2021

Good Morning ALL! How are you this Friday morning? Yes, we made it to another weekend. We are almost blowing away here in Edmonton and parts of Alberta for the second day in a row. We are less than 55 miles as the crow flies from the site of some huge wildfires. Extinguishing them in these winds would be a might feat and I would think darn near impossible. I pray for those out fighting the fires to keep us safe. My daughter and her family are less than 40 miles from the fires. The skies are filled with deep dark rain clouds and we have had a few drops thus far. I pray for some rain with no lightning. Is that possible? I hope so. Even one of the matts I had on the deck blew down to the lower part and yesterday one of my garbage cans sitting by the fence on the deck blew over. They have not done that for many years. It has been a long time since we have had the strength and direction of these winds. I feel that the winds are getting stronger. Hopefully all the shingles and roofs remain intact.

Yesterday at noon we met up with Alvin’s best friend Teddy, his little sister Kobi and Mom for a lunchtime walk. We had a great visit with physical distancing. At the beginning of the walk we bumped into Bailey with her Grandpa out for a walk. Bailey saw me and pulled her Grandpa to cross the street. Alvin said hello and then the love fest started with me. Bailey gets so excited when she sees me and squeaks and little barks telling me so. I love her. I always feel so good after seeing them. When we got to Teddy and the gang, both Teddy and Kobi ran to me with fully extended leashes and before we knew it were all tangled up. Alvin had one of his paws caught up and I know just how sharp they are when pulled tight. Leashes, the thin ones can actually break open the skin (I know from personal experience). Anyway we fixed the situation very quickly before any damage was done. Alvin let me know what was going on even before I saw the leash wrapped about his paw/leg. It was very windy on our walk but we managed. When going to the Vet after work to pick up food for Alvin came up in our conversation, Iris offered to give me a ride to the vet. I am not sure how I would have carried a case of canned food and a small bag of dry food home in that wind and it is even worse today. After I picked up Alvin’s food and put in the trunk of Iris’s car, I slipped into the deli “The Careit” to pick up something for supper as I just did not feel like cooking. I could not decide but in the end decided upon a chicken pot pie and a ceasar salad and a small bag of two bite brownies to the tune of $32.00 and change. I almost had a coronary. I knew the chicken pot pie was $14.00 but there was no pricing on either of the other two items. Anyway, sometimes you have to support local businesses and they looked delicious. Iris told me when I told her the price “You bought them so now enjoy them.” She was right there was no reason to go on about the money spent. Sometimes! Anyway after we got home and I fed Alvin, I warmed up the chicken pot pie and while it was warming in the oven, I mixed up half of the salad. By the way there was enough for two meals so on that note it was way more economical and oh, my goodness so good. Very much worth the money. Money well spent. First bit of meat in a long time, the chicken that is.

This morning in less than one hour both Teddy and Kobi are coming to spend the day with us while their parents go to a townhouse that they own to clean it up as their renters moved out. To prepare for new ones. I love having the pups here and with the day being so stormy we wouldn’t be walking anyway so I am glad that Alvin has company. I forgot to tell you that on our way home from the walk yesterday, Alvin’s were actually blowing up in the wind. Never remember that happening before.

Time to head downstairs. Plug in the coffee and couple things before starting work. Have an awesome Friday.

Be safe and be well.

Oh, one more thing. There was a knock at the door just a few minutes after we go up from the sofa and I still had my pj’s on …. I looked out the window to see a white SUV and thought OH my goodness, did I get the time wrong for the pups to arrive and realized it was a different car. I opened the door and looked around to see nothing. Then out the window to see a woman staring at the house and pointing. I opened the door again and saw an express post packet sitting on the bench on my porch, I picked it up and waved okay to her and she left. I only checked the name and address when I got back into the house because who wants to stand on the porch in their pjs in this wind or at any time. Inside the house I looked at the address and name before opening it. Good thing that I did as it is not for me and is a different address. The print on the envelope is very small and I had to look a couple of times before I saw it was one digit different than my address. Guess I will be delivering this later. Not now. It will have to wait.

Time to fly.

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

Always, Love Carol & Alvin

2021

Good Morning ALL. How are you today? Yay, it is Friday. Why do we always want it to be Friday? Yes, I know because it is the start of the weekend. But doesn’t it feel like we just had the weekend? Feels like we just had Monday. The weeks seem to go by so quickly. I think that we feel that more when we are older. I am going to be 64 years old this summer. I don’t feel like 64 OR rather my mind feels younger but sometimes my body “is saying I cannot keep up.” Likely due to less walks. I love walking outside but with the temperatures being in the minus 30’s with the windchill OR even colder, I am not taking a chance. People don’t realize that it is not just frostbite of your face and fingers and toes but you can do real damage to your lungs and even your heart breathing in that extreme cold air. So we have stayed in the house except for Alvin’s trips to the backyard and mine to shovel until today. Now today is supposed to be somewhat warmer so hopefully okay as I have to run well actually walk over to the Vet and pick up supplies including food for Mr. Alvin. He has to eat. Luckily next Tuesday when he has his regular appointment and also his vaccinations the cold weather is to have passed and we shall be back to single digit temperatures. Thank goodness. I want to go for walks again. It was so great going for a nice walk at lunchtime. What a great way to break up the day. Good for both of us. We also got a bit more snow as I swept the snow off the back door frame twice this morning. I can see some more shovelling in my future. I cannot see the sun beginning to rise so that leads me to believe that the sky is overcast. If that sounds odd. We do have snow falling when it is sunny. Yes, we do. I just took a quick peek out of the office window and yes the sky is definitely that tinge of grey with no sunrise in sight. ARGH. Oh well. Hopefully by lunchtime when leave for the Vet – it has stopped snowing.

What are your plans for the weekend? Well remember a couple of weeks ago or was it this last one? They all run together. Anyway I had mentioned about gathering paperwork for my taxes. We had Teddy come for a sleepover instead. I felt that was more important for Alvin to see his friend than for me to spend time gathering papers. It really should not take me long as everything is in one place or two within my office. I really am looking to put things in order to do my taxes when it is time. I will wait until my employer issues my T4 which is at the end of February, I believe.

Well it is time to head on downstairs and get this day going. Coffee is in my immediate future for sure.

Oh update on the Chef’s Plate …. I had a Spicy Curry Turkey Burger and fries. The burger was good and yes it was spicy unlike one of last week’s dishes that said spicy and was not. This was totally spicy. Note to self: if I order from them again …. stay away from the spicy dishes or else put in less of the spice.

I hope that you are safe and warm and enjoying life. Be in good health.

Continuing to live my live with kindness, respect, compassion and patience. Remembering sometimes it is better to take the high road and not let folks get under your skin. There are those folks that just do and that will not change.

Always, Carol & Alvin

Second Half of the NEW YEAR – last quarter

Good Morning All. I say “Good” with some hesitation as when Mr. Alvin and I were first up and about about 4:30 a.m. this morning there was no sign of frost and the air felt warm as it touched my face. Today is my late start so the next time we were up was 7:00 and I looked out the front window to see something covering the top of the cars parked out front on the street. Some stuff indeed, it was the dreaded white stuff we call SNOW. No, I thought as I brushed my eyes with my hand, it cannot be. I made a TO DO LIST just last night before going to bed based on the weather forecast which did not call for snow until Friday. I have two potted plants which are still blooming and will need to be pulled and the pots put away (not a huge job, perhaps 10 minutes) AND to rake the front lawn which will take slightly more than ten minutes but longer to put the leaves into a garbage bag. It has been so windy that I have procrastinated the raking. Most times I have already raked the front lawn about 5 or 6 times but this year I thought why bother. I am always raking everyone else’s leaves at some point. So I guess I am the bad neighbour this time around. Also I have Alvin’s little patch of green in the backyard to rake which will take about 5 minutes. Oh well, it does appear to have stopped although the sky is overcast so it could mean more to come today. This day is also my late start. I start work at 11:00 a.m. and work until 7:00 p.m. On this shift we are on the after hours phone lines taking calls that come in from our clients/customers. I will say after being on the phones the rest of the time on my regular shift, this is not my favourite thing to do. Never been much of a phone person. Well there I have vented about the white stuff and phones.

Mr. Alvin is sitting whining at the doorway so I guess he needs something. I also have to run to the vet and pick up some food for him and a small bag of treats. I am going to pick up a lottery ticket because without one there is zero chance to win.

Yesterday was Tuesday and the first day of the work week for most of us “office” types and it felt just like a Monday. Alvin and I did enjoy a nice walk at lunchtime. Also we had a request for Alvin’s bestie Teddy and his little sister to come over this afternoon and spend the night to go home by Thursday night. Their parents are going to the farm to winterize their RV and it would be easier if they were in the city with us. So why not, I thought. Hopefully everyone is quiet while I am on the phones or not.

Time to go and I hope that you enjoyed my little stab at humour even though it really did sound serious …. I was joking about the snow. I actually like snow. Perhaps the arrival could have been a few weeks in the future but still I do love snow.

Please enjoy your Wednesday. I am coming Mr. Alvin.

Live with kindness and respect and love.

I/We shall remain,

As Always, Carol & Alvin

Living … One day at a time.

Hello ALL and welcome to a Wonderful THURSDAY morning.

I just saw a tiny bug fly by me …. the joy of having houseplants.

Alvin and I went for a short walk last night but it was heavenly.

The air was soft and warm.

Short but sweet.

I shovelled our front walks before going to pick up Humphrey.

I love how he holds on for dear life.

Perhaps the shovel scared him a bit as I was holding it on our walk to my house.

Alvin joined me on the deck as I shovelled but not that Humphrey boy.

He preferred to wait until the deck was shovelled before coming outside.

I cannot say that I blame him one bit.

So grateful for this warm weather.

The weather forecast originally called for COLD and lots of SNOW and now they are saying it might be warmer than normal.

Someone mentioned that they have hit all the bases and that they have.

No matter what they say now … they have made it official.

They would be correct either way.

 

Last night I happened to be standing by Humphrey who was sitting in Alvin’s chair when I caught the sight of a rabbit hopping by the window.

He / She was pretty much all white now.

 

Well I am happy today is Thursday.

I love Thursdays.

Two of the four monthly are pay days and that is a good thing.

The day following is Friday.

Starts with the letter T.

Mm, not sure about that one.

But anyway I am happy it is Thursday.

 

Tonight we are walking to the Vet after I get home from work.

Alvin needs food, some treats and toothpaste.

Cannot do without food.

 

Well time to go and pick up the poop.

That is a good way to start and end one’s day.

 

Happy Day.

I hope that you are doing well.

Enjoying each moment.

Spending it with kindness and respect.

 

Always, Carol & Alvin

 

 

 

 

 

Thought for the day ….

Good Morning and Welcome to Friday the 26th day of April, 2019.

Sunrise this morning is partially covered by a deep blue cloud bank.

The forecast for this weekend in Edmonton is cooler and wet.

We could use some rain.

 

Last night after work my daughter picked me up and gave me a ride home.

I absolutely love our conversations in the car ride home.

Trying to squeeze in and also to remember every bit of news that we can.

There is usually a bout of laughter about something or other.

I love my girl very very much.

We made a couple of stops including one at Alvin’s Vet to pick up some food for him before reaching home.

I was surprised as the cost of his food had increased by almost $3.00 per bag.

So lovely that everything rises in our daily lives but our income.

Why is that?

I often wonder how big families afford to buy food, good food?

Anyway ….. just thinking.

We had a quick visit at the house.

One of the other stops we made or rather I went into the store while I was waiting for my girl …. BON TON BAKERY.

They have been in business for over 60 years.

I could see why.  Busy place.

The baked goods smelled so delicious.

WOW, it was amazing.

I ended up buying a few things …. a loaf of bread, 1/2 dozen cinnamon buns, two muffins and an oatmeal raisin cookie.

I know it was an odd mix of items.

A bunch of carbs ….. do the raisins count to fruit?

They even gave us a lovely fresh “FRENCH BAQUETTE” as we were leaving the store.

As my daughter was leaving the phone rang and it was our friend P wondering about a walk.

Ten minutes later I was changed, had Alvin in his harness and out the door (his water bottle, too).

We walked all about the big lake to the north of us ….. we walked for about 50 minutes.

On the way home I stopped at the mailbox as we had a parcel waiting for us.

I even managed to carry the parcel (which was big), some mail, Alvin’s water bottle and of course, the boy.

The boy I did not carry, though.

Anyway home we opened the parcel which for Alvin could not happen fast enough.

He barked and barked.

I took out his present from our friend V and placed it on the floor.

He was able to get partially opened and then needed some help.

I took some video and photos.

Alvin got a can of some nice wet food and a toy.

He was happy.

I got well V’s famous cheese buns, regular buns, a carrot cake in the shape of Mrs. Rabbit.

The carrot cake is too die for …… so good.

I had to stay away from the fridge after the first piece.

A bunch of chocolates all kinds, a handmade dish cloth, a fancy sponge and more.

Well I see carbs in my near future and my belly is going “oh, no.”

 

Well I would have posted some photos but as I was going to do so found that my camera needs a change to the battery pack.

I do not have a spare one at the moment.

So no photos.

 

Well time to leave for work.

I hope that you have an awesome Friday.

Teddy comes tomorrow …. that always makes me and Alvin extra happy.

 

Happy Friday.

 

Special Hello to: our friend “V” who always spoils us.

Always, Carol & Alvin

Thoughts for the day ….

Good Morning and Welcome to Saturday the 5th day of January, 2019.

Still dark out as we are up earlier than usual for a Saturday.

We were awake at 4:30 a.m. – Alvin outside.

Bathroom breaks for everyone and Alvin had his glucosamine chew.

 

Followed by a couple of hours or so on the sofa.

Our sofa is so comfortable and quite often my sleep even though the time is shorter on the sofa – is a better one.

I think that I sleep well but it is BETTER on the sofa.

I need a mattress that replicates my sofa.

Isn’t that funny how most of us can sleep better and fall asleep more quickly on the sofa.

Why is that?

Because it is not in the bedroom, where you are typically supposed to sleep?

Because you know it is for a shorter time?

Because maybe it is more comfortable than your bed?

Because you are more relaxed on the sofa?

There is no television on when I sleep on the sofa in the morning.

There is no music playing.

I do not have a special pillow.

Why? WHY? Why?

All I know is that when I sleep on the sofa – I fall asleep right away – I dream lots – am super comfortable.

Alvin loves the sofa, too.

Although he can sleep pretty much anywhere (like right now on his blanket on the floor).

So this is the thought for the day.

 

Well this is going to be a busy weekend.

This morning: after finishing my post – need a shower – eat breakfast (both of us) – go to the Vet for Al’s regular nail trim and extras, he needs food, toothpaste and some treats – laundry – groceries –

house cleaning – put away the Christmas decorations that were banished to the basement and whatever else I can get done.  There is also more snow shovelling to do as well.  Tomorrow I was invited to

a baby shower for the daughter of one of my friends.  Have not been to a baby shower for years.

 

Time to fly here.

While the momentum is there.

Sometimes all we want to do is veg.

Alvin has moved from the office to the hall (there is carpet there and definitely more comfortable than the floor with his blanket).

I hope that you have an awesome Saturday.

The debate will continue between sofa and bed – bed and sofa.

 

Special Hello to: my sister ….. SKYPE time, let me know?

Always, Carol & Alvin

 

 

Thought for the day …..

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

Really …. how did that happen?

Time ……

Well our temperatures have turned mild for the next little while.

We had freezing rain yesterday which played havoc with sidewalks.

I walked along the edge of the sidewalk in the snow on my way home from the VET.

I got off the bus by the VET clinic and then just had the one way home.

Man, you sure had to be careful.

This morning I am thankful to be hopping a ride with my neighbour.

Now all I have to do is get from the house to the car.

Carefully.

I love the warmer temperatures for sure but not good for walking.

We had to skip the walk last night.

I was disappointed as was Alvin.

We just played in the back yard / deck for a bit.

Hopefully the sidewalks are better tonight.

I almost forgot until this very second ….. I purchased those ice pick things that you can put onto your boots.

Gotta run ….. find them and put them onto my boots.

Have an awesome day.

 

Special Hello to: all my friends and family …… stay safe.

Always, Carol & Alvin