It is a NEW YEAR.

Good Morning, Good Tuesday Morning.

 

Alvin and I had a wonderful walk last night.

Oh my gosh, the air was so warm as it touched our faces and the sun SHINING full force.

It was totally a spring day.

Soon the trees will be budding.

The birds will return from down south.

We walked again on the opposite side of the street which was definitely more clear that our side.

I cannot wait until we have dry sidewalks once again.

I am hoping for a repeat today.

 

Yesterday I caught the bus to and from work and met up with a coworker who lives in a nearby area.

We caught the same bus from the main bus terminal to our office.

At first we sat across from each other but at the West Edmonton Mall some of the people got off to catch other connections.

So we were able to sit together and chat on our way to work.

 

Happy Birthday to my son-in-law’s brother D.

We hope that you have an awesome day.

 

I was just saying to Mr. Alvin – what do you think I should write about today?

He just stared at me.

Wondered what that meant.

I have no idea.

Maybe that is what he was thinking or not.

Somedays I wished that he could talk.

I do know that he feels when things are good and not so good.

Tuition – natural instinct.

 

Yesterday was quiet in the office.

We were down to 4 from 8 in our little group.

One was on training and the other three, under the weather, I suppose.

So many things going around.

I am thankful that when people are feeling poorly that they just stay at home.

Especially this time of year.

 

Well almost time to head on downstairs.

Clean up the poop from earlier.

Make sure that Mr. Alvin goes again before I leave.

It is a long day for the little guy.

I do feel guilty about that for sure.

Grab the lunch and out the door.

I guess putting on boots may be helpful, lol.

 

Well I am out of words and thoughts for now.

 

I hope that life is treating you with kindness and respect.

I hope that you are treating life with kindness and respect.

 

Always, Carol & Alvin

Living … One day at a time.

Hello,

Good Morning and today is Wednesday and my last day of work for “19” days.

I am over the moon excited for this vacation time.

Soon …. just a few more hours now.

In the meantime, back at the ranch.

Humphrey is spending our waking hours with us.

Well actually the hours that I am at home.

Soon to be during the day as well as in the evenings.

Last night he was sitting in Alvin’s chair glancing out the window and then around him.

I could not see what was so intriguing but there was something that piqued his curiosity.

So I snapped these photos.

While Humphrey was in Alvin’s chair – the boy was sitting beside me on the sofa.

Every so often Alvin would go by the chair, look out of the window and then lay on the mat by the chair.

I guess to see if Humphrey would maybe realize that it was his chair OR perhaps just to keep him company.

I don’t really know what the boy is thinking unless it involves FOOD.

 

The sky is clear now and the air is cool.

I have the windows open to keep the house cool for Alvin.

Actually last evening I had to turn off the fans as the house had cooled down and was comfortable for us while we hung out.

 

Well almost time to go downstairs and gather things up for work.

 

I made darn sure that I placed my office ID in my purse as yesterday I assumed it was in there and it was not.

I realized this when I was on my way to the bus …. way too late.

The last few minutes at home yesterday were not happy ones.

I wanted to let Alvin go outside for a last pee before I left for work only I could not open the back door.

Humidity … the door had swollen.

After trying for several minutes and starting to get frustrated and sticky hot, decided that was not the answer.

So with my trusty cell phone – I texted my neighbour as she was at home and has a key.

Explained what had happened.

Said she would come over.

Also texted a co-worker from the bus about my tag and she said that she would come down and let me in when I arrived at the office.

My neighbour went over and Alvin got to go outside and do his business.

I got into the office.

It was so much easier with the phone.

So grateful to my daughter and son-in-law for the phone.

Came in handy.

 

With kindness and respect the world is a more loving place to be.

 

Happy Wednesday.

 

Always, Carol & Alvin

 

 

 

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Thursday the 21st day of February, 2019.

Today was my Grandmother’s Birthday.

She was born this date in 1901 and passed in 1998.

Last night just as I was getting ready to leave the office, I decided to quickly check on Facebook to see if I had a message from Teddy’s Aunt about walking.

When I noticed a message from my friend “V” back home …. she told me that a friend and co-worker from back home in Regina had passed away.

She only recently turned 56.

No forewarning.

She is way too young to be gone.

One of the smartest, most sharp witted, compassionate, friendly people I know.

She loved her family dearly which included fur-babies.

Always posting photos.

She will be missed.

I remember going to her for advice generally about work issues.

I always commented on her beautiful gold chains with a wide variety of charms/pendants, which she always wore in layers.

We will miss you our dear friend.

Sending my thoughts and prayers to my friend’s family and friends.

 

Having two people pass in close proximity of each other can really throw a curveball at one’s own mortality.

Makes you think about things.

Definitely have to be more aware of “sweating the small stuff.”

We are all guilty of that …..

Work harder and smarter about exercise and health.

Make certain that you tell your family and friends that you love them.

ALWAYS.

Today I am sad for all the missed memories these two great people will miss.

Not for what they would or could have done but for the memories.

The memories of graduations, weddings and grandchildren.

All of the important things, the real important things in life.

The people …..

 

I hope that you have a great Thursday.

Be safe, Be kind and Live your Life.

 

Special Hello:  ALL my family and friends, I love you all more than words can say.

Always, Carol & Alvin

 

 

 

Thought for the day ….

Good Morning and Welcome to Monday the 24th day of September, 2018.

Sunlight and sunny sky are peering through the dark blue clouds.

There is a slight breeze as I can see the neighbouring trees moving from side to side.

Alvin is resting on his blue blanket by my feet.

I booked today off as a vacation day and am grateful to be at home.

 

Today would be the first work day without our co-worker who passed away on Friday.

He was not only a co-worker to me but my friend and I will miss him.

Funny what comes to mind when someone passes.

Like what was the last thing I/we said.

The mind goes into overdrive as you fight to remember little things like that.

He was a good guy.

 

When someone passes it is a reminder to us all to be kind, patient and compassionate toward each other.

Always to finish a conversation peacefully.

We never know if and when we will see each other again.

I know that we cannot live our lives thinking that, that might be the last time you see that person.

It is like the old adage “never go to bed mad”

Sort things out and leave each other in peace.

 

Life goes on and we have to remember to live our lives.

We do not know how much time we have on this earth.

 

Take care of each other.

Be kind to your self and to others.

 

Special Hello to: all of my family and friends, thank you always to the end of time for your love and support.

Always, Carol & Alvin

 

We are okay here……the sun is shining more bright as it fills the morning sky.

 

 

Thought for the day ….

Good Morning and Welcome to Sunday the 23rd day of September, 2018.

There is snow and more snow laying on the ground this morning.

Yesterday late in the day I received some bad, bad news.

One of my fellow co-workers passed away.

 

For My Friend

We met in the summer of 2011 at work.

You were one of the first people I met when I started this new job.

You were kind, generous, polite, and so willing to help.

Always willing to make things better.

There were coffee breaks and lunches together to chat about work and life.

We shared a love of movies, most especially STAR WARS and STAR TREK.

You knew every detail.

We were always early to work, so we would always chat in the morning before most of the staff arrived.

Sometimes it was only a smile and “Good Morning” and other times it was much more.

 

You always thought of everyone but yourself.

This generosity came from the bottom of your heart.

Whether it was cookies you brought from your Mom.

Whether it was a coffee, just because.

Whether it was to stop and make sure I/we were okay.

It always came from the heart.

 

Last year when you lost your beloved wife.

Your world came crashing down.

Your heart was broken.

 

Your Mom in hospital not too long ago.

Then more recently poor little Sadie had some health concerns.

So much for your heart to handle.

 

You were the best of us.

Always, the best of us.

Rest in peace my friend.

You were much more than a co-worker.

You were my friend.

 

My heart is heavy with your loss.

You left us way too soon.

Work won’t be the same.

I won’t forget you.

 

Rest in peace, my friend.

There are those souls you meet along the way.

That bring sunshine and goodness.

You were one of them.

 

 

 

Always, Carol & Alvin

 

 

 

 

 

Thought for the day ….

Good Morning and Welcome to Saturday the 5th day of May, 2018.

The sun is shining gloriously in the morning sky.

It is after 9:30 a.m. and we have been up and down since 5:00 a.m.

I always think that I should have stayed up about 7:00 but I seldom do.

The drawing of the soft comfy sofa with our blanket snuggled next to Mr. Alvin just keeps me there.

Now I feel guilty that I am a couple of hours behind the schedule.

Part of me just says …. there are lots to hours to get things done.

No worries.

The YING and YANG of it all.

Oh well …. all is well.

 

Yesterday had a few turns and twists.

Many days I have a TO DO LIST for work in my mind – just as I do with my home things.

It wasn’t even 1/2 hour into it and due to technical difficulties with our system, I had to change the plan for the day.

It ended up being okay but kind of ticked me off, at least temporarily.

A little bit later in the morning a co-worker came and asked me if I would like two complimentary tickets to the big BUTTERDOME CRAFT SHOW in Edmonton this weekend.

I had seen the ad the night before on television and had been thinking how much I would love to go even just once.

So I said “yes” with no idea if I could actually get there.

Lucky for me, my daughter had been planning to go to COSTCO after work and was going to message me to pick me up after work.

So I let my carpool know that I would be catching a ride with my daughter.

YAY ….. craft show here we come.  I was so excited.

After work, my daughter drove me home and she went to COSTCO while I looked after Alvin and then made supper.

One of the few times that I actually left Mr. Alvin home alone for a few hours on a Friday night.

I am certain he was wondering what was going on??

We found parking very easily about 1/2 block away from the event and although we had to pay, it was only $5.50.

At the craft sale there were over 180 vendors.

Ranging from pet accessories to wool dryer balls to fudge to jewellery to pottery and more.

It was overwhelming.

Luckily there were no massive crowds.

We arrived just about 7:00 p.m. and were all ready to leave before 8:30 p.m.

My daughter let me pick out my Mother’s Day gift.

I picked up a slice of fudge.

Maple Walnut, my favourite next to chocolate.

The fudge was $9.00 (CDN), ARGH.

Thinking it was a TREAT, otherwise well I cannot think about it.

$9.00 really ….. I know they have to make money but $9.00.

My daughter picked up some homemade dog cookies for our pups.

I shared the fudge with them being my daughter & son-in-law and, she shared the cookies with Alvin.

Perfect.

What a glorious unplanned evening.

Something else happened during the day at work.

I received a phone call from my neighbour who asked me if I wanted to go and see the NEW AVENGERS MOVIE.

Well, of course I DO.

So that is great and we are going to a viewing at 3:25 p.m. today.

 

So a weekend of just doing the usual laundry, cleaning and then the neighbourhood trash pick-up added a couple of cool outings.

I am feeling so blessed and fortunate.

For the most part I feel blessed and fortunate.

I am, I am.

 

Also when I was changing the bedding this morning – I noticed this sheet set in my spare room closet.

I was thinking that it was the second set for the spare room bed but ALAS it was not.

So all this time I had another set that I had forgotten about and now it is like having a new one.

So now when I pick up a bottom sheet for the newer set, I will have three sets.

How luckily is that?

Crazy, I know.

 

Alvin is chewing away on one of his treats.

I can hardly wait to see the Avengers movie.

It is going to be great.

The sun is shining and I imagine the birds are singing.

The laundry and housework await me.

My heart is full and I am singing “Happy.”

 

Alvin will have another few hours alone when I got to the movie and then tomorrow when I do the trash pick-up but this is one of those weekends, the rare ones when I leave the house without him.

He will understand, I am certain.

 

Well I should get this show on the road.

I will share with you on Mother’s Day – my gifts along with photos.

 

Mm, the coffee tastes good this morning.

Time to get cracking.

Get dressed.

My neighbour has already come and gone with her mug of coffee.

 

I hope that you all have an awesome weekend and that perhaps you have a surprise or two coming your way.

Enjoy.

 

Special Hello to: all those folks who are travelling, be safe and have fun.

Always, Carol & Alvin

Thought for the day ….

Good Morning and Welcome to Thursday the 15th day of March, 2018.

Spring is getting closer.

The bunnies are beginning to turn that glorious shade of brown.

The sun is bringing the temperature from winter to spring.

We are on the way.

The official day of spring is not far away.

Next week.

Alvin and I enjoyed our walk last night.

The sidewalks are starting to be free from ice now.

There is water in places and still lots of snow but that is mostly away from the sidewalks.

So grateful.

 

Alvin is doing much better.

He is still not quite his old self but he will be soon.

He is sitting in the hallway …. doing his short little whines as he does not like to walk on the floor in the office.

He does not like the laminate flooring for sure.

I guess it feels slippery to him.

At all of his favourite sleeping and watching places there are cushiony mats and rugs for him to have some security and for his little legs/paws.

As he ages I will need to find a better way for him to mount/dismount from his chair, the sofa and the bed.

There are options and we will find the best one for him.

 

Yesterday we had our semi-annual off-site staff meeting.

We had a great guest speak.

She has spoke about one year ago and was so popular that she was requested to return.

If you happen to live in or around Edmonton or in Alberta her name is Kim Silverthorn of TACIT Knowledge.

I could listen to her speak all day long.

She is interesting and engaging.

I also found out at our meeting that a newer employer knows my daughter.

Small world.

 

Well here we go.

Time to put on the finishing touches and off to work.

Special Hello to: all those folks who have aging pets ….. just love them and do what is the best for them.

Always, Carol & Alvin

 

 

 

Thought for the day ….

Good Morning and Welcome to Wednesday the 14th day of March, 2018.

Still dark out and it is after 7:00 a.m.

We have an off site staff meeting today and our office is closed.

One of my co-workers is picking me up so we are leaving later than my usual 6:25 a.m.

 

Update on my Alvin.

He has a “yeast” ear infection, and I guess it is pretty bad.

Bad Momma.

Not sure how I missed that …. that would be why he did not want me to clean his ear.

Usually he does not like his ears cleaned so I did not think further.

His other ear was okay.

My sense of smell must be way off.

Anyway he had his first treatment yesterday which lasts for one week.

Then his second treatment is next Tuesday and the follow-up the next Tuesday.

He is doing well and SLEPT last night.

That was great for both of us.

Reminder to everyone to clean your doggie’s ears.

Make sure that you use the VET recommended ear cleaner.

The VET said yesterday that someone was using vinegar ….. can you imagine?

Why would you use vinegar.

Oh my goodness.

When in doubt, ask someone.

Phone a VET.

 

Well almost time to go.

See if the boy has to go outside one last time.

I hope that you all have a wonderful Wednesday.

 

Special Hello to: my sister …. thank you for your thoughts for Alvin.

Always, Carol & Alvin

 

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Saturday the 16th day of September, 2017.

Bright, sunny morning to start the day.

Looks like a bit of a breeze but it is SUNNY.

YAY, supposed to be a bit warmer than the past few days but it was great to have some rain.

Yesterday on the bus ride to work in the lower lying areas like the golf course, there was a light frosting.

Luckily my flowers survived for another day.

Perhaps it is time to start putting away the deck furniture and what not.

But alas it seems that as soon as you do that ….. something is closer to being on it’s way.

I can wait for it a bit longer.

Try and hold off putting things away until after Thanksgiving….. time will tell.

Some year it is a mad dash to put things away when the weather changes.

OR it freezes so hard that you cannot put out the plants and then you have to cut them down and put out the roots in the spring (talking about the pots that I have on the decks).

We are so excited because the grand-pups are going to being spending a few hours with us this afternoon, so excited to see them.

I was so grateful to find that blade for Alvin’s grooming kit so this morning will clean up his hair cut so that he looks his most handsomest self.

Well I guess nothing gets done if I am in the office …. laundry calling ….. have to eat and make COFFEE.

It would not be a Saturday morning without my perked coffee.

Oh, more more quick story.

Yesterday at work after having kind of a couple of trying days one of my co-workers (a guy) came up behind and said “Carol” …. I turned about to see that he was holding a massive amount of all different

coloured GERBER DAISIES in his hand and proceeded to tell that me “that because me and some of the other co-workers (girls) were also having a rough day or so he brought us flowers”.  We each got to

pick out our favourite colour.  How sweet.  I did feel badly for being out of sorts.  But truly I did have a situation that dropped me to my knees (work related so cannot give details) and made me gasp

with another’s reality and later made me realize that when people forget to do things, really they are little things but may be extra work for you ….. I should not complain (which I did) …. vented.

Anyway sorry for the semi cryptic message.

It was nice of my co-worker to give us flowers, very thoughtful and he is a sweet guy.

So onto the weekend …. hair cut sprucing up for Alvin ….. laundry ….. visit from the pups ….. YAY.

Special Hello to:   You and yours …. have a safe, happy, dry, warm, great weekend.

Always, Carol & Alvin

 

P.S. always remember not to sweat the small things …. I have to remember that ……

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Tuesday the 11th day of July, 2017.

What a difference in temperatures between Sunday night and last night.

It really cooled down.

Did not even need the fan on during the night.

The sudden drop in temperature always freaks me out a bit as it generally means a storm is brewing.

They did forecast some tornadoes in central Alberta last night.

We are grateful to sleep with just the window open.

Well Mr. Alvin did not sleep through the night last night.

I am beginning to think that it had something to do with the “fan.”

Will try with fan on tonight and see what happens.

Having a small rain shower at this moment.

The air is cool and crisp ….. thank goodness for a cool house.

 

Just thinking about this ….. due to the cancellation of my bus in the morning …. I now arrive later but on time of course.

So instead of worrying about making coffee ….. one of my co-workers who changed her work schedule just recently ….. well she just whips up a couple of pots.

Thinking of me ….. they are ready for when I arrive.

How lucky am I?

I guess what goes around comes around …..

So for the summer I will have my morning coffee made for me.

In the fall when the bus schedule returns to norm …. I will gladly assume my coffee making duties.

What a great life I have….

 

I was thinking about great it would be to have 1,000 followers on my blog.

Years ago when I first started writing this blog on Word Press, I so badly wanted 1,000,000 followers.

Perhaps that was a bit on the high side.

Now reality has set in and this small town …. big city girl is grateful to have 665 followers.

Shooting for 1,000 ….. why not?

 

Special Hello to: all those folks who read my blog.  I am so grateful.  This is making my dreams come true.

Always, Carol & Alvin