Last Half 2022 – November

Good Morning ALL! How are you this morning? I am happy to be working from home today. Alvin had a good vet appointment yesterday. No ear infection. Same weight as last visit. Anal glands not full. Had his nails trimmed. YAY. We are done for another 5 weeks. While I was at the clinic, I asked if they could put in an order for Alvin’s food and Michelle, the Vet Tech said “I already ordered it and it is here for you.” WOW, that was great. They ordered two cases of the wet and one bag of the dry food which is exactly what I wanted. So I paid for the food and his visit which was almost $500.00 but he will have food for awhile. He still has lots at home but I do not wish to run the risk of him running out. You never know these days. It would not matter so much but he is on a special diet and needs this special food. We walked to his appointment yesterday. I realized partway through the day that it was icy outside. A few minutes before leaving I went outside and cleared some of the snow from the lawn making a path to the public sidewalk where I tossed some snow which gave me some traction to the street. We walked on the edge of the street until we reached dry sidewalk. Unfortunately our whole side of the sidewalk until we arrived at the walkway was icy but thankfully once we were past our street it was good. I am grateful that Gillian and I picked up those ice picks for your boots at Costco. They worked like a charm. I left them on my boots. Guess I will need to take shoes to work from now on.

Looks like this morning we will have some cuddling time before I start work. Glancing about my office I see that my African Violet is a covered with rich purple flowers. So very beautiful. I love my home office space as it is filled with all of the things that I love and that help me feel creative. I have books, photos of family and friends, cards, cool window coverings and more books and more trinkets and ornaments. It is my happy space. I guess you could say that my whole house is my happy place, happy space. I love my house, each room for different reasons and am over the moon grateful to be living here.

Well it is almost time to head downstairs and plug in the coffee. I already prepared the coffee so just needs to be plugged in to perk. YAY, me. Alvin is resting just outside the office door.

Tonight I am going to sit down and make a list of all the people and events that I require baking/sweet treats for and calculate how many of each item is “needed.” I know that I am baking Sugar Cookies, Chocolate Chip Cookies and Fudge for three items. Likely not much as I need to make massive amounts of the cookies for sure. Then I will pull out my recipes and ensure that I have all of the ingredients to bake as the first weekend of December is one week away from this Friday. OMG, where has the time gone. I also need on this weekend to hit the grocery store and pick up some final items and go to the Bone & Biscuit to pick up gifts for Alvin, Aspen, Milo and Cookie.

Have an awesome Tuesday.

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

Always, Carol & Alvin

PS: always be prepared! Grateful for this weather. Thanks to our friend Gillian who is going to pick up Alvin’s food today. I could not live my life without such great friends such as her 🙂

2021

Good Morning All! How are you this morning? It is Thursday, December 9, 2021. There are 15 sleeps till Christmas Eve, 15 sleeps till Santa arrives. Are you excited? I am. I am a 6 year old girl locked up in the body of a 64 year old woman. I believe that says it all. When I was a little girl, I remember being so excited and wondering if Santa got my letter or was listening to me when I said aloud what treasures I would like under the tree. At my real age, I honestly do not remember specific gifts other than a watch which I was both excited and disappointed in receiving. I wanted something a bit more exciting and not so practical. I think that I was about 11, maybe 12. I remember my sister and I getting dolls. There was a horrible year when we girls received these toy machine guns complete with the rat-a-tat noise. I was mortified. We had three younger brothers and I do not remember what they received for Christmas that year but guns for girls. Can you imagine buying your young daughter a toy machine gun for Christmas. I am not sure what I told my friends when they asked what I received for Christmas. Why anyone would think that making toy guns for children was a good idea whether in the 1960’s or at any time is beyond me. But back then, it was as it is still today, all about the money, the sales. Whatever they can advertise whether it is good for children or not, they do. I will say that when I had my daughter, I made quite certain that she had age appropriate gifts and things that she actually wanted. But it was likely my Dad that bought the gifts and he did not think about what the girls would like or the boys but rather whatever he could easily find.

Thankfully yesterday, I was able to get some ice melt from my neighbour and I was able to clear most of the ice from my sidewalk and I also put some ice melt down for them and cleared some of the ice from their walk as well. It is still warm out but I am concerned that even though I scraped away the ice once it melted, the sidewalk was still wet and maybe have a very thin layer of ice on it this morning. I have a friend who is dropping off something this morning and I sure hope that the sidewalk is okay. I wished that I would have shovelled a path through the snow on our front lawn for people wanting to come up to the house. I will keep an eye out for her. What a crazy December. I guess we had thunder and lightning the other night before we had the rain. I can honestly say that I do not ever remember having thunder and lightning in December. But apparently it happened, I missed it. Oh darn, that would be one for the memory books. Anyway, be safe out there all you folks that have to drive to work or to school or for anything, really and on the sidewalks, put on those ice grips or something it is scary icy in places.

Well time to head on downstairs. Alvin did not go outside after his breakfast at 5:00 a.m. nor did he want to go out when I came upstairs. He must have to go.

Take care and be safe.

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

Always, Carol & Alvin

P.S. thank you Gillian for picking up a few things from Costco for me. I cannot wait to try the new bread and now we have popcorn for awhile. Nice treat to have with all of the sweets.

Welcome December 2020

Good Morning ALL. Welcome to Tuesday, December 1, 2020. December has arrived in my neighborhood with almost gale force winds or at least it feels that way. It is garbage day today and so there have been boxes from recycling blowing down the street last night and today in a steady flow. My decorative Christmas Tree on the front porch has blown over but I have decided to leave it for now as it will likely blow over again.

I am so excited for December, 2020. A time to perhaps take our minds off what is going on in the world for just a moment. Some happiness perhaps. Not to dwell on what we cannot have or do but what we have and can do.

This post is going to be very short as I had to do some other things this morning and the time got away on me, I am sorry for that.

Wishing you a great start to December.

Remember if you are purchasing gifts – support local. Buy from a friend who is selling jewelry made in Canada (Fifth Avenue Collection) or maybe some hand made items from a friend down the street. Support local as much as possible.

Living my life with kindness and respect and compassion for all.

Always, Carol & Alvin

Second Half of the NEW YEAR – last quarter.

Good Morning All. Welcome to Thursday, November 12, 2020. Mr. Alvin is trying to get my attention at the doorway, so I better stop and see what he needs. False alarm. I guess he is the boy who cried wolf OR perhaps it could be that he is terribly spoiled. Nevertheless, all is well and he is laying on his bed in the office waiting impatiently for me to finish something that I have only just started. Patience is not something Alvin has much of, I would say. The sky is slowly beginning to lighten as the sun is thinking about rising to the east. Yesterday was cool but bright and sunny for the most part. I managed to finish my Christmas cards and letters, wrapped the parcel to be mailed next week with the cards, called a close family friend on his birthday, enjoyed a walk with Alvin (in his new coat). His new coat is so luxurious and warm but again he is not so great with the changes and he stood trembling after I put on his coat. I managed to get him out of the house but he did not wish to walk down the steps so I carried him off the steps. He managed to get down the one step on the sidewalk to the flat sidewalk area. It was slow going for the first while as he did not want to walk in the coat. I could see why as it covered most of his body from the top and in front came down quite a bit. We managed to get as far as the park which I thought was great and then he seemed to be okay for a bit and then just as we were about to turn around and head for home, we saw our friend Pauline and her grandpup Georgie. She hadn’t recognized us at first all bundled up. Funny how the Universe picks up on things as I had planned to call her after our walk. So we walked and talked. Alvin for the most part was okay, there were a couple of times that he stopped and did not wish to go further. I had to wipe his paws a couple of times to warm them up. But I found that it was not nearly as cold out as I had thought. Well this last while certainly has been chalked full of changes for Mr. Alvin. He conquered his fears of new coats, yay, buddy. He has moved and is waiting outside the office in the hallway. Patiently, not likely.

Another work day for me. Then tomorrow is Friday. Wow, the weeks are flying by and soon it will be December. I guess for most people they will be glad to see 2020 go but me I do not want wish any time away ….. good or bad as we only have this time, and once it is gone, it is gone. So no matter what is happening we have to make the best of things and carry on. There will always be something not pleasant going on in the world and around us. Most times things are good but there are always blips. Keep the faith, listen when the health professionals tell us not to or to do something, laugh everyday and be kind and respectful. That is how it is.

From our house to yours, Happy Thursday as we continue this journey called life with faith, kindness and respect for all.

As Always, Carol & Alvin

P.S. Happy Birthday Dad. May you be soaring with the Angels.

Living … One day at a time.

Good Morning and today would be Wednesday, the 27th day of November, 2019.

Yes, it is.

Can you believe it?

Less than one month till Christmas.

I love this time of year.

Yesterday one of my coworkers gave me a fancy outdoor light bulb that dances in multiple colours.

She had changed her outdoor light fixture; it no longer fit and was new last year.

There is no other way to describe it.

Photos, I took photos.

Just a minute.

There be a party going on at my door.

I didn’t have my tree on the porch lit up at the time so it would be even more colourful.

Love this bulb.

What a great invention.

I cannot help but to look over and over at the photos.

Alvin wasn’t quite sure what to think.

After I changed the bulb and had gone back into the house.

I turned on the light and opened the door.

Alvin slowly walked to the doorway but not all the way.

I think that dogs cannot distinguish colour but he would have seen the movement.

Likely wasn’t certain what to think.

He knew I was happy, though.

Sometimes it is the smallest things in life that can make you feel so good.

 

Tonight after work my daughter is driving me home.

I love when she brings me home.

We catch up in the 30-45 minute drive.

So much fun and I love chatting with my girl.

She is the best daughter ever.

Sorry, folks.

She just is.

 

Well we did not make it out for a walk last night.

It just felt too cold and I had a chill.

Hopefully tonight will be a bit warmer.

I know it will only get colder.

There was some ice mixed in with the snow.

It was icy when I was leaving the office.

 

Well I suppose it is almost time to go back downstairs.

Grab my lunch.

Go outside and do the poop pickup.

Not that I particularly like poop or anything like that but I do like the word.

For some reason it does not bring to mine horrid stuff.

Anyway …. that is how I feel.

 

I hope that you are having a good day thus far.

Wishing you all the best for this day and always, of course.

Thank you for taking the time out of your busy day to read my post.

So grateful for you.

 

Spread kindness and respect and the world will be a better place.

 

Always, Carol & Al

 

P.S.  did I say that we had some …. yes, we sure do.

 

 

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Monday the 3rd day of December, 2018.

For a split second I started to type January, erased and then started to type November.

WOW, in a hurry to see the New Year.

Skirting the last month of the year?

 

Well folks we definitely have WINTER in a big way.

More snow now that we have had so far this fall/winter.

Considering officially WINTER has not started.

We are currently in the throes of winter.

Thankfully the snow that has been falling is the fluffy kind.

So shovelling is easy, peasy.

My neighbour and I have collectively shovelled the front since the snowfall on Saturday about ten times.

I shovelled the deck in the later part of the afternoon yesterday and this morning you could not tell.

Also shovelled the driveway for the first time since the snow began to fall and surprisingly enough there was only about 5 inches.

I was pleasantly shocked/surprised.

Poor little Alvin …. almost getting lost in the snow.

So at 5:30 a.m. – I was out shovelling.

At least there may only be one foot by tonight instead of two.

The deck is beginning to look like one giant snowbank.

I love this fluffy snow though.

When the light shines it appears to be a billion trillion diamonds.

So beautiful.

 

Well Mr. Alvin is laying on his little blue blanket beside me.

Just resting away.

 

Well I should go and shovel the front before leaving for work.

The street is one big snowbank with a couple of tire tracks down the middle.

When vehicles one has to pull over and then watch them spin trying to get back on track.

 

Have a Happy Monday.

I hope that you are safe on your travels.

 

Special Hello to:  all those people who take the time to help ….. thank you.

Always, Carol & Alvin

 

 

 

 

Thought for the day ….

Good Morning and Welcome to Friday the 30th day of November, 2018.

The last day of November, 2018.

Tomorrow is December 1st, 2018 and ONLY 24 Days till Christmas.

 

How do you celebrate Christmas?

 

Do you travel to a warm climate?

Perhaps you lay on a beach and have seafood for Christmas dinner.

That would be nice.

 

Do you go to your parents?

Perhaps they live hundreds of miles away.

Do you fly or drive or take a train?

Turkey or Ham?  Both.

 

Do you go to your in-laws?

Perhaps they live just down the street.

Do you take dessert?

 

Do you stay at home?

Perhaps family and friends come to your home.

You like to cook and to entertain.

Your family and friends like your cooking and love when you entertain.

 

Wherever you are, wherever you go.

I wish you a safe, health, happy, joyful Christmas.

I believe that we should keep the joy in our hearts and give to ourselves and to our fellow “humans” and to all living creatures ALL year long.

If we are joyful ….. we will do good things.

Keep the Christmas spirit all year long.

 

This weekend I am going to finish up Christmas cards.

Some will be mailed and others hand delivered.

It is a tradition that I will do forever.

 

Well almost time to go.

We had some freezing snow pellets either late last night or earlier this morning.

They were on the deck when we awoke earlier.

 

I hope that you have an awesome Friday.

Celebrate the greatness that November was and that December will be.

Happy Day.

 

Special Hello: to all those people who keep the Christmas spirit alive all year long.

Always, Carol & Alvin

 

Thought for the day ….

Good Morning and Welcome to Sunday the 16th day of September, 2018.

Day two of snowing.

Earlier this morning about 5:00 a.m. it was raining and since about 7:00 a.m. it has turned from rain to wet snow to just snow.

The pavement and sidewalks as they hold the heat are just wet.

The rooftops, grass and my deck are starting to once again look like winter.

ARGH, it is way too early to have snow.

Seems like only yesterday that it was winter.

I do love WINTER but would prefer that it started in like December or even mid to late November, but before mid September.

Well that is just crazy.

Mother Nature must be really holding a grudge this year or perhaps it is of our own doing.

Oh perhaps a bit of both.

 

At the end of the day I am grateful that we are having a bit of snow and not the flooding from the hurricanes to the south eastern areas of the United States.

Everyday people are posting photos of animals that are stranded due to the flood waters.

I understand that sometimes you have to just grab and run but why would you leave a poor dog tied to a tree or to a post in the yard.

I would understand if you had a cat and it ran away and you could not grab it but …..

I will never understand leaving them behind, I will never understand stranding them.

Any living creatures that are in your household are your responsibility.

We have to be good beings and do the right thing.

The one photo that will haunt me forever is one of a dog tied to a tree and all you can see is his head and those eyes.

I only hope that whoever took the photo rescued that poor dog.

 

I do know that there are a great many good people out there who risk their own lives to help all others whether two-legged or four.

They will always hold a special place in my heart.

They are the folks that we should all aspire to be.

 

This morning is coffee date with my two young friends.

I always enjoy spending time with them.

It has been awhile as they were busy over August.

Lot to catch up on.

I baked chocolate chip cookies with an extra special treat SMARTIES.

We will have some strawberries and gold fish crackers.

I know kind of an odd mix but it is just something to nibble on.

 

Well time to go as there is laundry to put away.

Get the coffee ready to turn on.

Finish the dishes that are in the sink, waiting patiently for me.

 

Also, I had to take one of my beloved sunflowers out of the garden as yesterday it broke off and was laying on the ground.

So sad.

First year that I have had sunflowers.

They were so tall and were starting to have those amazing yellow flowers and heads filled with seeds.

Maybe next year.

Will get some earlier.

 

I hope that you all have a wonderful Sunday.

Oh, I rented from my cable company “BOOK CLUB” and watched last night after supper.

IT was so FUNNY.  Almost peed my pants, funny.

OH and I made the most delectable supper with quinoa, roasted chicken, homemade peanut sauce and chopped green onions, celery, carrots, and broccoli.

So good.

 

Okay, I am going now …… sometimes I just babble.

I know.

 

Special Hello to: my friend “V” who made this crazy beautiful birthday cake for her Mom’s special day.  It was amazing.  She is so talented.

Always, Carol & Alvin

 

 

Thought for the day ….

Good Morning and Welcome to Friday the 14th day of September, 2018.

WOW, is it almost mid point of September.

Seems like only yesterday it was the first day.

We woke up to no additional rain/snow so that is good.

It is extra warm in the house so  am thinking it did not cool off much last night.

I caved and turned on the furnace a few days ago as it just was not worth freezing or having to always have socks and a sweater on.

I pay the bill so figured why not.

I keep the temperature at a constant temperature so it will be okay.

I am grateful that it is Friday and tonight my daughter is giving me a ride home.

Carpool has an appointment this afternoon so is not able to drive me home.

I always love spending anytime with my daughter.

All that time is extra precious.

Alvin is laying on his blue blanket.

It is a habit now.

Along with having a massage everyday.

Funny how that works.

I need to form a new habit and get on doing some pilates and yoga.

No time like the present to start something new.

 

Was thinking yesterday that we kind of skipped fall and went right to winter.

I changed my door wreath from summer to fall.

We are not even officially finished with summer, fall has not come to the calendar yet and winter officially does not come until December?

Not quite ready for the winter one yet.

My poor sunflowers are drooped over and looking so sad.

Grass and trees are mostly still green under the skiff of snow.

Not totally covering the ground.

Sidewalks and streets appear to be dry.

Looks I know can be deceiving but I will soon find out.

 

Does it sound like I am babbling?

Well I kind of am.

Just typing what comes to my mind.

Isn’t that more fun?

Just to see what DOES come to mind.

You never know.

 

I am excited to see my young girl friends for coffee here at my house on Sunday.

Haven’t seen them for what seems like forever.

 

I guess this will be the weekend to switch closets over although I was thinking of doing something different.

Leaving all tops in my bedroom closet and placing all dresses/skirts/pants/jeans/shorts in the spare room closet.

Might be a nice change.

There are so many things that I wear all year long.

Time to put away sandals and bring up winter boots, argh.

Winter coats, scarves, mitts and hats, yuck.

I pulled out a pair of mini gloves and have been wearing them the past couple of days.

Please do not think that I am not grateful to have more than one winter coat, mitts, hats and scarves and winter boots; I am most grateful.

Just seems so early to be wearing those items.

Although next week is still forecasting to be in the teens and that will feel like summer once again.

 

Well time to finish getting ready for work.

I hope that you have an awesome day.

I have lots to do at work and am going to get SO MUCH done today.

Feels like a great day.

No interruptions.

That would be lovely and perfection.

 

Special Hello to: my friend “V” who is always busy and one of the most thoughtful people on the planet.

Always, Carol & Alvin

 

 

Thought for the day ……

Good Morning and Welcome to Tuesday the 19th day of December, 2017.

Our weather is beginning to change and start to look more like December.

The temperatures coming up are in the double digit minus celsius range.

Oh, fun.

We will have to once again wear the warmer coats, hats, bigger scarves, bigger mitts and the works.

Oh well, thankfully we have those items to wear.

I sure hope that all Canadians have warms items to wear at this time of year.

If you know someone who is in need or if you have items that you do not require, perhaps you would like to contact one of the agencies like Salvation Army and make a donation.

It is the season for giving.

I hope that you all are doing well.

My hand is sore this morning and that could be due in part to the drop in temperature.

Well folks time to fly ….. decided that I needed a few more minutes of sleep this morning.

I know better …… do you guys lay back down and then at some point end up running a bit late?

I do and most especially at this time of year.

Well time to fly.

Have an awesome Tuesday.

Remember to always take the time for you.

To be still, quiet and just breathe.

We all need to take time to be quiet.

No multi-tasking.

No answering your phone, no texting.

No conversations.

Just be still.

It is just as important to be still.

 

Happy Tuesday.

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

Always, Carol & Alvin