2021

Good Morning ALL! How are you this morning? I hope that life is treating you well. We had a good sleep. I noticed when I went to bed that the furnace did not go off once the house was warmed, it just continued to run. As I fell asleep I was hoping that it would turn off but found out at 4:00 a.m. when Alvin got me up that it was still running and likely did not turn off as it should do. So I quickly googled possible solutions / problems and went over the list and I have a new furnace filter, (which was the big reason), furnace has been cleaned, and some other things. They mentioned to check and see what position the furnace fan was at “ON” or “AUTO” and it was at on. So I flipped to AUTO and in a couple of moments it turned off and then a few minutes later came back on. “Auto” means that the fan automatically works only when the air is being heated or cooled. So once your home reaches the temperature set on the thermostat, the fan stops. “ON” means the fan is on 24/7, even when the air isn’t being heated or cooled. The “ON” mode costs you more money as opposed to the “AUTO” mode. Interesting. Well I certainly hope that this solves my problem. I do not remember the furnace running continuously in the ON position so perhaps there is an underlying problem. When a homeowner there is so much to know and unfortunately like parenthood there is no handbook (or maybe there is).

Well that has been my excitement for the night and early morning.

I am running late so will have to sign off.

The smoke fills our air from the fires in Saskatchewan. I hope that everyone is safe and that they are extinguished soon. Not much fun to walk in. We will say inside except for Alvin going to the backyard and me with him. My hair smelled like smoke and I was grateful to have a shower this morning.

I hope that you have an awesome day.

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

Always, Carol & Alvin

2021

Good Morning ALL! How are you this Friday morning? I am well. It is 7:19 a.m. and the sun is beginning to rise in the morning sky. There is a breeze lifting the coloured leaves from the trees and placing them gently onto the ground. My neighbour mowed the lawn yesterday and it looks so good as the grass had grown a bit longer. I looked out of my bedroom window as I was getting ready a few minutes ago to see that beneath our tree the grass is dotted with yellow/gold leaves. So pretty. Alvin and I had a pretty good sleep last night / this morning. He is patiently waiting for me downstairs.

Yesterday ended up to be an odd morning. As I mentioned we had a great sleep but we’re off to a bit of a late start as we fell back to sleep so that put the shower later, our walk later and my arrival time for coffee to be a bit later ONLY that is not what happened. It is funny how things can change in a blink of an eye. Just before we went for a walk, I was thinking it was cool in the house so I checked the thermostat and found it to be 66 degrees fahrenheit in the house with the heat set at 70 degrees (showing heat on) but could only mean one thing the furnace was not on. ARGH. I made a quick decision to take Alvin for a walk first and texted the girls to say that I would be a little bit late. When we got to the park we saw our friend Pauline out for a walk with her grandpup Georgie. We chatted for a moment and walked together for a bit as I explained what was going on with us parting ways and continuing onto home. When I got home I called Sonja to see if she knew what to do and she did not know about the pilot light on the furnace. So I called Kim and Dave. Then I texted the girls to advise that I would not be able to tend the coffee visit. Dave came over a bit later. We chatted and I explained what was wrong. We went into the basement and checked out the furnace and definitely the “pilot light” was not on. The Supervisor of the technicians that had gone to turn the furnace back on after the cleaning had not waited around to see if the furnace actually came on – he just flipped the switch to an on position. Dave with his phone flashlight read through the instructions on the bottom cover on the furnace (to be honest I had not read them, an eye opened for sure) and hit the reset button to turn on the pilot light. The pilot light came on but did not ignite. He had to try a couple of times which meant waiting for a few minutes in between (his analogy like lightning a barbeque). Finally he decided to remove the top cover where the pilot light is located and found it to be super clean and also found it was turned off. He turned the dial to on and then hit the reset button while placing the bottom cover back on and voile the furnace ignited. Thank goodness for such amazing neighbours. My “10” furnace cleaning rating just dropped by several points. I think that ensuring that the furnace is actually on and producing heat should be just as important as the cleaning. Right. People make mistakes. An oversight. Not on purpose, I know. But I am so grateful to have such great neighbours who are willing to drop what they are doing to help me out. If I had to call someone back out …. like the furnace guys ….. it would have cost me money. Anyway I am happy it is working and we have heat. I missed having coffee with my girls.

After Dave was gone, I put on a big pot of coffee and drank several cups. Had some toast and then decided to get working on the backyard. I mowed the grass. Cut down the perennials in my back flower bed except for the two bushes. Then went to town on putting away everything or almost everything from the deck into the garage. Rearranging as I went but it looks good.

I just heard a huge growl from the backyard and looked outside to see Sonja and Bogart on the deck. I guess the boys are not getting along at the moment so I asked if Humphrey could come over for a bit. So time to go.

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

Always, Carol & Alvin

2021

Good Morning ALL! This morning is crisp but bright and sunny for Wednesday, September 29, 2021. I can hardly believe that October is only a couple of days away. Where has the time gone? Mr. Alvin is impatiently waiting for me downstairs. We had a great sleep, one of few, but oh so, appreciated. I am trying to download photos from my phone to the computer but seems to be taking a long time.

A little while ago just after we got up, Alvin wanted to go outside, so out we went to the backyard. He hesitated by the steps but walked over to the lower end and jumped off. I was going to help him down but he really wants to do things on his own. I can tell. When he wants help he will just bark or wait until I come and help him up or down. Anyway, he was trying to look through the fence and I could see the neighbour’s patio door open so I figured either one of both of Humphrey and Bogart were in the backyard. It was a few minutes later that I realized that Bogart was in fact, in our backyard. He was snuggled beside by pot with the grasses and the upper deck railing …. just staring at us. Alvin had not noticed him. Because Bogart is not as comfortable with Alvin as Humphrey is, I scooped up Alvin in my arms before he noticed him. I even walked toward Bogart so that Alvin could see him but it took a few minutes before he could see him. Alvin desperately wanted to visit but I took him into the house. He definitely misses his friends. Humphrey used to spend a lot of time with us before Bogart came to live with him. Anyway, I grabbed my phone and texted Sonja to let her know that Bogart was in our yard (he has GPS tracking) and snapped a few photos of him. The perfect photo would have been of him snuggled in between the plant pot and the deck railing but of course, he moved by the time I got back out with the camera. I did snap a few photos before Sonja came to take him home.

Well it would appear that the “downloading” may take awhile and I have to run soon before someone wakes up the neighbourhood. We will go for a walk, then coffee and breakfast for me. We are having the furnace and vents cleaned today. So grateful for that.

I am so grateful for this beautiful weather. Bright sunshine and blue skies. The leaves on the trees continue to turn into such a glorious palette of amazing fall colours. I just love fall. Makes me smile and want to dance. I am so happy when I can walk through fallen leaves some crunching beneath my feet and the others flying up into the air as I go. It is the simple things in life that makes us the happiest. Just being in good health. Being able to enjoy a fall day. Listening to the sounds of nature. Walking in nature with your pup. A great cup of coffee. Smiles. Being surrounded by good people. Time. Flowers.

Looks like I am going to have to try later to download/upload those photos. But I will post them. Bogart is so cute. What a big guy.

I hope that on this Wednesday you are enjoying life’s simple pleasures like good health, nature and laughter. Have a great day.

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

Always, Carol & Alvin

2021

Good Morning ALL. How are you this morning? Alvin and I are up and getting things done. Today we are celebrating Alvin’s 12th birthday with a birthday party. Amanda, Steven, Aspen and Milo are coming this afternoon. Also Alvin’s best friend Teddy and his little sister Kobi will be joining us. Alvin turned his head when I mentioned their names this morning. We are almost ready. I will go and shovel the driveway and clean off the deck and the front sidewalk in a little while. I don’t want to do it too soon just in case it snows some more. The sky is overcast so there would be more snow. Gifts are wrapped. Good Bags decorated and filled. I baked vanilla cupcakes from scratch yesterday. They turned out good. I had to taste one as I had not made this recipe before. I will say that they are a substantial cupcake, not fluffy but not dry so that is good. Will keep on the hunt for a good vanilla cake/cupcake recipe. The pasta salad is prepared. I must remember to remove the garlic bread from the freezer so that it can thaw (it will be put in the oven, so I guess that doesn’t matter so much). I am chopping a few things like avocado, tomatoes, cucumber and green pepper in separate bowls for those who would like to add it to the salad. I do not wish it to become mushy. Oh, one quick mop of the main floor as I noticed a couple of paw prints that appeared out of nowhere. I wonder whose those could be? I wonder. LOL. Oh, I must not forget the birthday cake and frozen yogurt for Alvin and his guests which has to be kept frozen (will take it out shortly before they eat).

Oh, last night I watched the last remaining shows of the first season of BRIDGERTON. I like the speed of the show, as they move it along quickly. I was going to mention some details about the show and then deleted them. As, I thought that perhaps you may not have watched them as yet OR you are just starting. I was happy with the ending though. Very happy.

A reminder to everyone out there. Do not forget to change the filters on your furnace on a regular basis. The filters that I use are required to be changed every two-three months and also have your the vents/ducts on your furnace and dryer cleaned on a regular basis as well, which is every two years. I am overdue and am going to make an appointment to have it cleaned in early spring. Really important and it is something that we quite often either put off or forget about – mainly due in part to the cost and time. But it is very important.

Yesterday was the first day of much dipped temperatures and they will continue over the next week. Dig out your extra warm winter coat, boots and mitts and scarves and hats.

Well looks like I had better head to the shower and get ready followed by breakfast and some coffee. Shovelling, quick steam mop of the main floor and finally chopping some vegetables for the salad.

Then the guests will begin to arrive.

I wish you a Happy and wonderful Sunday.

We will continue to live with kindness, respect, compassion and patience.

Always, Carol & Alvin, the birthday boy.

Thought for the day ….

Good Morning and Welcome to Friday the 14th day of September, 2018.

WOW, is it almost mid point of September.

Seems like only yesterday it was the first day.

We woke up to no additional rain/snow so that is good.

It is extra warm in the house so  am thinking it did not cool off much last night.

I caved and turned on the furnace a few days ago as it just was not worth freezing or having to always have socks and a sweater on.

I pay the bill so figured why not.

I keep the temperature at a constant temperature so it will be okay.

I am grateful that it is Friday and tonight my daughter is giving me a ride home.

Carpool has an appointment this afternoon so is not able to drive me home.

I always love spending anytime with my daughter.

All that time is extra precious.

Alvin is laying on his blue blanket.

It is a habit now.

Along with having a massage everyday.

Funny how that works.

I need to form a new habit and get on doing some pilates and yoga.

No time like the present to start something new.

 

Was thinking yesterday that we kind of skipped fall and went right to winter.

I changed my door wreath from summer to fall.

We are not even officially finished with summer, fall has not come to the calendar yet and winter officially does not come until December?

Not quite ready for the winter one yet.

My poor sunflowers are drooped over and looking so sad.

Grass and trees are mostly still green under the skiff of snow.

Not totally covering the ground.

Sidewalks and streets appear to be dry.

Looks I know can be deceiving but I will soon find out.

 

Does it sound like I am babbling?

Well I kind of am.

Just typing what comes to my mind.

Isn’t that more fun?

Just to see what DOES come to mind.

You never know.

 

I am excited to see my young girl friends for coffee here at my house on Sunday.

Haven’t seen them for what seems like forever.

 

I guess this will be the weekend to switch closets over although I was thinking of doing something different.

Leaving all tops in my bedroom closet and placing all dresses/skirts/pants/jeans/shorts in the spare room closet.

Might be a nice change.

There are so many things that I wear all year long.

Time to put away sandals and bring up winter boots, argh.

Winter coats, scarves, mitts and hats, yuck.

I pulled out a pair of mini gloves and have been wearing them the past couple of days.

Please do not think that I am not grateful to have more than one winter coat, mitts, hats and scarves and winter boots; I am most grateful.

Just seems so early to be wearing those items.

Although next week is still forecasting to be in the teens and that will feel like summer once again.

 

Well time to finish getting ready for work.

I hope that you have an awesome day.

I have lots to do at work and am going to get SO MUCH done today.

Feels like a great day.

No interruptions.

That would be lovely and perfection.

 

Special Hello to: my friend “V” who is always busy and one of the most thoughtful people on the planet.

Always, Carol & Alvin

 

 

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Saturday the 7th day of April, 2018.

The house is quiet once again except for the furnace running to heat the house during our coldest spring in thirty years.

The snow does seem to be slowly disappearing but not due to hot sunny days, that is for sure.

Most likely due in part to the wind.

The winds have been brutally cold.

Yesterday it was almost minus 20 degrees celsius with the windchill when I left work.

Thankfully I am a smart adult and was wearing my winter coat.

So many young and older folks were wearing spring jackets.

Likely just getting tired of wearing their winter ones.

I am starting to lose my patience with Mother Nature.

It is time for warmer weather, please.

 

Well onto something else, whining is not something that I like to do for long periods of time.

My daughter is bringing Mr. Alvin home this morning.

I promised my daughter a “pancake breakfast” when she arrives.

After writing my blog, I will slip into the shower before starting to cook the pancakes.

My dear old electric fry pan of over thirty years is starting to show signs of its’ age.

Part of the element is not heating up so of course, things do not cook evenly.

This morning I will use a smaller pan on top of the snow.

Hopefully that works better.

I am sad that my dear old electric fry pan is not working properly.

These days electric appliances and anything for that matter do not last any length of time.

I figure that I got at least six lifetimes from her than the ones made in recent times.

Unfortunately when appliances and such stop working over shorter periods of time not only do they cost to keep replacing BUT we are destroying our environment.

Just last night on the weather channel they were speaking about finding small microscopic bits of plastic in our drinking water.

They are already finding all sorts of plastic and garbage in all sorts of marine, bird and animal life.

They said within thirty years there will be more plastic in the oceans than marine life.

Is that not a scary thought.

That should drive people to smarten up.

I sure hope so.

 

Well that is food for thought.

We need to realize that we DO NOT NEED every gadget and gismo.

Less of this and that.

More about healthy relationships.

 

I hope that you all have a wonderful Saturday.

Special Hello to: my sister who makes me laugh and my brother who is working on our family history.  Thank you guys.

Always, Carol & Alvin

 

Thought for the day ….

Good Morning and Welcome to Friday the 15th day of September, 2017.

Brr, it is cold in the house and I am so grateful that Mr. Alvin has a fur coat to keep him warm.

Really I do not want to turn on the furnace in the middle of September, but may have no choice.

Will see what happens on the weekend.

 

Tonight after work my daughter is giving me a ride home and coming for supper.

Along the way home we are stopping to pick up a new blade for Alvin’s hair clipper.

It will be nice to give him a proper hair cut.

 

Well I am running late for no reason.

Have a wonderful day.

Remind yourself to be kind and generous.

Be good to yourself and to others.

 

Special Hello to: my daughter who constantly reminds me that there is good in the world by her own actions.

Always, Carol & Alvin

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Wednesday the 23rd day of August, 2017.

The air is cool this morning and Alvin was enjoying some extra time on the deck earlier.

Inside the house is a bit warm but with the furnace fan and the table top fan going it is bearable.

Temperatures to be plus 26 today and it was at least that yesterday.

 

Well back to work yesterday was what I expected.

I had hoped it might be different but perhaps I kept those other thoughts too much in my mind.

You can only do what you can do.

I would like to think that I am superwoman but I am not.

Just have to retrain the brain again.

 

If you ever have problems keeping your mind to positive thoughts and your retaining positive energy ….

Just surround yourself with positive influences.

I am so blessed to have many positive minded friends and that helps on those days like yesterday when you are not where you need or want to be.

Today even though I could not shut my brain down and likely only had a couple of hours sleeps and 45 minutes of that was on the sofa after getting up to feed Mr. Alvin ….

I have to remember that not everyone thinks the way I do and I should know that by now after reaching 60 years.

People are more concerned to have things their way and do not think of others.

For my friends and family who are reading this ….. does not apply to you …. work wise.

So patience is what I am concentrating on this day.

It is likely the hardest thing to do but the most rewarding.

 

You know you have a great friend when you have to change plans due to unexpected company and said friend, says not to worry as that day is better

for the family to celebrate her Father’s Birthday.  She would have spent time with me and changed the party date.

I am so blessed to have such an understanding friend, thanks “K.”

 

Well almost time to hit the road.

Remember patience.

Remember patience.

Perhaps if I make this my mantra today, it will help.

Patience is a virtue.

Patience is good.

Patience makes you feel better…..

 

Have an awesome Wednesday.

Special Hello to: all those folks who struggle to be patient, I hear you.

Always, Carol & Alvin

 

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Tuesday the 23rd day of August, 2016.

It is dark, cloudy, raining, windy and COLD outside this morning as I peer out of my office window.

I am so grateful as I received a phone call a few minutes ago from my neighbour asking if I would like a ride to work this morning.

She had looked outside and did not wish me to have to walk to the bus in the wind and rain and cold.

Am I not the luckiest woman?

I am, I am.

She even turned on her furnace this morning as it was too cold for Cinder, her pet gecko.

Also she just adopted a cat over the weekend and his name is Mitchell.

Well Mitchell to our neighbourhood.

Alvin did introduce himself through the window.

We were going for a walk and Mitchell was sitting on the living room window ledge.

Brr, it is cool here in…..

Alvin will be fine ( it is 70 celsius so not too bad ).

Today was/is a sock in the shoes day and long pants and sweater.

The cold damp air just goes through to your bones.

Time to bundle up.

Yikes, did I really say that?

Well here we go almost time to leave.

I need to take Alvin out again.

He does not spend much time outside when it is raining.

Sometimes if it is raining / well pouring he needs me to haul out my big umbrella and go outside with him.

He’s my boy – I do that for him.

 

I hope that everyone has a great day.

May your day be filled with love and laughter.

Lots of laughter.

Take care.

Spread the laughter……

 

Special Hello to: all those folks who open their doors and bring in homeless animals.  Thank you.

Always, Carol and Alvin

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Thursday the 12th day of May, 2016.

The sun is coming up and it was cool overnight.

Last night I broke down and turned the furnace on/up ……

Sweater and socks worked for me but poor Mr. Alvin not so much.

After consulting the weather channel I decided it deemed turning the heat back on/up.

Not worth shivering all the time.

I noticed almost seconds after I turned on the heat that my skin started to feel dryer and I immediately felt stuffed up.

Definitely need to check the furnace filter – consult the calendar and see when due for a cleaning.

I have an environmentally safe one so all I do is wash it with soap and water.

Works great.

I think Alvin is happier that the heat is on although he did snuggled under a corner of the sheet last night and right up beside me as always.

He is my guy for sure.

Pleased to report that our beloved Elton is doing well.

He always seems to perk up when my daughter arrives home.

But all things considered he is doing great and they/we are waiting to hear the latest test results.

Well here we go again time to leave for work, really how does that happen?

It feels like I just got home from work and now going back.

Last night it was almost 7:30 before I finished having supper and cleaning up closer to 8:00 p.m.

Normally we start heading up to bed just after 8:30 p.m.

The night just seemed to evaporate.

Well as the sun shines and glistens on the neighbourhood garage windows, I shall sign off.

I hope that you have an awesome Thursday.

Special Hello to: my fellow bloggers … keep up the good work.

Always, Carol and Alvin