Last Half 2022 – December

Good Morning ALL! How are you this morning? Well the question was there when I signed in. This morning was “Do you like to eat meat?” I am thinking that Word Press has these questions incorporated into the program. For what purpose, I have no idea. Anyway, for the most part “no.”

Countdown to Christmas – 21 sleeps till Christmas Eve.

Story: Last Night

Ride home with my carpool after work – took longer – home at 5:15 p.m. – my daughter was coming for a sleepover after work – Alvin outside to pee & poop – fed Alvin – shovelled driveway – started supper – took down workstation – continuing to make supper with apple crisp for dessert – tidying up – doing dishes as went along – daughter texted as she stopped to do some shopping – she was looking for winter boots as I had wanted / needed some new ones – couldn’t find any – then found some – relaxed for few minutes – Alvin was whiny – texting with Val – texting with Amanda – doorbell rang – three ladies – one with a guitar – fundraiser – I had no cash – would sign any Christmas song – take e transfer – was flustered as was on phone – Alvin was whiny – I was hangry – tired – said I am sorry, no – not a fan of e transferring strangers who come to my door – why on a night that was minus 20 or more with a guitar – my daughter found me boots – supper ready – kept warmed in oven – apple crisp baked – daughter arrived about 7:45 p.m. – we were both tired and hungry – ate supper – tried on one of them – while going to try on other one realized it was a size “11” – daughter mad at her oversight – cleaned up – decided at 8:30 with Winners being open – quick trip back to the store to return – back to store – not many people – thank goodness – overwhelmed with stuff – had not been shopping for literally years – looked around – found another size 8 in that boot style – almost did not – that would have been maddening – used my gift card from my birthday – picked up Alvin a new food dish – a beautiful storage box – some serviettes – some Christmas string – Christmas tags and a Christmas game – see the running them – check out – home – did dishes – ate apple crisp – looking through Val’s Epicure catalog to place an order – bit of t.v. – snuggles with Alvin – Alvin tired – finally bed at 11:23 p.m. – up at 2:30 – up at I do not remember and up for awhile. Happy Saturday. Baking day. I think that Alvin is going home with Amanda.

I am texting with a friend about a Christmas gift and I have lots to do so better go now. Wasn’t last night fun! I need a vacation.

Happy Saturday.

Continuing to live this life with kindness, respect, compassion, patience, love, laughter, understanding, gratitude, focus, possibilities and coffee.

Always, Carol, Alvin & Amanda

PS – need coffeeeeeee

Last Half 2022 – October

Good Morning ALL! Looks like another beautiful fall / autumn day on the way, perhaps it is already here. Everything is great at this very moment in my world. Alvin is/was napping outside the office door but he heard something and his head has perked up while my daughter is catching some final zzz’s before getting up to start her day. Life is great. I have both my “kids” here with me. Alvin and Amanda. The lights of my life. I should include my son-in-law and my grandpups as well in that “lights of my life” statement as they are definitely included. Last night we had Pad Thai for supper (my first attempt) and apple crisp for dessert. Supper was great. We had tried to take Mr. Alvin for a walk when we first got home from work and almost had to drag him to the park. He just did not want to walk. But we did get to the park. When he does not want to go – he is very firm about his decision. I thought after missing his noon walk that he would have loved to go but not the case. I am so grateful that Amanda was able to sleepover. Nice having her here with us.

Yesterday on the way home from work I was able to stop and pick up spare house keys so that whomever is watching Alvin has their own key and then I do not have to run about the neighbourhood picking up and dropping off keys. Much easier. Also, if someone ended up being sick or unable to watch Alvin at the last moment, then I would just have to call the phone list to see who could come over instead. A good plan. We also stopped and picked up lottery tickets and I may very well at this exact moment be a multi-millionaire. That changes everything. I would instantly retire, pay off the mortgage and just enjoy the rest of Alvin’s days and do the things on my bucket list like: publishing a book. I would also love to visit the East Coast of Canada and the Northern Territories, perhaps go to the United Kingdom (Ireland, Scotland and England), Italy and Greece and back home to Regina. Not all at once but I would definitely do this. I have always wanted to go to a tropical place so I would have to decide on which place: Hawaii, Bahamas? After that was all done, I was be more than happy to stay home or at least keep the travel to within Canada. Of course, who would not like to go on an African Safari or visit the Amazon in South America or the vast expanse of Australia. But I am being realistic in my choices. Besides I am not too keep to travel too far from home.

Well it is Thanksgiving weekend in Canada. I celebrate and give thanks for my life. I am grateful that my little buddy Alvin is doing well healthwise at this moment. I am grateful to be surrounded by loving, kind and supportive family, friends and neighbours. I am grateful to be in good health. I am grateful to live in this beautiful home with a nice yard. I am grateful that I can see and hear and have the ability to smile. I am grateful that I can dance and sing and enjoy life. I am grateful for walks with Alvin and with friends. I am grateful for quiet moments and loud ones. I am grateful that I am living my life to the best of my ability and beyond. Happy Thanksgiving to all my Canadian Family & Friends. May you be of good health and surrounded by love and kindness and respect. Happy Thanksgiving!

Photo by olia danilevich on Pexels.com

Photo by Element5 Digital on Pexels.com

Photo by Caleb Wood on Pexels.com

Photo by Tomas Anunziata on Pexels.com

Photo by Anna Tukhfatullina Food Photographer/Stylist on Pexels.com

Photo by RODNAE Productions on Pexels.com

Continuing to live this life with kindness, respect, compassion, patience, love, laughter, understanding, gratitude, focus, possibilities and coffee.

Always, Carol, Alvin & Amanda

PS: there will be raking in my future with some laundry and putting away patio furniture!

I just realized that I do not have a pumpkin pie, oh no!

Last Half 2022 – October

Good Morning ALL! How are you this morning? Alvin and I are well. We slept through till 3:00 a.m. and then at 5:00 a.m. from the sofa, I heard this low noise and jumped up as I realized it was the alarm clock on my phone. When I get to the office I turn the sound for notification and such, all the way down so that I do not disturb anyone should the phone “ring.” I must ask my daughter if there is any other way to do this function. Remember I am not the most tech savvy person on the planet. Not even remotely close! Anyway, I reset the alarm to 5:15 for an extra few minutes and then we were up. Mr. Alvin had his breakfast and then we went outside. Once back into the house, made our bed, brushed my teeth and then hit the shower. That felt good. I stopped showering everyday a while ago as I found that my skin got dry and who likes dry skin. When we were outside around 5:25, I noticed that the stars seemed to be more bright and noticeable than usual. I wonder if there are more satellites in the sky now? Perhaps not even stars but man made objects taking up space above us. The moon did not appear to be anywhere in sight? I scanned the sky with my eagle eyes (lol) – with my glasses on. I did attempt to take a photo with my phone but all I got was black. We are having a great morning thus far.

Yesterday when I arrived home from work, I unlocked the door and called out to Mr. Alvin. He did not come and I called him several times. I thought that I saw him standing at the window but wasn’t sure. My heart sank to my toes for a brief moment or three. Kicking off my shoes, I walked into the living room and over to the chairs by the window and there he was standing looking out the window. I thought he would have saw me or maybe I made it to the door as he was going to the window, not sure. Anyway, I breathed a huge sigh of relief when I saw him standing up and breathing. My mind went to a place that I was scared to even think about at this time. Anyway, all is well. Perhaps the boy’s hearing is going. I noticed that when he was in my bathroom this morning waiting for me to get ready. He was laying on one of the small rugs and when I spoke to him, he did not move. When I lightly touched him he jumped. I walked around him so that he could see me from the front and he did not immediately jump up. Today I am noticing his age. My poor boy. The joys of getting older! We had a good night. I took him outside right away for a pee and then fed him his supper before we head out for a walk. OMG, it was so beautiful outside last night after work. I am getting home by 4:30 which is early. When I carpooled before, it was usually 5:00 or later. Definitely helps catching a ride with someone you directly work with that is for sure. I am grateful that at least at night I am only losing 1/2 hour of personal time. The morning well that is a different story and time away from Alvin a total other story. Yesterday my neighbour Sonja popped by a couple of times to check on him, make sure he goes outside, has something to eat and to drink and then she has snuggle time. I appreciate that. We are like family and she feels like a daughter to me. We both love her very much. She is a kind-hearted lovely human being. I am so grateful that I am surrounded by good people. Very grateful.

Tonight after work, my daughter is picking me up from work. We are going to get some keys cut as I want to ensure that everyone looking after Alvin has a key so that I don’t have to play “chase the key” when the schedule changes. Amanda is sleeping over and I am so excited. Last night I made a huge apple crisp with some of the apples from my friend Pauline. I had to try some even though it was late to eat at 8:07 p.m. Turned out pretty good, I must say.

Well time to head on downstairs so that I can take Mr. Alvin outside again. He will need to poop (yes, I am talking about that subject again, lol) again before I leave for work. Remember p-o-o-p is important to keep track of – it can tell you so much about your health.

I hope that you have a great Friday. Another sunny warm fall day on the way. I am so happy.

Continuing to live this life with kindness, respect, compassion, patience, love, laughter, understanding, gratitude, focus, possibilities and coffee.

Thank goodness coffee is free at work especially with the soaring prices.

Always, Carol & Alvin

PS: thank you for this day and I am grateful it is almost the weekend.

The New YEAR 2022

Good Morning ALL! Welcome to a bright and beautiful Sunday morning. We did have frost overnight but it will disappear as the sun’s warm rays shine down. How are you this morning? I hope that you are well. We are doing pretty fair, I must say. It was really late when the lights went out last night, I want to say close to 11:30 p.m. and the next time we were up it was close to 5:00 so I gave Alvin his glucosamine chew and his breakfast before he went outside and then it was back to the sofa until 7:30 am. Now I would have stayed on the sofa happily enjoying the warmth of our soft red blanket snuggled beside the boy but he had other ideas. But he jumped and wanted outside so I had no choice but to follow. Up and to the door we both went – he was going back and forth on the deck before I realized that Sonja was outside with Bogart. Appeared that Bogart was trying to make a run for it and was on the top of their gate but she was able to talk him down but in the meantime Alvin was pacing the deck wanting to be a part of the action. I think personally that he misses his feline friends. It has been forever since Humphrey has spent anytime with us. He used to spend lots of time here with Alvin before his brother came to be. Sonja had to go off their deck and into the backyard to retrieve the unsuccessful attempt to escape artist before heading into the house. Alvin did not give up. He paced the lower part of the deck debating on whether to jump down onto the snow and ice that remains on the opposite end of the steps down. Now he could have taken the steps down and it has melted there but frozen ground. Not sure which was better if either for him to go down but jump he did as I watched temporarily holding my breath. He walked over to the fence and sniffed as if he saw Humphrey and Bogart but they were in the house. Finally after a few minutes, I grabbed a jacket and put on some shoes and my glasses and went outside to retrieve the boy from his mini morning adventure. He certainly did not want to come in as he ran across the frozen ice, snow and mucky frozen grass we call a backyard with me in careful hot pursuit. Finally I thought that I had him to carry back up but he is faster than me. Up he jumped onto the deck. First time he has been down in the area of the backyard since early winter. Months and months. I managed to get him into the house and wiped his feet not that they were wet but to dislodge any little bits of “yuck” that may have clinged on his paws. Once into the house, I decided what was the point in laying back down on the sofa so I put away my jacket, folded the red blanket and propped up the pillow and went downstairs. I turned on the dryer to warm up the already dried towels that were left in the dryer last night and then put on the last load of laundry, some blankets. I waited a couple of minutes for the dryer to warm up the towels before putting them into a laundry basket, I grabbed the NORWEX cloths and my clothes that were on the drying racks and took them upstairs, upstairs to my room where I proceeded to hang the clothes, fold the underwear and fold the towels. I decided at that point that today I should remove all of the towels etc. from the linen closet and reorganize. The recently washed towels were placed on the spare room bed as I wanted to write this post before tackling the linen closet. In fact, I may leave that until later, time will tell. So here we are. I am going to walk over to our little neighbourhood mall in the early afternoon so I will have a shower likely after this post. Freshen up you know!

Yesterday was a great day. Starting off with coffee with my girl friends in the morning which actually ran into the early afternoon. Man, did we have some great conversation. The girls brought treats to add to the sweet little oranges that I offered. So we had peanut butter cookies and apple danishes as well as the oranges. I broke down and gave Mr. Alvin a wee bit of peanut butter as he was “really feeling left out” and made sure that he let us know. I think that is his first peanut butter since his surgery over one year ago. Once in awhile treats are good. He licked that up pretty fast, I must say. After the girls left I got the laundry ready to go before we headed out for a walk. It was really nice out and we enjoyed the walk and exercise. I am assuming that Alvin liked the exercise, he did enjoy the sniffing part for sure. Once back I put on some laundry and then decided to go outside and remove that remaining ice on the front sidewalk. It took me over 30 minutes but I picked and scraped with my ice pick tool (like a straight up garden hoe) and removed the ice. I also chipped away and cleared the drain and pushed all of the ice chunks down the storm drain. I could see and hear the water running down the drain from both sides. Finally my job was done and back into the house. My SKETCHERS and socks were soaked and my pants were wet from splashing myself so once inside the house, I removed my shoes and shoes and went upstairs to change my pants. Doning fresh pants and socks back downstairs. I decided that I needed a real coffee break so at 3:00 p.m. in the afternoon I made a pot of coffee, yes I did, lol. Not likely the best choice that I have ever made but nevertheless it was done. I sat down and enjoyed a cup of coffee before heading out to the backyard to do some snow removal. The deck is almost bare so I was lucky to scrap some of the remaining snow from the grass area up onto the deck. Hopefully it does get to +12 or so today so that the grass that he clear from ice and snow in the back dries out. Alvin needs a place to “go.” Let me see what next. Laundry. Supper for Alvin. Odds and ends of things. I had supper later than usual but was happy to have leftovers of stir fry and then apple crisp for dessert. I worked on laundry into the evening. Leaving the towels to finish drying overnight.

Last night I watched a couple of recent episodes of “Star Trek” PICARD” last night. That show really is timely, I must say. They always seem to incorporate the “thoughts and actions” of the day. From the very first STAR TREK episode back in 1966 they seemed to get the true essence of human beings. They were ahead of the curve in so many ways. Last night one of the characters cited some words that made me stop the show, grab my phone and record her words. I even posted it on Facebook. The character was a much younger Guinan who Picard had come across in 2024 (you will have to watch the episode for all the details) in his attempt to correct the timeline. Guinan said to Picard “this place is a pressure cooker, you know they are actually killing the planet, the truth is whatever what you want it to be, facts aren’t even facts anymore, a few folks have enough resources to fix all of the problems for the rest but they won’t, because their greatest fear is having less, because this one tiny ball in the entire galaxy and all this species wants to do is fight, I have been here long enough. There were never more true words spoken. Remember Guinan is a El-Aurian from another planet, another galaxy far away.

Well, I suppose I should end this post before I end up writing a book. LOL. Time to hop into the shower and then have some coffee. I can smell coffee in my mind. Looks like it will be a beautiful day.

Have a wonderful Sunday. I know that we are going to enjoy every moment of this day.

Until tomorrow,

Living this life with kindness, respect, compassion, patience, love, laughter, understanding, gratitude, focus and possibilities.

Always, Carol & Alvin

The New YEAR 2022

Good Morning ALL! How are you this morning? I, we are well. It is light outside and in fact the sun was shining brightly when I looked out of the living room window but now that I am upstairs in the office facing south, there is a blue veil covering most of the sky. The remainder of the night sky perhaps. The morning sky always amazes me with all the different aspects. Tomorrow is supposed to be +12 degrees celsius. Cannot wait. For some people that would be “flip flop” weather. Not me but definitely light sweater weather.

This morning in less than 2 hours my friends are coming for coffee. Remember how I said that we decided to get together every weekend from now on, so we are. YAY. I am excited to chat about the week since we last were together. It is great having friends that are younger as they have both have young teenagers and I hear stories of technology, friends, school, and so much more. They give me their perspective on the world and life. Different sometimes from my friends that are around my age for example. Having friends of all ages is a wonderful thing. I absolutely love it. Brings me joy and gives me a more round perspective on life and the world. Isn’t that what most people need is a broader view?

I wonder if all of my neighbours are up for the day? Do you sometimes think when you got up a bit later than you would have liked what others are doing? I do, does it matter in the grand scheme of things, not really. So I stress about it now? I only wonder.

Yesterday we had a nice long walk at my lunch break and it was nice. After work we walked only to the park and then home as I needed to prepare for my daughter’s arrival. I had all of the prep work done and was cooking supper when she arrived. The apple crisp (her favorite) in the oven and the vegetables prepared for stir fry and I had the chicken prepared as well. The water was on for the rice. I turned off the burners when I received a text that she was at the back waiting for me to open the garage door. Alvin and I went out and opened the big door and happily waited for her to park. Back in the house, burners on and started cooking. Stir frys are a quick meal so it did not take long before we were eating one of her favourite meals. We had the best visit and enjoyed supper and then apple crisp. I can tell you I had one happy happy daughter. Then before you knew it time to say goodbye until our next visit which will be next week. The following week they leave for VEGAS and the pups Aspen and Milo will be staying with us. I am on vacation during the time they are gone and cannot wait. So happy to be having a nice break surrounded by the pups.

Well it looks like the clock is slowly inching its’ way toward the arrival of my girlfriends so I best be getting this show on the road. Certainly will be enjoying my first cup of coffee this morning.

Today will be laundry and the usual but I need to figure out what to do in the backyard as the snow on the deck is basically non-existent. Too hard to take Alvin out the front every time he has to pee or poo and the backyard area is frozen ice/bit of snow on one end which would be okay but the area by the stairs and on the other side pointing to the north is one slime bucket, I do not know how else to explain it. The grass is bare in spots but so mucky and I certainly do not want him down there as it would be hard to clean both the area he used and to clean him. OH no!! So I have to figure out something. Perhaps with tomorrow be 12 degrees that area will dry up. I sure hope so. Anyway!!

I hope that you have a great Saturday!

Did anyone get pranked for April Fools? Not me. I do remember being pranked and pranking others in my youth.

Continuing to live this life with kindness, respect, compassion, patience, love, laughter, understanding, gratitude, focus and possibilities.

Always, Carol & Alvin

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Wednesday the 29th day of August, 2018.

It is dark out although the sky appears to be getting light now at 6:15 a.m.

No rain overnight.

The smoke seems to have lightened mostly and I hope that the fires in British Columbia and elsewhere are going out or have gone out.

I wanted to share another “Apple Crisp” story …

Last night with nothing left that resembles milk in any fashion; I opted to use the “choke cherry syrup” that Teddy’s Mom gave me.

It was so good, I may have to use it instead of milk for awhile.

The syrup was so good.

 

Of all the time we spend on this earth most of it is spent fashioning relationships.

We have positive and negatives relationships.

There are ones that make you want to pull out your hair and then there are ones that you simply cannot live without.

I think because we have both YING and YANG in our life’s relationships that keep us growing and living.

They keep us falling in love, in love and falling out of love.

They help us manage our lives.

Without relationships we would not exist.

In my opinion.

Even if you live on your own like me, relationships of all sorts play an important role.

 

My relationship with my four-legged buddy, Alvin.

He “loves me unconditionally.” (more when I have treats, of course).

He is happy when he gets a neck massage.

He makes me smile.

He makes me feel important.

 

My relationship with my daughter.

One of the most important of my life.

She is the best and not just because she is my daughter but because she is this warm, kind and generous human being.

She lights my day and night sky.

I feel as though she was my most best achievement.

Giving birth to her changed my life.

 

We have our relationships with our siblings.

My sister and I share this incredible bond.

Our lives.

We sound almost identical and are eighteen months apart, so not twins.

She has been there forever ( I am the older of us).

She makes me laugh and no one tells a joke like she does.

She is a great reminder of what was, what is and what can be.

I have two brothers whom I love very much.

My only regret is that I do not know them as well as I should.

Life happens.

 

I have relationships with people that I grew up with, school chums, work mates, neighbours and other folks that I have met on the bus or along my 60+ years.

They all play an important role in who I am.

I am what I am because of all of these relationships.

Mostly positive.

 

Well time to go to work.

I hope that you will think about your relationships as they are so important to each of us.

 

Happy Wednesday.

 

Special Hello to: my sister and all of my girl friends.  Thank you for being in my life.

Always, Carol & Alvin

 

 

 

 

 

Thought for the day ….

Good Morning and Welcome to Tuesday the 28th day of August, 2018.

Still dark outside and it has been raining throughout the night.

I would imagine there are rain clouds blocking out the sunrise.

Each morning the sun rises just a bit later.

Fall is on the way.

My favourite time of year.

The farmers will not be enjoying this rain as they will be harvesting …. some may be done by now.

Others starting.

 

Sunday night I baked another “apple crisp.”

This one was a bit different as I had run out of brown sugar and had to make some substitutes.

It turned out okay, it is edible and not quite as GREAT as the previous one, that is okay.

Anyway in addition to having no brown sugar; I found myself with only a bit of non-dairy milk already to be used for my breakfast granola.

What to do?

I could have gone and perhaps borrowed some milk from a neighbour.

But how many folks have “evaporated milk” and that is the best to pour over apple crisp.

So what to do?

What a dilemma.

So at the end of it all, I was looking in the fridge for something that I did not have but hoping perhaps I missed it ONLY to find:

Bailey White Chocolate Irish Cream.

Aha, why not?

I have had it for some time and figured there was cream in it?

Well it was not really too bad.

The liquor is starting to taste stronger which is a sign that it has been in the fridge for too long.

What better time to use it, right?

So Sunday night and last night I used Bailey White Chocolate Irish Cream to top my APPLE CRISP.

By the second night, I am starting to think that perhaps I happened across something new.

How many people pour Baileys over a CRISP?

Perhaps.

My first time.

So if you think that you have nothing to top your apple crisp, try some Baileys.

Using what you have is always a great idea.

Using up what you have is always a great idea.

 

I hope that you have a wonderful idea.

Perhaps my little story will inspire you to try something new …. or use something you have.

Happy Tuesday.

 

Alvin is resting on his blue blanket beside me.

What a pair we are.

Oh my life with Alvin, I cannot imagine what it was like before ….

 

Special Hello to:  all those bloggers ….. keep writing …..

Always, Carol & Alvin

 

Thought for the day…..

Good Morning and Welcome to Monday the 6th day of April, 2015.

Easter Monday ……

I have the day off from the office and am just getting ready to go and have brunch with my neighbour and friend.

The sun is shining with a slight cloud cover.

How exciting I have had two days off in a row.

I am sure enjoying my time at home.

It is just the beginning.

Alvin looks so handsome with his new haircut.

He is all nice and clean after his bath.

Looks like a new puppy …..

That’s my guy.

Last night I made a big supper of vegetarian meatballs, mashed potatoes, huge salad with apple crisp for dessert.

We have so much leftover … no cooking this evening.

So I am going to enjoy brunch with my friend.

I am going to enjoy a bit later a nice long walk with Mr. Alvin.

Quiet evening watching a bit of television.

Well time to go.

I hope that you all are having a great Monday.

I will be back tomorrow.

Special Hello to: my family and friends ….

Always, Carol and Alvin