A New YEAR 2023

Good Morning ALL! I am so happy to report that we slept from say about 9:30 till 1:20 a.m. when downstairs we went and Alvin had the most perfect poop. We then retreated to the sofa and set the alarm for 6:00 a.m. I am so thankful that our sofa is comfy. When the alarm went off, well of course, I hit the SNOOZE button for a few more zzz’s. Why not? Then we were up and I was preparing Mr. Alvin his breakfast. I gave him the “medication” last night and only took about 6 minutes to get it into him. So that was good. After his breakfast, we headed outside where again Mr. Alvin had a really good poop(s). I am over the moon happy about these recent events. How happy can one be over poop? Just ask me! It is a most important bodily function and when it is bad, that means that inside things are not going well. So this morning, I am encouraged to believe that he is “better.” I know it does not change the liver disease and other ailments. We are good now. He is on his last day of 1/4 of rice/chicken/wet food/dry food mix before back to 100% his regular food tomorrow. The weather is also continuing to be nice so I am going to see if we can go for a walk after work. Just to give him some exercise to build up his stamina as he is a bit wobbly when out on the deck. I am so happy that things are looking up.

I have decided to get busy now that I have the “word software” and get putting together the book about me and Alvin. Now is definitely the time. I have lots of previously written stories to draw from and use. Sometimes you never know where life is going to take you. But when it does you are know that all will be well and all of that …..

Hopefully sooner than later, the sunrise happens at an earlier time. I know Mother Nature’s schedule. Does she know mine? I suppose not.

This Saturday I was invited to my friend Lucy’s house for supper. Saturday, January 21st is Chinese New’s Year’s Eve. I decided to read up on the celebration and found out that it is tradition to give certain types of gifts and just so happens that I have two or three items that would be perfect to give. So happy. I also made arrangements for my friend’s daughter to come and stay with Mr. Alvin so that he is not alone. YAY. Works great for everyone. She makes a bit of money, I get to go out and Alvin has company.

I am feeling pretty happy with life at the moment. So happy about Mr. Alvin. He is waiting for me downstairs and I am grateful that with the hall light on and the baby gate up that he patiently waits for me. I have been carrying him up and down the stairs each time. When it is not necessary for him to be upstairs – he remains downstairs.

The aroma of the freshly perked coffee is wafting upstairs. So I will sign off shortly.

Wishing you a great Tuesday.

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

Always, Carol & Mr. Alvin

Last Half 2022

Good Morning All! How are you this morning? Is it raining where you are? It has been raining here since last night. I think there were breaks in the rainfall but the sky is grey and it appears that it may have set in for the next several hours. Hopefully the Sun breaks through. We have had enough rain for this time around. I did remember to move my one Lavender plant in the shelter of the house but I noticed earlier this morning that she appeared to be wet but not saturated. Thinking sunshine, sunshine, sunshine. I can feel the warm rays of the sun falling down upon my face (oh, I think that was the line in an old song), lol. Anyway, we have a problem. Roger dodger, Mr. Alvin does not want to go outside in the rain. Even with my umbrella up and following him about, he ran out and peed and ran back to the house. I hope there is a break in the rain soon, as I am quite certain he will need to poop shortly. Here we go again, talking about poop. Could be worse, lol. Anyway, when we go back downstairs, we will try again. Looking out the office window it is hard to tell if it is raining at this moment or not.

We were lucky to get in two walks yesterday. At noon we walked to Pauline’s house, that seems to be the furthest he will go these days but if I counted our return from Pauline’s to our house, I think it would be close. Just in a different direction. It certainly takes us as long but Alvin is walking just a bit slower most days. Then again, there are times when he surprises me and seems like a puppy again. We both love being in Pauline’s garden. On the way home, we met this couple with two small dogs. So we gingerly approach, the man said the one can be a bit off, she was a puppy and the other dog was 15 years old. The younger one came up to Alvin, growled and nipped at him. He backed away. She did not bite him. Just looked like she was going to nip him. The other dog just hung out. I am always amazed at the different reactions and actions of dogs we have never met. Alvin was good. I still could not believe that dog was 15. WOW. We enjoyed meeting them nonetheless. As we approached the entrance to our park, we both stopped to smell the roses. I hadn’t really realized before that whenever there are roses blooming he noses around them – getting a sniff of that heavenly fragrance. We are both rose lovers.

Last night Cookie’s Dad texted me and asked if we would like to come one night this week for a visit. So we are going over Thursday after supper. YAY, I am excited to see them again and catch up.

There is not much else new. We are living our lives. I am so grateful to be working from home. There are two days coming up that I will be going to the office and I have made arrangements for friends to come and check in on Mr. Alvin. I am so grateful for them.

Time to head downstairs and see if I can get Mr. Alvin outside before work (hopefully the rain will let up). Sun is shining, repeat after me, sun is shining. Clear blue skies…….

Have a wonderful Tuesday.

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

Always, Carol & Alvin

PS: only 35 days until my 65th BIRTHDAY. YAY.

Living … One day at a time.

Hello,

Welcome to the weekend.

So excited.

We had a huge rainstorm with booming thunder and lots of light up the sky lightning.

Woke us up.

Alvin wanted to go outside.

So just as it started to hail …. Ma in her summer nightie and coat ran out in the hail to move her flowers.

I only have four pots this year in the backyard and I did not want them to get flatten.

Ended up that the hail was quite small … about pea sized and appears that did not do much damage.

The puddles are still visible this morning as I look out the window of my office.

One of the neighbours does not have an actual paved driveway so obviously the dirt will puddle.

After work my daughter and I went to COSTCO.

I don’t mind checking things out.

She is happy that now her Ma has a cell …. she cannot lose me.

Sometimes we use to lose each other and then it could take a long time to locate the other.

After arriving at home, we split some items and my daughter left for home.

I put the groceries away and then made a beautiful salad for supper.

One of our friends called to invite us for for a visit in their backyard.

They live down the street and have the nicest backyard.

First photos Alvin was patiently waiting for my friend’s husband to come out to the backyard.

He loves him so much.

I will say that most of the time Alvin was either laying on the swing between us girls or rolling around in the grass.

I tried to play frisbee with him although once or twice he tried to pick it up ….. he did not quite get it.

I guess you cannot always teach old dogs new tricks.

He did run around like a crazy pup when I pretended to be a monster (like we do on the deck at home).

He ran back and forth and had a blast.

The grass is so lush and beautiful.

 

Well I guess we need to end this post as Teddy will be here shortly.

I still have to put in the first load of laundry.

I had planned to do laundry last night but then received the invite.

We were happy to be invited out so we grabbed the opportunity.

Then breakfast and coffee.

Always need that cup of coffee.

 

Have an awesome Saturday.

This afternoon my grand pups arrive.

They will stay with us while their parents attend a wedding in the City.

 

So happy to be spending the day with the pups.

I will take Alvin and Teddy for a walk before the others arrive.

Not able to take all four.

 

Remember Kindness and Respect will bring you the world.

Always, Carol & Alvin & soon Teddy …..

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Friday the 27th day of July, 2018.

We made it through another week and a lovely weekend ahead.

The sky is overcast with that hazy pink smoky grey and on the other side of my house you can see the sun shining.

Funny how a direction can change things.

My carpool is not running again today as she had to make another trip to the hospital with her son.

Keeping them in thoughts and prayers.

 

Alvin decided for some reason unknown to me to get up at 3:00 p.m.

Perhaps it was due to his over eating last night.

After work and after Alvin was looked after, I checked my messages on FB.

I found one from the Momma of Master Teddy inviting us over for supper.

So I sent a message back stating we would love to come if it was not too late.

I called her as well but no answer.

A little while later the phone rang … it was our friend and she had been out for a walk with Teddy.

So supper was a go.

After completing a few small tasks we went on our walk and as they live on our route we stopped there for a visit and supper.

We had a great time.

She has a beautiful home and yard.

The evening zipped by and it was after 8:00 p.m. when we left … continuing our walk home.

Alvin got into Teddy’s food as Teddy’s food dish is always out and he just eats as he is hungry.

I could never do that with me Alvin – he would just eat it all at one time.

It was a great Thursday night.

I do not often go out during the week and seldom for supper.

It was a great treat and most appreciated.

Always so nice when someone else cooks.

She is a great cook.

We had salmon (it was so good).

 

Well my friends …. that was our evening.

I am so grateful to be surrounded by wonderful people.

I know sometimes work drives me crazy but I can come home to me Alvin, who even when he gets me up in the middle of the night, he is my light.

Tonight my daughter is picking me up after work and we are making a run to COSTCO.

Need a few things before the company arrives next week.

 

I wish you a wonderful Friday and that you are surrounded by love and light.

Happy Friday.

 

Special Hello to: my daughter, thank you for being you and for helping your Momma….

Always, Carol & Alvin

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Saturday the 4th day of June, 2016.

Just listening to the buzzing of the lawnmower as my neighbour mows the grass in her backyard.

She has her sister and nephews visiting for the weekend.

Patience she has as she is letting the older boy help mow the grass to earn money to buy a new dirt bike helmet.

I can hear her words of encouragement along the way.

They cut the front and it looks so wonderful.

Looks like all our grass truly needed was the nectar of the gods ….. rain.

So happy for the rain over the past couple of weeks.

The next several days coming up are to be mid twenties.

I am so grateful that I have great neighbours.

We share mowing in the summer (although she is ahead of me) and shovelling in the winter.

I do love having the windows open in the summer and listening to the sounds of summer …. birds singing, lawnmowers, rain drops, people’s voices as they do tasks outdoors.

So happy for the weekend.

 

I must mention about my date with my daughter after work yesterday.

I caught the bus to city hall and in Winston Square they were having a “small container home” on display and you could walk through it.

It was a cool experience and I would say that yesterday there were hundreds of people out to take a peek.

Unfortunately I do not remember the name of the company that makes them but they are made out of shipping containers.

Very modern and sleek in the inside.

The wave of the future.

Minimalist.

People are getting away from the materialistic lifestyle of the last 50 or so years.

They take up less space ….. cost less …. better for the environment.

It was a great experience and I am grateful to my daughter for the invitation.

Over 700 as of yesterday afternoon had RSVP to attend the event over the weekend.

 

Well I guess it is almost time to get this show on the road.

The birthday party is almost at hand.

 

Have a wonderful Saturday.

If it is one thing that I have learned over the past few years and it is less is more.

That is one of the reasons for multiple garage sales ……

We do not need so much …. only trouble is many people think they do.

 

Special Hello to: my niece “D” congratulations on receiving your Nursing Degree ….. we are so proud of you.

Always, Carol and Alvin

Thought for the day ……..

Good Morning and Welcome to Friday the 5th day of June, 2015.

Can you believe two more days and we are one week into June.

Crazy, hey.

Well it is also Friday morning.

The sun is shining and the sky is clear here in Edmonton.

There is also a bit of a breeze so it will be comfortable outside.

What are your plans for the weekend?

I hope that besides doing things around the house that you are able to relax and have fun.

No matter what is going on in your life ….. please always take some time for you.

If time is short ….. then just take 30 minutes.

It is so important to take time for yourself.

Just like sleeping rejuvenates the body.

Time to just “be in the moment” is healthy for the mind.

Often people are so wrapped up in running from one place to the other …. they forget themselves.

Tonight I was invited to a birthday party for some neighbours who live close by.

Tomorrow I am hosting a birthday party for another friend.

Lots of birthdays.

In between yard and house work followed by time for ME AND Mr. ALVIN.

Cannot forget my boy.

Well time to get the show on the road.

Mr. Alvin had me up again at 4:20 (actually before but I managed to get him to lay down for a few more minutes).

His clock seems to be off …. just a tad.

So of course because his Momma was “sleepy” …. we hit the sofa for a few extra zzzz’s.

Well I feel back into a dream ….. and the timer on the microwave woke me up.

It was a 45 minute lay down.

Okay I better get going.

Have an awesome Friday.

Special Hello to: all those celebrating a birthday during the month of June.

Always, Carol and Alvin