2021

Good Morning ALL! How are you this morning? We are well. For the second morning in a row we slept in. This morning we were woke up by the phone ringing. Which was a good thing. I think it is safe to say that this last week of incredibly hot temperatures has taken a toll on us and likely the rest of the country. It is only 17 degrees outside now and it is 8:16 a.m. – what a difference. Top temperature for today is to be 21 degrees celsius and rain. We did have a bit of rain earlier. We were up at 5:00 the first time.

The last couple of days have been very eventful and I cannot believe that tomorrow is back to work already. Thankfully the workplace remains at the kitchen table. Did I say that I love working from home. So much less stressful and no commute. Sure love that. I can be home right after I am finished work. Home for Mr. Alvin.

Saturday morning as I mentioned we were up and down and then not up until close to 9:00 a.m. I had a shower and was shocked, really shocked to find the water cold and did not warm up at all. In my heart, I knew that it was likely the hot water heater. My home is about 15 years old. After the shower and my brief post to you all, I headed down to the basement to find that there was water leaking from the bottom of the hot water tank. That is never good news. I googled to find out for sure and it was not one of the “fixable” things that were mentioned. Not surprised. I texted a few people for guidance. My daughter replied right away. She helped me find a plumber to call. I called the company and set up an appointment for 3:00 p.m. (by the way the technician/plumber was here at 2:30 p.m. which is always a good sign). He assessed the situation and I agreed to go ahead and replace the old one. We did the paperwork and then he started to process to drain the tank while he went back to the shop to pick up a helper and the new tank. About one hour later they were back – about 4:15 p.m. They started right to work. By I think it was 6:00 p.m. – the new tank was installed and the old tank was removed. I was grateful that they took the old tank, I had originally not thought of that. YAY, new tank. There is a smell to the water so I emailed the company and they called first thing this morning and are sending someone out. Luckily I have several jugs of water in the fridge for me and Alvin. I did do a load of dishes in the dishwasher and some by hand. So hopefully that is okay. So that is my hot water tank story.

I forgot to mention about Friday. Thankfully Friday was a bit cooler than the rest of the week. We had been up early and gone for a walk. I had booked the day off as vacation which was nice especially after having Wednesday off for Canada Day. We were just “chilling” trying to keep cool watching some television when I laid back on the pillow and before you know it I heard a voice and woke up to hear my daughter entering the house. She had planned to come over but I didn’t know the exact time. It was nice to have about a two hour nap on a Friday morning. Amanda and brought Milo (her smallest dog) with her. We visited and had coffee. Decided that we would take the box of items that I had collected from my basement reorganization to GOODWILL and then hit Save-On for a couple of items. So that is what we did. The fans were blowing for the pups and they had lots of water. We were gone less than two hours. I ended up finding five or maybe it was six tops, mainly sleeveless ones because that is what you buy when it is hot and one pair of jeans. Actually years ago I had these lightweight cotton not really denim pants that had an elastic waist and were so comfy to wear in the summer. I found a pair not quite as lightweight as the others from years gone by but close enough and they had an elastic waist. I was going to try them on but haven’t yet with all of the excitement. I did try the tops yesterday and they all fit. Anyway, it was great to get out for a bit. 24/7 – Alvin has been my constant companion. I really enjoyed my outing. We filled a bin at GOODWILL with the items from the basement and three big bags of clothing (previously cleaned my closets). Once back home – Amanda picked up Milo and they were on their way home. So nice to have company for both me and Alvin and an outing to boot. For some reason I think there was something else I wanted to tell you all but for the life of me I have forgotten. Also my neighbour is away for the weekend so I have been checking in on Humphrey, Bogart and Cynder.

At the end of it all, I have a new hot water tank and some new tops and a pair of jeans. What a weekend!

Well we should head out for a walk before they come to check our water.

Luckily I have water in the fridge for us to drink and for COFFEE. Walk first and then coffee.

I hope that you are keeping safe and cool. So grateful for cooler temperatures for today and next week. Looks like Friday/Saturday will be warm.

Also I set up an appointment for July 14th to have my central a/c serviced so for the next hot weather we will be ready.

Have an awesome Sunday. Looking like this is my cleaning day …… I have had lots of “relaxing time” so need to get some things done, lol.

Remembering to always live this life with kindness, respect, compassion, patience, understanding, love and gratitude.

Always, Carol & 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 Friday the 2nd day of November, 2018.

Did you flip your calendar?

Doesn’t it seem like October?

Where did it go?

The months seem to be passing in supersonic mode.

Anyway Welcome November ….

We woke up to SNOW this morning.

A beautiful fresh blanket.

Not the wet stuff …. but a nice blanket of light snow that is easy to shovel.

I already shovelled a bit of snow off the deck.

Last night we enjoyed our walk.

Just as we neared Teddy’s house, Alvin spotted the garage door open.

Made a beeline for the house.

Teddy’s Dad invited us in to say Hello.

In we went.

You cannot turn down a nice invitation like that ….

They are such awesome people.

Teddy’s parents.

Teddy will be coming for a visit for 12 days or so starting next Tuesday night.

I know that Alvin is excited.

He will have a “brother” for near a couple of weeks.

Good for him to have some company.

He is getting a bit better at sharing although he does have a long way to go.

Well it is 6:30 a.m.

Where did the time go.

Of course, Mr. Alvin has been having been up at 3:30 the past few mornings.

ARGH.

But we do have a bit of extra sleep on the sofa after he has done what he needed to do.

So that helps.

I guess we change our time this Sunday.

One hour back.

Not sure if that is good or not.

Any and all time changes take a certain amount of adjustment.

That is for sure.

Thankfully it happens on the weekend.

Well nice to just slip on blue jeans this morning for work.

I so appreciate our casual Fridays.

Also last night I took down the few outdoor Halloween/Fall decorations that I had put up.

As well as the indoor ones.

Which was good now with the snow.

I am going to put away the FALL wreath before I leave for work as well.

TONIGHT …. oh, tonight.

My daughter is picking me up from work.

With a couple of quick stops at grocery store and vet – food for all of us …. we will head home.

Home where I shall make a stir-fry for supper.

One of my daughter’s fav meals.

Then after supper ….. the TREE will go up.

Followed by decorating the house all weekend.

My daughter is spending the night.

I am not physically able to put up the tree.

Although if I was pushed perhaps I could.

Nothing is impossible.

Just the tree is 7.5 and heavy to assemble by oneself.

Well time to fly.

Likely more like sledding …. snow …. smiling.

Boots and winter coat for sure this morning….

 

Happy Friday.

So excited.

Happy Dancing.

 

Special Hello to: my sister ….. love you, my darling.

Always, Carol & Alvin

Thought for the day……

Happiness is a RED LEASH.

Happiness is being the “leader of your pack” ……

Now, I know in my heart that being in charge or being the leader is not “really happiness” …. but let me tell you

when the dog is pulling you along or

your 5 year old is screaming because you wouldn’t buy them the latest new toy and you are in the middle of a busy store, or

your teenager is having a meltdown because they think they need the latest designer blue jeans to live or

your partner just cannot seem to understand why you need a night out with the girls to relax.

Believe me ….. Happiness is the RED LEASH…..

Regaining some kind of order in your life is all about the red leash and being “the leader of your pack”.

So when the kids are driving you crazy or your spouse just doesn’t get it or the world seems to be banding against you ….

grab your “red leash” ……. relax …… be strong …… be powerful……. be the great person you were meant to be!!

 

Always, Carol