It is a NEW YEAR.

Good Morning ALL,

Friday April 10, 2020.

So quiet in the house.

But then again it is always quiet in our house as it is only me and Alvin.

I was thinking this morning of all those single folks such as me, sitting alone in their homes.

I have a brother and sister who are among us single folks.

My heart goes out to all those folks who are alone.

The quiet can be almost crippling sometimes for some people.

Even for me.

I am blessed to have Alvin who gives me the push to go for walks.

I do like walking and I have him to keep me company.

More and more people in my neighbourhood are out walking.

Whether they are alone or pairs or in family groups.

People are out and about ….

It is too hard to stay in the house all of the time.

As long as we practice “social distancing” when outside being outside is SO good for us.

The fresh air and the exercise and the socialization.

If it you are by yourself out walking like I am with Alvin.

Even folks we do not know we always say “hello.”

That is socializing.

We all need that now more than ever.

I do think of folks who live on farms, in small towns, in rural settings.

People who going to visit friends and neighbours was the world to them.

For the past three days we have been outside for TWO walks.

Yesterday we bumped into Alvin’s best friend Teddy, his sister Kobi and Mom.

So we set up a playdate for Alvin and Teddy.

Teddy will be coming over this morning and stay until sometime this afternoon.

I am happy that Alvin is still able to spend time with his friend.

Oh and while out on our walk after work.

I noticed the garage door was up from across the street as we neared our friends house.

So we crossed and while practising social distancing we had the best visit in their garage.

Alvin of course, got some pats and attention.

We talked about weather, the world economy and at home, getting groceries, working from home and so much more.

I told them about my geranium as we talked about our flower gardens and that they may not be.

But I said that I would gladly share some of my geranium so that she could have some pretty pinkness in her garden.

I was so happy to have a visit with them even if it was from a distance.

They are older than me and I worry about them.

Even though they are in good health.

I think that people are beginning to come with creative ways to met with friends and family during this time.

When the snows melts we could gather in garages and on front lawns.

Probably not able to have too many people but in small groups of three or four and practice the social distancing.

We can visit.

So important not only to wash your hands, eat properly, gets lots of sleep, stay hydrated but to have social contact is important to our sanity.

We don’t have to be touching to have social contact.

Just be close enough to chat which is okay ….. six feet or two metres apart.

This summer may be different for a great many of us.

Unlikely that we can run out and pick up flowers from the local nursery or maybe we will.

I hope so.

 

I was going to share some photos of my geraniums but alas I am suffering from technical difficulties.

So will do that later.

Teddy will be here soon and I still have to have breakfast.

We slept in ….. yup …. we did.

Bed later as I read until quite late.

Poop to pick up.

Toast to make.

Coffee to perk.

Quiet day ahead …. Alvin with his friend, walking and just vegging.

We have three days ahead to do laundry and do my taxes and whatever else I decide to add to the list.

Oh, the sun is coming out.

More snow will melt.

YAY.

 

Happy Friday.

Living with kindness and respect.

I/We remain,

Always, Carol & Alvin

 

 

 

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Saturday the 16th day of February, 2019.

It is WARMER this morning than has been for a long while.

I just heard on the weather channel that this is the longest stretch of COLD weather in February for Edmonton in 30 years.

WOW, can you imagine that.

I was not living here at that time.

Anyway about 3-4 days and it we will have single digit temperatures for a couple of days.

It will feel like a tropical heat wave.

I can see folks out in their shorts for sure.

We are (not me) like that, you know.

Lots of snow overnight so have some shovelling in my forecast.

Supposed to snow starting at 7:00 a.m. however; it has not started as yet.

 

Yesterday at work I had a craving for a nice crunch cheesy pizza.

I had the taste in my mouth and when I mentioned it to a co-worker she had the same craving.

I asked her where the best pizza was in Edmonton and she said hands down “ROYAL PIZZA.”

So after I looked after Alvin after work – I set about finding a location which joyfully there was in my neighbourhood.

Not immediate but still close enough by.

So I ordered this – pizza sauce with pieces of crumbled Italian sausage, onions, mushroom and mozzarella cheese on top.

The CRUST was amazing.

I had to wait for one hour till about 7:00 p.m. as the driver said it hit 5:00 p.m. and all of a sudden they had 20 deliveries to make.

So they got behind.

The driver was so nice.

I will say this …. best $36.25 that I have ever spent.

Normally I do not order pizza or anything in for that matter.

But it was just one of those nights.

Perhaps all of this cold OR perhaps just a food memory that pushed me over the edge.

But well worth it.

So good, the taste was incredible.

A bit of crunch …. hard to explain.

But if you live in the Edmonton area …. I highly recommend this pizza place.

I was in heaven …. Alvin tried to join me but I told him “no pizza for you my boy.”

Instead he had broccoli.

This is the pizza that had me gaga …..

The corner piece, the first bite I took, actually was smaller than the photo shows.

But it was so GOOD.

BEST TREAT ever.

I am going to start treating myself once in awhile.

Of course, one cannot eat pizza every night.

 

Okay, time to get this show on the road.

Teddy and his Aunt J are coming this afternoon for a visit and staying for supper.

Aunt J is bringing the fixings for a TACO dinner.

So excited.

I am supplying the dessert.

It was supposed to be Maple Walnut frozen yogurt but sadly SAVEON was out so it is Dutch Chocolate.

Which is okay (I had a taste the other night).

 

Have an awesome day.

Always, no matter what, TREAT yourself.

It is especially important for us who live alone.

I know that I am not alone as I have Mr. Alvin but I mean without another human in the household.

Whether it is pizza or a movie or perhaps both.

Manicure or pedicure.

Treat yourself.

Take the time to pamper yourself within your budget.

Mine was pizza.

I loved it.

Feeling so spoiled.

Happy Belated Valentine’s Day to ME.

 

Special Hello to: my sister, my friend V and to all my girls out there and the boys, too.  Happy Saturday.  It is a GREAT day.

Always, Carol & Alvin

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Friday the 24th day of March, 2017.

YAY, it is Friday.

I have often been thinking as of late that somehow the weekdays seem to evaporate as quickly as the weekends.

 

Mr. Alvin was just standing in the doorway to the office and starring at me and “doing that quick little whining thing that he does.”

He does that when he is nervous about something.

Whining isn’t quite what the sound is … more of a nervous bit of a noise.

Anyway he has this thing for the laminate flooring that is all over my house except for the stairs and landing.

For some reason during the past year or so he fidgets and fusses when he has to cross the floor.

Or at least when he stops to think about it.

Anyway I coaxed him to come in and now he is sitting under my computer desk on the bit of rug for the chair.

He most days sits outside the office while I write my blog.

Today he wants to be near me.

Oh, me Alvin.

Gotta love my boy.

 

Well our weather has been warming up …. single digits on the plus side.

Most of the snow and ice has melted.

I have been debating all night and morning thus far about whether to wear boots or shoes.

I have decided to wear my winter boots today.

Either would work.

So happy that the sidewalks are almost clear.

 

Another thing likely on my TO DO LIST this weekend is picking up the trash on the walkway that I take coming home from work and also the rest of the neighbourhood.

This year seems worse than last.

So many pieces of cardboard, disposable cups from nearby fast food restaurants and coffee shops ( I will not name them at this time ).

Not the business fault.

If people would start by securing their recycling at garbage time, that would help immensely.

Also STOP throwing their empty coffee and cold drink cups on the ground when they are finished with them.

Such a pity.

Beautiful neighbourhood littered with CRAP.

Does make me mad.

Oh well, it is great exercise for me although it is an hour or so away from me Alvin, which makes me sad.

People do not think of that of course ….. silly people.

 

Time to fly …. gotta get on my BOOTS not shoes and coat and head to the bus stop.

Have an awesome Friday.

Please ensure that you are placing your trash in the appropriate garbage container.

Thank you.

 

Special Hello to: YOU …. Happy Friday.

Always, Carol and Alvin

Thought for the day….

Good Morning and Welcome to Wednesday the 21st day of January, 2015.

WOW, it is Wednesday.

Seems like mmm Wednesday ……

Just being silly.

I think that is what Wednesdays should be all about …. being silly.

Cracking jokes ….. lots of laughter …..

What a great way to break up the week …..

Because we all know that Thursdays bring on Friday and that is the weekend.

Mondays are always Mondays just because it was just the weekend and no matter what …. it will be the first day back to work …

Now this is for all of us that work in a office Monday through Friday.

I do know about other weeks where the days all run together and weekends are just that when other people have time at home and with their families.

Perhaps taking a day trip or just kicking back and relaxing because they have two days for which they can clean and relax.

But for all of us who know both ways of work we do appreciate our days off and generally make the most of them.

My day off from both jobs is Saturday.

So I am very blessed because right now my daughter and her family live with me until their house is finished so she helps (actually does most of the cleaning).

On Saturdays my main task is laundry and anything to do with Alvin (vet visits, hair cut, baths), coffee with my friends and errands.

During the other nights that I am not working at the store I fill them with all of the other things that I like to do: write, jewellery, watching television ……. mmmm

Well sounds like it is almost time to go ……

The troops are rallying.

I hope that no matter how your week runs that you will consider making Wednesdays ….. SILLY WEDNESDAYS.

After all it is so healthy for us to laugh and enjoy our lives.

Unfortunately the realty of it is we work too hard.

Let us make the time to have some fun ….

Play in the snow.

Perfect time for us here to make snowmen with the snow melting.

Go for a walk.

Turn on some music and dance. Alone or with someone.

Happy Silly Wednesday.

Special Hello to: my sister ….. she always makes me laugh.

Always, Carol and Alvin

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