2021

Good Morning ALL! How are you doing on this rainy Tuesday, June 8th, 2021? Both Alvin and I are great. We, Alvin slept through until 5:00 a.m. – that is amazing. So at least I feel as though I had a decent sleep. It is raining as I alluded to in my opening sentence. It just started raining about half an hour ago. I have to run out and ensure that the downspout is turned the right way and clean up you know what from a little while ago when Alvin was out. The forecast is for rain off and on for the next couple of days. There were points yesterday where the sun did shine. Last night I made an executive decision to put most of my flower pots in the garage and the others close to the garage and to the house for some shelter as they do not require that much moisture. Also yesterday one of the girls on my work team let us know that it was hailing at her home. So decided not to take the chance. I cannot do anything about the plants in my flower beds but at least I can help out the flower pots. I very much want them to last until say October. So I watch the weather – if it looks like a huge downpour / hail is in the forecast I move them into the garage or to some shelter. The garbage guys just picked up the trash. I love when I can look out of my office window and see green. The trees are full leaved now and are beautiful.

Yesterday my kids made a quick stop to drop off some items that they picked up at the freecycle and some items they no longer wanted and that I could use. I got a chair that I am using in my bedroom, two chairs for the kitchen and a desk and a flower pot. The flower pot is an exact match to a ceramic one that I acquired a few years ago. Sweet deal. We had a short visit and then they were off.

As it was raining at noon we did not go for a walk and in the morning we were reeling from lack of sleep so our walk waited until after work. It was actually quite nice at that time. I wore a light spring jacket as it was a bit cooler.

Oh, I forgot to tell you that I went from 3000 photos on my phone to 285. I went through most of them. The ones remaining are a few that I choose to keep and the remaining are ones to be uploaded to my computer. YAY, me. Feels so great.

I cannot remember if there was anything else that I was going to tell you or not. Oh, last minute ….. Master Teddy is coming at 10:00 a.m. to spend the day with us. His parents are going to the farm for a bit and Kobi is going to the groomers. So Teddy will come and hang out with me and Alvin. Alvin will have company while I work. He will be happy.

Well time to get going. I want to check on the downspout and do the other thing in the backyard …. starts with p and ends p ….. three words. Can you guess? Think about it. I gave you some clues in my post.

Wishing you a wonderful day.

Continuing to live this life day by day with kindness, respect, compassion, patience, love and gratitude.

Always, Love Carol & Alvin

P.S. one more thing. Yesterday the doorbell rang so we went to the door to find this gray-haired older man standing on the bottom step holding a sign. The sign was from Canada Roofing. The guys that are going to do our shingles. Only thing is they have not confirmed this and I have not signed a contract as yet. Kind of out of order, I would think. Anyway just wanted to share. I am excited to finally have new shingles on our home.

Thought for the day ….

Good Morning and Welcome to Tuesday the 15th day of January, 2019.

Another pretty nice today temperature wise but not as beautiful as yesterday.

Alvin and I soaked in every minute of our walk before supper last night.

Taking into account that not quite at the half way point, Mr. Alvin whined to go home.

I told him firmly “that we needed to walk” and eventually he carried on.

Although he did try about three times to get me to turn around.

I stood my ground.

Most times, I cave and let him lead.

Last night it was just so perfect for walking that we needed to go.

We never know what the next evening will bring.

If it is really COLD, SNOWING or ICY …. we stay home.

A bit of snow is okay but Alvin is just getting over an ear infection and do not want him to get his ears wet.

SNOW inside and not dried will give him an yeast infection.

Anyway we completed our walk and I was happy.

 

After supper, Humphrey the Cat came to spend the evening with us.

His Mom was going to dance classes.

She wants him to get used to being somewhere else other than home.

Also to get more used to Alvin.

Being outside together or with both of us here for a few minutes is one thing but with Humphrey’s Mom not here and just us, well that could be something totally different.

So Humphrey arrived about 6:30 p.m.

I made sure that I had had supper and tidied up so that I could keep an eye on the boys.

Different than two dogs.

I do not wish Humphrey to take a swipe at Alvin with his sharp claws.

Even has never given any indication but at the end of the day they are animals and just one sniff out of place could cause harm.

So Humphrey checked out upstairs.

He walked around the main floor.

Looked out the window.

Laid on the mat by the front door.

Stretched on Alvin’s bed (floor).

He liked going upstairs and I found that he was clawing at the carpet so eventually I blocked off the upstairs.

Cannot have the carpet pulled apart.

I did find one strand of carpet, oh well.

He laid on the big brown chair.

I laid a blanket down so he could snuggle.

He wanted up on the sofa beside me and eventually did so.

I had Mr. Alvin on one side and him on the other.

Alvin pretty much was anxious for a good part of the evening.

When Alvin went outside – Humphrey wanted to go outside.

When the boys were surrounding me on the sofa, I had been on the tablet.

Humphrey is used to his Momma’s iPad so he was watching things.

Eventually I set it in front of him and just put the front screen saver on …. he placed his paws on the screen.

He so intently watched what was going on.

It was so cute.

At one point I managed to snap some photos on the tablet’s camera.

Will have to add them to the computer at some point.

Humphrey is a cute boy.

Near the end of the evening Humphrey jumped up on Mr. Alvin’s most favourite chair and I thought that Alvin was going to have coronary.

He did not run over but he was very anxious.

Poor boy.

I did catch a photo of Humphrey in the brown chair and Alvin in his chair directly across from one another.

Alvin was looking out the window.

It was a different kind of evening for us but interesting.

Alvin did growl once or twice.

Well it is almost time to go.

I was up late and tried to squeeze as many minutes on the sofa as I could.

I hope that you all have a wonderful day.

 

Special Hello to: all my friends who have cats and dogs.

Always, Carol & Alvin

Thought for the day ….

Good Morning and Welcome to Sunday the 24th day of June, 2018.

Another beautiful sunny morning.

Alvin slept from 10:00 p.m. until 6:40 a.m. (he must have been pooped after his sleepover with Teddy.

He had a moment this morning and did not wish to walk down the stairs.

So I gingerly picked him up to carry him downstairs.

He wasn’t really happy about that and perhaps he did not trust that I could manage carrying him down the stairs.

I was carefully as after all he is “me Alvin” and I would never intentionally put him in harm’s way.

We made it to the bottom of the stairs and I carefully set him down.

After that he has been up and down the stairs.

He has been looking around and not sure if he thinks that perhaps Teddy is here somewhere.

 

Yesterday my daughter and Milo came for an unexpected visit.

Timing was perfect as I was giving Mr. Alvin a haircut.

Teddy just watched and perhaps was thinking “Yikes, I may be next.”

Even with the two of us we were not able to get Alvin’s front paws trimmed very short.

So it is what it is.

He looks good and will be much cooler.

Now after tomorrow the temperatures are cooling off.

I give him a trim/cut once a month.

Timing.

The boys had fun playing and hanging out.

Milo and Teddy got along well.

So great to have Teddy come to hang out with Alvin.

We enjoyed having him over.

 

Happiness means something different for everyone.

What brings you great joy?

What makes you feel giddy with joy to the very bottom of your being?

Happiness for me is being in good health, being surrounded by family and friends and being at home.

I have always wanted as long as I have lived to have my very own home.

This belongs to me (and to the bank), and I am so grateful to call this mine.

I can come home every night after work to my little piece of heaven.

I have flowers in the spring until fall.

I have room for me Alvin to relax and to run around.

There is room to sit for me, Alvin and company.

I can sit under an umbrella and sip on a cup of coffee and read a book, if I wish.

I can lay down if I wish but have to watch out for the “ants.”

They seem to be living everywhere these days.

I can take in the sunshine, the moon, the stars.

I can breathe fresh air sitting on my deck.

I can be proud of what this is and I am.

I can admire the flowers.

I can watch the clouds rolling by.

I can smell the fragrances of the flowers.

This is it.

Happy Days.

These were taken last night about mid evening before the sun went down.

 

 

 

 

 

Love the reflection of the night sky in the garage window.  It was so perfect out last night.

Well I guess I had better fly into the shower and then head out for coffee with my girls.

Always enjoy our get togethers.

Happy Sunday.

Enjoy what you have …..

Big or small …..

It is yours……

 

Special Hello to:  my sister – these flowers are for you …

Always, Carol & Alvin

Thought for the day…..

Good Morning and Welcome to Saturday the 5th day of April, 2014.

It is quiet here in the house as “me Alvin” had a sleepover at his sister’s house.

Work at the store last night was great.

I always enjoy going there …… my co-workers and management are wonderful, the work is great and I get to meet people who are there to shop.

I have always loved to shop.

Some parts of my life I was able to shop more than others but nonetheless I do love the experience.

Whether I buy something or just look.

Now at this point in my life there isn’t too many things that I really need or even want for that matter so I use my imagination.

I picture myself in that new outfit from head to toe.

I see those new pillows adorning my chairs and sofa in the living room.

I love to see all the people who come into the store and sometimes catch a glimpse of those walking by.

Being at West Edmonton Mall there is never a shortage of interesting people going by.

Every kind of outfit and look possible.

We see it all.

I love it.

Oh, and I see the sun starting to break through the morning sky ….. YAY and YAY.

I am just on way downstairs to have a quick bite to eat before going out for coffee to my friend’s house and then shopping for beads with my daughter and groceries.

What a perfect day.

There will be laundry and cleaning in there somewhere but the high points are above AND drumroll …… I will have a nice walk with me Alvin after supper.

Time to go and have some breakfast ….. the most important meal of the day.

So given the opportunity just go to the mall and shop with your eyes …..

Picture yourself in that new dress from your favourite store or those new jeans or whatever it may be.

DO NOT BUY ANYTHING ….. just look.

It can be most enjoyable.

Just to pretend …..

If you go into the store looking as though you could or would buy anything in the store but then decide not to ….. it is a great feeling.

Have a great Saturday.

Spend time with friends and family ….. always good to do on the weekend.

Thanks for reading.

Special Hello to: all the shoppers out there ….. the real shoppers ….. you know who you are……

Always, Carol and Alvin