Last Half 2022 – August

Good Morning ALL (it is just barely morning). What a great last almost 24 hours we have had. There is something about having your brother, his husband and your daughter and your pup in the house at the same time. We laughed and cried as we shared news and talked about “the old days.” Some of us remembered things a bit differently but it was all good. Just after the boys arrived, my brother and I left the house to go to the grocery store. Likely not a great idea for Mr. Alvin as he was left with my brother-in-law who is a lovely human being but Alvin really didn’t know him. Todd said that he tried to get him to go outside with him but did not work instead he sat on one of his beds and looked out the living room window waiting my return. Clearly no separation anxieties here, lol. I get it – for most of the time he sees only me and he had not met Todd before and to be honest, I never really thought about it. Note to self. Do not leave the house right away after bringing someone new inside. It is funny not funny ha-ha that Todd has never been to my house here in Edmonton and I moved here in 2009. My brother has been here several times over the years. My poor Todd is awaiting double hip replacement so it was not easy going up and down stairs but he does not let that get in his way. He is a real trooper. Good mindset about his whole ordeal. He will be 54 in a few days. Hopefully after waiting for over two years, the surgery will happen soon. It breaks my heart when you know someone who has been waiting to have surgery and in constant pain. So it seems to be the standard thought process to give you drugs that you may or may not become addicted to help with the pain instead of doing the surgery right away. Drugs that over time damage and destroy your muscle/joints and whatever else. So why not do the surgery sooner than later. I wonder what the real reason is? We also realized that my brother and Alvin are on the same pain medication – just a different dosage. We had a real giggle over that.

I was so happy that my daughter decided to stay and visit. We had a cold supper if you will which was great. After supper and the sun went lower in the sky we sat outside on the back deck. It was wonderful listening to the laughter coming from my house. It has been awhile since I have had that many people enjoying the deck and each other’s company. I am so grateful that they took the time and came out of their way to come from Calgary to Edmonton before heading to Regina with final destination Winnipeg – then the lake. I remember to a few days ago when we were out at my daughter’s. I love the laid back lifestyle. So much fun.

Well it is almost time to head downstairs and get the laundry going and set up the fans and close all the blinds before it gets too hot in the house.

I am grateful to the Universe for bringing some of my family together for a great evening. I drank a bit and even had a few puffs of a cigarette (my brother-in-law smokes). I was a bad girl but sometimes you just have to be “bad.” We had good food, laughed, cried, shared stories, took pictures and just enjoyed being together. Does not get better than that.

We made a pact that next summer for us to get together again but we will make sure that our sister and other brother will be there, too.

Well I should go. Get things back to normal and do laundry. Always laundry.

Have a wonderful Saturday. Oh, I have to check my lottery ticket from last night -that would be a perfect end to a wonderful time. Especially if it were enough to share with family and friends.

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

I do love to entertain. This morning I made buns with two kinds of toppings, some cut up raw veggies and a container of unbaked chocolate macaroons. That was my gift to the boys – the macaroons. A request made by them. We celebrated my birthday and Todd’s which is coming up last night. Now they will have a good snack to have on their trip.

Always, Carol & Alvin

P.S. we had some rain earlier this morning.

Thought for the day ….

Good Morning and Welcome to Friday the 16th day of March, 2018.

A thin layer of sticky snow is covering the ground this morning.

I want to send belated Birthday Wishes to my great niece “S.”

We hope that you had a great day.

 

Last night my daughter gave me a ride home from work.

We made a stop at COSTCO.

My daughter and son-in-law decided that Mr. Alvin needed a present as he has been under the weather.

Look at this nice, soft beautiful new bed.

Look at where Mr. Alvin is.

He sniffed the bed.

He walked around the bed.

He walked on it and off of it.

I know what I will be doing this weekend.

Yes, you got.

Napping on his new cozy, bed.

It is truly nice and soft.

The bed was meant more for him to use as a soft landing platform and maybe for takeoffs.

He is getting up there in age.

 

Well time to go and walk the “white trail” …….

It is Friday.

Are we happy?

Well, YES WE ARE.

Have an awesome Friday.

Smile, it catches.

Special Hello to:  belated birthday wishes …..

Always, Carol & Alvin

 

Thought for the day ……

Good Morning and Welcome to Sunday the 5th day of February, 2017.

 

The sky is white.

Rooftops are white.

Ground is white.

No sign of the sun.

Appears to be cold.

This is Sunday morning.

 

The house feels full once again with the arrival of Mr. Alvin back home.

I am grateful to his sister, my daughter and his brother-in-law, my son-in-law for taking such great wonderful care of my boy for the time away from home.

We sometimes feel like an old married couple.

We miss each other when we are apart but when once again together we fall into the old routine quickly.

He barks and I said say “no barking.”

Does he listen “no.”

Does he get his own way “yes.”

When he is away – I do not sleep well.

But when he is home – he lays next to me, and I sleep.

We are happy together.

Just this way.

 

I had a wonderful visit with my daughter and it is never long enough.

Usually when she comes over – I have errands to run so she lends me their car.

This shortens our time together.

I am grateful for every moment with my daughter.

She is the very best “being” I know.

 

The past couple of weekends I have been making necklaces like crazy.

Just feeling creative.

I have a big bowl of beads nearby and just create.

Last night I made two more.

Well the weekend is winding down.

Still some things to do around the house to prepare for the week.

 

I am happy, feeling very blessed to have this life ….

 

Happy Sunday Everyone ….

Special Hello to: YOU

Always, Carol and Alvin

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Thursday the 2nd day of February, 2017.

The house is quiet this morning and my heart is beating quickly as I am running late.

How does that happen when my boy is away for a sleepover …..

Likely because I decided to sleep in and because his Momma went to a “Thirty-One” party last night.

The company that sells storage containers and so much more.

Anyway this will be short.

Perhaps it was the two cups of coffee at the party or maybe it was because I did not have me Alvin to snuggle next to …..

But anyways it is what it is …..

Time is evaporating ….. time to go.

I hope that Alvin enjoys his sleepover and getting to know Miss Aspen a bit more ….. perhaps they will play more and easier this time.

It is a size thing for sure …..

Have a great Thursday all….

Special Hello to:  my boy …. and thanks to his sister and brother-in-law and the grand-pups.

Always, Carol & Alvin (even though he is not home).

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Monday the 30th day of May, 2016.

Overcast and dreary looking outside.

Just what one would envision a Monday morning.

Not always I guess.

 

Well the garage sale ended up being a great success.

Lots of people came out and although everything did not sell – we did well.

Most people were nice.

Some wanted to haggle the price from more than reasonable to almost nothing.

Two people said they would buy something so I put the items to the side and they never came back.

Why do people do that?

Everyone made some money and I made what I needed to…

It was a gorgeous day and I was so grateful.

One thing I will note is that I do not have a car and mostly everyone drove up in big fancy vehicles?

Those are the ones that always want something for nothing?

Just an observation.

 

 

Alvin came home later in the afternoon and it was just like in the movies.

He came running to the door but his leash got him only until the top step…. until his sister caught up.

Once in the house he ran to the back door and then back to me ….. gave me a kiss and then back and forth.

He was so happy to be home.

I know that he had a great time with his sister and family.

My son-in-law took him on a nice long walk.

I even managed after a seven hour garage sale day to go to the bank, get groceries and my bus pass.

DONE.

We had a nice quiet evening.

Supper was later than usual but enjoyable.

 

Well here we go again time to leave for work.

Where did the night go?

Where did the weekend go?

 

Happy Monday.

Special Hello to: my sister – sorry I completely forgot about SKYPE.  How about next Sunday?

 

Always, Carol and Alvin

 

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Wednesday the 25th day of November, 2015.

One month from today is Christmas Day.

Where has the time gone.

Just received sad news that the last of my Paternal Grandfather’s siblings/in-laws has passed away.

I loved my Uncle “G” …. he was my Grandfather’s youngest sister’s husband.

A kind, soft spoken gentleman.

He will be missed.

At the same time I heard of another family member that has cancer has taken a turn for the worse.

To my cousin “G” you are in our thoughts and prayers.

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Today is also the Birthday of my eldest niece.

Happy Birthday “D.”

I believe tomorrow is Thanksgiving for our neighbours to the south.Thank goodness it has stopped snowing.

We have quite the snow bank happening on the deck from shovelling.

I managed to throw some between the fence and the garage so that it is out of the way for now, anyway.

Mr. Alvin has been trying to tell me something.

I wished I could understand …. most times I can figure it out.

Sometimes he just wants my attention.

Hard to believe that it is almost the end of November.

Collectively people have been saying and thinking where has November gone.

I distinctly remembering Halloween and now it is November 25th.

There are a few items on my list to do before Christmas.

Baking, Christmas cards and Wrapping (still a couple of gifts to pick up).

I plan to write my cards this weekend.

I am so excited as the Craft Sale is only a couple of days away now.

It will be fun.

We have never participated in a craft sale before so it will be interesting and a learning experience.

Well it is time to hit the shower.

Learning is a good thing.

Alvin has calmed down.

YAY.

I hope that you have a great Thursday.

Special Hello: my niece “D” – Wishing you the Best of Birthdays …..

Always, Carol and Alvin

Thought for the day……

Good Morning and Welcome to Tuesday the 10th day of March, 2015.

Happy Birthday to my son-in-law’s brother “D” who turns “50” today.

So many birthdays this month.

In two days my baby girl, my only daughter turns “35.”

Now that is scary …… really 35 ….. it cannot be.

Where has the time gone.

 

Well it would appear that spring may have arrived here in Edmonton.

Well at least for the next couple of weeks we will experience plus single to low double digit temperatures.

The icy sidewalks are finally melting and walking home is not such a terrifying experience.

Last night one of my friends from the bus who happens to be a neighbour from down the way ( just met on the bus ) and I walked my regular path.

It has been so icy as of late …. it is the street from which I fell a few weeks back.

So thank goodness for the little things which is pretty huge.

I am so grateful to be able to walk at a regular pace home from the bus stop.

Soon the snow and ice will have melted.

The ground will be relieved to be able to breathe once again.

Life will start to show up all around us ….. leaves on the trees …… baby bunnies ….. the birds will be back.

YAY, I love spring.

 

I was thinking yesterday morning when I opened my blog and looked at the photo of me and realized that maybe I should put a more recent one up.

I do love that photo but it is a few years old now.

I will of course leave the one of me at a much younger age …. 🙂

Maybe I will post one of me and Alvin …… time will tell.

Right now I have a lot on my plate …. working two jobs ….. seven days a week.

But I do want to get back into writing more …… especially some of the other categories ….

I will …..

Thank you so much everyone for taking time out of your busy lives to read my thoughts …. it is so appreciated.

Well almost time to leave for the office.

I hope that you have an amazing day.

Smile lots ….. keep the faith …… stay positive.

I try to do this everyday ….. there are some days it is a bit harder than others but I do try.

After all, we are human …..

 

Special Hello to: my family and friends back in Regina …… thank you for always being there.

Always, Carol and Alvin