Welcome to December 2020.

Good Morning ALL. How are you today? We are at “6” sleeps away from Christmas Eve and one week day is Christmas Day. Wow, where did the time go. Thankfully I have all of the main things ready and if we had to celebrate today – I would be ready. Of course, with a week to go there is time to tweak things a bit if need be. A little off topic but so on topic is what we are wearing. You might be shaking your head or lifting your brow, thinking where on earth are you going with this? Well, last night when I was laying out / choosing my clothes for today (which I have done for all of my adult life), I was thinking “what am I going to wear?” All of my sweat or comfy stretch pants are in the laundry and all I have left is dress pants or work pants as I like to refer to them OR blue jeans. To tell the truth most of my jeans have some stretch so they are pretty comfy. I ended up choosing a pair of blue jeans that have some stretch and of course my usual tank top and cardigan/sweater combo. So this morning when I went to put them on – it was like an ah-ha moment. I was thinking here are all of my work pants just “collecting dust” so to speak in my closet and seldom do I wear any of them. There are a couple that I wear once in awhile but truthfully since I have been home and more recently since fall/winter – I have been wearing sweats with a sweater /tank combo. So I have decided that if perhaps I start wearing my work clothes during the week and change after work, that possibly it will be more of a reminder to exercise more and eat less goodies. Nothing like slipping on your work pants and finding that even though they do have a bit of stretch in them ….. the waistband folds over. ARGH, yuck. I am not very happy with myself. Not this is not a major revelation as I can certainly see and feel how much I have added to this body over the years and not just this last year. It does not happen overnight although sometimes it seems that way. So I have made a promise to myself that from this day forward I am going to dress top to bottom in work appropriate clothing. Maybe it will give me more of a professional attitude as well. Let’s face it being at home has reduced that “office” mode a bit. Also might as well be wearing that half of my pant/slacks/bottom collection that I call “work attire.” No point having them hang there doing nothing. I am hopefully that this new mindset will be good for all things considered. Cannot hurt that is for sure. I have also started to wear more jewelry. I have so many pieces and for months they sat collecting dust. Usually I would wear some rings and sometimes earrings but not bracelets, watch or necklace. So I have started wearing rings, necklaces and earrings. I will work into the bracelets. It is definitely worth trying. Besides if this will be my new norm which by the way I am totally okay with, I want to make use of my wardrobe. No point wasting what you have. This will be good for body, mind and soul. The days of sweat pants are gone for now. Now perhaps once in awhile on that morning when I wake up and it is minus 30 with a windchill, the sweat pants might get called to duty but otherwise I am “dressing it up.” Yup, I am. So that was my ah-ha moment. The light bulb went off. I will keep you posted as to my progress over the next days, weeks and months. If you work from home – perhaps you may like to give this a try. Also on that day once every couple of months that I do go to the office, I will at least have something work appropriate to wear – that still fits. If you don’t wear something – sometimes by the time you do, it does not fit. Food for thought. Perhaps I even brought a smile to your face. Hope so.

Well that Mr. Alvin is sitting impatiently at the office door …. whimpering a bit so I guess that means it is time to head back downstairs. Not like we haven’t been up already – several times. 3:00, 5:00 and 6:45 and then 6:53. That is a typical morning in our household.

Time to go and plug in the coffee which I prepared earlier when I was UP.

Wishing you a wonderful Friday. We will continue to live our lives with respect, kindness and compassion for all others.

Always, Carol & Alvin

It is a NEW YEAR

Good Morning Thursday.

Yesterday Alvin and I enjoyed two walks.

One at lunchtime and the other after work.

Alvin certainly slept better.

I think the extra exercise is playing him out.

But happy that he is sleeping more through the night.

The sky is overcast at this point but I have high hopes that it will be another bright and sunny day.

How are things in your neck of the woods?

Sunshine, Rain or Snow?

I hope that you are having a great morning no matter what the weather.

Alvin is resting on the little bed that I have made for him in the office.

Pretty comfy I think.

 

So excited for the long weekend.

Happy Easter to ALL.

A time to reflection.

A time for thanks for all that we hold in gratitude.

 

I am planning to work on and finish my income taxes.

Having an extra day will give me the time so that I don’t have to spend a whole day or so on them.

I don’t remember how long it took last year.

I have already begun so it should not be too bad.

 

I can smell the coffee as it has finish perking and is ready for me to go and grab a mug.

Nothing better than freshly ground coffee perking in the morning.

Almost anyway….

 

How about some pretty flowers for this last day before Easter.

Photos of flowers anyway.

Will take our minds off of the snowbanks in the front of my house and yours.

Well maybe you have a snowbank out front, just guessing.

I threw in a photo of a fruit pizza that I made at some point in the past.

This weekend was supposed to be supper here with my kids and we were going to have fruit pizza for dessert.

It has been put off until a later date.

I wish you all a great weekend.

Time with those members of your household.

Perhaps a creative way to visit with family and friends and keeping the “social distancing” in mind.

 

Well it is getting close to the time that I have to start work.

I have so far to travel …. lol.

Please be safe.

I hope that the Easter Bunny drops by ….

He made a stop here yesterday and I am so grateful as I was completely out of CHOCOLATE.

How could one go into the Easter Weekend with no CHOCOLATE?

Not easily.

Thank you to the Easter Bunny who is so kind and generous.

 

Have a wonderful Thursday.

 

Keeping in Kindness and Respect

I/We are Always,

Carol & Alvin

Living … One day at a time.

Good Morning, partial overcast sky this morning.

I can see the sun on the horizon.

We had some rain last night.

A bit on the slippery side out there this morning or at least it was on the deck and the grass.

Well Alvin and I had a great Saturday.

His sister/my daughter arrived after dropping her car off to be winterized at their dealership.

We consumed “massive” amounts of pancakes (not really but it sounded good).

My friend had given me a can of maple syrup from Quebec so it was opened to use.

MMM, so good.

Happy Anniversary gift and card for my kids.I d

After breakfast, we decided it was a good opportunity to go and photograph me and Alvin for our Christmas photos.

We always take them in the fall.

Earlier in the morning I decided might be a good idea to shower and wash my hair and put on some makeup.

Paid off.

So after a few minutes of figuring out what would be good to wear and careful not to be similar to last years colours; we were off.

Jeans and a purple sweater and tank top.

Alvin wore his usual “black and white tux.”

Always so formal that guy.

We spent less time than usual snapping a few photos and for the first time using her iPhone camera.

I was happy with my hair until there was a breeze and then it was out the window.

We/I sat on rocks by the water (not that close), on the little bridge and standing.

At the end of slightly more than 30 minutes; we had some shots that were worthy of our “10th Year Photo.”

Cannot believe ten years already.

The shortest photo shoot and with a phone camera.

Who would have ever thought …. not having to lug a big camera around.

Nice for my daughter.

 

After returning home after the photo shoot, my son-in-law called an UBER for us (cause he has the APP).

I quickly changed into something less dressy.

Gave Mr. Alvin a treat.

Shortly thereafter we were on our way.

My daughter had heard about this Thrift Outlet store which is on the premise as the Recycle place.

All the items whether household or clothing or books whatever are purchased by weight.

We found a few things but it was so busy …. I am no longer happy in crowds.

After leaving there we went to the Thrift Store not far away.

It is new and looks like a Winner’s type store.

In fact, set up much the same.

Everything looks like new or close.

Needless to say we, mainly me found several items that I ended up purchasing.

Some items to hang on the wall, some small Christmas tins to put gifts in as wrapping and PJ’s.

I washed the clothing items right away …. love the pj’s.

Also found a white handmade blanket which will be washed this morning.

It is so pretty, no stains and perfect.

 

Returned home, sorted the purchases and my daughter was on her way.

I decided we would go for another walk as it was so beautiful out.

We had a great walk.

After returning home made supper and cleaned up.

I did another couple loads of laundry.

Today is finishing the laundry, hair cut and bath for the boy and baking of chocolate chip cookies for the 5th Avenue Jewelry party next Saturday evening.

It is finally light out so one can see everything clearly.

Have to decide if I will rake the leaves for the 4th time …. my tree is bare.

 

I hope that you all have an awesome day.

Thus far our weekend has been amazing.

Happy Sunday to you.

 

Always, Carol & Alvin

 

 

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Thursday the 4th day of April, 2019.

Dark outside as it is only 6:15 a.m.

Alvin is feeling his own self once again.

The household returns gladly to normal.

I enjoyed the day watching over my boy.

We went for a nice walk later in the afternoon.

So nice to no longer be wearing heavy coats, scarves, mitts, hats and boots and for Mr. Alvin, his winter jacket.

I have been noticing more honking by the geese or perhaps it is only more geese.

Back to work today.

 

Yesterday on one of the daytime shows “Rob Thomas” was the musical guest.

He sang “One Less Day.”

I was taken by the lyrics.

Here are a couple:

I’m not afraid of getting older.

One less day from dying younger.

 

I pondered those statements, and how true.

We often worry and stress about getting/growing older.

Perhaps we feel that we will lose what we have: health, family and friends.

Perhaps we feel that we will not live to be in our golden years.

There are so many things we think about regarding age.

Maybe, just maybe if we think about it from Rob’s point of view.

One less day from dying younger.

I am not afraid of getting older.

 

Truly, I have not really thought about it too much.

I have the thought in my head that I am in good health and am going to live to be 100 years old.

I try to live in each moment and not go back or ahead too much.

As we live and breathe – dying is a fact of life.

Not much point wasting precious breaths worrying about something that is inevitable.

So go on live your life.

There is only time ahead of you.

 

Well almost time to head on downstairs, grab lunch, put on shoes and coat and head out for work.

Catching a ride with my neighbour as my carpool’s son has knee surgery today.

 

Happy Thursday.

So happy to be alive and to be here.

Have a great great day.

 

Special Hello to: all those folks who read my blog, thank you.

Always, Carol & Alvin

 

 

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Saturday the 16th day of February, 2019.

It is WARMER this morning than has been for a long while.

I just heard on the weather channel that this is the longest stretch of COLD weather in February for Edmonton in 30 years.

WOW, can you imagine that.

I was not living here at that time.

Anyway about 3-4 days and it we will have single digit temperatures for a couple of days.

It will feel like a tropical heat wave.

I can see folks out in their shorts for sure.

We are (not me) like that, you know.

Lots of snow overnight so have some shovelling in my forecast.

Supposed to snow starting at 7:00 a.m. however; it has not started as yet.

 

Yesterday at work I had a craving for a nice crunch cheesy pizza.

I had the taste in my mouth and when I mentioned it to a co-worker she had the same craving.

I asked her where the best pizza was in Edmonton and she said hands down “ROYAL PIZZA.”

So after I looked after Alvin after work – I set about finding a location which joyfully there was in my neighbourhood.

Not immediate but still close enough by.

So I ordered this – pizza sauce with pieces of crumbled Italian sausage, onions, mushroom and mozzarella cheese on top.

The CRUST was amazing.

I had to wait for one hour till about 7:00 p.m. as the driver said it hit 5:00 p.m. and all of a sudden they had 20 deliveries to make.

So they got behind.

The driver was so nice.

I will say this …. best $36.25 that I have ever spent.

Normally I do not order pizza or anything in for that matter.

But it was just one of those nights.

Perhaps all of this cold OR perhaps just a food memory that pushed me over the edge.

But well worth it.

So good, the taste was incredible.

A bit of crunch …. hard to explain.

But if you live in the Edmonton area …. I highly recommend this pizza place.

I was in heaven …. Alvin tried to join me but I told him “no pizza for you my boy.”

Instead he had broccoli.

This is the pizza that had me gaga …..

The corner piece, the first bite I took, actually was smaller than the photo shows.

But it was so GOOD.

BEST TREAT ever.

I am going to start treating myself once in awhile.

Of course, one cannot eat pizza every night.

 

Okay, time to get this show on the road.

Teddy and his Aunt J are coming this afternoon for a visit and staying for supper.

Aunt J is bringing the fixings for a TACO dinner.

So excited.

I am supplying the dessert.

It was supposed to be Maple Walnut frozen yogurt but sadly SAVEON was out so it is Dutch Chocolate.

Which is okay (I had a taste the other night).

 

Have an awesome day.

Always, no matter what, TREAT yourself.

It is especially important for us who live alone.

I know that I am not alone as I have Mr. Alvin but I mean without another human in the household.

Whether it is pizza or a movie or perhaps both.

Manicure or pedicure.

Treat yourself.

Take the time to pamper yourself within your budget.

Mine was pizza.

I loved it.

Feeling so spoiled.

Happy Belated Valentine’s Day to ME.

 

Special Hello to: my sister, my friend V and to all my girls out there and the boys, too.  Happy Saturday.  It is a GREAT day.

Always, Carol & Alvin

Thought for the day ….

Good Morning and Welcome to Thursday the 8th day of November, 2018.

Day 2 of Teddy staying with me and Alvin.

The boys get together on a personal level.

Alvin does want to eat Teddy’s food and I can understand why as he has real chicken in his.

So I get that.

The past few nights even before Teddy arrived …. Alvin has been starting to wake up in the middle of the night and wants to go outside.

He pees.

So now we both get up to pee in the middle of the night.

ARGH.

If we could only wake up at the same time.

We will have to figure something out …. perhaps after going downstairs …. going to the sofa would be a better option.

Better for more sleep, I think.

Age, what a wonderful thing.

Just kidding.

I love my age.

I took tomorrow off to have an extra long weekend and I am glad that I did…

We went for a walk last night.

Alvin hides under the table and Teddy run away.

It took several minutes to coax Alvin out from under the table.

He has does this every day for the past few years.

Not sure why.

Teddy thinks it is a game.

He did jump up on the chair so I was able to snag him to get his jacket and harness on.

We had an enjoyable walk.

These boys are so cute.

Sometimes like this morning when Al was very vocal because he wanted Teddy’s food, I was not so patient with my Alvin.

Firm approach did not work.

Finally I took Teddy into the bathroom and then Alvin barked at the door.

I hope that the sound proofing is working …. sorry my neighbours.

At the end I just sat down and hand fed Teddy and gave the odd bit to Alvin in with his food.

Not the best way but it worked.

Teddy also likes Alvin’s food.

I took these photos after work while getting changed.

My boys.

Teddy is now on my lap as I type these words.

Alvin is laying on his blue blanket.

There is quiet in our household except for the click clack of my fingers touching the computer keys.

All I can say is I need COFFEE and lots of it.

Thankfully a few cups of coffee and I will be awake …… more awake…..

Well almost time to leave for work.

Time to spend with the boys.

Time to do those last minute things.

Have an awesome Thursday.

 

Special Hello to: my friends all over the world who have four-legged family members and friends.  We all have our good days and our less than stellar ones.

Always, Carol & Alvin

 

P.S. I shall endeavour to be more patient as my life continues.

 

 

Thought for the day ….

Good Morning and Welcome to Wednesday the 29th day of March, 2017.

It is SO foggy here in Edmonton this morning.

I can hardly see across the street.

Drive carefully anyone reading this in the area.

 

Last night after work my daughter picked me up and we went to COSTCO before heading home to Alvin.

We had a wonderful conversation and visit along the way.

I love our time together.

She is the absolute best daughter in the world.

 

Something that happened to Baby Milo has us all thinking about “SCENTS.”

Most of us want our homes and bodies to smell good, right?

We buy plug-ins with all sorts of scents, burn candles and even make our own using natural products including essential oils.

Have you ever even for one minute considered what these are doing to our babies, our four-legged ones?

For that matter to us.

We often times are driven by our sense of smell.

The idea that everything has to have a scent that is appealing to us.

Can you imagine how strong some of these scents are to our pups who have a sense of smell that is more highly-evolved than our own?

Something to consider.

Has your dog or cat sneezed?

You thought “how cute” or that perhaps they have a cold.

Maybe not.

If they become lethargic or “seem to be zoned out” or throwing up …… you should take them to the VET.

My daughter mentioned “that Alvin smells like my house.”

I never thought about that.

We become so used to the scents that they do not seem to be strong at all.

I was struck by her comment.

We were just in conversation about the adverse effects of all of these scent bearing products and others on our babies.

Well it is time to leave for work.

Please keep this all in mind if you have a dog or cat or any creature in your household.

 

Have a wonderful day.

Special Hello to: my kids and grand-pups ….. love you so much.

Always, Carol and Alvin

Thought for the day……

Good Morning and Welcome to Tuesday the 3rd day of June, 2014.

As I sit at the computer and type these words I am feeling pure joy.

I am so blessed to live in this beautiful house.

To have in my possession items that bring back memories of days gone by when evoked by thoughts and feelings or even a glance.

I am surrounded by the best people of the planet …. my family and friends.

I live with me Alvin, my buddy ….

It is just a few weeks away until it is officially summer but I think it is close enough to celebrate.

The temperatures are warmer, the sun rises earlier and stays up later.

We had sun showers yesterday on the way home from work.

My son-in-law opened the cover on the sun roof in the car so we could see the rain as it hit the glass ….. very pretty.

I just have so much to be thankful for and to feel really blessed with in this sometimes very crazy life of mine.

I work at two very different places that cause me to use different skills …. if you will.

So all in all ….. we are great in this household.

I hope that you take a few moments this Tuesday to feel just how blessed you are …. always concentrate on the good stuff.

Take Care.

Special Hello to: my sister ……. yes we are SKYPING this weekend for sure……

Always, Carol and Alvin