2021

Good Morning All! I hope that you are well.

Up earlier than usual. I just had a shower and doing this post before heading back downstairs to an overly anxious Alvin who has been pretty much barking every few seconds since I came upstairs. I am almost ready to pull my hair out by the roots. His tone can drive me ….. well,we won’t go there. He is anxious and I know that but it is difficult when it never ends or at least for the time that I am upstairs. Even if I talk to him from up here does not work. I guess need to work on my patience. My hope is that no one else can hear him. He will stop the second I am back downstairs.

Both Alvin and I were disappointed when the A/C technician from Always Plumbing did not show up. I called them at 430 pm which was at the end of the appointment window and the customer service clerk advised that the technician was still at an install. While I had her on the phone I brought up the issue that I had with the placement of the new hot water heater tank as it was blocking the entrance to the sump pump pit. I explained the situation and after couple minutes chat, she advised that she would set up an appointment for someone to come and check. At no time did I even mention about canceling the appointment for the A/C to be serviced. No one with this heat would cancel that and I certainly would not have intentionally done so. She must have cancelled it. I called back at 630 and again after 730. I called another phone number that was on their website. I sent an email. No one answered and they are supposed to have 24/7 contact. Poor Alvin. I am grateful that we have fans but I was so looking forward to having a cool environment to sleep in but it was not meant to be. I think that I will be having a free A/C servicing. At least someone could have called.
But that was our night.

At 806 pm it was still 32 degrees Celsius so I decided to water the flowers in the morning. I’m not sure when is a good time to water. So I will water them in a few minutes.
Another hot one on the way. I am hoping that they will send someone out first thing in the morning! I guess time will tell.

Well not much new, just hanging in and trying to stay cool. Much more difficult than I thought.

maybe we will get a rain shower to cool things down.

Grateful today is payday.

Amidst the heat and confusion there is a sense of gratitude for what we have and where we live.

I hope you have a great Thursday. Be safe and keep cool.

Remembering to live with kindness, respect, compassion, patience, understanding, love and gratitude.

Always Carol&Alvin

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  Our Lilies

2021

Good Morning ALL! How are you this Thursday morning before the Easter weekend? I am doing well and thankful that our office is closed for four whole days, what a wonderful break with time to renew, recharge, relax and reorganize my house. Looking forward to it for sure. What about you? I forgot to mention that I finally saw a bunny the other day and it was mostly white with only a few brown patches. If we go by the bunny it would mean that we will still have winter weather for a bit. March came like what, I really do not remember without checking but definitely went out like a lamb. It was absolutely gorgeous here in Edmonton yesterday. We had the most wonderful walk at 3:00 p.m. yesterday afternoon. Why so late? I worked the late shift so my “lunch break” fell at that time. It was pretty quiet out when we went except for the playground at a nearby park which was filled with children. They sounded happy. That is a good sign. I can see a tree on the other side of my garage and with the glow of the sunrise it appears to be golden. Just the reflection, I suppose. Really pretty, really pretty. So happy that it is getting lighter earlier each morning.

I hope that you and your family are doing well and that you have a wonderful Easter. It is definitely a time of celebration for many reasons.

Feels like a photo sharing day….. beauty

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  My fav new necklace

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  In Awe

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  My pansies

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  Easter Bunny visited me and Alvin early …. it was last summer.

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  And more Happy Easter crafts…. amazing what you can do with some construction paper and scissors …..

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  Craft-time – Lea

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Continuing to live this life, my new old life with kindness, respect, compassion and patience. Adding love and joy.

Always, Carol & Alvin

Second Half of the NEW YEAR

Good Morning ALL,

The sky is a brilliant blue and the sun is shining brightly.

I just looked out my bedroom window to see three children likely on their way to school.

They had winter jackets on with their hoods up…..

Wait till winter hits …..

I was outside in the backyard a little bit ago in my pj’s with Alvin.

I thought it was beautiful.

Just day before yesterday I turned on the heat.

Yesterday I turned off the heat.

That time of year.

Now for the next three days we are to have warm temperatures.

I think that today is to be 25 degrees celsius.

 

You are likely wondering why I am writing so late …. when I should be at work.

Well today is one of the two times per month that I am required to work the late shift.

We work from 11 am to 7 pm and then from 4 pm to 7 pm we work the after hours phone line.

I am not sure that it is necessary but the higher ups do and they make the decisions.

For me and my coworkers it just takes us away from our already busy jobs.

We are down two staff now so that work is divided between us.

Never a dull moment for sure.

I like to be busy that most times this job is insanely busy.

But I do not want to complain as I am most grateful to be employed, most especially now.

Also working from home has truly been a blessing.

I am sure that things will work themselves out.

Just have to take a breath and take one day at a time.

 

Alvin’s food was getting low so I thought that I would run over to the vet and pick up food this morning.

Then I thought no, he has enough and I can run over their tomorrow at lunchtime.

Instead of going this morning – we can go for a walk.

Tomorrow at noon might be too warm for us to walk anyway.

It will work out.

 

I can hear the hum of the traffic on the highway that surrounds the city.

So loud with the window open.

I was thinking that might as well have some cool fresh air coming into the house before it gets warm.

I put the fans in the basement and might have to bring them back upstairs.

Which reminds me that I must clean and return the fan to my friend down the street as I no longer am in need of it.

I am grateful to have such great neighbours.

 

Well time to get dressed.

I think go for a walk and then have bite to eat and coffee.

 

Oh, I even deleted “emails” yesterday …..

Trying to keep on top of things.

How are you doing?

 

Wishing you a great day.

Living with Kindness and Respect,

I/We shall remain,

As Always, Carol & Alvin

 

Lilies in the back garden are continuing to bloom.

 

Second Half of the NEW YEAR.

Good Sunday Morning being August 16, 2020.

I have the office window open after returning from a walk with Mr. Alvin.

I had planned to go earlier but of course we were “sawing logs” at that time.

We were up initially at 5:00 a.m. so that the boy could eat and do his morning ritual.

Then before you knew it, the time was 8:10.

 

Today is an extra Special SUNDAY ….

Today is the 60th BIRTHDAY of my friend Val.

She is one of those folks who works hard from dawn to dusk.

Val is thoughtful and kind.

Warm and compassionate.

Loving and funny, oh so funny.

Alvin fell in love with her on her first visit to our home.

COVID has changed the landscape of how we celebrate our life milestones but Val found a cool way to host a birthday party.

She is a cook, not just any cook but a GREAT chef.

Val made several appetizers and individually wrapped them for the guests invited to her party.

She held the party outside so that folks could social distance.

The party was yesterday.

I look forward to hearing about all the details.

Alvin and I wish you the best day ever, our dear friend.

From one prairie girl born in August and her pup to another, Happy Birthday Val.

Some pretty flowers for you.

Wishing you the most perfect day.

 

The sky is blue.

The sun is shining.

There is a delectable cool breeze.

Time to get ready as I have a birthday party to attend.

One of my neighbourhood friends has her Mom visiting from Newfoundland.

Her Mom’s birthday is in September so we are celebrating it early with her.

A beautiful birthday weekend.

 

The Fifth Avenue Jewelry party held on-line is going great.

Who knew?

One more showing this afternoon, I cannot wait.

 

Oh, our visit last night with our friends down the street was awesome.

We talked about many things and laughed along the way.

Mr. Alvin enjoyed sitting on the swing with me.

What a wonderful weekend.

 

Back to work tomorrow.

Not sure how I feel about that …..

I will tell you when I am getting up earlier tomorrow morning….

 

Happy Sunday.

Living my life with kindness and respect.

If I flounder, I will pick myself up and continue.

Learning always with each passing day.

 

I/We shall/remain,

As Always, Carol & Alvin

 

Need coffee …..

It is a NEW YEAR.

Good Morning and Welcome to Wednesday, April 29, 2020.

Second last day of April.

Can you believe it?

Today is a great day for many reasons.

My kitchen tap is getting fixed today.

Hip Hip Hooray.

So excited.

My daughter is popping by for a visit and lunch.

No hugging, I know.

Keeping the proper distance, we shall.

One of my friends is picking me up some light bulbs.

Then there shall be light.

So a great day.

I was lazy as we were first up just before 4 p.m.

Then up a couple of times afterward until up at 6:30 a.m.

Which is super late for us.

So running a bit late.

In this case, I am going to share some cheery photos.

Who does not like green, flowers and pets? and perhaps some geese?

I apologize.

Sometimes you just need that extra bit of zzz’s.

 

Greens, anyone?

Two friends just looking out of the window

Mr. Dave, gone but not forgotten.

A true gent.

Penny, Alvin and Elton.

Always looking for a bit to eat, a treat.

Miss Penny and Sir Elton gone to heaven.

Our little angels.

Two of my favourites: Mr. Alvin and Flowers.

Who does not like pretty colours dancing on the wall.

Ah, Mama’s boy…….isn’t he cute!!!

 

Well time to fly downstairs and grab my coffee.

Then to work.

I have a meeting this morning and lots of work to do.

This afternoon I am off as my kitchen tap is getting fixed.

So happy about that.

A visitor, too.

Great day.

Bit of work and a bit of play.

 

Wishing you days filled with kindness and respect,

I/We remain,

As Always, Carol & MR. Alvin

 

 

 

 

Living … One day at a time.

Hello,

Partially sunny skies this Saturday morning.

Alvin and I are trying to be quiet as my nephew sleeps.

He arrived about 8:30 p.m. last night and is leaving today for work a few hours from Edmonton.

My sister sent me a text about 35 minutes ago and she is on her way.

To be honest I could not sleep last night thinking about my sister and some other stuff.

Sometimes the excitement just cannot be quietened.

I did however fall to sleep just as the 5:00 a.m. alarm went off on my phone.

ARGH.

Oh well, I will sleep good tonight for sure.

I hope that the weather is good for her trip and the construction does not slow her down too much.

My nephew reported some highway construction along the way.

 

We had a call from Teddy’s Mom asking if he could possibly spend the day with us.

How could I say “no.”

So Master Teddy will be spending the day with us.

My sister will arrive at some point this afternoon.

She promised to check in along the way when she takes a break.

It is a long drive by yourself.

 

I think that coffee will do the trick this morning.

Will be putting on the coffee after this post.

Alvin has been surprisingly quiet this morning.

He did stop and lay down by the bedroom door where my nephew is sleeping.

You should have heard him last night …. so excited to see him.

Took him awhile to just relax.

 

At first I did not see the trees moving but alas I do see that there is a breeze.

Well I only have a couple of things to do before the arrival of my SIS.

But I want things to be perfect or close to it.

Happy Saturday everyone.

Oh, the birthday cake was delivered yesterday and it is beautiful.

Cannot wait till Sunday to have a piece.

Part of the cake will go with us to see our brother for late birthday celebration for him and me.

Yesterday I coloured my hair, not something I do on a regular basis.

I was playing with the filters on my phone and took this photo.

Normally I am not a fan of my own pictures NOR am I one of those folks who do “selfies” at every turn of the clock.

Like almost NEVER!

But I kind of like this one so am sharing.

 

Perhaps will add a few more photos from my birthday adventure to the University of Alberta Botanic Garden.

If you are ever in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada …. you really do need to visit these amazing gardens.

More photos from the AGA KHAN Garden.

Spectacular ….

There will be more floral photos to follow.

 

 

Remembering always kindness and respect start and end each day.

 

 

Always, Carol & Alvin

 

 

 

Living … One day at a time.

Hello,

It is the first full day of my 2019 VACATION.

I feel like jumping and down and screaming it to the world.

So happy.

Can you tell?

Yes, I am so excited to be on vacation.

I wanted to sleep in a bit.

Alvin was up at 3:28 a.m. so we moved from bedroom to living sofa where we remained until 6:53 a.m.

I was thinking “Really” this is my vacation …. I would like to sleep until 7:30 a.m. – so I did.

Then up threw a coat over my nightgown and out the door to go and look after Cinder and Humphrey.

When I had finished everything – I asked Humphrey if he wanted to come home with me and see Alvin.

He ran over to the steps going to their upstairs and waited for me to slightly bend over and scoop him up.

He perched himself on my shoulder and I am glad that I had my coat back on …. because he was holding on.

So locked the house and went back home.

At home the boys are like it has always been this situation.

They do well together.

As I have mentioned before Alvin has just a bit of uncertainty about Humphrey to make it a perfect relationship.

Hi Humphrey who has just joined us.

 

Last night after I arrived home from work, did the usual, let Alvin outside, got changed, we went for a walk, brought Alvin home and then went to pick up Humphrey.

He spent the evening with us.

Made a huge salad for supper and I must say that I love my thrown together homemade salad dressing.

No recipe that I can even share.

Just after I had eaten and finished the dishes the phone rang and I saw that it was my friend V from Saskatchewan.

She had left me a message on my cell but I was busy and had not noticed.

Instructions to go and pick up the mail …..

We all know what that means.

A parcel.

In this case …. an early Birthday parcel.

Grabbed my keys, locked the house so that the fur babies could not escape and ran to the mailboxes.

Okay, perhaps that was a stretch, no running but walking quickly.

Lots of flyers in the mailbox along with a key to the BIG BOX.

Quickly picked up the parcel locked the mail boxes and was on my way home.

Once inside the house – Mr. Alvin started to get excited.

He knows all about those boxes and very likely he could smell the contents.

So I quickly went about opening the box with Humphrey and Alvin standing by not so quietly, especially my boy.

First thing was to locate his special treat from our friend and then grab my phone to video him opening his present.

OMG, so cute.

Wishing that I could show you the video.

If you follow me on INSTAGRAM @  carolylewis

You can see the video with Alvin opening his treat.

After he was finished I gave him some of the treat and then proceeded to the rest of the box which was filled to the brim with all sorts of sweet homemade delectable treats.

Two kinds of cinnamon buns, cheese buns and regular buns, chocolate biscotti and some other bought sweet treats.

 

As I was opening my packages – Alvin had taken the box that I had set beside the pantry door on the floor and pulled it over to where the photos are which is a few feet.

He was looking for more treats.

I laughed so hard, what a boy.

Photos above are of my sweet treats.

What a decision to have to make?

It was lucky that I had a salad for supper.

So in the end I had a cinnamon bun and one chocolate biscotti.

Heaven …. truly.

 

The fragrance emmanting from these gorgeous lilies is intoxicating.

Humphrey and AL relaxing last night.

Pleasant surprise as the solar light inserted in one of my flower pots came alive last night.

The colours were glorious.

 

Well time to have breakfast and get these boys outside into the backyard to enjoy some fresh air.

Wishing my niece-in-law “S” a very Happy Birthday.

Wishing my friend “K” a very Happy Birthday.

So many August Birthdays.

Happy Birthday ….

 

If you spend each moment treating others with kindness and respect then you will be living your life with kindness and respect.

 

Always, Carol & ALvin and Humphrey.

 

Living … One day at a time.

Hello,  back to Monday.

What a glorious weekend.

From beginning to end.

Sunshine to Rainbows.

Walks to lazing around.

Chores and chores.

Last night we had some serious thunder.

But as much as we need some sunshine ….

The temperatures they are having east of us …. not so much.

This morning the sky is filled with low fluffy dark blue rain clouds.

It has been raining off and on all night and earlier this morning.

There is clear sky in the distance.

Sunshine today?

 

I love to look out my office window as I write this post.

Some mornings there is brilliant sunshine and others there are raindrops.

Sometimes there are birds singing their songs.

Sometimes it is quiet.

 

Friday night my daughter ordered a toaster off Amazon for me.

Sunday morning it arrived at my house.

How lovely is that?

Very.

I am excited to try out my new toaster next Saturday unless one night this week “toast and eggs.”

That might be an idea.

 

I will say that nothing is made as solid as it once was ….

 

 

 

My lilies in the front garden.

Well they be a blooming.

Such a rich shade of red.

I could take photos of flowers all day long.

That would be my calling …. a flower photographer…

Oh, I love flowers.

The simple glorious “ness” of NATURE.

Love it.

They make me OH SO HAPPY.

Reminder to ourselves to “keep doing what you love.”

Perhaps one day it will pay for your living expenses.

Now that would be lovely.

 

Respect Mother Nature and treat her with Kindness.

 

Always, Carol & Alvin

 

Living … One day at a time.

Hello,

Bright sunny morning with just a few clouds dotting the sky.

Yesterday was a glorious day weather wise.

In the morning it was bright and sunny beginning to warm.

Afternoon came around with rain clouds and rain.

One minute it was bright and sunny and the next there was a gentle downpour.

This went on and off all afternoon.

Alvin and I managed to score a wonderful walk in between showers.

Although I would not mind getting caught in a gentle rain shower.

Alvin, would be okay except would have to make certain that his ears were dry on the inside.

He is prone to ear problems so have to be careful.

On our walk we came across several families of geese.

I could tell as there were at least three different sized goslings.

So cute.

We walked by them and checked out their cuteness from the sidewalk.

I was prepared to move onto the grass on the other side.

But they did not seem to mind us as all.

One of the Papas and I will call the goose that as I really have no idea if it was Momma or Papa …. he stared me down as we walked by.

The air was so fresh and clean after the rain.

Felt so good …..

Great walk.

After arriving home I decided that it was a good time to stake up one of my plants in the front flower bed.

Alvin helped me find a stake in the garage.

He stayed in the house to supervise as I fixed the plant out front.

When I was out there …. our friends from down the street … spotted us and popped by for a visit.

J showed me Jazmin’s hair cut ….. she looked so good.

Jazmin is an elder dog with a heart condition, she is doing so good at the moment and I hope for a long while longer.

My friend helped hold the plant while I tied some garden twine to the stake.

Tonight or tomorrow night I have to transplant one of the lilies as the ferns are taking over the front garden.

Will move the lily to a different spot in the garden.

Well almost time to go and catch the bus to work.

Carpool is back in business for tomorrow and the rest of the week.

Will be nice to get home in good time once again.

 

I hope that you all have a wonderful Monday.

I hope that the sun is shining and if you need a rain shower, I hope that one comes your way.

I hope that love and kindness surround you on this day and always.

Happy Monday to you ALL.

 

Always, Carol & Alvin

Living … One day at a time!

Hello,

Another gorgeous day on the way.

A little bit too warm for me but I will accept it as those days are not in the majority here in Western Canada.

I have closed all of the blinds except for Alvin’s vantage points with hopes that the house will stay at a comfortable level for the boy.

I will also leave the main floor bathroom door open as it is cooler in there.

 

Last night my daughter gave me a ride home via COSTCO.

GUESS WHAT?

I got some florals …. some flowers.

So Happy.

I was truly doing a little happy dance while planting them last night.

Both Alvin and Humphrey were watching with “raised eyebrows.”

Oh, Humphrey joined us for the evening as his Momma was golfing.

The flowers in the pots are the ones that I picked up at COSTCO last night.

Could not believe that I filled 7 pots for $24.00.

I planted Marigolds, Snapdragons, Impatiens and Trailing Lobelia.

I still have some pots to be filled when my daughter and I go to our local nursery “CREEKSIDE.”

We have been going there for years.

Even though it is great to get plants at the big box stores for very reasonable prices; I do believe in supporting local businesses.

I look forward to our date in the near future.

The plants / flowers in the front flower bed are growing like crazy.

Every morning I wake up to the ferns being inches taller.

Is that even possible?

The lilies and other plants are growing quickly.

The back flower bed is doing fair well, too.

GREEN plants and pretty coloured flowers always make me happy.

Whoops where did the time go.

Gotta go.

P.S. decided to use my camera as I still have to get the photo storage figured out with the cell phone.

I will one day soon.

As soon as I get my voice mail activated.

ARGH.

So many things….

 

Have an awesome Wednesday.

Do what makes you happy.

Please.

 

Always, Carol & Alvin