Living … One day at a time.

Good Morning,

Happy Saturday.

We were up early and then hit the sofa for some extra zzz’s cause that is how we roll.

At 7:46 a.m. the sun is just beginning to pierce the horizon and the sky is begin to lighten.

I love sunrise.

Alvin just let out a huge sigh as he lays on his blue blanket beside me.

Always close and evidently not pleased at the moment.

What a guy.

Last night as we were leaving the house for our walk …. some friends were walking by.

Jack (little doggie friend) and his Mom.

So we joined them for our walk and enjoyed their company.

 

Today is a very special Saturday.

Today two of my most favourite people on the planet celebrate their 11th Wedding Anniversary.

I remember their wedding as though it were yesterday.

The day was similar in temperature perhaps a bit cooler.

There was sunshine and blue sky.

I remember standing behind them as they stated their wedding vows.

Barely holding back the tears and smiling at the same time.

Then they were married.

 

Their wedding photos were taken down in the River Valley a short walk from where they were married.

The trees were bare, stripped of their leaves from the wind and weather.

Steps, so many steps leading down to the valley.

Not great for high heels …..

As the photographer (a school mate of the bride) snapped photos; I thought how much it reminded me of a scene from days of old.

The forest …. the trees, the darkness in the valley …..

Anyway it was very cool and a day to remember.

 

Happy Anniversary to my darling daughter and sweet son-in-law.

May the years ahead treat you with kindness and respect.

May you have good health, great joy, much love and laughter.

May abundance be with you.

May you celebrate with love each day of your lives.

Dreaming always and realizing those dreams.

Have a great day my loves.

 

Some flowers for the day.

With Love, Forever and Always,

Alvin

Aspen

Milo

Mom

 

 

Now time to get this show on the road as my darling daughter will be joining me

this morning for a pancake breakfast.

Time to shower and get laundry on and make those pannie cakes.

 

Always, Carol & Alvin

 

 

 

 

 

Living … One day at a time.

Hello,

Wow, we had the most beautiful sun drenched Thursday.

So happy that Alvin and I were able to enjoy it with a walk and the mowing of our backyard.

Happy Friday the 13th.

I believe it is going to be a great day.

My youngest brother was born on Friday the 13th in January many moons ago.

 

As the past couple of weeks have ALL about my boy, I thought that I would share a poem that I wrote to him on our ONE YEAR ANNIVERSARY of being together.

 

ALVIN,

You came into my life almost a year ago ..

You were small, needy and unwell..

You made me feel anxious and sad,

Helpless and mad.

But then one day … the veil lifted.

I fell in love with YOU.

Loving your dog is unlike the love you have for a child, friend or sibling.

It is unconditional.

No strings attached.

No arguments or compliments

The view is one-sided

Or perhaps it is not.

But the feelings are felt.

It is true and inspiring.

You have taught me patience.

To be more loving.

You came into my life late one night.

Almost one year ago.

An idea not conceived thoroughly

But yet ….. it was …

You are where you are supposed to be.

Lucky ME.

I am blessed to have you in my life.

We are joined at the hip (sometimes at the foot) LOL.

But nonetheless we are joined.

I love you Alvin.

You bring me great joy.

Continual amazement.

I know that you understand me.

Each word ….. even when you tilt your head to the side.

I know you know….

Thank you so much…..

Love

Always, Your “Mom”

This KISS, this KISS (please stop, Mom you are embarrassing me!!)

 

Written on our first Anniversary together … January 19, 2011.

 

 

WIth kindness and respect the days are happier.

 

 

Always, Carol & Alvin

 

 

ALVIN

ALVIN,

You came into my life almost a year ago ..

You were small, needy and unwell..

You made me feel anxious and sad,

Helpless and mad.

But then one day … the veil lifted.

I fell in love with YOU.

Loving your dog is unlike the love you have for a child, friend or sibling.

It is unconditional.

No strings attached.

No arguments or compliments

The view is one-sided

Or perhaps it is not.

But the feelings are felt.

It is true and inspiring.

You have taught me patience.

To be more loving.

You came into my life late one night.

Almost one year ago.

An idea not conceived thoroughly

But yet ….. it was …

You are where you are supposed to be.

Lucky ME.

I am blessed to have you in my life.

We are joined at the hip (sometimes at the foot) LOL.

But nonetheless we are joined.

I love you Alvin.

You bring me great joy.

Continual amazement.

I know that you understand me.

Each word ….. even when you tilt you head to the side.

I know you know….

Thank you so much…..

Love

Always, Your “Mom”

This KISS, this KISS (please stop, Mom you are embarrassing me!!)

 

Written on our first Anniversary together … January 19, 2011.

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Wednesday the 16th day of January, 2019.

We are now half way past the middle of the first month of the New Year.

So far, it has been a pretty good month.

The temperatures are cooling off as of today for a few days.

Another busy night.

Some nights when you think it is going to be a quiet one, turns out not to be.

All of a sudden it was after 7:00 and I was not finished eating.

I submitted a NORWEX order last night and we went for a walk before supper.

So I was late starting but then just a few bites into supper a friend called.

I was not about to say “Hey, I am eating, can I call you back.”

TACO SALAD is okay warmish ….. cool.

So we chatted for over 1/2 hour.

Nice to catch up.

Then it was almost 8:00 and the dishes were not done, lunch was not made and so on.

I do like to go upstairs and start the “good night” routine at 8:30 p.m.

Oh well.

Just another one of those nights that so many people do on a regular basis.

Mine are usually quiet and I plan them that way although sometimes plans change.

I applaud all those people who are work all day and then have children and “stuff” throughout the evenings.

I used to be one of them …. a single Mom ….. working all day ….. did some direct sales on evenings and weekends, did volunteer work, managed our home

but my most important job, if you will was being with my daughter.

Now she is all grown up and no longer needs me to look after her.

Now I have Mr. Alvin.

Oh, Mr. Alvin.

He will be “10” on Saturday.

That is the date that I adopted him 9 years ago and they estimated his age to be one at that time or so.

So I am electing Saturday to be his tenth year celebration.

Looks like his BFF, his coming (not planned) to spend the day with us as his parents are going to the farm.

Sunday, will be his celebration with family and hopefully Teddy, as well.

I cannot believe that next year we will be together for ten years.

We should be celebrating.

That is the longest period of time that I have lived with a “guy.”

 

Well looks like time is evaporating as almost time to leave for work.

I hope that you have an awesome Wednesday.

I know that I will.

Surrounded by blessings.

 

Happy Wednesday.

Special Hello to: my, Mr. Alvin …. oh, Alvin where are you?

Always, Carol & Alvin

Thought for the day ….

Good Morning and Welcome to Monday the 1st day of October, 2018.

Dark outside as the season settles in with no chance of sunrise at this time of day until late spring – early summer.

Woke to a tiny bit of wet on the deck and on the sidewalk this morning.

We enjoyed our walk yesterday afternoon after the coffee party.

The leaves were various shades of green, yellow, orange and red.

Our tree in the front is all yellow and has started to drop leaves.

If a wind comes up I am quite certain they will be all on the ground.

I have held off raking as there are currently more on the tree than on the ground.

I do love to rake the leaves and jump through them.

Just a note my snapdragons have survived another weekend.

They are the colours of fall: yellows, corals, peaches and pinks.

 

We had a great weekend.

Walked and had company.

I think that Alvin misses Teddy.

 

Yesterday one of the girls hosted the coffee party.

Her parents are visiting from Newfoundland.

So nice to see them once again.

My friend, her daughter and parents attended the Paul McCartney Concert last night in Edmonton.

I was just a slight green with envy.

Lucky guys.

 

We started to plan our Christmas party.

Christmas ….. it seems so far away but yet it is not.

 

Well today begins a new month.

My daughter and son-in-law’s ten year wedding anniversary this month.

Grand-pups birthday this month.

Thanksgiving and Halloween.

Lots of birthdays.

 

I hope that you all have a great Monday.

May your day be filled with wonder and fulfillment of dreams.

May your day be filled with love and kindness.

May you lead the way with love and kindness.

Happy Monday.

 

Special Hello to:  my sister, how are you?  SKYPE?

Always, Carol & Alvin

 

 

Thought for the day ….

Good Morning and Welcome to Sunday the 20th day of May, 2018.

The sun is shining so brightly as it has for a few hours now.

The sky is that palest of blues.

There is a breeze blowing in through the open office window.

We were up earlier and then back to bed.

I am still feeling the effects of staying up for 24 hours which in hindsight was a mistake.

I should have just got up with Alvin at our regular 4-5 a.m. and I would not have missed anything important.

Oh well …..

Excitement had set in and I wanted to watch it all.

I love a Royal Wedding.

Wonder what they are doing now?

Yesterday my daughter and son-in-law attended a wedding.

The wedding was at noon – same as the Royal Wedding.

My son-in-law was a groomsman.

No one will forget their Wedding date / Anniversary.

 

There are some hot days in our forecast so I am thinking that perhaps Mr. Alvin should have a hair cut and bath today.

As it is fairly early in the day …. I should get into high gear and get his hair cut.

If I start in the next little bit I could have it done before lunch …. before it gets hot.

Oh, my we should have gone for a walk …. now while it is cool.

Decisions ….. ARGH.

Hair cut ….. stay on the path ….. this is what happens when I am over tired ….. hard to keep a decision firm in my head.

Oh, how that breeze feels good.

Open the windows, that is great idea.

 

Okay, time to get this show on the road.

Mr. Alvin – hair cut time.

We can always walk after supper ….

Tomorrow morning and Tuesday we will go early in the morning.

This week we will get up earlier and go before work.

Oh, and last night when we were sitting on the deck … there were mosquitoes.

Lots of those flying swordsmen.

 

I hope that you have an excellent Sunday.

Happy long weekend for those of use living in Canada and perhaps in other parts of the world.

We celebrate “Queen Victoria Day” on Monday.

 

Special Hello to: my sister ….

Always, Carol & Alvin

Thought for the day ……

Good Morning and Welcome to Wednesday the 18th day of January, 2017.

Another gorgeous “spring-like” day is on its’ way.

How wonderful is that?

Pretty great for January.

Tomorrow is a big day in our house as it is Mr. Alvin’s 8th Birthday.

We will keep it low key but it goes without saying that he will receive an extra couple of treats.

Hard to believe that we have been together 7 years already.

I guess it is Happy Anniversary to us, as well.

Crazy.

I remember our first month together.

Thought I was going to lose my mind.

But we both lived and here we are.

I must apologize as this will be short ( over slept ) due to dreams and Alvin.

Alvin has this thing about getting up about 4:00 p.m. (which is really too early for him to eat, but sometimes what can you do).

Well I lost my purse in the dream just as the timer on the microwave went off and so had to reset it to find out if I got my purse back.

Actually I forgot it on the bus and then did not know where to find the bus.

Ended up wherever I was – someone brought it to me when I was not looking.

All of a sudden it was there …… whew.

Gotta go …..

Have an awesome Wednesday.

Be extra kind today ….. maybe you will be able to return a lost item to its’ owner.

Special Hello to: my daughter – enjoyed our visit on route to Costco.

Always, Carol and Alvin

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Saturday the 3rd day of October, 2015.

It is overcast and windy here in Edmonton.

Just a few minutes ago my cousin left for home.

We had a wonderful evening.

Short but so great.

I was reminded over the course of the evening and this morning on how much I miss our conversations.

She is such a well read and good thinking person.

With common sense and logic.

I have always valued our talks and have learned so much from her.

Sometimes in our everyday lives we forget the importance of good conversations.

You know the proper exchange of information and opinion.

No one being right.

No one being wrong.

Just good talk ….

There are no words to express how much I needed that conversation at this point in my life.

In today’s world we read what is posted on multi-media, and then react.

Sometimes it is a positive experience and sometimes, less than.

I like the back and forth ….. the “Ying” and “Yang” of conversation.

Now, I know as I love to write that we express in words both our feelings and opinions otherwise there would not be books.

But somehow the art of conversation seems to have gone by the wayside.

Or at least to what I have noticed.

So many people have cell phones and are busy checking info on the internet, posting on FB and such.

To talk face to face or hold a conversation has become “old school.”

Much like letter writing……

Okay I am definitely showing my age.

I just wanted to share my recent experience and to remind us all about how important it is to just talk.

So maybe on this Saturday you go and see your Grandmother or your Dad or a neighbour ….. have a cup of tea or coffee and just chat ….. about the world, about your flowers, about conversation.

Thank you cousin for bringing me some good information and breathing some fresh ideas into my conversation, and helping me to remember …. we are all humans living on this planet and all we want is to LIVE.

Sometimes a visit is so much more than just a visit.

This was the case.

I am so grateful to my cousin “J” …..

I feel my old self again …… by the way the play was well done, and having a late supper (after the play) and chatting till 2 a.m. priceless.  By the way it was super cool to be at the opening night for the 50th Anniversary of the Citadel.

Thank you.

On a fun note:  Alvin went for a sleepover to his sister’s house …… oh, how I miss my boy…..he, as does his sister, brings me great joy and appreciation for life.

Happy Saturday ……. Enjoy.

Special Hello: to my cousin “J” …. safe trip home and thank you.

Always, Carol and Alvin

Thought for the day…..

Good Morning and Welcome to Monday the 19th day of January, 2015.

Today marks the 5th Anniversary of Alvin joining our family and what we celebrate as his 6th Birthday.

So huge ….

He is taking it all in stride beginning with wanting to sit on his Momma’s lap while I wrote in my gratitude journal.

He is just a tad too big to be doing that but I was thrilled that he still “asked” which he does in his own puppy way.

I wished that I had asked to take the day off so that we could just be together for the day but I didn’t think of it in time.

Oh well, I will be home later and we will celebrate.

No cake though but lots of fresh veggies.  His favourites.

HERE ARE SOME OF MY FAVOURITE PHOTOS OF ALVIN OVER THE YEARS.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MY DARLING – I LOOK FORWARD TO MANY MANY MORE.

YOU ARE THE EXTRA LIGHT IN MY LIFE, IN ALL OF OUR LIVES.

WE TREASURE EVERY MOMENT.

RIGHT FROM THE BEGINNING YOU FIT IN …

I LOVE YOU SO MUCH

HAPPY BIRTHDAY ALVIN.

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY AND THANK YOU FOR CHOOSING OUR FAMILY.

AKA: CONE-HEAD-not funny for the little guy

Enjoying a sunny winter’s day!

Baby Alvin

Alvin ……

Alvin at Home

Ah, Mama’s boy…….isn’t he cute!!!

Alvin in the snow…..

Alvin with his toys & the blue blanket was a gift from his foster parents.

Alvlin getting to know his “new” family….

Me and Alvin

We miss Simone’s hair cuts……

Lookin’ Out the Window…..

Alvin and Penny …..

Thought for the day…..

Good Morning and Welcome to Saturday the 17th day of January, 2015.

YAY, it is Saturday and I am going to have coffee with my girl friends at 12:30 ….

In 100 minutes we will be laughing and sipping on coffee….

I love spending time with these ladies ….

They make me laugh and laugh and laugh.

We talk about everything ….

We sometimes tear up …… sometimes life brings on something difficult.

But we get through it together.

I am so blessed to have the best support system on the planet.

Between a daughter, a sister and many girl friends I have all the best women to hear me when I need to be heard.

Now not to leave out the men in my life as they truly play an important role.

I have brothers, NEPHEWS and “man friends.”

So anything I need whether to laugh or cry I am truly covered.

Just incredible.

Oh, I better not forget “me Alvin” …. the most important guy in my life.

He gives me “love” everyday of my life.

So I had better go and get ready here.

Had a lazy morning …. slept in until late ….. had nice breakfast with my daughter ….

YAY for ME AND SATURDAY.

Special Hello to: all my friends and family all over the world you rock …. thank you from the bottom of my heart.

Always, Carol and Alvin

P.S.  Guess who is having a birthday / anniversary on Monday?  Mr. Alvin has been in our family for five years now and we celebrate his birthday on that date.  As you know, he was adopted so his real birthdate is a mystery.  We are celebrating his sixth year birth on Monday.