Welcome to December 2020

Good Morning ALL. How are you doing on this fine Thursday? I just had a refreshing, relaxing wonderful shower and am so ready for the day. Countdown to CHRISTMAS EVE DAY brings us to “15” days. WOW. I must have miscounted! Oh well, we got this. Right. Christmas and the Holiday Season will be a bit different, okay a lot different for most of us this year but different is so much better than the alternative. If we can open our eyes and take in that first breath of the new day, if we have food to eat, technology to reach out to family and friends and are in good health – no complaints. We have so much more than so many others. I recognize the fact that I am more than truly blessed at this point in my life. I have a beautiful home to live in and to call my own with a yard and deck and a tree. Mr. Alvin has been my trusty companion for almost 11 years now which I will say the longest period of time that I have lived with a “guy.” I am employed by a employer who was actually prepared for a situation that would call for us to work remotely. Yes, there have been a few hiccups but very, very few. I am so grateful that I am able to work from home with no commute to and from the office, and be with Mr. Alvin who is fast approaching 12 in January of this coming New Year. This gives us the opportunity to go for walks at noon and have more time together. I have more time to read and so much more. More time to sleep as well which has been wonderful. Yes, it is true that there has been much less contact with friends and family. But we have figured it out. There is Facetime, Skype, Zoom and texting and more. So we are good. Right, we are.

Tomorrow after work I am going to have my two year eye checkup and get new glasses. So stoked to get some new shades. I wished that I would be able to have my daughter with me to help me pick them out but that is okay, I got this. New glasses for the upcoming new year. Might have to really whack off my hair and be a really new me for the New Year. Time will tell. I was thinking that tomorrow night might be wrapping the gift night. This is the gifts for my daughter and her husband. I will be stopping at the Bone & Biscuit to pick up gifts for Mr. Alvin, Aspen and Milo after my eye appointment. My daughter has the gifts for the other pups on our list which I realized could have been much longer had I remembered them all. I have the gifts here for Humphrey and Bogart so will get them wrapped and over to them shortly. There may be more baking on the weekend, I have not decided.

Well Mr. Alvin is giving me that look – that look – get the heck off that thing and come downstairs. Okay, I need some coffee anyway.

I hope that you have an awesome Thursday. Remember we shall live our lives with kindness, respect and compassion for all. We will get through this, together!!

Always, Carol & Alvin

It is a NEW YEAR.

Well can you believe it …. Wednesday June 17th, 2020.

I seem to remember last week it was June 1st.

Half way through 2020.

WOW, that is just crazy.

Totally a good reason to ensure that you live your best life every single day.

Every day is counted in the same manner.

24 hours.

60 minutes in an hour.

60 seconds in a minute.

So why does it sometimes feel as though a week or a month or six months can pass in the blink of an eye.

For me, it is because I have so many things that I would like to do and then the time has passed.

But we cannot give up.

Keep dreaming and making those lists.

 

I know that with working from home …. I am challenged with staying away from the job during off work times.

As I am keenly aware of how much work keeps coming in …. it is difficult to leave it alone.

I am stressed and anxious about the never ending “mail”  that keeps arriving in my inboxes.

Daily or at least weekly we receive additional direction and added responsibilities.

I do know that I am not alone.

 

There are so many folks out there working from home.

Depending on what your job is …. during this Pandemic …. you may be swamped.

The neverending INBOX, that dreaded email.

Our life line to the outside world.

 

We also realize that we are blessed and fortunate to have employment during this pandemic.

I am great appreciative to be employed.

Knowing that I can continue to be financially responsible for me and Alvin means the world to me.

However, that does not stop those moments of sheer anxiety of how am I ever going to get this all done.

Then I begin to second guess my skills, intelligence and even my memory.

 

Time affects us all.

Whether too much or not enough.

This pandemic affects us all whether directly or indirectly.

We, you and me are not alone.

 

Just because you are working and do not have the virus.

Does not mean to say that you cannot be anxious and scared and have feelings of loneliness and dread.

So we have to be aware.

Aware of everyone’s feelings and know that is is okay.

Okay to be nervous, anxious and fearful.

 

We will get through this pandemic.

When, I have no idea.

But we will.

The human race will endure.

Things will be different as they are already.

Will we ever go back to the way things were?

No, I do not believe so.

Why would we want to.

We have learned so much in these past few months.

Time to build upon that knowledge moving forward.

 

Well my work desk is calling my name.

It is inches away.

See what I mean.

My coffee is ready for me in a to go mug on my workstation.

 

I hope that you have an awesome day.

It is cloudy and raining here in Edmonton in my neighbourhood.

Wishing you a day and a life filled with kindness and respect.

 

Living this life, my life, every DAY with kindness and respect for all life.

I/We, shall remain,

As Always, Carol & Alvin

 

 

 

It is a NEW YEAR.

Hello Monday morning.

I enjoyed, we enjoyed a pancake breakfast with our girl yesterday.

Of course, Alvin did not eat pancakes although he really wanted to have some.

He did have some banana.

We had a great visit and even had time for a game of sequence and a game of JENGA.

Alvin and I enjoyed a walk after the visit.

We even had a visit with one of my neighbours as we passed along their home.

 

Yesterday my sister, one of my longtime friends and a new friend down the street, all celebrated birthdays.

I spoke to my sister on the telephone, my friend from back and I exchanged long emails catching up and the neighbour down the street, I walked over with a small gift.

February has been chalked full of birthdays.

Every single day had a birthday.

Busy month.

March is another busy month coming up.

This feels like a poem kind of morning.

Something to provoke thought and realization.

I am eternally grateful each and everyday for my life.

Would I change things, some things, perhaps.

But at the end of the day, it is the sum of all the parts, good and bad, that make us who we are.

 

I would like to share a poem that I wrote several years ago.

*******************************

“ALL THINGS ARE POSSIBLE”

There are many mornings when I rise,

That I draw a sigh and am grateful.

Am truly grateful for all that I have and all that I am.

I realize that no matter what, I am blessed.

Blessed with the realization that all things are possible.

I haven’t always been akin to this way of thinking.

But I would say that I have always been a positive being and a “hopeless romantic.”

Some days it is just a matter of putting one positive thought in front of another …

No matter what anyone thinks, life is work.

The work does not always require physical force but always requires “thought.”

Using your brain.

I believe that all things are possible.

Looking back over my life, I would tend to agree.

Think about it!

“All things are possible.”

 

Written April 11th, 2010 by Carol Y Lewis

 

I wish each and every soul, every being that I encounter on my life’s path; a great life.

I wish that for every boulder in the road that you are able to get over it or around it and come out for the better on the other side.

I wish that no matter what life may bring to you, that you are loved.

That you are able to find a way, your way, of course, but a way to be in every day, joyful and in good health.

May love fill each second and abundance fill each day.

Happy Monday.

 

Always, from me and Alvin …….

 

 

Living … One Day at a time.

Hello,

Welcome to a foggy morning here in my neighbourhood.

It may not be the same downtown or in the south end of the city or in the north.

I have found that the City of Edmonton is stretched out over a large area that the weather can be totally different from one area to the next.

The fog is beginning to lift and the sky is partially cloud filled.

The air has a tinge of coolness so that it is comfortable.

The house was not warm/hot this morning but I opened the windows about one hour ago and that will help to keep it cool inside for the pups.

They are resting together on the blue blanket on the floor beside me.

 

Last night I had the best time.

Went shopping to West Edmonton Mall with one of my friends.

I have not really done any shopping for me in ages so it was great.

I had a gift card from her and some other gift money.

There were a great deal of sales on in the mall.

I was surprised to see just how many folks were out on a Wednesday night.

I was very happy to find some sandals …. Clarks ….. not the ones that I saw on DSW’s website but they were similar and felt so good.

I do not think that I have ever put on a pair of shoes and they felt so good.

In total I bought three pair of shoes.

Got some new pyjamas, pair of jeans, two long cardigans and a short-sleeved top.

The retail staff were amazing …. so helping and very nice.

I felt like a million dollars.

Not that shopping makes me feel rich or anything.

Just the fact that I was able to actually go shopping and find some things and able to buy them.

This does not happen often.

Cannot remember the last time.

I try very hard to leave my carbon footprint at a minimum where possible.

Buying things from Thrift stores and swap meets is usually what I do.

So this was nice.

I do love hand me downs (as such) and have worn them my whole entire life thus far.

But sometimes it is nice to get some new things.

No more holey pj’s.

Giggling aloud.

It was great to have someone along as she was honest on how things fit and colours and such.

So I only got what was “GREAT” and not something was cheap on sale and was just okay.

Definitely a lesson for people.

Always better to go with someone.

I so much appreciated her honesty and assistance.

It was wonderful.

Decided not to wear the new sandals today as I may treat them – have to read the labels.

 

Well almost time to take the pups out for one more “bathroom break.”

They did great yesterday.

Alvin was up a couple of times and the last time we went downstairs, he went outside and then we retired to the sofa.

It did take a few minutes to get everyone comfortable.

Three always does take a bit more work.

 

Well I am one excited, happy, grateful, blessed, happy, Oh I said that already girl.

Lucky to have a beautiful home, great family and friends and good health.

To be surrounded by four-legged darlings.

Life is great.

Living …. One day at a time.

Listening to the birds chirping outside the office window.

 

Time to go.

I hope that you have a wonderful day.

Kindness with Respect go a long way.

Spread the goodness.

Happy Thursday.

 

Always, Carol, Alvin & Teddy

 

 

 

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Monday the 18th day of February, 2019.

The sun is up.

Shining brightly on this Family Day.

This is a Statutory Holiday here so our office is closed today.

I am grateful to have another day at home with Mr. Alvin.

 

We were up at 4:00 a.m. as he had to go outside.

Thankfully we were in bed about 10:30 p.m.

I caught the first 30 minutes of the Elvis Presley Celebration.

Thankfully I had the mindset to record to watch at a later time.

 

The weather channel is forecasting warmer temperatures over the coming days.

YAHOO, walking will be in our future.

We did manage to take a short walk to the park yesterday afternoon.

It was cold but so much better than the past over two week period.

 

I have decided to take one hour every weekend to go through my on-line photos and delete the ones that are out of focus or duplicates.

When you have 30,000 photos on your computer – it is time to do something.

I also have about 10,000 hard copies of photos in boxes that need to be sorted.

A HUGE JOB.

 

Well I am thinking that today is a good day to make some pancakes.

My daughter might be coming over for a visit.

I love making pancakes for her.

 

So another day in paradise.

We are so blessed, me and Mr. Alvin.

 

My thoughts do go to all of the bunnies, birds and other wildlife that are desperately foraging for food.

We have quite a bit of snow.

 

Happy Family Day.

I  hope that you enjoy your time with your family.

Family may be described as any being that you “love.”

May be two-legged or four or winged or …..

Family are the ones that are ….

They may be of same blood, related or not ….

Family are the ones that you want to spend time with ….

Whether you spend the day playing board games or baking together…

Whether you talk on the phone or go to see a movie.

Just spend time together.

Just be.

Happy Family Day.

 

Special Hello to: all of my Family, related and those who are not, we love you and have a Happy Family Day.

Always, Carol & Alvin

 

 

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Thursday the 31st day of January, 2019.

The last day of January 2019.

WOW, that flew by.

Seems like I say that often.

 

Alvin’s best buddy, Teddy arrived last night after supper for a couple of days.

His parents are taking a month long vacation.

Lucky guys.

Teddy’s Aunt J is going be looking after him while they are away.

But she is at their destination now and will arrive at Teddy’s house a few hours before they leave.

So that Aunt J can get some sleep after her long trip – Teddy is here until Friday night after I get home from work.

We are lucky that Alvin has a friend close by that can spend time with him.

They usually settle down better or shall I say Teddy does except for last night.

Perhaps he knew that he wouldn’t see his Mom & Dad for a long time, I don’t know.

But he was certainly restless.

Both the boys are in the office with me now.

Alvin is chawing on a chew treat while laying on his blue blanket with Teddy looking on.

 

Well it appears by the forecast that today will be our last “mild” day before bitterly cold temperatures set in for at least one week.

I know that a good portion of western Canada was in a deep freeze so we certainly cannot complain.

Starting February tomorrow and the weather can be all over the map, much like our January has been.

Whatever it is we will get through it, one day at a time.

I will enjoy a nice walk with the boys tonight after work.

 

Looks like almost time to leave for work.

Alvin is making this crazy sound as he chews on his treat …. sounds like a breathing machine or something like that.

Teddy looks on….

Oh, the boys.

 

I am blessed to have such great family and friends.

They are always there for love and support.

We all need advice, a shoulder to lean on or an EAR to listen.

With that said Master Teddy wanted up and as he is more of a lap dog than Alvin, I scooped him up.

Wow, he is so much lighter than me Alvin.

Well I had better sign off for now.

 

Have an awesome Thursday.

Enjoy your day.

Remember it is easier to be kind than to be mean.

The results of this action has doubly good return.

To the one giving and to the one receiving.

 

Special Hello to: You, one of the great ones.  Thank you for all that you do.

Always, Carol, Alvin and Teddy.

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Friday the 17th day of August, 2018.

Yay, today is Friday.

I love Fridays.

 

The sky is overcast with smoke once again blocking out the sunrise.

I cannot imagine what it must be like in those areas affected by the forest fires.

We are hundreds of miles from the fires.

The air quality is poor here ….. scratches the throat and burns the eyes and congests the nose.

I pray for rain.

I am grateful to all those brave souls who go to help put out the fires.

Putting their lives at risk.

Please keep them safe.

Keep them all safe.

Please look after the animals whether domestic or wild.

 

Last night after work there was a bit of a reprieve from the smoke or at least it did not seem to be so much.

Alvin and I took this opportunity and went for a walk.

We left the house at 5:00 p.m. and arrived back home at 6:30 p.m.

Needless to say we stopped for visits along the way.

Our friend “P” who has the most amazing flowers was outside in the garden.

Alvin can smell her a mile away so he pulled me to her back gate.

She was ready to take a break so we sat in the shade and visited.

She offered me a nice glass of iced tea and Alvin some treats.

I had water with me for Mr. Alvin which he drank most of the bottle.

We filled it up before heading for home.

I always enjoy our visits.

We chat about a number of things ….

I always learn something new.

 

I just saw a wasp buzzing at the office window.

Yikes, I guess they can fly high.

 

After we were on our way home from her house about 6:15 p.m. – we saw our friend “Jazmin” sitting on her home crafted ottoman at the window.

Alvin went to go up their walk and I said “home, buddy.”

We had not had supper yet.

But just as we were both back on the main sidewalk, I heard someone calling my name.

It was Jazmin’s Mom ….. so we went for a short visit.

Jazmin was so happy to see us.

Her Mom said that when she saw us she climbed off her ottoman and went to the door.

So happy that she is feeling better.

 

Well almost time to leave for work.

Have an awesome Friday.

Guess you never know where a walk will lead you or how long it will take.

Great friends, I am blessed.

 

Special Hello to:  all those celebrating birthdays today.

Always, Carol & Alvin

 

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Tuesday the 17th day of July, 2018.

What a gorgeous morning, clear blue skies.

This morning when Al and I went for a walk at 5:15 a.m. – there was quite a lot of activity at our lakes/park.

The birds everything from ducks, geese, robins and more where chirping, quacking, singing and communicating.

There were frogs and crickets.

The ponds (not actually lakes) were alive with all sorts of wild and wonderful creatures.

It was glorious to listen to it all as we made our way through the park.

 

Another HOT HOT one on the way.

OMG, yesterday was so hot.

The fans and air conditioning barely keeping things cool.

 

Somedays you just need to share some photos.

Here are some photos from my “61” BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION.

The partying beings ….. a tad early but who am I to rain on my parade.

Why not celebrate for a month?

Right.

Party complete with Birthday Banner and Balloons.

Nothing like FRESH GLORIOUS FRUIT

Homemade CARROT CAKE to die for ….

The Birthday Girl hiding behind your PRESENTS.

Oh, I love presents.

So blessed …. received yoga pants & top and sweater and long no-sleeved fancy tank top.

I had so much fun with my girl friends …. we laughed and laughed.

 

AFTER the birthday party my daughter and grand-pups came for the afternoon & stayed for supper.

Both Aspen and Milo looked out the window pretty much the whole time that my daughter was out.

She slipped out for a few minutes.

Oh the babies.

My LILIES be blooming.

They are the most gorgeous shade of red, the ferns are taking over the front flower bed.

Who does not like impatiens?  I kind of missed most of the flowers.

They are filling up two pots on the front step.

What a glorious Sunday I had.

Absolute perfection.

 

Well here we are at Tuesday.

Will be trying to keep cool.

Thank goodness it is cool at 5:15 am when we go for a walk.

 

Special Hello to:  YOU, thank you for reading my blog.

Always, Carol & Alvin

 

 

 

 

Thought for the day ….

Good Morning and Welcome to Monday the 16th day of July, 2018.

Another beautiful morning.

We went for a walk earlier as the forecast is for 30 + degrees celsius.

WARM.

It was glorious.

Just me and Alvin and the birds singing all along our path.

At the benches in the park there was a young man puffing away on a “vape” (not sure if that is the name or not) with head phones on listening to something.

After getting home I went over and visited Humphrey the Cat and  Cinder the Gecko to give them breakfast and water.

Humphrey was already up and in the window when Alvin and walked by his house earlier.

He was happy to see me and meowed and meowed.

Humphrey really wanted to go outside when I watered my friend’s flowers.

Once back home – fed Alvin, wrote in my gratitude journal, ate my breakfast, got ready for work and writing this post now.

I have most of our windows open and the furnace fan going to cool the house before I leave for work.

Which is coming up in a few minutes.

 

I just wanted to share how blessed I am to have such great people, women, friends and family in my life.

Yesterday.

My young friends had an early birthday party for me.

One of them baked me a carrot cake and the other provided her house, a glorious fruit tray and coffee.

OMG, so good.

We laughed and visited and visited and laughed.

Catching up on all of the latest news (just a little gossip).

The girls both bought me clothes for my birthday.

One bought me yoga pants and a top as I had mentioned about getting back into yoga.

That is definitely some incentive.

My other girl gave me a beautiful sweater and sleeveless long top.

So lucky.

I think that I am going to celebrate my birthday for the next month.

 

Following the birthday party my daughter and grand-pups stopped by for the afternoon.

We had a great visit.

More coffee.

My daughter stayed for supper.

I was thinking ahead and had made a big supper the night before so we had leftovers and the carrot cake that my friend sent home with me.

So no cooking …. just eating ….. visiting and having fun.

 

Sometimes we fuss and stew and think we have it so bad.

Yes, there are moments but all in all …. I know that I am so blessed.

If you think about it …. you are, too.

Life is not meant to suffer in silence or to be chattering about it aloud.

Try not to live in the past.

Get it out onto the table and then carry on with life.

So much to enjoy and so many better memories to make.

I hope that you have a wonderful day.

 

Thank you ladies for making my Sunday incredible.

 

Time to go.

Windows to close.

More snuggling with the boy.

He asked for a massage again this morning.

So darn cute.

 

Special Hello to:   my friends and family …. thank you

Always, Carol & Alvin

 

Thought for the day ….

Good Morning and Welcome to Monday the 19th day of February, 2018.

The sun is shining brightly.

The wind is blowing so it is not real warm outside.

Today is FAMILY DAY here in Alberta.

So we have the day off from work.

Alvin and I spent the morning thus far up and down from bed and cuddling.

Isn’t that the way most people spend FAMILY DAY?

We had a grand time yesterday with our company.

Teddy and his Aunt.

Company was good.

Food was good.

After they left I watched some of the WINTER OLYMPICS followed by a MOVIE.

So it was late when we went to bed and then I read for awhile.

Alvin slept until 5:00 a.m. which was one whole hour than usual.

It would seem that six hours is the magic number of hours of sleep at night for him.

So this morning we were up and down.

But that is okay …. most of our work has been done already.

Garbage day is tomorrow so you know what that means.

Also there remains looming in the backyard the enormous snowbank in the grass area.

We had a huge amount of snow when I had the flu and I never kept that area shovelled.

So today is the day ….. I see shovelling snow and gathering up garbage.

Shovelling will mean fresh air and exercise so that is good.

I think that Alvin will need his jacket.

Always have to watch that his paws do not get too cold.

They can freeze, you know.

It is quiet in the house, usually is in the morning.

Alvin is laying at the entrance to the office on the rug.

I am clicking away on the keyboard writing this blog.

Life is good.

I am so blessed.

When Teddy’s Aunt J and I were talking last night at supper about family and friends, I told her that I was so blessed and also very grateful for my daughter and son-in-law, siblings and many friends.

My kids are supportive and wonderful.

My friends, well I have the best.

No matter how I may feel every once in awhile, I truly lead a charmed life.

Sometimes in the moment things may seem dark but by the end of the day the light is shining most brightly and life is good.

So it is a decision to put your mind over matter.

To have faith in yourself and others.

To truly believe that life is good and that things will work out.

It is also true that working out may not mean that you won the lottery.

So on this FAMILY DAY …… thank you to my incredible loving, supporting, generous and kind family.

They make me laugh and keep me grounded.

Thank you.

 

Happy Family Day to EVERYONE.

 

Special Hello to: my FAMILY whether you are blood or chosen to be, thank you.  I am grateful to have you in my every increasing circle of life.

Always, Carol & Alvin