2021

Good Morning ALL! How are you doing today? I/We are well. I cannot even mention sleeping patterns. Certainly there are a great many folks out there who can attest to being woke up in the wees hours of the morning either by themselves or by their children or by their puppies. So as this seems to be our norm. End of story. The sky appears to be overcast this morning. Yesterday it started out with the odd snowflake which turned into rain. Our lunchtime walk was shortened as it was raining and I did not wish us to get too wet. We both had jackets on of course but still not a great idea when it was only +4 degrees celsius outside. The walk even though short was still most enjoyable. I was off work early to take Mr. Alvin to the vet for his regular 5 week or so appointment. It was raining out so I put on his sweater which I had rinsed out and dried as it was dirty and wet from our lunchtime walk and also put on his rain jacket. He actually did not fuss too much which was strange for him making me happy. He walked slowly and did not run ahead at noon and on the way to the vet. Not his usual self. He did not seem to be upset, suffering, in pain or anything. Just a slow day. That was okay. We arrived at the vet with a few minutes to spare and had to wait for a brief time outside while the last patient was looked after and then the door has to be wiped down. Inside I removed his jackets and then put his harness only back on as they now take all of our beloved pets to the back area instead of looking after them in one of the two patient rooms. I could hear another pup crying the blues and of course that did not help Mr.Alvin who at times made it known to all without a few miles that he was not having any of this nail trim business. Poor baby. He has never liked this and likely never will. Not that this is anything new for him as we go on a regular basis, like every 5 weeks. Oh well. Soon he was done and back to me to get dressed for our walk home. I also picked up his two bags of treats that were waiting there for us. He was happy to get home and have some of them. I do want to mention something. Is your neighbourhood filled with trash this spring? I could not believe the amount of coffee paper cups that were in the bushes lining the path along one of the walkways that we take to the vet. It was downright sickening. There must have been 50 or more. Trash was everywhere. What is wrong with people. As soon as it dries up a bit more so that trash is not wet and heavy to carry, I will be out cleaning up my beloved neighbourhood. Makes me mad, sad and disappointed that people do not care enough to keep their neighbourhood clean. I suppose some of the trash may be from people passing through, I really do not know. Just made me want to cry. I certainly did not want to walk there but had no choice.

Almost forgot that last night I attended a FB live Mary Kay “Masking party.” It was fun and I will say this if you have never tried their Charcoal Mask, you really should. My skin felt clean, soft, pores much smaller, and just so good.

Time to go and get the coffee brewing and soon get to work.

I wish you a wonderful Thursday.

Continuing to live this life with kindness, respect, compassion and patience.

Always, Carol & Alvin

It is a NEW YEAR.

Good Morning and Welcome to Wednesday the 1st day of a new month, April.

Usually people would be playing pranks on one another this morning but alas I don’t think it is likely appropriate this April 1st.

The sky is almost white this morning with a tinge of the palest of blues.

I am hopeful that the sunrise will be visible shortly.

Yesterday afternoon the SUN was so bright against the deep plush blanket of snow it was almost blinding from inside the house.

At one point I was thinking I should put on my sunglass clips but then I was not in the living for long and in my office it was not too bad.

Working from home as been interesting.

Today is our 10th day, I believe.

I do love being here with Alvin, going for walks at lunchtime when we can and the commute.

Nothing beats the commute.

Nothing.

Other than retirement and then there would be no commute, period.  OVER and OUT.

But that is not where I am at this time so a short commute is wonderful.

It is nice dressing how you feel.

Somedays I feel like dressing as though I am going to the office and others it feels more casual.

I have not as yet wore my pajamas or gone without wearing a bra.

But we are just beginning in this new norm.

I have a feeling that it will be extended for us past April 30, 2020.

I have not been watching the news to see how many cases or if the virus has grown substantially in Canada.

I feel that I am doing my part.

Staying home and reducing the chance of catching the virus.

My friends drop things off at the door and when we visit it is in short spurts at the door and I am six feet away.

No hugs even though we really want to.

I wash my hands.

Importantly I get lots of rest, try to remain calm, get some exercise and eat right and keep hydrated.

Speaking of hydrating (kidding), I smell the coffee perking away.

Let me tell you there is nothing short of wild roses lining the path to the park or lilacs blooming or the scent of a little baby that matches the smell of coffee brewing.

I guess the secret is out.

BEST SMELLS EVER:

Wild roses

Lilacs

Scent of a baby

COFFEE

Perhaps after a rain ……

What are you favourite scents?

Maybe you could send me your list.

I am excited to see what everyone likes or loves.

 

Mr. Alvin ….

Even though he has my schedule for starting and ending work and breaks down to the minute, I think he is out of sorts.

I think that he has some pain in his paws due to arthritis.

It was/is a matter of time.

I will continue with his daily regimen of glucosamine.

I do know that when the weather changes, I can see a difference.

This is not news to his Doctor.

Don’t worry I keep her aprized.

 

How about some miscellaneous photos.

I love photos.

Let me see what do I have handy.

 

Oh my darling grand pup MILO closest to the camera and little KOBI in the background.

MILO and Miss ASPEN.

Love my grand pups.

I love the way the tree looks after a snowfall.

Branches gently cradling the snow.

Last year’s birthday …. the most delicious cupcakes.

With Key Lime Icing

Geese near the park by my house, last year or year before.

Time passes so quickly …..

Flowers from my friend’s garden.

I cannot wait to see her garden this summer.

Our friend next door, HUMPHREY.

Thankfully he does not have to wear the CONE often anymore.

But sometimes.

FRIENDS

I wished that I had one of Alvin and Teddy looking out of the bedroom window.

I have some.

ALVIN and TEDDY on the bed.

 

Well almost time to grab my coffee and get the start up to work.

I hope that you have an awesome day.

Wednesday, we got this.

Two more days until the weekend.

 

Living in Kindness and with Respect,

I, We remain as,

Always, Carol & Alvin

It is a NEW YEAR.

Welcome to a Winter Wonderland.

We have lots of snow.

Blanketing the earth and rooftops all over.

So in no apparent order, I offer some photos to bright your day.

The last ones are of the snow that is blanketing everything in sight.

We had almost bare streets and sidewalks.

Now not so much.

Other areas in the province have/are receiving more than Edmonton.

I am grateful that we had a walk yesterday before all of the snow.

 

These are my flowers / plants.

Spring has sprung in my kitchen.

I never thought that I particularly had a green thumb but looking at these photos, I am thinking that perhaps I have one.

The sharp pinks of the Geranium with all of its flowers and some on the side of the plant that you cannot see in these photos.

The Spider plant with baby spiders hanging down the back of the shelves.

The Tropical plant at the end or it looks that way.

Even the Poinsettia survived since November/December, 2019.

The darker snow photos were from last night before bed and the last three are from this morning looking out of our bedroom window.

 

So on this Tuesday as I have to grab some coffee and head to work shortly.

I have such a long commute these days.

ARGH, yes I do.

Ten steps from my bed to the laptop.

 

Special Happy Birthday shout out to my friend from just outside Regina, Saskatchewan.

P, have a wonderful day.

 

I have a copy of the Optimist Creed hanging on my bulletin board.

Google it and read ….. so good.

I cannot remember the name of the lad that wrote this piece but it is appropriate for anytime in our lives.

 

 

Promise Yourself,

To be so strong that nothing can disturb your peace of mind.

To talk health, happiness and prosperity to every person you meet.

 

Last line:

To be too large for worry, too noble for anger, too strong for fear, and too happy to permit the presence of trouble.

 

Happy Tuesday.

Be safe.

Practice Social Distancing.

Watching Pluto Living videos.

Breathe.

 

With Kindness and Respect,

I, We remain,

Always, Carol & Alvin

Thought for the day …..

WELCOME EVERYONE …… TODAY IS TUESDAY, JANUARY 1st, 2013 ……

Can you believe it?  2013.

It sounds like a line from a futuristic movie or a book.

This morning is absolutely gorgeous here in Edmonton.

Alvin and I were out on the deck for a few minutes while the coffee was brewing.

You know picking up the poop and scraping off the ice from the steps to the garage.

You know typical stuff for a dog owner and for living where there is ice and snow.

I had a great night last night.

We, me and Alvin snuggled on the sofa and watched a couple of movies.

My favourite was a movie from last year called “New Year’s Eve” …… it had so many of my favourite actors.

I called my sister back in Regina (they are one hour ahead of us) at 11:15 p.m. Edmonton time and wished them a Happy New Year.

Watched the ball drop in Times Square, New York City.

As the clock hit midnight ( I joined in the Canadian countdown ), and gave Mr. Alvin a little kiss on his cheek.

I think he figures I am just a tad crazy.  Oh well, that’s what you do when it is just you and the puppy dog..

Just a few minutes after Midnight  my daughter called me (hard to believe we were both still awake) to wish us a Happy New Year.

So here we go again ….. another year……full of brightness and promise…..dreams ready to be realized……hearts ready to fall in love.

I hope that on this first day of the New Year that you are enjoying yourself.

I plan to make a list of all the things that I need/want/wish for …… and post it so that I can see it everyday.

Point me in the right direction and one by one each item on the list will come to fruition…. I will make it happen.

 

I wish all of my friends and family a great and wonderful New Year, Happy 2013.

I hope that good health, much love and laughter, abundance, wealth and joy paint your path as you go through each day of this New Year.

In fact, I wish this for all of us ….. we all deserve to be healthy, happy and living in abundance.

So let us make it happen.

 

Happy New Year …… Happy 2013…..

 

Special Hello: to all my readers for without you I am just a writer of words, and with you I am an author.

 

Always, Carol and Alvin ….  🙂