Last Half 2022

Good Morning ALL! Today is Sunday, July 17th. Wow, July over half way over. This morning the sky is overcast and there is a breeze so it is much cooler than it was yesterday, thank goodness. I love the sunshine but not so much those +30 degree celsius days. We were up at 6:00 this morning but I was pooped from the heat yesterday so we slept until 8:00. Now I am up, laundry is put away and I am dressed and we will go for a walk after I publish this post. We have company coming at 10:00 for coffee so we have lots of time. I spent most of yesterday after our early morning walk, cleaning and cleaning and doing laundry. I even cleaned out some kitchen drawers – the utensil ones. They needed to be cleaned and reorganized. So now they are done! I also revamped the kitchen counter – meaning I reorganized the items that usually sit out. It was so hot in the house – that I had to just do things slowly. Even with all of our fans running it was HOT. I had Mr. Alvin covered with wet cloths from time to time during the day. Last night the temperature dropped with the rain so with the window open and the fun running it was comfortable for us.

I just realized that I did not vacuum the stairs and the landing where lies the only carpet in the house except for the family room in the basement and the stairs going down. I much prefer the laminate or some kind of non-carpet flooring. Easier to clean and just easier period. Someday I will replace the flooring including the stairs and the family room in the basement. Yes, we can always spend time in the basement if it gets too hot. It was somewhat cooler down there. Last year when we had a hot stretch we spent time in the basement.

I even baked a banana-raspberry loaf yesterday morning for this company today. That likely did not help with the heat in the house. Oh well. All done. I made a great salad last night with the lettuce and green onions from Lucy’s garden and a homemade dressing. It was so yummy. There is enough left for tonight.

Well not much new in our world. I was happy to get some rearranging and cleaning done. Washed the floors as well, up and down. Not that my house ever really gets “dirty” as I keep things tidy as I go along but there are times that we just need to do a more deep clean. I always feel better.

Last night I gave the plants/flowers a drink of water and then a few hours later it rained. Before bed we were outside for Alvin to pee and it was a beautiful slow easy light rain and I could have stood out there forever except for the mosquitoes.

I hope that you have a great Sunday.

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

Always, Carol & Alvin

PS: only 23 sleeps till I am 65. Just a bit over three weeks, hard to believe.

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.

It is a NEW YEAR.

Welcome to a Winter Wonderland.

We have lots of snow.

Blanketing the earth and rooftops all over.

So in no apparent order, I offer some photos to bright your day.

The last ones are of the snow that is blanketing everything in sight.

We had almost bare streets and sidewalks.

Now not so much.

Other areas in the province have/are receiving more than Edmonton.

I am grateful that we had a walk yesterday before all of the snow.

 

These are my flowers / plants.

Spring has sprung in my kitchen.

I never thought that I particularly had a green thumb but looking at these photos, I am thinking that perhaps I have one.

The sharp pinks of the Geranium with all of its flowers and some on the side of the plant that you cannot see in these photos.

The Spider plant with baby spiders hanging down the back of the shelves.

The Tropical plant at the end or it looks that way.

Even the Poinsettia survived since November/December, 2019.

The darker snow photos were from last night before bed and the last three are from this morning looking out of our bedroom window.

 

So on this Tuesday as I have to grab some coffee and head to work shortly.

I have such a long commute these days.

ARGH, yes I do.

Ten steps from my bed to the laptop.

 

Special Happy Birthday shout out to my friend from just outside Regina, Saskatchewan.

P, have a wonderful day.

 

I have a copy of the Optimist Creed hanging on my bulletin board.

Google it and read ….. so good.

I cannot remember the name of the lad that wrote this piece but it is appropriate for anytime in our lives.

 

 

Promise Yourself,

To be so strong that nothing can disturb your peace of mind.

To talk health, happiness and prosperity to every person you meet.

 

Last line:

To be too large for worry, too noble for anger, too strong for fear, and too happy to permit the presence of trouble.

 

Happy Tuesday.

Be safe.

Practice Social Distancing.

Watching Pluto Living videos.

Breathe.

 

With Kindness and Respect,

I, We remain,

Always, Carol & Alvin

Thought for the day ….

Good Morning and Welcome to Friday the 21st day of December, 2018.

Woke up to tiny white snow balls covering the ground with more following.

The crunchy ones.

At least it will cover the ice and give us some traction when walking.

We will finally be able to go for walks with no worries of salt or falling on the ice.

YAY, so happy for that.

 

Our move into our new work space went well.

I am unpacked and received my first phone call at 9:20 a.m. yesterday.

We only work until noon today and then the office is closed to the public until January 3, 2019 (staff goes back on January 2, 2019).

After the office is closed we will have a catered Christmas lunch and then we go home.

I was so pleased to hear that I scored two storage cabinets from our old office.

We had a cherry wood furniture and it will not be used once the building has been renovated so we had an opportunity to bid on pieces that we wanted.

We had these stand up storage cabinets with doors (like an armoire) and five shelves.

Very solidly built.

I got them for a very good price and one of my co-workers is going to bring them home with me after work today.

So grateful for him.

He is one of those guys that gives 365 days a year.

He is kind and funny.

J, picked up one for his wife for their kitchen as well.

Last night I cleaned off the IKEA shelving unit that I had by the back door to ready for the new one.

It will be wonderful to have storage with doors.

Keep dust away.

The IKEA one is in the kitchen.

It works.

The second one will eventually make it from the garage to the basement where it will house all of the jewellery supplies and perhaps some crafting items.

So, so excited for these.

 

Tonight is going to be a busy night with final preparations for the Christmas party at my house tomorrow night.

Another batch of fudge for the party.

Some laundry.

Charging camera and tablet batteries.

I think we may even squeeze in a walk this evening.

We can always stay up late.

After work and the cabinet is placed – will head to the grocery store for final items.

 

I am so excited to have the next 11 days off.

Time to relax, have fun, rejuvenate and enjoy.

 

Well almost time to leave for work.

Grateful to have another ride today and grateful to be employed.

I am grateful for this life, I call “mine.”

Grateful for all of the people who have entered and exited my life.

Grateful for the kind words and for the lesser ones.

Grateful for the wind and the rain.

Grateful for the sun and the snow.

Grateful for all the creatures that have crossed my path.

Grateful for me, Alvin.

So grateful for YOU.

Day of a gratitude.

Thank you.

 

Special Hello to: all those folks who take the time out of their busy schedules to read my blog, means a lot to me.

Wishing you all a wonderful day.

Always, Carol & Alvin

 

Thought for the day ….

Good Morning and Welcome to Saturday the 27th day of October, 2018.

Wow, I could have slept longer or at least stayed laying down if Mr. Alvin had not kept at me to get my butt up.

We have been up and down since about 3:00 a.m. hence the reason for me being a sleepy head.

Anyway all is well …. we are both up and the day has started.

I snapped some photos as another beautiful day on the way.

I am happily shocked and surprised that my SNAPDRAGONS are still blooming.

It is almost the end of October, 2018.

WOW.

So I have some photos for you to check out.

The sky looks like an artist’s canvas with streaks of white, yellow, dark blue and grey.

The sun is piercing with it’s brightness.

What a glorious sky.

So beautiful.

A few minutes ago when I snapped the above photos the sky had more pinks and light blues but now is as described above.

Funny how the sky had change in mere minutes.

I am sad that I will be digging up the rest of my flowers but wanted to enjoy them as long as possible.

There should be lots of seed pods for me to pick for spring.

You would never know it is almost the end of October from the above photos other than the scarecrow and a few less flowers in my back yard.

Isn’t life grand.

 

Last night my daughter picked me up after work and we made a trip to COSTCO.

I still have lots of fruits and veggies so I only needed a couple of items.

Bananas and tomatoes.

A staple in our kitchen.

My daughter stayed for supper and I shared some homemade chilli with her.

We had a visit which was pleasantly interrupted by my friend who popped by to grab the chair to fix in his garage.

After she went home I received a phone call from my youngest brother who lives in Calgary.

We had a great chat.

He is starting his own blog and asked for some tips.

 

Well I guess it is getting late here and there is lots to do.

Next weekend on Friday my daughter is sleeping over and we are putting up … wait for it ….

the CHRISTMAS TREE.

I am over the moon excited for that as it always gives me extra energy and makes me smile.

 

Have a great Saturday.

Happy Birthday to one of my friends “S” who celebrates a birthday today.

 

Special Hello to: my brother T …… enjoy blogging.

Always, Carol & Alvin

 

COUNTDOWN: 60 Days to 60

Today is Monday, July 31st, 2017 and it is the 10th day until my 60th Birthday.

 

Favourite Birthday Gift EVER:  ……

I am so blessed to say this is very difficult to say.

If I had to choose just one I would say that it was photograph(s) my daughter took capturing the pink blossoms of a cherry tree in their yard.  Instead of having the photo(s) framed in traditional frame(s), she had

them cut into different size rectangles making a collage of gallery wrapped photos.  They fit in a corner wall in my kitchen and I can see the beautiful blossoms all year long.

 

Sorry I started looking through 28,000 + photos to find one of this gorgeous artwork and could not find one.

So I will take some photos later and post them for you all to see.

 

I am so proud of my daughter who is one of the most talented photographers.

 

Getting closer to that day …… honestly I am a bit nervous.

 

Always, Carol

 

 

 

 

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Tuesday the 12th day of January, 2016.

Happy Tuesday morning to you all.

We are going into a warming trend for at least today …..

So amazing that overnight it can be minus 20 and during the day minus 3.

The sun certainly makes a huge difference.

We have not seen much of that big ball of fun over the past couple of months.

It seems to be hiding behind the cloud cover.

I miss the sunshine.

Most of our winters we do have more sunshine than clouds.

Oh well ….

 

Mr. Alvin is laying by my chair “chawing” on the chew treat.

He has two or three of them ….. at least one outside.

He loves to bury them in the snowbanks on our deck.

It is so cute after he spends about ten minutes out there he comes into the house with a snowy nose.

He looks so funny and cute all at the same time.

What a guy.

 

Well it is Tuesday … any way that you slice it.

I guess I need to get with 2016 as the calendar hanging up in my office is from 2015.

Somehow this year I only managed to get two calendars …. one is at the office and the other is in the kitchen.

I will just have to watch for some more and perhaps just take advantage of the calendar on my computer.

That would save paper, too.

 

Just wondering how your resolutions are going for the New Year or perhaps you did not make any.

I did not make any as such, and will live each day as full of good healthy choices as possible.

Now there remains some Christmas baking in my house ….. so not all of my choices have been healthy.

I have been giving some away as well ….. must give more.

 

Well I guess it is almost time to put the finishing touches on getting ready for the day.

I hope that you have an amazing TUESDAY ….. with or without resolutions, it is all good.

Thank you for reading my blog and for sharing yours.

One thing I do want to do this year is read more of other people’s blogs.

That is high on my list.

 

Happy Day …..

Special Hello to: all of my fellow bloggers …. keep writing ….. keep reading ….. thank you.

Always, Carol and Alvin

 

 

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Wednesday December 30, 2015.

Today is the second last day of 2015.

I noticed this morning that the temperature seems to be warming.

It has been cold the past few days.

 

Yesterday my friend “P” and her grand-puppy George came for a visit.

Alvin was so excited when he saw them come up the walk.

I opened the door just a crack at first so that he would not escape.

When they were on the porch I opened the door and Alvin ran toward little George growling as he zoomed by me.

I immediately ran and grabbed him as he got close to little George.

“P” picked up George and we all got into the house …. too cold for standing around outside.

 

Alvin continued with the growling and I was confused.

This is not his usual demeanour …. sometimes with bigger dogs he growls but not with little one

 

I took George from my friend so that she could remove her coat, mitts, scarf and boots.

All of a sudden we heard this loud whistle and I realized it was the tea kettle.

I ran to the kitchen to remove the kettle from the burner ….

George squirming all of the time …. it was like holding a wild animal and I ended up with a few scratches.

Once “P” was settled she took hold of George still squirming like crazy …

I grabbed Alvin and held him.

My friend put George outside for a minute.

He just whined.

Back into the house.

Alvin growled.

I put Alvin outside ….

Did not work.

Too cold for one thing …..

 

We were not off to a great start.

 

After only a few minutes my friend decided that this was not going to work and decided to go home.

No tea …. I was sad.

Mr. Alvin …. what came into him.

Perhaps it was the fact that he was small and so full of energy.

I do not think he would have hurt him but then again I could not be certain.

My friend did leave me some treats she had brought over …… so thoughtful.

She gave me homemade meat pies and what her family lovingly refer to as “moose poop.”

It is a sweet treat.

There is a long story …..

Another time.

 

Alas the tea party lasted for less than 15 minutes.

We joked that at least they warmed up before leaving for home.

I was sad.

 

I did manage to snap a couple of photos that George stood still in …. most of them he was moving so much they were blurry.

Isn’t he the cutest little fur ball you have ever seen?

Apparently he will not get much bigger than this.

So cute and so full of puppy power.

George

 

My friend and I post phoned tea for a later time.

George

I was unable to get one of him facing me……

 

Well onto another day …. halfway through the ten days off from work.

I hope that you are enjoying your days.

Looks like another sunny day …..

Have a great Wednesday.

 

Special Hello to: everyone who reads our blogs …. thank you.

Always, Carol and Alvin

 

Thought for the day ……

Good Morning and Welcome to Sunday the 6th day of December, 2015.

Today is the Birthday of my dear cousin “J.”

Alvin and I want to wish her the very best day and a wonderful 2016.

 

Yesterday was a productive day for me.

This is what I accomplished and in no apparent order:

• Alvin had his pedicure, we took a Christmas card and photo of us and had a nice visit with Dr. K and the staff.
• Made special coffee for my neighbour.
• Did four loads of laundry.
• Continued to write up Christmas cards and have only a handful left to write up for the office.
• Cleaned the bathrooms including the toilets.
• Swept the floors upstairs and on the main floor.
• Went to Shoppers Drug Mart and used my Optimum points and scored $85.00 FREE.
• Went to Save-On for groceries.
• Changed my land line to our HOLIDAY GREETING.
• Cleaned the kitchen.
• Cleaned the pantry.
• BAKED:  two kinds of COOKIES for a total of 7 dozen and made three batches of FUDGE. (started baking at 7:30 p.m.)
• BED AT 11:45 p.m.

 

We had a great day.  It was funny at the end of it all – I did not have a sense of accomplishment.  This morning when I wrote down what I had done, it feels great.

Today it is back to baking.

As soon as finish this and have breakfast.

Baking SUGAR COOKIES today …… that is my number one priority.

 

Also it was so strange after going to bed so late …. we woke up at 7:00 this morning …. now of course, Alvin wanted to get up earlier but I coaxed him to stay in bed.

I felt so awake and ready to begin the day and it was 7:00 a.m. – seven hours after we went to bed.

Now I should have just stayed up and by now would have been baking but alas my inner voice WON out and we went back to bed thinking okay I will get up at 8:00 ….. nope whenI woke up it was 8:45.

Joke’s on me.

I am not sure why this happens but it always does.

We should just stay up when we wake up …..

Oh well …. time to get this baking day underway.

Thank you for reading my blog ….

 

Special Hello to: my cousin “J” ….. hope you have a wonderful day cousin …..

Always, Carol and Alvin

 

Thought for the day……

Good Afternoon and it is Saturday the 31st day of January, 2015.

The last day of January.

January has been a great month filled with great weather and for the great progress made by my nephew.

He is smiling and although he does not speak as yet he communicates in other ways.

It is so wonderful …… he has come such a long way and although he has a long journey ahead …. to see him here is fantastic.

 

Alvin and I made a trip first thing to the vet for his pedicure and for his “bum squeezing” (sounds better than the gland something or other).

Me and the pups are here now …. doing laundry ….. well not them but me.

The kids are out and out shopping and stuff.

My daughter and I did some shovelling earlier as we received some of the white stuff from Mother Nature.

She always loves to surprise us.

 

One of the big moments today was a phone call from my dear friend “L” who lives in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan.

When we both lived in Regina we used to go out for supper and coffees catching up.

We met working for the same company.

He is a retired, married, grandfather who is one of the best people I know.

When I lived in Regina and they in Saskatoon whenever they came home we always got together.

His wife is such a sweetheart.

My friend has some health issues making it hard to get out and about but he calls me all the time.

I miss him greatly.

 

Well time to finish some housework and see what the barking is all about downstairs.

Actually “Casey” our little visitor is growling …. likely someone walking by.

Alvin is upstairs with me.

Elton and Penny are laying on the sofa by the kitchen window watching for the return of Mom and Dad.

 

It is a wonderful quiet, lazy day.

Watching HGTV channel as I roam about the house.

 

I am so grateful for my life …. my home …. my family ….. my friends …..

Thank you.

 

Enjoy your weekend everyone.

 

Special Hello to: my friend “L” … miss you buddy.

Always, Carol and Alvin