Last Half 2022 – December

Good Morning ALL! How are you on this Thursday? I am well. Receiving great report about my boy. Missing him but glad he is doing well. Still dark as night outside. We are nearing the shortest day of the year.

Are you ready for Christmas? Do you bake? Do you entertain? Do you wrap gifts in paper, bags or something else? What special dishes do you make during the holidays? Are you having a big crowd for Christmas? Do you put up an artificial tree or a real tree?

I am ready for Christmas. Shopping done and most wrapping done except for a few items that have yet to be delivered, Christmas cards mailed and still have a few to hand deliver and that will be on Sunday, house and tree are decorated (I keep fussing with the tree, looking for perfection, lol. Yes, I bake every year. This year I made Sugar Cookies and iced them, Chocolate Fudge and Chocolate Chip Cookies. I will make some Mincemeat Tarts for Christmas, as well. Yes, a bit although this year I am hosting more (which is lovely). My daughter, son-in-law and pups mostly come here for Christmas although I have gone to their home a few times over the year. Sometimes good for a change. I wrap gifts in paper, bags and sometimes use brown paper, Christmas towels, and sometimes put a gift within a gift. I started making this Hot Cheese Dip for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day as an appetizer. I like to make some different twists on the traditional Christmas Dinner meal. Like chicken instead of turkey and one year we had tofurkey. Homemade cranberries instead of out of a can. Garlic whipped potatoes instead of just whipped potatoes. This year we are having Chinese Food instead of the usual. My friend Lucy gave me some Chinese Dumplings that she made so I froze them to have at Christmas. Christmas is usually me, Amanda, Steven and the pups, Alvin, Aspen and MiMi. This year we may have a couple of friends. We also leave an open invitation to anyone who does not have a place to go to for Christmas. The thought of someone alone makes me sad. I am having what I call a big crowd this weekend for a Christmas party, the second weekend in a row for parties. YAY, me. I have been putting up an artificial tree as I had a tree lose all of its’ needles. But I used to put up real trees. I love the smell of a real tree.

So there are my answers to my questions. I hope that you have fun thinking about your answers.

Countdown to Christmas: OMG only “9” sleeps until Christmas Eve.

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

Always, Carol & Alvin

Last Half 2022 – December 1, 2022

Good Morning ALL! Well here we are with Christmas fast approaching. How are things with you? Do you celebrate Christmas with all the bell & gifts or do you have a more faith based traditions. Perhaps somewhere in between. We all have our own way of celebrating the holidays – this season. I do like giving gifts, I love the decorations, the smells, baking and most of all spending time with friends and family. Oh and the tree, of course. I must admit that I spoiled Mr. Alvin this year, I don’t remember if I mentioned this perhaps I did, but here we go again. I bought him a Christmas sweater, an actual Christmas sweater, his first one. I also got him a new colourful fancy harness and a cute toy. I figure going into his 14th year that we should do it up big. I cannot wait for him to open his gifts. He loves opening presents, so this will be fun.

I guess we are in official countdown – 23 sleeps till Christmas Eve and 24 sleeps till Christmas Day.

This weekend is baking time. I am most excited to get into that rhythm …. hauling out the supplies, the recipes. Mixing and scooping and cutting out shapes (I do round for my sugar cookies). The smell of cookies wafting throughout the house. We are going to have fun. Alvin will not be too happy as I will be busy running around the kitchen but I will be home with him and that is what matters most.

Yesterday is was stormy. The roads were icy and the visibility was down. We were sent home about 3:00 p.m. so that we would miss the rush hour traffic and to ensure that we got home okay. I called my daughter as she has a long drive to let her know about the status of the roads and she was able to leave work early as well. Our drive was okay but my daughter reported that the roads were not good. I am so happy that we all got home safe and sound. After I got home, I hooked up my laptop and worked for awhile longer before feeding Mr. Alvin who was ready for supper when I opened the door. After he ate, I went shovelling. Shovelled the front including the neighbours, then part of the deck and the driveway before starting my supper. I threw together an odd combo that turned out to be yummy. I roasted/baked chickpeas with frozen brussel sprouts, caramelized an onion, chopped up some fresh celery, a red bell pepper, some grape tomatoes and then mixed all together. It was very yummy. I added some chili jelly on top. Supper was most enjoyable considering I had no idea what to eat when I got home.

Well the clock is ticking away and I must get back downstairs and finish getting things ready to go to the office. The storm died down and it stopped snowing. Thank goodness.

Happy Thursday.

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

Always, Carol & Alvin

P.S. hey Val, you were correct, I found a little poopette on top of the bed this morning. Pretty sure something else did not put it there. I am most relieved. Must be an age thing, lol. My poor boy.

Second Half of the NEW YEAR.

Good Morning All,

We are in the middle of a summer thunderstorm complete with rain and wind.

Thank goodness Alvin has already been out twice so we are good for awhile.

I moved my potted plants away from the protection of the house around 6:00 a.m. and hopefully the storm passes without any damage to my flowers.

Yes, I am one of those people who move their flowers when the clouds start to roll in.

I love my flowers and they bring me joy.

They cannot bring job if the hail flattens them or heavy rains.

So I try to take care of them so they will last long into the summer and even fall.

A drink is what they got this morning …. raining some but not heavy, thankfully.

 

I am feeling a lot more rested after spending a glorious night in my/our bed.

Alvin slept through the night and only went to get up when I showed to be doing so.

Yesterday I called our Vet and spoke to one of the staff who in turn spoke to the Vet.

She added another prescription to his pain med, this one he will take every 12 hours for three days on top of the other that is once every 24 hours.

I think he is also freaked out by the storm.

I will say one thing that is odd, he listens to my commands now.

If I say stay (he was on the bed), he stays until I help him down.

If I say have a drink of water, he went and had a drink of water.

Very strange.

Not that he is unruly or doesn’t listen but he doesn’t ….. not a bad doggie.

Just spoiled, I guess.

It is raining a bit harder.

I am hoping that the clouds keeping on moving ….. I am sure that someone somewhere needs some moisture.

We would like some sunshine.

I don’t think that the grass is get any more green.

The colour of grass – oh, how I love that shade of green.

 

I can smell the coffee perking and I cannot wait to have a sip of the Hazelnut blend that I am perking.

Well thankfully things in our household are much better.

To think it all started with a storm last Thursday, me on the after hours phone line, a slip getting up on the deck, a visit to the Vet and who knows what else.

I am grateful that today even though it is storming …. I am feeling a lot more ZEN.

Which is a good thing as Mr. Alvin can sense when I am anxious.

 

Last night after work my daughter went to COSTCO.

She picked up some items for me.

Luckily I just had prepared a black bean burger with all the toppings including some fresh lettuce that she had given me.

When she arrived with not much time and with a sore foot (her story to tell), I offered her half of my burger which I had already cut in half.

I unloaded the car while she had a bite to eat.

She had another stop to make and I figured that she might be a bit hungry as it was after 6:00 by this time.

I love seeing my girl even if it is on the run …. all time, every second, minute is priceless.

Well that rain is coming down harder.

I will have to watch my flowers.

Might have to make a mad dash out to move them.

 

Well 8 days to work before vacation time.

So time to sign off here and grab my coffee as the fragrance has curled its’ way up the stairs to my nose.

Mmmmm.

 

Have an awesome Wednesday.

I hope that kindness and respect follow you every second of every day.

Living with kindness and respect is the only way.

 

I/We, shall remain,

As Always, Carol & Alvin

Living … One day at a time.

Good Morning All,

A beautiful clear morning sky as I glance out of my office window.

As you may have noticed I took a two day break from writing this blog post.

I was inspired by a fellow blogger who had taken some time off during the holidays.

So I am back.

It is hard to believe that tomorrow is New Year’s Eve.

With today being the second last day of 2019 and of this decade.

WOW, crazy hey.

I have more photos to share (well that is no surprise).

When I was uploading them from my phone to the computer this morning, I saw unbelievable numbers.

I have 34,529 photos and 778 videos on my hard drive.

I guess that I had better start deleting some of them.

I find it difficult sometimes to go through them and delete the duplicate photos and the shots that are not in focus and such.

Somehow it makes me feel as though I am deleting my life.

Does that sound strange?

Or familiar to you?

But I have 3611 photos on my phone and 96 videos.

Now they are all downloaded/uploaded to my computer.

So why don’t I simply delete them?

I am trying.

Likely a good idea before I download/upload them to the computer to go through them.

But sometimes it is a timing issue as well.

But that is something that in this new era, new decade of 2020, that I must work on.

 

We just heard a sound and went to the bedroom window to investigate.

Our neighbours had some car problems so the tow truck was out to pick up their car and one of the owners.

I decided to video the car being loaded.

Very cool and took less than 10 minutes from beginning to end.

I hope very strongly that the repair bill is a small one.

 

I guess that I can get easily sidetracked, oh well.

It is my third last day of vacation and that is okay.

 

I have some photos of the past few days that I would like to share.

Why not I have 39,015 photos and videos to share.

Well perhaps not all of them.

These photos do not include the ones that I have from pre computer / digital age.

I have over 10,000 of printed photos.

But when you think of the difference in time ….. now it cost a lot of money to buy the film and then have them processed.

Also there were times that several photos did not turn out and those ones I did not have a problem discarding.

Somehow the on-line / digital ones are more difficult for me to dispose of  ….. but I will get better.

 

I guess it is “my life” in photos.

Alvin lost his spot on his blue blanket and Humphrey was quick to lay down.

The next photos were crazy beautiful shadows on the living room wall yesterday morning.

Just gorgeous.

 

Our last day with Humphrey – his Mama arrived home late last night.

Shot of my office …. just loved the sunlight shining on my books and stuff.

My last gift from my kids …. the one that was left behind.

I love it …. “even says SUGAR COOKIES.”

That is why my daughter bought it for me.

Table setting for my cousins who came for a visit and dinner last night.

We had a blast.

We always do.

 

Well I guess it is time to fly.

Getting late already.

We made a walking date for this afternoon with Teddy, his little sister and his Mom.

 

Time for some coffee, methinks.

 

I hope that you are having a great day whether at home or at work.

We are so blessed to have these extra days off during the holidays.

I have to make a list of things that I would like to finish before heading back to work.

It was nice to visit with my neighbours and friends and my cousins.

They were all on my list ….

Even had surprise visit from my daughter.

 

Happy Monday …. yes, it is Monday.

Oh, I am so confused.

Have to set some kind of alarm so that I do not forget to be ready for work on Thursday.

 

Always, Carol & Alvin

 

Living … One day at a time.

Oh my goodness, this is Christmas Eve morn.

Where did the time go?

I just got home from picking up Humphrey and doing the chores at his house.

In less than one hour my friend G is picking me up to take a last grocery run.

There are always those items that you do not wish to pick up too much in advance.

I just heard a clang in the back and looked out my window to see some lights of a truck – the garbage guys.

Today is the pickup.

I just realized how dark it is in the back lane.

We do not have any lights.

That might be something either the City or our Neighbourhood Association could put in.

At least one here and there.

Dangerous with no light.

Especially when the neighbourhood fees just rose by $25.00 to $175.00 annually per year and add taxes to that figure.

Today is not the day to complain there will be another day to vent that story.

 

Mid afternoon yesterday my friend P and I went to see the movie CATS.

It was spectacular, fantastic, wonderful and awesome.

The cast was crazy good.

James Corden, Judi Dench, Jason Derulo, Idris Elba, Jennifer Hudson, Ian McKellen, Taylor Swift, Rebel Wilson, and introduces ballerina Francesca Hayward in her first feature-length film role.

It was well done.

The music, the dancing and the singing were fantastic.

We thoroughly enjoyed the movie.

 

I came home to Alvin and Humphrey.

Had a bite to eat (about 7 p.m.).

Made a double batch of chocolate fudge with walnuts and the honey mustard dip for tomorrow’s dinner.

Did I tell you our menu?

It is unique but every other Christmas we switch it up.

Not everyone likes turkey, I do but not everyone.

 

Menu:

What I call Chicken Fingers

Honey Mustard Dip (homemade)

Cranberries (homemade)

Mashed/Whipped Potatoes with Boursin Cheese baked in oven

Gravy (not homemade)

Stuffing (not homemade)

Buns (not homemade)

Peas

Corn

 

Assortment of goodies (all homemade) ranging from my Sugar Cookies, Chocolate Chip cookies and fudge to my friends Banana cake, Ginger cookies, mince tarts, and apple tarts 

and every place in between.

 

Some things made by me and others not.

A good mix.

 

We will have a hot cheese dip with baguette to snack on as well as veggies, crackers with hummus.

 

Likely too much to eat.

 

Well it is getting on here and my friend will be here shortly to pick me up for our shopping trip to Save-On and Costco.

Hopefully we will be there before the masses.

 

Wishing you a great Christmas.

The kids are dropping off Aspen and Milo about 2:30 p.m. and I will hang out with the pups until they come back for the evening.

Change of plans.

Humphrey will go home before the pups arrive.

Aspen would not like Humphrey.

That would be one scene I would not like to view.

 

I wish you and your family the most glorious Christmas ….

May you enjoy love, laughter and some good food….

If you are able to include a person(s) who does not have family to spend the holiday with, please do.

No one deserves to be alone at Christmas unless they choose to do so.

 

I hope the next two days are filled with a special kind of light that will continue to shine all year long.

The light of love and compassion.

The light of kindness and respect.

The light of generosity.

The light of you and me.

 

Merry Christmas from Carol, Mr. Alvin and Mr. Humphrey.

Me and the Boys.

Always and Forever.

………… After all…..

 

 

 

Living … One day at a time.

Wow, today is Saturday the 21st day of December, 2019.

The second last Saturday of the month and the year.

WOW, hard to believe that 2019 is almost over.

We are ready for Christmas.

I wrapped the gifts for the pups and Humphrey last night.

Alvin was still sniffing around but at least he did not attempt to open any of the presents.

I was going to put my present from my friend “V” under the tree again but thought against it.

Better to be safe than sorry.

 

After a long time as somewhere along the way Mr. Alvin must have ate something not for him.

He was up and down ALL night long.

Finally he brought up some semi digested food.

Sorry for the grossness for the morning hours.

Anyway, he seems to be okay now.

We have our regular VET appointment this morning.

I have to have him checked for “ear mites” as baby Kobi has them.

He has his regular nail trim and stuff.

Following the visit, I will be giving Mr. Alvin his haircut which is long overdue.

I finally have the “blade head” replaced for his electric clipper.

Fun awaits.

Later this afternoon Teddy and his little sister arrive for a sleepover.

Last night I was able to get some laundry done and finished the last of the wrapping.

 

Well there are no words of wisdom or funny stories to share as I am a tad bit tired.

Going to cut this short to go and have some coffee and breakfast.

I hope that you have an awesome Saturday.

 

If all else fails take a nap.

Always with kindness and respect.

 

Always, Carol & Alvin

P.S. so excited that I am off work now until January 2, 2020.

So lucky am I.

Thought for the day ….

Good Morning and Welcome to Tuesday the 16th day of January, 2018.

Well yesterday turned out to be a bit on the colder side, especially with the wind.

Tomorrow is to be about ZERO …..

Still so much better than the minus 30 windchill of last week.

 

Last night as I was watching Alvin outside …. I was thinking about a commercial that I had seen earlier in the evening.

The commercial was about the stress that people are under at this time of year due to DEBT.

Mainly credit card balances from Christmas gifts and the holidays.

It hit me like a ton of bricks, I have no CONSUMER DEBT.

I do not have to worry about trying to come up with the money to pay off a credit card.

Everything in my house from the sofa down to the cutlery is paid in full.

I do not OWE any money.

So on those odd occasions when I am feeling like I would like to go shopping – just because I think I need to or actually more like want to….

I will breathe a sigh of relief knowing that I am DEBT FREE.

Funny how things come out of nowhere …. the Universe was just telling me how lucky I am.

I feel like I could jump up into the air and click my heels together or break into the song “HAPPY.”

I feel like I lost a ton of weight.

I look at it this way – I purchase what we need and not what I want.

After all so much of what we have is not really what we need.

I am creative when it comes to gift giving.

It feels great not to be drowning in credit card and loan payments.

So on this day, I am very proud of myself.

I am very grateful to be where I am.

I am grateful for the support of my family and friends along the way.

I am grateful to be navigating life in a positive manner.

I hope that you all have a great Tuesday.

 

Special Hello to: all those folks who are wondering what to do ….. learn about your money.

Always, Carol & Alvin

 

 

 

 

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Tuesday the 15th day of November, 2016.

Half way through this month as of today.

November has been wonderful weather wise.

Last night we enjoyed our walk.

According to the weather reports cooler weather is on its’ way.

Not too much but not so many days on the plus side.

 

I have been thinking as of late about deadlines for tea sales, the cut off to guarantee the orders arrive before Christmas.

I have been thinking about baking.  When to start and what to make.  Definitely sugar cookies top the list.

My daughter had the photo of Alvin and I printed for my Christmas cards so have to start writing cards.

I usually include a letter whether one typed up or hand-written; it is a big job so must get started on that.

A few gifts (mainly hand-made this year).

There is a dinner party for a few friends in there somewhere.

Lots to do.

Tea party this weekend.

It is actually a Christmas Shopping Event.

Two other vendors will be at my Hostess’s house: Stella & Dot and Scentsy.

Should be fun.

One stop shopping for the Holidays.

I am excited.

In December one of my co-workers from the office and I am hosting (at my house) another Christmas Event.

She makes “Natural Bath Products.”

So I have some baking to do for that event.

Also good to try something new.

Well here we go again, time to finish getting ready for work.

So happy to see dry ground outside.

But I will be donning a lighter winter jacket today as yesterday my spring/summer coat was just a bit on a light side.

I hope that you all have an awesome day.

I must sit down and make a LIST of everything that I have to do and all of the events/dinners/coffee dates etc.

That way nothing will be missed or forgotten.

Back here tomorrow morning.

Special Hello to:  my family and friends in Saskatchewan.

Always, Carol and Alvin

Thought for the day…..

Good Morning and Welcome to Tuesday the 30th and last day of September, 2014.

I am sad that September is over but happy that October lies ahead.

Not too sad, though.

October is 31 days closer to putting up my Christmas tree and decorating both inside and outside of the house.

This year I have my daughter right close and we can share this experience even more so than other years.

Soon we shall be putting up Halloween decorations, that is my other favourite time of year.

My daughter and son-in-law have some cool Halloween decorations and she said we can use them this year at my house.

How cool.

Anyway, it is always good to have something to look forward to, plan about and dream for …….

I love this time of year ……

So it is always extra special.

Thoughts are just ones of excitement for these months ahead.

The smells, colours and music ….. nothing better other than the feelings that surround the holidays.

Well time to go to work.

I will be thinking of decorating for both Halloween and Christmas …..

Mmmm, what to do…..

So much.

Special Hello to: my cousin “J” in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan ……

Always, Carol and Alvin

Thought for the day…..

Good Morning and Welcome to Wednesday the 27th day of November, 2013

Another Wednesday.

Mid week.

Nearing the end of another month.

Weeks before the big day.

Mouth is watering for those special treats.

Excitement is building.

What to do next?

Baking done, well almost (just some chocolate chip cookies for Steve).

No, everything is almost ready.

Christmas cards written, ready to mail.

Letter almost finished to enclose.

Finish a couple of gifts ( hand crafting ).

Wrap things.

With care and course.

Watch some more Christmas movies and listen to Christmas songs.

Whoops I forgot to change my voicemail (telephone) greeting.

Has to be for the holidays.

Time to go.

More thoughts ….

So exciting.

YAY ….. another Christmas just around the corner.

I feel like a kid in a candy shop ……

I have been a very good girl this year.

So perhaps Santa will drop by.

Special Hello: to SANTA Claus.

Always, Carol and Alvin