Last Half 2022 – July

Good Morning All! How are you this morning? We are doing very well. Last night after supper I walked with one of my girl friends to the Dollar Store to pick up cards and poop bags. Guess how long the walk was? It was 6.1 kilometers and to add to that Alvin and I had a 30 minute walk at my lunch break. So I got a great amount of walking in yesterday. After we returned from our WALK, we girls sat on the deck and enjoyed an alcoholic fruity beverage. We chatted and laughed. I figured that during our walk we got even more exercise in as we chatted the whole time. That has to help the old lungs and heart! It was warm but not too hot and there was a cool breeze from time to time. Mr. Alvin was not really pleased that I had left him but he was sure happy to see me when we first got home.

After Gillian went home, I watered my flowers and plants as we did not get enough rain to really do much good. Just a sprinkle really.

This morning the sky is slightly overcast and it is nice outside. If I could have got up off the sofa we could have gone for an early morning stroll. Why oh why, do I struggle with that darn SNOOZE BUTTON! Likely because of getting up at like 4:30 ish everyday. Maybe I should start staying up. Not sure at this point what I would do and then I would be ready for bed at like 7. Yes, I do like my sleep. One of these days, I will get it figured out. Tomorrow, Thursday and Friday are supposed to be +30 degrees celsius so we will be walking in the morning for sure. I can do this.

I am so grateful to my daughter for cutting my hair and most especially the back as it was so much cooler during our walk last night.

At this very moment in time, I am feeling oh so grateful. I am grateful that I have amazing friends. I am grateful that I have Mr. Alvin for all that he is. I am grateful for summer breezes. I am grateful for pretty flowers. I am grateful for long and short walks. I am grateful that I am able to walk. I am grateful for sunshine and laughter. I am grateful for the best daughter and son-in-law in the Universe. I am grateful for good coffee in the morning. I am grateful for these hands and fingers who type these words. I am grateful for MK lip gloss, feels so nice and looks so pretty. I am grateful for my grandpups, cannot leave them out, they are the best. I am grateful for all that I have and all that I am. I am grateful for life.

I hope that you have a great Tuesday.

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

Always, Carol & Alvin

PS: only 14 days, two weeks till I turn 65. Still cannot believe it.

OH and I love FLOWERS, oh, I did say that! I really love them.

The New YEAR 2022

Good Morning ALL! How are you this morning? Both Alvin and I are well, very well. We are happy to be in good health. Alvin had a good 13th birthday yesterday. It was quiet but he had fun. I did not have an actual gift for him and I know how much he enjoys opening them so I wrapped up some of his food in a little tupperware container and with a card set it in front of him. I took a video of him opening his gift from beginning to end it was just short of two minutes which is pretty quick. When you consider that he uses his mouth to open it and goes back and forth between his two front paws to hold the package and to stabilize himself. He is so darn cute. Always brings a smile to my face when opening a gift. I can thank my friend Val who for many years has sent us gifts a few times each year with always a special parcel for Alvin. That is where he learned to do this. Yes, I have a pup who can open presents. He is certainly talented.

I am so happy to report that our temperatures are warming up and perhaps over the next couple of days we may even get outside for a walk. Sure would be great. We both miss those daily walks. Our bodies miss them, as well.

This morning I was wrote in my journal and realized that I have been doing for 4692 days. If memory serves me correctly, that is the day that I am on. I write down Day ….., then the date, record what is happening in my life and list what I am grateful for …. I believe it is so important to verbalize and write these down. If you are in a constant state of gratitude then you are living a good life. I am so grateful that both Alvin and I are in good health, for our beautiful home, for family and friends, for me working from home, for good food, for clean drinking water, for each day that we can get out of bed and have our toes/paws reach the floor. The list is endless. Try it!

To my cousin J, I have been trying to reply to your comment from the other day about the hair cut and cannot find it to reply to. I remember that you did a great job cutting my hair when we were kids (teenagers). We had some pretty great adventures you and me. Pretty great. Definitely ones for the journal.

Well time to start signing off as almost time to start work, a few minutes away.

I wish you a wonderful day. Hopefully nice weather so that we all can go for a walk.

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

Always, Carol & Alvin

P.S. two of my LOVES: Alvin and flowers.

2021

Good Morning ALL! How are you today? It is a cool bright sunny morning here in Edmonton with a temperature of 10 degrees celsius. Very refreshing. This will be a brief post as I am upstairs on the computer. I had some banking to do this morning and of course, Mr. Alvin is not happy and has been barking since I came upstairs. Does not help with my ever increasing anxiety. I am thinking at this rate, I will be taking medicine soon, lol. He does not bark every morning but for some reason this morning …. he is and he has the most down to the bones frustrating as I cannot think of a word to describe it at this moment. Anyway, not pleasant to listen to. We did not sleep well. Bed at 10 p.m. and up at 2:50 a.m. and then outside twice and back to bed (on main floor) at 3:30. He woke up at 5:52 a.m. and had his breakfast and back outside. I just needed more sleep so back to sleep although I am pretty sure that he did not sleep. If I could just have some decent sleep it would make things so much more easier to deal with. But alas I feel that it is not in my cards.

I am going to give him his next round of meds right away here and then go for a quick walk before starting work. Coffee is definitely going to be my best friend today.

I am so grateful to my friend Gillian for going and picking up Alvin’s medicine yesterday. If I did not have such great kids and friends, I would be in some serious trouble.

Looks like tomorrow, Saturday and Sunday are going to be in the 30’s. Won’t that be lovely. I am going to give Mr.Alvin a haircut this evening and then just a sponge bath to remove any extra hair. Otherwise it will be brutal giving him a haircut when it is so hot.

Well I must go before he has a coronary – is that even possible with dogs. OR else his Momma may have.

I think that the windows are open downstairs so the neighbours or anyone going by will hear his cries and think he is in trouble. What a guy!

Anyway, I wish you a great day. Things will get better. I sure hope so anyway.

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

Always, Carol & Alvin

Second Half of the NEW YEAR – last quarter.

Good Monday Morning All. Well this morning I head to the office. My daughter is picking me up as she has to work at her office downtown, as well. I absolutely refuse to take public transportation at this time. With the new active COVID19 cases in Edmonton and in Alberta, on the rise, the less people that I am around the safer I will be. At the end of the day who wants to be one of the statistics if they have a choice. No one really wants to be sick. I would like to remain in good health. Everyday I choose those thoughts, I am in good health, Alvin is in good health and all our family and friends. Trying to stay safe and healthy should be our number one priority these days. These are my thoughts on the subject for better or worse. It will be nice to see some of the folks that I work with ….. only a handful of staff are in our office everyday. Thank goodness for our support services staff who go to the office each and everyday of the week. I am so grateful that I am able to work from home. Full of gratitude.

Yesterday I had coffee with the girls in the morning. We had a blast. Chatting about world events (ie U.S. Election, oh my goodness), stats about COVID19, Christmas, baking, shopping for Christmas status, mail deliveries, Amazon, and so much more. In between the very serious chatter we did have some smiles and laughs. Not as much as we usual but that is okay. I am grateful that I am able to spend time with these two ladies. I am full of gratitude to have them in my life. They are the epitome of friendship, love and support. Truly I would not be able to keep any level of sanity if it were not for my friends. I have the best ones, some of which live next door and down the street and others live abroad and others a province or two away. Also my best friend on the planet is my daughter, she is the greatest. When you are surrounded by all this love and support how can you be anything but joyful and successful. It takes a village, they say and it takes a village to keep me where I am. To the UNIVERSE, thank you for bringing each and every ONE of these dear, loving, compassionate, supportive, kind souls in my direction. Then there is Mr. Alvin….. there are no words. Not only did I have coffee with the girls, Alvin and I bumped into Pauline and her grandpup Georgie on their last leg of their walk, so we continued with them, walking and chatting. I feel so blessed. The weather another blessing ….. so beautiful.

I had told myself that I was going to cut my hair. Even mentioned it to the girls. So when I do this …. there is no turning back. I have cut my hair dozens of times over the years but this time I was a tad bit nervous. For no real reason. So I watched several videos which made me more nervous until I saw this girl with different shades of blue hair. She had multiple piercings and was very young (well everyone is young compared to me at 63). Anyway she parted her hair at the back and placed the hair in two ponytails to the side with elastics. She pulled out “electric clippers,” the kind that I use to cut Mr. Alvin’s hair. Immediately I thought, I can do this and that I did. My hair turned out so GREAT. I love it. Once I sort the tea order tonight, I will call my friend “G” and she will come for her tea and I will ask her to give me a quick lookover. Unless it is bad (which to my eyes looks pretty good but my eyes are old and frankly everything looks good to me, these days, lol), I will leave it alone, if she needs to trim a tad, well that is okay with me.

So off to get this Monday underway. Poor Mr. Alvin, on these days, which has only been twice now since March, I feel badly to leave him home for so long. I have asked Humphrey’s Mom Sonja to come about noon and let him out for a pee and give him one of his cookies. Sometimes he won’t go outside for anyone but me. I hope that he goes out as I know he will have to pee. Mind you perhaps he won’t drink as much water when I am not at home. Fingers crossed.

Wishing you a great Monday. Keep spreading that kindness with love and respect. The world needs it now more than ever. Thank you so much for taking the time to read my words, my thoughts ….. I appreciate you. Hopefully I brought a smile to your face or even a bout of laughter. That would be so great. Happy Monday Everyone, Happy Monday.

Yes, I have multiple masks with me…… one for the car ride, one for work, one for after work and one for Shoppers – Post Office…….

Always, Carol & Alvin

P.S. I think that I am going to use the electric clippers from now on.

It is a NEW YEAR.

Good Wednesday Morning.

The sunrise is amazing and the sky is beginning to clear.

We had a nice light blanket of snow last night.

I heard from the Weather Channel that Sunday we are to have double digits for temperature.

On the plus side, I should add.

Finally, perhaps that will put a serious dent in the snow banks that are lingering about.

I can hardly wait to see buds on the trees.

The birds are beginning to return from down south.

I believe that I mentioned I saw a Robin last week.

So happy about that.

I love them, little robin red-breast.

I have the coffee perking away.

Oh, how I love coffee in the morning.

Alvin is resting on his little bed beside my computer desk.

 

I must say that I never thought in my wildest dreams, did I ever, think that I would be doing my job from home.

Not ever.

Not even a random thought.

Now here I am close to a month into working from home.

Wow, so strange.

I guess we truly never know what is going to happen in the world.

 

Yesterday Alvin and I had two walks.

This is starting to become a habit which is a good thing.

I placed a tea order after our later walk.

One of my friends picked me up a few things from the store.

I believe that we are set for awhile.

Although how could I forget to get “olive oil.”

Anyway not life or death so it can wait for a week or so.

 

Oh, big thing …. I cut my hair.

Oh, yes I did.

I had been wondering how it would work if I used Alvin’s electric hair/fur clippers.

I found that the extensions do not fit on or at least I could not get them onto the clipper.

So I just took the “electric” clipper and starting cutting.

I took off quite a bit and it looks pretty good.

Had to fix some even this morning with my handy dandy hair scissors.

Although next time I would make sure that I dried my hair straight.

What I mean by this is ….. I would not put my hair in a ponytail and then pull through.

So it was curly / wavy when I removed the hair elastic.

But despite that ….. I am pretty happy.

Besides my hair grows fast so why not.

Alvin is lucky as I cut his hair.

I have noticed a lot of doggies are looking a bit on the shaggy side.

 

Well I guess it is time to go and grab my coffee.

Might start work a bit early today.

Just because.

Not because I have to,

Just because.

 

The sun is shining so bright.

Mid week so that is good.

Weekend around the corner.

I hope that you and your family are well.

Stay safe.

Remember there are always the bathroom fans to clean.

Top of the cupboards might need a bit of a dust job.

Basement.

I know I have many things that I can do when I have the time.

Summer is close.

YAY.

 

With kindness and respect.

I/We remain,

As always, Carol & Alvin

Living … One day at a time.

Hello,

Beautiful bright sunny blue sky kind of morning.

Hallelujah, it is Friday.

How about some photos kind of Friday post?

I snapped these photos just before my carpool arrived yesterday morning.

The brilliant GREEN brings joy to my heart and soul.

In the 4th photo you can just see Alvin watching me out of the window as he always does.

I wave as I get into the car.

To say good-bye – see you later.

 

Last night was a busy night.

After arriving home from work – Alvin and I went to the Vet to pick up his food, toothpaste and some treats, of course.

Then supper.

Then Teddy and his Momma came …. his Momma had tea ….. his Momma left and Teddy is with us until Saturday evening.

First night last night of the sleepover.

Final big thing ….. I got my hair cut.

Wanting some radical ….. something different in recent years for me.

A version of Anne Hathaway’s short hair cut.

Look how much hair was chopped.

I am not great with selfies.

This morning it looks totally different.

Before I had a shower …. well let’s just say that both Alvin and Teddy were a little scared to look directly at me.

Last night the first two photos and then the remaining ones this morning.

Teddy loves to throw the pillows around.

I love where he ended up …. at the head of the bed.

Well that is it for me for Friday.

Almost time to leave for work.

 

One more time to take pups outside.

Have an awesome Friday.

I will get better taking photos of myself.

Maybe ….. giggling aloud.

 

This weekend is me and the boys.

Tomorrow Humphrey joins us ….

So excited to spend some time with Alvin and his friends – our friends.

 

Happy Friday.

 

Always, Carol & Alvin & Teddy

Living … One day at a time.

Hello,

Bright sunny morning with just a few clouds dotting the sky.

Yesterday was a glorious day weather wise.

In the morning it was bright and sunny beginning to warm.

Afternoon came around with rain clouds and rain.

One minute it was bright and sunny and the next there was a gentle downpour.

This went on and off all afternoon.

Alvin and I managed to score a wonderful walk in between showers.

Although I would not mind getting caught in a gentle rain shower.

Alvin, would be okay except would have to make certain that his ears were dry on the inside.

He is prone to ear problems so have to be careful.

On our walk we came across several families of geese.

I could tell as there were at least three different sized goslings.

So cute.

We walked by them and checked out their cuteness from the sidewalk.

I was prepared to move onto the grass on the other side.

But they did not seem to mind us as all.

One of the Papas and I will call the goose that as I really have no idea if it was Momma or Papa …. he stared me down as we walked by.

The air was so fresh and clean after the rain.

Felt so good …..

Great walk.

After arriving home I decided that it was a good time to stake up one of my plants in the front flower bed.

Alvin helped me find a stake in the garage.

He stayed in the house to supervise as I fixed the plant out front.

When I was out there …. our friends from down the street … spotted us and popped by for a visit.

J showed me Jazmin’s hair cut ….. she looked so good.

Jazmin is an elder dog with a heart condition, she is doing so good at the moment and I hope for a long while longer.

My friend helped hold the plant while I tied some garden twine to the stake.

Tonight or tomorrow night I have to transplant one of the lilies as the ferns are taking over the front garden.

Will move the lily to a different spot in the garden.

Well almost time to go and catch the bus to work.

Carpool is back in business for tomorrow and the rest of the week.

Will be nice to get home in good time once again.

 

I hope that you all have a wonderful Monday.

I hope that the sun is shining and if you need a rain shower, I hope that one comes your way.

I hope that love and kindness surround you on this day and always.

Happy Monday to you ALL.

 

Always, Carol & Alvin

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Friday the 29th day of March, 2019.

WOW, almost the end of March, 2019.

Crazy.

Our weather has been quite nice.

It was beautiful when Alvin and I went for a walk last night.

We took a longer walk and enjoyed it immensely.

Still getting muddy and thankfully I remembered to have a wet towel at the front door.

Need more exercise we do.

Alvin will be having a bath and hair cut this weekend, likely Sunday.

 

Master Teddy joins us tomorrow for the day.

Alvin sure perked up when I told him last night.

He will be happy to have him with us again.

I was wondering last night why Alvin wanted to be outside on the deck so much.

The reason.

Mr. Humphrey was out on his deck.

Humphrey was telling him quite the story.

Alvin sure loves his friends.

We are so lucky to be surrounded by lovely creatures four-legged and two.

 

I am debating on whether I should go to the grocery store at lunchtime or go after work.

About the same distance to carry and walk.

Maybe at noon a bit further but not much.

I am out of ideas for lunch and do not wish to have a sandwich again.

Out of vegetables.

So likely will trod on over at lunchtime.

I am nearing the end of my toothpaste and completely out of dish soap.

So decision at lunchtime or after work?

I am catching the bus as my carpool took the afternoon off …..

I guess by the time I have to take lunch – I will have made a decision.

ARGH.

Somedays.

You know if that is the hardest decision that I have to make today – I will consider myself more than lucky.

 

I see 3.3 million dollars in my future.

Sharing the Lotto Max Jackpot with 14 of my coworkers.

Perfect beginning to the weekend.

YAY.

 

Well perfect sight …. listening to Alvin breathing as he rests on his blue blanket.

Oh, how I love that guy.

 

Well I guess it is time to go.

Time to go to work.

 

Special Hello to:  all those folks who have a four-legged friend in their family.

Always, Carol & Alvin

 

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Monday the 13th day of August, 2018.

Woke up to some very dense FOG this morning.

Barely able to see across the street.

We went from 32 degrees celsius (HOT) on Friday to 17 degrees celsius on Saturday and cooler with RAIN on Sunday.

Not complaining about the rain, we did need the moisture.

I am hoping that the moisture will make its’ way to the drought stricken places around the country and the world.

Well yesterday ended up being a lazy day for me and Alvin.

It was raining pretty much all day and I did not have any get up and go.

You could say that my “get up and go got up and went away.”

Anyway, it was so nice to have some downtime after a hectic week and a bit of vacation.

 

GUESS WHAT?

My neighbour cut my hair yesterday.

Oh, how I wished that it had been short during our 30+ days but I am loving it all the same.

Nothing like having a hair stylist living across the street that comes to your home.

Photo of my BIRTHDAY FLOWERS.

 

Well Mr. Alvin has been very patient as I have been very lazy.

We have a few errands to do today.

Alvin needs food and some glucosamine.

I have a parcel to mail and also need to pick up a few food items at the grocery store.

Looks like it may rain so we had better get this show on the road.

 

Tomorrow is back to work.

Sure has been great having this time off.

 

Special Hello to: all those friends and family who spent time with me either in person, on the phone, on social media for my birthday “week.”

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