Last Half 2022

Good Morning ALL! Well I am so proud of Mr. Alvin. We were in bed by 10:00, I read for a bit before turning out the lights and next time up was 4:00 to take Mr. Alvin outside. We laid down on the sofa and he made it until 5:45 and I had the alarm set for 6:00. I was able to coax him to wait for another couple of minutes before I hopped up off the sofa. We have been up to stay up since then. I gave him his breakfast and we went outside. The breeze was cool but felt really refreshing. The sky was clearing but now I see rain clouds beginning to form. We have had such a weird and wonderful spring and summer. Next week hold onto your hats, they are forecasting +30 temperatures. WOW. The sun just gave a burst of light through the clouds, so pretty. I have such a great vantage point from my office window – just keying away and looking out the window for an update every so often.

Yesterday at noon we had a great walk and after work we made it just inside the park and the boss of me stopped and turned for home. He is truly the “boss of me.” When he says suppertime, I “run” to the pantry and then to the fridge. He has a mix of dry and wet food and pumpkin. I also realized something if I cut the pumpkin back to only in the mornings and not with his supper, that also seems to help his poop. Yup, just what you were waiting for, another “pooping story.” I am sorry but my life revolves around Alvin and part of what he does on a very regular basis is pooping. Now, let’s face it, his stories are more entertaining than my pooping stories! LOL. Life is breathing, drinking, eating and pooping and paying taxes. I hope that you are smiling now and not crying.

A couple of weeks ago, I met a woman at our garage sale. She was looking for antique/older rhinestone jewelry as she was making a bouquet. I did not have anything in the sale but I knew that I had some in my collection of odds and ends. So I took her contact info and called her a few days later. I found actually several pieces that she would be able to use. Well, last night she came after work to pick them up and we chatted and looked at the pieces of jewelry that I had out. We chatted for over 1.5 hours. I found out that she was actually making her bridal bouquet using rhinestone jewelry (some broken and other pieces too beautiful to take apart, using the whole piece) and would make the boutineers and add to table decor if she had enough. She is using coloured rhinestones for her bouquet and possibly the clear for the boutineers and tables. What a great idea. Her knowledge of jewelry designers / makers was incredible and I learned so much in a short time. I think it is safe to say that we will be keeping in touch.

My friend Gillian is borrowing some space in my fridge for food items as her work is having a barbeque and she was the person that did the shopping. It was hard not to open that big huge cake that she had picked up from Costco, looks so good. There is also salads and vegetables in the fridge. She will be picking it all up in a few minutes so it is almost time for me to sign off. I think that I have caught you up in my last day. It has been a good one. The week has had peaks and valleys but way more peaks. My cousin is home recovering from her major surgery and I am so beyond words joyful about that news. Work is going well, busy as usual but that is okay. No time for getting bored although perhaps sometimes that may be a nice change of pace.

I hope that you have an awesome Thursday. We are invited out after supper for a visit at Cookie’s house with her family. Cookie will be there, too. We haven’t seen too much of them lately so will be nice to catch up. I am grateful to have such great people within walking distance to visit. They are super close to us, just a few doors away.

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

Coffee is ready to plug in.

Always, Carol & Alvin

PS: yes, it is only 33 days until my 65 birthday. I took a really hard look in the mirror this morning after I applied some makeup (which I do not always wear this much but sometimes) and I am pretty proud of the way in which I am aging. YAY, me.

The New YEAR 2022

Good Morning ALL! How are you this morning? It is light out but not bright. The sky is a grey blue color. Does not appear to be windy this morning what a nice change. We are doing great. Today is the first day of my vacation so we happily slept in. Of course, as per usual we were up at 4:00 so that Alvin could have his glucosamine chew and go outside for a pee and then back to sleep on the sofa until about 5:00 when we were up and he had breakfast. I happily laid back down and then we fell asleep until 7:30 but that is not the end of the sleep story, we dozed until getting up at 8:30 a.m. The family will arrive around 10:30 ish so I figured that we had better get mobile. Not that I have much to do other than write this post and have a shower and bring up the larger round doggie bed from the family room in the basement for Miss Aspen to sleep on in our bedroom. I have not made any plans for my time off other than being here for the grand pups and one having Easter dinner with my friends down the street on Friday. The plan is to walk daily and just relax with the pups. I truly am exhausted, my job just pulls the stuffing out of me. I do like my job and sometimes even love it but it is a demanding job not physically but mentally. End of story as I am on vacation. Yes, I am. So excited.

The forecast for the next couple of days is cool but then it is starting to warm up which will be great for us to walk. I will be spending lots of time walking as we usually go twice for per day and then I need to take Aspen separately from Alvin and Milo. Four walks. We shall see. Definitely Aspen will get two and the little ones even one will suffice. At the end of it all it will depend on the weather. Aspen is okay when it is cooler – she just likes to be outside. Oh, I just took a peek out of the office window and noticed that the trees are moving a bit. I sure hope that it remains calm as it gets chilly with the minus temperatures and gale force winds. We did not even walk yesterday. Even just going outside into the backyard gave me the chills and took what seemed like forever to warm up. I am glad that I did not give Mr. Alvin a haircut last weekend. He will be okay for a little while longer. If it jumps in temperatures, I will give him a trim. I wonder if having the pups here when he had a haircut would calm him down or not?

It is so quiet here in the house with just the click clack of my nails hitting the keys. Alvin is laying on the floor in the hallway. I took his other bed downstairs as I am not working upstairs now. He likes laying on the carpet in the hallway anyway so that is okay. I can hear him breathing in between hitting the keys. So quiet in our house. I love it. Much easier to calm one’s mind when it is quiet to begin with.

There is not much else new with us. I am thinking that I will work on making some jewelry while the pups are here as I have my supplies in the kitchen. I rearranged my ikea shelves and put the beads and things there and have some items on the counter. Because that is what you do when you are by yourself in the house except for the Alvin. I have room and can do what I like. There are definitely perks to living with no other humans. I also have my workstation in the kitchen. The good old kitchen table. Now it is packed up and put away out of sight.

Well time to head for a shower and then enjoy a mug or twoo of coffee. I hope that you have a wonderful Wednesday.

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

Always, Carol & Alvin

P.S. my office looks so empty without the work laptop, monitor and stuff. Makes me feel less cluttered and more creative.

2021

Good Morning ALL. How are you this morning? Another cold cold morning here in Edmonton. I noticed a light blanket of snow gracing the deck. Surprise, surprise there is not extra snow out front. How can it snow at the back of the house and not at the front? Mother Nature definitely has a sense of humour. Another morning where Alvin got up about 4:00 ….. had his breakfast ….. did his outside business and then we were to the sofa until my alarm went off at 6:45 ….. so much better.

This morning I was thinking ….. I am going to do a top 10 or 12 list of my favourite things around the house. Not living creatures or Alvin would top the list. These are in no certain order ….. just as I think of something.

1. My sparkle ball earrings from Hillberg and Berk which were a 60th birthday gift from my sister.
2. Photo books of Alvin, Elton & Penny and my Daughter & Son-in-law’s wedding which were gifts at different times from my daughter.
3. Geranium plants a gift from a friend (they bloom all year round).
4. Christmas Star with removable red charm from a friend.
5. Hand towels made by a friend to hang on the oven door.
6. Book, Becoming Michelle Obama given to me by a friend.
7. Purple crossbody ROOTS purse given to me by me.
8. Hand made, hand painted dough Lady given to me from my Mom and made by Mom.
9. Lavender Rose Bone China Dish Set that was my Grandmother’s.
10. Little wooden car painted by great nephew (given to me when I moved to Edmonton).
11. Royal Doulton figurine of a lady in white holding a flower, a Christmas present long ago from my sister.
12. A wok type pot/pan that my kids gave me for Christmas a few years ago, it is the perfect pot.
13. A bookmark made my longtime childhood friend when I moved to Edmonton and it was signed by friends of a ladies group that I belonged to ….

Well that is a quick list. Take a few minutes and look around your house and jot down your favourite things.

Makes you think.

Well time to head on downstairs. Have a wonderful Wednesday.

I think today is going to be “bra free” day ….. okay perhaps a bit more information that you need or wanted. Other women I know have spoke of this and I have not done this in the past. Today is the Day. “Bra Free Wednesday, February 10, 2021.” This is the day.

Living with kindness, respect, compassion and patience. Always working on patience.

Always, Carol & Alvin

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 Sweet People,

Welcome to a bright and sunny morning.

I hope that it is nice and sunny where you are located.

I was thinking of all the changes that are being made to our lives as we continue to work from home.

I fully realize that this is not everyone’s circumstances.

I know that a great many folks are not working and quite possibly will not have a job to go to after this is over.

I know that essential services are working through this time.

 

This is to address the changes that I have noticed in my life now that I am working from home.

Never did I dare to hope that I would be able to work from home.

Alvin is even starting to go downstairs and lay in his chair by the window.

He used to be in that chair for part of the day and lay on our bed the rest of the time.

Not being at home I wasn’t 100% certain what he really did.

Now he seems to be settling in to this major life change, having me at home everyday.

I am afraid that when I do have to go back to the office, he is going to have a hard time.

Mr. Alvin is over 11 years old now.

I treasure this time with him.

 

Also I have not been wearing any jewelry other than rings during my time at home.

I used to wear earrings, a watch, necklace and my rings.

Now the earrings irritate things when I have to be on my cell phone.

I know that I can put calls on speak which I do sometimes.

But this is a change.

 

Most days I wear the clothing that feels right for the day.

If I am cold, I wear sweats and socks (definitely a top as well) and likely a cozy sweater.

If I am feeling in the mood I dress up in office attire.

So what I wear varies.

I will say one thing that I have not been wearing the button pants lately and am thinking I should start before I am past the point of no return.

It may already be too late.

Something to check on the weekend.

Perhaps have a fashion show for Mr. Alvin.

Oh, won’t he be exited.  Laughing to myself.

 

I haven’t been anywhere outside of my neighbourhood.

So no use for my purse.

In fact, the new purse that I got earlier this year.

Hangs on a hook waiting to meet the world.

 

Shoes.

This is a bit different.

I can wear my sandals now when we go for walks.

But again, not leaving then neighborhood, not wearing a variety of footwear.

 

Walking twice a day and not at the crack of dawn.

Love walking at noon and right after work.

Love having all this extra time at home to enjoy.

More time in the garden now that the weather is cooperating.

More time to read and enjoy my life.

 

The last time I was out of the hood was March 19, 2020.

The last time I was in a store was a week or so before that.

 

We are now well into the month of May.

 

Please do not get me wrong, I love being at home.

Just thinking about the changes.

 

I never thought that my two actual desks would be used for personal and work.

I have two desks that go end to end.

They were purchased a few years back from IKEA.

There are some drawers.

Sleek and fit easily into the space.

Now my once creative space has been invaded by my work.

Such as life.

 

I have mentioned several times.

I am grateful to be home with Alvin.

I am grateful to have no commute.

 

Life is just different.

Each day we adapt.

Each day we learn new things.

Each day we appreciate it all.

 

Well I do not wish to be late for work.

Such a long commute, laughing to myself.

 

Have an awesome Thursday.

I hope that you and your family are in good health.

Remember to breathe, smile and laugh.

We will endure.

 

With kindness and respect,

I/We remain,

As always, Carol & Alvin

 

Photos soon …..

 

 

 

Living … One day at a time.

Good Morning All.

Well it is late.

I cannot say that I have slept in this late for years.

Went to bed at midnight and could not sleep right away.

Still a bit hyped up from the Fifth Avenue Jewelry party.

Alvin and I had so much fun.

My friends from the neighbour joined us to check out the bling and for refreshments.

We chatted in between and enjoyed some laughter.

Two almost teenage daughters of two friends joined as well.

Alvin was in his glory.

So much fun.

Yes, there is nothing like being surrounded by your good friends and bling.

The jewelry is / was so pretty.

Great night.

Perhaps it was the fact that I had drank coffee all day long.

I hadn’t realized that until bed.

I drank a pot in the morning and another mug with my daughter at noon followed by coffee in the evening.

Oh well, I likely needed that sleep.

We were up just after 5:00 a.m. initially so I fed Alvin and then we went back to bed.

He did try to get me up a couple of times after that as well but I won out.

 

We woke to another “dry ground” morning which is great.

So glad that I worked my butt off yesterday and did my household making today a more relaxed quiet day.

Yesterday I cleaned, had both Humphrey and Teddy for the whole day, walked with Teddy and Alvin, prepared for the jewelry party and did laundry.

Always nice to have the THREE AMIGOS together.

Earlier yesterday morning.

Alvin and Teddy went outside but Humphrey hesitated.

Wonder why?

 

I saw a blue jay, I think through the living room window but unable to get a clear photo of the pretty bird.

All the boys at the window.

Alvin and Teddy sharing a chair and Humphrey with one of his own.

Earlier in the day …..

 

Strangely enough they spent a bit of time outside over the course of the day.

When the sun shone it was actually comfortable outside, I won’t go as far as to say “warm.”

Today perhaps a load of towels …. or maybe not.

I have lots of towels.

But next weekend is putting up my Christmas tree and decorating the house.

First weekend in November, 2019.

So excited.

I cannot wait.

I so love spending the evening with my daughter putting up the Christmas tree.

That might be Friday.

Halloween this week.

YAY.

I was checking out my borrowed Harry Potter costume.

I might have to practice making the lightning bolt on my forehead.

Liquid eyeliner here I come.

 

Well I should go.

Time for coffee before lunch.

Today I don’t want to be drinking coffee all day.

Work is tomorrow.

 

Happy Sunday.

So happy to be surrounded by much kindness and respect.

 

Always, Carol & Alvin

 

 

 

Thought for the day….

Wow, today is Monday, October 1st, 2012 …… it has been a few day since my last blog.

I enjoyed my Friday off and accomplished most of my TO DO LIST and worked at the store that evening.

Saturday I spent a good portion of the day starting to organize our beads and jewelry.

It is always good to reorganize things from time to time.

It is still a work in progress.  I had no idea that we had so many beads, charms etc.

Yesterday I worked at the store.

That was my weekend.

In between the work, I enjoyed coffee visits with my daughter and my friend “G” ….. and snuggles and walks with Alvin.

So at the end of it all those were the most important.  Time well spent.

I hope that you have a great Monday and welcome to October.

Where has the time gone?

Time to put the finishing touches on outdoor prep …. (cover the a/c unit, pull some of the flowers (most of mine are still blooming).

Have a great day.

Special Hello to:  Artists of the World …… for all of your creations …. thank you.

 

Always, Carol and Alvin

My “Amanda” …..

Yesterday my wonderful daughter spent most of her day off from work recreating the “main page” of my blog.  She found two photos of me.  One from when I was a young girl, and the other from this past Christmas. Can you believe it?  My hair style is pretty much the same almost 50 years later.  I guess it could be 50 years later as I am going to be “54” this year.  I think that is a cause for celebration.  Whoa….

She created the banner in the header section. I am so blessed and lucky to have such an artistic daughter.

Amanda is also coming over this afternoon to spend time with her Mom while her hubby watches the “Superbowl” …..  YAY.  The sun is shining and the birds are likely singing somewhere!

We will be visiting, having coffee and making bracelets and maybe even a necklace or two.

My thought for this day is:  Always take the time to be grateful.  We all have so many things in life to be grateful for ……. gratitude rocks.  Remember to be grateful, and your life will be glorious.

May the sun shine on you wherever you may be this day.

Always, Carol

One Sunday afternoon ….

Yesterday afternoon my six year old friend from a few doors down named Lea called me to see if she could come over for a visit.

I could tell that she was bored.  Some weeks she calls more often than others.  She has a little sister named Mahee-Lee, and a little brother named David.

But she is the big sister through and through.

I suppose that I can identify with her as I am the eldest of my siblings.  Sometimes you just need to get away.

It was funny as I asked her what she was doing and she said “putting on her boots” ….. guess she knew that this time I would say “YES”.

When Lea arrived Alvin did his usual greeting …… he loves his Lea.  So he has to jump up and try to give her a kiss.  It usually takes a few minutes for her to get her boots, coat, mitts and hat off when Alvin is the meet and greeter…. LOL.

Once she was settled, as I had mentioned on the phone “I was working, making some jewelry” and then asked her “if she would like to make a bracelet”.

Of course, she said a resounding “Yes, please” with a huge smile attached.  So I chose some beads for her and cut her a piece of  stretch cord to make the bracelet.

I continued with the necklace that I was making.  We chatted up a storm during our jewelry making session.

We had a couple of “accidents” with one being a tray of beads spilled onto the floor.  We both scrambled to pick them up before Alvin got to them.

But surprisingly enough, Alvin didn’t even flinch ….. just wasn’t interested in “our beads”.  So we were relieved.

Once Lea had her bracelet finished, I asked her if she would like to make herself a necklace.  She was so excited.

More beads and time later, she asked if I would help her finish the necklace.  I guess it seemed a daunting task for a six year old.

So I worked on one side and her on the other.

We quickly finished it.  It was coming close to 3:00 p.m. and she had to run home.  Lea and her family were going to the “YM” for an outing.

It was a fun couple of hours with my little friend, Lea.

She is so grown up for a six year old.  Lea makes me laugh.

It was a great afternoon and I even made a necklace and matching bracelet in between the laughter and beads rolling on the floor….  🙂

My friend Lea - Halloween Craft Party 2010

My friend Lea showing off her bracelet & necklace

Close-up of Lea's beautiful necklace...

Lea’s bracelet, she was so proud.  As am I.

Great JOB…..very creative.

L

My creations from Sunday afternoon with Lea.

This was a grand way to spend a Sunday afternoon.  Please check our “Dear Stella Jewelry” on Facebook.

Alvin and the Snow !!

In case you were not aware …. over the past couple of days the City of Edmonton has received a TON of snow.  Yes, that white stuff is covering everything …. up, down and all around.  I have been shovelling like mad.   Alvin, my dog came outside with me while I was shovelling in the back yard.  I have a deck that goes from the house to the garage.   There isn’t much room left in the yard to actually put the white stuff.  In the beginning, I was throwing it off the deck ….. I can no longer do that …..anyway back to Alvin.  He was sniffing about as he likes to do.  He follows me wherever I go …. if I am in the living room, he’s in the living room.  So when I am outside he wants to be outside.   Alvin had been outside for several minutes, and it is kind of cold when I noticed that he was lifting up his paws (as if they were freezing) …. so I ran over to him and called him to go into the house.  I went in and wiped off his paws with a soft towel ….. poor little guy.  When I went back outside to finish the “snow removal” …. he was watching me from the back door (window).  Once he warmed up up, of course he was back outside…

Earlier in the day, about noon,  we went for a walk.  I get all of these flyers, so I usually take them to a new friend who does not  receive them.  She lives a few blocks away.  I had cleaned off our front walk earlier  but most of the way Alvin was jumping, like a bunny  through the snow.  LOL.  Unfortunately his Momma was holding onto the leash for dear life …… I got a workout, that is for sure.  He was cold by the time we got home as he would stop and look up at me …. I think that he wanted me to carry him.  I would have picked him up but he has definitely put on a bit of weight  (was 22) over the past couple of months, and I wasn’t sure that I could carry him too far.  But if it had been any colder outside I would have picked him up to warm him.  I am a good Momma (not pack leader).  Oh, Alvin also wears a jacket so at least his body stays a bit warm.

Just a little while ago it was time for a bath ….. oh, I also found this gadget called a FURMINATOR (superman kind of brush for animals that have lots of extra hair/fur).  So I brushed him downstairs before going to the bath and got a good handful of hair.  He really did stand there pretty good for me.

So now Alvin has had a bit of exercise, brushed and combed, bathed and clean …… (he is napping now).

He is tuckered out…..  Momma has to go now and finish making some Christmas presents (jewelry), and then get the crafts all in order for the little kids Christmas party here on Saturday and if time allows WRAP presents.

Well it is almost 3:00 p.m. …… yikes.

Alvin says Merry Christmas…..

Always, Carol