Second Half of the NEW YEAR.

Good Morning and it be “FRIDAY” …… TGIF…..

The sky is a pale orange pink colour and there is a slight breeze.

Looks like a nice day ahead.

Not quite as warm as yesterday which for us is good.

Today I have to work from the actual OFFICE.

Yup, first time since March 19, 2020.

I am a bit reluctant to leave Mr. Alvin home alone but there is no choice in the matter.

He has gotten so use to having me here …..

But I am sure he will do fine.

Will take him out again before I leave.

My daughter is working today from her office so she is giving me a ride to mine.

I am hoping that the job I am assigned can be done in less than a normal day so that I can come home.

Fingers crossed.

I am both excited and nervous.

We have quite strict rules to follow and I am prepared with extra masks and even gloves should the need arise.

I am taking my own coffee and water and some snacks.

I have disposable gloves.

So I am prepared.

Just received a text from my daughter who is on her way.

This post will be short as I have to pour my coffee and I want to have a little mug before I leave and look after the boy.

 

I hope that you all are safe and happy.

I hope that you can find a way to do whatever tasks are ahead of you this day.

I hope that you are smiling and in good health.

 

With kindness and respect,

I/We shall remain,

As Always, Carol & Alvin

Second Half of the NEW YEAR.

Yup it is finally a blue sky sunshiny morning and it is Friday.

I am on my last day of vacation and then it is the weekend.

The birds are happily chirping their songs happy to see the sunshine.

With worms a plenty after the rain.

I have seen a few Robins out and about already this morning.

The early bird …… right.

Well finally up and mobile earlier than the past couple of mornings despite a whacky night.

I am pretty convinced that the damp cooler weather (although it did warm up yesterday) has wreaked havoc with his joints, legs and paws.

The book that I am reading is in the final chapters and I just could not put it down last night but finally after reading for almost two hours, I did.

Shortly thereafter Alvin woke up and wanted to go downstairs.

Yes, at midnight.

There was a full moon.

I don’t know would that play a role.

Who knows.

Anyway, I gave him another pain med, let him go outside and then back to bed.

After a bit of time he settled down and went to sleep until just after 5:30 a.m.

His usual hours of sleep in a row seems to be six.

Then after eating etc. he will sleep on the sofa for a couple of hours.

But chopped up sleep is not good for the Momma.

Anyway, feeling pretty good today.

Just before bed last night the sink in the main bathroom upstairs would not drain.

I tried baking soda and vinegar and the plunger but to no avail.

So with a bit of dirty water in the sink, we went to bed leaving the fix for today.

This morning I ran downstairs for a wire clothes hanger and figure it could not hurt.

A temporary fix at best.

At best I was able to unclog the drain.

I will take the temporary fix for now.

 

There are so many photos that I would like to share with you but unfortunately they are on my phone at the moment.

Something to do later.

I am also in the midst of deleting multiples and poor shots from my phone.

No point in clogging up the memory with them.

I also need to work on the computer photos as well.

Whittle that 35,000 + down, some.

I do have a problem with deleting photos as somehow it feels like you are throwing away your life, your memories.

Perhaps I am worried that I won’t remember some things, perhaps.

Does that make sense?

I am getting better and I am the same with emails.

But I am trying.

 

We are also on Humphrey and Bogart patrol as I call it today.

Their Momma had to go to the office so I will go and spend some time with them this morning and this afternoon.

So with the morning so nice, I figured no better time than the present to go for a walk.

There is a nice breeze this morning and that sun is shining.

Perfection.

 

I may not even turn on the work computer today.

Yesterday I did work another 2.5 hours but I feel it helps my sanity/stress level.

 

I hope that you all are doing well.

Perhaps reading a great book this summer, this week.

Taking a walk.

Doing yoga once again.

I have done yoga 3/5 last days and will do again today.

Trying to get into a routine.

Somedays it is difficult as I am quite certain you would agree.

Oh, some excitement.

I decided to put on my non-stretch blue jeans and a top that I had not wore since last summer/fall.

Everything fit without trying to hold my breath.

So happy.

Perhaps this is slowly working ….. watching a bit more how much I eat and exercising more.

May the YOGA instructor was correct in that some exercises help with metabolism and help the organs function better.

Perhaps.

 

Well time to get dressed.

Yup I fixed the bathroom sink in my pj’s.

Yes, I did.

With my blue disposable gloves on and my wire clothes hanger.

 

Go for a nice walk.

The sky seems to be clouding over a bit so better get the show on the road.

Happy Friday Everyone.

 

Take some time to read, relax and maybe do a bit of yoga.

I am doing the Healing Yoga and love it.

Good place to start, to begin.

 

Living my life with kindness and respect.

Trying to be kind and respectful to me as well.

I/We, shall remain,

As Always, Carol & Alvin

 

 

 

It is a NEW YEAR.

Good Morning,

Sunday April 19th, 2020.

Forecast today is for double digit temperatures and to remain for the next couple of weeks.

I was tempted to turn my thermostat off yesterday but then decided there were still opportunities for freezing.

The sun is up and the blue sky is dotted with wisps of white clouds.

Well we had a fairly successful day yesterday.

One unexpected change and that was that Humphrey came to spend the day with us.

Due to company and just the way that things happened, I did the shovelling in the backyard.

Off the list.

Laundry completed.

Off the list.

Front coat closet, cleaned and winter items returned to the basement.

Winter / spring coats washed and put away accordingly.

Obviously spring/summer to front closet.

Mitts and scarves washed as well.

Off the list.

Switched winter clothes to spare room closet.

Switched summer clothes to my room closet.

I sure hope that I can fit into those summer clothes?

Argh.

Off the list.

Bathrooms cleaned.

Off the list.

Vacuumed.

Off the list.

Dusted.

Off the list.

We enjoyed a nice walk mid afternoon as well.

On our way home we passed by one of our friends who happened to be out on the driveway.

They were cleaning up after a driveway birthday party for her now 13 year old son.

I had forgotten.

We have a new teenager in the neighborhood.

She said they were surprised when her husband’s parents and his sister and children came to celebrate.

Everyone practiced the social distancing.

But her thirteen year old had a party with some of the family which was nice.

When I moved to Edmonton he was not quite 2 years old.

Wow, time flies.

It was a good day.

We had a garage visit with one of our friends near the beginning of the walk, which was great.

Another friend and her pup …. we chatted a few minutes later into the walk.

Near the lake we saw another friend and her pup.

A good day to see friends.

We were happy to see Humphrey as well.

 

I have a dilemma.

Alvin needs a bath.

I want to have a bath (but would rather shower).

I want to bath so that I can just have a good soak.

Usually I do not have the patience to sit in the tub for very long.

We want to walk.

So if we do the baths this morning.

Walking in the afternoon would be good.

Thank you I just answered my question.

So breakfast and coffee.

Followed by bath for me.

Then bath for Mr. Alvin.

Likely better if I go first.

By mid afternoon he will be long dry and hopefully more of the water on the sidewalk will have dried up.

 

I also want to call my siblings.

Seems like the days pass and I think about them like always, but don’t get to those calls.

I am sure that I am not alone.

I will admit that I am not great at making phone calls.

I love chatting when I am on the phone but making calls not so much.

 

Well I guess it is time to get this show on the road so that we can get those baths in while it is still morning.

Back to work tomorrow.

I am looking forward to using the big monitor.

So much better than just the laptop screen.

 

Quick story, last night while watching the ONE WORLD special, I happened to see movement across the street.

Turning my head I saw four large rabbits come down the grass from the other side of the street and run onto the street.

They all four ran down the street together.

It was so crazy.

I prayed that no cars would come along.

But they were okay.

We have lots of rabbits in our community.

 

I have also decided that I am going to take a day of vacation perhaps near the end of this week and spend some time out in the neighbourhood.

The trash that has accumulated is horrible.

I cannot believe how much.

I also found some styrofoam packing materials in my basement window well (outside).

Also cleaned up in front of my house and my immediate neighbours.

There are even a great many disposable gloves (the latex/non-latex ones).

I did not have the means to pick any of those items up so I left them.

I have disposable gloves and a trash picker so I will go and clean up the hood.

Usually when we are out and about, I do pick up certain items and put them in the trash.

It was easier when wearing mittens/gloves.

Anyway, note to people.

Please pick up the trash.

If we all do this ….

Then we are a team.

If it is just me or just you.

Then we are not a team.

Remember when packing your recycling items to place them in a bag not loosely in a blue bin.

Loosely packed means wind will blow them to my house or elsewhere.

 

Have an awesome Sunday.

Time to have breakfast and coffee.

Get those baths done.

Get this day going.

It is almost 9:00 a.m.

Where does the time go?

 

Happy Sunday.

Trying to live always with kindness and respect.

Sometimes there may be the odd slip up but that is okay.

 

With kindness and respect for all.

I/We remain,

As Always, Carol & Alvin

 

 

 

Thought for the day ….

Good Morning and Welcome to Monday the 15th day of April, 2019.

Well it seems to be calm outside this morning.

The exact opposite of yesterday.

The sky is clearing as the sun rises in the east.

Alvin is on his blue blanket as he rests while I write this post for my blog.

We had a busy but wonderful weekend.

We socialized, had some exercise, ate well, did some work around the house and yard, and even did some volunteer work.

Humphrey was with us on Saturday for most of the day.

My young girl friends came for coffee after Al’s Doctor/Vet visit on Saturday morning.

I raked, did laundry, made a big pot of chilli and tidied up around the house.

We had some wonderful walks including one with our friend S and Luna, the young labrador (lab).

Yesterday my daughter came for a visit and pancake breakfast.

We had a great time catching up with all of our news.

After the big breakfast and visit – I geared up to pick up trash in the neighbourhood.

I made sure to have extra disposable gloves, two big garbage bags, mini gloves and a coat with a hood and a scarf.

Once outside I decided to tie my hood up with the scarf which worked for a few minutes before the wind blew around my hood and took it down.

The wind was cold and so strong that most of the time I had to pick up trash a few times before getting it into the bag.

There were moments when I thought that I might be air borne.

Sometimes picking it up with my hand that was covered with the disposable glove.

I was almost home when I turned to see this whirlwind of dirt heading right for me.

Luckily I was able to turn and miss the face-on brunt of the impact.

Over the course of this walk one man even crossed the street to say “You are my hero for picking up trash.”

That was nice.

When almost at home I hear my name from one of my friends who was visiting at another friend’s house.

She said she did not realize it was me at first.

The wind had my hair all blown wild and crazy.

Between the scarf and my hair, I was unrecognizable.

I chatted for a moment before carrying one.

One thing to mention ….. my friend’s dog Jazmine was there and she took one look at me and turned away.

I even called out her name but she would have nothing to do with me.

Ah, I must have looked scary.

One more story.

Sometimes people drive me crazy.

I was coming around the bend toward home and this young couple crossed the street ahead of me heading to their vehicle, a truck.

When the girl got into the truck some fast food wrappers blew out.

I was right there and picked them up.

She saw this and said nothing.

How rude.

Anyway my hood is clean now except for the leaves and whatever trash blew in from elsewhere.

It was a productive weekend and Sunday.

YAY, me.

 

Well almost time to leave for work as my ride is coming early today.

I hope that you all have an awesome Monday.

Please remember that your trash is not for someone else to pick up.

Your trash is not to fill the oceans and kill the marine life.

Your trash is not meant to fill the yard of your neighbour.

Your trash is not meant to blow around parks and forests for the wildlife to eat and then slowly die.

You need to look around and be mindful.

Stop buying all those items with the multiple layers of plastic.

If we stop buying and start complaining then manufacturers will make changes.

We only have one planet.

Time to change.

This is the change that needs to happen.

Not just a change in government a change in how we live our lives.

I challenge you one and all.

What will you do?

 

Special Hello to: my friend V who was a busy girl this weekend and always (time to rest?).

Always, Caro & Alvin

 

 

Thought for the day ……

Good Morning and Welcome to Friday the 7th day of August, 2015.

Wow, one glorious week of August ending and plus three to go.

The sun is shining here in Edmonton.

It was dark when I got out of bed this morning with the pups.

Elton, Penny and Mr. Alvin.

We had a great Thursday evening ….

Elton and Penny were so excited to go for a walk and Mr. Alvin hid under the table.

So I took Elton and Penny for a walk …. our regular route.

It was such a glorious walk.

As we left the house no noise then suddenly when we were out of view of the window I hear this forlorn howl (sounded like a wolf) and I thought was that Alvin.

Yup, that was Alvin……

Poor little guy.

Part of me wanted to go back and fetch him but the other part said two is enough ….. three is hard to wrangle.

Especially when they start “pooping.”

So I felt like a rotten Momma ……

By the time we got home he was “happy” to see us.

It was so nice out that I mowed our grass, front and back, both neighbours on either side of me, watered flowers and plants, for all of us and did some weeding.

By the time I was done it was almost 9:30 …..

Mr. Alvin had had some exercise by running and jumping on the deck.

His second favourite thing to do other than eating.

He is so cute.

He runs as fast as he can …. jumps from the bottom to the top step (three) on the upper deck….does this little hop and then does it all over again.

He always makes me laugh when I watch him.

Then he is tuckered out.

After all of that we came into the house – I made myself a cup of tea and watched a show that I had previously recorded.

Then to bed.

No drama.

Usually there is drama.

Everyone settled in and I read for a few minutes before going to sleep.

YAY …. Grandma ……

The sky is beginning to cloud over.

I have errands to run so will have to leave the pups alone but they will be just fine.

On my way there is a walkway that is always filled with garbage …. I cannot believe people.

Just throwing away empty drink containers ….. fast food bags ….. and more.

So I will grab my little disposable gloves and a garbage bag and clean it up on my way through to my shopping places.

Seems like I am always picking up garbage.

Sure wished people would think before tossing.

Oh well ….. it will be some extra exercise for me which I need.

Maybe it will help with my “spare tire” …….

Certainly cannot hurt.

Well I guess Grandma better get this show on the road.

Slept a bit later than planned but guess I needed it.

Have an awesome Friday.

Play safe and be happy.

Special Hello to: my daughter and sister who are two of my most favourite women ….. they are kind and good.

Always, Carol and Alvin