Living … One day at a time.

Hello,

Morning started out bright and sunny and the clouds are now rolling in.

Mr. Alvin had us both up most of the night in and outside.

This morning he was sick to his stomach.

A little while ago he ate his breakfast and seems better now.

I feel like a zombie.

Clicking away on the computer.

 

This morning was/is our girls coffee date.

I am going to pop over to see them for a few minutes.

Need some coffee….

Alvin seems fine.

Perhaps he will finally settle down and sleep.

I am going to sleep like a baby tonight.

But if I lay down any later this morning …. I am afraid that I will be awake tonight.

That would not bode well for working tomorrow.

 

Thankfully I did all of the cleaning, some yard work and laundry yesterday so today is an easy day.

Oh and I transplanted all my house plants except the big one in my office.

Into the nice new plant pots from IKEA.

Just have to bring up the laundry that is hanging to dry in the basement.

Go for a walk later.

 

Do you have a pet?

Alvin has been with me for over 9 years now.

He is family.

When he is not well ….. it hurts my heart.

I try to do the best for him.

HE goes to the Vet on a regular basis as you know.

Yesterday he actually went for his regular 5 week “pedicure” and “anal gland check.”

I will say that he was a bit more mellow when his nails were being done ….

 

The house phone rang a bit ago and I jumped up from the sofa where we had finally fallen asleep but did not see who was calling because I did not have my glasses on.

A few minutes later Humphrey’s Mom was a the door.

We chatted and she said that Humphrey was a bit off his game as off late so perhaps it was just a bug or something they ate.

She had popped over to see if I had any of her boy’s treats as she was out.

Yes, I did.

 

Anyway, never a dull moment.

I am going to go and see my friends as my mental health is important as well.

He seems fine and I will not be away for long.

Also need coffee – although I could easily make myself some.

 

At the end of it all ….. it is always a good thing to treat your four-legged companions with love and respect.

They are just as important as we are …. maybe more.

He brings me such great joy and is such a good companion.

All he asks is for food and me.

He doesn’t gossip or treat me ill.

He is always here.

 

Well I am going to go downstairs and wait a few minutes to see how he is…..

Then pop over to my friend’s house where the girls have congregated.

 

Happy Sunday.

Always be kind and respectful of yourself and others.

 

Always, Carol & Alvin

 

 

 

Thought for the day ….

Good Morning and Welcome to Monday the 24th day of December, 2018.

Well here we are on Christmas Eve Day …. about 8:00 a.m.

The party that I held on Saturday night was more of a success than I could ever have imagined.

Only one out of nine did not attend.

 

We were showered with gifts of: bottle of Jacob’s Creek Moscato white wine, treats for Alvin, bouquet of flowers, poinsettia plant, Christmas hat and collar for Mr. Alvin, Christmas cookie for Mr. Alvin,

tin of cookies, bath bombs, and a candle.  I hope that I remembered everything.

One of the girls also brought in addition to a gift – a homemade black bean brownie (which was so yummy).

So sweet of the ladies.

 

One of the girls brought her dog “Sadie.”

They have met before and when Alvin was a little excited (understatement) – Sadie was chill.

Nice of Alvin to have some company.

 

When giving the girls a tour of our house – in the basement – in the family room – just before the door into the furnace room – our socks became wet.

There was a bit of water lying on top of the green foam block by the door.

No where else.

One of the girls who is much taller than me – felt around the vents etc.

We checked everywhere including the ceiling.

Nothing.

Later before the last gal left – we checked and the carpet/rug was dry.

I guess that will be one of those mysteries.

Still dry.

 

We had enough food for 30 so more than enough for 8.

Everyone loved the new “Hot Cheese Dip” that I made.

Which tells me I need to try more new “dishes.”

Sometimes we get in a rut and keep playing the same old tried and true because we are confident in the results.

But life is all about trying new things and this was a good reminder to me.

 

One of the attendees was rear-ended when she was literally less than five minutes from my house.

She called to let me know.

The young man that hit her car had been drinking (not good for him).

She called the police so it ended up being almost one hour before she arrived.

Thankfully not hurt but shaken.

She had just bought her new car a few weeks ago.

It can be fixed.

Thankfully they were not going fast.

 

We did not drink any alcoholic beverages and instead opted for: Steeped Tea’s Winter Sangria Fruit Tea steeped in Ginger Ale (big hit), Steeped Tea’s Peppermint Hot Chocolate,

Steeped Tea’s Salted Caramel Hot Chocolate – both served with your choice of mini marshmallows, chocolate chips and whipped cream from can and Vanilla Hazelnut coffee.

Much to my girl’s surprise I had never used or tried the whipped cream from a can.

My Sugar Cookies always a hit.

 

We laughed and chatted all night long.

Stopping briefly to play the “All Things Christmas Game” that I put together with some help from one of the girl’s who had arrived early.

Great idea and I definitely will add to the game.

Went over well.

 

What a great evening.

We decided that we must do this again.

Looks like my house in the spring/summer when we can hit the deck.

Potluck BBQ.

Without the BBQ.

Mmmmmm

 

Everyone had left by about midnight and I was wide awake.

So I decided to watch the season premiere of “TIMELESS.”

It was two hours long …. so sometime after 2:00 a.m. – me and Alvin went to bed.

It was just after 7 a.m. when Alvin first woke up and wanted to go outside.

Then we hit the sofa for a bit more sleep.

I was shocked when we woke up and I checked my watch and it was …. wait for it ……

11:35 a.m.

I haven’t slept that late since I was a teenager or young adult.

Could not believe it.

WOW.

Yesterday was a quiet day.

I was still in my pyjamas upstairs on the computer when there was a knock on the door …. it was Teddy and his Mom.

They came in for a visit and some refreshments.

Then I quickly got dressed as one cannot go for a walk in their pyjamas.

Well I guess one could but why would one – especially in the winter.

Finally after over one week – we had a nice long walk.

YAY.

Yesterday was quiet …. did some laundry and just relaxed.

 

So here we are at Christmas Eve.

Teddy will be staying with us today from 1-6 p.m.

Miss Aspen and Baby Milo (grand-pups) are arriving between 4:30 – 5:00 p.m.

(They will stay with us while my daughter & son-in-law go to his family’s for Christmas Eve party).

The kids will return later when we will open gifts and they will sleep over.

Tomorrow will be eating and visiting.

I am also spending time with Humphrey while his Mom is at work and then away.

Cannot forget Cinder, the gecko.

So I am going to the four legged babies.

They will be mainly my company, today.

In between will have a quick visit and cup of coffee with one of my young friends who lives near by.

I will do that early in the afternoon when there is just Teddy and Alvin here.

 

So Christmas.

Here we are.

 

I would like to take this time to Wish each and everyone the most delightful Christmas.

May you be surrounded with love and kindness.

May you laugh and cry with joy.

May you have more than enough food to eat.

May you have all that you need.

Perhaps you will share that joy and food with someone less fortunate than yourself.

Share your stories and your recipes.

Merry Christmas.

 

From us, me and Alvin, Alvin and I ….. Merry Christmas.

 

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

Always, Carol & Alvin

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thought for the day ….

Good Morning and Welcome to Friday the 29th day of June, 2018.

It is overcast at the moment with clear skies to the south (we are facing south at this time).

Feels okay outside as I was out earlier in my p.j.’s and there is no breeze.

We had a shower overnight.

Never heard a thing.

I took a vacation day to have an extra long weekend.

Yesterday we had a request to look after Master Teddy for today and tomorrow.

So he will be joining us soon.

I have changed my plans somewhat but I am flexible.

One can go through photos on the computer just as easily on Sunday as today.

One can delete emails just as easily on Sunday as today.

It all works out.

 

Well last night was our Ladies Paint NIGHT.

It was a blast.

The artist instructor was very nice.

She tried to be funny and all the ladies were not quite sure what to do.

So we laughed where appropriate and carried on.

She had done something like 242 classes.

Crazy hey.

We sat at tables at the Tony Romas Restaurant in St. Albert.

It did feel at bit awkward as I felt low in proximity to the canvas.

But that is no excuse for my “starfish.”

I tried to follow her instructions for the most part and found myself going my own way.

She claimed as my paint tray was messy that was a sign of an “artist.”

Not quite sure about that but we GIRLS did have so much fun.

We laughed and almost cried.

The girls, my friends did a great job.

We are going to find another one to do.

I thought perhaps a landscape with trees.

Practice.

I have always like abstract and that has been my thing.

But here is a few shots of my “work of art.”

My starfish’s name is “Fred” after Freddy Flintstone.

 

 

 

Well should sign off for now as Master Teddy will be along shortly.

I wish you all a wonderful Friday.

I know that I am going to enjoy this day.

 

Special Hello to:  my sister …..

Always, Carol & Alvin

Thought for the day ….

Good Morning and Welcome to Sunday the 24th day of June, 2018.

Another beautiful sunny morning.

Alvin slept from 10:00 p.m. until 6:40 a.m. (he must have been pooped after his sleepover with Teddy.

He had a moment this morning and did not wish to walk down the stairs.

So I gingerly picked him up to carry him downstairs.

He wasn’t really happy about that and perhaps he did not trust that I could manage carrying him down the stairs.

I was carefully as after all he is “me Alvin” and I would never intentionally put him in harm’s way.

We made it to the bottom of the stairs and I carefully set him down.

After that he has been up and down the stairs.

He has been looking around and not sure if he thinks that perhaps Teddy is here somewhere.

 

Yesterday my daughter and Milo came for an unexpected visit.

Timing was perfect as I was giving Mr. Alvin a haircut.

Teddy just watched and perhaps was thinking “Yikes, I may be next.”

Even with the two of us we were not able to get Alvin’s front paws trimmed very short.

So it is what it is.

He looks good and will be much cooler.

Now after tomorrow the temperatures are cooling off.

I give him a trim/cut once a month.

Timing.

The boys had fun playing and hanging out.

Milo and Teddy got along well.

So great to have Teddy come to hang out with Alvin.

We enjoyed having him over.

 

Happiness means something different for everyone.

What brings you great joy?

What makes you feel giddy with joy to the very bottom of your being?

Happiness for me is being in good health, being surrounded by family and friends and being at home.

I have always wanted as long as I have lived to have my very own home.

This belongs to me (and to the bank), and I am so grateful to call this mine.

I can come home every night after work to my little piece of heaven.

I have flowers in the spring until fall.

I have room for me Alvin to relax and to run around.

There is room to sit for me, Alvin and company.

I can sit under an umbrella and sip on a cup of coffee and read a book, if I wish.

I can lay down if I wish but have to watch out for the “ants.”

They seem to be living everywhere these days.

I can take in the sunshine, the moon, the stars.

I can breathe fresh air sitting on my deck.

I can be proud of what this is and I am.

I can admire the flowers.

I can watch the clouds rolling by.

I can smell the fragrances of the flowers.

This is it.

Happy Days.

These were taken last night about mid evening before the sun went down.

 

 

 

 

 

Love the reflection of the night sky in the garage window.  It was so perfect out last night.

Well I guess I had better fly into the shower and then head out for coffee with my girls.

Always enjoy our get togethers.

Happy Sunday.

Enjoy what you have …..

Big or small …..

It is yours……

 

Special Hello to:  my sister – these flowers are for you …

Always, Carol & Alvin

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning well actually it is almost noon on Saturday the 25th day of November, 2017.

The sun is shining brightly and the air is warming up.

Today is the birthday of my first born niece.

Happy Birthday “D” …….

 

Not sure what happened to me other than I was up later than usual but I slept in until almost 10:00 a.m.

But factor in that I was up with Alvin at 4:30 and again at 6:30 and then again at 7:30 …..

I do feel rested.

Normally I am up between 7-8:00 a.m. on the weekends and is all dependant on what time we go to bed.

Alvin has one get up time and that is 4:30 a.m.  …… matters not when he goes to bed.

He is resting in the sunbeams here in the office while I write my blog.

 

So today is laundry and I am still without a functioning clothes dryer.

I am grateful for my friend who took the dryer apart, determined what the problem was and ordered the part and paid up front for the part.

He ordered it from the U.S. so it should be here this coming week.

Thankfully I have tons of towels and bedding so don’t have to worry about going elsewhere to dry those items.

My clothes – just hang up.

I air dry most of my clothing anyway ….. so it works out.

 

Today is stay home and get some work done.

I have most of my Christmas cards and letters written up and photos placed in the cards.

Ready to mail and hand deliver the ones close by.

The remaining Christmas cards to write up are for my co-workers at the office.

I will do them today.

Also have to make the list for baking supplies and yes, SUGAR COOKIES are once again back on the list.

I had no idea they were so popular.

YAY, me, I guess.

We have cleaning to do, er, no Alvin, I have cleaning to do.

We will go for a walk and deliver cards at the same time.

Lots to do ….

Tomorrow is the shopping day …. one of my girl friends is giving me a ride to and from the stores.

 

I guess it is a busy time for most people.

We have to remember to be kind to the people in retail – they do not get paid enough for you to disrespect them nor should we do so at any time of the year.

I know everyone is out there clambering to get the best deal – but be polite – be kind – everyone’s time is important.

Just relax and do what you need to do.

 

Have an awesome Saturday.

Alvin ….. let’s get to work.

I am happy to see the sunshine.

Happy, happy, happy.

Doing the chair, sit down happy dance.

Humming away….. smiling.

 

Special Hello to: the birthday girl.

Always, Carol & Alvin

 

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Sunday the 15th day of January, 2017.

The sky is mottled with dark blue clouds but happily you can see clear blue sunny peering out.

Yesterday was absolutely gorgeous ….. warm temperatures and no wind.

Alvin and I thoroughly enjoyed our walk after lunch.

We bumped into one of our friends and while we visited the pups played.

Alvin and Willow played hard …. Willow is about one year old and full of energy.

Willow is a girl (are you surprised).

He loves the girls.

That is for sure.

They had such a good time.

Alvin was certainly pooped after a good play.

I was glad that we happened upon them.

Thank you “K” and Willow.

So we are hoping that the weather today will be just enjoyable.

We are most happy for this change in the weather.

We both needed some fresh air and exercise.

I do get a bit on my walks to and from the bus but nothing is more enjoyable than a walk with a friend.

Chatting along the way.

He may not speak back in words that I can totally understand but he usually manages to make me understand in his Alvin way.

I love our walks.

So on this Sunday …… if you are experiencing a break in the winter deep freeze …. go outside.

Get some fresh air … and the exercise is a great bonus.

Happy Sunday Everyone.

Special Hello to: You …… you are a rockstar…..always keep that in mind.  Never forget how special you are.

Always, Carol and Alvin

 

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Sunday the 24th day of July, 2016.

WOW, how can it be?

The 24th day of July?

Crazy, hey.

Well on this bright and sunny Sunday morning I am enjoying the cool breeze that is wonderfully drifting into my windows.

The office feels delightful ….. cool and warm all at once.

My neighbour and I held a joint garage sale yesterday.

It was not successful by any means regarding amounts of things sold or money made but we had fun.

We ran it from 9 a.m. and closed it down at 2:20 p.m. – we met some nice folks.

Alvin stayed out with we girls all day.

It was not hot by any means and he had water and the house close by.

But he enjoyed with me and the girls.

One family from South America ….. they have only lived in Canada for two years.

The family’s favourite thing to do in our Canadian summers is to go camping.

They go to Banff because it is so beautiful.

After the garage sale the girls went home and I tidied up and had a bit to eat before we went out to run a few errands as I needed a few items for my TEA TASTING.

This afternoon I am hosting a TEA TASTING in my home.

We are going to have four different tea blends.

They are made into COLD / ICED tea beverages.

One with water and lemon, another with ginger ale, one with wine and the other with plain water.

I am not a wine drinker or a drinker period but my neighbour had this wine on Friday with the Citrus Mint Sangria and I knew it would be a good fit.

Will have to check the label and let you know.  It is a popular summer wine around here.

How do these tea blends sound:  Peaches & Cream which is a white tea; Jenna Cherry Jubilee, Citrus Mint Sangria and Summer Berry Sangria which are all fruit teas.

They are going to be yummy.

Will report more about the tea tasting with more details and some photos later on.

Mr. Alvin will be so happy to see his sister as she will be attending.

My leader is coming and he loves her.

We are hoping for a good turnout.

You never know …..

Some say yes.

Some say no.

Some say maybe.

Some say no and come anyway.

That’s okay.

Well I suppose I should hustle as I have a few things to do before the TEA TASTING begins.

There are a few hours but time always has a way of racing by …..

I hope that you are having a great summer weekend.

Looks like today is going to be warm.

Yesterday was a bit cool but refreshing after Friday’s 27 and higher with the humidity.

Take care.

Special Hello to: all my family and friends near and far.

Always, Carol and Alvin

 

Oh no, I hear some sirens blaring in the near distance.

 

 

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Monday the 18th day of January, 2016.

It is snowing outside ….. not quite globe like but very pretty all the same.

The temperature has warmed up from the weekend and that is a good thing.

We cannot complain our winter has been quite mild thus far.

I will say thus far because you never know what Mother Nature will throw at you.

But for today …. it is warmer and snowing.

I see shovelling in my future …..

Nothing like shovelling after a day at the office.

Exercise then supper.

 

Yesterday was an odd day for me.

Started out having a cup of coffee with my neighbour and a quick visit.

Followed by a 1.5 hour Baptismal/Communion Mass at a nearby Catholic Church

My friends “G” and “K” were baptizing their two young boys.

The mass went a bit longer than expected.

It was nice.

One young girl had on this white dress and veil.

The dress looked like a designed wedding dress ….. very pretty.

Her brother had on a white suit.

The whole family was dressed very designer-like.

It has been a long time since I visited the Catholic church.

I do not belong to that particular church and did not remember about the wedding like dresses for the girls and white suits for the boys.

However, not every child was dressed like that.

We were chatting at my friend’s house afterward and I asked about the cost to buy something like that for the children.

Apparently the suits and dresses can run in the hundreds.

Yikes.

They did look slightly out of place as they were dressed so fancy.

I guess each to their own.

But does make one think ….

After the lovely ceremony we went to my friend’s house.

My other friend “G” and her daughter had picked me up and I went with them.

We had a lovely visit and awesome lunch.

Another friend had made some beautiful cakes for the boys.

One was a bible and the other a cross.

Very nice.

I finally met the rest of the family …. which was nice.

Afterward I came to me Alvin …. I always feel guilty when I leave him at home.

Actually truth be know other than work and the grocery store …. I seldom leave him.

But it is did not help me feel any better.

After supper I was invited to another friend’s house to celebrate Ukrainian New Year.

She had her family, myself and another friend from the neighbourhood.

I realized quite quickly after arriving that the dessert and drinks turned into lots of snacks.

So more food.

There were two “crystal glass accidents.”

I was helping taking trays of food to the basement and had set my tiny crystal glass onto of the tray.

Not thinking that I had set it on a ceramic part of the tray and that it was slippery.

Well you can guess the rest.

My sweater smelled like coconut for the rest of the evening.

Good thing that I had layers on …… so the drink spilled on the black top ….

Afterward when we were back upstairs to have “dessert” one of the guys picked up his glass and the top came off from the stem.

Thank goodness that she has several hundred glasses …. truly she has hundreds of glasses.

But that did not take away how badly I felt.

It was a great evening and although I had decided to stay for only one hour that magically turned into over two.

Again the guilt …. but this time mellowed with a bit of alcohol.

Good thing I am not a drinker …. yikes.

Anyway it was an odd Sunday for me but most enjoyable.

The alarm came early or so it seemed.

Well that was my Sunday …..

Back to reality …. early mornings ….. work …… early mornings …. work.

I hope that you had an awesome Sunday.

See you later.

Special Hello to: all my Ukrainian friends …. hope you had a great Christmas and New Year’s.

Always, Carol and Alvin

 

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Tuesday the 7th day of July, 2015.

The sky has been mostly overcast until this point at just after 6:00 a.m. when the sun is breaking through.

That is the view from my office window which faces southward.

Now the sun almost casts a glow over the houses as the trees sway in the morning breeze.

I am so grateful to live in such a great place.

I am grateful to have my own home.

I am grateful to have such a great guy as a companion, Mr. Alvin.

The best four-legged friend this Momma could ever ask for …… mmmm

Last night before Alvin and I went for our walk we had a couple of errands to do in our neighbourhood.

Dropping stuff off.

After completing our task we proceeded on our nightly walk.

The air was perfect.

Not too hot.

Not too cool.

Just the right amount of a breeze.

We bumped into Mr. Alvin’s girl friend’s Moms (they are sisters who live down the street from us).

Mr. Alvin loves his Abby ….. unfortunately she had gone for an earlier walk and the girls were out for a run.

We chatted and caught up and then we all went our separate ways.

Running is not for me.

I love to walk ….. not run.

I like to stop and smell the roses.

Just before we arrived home we saw our friends who have the most gorgeous yard.

The grass is now the most lush that I have ever seen it to be.

Just the right amount of TLC ….. oh my goodness so green … the perfect shade.

They have beautiful flowers …. a rock garden …. hedges ….. roses ….. just spectacular.

Nicest people and Mr. Alvin loves them.

Funny thing the girls caught up to us ….. LOL….. we were visiting again.

Well it was the best evening.

We have a great many of them and I am truly grateful.

Now if I could only persuade Mr. Alvin to use the new sofa ottoman to get onto and off of the bed.

Still isn’t using it all of the time…..

Stubborn boy …. not good with change.

Well time to put on the finishing touches before going to catch the bus.

Oh and my sister called me last night.

Didn’t I say it was the most perfect evening.

Could not ask for more…… family, friends …..

Special Hello to: my sister …. thank you for your call.

Always, Carol and Alvin

Thought for the day……

Good Morning and Welcome to the 3rd day of April, 2015.

Today is “Good Friday.”

The office I work in is closed for today and Easter Monday but the store remains open.

Today is my second last day of work at the store for me.

Today and tomorrow will be hard as I will truly miss all of the people that I work with at the store.

The young ones all call me “Mom” or “Carol” which is nice.

There is only one employee who around my age.

Being surrounded by youth is a great thing.

Keeps you up to date with all the happenings of the world through their eyes.

I love it.

There are some of us girls who have become good friends, and we get together, and that will remain.

Some of them have moved on to other employments and such but friendship remains.

The sun is shining today and that is wonderful.

We received more of the white stuff yesterday and it is fast melting.

I wonder if the store will be busy today.

Hard to say, I guess.

Only time will tell.

Well time to hop into the shower.

I am so excited to soon have all of my evenings and weekends for my own.

Me and Alvin will be out walking in the neighbourhood catching up on the latest.

Have a great day everyone.

Special Hello to: all of my friends at the store …..

Always, Carol and Alvin