Last Half 2022 – September

Good Morning ALL! How are you this morning? We are doing great. Last night we were in bed by 9:00 p.m. as I am working from the office today. About 11:50 p.m., Alvin wanted to go outside so downstairs we went. He had a pee and then we were back in the house where we laid on the sofa. Thank goodness for a comfortable spot. We were just settling in when I heard a noise coming from the front porch, as I was half asleep, I did not think too much of it. Maybe a cat. Then a little while later I heard my phone ping several times, notification of someone texting me. Did not think much of that either. Then off to la la land. Alvin wanted to get up a couple of times before the alarm went off but I managed to coax him to lay back down. We were up to stay up at 5:00 a.m., after I gave Alvin his food, I checked my phone to see a text from the neighbour in the other half of the duplex. She had texted me at 12:33 a.m., she had heard someone on our front porch but did not know if I had company that was just leaving so she did not go outside. Now that is so funny that Mr. Alvin did not bark or make any kind of movement toward the front door. Very strange. Whomever it was did not try the door handle or I would have heard so what were they doing on the porch? I did turn on the porch light once I had read her text to see if someone had walked off with one of my potted plants or the wreath from my door but they were all there. Kind of gave me the creeps. Definitely will ensure every night that I lock the front door. I do but there has been the odd time where I noticed it unlocked in the morning, especially when I had watered the front flowers in the evening. Anyway, that was my excitement. NOT.

I am starting to get a bit anxious about next week as that is the start of three days each week back to the office. I do have someone to watch over Alvin but it is not the same, it is not me. Although I am very grateful that I have such amazing friends and neighbours who are helping me out. Soon, I hope I will be retiring and then it won’t matter. Soon cannot come soon enough, lol.

This weekend we have to go over the schedule with my friend and neighbor who is helping with Alvin.

Well I am going to go downstairs and outside with the boy and ensure that the main floor is as cool as I can make it. I will close all of the blinds so that it keeps the coolness in as it is supposed to be another hot one today.

I hope that you have an amazing day. Sure cannot believe this weather but am grateful for it. Last year when we were out to see the kids for Thanksgiving it was nice out as well.

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

Always, Carol & Alvin.

Thought for the day ….

Good Morning and Welcome to Thursday the 26th day of April, 2018.

Another gorgeous day on the way.

Am loving these sunrises.

Alvin is sitting at my feet on the rug that is under my office chair.

He certainly does not do this very often.

I have his blue fussy blanket beside him to lay on but he has chosen … okay spoke too soon.

He is up and on his blue blanket.

We are enjoying our walks and the path that we take is slowly starting to dry up.

Last night the geese were out in full force around the lakes (more like ponds).

We walked virtually right by them both ways on our walk and Alvin did not stop to look nor did he bark.

The geese ignored him, as well.

Seemed strange to me.

Guess everyone had their own agendas.

 

Our friend Teddy will be coming over to spend Saturday with us while his parents go to their farm.

It will be a fun, energized day.

Lots to do this weekend.

Put away winter and take out summer clothing and shoes and such.

Wash down the deck.

Perhaps bring out some of the patio furniture.

But it may be too early …..???

 

I still cannot believe that Alvin did not at least sit and watch the geese.

When he was a pup and we used to walk over by the big lake – he would sit and watch them for hours at a time.

He was enthralled with them.

Did not bark – just watched them.

Perhaps those were the first geese that he had ever seen.

Those were the days.

Oh, when my baby was a baby.

He may be older now but he remains my little pup.

 

I have to listen out the back door as from the office I can hear what sounds like a bark from a smaller dog.

Just wished people would treat their dogs and cats and pets with better respect.

Perhaps the owners should be left outside day and night, summer and winter.

 

Well time to get this show on the road.

Wearing capris today …. living on the edge.

Perhaps will wear a light jacket, though.

Not quite time to wear short sleeves outside in the morning.

 

Have an awesome Thursday.

 

Special Hello to: my sister ….

Always, Carol & Alvin

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Wednesday the 14th day of June, 2017.

Overcast now and was raining earlier.

I was “putting on the face” a few minutes ago and hear these voices and then they broke into song.

I realized that it was Sir Elton John and James Corden.

You see last night before I went to bed I had been watching a couple of the Karaoke Carpool with James Corden and his Special Guests.

I always turn on the computer before I start getting ready so that I can just sit down and write my blog without having to wait for the computer to start up.

Anyway nothing like hearing “Your Song” first thing in the morning.

Great way to start the day and I am grateful.

I will say this James Corden is my new favourite guy.

He is funny, smart, can sing, is compassionate and caring.

If you have not watched his Carpool Karaoke Videos – you must.

He has interviewed and sung with some of the greats:  Adele, Sir Elton John, Stevie Wonder,Ed Sheeran, Lady GAGA, and the list goes on …….

Anyway it is getting onto time to leave for work.

I was so happy to hear some music before leaving the house as usual it is quiet except for the odd thud as Alvin jumps off the bed onto the rug below or the odd bark …..

Happy Dancing …… I am Happy Dancing.

Have an Awesome Wednesday.

Even though the skies are grey – they are clear to me.

Happy Wednesday.

 

Special Hello to: my friends back in Regina …… always thank you.

Always, Carol & Alvin

 

Special Hello to:

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Saturday the 30th day of July, 2016.

Well after a sweltering day it is overcast and wet.

We had quite the storm last night ….. lots of thunder and lightning.

I took my tablet out onto the deck to get some photos of the storm but not sure what happened they did not turn out.

But I did secure some beautiful video of one of my solar lanterns that is a tear drop style and made of glass that sparkles and shines.

So it was not completely a failure or maybe that is too strong of a word and so it goes.

We are really lucky at our office and get out early on Fridays so I was home one hour earlier than normal.

After Mr. Alvin went outside and had supper I set out to give him a hair cut and bath.

Three hours later we were finished and he looks wonderful.

His front paws could use a smidge more trimmed but all in all he looks great.

Needless to say I had supper at almost 8 p.m. but that was okay.

My friend “S” and I are having another garage sale today so that we can sell all of the stuff that did not sell last weekend.

It is cooler out so perhaps that will bring people out today.

“S” and her daughter came over to bring a few things like balloons and the signs that she placed in other parts of our neighbourhood.

After they left we settled down and watched one of my favourite food shows with Guy F …. the triple “D” one …… for the life of me the title has left my memory.

Likely because I am thinking about the sale and stuff.

Anyway we went up to bed just after 10:00 and there was so much lightning and thunder that Alvin did not settle down right away and then to add to it we could hear another dog, clearly outside and

clearly scared and distressed.

We listened for awhile as I tried to ascertain where the barking was coming from and it was not until I came into my office and opened the window that I found it was coming from that side of the house.

The poor puppy had been barking for quite some time.

So I grabbed my coat with a hood as it was raining by this time, key and shoes (still in my nightgown) and went onto the deck and opened the garage door.

I quickly figured out where the dog was and went to investigate.

Within a block of my house is this poor doggie …. outside in a built wire cage.

I managed to see just a bit of the dog through a space in the fence and he was pacing back and forth.

I ran back to the garage and to my house and called 9-1-1.

First thing I said was this is not a life and death situation and explained what was happened.

The operator was a sweetheart making me a bit relaxed and advising that she would transfer me to the non-emergency police line.

I explained the situation to the male operator on the other end.

My options were limited but he could hear the dog when I held the phone to my window.

We talked for quite some time and then suddenly there was human movement.

Someone was in the garage and the garage door opened and someone came out.

The dog stopped barking.

We listened for a few more minutes and no barking.

The lights went off and I could see someone going into the house via the back door.

The dog did not bark anymore.

I asked for the phone number of the non-emergency line – just in case.

Then hung up and we went back to bed.

Alvin, bless his heart did not bark much as I guess he could sense that I was anxious.

It breaks my heart to see people not taking proper care of animals in their care.

I may not be perfect but he will never be left out in the cold or in a severe lightning storm in a metal cage.

People truly are stupid …. how could you do that.

Well I need to wrap this up as it is time to get going and get the signs up for the garage sale.

Part 2, wish us luck.

I hope that you have an awesome Saturday.

Remember that dogs are living creatures and please respect them.

Special Hello to: all those people who love and respect animals in their care and all life whether two-legged, four-legged, winged or scaled.

Always, Carol and Alvin

 

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Friday the 11th day of September, 2015.

Still getting used to it being dark but soon it will be light.

Oh, Mr. Alvin just let out a huge sigh.

I wished that I could spend my days at home with him.

We would take long walks like we used to …. go exploring.

We would snuggle more….

We would just be.

We do the best that we can for now.

Ever opportunity for a belly rub or to snuggle.

The one thing that I could do more is “play” …. throw the ball.

We do have one game that he loves …

Out on the deck.

I pretend to be a “monster” for lack of a better word … only by raising my hands above my head and taking a wider stance with my feet placement and growling.

He then takes his nose down posture a little bark ….. bit of a jump in the air and off he runs.

Up and down the stairs and across the deck.

He is so cute to watch.

It is my favourite time with him other than when we are snuggled at night time.

On the deck he runs and that little hop jump thing that he does …. honestly I laugh it is so darn cute.

Well I opted to stay on the sofa until 5:50 a.m. this morning which gave me 50 minutes to: write in my gratitude journal, make and eat breakfast, makeup and dressed, and my blog ……

YAY …. I did it.

Well time to put in one last day at the office before the weekend.

It is a great day.

I am so grateful for everyone and everything in my life.

For every door that is opened and every one that is closed.

For every giggle and every tear.

For every bit of food and for every meal.

For living in a country that is peaceful.

For my life …. it is a great one ….

Well time to run to catch the bus and let Mr. Alvin out one last time.

Have an awesome Friday.

Remember everything that happens is an opportunity to do better.

That is what I think and work on doing.

Someone once said if you say “work on” instead of “try” you will do it.

Special Hello to: my sister “C” …..

Always, Carol and Alvin

Thought for the day……

Good Morning and Welcome to Monday the 4th day of May, 2015.

It is raining at this moment …. or at least it was ….. we could use the moisture so that is good.

Mr. Alvin and his chewy bone are like a pair.

After I voted on Saturday I stopped by our local “Bone & Biscuit” store and picked up a couple of treats for Alvin.

When I got home I gave him the first one.

It was pretty big.

He carried it around the house hiding it along the way.

Alvin likes to him them for a long while before actually eating them.

That first one last well into the night on Saturday.

Yesterday when our company arrived I decided to give him the second and last one that I had bought.

He is still hiding it.

He brings it to bed ….. hides it behind the decorator pillows until I removed the pillows from the bed.

Then he hid it at the foot of the bed …. not really hiding it …. as it was in plain sight.

Then this morning he brought it downstairs …..

After he ate he wanted to take it outside.

Then he brought it back in and when he sat on my lap it came to the table.

He dropped it on the table before snuggling onto my lap.

Then I went to the bathroom …..

He always wants to come in …. in came the treat.

Alvin pushed it behind the bathroom vanity.

When we left the bathroom, I had to get it out as he just stood there and gave a little bark.

It was too tight of a space for him to get back into …..

After breakfast he brought it back upstairs and hid it in the bathroom where I was putting on makeup.

It remains there for the moment as he is stretched out on the carpet in front of the office.

He is so darn cute.

He has hid his chewy behind the cushions on the sofa, on the chair, on the mat by the back door, in the corner by the back door, downstairs in the family room …. anywhere really.

I just wanted to share my morning thus far.

Well almost time to leave as I am on Aussie patrol ….. have to go and look after one of my neighbour’s cat.

I hope that you have an amazing day.

Happy Monday everyone.

Special Hello to: anyone that has a dog or cat or any companion …. they always make us smile.  I am smiling now.

Thought for the day…..

Good Morning and Welcome to Wednesday the 5th day of March, 2014.

YAY, me “ALVIN” is back home.

He has been at his sister’s house since Sunday morning.

He came back home last night.

This was the longest that we haven’t seen each other, 3 days and 2 nights.

OH JOYOUS JOY ……

The house just wasn’t home without him.

I thought maybe he would have forgotten me but when he saw me coming into his sister’s house ….. he barked his shrill bark and ran around like he had won the lottery.

Perhaps that is what I need to do.

Anyway I am so happy that my Alvin is back home.

I know he was in great hands and had a good time but I missed him.

We still have not caught the “you know what” and are going to pick up different traps.

We noticed that he has eaten the peanut butter, pooped and left.

How clever.

I have been feeding him on expensive “natural” peanut butter for a week.

Oh well…..

Anyway time to go to work.

It is getting better there as well …… I am beginning to feel more at ease.

Huge change is always a bit unsettling.

So back to myself ….. thank goodness.

I think everyone was wondering.

But I think that once in a while I can have a “overwhelmed” – crazy – crying – down in the dumps – day or two!!

CRASHED and I AM FLYING AGAIN.

Special Hello to:  my cousin “J” who always has my back ….. thanks “J” …..

Always, Carol and Alvin