am getting older.

Or at least my body thinks so.

 

Well another wonderful Christmas under my belt so to speak.

Everyone got some surprises and were pleased with them.

From the time the season to the end it was great, is great, is wonderful.

 

My cousins are coming for dinner this next Sunday.

I want to have some friends over during the break so will have to get on that as time passes quickly.

 

Wishing you a great Thursday.

Boxing Day in Canada and in other parts of the world.

 

Time to also wash the dishes that I set aside so that we could play SEQUENCE before the kids headed home.

I figured that have some play time with them was more important than waking up to no dirty dishes.

Besides in all my glory, I forgot to turn on the dishwasher.

I was beat …. it was a great day.

 

Thank you to my daughter and son-in-law, my grand pups Aspen and Milo for making this time so wonderful.

I spoke to / texted to all my siblings and will chat longer with my sister today.

So better get this show on the road.

Stuff to do.

 

Happy Thursday.

 

Always, Carol & Alvin & Humphrey

 

Living … One day at a time.

Merry Christmas ….

The sun is already up ….

We were up late last night and slept in this morning.

I managed to keep Mr. Alvin in bed until about 7:00 a.m.

The pups were up shortly after that ….

My daughter went back to bed and my son-in-law is still sleeping after an extra long day (he had to work).

We had a great Christmas ….

Had some late night snacks just after they arrived from an earlier Christmas feast with my son-in-law’s family.

Opening the gifts after that …

Mr. Alvin was the unintentional star of the night.

He absolutely loves opening gifts.

First he opened his gifts, Aspen and Milo’s gifts and then mine.

He does so great …..

There were toys and more toys and treats for the pups and a bandana each.

The boy got his duster with extender that he wanted and more.

The girl got some jewelry as what girls do not love some bling and more.

The Mama got spoiled.

I needed kitchen towels and a stir fry pan and those were two items that I received.

Along with scratch tickets, crystal ornament, HONEY, more kitchen towels, single serving Tupperware food chopper, Magnolia & Vine bracelet and extra charm and more.

I was so spoiled this Christmas.

Thank you to my family and friends.

Here are some photos and then I better go clean up some more and make some COFFEE.

Merry Christmas.

Oh and make some phone calls.

 

Bit of action shot so blurry

Some of my gifts.

Alvin enjoyed opening his gifts and mine.

Aspen and Milo just enjoyed their gifts.

We had a great Christmas Eve and now it is Christmas Day.

I went and spent over one hour with Humphrey and Cynder.

Giving them fresh food and water.

Cleaning the litter box.

Everyone wants a clean one of those ….

Time to go downstairs and make me some coffee.

Then call some family before I start to make brunch which I am thinking will be kind of like “lunch.”

There are no rules on this day.

We just go with it.

Whatever happens, happens.

 

I hope that you are having an awesome Christmas.

Merry Merry Christmas To You and Your Family.

Always, Carol & Alvin

I guess I should upload our newest photo.

 

Living … One day at a time.

Oh my goodness, this is Christmas Eve morn.

Where did the time go?

I just got home from picking up Humphrey and doing the chores at his house.

In less than one hour my friend G is picking me up to take a last grocery run.

There are always those items that you do not wish to pick up too much in advance.

I just heard a clang in the back and looked out my window to see some lights of a truck – the garbage guys.

Today is the pickup.

I just realized how dark it is in the back lane.

We do not have any lights.

That might be something either the City or our Neighbourhood Association could put in.

At least one here and there.

Dangerous with no light.

Especially when the neighbourhood fees just rose by $25.00 to $175.00 annually per year and add taxes to that figure.

Today is not the day to complain there will be another day to vent that story.

 

Mid afternoon yesterday my friend P and I went to see the movie CATS.

It was spectacular, fantastic, wonderful and awesome.

The cast was crazy good.

James Corden, Judi Dench, Jason Derulo, Idris Elba, Jennifer Hudson, Ian McKellen, Taylor Swift, Rebel Wilson, and introduces ballerina Francesca Hayward in her first feature-length film role.

It was well done.

The music, the dancing and the singing were fantastic.

We thoroughly enjoyed the movie.

 

I came home to Alvin and Humphrey.

Had a bite to eat (about 7 p.m.).

Made a double batch of chocolate fudge with walnuts and the honey mustard dip for tomorrow’s dinner.

Did I tell you our menu?

It is unique but every other Christmas we switch it up.

Not everyone likes turkey, I do but not everyone.

 

Menu:

What I call Chicken Fingers

Honey Mustard Dip (homemade)

Cranberries (homemade)

Mashed/Whipped Potatoes with Boursin Cheese baked in oven

Gravy (not homemade)

Stuffing (not homemade)

Buns (not homemade)

Peas

Corn

 

Assortment of goodies (all homemade) ranging from my Sugar Cookies, Chocolate Chip cookies and fudge to my friends Banana cake, Ginger cookies, mince tarts, and apple tarts 

and every place in between.

 

Some things made by me and others not.

A good mix.

 

We will have a hot cheese dip with baguette to snack on as well as veggies, crackers with hummus.

 

Likely too much to eat.

 

Well it is getting on here and my friend will be here shortly to pick me up for our shopping trip to Save-On and Costco.

Hopefully we will be there before the masses.

 

Wishing you a great Christmas.

The kids are dropping off Aspen and Milo about 2:30 p.m. and I will hang out with the pups until they come back for the evening.

Change of plans.

Humphrey will go home before the pups arrive.

Aspen would not like Humphrey.

That would be one scene I would not like to view.

 

I wish you and your family the most glorious Christmas ….

May you enjoy love, laughter and some good food….

If you are able to include a person(s) who does not have family to spend the holiday with, please do.

No one deserves to be alone at Christmas unless they choose to do so.

 

I hope the next two days are filled with a special kind of light that will continue to shine all year long.

The light of love and compassion.

The light of kindness and respect.

The light of generosity.

The light of you and me.

 

Merry Christmas from Carol, Mr. Alvin and Mr. Humphrey.

Me and the Boys.

Always and Forever.

………… After all…..

 

 

 

Living … One day at a time.

Good Morning and it is Monday, the 23rd day of December 2019.

Can you believe it?

Tomorrow is Christmas Eve.

The house is quiet this morning with only Mr. Alvin sighing and Humphrey resting downstairs.

Quite the change from yesterday about this time.

We had a great day yesterday and both Alvin and I were ready for bed last night early.

Humphrey went home earlier last night than I had planned as he was at the front door, clearly wanting to go home.

I went over and picked him up already, looked after Cynder, shovelled the front walks including some of the neighbours.

I threw my coat over top of my pj’s went I went to pick up Humphrey and feed Cynder.

It was kind of freeing to be outside in my pj’s covered by my coat.

Anyway.

I hear Mr. Humphrey came upstairs to join us.

I wanted to share some photos ….. let us try this once again.

Then I need some breakfast and COFFEE.

Then charging ahead with this day.

PHOTOS:

First ones were of the puppies and Humphrey taken yesterday.

Thankfully it was mild out so we went into the backyard often.

Teddy found himself a getaway spot on top of the sofa.

GIFTS all wrapped for all of our fur babies:  Alvin, Aspen, Milo, Humphrey, Teddy and Kobi.

The office shots were from our tour of our newly renovated office.

That will be my workspace.

Yup, just a table.

Desks are a thing of the past.

Where do I put my coat?

I did not see anywhere for our coats.

Next was the highly anticipated parcel from our friend in Regina.

Alvin “did not keep his paws off till Christmas”

He even tried to open my gift and since then it is on the table until time for opening.

The baking was also in the parcel and the bag of pretzels, nuts and other goodies was made by one of my coworkers and since I loved it so much, she brought me my

very own bag.

Well the guys are getting restless and I am hungry after my workout shovelling.

Time for breakfast and start some more laundry.

Perhaps I should think about getting dressed soon.

but then not I think not.

Well another casualty …. Humphrey was playing with a hanging that I had on the closet door.

He pulled so hard it came off the door and broke.

ARGH.

Time to go now.

I hope that you all have an awesome Monday.

Almost Christmas now.

 

Happy Monday.

Always, Carol, Alvin and Humphrey

Living … One day at a time.

Good Morning and today is Sunday, December 22, 2019.

Only a few more sleeps now.

A busy next few days lay in store for me and Mr. Alvin.

Humphrey has already joined us for the day and will return home only to sleep.

When I went to pick him up …. and mentioned “Would you like to go and see Alvin?”

He ran to the door and to me so that I could pick him up to carry him to my house.

Alvin is laying on his blue blanket next to me, moaning and groaning as he wants to be downstairs.

Plans changed and Teddy and Kobi only came with their Mom for a short visit last night.

There had been lots of snow so they did not go out of town.

But they are going today for the day.

So Kobi and Teddy will be arriving in less than one hour.

Also coffee with the girls changed venue and will be at my house.

So Alvin has his friends and I have mine.

I have to cut this short as I want to have some breakfast and perhaps make a couple of couple of coffee before the girls arrive.

Some laundry to take to the basement to be done later.

I just realized that I have not downloaded photos from my phone to the computer in quite some time, so I will share some of those photos now.

Sorry change of plans.

The puppies came 40 minutes early.

Kobi is with me and Alvin has been barking non stop since we came upstairs.

Only able to share these photos from last night.

 

Have an awesome day.

 

Always, Carol, Alvin, Humphrey, Teddy and Kobi

Living … One day at a time.

Wow, today is Saturday the 21st day of December, 2019.

The second last Saturday of the month and the year.

WOW, hard to believe that 2019 is almost over.

We are ready for Christmas.

I wrapped the gifts for the pups and Humphrey last night.

Alvin was still sniffing around but at least he did not attempt to open any of the presents.

I was going to put my present from my friend “V” under the tree again but thought against it.

Better to be safe than sorry.

 

After a long time as somewhere along the way Mr. Alvin must have ate something not for him.

He was up and down ALL night long.

Finally he brought up some semi digested food.

Sorry for the grossness for the morning hours.

Anyway, he seems to be okay now.

We have our regular VET appointment this morning.

I have to have him checked for “ear mites” as baby Kobi has them.

He has his regular nail trim and stuff.

Following the visit, I will be giving Mr. Alvin his haircut which is long overdue.

I finally have the “blade head” replaced for his electric clipper.

Fun awaits.

Later this afternoon Teddy and his little sister arrive for a sleepover.

Last night I was able to get some laundry done and finished the last of the wrapping.

 

Well there are no words of wisdom or funny stories to share as I am a tad bit tired.

Going to cut this short to go and have some coffee and breakfast.

I hope that you have an awesome Saturday.

 

If all else fails take a nap.

Always with kindness and respect.

 

Always, Carol & Alvin

P.S. so excited that I am off work now until January 2, 2020.

So lucky am I.

Living … One day at a time.

Whew, GOOD MORNING, I made it to the last day of work before Christmas break.

I am so excited to have some time at home with family and friends.

Last night our parcel from our friend back home arrived.

It had gone to another city in a different province hundreds of miles away.

Delaying it by a couple of days but it arrived yesterday.

While Alvin was eating his supper I quietly slipped out to the mailbox to retrieve the “golden” oh so special parcel.

Alvin noticed right away but I managed to place it on the counter in the kitchen and get him sidetracked with getting ready to go for a walk.

Off we went.

Not a long walk but it was a few blocks and that is always better than nothing.

I guess we should be doing YOGA or some stretching exercises and perhaps lifting some weights.

Alvin knows how to do “downward dog” so he is off to a great start.

First item on the agenda was to open the gift from our friend.

She always sends some things that should go into the fridge “like baking, like yummy stuff.”

I opened the box to see some colourfully wrapped Christmas presents.

One of the tags on a package read “PAWS OFF ‘TIL CHRISTMAS” To Alvin from V.

Well once Alvin caught a whiff of that package there was no turning back.

He started to bark in excitement and kept going until I had to cave and let him open the package.

I texted our friend to “say he can’t wait.”

The video I recorded of him opening the package was over one minute.

I lost track of time.

At one point just after the minute mark I decided to give him a hand.

So we got the last bit of paper and opened the package to see what appeared to be OREO cookies.

In vanilla and chocolate.

I figured they would not be OREOS as everyone knows dogs cannot have chocolate and sugar is definitely not good for their tummies and little bodies.

The package read “Just for DOGS, Natural something or other.”

The label put my fears to rest so I opened the package and gave him one, he gobbled that down and then a second one and finally after three, I managed to slip the rest of the cookies

into the pantry in his container with treats.

That container has treats for Humphrey as well (when he comes to visit).

He was not happy that I put them away but it had to be done.

Safe to say after all the barking, I am quite certain that I am not a very good “pack leader.”

He is spoiled beyond belief.

He is social and great with everyone including most dogs and cats but listening to me, well not so much.

Anyway, after that.

I found in the box a tin of Christmas baking from my friend (I had one of the cuban lunches, OMG, so delightful).

There was also a bag of my favourite sweet treat “biscotti.”

I placed my Christmas present under the treat to be opened at Christmas.

I was making my supper when I heard paper rustling in the living room.

Rushing in to find …. Mr. Alvin eagerly trying to open my Christmas present from V.

I grabbed it quickly and luckily he didn’t get too far, so the gift remains a surprise till Christmas.

What a guy!!

First time in the almost ten years since I adopted him that he has actually tried to open one of the gifts.

He sometimes sniffs about but never actually touches anything.

I then texted my friend and she thought it was likely because he could smell his cookies on the parcel.

After several days in the same box …. likely everything smells likes COOKIES.

Oh well.

It was cute for sure.

 

After the lecture from me regarding the constant barking to him, he actually sat on the sofa while I was eating my supper.

He faced forward and would not be look at me.

I think he knew that I was not a happy camper.

I could not be mad at my boy for long, he is me Alvin, after all.

But he has such a shrill bark that it can cut to the very core of your being and slice it in half.

After supper and cleanup I finally got to call my sister.

We enjoyed a nice long chat.

Alvin remained quiet.

I guess he made it up as between the two of use we were up several times over the course of the night.

ARGH.

Something made woke me and I jumped up …. not sure what it was.

Anyway, almost time to leave for the last day of work.

My neighbour is giving me a lift to work.

Carpool is starting Christmas vacation today.

My neighbour is driving me to work (even though she is not working today which I did not know) as she wants to get an early start.

I am one lucky girl.

Well almost time to go and pick up the poop.

I hope that today is a great day for us all.

Quiet on the phones so that I can finish all my mail before the end of the day.

 

Happy Friday.

And so it begins…….

 

Always, Carol & her Alvin