Last Half 2022

Good Morning ALL! Thinking that I would change the category name this morning. Definitely no longer a new YEAR. I hope this finds you well. We had some excited already this morning. We went to bed close to 10 and were up at 4:15, so not too bad. Although I can always sleep given the opportunity. By the time that we were up and downstairs and what not, and went outside, it was closer to 4:45 so I gave Mr. Alvin his breakfast. Then after all was done including giving him the second last Tramadol (pain pill) as he was licking his paws and shaking his head. Not good signs. He seems to be okay now. Will have to watch him. I noticed another little piece of fur that must have been wedged in the bottom of his paws had broken free, likely when he was madly licking them. This would have been from his hair cut. I spent a lot of time looking over his paws and pulling out any pieces that had been trapped but it is hard to see, so I may have missed some. Another job which is difficult on your own with a dog that does not like his paws or ears touched. Just more fun in my day to day. Anyway, we went back to the sofa and he did settle down however he decided he would lay across the chaise part of the sofa so I had to move the pillow and lie down on the other part, which is small and I have to bend my legs but I was happy to do it, if it meant he would sleep. Trust me. You would, too. I was dozing off and on when he woke up, I checked my phone for the time and it as 7:48, definitely time to get up and going. I grabbed my sweater as he wanted to go outside and I was in my pj’s. Put on some footwear and grabbed some pooping bags just in case. Poor Alvin has had some diarrhea over the past couple of days but this morning it was almost back to normal. I had given him a bit of banana on Friday, I think. So NO MORE HUMAN FOOD except the pumpkin. Last night for his supper I did not give him pumpkin, now that I think about it. His poop this morning was almost back to what it should be. Maybe I need to cut that out and see? Anyway, time to get this day going.

By the way, I did try several times earlier to download/upload those photos. Something is definitely wrong with the technology as several blank videos showed up on my computer. Three miscellaneous photos. I give up. Thankfully my daughter said she will come by at some point and take a look. Unfortunately not just anyone can look as I have APPLE products and you need to know how they work as they are quite different from others. Anyway, they are having company this weekend so perhaps one night after work this week. I also thought that this was a short week but that was last week, lol.

One way or another I will get those photos to you. You must see her garden. I wished that I was tech savvy.

Yesterday after our very late start, it was raining so we had a quiet morning. I did finish the laundry and later in the afternoon we went for a walk. We were just a few doors away from home, when I thought I heard someone call out my name and sure enough I turned about and saw our friend Joanna out on her porch. So we walked back and stopped for a porch visit. We chatted for several minutes and then were on our way. We made it just inside the park and then he wanted to go home, so we did.

Last night was quiet. The sun came out which was lovely. The sun is out now.

Just after we got up to stay up. We went outside. I thought that perhaps he had to go pee so I had grabbed my sweater to cover, yes my pj’s and headed outside. He walked around the deck for a bit while I went and sat on the edge of the deck that goes down to the grass. I listened and watched this huge crow cawing away and then land on the neighbour’s chimney. He was huge. He sat there for a few minutes making some noise in response to another crow in the distance. After I turned my head to see what Alvin was doing – I noticed that he was looking up. Turning my head in the direction that he was looking, I noticed this big black and white cat perched on the roof of our neighbours garage. Alvin and the cat had a quite intense staring match going on. I got up to see if Alvin would come down and looked back to the garage and the cat was gone. We were both up on the deck and then Alvin made a beeline for the fence on the other side of the deck. Then it was that I saw the cat looking down from the top of the fence. Alvin started to bark and jumped up onto the upper part of our deck and I could not stop him so I quickly followed. He kept barking and the cat was swishing its’ tail back and forth, looking very scary and I was thinking it may jump so I quickly went into the garage and grabbed a broom. I gently placed the broom between Alvin and the cat and moved Alvin away. Finally with the aid of the broom I was able to coral him down the steps and onto the other deck and then into the house. Then I turned and the cat was gone. Alvin likes cats so I was surprised when he barked. Anyway that was our excitement for the morning.

Okay story time over and time to head downstairs and get some coffee brewed. It was so lovely on the deck earlier basking temporarily in the sunshine that I think I may go out again with coffee this time.

Have a great Sunday.

You never know in this house – there be cats – there be good poop or bad – technology issues – sun or rain ……..

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

Always, Carol & Alvin

PS: now 37 days until my 65th Birthday. Thank goodness my birthday is in early August or the summer would be gone, lol.

The New YEAR 2022

Good Morning ALL! How are you on this gorgeous Sunday morning. The sun once again for the second day in a row is shining ever so brightly upon a clear blue sky. As there was yesterday – wind. I am so grateful for the beautiful wind this weekend.

The garage sale for the most part went really well. All the participants made some sales. We have decided to do this for a second day and are going to start at 10:00 a.m. Hopefully everyone will sell more and get the inventory down so that folks do not have to carry it back home to dispose of it. I am so grateful to all those people who turned out yesterday. We met some very nice folks and even some neighbours and friends came by and made some purchases, so grateful for their support.

Alvin did pretty good. I tried to put him in the house but he just barked. Finally with about 45 minutes to go and after he pooped I put him back into the house and did not hear a peep out of him. He may have had to go poop for a few minutes before I realized. But he had water breaks and he was looked after ( I did not ignore him). He was on a leash on my arm and he followed me around the garage. I will say that he was very happy to meet the people and for the most part everyone liked him and even commented on him and loved his name.

We had some bad news yesterday morning and my thoughts, prayers and every bit of positive energy that I can muster is going out to my Cousin and her family. Love you Cousin.

I was thinking that perhaps if I took Mr. Alvin for a walk now it might use up some of his energy so I will keep this post short.

Also we had one young man who is putting on some classes for old film cameras and was out at garage sales buying up old cameras. I took his phone number and will call him back. I have a couple of film cameras, if I can part with one or both of them. Also, a woman was looking for antique or old rhinestones to make a bouquet ( I didn’t ask if it was for her wedding). I took her phone number as well and will check out my jewelry and see if I have some vintage pieces (she said doesn’t matter if pieces were whole or broken because she can use them to fill in between the whole pieces). It was an interesting day.

Okay time to go so I can take a walk with the boy.

Wishing you a great Sunday.

I was speaking to my sister late yesterday afternoon and so grateful that they were finally getting some rain. So good to chat with you my darling sister.

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

P.S. 44 days now until my 65th birthday. Also met the new neighbours behind me at one point during the garage sale.

Second Half of the NEW YEAR.

Good Morning and welcome to the day before the official first day of fall.

This would be Monday, September 21, 2020.

How are you doing today?

I could not turn off the thoughts last night.

Do you have any idea of what I was thinking?

Well I was all consumed with the photos on my camera and not being able to upload / download from camera to computer.

I did “more carefully” read the notes on my camera/phone as follows:

Upload paused for 3682 items MANAGE STORAGE 

Not Enough iPhone Storage.

So last night I was quickly going through my photos.

The only problem is … I am not 100% sure that they are all downloaded as not initially when I got the phone but more the past few months, I was having some issues

downloading to computer.

I would get the message on my computer that “there were files that would not download.”

They could be the photos that are multiple frames in one.

I have found that if I do not put the mode into portrait it shots live and there can be multiple shots in one photo.

Now I have no idea if this is the problem.

Unfortunately I forgot to ask my daughter, the photographer when she was here on Saturday.

But definitely will be asking her.

So there will be no photos for awhile.

I will keep going through photos each night.

This is what happens when you are lazy and procrastinate.

I should have been going through them as I downloaded them and then deleted the photos from my phone.

Before my computer cannot handle the thousands of photos, I must do the same.

It was far more easy in the old days when we could take a photo, if it turned out, you kept it otherwise you threw it away.

But you know even at that I kept photos that were not perfect.

I guess I have always felt that I was throwing away the person or whatever the subject of the photo was.

One would think that I was a hoarder by those comments.

I guess when it comes to photos I am.

They are precious to me.

But I have to get things straightened out.

So every night for as long as it takes, I will be going through the photos on my phone.

I think it is safe to say duplicates can go.

I think it is safe to say out of focus can go.

I think it is going to take some time.

But that is life.

 

Well time to head on downstairs and start work.

Perhaps some of you can identify with my “photo problem.”

Others will likely giggle and say “Oh my gosh, Carol.”

Whatever you think or feel, I know that I am a work in progress.

 

Be Safe today.

Take Care.

Continue to live with kindness and respect for ALL beings …… animals, trees ……….

We need everything to be in good repair on this planet for us all to survive.

 

Living with kindness and respect.

I/We shall remain,

As Always, Carol & Alvin

 

No frost, thank goodness.

Beautiful sky this morning.

Great day ahead.

Second Half of the NEW YEAR.

Well today is Friday, July 31, 2020 and my last day of work before I begin vacation for two weeks.

I worked last night until 9:00 p.m. and yes, it was a long day but I feel that I will be leaving “my desk” in a better place for my coworkers and for my return.

The air outside is a bit cooler and there is a slight breeze.

I will tell you that Alvin wondered what the “hay” I was doing last night.

My Supervisor at work was took a couple of days off and my teammates dubbed Mr. Alvin “the Supervisor.”

He always seems to instinctively know when I should be taking a break and always gives me “that look.”

One of the team wanted to see and meet Alvin so I turned the camera on and we all had a little visit which lightened our “work time.”

Sometimes we need that connection.

One of the girls has a three year old boy named Tyler and he was anxious to meet Alvin, so we hooked him up.

I couldn’t see their faces and I did not have time to think about how I looked which was not “pretty.”

But really I didn’t care and no one seemed to either.

Alvin was the star of the show and that was the main thing.

I was able to show off my cuteness of a partner, companion.

Oh, just felt some cool air touch the back of my arm, felt so good.

 

I have photos to share and then this will be short as I want to get work done and this day done.

Now for a magic trick.

See the first two photos in the top row.

I had gone to water and check on my flowers and found this Snapdragon flower floating in mid air.

I had been at a distance and thought that I was seeing things.

As I approached I could see a spider web hoisting the flower off the step.

Very cool.

How strong are spider webs, very.

Some of my other flowers …. cannot remember the name of the orange flowers but very pretty.

The Snapdragons – yellow.

Couple of quick shots and the first one looks out of focus.

You can see the Hens & Chicks in the second photo.

 

Well as it is almost time to start work, I had better head back downstairs to grab my coffee and get Mr. Alvin’s bed set up.

Working in the kitchen at the table was a great idea.

This is the boy’s set up …. comfy and beside Mom.

Well the boss just told me that I have to get downstairs.

He is the designated Supervisor for these two weeks.

So the boss cannot be late for work.

 

Clearly the boy is feeling much better.

 

Happy Friday All,

Living with kindness and respect and love,

I/We shall remain,

As Always, me and the boy

 

It is a NEW YEAR.

Good Morning and Sorry for the lateness of this post.

Today is one of the couple of late shifts that I am required to work for my job.

Since we started to work from home, the higher ups thought it would be nice for us to have our after hours phone line answered by staff for a few hours instead of the security company

that we have hired.

So couple of time or so each month we take turns working from 11:00 a.m.  until 7:00 p.m.

It is okay but I much prefer my 8:00 am. until 4:00 p.m.

After all it is not like I do not speak to my clients all day long.

Our “lunch break” ends up being at 3:00 p.m. in the afternoon.

 

Today is to be another warm one for us here in Edmonton.

There is a breeze thank goodness as I want to take Alvin for a walk after I finish this post.

I should have got my back side out of bed earlier, oh what, yes I was up earlier, several times in fact.

Went to bed later and then up early with Alvin and the story goes.

Anyway, no complaints.

 

The surgery for my family member went went and he is doing great.

I have the office window open and can hear everyone’s dogs barking.

I am not sure if people leave their pups out for hours on end or not.

But I am inclined to investigate.

Cause some of the barking is not from large dogs.

 

Last night at 10:22 p.m. it was still light outside here in Edmonton.

I snapped some shots of the sky it was so beautiful.

Oh, I baked several dozen chocolate chip cookies last night, as well.

I love that the moon looks so far away in this shot.

By the time I came out later after dark it was up close and personal.

So beautiful.

My Irises starting to bloom in the front.

The first ones to bloom and were damaged in the hail on Tuesday afternoon.

Some shots from our deck as it was hailing.

 

Well Mr. Alvin is patiently waiting for me.

I guess it is time to go for a walk.

Then home and have breakfast and COFFEE.

 

Wishing you all the most perfect day.

Filled with sunshine and perhaps even roses.

I forgot to tell you about the roses near our park.

They are blooming and the fragrance is so divine.

Seems like heaven.

With this breeze it will carry and be enjoyed by all.

Especially by me, I love those roses.

Reminds me of my Grandma, who always had the most exquisite roses in her garden.

All different colours.

 

Happy Thursday.

With kindness and respect,

I/We shall remain,

As Always, Carol & Alvin

It is a NEW YEAR.

Well, good morning.

How are you doing today?

I am doing well.

Today is Thursday – which is great.

 

We finally were able to go for a walk last night.

A full walk.

It was so nice out.

Shortly after we left the house, like about 3 seconds, it began to snow.

Just a light snow but snowing all the same.

When we reached the park we bumped into a Mom and her Puppy.

Their names were Lori and Luna.

Luna is a labradoodle, about one year old pup.

Alvin and Luna did pretty well.

She wanted to play and Alvin not so much.

But there was only a couple of growls from Mr. Alvin.

Luna as with all young ones was full of energy.

She did well and listened to her Mom.

They just moved to our neighbourhood and I was happy that I was the WELCOME WAGON, so to speak.

We had a nice visit before heading onward.

Would be happy to see them again.

 

Last night I spoke to Humphrey’s Mom.

We had heard from them in at least two weeks, perhaps one of the longest periods of no communications.

She is in the throes of YEAR END and AUDITS and all things, financial at her place of employment.

So she has been working overtime even on the weekends.

We had a nice chat and when I found out that she had to go for a late curling game after the office, I asked if I could go and pick up Humphrey.

She said “he’s okay.”

I said that I would go and pick him up and bring him back here for a couple of hours or so.

Alvin and so happy to see Humphrey and I think Humphrey was happy to see us, too.

He did make his way upstairs and curled up on the spare room bed which I have now dubbed “Humphrey’s Room.”

What a guy!

We did miss him so much.

 

Humphrey is back and we are happy.

For some reason the other photos that I snapped of him did not upload/download.

But there the boy is in all his cuteness.

By the second photo you can see that I was fiddling about with the camera.

Oh well ….

 

Well time to hit the trail.

One last time outside for Mr.Alvin.

Time for me to don my outer apparel.

 

Have an awesome Thursday.

Treat yourself and others with Kindness and Respect.

That is the only way to live our lives.

 

Always, Carol & Alvin

 

 

 

 

Living … One day at a time.

Good Morning and welcome to a sky filled with a soft palette of pinks and oranges.

The sky looks as though you mixed some fog in with the sunrise.

It is absolutely gorgeous.

I just snapped a photo but the camera lens just does not grasp that wondrous beauty.

 

Humphrey unexpectedly has joined us today while his Mom is going out of town to visit family.

So Alvin will have some company while I clean the house and prepare for my girls to visit tonight.

We, three friends are going out for supper to a nearby restaurant called “Original Joes.”

This is our “Christmas party.”

Once supper is over we will retire to my house for a visit, perhaps a few drinks and maybe even a sweet treat.

Everyone can walk home from my house so not drinking and driving will happen.

There will be some cleaning and laundry to do today.

My friend who sells the FIFTH AVENUE JEWELRY is dropping off an order today around noon.

I will go with Alvin for a walk at some point.

We walked last night for our full walk.

Last night I visited my friends down the street.

We had such a great visit.

I was there for over three hours.

The time passed by so quickly.

 

With respect to our our family member who had surgery yesterday.

He is doing well and I pray that each and every report is great news.

It will definitely mean more hospital time but under the circumstances that is a must.

 

Well time to get this show on the road.

I actually took Monday off so that I would have some extra time at home finish Christmas cards and letters.

Some downtime.

Works has been crazy busy for me but I can finally see the light.

 

Well time to get dressed and start the laundry.

Check on the boys.

Alvin keeps walking back and forth so that means Humphrey is now upstairs.

I guess he likes to keep an eye on him.

Company?

 

Have an awesome Saturday.

I hope that life is treating you well.

 

Always, Carol & Alvin

 

Even though sometimes it is hard to be kind and respectful – we still have to put our best foot forward.

I had a bad day yesterday.

Not everyone is always happy about decisions.

I should know that by now.

 

 

 

Thought for the day ….

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

The sun is rising bright in the morning sky.

Today I am taking a vacation day.

So nice to be at home for another day.

We were up at bit later and then slept in a bit.

Whenever cars drive by in the back lane you can hear the crunch of snow and ice.

It is a massive rut back there.

We need some warm, warm days to melt this mess.

Would have been nice if the back lanes and the streets in our neighbourhood would have been plowed/scraped during the winter.

Likely not many were …. now we depend on the warmth of the sun to take away the mess.

Our sidewalk out front went from bare to a massive chunk of ice.

When it melts from the back yard it drains to the front.

Frustrating.

We valiantly scoop the water to the drain but then over night it return and freezes.

Not pretty out there and we try to keep it clean to no avail.

Walks are on the opposite side of the street, thankfully it melts faster and is easier for those neighbours to keep clean.

 

I have to share some photos from the birthday party yesterday of my grand-pups and the fruit pizza.

Apparently I must have taken the photos of the birthday girl with my tablet as there are none on this camera.

I was certain that I took them with the camera.

 

Miss Aspen and Milo with Alvin in the background of the above photo to the left.

We had a great visit.

Alvin was so excited when he saw them drive by.

We ran to the back door to watch for them to come in from the garage.

I had to let Alvin outside as he could not contain his excitement.

He waited patiently for the door to open and them to start coming out of the garage.

My son-in-law also commented on the back lane.

We ordered pizza from my new favourite pizza place “Royal Pizza” in the Hamptons.

Best pizza ever.

For dessert “fruit pizza.”

The fruit pizza was heavy ….. lots of fruit on that cookie sheet.

I had a vegetable platter as I figured might be a good idea.

We enjoyed the food and the visit.

 

Well I have a list of things to do today.

Finish laundry, make a big pot of chilli, make pot of oatmeal for this week and go for a walk.

Will work on putting together some orders for Steeped Tea and NORWEX.

I have one of each.

 

Just a lovely day to be at home with me Alvin.

I am so grateful to have such great company.

I am grateful to have a wonderful family.

 

Happy Monday.

 

 

 

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Tuesday the 13th day of November, 2018.

Alvin is sitting by my chair in the office as I key these words and Teddy is sniffing around the office checking things as only a couple of days ago, I changed some of the furniture around.

Only a few minutes ago as I was getting ready in my bathroom with Alvin at my side; Teddy was on the bed playing.

He scooped the pillows and ran under the blanket that lays on the foot of the bed.

Pillows flying in every direction.

He likes to play under the blanket.

When he came out from under his hair was electrified and was flying in all directions.

It was then that I realized that my camera was downstairs.

I missed such a cute photo.

But running down to grab the camera would have brought the subject in hot pursuit.

So I decided that tonight I will make sure that I have the camera with me at all times.

OMG, such a cute sight.

Oh, the boys.

Every morning Alvin gets a little less vocal and a bit more patient.

He is getting used to having a bit of Teddy’s chicken with his food.

ARGH.

They shared blueberries and a bit of banana when I was having breakfast.

Except there are always the moments like just now when Teddy wanted up on my lap and Alvin got between him and me.

He likes his BFF but there are parameters, I guess.

They are so cute.

Black and white, White and black.

Even this morning one of the times they were outside …. it was evident….. Alvin when coming toward the house turned to see where Teddy was.

Alvin came in but still watching for his Teddy.

 

Yesterday when we were out for a walk we came across a woman and a puppy.

We all stopped.

The puppy was a Tibetan Terrier.

Black and so cute.

So full of energy.

Woman said puppy was her daughter’s and she was looking after him.

Both Alvin and Teddy played together with the new friend.

 

Later after supper, I paid a visit to Humphrey the Cat.

He still wears the “cone of silence” as I call it (after GET SMART) or most commonly referred to the “cone of shame.”

I was pleasantly surprised when arriving that he was laying on the sofa.

After I took off my coat and shoes, I walked to the sofa and sat down.

Humphrey plunked himself on my lap.

Strange for a cat.

He sat there for a good ten minutes.

I stroked his neck and gently rubbed his back.

He got up and moved about and then returned to my lap.

He did this three times over the time I was visiting.

So cute.

 

What would I do without these babies.

So cute.

Such great company.

Still wishing that I had some photos from earlier.

They would have brought a smile to your face.

I am certain of that.

 

Well another beautiful day on the way.

It will be dark when I get home and the pups will be hungry as I am catching the bus today.

Both ways.

But we will go for a walk even if it is short.

Have to take advantage of this beautiful weather.

 

Well time to run as I have to catch a bus.

Will let the boys out again before I leave.

 

Have an awesome Tuesday.

Special Hello to:  my sister ….

Always, Carol & Alvin

 

Thought for the day ….

Good Morning and Welcome to Wednesday the 31st day of October, 2018.

Happy Halloween and last day of October, 2018.

Woke up to dry ground so that is a good start.

No moisture in the forecast as of last night.

Should be a great night for the treaters.

I, me and Alvin always look forward to the little ones coming around.

So many cute costumes.

Here are a few photos that I was able to locate from past Halloweens.

Some of me, some of the little treaters.

As I look at the photos – man have the children grown.

Well it is time to fly and I am not a witch.

I will make certain that someone takes photos of me with my camera so I have some for future postings.

Happy Halloween and Be safe out there.

 

Special Hello to: all of my friends and family … wishing you all a Happy Halloween.

Always, Carol & Alvin

My Grand-puppies Penny and Elton

My favourite treaters of all time if only I could have found them in their Halloween costumes that made it to the CTV National Morning Show many years ago.

Missing Penny and Elton.

 

Me ….. WHAT?