Last Half 2022 – December

Good Morning ALL! How are you this morning? Another blast of winter this morning before starts to slowly warm up. I just hope that the weather is good and the highways for travel over the Christmas weekend and holidays. Fingers crossed. If you are travelling long distances this holiday season, please ensure that you have an emergency bag in the car filled with warm clothes and boots, waterproof blankets or even a tarp, flares, batteries, chocolate, water, first aid kit and booster cables for the vehicle. Also make sure that someone always knows which road you are taking and your projected time of arrival to your destination. If you should stray from that schedule/route, please let someone know. When living in Canada or any other country on the planet where the weather gets bitterly cold at this time of year it is always important to be prepared. Check your local weather station for updates on the weather before and during your trip. Ask questions. Do not take anything for granted. Keep your gas tank on full. Check your tires before leaving and make sure that you have a spare in the trunk along with the tools.

I am so grateful that I am able to work from home today and tomorrow. So great being able to sleep in for a little while. After work I will have time to get some things done around the house preparing for Christmas. Last night I hung up another string of Christmas cards. The house looks so Christmasy.

COUNTDOWN TO CHRISTMAS: Just t-w-o sleeps until Christmas Eve. I am so excited. Cannot wait. The pups: Alvin, Aspen and Milo will spend Christmas Eve afternoon/early evening with me while Mom & Dad go to St. Albert to see the other side of the family. They will come back later in the evening and then we will open Christmas gifts. I am looking forward to cuddling with the pups.

I hope that you have a wonderful Thursday.

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

Always, Carol & Alvin

P.S. I get to have perked COFFEE this morning ……….

2021

Good Morning ALL! How are you this Monday morning? First work day with the clocks set back one hour, I would say that it was a bit easier getting up this morning. Alvin slept till 3:00 a.m. without waking up which was great. I was stumbling around in the backyard trying to find where he pooped last night (that was early evening). When we went back into the house, I texted one of my close neighbours to ask if she had two “D” batteries for a flashlight, she said “Dang it, we don’t have any D batteries, sorry.” The next words changed my life. “But your phone should have a flashlight.” A flashlight on my phone, wow, never thought of that. I texted her thank you and went to “settings” to find the flashlight. A few moments later, I found the “flashlight” and texted back to thank her profusely and then went outside to try it out. OMG, it lights the darkness so well. I had no problem seeing what I needed to see and could even shine the line for Alvin to see where he was going but I think they have better night vision than we do. That being said …. he could still step on missed poop. We wouldn’t want that. Okay I guess enough of the pooping stories. Anyway I used the flashlight at 3:00 a.m. and then again at 4:30 a.m. and I am so happy. It will make a huge difference and guess what I “did not have to spend any money, no extra money, not one cent.” I can tell you that I was doing a happy dance last night. I cannot believe that I did not know or realize that our smartphones have flashlights. Better late than never to the table, I say.

I managed to give Mr. Alvin a decent haircut and followed up with a bath yesterday. He was a bit better than normal. I also forgot to give him some anxiety medicine. Next time. I also baked some cinnamon scones and two rhubarb/apple crisps and we went for a nice walk. A good day all the way round. Ended with learning something new – the flashlight on my phone. I guess it truly is a “smart” phone. I can still remember the phones that we had one farm ….. that had a different amount of rings for each family on the line…… then the rotary phone, cordless phone, mobile phone and now “smartphones.” WOW. All this happened in my “64” years on this planet.

Well I see by the clock on the wall that it is time to head on downstairs, put on some coffee and shortly start work. I hope that you have an awesome day.

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

Always, Carol & Alvin

2021

Good Morning ALL. Thank goodness it is now Friday. Not that I want to wish my life away but what an exhausting week it has been. Sometimes I wished that I did not watch anything on television or visit any social media platforms; the news has been horrific. I know that most people had visions of 2021 being all that 2020 was not but we are not off to a great start. Our restrictions have been extended another two weeks. Other Canadian provinces have placed even more strict protocols than my now home province of Alberta.

All I can say is today is a new day. Hopefully we can do better. We have to, we must. No matter what is going on around us ….. we have to step up and be better citizens of the world.

Yesterday at noon we walked over and picked up Teddy and Kobi to bring them home with us for the afternoon. It was an interesting walk with three pups. Kobi is the escape artist so I was most careful with her. We kept running into people with large dogs but luckily for me they all nodded their heads and crossed the street; I guess an “older” woman with three dogs coming toward them was reason enough. I nodded and smiled with thanks. I had not thought that Alvin would have to poop on the way but we only walked to their house and did not go for the full walk, so really I should not have been surprised. So here I am with an extra strap around one wrist and the leash for Kobi in one hand, and the two on my other hand and trying to open a poop bag and then to pick it up. It was a funny sight! I managed and then we were on our way. I was grateful to get home and to be home with a few minutes to spare so that I could get us settled before heading back to work at my kitchen table. We had a good afternoon. The pups were good.

After work I decided to take the thermostat off the base, and change the batteries as it was giving the message REPLACE BATTERIES. I had it off and took batteries out of my battery container only to find that they were DEAD when I replace the thermostat on the base. So I set the thermostat on the table and figured that I would just ask my daughter to bring some double A batteries with her today as she is coming to drop off some new bras and socks that I ordered. Yup, Momma is getting some new BRAS, yes I said it. They are desperately needed and socks as well. Back to the battery. I was feeling a bit chilled and realized after a bit that the furnace had not cut in so I did what any other modern day woman would do, I googled the situation. I found out that the thermostat talks to the furnace and it will not know that it needs to cut in, with no batteries. Basically it cannot respond to nonexistent temperature commands. So that is why I was getting cold and had actually gone and put on some warmer clothes. It was at that time that I started phoning and texting all my friends and neighbours. After a few calls, I was able to speak to my friend Signe who had some batteries. I was just on my way over to pick them up when another neighbour’s son came bounding up the walk with hand out “Mom, said you needed batteries.” I received other texts and calls to check. So grateful for such caring and wonderful neighbours. I called Signe to thank her and advise that I now had some batteries. The furnace cut in the first second the new batteries were installed and it was back on the base. The air once again felt warm. So grateful. Pups went home just before 7 p.m. and after our battery fiasco.

Well time to head back downstairs and get this work day going. I need coffee this morning.

Living with kindness, respect and compassion for all, please we must.

Always, Carol & Alvin

Living … One day at a time.

Good Morning and Hello.

Welcome to Wednesday.

Mid week day.

Earlier this morning when I was outside with Alvin ….. there was tiny snowballs being hurled toward the ground.

Mother Nature at her best.

The grass crunched under my feet.

Lots of leaves covering the grass having blown in from the front and neighbouring yards.

Reminder for one last rake before we have snow cover.

Hopefully I have that opportunity this evening.

 

Well today is our off-site Staff Meeting.

Even though I do not like time away from my work; I really don’t mind the staff meeting.

There usually are a variety of topics and something guest speakers and the FOOD is great.

Nice to kick back and listen …. no phones …. no computers …..

 

Last night Alvin and I enjoyed our walk.

It was cold so we stopped by at Teddy’s house.

As always Teddy and his Mom were so EXCITED to see us and asked us to warm up and stay for tea.

Well Alvin did not have tea ….

He did have a treat …..

It was lovely to have an actual conversation with someone who would reply.

We thoroughly enjoyed our visit.

I have never met anyone like Teddy’s Mom.

She is always over the moon happy to see us.

So welcoming.

Both Teddy’s parents are such wonderful people.

I am, we are blessed to call them friends.

 

One of my nephews called me last night.

We had such a great conversation.

Another reminder to call people.

I must get better about calling family and friends.

 

I am blessed to have a ride to the meeting with a co-worker and home.

A little birdie reached out and told me that there is going to be a parcel in the mailbox when I return home this evening.

Cannot imagine who that might have been / be.

Looks like this is going to be “our” lucky day.

It all started with me accidentally stepping on some poop in the backyard …. thankfully with my yard shoes.

Guess this means I need a stronger flashlight.

The one that I have is very small ….. like a keychain one.

Time for batteries …. note to self ….. put BATTERIES ON THE GROCERY LIST.

Yup, I will …. right now.

Done.

No more stepping on poop and then having to take 10 minutes to clean said shoes.

ARGH.

That is what happens when it is dark outside.

Another good reason to get batteries and rake the leaves.

 

Well time to put the finishing touches on before my ride arrives.

Alvin will have to go outside one last time.

Nice to be leaving later for a change.

 

Happy Happy Wednesday.

 

Reminder to myself …. always be KIND AND RESPECTFUL.

We may be kind, I may be kind  but watch on the respect.

It is easy to be less so.

But so import to be 100%.

 

Always, Carol & Alvin

 

 

Living … One day at a time.

Hello,

Well it is not cold temperature wise outside with clouds and patches of lightness filling the sky.

Our friend Teddy has been here since Thursday night.

Last night after work, I got all three of us ready for a walk.

Just after we left the house the sky got incredibly dark and it wasn’t long into the walk when there was thunder.

I figured likely better to just go to the park and then back home.

We got as far as the park entrance and the poop bag station.

Where I grabbed a few bags as I am still short on them.

My carpool picked some up for me but forgot to bring them.

Back to the story.

Grabbed the bags and turned around to come home just when there were a few drops.

We continued our regular pace.

We were about 3/4 of the way home when we met up with a friend walking her dog named Bear so you can only guess how large he is….

Alvin is used to him and Bear to him but Teddy started to bark.

Then the rain started to come down … we said quick hellos and our friend quickly mentioned that they had been caught in the rain four times prior to this time.

We did get some wet but got inside the door just when the heavens opened.

Whew.

It was just before I reached the front porch that I saw the downspout section had come loose and was lying on the ground between the houses.

So after taking the harnesses and leashed off the boys; I ran outside in that “downpour” to fix the downspout.

YAY, me, did it and back into the house.

The rain happened off and on for several hours.

Our walk was short but good.

Perhaps today we will get in a regular one.

 

I have another cute story.

While waiting for my ride yesterday morning; I thought that I could see eyes watching me.

Not human eyes.

Eyes from my front flower bed.

Well between the brightness of the morning sun and the now tall plants; it was hard to see.

I did not wish to scare what was in the floor bed … so from where I was standing on the front sidewalk I took my phone out of my purse and snapped a few photos.

Then I slowly walked to the sidewalk going up to my house ….  easily and slowly I walked a bit toward the lawn and snapped a couple more.

It was then that I realized that it was a …….

Wait for it ……

Ah …..

Cute bunny ….

I tried to zoom …..

The bunny was gone when I got home from work.

And the bunny did not eat any of my plants.

That was nice.

Perhaps not something good for their palate.

 

Well I have to get the show on the road.

Slept in …. after being up at 3:00 a.m.

Also noticed as going to make the bed ….. there was a “yellow stain.”

ARGH, pretty sure it was not there yesterday.

Thankfully I have good stain removal stuff and that I have a “moisture barrier cover” directly on the mattress and then a cover that gives some softness and then sheets etc.

So thankfully no damage done to the mattress.

Cannot believe I did not smell it or notice it before …. cannot lay the blame on one of the boys or the other.

Only thing that I know for sure … is that it was not me.

Oh, well, accidents happen.

No harm no foul.

It is fixed …. sprayed everything with the pet stain remover and now after this post …. down to the laundry.

I was going to wash the bedding anyway …. the second layer cover … I would not have but it needs to be refreshed anyway.

Moisture cover did the trick.

Highly recommend it to everyone.

Saves buying a new mattress.

Kind of a yucky story but stuff happens.

Not the end of the world.

I love the boys and although I will admit at first I was a bit “miffed.”

I did not yell or anything at Alvin or Teddy.

 

To end this post, some photos of my back yard and flowers.

I took these photos from inside the house through my big kitchen window.

I love my back garden …. the purple flowers are incredible.

They all are doing so well with the moisture.

Thank you for the rain, Mother Nature.

 

Have an awesome Saturday.

I need to change into some clothes.

PUT ON THE COFFEE.

Shortly will be going to pick up Mr. Humphrey.

Then will be me and the boys.

The THREE AMIGOS.

Should be fun.

Have to remember to change the batteries on this keyboard.

Oh, what a life.

It is a good life.

No complaints.

Thank you for reading this post and my blog.

I appreciate your time.

 

Always, Carol, Alvin and Teddy …..

Thought for the day ….

Good Morning and Welcome to Monday the 11th day of August, 2014.

Today is the birthday of the eldest of my brothers.

Happy Birthday “J” …….

The sky is clear and the sun is starting to come up and there is a slight breeze.

Back to the office today ……

I am so grateful that I had some time off from work.

Always good to recharge one’s batteries.

The puppies will wonder today why I am leaving and the routine will begin again.

Each week since they moved in it has been different.

I know for me it takes a bit of time before I adjust to changes.

So hopefully soon everyone feels like this is home besides me and Alvin.

Alvin is definitely doing better.

He is more calm ….. other than the window ….. with Penny.

But dogs will be dogs.

I do not expect them to be quiet all of the time.

Casey went home last night so we are now back to three dogs.

Casey was visiting since last Thursday night and was here for my Birthday Weekend Celebration.

I honestly do not feel any different.

I guess that is good.

Well time to go and feed Miss Aussie as her Momma is away.

I hope that you all have a wonderful day ……

Special Hello to: all those folks celebrating a birthday, anniversary or just life.

It is all good.

Always, Carol and Alvin

Thought for the day….

Good Monday Morning and WELCOME to February 11th, 2013.

Only three sleeps until Valentine’s Day or Hearts Day as I like to call it.

This past weekend I was reminded several times over on the importance of being kind.

There was a Mom & Daughter in the store on Friday night.

The little girl was in a stroller and hooked up to oxygen.

At one point while I was helping them (pick out scents), there was a beep.

Mom said the battery needed to be replaced on the portable oxygen unit.

She opened it up and replaced the oxygen unit.

It was quite simple.  She said it was a new model and that the batteries lasted “x” amount of time and then you just pull them out and replace them.

It was fast and simple.  The unit was small reminding me of a soft sided picnic box (square ).  Technology has come along way.

I am not certain of her age.

She was amazing.

She had the warmest smile and had fun with simple things.

I think that sometimes we forget to be kind and to have fun with life’s simple pleasures.

That is why I love to be around children.

They constantly remind us of all the goodness in life and just to be KIND.

So today let us practice being kind ….

Just a smile or thank you or can I help?

Goes a long way.

So have a great day and I wish you all the best of everything.

Special Hello to:  all those Moms out there who despite challenges thrown their way ….. find a way.  Thank you.

 

Always, Carol and Alvin