2021

Good Morning ALL. How are you this fine sunny Monday morning? I am so lucky that today is a “day off” as the Province of Alberta celebrates “Alberta Family Day” Considered to be a stat holiday. My plans for this day are to gather my Steeped Tea and NORWEX paperwork for Income Tax. That time will come up soon enough and this time around I would like to be prepared. Also have to tally electricity charges, heat, internet and so on, those deductions that may be used in time tax when you are in business for yourself. I claim my commissions obviously as income. This is all in addition to my regular job. Anyway, that is the plan for this afternoon. Hopefully the temperature has warmed up enough that we can also go for a walk this afternoon. Yesterday I thought felt warmer was actually minus 28 celsius with the windchill. I guess it was warmer when compared to minus 45 or so with the windchill. Yesterday we had a great visit with my daughter. She stopped by the store and picked up a few items for us. I went out to the garage when she arrived, as this was the first time my daughter was driving the new car, well she backed the new car into the garage. It is huge compared to their other car, the KIA Soul. The back up camera got her parked within I would say three inches from my bistro table which is made of steel and river rock. That would have caused a serious dent. I am going to move that table so there is more room, I had not thought the car was that big but it is. Alvin was happy to see his sister. I helped carry the groceries into the house. When she came into the house after me, hand in hand with the most beautiful plant with pink flowers in a cute pink pot adorned with a pink heart, so pretty and a bag which she handed to me right away which I found to contain a box of one of my favourite treats from Dairy Queen – dilly bars. My other fav is the buster bars with nuts. I love the two and they are truly a treat for me. After the groceries were quickly put away, I made her a cup of coffee and began to dish the food. I made these egg treats which I am calling EGG MUFFINS ….. they are finely chopped veg (I used broccoli, red pepper, yellow onion and parmesan cheese) in the bottom of a muffin tin and then pour whisked egg over top. Easy peasy. So good. I also put in some spice and pepper but found that I could have added more spice for sure. We had sourdough bread toast with the egg muffins. The other thing to know is that I sprayed the muffin tin with a vegetable spray to help the muffins not stick. They did stick a bit but not too bad. We enjoyed our late breakfast/brunch/lunch together. Mr. Alvin was feeling left out and wanted what we were having of course. Afterward we enjoyed a couple of the “no bake energy bites” that I had chilling in the fridge and some coffee on the sofa. Our visits are always great and never long enough. But there is never enough time with my girl. When she went to leave a few hours later, she had asked if I wanted to drive the new car. I said YES. So I started the new car and drove it round from the garage down the back lane and onto the street that goes by the house and parked in front of the house. I must say it is a pretty sweet ride. I am so happy for them. It is a nice vehicle. Once we said our goodbyes, I went to the house and waved as she pulled away. Back in the house, Mr. Alvin had been watching from the window. I wanted him to see the car on the street so that he will know it is his sister next time she drives by. He knew the other car by sight. We received a text from Teddy & Kobi’s Mom that they had a Valentine’s treat for us and was wondering if they could pop by. Who can turn down treats, not me and Alvin. I always love when the pups come to the house ….. Teddy’s Mom puts him down and he runs like there is no tomorrow to the house. I of course, was ready with the door open and in he ran. Kobi’s Mom put her down closer to the house and in she ran. They jumped up and down so happy to see us. Their Mom came in mask covered to give us our gift which was chocolate for me and a bag of chew treats for the boy, and for a short visit. We always social distance. I feel so blessed that I had some company. Otherwise 24/7 it is only me and Alvin. Not complaining. Not complaining.

Well it is time to head on downstairs. I could not get my keister up from the sofa this morning so it was about 8:30 when we got up for the final time …. I will say that it was Alvin that got me up. He nudged me to say …. time Momma to get up. I am glad that he did. With a bright blue sky and sun shining …. it is going to be a great day.

I am grateful for all of our many blessings.

Continuing to live this day as all others with kindness, respect, compassion and patience.

Always, Carol & Alvin

Second Half of the NEW YEAR.

Good Evening,

I know folks have wondered what happened to us the past couple of days as I have not posted my daily post.

Mr. Alvin as you know has been suffering from some health problems as of late.

He was not himself over the weekend.

At lunchtime today I was able to get him into see his vet.

My daughter drove from her home in Spruce Grove to take us.

I appreciate all of her help and support.

She found that he had a pulled muscle in his neck.

Well that would account for many of his actions over the few days.

To add insult to injury we had the hottest day in over a year.

Tomorrow is to be hot as well.

One of the medications that his vet prescribed was Robaxin (if I got the spelling correct).

For some reason not very many pharmacies keep it in stock.

That makes me wonder.

It is a specific dosage and perhaps that is why.

Anyway as I drip from the heat of the day and with a slight reprieve from the coolness of the night air.

Definitely cooler outside now than in the house.

Wished we could sleep on the deck.

 

Anyway back to his pills.

A pharmacy down the way from his Vet is going to order them in and hopefully should have tomorrow.

That will totally help his neck muscles.

 

As he has to limit climbing and actually he has not been climbing the stairs, I have been carrying him up and down when necessary…

I have decided and have already moved my workspace down to the kitchen table.

Seems odd but it actually works quite well.

Only for this week as I am on vacation after Friday.

 

One of my favourite entertainers … talk show host ….. Regis Philbin passed away over the weekend.

He was 88 only and only a month away from 89.

Regis was one of a kind and there are not many of those truly good people left.

The ones that you never heard a bad word about ….

A true legend and beloved man.

Rest in Peace, Sir.

 

Alvin is not doing well with the added heat so I have to cut this short.

For this week, I will be posting my blogs at night before bed.

 

I hope that you are keeping cool and dry.

There is such extreme weather everywhere.

Take care.

 

My son-in-law had been in the neighbourhood late this afternoon having his teeth cleaned.

I was happily surprised when I saw him pull up in front of the house.

He came to the door with something in his hand.

He stopped at Dairy Queen and picked up my favourite frozen treat.

Buster Bars ….. with peanuts and chocolate and ice cream.

What a sweetheart.

I am truly blessed to have the most thoughtful kids on the planet.

 

With kindness and respect,

I/We, shall remain

As Always, Carol & Alvin

 

It is a NEW YEAR.

Well here we are the first Thursday of March, 2020.

Almost one week into this month.

Today is my Dad’s sister’s Birthday.

Happy Birthday Aunt.

I hope that you have a wonderful day.

March is almost as busy a month for birthdays as February.

 

Well we brought Mr. Humphrey over for the evening.

My nephew stopped in and spent the night on his way back to work up north.

He brought me a DAIRY QUEEN treat – box of buster bars.

My favourite.

We had a nice visit before an early bedtime.

It was nice to see him and to catch up with all of the family news.

There is always a surprise or two.

He was up and away by 5:30 a.m.

 

Another nice morning although I can hear the wind gusting from time to time.

Gusting as it rattles the outside vents and the chimney.

Alvin and I did not make it out for a walk last night.

Our sidewalk/street out front is a big mess.

Kudos to our neighbour in the other half of our duplex who was out during the day chipping away at the ice.

Working to make the water drain from the street to the storm drain and from the sidewalk.

She did a great job.

Only thing is someone drove over the canal from the street causing it to collapse and then the water could no longer make it to the drain.

Oh well, a few more days/weeks of warm weather and it will be mostly melted.

There is snow and cold temperatures on the way for the weekend so that will put an end to the melting for now.

Time.

All we need is time.

 

Well another work day ahead.

How is your job going?

Perhaps you go to school?

Or maybe you are retired and just enjoying life.

Whether you work for someone or for yourself.

Whether you go to school or not.

These are all things we do to fill our days and to earn a living.

This living helps us to have a roof over our heads, food in our bellies and clothes on our backs.

Simply put.

These earnings also help us to have cable and internet for connections and entertainment.

Help to pay for vacations.

Car loans.

Basically everything we consume whether internally or externally.

Yikes one of the cards that I have displayed (hanging) from my bulletin board just fell off.

I had only moments just barely touched it so that I could read the words that my daughter had written.

 

Dear Mom

We’re so grateful to have you in our

lives and are so proud of all you’ve 

accomplished.  This year brings lots 

of change but we’ll get through it 

together.  Love you so much!

 

This was from Mother’s Day 2014.

 

Everyday of my life, I am grateful for my kids.

My daughter and my son (her husband).

For my grand pups, Aspen and Milo.

For me Alvin.

For my family near and far.

For my life.

 

We should always take the time to be grateful.

Fill your life with gratitude and your life will be filled with gratitude.

 

Well almost time to head on downstairs.

Hard to believe that my nephew has been gone for almost one hour already.

Time marches on.

 

Have a wonderful day.

Kindness and Respect, always.

For yourself and for others.

 

Happy Thursday.

Always, Carol & Alvin

Living … One day at a time.

Hello,

Well Happy Friday morning.

It is true that you never know how a day will start, the middle or how it will end.

I must share with you my Thursday.

The day was pretty good.

Was getting lots accomplished at work.

I received a phone call from a coworker who said please “Read the SKYPE message that I just sent you, you need to see this message.”

Will say for sure that in that nanosecond I was truly intrigued by the note.

Read the message while she stayed on the line and then said “Yes, your client is here with some flowers for you.”

She is waiting in the lobby.

I said thank you and then quickly went to see the client who brought me flowers.

This dear lady is moving away from Edmonton, and wanted to thank me.

Not only did she bring me these beautiful white Oriental Lilies but she hand-made me the most beautiful blouse and sandals.

I will share some photos (later).

We were standing in the middle of the lobby both teary eyed.

I was moved that someone would be so generous not only with the cost of the flowers but to actually make a blouse just for me.

Unfortunately the blouse is “just a tad” too small for me but the sandals and the lilies fit perfectly.

I was floating on air with gratitude for the fact that someone was leaving for better career opportunities and was taking time out to show her appreciation.

What a great world we live in.

So the rest of the day was a blur.

Hard to settle down after that …. too excited.

Caught the bus home.

After Alvin went outside and had his supper.

We went for a walk.

Teddy was to come over after supper.

On the home stretch of our walk …. who did we see but Teddy’s Mom.

She stopped on the side of the street and said that “they were going to have Dairy Queen for supper and wanted to buy me a burger.”

I said that’s okay, thank you but I have leftovers.

She said “wait a minute, let me turn around.”

So she turned the car around to be facing our house.

Our friend politely said that they wished to buy us supper and what kind of burger would I like, had to have fries and her husband said “she have gravy, too”

and a Cherry Milkshake.

OMG.

 

What you don’t see is the way that my darling Alvin watched me with those puppy dog eyes as I sipped on the CHERRY MILKSHAKE.

He did want the chicken burger, too but the milkshake really seemed to grab his attention.

Unfortunately, technology and I still are having a learning curve …. apparently when I was snapping some photos of him looking at me and the milkshake, I was actually snapping about a thousand frame per second.

Okay, perhaps that is just a tad over the top …. actually it was 196.

I had some of him licking the bottom of the milkshake container as I was sipping away.

He really wanted some of that milkshake.

I apologize for missing out on some great shots.

They are on my phone so perhaps I will be able to upload/download them at some point from my phone to the computer.

I hope so.

 

Ended up that Teddy’s Dad has to work today so Teddy will be coming tonight instead of last night.

Well getting close to my time to leave to catch the bus.

Feeling mighty fine this morning.

At the end of my Thursday I received flowers, new blouse/top, new sandals and suppers including the most delicious CHERRY MILKSHAKE.

Doesn’t get much better than that…..

Well tomorrow I will have my grand pups Miss Aspen and Baby Milo for two days.

Along with Master Teddy.

So I guess it does get better!

What a lucky gal, I am.

 

Sometimes or most times we have no clue as to what the day holds in store for us.

All we have to do is to be kind to ourselves and others.

Treat ourselves and others with respect.

Then your day will be wonderful even without pups and flowers.

 

Happy Friday.

No breeze.

Clouds have disappeared and the sun is shining.

To be a warm one.

Time to close the windows and keep in the cool air for the boy.

 

Always, Carol & Alvin

Thought for the day ….

Good Morning and Welcome to Saturday the 29th day of September, 2018.

The trees are swaying in the breeze while the sun rises and sky slowly clears from blue rain clouds.

Thank goodness for the weekend.

Time to rejuvenate, relax and also to do some things around the house.

This is a weekend of birthday celebrations.

We are celebrating my Son-in-law’s birthday which was on Wednesday.

No cooking for this Mum as we are ordering in ….. pick-up or take-away whatever you happen to call it.

Sounds like it will be Chinese Food.

My Son-in-law also wanted to have an Ice-Cream Cake so that will come from Dairy Queen.

What an easy party to plan.

The card and gift are done.

Just have to tidy up and have the refreshments ready.

Coffee and Water ….. easy peasy.

 

Alvin and Teddy are in the office with me while I write this post.

Teddy slept well and Mr. Alvin well he woke me up a few times.

Perhaps it was the full moon or the time of year.

I do not know.

He appears to be feeling well.

Or perhaps it is an age thing.

I get up to go “pee” so I guess why couldn’t he.

Oh well.

 

Sunday, it is coffee at a friend’s in the ‘hood.

I love to say that.

We take turns.

This time her parents are here for a visit and she is having a little birthday party for her Mom and invited myself and “G.”

The three of us girls take turn hosting coffee weekend get togethers.

Sometimes it is almost every weekend and other times it could be a month in between.

Depends on what everyone is doing.

 

So this weekend is all about celebrating.

 

Yesterday was the funeral of my friend from work.

It was a beautiful celebration of his life.

He was loved by his family, friends and co-workers.

That was clearly apparent.

He will be missed by us all.

I was saddened to hear that his little dog had passed away just a few days ago.

So much heartbreak in one family.

It is a reminder to hold your loved ones near and tight.

Tell them all how much they mean to you.

Do things together.

Phone them, visit them, text them, face-time with them, spend time with them.

It was a clear reminder that life is SHORT.

Do not take them for granted.

Treat people with kindness and respect.

We may only have one chance to do this meaning you never know the next time that you will see that person again.

Also be kind to your four-legged friends and all creatures.

They deserve your love, understanding, kindness and respect.

All living beings deserve this.

 

To all of my dear friends and family, you mean the world to me.

I think of you all in my waking moments and in my dreams.

Sometimes we are on unusual adventures and sometimes it is just a little visit to say hello.

Take care.

I thank you for being you and for being in my life.

 

One of our long-time co-workers and friend retired yesterday.

Monday is going to seem like we have landed on another planet.

Two of our staff and friends will no longer be there.

 

Have an awesome Saturday.

 

Special Hello to:  ALL my family and friends.

Always, Carol & Alvin

Though for the day ….

Good Morning and Welcome to Saturday the 24th day of June, 2017.

It is a beautiful morning here in Edmonton.

The wind is blowing a bit and the sky is bright and blue.

 

Had a great supper with my daughter last night.  We girls, and Alvin went for a walk and even took in a garage sale.  Found two dragonfly ornaments for my backyard and bought them.  Love garage sales.  Right price.

Found out that Mr. Alvin has some serious separation anxieties as at the garage sale – I handed the leash to my daughter and she moved to the outside of the garage so that I could pay for my purchases.  Well Mr.

Alvin would have none of that and just fussed until she brought him near me again.  YIKES, buddy.

We returned home after the walk and had our ice cream treat from DAIRY QUEEN, with thanks to my daughter.  Alvin and I enjoyed our visit.

 

Okay now that I have set myself to doing this COUNTDOWN: 60 Days to 60 post – have found that I am running low on things to say.  Fancy that?

 

So I will leave you with this …… ENJOY your time with your children – if you are blessed to have them.

If you do not have your own ……. spend time with nieces and nephews or the children of neighbours or friends …… children are the light to the darkness at any age.

Go for a walk ….. play a board game.

Or just talk to them.

 

Have an awesome Saturday.

Time to get downstairs and get this day going.

 

Special Hello to: all my friends …. thank you for sharing your lives with me.

Always, Carol & Alvin

 

P.S.  clouds appear to have rolled in ……

 

 

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Sunday the 12th day of June, 2016.

It has been overcast and raining off and on this morning.

There have been slight moments of brightness appearing out of small cracks in the deep blue clouds, sun I presume.

It was cool in the house when we first got up this morning.

But no need to turn on the furnace at this time of year.

 

I just returned a bit ago from cleaning up part of the neighbourhood.

A particular walkway to the 62nd Avenue.

One side is our residential neighbourhood and the other is a very main street and on the other side a bunch of fast few restaurants and a strip mall.

So quite often meaning all of the time there are a vast array of cups and fast food wrappers from Starbucks, McDonalds, Dairy Queen and Boston Pizza.

I have asked for a garbage barrel to be placed there but to no avail.

I guess as long as someone like me will pick up the garbage why would you pay for a barrel, bags and someone to empty them.

Oh well.

I do not mind ….. I am helping out my friends and neighbours.

The only one that truly minds is Mr. Alvin as I have to leave him at home and he does not like that.

He likes me to be at home on the weekends.

I cannot blame him.

 

Well I guess time to go and enjoy my coffee while it is warm.

The first cup earlier I only drank a bit of it as I wanted to get out before the rain arrived.

Funny thing it rained a bit when I left the house and started to come down a bit harder on my way home.

Just gave me the perfect time to get it done.

YAY.

 

My neighbours that have been here since I moved to Edmonton are moving out tomorrow into a brand new house that they had built.

Not too far away so I think we will see each other but likely not quite as often, I suspect.

I am looking forward to meeting and getting to know the new people.

I shall miss my neighbours.

“S” was here alone when I moved in and two years later got married.

Nothing last forever and change is a learning process or at least that is what I keep telling myself.

 

Mr. Elton is coming over at 3:00 p.m. to spend a few hours with his Grandma and Alvin.

We look forward to spending time with him.

 

Did I mention that my irises are blooming?

The most perfect purple.

 

Well time to sign off.

I wish you an awesome Sunday.

Thank you for reading.

 

Special Hello to: “M” longtime friend ……

Always, Carol and Alvin

Thought for the day…..

Good Morning and Welcome to Sunday the 12th day of April, 2015.

It is a peaceful, quiet, partially overcast morning here in Edmonton.

I am so enjoying being at home on the weekend.

This is my first real weekend at home without working at the store.

I do miss my friends ….

Yesterday I had a full day.

Started out by taking Mr. Alvin to the Vet for his regular six month appointment.

He does not like having his nails done.

Poor guy ….. he was not happy.

The rest of the visit was great.

He loved the treat ….. silly boy.

Also he was so happy to see his Jenn as she only works some Saturdays.

After arriving back home I changed and had a nice cup of coffee before hitting the streets.

Hitting the streets near my home to clean up the trash.

It always amazes me the amount of trash that is strewn about.

I so wished that I would have had my camera with me yesterday so that you could see.

The worst spot was in the walkway between our neighbourhood and a busy artery.

It was literally covered in MacDonald’s bags, coffee and drink cups from Dairy Queen, StarBucks and various places.

There was also broken “beer” bottles and other glass, food containers, plastic bags wrapped around the branches of the rose bushes.

That is the other thing about cleaning this spot as it is lined with rose bushes, the sidewalk in between and then grass on the other side.

The Styrofoam packing pieces had been broken and there were small pieces everywhere …. down to the small round ones.

I did my very best to pick them up … finding that picking them up with leaves kept them from sticking to my “disposable latex” gloves.

There were a great many children and adults that walked by during my 1.5 hours there and I made sure that they all had a lesson in picking up the trash and what it does to the environment.  Example being the bits of styrofoam that are ingested by birds and wildlife and even some of our pets.  Birds and animals then feel as though they are full as it tricks the stomach (cannot be digested), and they eventually starve to death.  How horrible is that!  It was not my intention to give everyone a lecture but I felt that I must.  People just get so wrapped up in their own little worlds that they forget the damage that is being done.  We are “killing” this beautiful planet that we call home.  It is time.  Time for everyone to smarten up.

As it took longer than I had planned the other half of the neighbourhood will have to wait until next Saturday.

It was the weirdest thing as I was only about six houses from home when the wind got up and blew dirt and trash from down the street from the other direction.

I could hardly hold on to the garbage bag.

Thank goodness I was close to home.

Well that was an experience.

I filled three bags of garbage and carried them home to my garage.

YIKES.

Once home I completely changed, brushed the dirt from my teeth and cleaned up.

Put on a pot of coffee and made a snack.

GLAD TO BE INSIDE as it started to rain and the wind blew and blew.

The balance of the day I spent doing laundry and odds and ends.

Even though the garbage makes me a bit “mad” and so sad I am so grateful that I am now home on the weekends so that I can keep the neighbourhood clean.

Perhaps I shall organize another neighbourhood cleanup.

Also I want to do some teaching ……

No wonder the planet is in such bad shape ….. it starts at home ….. in your neighbourhood.

If we cannot keep it clean how can we ever keep the planet clean.

The planet is our neighbourhood.

So on this Sunday I am so grateful ….. grateful to be at home.

Alvin is curled up on the bed dreaming away, and I love it.

I wish you a peaceful, happy Sunday.

Special Hello to: my friend “P” who is recovering from cancer surgery and treatment and is on the road to being well.

Always, Carol and Alvin