Last Half 2022 – August

Good Morning ALL! What a wonderful morning! We were up at 4:30 to go outside and then back to the sofa until 6:30, I cannot believe that Mr. Alvin slept until 6:30. Then we were up at he had his breakfast and then outside for a few minutes before returning inside. The sky was slightly overcast at that point and the air was cool and refreshing. I could have laid on the deck and just been so comfortable. Once inside the house we “hit” the sofa for some more zzz’s because it is Saturday and I was still tired. Next thing I know it was 8:30 so up we got. The sky still overcast with rain in the forecast for this afternoon, I thought that I would just get dressed and we would head out for a walk. So upstairs, I went to get dressed and afterward happened to look out the window and the pavement was dark, say “what?” Well shortly after that it really started to rain and now it is pouring as the rain bounces off the roof of the garage. We desperately needed some moisture but I worry and wonder about the farmers and their crops. Now the sky is that foreboding gray which makes it appear that the rain is here to stay. So much for getting out for a walk this morning or perhaps it will just stop as quickly as it started. I am concerned about Mr. Alvin as he did not poop since last night and it is not fun going out in pouring rain. I guess we will figure it out as usual, grab that trusty umbrella and hope for the best. It is windy outside. I certainly do not wish to be Alberta’s version of Mary Poppins, lol. Now that would be a sight. Feels like the time for a cup of hot coffee and relaxing. Will be nice to be able to do some cleaning and things with the temperature decreasing in the house. I think that someone is squeaking so likely has to go downstairs so this will be quick.

Last night only one of my friends was able to attend the potluck as the other had fallen ill. I hope that she is feeling better today. We, two had a good time. Way too much food but lots of leftovers so no cooking this weekend or even Monday so that makes me happy. Next week is forecasted to be hot again. So not really looking forward to that. One more thing about the potluck, I should have been clear that I was bringing supper items and not just dessert and beverage. For next time, lol.

Okay, sorry we have to go.

I wish you sunshine and rainbows. Beautiful walks with a friend or your pup.

Happy Day.

I can hear thunder in the distance.

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

Life is what you make it.

Today is wonderful and I am so happy for the rain. It is still raining.

I guess I should check the main floor windows especially the kitchen one as it opens out.

Always, Carol & Alvin

PS: We are what we want to be. If you slip off that place, then pick yourself back up and try again to be where and what you want to be. We are responsible for what we put out into the universe.

Photo by Markus Spiske on Pexels.com

The New YEAR 2022

Good Morning ALL! Yes, we are up and it is not even 9:00 a.m. How are you on this Saturday at Easter time? We are doing well. The pups are great. Everyone is getting along and we are enjoying our daily walks. Yesterday I was invited to a friend’s house who happens to live a few doors away for supper. She had another friend from the neighbourhood and also a friend that I had not met as yet. We, ladies had a great time. Lots of laughter and even some tears as on the of the girls recently lost her beloved pup. I told you all about Jazmin. I think it was April 6th when she passed so not very long ago. We started with a glass of champagne before supper followed by dessert followed by a fruity alcoholic drink, Easter Chocolate and coffee. It was so great not having to cook for myself. One of the few hiccups of living on your own. We had a skift of snow sometime between 6:00 and 8:00 a.m. Aspen has one more pill to go and then she is done. What a good girl she is – just happily chewing on that big tablet. Milo has to be wherever I am and so does Mr. Alvin so they are upstairs with me as I type this post. Aspen, well she is in her new favourite spot which is the green armchair by the living room window. It really isn’t big enough for her but she manages to curl up. My brown armchair opposite the green chair is considerably but she has made the green one hers despite my attempts at coaxing her. Well later this morning I am going with one of the neighbours from last night to the grocery store to pick up a few items. Then home to take the pups for a walk and finish laundry. After this post down to the basement and get the laundry started.

I tried to post photos yesterday but they are “exceed size” whatever that means, I know what it means, but to fix them so I can post them, I have not figured that out yet. I also realized that I have too many photos in my “library” so I had to delete some of them which will free up space. I will keep trying to post some photos.

Meanwhile, life goes on. Me, Alvin, Aspen and Mi-Mi are doing great. The pups although I know they miss their Mom & Dad seem to be doing great. Not a lot of barking happening which is nice. Every once in awhile “the dog” goes by that sets Miss Aspen to let out a loud bark which startles me. She has a very deep voice. But oh how she listens. I appreciate that she listens and even Mi-Mi listens but as I joked last night not so much Mr. Alvin. I guess he is truly spoiled and at over 13 years old he is not going to change. He is not so bad. I am blessed to have the three of them here this week. Together.

I received word (text) from the kids and they are enjoying their trip. Get this Vegas is a balmy “+21” degrees celsius and her it is below 0 celsius. Jealous, not me, lol. It is supposed to be +12 here tomorrow or Monday. It is warming up.

Well time to head downstairs and get the laundry going. The coffee is perked.

Have a wonderful Saturday. It is Saturday right! Oh my goodness, yes, yesterday was Good Friday. Wow, the days seem to all be the same. Hopefully I remember which day it is so I start to work on time. Oh well, I’m sure I will figure it out.

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

Always, Carol & Alvin & Aspen and Milo (Mi-Mi)

The New YEAR 2022

Good Morning ALL! How are you this morning? It is light out but not bright. The sky is a grey blue color. Does not appear to be windy this morning what a nice change. We are doing great. Today is the first day of my vacation so we happily slept in. Of course, as per usual we were up at 4:00 so that Alvin could have his glucosamine chew and go outside for a pee and then back to sleep on the sofa until about 5:00 when we were up and he had breakfast. I happily laid back down and then we fell asleep until 7:30 but that is not the end of the sleep story, we dozed until getting up at 8:30 a.m. The family will arrive around 10:30 ish so I figured that we had better get mobile. Not that I have much to do other than write this post and have a shower and bring up the larger round doggie bed from the family room in the basement for Miss Aspen to sleep on in our bedroom. I have not made any plans for my time off other than being here for the grand pups and one having Easter dinner with my friends down the street on Friday. The plan is to walk daily and just relax with the pups. I truly am exhausted, my job just pulls the stuffing out of me. I do like my job and sometimes even love it but it is a demanding job not physically but mentally. End of story as I am on vacation. Yes, I am. So excited.

The forecast for the next couple of days is cool but then it is starting to warm up which will be great for us to walk. I will be spending lots of time walking as we usually go twice for per day and then I need to take Aspen separately from Alvin and Milo. Four walks. We shall see. Definitely Aspen will get two and the little ones even one will suffice. At the end of it all it will depend on the weather. Aspen is okay when it is cooler – she just likes to be outside. Oh, I just took a peek out of the office window and noticed that the trees are moving a bit. I sure hope that it remains calm as it gets chilly with the minus temperatures and gale force winds. We did not even walk yesterday. Even just going outside into the backyard gave me the chills and took what seemed like forever to warm up. I am glad that I did not give Mr. Alvin a haircut last weekend. He will be okay for a little while longer. If it jumps in temperatures, I will give him a trim. I wonder if having the pups here when he had a haircut would calm him down or not?

It is so quiet here in the house with just the click clack of my nails hitting the keys. Alvin is laying on the floor in the hallway. I took his other bed downstairs as I am not working upstairs now. He likes laying on the carpet in the hallway anyway so that is okay. I can hear him breathing in between hitting the keys. So quiet in our house. I love it. Much easier to calm one’s mind when it is quiet to begin with.

There is not much else new with us. I am thinking that I will work on making some jewelry while the pups are here as I have my supplies in the kitchen. I rearranged my ikea shelves and put the beads and things there and have some items on the counter. Because that is what you do when you are by yourself in the house except for the Alvin. I have room and can do what I like. There are definitely perks to living with no other humans. I also have my workstation in the kitchen. The good old kitchen table. Now it is packed up and put away out of sight.

Well time to head for a shower and then enjoy a mug or twoo of coffee. I hope that you have a wonderful Wednesday.

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

Always, Carol & Alvin

P.S. my office looks so empty without the work laptop, monitor and stuff. Makes me feel less cluttered and more creative.

Living … One day at a time.

Merry Christmas ….

The sun is already up ….

We were up late last night and slept in this morning.

I managed to keep Mr. Alvin in bed until about 7:00 a.m.

The pups were up shortly after that ….

My daughter went back to bed and my son-in-law is still sleeping after an extra long day (he had to work).

We had a great Christmas ….

Had some late night snacks just after they arrived from an earlier Christmas feast with my son-in-law’s family.

Opening the gifts after that …

Mr. Alvin was the unintentional star of the night.

He absolutely loves opening gifts.

First he opened his gifts, Aspen and Milo’s gifts and then mine.

He does so great …..

There were toys and more toys and treats for the pups and a bandana each.

The boy got his duster with extender that he wanted and more.

The girl got some jewelry as what girls do not love some bling and more.

The Mama got spoiled.

I needed kitchen towels and a stir fry pan and those were two items that I received.

Along with scratch tickets, crystal ornament, HONEY, more kitchen towels, single serving Tupperware food chopper, Magnolia & Vine bracelet and extra charm and more.

I was so spoiled this Christmas.

Thank you to my family and friends.

Here are some photos and then I better go clean up some more and make some COFFEE.

Merry Christmas.

Oh and make some phone calls.

 

Bit of action shot so blurry

Some of my gifts.

Alvin enjoyed opening his gifts and mine.

Aspen and Milo just enjoyed their gifts.

We had a great Christmas Eve and now it is Christmas Day.

I went and spent over one hour with Humphrey and Cynder.

Giving them fresh food and water.

Cleaning the litter box.

Everyone wants a clean one of those ….

Time to go downstairs and make me some coffee.

Then call some family before I start to make brunch which I am thinking will be kind of like “lunch.”

There are no rules on this day.

We just go with it.

Whatever happens, happens.

 

I hope that you are having an awesome Christmas.

Merry Merry Christmas To You and Your Family.

Always, Carol & Alvin

I guess I should upload our newest photo.

 

Thought for the day ……

Good Morning and Welcome to Saturday the 17th day of December, 2016.

Only 7 sleeps until Christmas Eve.

A bitterly frosty cold morning here in Edmonton with a windchill of minus 30 degrees celsius.

Guess what they are forecasting minus 9 degrees celsius by tomorrow morning with a high of minus 3 degrees celsius for Sunday and guess what for Monday?

PLUS ONE …… with snow flurries and possible freezing rain.

How crazy within twenty-four hours we go from minus 30 to minus 3.

Oh well ….. next week is supposed to be relatively nice with single digit temperatures except for Friday when it dips to minus eleven.

The sky is so pretty this morning with hues of pinks and yellows.

The chimney smoke wrapping itself into the colour and disappearing into the sky.

 

Last night Mr. Alvin decided to wake up before 3:00 a.m. – I think perhaps his poor front paws are bothering him.

More than likely arthritis ….. he has started to lick them a lot.

He is now on some chewy glucosamine.

Will give it another week and then see where we are at.

Could also just be in part to the fact that we really have not walked for two weeks other than down the street to my friend’s which took all of three minutes.

I think he also has been sleeping too much as a result.

Perhaps his jumping off the bed days are numbered.

So am going to spend time training him to jump off on the cushioned stool that is at the foot of our bed.

He uses it to jump up but not to jump down.

My poor boy.

 

Last night one of my neighbour’s had invited me over for a visit.

I dared not tell him where I was going or he would have been upset that he was not going.

They have a family member who has allergies so he cannot visit inside the house.

However they love him and in the summer we visit outside with them all the time.

All I have to do is to mention their names and he gets very excited.

If they are outside working in their garden and we are walking by he makes a bee-line to cross the street to see them.

We had a nice visit.

 

Today I have laundry and some baking to do.

Also I have to return a call from my great nephew … he heard my voice message and was giggling when he left his message.

He said “Grandma, er I mean Anta, this is “A”, can you call me back.” …… with little laughs and giggles, so cute.

Get my Christmas gifts ready for the kids.

We are doing the reuse items idea.

Find something from around your house that you do not need and that they might want.

I know what I am giving my son-in-law but have too many ideas for my daughter.

It is a good way to stay within a budget and also to reuse things that are sitting idle.

Tonight I am going out for supper to a nearby restaurant with two of my younger girl friends.

So excited …

We decided not to exchange gifts and instead to go out for supper and visit.

This year is full of changes.

Just thinking wonder who won the Lotto MAX, if there was a winner ….. oh maybe it was me.

Can you imagine?

OH my that would be crazy to have $55 million dollars.

Happy days ahead …..for sure.

 

Tomorrow to end the weekend I am baking sugar cookies for one of my young friends who I promised if she bought the ingredients I would make them.

So I will be mixing, rolling, baking and icing cookies tomorrow.

 

Well time to get the laundry started so that my under wear is dry for tonight.

Yes, I did say that.

It is the truth and it is funny.

 

Well as the bright sunshine streams through my office window, I shall say good-bye for today.

With gladness of warming temperatures so that Alvin and I can walk.

Actually tomorrow will be baking cookies and WALKING WITH me ALVIN.

 

Happy Saturday ….

Be safe, keep warm and enjoy the weekend.

 

Special Hello to: ALL ….. Merry Christmas.

Always, Carol and Alvin

 

 

Thought for the day ….

Good Morning and Welcome to Tuesday the 11th day of October, 2016.

No moisture over night – always a good thing.

Back to work after a wonderful long weekend.

Yesterday one of my friends invited me to their Thanksgiving Dinner.

She also invited another friend whose family was back in China visiting.

So it was a great meal with awesome conversation.

I even was sent home with some leftover turkey and vegetables.

I took some photos on our morning walk yesterday of the water fountain that is still running.

Some technical difficulties because after over ten minutes of trying to import the photos still did not work.

So I will try again later …..

I am hitching a ride with my neighbour as I have a big bag of tea and tea products to take to work today.

I hope that you all had a awesome Thanksgiving and that your week goes well.

Sorry for the shortness of this blog this morning but I want to be ready when my ride arrives.

Have a great Tuesday.

Special Hello to:  all my fellow bloggers

Always, Carol and Alvin

 

Thought for the day ……

Good Morning and Welcome to Sunday the 22nd day of May, 2016.

Well raining it is.

We so needed the moisture and it has been raining pretty steady since Friday.

Things did not bode well for the two day garage sale but the moisture is more important for everyone.

I will try again next Sunday regarding the garage sale.

On Friday I managed despite the cold to hang in there until almost the end of the sale (7:15 instead of 7:30 p.m.) but yesterday closed it down after just over two hours.

It was 4 degrees celsius and I can still feel the effects of the cold.

I do believe that I was chilled to the bone.

It was an adventure of sorts so it is all good.

 

The grass has greened up lots and looks so good.

You could almost see it changing hues of green as it continued to rain.

 

Alvin came home from his sleepover later yesterday afternoon along with Elton.

Elton stayed with us while his parents went out to friends for dinner.

It was nice ….. I made sure that I snuggled extra with our Elton.

He sure has bounced back with a spring in his step and all.

 

Well I guess I had better get this show on the road after spending two days preparing and hosting and re-cooperating from the garage sale it is time to get this house back in order.

CLEANING day …. LAUNDRY ….. preparing for the tea tasting tomorrow afternoon.

I am so excited as one of my friends is able to come over (usually she is working).

 

I hope that you have a wonderful day.

Thank you for reading my blog.

Somedays it is only a broadcast of my day(s) but I hope that some part of it makes you smile or gives you an idea or helps in some way.

It is my life …. most days pretty great although there are times I am disappointed and frustrated.

But I just carry on and always try to do my best no matter what.

Take care.

 

Special Hello to: Tammi, thank you for reading and sharing …..

Always, Carol and Alvin

Thought for the day ….

Good Morning and Welcome to Friday the 16th day of October, 2015.

YAY, it is another beautiful morning here in Edmonton.

I am really certain that Mr. Alvin thinks it is time to turn the clocks back.

I guess I will be ready for that as he has been waking me up at 3:00 a.m. the past few mornings.

What can you do?

I mean we do not get up then I do manage to get him to lay back down for a little bit …..

What a guy.

So excited for this weekend.

Tomorrow is my Open House for Steeped Tea and looks like there will be lots of people attending followed by dinner and a movie with my pals from BBW.

So excited.

So much in one day ….

Mr. Alvin is going to his sister’s for a sleepover so he will miss all of the company but better he be with his sister.

He would be so excited ……

I am so grateful to have this life …. to be living and breathing and breathing and living my life.

So on this Friday be grateful …..

Somedays we lose it ….. I mean we might yell and scream ….. a good release of stress.

Then we just get back to living our lives.

We are so blessed.

Happy Friday.

Special Hello to: my sister who I am going to SKYPE with on Sunday ….. so excited … what a weekend.

Always, Carol and Alvin

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Monday the 5th day of October, 2015.

What a glorious weekend and Sunday.

Yesterday Alvin and I pulled and cleaned the flowers from the front flower bed, raked all of the leaves from the lawn, emptied the remaining flower pots, cut and raked the back lawn, trimmed one of my shrubs in the back, put away all of the furniture and ornaments from the deck and rearranged and cleaned the garage.  Took us just over 3 hours but it is done.  YAY us.

By the way, I did find that moving the river rock top bistro/steel table from one side of the deck and one of the big pots to the garage is getting to be a challenge.

I guess I had better start lifting weights …..

The remaining hours of the day were spent doing laundry, making invites for my upcoming Open House for Steeped Tea and a walk before supper.  We walked and delivered some invitations so double duty and were even invited in for a visit.  Alvin was spoiled ……

It is always amazing to me just how much Alvin gives to everyone by just being himself.

No words …. no amazing deeds ….. no gifts of perfume or ties …… no invitations for coffee or out for dinner …… he gives so much by just being himself.

A lesson for us all.

Our four-legged darlings ….. we love them and they love us.

This can be said for all of our babies ….. right ……

Mr. Cuteness ….. just by looking at someone gives so much.

I sure love him and even on the darkest of days he makes me feel special and needed, loved and appreciated.

Well it is almost time to head out the door for another day at the office.

I am grateful to have a beautiful home complete with Alvin, to be employed and have all of the things I think that I need and lots that I want.

On this Monday give your four-legged friend some positive and loving attention and maybe even a special treat.

Have a great day.

Special Hello: to my cousin “J”, once again thank you so much.

Always, Carol and Alvin

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Saturday the 3rd day of October, 2015.

It is overcast and windy here in Edmonton.

Just a few minutes ago my cousin left for home.

We had a wonderful evening.

Short but so great.

I was reminded over the course of the evening and this morning on how much I miss our conversations.

She is such a well read and good thinking person.

With common sense and logic.

I have always valued our talks and have learned so much from her.

Sometimes in our everyday lives we forget the importance of good conversations.

You know the proper exchange of information and opinion.

No one being right.

No one being wrong.

Just good talk ….

There are no words to express how much I needed that conversation at this point in my life.

In today’s world we read what is posted on multi-media, and then react.

Sometimes it is a positive experience and sometimes, less than.

I like the back and forth ….. the “Ying” and “Yang” of conversation.

Now, I know as I love to write that we express in words both our feelings and opinions otherwise there would not be books.

But somehow the art of conversation seems to have gone by the wayside.

Or at least to what I have noticed.

So many people have cell phones and are busy checking info on the internet, posting on FB and such.

To talk face to face or hold a conversation has become “old school.”

Much like letter writing……

Okay I am definitely showing my age.

I just wanted to share my recent experience and to remind us all about how important it is to just talk.

So maybe on this Saturday you go and see your Grandmother or your Dad or a neighbour ….. have a cup of tea or coffee and just chat ….. about the world, about your flowers, about conversation.

Thank you cousin for bringing me some good information and breathing some fresh ideas into my conversation, and helping me to remember …. we are all humans living on this planet and all we want is to LIVE.

Sometimes a visit is so much more than just a visit.

This was the case.

I am so grateful to my cousin “J” …..

I feel my old self again …… by the way the play was well done, and having a late supper (after the play) and chatting till 2 a.m. priceless.  By the way it was super cool to be at the opening night for the 50th Anniversary of the Citadel.

Thank you.

On a fun note:  Alvin went for a sleepover to his sister’s house …… oh, how I miss my boy…..he, as does his sister, brings me great joy and appreciation for life.

Happy Saturday ……. Enjoy.

Special Hello: to my cousin “J” …. safe trip home and thank you.

Always, Carol and Alvin