2021

Good Morning ALL. How are you doing today? I am/we are well. Last night or rather this morning, first time up and downstairs was at 4:08 a.m., yay Mr. Alvin. Next time up when I set the alarm. Feels like I had a good sleep. I am most grateful. The night sky is just starting to show the morning sunrise as it begins to lighten on the horizon. My view from the office window facing southward.

News on the block. My kids bought a new car. So exciting for them. They brought it to show me on their way home from the dealership last night. It is a beauty.

Today is the 44th birthday of my eldest nephew. One of my high school classmates turns 64 today as well. It is a reminder that this is the year me and my graduating class turn 64. I cannot believe it. Does not seem real but then again on the other hand – my nephew just turned 44, so it does. Happy Birthday Nephew – Wishing you a wonderful day. He is away working up north and it has been minus 50 celsius. Now that’s cold. Sending you good wishes and warmth. Take care and be safe. To my friend Barb, Happy 64th Birthday. Wishing you a wonderful day.

As I look about my office, I see that my African Violet has a great many purple flowers. She is most beautiful with her deep purple blooms and rich green leaves. The smaller Spider Plants that I have brought up stairs are doing well. They seem to grow like nobody’s business no matter where they are placed. Easy peasy. My Geraniums downstairs are blooming with bright pink flowers. Love them. Poinsettias are doing well. The one from last year has some leaves that are turning red. So pretty with green and red leaves. I would say that my little garden in the kitchen and in office are bright and cheery and bring joy to my days. Always good to be surrounded by greenery with a pop of colour. Good for the air as well.

I can see the sky starting to turn oranges and pinks on the horizon and soon the sun shall be up and shining every so brightly.

Another cold day but by Friday it will be warming up. Which is a good thing as I have to make a run to the vet for supplies for the boy.

Well time to head on downstairs. The boy is standing staring at me from the hallway. He has a piercing look when he wants something.

I wish you a great Tuesday, be safe and warm and take care.

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

Always, Carol & Alvin

Second Half of the NEW YEAR.

Good Morning and Welcome to my 63rd Birthday.

Why is it whenever one has somewhere to be that time seems to past with lightning bolt speed?

Alvin and I were up at 4:30 first and he had breakfast.

Then at 7:00, I pushed it to 7:30 and then up at 8:00 a.m.

Why do we do that?

The sun is shining and the wind is blowing and it is a glorious day.

Already received texts from my sister, brother and long time friend from back home.

I am all showered, made up and dressed to go to my birthday party/celebration.

Two of my friends and I alway celebrate each other’s birthdays.

One of the others hosts the party and we have cake and coffee and gifts.

We chat about the latest news in our lives.

This time I am taking some of my yummy birthday carrot cake, chocolate cupcakes with salted caramel icing and the #1 cupcake vanilla with key lime icing.

I have one of the best bakers that bakes for me ( I pay her of course) and then I love to share the treats with family and friends.

This time one of the gals not the host, has her parents visiting from Newfoundland, so her Mom will be joining us.

I think she was here last year for my birthday as well.

Usually it is just we three girls.

Sometimes the kids come or at least they used to.

I had wanted to share photos of my treats and recent photos of what has been going on but alas technical difficulties.

I have been experiencing some problems with my phone, photos and now to the computer.

Something tells me that I have to go through them and delete some from my phone as most are on the computer.

Also have to downsize the photos on my computer as well.

I have close to 50,000 between the computer and my phone.

I think that is a bit too many.

 

Well almost time to go and put together the treat platter to take.

Will have to ensure that there is a good lid on the container in this wind.

Later or tomorrow, I will see if I can fix or have fixed my problem so that I can share some new photos.

But for today:

This geranium is now massive and so many beautiful pink flowers.

 

Okay last minute was able to download or upload some photos from Friday.

All dressed up for my family birthday celebration.

The cupcakes and cake just delivered.

 

Living with kindness and respect.

I/We shall remain,

As Always, Carol & Alvin

 

It is a NEW YEAR.

Good Morning ALL,

As I sit here in my office with the window opened enjoying the sounds of the outdoors.

I hear a little bird.

Just one.

Sounds like he or she is asking a question?

Calling out to perhaps its’ mate.

Now there is silence.

Except for Alvin is sort of whining.

What does the boy want now?

We were up early and then to the sofa.

I guess that getting up at 6:30 does not quite give me enough time to do things properly before work.

I did manage however to get this far and still have 20 minutes before I officially begin work.

Just am so caught up in starting early.

It is in my bones.

I have always been the early bird when it comes to arriving at work or to a function of any kind.

Now I will say in the last few years, there have been a few times when, I was a few minutes late to our girls coffee dates.

Not by much and it does bug me.

But when it comes to work.

In all of my years of working only a handful of times in over 40 years have I been late.

Due to bus getting stuck in a snowstorm, carpool, and other reasons mainly beyond my control.

 

I think some photos would be perfect on this morning.

My geranium when it was indoors, not quite the same after being transplanted but perhaps it will just take awhile after the trauma of being transplanted.

I am in love with these potted flowers that my daughter gave me last weekend.

The colours are some of my favourite combinations.

I love this billowous cloud formation.

Feeling like I need this haircut once again.

Broccoli days for Mr. Alvin are now past.

 

Well time to head out to work.

I have oh so far to travel.

Less than one foot.

Isn’t that crazy.

 

Wishing you a wonderful Tuesday.

Happy Day.

 

With kindness and respect,

I/We shall remain,

As Always, Carol & Alvin

It is a NEW YEAR.

Good Saturday Morning,

Wow, this year so far has been filled with incredible highs and incredible lows.

This past week I would say has had some incredible lows.

Three nights this week of virtually no sleep countered with last night with first time up at 3:30 a.m. has made for a very long week.

One great thing to happen is my daughter is coming to visit today and I shall whip up some pancakes.

I don’t have my usual ingredients but that has never stopped me from making something.

I have found in life you have to be able to use what you have and go from there.

 

Just like this fence adventure and I shall call it that ….. I finally got things sorted out and just have to chat with my neighbours about the final tally.

I researched and spoke to people and then negotiated.

Negotiation is not something that I find easy to do ….. selling is more my thing.

That being said I guess negotiating is part of selling.

Now working for someone else and selling is one thing …. like retail.

I love that …. and I am good, no very good at selling things.

Anyway, I am more than happy with the final result in this case.

 

Perhaps after having a shower will perk me up and that is next on my list to do.

Last night I did some laundry so that reduced the number of loads for today.

I will say that with not having to go to the office, my laundry is considerably less.

Now basically one outfit for the day not two or even three.

I think that perhaps Alvin may need to go outside before I slip into the shower.

Will check with him first for sure.

 

The rain has stopped and it is very windy.

Clouds still fill most of the sky although it does appear to be brighter in the distances.

Tomorrow is supposed to be sunny and 20 degrees celsius.

Now that would be nice.

Something to note that yesterday afternoon it was snowing, yup it was.

Mostly it was wet snow and melted as it touched the ground.

The point is on May 22, 2020 it was snowing.

 

At this moment both of us long to go walking but until he is back to normal, not taking any chances.

Not a pretty sight to have diarrhea on a walk, the clean up is a nightmare.

 

Well my daughter will be here in approximately two hours and I have things to do in preparation of her arrival.

I hope that you are having an incredibly “high” kind of day filled with all good things.

 

This life of ours now is unique for our time for most of us.

I hope that we are able to figure out a “new norm” and that it is one that is good for everyone including animals and all creatures including the environment.

We need to be more kind and respectful in all areas.

Take our new norm, go forth and spread that kindness and respect into your daily life.

This is a good thing for sure.

 

Well I better get this boat on the water …..

Wishing you a wonderful day filled with all sorts of goodness.

You deserve this most definitely as do we all.

Take care and be of good health.

 

With kindness and respect,

I/We shall remain,

Always, Carol & Alvin

 

Sometimes we just need some photos of cuteness and the beauty of nature.

My grand pups Milo and Aspen

My beautiful geranium waiting to be transplanted outside.

My little cuteness,  my boy, Alvin

It is a NEW YEAR.

Happy Saturday Everyone!

The sun is shining with a high of +6 degrees celsius.

The snow and ice are actually quite quickly disappearing from our landscape.

The once pool or pond of water in my backyard has gone.

There is a smaller bank of snow which I am going to break up and shovel over so that it melts more quickly.

There is only a couple of shovels of snow left on the deck.

I have been trying to keep the snow mould down to a minimum as I shovel and then sweep and pour clean water on.

Once dry sweep again.

So once the temperatures are warm enough with no hint of freezing overnight I will take either a pressure washer or garden hose and clean the deck.

I have a pressure washer but it is currently housed at my daughter’s house.

My neighbour has one so I could always borrow it.

But I will get it all nice and clean before bringing out the deck furniture.

The front yard still has snow but that is melting and where there were three to four banks a week ago there are perhaps one foot with clear spots.

So it is going for sure.

No snow covering the rooftops.

But what I am over the moon happiest about is the temperature for tomorrow +16 degrees celsius.

The forecast is double digits for the next two weeks so the cold temperatures should be behind us.

Then we can all get our yards cleaned up and start spending some time in the backyard and on our decks.

I am hoping that all of my perennials come up okay as I do not think that there will be nurseries opening.

Or perhaps they will, I do not know for sure.

I am grateful to have my geranium.

It is full of blooms and is so huge.

It will be ready to be transplanted.

I think that I will find a huge pot in a few weeks and put it on the deck.

It appears to like the southern exposure.

On those super hot days I can move it into the shade.

 

Yesterday my Director brought me a brand new computer monitor.

We all have new ones at work as we were going to start using two monitors.

Really with our jobs they are a necessity.

Now with the laptop and the monitor it seems like a workstation.

Having a full large screen is wonderful.

The best part was I set it up all by myself.

I am no techie so I was so proud.

I had a little moment ….. just me and Alvin.

He was proud of his Momma, too.

 

Well today.

What is on your list for the weekend.

We slept in a bit ….. after 8:00 a.m.

I had the craziest, most strange dream.

So real.

Then we were up.

Oh, we were up at 5:00 a.m. when Alvin got up to have his breakfast and go outside.

That is another reason to get that back grassy area in top shape so that he can go to the bathroom there.

I keep that clean.

Always picking up the poop.

That is part of my job as a pack leader.

Yes, it is.

 

Anyway back to today and for tomorrow:

Laundry

Clean out closets and put winter things away

Clean off the deck

Break up the remaining snow in backyard so it will melt more easily

Vacuum

Dust and Clean

Bathrooms

Bath Alvin

I usually shower so thought at some point I may have a luxurious bath

Work on the basement ( still putting things in order down there )

Go for walks

Relax and Enjoy this weather.

 

Well that is my plan for the weekend.

I will do what I can.

Likely all of it.

 

I hope that this finds you in good health and safe.

As summer approaches us and we want to go outside and be with others more and more.

Remember you can visit but keep the social distancing rules in place.

There can be outdoor visits in your front yard.

You in the garage and visitors at the entrance way.

Have someone bring their own chair.

You have your chair.

No one has to clean things afterwards.

If we all work together ….

We will get through this.

 

Take care.

Live with Kindness and Respect.

Enjoy your time at home.

Be grateful for what you have ……

Things can change quickly.

 

With Kindness and Respect,

I/We remain,

As Always, Carol & Alvin

It is a NEW YEAR.

Welcome to a Winter Wonderland.

We have lots of snow.

Blanketing the earth and rooftops all over.

So in no apparent order, I offer some photos to bright your day.

The last ones are of the snow that is blanketing everything in sight.

We had almost bare streets and sidewalks.

Now not so much.

Other areas in the province have/are receiving more than Edmonton.

I am grateful that we had a walk yesterday before all of the snow.

 

These are my flowers / plants.

Spring has sprung in my kitchen.

I never thought that I particularly had a green thumb but looking at these photos, I am thinking that perhaps I have one.

The sharp pinks of the Geranium with all of its flowers and some on the side of the plant that you cannot see in these photos.

The Spider plant with baby spiders hanging down the back of the shelves.

The Tropical plant at the end or it looks that way.

Even the Poinsettia survived since November/December, 2019.

The darker snow photos were from last night before bed and the last three are from this morning looking out of our bedroom window.

 

So on this Tuesday as I have to grab some coffee and head to work shortly.

I have such a long commute these days.

ARGH, yes I do.

Ten steps from my bed to the laptop.

 

Special Happy Birthday shout out to my friend from just outside Regina, Saskatchewan.

P, have a wonderful day.

 

I have a copy of the Optimist Creed hanging on my bulletin board.

Google it and read ….. so good.

I cannot remember the name of the lad that wrote this piece but it is appropriate for anytime in our lives.

 

 

Promise Yourself,

To be so strong that nothing can disturb your peace of mind.

To talk health, happiness and prosperity to every person you meet.

 

Last line:

To be too large for worry, too noble for anger, too strong for fear, and too happy to permit the presence of trouble.

 

Happy Tuesday.

Be safe.

Practice Social Distancing.

Watching Pluto Living videos.

Breathe.

 

With Kindness and Respect,

I, We remain,

Always, Carol & Alvin

It is a NEW YEAR.

Good Morning All.

Well today is my first day of working from home.

We left work yesterday during early afternoon hours with laptops in tow.

I managed with a tinge of assistance from a co-worker on line to get set up.

I moved my office around and set up the laptop (which I have not really worked on before).

Set up the  mouse and I am so glad that I brought home my keyboard, that was a good move.

Thank you to a fellow coworker who had decided to take hers home.

It was so much easier setting things up.

My office looks strange with my APPLE on one end and the laptop on the other.

Shortly I will turn on the laptop and start the day ….. my work hours are 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM.

Still almost one hour but I want to do my timesheet and have everything open before 8:00 AM.

Poor Mr. Alvin is definitely wondering what is going on.

I think he noticed that I did not put on much makeup other than some eyebrow gel stuff and some lip care.

I think he definitely noticed that I did not put on my dress clothes and I know he noticed that I put on my work socks.

I did that just to throw him off.

He is just so smart.

I am kind of anxious to see what happens when I am on the phone (work) …. we have been hooked up through an APP for our phone.

This should be interesting.

Alvin does not like it when I am on the phone.

Hopefully after the day he settles into me working from home.

Much different than a weekend.

 

Yesterday my daughter picked me up some fruit, vegetables and bread.

She also picked me up a bag of CHICAGO popcorn (one with the cheese and caramel popcorn).

This was a treat for me, how sweet of a girl do I have.

 

The streets are still busy here or at least they were yesterday.

Our street has had cars zipping by all morning.

I wonder if this will change.

 

Well I am anxious to go and get my coffee and get started.

It will be much different working on a laptop small screen compared to our big computer screen at work.

Likely a bit slower going back and forth between windows but at least we are working.

Our clients will be happy about that.

I think some of them figure that with the doors closed to the public that we are not working.

But we are ….. we certainly are ….

We are all in this together.

 

Well time to go and get things going.

Starting to get light out there.

 

Be kind and respectful to all you encounter.

Remember to check on your elderly neighbours and those that are not able to get out and about.

If someone has a pet and they are sick, help out.

Make sure they have food for their pets.

If they have a dog …. take the dog for a walk.

Help where you can.

Be grateful you are well and are able to do so.

 

From an eternally grateful human being,

I remain as Always, Carol with her trusty friend Alvin

 

My geranium is blooming like crazy.

Outside the bunnies are beginning to turn brown.

Spring is official tomorrow.

Forgot to mention that I saw a coyote downtown on my my to work yesterday morning.

My daughter says there are many of them downtown due to the River Valley being close by.

Living … One day at a time.

Hello, Good MORNING …. still dark outside.

I brought my remaining plant pots out of the garage yesterday afternoon and placed them on the deck.

The remaining flowers mainly SNAPDRAGONS can survive until minus 8 degrees celsius.

I also have some Trailing Verbena and Marigolds.

They made it through the night which dipped to minus 2 degrees celsius.

The colours are still so rich and vibrant.

The next few days are to be sunny for the most part and warm or at least much WARMER than it has been the last couple of days.

Okay photo time.

I love FALL.

The rainbow of colours on the trees.

I love the leaves on the ground getting all nice and crispy.

I love that yellow blanket covering my lawn.

Yesterday morning the sun was shining brightly.

A breeze arose and then the leaves started to rain down.

I did try to capture that moment with my phone hence all the photos that look the same.

But I cannot help myself.

I love FALL.

I love AUTUMN.

I love that my flowers are still blooming.

I have a SCARECROW watching over my garden and yard.

A few photos from inside ….. the GERANIUM is blooming.

Oh, how I love fall.

NOTE:  the flowers by the fence in the second row were taken as I was waiting for the bus yesterday.

 

Well the checkup went well.

He even cleaned my ears.

I am prone to excess wax building …. isn’t that nice.

It happens.

Went for blood work.

Tomorrow is the Mammogram and dropping off of the STOOL sample (FIT)

to the lab.

Thankfully all within walking distance of my office.

Yup, successful prepared that good old stool sample at 5:30 this morning.

What a wonderful way to begin the day.

Also with the Mammogram (something new for me) …. no coffee (argh), no tea (argh) and no chocolate.

Oh, and no deodorant before the test.

All the best things ….. so I am being a good girl.

The test is the morning coffee at work.

But I will only fill my water bottle or perhaps have some hot water.

Well almost time to leave for work.

I hope that you are having a wonderful day.

If you have not got around to doing your ANNUAL CHECKUP for more than a year ….. do it.

Best thing that you can do for yourself.

If you do not look after yourself …. you know.

It is something you have to do for you.

 

 

Happy Wednesday.

Enjoy the leaves and the day.

Kindness and Respect is what we all deserve, each living being, each creature on this planet.

 

Always, Carol & Alvin

Living … One day at a time

Hi, hello and good morning.

The sky is overcast but it is light outside and there appear to be no wind as the trees are still.

It is just after 8:00 a.m. on Sunday morning.

Our weekend has been both accomplished and filled with fun.

I cleaned most of the furniture from the deck, transplanted the Geranium into a different pot as per instructions from my friend, did seven loads of laundry,

vacuumed and washed all of the floors in the house, dusted and did some changing of items about in my bedroom.

Cleaned the toilets, yup all three of them and the bathrooms.

Every once in awhile I like to change things.

Seem fresh and new.

My favourite change was my office with the new paint job and bulletin boards hanging so nicely on the wall behind my desk and computer.

I do love my office.

The green is a happy colour.

Oh, I just am hearing some geese honking as they fly by.

Humphrey the cat joined us in the early afternoon.

Alvin and I went for a walk just before 2:00 p.m. we stopped and picked up Teddy to come home with us for a visit.

Spent some time upon arriving home just playing and visiting with Alvin and his friends.

The three Amigos.

Cuteness …. so cute.

Humphrey, Alvin and Teddy, none of which look impressed that I am once again snapping photos of them.

But they are just so darn cute.

The plant that was given to me by friends when they moved back to Quebec several years ago.

It was quite small then but when I moved it to the kitchen window it took off and has grown so much in the past year or so.

Also yesterday I noticed these small almost furry like flowers.

I have no idea what kind of plant this is but I love it.

Reminds me of my friends and loves to be watered, lots

The clippings that I took from the Spider Plant at the office have also taken off.

It was only a few months ago that I brought them home.

They are already producing “little spiders.”

 

Last but not least the Geranium.

It is still in shock from being transplanted but I am speaking to it quietly with words of encouragement with hopes that it will survive and fill my kitchen with beautiful pink flowers throughout

the winter months and then I can transplant it to my garden in the spring.

Note: I took this photo before I transplanted into a different pot.

Alvin had come into the house but Humphrey just wanted to stay outside.

He just sat there with his back to me for the longest time.

 

Teddy’s Mom walked over and picked him up later in the afternoon.

Humphrey stayed with us until after 9:00 p.m. as his Mom had been out and about.

The morning clouds have melted into the sky and it remains a blue with perhaps an idea of some moisture?

 

I love these weekends.

Just enough human contact.

Surrounded by Alvin and his buds.

Work done and enough time to relax and enjoy.

 

I am reading “BECOMING” by Michelle Obama.

Some books I may skip a word or two but not this one.

I am enjoying every single word and sentence.

Good read thus far and I do not believe that I will be disappointed.

 

As I mentioned yesterday I may climb up my six foot ladder and clean out the eavestrough that is attached to my porch and out my bedroom window.

Our tree still has lots of leaves to lose but there now is some garbage in the eavestrough so the sooner it is cleaned the better.

I can always get any new leaves that land in there out later.

 

Well time to go and have my regular weekend breakfast of toast without the banana as I am out of them.

COFFEE is definitely a must.

Gather up the clothes that are drying in the basement.

Make my lunch for tomorrow.

Figure out what to wear after I check the weather channel.

Make supper (chicken dinner with an apple/pear crisp).

Walk with Alvin.

I may mow the back lawn as my neighbour said she will do the front with her electric mower.

I mow with my little push one.

Might pop out with my friend to pick up a few things at the grocery store …. although I really do not need much.

Perhaps watch one of the shows that I have recorded.

This will be my day in no definite order.

 

Happy Sunday Everyone.

May you have the time to kick back and enjoy.

 

Always, Carol & Alvin

 

P.S. no snow …. thank goodness …. not ready for it just yet.