A New YEAR 2023

Good Morning ALL! Happy Chinese New Year’s Eve to all my friends who celebrate this day. How exciting. The sky is clear with some happy clouds as the sun begins to rise in the morning sky. Thank goodness today is Saturday.

I am sorry that I did not get a post done yesterday but I was feeling under the weather and took a sick day. Partway through the afternoon, I felt very good, with a calm and with energy so I started some laundry, vacuumed and washed the main floor. Not long later, Alvin had to go outside and, I noticed that he once again had blood in his poop. This is the third time stopped and started over the past few weeks. My heart crashed to my the ground and those feelings of goodness and calm melted away. So I made a quick phone call to his Doctor for advice knowing that he will need likely “poop tests” and perhaps even blood tests. She suggested the first so we have an appointment for Monday morning. Another perfect way to begin the work week. Some of you may know that last Monday my employer made an announcement that shattered my plane of existence, literally. So there is a lot going on in my life and most of it crappy, very crappy. I will and am having to make some very major life decisions which is never fun. Tonight I had been planning to go to my friend Lucy’s house for supper/dinner celebrating Chinese’s New Year’s Eve but honestly now after Alvin’s change once again, the wind that was remaining in my sails that left and I feel very deflated. I know that he would be okay with Maddie for a few hours but I just cannot leave him so I have to confirm that I will not be attending which means that Maddie will not be required to come over to stay with Alvin. I know it meant some extra money for her and she will be disappointed. I should likely just give her the money. I wished that I could stay wrapped up in the cocoon of this weekend and that our life would be perfect but alas it is not realistic to dig one’s head in the sand. I know in my head what I need to know but honestly I have no energy to what I need to do. I have no idea what will happen on Monday and I am scheduled to go to the office Wednesday through Friday. The gal that was helping with Alvin the most is now working a lot. Oh in addition to the big announcement we are back to work five days per week starting March 13, 2023. So big question, what happens with Alvin. What? I have no answers.

I am going to have a shower and perhaps the warm water will wash away some of my despair and energize me again. I have been up and down all week. Just when I think that I have made a decision, another thought or comment comes rolling in and I am at a loss again.

Alvin was alone on his birthday, this 14th except for the neighbour that stopped in to check on him. I was not home until almost 5:00 p.m. and we had a little “party” between the two of us. A quiet night.

I must note on the upside that I did not see blood in his poop last night or this morning. But it is back to being very loose once again. I know not the news you may want to be reading.

When we were outside earlier the air was so warm and we both could have stayed out there forever. I would like to take him for a walk but will have to see what the poop situation is …..

My new eyeglasses are causing me some discomfort so I will need to run over to the Optomotrist as luckily they are open from now until 4:00 p.m. It will be a quick walk and Alvin should be okay while I am away.

Time to hit the shower. The bedding has been changed.

I hope that you have an awesome Saturday. I do know that things will work out for us, they usually do but like anything it usually takes time.

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

Always, Carol & Alvin

2021

Good Morning All! How are you on the this fine weekend? I hope that you are very well. In good health and are doing at least some of the things that you love to do. We were up and down last night. First of all, Mr. Alvin was sleeping like a log when I could not even turn off my mind, tossing and turning for what seemed like all night. He woke up at 3:00 a.m. and had to go outside and then we were on the sofa. No surprise there for you or me. If you have been reading my posts on a regular basis you will know about our early mornings. LOL. Anyway, up and out and back to the sofa. He wanted to get up a couple of times after that and I managed to coax him to remain on the sofa until I thought it was a good time for time to eat and that was between 4:30 and 5:00 a.m. …… then back to the sofa and for most of the time I just laid there lost in gentle thoughts and occasionally dozing off. I have not done that in a long time. It was nice to just lay there with no immediate place to be. Now we are up and have been for a bit. The poop has been cleaned up from last night and this morning. There was some urgency to do it sooner than perhaps later this morning as the forecast is 80% chance of rain. Right now the sun is shining. Our bedding has been changed and I am now doing this post. I decided it may be a great idea for us to go for a walk now. Then we can come home and I can have breakfast before starting his haircut and finally his bath. I want to get our walk in before the rain and besides not much giving him a haircut and bath only to go for a walk and get muddy again. Nope. Not happening …..

What a week we have had ….. pretty good …… going for walks at noon……unplanned visit with my daughter ….. nice visit with Sonja and Humphrey across the fence last night after work ….. my friend G picked up a few items at Costco including some Hershey Eggies (egg shaped milk chocolate covered in a colored coating. OMG they are so good. I had to place the bag in a spot that I would not have my hand dipped into the bag every five minutes. Hard to believe that Easter is two weeks away.

Well I think that we should get out for a walk while the getting is good. I am going to share some photos …..

From land to sea to air, our planet is incredible.

Amazing how wildlife, the grass and trees have come back in Chernobyl.

Mother Nature in all her glory.

Enjoy.

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I hope that you enjoy these photos.

We are going for a walk.

Have an awesome Saturday.

Living in kindness, with respect and compassion and patience.

Always, Carol & Alvin

Living … One day at a time

Hello, it is an interesting morning.

I did not notice when we were outside earlier that there were every so tiny balls of snow on the deck.

As the sky lightens they are noticeable.

Noticed some on the shingles outside my bedroom window.

There is a coolness to the air definitely this morning.

The sky is overcast with medium blue clouds which appear to be lightening.

The first photo was a question on the Weather Channel however I think some of the points are a great idea to begin to put into play.

My tree out front through my bedroom window.

Still so many green leaves but lots of yellow golden ones and so many on the ground.

They are making a crunchy bed below.

Today will be spent inside and outside.

If the day allows I will be climbing up on my trusty tall step ladder to clean out the eavestrough outside my bedroom window.

I should have down it during the nice weather but alas I had forgot about the taller ladder.

I have a five foot one which I use in the house all the time.

The tall one is from my friend and neighbor so I don’t think of it even though it is in the garage.

Anyway.

Last night I put away the table umbrellas and some of the furniture.

There are a few things to finish outside in preparation for the upcoming cold months.

There is a list a mile or so long to do inside the house.

Those things that are not noticeable to the naked eye but things one puts off during the summer months to spend the precious time outdoors.

So almost time to start laundry and put the COFFEE on …. I do need coffee.

We went to bed pretty early and Mr. Alvin decided he needed to go outside at 2:00 a.m. and then we were up at 5:00 a.m. so he could eat and finally I caved a bit later and we are up.

Actually have been up for a bit now.

Changed our bedding and gathered up laundry in upstairs.

Well I had better get this show on the road.

Might require a nap a bit later.

We will need to walk a bit later.

Last night I caved as after catching the bus to the vet and carrying Alvin’s food, glucosamine and one can of wet food home, I was cold and tired.

Been a long day and week.

We went for one short walk to our friend’s house to deliver her tea order.

 

I hope that you enjoy this Saturday as will I.

I do like doing things around the house and if possible will finish the prep work outside today otherwise it will be tomorrow.

 

Life is filled with kindness and respect and it begins with ourselves.

 

 

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 22nd day of April, 2019.

The sky is slightly overcast this morning as the sun rises in the sky.

Forecast is for above 17 degrees celsius today.

Yesterday was glorious.

We were up in good time yesterday morning and spoke to my daughter via the telephone followed by a call from my friend P to go for a walk with her and her grand pup Georgie.

Just when I was sipping my coffee we received another phone call from our friend V in Regina, Saskatchewan.

The phone rang off the “wall” so to speak yesterday morning.

So great to chat to the girls.

Alvin and I met P and Georgie at the entrance to the nearby park and then continued for a nice long walk.

Just a few minutes into the walk we noticed a bright white flock above us filling the sky.

I was distracted by a larger dog and was paying more attention to Alvin and the dog than the birds.

P told me quick look it is a flock of SWANS.

She had heard on a news report that there were swans in our area.

This is not their normal flight route.

A historical flight change for sure.

The sky was white with the huge number of swans.

In all my years I have never seen a swan flying overhead.

How cool is that?

We continues about our walk and enjoyed everything that nature had to offer us.

Everyone was out walking their pups yesterday.

One hour later we returned home.

We, well I spent the day taking apart the office.

Everything down from the walls, packed up the closet and filled two garbage bags.

There are still a number of items and boxes to take to the basement for storage.

Once the room is clean except for the computer desk and chair; I will begin to prepare for painting.

Then at some point – there will be new paint in my office and I will finally hang my bulletin boards that my daughter made me for Christmas a few years ago (3 actually).

Sometimes it takes a while to get things done.

ARGH.

I also pressure washed the deck yesterday early afternoon.

Alvin and I even went for another walk late afternoon – early evening – 30 minutes.

Lots of exercise for us.

Was so great to get it all cleaned and now ready to put out the patio/deck furniture.

I might just put out a few things for now.

Another successful day.

Today will be shower for me after this post, then make pancakes, put on another load of laundry, COFFEE, take boxes and items to the basement and give Mr. Alvin a bath.

I am hoping to trim his front paws and legs a bit more before the bath.

I am excited to have today plus tomorrow off from work.

Feeling like I am accomplishing so much this weekend.

The weather has been great for walks.

Perhaps our daughter/sister might pop by today for a visit.

I will make pancakes and perhaps that will bring her here this morning.

Well time to hop into the shower.

Already changed our bedding.

All fresh for clean human and dog tonight.

We will be freshly clean as well.

 

I am so grateful to have this beautiful house.

I am so grateful for my daughter and her family.

I am so grateful for my sister and brothers.

I am so grateful for all our family.

Young and old.

I am grateful to have had this extra long weekend to get some tasks/chores accomplished; to have had extra walks and to have had some wonderful relaxation time.

Feeling pretty great.

 

Big celebration today is EARTH DAY.

Please be kind to our Earth this day and everyday.

Pick up trash.

Don’t destroy our Environment.

Turn off unnecessary lights.

Plant a tree.

We can all work together and make a difference.

Celebrate this beautiful planet we call EARTH.

Happy Earth Day.

Be kind to our precious EARTH.

Happy Earth Day.

 

 

Have an awesome Monday.

So much to celebrate today.

 

Special Hello to: my family and friends.

Always, Carol & Alvin

 

 

 

Thought for the day ….

Good Morning and Welcome to Saturday the 2nd day of March, 2019.

WOW, the sun is up and shining brightly and it is not quite 8:00 a.m.

Now temperature, well that is not so bright and shiny.

It is COLD, not exactly what the overnight, early morning windchill temperature is but I know that it is cold.

Alvin wasted no time outside doing his morning routine, none at all.

Oh well, by Monday it is starting to warm up.

Perhaps SPRING is truly around the corner.

Hopefully it is a short corner.

Really, a small one would be nice.

 

We had a lovely visit with Teddy and Aunt J last night.

I love the way Alvin and Teddy are so excited to see each other.

Almost like hugging each other.

So great to watch.

Truly they are Best Friends.

Aunt J made these incredible “cheesy scalloped potatoes” that were so amazing.

So, so good.

They were a new recipe to her.

Well done Aunt J, well done.

We had a great visit …. took our time eating and visiting.

It was nice after a long week.

They left early as Teddy likes to go to bed early and his parents were arriving home in the wee hours of the morning.

I cleaned up and then we relaxed and watched a bit of t.v. before retiring at 9:00 p.m.

Alvin was up early this morning and luckily I was able to get him to hit the sofa for some additional zzz’s.

Now we are up.

Changed bedding, writing this post and then laundry and breakfast.

Lots of things to do but it is Saturday.

Good to be up early.

 

I just wanted to mention that today is the funeral service for our friend Judy who passed away suddenly.

She was a true life force.

I worked with her for about 25 years before I retired in 2008.

I still cannot believe that she is gone.

Way too young.

My thoughts are with the family and all of her friends today and always.

Will be missed, will be missed.

 

Special Hello to:  the newest Angel.

Always, Carol & Alvin

Thought for the day …..

Good  morning and Welcome to Sunday the 16th day of July, 2017.

Overcast and much cooler this morning (which I love).

Even a rain shower to give the plants, trees and grass some much needed moisture.

Up a bit earlier this morning and changing bedding.

The day for towels and bedding to be laundered.

My daughter is coming for a visit today so I would like to have things done before she arrives.

The coffee is ready as I can smell the aroma wafting up the stairs.

Time for a shower before breakfast and that first cup of coffee.

Feeling really sticky from the humidity.

Well we had a good weekend me and Alvin.

For some reason I felt the need to rearrange and clean the basement so that is what I did yesterday along with some laundry.

Nice to have it refreshed.

Besides it was cooler in the basement for me and Alvin to hang out.

I have a television set down there so had it on for some background noise.

So here we go on another …..

I hope that you are keeping well and keeping cool but not cold.

Joyful and abundance.

All the Best on this Sunday and for all time.

 

Special Hello to:  My Sister ….. have to chat and get our visit schedule figured out ….. excited to have you come for a visit, and the young one and to see the other brother.

Always, Carol & Alvin

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Saturday the 28th day of January, 2017.

Oh it is a gorgeous morning out there.

The night clouds are dissipating.

The sun is rising and the sky is amazing.

The dark blue, light blue, oranges and pinks fill the sky.

Did I tell you just how warm it is out there?

Well it is so nice out there.

I went out with Alvin into the backyard and I could have easily sat on a chair and drank a cup of coffee.

Now that would be if there were a chair out there at this time, and if I had coffee.

So nice.

Forecast is for +7 degrees celsius today.

I think it is going to be warmer.

On our walk night before last we were speaking to some neighbours and they  had a outdoor hockey game this morning.

He said they cancel the game(s) if the temperature hits +4.

Makes sense.

He said 0 would be perfect.

It actually feels like plus degrees now.

 

I am very excited as my daughter is coming for a visit this morning.

She arrives about 10:30.

Thinking she may bring one or both of the pups, likely Miss Aspen.

So in the meantime there is time to change bedding (done), have breakfast, put on some laundry and do some cleaning.

Most importantly put on some COFFEE.

 

This is going to be a fantastic weekend.

Company, warm temperatures, walks and chores done around the house.

I also have a tea order to submit tomorrow.

YAY.

 

Wishing you all a great weekend.

May your morning sky take your breath away with its’ beauty.

May you have the best Saturday ever.

 

Special Hello to:  Morning People ….. up and out there.

Always, Carol and Alvin

 

 

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Saturday the 11th day of June, 2016.

What a beautiful day …… overcast and raining ….. although a few minutes ago the sun appeared to be breaking through the cloud cover.

Oh well, we do need the moisture.

Yesterday was gorgeous.

Another windy day …… seems to be one of those windy spring/summers.

 

Poor Alvin has been waiting patiently ….

We were up at 5:00 so he could eat and go outside.

Then our usual hit the sofa until later than usual time.

Upstairs showered, gathered up towels and changed the bedding …. now writing and then downstairs to really begin the day.

I was planning to go and pick up the trash on the nearby walkway but picking up wet paper is not fun (or carrying it for that matter).

I was thinking of going out for round two of canvassing for the Heart & Stroke early afternoon (still might be possible).

All of my indoors chores are doable and no excuses.

Isn’t that the way we sometimes do things ….. write the list …. go down the list and put off what we do not want to do at this moment.

I have never minded working hard but somedays just beginning is challenging.

Oh well …… it will get done …. always does.

The canvassing I still have almost three weeks for 2nd and 3rd rounds.

I do wish to mix it up and go out on different days each time.

 

Well I guess I am procrastinating at the moment …. although toast and honey sounds good about now.

I hope that you have an awesome Saturday.

Just remember do not be too hard on yourself.

Sometimes you can go a thousand miles per hour and the sometimes you cannot.

You have permission …..

 

Special Hello to: all those folks who volunteer for different organizations, thank you.

Always, Carol and Alvin

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Sunday the 14th day of February, 2016.

I guess today is Valentine’s Day.

How could I forget?

But I did.

Yesterday I thought of it but this morning I did not.

The sun is shining and one of my girl friends is coming for coffee in about one hour, so that is nice.

I also have planned to finish the laundry (had towels and bedding stacked up to the rafters after three weeks without a dryer), finish canvassing my route for Heart & Stroke Fund, take a walk with Mr. Alvin and then give him a bath.

Another full day …..

So so happy to see the sun shining …. it is funny how sunshine can energize one.

I definitely have more energy in the summer with more sunny days than the winter.

Although some winters we have more sunshine than a rainy summer.

Oh well.

So for all of you my friends ….. Happy Valentine’s Day.

I hope that you are spoiled by family and friends, as I was.

The treats will last for a some time.

I am holding off on snacking on the brownie heart as I want to share some of it with my daughter when she comes for a visit tomorrow.

Take care my friends …..

Happy Valentine’s Day …..

Have a great day.

Special Hello to: all of my friends and family in Edmonton, in Regina and all over the world.

I am so grateful for each and every one of you.

Always, Carol and Alvin

Happy Valentine’s Day from Me to You.