A New YEAR 2023

Good Morning ALL! How are you this morning? I am great, today is Friday and the weekend is ahead of us. We had another choppy but yet not to bad sleep. I always figure if I can get anywhere between 3-4 hours of continuous sleep, I am doing great. So I am pretty great. Earlier we walked outside to a snow rain mix. They were showing on the news (just happened to be on that channel, I normally do not watch the news this early in the day) that the outside cameras were icing up. Do not think that is a great thing but I am hoping that the roads are good this morning.

I have been thinking as of late as I reread THE SECRET that I should just put this out to the world. Thoughts become Things after all! Okay, I am going to say it. Deep breath! Here it is:

I am retiring. This is the goal. When you write something down for others and yourself to see, it makes it feel much more real. So I have done this. My thoughts become things. I am retiring with more than enough money and no mortgage. How about we all do this? Whatever you are dreaming about? Say it aloud or put it in writing for yourself and the Universe to hear and see. Then go in that direction. I will say that is what I did when I retired the first time and moved to Alberta. I kept saying that I was going to buy my own house in Edmonton close to my daughter and son-in-law and I did just that. So it is possible. Everyday and every chance – get those thoughts out there.

Mr. Alvin is quietly waiting for me downstairs so I am going to say goodbye for this Friday. I hope that you have a wonderful day. Be safe. Dream.

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

Always, Carol & Alvin

A New YEAR 2023

Good Morning ALL! Another busy day ahead. My daughter slept over last night and she is still sleeping. We are having my cousins over for a visit and supper today. So I have lots to do. Cooking and cleaning. Alvin has taken the corner in major improvement. He had a good poop or poops yesterday so that is such a relief. I will continue with his regiment and hopefully by next week he is back to his old self. Next Thursday is his 14th Birthday. We will celebrate not next Saturday but the following Saturday with our family and perhaps even a friend or two. I am grateful for all of the many blessings in my life. Family and Friends.

Speaking of friends, just a special shout out to my dear friend Gillian who helped me out in a major way yesterday. After work, I had to go to the vet to pick up something (treats, yes I know – not like Alvin can have them now but they are a hard commodity to secure), my eyeglasses and some groceries. She picked me up shortly after 4:00 p.m. and we had all three stops done and back home by 5:00 p.m. How is that for getting things done. I am so grateful for her friendship, love and support. She saved me time and walking and carrying.

Another dear friend received good news about her pathology report and we are forever grateful.

Just good news all way round.

Freezing rain earlier ….. yes ….. raining in Edmonton ….. in January. Go figure. The next days and virtually all week are to be mild. Perhaps Alvin and I may get out for a walk yet before the temperatures change.

I will post a few photos tomorrow but need to get this show on the road.

Thank you for taking time out of your busy schedules to read my posts, it is so appreciated. I love to write and to share my life with you. Maybe some of the pooping stories are a bit much but they are part of my life, unfortunately or perhaps fortunately! Take some time for yourself on this weekend and have a good one. Be safe and take care.

Continuing to live this life with kindness, respect, compassion, patience, love, laughter, understanding, gratitude, focus, possibilities and coffee. I have already enjoyed a mug of that good stuff, lol.

Always, Carol & Alvin

Last Half 2022 – December 27th

Good Morning ALL! I hope that you all had a wonderful Christmas Day and Boxing Day. I cannot believe that it is already Tuesday and that Christmas Day was Sunday. The days are already passing by so quickly. I am very grateful to be off from work this week. Alvin came home on Christmas Eve. I have a few days to catch up on in my post. Back to Christmas Eve, my daughter and son-in-law arrived late afternoon with all three pups with their SUV full of gifts, pup stuff, Alvin’s stuff, food and their sleepover bags. I was ready. We put things away and then Amanda & Steven were on their way to St. Albert to have Christmas with his side of the family. I was excited to spend the evening with the pups. I guess that I watched way too many movies because when Alvin saw me he just ran, not from me but all over the main floor. Sniffing and looking as if he wasn’t sure where he was at the moment. There was no running to each other with tears streaming down faces. He was anxious but not in a good way. Is there a good way to be anxious. Not sure about that. Anyway, even though I was disappointed that he was not happy to see me, I just carried on with things. It was almost time to give them supper, so I fed the pups, all three. Feeding did not go well. Alvin ate his supper but Aspen and Milo, not. I tried hand feeding them which worked to some degree. In the end some of Aspen’s wet food sprinkled on top of her wet food was agreeable. Milo, seemed to like it as well. I found out later that her wet food is more of a treat but they have had to resort to sprinkling some on top as well or she won’t eat. I have never had a problem with Alvin eating his food, thank goodness. Or I should say only once and he wasn’t feeling good. Once pups were fed, I prepared my supper. Leftovers which were roasted vegetables and chicken breast. Of course, Alvin wanted some of the chicken. ARGH. After supper was over and clean up was done, we settled down on the sofa. I snapped some photos of the pups. Watched a Christmas movie. I had raised one of the blinds and secured it so that Miss Aspen would be able to look out of the window. She likes, no loves to check out things. At one point all three were barking at some dogs that went by and Miss Aspen almost took out my Christmas Tree. Not on purpose – just because there was not much room between the chair, the tree and the windows to turn around. She is a yellow lab shepherd cross so she is long. I forgot. Just a little moment of panic and then all was good. Amanda texted around 8:00 saying they were on their way which was perfect as it had started to rain and no one wants to be driving in freezing rain on highways or anywhere. Such massive relieve when they arrived a short while later. Once they were in the house, we nibbled on food, made drinks and then times for pups to open their gifts. Alvin is such a master gift opener that we always watch in awe and always take a few videos. By the end Miss Aspen had decided that she wanted to open hers, too. We did our stockings next. So much fun. There was a massive amount of gifts to open as we had all gone overboard. I felt like we needed to or at least I planned as I figured with the way things have been for us all, we needed some extra gifts. Everyone was over the moon with their gifts including me. I received a “fire stick” which gives you more apps. I wanted to have Disney+ and now I have it thanks to my kids. YAY. I am so excited to watch all the Disney movies new and old. I have watched “Finding Nemo” and my very favorite “A Bug’s Life.” That was yesterday. Some of my gifts were “Kelly Ripa’s book “Live Wire,” navy cardigan, notebook, package of scratch tickets, candle, relaxation items and I am sure that I missed something but I was spoiled. Christmas Eve was a blur. Christmas Day was quiet. We took the pups for a walk in the early afternoon after a late breakfast. I should say we girls, took the pups out as my son-in-law was so excited that his fav football team was planning so he was watching the game. Slowly Alvin was becoming more comfortable. The walk was awesome. All the pups were happy to be outside. The past week or so was too cold for them. Time for a new paragraph!

The kids went to pick up the Chinese Food which had been ordered a couple of hours earlier by Amanda. They left the house about 4:00 p.m. and I fed the dogs about 4:30 p.m. They were back about 5:00 p.m. and I had the table set and was ready to unpack the food so we could eat. Amanda told me of a close call while they were out. She was driving and making a left turn, the light turned red for the through traffic and she noticed a car coming fast and thought it was not going to stop, so she waited (people behind were not happy). The car ran the light. Had Amanda not waited and just gone without checking they would have been broadsided. I am grateful that she is such a good driver. She said that she was grateful that she took lessons and part of it was defensive driving and her instructor said to always look, even if you have the right of way, always check. Being in the right and being dead. Anyway we had a lovely dinner. I did the clean up as I did not have to cook. I had made an apple crisp for dessert. We girls, had it much later while we were playing a new Christmas game.

We had a great Christmas. So much to be grateful for and about. I am going to head downstairs now as I need some coffee and to start laundry and then start taking down the Christmas tree and ornaments. I think this is the earliest that I have ever taken the tree down but feels like time. I have to call the vet and make an appointment for Alvin. He needs his nails trimmed and stuff.

I will post photos later.

I hope that you all had a wonderful Christmas. The sky is overcast so we will need to walk sooner than later, I think. Need to check the weather report.

Happy Tuesday.

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

Always, Carol & Alvin

P.S. I forgot to mention that I won $24 on lotto tickets that I bought and a freeplay and on the scratch tickets from Christmas another $20. YAY me. When I used the scanning app, and it told me I won, felt like I won a million dollars with the balloons flying and the happy noise. Time for coffee.

The New YEAR 2022

Good Monday Morning ALL! How are you this morning? It is still dark outside so I don’t know if we will see the sunrise or if it will be overcast. I think that it might have been raining overnight. It would appear to be so with the icy covering on parked vehicles that I could see out the front window earlier. The streets will be super icy so if you are driving and in our area, please be careful. Always better to err on the side of caution especially in the winter time. Perhaps you are reading this post from a sunny warmer climate and that is wonderful. Winter in Canada is serious business. Our weather can change in a heartbeat from sunny skies and warm temperatures to blowing snow or freezing rain. We had warm temperatures yesterday although it was overcast a good portion of the day. Unfortunately we were not able to walk. Looking at the ice out there made me cringe and after our short walk to the park on Saturday, I was not really looking forward to doing that again. We did see some friends and neighbours which was good but slipping and having to walk so carefully is not really much fun. So we stayed put.

I did go out and chip away more of the ice and we have an area carved out that the water can run to the drain. That took some doing but certainly has helped with the water/ice problem.

One of my girlfriends was going to Costco yesterday morning so she picked up a couple of things for us. I was so happy that she had time to stop in for a coffee and visit. She only had 1/2 hour as she had to pick up one of her sons from his Rock Climbing Class. I think RC would be so much fun. Can you imagine scaling a small mountain / hill? It was funny that I made extra coffee with the thought that perhaps she may be able to stay for a bit. YAY.

I got through my utilities and sorted that out for tax time. One of the things about having a small business. Keeping records and then finding where you put them, is another. Anyway all ready to go or at least pretty close.

Well almost time to start work, a few minutes away. I always like to get my computer turned on and be settled before the actual start time. Being prepared. I am not a fan of rushing at the last moment.

Mr. Alvin did get some fresh air outside with me on the deck when I was removing some ice from parts of the deck.

I wish you a wonderful Monday.

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

Always, Carol & Alvin

2021

Good Morning ALL! Welcome to Wednesday, December 8, 2021, 16 sleeps until Christmas Eve. How are you this morning? Alvin and I are well. We had some freezing rain in the middle of night making for icy roads out there. I just received a text from my daughter advising that she will be working from home today and I am so relieved. Having to drive on the highway for any distance makes me a bit on the nervous side especially since the roads have not likely been sanded as yet.

I cannot believe that we are in the last month of 2021. It seems like only yesterday that we were packing up and working from home. That day was March 16, 2020. Unbelievable that it will be two years in a few months time. Somedays it feels like I have always worked from home. I feel so comfortable and safe and productive working in my abode. No longer having the long commute. Being for Alvin has been wonderful most especially since he is fast approaching 13 years old in January. I wonder how all those folks are doing that adopted a pet during the pandemic and are going back to work. Also, I wonder what the percentage is of people that will remain working from home. Most especially in the large cities where the employers leased office space for example. Those employers can reduce overhead by having their employees continue to work from home. Personally this has been the best thing to happen to me in my work life. I love being at home. Did I say that already? Anyway it has been wonderful and I am grateful that my employer has given us the choice. Given the choice would you prefer to work at home?

Yay, I figured it out. Yesterday I had some technical difficulties with WordPress but I finally got it fixed, all by myself.

The clock is ticking away and getting closer to work time. I hit the snooze button twice this morning with good reason someone who shall remain nameless woke up at 1:30, 2:30, 4:30, 5:00 to eat and then back until 6:45. I wonder if it is an age thing? Anyway, I am okay. He will nap off and on all day anyway.

I am looking forward to another mug of the Starbuck’s Christmas Blend coffee. It is my favourite blend of all time. Smooth and not bitter. Tad of sweetness but not overwhelming. Just the perfect blend for coffee. If you have not tried it yet and are a coffee drinker, I highly recommend purchasing a bag.

I wish you a glorious day. Don’t worry things will work out. Close your eyes and think of your favorite person or item on the planet. Then just breathe.

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

Always, Carol & Alvin

P.S. I am with you ….. sometimes you just have to go for it!

2021

Good Morning ALL! How are you this morning? We are well. Had kind of scary few moments earlier this morning when I let Alvin outside realizing that we had freezing rain earlier and the deck was a sheet of ice except for a smallish pile of snow. Alvin had to go out and I figured he would stand a chance of remaining upright but the poor little guy slipped about trying to go down to the grass area and then trying to go up the steps to the upper deck while I called out to him to “STOP.” I was so scared that he would slip and wrench one or more of his legs and then we would be right back to where we started from or worse. Luckily he ended up over by the snow and of course had to walk into it but in the end he had a pee. It was horrifying for a few minutes before he got safely back to the house. Just after we got up, I quickly went outside stepping onto the mats on the deck just outside the door with ice pick and shovel in hand I got to the snow and starting shovelling and throwing it all over the deck. Hoping then he would have some traction for his next visit outside. It is warm out so unfortunately it will likely melt but with the plus temperatures over the next few days – the snow will likely all melt on the deck anyway. The sun is beginning to rise with the blue night sky slowly starting to dissipate. Well I will have a shower after this post. Followed by some cleaning. I brought up and put away the last of the laundry that was hanging to dry and put away before I started this post. Made the bed and arranged the pillows. Does anyone else make their bed anymore? It seems like most of the younger ones do not but I like it made. A personal preference or perhaps a generational thing, I do not know. But anyway.

I forgot that my friend Gillian’s husband celebrated a birthday yesterday. Happy Birthday.

I received a message from Teddy’s Mom saying that they were coming back into the City and could Teddy spend the night. I hope that this freezing rain stuff does not stop that from happening. Safety first, of course. Not sure what the highway is like. I know that the QE2 (Queen Elizabeth Highway #2) had a major accident yesterday with several tractor-trailer units. I hope everyone is okay, I was scared to check further. Teddy’s Mom also mentioned that perhaps while she ran errands tomorrow that possibly Kobi could stay with us. I said “YES” of course. Alvin will be over the moon to have his best bud sleep over and visit. I cannot wait, fingers crossed that the roads are okay. Coming in from the country you never know.

The Christmas Cards were all done yesterday and then last night I thought of two more, one to post and one to hand deliver. Just two so that is not too bad. I am mailing 33 I believe and hand delivering 16 for a total of 49 which is the least amount that I have ever done. I used to write up cards for my coworkers and some others from work that I know well and that was a big number and I used to mail 75-100 but there are cutbacks everywhere including my Christmas Cards. Besides the ones to the office, I don’t have people’s addresses except for one. So I am mailing her a card. Everyone else will receive a verbal “Merry Christmas” and “Happy New Year.”

Well I suppose I should go and hit the shower followed by some coffee and breakfast and then do some cleaning.

I hope that you have a wonderful Sunday wherever you may be!

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

Always, Carol

P.S. I am going to put on some Christmas music ……

2021

Good Morning ALL. How are you this very windy Thursday morning? Or at least it is windy here in Edmonton, Alberta. I have to apologize (which I have already done) for forgetting to shout out Happy Birthday wishes to my younger brother. I completely forgot that yesterday was his birthday when I was doing this blog and then I got sidetracked when Alvin and I had gone downstairs after I got dressed and wrote my blog to find an Emergency Vehicle, Firetruck and Ambulance parked outside my house. The Head vehicle turned around and left leaving the Firetruck and Ambulance. The Emergency staff from the Ambulance were outside donning their COVID19 gear of gown, masks and gloves. Kind of through me for a loop. I had no idea where they were headed. As they were not coming to my house, they were next closest to Humphrey & Bogart’s house, my heart sank. When they walked past her house, I quickly texted Sonja. My heart was racing. I know most of my neighbours …. some obviously better than others. In a matter of minutes the “phone lines were hot” with people checking on me. They were in the house for what seemed forever but as this was a work day for me, I could not stand at the window gawking out. At some point the firetruck left leaving the ambulance. A bit later I checked and they were back at the ambulance removing their gear. They did not place anyone in the back. I hope that all is well. Not like you can knock on their door and ask. I am not nosey just concerned. So that started my day. Not long after that the wind got up and it started to rain. I could only think how grateful that I was for making Alvin’s vet appointment for Tuesday and not Wednesday. After some rain the rain turned to fluffy snow. So the sidewalks are icy where the wind blew the snow away. I found that out when I went to shovel last night. We did not go for a walk as we had a mini blizzard happening. I did some walking on the spot to get some steps in and of course up and down the stairs several time. Mr. Alvin is now whining at the doorway to the office so I had better get going.

So it was quite the Wednesday. I had a nice chat with my brother last night. He had a good day. Said it was raining in Calgary …. raining for his birthday. The first time he can remember that happening.

Oh and President Trump was impeached for a second time. How could I forget that. This Wednesday will not be forgotten anytime soon.

Time to get this day going.

I hope that you have an awesome Thursday. Hoping you are well and take care, be safe.

Continuing to live our lives with kindness, respect and compassion.

Always, Carol & Alvin

It is the NEW YEAR.

Good Morning, after a long night.

Alvin was up to go outside just before midnight.

Kobi decided she would just stay awake and play all night.

I always block off the upstairs so she cannot come up here and even with a double gate she managed to escape and come up three times.

So I am running late.

She is my little escape artist.

Quick as a rabbit.

Now Teddy is by himself on the main floor and is not happy.

So this will be short.

Sorry I was going to post some photos but still loading and I am running out of time.

Just in the middle of things Kobi pees on my office floor, thankfully it is laminate.

She missed the pee pad that I had out, of course.

 

Wishing you a good day.

Remember to laugh.

Be kind and respectful.

 

I owe Kobi an apology, I was kind of upset with her.

Not over the top but now I feel badly.

 

Always, Carol, Alvin, Teddy and Kobi

Living … One day at a time

Bright blue sun filled sky this morning.

Welcome to the weekend.

Last night we had rain.

This morning we have “black ice.”

I have a decision to make regarding Alvin’s 10:00 a.m. appointment with Dr. K.

It is a regular one for nails and anal glands.

I am thinking that I should ask to see if I can push it to a later time today before they close at 2:00 p.m.

Our sidewalks are a skating rink and even with the ice picks on your boots, it can/could be dangerous walking to the clinic.

Some photos from last night.

Humphrey joined us for a couple of hours.

He loves Alvin’s bed curled up looking at the Christmas tree, so cute.

Then the rain.

Yes, it was.

Raining last night.

I was so wishing that I had left my downspout connected.

Now you see about the black ice this morning after it froze.

The temperature is not cold but enough to make it dangerous for walkers and for driving of course.

I threw in some photos of my Snowman and Snowwoman, just because they are so cute.

 

Yesterday at work, we said goodbye and congratulations to a friend on her retirement after 27 years of work at our office.

It was very sad and exciting all at once.

I am happy for her as she looks forward to some major changes.

 

Well I guess this will be short as it is almost time for the clinic to open and I want to see if we are able to change Alvin’s appointment time.

I wish you all an awesome Saturday.

Be safe.

With kindness and respect, always.

 

Always, Carol & Alvin

 

 

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Tuesday the 11th day of December, 2018.

Yesterday with the mild temperatures we had freezing rain.

Making life miserable to pedestrians and drivers alike.

My daughter told me of her experience.

Yesterday was her day off from work and she had an appointment to attend out here in my neighbourhood.

She wasn’t far from home and the roads were icy.

In order not to slip into another car – she took the snowbank and then was stuck.

Luckily some men were out working and came to her rescue pushing her out.

ROADS WERE ICY AND WILL BE THIS MORNING.

Be care out there.

I also had an appointment and caught the bus from downtown to my neighbourhood.

Eye check-up.

The parking lot at work was slippery as was the one that is next to ours.

I was so careful.

Took baby steps all the way to the bus stop.

Luckily I had lots of time and could take my time, walking along.

I made it to my appointment and back home safe and sound.

Poor Mr. Alvin did not have a walk last night.

It was so icy and I just could not take a chance of him or me going down.

By the way, my Optometrist said that I have “very healthy eyes and the change was very small.”

I can wear my current glasses and I have sun glass clips for the main ones.

I do have a second pair – which seem to have disappeared.

Have to find them.

I picked out a new pair because I need to spend the money in my insurance.

Otherwise it is gone.

So two appointments checked off the list.

One more on Friday and that is it for 2018.

YAY.

 

I checked my posts from last year and remembered it was about this time when I took a tumble off the City Bus on my way home from work.

A passenger was coming on and I tried to get around her and flew through the air.

Landing face down.

I scratched my glasses, scrapped my hand and my pride.

The sidewalk was dry – no ice.

On December 11th, 2017 – my post said “appears to be another nice day on the way.”

 

The cookie packages and cards (enclosed a photo of me and Alvin) were a big hit with my coworkers.

Just a few more cookie packages to deliver.

 

Well I should go as I have to put on my ice picks as the sidewalk will definitely be icy.

Drive and walk carefully ……

 

Special Hello to: all those folks who are busy with it all at this time of year …. remember to slow down and breathe.  It will get done.