2021

Good Morning ALL! How are you on this beautiful bright and sunny Wednesday morning? Alvin and I are okay. For some unknown reason he was up starting from midnight and every couple of hours until I am up for the day. I am feeling a bit on the tired side but hopefully it does not affect the day too much. Perhaps some caffeine soon will perk me up and I hope that night we sleep through the night.

I was looked through my posts back to near the beginning of this blog and found one that I thought was pertinent today and always and will share it now:

April 2010

I have been thinking lately of family and friends.  About how easy it is to lose track of people.  Recently I have connected with old friends on Facebook, and am thrilled to hear about their lives.  I find people fascinating, and it pleases me a great deal to hear from them.  To hear their stories.

My thought for this day is:  send an email or SKYPE someone you care about, do it right now.  Time is of the essence.  It can get away on you.  Take advantage of this new technology.

Make someone’s day……. you just made mine.

I am not sure how many people still use SKYPE now, likely more TEAMS or ZOOM but the idea remains the same. There is also INSTAGRAM in addition to Facebook and other Social Media platforms.

The point being reach out to family and friends. They might love to hear your voice over the telephone.

Whether you phone, use messenger, FB, Instagram, SKYPE, Teams or ZOOM or something else, the point is our family and friends need us more than ever.

Time can pass so quickly and it is very easy to say “I will call her or him tomorrow.”

Reach out today.

Continuing to live with kindness, respect, compassion and patience.

Always, Love Carol & Alvin

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  Photo by Jou00e3o Jesus on Pexels.com

It is a NEW YEAR.

Good Morning and well here we are today is Thursday.

Almost one week in the newly renovated office building.

I actually kind of like my new workspace.

What is taking a bit of getting used to it is so open.

If we use the stand up desk … you can see your neighbour.

It is loud as there is are upper dividers.

Nothing on the walls to absorb some of the sound and echoes.

But all in all, it is okay.

 

Last night Alvin and I shovelled the driveway and deck.

The stripping on the bottom of the garage door came part way off so I called one of my neighbours to the rescue.

Thankfully their older teenage son was home and came to help.

I am most grateful to have such great neighbours.

After that situation was handled; I went to shovel the front.

As I was shovelling the porch I happen to look down and see that the walk and the front of my house had already been shovelled.

My neighbour shovelled.

So then I went and shovelled Humphrey’s Mom’s front sidewalk and then to the house.

I am so blessed to know and be surrounded by such good people.

Got some exercise and fresh air.

We did not make it out for a walk which was disappointing as the snow was too deep for Alvin.

Not everyone had shovelled when we would have gone for our walk.

 

I have been posting some tips for reduction of Plastics on Facebook.

Especially single use plastics.

Most people are also posting tips.

Which has been nice.

At the end of the day it is not just plastics; it is everything.

We in North America are just crazy over the top consumers.

I look around my house and see all of the “stuff” that I have accumulated over the years.

Most things I never use.

To be honest.

Some things once a year and they remain in storage during the rest of the year.

I just want to be more aware and want others to be the same.

We will not always agree on everything but we need to try to do with less.

 

Well time for me to sign off for today.

Be Kind and Respectful to yourself, to others, to animals, to the environment and to this Planet.

We only have one.

 

Always, Carol & Alvin

Living … One day at a time

Hello, it is Saturday, the day after …

I had a great 62nd Birthday.

Spent the day with Alvin and Humphrey.

Alvin and I had an early morning walk.

We pretty much lazed around the whole day long.

Listened to music and watched some television.

Sort of had a nap ….

My daughter came for supper and sweet treat.

My co-worker, the baker dropped off the sweet treats (photos coming).

Invited her for coffee …. we three girls had a great visit.

Here are some photos from my BIRTHDAY DAY.

The boys lazing around.

Nothing like mug of coffee and BISCOTTI

Humphrey in his favourite spot on the stairs.

Looks like I have a spot or two to repair … he did not chip the paint.

THE CUPCAKES

The green ones are:  Vanilla cupcakes with KEY LIME ICING and chocolate ornaments

The others are: Chocolate cupcakes with umbrellas and Teddy bears relaxing on the sand chocolate icing.

Only tried the Key Lime iced one and it was DELICIOUS.

This morning at another birthday bash I will have a chocolate one.

A friend and neighbour dropped by later in the evening with a lovely gift of shower gel, body lotion and a pumpkin apple candle ( I love that fragrance).

Snapped some photos of the boys.

A great day.

Now today one of my young friends is hosting a party for me.

We take turns.

I am taking some of the above cupcakes.

Special Special TREAT.

Humphrey is already in the house.

Teddy is coming this morning.

Almost time to hop into the shower and get dressed for the party.

Might have time to brew a mug of coffee before I leave ….

Lots of time.

Well it was a great BIRTHDAY.

Lots of birthday wishes via Facebook, phone calls from my siblings, a visit from my daughter and friends.

Hung out with two of my favourite fur boys: Alvin and Humphrey.

Does not get better than that.

 

Well time to fly.

Happy Happy Saturday.

 

 

A day filled with kindness and respect is a great day.

 

Always, Carol, Alvin and Humphrey.

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Sunday the 10th day of March, 2019.

A glorious bright sunshiny morning out there.

Warming up.

 

Today is the birthday of my son-in-law’s brother “D” and also one of my neighbour’s “D.”

Both guys with first names starting with D.

How about that?

Happy Birthday to you both.

 

Well the time changed in the middle of the night or super early this morning; whichever way you wish to look at it.

At the end of the day ….. we lost an hour.

We first woke up at 4:00 but it was really 5:00 ….. when we woke up at 7:38 it was that time as I changed the time on the downstairs clocks.

I figured when I was up at 4 or 5 ….. better to have the right time when we GOT UP.

So now it feels like 7:35 and not 8:35 a.m.

Funny how time makes you feel.

WE are so envious of Saskatchewan ….. the one place that does not change time.

They are the SMARTEST people ever.

The reasons that we changed the time back in the day was for farming.

Everywhere should the same.

I have never understood why setting the clocks ahead or behind really mattered.

If it is dark out …. stay in bed.

Or do things that do not require the light.

At the end of the day it will be the same difference.

Oh well, what do I know?

 

This afternoon I/We are invited to one of our neighbours for a belated get together for her birthday.

I am debating about whether or not to take Mr. Alvin.

She has two cats, one of them is used to dogs but not sure about the other one.

The second cat is newer to the household.

I seem to remember her saying that the second cat had been around dogs.

I can always take him and if it does not work out – bring him back home.

She is only a minute away.

I really do not like to leave Mr. Alvin on the weekends.

He is alone enough of the time.

 

Guess who came for an unexpected visit yesterday.

Guess who just copied the photo from Facebook and it takes up the whole page?

Humphrey came over in the late morning and went home in the early evening.

He loves the sunshine.

Both the boys hung out several times in the backyard.

When I snapped this photo, Humphrey was soaking in the sun while Alvin was in the house wanting more broccoli.

We had a great day.

Humphrey crawled up on me while I was watching a movie.

Snuggling in …..

Love this photo.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Well time to get this show on the road.

My coffee is perked and I would love a cup right now.

The smell is driving me mad.

 

Have an awesome day.

Relax, spend time with loved ones and or friends…..

Happy Sunday.

Happy Birthday to D and D.

 

Special Hello to: the Birthday Boys …..

Always, Carol & Alvin

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Saturday the 12th day of January, 2019.

The sun is beginning to rise in the east and I can see a beautiful array of oranges and pinks filling the horizon.

So excited to have a bright sunny day and warmer temperatures.

Up to stay for about 1/2 hour now and first up at 4:00 (give or take a few minutes before 4).

Oh my Mr. Alvin, what a guy.

We have a busy day ahead.

Master Teddy is coming at 9:00 a.m. to spend the day with us.

I always love having him as we brings more joy to our house.

If you were having a less than stellar day well Teddy would change your mood, definitely.

Alvin has his 2nd treatment this morning at the Vet.

So will have both the boys in tow on the walk over.

As I sit here the colours have expanded and there is so much colour on display.

So beautiful.

I can now see yellow in with the pinks and oranges.

It is going to be a beautiful day.

Beautiful, perfect.

 

I was listening to one of the morning shows that I record last night.

It is an American show and they were discussing a wide variety of topics.

SICK DAYS came up.

They were staying that there is talk of doing away with sick days.

Too many people have taken advantage.

Interesting and scary.

 

I wanted to mention this.

My daughter ordered something for me on AMAZON after Christmas.

The order was shipped out in several deliveries.

The first two arrived at my house while I was at home.

My daughter let me know that there had been a delivery only I did not receive that package.

I suppose someone decided that they needed that item more than me.

There are always comments and posts on Facebook and News Reports that packages delivered by Amazon and other on-line companies are stolen

I was grateful that my daughter contacted AMAZON and guess what – not only did they send a replacement but they placed it in CANADA POST.

This time I received the package.

Now I have the full order.

I had been worried and they have restored my faith in humankind.

Thank you Amazon.

Still kind of mad about the fool that stole the package from my front porch.

What kind of people do that?

If you needed the money, why did you not ask?

 

Well time to go and have a shower before Master Teddy arrives.

I am so excited to see him as is Mr. Alvin.

 

Have an awesome Saturday and if you are reading this while the sun is rising …. it is glorious.

As each minute passes it becomes more beautiful.

So beautiful.

 

Special Hello to: my friend V who is so helpful, thank you my friend.

Always, Carol & Alvin

 

 

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Saturday the 6th day of October, 2018.

Yay, it is the weekend.

The weekend that we give thanks.

We should always give thanks.

Our buddy Teddy will be coming this morning to spend the day with us.

Alvin needs a hair trim (mostly his paws) and a bath.

He does not like the hair cut.

Bath he tolerates.

Looking to fulfil my part of our collaborative art project (with my daughter).

Laundry is already starting.

Again Mr. Alvin wanted to get up to stay up at 3:00 a.m. ISH.

ARGH.

But I took him downstairs and he did go outside (so that was good).

Then back upstairs to BED where after many minutes of saying “back to bed” etc. – he finally curled up and stayed there until almost 7:00 a.m.

He is quite the character.

This morning I decided as it is Thanksgiving and part of being grateful is LOVE.

If you are in gratitude you are in love.

I wrote this back in August 2010 and it is in memory of my grand-pups Elton and Penny who have since passed but are NOT FORGOTTEN.

Even Alvin remembers when I mention their names.

Wags his tail.

We miss them every day.

So grateful that they were a part of our lives.

I am so grateful that I lived out here for a few years and was able to spend lots of time with them both.

Have an awesome Saturday.

Supposed to be +10 degrees celsius today.

It was nice when I raked the leaves from the front lawn.

I did both mine and my neighbours to the tune of three bags full of leaves.

I enjoyed every moment of that experience.

Likely the most leaves we have had to this point.

Mostly my leaves.

I love FALL.

 

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WHAT I LOVE

I love my family.

I love my dog Alvin.

I love the rain.

I love the sunshine.

I love the smell of roses.

I love being me.

I love a beautiful fall morning.

I love my friends.

I love people that walk their dogs.

I love the dew in the morning.

I love a knock on my door.

I love that first cup of coffee in the morning.

I love my grand-puppies, Elton & Penny.

I love the smell of babies.

I love a nice long walk.

I love the smell of fresh laundry.

I love the smell of my perfume, CHANCE.

I love my nieces and nephews, each and every one.

I love meeting people.

I love to travel.

I love my hair.

I love my feet.

I love a shiny penny found on the street.

I love “Maggie May” playing on the radio.

I love a fresh strawberry.

I love good conversation.

I love this beautiful planet.

I love the smell of the forest.

I love the smell of my flowers on a hot summer day.

I love chatting with my friends on Facebook.

I love the thought of love.

I love the feeling of love.

I love the grace of love.

I love the action of love.

I love, love.

That’s what I love.

CYLewis, written August 23rd, 2010 (inspired by my doggies who are patiently waiting downstairs for me, hey Alvin, Elton & Miss Penny).

 

Special Hello to: all those folks who are inspired to write about LOVE.

Always, Carol & Alvin

COUNTDOWN: 60 Days to 60

Today is Wednesday, July 26, 2017 and it is the 15th day until my 60th Birthday.

Wow, the clock is ticking away …. cannot believe it is only 15 days until my Birthday.

I would like to share photos of me Alvin ….. most days he shares the STARS in the SKY with my GIRL.

Two of the most important beings in my life.

Baby Alvin – our first meeting January 19, 2010.

AKA: Conehead – poor baby.

This KISS, this KISS (please stop, Mom you are embarrassing me!!)

Checking to see what I am doing

Alvin ……

Alvin at Home

Ah, Mama’s boy…….isn’t he cute!!!

Alvin in the snow…..

Alvin with his toys & the blue blanket was a gift from his foster parents.

Alvin getting to know his “new” family…. that first night.  His favourite new playmate Miss Penny.

Alvin at home…..

Posting this just because “ALVIN” is so cute here….

Alvin and Penny …..

One of Alvin’s first hair cuts after he came to live with me. He looks so little….

Lounging on the deck.

My favourite photo of Alvin.

Laying on his belly on the top landing of the stairs looking down at me.

So cute and maybe me laugh.

Me and Alvin Oct 2013

In our temporary bedroom when the kids stayed with us.

Looking out the window at the back yard.

Alvin, one of my babies

Addressed to Carol and Alvin – his first parcel.

Our Annual photo 2012 taken by my daughter…

Treat anyone?

Alvin with Miss Penny and Sir Elton.

Loves of our lives and sorely missed.

Our summer adventure ….

A walk in a neighbouring park

Elton and Alvin playing tug of war….

Our Annual photo 2016

 

Alvin and Elton …..

The newest additions to the family.

Miss Aspen and Baby Milo.

Can you please get off of Facebook?

George, our little friend

Casey, a friend who visited us for a week not long ago.

We miss Simone’s hair cuts……

Me and Alvin

Alvin, almost one year ago…..first hair cut

Okay, enough photos.  Let me in the house it is snowing out here.

Okay down with the camera and come lay down beside me.

*****************************************************

Somedays we annoy each other just like an old married couple.

That is the truth.

But we cannot live without each other.

When I am away we miss each other.

This is our life together …. together.

 

Always, Carol

 

 

 

 

 

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Monday the 21st day of November, 2016.

Wow, the weekend is over?

Those hours zipped by for sure.

It was an eventful, fun and good news kind of weekend.

This is a story that I shared on Facebook on the weekend and I thought that perhaps I would share it with all of you.

Just to share my morning with you all and perhaps bring a smile to your face. One of the first things that I do on a Saturday morning is to make coffee in my percolator. I love the way it tastes. Some time ago the little glass piece where the coffee races to the top as it goes through the percolating process BROKE. I was devastated thinking that I would have to go out and buy a new pot. But I was able to “fix it” and life carried on until this morning. Drum roll. I put the coffee on as usual and ran upstairs to get dressed and grab the laundry to start. While I was upstairs I called my neighbour to let her know that coffee would be ready shortly and to come grab a mug, (we do this every weekend). After I hung up I went downstairs to find a dark liquid on the counter and running into the sink and onto the floor and all over the back splash on the cupboard and on and on and on. I did not freak out (which is a good thing). But I did hope beyond hope that there was coffee left but alas it was not fully perked and was only warm and most of it escaped. So I picked up the toaster that had been there earlier so that the moisture would not destroy it. Grabbing the towels that had been folded up on the counter and without thinking started to wipe up the coffee. Argh, they were my Christmas ones that are white with Christmas scenes on them. Oh well now they will be mocha with Christmas scenes on them. I took everything off the counter and quickly cleaned and wiped while all the time watching for my neighbour. I managed to remake the pot before she arrive and we patiently waited while the second pot perked. I WATCHED the pot to ensure that it didn’t BLOW the “glass part” again. We finally had coffee which was good. I pulled out the stove as the coffee had run down there, too. Ended up vacuuming the dust bunnies that always seem to collect there, and washing behind the stove as well. I had pulled out the pot and pan draw underneath and found COFFEE in there so took out all of the 1,000 pieces of tupperware and other containers and cleaned the drawer. Okay this is beginning to look like a book. Ended up moving out the fridge because if you are going to move one appliance then you might as well do them all. Right. I borrowed my neighbour’s steam floor mop and cleaned the floor. The main floor was clean. But was it really. Over the course of several hours I had pulled out the utensil drawer only about five times. It seemed for some reason not to slide as easily as usual. Finally I realized that that drawer had about 1/8 inch of coffee in the bottom which covered every single little gadget in the drawer.
Okay finally got 500 little things all washed up. ALL FOR THE LOVE OF COFFEE……. What a morning but on the upside my kitchen is CLEAN, CLEAN from top to bottom and every place in between…. Happy Saturday.

******************************************************************************************

So after all of that one of my old friends who happens to live hundreds of miles away in Ontario is having a lid sent to me.  He knows

someone in the “coffee business.”

How blessed am I?

Saturday was busy.

Yesterday was the Christmas Event.

It was crazy fun.

 

Stella & Dot had some beautiful jewellery and other fashion items like purses and this huge weekend tote, very nice.

Scentsy would not like to smell amazing scents, very nice.

Steeped Tea was a hit and I did quite well sales wise and was able to introduce people to our product.

Very proud am I to be Canadian as Steeped Tea is a Canadian Business.

That was my Sunday.

Weekend over.

Good news on the Elton front (my grand-puppy not so much a puppy any longer but he has his days for sure) ….. after a couple of days on some new

medicine he is feeling a bit better.  We wish him pain free days and to have many many more days with his family.

Time to go to work again, seems like I just left on Friday and it is already Monday.

Have an awesome Monday everyone.

Special Hello to: Elton, we love you.

Always, Carol and Alvin

P.S. I was able to restore the towels to their before mocha colour …. white.  Whew.

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Wednesday the 13th day of July, 2016.

Another cloudy raining morning with hopefully sunny patches.

Not much of a breeze which is good in case it rains.

Straight down rain is always better than on an angle especially when you are walking with an umbrella.

We have a field trip today as our office is closed to the public.

So we get to go and learn something new today.

I am excited.

Last night I spent the greater part working on my “Steeped Tea” business.

As of late, I decided that I should have a FB business page and I set out to set up that up.

It is kind of tricky to manoeuvre throughout the set up but I am getting there.

Always good to learn something new.

Trial and error.

Might take me a few days but I will be successful.

Also I have learned that it is important to use social media as a valuable tool in business.

It is the wave of the future.

Never would have thought of that a few years back.

I do remember thinking when I was a small girl about the days when we could see the person we were talking to on the telephone.

I am not sure why I had those thoughts but it has come to pass.

I am tired this morning because one hour on the computer turned into plus four.

Poor Alvin was so patient as we ended up going for a later walk and then when back home I was back on the computer.

Well that is all.

Just learning and spending a lot of time on the computer.

Have an awesome Wednesday.

Perhaps you will learn something new today.

Does not matter what ….. just good to learn something.

Special Hello to: all those folks who take the time to read my little blog, I appreciate your time and your comments.

Always, Carol and Alvin

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Thursday the 23rd day of June, 2016.

Another thunder/lightning/rain storm last night.

The grass, flowers and trees are looking so good.

The best in a long time.

We certainly needed the moisture.

Sounds like more rain in our future.

Alvin did fine last night as the storm was not quite so fierce as the previous night.

My tea order arrived and I got it sorted and packed.

We had a quiet lovely evening.

I fooled around on my tablet trying to get the photos for my upcoming garage sale posted on KIJIJI and on a local FB page.

Was successful for the most part except for the FB page I ended up closed it off as it did not display the way that it looked.

So will try again tonight as least I know what to do.

My kids are on their way here as Mr. Elton will be spending the day with Alvin so that will be nice.

I had better once again get this show on the road.

I hope that you have an awesome Thursday.

Special Hello to: my friend “M” – tea has arrived.

Always, Carol and Alvin