The New YEAR 2022

Good Morning ALL! How are you this Sunday morning? Alvin and I are well. I guess that I really cannot drink coffee any longer later in the day because I was awake for hours after we went to bed or at least it felt like it.

Funny or strange story. So we were up at a reasonable time for a Sunday. I put on the coffee and went to clean up the early morning – middle of the night poop from the snow bank on the deck then came upstairs turning on the computer for it to start up while I made the bed. When I came back to start this post, I found that the screen was GRAY, I thought, now what. I did not get too bent out of shape. At first I did think that my computer had “died.” Grabbing my phone I googled “gray screen when starting up a MAC” and it came back with a list of things to do. Most of which I had no idea of what they meant. I would have google the suggestions. Anyway, I decided to turn it off and then went to brush my teeth, wash up and get dressed. When I came back I turned the power button on again and voile the computer was on and you will never guess what was displayed on the middle of the screen over top of the screensaver? You will never guess in a million years. I was dumbfounded. Big time. There was a long statement about MONEY. Money is magnetic energy. You are a magnet attracting to you all things, via the signal you are emitting through your thoughts and feelings. To become a power money magnet: and then it listed a bunch of things to do. How did the Universe know that I was thinking about money, actually the highlight of my thoughts last night was the “lack of money.” Perhaps it was more about the money aspect in my current situation than the coffee that kept me up last night. When I read the words, I could not believe that it. I think that the Universe was telling me that I need to change my focus, change my thoughts and definitely change my feelings. Does not get anymore clear than that. Really. Of all the things that would come up on my screen after the computer would not start, it is eerie and strange but comforting and wonderful. I am grateful for all that I have, truly I am. I have a beautiful house, I am in good health, I have wonderful family and friends, I have a pup who keeps me company and on my toes, I have a job and can work from home to be with him, I have so much in so many ways. So time once again to change my thoughts and feelings about money. Yesterday and for the past little while I have been concentrating more on the lack of than all that I have. Time to clean up my thoughts and feelings. Right! I am so excited. What a blessed way to start the day and who would have thought it all happened because my computer would not start, the GRAY screen – ended up being a GREEN screen. Wow, there are no words right now to explain how I am feeling. Alvin is quiet because he knows.

Yesterday was a busy day. I did laundry. We actually went for a bit of a walk as it was so warm out. We got as far as one of our friends houses and saw her across the street picking up her mail, she crossed back and we chatted as she walked to her house. She invited us in and we ended up having coffee together, Alvin had a couple of treats and we saw her dog, Jaz. Jaz is 17 years old now I believe. She is deaf and going blind and has a heart condition but otherwise does pretty good. I don’t think that Alvin is old at 13. Anyway, we had a good catch up and then were on our way. We walked across the street and up the street going north where the sidewalks were pretty dry and did a quick walk before picking up the mail and going home. I actually had mail – my home insurance policy. I was a little nervous about opening it as one of my friends had mentioned that hers had gone up considerably and that was all that I needed was one more increase to my monthly budget. When I opened it up and did the math, I found that while it had increased, it was not quite $20 per month. It is still an increase but not too much considering. It would be wonderful if our income increased with all of the other increases. It will. I also saw two other neighbours while we were out and about. It was wonderful. People were out chipping away at the monstrous amount of ice that we have out front of our homes. I have some but not as bad as it was.

I was figuring out how much money I had for groceries when I saw that my friend had texted saying that she was going to COSTCO and did I want to go or give her my list? I had to recalculate my budget because of course, the home insurance increased payment was coming out at the end of February. We texted a couple of times before she called me. I ended up going to COSTCO which was great. It was nice to get out and have a little visit with another friend. We have fruit and veg again. I was down to a few pieces of chopped up carrots, a few grapes and two oranges. When my fridge is full, I really do feel rich.

Last night I hostessed another Fifth Avenue Collection Jewelry online party. My friend that sells FAC does all the work actually as she does the LIVE on Facebook. This time because we lost track of when the party was supposed to be, she did one LIVE for two hours. Kind of a nice change from the weekend long party with three LIVES of about one hour each. I was happy to have a few people join me. So much beautiful jewelry. I have so much but I love it all.

Well time to get this day going. Changing my mantra, writing up a cheque to myself for the money that I would like to have. I am rich. I am wealthy. I love money. Money comes to me easily and effortlessly.

I hope that you have a wonderful Sunday. Time to go and have that first cup of coffee as my coffee has perked. I am going to give Mr. Alvin a haircut and bath this afternoon. Tomorrow will do a bit of cleaning and then Tuesday back to work.

Continuing to live this life with kindness, respect, compassion, patience, love, laughter, gratitude, understanding, focus, possibilities with all the money that we need and want.

Always, Carol & Alvin

2021

Good Morning ALL! Wishing you all a wonderful Monday, December 6, 2021. Today also happens to be the birthday of a cousin of mine, Happy Birthday Janice. Wishing you a wonderful day and may all your days ahead be happy and bright.

Yesterday was the SUGAR COOKIE baking day. I made 18 dozen of them. They turned out perfect. Now today as I took as a vacation day is ICING / Decorating them day. I think that I should have time to wrap them and also perhaps to wrap some Christmas presents. We shall see how the day evolves. I am actually hoping that the temperature is a bit warmer today so that we can get out for a walk – even if it is a short one – something is better than nothing.

The last FB Live for the FIFTH AVENUE Jewelry MEGAPARTY was yesterday. It was fun. Worked out perfectly that I was almost finished baking the cookies for batch #2 at the time. After the Live, we took a supper break and then after supper I whipped up the third batch of cookies. We even had a bit of time to snuggle on the sofa, me and Alvin that is, lol.

Well I am going to make this a short one this morning so that I can get this show on the road. Tomorrow is a work day and I don’t want to be up late tonight.

I hope that you are well and enjoying this Day thus far.

I cannot believe that it is December 6, 2021. Where does the time go?

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

Always, Carol & Alvin

P.S. Remember the time Janice that we tried to crawl out of my basement bedroom window when we were teenagers? What a time we had. Cannot help but to smile thinking of it …….

2021

Good Morning ALL! How are you this morning? Well it is pretty chilly out there. I haven’t dared check out the temperature but I could see my breath for sure. The sun is starting to rise slowly as it becomes light outside. Yesterday was a productive Saturday. I did several loads of laundry, chipped and cleaned all of the ice from the public sidewalk out front of our house, washed all of the containers for Christmas baking, made three batches of fudge, watched a Fifth Avenue Jewelry LIVE, had a nice chat with a friend on the phone, did some cleaning and feels like I am missing something as I was busy from the time that I got up until bedtime. Anyway, lots to do at this time of year. What were you doing yesterday?

I am going to pop into the shower to get refreshed after this post and then put on the coffee and pull out all of the baking supplies to make the SUGAR COOKIES. I have already put away all of the laundry that was drying in the basement and brought up the towels out of the dryer. I made the bed. Do you make your bed everyday? That always seems to be something that people differ on along with the toilet paper roll up or down. But if we agreed on everything it would be a pretty boring world. I plan to bake all of the sugar cookies today and then ice them tomorrow. Likely make 3 or 4 batches which translates to about 216 – 288 cookies. If time allows, I may make more. I have decided this year to make individual packages for the people on my baking distribution list. Oh, that sounds pretty formal. I mean the folks that I give Christmas baking to each year. I usually add people to the list. I have some of the food wrap you know the cello stuff, and ribbon so just have to figure out how large the square has to be. That will likely be the hardest part, lol. I will wrap as I give them away. Not sure if it is feasible to do them all at once. Will see how time allows.

The Fifth Avenue Jewelry LIVES on FB have been fun. Who would have thought two years ago that we would not be having home parties and that everything could be more easily done on the computer on FACEBOOK, of all places. You never know where life is going to take us!

Oh, we had some snow sometime between bed and 3:00 a.m. – just enough to give things a nice little blanket and help cover any ice that was left. Grateful for that bit of snow.

Well time to fly and get some things done. Sometimes I am very good at procrastinating. Very good at it. When it is cold outside – I like to snuggle with Mr. Alvin under our favourite red blanket on the sofa sipping on a mug of coffee and watching “our” favourite Christmas show or movie. Maybe tonight, if I get those cookies all baked in time. We have the last Fifth Avenue Jewelry Live this afternoon at 4 p.m. Mountain time or 5 p.m. for you my sister in Saskatchewan.

Continuing to live this life with kindness, respect, compassion, patience, love, laughter, understanding and gratitude. So much gratitude for this life and each and every day of it.

Always, Carol & Alvin

P.S. last night we were or rather I was waiting for the LIVE to begin when I heard a crash. I was temporarily frozen on the sofa. Finally after a few seconds, I got up to investigate. Guess what I found? The broom and dustpan had fallen over onto the floor from his spot in between the pantry and wall by the back door. OMG, scared the hair right off my head. It did. Even Alvin jumped.

2021

Good Morning ALL! We made it to another Friday and another weekend. How wonderful is that? Pretty great, I think. My trusty sidekick is resting on his tummy just outside the office door. He likes laying on the carpet although he has a nice soft bed in my office, he seems to prefer to be there. Yesterday afternoon was great. I was able to drive and pick up Alvin’s food both hard and soft which means a bag and cans and also another container of his glucosamine chews followed by a trip to the post office at the local Shoppers Drug Mart where I mailed my Christmas cards and letters. I will say that I was a little shocked that several cards needed more postage but oh well. Glad to have that done and hope that they arrive on time to their destinations. While in the drugstore I picked up a few things that I needed before leaving for Save-On Foods. The store was not too busy and everything that I needed was there. There were not multiple bare shelves but the prices definitely have increased since the last time that I was shopping which was a bit ago. Some products on sale were sold out so I had to chose something else but that happens all of the time. It was so great to have some time to myself even though I was busy and like Cinderella I had a deadline, she had midnight and I had 3:00 p.m. but I made it back with plenty of time to spare. The residential streets or at least the ones in my neighbourhood were very icy. On my way to the Vet which was my first stop, some human being in their infinite wisdom was tailgating me, I thought to myself, sorry but I am not speeding down these icy streets. Perhaps I was driving a bit more slowly than required but not only was I being cautious, I was not driving my own vehicle and I was not about to get into an accident because was not patient. The roads were glare ice so I think I was doing the right thing. I was driving a reasonable speed for the conditions of the road. I was happy when they did not follow me into the Vet parking lot. I also dropped off the Christmas card for Dr. Karen and her staff along with photos of me and Alvin. They love receiving photos of their clients at Christmas time. I also mentioned that some Christmas Cookies would arrive sometime over the next couple of weeks and that I was baking this weekend. They were excited and said that they loved my baking. How kind. I decided to drive back the way that I came and go through my neighbourhood instead of taking the busier street which at that main intersection seems to have a great many accidents. Not taking unnecessary chances when there are icy roads. So obviously I made it home safe and sound and grateful for it. I had time to unload the car and put most things away before Alvin and I set out for his appointment. The sidewalks were okay as there was still crunchy snow covering them and only the driveways were icy.

Well time to head downstairs. Tonight is the first LIVE of my Fifth Avenue Collection Jewelry party. It is a mega party meaning there are multiple hostesses which is great. Good for the Jeweler.

I wish you a great Friday.

Tomorrow starts Christmas baking weekend.

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

Always, Carol & Alvin

2021

Good Morning ALL! The sky is grey this morning. Not even clouds just grey. Perhaps the forecast is correct and I don’t even want to think or even say the word aloud or even type it. Today is November 14, 2021 and most of our trees have lost their leaves. There is a bit of green grass alongside the brown. So great to have a nice long fall.

Yesterday was a good day. Our friends came for coffee in the morning and we as always we discussed everything from A to Z stopping to laugh along the way. We planned our Christmas Get Together AKA PARTY for December 10, 2021 which is a Friday so that will be a great way to start the weekend. I have to make sure that I can have their gifts by then but it is looking good. As with other years I am supporting local artists and artisans and those friends that do direct sales. Helping others help me which is a win win. The other item for discussion was baking. One of the girls has had so much baking between what she does, her Mom and others that she was giving it away long after Christmas. So that poses the question – When is too much too much? Definitely then. So I am going to cut back as I have been chatting with other friends and some with health issues who although they love the baking – they cannot eat it without repercussions. I think that I am only going to make to give away sugar cookies and fudge. I will bake chocolate chip cookies for my son-in-law but only one batch. SUGAR is definitely not good for us all anyway so I am going to cut back. I had another good friend give me an excellent suggestion and that was to make some Christmas Tree Ornaments out of my sugar cookies. They would be a reminder of me. Perhaps next year. But it is a great idea. Could write names on the cookies and decorate with red and green paint instead of icing or something. Next Year, I think. Never thought of making them into ornaments. Also the cost to bake keeps skyrocketing and you never know what items may be priced out of one’s reach or unavailable. So keeping it simple. My friend G from the coffee party yesterday picked me up a 10 kg bag of flour and S gave me a ziploc bag of 10 cups of sugar which will make a couple of batches of sugar cookies. I will need to buy mini marshmallows and chocolate chips. So now I have most of the baking items. Just a few items to pick up. Looks like I will be baking on the first weekend of December alongside the Fifth Avenue Jewelry party that I am hosting – am pretty sure that this happened last year as well. Yikes. Anyway, when I was going through the list of people to buy for which by the way has decreased over the years – I am in a pretty good place. A few stocking stuffers for the kids and the pups. Gifts for the pups. I think that I am good. There will be a bit of wrapping to happen but that doesn’t happen to be for awhile. Also yesterday Alvin and I enjoyed a beautiful walk – it was so nice outside. Sunny and the air was warm and no gale force winds which was refreshing. I attended the second Fifth Avenue Jewelry Facebook Live for a friend who was hosting. Will say that I was so disappointed in will say technology as I had been patiently on the page of the party for several minutes before the start time and even after the official start time and somehow still missed the start of both LIVES. Actually last night I was mad. Not disappointed but mad. I love watching the start and even though I was right there – I missed it. Well last night I did have to go outside with Alvin but I had my phone with me and that was 7:09 and the party started at 7:00. Not such how that happens but it is frustrating. Not loving technology at times. I also watched an excellent Christmas movie last night based on a book by Debbie Macomber’s “Christmas with Mrs. Miracle” with Caroline Rhea in the lead role. It was a great Christmas movie. Then it was bedtime where I am continuing to read a book by Ruth Ware. She is another great author. I have read so many of her books.

Well I have a long list of things to do today and my daughter will be here at 6:00 p.m. for supper and to sleep over as we are going to our perspective offices tomorrow. I am a bit anxious about going to the office but it will be okay. Mainly because I don’t want to leave Alvin home alone. He will have our friend and neighbour checking in on him but it is not nearly the same. Thank goodness this does not happen very often. I am so grateful to be working from home now. Best thing ever. I love my new office! Then there is some laundry as I want to wash bedding and Christmas towels. If nice go for a walk. Vacuum upstairs. Calling my sister at 1:00 p.m. and the list is long. Oh, and there is another Fifth Avenue Live at 4:00 which was supposed to be at 3:00 but the Fifth Avenue Jeweler had to change the start time. Busy day. Busy day.

Going to hop in the shower quickly and then I won’t have to worry about that tomorrow morning. Have to make it easy peasy for tomorrow. Alvin is patiently waiting for me in the hallway. I have to get this show on the road. Have an awesome Sunday.

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

Always, Carol & Alvin

P.S. The two hour special with ADELE is tonight. Starts at 9:00 so I cannot watch it all so will watch tomorrow night. I love ADELE.

2021

Good Morning ALL! How are you this morning? I had a slightly difficult time wanting to stay up this morning. Their were plans to be up earlier but ended up just before 8:00 a.m. Are there folks out there who are like me, who would love to be an early morning person but someone cannot bring themselves to get up at let’s say 6:00 a.m.? I manage to get up for work although now that I am at home, I push that time to the latest that I can and still able to fit in our morning routine. I have tried staying up later so that Alvin will sleep past 2:30 a.m. and most times he has been waking up at 4:00 or a bit earlier. Not quite sure what to do. I know that consistency is the key and I guess we have to find out groove, our place. I believe that part of “our problem” is that he will nap in the evening while I am watching television or whatever it is that I am doing unless I am outside working on something and then he is right at my side. I guess I have to spend less time on the sofa and more time doing things. Likely I do spend too much time on the sofa semi watching television and the rest of the time checking things on my smartphone. Here I am falling into the groove that I did not wish to when I first got the phone. On the bright side or upside, it is almost summer. There are many things to do outside so if we are busy and are in bed at/by 10:00 and then could sleep until 6:00 a.m., that would be perfection. 8 hours sleep or close. In a row would be ideal. Not sure how that would work with both Alvin and I be “older” and sometimes a full “bladder” wakes you up. Oh well. Life in the fast lane.

Yesterday I took a vacation day. What a great day I had. We were up fairly early and had a quiet morning. My daughter had a bit of a late start but she was here by noon and that was great. She brought the pressure washer so that I can clean the deck (hopefully) this weekend. Then we were on our way. I brought along a to go mug of freshly brewed coffee for her and I brought water as I had already drank way too much coffee. Always have to think of the bathroom thing. LOL. We decided to drop off her groceries that she had picked up from COSTCO on her way to my house to her house. She also picked up new eyeglasses which looked so good on her and had very “fancy looking” frames. At her house, I said hello to my son-in-law and to my grandpups who were excited to see me. I spent a few minutes giving Miss Aspen a belly rub. Soon we were on our way to a nearby community that was hosting the free cycle and I made an error in my previous post(s). It was Stony Plain that was having the freecycle weekend and June is when Spruce Grove (my daughter’s home) is hosting this event. We drove around and admired homes looking for people who were participating in the freecycle. The first thing we found was what looked like a garden hose and was very soft and flexible and two battery operated garden lights. We also pulled up to this house and we both spotted three vases. One was a dark copper, tall and cylindrical and the other were glass and beautiful. I was in love with the copper one and luck would have it my daughter loved the other two, most especially one that was greens and yellows so pretty. Another person pulled up right behind us but she stayed in the vehicle until we were finished. WE got lucky. We also found a bit later a bunch of medium and small Christmas tins which I love to use either to give baked goods to during the holidays or to wrap a small gift. We stopped at a garage sale and my daughter brought a brass bathroom towel holder stand. It was heavy and well made and worth the $10 that the woman asked for when we asked how much it was? We decided to drop off our finds at her home. At my daughter’s I got to meet the infamous pup LUNA who lives next door, formally met Luna’s parents and gave Miss Aspen more belly rubs along with Luna who kept giving me kisses when I rubbed her back. Mi Mi he would come for attention and then leave. The car was unloaded, a snack was had and bathroom breaks and then we were on the road once again. This time with stops to Canadian TIRE and then a greenhouse/nursery. I was able to pick up several items that I had wanted and a few extra things. It started to rain when we got to the greenhouse. We were standing in line. I said we would only wait 5 minutes or so and then leave as I did not have to buy flowers this time around. Before you know it was raining hard and people were starting to move inside. The young male employee was trying valiantly to keep people outside as it was against health regulations. No one listened. One older woman did not want to stand outside and basically just “pushed” her way into a corner and then when her husband came he just said he was with her. Some people. Most people moved into the entrance way which was frustrating the employee who was trying to keep people outside. Another employee came and told everyone that they could be shut down but no one seemed to care, they just did not want to get wet. We stood at the entrance, as we were third to go into the nursery. Anyway, there was chatter while we were there. Some laughs. No one seemed to remember the order except for me. Then we had a cart it had been sanitized and we were in the greenhouse. So many beautiful flowers and plants. While my daughter went to check out the succulents, I went to the other side. First find was some impatiens plants that were 6/$6.95 so I grabbed a couple of them. That was the last time that I looked at the price. The name of the game was to pick up some flowers and get home to Mr. Alvin. We were already later than I had originally planned. Although he had not been alone for very long as my neighbour had gone over around 3:00 p.m., I did not want to stress him more than necessary. I caught up to my daughter and we went around and picked up flowers that appealed to us. I picked up some many and was really excited. We were both excited as we love to plant flowers. I may need more for my front flower bed but it was a good start. Considering I had not been paying attention to the cost, I came in way under budget. So it goes to show you that if you pick out only the items that you love …. that you may just come in under budget/cost. Happy as a lark, I was. By the time that we got out of the greenhouse, the rain had stopped. We loaded up the car and were on our way to my house. Thankfully it is a short drive and we were home just after 5:30 p.m., so not too late. Mr. Alvin did let me know his feelings on the subject though. I let him out right away followed by his supper. We unloaded the plants and my shopping items and then my daughter was on her way. Once she was out of the garage I moved the flowers/plants into the middle of the floor. We are going to be busy this weekend. Pressure washing the deck and the house, planting flowers, the Fifth Avenue Jewelry lives which we had one last night at 7:30 p.m., laundry (that load I put in a while ago will be long since washed, a walk and some cleaning and whatever else I can squeeze into today and then tomorrow. I had better get this show on the road.

Oh, one more thing. After I fed Mr. Alvin last night I decided we should go for a walk before the rain. The sky held some big dark clouds. We did not get the rain shower that Spruce Grove had while we were flower shopping. We got to the park and Alvin decided that was far enough, I tried to convince him to go further but he would not so we headed home. I remembered as we got closer to the mailboxes that I had not picked up the mail recently and I had heard that the census had been mailed so decided to stop and grab the mail. While we were walking I noticed two woman and a medium size dog on the same side of the sidewalk as we were on and we had to cross to pick up the mail which we did. It was then that we were close enough and one woman had her back to us and I thought that she looked familiar. When we grabbed the mail we were crossing the street but there was a car in between us and when we came around the other side I realized that I in fact knew this woman. Surprise of all surprises, this is my new neighbour. The people that were moving out said a “woman” had bought their duplex and who knew that it would be someone that I knew. How cool is that? Very cool. We chatted for a few minutes. WOW.

I had better get going. Get dressed and get that load of laundry hung up and the next one into the washer. Lots to do this day.

I am excited to try out my new garden hose.

We wish you a wonderful day.

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

Always, Love Carol & Alvin

2021

Good Morning ALL! Today is Friday May 14th, 2021. Yay, it is the weekend for me. My daughter is picking me up this morning and we are going to spend part of the day together. In the town/city where she lives they have this freecycle program every year. Residents place unwanted items on their driveway and if you see something you would like or need you can take it for FREE. A good way to find a new home for items that are gently used that you are no longer using in your home. Let’s face it we all have a great many things that we do not need or use. Sometimes we use a specific item once a year and sometimes it is hard to part with items that may have sentimental value to us. But really we should all try to live a simpler life with less material things. I do make a point of not bringing things into the house unless I know that I am going to use them and love them and that goes for kitchen and house cleaning tools as well. Recently I bought a Bissell Crosswave wet vac and I love it. It does require some work as after every use it needs to be taken apart and cleaned but it is pretty easy so I don’t mind. My family gave me a hand held cleaning steamer for Mother’s Day, as I admired theirs. I am going to watch a YouTube video about all of the uses. I can see it being great for the bathrooms, windows, oven, stove and more. So it will be used starting this weekend. I am also going to go through my belongings room by room and recycle items that I no longer use or need. What a great way to help someone out that might need that item and does not have the money to buy it new. I am looking forward to the time spent with my girl today. I spoke to my neighbour and she will come and check on Mr. Alvin. He is doing so much better between his ears and his bottom end. The probiotics help. Perhaps it is something that he should be on and maybe just maybe it would keep him from having issues again? I am not sure but cannot hurt. I know that humans take probiotics daily so why can’t dogs. Will have to ask the Vet and do some research as well. It was so great to just slowly start the day today. I love vacation days. Right now the sun is shining so brightly and the trees are so green. Even my tree has gone from budding to leaves. I love the colour green. It is my fav colour for sure. Every shade of green.

The weather looks like it will be nice and I hope to get out and pressure wash the decks and the house this weekend. It is a big job. We use the power washer between my house and my daughter’s. This “tool” was given to me and it does come in handy. I have to revisit my garden hose. The hose that I have is extra long and it is made from something other than rubber and is not very flexible. I was watching a show that I tape and they recommend rubber garden hoses. I just would like something light, flexible and that has an end that will easily connect to the house and to the pressure washer. Not asking for much, I think.

So great to see bright blue skies. Nothing better than to start your day with a beautiful sunrise and watching our now full of baby leaves, trees sway gently in a breeze. Life is good. I hear dogs barking in the not too distant distance.

Some of our neighbours are moving away this weekend and others moving in. I cannot believe all of the FOR SALE signs in a small area. Seems like almost everyone is leaving. Do they know something that I do not? I guess the real estate market is crazy right now and interest rates are low. Translating to a good time to buy a bigger home if you require one. I am staying put. I love my house/my home. It is way more than I need but I love that I have this space for us. Sometimes dreams do come true. I had always wanted my very own home with a yard and space for flowers and I have that.

Well it is time to hop into the shower and get freshened up for the day. What to wear? Comfy, I suppose. Maybe a summer dress? or capris? jeans? No idea. I guess whatever is clean and is comfy. The criteria for clothing.

Tonight/this weekend, I am hosting another Fifth Avenue Jewelry party. The last one for awhile. I have so much jewelry and honestly as much as I love wearing jewelry, there is no way on this planet that I can wear/use it all. Fifth Avenue Jewelry is affordable and well made here in Canada, so I have loved supporting my friend and the company. My friend Amber who sells Fifth Avenue Jewelry (FAC) who do online one hour lives starting tonight at 7:30, and then one tomorrow afternoon, one Saturday night and the last one Sunday afternoon. She does Facebook lives showcasing about 40 different pieces each time. So much fun and right from the comfort of one’s home.

Just heard Mr. Alvin groaning which is his way of saying “hurry up.” Better stop writing for now and head to the shower. I wish you all a wonderful Friday. May your day be filled with great joy and laughter. We all need more laughter. I tried that yesterday in a zoom meeting ….. not sure that it went over well but I tried. Everyone just seemed to be so serious and “down.”

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

ALLways, Love Carol & Alvin

• 

Soon these beautiful flowers shall be outside in the sunshine.

December 30, 2020 – almost over!

Good Morning All. How are you this fine Wednesday? Alvin and I are doing great. Cannot believe that 2020 is almost over. Most people are so over 2020 that they cannot wait for it to end. Me and Alvin had an interesting year and mainly on the positive side. I am so grateful to be working from home, to be employed and that we are in good health. Actually the good health is number #1 on the gratitude list.

Well I finally figured out how to work this new fangle wordpress photo stuff. Here are some photos from the month or so.

Most of the photos are self explanatory but some may require further explanation. The third photo. Kelly Ripa’s glasses (on my new large screen television set). I fell in love with these glasses and when I went to pick out my new glasses, I wanted something similar to these ones and I found them. Not quite as big as hers but pretty close. Happy about that.

The fridge filled with baking and on the table. This year I made up over 20 boxes of my homemade: sugar cookies, unbaked chocolate macaroons, chocolate chip, raisin gingerbread cookies and fudge and delivered them to friends in the neighbourhood, and to my daughter (she picked them up). There are photos of presents on the kitchen cupboard and that is because as I have mentioned Mr. Alvin has decided to open his presents ahead of time. So anything for him or for his friends stayed on the counter until they were delivered. The photo of Alvin with the orangutan is not the best photo of the boy but it gives you an idea of how he felt about this gift (which luckily was for Aspen and Milo ). I have a photo of him with the orangutan wrapped about him, not sure where it is but he was scared of the furry guy. Photos of my grandpups Aspen and Milo just relaxing. The Elephant necklace from Fifth Avenue Jewelry (FAC) – my most favourite piece of jewelry. I have been wearing it lots. So pretty.

Christmas Project 2020 – a gift for my daughter. I created this gift by using one of her baby bonnet’s and some antique brooches. Creating a bouquet of flowers on the bonnet with a bee close by. My daughter loves bees so the bee pin had to be included. It turned out great and looks so good displayed in a shadow box.

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  Christmas Tree 2020

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  Sunrise

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  Kelly Ripa’s glasses

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  Baking

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  More Baking

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  Christmas presents

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  My new television

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  Miss Aspen Xmas 2020

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  Milo Xmas 2020

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  Alvin Xmas 2020

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  Alvin’s new winter coat

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  My fav new necklace

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  Wrapping Xmas presents

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  Wrapping xmas 2020

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  Christmas Project 2020

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  Close up of our tree

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  More of our tree

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  and more

Yesterday I took down the Christmas tree and most of the decorations on the main floor. I did not bring up all of the ornaments that are up for most of the year as I just like the almost bare look for now. I would like to bring in the New YEAR in a simple easy uncluttered manner. The basement has to be reorganized now and that will be my project for today. I also have to run (will walk) to the Vet and pick up food for Mr. Alvin. Cannot run out of that. We will go for another walk. Yesterday while out on our walk we bumped into our friend Malena and her dog Rio. She is staying with her parents for awhile. We of course chatted while social distancing.

I hope that you have an awesome day. Time to head for the shower. Then have breakfast. I think that when I go back to work, I am going to start eating earlier in the morning again instead of waiting until 10:00 a.m.

Be safe, take some time for yourself. Be kind, respectful and show compassion to all others.

Happy Wednesday.

Always, Carol & Alvin

Welcome to December 2020.

Good Morning All. How are you this morning? Never guess what happened during the night/earlier this morning? It was raining in December 8, 2020 in Edmonton, Alberta. I only hope that everyone that has to be out on the roads this morning is careful and gets to and from their destination. YIKES. Yesterday was so beautiful outside. I managed to get most things done yesterday. The big items were delivering the Christmas treat boxes to Alvin’s Doctor & Staff and pick up his food and supplies for the next “month.” I made up lots of Christmas treat boxes and delivered them to my friends and neighbours. Only two left and hopefully after work today. Thank goodness the weather was so mild. Alvin and I went for a walk in the afternoon and guess what again, “no winter boots, ” I wore shoes. The sidewalks had pools of water in spots but otherwise dry. Shaking my head at this weather and oh so grateful. This next weekend I want to bake another batch of sugar cookies and maybe one other cookie. I have three or more including home to “treat.” I guess we don’t count. Just to have some for Christmas and I was going to say for company but that is on the back burner now with the numbers for the virus, COVID going through the roof.

I am excited to go and get some new glasses on Friday after work. Although I won’t be able to get them that day, at least I can get them ordered as I have a feeling they will take more than two weeks now. But that is okay. I just would like some new glasses. I can see perfectly fine with the ones from two years ago but just need a change.

So, the Fifth Avenue Jewelry FB party – went great. So happy to help my friend who is a jeweler with them. It has been tough time for them (my friend and her family) so I was happy to help her with sales. Besides everyone can always use a bit of bling, right? Absolutely. I am grateful to the gals that also made purchases.

Well back to work this morning. Seems like I have been gone for awhile even though only one day passed the weekend.

I hope that you had a great Sunday. Perhaps the sun was shining and there were mild temperatures wherever you are.

Continuing to live with gratitude for all the many blessings in our lives, kindness, respect and compassion.

Always, Carol & Alvin

P.S. only 16 sleeps until Christmas Eve …..

Second Half of the NEW YEAR

Good Morning and Welcome to Saturday, August 15, 2020.

Two days to enjoy before heading to work on Monday.

Now that being said …. heading to work means moving down the desk to my second chair and workspace.

Seems odd but I do love working from home.

Perhaps this will be my forever set up …. working from home.

I will keep those thoughts.

 

Well yesterday Mr. Alvin and his Momma, Me had the most delightful walking adventure.

We left the house just before 12:30 p.m. and arrived back home about 2:30 p.m.

Two hours of walking and enjoying the scenery.

I apologize for this being posted so late.

I started to download or upload the photos from my computer to this page and it took forever.

Likely as I had so many to do.

Then I joined the second of four, of my Fifth Avenue Jewelry online showings for my jewelry party weekend at just after 10:00 a.m.

That is a mouth full.

So cool that so much can be done online.

Then Laundry happened.

Finally I have all of the photos that I snapped on our 2020 Summer Vacation Hike.

It ended up being warmer than I had anticipated but I took water.

I know that in some of the closeups Alvin looks as though he is going to keel over but trust me I was keeping an eye on him at all times.

We hit the shade often and he drank almost two of his water bottles during our two hours.

We had the best time.

Stopping for snacks along the way.

Bumping into our friends on the way home.

When we were leaving the park and about half way home, Alvin was running out of water.

I happened to see a young man out with his children and was holding a garden hose.

So I politely asked if he would refill Alvin’s water bottle and he said “most certainly.”

We were very grateful and thanked him and then were on our way.

We spent two hours out and about and most of the time slowly walking along.

It was gloriously.

As Mr. Alvin is getting older …. I am not certain how many more long walks he will be able to endure so I was pleased that we had this opportunity.

He especially loved the treat breaks.

The trees and the grass was so green.

I snapped shots of almost everything in our path.

I will say that holding a water bottle and a doggie on a leash and trying to snap photos with the cell was difficult at times.

But we did end up with some nice shots.

I most especially loved the ones in the further park (beginning of the photos) as you feel as though you are walking in a forest.

We came across so many folks out walking their dogs.

Sometimes when the dogs were larger we detoured down a side path.

There was one older dog that we kept bumping into and finally ended up getting quite close.

I offered him some water as he appeared to be hot.

But he did not take any of the water.

Poor old guy was blind in one eye.

He was a larger doggie and was actually younger than Alvin.

Alvin does not have grey hair as yet.

No dye jobs either, lol.

Well here it is almost noon.

I had better get this show on the further road.

Have an awesome day.

I hope that you enjoy seeing our photos from our Summer Vacation 2020 Hike.

I guess we will have to watch the weather and see when okay to go for a walk.

Right now the sky is overcast.

There is a cool breeze.

 

Living life with kindness and respect.

Enjoying each and every moment.

I/We shall remain,

As Always, Carol & Alvin