The New YEAR 2022

Good Morning ALL! I hope that this post finds you doing very well. Both Alvin and I are good. I think that Alvin has had a turnaround in how he has been feeling. Part of how I can tell is from his “poop.” Argh, yuck, you might say but poop is important for animals and humans alike. It can tell a lot about your current state of health. Al was having some loose stuff happening, I will skip the details. This morning it was more firm and that is a good thing. Yesterday was an odd day. I had BIG plans but then they completely changed. OH well, I say, Oh well. I did some laundry in the morning, cleaned bathrooms and reorganizing a bit. By the afternoon, after being up so often Friday night, that I laid down beside Mr. Alvin on the sofa and ended up falling the asleep. Yes, I had a nap. I woke when something happened in a dream. This is what I remember: I happen to see our old neighbour Sherry outside looking around as if she did not remember she used to live in the other half of our duplex so I opened the door to check on her. I was so caught up in what was happening with her that I did not notice that Mr. Alvin slipped out quietly through the open door and was gone. When I realized he was not there, I happened to look down the street and there he was walking down the sidewalk toward the park. That is when I screamed and woke up. I really did scream. Poor Alvin in real life. I hope that my now neighbours did not hear me, I don’t think I had the window open at that time. Anyway, no one came over or called. So all good. But when I woke up to find myself drooling and Alvin right beside me on the sofa, I breathed a sigh of relief. It seemed so very real. Yup, drooling, I was. I had fallen asleep sitting up with my legs up on the sofa and head back on the back cushion of the sofa. Very comfy. Anyway, I still have that scared feeling running through my veins.

The sun shone for most of the day and it was nice out. After I woke up I checked on the laundry and then decided it was time to go for a walk. We had a great walk to the park and did our usual walk. When we first got into the park we came across this woman and a little white dog. So cute. Anyway, Alvin decided he wanted to say hello. We, humans decided to chat. I found out that her dog’s name was Bailey and Bailey is 16 years old. She has a heart condition but is on medicine. Bailey’s Mom’s name is Gail (not sure if this is how she spells her name or not). So they are going to be moving into our neighbourhood in June and she was just bringing Bailey here to get her used to the new place. What a good Momma. We had the nicest chat and I learned so much. I happen to mention to Gail about my concerns about Alvin, about how I thought that perhaps he may have the onset of dementia. She said that one day a while ago, Bailey would get lost (at home), starr into nowhere and have accidents. She took her to her vet and found she did have the onset of dementia. There is a human drug for Parkinson patients called “selegiline” (not sure of the spelling, I forgot to look it up) and you can buy it at Safeway. So she gave her the medicine and after 5 weeks, she was much better. The vet said if you catch it in time, you can stop or greatly reduce the effects. So I will keep an eye on Alvin and take him to the vet if required. I had no idea that there was a drug out there – that helped with dementia to that degree. If you catch it soon enough. All about the timing. We had a great chat. I am so happy that I fell asleep and that the dream woke me up when it did and that we met Gail and Bailey. After our walk, I worked on the laundry, cleaned up my plants and watered them. Baked a banana loaf. I checked a basic recipe and then decided to have some fun so I added pumpkin instead of oil or butter and orange zest. OMG, it turned out so good. I cannot wait for the girls to try it this morning. This morning is coffee visit with my pals Gillian and Signe. In less than one hour.

Considering we had a quiet day yesterday, I am going to clean out the office closet. I have things neatly put away in there and I think that there are items that I can sell or give away or even toss. Better to see if someone can use them. Remember spring is the time to go through closets, things stored away and decide if those items bring you JOY. Do they make you happy? How often do you look at them? Do you really need or use them? We in North America get so stuck on keeping things. Hoarding is getting to be a problem for a lot of people. That is a whole other topic for another day.

Time to get Mr. Alvin downstairs as he is patiently waiting. I will make myself a cup of coffee before putting on the pot for Gillian. Signe is not a coffee drinker she likes a specific kind of tea and she always bringings her own. I have the banana surprise loaf and some oranges for a snack. Which will be breakfast for us all.

I have decided to hold off and plant my flowers, tomatoes and oregano next weekend. If it gets colder after that, I will have to put them in the garage overnight. I do love having the plants filling the kitchen table.

Have an awesome Sunday. Thank you so much for reading my posts, this blog. I love to write, share stories about my life with Alvin and my thoughts.

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

Always, Carol & Alvin

P.S. do what makes you feel good ….. you can clean the toilet tomorrow…..enjoy the sunshine!

2021

Good Saturday Morning ALL! I hope that this day finds you feeling great and ready for whatever the day may bring to you. We had a rather odd start but I am feeling good and Alvin seems to have recovered from his early morning tummy upset. Thank goodness. Might need a nap later but that is okay. I have gone through my clothes closet and moved “my winter clothing” to the spare room closet. Or at least the rest of the items that I had not already moved. Honestly, there are only a few steps from one closet, to the other so not a long way to go in case, I need something. Bedding changed and ready for the laundry, clothes ready for laundry. I was writing in my head the list of things that I need to get done around the house. For example: painting the fence, fixing the fence (couple of boards that need to be replaced and I have the boards, just need help to switch them out), having the furnace vents, dry vent cleaned and A/C serviced, replace the roof shingles on the house, and a few more items. So lots to get done. I know you know this. All homeowners have those regular maintenance items to look after and that makes sense. Of course, there are the things to do inside the house as well. I would love to have the whole inside painted except for my office which was painted two years ago now, I believe. Before the pandemic. I have many lists. Then the immediate items like vacuuming, dusting, laundry, cleaning etc. Enough to keep us all very busy.

I am excited to finally remove the covering from my front flower bed and allow the flowers to just be, to drink in the sunshine and the warmth of the sun. Thankfully it looks like they have survived. I was surprised and shocked, really, to see that some of the plants that were not blooming are now blooming. They were when I removed the sheets yesterday for the day time. A good sign. My poor babies in the garage will be happy to get out into the sunshine. These are the first things on the list to do once this post is completed and I am dressed for the day. So grateful that from this day forward the overnight temperatures look to be on the plus side. Hopefully Mother Nature had her fun, one last blast of late spring weather and now we can enjoy. I am grateful for the moisture even though I could have done without the snow and howling winds. Our grass is nice and green. Grass in the backyard could use another cut. Life is good.

Well I am going to leave you with this: Always remember to take some time for yourself. I know the list is long of things to do when you have only the weekend or a couple of days off to do everything around the house but it will get done. Remember to take a coffee, tea, cold drink, or just a water break even on the weekends. Most especially on the weekends. Time to just BE. Close your eyes and just shut out the noise, the words, the thoughts (if you can). This usually takes some practice but it can be done. Really important. We all need to take time for ourselves. I know that you have heard this only a billion times but if we do not look after ourselves how can we possibly look after others or do anything for others or even ourselves. You are important to the world, to your family, to your friends, to your community. You are!

Continuing to live this life with kindness, respect, compassion, love, patience and GRATITUDE. Always with gratitude.

Always, Love Carol & Al.

2021

Good Morning ALL! How are you on this fine Tuesday? Both Al and I are well. We had a pretty good sleep or at least I feel somewhat rested, so that is good. Alvin well, he can snooze/nap all day long if he chooses. Lucky boy. What a beautiful sunrise and the wind …. the trees are still. I can hear the keys click clack as I touch them on the keyboard which yesterday was sidelined by the sound of the wind howling and blowing. Pretty much light out now at just after 7 a.m. which is wonderful. I love going for walks just after the sun comes up before the heat of the day sets in. Sometimes in the summer months when we hear that the temperatures are going to be too hot for walking most especially for the boy – we head out before work. So for the time when I was heading to the office we would walk at 5:00 a.m. and now we can go out at 6:00 instead. I am so grateful to be employed and to be able to work from home. So, so great at this stage of my life to be able to work from home. No long dreaded commute, especially those times when I had to catch the bus. Also Edmonton Transit is making huge changes in our bus routes and have heard through the drain pipe that there will be additional walking in store for us when catching public transportation. Time will tell. The changes are effective April 25, 2021. I will keep checking the City’s transit site for updates and further information. At the end of the day, I hope that our employer gives us the choice as I would take working from home in a heartbeat. I am so grateful to be here with Mr. Alvin …..

Yesterday at lunchtime my daughter came and hung out with us. We had coffee and a visit which was so great. I had forgotten that she had taken this week off as vacation. What a great idea. After my lunch break was over she headed out to the store and picked up some groceries for me. I am so grateful that I do not have to go shopping tonight. There were a couple of items that I forgot to put on the list so I could run over after work, will see but nothing that is absolutely necessary. I am so grateful to have such a thoughtful daughter. When she bought the groceries back …. she put away the items for the freezer and fridge …. so that I could continue uninterrupted as I was training one of my coworkers. We did not go for a walk due to the wind so having this last minute visit was perfect. Both Alvin and I were so happy to see our girl. I love, love, love our talks. She always perks me up and Alvin, too. She is a bright light in our lives.

Just saw out of the corner of my right eye some bright red flashing lights and turned to see the garbage truck heading down another back lane from ours. We do not always have trash and recycling to put out. Usually once every two or sometimes three weeks. The bright green truck with red flashing lights looks like a traffic light, lol.

Well that is about here for me for this post. We are doing well. Showing and feeling gratitude for our many blessings. I am excited for this weekend to do some cleaning and reorganizing of closets and other areas. I also was watching a daytime show last night that I record and have the need to get that living room wall painted and perhaps pick up some peel and stick vinyl wallpaper and do a wall or two in maybe my bedroom or a bathroom. This house has not been changed or painted since I moved in back in March of 2009. Actually today in 2009 I took possession of my home, 12 years ago and the adventure began. My very first home on my own. My son-in-law had flown to Regina and we drove the U-Haul truck with my things here to Edmonton. In those days we lived just three blocks away from each other. Those first few years were incredible …. to be close to them again.

I can hear the coffee pot calling me to put in the water and the coffee grounds so that she can perk me some of that delectable liquid.

Have a wonderful Tuesday.

Living with kindness, respect, compassion and patience.

Always, Carol & Alvin

Second Half of the NEW YEAR.

Good Morning and Welcome to Sunday, September 20th, 2020.

Two more days till officially FALL.

The smoke from down south fills our skies this morning.

There is rain in the forecast with the potential to clear the smoke and possibly to help with fires in Oregon.

At the moment I am loading some photos from my phone to the computer so that I am able to share them with you.

I am not sure why I also end up loading ones that loaded before …… makes no sense to me.

I will have to ask my “technical support.”

Earlier I was texting with my brother who was on his way to do some farming helping out friends and neighbours.

Mentioned that they were moving equipment this morning but have been combining the past few days.

Also skies are smoky and no rain.

Fingers crossed that the farms are able to get what they need done without any moisture.

Such a time sensitive period of the year ….. harvest crops.

Wishing them time to bring in the crops.

 

Yesterday we had company.

My daughter who was supposed to come in the afternoon was able to come in the morning.

We had a text from Alvin’s BF Teddy’s Mom who wondered if he could come for a visit.

I texted her back and set up a playdate for 2:30 …… which extended to include Teddy’s little sister Kobi.

Amanda came about 11:30 just as I was finishing up with the LIVE on Facebook Fifth Avenue Show.

She had picked up a few things from the grocery store and bought me a surprise “potted plant” and also gave me some crafting paper.

Lucky me.

The plant matched the one that my friend Pauline gave me for my birthday.

I do not know what kind of plant they are …..

We had such a great visit …… laughing and catching up.

I love having my daughter come to visit.

Perfect touch to the weekend.

Not long after she left …. Teddy and Kobi arrived.

Their Mom was going grocery shopping and asked if I needed anything.

“No” I replied as I already got the few things on my list.

The pups ran around the house …..literally bouncing off of each other and me.

They were so happy to see us.

Kobi has not been over for awhile.

It was good to see her.

Of course, Teddy as well.

When Iris came back she had bought me the same plant that Amanda had given me earlier except this one is pink along with a box of tulip bulbs.

How blessed am I?

Very.

 

Well after a considerable amount of time I have been unsuccessful in downloading the photos from yesterday from my phone to the computer.

I am definitely not tech savvy.

So as I would like to go for a walk.

I will try this again later and perhaps post them tomorrow.

ARGH, ARGH and more ARGH, I say.

Disappointed to say the least.

Not sure why sometimes things go off without a hitch and the next time, not without a hiccup.

 

Wishing you the best Sunday.

Filled with love and laughter.

Maybe you are spending the day finishing that book that you just cannot put down.

Maybe you are on your way out the door to go for a nice long walk with your dog.

Maybe you are spending the day baking some cookies and a banana loaf or three.

Maybe you are doing laundry.

Maybe you are going to spend the day watching movies on NETFLIX by yourself or with family or friend(s).

Maybe you are going to paint a picture or take some photos.

Maybe you are going to clean your closets.

Maybe just maybe you will do something that brings a smile to your face and joy to your heart.

Just maybe …. just maybe.

 

Speaking of NETFLIX, I started to watch this series with Hilary Swank and Josh Charles about first mission to MARS.

I don’t remember the name but it was really good.

So good, that I watched several episodes and did not go to bed until 11:30 p.m.

 

Best day.

Living with kindness and respect.

I will learn this technology soon ….. time for some more lessons, methinks.

I/We shall remain,

As Always, Carol & Alvin

 

 

 

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Monday the 16th day of May, 2016.

Another gorgeous morning, sun shining and blue sky.

There has been smoke in the air due to all of the forest fires in the province.

Well another weekend come and gone.

We have all felt as of late that the weekend seem to be evaporating.

I know that I have mentioning this before but it feels so real.

Feels as though the minutes go by doubly fast on the weekend.

Too many things to do and not enough time.

I must get back to multi-tasking once again.

This coming up weekend I am hosting a multi-family garage sale on both Friday and Saturday.

We have been cleaning our closets, basements and cupboards to remove our treasures from our homes.

We know that there are people out there who love to find new treasures at good prices.

I know that this is going to be the BEST garage sale ever.

Also I am hosting a “tea tasting party” on Monday on Victoria Day.

A good day for a tea party on the Queen’s Birthday.

Alvin is resting on the foot of our bed …. I think it is his favourite spot in the house.

He can look out of the window onto the neighbourhood and see what is going on.

Most days when I come home from work I can hear a thud as he jumps off the bed onto the thick rug and down the stairs.

Well time to go.

I hope that you are having better luck with getting your tasks accomplished.

Other than multi tasking I need to start doing things right away ( I will admit that I have become a bit of a procrastinator at times).

Special Hello to: all those folks hosting a garage sale, good luck to you and I hope that you sell it all.

Always, Carol and Alvin

Thought for the day ……

Good Morning and Welcome to Wednesday the 7th day of October, 2015.

What a gorgeous past few days here in Edmonton.

This morning when I opened the door to let Mr. Alvin outside ….. I was surprised to see the deck wet from RAIN.

Our temperatures are to be warm for the next days and that is wonderful.

What a great fall we are having …..

Alvin and I love going on our walks …..

Last night we combined our walk with a mission ….

Delivering some invitation to my Open House for Steeped Tea on the 17th of October.

We were lucky to find all of my friends and neighbours at home and of course had a short visit with each of them.

I truly feel blessed to live in such a great neighbourhood.

Everyone I know is really great.

One more work today after today and I will be celebrating an extra long Thanksgiving weekend starting with Friday off.

YAY ….

Lots to do but I am excited.

Time to do the “fall” cleanup in the house.

Go through closets (or finish as I have started) …. get my office in order ….. wash baseboards and wipe down walls …. that sort of thing.

A big job but one room at a time.

Perhaps I can get Mr. Alvin to lend a paw or two.

We shall see.

At least he could bring me a rag ……

I am so grateful for the good weather.

I am so grateful for my neighbours.

I am so grateful for my four-legged companion Alvin.

I am so grateful for my daughter and her family.

I am so grateful for my life.

 

Well looks like I am on time this morning.

YAY me.

Sometimes the time just gets away on me in the morning.

Even though I get up at virtually the same time each day ….

How does that happen?

Have an awesome mid week.

Special Hello to: all those folks who are feeling blessed this morning …. let us share our blessings.

Always, Carol and Alvin

 

Thought for the day……

Good Morning and Welcome to Monday the 24th day of March, 2014.

Temperatures warming up and I for the third day in a row I am wearing shoes outside.

I love it when you can just slip on your shoes and go.

No boots and carrying shoes.

Just slip on and go.

How wonderful.

It is amazing how much extra time and effort it takes to get dressed to leave the house in the winter time.

Anyway, I am one happy girl.

Even Mr. Alvin can go without a jacket or at least not a heavy one.

I can see the earth in most places.

Still a few banks and some ice but for the most part a few plus days and it should be gone.

Just think in a few weeks or so we should see buds on the trees and people will begin to plant some flowers.

All of the greenhouses will have their plants out ready for purchase.

I absolutely love going to the greenhouses whether it is the family owned one just outside of the city or the one at Canadian Tire …. I love to check out the flowers …. the colours …. the smells.

Oh what a fantastic time to be alive.

You can just feel the relief and the wonderment of this time of year.

Everyone big and small is ready.

Ready to go for nice long walks …

Ready for late sunsets.

Ready for dips in the lake.

Ready to go camping.

Ready to do some gardening.

Ready to clean up their yards.

Ready to get outside.

So on this first day of the week …

I hope that this finds you thinking and working on preparing for summer.

Always a good time to go through your closets and “storage containers.”

I hope that you are generous.

Do you really need five black skirts?

Have a great day.

Special Hello to: my sister who is arriving back home today from Vegas…… hope you had a great time.

Always, Carol and Alvin

 

Thought for the day…..

Welcome to Tuesday, March 13th, 2012 …… hope you are having a great day thus far.

Is it spring?  Sure seems like it.

What is the weather like at your house?

Warm air bringing visions of green grass and flowers to mind.

Yes, works for me.

I love spring ….. babies being born, trees starting to bud, snow melting, animals shedding their winter coats and all things news.

Time to do some spring cleaning.

Clean out the basement …… the closets ….. the garage ….

I believe spring means renewal …… to come alive ….

So on this Tuesday ….. come alive ……

Have a great day.

Special Hello: to all those members of the human race who have started to “shed their winter coats” and to “renew, to come alive” …..

 

Always, Carol and Alvin 🙂