2021

Good Morning ALL! Happy Halloween! Can you believe it October 31, 2021 already? In a few hours there will be little ghosts, goblins and other costumed treaters out and about in the neighbourhood. I cannot wait. I always love to see all of the costumes. All of the children that I know in the neighbourhood usually drop by to show me their costumes. I try to take photos of each of them for my “memory book” and from time to time I look back and see how much they have grown. One of the boys was 8 years old when I moved here and is now 20 years old. He dressed up a couple of years ago and popped by for old times sake. Time moves on but Halloween is Halloween forever. I wonder how many folks will allow their children out this year? Last year was strange. I opted to make special treat bags for all of the children that I know and hand delivered them in the afternoon. Not many children were out. I kept my lights off and felt bad but I did not have a set up that was “COVID APPROPRIATE.” As I mentioned I still gave out treats to the children that I knew and some of my daughter’s friends and neighbours. It is cool out there this morning so I will definitely be wear some warm sweat pants and a sweater when we answer the door later today and just thinking about putting Alvin’s sweater on him. Yes or No. I will have a short leash on him so that he can go to the door and check on the little treaters. It is nice that Halloween falls on the weekend, Sunday. My daughter is coming by for a late pancake breakfast and a visit which I am happy about. I did not mention to Alvin yet as he gets so excited.

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  Happy

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  Halloween 2021

I also had a phone call yesterday from Teddy’s Mom. They have a doorbell camera and noticed that Alvin and I had stopped by. I think that I have mentioned this before …. when we are out for a walk, now that we can walk the whole way, we pass by his friend’s house and he cannot help but to go and see if he is at home. He does this everytime we walk by. He is so strong and because they have a driveway in the front, I don’t want to pull him on the pavement. Cannot risk damaging his legs. Sometimes I reach down and pick him up and other times I just let him run up the steps with me following. I let him sniff at the door and listen to see if he can hear his best friend and his little sister. Once he is done, I can usually convince him to continue our walk. Sometimes I lift him down the steps and sometimes I let him walk down. He always stops at the garage door for one last sniff, I guess with the hope that maybe they are in the garage. Teddy and family were not at home when we popped by. It is actually quite a beautiful thing that Alvin misses seeing his friend. Before COVID, Teddy’s parents worked and now they are both retired. With COVID they have not travelled so no staying with us for a week or so. The boys miss that so much. Iris cannot even mention Alvin’s name without creating a super excited Teddy and now Kobi as well. She has to wait until they are in the car and on their way over. When they arrive she gets out of the car and opens the back passenger side and the pups both jump out and run fast as the wind to our open front door. They run to Alvin to say hello, jump up and give me a kiss and then run about for a few minutes in all their excitement. Teddy and Alvin have the most beautiful friendship, they are best friends. Anyway, Iris asked if the pups could come over in the morning until afternoon as they have some errands to run and I immediately said “yes, of course.” Alvin will be so surprised and I do not want to tell him in advance as he will sit at the window waiting. I love this friendship and cannot wait to see the pups tomorrow morning.

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  Alvin & his BF Teddy

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  Baby Kobi

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• 

  BEST FRIENDS

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  Teddy & Kobi

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  Night time for the boys

Well time to go and have a shower and then start preparing for our company. I am excited for Amanda’s visit and for the treaters later today. I am so glad that I got all of my cleaning and laundry done yesterday. Now it can be a fun day. A play day.

Happy Halloween to you All! Be safe out there and have fun.

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

Always, Carol & Alvin

2021

Good Morning ALL. How are you doing today? Alvin and I are well and happy that today is Friday. I am excited for his birthday party on Sunday. He will enjoy seeing his best friend Teddy and his little sister Kobi as well as our family. We are having a wee bit of snow this morning. Just a few flurries. Nice to have some white snow. We have so many leaves in the backyard and where they are flying in from I do not know, but they are all over. I guess with those gale force winds that we have been experiencing – they could be blowing in. Can you imagine seeing a cloud of leaves blowing in from miles away? That would be a sight. Yesterday I picked up as many as I was able. So I am hoping for a bit of snow to cover them and freeze them in place for now. Spring clean up is going to be “so much fun.” Oh well that is a few months away. ARGH.

Last night after finding nothing on television to watch and I so wanted to just watch a show, I decided to go to NETFLIX and watch BRIDGERTON. Mainly I wanted to see what all the fuss was about and I can now see why. I watched two episodes before I had to stop to go to bed. I am now addicted. The story is good plus the costumes are amazing. Can only imagine the thousands of dollars spent on dreaming up and creating those dresses. I would highly recommend the show. It is both funny and sad and has some drama, of course. Shonda Rhimes has done it again. The show is based on the novels by Julia Quinn set in the competitive world of Regency era London’s Ton during the season, when debutantes are presented at court. Created by Chris Van Dusen and produced by Shonda Rhimes. Two thumbs up. Narrated by Julie Andrews. The acting is really good, as well. I am really enjoying it. One of my favourite eras. Check it out.

I also have to get back to NETFLIX and continue to watch another favourite of my STAR TREK DISCOVERY. I had started to watch it from the beginning as I missed some of the new episodes so thought why not?

Another good thing about NETFLIX is no commercials.

Well it is time to get this day going. We are going to have a busy weekend as tomorrow will be setting up for the party. Simple but elegant will be the day. I noticed that Mr. Alvin may need a touch up hair trim. Another task to add to my TO DO LIST for tomorrow.

I hope that you have a wonderful Friday. Remember to take some time for you as you deserve it.

As we continue to live our lives with kindness, respect and compassion. I should perhaps add patience as there are some days I really need to work on that.

Always, Carol & Alvin

Second Half of the NEW YEAR – final quarter.

Good Morning All, man is it ever difficult to get one’s bottom up and going when it is dark outside. Finally at 8:23 a.m. the sky is beginning to lighten as the sun starts to think about rising in the morning sky. As I look out of the office window there are hues of pinks, almost purple, oranges and yellows filling the horizon and above the night sky is slowing dissipating.

Well HAPPY HALLOWEEN to you all. I put together all the treat bags last night to be delivered to children that I know in our neighbourhood. As I mentioned before I have contacted each one to ensure they are okay with the plan and to make certain no one has allergies. Although I know the chocolate bars do not have nuts in them so that part is good. Chips and Chocolate. Sweet and salty. I am excited to deliver them.

Teddy and Kobie spent the day with us yesterday. We had so much fun. Alvin and Kobie actually shared Alvin’s bed in the kitchen while I worked yesterday off and on during the day. I just had to snap a photo. My daughter will be coming over tomorrow to help me with the Christmas tree so I am going to also ask her to help me with the photo / phone thing. Last time we hooked up some additional memory for the “cloud” but apparently it was not enough as I am still getting messages on my phone which is horrible as I am paying an extra $2.00 and it isn’t enough? Anyway, I am not terribly tech savvy and rely on my daughter to fill in the gaps for me.

I can hardly wait to share photos. It has been forever. Even my HALLOWEEN COSTUME for work. I went as ….. “THIS IS WHAT A HOUSING CLERK LOOKS LIKE DURING THE COVID 19 PANDEMIC.” I just wore my regular work stuff, which consisted of a sweater and tank top and pants. Now the pants were more dressed up than I have been wearing as of late but no one really saw them anyway. We had a virtual HALLOWEEN COSTUME CONTEST which was great. This virtual thing is actually growing on me.

Last night we had some freezing rain so the deck was a bit slippery last night and this morning but luckily we had some snow that came down and froze so it gave some grip when walking. I was very careful out there.

Mr. Alvin surprised me this morning. First off, we were in bed before 9:30 and I read for awhile, he woke up about 3:30 so I gave him his glucosamine chew and we went outside. I wanted to make sure that he did not slip and fall either although he has a much better point of gravity than me. Then back to sleep on the sofa and next thing I know it was 8:08 a.m. Just starting to get light but still dark. Deceiving and felt like earlier. Tomorrow the time changes and we will be one hour behind. Oh, back to my original point about Alvin ….. he had his breakfast minutes after we got up, he stretched first….. I was shocked that he only ate 3/4 of his food. Has to be a first. He does not seem to be feeling ill or anything. I guess he just was full.

Time to get this show on the road. Shower, then some laundry and cleaning and before you know it, we will be out delivering treats. Also have to have breakfast and coffee …. but that will be after the shower.

Wishing you a Happy Halloween. Be safe and take care. It is okay to just keep you children at home ….. dress up with them …. have a little party …… give them some treats ….. play some games. This is a different year and we must change according to the times. Better to be safe than sorry. I am wearing a mask when we go out this afternoon. Keeping everyone safe.

Living with Kindness and Respect each and every day ….

I /We shall remain, As Always, Carol & Alvin

I do not have any Halloween photos in my photo gallery to share but I have this photos of me and Alvin from back in the day. Not sure what kind of collar / harness that was as he has been wearing body ones for years. He was a little fuzz ball of cuteness. Taken in 2010.

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  Me and Alvin

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

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Wednesday the 1st day of November, 2017.

Woke up to SNOW, SNOW and more SNOW.

Poor Mr. Alvin did not wish to go out to the back yard.

The first snowfall always makes him hesitant.

 

We had an awesome Halloween.

I dressed up as a Hippie and it went over well.

Pretty comfortable costume, I will say.

That is the mark of a great costume – if you can comfortably wear it all day or most of the day.

We got to pick the best costumes at our office and at noon we had the best POTLUCK ever.

The food was great and the treats even better.

I had a pasta (macaroni) with cheese and veggies.

It turned out so yummy.

I wrote the recipe down.

That is the trouble I always make up recipes and then do not usually write them down.

I am getting better at writing them down.

Last night the first treater showed up at our house at 5:45.

I was sort of surprised to see the boy get out of a vehicle.

I asked him as he was older, I would say 11-12 approximately “if he lived in the neighbourhood?”

He said no.

I asked him where and he named an area about 10 minutes or so away.

AS I was asking questions, asked him why they would drive to our area and he said we give bigger and better treats.

Yikes, I thought.

So because we give better treats people are driving their kids here.

There were several vehicles that stopped and let kids out.

Some would be due to the weather but some come from elsewhere.

Funny ….

I had about 92 treaters.

There were a couple of times that my steps were filled with children so I may have missed one or two.

This is the least amount that I have had since I moved to Edmonton.

Two cute stories from last night.

First one:  the doorbell rang and there were three boys and a man standing just a few feet away from the steps.

I answered the door with the obligatory “Happy Halloween” and proceeded to hand out some treats.

The man stood more into the light and said “Hello” …. we just wanted to thank you again for bringing our dog home ….

One of the boys said “yes, thank you so much for bringing (cannot remember dog’s name) home.

I almost cried.

This is a dog that had accidentally got out of the yard.

Anyway, it has been about three years since this happened and every year they stop by to thank me.

How sweet.

Good deeds do not go unnoticed.

The second story …..  Alvin was on his leash as he loves to check out the children and as we know so many of them ….. he was right with me at the door.

One of the Dad’s said from the darkness ….. “Hi, Alvin …. he is so cute” and stepped into the light and here was this guy that I had met on the bus.

So Alvin is a star.

We had fun.

I took some photos on my tablet but unable to get downloaded but here are some from work and home from my camera.

Then gotta run.

Decided better not to post photos of people as I do not have their permission.  The two officers (reflections) were/are masked.

Have an awesome Wednesday.

Special Hello to:  you

Always, Carol & Alvin

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Tuesday the 1st day of November, 2016.

Last night was perfect for the Trick & Treaters.

We had about “98” that I could count … might have missed couple.

Sometimes there would be none and then there would be a gaggle of them.

It is always fun seeing all of the costumes.

Lots of our friends from around the neighbourhood dropped by.

Alvin and I both enjoyed seeing everyone.

He loves seeing all the kids.

Each year he settles down a bit more.

I still put his leash on because I am afraid that he would join them.

We had a few people suggest that I dress him up and we go out.

So I thought that may be a good idea.

I would do things in reverse.

With not being at home and no one to hand out treats – might as well just take a big bag of candy with us and hand it out as we walk around the

neighbourhood from house to house.

We had a good Halloween potluck at work and most everyone participated in the costume contest.

The top three were awesome:  Zombie, Broken China Doll and Three Blind Mice.

Carol’s Creepy Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookies were a smash, none leftover.

It was a great Halloween.

 

Tonight will take down the Halloween decorations and make way for the Christmas stuff.

Oh, overnight we received some snow.

Just hanging onto the lawns, cars and buildings and the sidewalks are wet so likely icy.

Snow boots with grips today are on the menu.

I am going to leave a few minutes early.

 

Well almost time to leave for work.

I hope that you had a safe, happy Halloween.

Have a wonderful Tuesday.

 

Special Hello to:  all my family and friends all over the world.

Always, Carol and Alvin

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Monday the 31st day of October, 2016.

Happy Halloween Everyone.

It is eerily FoGGy outside this morning.

Please drive safe to work if you live in our area.

Here is how our home decorates for Halloween:

We do not go FANCY.

We do not go FRIGHTFUL.

We do not go FREAKY.

We just do FUN.

We just take a few fun things that we have and decorate for my second favourite day of the year.

The next one is right around the corner.

FRom OUR home to YoUrs, HaPPy HaLLowEEn.

Alvin says eat some candy but not too much.

Have a wonderful day and I hope that the weather stays nice for all the kiddies and their parents.

 

Special Hello to: All ThE TrIcK or TrEATors out there.

Always, The Spider Witch and Mr. Alvin

 

 

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Sunday the 30th day of October, 2016.

It is overcast and has been all weekend.

No sight of the sun.

It is on those days that one seems to lose energy.

It is on those days that one just wants to eat and to sleep.

It is on those days that you just want to bake cookies, right?

Well that I did last night.

With tomorrow being Halloween our office holds it’s Annual Halloween Potluck.

This year I decided to take my “famous” Carol’s Creepy Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookies.”

It is my forever Chocolate Chip Cookie recipe.

Only this time as I made a quadruple batch the first ones spread out on the cookie sheet because I use butter and waited to add

a bit extra flour until after the first couple of dozen.

They are big and extra chewy, which is perfect for Halloween.

I added some more flour after that, and they were less chewy and for the final ones I added some of my “Salad Topper” which is

dried cranberries and seeds.

Decided not to take those to work in case of allergies.

But the cookies whether the first ones made or the last ones are all super YUMMY.

I have the best recipe for sure.

The past couple of days I have been trying to think of what to be this year.

Has to be easy.

Has to be something that I can make up without buying anything and voile I am going to be the “Spider Witch.”

I have black pants and a black long-sleeved top.

I have a black full length cape.

The best thing of all I have this black and purple witch hat which is unique because on the netting that comes down over the face is covered

with baby spiders.

Perfection.

I also borrowed a big spider from my daughter.

He will be placed accordingly.

I used to have spider earrings but am not sure where they may be.

If I can find them today I will be wearing them.

A bit of makeup, a couple of funky antique rings and black shoes and I am SO ready.

No current cost.

I will post my Halloween decorations tomorrow.

For Tuesday I will post a photo of me in my costume.

Hard to take a full length “selfie” of oneself.

Alvin is not too good at taking photos.

He has tried but it is not easy for the little guy.

Well time to go and have breakfast and COFFEE.

Have a wonderful day.

Special Hello to: all those people who love to dress up and decorate for Halloween.

Always, Carol and Alvin.

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Tuesday the 25th day of October, 2016.

Dark outside.

Rained overnight.

I could feel the moisture in the air last night as it cooled off during our walk.

Hopefully the roads are not icy.

Still reasonably mild.

Well almost Halloween.

Do you like Halloween?

Do you dress up?

Do you stay home and greet the “Treaters?”

I love Halloween.

I decorate my house inside and out.

I normally dress up.

We are encouraged to dress up at work.

We also have a Halloween potluck which brings out some truly creative dishes and treats.

Some years are more elaborate than others.

Most times I just pull together something from my “tickle trunk.”

Actually I had a tickle trunk so to speak years ago and when I moved to Alberta, I gave away most of my Halloween costume items and decorations.

So over the passed few years I have slowly amassing some Halloween items.

My favourite costumes have been made from take pieces from my closet and adding some makeup.

Surprising what you can do with little or no money.

Trust me if there is a way – I will find it.

There is no reason to spend a fortune on a costume that you will likely wear for only a few hours.

I have snapped photos of my decorations and will post them closer to Halloween.

Nothing fancy just a few things in my house and outside.

Some of my neighbours clearly enjoy decorating as they have strung  white spider webs all throughout their trees.

I think it might be interesting taking it down.

Well here we go again time to leave for work.

I want to get away on time just in case it is a bit icy.

Have a wonderful Tuesday.

Special Hello to: my sister.  Miss you.

Always, Carol and Alvin

Thought for the day ….

Good Morning and Welcome to Friday the 23rd day of September, 2016.

Second day of Autumn for 2016.

We had a bit of rain overnight and this morning.

I will be taking my umbrella just in case.

So grateful for such wonderful neighbours.

One of my neighbours was home yesterday so she came over and let Mr. Alvin outside into the back yard for a bathroom break, visited with him and gave him a couple of treats.

Thank you “S” ….. we are so grateful to have you as a neighbour.

Sometimes when you are having a bit of a pity party.

Sit down, lay down or just stand there and close your eyes.

If you gave it even a second of thought you would realize that you have so much to be grateful for …..

 

Well I am running late and the bus will not wait.

I hope that you all have a great Friday.

Keep dry, warm, cool and happy – wherever you reside on this beautiful amazing planet of ours.

Happy Friday.

Thank you.

Special Hello to: my friends back home.

Always, Carol and Alvin