A New YEAR 2023

Good Morning ALL! Well another pretty good sleep, I would say. Alvin is waiting downstairs for me while I got dressed and writing this post. Today and tomorrow, I happily work from home and then I am on VACATION for two weeks. I do not think that I have ever taken vacation in February or in the wintertime or at least not this many days. I am looking forward to the time off. We are going to have some fun and I have some “work” to do.

When I was setting up my workstation at home last night, I had such a feeling of calm and getting up knowing that I do not have to leave my house for work today was awesome. I have appreciated working from home the past almost three years. Being with Alvin mostly everyday has been awesome and I am so grateful that I had that time with him. I am not sure what I would have done when he had his surgeries and had some illness, what I would have done. I did take some vacation days immediately after the surgery because that would have been too much but I was home and that was great. I enjoyed our walks at noon and after work and some early morning ones on those days when it was very hot. Despite there, being a global pandemic going on – our life was pretty good. It had to be said as I am very grateful for this time at home. There were times especially during the first two years where I was working many extra hours and seven days per week to keep on top off all the changes that the government made but I was home and that was so good.

The air is warm this morning and I think it is going to be plus temperatures today and tomorrow as well. Hopefully the weather will be nice for the next two weeks as well. There will be times when we have to leave the house (walks and appointments and such). Mr. Alvin needs his nails trimmed. They sure grow fast when he is not out walking every day. We went for a walk last night after work but again did not get too far, this time I was happy to go home as the sidewalks were a mess (due to large snowfall night before) with snow and ice and salt. Another friend was out walking, that was Ali and Bailey. We saw them just as we were coming home, they came inside for a visit. Always nice to visit with our friends. Bailey is getting so big. Alvin and Bailey were happy to see each other.

After supper, I had a lovely hour or so chat with my friend Pauline. Feeling blessed. Had a chat with my sister and a friend all within a few days. I need to call other friends. Nothing like hearing a friendly familiar voice to bring joy to your days.

Time to head downstairs and plug in the coffee pot. Mr. Alvin has been quiet thus far. He probably wonders what is going on.

I am also very grateful that he is doing so much better. His poop gets better with each passing day. I do think it is going to be interesting weaning him off the chicken. He loves the chicken, lol.

Have an awesome Thursday. Be safe and take some time for you. Remember no one else can!

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

Always, Carol & Alvin

P.S. GRATITUDE is the word.

Last Half 2022 – November

Good Morning ALL! How are you this morning? I am happy to be working from home today. Alvin had a good vet appointment yesterday. No ear infection. Same weight as last visit. Anal glands not full. Had his nails trimmed. YAY. We are done for another 5 weeks. While I was at the clinic, I asked if they could put in an order for Alvin’s food and Michelle, the Vet Tech said “I already ordered it and it is here for you.” WOW, that was great. They ordered two cases of the wet and one bag of the dry food which is exactly what I wanted. So I paid for the food and his visit which was almost $500.00 but he will have food for awhile. He still has lots at home but I do not wish to run the risk of him running out. You never know these days. It would not matter so much but he is on a special diet and needs this special food. We walked to his appointment yesterday. I realized partway through the day that it was icy outside. A few minutes before leaving I went outside and cleared some of the snow from the lawn making a path to the public sidewalk where I tossed some snow which gave me some traction to the street. We walked on the edge of the street until we reached dry sidewalk. Unfortunately our whole side of the sidewalk until we arrived at the walkway was icy but thankfully once we were past our street it was good. I am grateful that Gillian and I picked up those ice picks for your boots at Costco. They worked like a charm. I left them on my boots. Guess I will need to take shoes to work from now on.

Looks like this morning we will have some cuddling time before I start work. Glancing about my office I see that my African Violet is a covered with rich purple flowers. So very beautiful. I love my home office space as it is filled with all of the things that I love and that help me feel creative. I have books, photos of family and friends, cards, cool window coverings and more books and more trinkets and ornaments. It is my happy space. I guess you could say that my whole house is my happy place, happy space. I love my house, each room for different reasons and am over the moon grateful to be living here.

Well it is almost time to head downstairs and plug in the coffee. I already prepared the coffee so just needs to be plugged in to perk. YAY, me. Alvin is resting just outside the office door.

Tonight I am going to sit down and make a list of all the people and events that I require baking/sweet treats for and calculate how many of each item is “needed.” I know that I am baking Sugar Cookies, Chocolate Chip Cookies and Fudge for three items. Likely not much as I need to make massive amounts of the cookies for sure. Then I will pull out my recipes and ensure that I have all of the ingredients to bake as the first weekend of December is one week away from this Friday. OMG, where has the time gone. I also need on this weekend to hit the grocery store and pick up some final items and go to the Bone & Biscuit to pick up gifts for Alvin, Aspen, Milo and Cookie.

Have an awesome Tuesday.

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

Always, Carol & Alvin

PS: always be prepared! Grateful for this weather. Thanks to our friend Gillian who is going to pick up Alvin’s food today. I could not live my life without such great friends such as her 🙂

2021

Good Morning ALL! Welcome to Saturday, December 4, 2021. OMG, not many days now less than three full weeks until Christmas EVE. Can you believe it? Time flies. The sky is clear as the sun rises this morning. Mr. Alvin is patiently, impatiently waiting in the hallway for me. Every so often he stands up and looks at me as if to say “Are you done yet?” Just like a small child travelling on vacation or to Grandma’s house. I will say that PATIENCE is not something that either Alvin and I have a lot of but I am working on that, daily.

At my lunch break yesterday at noon, the arm was quite warm so we happily set out for our walk. So excited until we we reached the public sidewalk in front of our house to find that the once crunchy layer of snow had now become a sheet of ice with patches that were safe for walking. I took the smallest steps that I have taken since first learning to walk while Alvin boldy rushed along slipping and sliding as we went. He did slow down when I pulled on the leash a bit and said “Slow down Buddy.” We walked past one of our neighbours on the other side of the street who was out putting down salt on his driveway. They live on the corner so he has a long piece of sidewalk that he has to maintain. Not everyone around is as meticulous as he is about looking after the snow and ice removal during the winter. I am grateful for him. They also have the most beautiful yard in the summer. His wife has a super green thumb and is always working outside during the summer days, weeks and months. Anyway, we stopped momentarily to chat with him and then carefully carried on with hopes to reach the park and then turn back once again for home BUT after a few houses, I decided it was not worth the risk of Alvin slipping or pulling something or me falling and breaking something. So we turned around and carefully made our way back home. We said hello again to our friend who was then pouring salt on the long piece of public sidewalk and continued homeward bound. I am happy to report that we made it safe and sound although I had one frightful moment. Oh, the joys of winter. I must get out my “grips” to put onto the bottom of my winter boots. Most of the time they work but when there is only a layer of thin black ice – they do not. Anyway, we are home safe and luckily other than going for walks we have no need to leave the house and I am grateful to have a backyard for Mr. Alvin to access should he need to go “you know what.”

Last night was the first of three LIVES on Facebook for the Fifth Avenue Jewelry Collection that I am hosting with three others and they are called MEGAPARTIES. New words all the time. It was fun. I missed the first couple of minutes again and not because I was not there but because apparently “I did not refresh FB” which I am pretty sure that I did, anyway, let us not go there. Yesterday was not my best day on planet earth. I found myself impatient with people that I work with (not my direct coworkers) and then to miss the first couple of minutes of the LIVE when I was there, did not help my anxiety. Yes, we all have a bit of anxiety from time to time. Anxiety – impatience, call it what you will, it happens to each and every one of us from time to time. Anyway, I believe I ended it on a high note. My lotto ticket was not a winner so that was disappointing – I guess deep down or even on the surface did I think that I would actually win a large sum of money. I have to work on that for sure. There were so many pieces of beautiful jewelry. I guess my favorite was this long silver chain with this huge round kelly green crystal bead and two clear crystal beads and a FAC charm. It totally reminds me of Christmas and I have admired it for a long time. It is a bit more money than I can afford but a girl can dream. At the end of the day it is nice to sit and admire the beautiful jewelry. I have several pieces that I have acquired over the last thirty years since I started to buy Fifth Avenue Jewelry. I have so much jewelry period that I have accumulated in my 64 years. Most of what I acquire these days is for gifts. Once in awhile I pick up something for myself. Not too often. Tonight at 7:00 p.m. (Mountain Time) is the second FB LIVE for the weekend and then tomorrow at 4:00 p.m. (Mountain Time), I believe is the last one. So I had better get going.

This is my Christmas baking / Fifth Avenue Jewelry weekend plus I have laundry and some cleaning to do. I have reduced the different things that I am baking to Sugar Cookies and Fudge and a batch of Chocolate Chip Cookies for my son-in-law. Also I had a great idea last night when I could not sleep because silly me thought it was a good idea to drink coffee all evening. My beautiful daughter stopped by after work and brought us MacD’s for supper (usually I am not a huge fan of fast food but once in awhile I enjoy it and I had a craving for those salty fries). This was the second time in as many months. I am turning into a FF junkie (fast food junkie). Anyway, that is okay. Alvin and I loved having her here for a visit. We quickly caught up on the latest before she was on her way to COSTCO. Did I mention that she brought me some small donuts from MacD’s, who knew that they sold donuts now. I had a couple last night after she was gone. They were yummy. Anyway.

Time to get going. I have some FB messages to send to some friends regarding the Fifth Avenue Jewelry party and then laundry and COFFEE.

Have the most wonderful Saturday. Be safe and enjoy!

Continuing on this path, in this life to live each day with kindness, respect, compassion, patience, love, understanding, laughter with gratitude.

Always, Carol & Alvin

PS, one of the splurges I made at the grocery store was a small bag of the ground StarBucks Christmas Blend Coffee, the one in the red bag. I had that last night. My daughter had about 1/2 a cup but me, I drank the rest of the pot. I enjoyed it but I was up all night thinking about everything that happened yesterday and things that I will be doing this weekend and even came up with a great idea to package the Christmas baking. YAY, me.

Living … One day at a time.

Hello, partially cloudy skies this morning.

So happy to report that Alvin slept right through until 4:30 p.m. from 10:30 p.m.

Upon doing the math it would appear that he sleeps six hours before waking.

For the most part.

So I guess we will be going to be a bit later and perhaps not 10:30 p.m. but maybe 10:00 p.m.

That would put up up at 4:00 and then we could hit the sofa for one hour.

Unless I was really “energetic” and perhaps got some exercising in ….. ooo, not sure about that …. at that hour.

 

Yesterday was a good day.

I decided to call Alvin’s Doctor and see if we could change his appointment due to icy conditions.

We changed it to Monday after work as they did not have any opening at all yesterday.

Done.

Finished laundry and added a few Christmas decorations upstairs.

We went for a hour long walk with our friend P and her grand pup Georgie just before 3:00 p.m.

There were a few icy spots as we walked to the park.

Both Alvin and I slipped but managed to stay upright.

The walk with our friends was great, the temperature was warm with no wind.

We came across only a handful of people out walking with their pups and one couple with stroller and baby.

Humphrey joined us ( I picked him up just after we got home ).

I made spaghetti and tomato sauce for supper.

Did the dishes and then relaxed for the evening catching up on my recorded television shows.

 

The New LORD of the MANOR …. Humphrey is so darn cute.

Then just a few snaps of the added Christmas items that were put out.

Even Miss Minnie Mouse has a silver bow bracelet.

I found this red bowl that a Christmas arrangement came in last year so I cleaned it up and put it on the counter for a splash of colour, red, of course.

The last photo was the pile of bows and garland before I put them on the Christmas tree.

Should have taken a photo of the tree.

My favourite added bonuses were in the office and guest room.

The little added something something to the window treatments.

Love them both.

 

Well I heard from Teddy’s Mom regarding his little sister.

She is settling in and they are in the process of “house training or pad training” her.

Kobi is a lucky little pup to have such a great new home.

Once she settles in … I know that she will love it very much.

Teddy and Kobi.

I still cannot believe that our Teddy has a little sister.

Very cool.

 

Well time to head downstairs and have breakfast.

Coffee is a must.

Just do a few little chores around the house.

Then time for a shower before heading off early this afternoon to a CHRISTMAS CRAFT SALE at our friends house down the street.

 

Wishing you all a very wonderful Sunday.

Oh the sky is beautiful as the sun peers through the cloud banks.

So very pretty.

Another sunshine kind of day …. yay.

Always happy for that.

 

With kindness and respect I shall spend my day.

 

Always, Carol & Alvin

 

 

Thought for the day ….

Good Morning and Welcome to Tuesday the 18th day of December, 2018.

Another beautiful day on the way.

Another night that Mr. Alvin and I were not able to walk – it was warm but icy.

Cannot take the chance.

Hopefully soon the ice will have cleared up and we can resume our nightly walks.

I am looking forward to the week off from work when Alvin and I can go for a couple of walks each day.

Last night one of our friend’s came for a visit.

We are always glad to have her in our home.

She brings a kind light wherever she goes.

One of the nicest folks that I have ever had the pleasure to know.

Alvin loves her.

He was trying to tell her something last night but we could not figure it out.

I think it may have to do with the plate of baking that I set onto the table.

Perhaps he would love my “sugar cookies” as much as others.

Sugar not good for puppies.

Sorry Mr. Alvin.

We also exchanged small Christmas gifts.

I shall treasure hers always.

She gave me the most beautiful Christmas Angel coasters.

Very very beautiful.

AND one of my favourite things: chocolates from PURDYS.

 

Time is counting down.

Looks like six sleeps until Christmas Eve Day.

WOW, where does the time go.

 

Are you ready?

I am pretty much there.

Just have some gifts to wrap and pick up the groceries.

Then just the cooking.

All fun things ahead.

 

I would like to wish each and every one the most glorious Christmas.

May you live in Peace, in Truth, in Harmony with Others and Nature.

May you be in good Health.

May your blessings be tenfold.

May your heart be kind and giving.

May you realize that good people do exist and that you are one of them.

May you spread joy and love all year round.

Merry Christmas and the Best New Year Ever.

 

Have an awesome Tuesday.

Time to go and catch that bus.

Gotta love public transportation but on the other hand it beats the alternative and for me that would be walking.

Work is definitely too far to walk.

 

Special Hello to: YOU

Always, Carol & Alvin

 

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Friday the 17th day of March, 2017.

Happy St. Patrick’s Day Everyone …..

Today is the 60th Birthday of my dear friend “TW” back in Regina.

Wishing you the best day and all things wonderful for this year and all the years to come.

**************************************************

YAY, it is Friday.

Yesterday with this change in weather again ….. more ice.

So yesterday morning I left the house a few minutes early so that I could take my time walking to the bus stop.

I found that the sidewalks were too icy as I almost wiped out just across the street from my house so I walked on the streets where I could.

On the walkway I had to walk on the border to the sidewalk which in summer is grass and in winter is SNOW.

Thank goodness it was only about 8 inches deep but I still managed to get snow in my boots and my pants were wet on the bottom when the boots came off at work.

ARGH.

Oh, the best part.

After most carefully walking and managing to remain upright ….. just as I was approaching the street the BUS whizzed past.

Of course, he did not see me.

Of course not.

Really, I thought.

I was almost there.

ARGH.

So I thought what is the point in getting upset so I just patiently waited for the next one to arrive knowing that I would not be late for work.

I catch the bus that I do, so that I have extra time (you never know).

After a waiting for about ten minutes a silver SUV came around the corner and stopped at the bus stop.

Now it was kind of dark so could not see inside until she turned down window and I saw my neighbour ….. so ended up getting a ride to work and being almost 1/2 hour earlier than usual.

So it worked out.

This morning I called my neighbour to see if I could catch a ride with her so that I do not have to go through that again knowing it is even more icy today than yesterday.

Luck of the IRISH, methinks.

I found a SHAMROCK charm and placed it on a silver chain that I have ……. along with a green and silver necklace and green sweater I am all set for St. Paddy’s Day.

 

I think that Mr. Alvin is feeling bad that he does not have anything green to wear.

Maybe tonight I can find something for him……

Guess I will have to buy him a green sweater for next year.

 

Happy St. Patrick’s Day to my IRISH Family and Friends all over the world.

Special Hello to: my friend T. W. ….. today is your birthday …… WOW, what a great day to celebrate.

Always, Carol & Alvin

 

My thought for the day……

Good Morning and Welcome to Saturday the 21st of February, 2015.

The sky is partially overcast.

ODE TO THE FALL – THAT ICE

The ground is covered with a crusty blanket of snow.

Underneath is a sheet of ice covering most sidewalks.

I found this out last night when I walked home from the bus stop.

Falling twice and by the grace of my backpack I remained unscathed.

Thankfully only my pride and ego were harmed and only briefly.

It is funny how you can be walking so carefully and those tiny snowflakes so gracefully covering the gleaming patches of ice and then WHOA you are down.

You look around and there is no one there.

You want to cry for a moment and then you do not when you realize that you are unharmed.

Then you breathe a sigh of relief that your body is undamaged.

Then you continue taking those careful steps ….

Almost home I can see the light on my porch ……

Getting a big cocky and then down again….

So not once but twice.

So grateful for the backpack and the extra padding on my body at this time of year.

I decide to walk on the street for the rest of the way and then finally I take those safe steps down my walk ….

I know there is no ice as we removed it the night before …..

I arrive at home ….

I am safe ….

The pups greet me at the door …..

Time for tea and to relax.

I am home ……

 

Special Hello to: all those folks who must walk home from the bus on icy streets – take care.

Always, Carol and Alvin

 

Thought for the day…..

Good Morning and Welcome to Monday the 27th day of January, 2014.

It is a cold crisp morning here in Edmonton.

Mr. Alvin hesitated for several minutes before running outside to do his business and then quickly back into the house, no dilly dallying for him this morning.

He is a good temperatures gage for sure.

 

Just when you think that people have lost their “kindness factor” or their ability to do things for a total stranger …

My faith was renewed.

Yesterday morning when I left the house to catch the bus to work at the store.

I had climbed over the ice and snow and a car was coming.

I let the car go by so that I could take my time and actually walk on the street for a bit as our sidewalks are horrible.

The car stopped and I didn’t think anything of it …

I had just crossed the street when I heard a woman’s voice say something.

So I turned my head and “heard her say are you going to the bus stop?”

I walked over to the car and said yes …

It turns out this lady used to catch the bus and knew what it was like to walk on these icy sidewalks and streets.

I was extra early to the bus stop but very grateful that I didn’t have to walk over the ice to get there.

I thanked her multiple times.

So nice to see that people still do things for strangers.

She lives in my neighbourhood but I do not know her or where she lives.

That simple act boosted my spirits and made my day.

See what you can do.

Give it a try ….. be kind …. it is always a good no GREAT thing.

So off to work I go …..

I hope that you have a wonderful day wherever you might be.

If it is cold I hope that you stay warm.

If it is hot I hope that you stay cool.

Special Hello to: all those good Samaritans – you rock and thank you.

Always, Carol and Alvin