Last Half 2022 – December

Good Morning ALL! How are you this Monday morning? I am doing well. Had a pretty fair sleep. Up early as it is go to the office day. Oh, how I miss working from home 98% of the time. So much easier and so much more productive. I find the office one massive distraction although I do enjoy seeing my coworkers. Anyway!

Countdown to Christmas: today is December 12th so that leaves 12 sleeps till Christmas Eve.

Do you remember when you were a child and dreamt of seeing Santa and all of the presents under the tree? I will admit most Christmas it was a major disappointment but I still kept dreaming. Even through the disappointment I knew that I was luckier than so many other children. My comparison was the Children’s Orphanage that was in a small town in our area. I think that it was the thought of those children and the possibility of being one of them that kept me focused on the positive and kept me dreaming. Anyone that thinks children do not realize or know what is going on, think again, as you are sadly mistaken. We know.

Yesterday I got the shovelling done, finished up the laundry, put away the clothes that were air drying, washed my SHARK vacuum (as you are supposed to wash it out after each use), tidied up, went through my office desk drawer and sorted through and organized the papers and a few odds and ends. Pretty much a quiet, quiet day. I do miss my Alvin. This week and then one more week till Christmas. It will be a homecoming like no other. Cannot wait. He has slept through the night for three or four days now. Wow, that would be nice to continue but I get up sometimes so it would be okay.

So it is Monday! Yup it is Monday………what can I say? I would not say that it was my favourite day of the week and I would not say it was my least favourite. It is the beginning of the work week for me. I know that this is not the case for everyone!

Okay to explain this photo. On our way home from work on Friday, we happen to see waiting at the lights beside us, a cat in the passenger seat of the vehicle next to us. Have you ever seen a cat not in it’s carrier? I have not. The cat was looking out of the window and at times was meowing. I think this was the start to a great weekend. Just a guy and his cat!!

I had almost forgot about this until I was looking through some photos that I uploaded/downloaded yesterday. A good memory.

I am going to wear my new scarf to work today. So excited. It is so warm and comfy. I may even wear it while I am working because sometimes our office is cool. Thank you G.

Time to head back downstairs, whoops that was a slip. I have not been downstairs since I went to bed. Funny how your mind works. Oh Mr. Alvin! The Momma misses her boy and cannot wait until Christmas.

Have a great Monday!

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

Always, Carol & Alvin

Alvin Charlie Lewis

Last Half 2022 – October

Good Morning ALL! How are you this morning? We are doing well. Back to the office today for the next three days. Alvin has two friends checking on him this week. Alyaa for the first two days and then Pauline for Wednesday, lucky boy.

What a gorgeous day we had yesterday. The sun shone and the air was warm and there was not even the slightest of breezes. We spent a few hours outside between a walk and moving the patio furniture to the garage, washing down the house, garage, windows, front porch, deck, raking, putting some leaves around the plants in the back flower garden and cleaning out two of the three last flower pots. The impatiens were basically done. There is one plant on the front porch for decoration as it seems to be doing great. So good to get it all done. Prior to the cleaning I decided to colour my hair followed by a shower. Yes, I know that you normally do not shampoo your hair or have a shower but this “home colour” said to shampoo after the conditioner (which I conditioned again after the shower). It is dark but covered the gray. The main reasoning for the hair dye was because I was given the box of colour and did not wish to waste it. I am pretty happy with it and it will fade in a short time and be perfection. Besides it makes me feel like a different person, hopefully a better person, lol.

There were a few smaller tasks that I completed but no one really wants the whole list, I do not think! We are all busy. Great to have “stuff” done. I feel as though we had a weekend.

I was sadly disappointed that unless I paid for it – there was no free viewing of “Christmas with the Kranks.” I just wanted to watch it but I did find a free viewing of “The Grinch” with Jim Carrey so I watched that in between preparing an apple crisp with the remainder of the apples from Pauline. I might have to bring the DVD player up from the basement and hook it up once again so that I can watch all of the Christmas movies and other movies in my collection which is on a small bookcase in the living room.

Still very dark outside when I peek out of the office window. I am not sure what time the sunrise is set for as the days get shorter and shorter leading into the shortest day of the year in December.

Today, tomorrow and Wednesday are to be 20 and 19 degrees celsius. How wonderful is that? I decided to wear a dress and I have to wear my flip flops as I did something to my toe and when I put any pressure on the toes it hurts. Not broken. I have no idea what happened. There was a bit of blood between two toes so I must have picked up a rock or something sharp.

Well time to head downstairs and finish getting things ready. Take Mr. Alvin outside one last time. When we were out around 5:45, the air felt warm. I am so grateful for these beautiful days of falls.

I hope that you have an awesome Monday. Tonight I am backing chocolate chip cookies for a farewell potluck at work on Wednesday. One of the girls that sits close to me but works in a different area is moving to Calgary.

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

Always, Carol & Alvin

Last Half 2022 – October

Good Morning ALL! We are doing great on this Saturday morning. Sleep was good. The sky is partially clear with cloudy patches. I was looking at the photos that are coming up on the wallpaper and screensaver displays. Memories so many memories. Photos of my brothers and sister, my nephews, my daughter and son-in-law, grandpups and so many more. I would like to take the time to look through all $40,000 + photos on my computer as I have no idea anymore what has been kept or not. I started to go through them a few times to delete duplicates and bad shots but then I stopped doing it for one reason or another. Life mainly. Another project that I need to get on. I would like to buy a new computer in the not too distant future as this poor old girl (my iMac) has not taken updates for quite some time. I purchased her brand new from the Apple Store at West Edmonton Mall back in 2009. So she does not owe me anything and she has been quite good. I have done a bit of research and it would seem that anything at a decent price is a model that in a short time will not take updates. So I have been waiting and reading and trying to figure things out. I certainly do not wish to spend hundreds/thousands of dollars on something that will not last. Now if I could get 10-15 years with no issues that would be great. Also should I got with a portable model instead? So many questions and things to consider. More research is needed.

We received a text from our friend Iris yesterday advising that they were in the city to take in a family event and was wondering if we could get together and I said “YES” as we miss our friends so much. Alvin is going to be so excited to see his best friend Teddy and of course Miss Kobi. They are coming for a visit at 11:00 a.m. this morning. We, I slept in a bit later so will have to get this show on the road as it is going onto 9:30. This weekend I would like to put away the patio furniture and bring some things in from the garage, there are plants to tend to as I have them everywhere, up and down and all around. There are some flowers that are blooming and that brings joy to my heart. Always good to have plants in the house. I want to wash the blinds and there are 10 in all over two floors in the house. The usual laundry, dusting and cleaning floors. I will leave the oven cleaning until next weekend as I will likely run out of time this weekend.

I am happy that it is the weekend and that I am home with Mr. Alvin. We had a shorter walk last night after work but still some exercise. Some is better than none. I am grateful to my friend and neighbour Alyaa for taking such great care of Mr. Alvin while I am at work.

Have an awesome weekend. Enjoy the weather and each other.

Keep the positive energy flowing.

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

Yes, coffee will be good this morning. I must grind more beans.

Always, Carol & Alvin

Last Half 2022 – August

Good Morning ALL! What a wonderfully cool Monday morning this is. The sun is starting to rise, the sky is a pale blue as the night leaves for morning with pale orange hue on the horizon away from the sun. Beautiful. The house is cool this morning and I even forgot to open our bedroom window last night. How did that happen? I even got up just before I turned the lights out to turn off the fan which I had briefly turned on at the lowest setting. I have closed the bedroom windows and blinds except for the office one for now. I will close them once I am done writing this post. Monday morning here we come. I am so happy that Mr. Alvin slept until almost 4:30 and then he woke up at 5:57 (still beat the alarm). So we have been up for a few extra minutes. Today is shower so I need a bit more time and we are still walking in the mornings due to the heat at lunch time and after work. Yesterday when we went for a walk in the mid morning, it was so beautiful out that we just kept walking and before I knew it we had walked our whole “old” route. This time it took us 45 minutes. Alvin is slowing down. We used to do it in 25-30 minutes. But I figure 45 minutes of fresh air, sniffing in that beautiful air, checking out the grass, the trees, the flowers and just being together is great. I am happy that he is still able to walk. I am so proud of Mr. Alvin. We bumped into an older gentleman with his dog, a girl, I do not remember her name now but Alvin liked her. She was 9 years old, I think the man said. Anyway, Alvin took a shine to her and she was timid but did not seem to mind the attention. The love fest carried on for a few minutes before we both went on our way. So nice. Whoa, the sun is coming up and reflecting off of the neighbours garage, looking oh so pretty. I am glad that we are up and getting things done.

A good weekend and I am so grateful that the temperatures were less hot. Way less hot. Yesterday I spent some time cleaning out some of the flower pots where most of the flowers had already passed on. I also did some rearranging and cleaning of the garage preparing for putting the patio/deck furniture away. Won’t be for a bit but not too far off, I would think. I have already prepared the front flower bed except to trim back the perennials that remain. There are three of them. I was going to clean the blinds on the main floor and that did not happen. Just putzed. It was a wonderful day.

Off the subject, I have had this computer (new) in 2009. It is a 2009 model. So it has served me well. The computer can no longer accept updates so it remains behind. I have an Apple iMac. I have been researching to find out which would be the best one to get and am shocked by the results of my searches. I found that the Shopping Channel had some on sale and you can pay for them by interest free monthly payment which would be ideal for me. Upon some research between myself and my daughter (whom I could not do anything technical without), found that the newer Catalina operating system will not be supported after this year. So I do not know if this means that there would be no more updates. Who wants to buy a computer that is basically obsolete before you even pay for it? The new ones that were made in 2022 are thousands of dollars. I love Apple products but seriously do we need to charge so much. Aren’t the Apple people rich enough. How about making things a bit more affordable. You have the “customer base.” Anyway, I have some serious thinking to do before I spend any money. More research and time. I hope this old gal can work for some more time. She has done pretty darn good. Fingers crossed.

Well time to head back downstairs and go for a walk with the boy. Alvin is resting on his bed in the office here beside me.

I hope that you have an awesome day. Cannot believe that the long weekend in September is only a few days away. September, FALL ……. I love fall.

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

Always, Carol & Alvin

PS: I am so grateful to be working from home ….. I love that we can go for a walk and come home and then I can plug in the coffee pot and then start work. I love that I can drink home brewed coffee all morning long if I chose.

Second Half of the NEW YEAR

Good Morning All,

Another gorgeous fall day on the way.

The mornings are usually on the cool side but by noon the temperature is warm.

I went for a walk yesterday at noon.

Figuring it was the first walk by myself in close to a decade.

Usually I walk with Alvin or I am walking with someone or to somewhere.

This time totally on my own ….. just enjoying the beautiful fall day.

I saw a few folks that we know and first thing everyone said was “Where’s Alvin?”

He is definitely known and loved.

The leaves on the trees are the most colourful hues of yellow and reds.

Not too many green leaves left at this point.

Despite the many attempts at the wind to blow off the leaves they are hanging on.

There is something about the smell of the air in the fall.

Perhaps my imagination ….. goodness though …..

Even the wild roses at the entrance to our park are still blooming.

I love their fragrance.

 

Last night I had a good sleep …… even though we both get up during the night and Alvin gets up early …. I sleep better with him than without.

My boy, my boy.

I know that he is well cared for and hopefully enjoying his time at his sister’s house.

He is such a homebody …… always takes him a few days to acclimatize to new surroundings.

But on the other hand he does seldom leaves home so it is a big deal when he does.

 

I will say that it takes me a while to get used to the dark mornings.

In the summer it is light at this time …. bright sunshine…..now not.

Although it does look like rain ….

I will start to clean up some of the garden that is starting to go.

Always amazing how long some of the flowers and plants last as the temperatures fall.

 

Oh, last night I was watching “THE MASKED SINGER.”

WOW, I love that show.

Not sure why I haven’t been watching it but it is great.

Okay sometimes I am slow to the table ….. they are starting their 4th Season.

Incredible costumes and talent.

The only downside is all the costumes ….. what happens to all of them.

More items for the landfill.

Okay, perhaps should not go there.

Sometimes hard to think any differently.

 

Well I guess it is starting to get closer to work time.

It always seems to creep up faster every morning.

Likely in my head ….. I know.

 

I hope that wherever you are …. that you are safe and in good health.

Wishing you much kindness and respect.

From here in Alberta, Canada.

Living with kindness and respect,

I/We shall remain,

Always, Carol & Alvin

Living … One day at a time.

Good Morning and Welcome to Friday …. one day closer to Christmas.

Are you keep tracking of days?

I am and am not.

Just know that I wrapped gifts last night, the baking is done, Christmas cards are mailed and mostly delivered.

I have a handful left to deliver this weekend.

Only to clean and then cook …. oh and I guess I have to pick up a bit more at the grocery store.

Then I am ready.

Ready Freddy ….. ready.

My daughter is picking me up from work tonight as I have to replace the blade from Alvin’s electric clippers and then to COSTCO.

 

I just found out this morning that my sister adopted a beautiful feline.

She is a beautiful fluffy girl named RAIN.

Welcome to our family.

I look forward to meeting you one day.

 

Thankfully it stopped snowing.

Seems like I shovel in the morning and then shovel again when I get home from work.

Last night I didn’t shovel as it wasn’t much so will shovel tonight.

Unless one of my neighbours gets to it first …. I have been shovelling both sides of us.

Trying to be a good neighbour.

 

Alvin was in a hurry to get into the office this morning and I don’t know why.

He was whining as I was drying my hair.

Now he is sleeping on the blue blanket beside me.

I guess he knows that this is the last step before heading on back downstairs.

Where we go outside once again ….. he does his business and I do the cleanup.

Lucky woman that I am.

Oh, well …. it is okay.

I wouldn’t change a thing.

 

I am so grateful to be able to live in this beautiful home with my boy.

I am so grateful that I have wonderful family and friends.

I am so grateful that my siblings and I are “close” even though we are not close in distance.

I am so grateful to be employed and like my job.

I am so grateful that I have clean clothes to wear each day.

I am so grateful to have shoes, boots, a warm winter coat and all the trimmings.

I am so grateful that I can pay my bills.

I am so grateful that I am in good health and am joyful.

I am grateful to be alive.

 

Last night while we were upstairs getting ready for bed, I noticed two rabbits on the front lawn.

They were nibbling away at the food that my neighbour leaves for them.

All white now.

I guess winter is here.

 

Have an awesome Friday.

Be respectful and kind to all you meet.

Sometimes it may be difficult but we have to try.

At some point it will become a habit and then it comes naturally.

I hope that it does for you.

Better to tip the scales on the kindness and respectful end than to to be mean and miserable.

 

Always, Me and Alvin

Merry Christmas ….

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Saturday the 22nd day of October, 2016.

It is about 8:44 a.m. here in Edmonton.

The sky is clear and the sun is coming up and is bright.

There is FROST.

The leaves on the front lawn are covered in frost and there remains a bit of snow on the edge of the lawn.

I plan to give the front lawn once last rake this weekend.

The forecast is for a nice day so let us hope the temperature rises.

This will be the fourth time that I have raked the leaves over the last few weeks.

Most of the leaves are from various neighbour’s trees ( I can tell from the colours ).

My leaves are always YELLOW.

This morning after it warms up a tad I plan to go on one last trash pickup in the neighbourhood.

The walkway that I take coming home after work from the bus is disgusting.

I cannot believe how many take out coffee cups and disposable food containers and bags are lying there on the ground and under the rose bushes.

Likely enough to fill a large garbage bag.

I am debating as to whether or not I can manage to do the whole area as the bags get heavy.

When I used to do the area that I have cleaned for years my daughter and my son-in-law lived about half way round so I could drop any full bags off

at their house.

Now that is not the case.

So a dilemma, I have.

I guess I will wait and see how strong I feel.

As things will be a bit wet from the heavy frost we shall see.

I am excited to get that cleaned.

Just wished that people would take more care.

Please just carry their trash home with them and dispose of it properly.

I guess I will put in yet another request to the neighbourhood association to please put in a trash barrel.

But then who looks after that …..

The City or the Association.

Somedays you cannot win.

Oh well.

It is great exercise and fun trying to keep away from the thorns of the roses bushes that line the walkway that I will be cleaning.

Thank goodness that I have one of those trash pickers….

Enough complaining, I apologize.

It is the weekend.

Time for toast with honey, share a banana with Mr. Alvin and have a cup of coffee before heading out.

I hope that you have an awesome day.

I wish you sunshine and laughter.

Enjoy the weekend.

Oh, tonight is the night that we set our clocks back.

Alvin has already done so.

Special Hello to: my sister …….

Always, Carol and Alvin

Thought for the day…..

Good Morning and Welcome to Saturday the 11th day of April, 2015.

I wish you a Happy and Wonderful Saturday.

I am so HAPPY to be at home.

Alvin and I have a jammed pack full day ahead of us beginning with a trip to the Vet.

We go once every 6 weeks together to the Vet where he has his “paw” i cure, ears checked and something I believe to be personal and not to share.

I will also pick up his food and also some toothpaste ( oral hygiene is good for everyone ).

Once I get home and gather my “trash picking” gear I will head out and start the cleanup over at the walk through path between the busy street and our neighbourhood.

At that point hopefully the sun is out or at least just overcast and no wet stuff.

I will clean for a bit and then come home to do laundry.

Some paperwork I will finish up and by then it will likely be suppertime so supper, walk with Alvin and then ……………………

MOVIE NIGHT.

I am so excited to be at home on a Saturday night to watch a movie early on …….

No plans for tomorrow ….. how about relaxing ….. I am up for that.

Practice some yoga …. strengthen my core a bit before Tuesday’s bootcamp.

Well time to get our gear ready for going to the Vet.

Alvin likes going there ……

Usually when we leave the house all I have to say is we are going to see Jenn and he automatically knows which direction to take (to the right).

I am so excited for this day as I sip on a cup of coffee.

Great to be at home.

Also my daughter and I put out the patio furniture last night ….. so much better to look at than bare deck …..

I have the music on downstairs and my song is on …..

HAPPY …… that is truly my song.

I feel so wonderful from the tip of my head to the soles of my feet, I feel happy.

Happiness is for sure my truth.

I feel giddy … I am so happy.

So great to have a life once again.

YAY……

I wish you the best day ever.

I hope that Happiness is (your) the truth, and thank you Pharrell Williams for that line.

So great.

Special Hello to: all those folks who work multiple jobs …. I wish you one great job so that you can have some time to yourself ……

Always, Carol and Alvin

Thought for the day……

Good Morning and Welcome to Sunday the 18th day of May, 2014.

It started out being bright and sunny but now the sky is beginning to overcast with dark clouds.

Well yesterday was a huge success.

Me and Alvin spent 2.5 hours out and about in our neighbourhood putting up posters for the big neighbourhood cleanup on May 31st.

We spoke or rather I spoke and Mr. Alvin did his thing ….. engaging everyone we met.

He should really run to be Mayor or Prime Minister.

I would vote for him.

It was so great to be outside for a nice long period of time.

It was warm and I was glad that I took water for Alvin to drink.

We enjoyed our afternoon immensely.

Visiting and playing with the tape dispenser.

That packing tape is always so much fun to use. …… not …..

Well time to go and feed Miss Aussie …… she enjoyed having the window open yesterday, and having some fresh air.

Oh, so exciting there have been so many robins in our area.

They make me happy …. I love their song ….. their chirping ….. so lovely.

So on this fine Sunday …. maybe take a walk in your neighbourhood ….

You can always take along a little bag just in case you see some trash blowing about ….

Thank you in advance.

Have a wonderful Sunday…..

Special Hello to: all those people who do volunteer work …. you rock.

Thank you

Always, Carol and Alvin