2021

Good Morning ALL. How are you this morning? It is bright and sunny and still a bit on the cold side but far from the frigid temperatures of days gone by. I am happy that it is the weekend. Wondering why my font seems to have changed and I did not change it. Gotta love technology. I am also working on downloading/uploading photos from phone to computer, which it appears that I have successful completed. Now to add some to this post. For some reason as of late, this process has changed somewhat. Here goes!

I am not quite certain why the photos did not go to my gallery when I downloaded them but here a few recent photos and items that I saved to my phone.

The food photos are some of the recent meals that I have ordered from CHEF’s Plate.

I have also been saving quotes from THE SECRET that are posted on social media. A good reminder.

My geraniums are once again blooming. Nothing like having some pink flowers show up in time for Valentine’s Day. The Poinsettia is so pretty as it is beginning to turn red.

A photo of Mr. Alvin snuggled with one of his toys as I work.

The last photos were taken this morning in my office as the sun shone through the window ……. so beautiful.

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I wish you a bright happy Saturday. I hope that some flowers arrive for you this weekend to brighten your day. This is also a long weekend for me which makes me happy. I love spending time doing my own thing. Sometimes that thing is laundry. Yup that is high on the list. When I arrive downstairs again, coffee will be the first task to be done. My daughter said she will come for a visit at some point this weekend and I look forward to seeing her.

I was experiencing technical difficulties and somehow the last paragraph did not save. Of course, I do not remember exactly what I said so here goes.

Continuing to live with kindness, respect, compassion and patience (even with technology, as I paste a smile onto my face).

Always, Carol & Alvin

P.S. Daughter just texted tomorrow is the visit date. We are over the moon.

Living … One day at a time.

Hello, good morning.

It is a rainy overcast gloomy morning.

Well at least after we, I settled down last night we had a good sleep.

I wasn’t feeling well last night …..

We were up at 5:00 a.m. or actually a few moments before the alarm went off.

I gave Alvin 1/4 of his chicken and rice as I have been doing since last Sunday.

He has now finished one of his three pills and is taking two medications plus the imodium.

So update.

Last time he had action was on the way to the Vet mid Friday afternoon.

This morning he has had gas and clearly is uncomfortable.

We have been in and out since 5:00 a.m.

I am at a loss.

First diarrhea for days on end and now appears that he is constipated.

My poor boy.

I think that he is finally at the end of his rope.

I am not sure how much more of this that either of us can take.

In and out, up and down.

We are still waiting for the last test results to come in early this week.

I am hoping that he poops today ….. cannot imagine my work will be impressed if I take yet another day.

But on the other hand how can I leave him alone in this condition.

Thankfully I have vacation days.

 

Last night after dark we were on the deck …. on of our five million times.

I snapped a couple of photos of Mr. Alvin …

 

In the first photo he was just staring about ….

Second photo he just jumped up onto the deck sofa ….

Well all I can do is try to keep positive thoughts that today will be the day.

He will have his last chicken later this morning so I will have to go to the store.

ARGH, not looking forward to that but I must.

 

I just keeping thinking “please poop.”

I do know that it is not within his control.

He would like to go as much as I want him to, actually I am quite certain he would like to go more.

Poor guy.

 

 

Living in kindness and respect in every moment is all that we can do.

 

 

Always, Carol & Alvin

Thought for the day ….

Good Morning and Welcome to Sunday the 24th day of June, 2018.

Another beautiful sunny morning.

Alvin slept from 10:00 p.m. until 6:40 a.m. (he must have been pooped after his sleepover with Teddy.

He had a moment this morning and did not wish to walk down the stairs.

So I gingerly picked him up to carry him downstairs.

He wasn’t really happy about that and perhaps he did not trust that I could manage carrying him down the stairs.

I was carefully as after all he is “me Alvin” and I would never intentionally put him in harm’s way.

We made it to the bottom of the stairs and I carefully set him down.

After that he has been up and down the stairs.

He has been looking around and not sure if he thinks that perhaps Teddy is here somewhere.

 

Yesterday my daughter and Milo came for an unexpected visit.

Timing was perfect as I was giving Mr. Alvin a haircut.

Teddy just watched and perhaps was thinking “Yikes, I may be next.”

Even with the two of us we were not able to get Alvin’s front paws trimmed very short.

So it is what it is.

He looks good and will be much cooler.

Now after tomorrow the temperatures are cooling off.

I give him a trim/cut once a month.

Timing.

The boys had fun playing and hanging out.

Milo and Teddy got along well.

So great to have Teddy come to hang out with Alvin.

We enjoyed having him over.

 

Happiness means something different for everyone.

What brings you great joy?

What makes you feel giddy with joy to the very bottom of your being?

Happiness for me is being in good health, being surrounded by family and friends and being at home.

I have always wanted as long as I have lived to have my very own home.

This belongs to me (and to the bank), and I am so grateful to call this mine.

I can come home every night after work to my little piece of heaven.

I have flowers in the spring until fall.

I have room for me Alvin to relax and to run around.

There is room to sit for me, Alvin and company.

I can sit under an umbrella and sip on a cup of coffee and read a book, if I wish.

I can lay down if I wish but have to watch out for the “ants.”

They seem to be living everywhere these days.

I can take in the sunshine, the moon, the stars.

I can breathe fresh air sitting on my deck.

I can be proud of what this is and I am.

I can admire the flowers.

I can watch the clouds rolling by.

I can smell the fragrances of the flowers.

This is it.

Happy Days.

These were taken last night about mid evening before the sun went down.

 

 

 

 

 

Love the reflection of the night sky in the garage window.  It was so perfect out last night.

Well I guess I had better fly into the shower and then head out for coffee with my girls.

Always enjoy our get togethers.

Happy Sunday.

Enjoy what you have …..

Big or small …..

It is yours……

 

Special Hello to:  my sister – these flowers are for you …

Always, Carol & Alvin

Thought for the day ….

Good Morning and Welcome to Friday the 15th day of June, 2018.

How about Friday photos?

My life in photos ….. last night.

After the rain …..

The grass was glistening …

The flowers standing proud and tall ….

A rainbow …..

Favourite items ….

Most favourite guy …. me, Alvin ….

I cannot help but smile when I see the bright colour checks reflecting from the sunshine to the MOSIAC to the wall.

The biggest smile is on my face as I take the photos of Mr. Alvin with that chew treat dangling from his mouth.

Looking so somber …..

Gotta love my boy …. what a cutie …..

Thank you Alvin ……

At 4:08 a.m. this morning we were first up and there was one lone bird in the back yard or close by that was singing up a storm.

Sounded so beautiful.

Hopefully the birdie was okay.

 

Special Hello to: my daughter and family …… thank you guys for your love and support.

Always, Carol & Alvin

 

Thought for the day ….

Good Morning and Welcome to Saturday the 12th day of December, 2015.

Alvin and I woke up at 5:00 a.m. to a fresh blanket of snow covering the deck and ground outside.

Last night when I arrived home from work to find that after snowing almost all day the sidewalks had been CLEANED.

I saw two young boys with shovels standing proudly by my neighbour’s house.

I found out later that they have been going from door to door to see if anyone would like their sidewalks shovelled for wait for it ….. “$3.00.”

Cannot imagine any children these days doing manual labour and only asking for $3.00.

I was duly impressed to say the least.

After chatting about them with my neighbour who invited them to shovel our walks after each snowfall; Mr. Alvin and I came across them on our walk .. they were just down the street.

I thanked them for shovelling and we spoke for a few minutes …. they even wished me a “Merry Christmas.” (first, before I had a chance)

Where did these boys come from?

Surely it could not be from the planet Earth.

I have not seen boys of that age so well mannered in decades.

They have brought back my sense of hope that we have a chance to fix all that is wrong with the world.

Now that might seem like a lot from two young boys that shovelled my sidewalk but I think we are on the right track.

We have hope ….

Hope is always a good thing for the future.

Without hope there is no future.

Now I forgot to ask them what they were going to spend their hard earned dollars on but that is a conversation for the next snowfall.

I will still have shovelling to do ….. the deck …. the driveway out back.

In fact, guess who was shovelling in her p.j.’s early this morning about 5:00 a.m. …… yes, it was ME.

Nothing like throwing on your winter coat and boots and mitts and shovelling at 5:00 a.m. while the Mr. Alvin does his business.

Okay time to get this show on the road.  It is 8:14 a.m.

We were up at 7:30 a.m. and I have gathered the laundry; stripped the bedding to be laundry …. put on fresh sheets and blankets.

Paid some bills on-line and worked out my budget for December and have now almost completed my blog post for today.

Then get dressed and make coffee to be delivered to my neighbour.

She is on her own like me so we do things for each other …. neighbourly ….. right.

The neighbours in the other half of my duplex have been away as his Mother passed away out of town.

Then it will be laundry and stuff while I wait for the call from my daughter.

She will call from her Doctor’s office just when she gets there and then I will don the coat and boots and grab my purse and head on over to the grocery store.

Grab some butter, potatoes and fruit … my daughter will pick me up and then we will stop at the Vet’s for food and toothpaste for Mr. Alvin.

WHEW breathe …..

Then HOME to make JEWELLERY for the afternoon……

and visit with my darling daughter so excited …..

Have an awesome day ……

Special Hello to: my sister ….yes tomorrow at 7:30 p.m.

Always, Carol and Alvin

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Saturday the 15th day of August, 2015.

It is overcast here in Edmonton and the deck remains wet from the rain, overnight.

We could use some moisture so it is all good.

At least here in the city.

Farmers well that will be another story.

I am so excited to be back and as always it was something so simple.

Doesn’t it just figure.

Something I could have done myself …. something I did do myself.

When plugging the computer and equipment back in I plugged it into the wrong “jack.”

Can you imagine?

The young man “Abdul” was very sweet and did not make me feel “stupid.”

I did write a few lines on FB yesterday just after I was “live” again after one week.

The troubleshooters for our cable/communications company are in a country on the other side of the world from us.

They do not know the setups (this was from the tech that came to my house).

These people just read from a script so not their fault.

He said they do not usually mention the “jack” in the script ….

If they had – I would have tried putting it in the other jack.

It is very sad that it is always about the money.

Companies having to make more and more money.

Anyway I am very grateful to have television once again and the internet.

So on with life.

I found during the week …. the house to be quiet.

So we listened to more music.

Spent more time outside.

Watched movies on DVD.

Snuggled more.

I think it was a good thing at the end of the day.

I did miss writing my blog, watching my recorded shows and going on FB.

But it was a good thing all in all.

Today I am hosting my second “Steeped Tea” party and am so excited to announce that I am now a Consultant for Steeped Tea.

I love the product and look forward to learning more as time goes on.

Well I have a bunch of things to do before my guests start arriving and thank goodness my “leader” will be leading the party and I will be watching and learning.

I had a wonderful Friday …. my daughter and grand-pups spent the day and slept over.

She helped me put together the second desk for my office and it looks great.

I will post some photos once I get the room in order (not today).

We walked with the pups in the rain.

I won a big prize at our company barbecue on Wednesday.

It was all about popcorn (hot air popcorn maker, ceramic popcorn container, popcorn to pop and Chicago mix popcorn, liquorice, M&Ms and two movies).

The popcorn tasted so yummy as we watched a movie.

Well I had better get this show on the road.

So good to be back.

I hope that you are all well and enjoying your Saturday.

Take Care.

Special Hello to: all of my friends and family who sent me wonderful Birthday wishes … it was a wonderful day.

Always, Carol and Alvin

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Friday the 17th day of July, 2015.

Well it is raining here in Edmonton ….. and very windy.

We need the rain so it is good.

Mr. Alvin does not like the rain so much, it took much coaxing to get him to go out to go “pee,” earlier.

Doesn’t look like he will be going out anytime soon.

I tried a few minutes ago … he just stood outside the door and whimpered.

Almost broke my heart.

Eventually he will go …..

This morning I am going to the office extra early as we are having a pancake breakfast.

So our Social Committee for which I am a member does the prep for the breakfast.

So cutting strawberries here I come.

It is always a fun way to start the day.

I cannot imagine being in the parade in the pouring rain …….

Also I am very grateful as one of the ladies that I work with is picking me up …..

I figured that I would have had to leave the house at 4:45 in order to get there in time …. ARGHH.

I would have had to get up about 3:30 a.m. …….

So on this rainy Friday I am very grateful ….. we need the moisture so much.

Just hope that it comes down a bit slower …. actually I think it is just the wind that makes it sound worse.

I hope that you have a great Friday …. YAY it is the weekend.

Special Hello to: all the farmers ……

Always, Carol and Alvin

Thought for the day…..

Good Morning and Welcome to Thursday the 22nd day of May, 2014.

How are you this fine Thursday morning?

I hope that you are well.

Is the sun rising where you are?

Or perhaps the sun is just setting.

The sun has risen here in Edmonton.

The sky is slightly overcast.

We truly could use a nice rain to give the grass, trees, shrubs and plants a much needed drink of water.

It would be great to see those glorious rainbows once again.

That is one of my most favourite things about summer, RAINBOWS.

The colours ….. so glorious.

I have a mini rainbow of sorts in my living room.

I have a mosaic glass ornament and when the sunlight comes through the window and catches it just right ….. there are several little coloured squares dancing on the wall.

Pinks, purples, greens, orange and blue….. so beautiful.

It was on the wall this morning.

I am so grateful for those things that are unexpected and so beautiful.

Look around and see those things that are unexpected.

Those little things that if you didn’t see them it would be okay ….

But when you see them it makes things wonderful.

So look around ….. there are more small wonderful things that you could ever imagine.

Have a great Thursday.

Special Hello to: all those people who find the silver lining in every storm cloud.

Always, Carol and Alvin

 

P.S. I am constantly working on the silver lining ……

Thought for the day….

Good Morning and Welcome to Monday the 14th day of October, 2013.

It is Thanksgiving Day in Canada.

So Happy Thanksgiving to all my fellow Canadians.

It is a beautiful fall morning here in Edmonton, perfect for Thanksgiving.

I am so thankful to be alive.

I am so thankful to be living in this great country.

I am so thankful to be in great health.

I am so thankful to have a dog named Alvin.

I am so thankful to have a wonderful daughter, son-in-law and grand-puppies.

I am so thankful to have the best family and friends anyone could ever imagine.

I am so thankful that I have very own home.

I am so thankful that we always have enough to eat.

I am very thankful for each and every blessing that is bestowed upon me and my family.

I am thankful for this day.

May you have the Best Thanksgiving.

 

Always, Carol and Alvin

Thought for the day……

I want to make this an extra special day by making certain that I smile and greet every person that I encounter throughout this Tuesday.

How about you try it?

Usually when I am out and about ….. I make a point of at least smiling at everyone and sometimes saying Hi.

Most people smile and greet me back.

Can you imagine how wonderful we would all feel if each and every person that we encountered over the course of the day ….. smiled?

There would be a tremendous warmness bathing the earth.  Raining down upon us.

Have a great Tuesday.

Always, Carol