The New YEAR 2022

Good Morning ALL! I hope that you are doing well this Tuesday morning. Alvin and I had a fair sleep, I will say. We are always up and down and it is just a fact of our lives. Enough said. The morning sky is light with a few blue clouds dotting the horizon as the sun tries to peer through. Winter morning in Edmonton. I saw a couple of snowflakes earlier when I was outside with Alvin. I hope for bright blue skies and calmness. Yesterday we had pretty much gale force winds all day. We put on our outer gear and headed out for a lunch break walk but came to a direct halt a few houses down from ours. We came across a massive sheet of ice covering the sidewalk and had to turn around and come back home. Thankfully we had some fresh air. I have been doing some yoga exercises daily and of course we are up and down the stairs all day long with my office being on the second floor. So we are getting some exercise to help battle the lack of movement, the shortness of walks. I think that walking is one of my most favourite things in the world to do. I could literally walk until I couldn’t walk any more.

So it is Tuesday and today is the INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY 2022. Personally we should celebrate each and every day of our lives. Every person on this planet should be celebrated. Now we do not know everyone but that doesn’t mean that they are not important. We are all important to our families, to our friends, to our neighbours, to our jobs, to our schools, and to our homes. Today I celebrate that we are celebrating. So let us celebrate today! Celebrate what we have learned and what we are learning. Celebrate that we have come this far and that we have a long way to go. Celebrate each other! Celebrate the kindness, the respect, the compassion and the understanding. Happy Tuesday and International Women’s Day 2022.

I am most grateful to be have lived yesterday, am living today and hope to be living tomorrow. There is so much to do and to do learn.

My daughter is bringing our groceries after work. I am grateful that I will have some time with her. Let us celebrate our daughters today. My daughter is the most kind, respectful, gracious, gentle, intelligent, patient, loving and compassionate woman I know. I am grateful that she is in my life and I learn from her daily.

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

Always, Carol & Alvin

The New YEAR 2022

Good Morning ALL! How are you this Monday morning? Alvin and I are doing great. I changed his bed in the office and I think that he likes this one better. He is one lucky little guy as he has three beds. Now one in the family room in the basement, one in the living room and one upstairs in the office. I do not have to haul them around so that is great. Alvin is one wonderful little guy. Yesterday was so nice that despite the messy icy sidewalks we ventured out for a walk. I had cleaned our walks pretty good with only one chunk of ice that is in the dip nearly impossible to remove at this point. We still have the five feet of snow and ice chunks lining the streets and our sidewalks. Keeping most people from parking on the street including company and delivery trucks. One of the neighbours from a few doors down is parking in front of Sonja’s house and I believe the reason is because they have an opening in the snow to the street or at least it is lower. Not really the way it should work. They should be parking in their garage or garage pad. The street is for company and delivery trucks not to park one of your five vehicles. I am kidding about five but some people have at least three vehicles which makes it difficult. Most times this street is down to one lane and people drive way too fast. Our street is really busy. Anyway, we went for a walk. We got down the sidewalk very carefully to the corner where our friends live across and made sure we checked both directions and in a low spot we crossed to their side of the street. The sidewalks were not too bad. We walked up the street and then I realized that I found the perfect walking place, the crescent. There is a pile of snow from the graders and we walked around the crescent and the pile of snow ten times and then went home. It took us 20-25 minutes so I figured that was perfect. Mr. Alvin was slightly confused as he kept trying to break free of the circle walking and go down the back walkway toward the other park. I was happy and felt like we actually had some exercise and we so enjoyed the warmth of the fresh sunny warm air. One of my friends posted that it was +10 degrees celsius. So today we will do that same walk. We were walking on the street in the crescent but I was able to watch for cars and not as busy as being on our main street. YAY, a safe place to walk. I hit the motherlode.

The forecast is for continued nice warm temperatures and hopefully SUNNY blue skies. I am a bit tired of the grey ones. My body craves the sunshine. My mind needs the sunshine. My soul would very much like the sunshine a bit more often. I can see the sun starting to rise with partially clear skies so we are definitely off to a great start. Happy Monday that be!

I wish you a great day. If it is nice where you are – go outside and take that walk. Whether it is 5, 10 or 30 minutes, fresh air and exercise is magic. Good for your heart, mind and body.

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

Always, Carol & Alvin

I am so grateful to have a cup of homemade perked coffee. Oh, I forgot to mention that one of my dear friends called yesterday morning to see if I was up for a cup of coffee? I had just made 10 cups and was going to have one, what great timing and usually I do not make that many cups so it worked out perfectly. We had a great visit and even had some good laughs. I am so lucky to have such great friends and happy for such a wonderful surprise on a Sunday morning.

The New YEAR 2022

Good Morning ALL! Another beautiful morning. The sunrise is not as colourful as yesterday but beautiful all the same. How are you this morning? What did you do on Saturday? Well I did mostly the usual like laundry and bit of cleaning. I still have a couple of loads to finish today and to clean the bathrooms. Yesterday I gave the boy a haircut and bath and chipped away the ice from my front walk and out front with thanks to my friend and neighbour who had come and place ice melt and gravel on the walks Friday night and yesterday on the big patch of deep ice in the low spot. We have a storm drain out front so it always pools in one spot and can get ugly quickly. We went for a walk but it was short lived as we had to walk on the side of the road as the sidewalks were either icy or covered with ice melt not conducive for safe walks. Alvin despite being dry he was shivering even with his warm sweater on so a bit of fresh air was better than nothing. We were talking to a newer neighbour who happened to be outside when his neighbour who happens to be a friend of ours saw us and came out on her porch. She introduced us and then started to tell me that she was just getting over the flu. Seems like a lot of the flu going around. We chatted for a few minutes before carrying on and then back home. When we got home I wiped Alvin’s feet and took off his sweater and harness and then carried on outside to clear the ice. My neighbour that I share the lawn with saw me and came out to clear her half. After that, I worked on the laundry and then decided that I wanted shorter hair. I had been tossing around the idea and then decided to just do it. I grabbed the electric clippers that my son-in-law had given us and did the deed. It turned out pretty much how I was planning it to be. A short rough bob. It is not perfectly even and that is what I wanted. Now later I did find the odd extra long strand so of course I snipped it off. But otherwise I had no intentions for it to be perfectly even. Why should I? If someone happens to notice and brings it up, I shall say that I cut it with that intention. It suits me and I LOVE it and really isn’t that all that matters. I am so grateful that I have the tools and can cut my own hair. One less expense and because it is super cool to cut your own hair. Now I know it is taking away work from another human being but really since I moved to Edmonton almost 13 years ago, I have only ever gone to the salon a handful of times and I also had a neighbour cut my hair a few times but she moved away. This is the perfect solution and especially during the pandemic when it is difficult to get out and about. You know actually I really do like to cut my hair. I like doing Alvin’s as well but he is not quite so happy about the process. I had to have a shower immediately after the haircut as the t-shirt that I had put on was covered in hair. So we both had a haircut and bath/shower yesterday. Check.

That was our excitement for the day. I watched a couple of movies on Netflix last night.

In addition to the laundry and housework today, I want to bake some oatmeal raisin cookies. So better get to it. Sometimes I lose my drive and just want to veg. I think a lot of people are finding that these days and most especially once you get older. I always get things done but do it on my own speed and desire. My house always is clean – just might have a fine layer of dust at the worst. Alvin is a neat guy. Only leaves a couple of toys out and about.

Wishing you a great day. Have fun.

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

Always, Carol & Alvin

P.S. I am excited to have a mug of coffee and watch “ESCAPE to the COUNTRY which is my Sunday thing to do in the mornings.

The New YEAR 2022

Good Morning ALL! How are you this morning? The sun is up but partially hidden behind some clouds. Looks beautiful as you can see the clear sky between the layers of clouds. I love how that looks. There is one place that I just noticed where it appears like beams of light coming out over the clouds, I guess from the sun itself. So pretty. It is mild outside and forecast is for plus 5 degrees celsius. YAY. One of my neighbours and friends brought over some gravel mix and put down on the sidewalk as it was so icy. I have not been anywhere to pick any up and of course, forgot to mention it to my daughter. I am so grateful to have such great friends and neighbours. Safe to walk on our sidewalk. I have put a call out to my daughter if she is by any place that sells it – to please pick some up for us. We did not get out for a walk yesterday but hopefully this afternoon.

In a few minutes, I am going to put on coffee, first load of laundry and have a quick bite to eat so that at 10:00 a.m. – I can give Mr. Alvin a haircut followed by a bath. Then he will be dry so that we can go for a walk mid afternoon. He will have to wear his sweater of course.

So happy for the weekend.

How about some photos?

Early Morning Sky

Love how the clouds just floating on by

Cuteness resting

I wish you a great Saturday.

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

Always, Carol & Alvin

The New YEAR 2022

Good Morning ALL! We did it, today is Friday, January 14, 2022. Alvin and I had a good day although it is quite possible that he may not entirely be on board with that thought. I worked in the morning and took the afternoon off as Alvin had his regular vet appointment and I had the booster vaccine appointment. Alvin’s appointment was for 3:00 p.m. and my booster appointment was for 3:10 p.m. With the Pandemic our vet now has us wait in one of the two exam rooms until they are ready and then they escort the pet, Alvin to the back larger exam / surgery area. I made sure that we left home in plenty of time, we left at 2:30 and as soon as we left the house it started to snow, the wet stuff. We walked slowly and had no issues. The section of sidewalk leading toward the strip mall where the vet clinic is located and alongside the condominiums / apartments had been “sanded” with small pieces of gravel. We were about halfway down this long section of sidewalk with Alvin walking along the edge in the snow and ice and me walking in the middle on the gravel. He crossed over and not long later he wanted to turn around for home, I had to do some convincing to get him to come with me. But finally we were at the clinic. We always have to call when we arrive so that they can come and let us in, new policy for patients. Once inside I went over a few things – my appointment and that my son-in-law was going to pick up Alvin’s food but I was going to pay for it. We were fifteen minutes early so we were placed in one of the two small exam rooms where we sat and waited. Alvin was anxious more so than usual, not sure why. I decided as it was quite warm inside to take my winter coat and scarf off as well as his sweater so we would not overheat. I placed Alvin’s harness back on and we waited. I did my best to keep him less anxious. We seemed to be waiting forever but I think that they had a surgery in the back and that patient was coming out of anesthetic. As we were getting close to my appointment time, I called the Pharmasave to let them know and was told it was okay. A few minutes later Alvin was on his way to the back and I was out the door and onto my appointment. There was no one in the Pharmasave except for me and the Pharmacist. He is so nice. Very kind. I had to complete a list of questions before having the booster. I found out that if you were over 65 and immune compromised, then you had a full dosage of the vaccine and if under 65 and not immune compromised, then half dose. I got the half dose. He is so gentle, I did not feel anything. The Pharmacist allowed me to leave after 5 minutes as I was going to the Vet and if anything happened, I was close by.

Upon my return, I saw the staff and Alvin in the hallway, apparently he was missing his Momma and had been quite anxious, more so than usual.

I spoke to the Vet and poor boy had a bit of yeast infection once again in the usual ear. Not bad infection and she almost missed it as she said there was no smell which usually eludes to something wrong and then requires further investigation. So more meds for the boy.

We, er, I paid for the bill including his food and we were on our way. Thankfully the snow had almost stopped falling and we got home safe and sound. No slips on the ice.

We had a nice quiet evening. Now it is morning.

I wish you a great Friday.

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

Always, Carol & Alvin

P.S. be care out there, it is icy. Froze overnight. Also I feel good except for my arm is a bit sore.

Second Half of the NEW YEAR – last quarter.

Good Morning All. Last night on November 5th, 2020 we had rain and once the sun went down and the temperature dipped the rain froze making decks, sidewalks and streets icy. I found this out when I went outside to the deck with Alvin before bed. Thankfully I did not fall but it sure was slippery.

I am nervous to check the news to see if there was any change overnight. Likely not as most of the media outlets said it would be later Friday. I can only imagine what the Americans are thinking and feeling at this moment.

Well so happy that today is Friday. I slept in and am rushing about to be ready to start work on time. I had the most unusual dream last night. For some reason I was still living in my apartment back in Regina. A family member had been sick so I had gone to stay with them and while I was gone some other “family” and friends moved into my apartment. I am not sure how long I was away but I remember coming home to my apartment with everything changed. Nothing was the same. In fact, after a short time I realized that they had thrown out all of my personal effects, every photo, every letter, every book, every piece of everything that was once mine. With not thought to ask me. I was livid to say the least. It did not end well for the squatters. Funny because I do remember that two people had permission to stay there while I was gone but there were more than two people upon my return. Food for thought.

I have to run as I need to plug in my coffee as I desperately need it this morning. I will be thinking about this dream for awhile and the possible meaning behind it. Hoping for some more details.

Wishing you the best Friday. Remember, we must continue to live our life with kindness and respect and love. We will have those moments that are less than perfect but we have the power to change those moment, to react in a positive manner. To always do better.

I/We shall remain, As Always, Carol & Alvin

It is a NEW YEAR.

Oh my how the wind is gusting this morning.

You can hear the vents clanging away.

The air is moderately warm for this time of day.

Alvin is resting on his blue blanket beside my computer chair.

I just entered the SURVEY from Save-on-foods.

It would be great to WIN a $1,000.00 gift card for groceries from there.

That would last me for months.

Keep positive thoughts flowing …. or how lovely ….. I won free groceries.

 

Back to work this morning.

The weekend zipped by as they so often do.

Yesterday the sun shone for most of the day and the air was warm.

However, it was so icy and messy that I elected for us to stay in the house.

I did go to the mailbox and mail a card to my Aunt in British Columbia.

With hopes it reaches her by her Birthday.

The sidewalks were so ugly that I did not dare to take Alvin out.

We both cannot afford to slip and fall.

He tends to pull a bit at times although he does seem to understand when it is icy out to be careful.

He usually walks until he sees ice and walk and then walks around on the edge of the street where there is snow.

After my one fall earlier this winter … he usually turns around to ensure that I am still there.

What a gentleman, my boy is.

 

Yesterday I spent some time going through this small trunk/toy chest.

Sorting through papers and things.

Also going through containers that have cards etc.

Every so often I go through to see if I can downsize a bit more.

Just trying to keep the most special ones.

I am just catching a glimpse of some cards that my daughter has given me over the years.

There are a handful that I have posted to my wall size bulletin board.

She always chooses the most beautiful ones with the best thoughts.

That daughter of mine turns 40 in a couple of weeks.

Hard to believe.

 

Well almost time to head on back downstairs.

I am catching a ride to work for the next couple of weeks with my neighbour.

Grateful for her.

 

I hope that you have an awesome day.

Filled with kindness and respect and fun and laughter.

We always have to have a bit of the latter.

No fun is no way to live your life.

 

Happy Monday.

 

Always, Carol & Alvin

 

It is a NEW YEAR.

Yay, it is Friday morning.

I love Fridays.

The beginning of the weekend.

Perhaps stay up a bit later tonight.

Sleep in tomorrow morning.

So many possibilities.

Gotta love that.

 

Last night Alvin and I did our second full walk in as many days.

Just as we were exiting the park and heading toward Teddy’s house; I lost my footing and slipped on some ice.

There was water nearby and of course, I managed to get soaked from my coat to my pants to my boots to my gloves on my left side.

My pride was ruffled just a tad and I was miserable for a moment as we were not near home and walking in wet clothes even on a warm winter’s night is not comfortable.

Gratefully I was not hurt.

I was/had been so careful.

After that, Mr. Alvin kept stopping and turning around.

I guess that was his way of ensuring that I was okay.

They know, they really do.

Not more than two minutes later we came upon Teddy and Kobi’s house.

Alvin wanted to go in and even more so when we saw and heard Teddy in the upstairs window.

Unfortunately they are quarantined as Kobi had diarrhea from possibly eating some of her poop.

Puppies will do that.

I know that I had to keep an eagle eye on her when I was home.

Now during the day, I had no control.

Only hope.

Poor Teddy could not understand why we were not coming in and neither could Mr. Alvin.

I felt really badly.

We miss them and also Aunt J.

One more week to go and then we can see them.

Two weeks was the order from their Vet.

 

Last night Mr. Alvin was up at 1:30 a.m. and I let him outside to pee.

We laid on the sofa instead of going back upstairs and he slept until moments before the alarm went off.

I guess he likes the sofa.

 

Well almost time to head downstairs.

I hope that you had a great week.

 

 

 

Always, Carol & Alvin

It is a NEW YEAR.

Good Morning and Welcome to a much cooler morning.

Last night we had some snow.

Nice to have a fresh layer covering the ground.

Unfortunately it will cover the ice so be careful out there.

I am so glad that I removed the majority of ice from in front of my house and my neighbour.

There is the runoff that I could not keep up to …. for that you would have to be out 24/7 and that is not possible.

Suppose to be Zero this week so I will keep chipping away and it will keep melting and the runoff will collect.

That is what happens when the storm drain is in front of your house.

It drains from both sides not just my yard.

I am grateful that my backyard is on an incline as it drains nicely and the only time it is annoying or a problem is when it melts during the winter.

That freeze/thaw thing is most definitely a pain.

But that is okay.

 

Yesterday was a good day.

Alvin and I hosted our friend S’s birthday party and we had a blast.

The crackers, boursin cheese and grapes plus birthday chocolate cupcakes with my special icing and decorate with purple tiny beads (edible) were a smash.

We laughed and almost cried.

I love these girls they are the best.

 

The rest of the day I finished some laundry, some cleaning, preparing for today and then we watched a movie.

It was great to have some down time.

Too icy outside for me and Alvin to walk so we spent some time in the backyard.

A car was turning off the side street to the north of our house when one of my neighbours was coming home on the main street and hit them.

The driver of the car was upset and said why didn’t you stop.

My question is why didn’t you?

She was supposed to yield to the main street.

Luckily they, my neighbours were going very slow about 8 miles per hour so damage was not major.

They were only seconds from home, like three.

I had been in the living room watching a movie but decided to run upstairs to check and see if the photos downloaded (which they had not) and missed the accident.

Luckily no one was hurt and both parties had insurance.

It is very icy, most especially in the residential areas.

Our streets are always extremely icy this time of year.

Basically all winter long.

 

I even turned the channel in time to see the halftime show of the Super Bowl.

Entertainment was great.

Jennifer Lopez and Shakira.

The ladies have moves.

Shakira does a mean “belly dance.”

I wish that I could do that …..

Good exercise for the core.

 

Well it is almost time to head downstairs.

We are parking in a different spot which means walking for both of us, so my ride is picking me up about ten or so minutes early.

 

I wish you a wonderful day.

Filled with kindness and respect.

Lots of laughter.

If we cannot laugh – life is pretty dull.

 

Happy Monday.

 

Always, Carol & Alvin

 

P.S. will try downloading those photos tonight.

It is a NEW YEAR

Wow, February 2nd, 2020 already …..

The sun is shining and the inside temperature is set at 71 degrees fahrenheit but with the heat of the sun it is 75 degrees.

Warm, warm, warm.

The house is now quiet as the pups went home yesterday with Auntie J.

Alvin was a little lost last night ….. looking around wondering?

But was happy to sleep in our bed as for the past week we slept on the sofa.

Me, Alvin and Teddy on the sofa and baby Kobi on her little bed close to the sofa.

Yesterday was busy the pups were here in the morning, then went to pick up food and groceries with Aunt J.

Aunt J came for a visit before taking the pups home to their house early afternoon.

Then it was still.

No Kobi tearing around like she had eaten a bunch of sugary treats.

No more determined little one escaping from main floor upstairs to where I am.

I have never seen a pup with the confidence and determination as Kobi.

When she wants something she does not give up until she has it.

She is not afraid.

No Teddy just being his own self which is calm, cool and collected.

The only time I have seen him get miffed is when Kobi has overdone the play time.

No watching for Kobi underfoot.

So yesterday after the pups and Aunt J went home, I started to clean.

Taking down the metal enclosure/gate.

Picking up the remaining pee pads that were unused.

Putting the toys away (on Al’s big doggie bed).

Then moving everything to find two of Kobi’s toys that were missed.

Vacuumed and washed the floor and cleaned as I was hosting our friend S’s birthday party this morning.

The house looked totally different without toys scattered and pee pads what seemed like everywhere.

Before bed I had cleaned the main floor, did several loads of laundry, deiced and removed all of the places where for the last week the pups had peed.

Now do not get too grossed out as there was several inches of snow packed on the deck …. so it was easily removed and then I scraped and shovelled it to the grass area.

I also shovelled a portion of it a few days before for them.

The deck was cleaned off and then I began the ice chipping and cleaning out front.

I had to leave snow on the walk to the street as it was so icy and with facing north, no sunshine.

Shovelled the front public sidewalk removed the water.

But by this morning it was a massive area of ice.

It drains there and is difficult to keep ice free.

That spot anyway.

 

This morning Alvin and I hosted our friend S’s birthday party.

I put out three kinds of crackers, boursin cheese and grapes and little oranges.

Followed by birthday cupcakes.

We had a great visit and always great catching up with my friends G and S.

I love them and they are such wonderful young ladies.

Both in their 40’s.

They are just a tad older than my daughter.

See this is what keeps me young.

I have found over the years that if your friends are a vast range of ages; it keeps you in the loop and young.

I can identify if folks my own age, older and much younger.

Life is good.

I want to post some photos but they are still loading.

Guess I should have done the software update sooner.

Well, as it is still loading I will post some photos at a later time.

I apologize for missing the odd day here and there but sometimes it is possible to get a post done.

We are grateful to have some downtime before I head back to work tomorrow.

 

Wishing you a great day.

Life is always better filled with kindness and respect.

 

Thank you for reading my posts, I really appreciate you taking the time.

I do know how precious our time is these days.

 

Always, Carol & Alvin