A New YEAR 2023

Good Morning ALL! Well it is an awesome morning. Alvin slept for almost 7 hours straight. It was me that woke up twice while we were upstairs. First time up was around 4:00 a.m. and outside where he just had a pee. Then back to the sofa until the alarm went off at 5:30 a.m. Once we were up I gave him his breakfast and outside again where he peed and had a good poop (not quite perfect) with no blood for the first time in a long while. I was almost howling with delight at the full moon but figure that I had better not being doing that at 5:43 a.m. or I would have the lights coming on like back in the Flintstone’s neighbourhood in Bedrock. Do you remember? Anyway, what a great way to start the week. I am trying to remember the time that I gave him last food in the evening, what time did we go to bed, did I cross my eyes and dot my nose, lol.

I realized once I was showered, made up and dressed that the time was later than I thought. 6:24. My ride comes about 7:10 so I like to take Alvin out again, snuggle with him and then finish packing my bag and getting things ready for him. T.V. on etc.

We had a great Sunday. I gave Alvin a haircut and bath, did some laundry, went for a walk with Alvin, vacuumed main floor and washed, made some root veggies roasted in the oven for supper and in the early afternoon had a 1.5 hour chat with my sister. So great to hear her voice and have a laugh and catch up. Been awhile.

Okay time to fly now. I think that good news, no great news can be kept short and sweet.

Happy Monday Everyone!

Containing 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! How are you this morning? Well, I will leave the “sleep” alone for this post. I will say this that the moon last night was so full and awesome. The moon seemed to be more bright than usual. The sky was clear and I could see “stars” and likely sateilttes taking up their position in the sky. Looks like the sky is overcast this morning and there is no wind at this time. We were up a bit later this morning but not too late for a Sunday.

Yesterday was a great day. Woke up having my daughter, Alvin’s sister in the house which was awesome, we so love having her sleep over. I was dressed and ready for the birthday party while the coffee perked. We girls had coffee and visited while she worked on transferred my photos to the external hard drive. Surely is not a quick process but thankfully is not super difficult. I will report exactly how that goes the first time that I do it for myself. Yesterday afternoon I was supposed to do some more but did not happen. Amanda left just before I was leaving for the birthday party. The sky was a magical blue and the sun so bright and mighty. I wore my fav sweatshirt, my only sweatshirt, but I love it and jeans. Instead of wearing a winter coat, I opted to throw on my winter down vest. Perfect. Alvin had gone pee before I left and was settled on the sofa with the television on for company. The birthday girl was running late as she now is working two jobs and overshot how long it would take her to be done (I think she slept in as did I, actually I think she mentioned something about that, too). Gillian and I had coffee and chatted. I filled her in on my latest drama. Sure would be nice to have a light hearted comedy going on, instead, lol. Just as we were about to dive in on the “food” (what a spread), the birthday girl arrived. Food went on the table and then we were eating and chatting, laughing and crunching on food. Friends around the table, enjoying a beverage (tea and coffee), good food and each other. Oh, how I love these girls. They are the best. Gillian’s boys joined us for us food. Then it was time to open gifts and then the birthday cake. Signe had two cake a strawberry one and then a chocolate one. Both so yummy. The birthday girl is not fond of chocolate cake. We did not more chatting and then cleaning up and then it was two hours later and we were on our way home. Signe lives closer to Gillian than I do, across the alley actually and me well a few doors down. Maybe a two-three minute walk, maybe. Then I was home, I turned on a load of laundry and had more coffee, chilled with Alvin and of course, let him outside. We went for a walk about 40 minutes later. Oh, it was so warm and I could have kept going. Alvin surprised me and instead of walking into the park by the ponds, he made a dash towards Teddy’s house. Yup, I let him led the way. Exactly where he was going. When we got to their house, he darted up the driveway before I was able to stop him and explain that his BF was not at home. I felt so badly for him, I am sure that he misses the little guy. He has not seen many friends as of late. Lots of human friends but no puppies or kitties. Might be a good time soon to have Humphrey come and spend some time with us. Unfortunately will not be today. Maybe tomorrow when I go to the office Alyaa could bring Cookie with her, I will ask. On the way home from our walk, close to home, he went up the sidewalk of another friend and just so happened she was by the window and saw him so she came to the door. Next thing we were in the house. He was having a treat and we were chatting. It was 4:00 p.m. when we got home and was 2:39 when we left so it was another nice break. More social happenings yesterday than not. Back home I finished up the laundry and vacuumed the main floor.

One more thing, there has been a foul odour coming from under the sink. Last week I took everything out from under there and did a deep clean. But no luck, the smell was still there. I even left baking soda under there to no avail. So yesterday once again, I took everything out and did an even deeper clean and still. I have no idea where this is coming from? There is the wall and then there is a partial wall under the sink, maybe something got in there? Food or something? So frustrating. Or is it coming from the dishwasher. Anyway, I put an open candle (unlit) under there and last night it did not smell bad. I will keep investigating. Perhaps a vinegar wash in the dishwasher would help. Life in the fast lane.

We had a quiet evening. Oh, my friend Signe picked me up a lottery ticket and I have not checked it, still living the dream.

Finally the movie that I have been waiting for was “streaming” on Disney, “WAKANDA FOREVER.” I ended up watching the making of this movie and the making of the new Avatar movie as well before hand while I was feeding Alvin, cooking some chicken for me and cleaning up. Then I watched WAKANDA FOREVER, what a great movie. Not sure if I liked it better or not, I think both movies could hold themselves up individually. I did miss Chadwick Boseman, and nice to see Michael B Jordan playing a cameo (he passed in the first movie). Anyway, two of my all time fav movies.

Okay, I have to fly. Time to get the coffee going. I have to give Alvin a haircut and bath. This afternoon I will be chatting with my sister and then going for a walk. There is more laundry to do and then get ready for working at the office tomorrow. Oh, how I wished that this was not my new norm as I loved working from home.

Have a great day.

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

Always, Carol & Alvin

P. S. I am planning to move some photos to the external hard drive this afternoon. Lots to do.

Last Half 2022 – September

Good Morning ALL! How are you this Monday morning? We are back to normal. Yesterday after we went downstairs in the morning, after the blog was written, Mr. Alvin started to shake and pant. This continued for most of the day. He did not even rush or bark for his food. At his breakfast he ate it with no problem. That was at 6:00 a.m. It was about 10:00 a.m. that our day changed. Out of the blue. It was so odd. I am not sure if it was a combination of the heat from the day, perhaps the arthritis in his legs/paws, I do not know. But I am over the moon happy that this morning he was right in there to eat his breakfast. He has one more day of antibiotics remaining. Fingers crossed and prayers going out that he remains in good health. We were up at 1:21 a.m. and then again at 3:00 a.m. but at that time we were sleeping on the sofa, so I managed to coax him to lay back down which he did after having a drink of water. My boy.

The moon has been full for the past few days. So big and bright in the morning and night sky. We will head out for a walk in a little bit. Tomorrow is back to the office for another day. I have been thinking about how much our work/life balance is going to change with the return to the office. Back to heading off to bed between 8:30-9:00 a.m. and up to stay at 5:00 a.m. AND returning home around 5:30 a.m. I am so grateful that I had these extra precious hours and days at home with Alvin for the past almost three years. Also just to be home and enjoying my home as well. Another new norm is rising. Are we up for yet another “new?” Not sure but for now it will be.

Life is so interesting when you sit back and look back all all the years and everything that has happened. Most of us “find ourselves doing something new” each and every day of our lives. Some folks seem to hunker down and stay unchanged for most of their days. Perhaps it is all in the mindset. Our thoughts become things. I must practise this more. I do find that my thoughts are not consistent about the things that I want and that is due in part to the life beat going on around me. Pretty hard to say that you love working from home and then have to return to work the next week. Still have to make plans for Alvin’s care and getting ready for work each day. I do struggle with this. How can I have my “thoughts become things” when my life is upside down or feels like it anyway? Hopefully I will figure it out soon. Also our actions play a role as well. They go hand in hand!

I miss the early morning sunrises and the late sunsets.

It would be wonderful to wake up in the morning and just be retired, with no mortgage, lots of money to live on comfortably and be home permanently with Mr. Alvin. That is my dream. Wake up on our own timetable. I think Mr. Alvin would have us up early for his breakfast but then we could head back to bed to wake up when my body wanted me to get up. That would be wonderful. We could walk anytime. We could stay up late or go to bed early. We could do whatever we wanted to do during the day. I could work in the garden in the mornings when it was hot. I would have all day to write, to scan photos, to go through all of the photos on my computer, to do so much. Just like a never ending vacation. That is my dream. Everyday would be a new adventure!

I hope that you have a wonderful day.

We are going to head out for a walk.

Dream, dream, dream. Thank you. I am grateful for my dreams.

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

Always, Carol & Alvin

It is a NEW YEAR.

Good Wednesday Morning.

Full moon still glowing this morning as the sun began to rise in the sky.

The sky is clear as the sun begins to rise.

What a beautiful morning …..

 

Alvin and I enjoyed not one but two walks yesterday.

We also bumped into our friends.

Alvin’s best friend Teddy and his little sister Kobi and their Mom.

It was so nice to see them.

The pups were all able to say hello and we Mums kept to the social distancing.

We also chatted with our neighbours out front of our house and yes, we kept to the social distancing.

I will say that I was missing seeing my friends, our friends.

That human contact has been less and less with each week.

I see people walking by our house but that is about it.

I almost feel like sitting on our front porch and greet folks as they walk by.

Might be a bit creepy for folks or perhaps they would join me in the reaching out.

When you are living by yourself with no other adult or children the quiet eventually is too quiet.

I have always enjoyed having white noise in the background.

The television comes on at my morning coffee break.

I am going to turn on some music this morning.

Do a little chair dancing?

Why not?

 

I was thinking as I was getting ready this morning.

What will we be thinking when this is all over?

What will we have learned?

Will we have strengthened our family units?

Will we find children/families that were forgotten and neglected by society/by us?

Will more people continue to work from home?

Will the way we shop, socialize, work and play change forever?

Will we find that we have started new businesses from home?

Will we have become more creative?

Will we learn to be more patient?

Will things go back to the way they were?

Will they find a medicine or a cure to treat this virus?

Will this happen again?

Will this end?

 

There are so many questions.

Are there answers?

Perhaps.

Not likely today or tomorrow or even in two weeks or a month.

 

I hope that this finds you well.

I wish for you and your family no worries and that you go to bed with food in your bellies.

Take time to learn something new.

Maybe read that book that never gets read.

Take time to be still.

 

Time to grab my coffee and get to work.

I have such a long commute.

Between this computer and the laptop ….. oh, miles and miles.

Sense of humour, I have.

 

Happy Wednesday.

I/We remain, with kindness and respect,

Always, Carol & Alvin

 

It is a NEW YEAR.

Good Wednesday Morning,

Alvin and I enjoyed another wonderful walk last night in the warm air.

So happy to see the sidewalks becoming more and more clear of ice and snow.

The moon has been glorious for the past few days.

Full, round and present.

I have seen some of the photos taken in New York City and the moon appeared to be sitting beside the city skyline of skyscrapers.

So beautiful.

The colour appeared different than it has here in Edmonton, a few thousand miles away.

2427 miles to be precise ( that is what google is for when we are not quite sure ).

My moon shots were not that great.

Perhaps if I played with the settings on my iPhone, I could have taken better shots but that is okay.

Not everyone is gifted with the eye for taking great, spectacular photos.

I am good at other things.

Like we all are ….

We all have our special gifts.

When you are having a moment and believe that you are not special, that just is not so.

Every single being on this planet, every spark of life, is special and holds a place within the biosphere we call Earth.

I know that it may be difficult some days to think in this way but we must.

No one person is any better than the next.

We all have our quirks, our desires, our ambitions, our creative energies, the way we comb our hair to the way we handle our days.

If we learn to stop, smell the roses, take the time to relax and just be.

Be well, be good within ourselves.

Perhaps maybe we may realize how special each creature is to our very existence.

I hope so anyway.

That is not to say that we all do not have those moments, oh believe, you me …. I have them.

We all do and that is part of what it is to be human.

We run the gamut of emotions.

 

Well it is almost time to head back downstairs to finish the “getting ready” process.

There be poop to pick up (as always), some last minute snuggles with my boy, lunch to grab out of the fridge.

The coat, the mitts, the scarf and the boots and remember to take my purse and phone.

 

I wish you the best of Wednesdays.

Happy Birthday to all those celebrating today.

May you be covered in eternal joy, good health and enjoy much laughter and abundance.

 

Days to be filled with kindness and respect.

Today will be …..

 

Always, Carol & Alvin

 

Living … One day at a time.

Good Morning and Welcome to another Thursday morning.

This one being the 14th day of November 2019.

Can you believe it?

Time feels as though it is passing in hyperdrive.

Super fast.

 

Well this has been sort of an odd morning.

Alvin was up at first about 3:30 a.m. although he did attempt to make me get up prior to that time.

Downstairs we went.

I gave him his glucosamine chew as per usual.

Perhaps that is my problem.

He is taking that as a treat.

But I give him the benefit of the doubt and usually he has to go outside.

I know that if I have to “pee,” there is no holding on for more time.

Bathroom here I come.

So I give him that same consideration, respect, if you will.

After the outdoors and his medicine we went to sleep on the sofa for another 1.5 hours.

It was broken a bit but I managed to get him to lay down until just before 5:00 a.m.

Then it was breakfast and he was in a hurry.

I could not give him his food fast enough.

Then drink of water and outside.

He was in and out several times over the next while as I wrote in my Gratitude Journal and ate my breakfast.

Oh, I share my banana with him ….. he started to get excited as I cut up the banana but I managed to quiet him with only one word.

What the word was now …. perhaps “softly STOP.”

I think it was “STOP” but before even 5:30 a.m. ….. it may very well have been another word.

Anyway, I am babbling.

Can you babble with words?

Of course, you can.

I write as I speak.

Once we came upstairs he seems to have settled down.

I know that last night when he was outside before bed there were a couple of dogs barking in the near distance.

There was also a FULL MOON (or close to it).

Was it the moon causing Alvin’s anxiety last night and earlier this morning?

He is snoozing on his blue blanket so that is good.

All has returned to normal in our house.

Or as close to it as it can be.

 

I am not certain what effect if any, the FULL MOON has on us living creatures.

However, despite being told that the FULL MOON does not have any effect on human’s state of being.

I still think that the FULL MOON has an effect on all living creatures.

The pull of the moon is powerful.

 

Well here we are almost time to go back downstairs and finish getting things together.

Throw the lunch into my backpack purse/bag.

Go outside with Mr. Alvin and clean up any little presents from earlier and see if he needs to go again.

I do not want to bother him as he looks so darn cute laying on his little blue blanket.

Oh my darling boy.

 

I hope that you have a dreamy Thursday filled with only goodness.

Remember it is the duty of each one of us to treat all living creatures with kindness and respect.

Just because a creature cannot speak/communicate like you and me does not mean that they should be dismissed as lesser than.

No, it does not.

We all need each other.

 

Always, Carol & Mr. Alvin

 

One of my favourite photos of me and Mr. Alvin.

I shall treasure forever ….

Living … One day at a time

Hello, good morning ALL,

Well the sun was supposed to be shining today or at least that is what I thought that the weather person reported.

Not so at the moment.

It is nice but a bit crisp.

Hopefully it will stay dry for all of those garage sales out there.

 

After work last night after Alvin had his supper and I got changed into my after work clothes.

We went for a walk.

Noticed one of our neighbours was having a garage sale so we stopped by …

Picked up a few wonderfully gently used finds …. so excited.

Alvin enjoyed the garage sale until strangers started to show up and then he was ready to leave.

His friend RIO was in the house because poor little guy had just had some teeth pulled.

Then we were on our walk as we neared our friend P’s house he started to pull, I didn’t initially think anything about it but quickly realized as I raised my head that she was outside working in her beautiful garden preparing for winter.

After a quick chat and some treats for Alvin (milk bones), the first he has had in about two weeks (since he has been under the weather).

I tell you he really gobbled them up …

P decided to come with us for a walk so that we could catch up so she yelled to her husband that she was going for a walk with us.

He yelled down from the upper balcony “Hey Carol left a message that they were going for a walk and to call her.”

Talking to her as if Alvin and I were not there.

We both started to laugh and played along.

He was just teasing us.

Then we were on our way …..

Enjoying the beautiful evening.

Picture perfect.

On our way home we stopped by the garage sale where I picked out another item or two.

I decided as I could not handle Alvin and my treasures that I would take him home and come back.

Only a short walk.

So that is what I did.

Dropped Alvin off and back to the garage sale.

Where I scanned for more treasures and found one more items bringing the total to “7.”

I picked up some great finds.

On my way home, I saw Humphrey’s Mom in the middle of the sidewalk …. waving as she saw me.

She was talking but I could not hear her initially as I was just a tad too far away.

Once I got a bit closer, she realized that I had my arms full so she came down the sidewalk toward me to help me carry things home.

On the way home, she asked if Humphrey could spend the evening with us and I said “Of course, yes.”

The photos below are the boys and I just kicking back and enjoying the evening.

Perhaps Alvin might have been a bit miffed that Humphrey was stretched out on his favorite side of the sofa.

Stretched out he was.

 

I also have been recording the new television show “THE KELLY CLARKSHOW SHOW”

One of her guests was someone that I did not know about “Chance the Rapper.”

OMG, I am truly infatuated with this young guy.

Something about him ….

Seems like a wonderful funny, loving, caring, intelligent human being.

WOW, so cute to boot.

How could you not like that face?

The house phone just rang downstairs and by the time that I got to it …. went to voicemail but I saw it was Teddy’s Mom.

Grabbed the phone and checked her number and dialed.

Keeping ringing and then I heard my cell ringing upstairs in the office.

So was able to pick it up.

Teddy will be spending the day with us.

YAY.

 

Friday the 13th and a Full MOON.

Taken from my deck.

One of these years I will be able to get a photo of how it actually appears to the naked eye?

 

Well time to fly, Teddy is here.

I have to get dressed.

The coffee is ready.

There is laundry to do.

Life goes on.

 

Happy Saturday.

 

Kindness and Respect are catching on ….. each day I notice more random acts of kindness done with respect.

 

Always, Carol & Alvin

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Thursday the 7th day of September, 2017.

Dark still and the air is cool which is wonderful as it is to be plus 31 degrees celsius today.

Wow and it is September 7th …..

Funny how it cools down at night and can be so warm during the day.

 

Last night my daughter picked me up after work and we went straight to COSTCO.

Picked up some items and then off to our VET to pick up food, glucosamine and treats for Mr. Alvin

Then home to a happy boy.

My daughter stayed for supper and was happy to share the fruit crisp that I had made on the weekend.

I made it with fresh apples, rhubarb and cherries – all of which were grown local in Edmonton.

It was super delicious.

After supper we visited before she gathered her fridge food items from COSTCO and was on her way.

I always enjoy our rides as we have some of our best conversations in the car.

Thank you once again my darling for a perfect visit.

We always love having you here.

 

Dreams ….. do you dream?

I dream lots usually.

Sometimes I can remember a flicker of what I dreamed and other times I wake feeling sad, anxious or super recharged and over the moon.

Speaking of moon …… I noticed a FULL MOON last night.

That would count for some things.

 

Well almost time to head out the door.

I hope that you have an amazing day.

Remember (reminder to me, too) to be KIND and LIVE EACH MOMENT WITH CARE AND INTENTION.

Once those moments have gone – they have gone.

No turning back.

We want to live with no regrets.

 

Special Hello to: my sister ….. Happy September ….. when is G’s birthday?

Always, Carol & Alvin

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Tuesday the 25th day of April, 2017.

I now know why I was having an “off day” ….. apparently there is/was a full moon.

That darn moon always plays with me ……

Cannot see the moon for the overcast sky but I will take the word of the person who made the statement.

Snow and rain mix was most of Monday.

We shall see what happens today.

 

Well yesterday I wore a new pair of shoes that I had picked up on the weekend from the Thrift store …. big mistake to wear them to work the first day.

They did not feel great with socks off the get go so I removed said socks.

Another mistake.

I had a couple of blisters before day’s end.

So I donned my winter boots and wore them for the rest of the day.

Which leads me to a cute story.

This morning I decided to place a couple of bandaids on my feet on the “delicate spots.”

As I was opening the bandaids – Mr. Alvin came along to check things out.

So I explained to him what I was doing.  He kept watching closely and listening intently.

Man oh man, those eyes of his – could melt even the coldest of hearts.

Big brown … soft beautiful eyes..

As I was opening three ….. he watched and listened and sniffed at each one.

I guess he was making sure that I wasn’t doing wrong.

Such a little honey, my boy.

Lesson learned about the shoes.

They felt so good in the store and were like new.

 

I have to start incorporating some type of exercise other than walking into my daily routine and it has been a long winter, just saying.

 

So here we go again to work ….. HI HO …. HI HO ….. it’s off to work I go …..

 

Okay time to get this SHOW on the road.

I hope that you all have a fantastic day.

Keep safe as you go out and about this day.

 

Special Hello to:  my fellow bloggers …..

Always, Carol & Alvin

 

 

 

 

 

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Thursday the 16th day of March, 2017.

WOW MID MARCH …… you know what that means??

Well it means that spring is just that much closer.

Not to rush things …. not at all.

Our weather has been very nice the past few days and is supposed to remain as such for the remainder of this week and next.

The staff meeting went well.

The hotel always does a great job with the food ….. yummy.

When were sitting down, and enjoying a cup of coffee before the meeting started; I obtained a couple of tea orders.

WOW, that was nice.

I have supportive co-workers.

I really enjoyed the afternoon speaker.

 

Well here we go Thursday.

Started extra early as Alvin needed to go outside about 3:30 a.m.

Sure makes for a break in the sleep.

I had some MATCHA for breakfast in my oatmeal and hopefully it will help with the lack of sleep.

Not sure what happened to him.

After sitting and walking around he went to the “bathroom” and then we went back to bed.

He is a funny guy.

Could be the full moon.

It does things to all living creatures in some way, shape or form ( I think ).

 

I hope to have a quiet day at the office so that I can get through lots of mail.

I hope that the nice weather continues and the streets and sidewalks stay clear of ice and snow.

 

Well almost time to get this show on the road.

Another day to work.

Payday which is nice.

Get those bills paid, of course.

 

Have a wonderful Thursday.

Whether at work or at play …. enjoy.

Spread kindness with respect as you go about your day.

 

Special Hello: to my sister, looking forward to SKYPE chat on Sunday.

Always, Carol and Alvin