Last Half 2022 – November

Good Morning ALL! Welcome to Saturday. It is overcast here in Edmonton and it was snowing ever so lightly a little while ago. This morning is give Mr. Alvin a haircut and bath. I am sure that he is over the moon excited, not. Not something that he enjoys but it needs to be done and then he will be good until after Christmas (hopefully). We have laundry on the TO DO LIST and doing up Christmas 2022 lists to include Christmas cards and gifts and baking. I like to write everything on paper so that I can see with my own eyes and that way, I do not miss anyone or anything. Organized is how I always do the Holiday Season. Just makes sense to me. I think that this year I will only bake Sugar Cookies, Chocolate Chip Cookies and Fudge. That is the plan but it may change once I am in the kitchen. Lists also help when you are baking and cooking to ensure that you are not short one ingredient or more. I am pretty good at swapping but sometimes with certain things it makes a notable difference. How do you do Christmas? Lists or just by memory?

I am trying to set FONT size for my post and it was working for awhile and now every paragraph I have to reset it. OMG. One would think after using this platform for more than ten years that I would have it all figured out but I do not. Actually that is not completely true as WordPress has changed things over the years. Oh well, it works out in the end.

Time to wash the Christmas towels (I almost forgot). Usually it takes me a couple of weekends to make sure that everything Christmas is set out properly. My daughter picked up some new Christmas tree lights for me so next week or weekend, I will be redecorating the tree. Seems like a lot of work but in the olden days, some years ago, I used to sometimes redecorate the tree 5-6 times during the holiday season. Sometimes you just look at it and it needs some tweaking. Sometimes! This time I have a legitimate reason. The new lights. Anyway, now that I am hosting the office Christmas party, I certainly need everything to be picture perfect (or at least my version of picture perfect).

Well I think that I figured out how to change the font and it stay that way – oh no, how did I do it?

Alvin is giving me that look, perhaps he has to go outside. So will have to cut this short.

I hope that you all have a fantastic day.

Forgot to mention that we had a wonderful walk yesterday. Bumped into friends that we have not seen for a long time. Nice. We had an interesting conversation! COVID and politics not good topics of conversations but sometimes it just goes there. Oh well, that is life. We are all entitled to our feelings, thoughts and opinions. That is what makes us human. We are emotional beings and throughout the past almost three years that has been extremely evident.

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

Always, Carol & Alvin

PS: oh, coffee………..

Last Half 2022 – October

Good Morning ALL! How are you doing today? A bright sunny morning here in Edmonton. We had frost overnight. Last night I had a get together with my friends at Signe’s house. Signe’s daughter had offered to come and stay with Alvin while I was at her house. So grateful that he had company after a long week for him. We had so much fun, always laughter and good conversation. After coming home, I spent the next hour or so chatting with Maddie. She is so grown up and hard to believe she was just a toddler when I first met her and now she is in grade 9. Time flies. I cannot remember the last time that I had such a long talk with a teenager. We were sitting on the sofa when Alvin moved from his spot beside me, walked over, and snuggled up beside Maddie. It was so cute. He really likes Maddie. I could see that Alvin was getting tired as his head kept bobbing up and down. I think it was almost 11:30 when she went home and we started getting ready for bed. What a great evening for both Alvin and me!

Today is going to be quiet. It is already getting late so this will be short for today. I am finding that I cannot quite formulate what I would like to say. Still feeling a bit tired. Definitely need some coffee.

Tomorrow is back to the office for the next three days and I am grateful that I have someone to check in on Alvin.

I hope that you have a great day.

I was thinking that it is less than two weeks until I start decorating for Christmas. Now that is exciting for me. Just thinking about how to do some things a bit differently using the same decorations.

Alvin just did some stretches and I think he wants to go downstairs.

I apologize for the disconnected thoughts this morning but I am really feeling a bit dozy. Time to get that pot of coffee on and perking.

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

Always, Carol & Alvin

PS: feeling very grateful for my friends!

Last Half 2022 – August

Good Morning ALL! I hope that you are doing well. Another beautiful morning out there which will be great for our walk in a few minutes. As the day progresses it is forecasted to be 32 degrees celsius with a humidex factor of 35. That will not be fun and I am hoping that because the house is relatively cool at this moment that it will remain that way for several hours. After this week it looks like the high temperatures will have dissipated. It is not that I want to see summer disappear but not many people do well in those temperatures especially when we see them so seldom during the course of a year. I do however, look forward to fall or autumn and hopefully it will last until December. A girl can dream.

I do love fall. The crisp early mornings and the easy warm days and the cool evenings. The leaves on the trees turn to the most glorious colours. The bunnies start in time to turn white for winter. The air, the sights and the sounds and the fragrances of fall are so enticing. Pumpkin and spices.

Last night one of my friend’s came over for a visit. We had more of a “venting” session but that is okay as we both clearly needed to get some things off of our chests. Sometimes you just need to get it out. Nothing serious – just the little things – those things that eat at your mind – causing more damage in the long run. So happy that we spoke our truths and said what we needed to say. We also talked about her sons returning to school tomorrow. Christmas. The weather. So there were definitely some positive thoughts going about the conversation. Not all negative. I would like to think that venting or getting things off of your chest is not a negative action but rather a positive way to dump the negative energy without anyone getting harmed in any way.

On this sunny Tuesday, Alvin and I are going to enjoy our walk. I filled his water bottle and have his pooping bags just in case. More often than not, I use one of them to pick up trash. Today is garbage day in our neighborhood so hopefully it will not be windy and blow about the recycling. There is always someone who just lays things loosely in a cardboard box or a blue bin. Always someone!

Well I am going to grab the fan and take it downstairs, instruct Mr. Alvin to come downstairs and then get ready for our walk.

I wish you a glorious day. Remember always good to remove the negative energy / thoughts from your mind. If you can release those thoughts by “venting” them with a good friend – then you are definitely going to feel better.

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

As the sun fills the morning sky I bid you adieu!

Always, Carol & Alvin

PS: so grateful for such great people that surround me.

Living … One day at a time.

Hello,

Wow, can you believe it is Thursday, September 5th, 2019?

Almost one week into September.

Close to the official day of FALL or Autumn.

I remain home with the boy.

After 26 hours without diarrhea (which was what the Vet had wanted) and while I was on the phone with the Vet’s Assistant; the only time that I had left him alone outside he had D.

I was glad that I had decided to check once I was off the phone.

We had a pretty quiet evening.

I knew that he really wanted to go for a walk but cleaning up D is not fun and not easy to do.

So we had a quiet evening.

He had his bland diet and was not happy when I had a vegetable stir fry with his fav vegetables but they have to be eaten.

I feel so badly for him and he is being so strong and shows little frustration with it all.

After that phone call (at 5:00 p.m.) and my find in the yard; I called the clinic back once again and asked to have his Dr. call me back.

When she was finished with her patients she called back.

I explained what happened and was told …. it has only been a short time on the medication …. we have to give it time to work.

Dr. K said that if there was no change meaning he had not had a regular bowel movement – it would be back to have blood work done to get to the bottom of things.

Bedtime went per norm.

Keeping the time close to our regular time.

He woke up at 2:08 a.m. ….. not sure why.

Seemed like he wanted to go downstairs and possibly outside, so down we went.

I grabbed my sweater and flip flops and out we went.

He just stood and breathed in the night air.

No signs of distress, I attempted to coax him to come down to the grass but to no avail.

So back into the house.

This time I decided to just crash on the sofa.

No point going back upstairs.

I do not remember if it was 5 something or closer to 6 when we woke up and went back outside.

Only peed.

Back into the house and then had his first meal of the day and his meds.

I am thankful that I purchased two packages of chicken on Sunday and froze one (as yesterday I had to cook the second one).

After that …. outside….

Nothing ….

Back to the sofa for bit more sleep.

Up around 7:45 or so and decided to get dressed and go for a walk.

He had been sitting in his chair and was watching the children out on their way to school.

Other pups out for walks.

So I decided that it would be worth the fresh air for both of us although we have been spending quite a lot of time outside.

So dressed and ready and out the door.

The coolness of the morning air felt so refreshing on our faces as we strolled down the sidewalk toward the park.

We were not at the park for more than a couple of minutes and he took the pooping stance.

I held my breath.

Then without further …. out came D, this time no gas, no flying through the air.

I guess that is an improvement.

I cleaned it up as good as I could …. thankfully I had taken paper towel and several extra bags.

Just after I had wiped his bum with paper towel … a young boy on a bike came over to where we were and said “I like your dog, is it a he or a she.”

I replied “he and his name is Alvin.”

We had a nice conversation ….. I told him that Alvin was not feeling well but not catchy for him.

He said that he had a cat and wanted to pet Alvin.

Which he gently did.

We chatted about school …. he was going into grade 5.

When I asked which school he was attending …. he said the name that I had not heard of and pointed to the south.

Then he said …. no it is ….. and mentioned that he has moved a few times and forgot.

Poor little guy.

It was nice.

We continued for a couple of minutes together him on his bike and us walking.

He said “thank you I enjoyed our chat.”

Wow, from a grade five boy …. must be an old soul.

I was glad to have some conversation not about diarrhea.

 

Well I guess we are back to it.

I need coffee ….. and in less than one hour it will be time for Alvin’s second small meal of the day.

I sure hope that by the end of this day things are different and that the poop is good.

Never so much talk of poop in my life ….

 

I am grateful for the sunshine as it has made our time at home in and out of the house much easier.

Feeling a bit frustrated but trying to be patient and keep positive thoughts rattling round my brain.

We never know what is coming round the corner, do we?

I guess all we can do is our best …. be kind and respectful …..

Patience ….. having patience is important.

 

As I laid on the sofa earlier, the blinds were open enough to see our front tree.

I noted how many of the leaves had already started to turn yellow.

In that moment I was watching the leaves and branches sway gently in the breeze.

It seemed as though time had stood still for just that one moment in time.

In that moment life was perfection.

Alvin was laying in his chair … in his happy place.

I was taking in the view.

Life was perfect.

 

Wishing you all a happy Thursday.

Time for coffee, I think.

 

Being kind and respectful to yourself is just as important as it is to be toward others.

 

 

Always, Carol & Alvin

 

 

 

Living … One day at a time.

Hello,

We had some wonderful rain yesterday throughout the day and into the night.

Alvin and I had a wonderful walk with our friend P.

At the beginning of our walk we all saw the geese and goslings.

To our I will say almost horror we saw this family as follows:

1. Father holding a large dog on a leash just a few feet from the geese and their families.
2. Mother holding a bread bag.
3. Two children and one of them with a piece of bread in his hand reaching out to feed one of the geese while the babies were nearby.

Some things really wrong with this picture.

Why would you stand there beside the geese with this big dog that could have easily gotten away and killed the goslings or geese for that matter?

Bread, feeding them bread?

Have they not heard that bread is not good for the geese – they are unable to digest it properly.

Children with hands outstretched.

I was happy to see one of the geese that was being fed – hiss and snapped at the child.

You would think that would be a sign for them to leave.

No, they stayed …..

I know that they are cute but why oh why could they not watch them from a distance.

Putting up a sign NOT TO FEED THE BIRDS …

Well people ignore the signage.

The same way that people do with the KEEP DOGS ON LEASH signs.

Anyway I had to walk away.

The geese are beginning to become used to being fed and that type of scenario.

That familiarity will not suit them well, I do fear.

At the end we were pleased to see the goslings and how big they are becoming.

I hope that they are able to grow to adulthood.

 

Our walk was good …. we chatted ….. felt the raindrops as it started to rain on the homeward stretch.

We had a good conversation/chat and long walk.

It felt good.

Alvin …. enjoyed the walk.

 

I will say the best part of my day is the time that I spend with me Alvin.

Snuggling or playing with him.

Or walking together.

 

I hope that you all have a great Thursday.

Remember we should respect NATURE.

 

Always, Carol & Alvin

 

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Wednesday the 6th day of March, 2019.

March is just rolling along.

Last night after work my daughter picked me up to give me a ride home.

We made a stop at COSTCO.

Was busy but we found our items and got out in good time.

Alvin was patiently waiting for us at home.

He was as always happy to see his sister.

Sometimes he is a bit cautious as he thinks he may have to leave the house and go in the car.

Poor guy.

But nonetheless always happy to see his big sister.

My daughter stayed for a bit and then was on her way as she had errands to run before going home.

As always I am always grateful to see my girl, for the ride but more than anything grateful to be in her presence and for the great conversation.

Afterwards I got changed and grabbed Mr. Alvin so that we could go for a walk.

He does not really like having his coat and harness put on but once on he is ready to go immediately.

Hardly giving me time to get my coat and boots on.

Even though the temperature was considerably less than the past few weeks, the wind/breeze was cold.

So our walk was short but we got out and that was important.

Some fresh air and we also bumped into our neighbours and friends, also out for a walk.

My friend J’s doggie Jazmine is getting on in years and has some health issues, one being heart.

She was so happy to see Mr. Alvin.

She moved to the side so that he could take the lead.

It was so cute.

There walk was short as Miss J got cold and my friend ended up picking her up and carrying her back home.

Poor girl.

We then carried on but our walk was not long.

Fresh air, check.

Once home, I put Alvin into the house and went to pick up Mr. Humphrey.

He was spending the evening with us while his Momma was curling.

As always those two, Alvin and Humphrey always make me smile.

Alvin is a bit cautious around Humphrey.

He loves him – you can tell but …..

Funny story before I leave for work.

Alvin had been outside and when we came around the corner – guess what we found?

Mr. Humphrey curled up in Alvin’s spot on the sofa.

I could almost hear Alvin’s sudden anguish.

But he jumped up and sat near the end of the sofa.

This is when I managed to snap a photo of them sharing some space.

Afterward when I was drinking my tea …..

Humphrey stayed where he was but Alvin wanted to be beside me and that would be where Humphrey was …..

We managed to get things worked out.

At one point, it was Humphrey by the pillow, then Alvin right beside him laying down and then me.

I so wished that I could have snapped a photo.

It would have brought a SMILE to your face as it did to mine.

 

Wishing you all an awesome Wednesday.

Whoops gotta run.

ARGH, time always goes so fast when I am writing.

 

Special Hello to: smile, it is catching.

Always, Carol & Alvin

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Sunday the 17th day of February, 2019.

This month seems to be passing by in light speed.

Already we are half way through and was it not the 1st day just last week.

WOW, crazy.

 

As I look out of my office window the sky is a grey-white colour just a tone darker than the snow that is covering the ground and rooftops.

No snow overnight so that is good.

When I shovelled yesterday it was difficult to find a place, a spot to put the snow.

The deck and grassy area in my back yard have SNOWBANKS.

At the front, I am shovelling above my shoulders, which is not easy.

 

Last night Teddy and his Aunt J arrived about 3:30 p.m. for a visit before having supper with us.

Aunt J brought all of the fixings for a pretty much traditional Mexican taco meal right down to the limes.

It was fantastic.

I realized how much I love refried beans, so good.

Mexicans eat a lot of beans and they are so healthy for us.

We had a great visit and during our conversation I suddenly realized about the wildlife and their struggle for food this winter.

How can they find food when there is so much food.

Some folks are leaving out food for the wildlife.

Thankfully there are some berries on the trees for the birds.

But the pickings are slim.

We do not often think of the wildlife and their struggles between nature and man.

Without wildlife – I doubt we would continue to exist.

We would forever damage the balance, the natural order.

 

The evening was great.

The boys, Alvin and Teddy had fun.

Mostly just collapsing in each other’s company.

Isn’t that what friends do?

They are good just to be around each other, no fancy conversation or entertainment.

They did have chew treats and there are toys.

 

About 8:00 p.m. or so they left for home.

We had such a great afternoon/evening.

Great conversation and food.

I showed off some of the Steeped Tea as she loves tea and had heard all about it from her sister, Teddy’s Mom.

I was happy to give her some different teas to try.

 

The rest of the evening was quiet.

I finished off the few dishes that did not fit or belong in the dishwasher.

We just watched a bit of television before retiring to bed about 10:00 p.m.

 

Saturday was a great day.

I almost forgot that while I was out shovelling,  one of my neighbours happened to be on her way to her car when she saw me.

She came over and we had a brief chat before coming into the house so she could say hi to Alvin.

Which by the way is doing incredibly well.

 

My sister called but I will share this story next Saturday as it pertains to her birthday.

 

Today will be quiet.

Perhaps a bit of laundry and if warm enough we will end out this afternoon for a walk.

Maybe should check the temp this morning before it snows.

Hoping it does not snow.

 

What a weekend.

Fantastic pizza on Friday night.

Great Mexican food and company on Saturday.

We are only at the half way point.

What will Sunday have in store for us.

No plans but you never know.

 

Special Hello to: all our friends and family.  We love and appreciate you.

Always, Carol & Alvin

 

 

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Monday the 28th day of January, 2019.

Temperatures cooling down and we received a fresh light blanket of snow overnight.

What a crazy assortment of weather we have had over the past few weeks.

Up, down and everything in between.

Anything but consistent.

Starting to feel more like Calgary.

 

We had another busy, busy weekend.

Yesterday, Teddy’s Mom called to see if he could come for a play-date as not great for walking, I agreed.

He spent from about 1:15 until 4:00 p.m. with us.

Then Humphrey’s Mom asked if he could come and stay with us from 4:30 – 8:30 p.m.

Earlier in the afternoon I had the most glorious telephone conversation with my sister.

I always love our chats.

We catch up and always, always have a bit of laughter.

I would say this time not as much as other times.

But she always brings a smile to my face.

I miss not having her close by.

Tonight Humphrey will be spending the evening with us.

I would say that Alvin was a tad bit nervous with Humphrey last night …. most especially when he moves fast.

He is a bit awkward when he runs as he has three legs.

But they get along and I am grateful.

 

I can hardly believe that the weekend is over.

The whole weekend including Friday night was jammed pack full of company and outings.

I did manage to get some laundry and tidying up done.

Even transplanted my two poinsettia plants into one point.

I received two beautiful arrangements over Christmas.

One of them had a poinsettia plant and three other plants.

Only the poinsettia and one plant survived in that arrangement.

That one was a red poinsettia, so pretty.

The other arrangement was a yellow poinsettia.

So I put it all together and it looks great.

I hope that it survives.

They are fussy plants.

Not good for pets either.

So have to be very careful, which I am.

 

Well getting close to time to head on downstairs and finish getting ready.

I am getting a ride to work most days with my neighbour as she works downtown.

My carpool is soaking up the sun with her husband in Mexico.

Lucky gal.

 

I hope that you have an awesome, fantastic Monday.

See you tomorrow.

 

Special Hello to: my sister, thank you for our chat yesterday and looking forward to a SKYPE chat with you soon.

Always, Carol & Alvin

 

Alvin’s friends and mine, too.

Humphrey the Cat

Teddy the Pup

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Monday the 7th day of January, 2019.

Lots of snow outside this morning.

Poor Alvin did not stray too far from the back door.

I see shovelling in my immediate future.

Will try and do some shovelling before I leave for work.

Especially on the deck for Alvin.

I looked out the front window as I opened the blinds and it looks so pretty.

The freshly fallen snow.

As the street lamps shed their beams on the snow flakes they shone like beautiful diamonds.

So beautiful.

A great sight to behold early in the morning.

 

Yesterday Mr. Alvin and I had a lovely walk before I headed out to the baby shower.

It was wonderful.

I had not been to a baby shower in years other than at work.

There were over 20 ladies/women/girls; a table full of food and she was adorned with many beautiful gifts.

The new baby girl due to arrive in early February will not need for anything.

My friends, the proud Grandparents are leaving for Hawaii about the same time and are hoping that the baby arrives before they leave.

The trip has been booked for over one year.

They have already made temporary arrangements just in case …. the baby GIRL is late …… on time …… (depends on who you are – looking at it all).

They will not leave without saying hello to the newest grandchild.

Their daughter and son-in-law did not think (according to doctors) that they would ever have a baby.

SURPRISE.

Such a great story.

During the couple of hours or so I was at the shower; I chatted with two ladies that I did not know and also a neighbour of my friend whom I did know.

So it was great.

Lots of conversations.

Learning new things.

One of the gals had even in her early years applied at the same office as I am currently working but did not get the job as she did not have enough “experience.”

My how times have changed – now it is all about the education of which she has.

 

Anyway, time to get going here and do some shovelling.

Might as well get some more exercise.

Always have a few sets of stairs each morning before leaving the house.

Also watched the GOLDEN GLOBES last night.

I most especially enjoyed the award that Carol Burnett received.

The award will now be in her name for lifetime contributions to television.

VERY COOL, I love her.

By far one of the funniest people on the planet.

 

Okay time to fly.

Have an awesome Monday.

Special Hello to: Carol Burnett, I adore you.

Always, Carol & Alvin

Thought for the day ….

Good Morning and Welcome to Thursday the 25th day of October, 2018.

Today is my carpool’s Happy Birthday.

Happy Birthday Miss C …. me and Alvin want to wish you a very Happy Birthday.

 

We had a busy one last night.

Alvin and I went for a walk with our friend P and her grand-pup Georgie.

The temperature was perfect for walking and the company grand.

Our conversation is all varied.

It was just over 45 minutes which was good.

Alvin’s best bud Teddy came to spend the night and today with him.

Another friend came and fixed the plunger in my master bathroom sink and is going to also fix one of my kitchen chairs that has a wobbly leg.

It was in and out all night long.

What a great night.

We had exercise, good company and a couple of things from the TO DO LIST were completed.

Does not get better than that.

I am so utterly grateful for my home life most especially.

Master Teddy just asked to come up onto my lap so I guess this will be a short post.

I have the best friends and family that a person could ever ever ask for and they virtually just came to me.

I often wonder what I did to deserve such fantastic people in my life.

Whatever it was …. I am just grateful for them all.

Little Teddy just turned and looked at me with those big brown eyes.

He is more of a lap sized puppy than Mr. Alvin.

He is now watching me key.

 

Sometimes if you overthink things it can be too much.

I simply think I am very blessed.

I can leave the house today knowing that Mr. Alvin has his BFF keeping him company.

I can leave the house knowing that I have these little ones to come home to ….

I can leave the house each day knowing that my home life is the best.

 

Keep it simple they say.

It is true.

 

Well on that note, I have to hit the road as it were.

I wish each and every one of you the best day ever.

Remember, Keep it Simple..

 

Special Hello to: all of my dear family and friends, you guys are the best.

Always, Carol & Alvin & Master Teddy