Last Half 2022 – December

Good Morning ALL! How are you this morning? We, I am doing well. So used to saying “we”……. I will say that I thought that I would sleep better if not getting up at all hours of the night but that has not been the case. Likely will improve in a few days. Report from my daughter that Alvin is doing well and adjusting to the new surroundings. They do not have an upstairs which is great for him. Will give him a reprieve from climbing up and down the stairs. I do miss my partner in crime and all things called “life.”

I do not remember if I reported the countdown to Christmas yesterday or not but today is Monday, December 5th and that leaves “19” sleeps until Christmas Eve.

My hands are cracked from all of the hand washing done over the past couple of days when I was baking. Baking done. 10 dozen or 120 chocolate chip cookies, 155 pieces of fudge and 215 iced sugar cookies for a total of 490 pieces of baking. That should do it. I actually ended up with more than I originally thought. So grateful that it is all done and ready to be packaged and delivered to some families and then rest is for Christmas parties and home.

Last night after the sugar cookies were iced, the fudge was cut into pieces and I had cleaned up my mess, I hauled up the wrapping paper and bags and tissue paper from the basement, brought down from upstairs all of the gifts that I had bought. Including were all of the items from my gift drawers. The things that I purchase extra when on sale – just to ensure that I have something for all of the people on my list. So the table is filled with items awaiting to be reviewed and wrapped if needed. Once I am finished this post, I am going to have a shower, get dressed and head downstairs. I will make some coffee and then start wrapping. I am excited to see Mr. Alvin open his gifts. He does such an amazing job of opening presents and he loves it so much. I have enough time today to do all of my wrapping.

This afternoon at 2:00 p.m. I will be attending the online streaming of my neighbour’s son. Hopefully most of the wrapping will be completed before the funeral. I have a few other things on my TO DO LIST for the rest of the day. Tomorrow is back to work and I am working from home for Tuesday and Wednesday and then to the office for Thursday and Friday. Lots going on this week.

Well time to head to the shower, I need some coffee this morning. Hopefully tonight is a better sleep as I get into a routine without my boy. I miss him but I do believe that it is good for both of us. Amanda said that they are loving having him with them. That does help.

Happy Monday.

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

Always, Carol & Alvin (he is with me in spirit and I when I close my eyes I can see him lying on the carpet outside the office door)…..

Last Half 2022 – October

Good Morning ALL! We are off to a “start” this morning. Alvin had us both up extra early as I believe that he has an ear infection. So no sleep. I am very tired at this moment. I stayed home from work today so that I could take him to the vet. Hopefully they can squeeze us in so that I can get his ears checked and get some medicine. I have a headache and not sure if due to lack of sleep or no coffee as yet. I made a pot and am going to have a cup soon. I was dozing off and on while on the sofa for the last couple of hours. Fingers crossed all goes well.

It is interesting now that I have to call my carpool (as we were in the office today), the person looking after Alvin today, my Manager at work and email my Supervisor at work. I had to keep going over the list in my head so that I did not forget anyone.

Today is also the funeral services for the sister of one of my long time friends. Sending hugs with love to my friend and her family. Diana will be missed. We never know how long we have on this earth. So important to ensure that we do the best we can while we are here and Diana did just that despite her struggles with mental illness. She was living proof that you can do anything! I had not seen her for many years but have fond memories of Diana and will keep her in my thoughts and in my heart forever.

Rest in Peace Diana Rose, rest in peace.

Be well everyone.

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

Always, Carol & Alvin

Last Half 2022 – September

Good Morning ALL! How are you this morning? We are doing well. After an early rise we laid back down and slept for 3.5 hours thus this late start this morning. We want to wish wo of our friends Cindy P. and Steven B. very Happy Birthdays. I forgot just how many birthdays there are in the month of September. When I look at my birthday calendar – I then realize how many people I am blessed to have or have had in my life. Truly grateful for each and every one. There are a few four-leggeds as well that hold a special place on that calendar. Some dates on the calendar are packed with names and the odd one is bare. Not many of the latter. My son-in-law’s birthday is fast approaching.

The sky was a brilliant blue as the son shone brightly in the morning sky. This short time later the sky is beginning to darken so that means one thing – that I have to hurry up and get some gardening done before it rains. I want to get a good part of it completed this weekend along with trimming the front tree, giving Mr. Alvin a haircut and bath. The list is so long but I will complete the tasks. I also took a vacation day for Monday as I want to get up at 3:00 a.m. and watch the funeral of Queen Elizabeth (live). Should not be an issue for me as I, we are usually up at that time anyway. I was thinking that perhaps we will just sleep on the sofa and that way – I do not have to go up and down the stairs with Alvin.

My friend from down the street Ali dropped off some tomatoes from her garden and from her Mum’s. I had some for supper last night and they were so yummy. She had one’s that were “chocolate tomatoes” and they were so nice and sweet. She was out for a walk with Bailey and her Dad was over and joining her. They had ordered pizza for supper (I was having leftover pizza) and were going to have a walk with Bailey before the pizza was delivered. A little while later my friend Pauline dropped off three plants for me to put in my back garden. Those are the ones that I want to get planted now. Looks like the sky is brightening up a bit but I do not want to take any chances. Just have coffee quick and then go out. I will have breakfast a bit later.

The trees are sparkling as the sun’s rays fall upon them and as they sway in the morning breeze. So beautiful. The grass was quite wet this morning. We are so close to the official day of fall. Just a few days away now. I wish for a long wonderful fall, warm and with beautiful coloured leaves on the trees.

Well all for now. I hope that you are doing great. You never know where life will take you. Keep on dreaming. Keep those thoughts filled with love and positive feelings. We will make our dreams come true.

Thank you so much for taking the time out of your busy schedules and days to read my posts on this blog. I am so grateful for each of you. Between Alvin and work and the house, I seldom have much time left over to reach out to each of you but please know that I do appreciate you all. Very much. Wishing you a wonderful weekend.

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

Always, Carol & Alvin

PS: my favourite pizza place in Edmonton is “Royal Pizza” which is just a few minutes south of where I live. Such great pizza and the delivery people are so nice.

The New YEAR 2022

Good Morning ALL! Another bright sunny morning and although I could see my breath at 5:00 a.m., it is nice outside. How are you on this Thursday? We are well. I believe that excluding human food from Alvin’s diet has made all the difference. Now that being said he does still have canned pumpkin to help him poop. But that is it and today is the fourth day for this experiment. Again he slept until 4:00 but was up to eat at 5:00 instead of the 6:00 from yesterday. But this is a huge improvement. Six hours of sleep in a row for me is huge. Alvin has his regular five week vet appointment this afternoon, so I took the afternoon off as vacation. I sometimes think it is a waste of a whole afternoon but then I think yay, I am taking a well deserved break. I do not mean waste for him, waste of having to take vacation time. Anyway, I am grateful to have the time to take off.

On Monday morning, a dear friend of whom I affectionately referred to as my second “Mom” passed away back in Saskatchewan. I wanted to wait until her family had the opportunity to contact all members of the family before I posted on this platform. Yesterday the announcement was made on social media and the announcement from the funeral home was posted. I have known Shirley my whole life. Funny story her first name was my Mom’s actual first name, only my Mom went by Jean. Anyway, she was a great loving sweet, funny woman and I shall miss her. When my Grandfather was killed in a combining accident in September of 1973, I moved from where we were living in Alberta back to my Grandparents farm in Saskatchewan to stay/live with my Grandmother. I was going into Grade 11 that fall. Shirley and her family lived only a short distance, actually walking distance from my new home. So we reconnected. She made me and of course the whole family feel like part of their family. Shirley and her husband Charlie (passed 2012) were family. They included me in everything. It certainly helped ease the feelings of missing my sister and brothers and parents back in Alberta. Shirley was simply beautiful inside and out. She enjoyed volunteering for her church and singing in the church choir and of course, looking after her family. Family meant the world to Shirley. She will be greatly missed by her four children and their spouses, grandchildren and great-grandchildren I am so grateful that I had the opportunity to know this dear soul. There were no computers and video calls in those days. I am grateful for the technology so that I can be at her service. Another angel has joined the heavenly choir.

Photo by pattama choomsree on Pexels.com

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

Always, Carol & Alvin

P.S. 61 days till my 65th Birthday……

Thought for the day ….

Good Morning and Welcome to Saturday the 2nd day of March, 2019.

WOW, the sun is up and shining brightly and it is not quite 8:00 a.m.

Now temperature, well that is not so bright and shiny.

It is COLD, not exactly what the overnight, early morning windchill temperature is but I know that it is cold.

Alvin wasted no time outside doing his morning routine, none at all.

Oh well, by Monday it is starting to warm up.

Perhaps SPRING is truly around the corner.

Hopefully it is a short corner.

Really, a small one would be nice.

 

We had a lovely visit with Teddy and Aunt J last night.

I love the way Alvin and Teddy are so excited to see each other.

Almost like hugging each other.

So great to watch.

Truly they are Best Friends.

Aunt J made these incredible “cheesy scalloped potatoes” that were so amazing.

So, so good.

They were a new recipe to her.

Well done Aunt J, well done.

We had a great visit …. took our time eating and visiting.

It was nice after a long week.

They left early as Teddy likes to go to bed early and his parents were arriving home in the wee hours of the morning.

I cleaned up and then we relaxed and watched a bit of t.v. before retiring at 9:00 p.m.

Alvin was up early this morning and luckily I was able to get him to hit the sofa for some additional zzz’s.

Now we are up.

Changed bedding, writing this post and then laundry and breakfast.

Lots of things to do but it is Saturday.

Good to be up early.

 

I just wanted to mention that today is the funeral service for our friend Judy who passed away suddenly.

She was a true life force.

I worked with her for about 25 years before I retired in 2008.

I still cannot believe that she is gone.

Way too young.

My thoughts are with the family and all of her friends today and always.

Will be missed, will be missed.

 

Special Hello to:  the newest Angel.

Always, Carol & Alvin

Thought for the day ….

Good Morning and Welcome to Friday the 28th day of September, 2018.

Today Work, Funeral and then back to work.

That is the day.

 

Alvin and I picked up Teddy on our walk last night and he will be spending the next couple of days with us.

Alvin had an off night and was awake (not sick or anything) keeping the Momma awake.

Oh, it may be a long day.

 

Right now Alvin is after Teddy’s chew.

Teddy drops it and Alvin grabs it.

Then Teddy picks up Alvin’s and it is game on.

Funny but not.

 

Trying to find a bit of humour in a solemn, sad day.

 

A new star will shine exceptionally bright in the sky, tonight.

We miss you buddy.

The office has not and will never be the same.

He was the best of us.

A reminder to us all.

Kind, generous, loving, caring and compassionate and FUNNY.

 

I hope that you have a wonderful day.

 

Special Hello to: my family and friends all over the world, HELLO.

Always, Carol & Alvin

 

Thought for the day ……

Good Morning and Welcome to Sunday the 23rd day of April, 2017.

Woke up to this ….. all I can is ARGH, ARGH and ARGH.

Yesterday we had NO snow ….. it was a rain/snow mix but the snow was melting as it made touchdown to the earth.

Poor Alvin as you can see from his tracks was almost hidden as he climbed up the stairs on the deck.

I was not fast enough to grab the camera to show that ….. but when he came to the door ….. he gave me that look ….. check out the last photo!

He had snow packed on his little legs and paws and belly.

Welcome to WINTER or a SNOWY SPRING.

I should not be surprised this can happen in April.

By the end of the next three days we should have a couple of feet.

Forecast last nigh before I went to bed was for snow from overnight to Wednesday.

Will be fun walking to and from the bus.

Looks like I have some shovelling to do in my near future.

I also have a First Communion to attend for the daughter of a friend and neighbour.

 

The funeral yesterday morning was heart wrenching and touching.

Many of her siblings and her father spoke …..

She was very loved.

So sad for them losing a beloved one so early.

 

I was grateful that I had an opportunity to attend the funeral and to also spend the afternoon with my daughter.

We had a good afternoon ….. we had coffee and lunch at her house and then did some shopping.

In this day and age ….. the idea of buying “used” and “second hand” is taking off in a big way.

Lots of people shop at Value Village and other thrift shops.

Including we girls ….

I picked up a couple of amazing purchases.

You have to know what to look for and make smart choices.

 

I must share a little story from our shopping trip.

While we were in Value Village ….. I was waiting for my daughter to find a clerk to help at the jewellery counter …

There was an elderly gentlemen who was gazing into the jewellery display cases with me.

He showed me this ladies glitzy costume ring that he had on his finger, and proudly announced that he had paid only $3.00 for it.

I acknowledged his statement and smiled.

He also told me that he was going to be 91 very soon.

Wow, I said (he did not look even 70).

I asked him where he was born and he said here – Edmonton area.

So as inquisitive as I am, I asked “what was his profession?”

He replied “Carpenter for over sixty years.”

I then asked “What was his favourite item/thing to make?”

He said without even a second hesitation …

“MONEY” …… lots of money.

I could not help myself but to laugh aloud.

Best line ever.

 

After shopping we fed the pups and then went for a walk in her neighbourhood.

Afterward she drove us home.

Despite Alvin’s anxiety of the car ride and being away from his sanctuary, his home; I believe he had a good day, too.

 

Well I guess I have put off the shovelling long enough.

Time to change the bedding, get dressed and have a quick coffee before hitting the SLOPES ….. well almost.

 

Have an awesome Sunday …. I hope that you are not covered in snow as we are ……

Happy Sunday.

 

Special Hello to: everyone who reads my blog, thank you.

Always, Carol & Alvin

 

 

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Saturday the 22nd day of April, 2017.

The morning sky is overcast which is how I feel at this moment.

This morning my daughter is picking us up and we are going to her house.

From there I am attending the funeral of a co-worker’s wife, who was just 41 years old.

Bittersweet as after the funeral I will be spending some time with my beloved daughter and her family.

I am so grateful that I am able to be with my family most especially on this day.

As life goes, there are no warnings and life can be over just like that ….

Any time a younger person passes it is overly sad as they did not have the chance to live a long life.

They did not have the opportunity to get old.

So now when I think “I am old” ….. which truly I am not ….. I will feel blessed to be turning 60 this summer.

 

On this Saturday – give your loved ones a hug and be grateful that you have them.

If you are older ….. be grateful that you are …..

 

Have a blessed Saturday …..

Spend some time with your loved ones……

 

Special Hello to: Family and Friends ….

Always, Carol & Alvin