2021

Good Morning ALL! How are you doing this morning? Yesterday the weather was so perfect that not only did we walk at lunchtime but we also went for a walk after work. We took a different route after work which was actually our old norm route which took us to pass right by Alvin’s best friend Teddy’s house. He could not help but to turn in and although I tried to sway him, we ended up on their doorstep with me ringing the doorbell. Kobi had hopped onto a bench by the window near the door looking so excited to see us. How can you say no to them? Obviously we can’t, well at least I cannot. Shortly thereafter we were sitting on the deck drinking tea. During our conversation, I mentioned to Teddy’s Mom that he should come for a sleepover sometime this weekend and how about Saturday? She checked with Teddy’s Dad and it was a date. Over the next few minutes it appeared that Teddy wanted to come home with us now. So we changed the sleepover to last night. We had a great night. Teddy is way more laid back than Mr. Alvin so I guess that, is why they are besties. Opposites attract. We were late for Alvin’s supper by the time we got home so that was the first thing on the agenda “feed Alvin,” and of course see if Teddy would eat a bit more, which he did not. He is not a huge eater. So unlike Alvin. Once they were tended to, I started my supper which was a pot of chili. It turned out to be one of the best pots of chili that I have ever made. So yummy. It was very late for me with supper. After the dishes were done and clean up, we just had a quiet evening snuggling on the sofa. This morning. Last night Alvin was up about 3:00 and then tried to get me up as soon as possible for his breakfast but I managed to hold him off until 5:00 a.m. …… Teddy could have cared less about eating so will try him again and again. Which I did when we got up at 7:00. They are so different but really get along so well.

Alvin is upstairs waiting “patiently” for me to be done and Teddy is snoozing on the sofa in the living room.

The skies are overcast and it was light outside about the time we got up. Well today is the start of my cleaning and reorganizing and sending out notes for an upcoming tea order that I will submit next weekend.

BEST FRIENDS

Everyone needs to have a best friend.

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  Teddy

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• 

  BF Teddy

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  Alvin & his BF Teddy

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Wishing you a wonderful Good Friday.

May you be surrounded by love and joy.

Be safe in all that you do.

Soon you will be surrounded by all your friends and family.

That you miss so much as they do you.

Continuing to live with kindness, respect, compassion and patience.

Always, Carol & Alvin

It is a NEW YEAR.

Good Morning and Welcome to Wednesday the 1st day of a new month, April.

Usually people would be playing pranks on one another this morning but alas I don’t think it is likely appropriate this April 1st.

The sky is almost white this morning with a tinge of the palest of blues.

I am hopeful that the sunrise will be visible shortly.

Yesterday afternoon the SUN was so bright against the deep plush blanket of snow it was almost blinding from inside the house.

At one point I was thinking I should put on my sunglass clips but then I was not in the living for long and in my office it was not too bad.

Working from home as been interesting.

Today is our 10th day, I believe.

I do love being here with Alvin, going for walks at lunchtime when we can and the commute.

Nothing beats the commute.

Nothing.

Other than retirement and then there would be no commute, period.  OVER and OUT.

But that is not where I am at this time so a short commute is wonderful.

It is nice dressing how you feel.

Somedays I feel like dressing as though I am going to the office and others it feels more casual.

I have not as yet wore my pajamas or gone without wearing a bra.

But we are just beginning in this new norm.

I have a feeling that it will be extended for us past April 30, 2020.

I have not been watching the news to see how many cases or if the virus has grown substantially in Canada.

I feel that I am doing my part.

Staying home and reducing the chance of catching the virus.

My friends drop things off at the door and when we visit it is in short spurts at the door and I am six feet away.

No hugs even though we really want to.

I wash my hands.

Importantly I get lots of rest, try to remain calm, get some exercise and eat right and keep hydrated.

Speaking of hydrating (kidding), I smell the coffee perking away.

Let me tell you there is nothing short of wild roses lining the path to the park or lilacs blooming or the scent of a little baby that matches the smell of coffee brewing.

I guess the secret is out.

BEST SMELLS EVER:

Wild roses

Lilacs

Scent of a baby

COFFEE

Perhaps after a rain ……

What are you favourite scents?

Maybe you could send me your list.

I am excited to see what everyone likes or loves.

 

Mr. Alvin ….

Even though he has my schedule for starting and ending work and breaks down to the minute, I think he is out of sorts.

I think that he has some pain in his paws due to arthritis.

It was/is a matter of time.

I will continue with his daily regimen of glucosamine.

I do know that when the weather changes, I can see a difference.

This is not news to his Doctor.

Don’t worry I keep her aprized.

 

How about some miscellaneous photos.

I love photos.

Let me see what do I have handy.

 

Oh my darling grand pup MILO closest to the camera and little KOBI in the background.

MILO and Miss ASPEN.

Love my grand pups.

I love the way the tree looks after a snowfall.

Branches gently cradling the snow.

Last year’s birthday …. the most delicious cupcakes.

With Key Lime Icing

Geese near the park by my house, last year or year before.

Time passes so quickly …..

Flowers from my friend’s garden.

I cannot wait to see her garden this summer.

Our friend next door, HUMPHREY.

Thankfully he does not have to wear the CONE often anymore.

But sometimes.

FRIENDS

I wished that I had one of Alvin and Teddy looking out of the bedroom window.

I have some.

ALVIN and TEDDY on the bed.

 

Well almost time to grab my coffee and get the start up to work.

I hope that you have an awesome day.

Wednesday, we got this.

Two more days until the weekend.

 

Living in Kindness and with Respect,

I, We remain as,

Always, Carol & Alvin

It is a NEW YEAR.

Hello and Welcome to Monday, Family Day here in Alberta, Canada.

Unfortunately not a great day to be out and about.

It has been snowing steadily since we were first up about 3:30 this morning.

It is still snowing.

I have shovelled the deck already and looks like it will need another time shortly.

The front is buried in about six inches or so of snow.

I see more shovelling in the near future.

Teddy and Alvin are in the office with me.

Teddy on the blanket and Alvin at the door.

I am so grateful that we were able to take in a nice long walk yesterday.

We saw Aunt J and Kobi out for a walk.

She likes to get her out after she eats so that it gets her going.

 

Almost all of this weekend I have had an annoying headache.

Go to bed with it and waking up the same way.

Normally I do not like to take any kind of medication when I am under the weather.

Sleeping did not seem to help much so I took some medication.

Actually a few times.

Perhaps I have not been drinking enough water.

I will make a point of watching how much I drink.

It is easy to drink lots of coffee and tea and forget to drink just plain water.

I do know that headaches are a sign of dehydration.

So will watch today.

I have been drinking water since the first time I was up with Alvin.

 

Also I have been trying to upload/download photos from my phone to the computer.

Some of the photos will load and others will not.

I am trying to figure out why not?

It is odd.

 

Some photos from yesterday.

The boys being good while I am on the computer.

The germanium my friend gave me has grown and is blooming once again.

The crystal shining in the window.

My glass flower stem in the Spider plant.

Poinsettia plant still blooming.

The boys hanging out.

 

Last two photos are from this morning, actually only a few minutes ago.

Teddy was on the bed and had the chew treat that Alvin now has in this mouth.

Teddy dropped the chew treat and Alvin grabbed it and ran to the hallway.

Poor Teddy.

 

Well it is time to go and eat some breakfast and have some coffee.

Then time to shovel.

I have laundry to bring up from the basement.

Couple loads of towels and bedding to do.

Yes, change the bedding on our bed.

 

Family Day spending with the pups.

Aunt J is coming for tea later.

 

Well time to get this show on the road.

I hope that you all have an awesome day.

Headache is gone.

YAY, yes I know drink more water.

 

Happy Monday.

Short work week ahead.

That is always nice.

 

Always, Carol, Alvin and Teddy,.

It is a NEW YEAR.

Brrr, it be COLD here in Edmonton and most of Alberta and the prairies.

We are breaking records for these cold temperatures.

Hardly something to brag about, I know.

Oh well, just grateful to have a nice warm house and office to spend my days and nights.

I believe that Mr. Alvin is in the throes of cabin fever.

He was up at 12:28 a.m. and then again around 2:30 and then at 4:00 a.m. …….. argh.

This is way too hard on my brain.

Poor boy, I feel it.

 

Well it is Tuesday.

Somehow this cold weather is playing with my brain.

Making an intelligent thought somehow difficult to articulate.

I yawn the minute that I leave the house for work in the morning.

It certainly gives us the feeling that we should be hibernating.

 

I am going to post some happy, photos of warmer weather.

Perhaps that will change my brain.

 

The key lime iced vanilla cupcakes that I had for my 62nd birthday.

Isn’t that funny that I would go straight to the food photo, the sweets.

 

I am sitting in that chair that has the blue blanket draped over the back.

Alvin is laying on that blue blanket beside me.

I do love this room.

 

Flowers from my friend’s house this past summer.

Going to post more as they are so pretty.

Alvin peering around the far corner.

They have such a beautiful yard.

I could live in it forever.

 

Friends enjoying the view outside.

 

Well time to hit the icy trail.

But first as you now know my routine, outside to pick up those precious parcels that Alvin left for me, earlier.

I hope that you have an amazing day.

Please be safe.

Please stay warm.

 

Happy Tuesday.

 

Always, Carol & Alvin

 

 

 

Living … One day at a time

Good Morning and HELLO Wednesday, November 6, 2019.

I was reminded this morning as I glanced over my beautifully made BULLETIN BOARDS that line the wall above my computer ….

of THE OPTIMIST CREED.

Each line, each sentence alone is a strong statement but when all together they are so POWERFUL.

I belonged to The Downtowners Optimist Club once upon a time.

We repeated this creed at every meeting.

It reminded me of how I truly wanted to live my life had I sat down and put it to paper.

Today, again after I struggle with patience and what not, I saw those words staring back at me.

So I said the words that mean so much to me.

I will repeat them every day.

I want to live my life in service to myself and to others.

You cannot have one without the other.

So I hereby Promise myself ….

 

In the light of living a life proper …. Alvin and I enjoyed our walk with Teddy and his Aunt J.

We walked over to their house or actually Mr. Alvin pulled me over there.

Anyone driving by us would have smiled or giggled for sure as they watched this medium black & white doggie pulling me like a sled dog as I tried to stay on the end of the leash.

The snow was crunching and flying about.

We walked our regular walk but the boys were getting cold.

Aunt J picked up Teddy and carried him part of the way back home.

But he is light and easy to carry but Mr. Alvin not so much.

I did stop and rub his paws with my mitts in an effort to warm them.

We did not waste any time going home either.

I did feel as though I had a work out …..

 

Well time to leave for work.

I hope that you have an awesome day.

You are special and a great person.

Go easy on yourself.

Enjoy your Wednesday.

Keep warm, Keep safe.

Until tomorrow.

 

 

Always, Carol & Alvin

 

Sometimes cuteness needs to be shared.

My little old fart, me Alvin.

Living … One day at a time.

Hello,  good morning to you.

The sky is beginning to lighten as hopefully the sun will rise shortly.

YAY, today is Saturday.

Master Teddy slept over last night as his parents went out to the farm for today.

The boys well Alvin is curled up on the blue blanket beside me and Teddy is just sniffing about at the moment.

After work on our walk we walked or actually Alvin pulled me over to Teddy’s house.

By the time we arrived my shins were aching.

Oh, yes.

We had a little visit and then were on our way.

Me and the boys walked around by the lake in our park to home.

The grass is still very much green amidst the partially turned leaves on the trees.

Some trees are still very green.

The water is flowing.

Oh, how I love this time of year.

We enjoyed our walk home.

The boys spent a bit of time in the backyard but mostly they were right beside me as I cooked my supper.

Alvin is motivated by food …. I think you know.

So even this morning at 5:00 a.m., Alvin, after he ate his food wanted to eat Teddy’s.

Yup, we were up eating well they were eating.

Deep sigh.

What can you do?

Teddy is wanting to get up onto my lap but it is not easy to type/key with a puppy on your lap.

He always slides down.

 

I was just thinking last night and earlier this morning …… about being more proactive when it comes to my job.

Instead of being reactive …..

Hard to explain without getting into details which I cannot.

But I am excited to try these ideas in my work life to see the results.

Perhaps giving folks ideas how to make processes easier instead of reacting to them.

I will get back to you about this.

Life is way too complicated and I want to make it easier.

Life is short so why not make it as easy as possible.

If you have to work why not enjoy it.

Even the most demanding, frustrating of jobs could be made easier and less complex.

Simplify.

We all need to simplify our lives.

Our work  ….. our home.

Life balance.

We have over the years made things way too complicated.

Complicated = Stress

Or at least that is my opinion/my view after being on this earth for 62 years.

I have seen this first hand.

 

If we look to the Animal Kingdom we could learn so much.

Instead of destroying them …. learn from them.

 

Well I have two puppies that are ready to get downstairs.

I need some COFFEE.

Time to get going on the laundry.

I have changed my bedding and gathered the laundry.

And the COFFEE.

Yup, simply a cup of coffee and I am in heaven.

Nothing better than to be sipping on a mug of hot perked coffee surrounded by pups.

Life is good.

My life is great.

 

Happy Saturday.

If we continue to learn and live our lives in kindness and respect, we will live great lives.

 

Always, Carol & Alvin

 

Thought for the day ….

Good Morning and Welcome to Wednesday the 14th day of November, 2018.

Another good night with the boys.

Last night one of my friends dropped off the Harry Potter book that was written in play format.

I started to read it at bedtime and it is so good.

That friend also dropped off a jar of homemade beet pickles and two homemade meat pies.

The beets are going to remain unopened until Christmas so that I may share them with my kids.

They are my daughter’s favourite pickles.

We even managed to get in a short walk even though it was quite dark.

Alvin does not like to walk in the dark and would only go so far in the park as it is not well lit.

Perhaps he knows more than I.

It was so beautiful out yesterday.

Today is supposed to be nice as well.

We have an off-site all staff meeting today.

So it means leaving later for work and one of my co-workers is giving me a ride.

YAY.

Back to the carpool tomorrow.

 

Thought you might like some photos.

The arrangement is from Humphrey’s Mom to show her appreciation for the time that I spend with him.

He is such a dear ….

The others you will recognize them.

They are from this morning.

Teddy even got in a stretch.

It is amazing that the first thing they both do when rising from bed is to stretch.

I took take a page from them.

 

Well it took longer and I am running out of time.

Too many photos on the hard drive so I have to put off the photos until later.

 

 

Have an amazing day.

Happy Wednesday.

 

Special Hello to: my friends all over the world.

Always, Carol & Alvin

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Tuesday the 13th day of November, 2018.

Alvin is sitting by my chair in the office as I key these words and Teddy is sniffing around the office checking things as only a couple of days ago, I changed some of the furniture around.

Only a few minutes ago as I was getting ready in my bathroom with Alvin at my side; Teddy was on the bed playing.

He scooped the pillows and ran under the blanket that lays on the foot of the bed.

Pillows flying in every direction.

He likes to play under the blanket.

When he came out from under his hair was electrified and was flying in all directions.

It was then that I realized that my camera was downstairs.

I missed such a cute photo.

But running down to grab the camera would have brought the subject in hot pursuit.

So I decided that tonight I will make sure that I have the camera with me at all times.

OMG, such a cute sight.

Oh, the boys.

Every morning Alvin gets a little less vocal and a bit more patient.

He is getting used to having a bit of Teddy’s chicken with his food.

ARGH.

They shared blueberries and a bit of banana when I was having breakfast.

Except there are always the moments like just now when Teddy wanted up on my lap and Alvin got between him and me.

He likes his BFF but there are parameters, I guess.

They are so cute.

Black and white, White and black.

Even this morning one of the times they were outside …. it was evident….. Alvin when coming toward the house turned to see where Teddy was.

Alvin came in but still watching for his Teddy.

 

Yesterday when we were out for a walk we came across a woman and a puppy.

We all stopped.

The puppy was a Tibetan Terrier.

Black and so cute.

So full of energy.

Woman said puppy was her daughter’s and she was looking after him.

Both Alvin and Teddy played together with the new friend.

 

Later after supper, I paid a visit to Humphrey the Cat.

He still wears the “cone of silence” as I call it (after GET SMART) or most commonly referred to the “cone of shame.”

I was pleasantly surprised when arriving that he was laying on the sofa.

After I took off my coat and shoes, I walked to the sofa and sat down.

Humphrey plunked himself on my lap.

Strange for a cat.

He sat there for a good ten minutes.

I stroked his neck and gently rubbed his back.

He got up and moved about and then returned to my lap.

He did this three times over the time I was visiting.

So cute.

 

What would I do without these babies.

So cute.

Such great company.

Still wishing that I had some photos from earlier.

They would have brought a smile to your face.

I am certain of that.

 

Well another beautiful day on the way.

It will be dark when I get home and the pups will be hungry as I am catching the bus today.

Both ways.

But we will go for a walk even if it is short.

Have to take advantage of this beautiful weather.

 

Well time to run as I have to catch a bus.

Will let the boys out again before I leave.

 

Have an awesome Tuesday.

Special Hello to:  my sister ….

Always, Carol & Alvin

 

Thought for the day ….

Good Morning and Welcome to Thursday the 8th day of November, 2018.

Day 2 of Teddy staying with me and Alvin.

The boys get together on a personal level.

Alvin does want to eat Teddy’s food and I can understand why as he has real chicken in his.

So I get that.

The past few nights even before Teddy arrived …. Alvin has been starting to wake up in the middle of the night and wants to go outside.

He pees.

So now we both get up to pee in the middle of the night.

ARGH.

If we could only wake up at the same time.

We will have to figure something out …. perhaps after going downstairs …. going to the sofa would be a better option.

Better for more sleep, I think.

Age, what a wonderful thing.

Just kidding.

I love my age.

I took tomorrow off to have an extra long weekend and I am glad that I did…

We went for a walk last night.

Alvin hides under the table and Teddy run away.

It took several minutes to coax Alvin out from under the table.

He has does this every day for the past few years.

Not sure why.

Teddy thinks it is a game.

He did jump up on the chair so I was able to snag him to get his jacket and harness on.

We had an enjoyable walk.

These boys are so cute.

Sometimes like this morning when Al was very vocal because he wanted Teddy’s food, I was not so patient with my Alvin.

Firm approach did not work.

Finally I took Teddy into the bathroom and then Alvin barked at the door.

I hope that the sound proofing is working …. sorry my neighbours.

At the end I just sat down and hand fed Teddy and gave the odd bit to Alvin in with his food.

Not the best way but it worked.

Teddy also likes Alvin’s food.

I took these photos after work while getting changed.

My boys.

Teddy is now on my lap as I type these words.

Alvin is laying on his blue blanket.

There is quiet in our household except for the click clack of my fingers touching the computer keys.

All I can say is I need COFFEE and lots of it.

Thankfully a few cups of coffee and I will be awake …… more awake…..

Well almost time to leave for work.

Time to spend with the boys.

Time to do those last minute things.

Have an awesome Thursday.

 

Special Hello to: my friends all over the world who have four-legged family members and friends.  We all have our good days and our less than stellar ones.

Always, Carol & Alvin

 

P.S. I shall endeavour to be more patient as my life continues.

 

 

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Friday the 26th day of October 2018.

The house is extra quiet this morning without our little friend Teddy.

He brings joy to our house.

Alvin misses him, I know as he is following me extra close this morning.

Guess it is just you and me for now.

Me and You, You and Me, Mr. Alvin.

Oh my boy.

 

Last night after arriving home to two excited pups.

I tried to let them go outside but both them ran to find a chew treat to take with them.

Teddy grabbed a toy first and shook it about and then finally after a few minutes grabbed a chew treat and out he went.

I cannot imagine how it must feel to not pee for that many hours.

In my defence, if there is such a thing, I had left pee pads out.

One in the kitchen and one in the front entranceway.

After eating and changing and some time to say hello, we went for a walk.

We walked Teddy home.

It was light jacket weather and oh, so beautiful.

So enjoyed the past few walks as the weather has been perfect.

The boys walked along side by side like two brothers OR father and son.

They have the same colouring so often times before close inspection folks believe they are related.

They bring a joy to my heart and settle me right down after my day.

Thank you my furry bundles of joy.

Thank you.

 

When we arrived at Teddy’s home, his Momma and Papa invited us in for tea.

Well me for tea and well Alvin straight to Teddy’s food dish.

Made short work of that….. what a guy.

Followed by treats.

Not quite sure where he puts all that food.

We had tea and a wonderful visit.

 

Well thankfully it is Friday.

I love Fridays and the weekends.

Time to do things around the house and spend time with Alvin and sometimes family and friends.

I love putzing about the house and yard.

I am ever so grateful that I am able to live here in this home and have a yard.

My heart is full with family, friends, Alvin, this house, this life.

I have enough YING and YANG to keep me going for several decades.

The perfect balance between home and work life.

Although I would love to find a way to make a living by writing.

Just have to do it.

Sometimes we are our own worst roadblocks.

 

Well almost time to leave for work.

I hope that you have an awesome Friday.

Take some time for you – always take some time for you.

If you are not in a good place you are not able to be in good places with others.

 

Special Hello to: my youngest brother who is starting to awaken a new dream, you can do it.

Always, Carol & Alvin