Last Half 2022 – August

Good Morning ALL! How are you? Alvin and I are doing well. Up and at it at 6:00 a.m. for the third day in a row. Which is good for me. The noise from the highway is so loud, usually it is a hum but today it seems more loud. Not sure why. The sky is that beautiful hue when we transition from night to morning just as the sun is rising. Oh, how I remember when the sun was coming up at what seemed like 4:00 a.m., wasn’t that only last week, lol. There is a breeze this morning which is nice. I have a fan blowing from the hallway by the office door and the window is open with the breeze coming in on my right. Surrounded by coolness, love it. We are in for another hot day, then a bit cooler tomorrow and then warming up again for the weekend. At least summer seems to be holding on for awhile longer. I have said before how much I love the autumn/fall weather and just feel of it all. We can have very comfortable temperatures during that time. Here’s hoping that fall lasts until Christmas. I would love that so much.

Well another day of closing all the windows and the blinds. Mr. Alvin does not really seem to like that as he likes to look out of the window. Poor guy.

There is not too much new in our daily lives and not anything that anyone would be interested in reading about that is for sure. We are carrying on and the main plan is to keep cool during this blast of heat. We are grateful to have cooler temperatures overnight so that one can leave the windows open which nicely cools down the house. Then turn on the fans which makes a huge difference. I am grateful to have the fans. I am grateful that today is August 31, 2022. I am grateful that both Alvin and I are in good health. I am grateful to be alive.

I was watering my flowers last night and noticing how much they have changed in even the last week or so. I think they are tired of the extreme heat. The geraniums are doing pretty good and I want to transplant and winter them in the house again. Actually they started in the house. I love them but there are so many. Note to self, find out methods of wintering that do not require them being transplanted and in my kitchen. I have so many plants and am running out of space. Last year the plants were so huge that they blocked out a lot of light coming in through the kitchen window or at least at the level I am at when I am working at the kitchen table. I will check.

Do you notice when it is hot that you find it difficult to concentrate and have energy? Feel sleepy? I noticed that I really have to focus on whatever I am doing. I have been tired with this heat and not a lot of energy. Most days I have to force myself to get up and do things.

Time to head downstairs and go for our walk. Perhaps we will see Jaime and Sadie. Oh, how I love that Sadie, pup. She is so sweet.

Have a wonderful Wednesday.

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

Yes, I will be needing that coffee this morning. LOL.

Happy Day, okay. Everything will work out. I have faith.

Always, Carol & Alvin

The New YEAR 2022

Good Saturday Morning ALL! Well it is bright and early. I hope this finds you well. First Alvin had me up at 4:30 to go outside for a pee and for his glucosamine chew then back to the sofa we went. Next we woke up just before 6:00 a.m. to see flashing lights out front of our house, I jumped up and there was a first responder vehicle down the street from us. I gave Alvin his breakfast and went out to the backyard with him as it was just beginning to get light. Dark clouds lining the sky and WIND, was thinking we may blow away, lol. Back in the house, I watched out front at the flashing lights. Then the lights stopped flashing and I realized it was an ambulance as the attendants opened the side of the ambulance and then got in and left the scene. At that point, I thought that we would lay back down on the sofa for some more zzz’s because really who needs to get up at 6:00 a.m. on a Saturday with no good reason. Well that lasted for about one minute and then I decided to just get up. I am wide awake. So I put on some coffee, dried the dishes that were in the sink and put them away, changing the bedding on our bed, am doing this post now and then I am going to do some other things before going to Gillian’s for coffee at 10:00 a.m. Kind of cool to be up and already checked off some things off my list at this time of the morning. The dark blue clouds are beginning to dissipate and I can just barely catch the sunrise. I will say that the wind is drying things up and perhaps I brought this on myself as I wanted so desperately for the backyard space to be dry for Alvin and after my tumble last Sunday. By the way, I am fully recovered. I am so grateful for that.

I can smell the coffee downstairs waiting patiently for me to go down and grab a mug. I am really excited to be up and about this early. It has been awhile since I stayed up at 6:00 on a weekend. Funny thing is I didn’t even turn the lights out until after 11:00 p.m. last night.

Sometimes we do not realize the direction we are going until we are on our way. I guess that is the case for this Saturday.

I was reading some affirmations from my SECRET SUPER APP and earlier I happen to see: Your thoughts become things and you just have to keep thinking those thoughts and “that thing will become your reality.” After all, that is how I moved to Edmonton and bought this house. I am not sure that it would have happened had I not been filling my head with thoughts of owning my own house in Edmonton near my daughter. I remember while in Regina – checking Real Estate ads in Edmonton. Thinking I could afford this house and I could afford that house. I put the wheels in motion and what happened, I got a house near my daughter and son-in-law. So I know it works. I just have to start thinking that one thought of what I want and keep going toward it. I know it will happen.

Well I should go for now. I hope that you have an awesome Saturday.

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

Always, Carol & Alvin

P.S. there are always possibilities if we focus on gratitude.

2021

Good Morning ALL! How are you this morning? 10 sleeps till Christmas Eve Day. Yesterday it started to snow late afternoon and did not stop overnight. We woke up to I would say a couple feet of snow to shovel. I had to shovel some of the deck at 5:00 a.m. so that Alvin could go outside to do his business otherwise I would have lost him in the snow. Plus he likely would not have gone out. We were in bed just before 10:00 last night and not up until almost 5:00 this morning. YAY, Mr. Alvin. Before getting ready for work after getting up at 6:40, I went to shovel the front thinking that I would beat my friend’s boyfriend out to shovel the front but we were out at the same time. He was just on his way to work and only had time to do theirs, I said that I wanted to do theirs as well but just did not get out early enough. I am grateful that he did shovel their half as there is a lot of snow. Certainly do not want to overdo things. Anyway, I want to go out and shovel the driveway and ensure that my recycling isn’t covered in the snow otherwise the garbage person will not see it. They are usually out and about before now but imagine they are running late. For all those people in our area, please be careful if you have to drive anywhere today. There is one heck of a lot of snow. Thankfully it is not wet but dry snow and not cold out.

Yesterday I took the afternoon off from work to go with one of my friend’s to Costco to get groceries. I am so glad that I did. I was able to finish my shopping for the humans and get some food items for Christmas. YAY, me. It was busy but didn’t take us long to get in and get out.

Last night I delivered more Christmas baking packages to friends and neighbours. I had a few visits along the way. I was out for 1.5 hours and everyone is less than 5 minutes away. Nice to chat with my friends. Catch up.

Well I had better get out there if I am going to do some more shovelling. Be careful out there and have a great day. Feels like Christmas now.

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

Always, Carol & Alvin

P.S. never a dull moment with the weather.

2021

Good Morning ALL! How are you this Sunday morning? Both Alvin and I are well and it is warm in the house despite having the windows open to let in the cool air. Alvin and I both slept until 5:30 a.m. and then we were up to stay. I cannot believe it. I gave the boy his glucosamine chew and then his breakfast. Following that I brushed my teeth, washed my face and got dressed and then filled up Mr. Alvin’s water bottle. I grabbed the harness and chased him around the table (actually he was under the table) and then he broke free and ran upstairs, with nowhere to go, I managed to get his harness on him. Back downstairs, grabbed shoes and keys. We were about 1/2 block or so away from the house before I realized that I had forgot to grab my sunglass clips. ARGH. I do not like being out in the sunshine without them. Anyway I kept my eyes pointed down. As we reached the park I noticed in the middle of the sidewalk a bright blue item, oh I knew exactly what it was, a disposable face mask. They are all over the place. I used a poop bag as a glove and carefully picked it up and threw it in the garbage can a short distance away. Not sure why this happens so much. Anyway. We took our time and as we walked I picked up using another garbage bag as a glove multiple cigarette butts, some plastic and a huge ziploc bag. At one point Alvin got something in his mouth and as I saw him start to chew, he spit it out and I saw it was a cigarette butt. My heart sank. So thankful that this time he actually spit it out. So grateful. They can do so much damage to the internal organs of an animal even causing death. The butt was in the grass so I did not see it. As we walked the birds chirped and the sun shone. What a glorious morning. As we were exiting the park we saw a rabbit, I called him Jack and up the way I noticed another rabbit, I called her Jill. No idea if they were a male and female, two males or two females. But they hopped away and it was not much further and I noticed another bunny. Must have been a convention of the rabbits before the humans are out and about. We carried on enjoying the walk. It wasn’t actually until we got all around and back to the entrance to the park that we saw any human life. A woman walking into the park wearing a dress and boots. I saw her yesterday in a dress and boots with a man. Boots just don’t seem very comfy for walking or in this heat. Mind you perhaps that is all that she has to wear, so no judgements. Another woman was on a bike. Oh, I got out another poop bag and picked up a Tim Horton’s iced drink plastic cup and more cigarette butts. Thankfully I carry several poop bags with me. I sure wish that people would be responsible and dispose of their garbage and that includes cigarette butts. I guess that some people have no idea and really do not give any consideration or thought to what they are doing. My thoughts anyway. We arrived home and once inside I quickly turned on the fans. Anyway I guess I did some more community service this morning by picking up the trash on our walk.

I also noticed it appeared that someone dug up some of the roses at the entrance to the park. Pretty sure there were taller ones by this certain tree yesterday and the days before but they were gone this morning.

Oh, I googled “how to keep your dog cool.” In the house you can add ice cubes to their water dish and you can soak a towel in some cool water and then wring it out and place over them. Alvin absolutely loved it. He laid on the sofa with a wet towel for a long time and then when we went to bed, I soaked another towel and covered him. Worked like a charm and he slept from just after 10:15 p.m. until 5:30 a.m. ……. that was amazing. Personally it was likely that the heat plum tuckered him out but I would like to think that he was comfortable and just slept. It was easy to remain up when you had a continued sleep. Fingers crossed that it will continue.

So today, not much on the agenda. Just bring up the clean clothes that are air drying in the basement. Perhaps rearrange the basement a bit. OR not. Oh, I have my second vaccine this afternoon. YAY, then I am done.

I hope that you are doing well wherever you are and keeping cool if the temperatures are hot.

Please stay safe and be careful.

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

Always, Love Carol & Alvin

Ready to grind some beans and have a mug of coffee and maybe even on the deck before it gets hot.

2021

Good Morning ALL! How are you doing on this Tuesday the first day of June 2021? Alvin and I are well. I was going to get up earlier and go for a walk but I cannot seem to get my butt going at 6:00 a.m. (likely due to my multiple times up to go to the bathroom last night due to drinking lots of water yesterday). I guess it will take a few days for my body to adjust but I am trying to get back on track and to drink enough water to be properly hydrated. I am looking at the clock and we have time to go for a walk before I start work. So this is going to be a throwback Thursday …….. what was going on this day a year or two ago? I always like to check so this is the perfect day to do so. Sky is overcast at the moment.

June 1st, 2020

Good Morning All,

A bright beautiful sunny breezy Monday morning here in Edmonton.

What a great weekend we had despite my tumble down the stairs on Friday morning.

My daughter dropped by on Saturday to help her Momma give her little brother Alvin a haircut.

I still cannot believe we cut 1/3 of the time off the time it normally takes me.

Teamwork.

I was slowed down a bit on Saturday and even early on Sunday but now I can walk okay.

I will say that the bruising is still ugly but that likely takes a few days to fade away.

We hosted a great birthday party for our friend “G” yesterday morning.

Most of the party was held out on our deck in the bright warm sunshine.

We ate the birthday cake in the house as it was hot and I feared that the cream on the strawberry shortcake would melt.

A great time was had by all.

G’s Mom came as well as she was visiting.

The four of us ladies and Alvin had a great time.

The rest of the day was beautiful until it was not.

Well into the afternoon the sky clouded over.

By late afternoon/early evening it was very windy and raining.

I put away all of the cushions away.

I even put the umbrella in the garage as it was forecasting 100 km wind gusts

I took these photos from my bedroom window last night during the wind.

The flowers are so pretty and the first two photos how can you tell it was kind of breezy.

Well time to get to work.

Running late ….. one would think with no commute that a person would be early.

Well I am not late for work as I start at 8:00 a.m. but I like to be starting before that time.

There is lots of things to do as one signs into the computer.

I hope that you have an awesome Monday.

With kindness and respect,

I/We shall remain,

As Always, Carol & Alvin

We hope that you have a great day. Going to go and get in a quick walk before work.

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

Always, Love Carol & Alvin

Second Half of the Year

Good Morning,

Before I get started I would like to send Birthday Wishes to two of my friends.

My friend Carolyn, I have known her since High School and

Our friend Iris, meeting her after I moved to Edmonton.

Both wonderful people and great friends.

 

We are halfway into a beautiful Sunday morning.

Alvin and I have been up to stay up for about two hours now.

We went for a nice walk.

Not too many people out and about until about halfway through our walk.

We saw our friend “Sadie” who was out with her Dad usually we see her with her Mom or Sister.

I love Sadie, she is a white/yellow lab and reminds me of my grandpup Miss Aspen.

So lovely and kind.

The air is so fresh that I had to make a promise to both Alvin and myself that we would always go for a morning stroll.

I think it is the nicest time of the day.

Not too hot or cold.

Usually quiet.

A good time for reflection.

I snapped some photos when we arrived home of our backyard which is our happy place.

They are still loading.

I guess my poor computer is telling me that I MUST get through those almost 40,000 photos and delete the ones that we do not need.

It is one of those jobs that is overwhelming.

But as I tell Alvin when he has problems crossing the doorway …. put one paw/foot in front of the other and soon you will be walking cross the floor.

I remember that line from a song, I think.

Alvin does not really enjoy walking on the laminate floor.

Looks like I will have to do a separate post with the photos as they continue to load.

 

I do wish to report that I am well into Chapter ONE of my book.

Writing is coming easily and I am happy for that.

Likely there will be several edits but I am on the way.

 

Well time to go and have breakfast.

I started about a week ago, actually a week ago today to fast for at least 15 hours between my night meal and morning meal.

I have noticed that I am feeling better.

So that is a good thing.

 

I can hear the computer working to save the photos.

Just wished that they would finish loading soon.

It has been awhile.

Also my dear computer is getting older as far as computers go.

I appreciate her every single day and hope that she will work for me forever.

 

The coffee has been ready for a few minutes and I do not think that I can wait any longer.

I apologize.

I need COFFEE.

When you sit and smell that delectable aroma wafting from the main floor to upstairs …. it is almost mind bending.

I need COFFEE.

Okay, perhaps a bit over the top but I do love a good cup or two of coffee.

Likely should be enjoying a cup of coffee on the deck in this beautiful weather.

 

Okay I am going to go and have that coffee, some toast and fruit and will post the photos later.

I have laundry to bring up from the basement and wash the main floor.

Also I want to trim the paws of my boy (now that is a big job).

 

Be kind and respectful of all around you including yourself.

Enjoy each moment the good with the not so good.

Take time to smell the roses.

Even Mr. Alvin was stopped to smell them this morning.

Yes, he loves roses.

 

I wish you the best Sunday.

May your day be filled with great joy, much love and laughter, feeling great and abundance.

Happy Sunday.

 

I/We shall remain,

As Always, Carol & Mr. Alvin

 

 

 

 

 

 

Living … One day at a time.

Hello,

Good Morning,

Guess what?

Two things.

First thing:

It is raining and has been since we were first awake and downstairs at 2:00 a.m.

Yup, Mr. Alvin had to go outside.

Second thing:

Technical difficulty.

Batteries were low on the keyboard.

So I remembered to bring some upstairs to change them this morning.

Only thing …. they did not wish to cooperate.

I spent almost ten minutes fussing with them.

Finally working and now I have to leave.

Note to self: never change batteries in the morning.

 

I hope that you all have an awesome day.

Remember today is Friday and for those of us lucky to have weekends off we are hooting and hollering.

For those folks who have to work on the weekends, I once was once of you, I can sympathize.

 

Happy Friday.

With kindness and respect I shall carry on …..

 

Always, Carol & Alvin

Living … One day at a time.

Hello,

Monday morning here we go.

Back to the weekday routine.

We love routine.

We, Alvin and I had a glorious weekend.

There was a visit and overnight stay by a best friend named Teddy.

There was a visit by our friend and neighbour Humphrey.

There was a visit by the two little neighbour boys from two doors down.

There was JENGA, Halloween ARTWORK, Laughter and toys flying through the air.

Girl Guide Chocolate Mint cookies.

Throughout this weekend surrounded by fur babies and children we had so much fun.

We enjoyed our walks this weekend.

There was sunshine and warm temperatures.

It was perfection.

I even managed to find time for laundry, some cleaning and relaxing.

Although who wants to relax when they are enjoying themselves.

Better to be in enjoyment than a couch potato.

I guess that I should not compare “relaxing” to “being a couch potato.”

They are definitely not one in the same.

Anyway we had a great weekend.

Also yesterday we were out for our walk and bumped into another friend who joined us for an extra long walk.

We just had to enjoy that perfect day …..

 

We both slept well last night and no waking up at 2 or 3 a.m.

First up at 4:00 which is doable.

 

I was working on taking a selfie (yuck, that word) of me and Alvin.

He wasn’t very cooperative but I will keep trying.

 

Well time to get this show on the road.

 

 

Kindness and Respect go hand in hand.

A better place.

A better world.

 

Living … One day at a time.

Hello,

The Poop Saga is drawing to an end.

The results from the Vet were negative.

So what happened?

My theory of Alvin’s out of the blue “sickness” was due in part to anxiety.

I think that he was still upset about leaving home for almost one week.

Or at least that did not help matters.

Anyway he is getting back to normal – we are getting back to our normal routine.

I love our routine.

We enjoyed our walk after supper last night.

The rain held off until we were almost home, needless to say we were both wet when we arrived at home.

 

Well work was not a surprise.

We are always over the top busy.

But I am grateful to be employed.

I am grateful to be able to pay my bills.

So no matter what it is a good thing.

 

I recorded, a new talk show.

The Kelly Clarkson Show, I am really enjoying her and the show.

Well done Miss Kelly.

Also on one of my regular taped shows, Today 4th Hour with Hoda & Jenna – a guest that got me to thinking.

So much so that I put her book title and name into the NOTES on my iPhone, “Well, yes, I did.”

I figured it out all by myself.

Her name is Marie Forleo and her book “Everything is FigureOutable.”

She told a great story about her Italian American Mother.

She came home from school one day to find her Mother out on the roof.

Marie asked her what she was doing on the roof?

Her Mother replied “She had called a repairman, he was going to charge her $500.00 to fix the hole, she said No and set about fixing it herself.”

Now these were not the exact words that she said on the show, as I no longer remember the exact wording but you get the picture.

Marie’s Mother inspired her throughout her life and continues to do so.

If you stop and think about it ….. everything is “figureoutable.”

I love that word.

Everything is FIGUREOUTABLE.

Everything is FIGUREOUTABLE.

Word for the day is FIGUREOUTABLE.

 

Well time to get out into the world or GO TO WORK.

 

Spread your kindness with respect throughout the day and to all you encounter.

Maybe even go above and beyond!

 

Always, Carol & Alvin

Living … One day at a time.

Hello, it is a gorgeous morning here in Edmonton.

Looks like we are now having more summerlike temperatures.

Will be a hot one today.

Alvin and I thoroughly enjoyed our Sunday.

We had the best weekend.

Yesterday we started the day off with a 30 minute walk.

Followed by breakfast and coffee.

Humphrey came to visit.

The photos below will describe what the rest of our day was like.

My office.  Now just to hang up the bulletin boards that my daughter made for me a few Christmases ago and reorganize the desk drawers and closet.

Each genre of book has a special place.

YAY.

Humphrey was outside and Alvin had just come into the house.

I didn’t see Humphrey at first and then noticed him on the grass, which was odd.

I ran over to see that he had a dragonfly in his paws.

I quickly retrieved the poor little creature from the paws of soon to be not a good ending and he/she was alive.

Me and the dragonfly went to the front of the house where I placed him on the fern plant.

He was alive.

I even put some water on the fern close to him.

He was still there some time later.

I am afraid to look now.

What a glorious creature.

 

My hands sure look mighty dry.

Time for lotion.

 

JENGA with me, myself and I.

I WON.

 

Well time to leave.

Wishing you a day filled with so much KINDNESS and RESPECT.

 

Always, Carol & Alvin