A New YEAR 2023

Good Morning ALL! Well it has been quite the weekend so far. We, me and Alvin had a good sleep last night even with couple of times up. The wind is blowing so hard that it feels like the snow will be swept up from the rooftops and the ground and be a snow storm. Yesterday ended up being quite different than the way that I had planned it to be. I walked over to have my eyeglasses adjusted. Perhaps I should start at the beginning. Maddie, my friend’s daughter who was going to stay with Alvin while I attended the New Year Eve’s Dinner at my friend Lucy’s house – well I asked her if she could come and stay with Alvin while I went to have my glasses adjusted. Things went well so I stopped at the Shoppers Drugstore to pick up a couple of items (deodorant as do not wish to be smelly). Then back home. Alvin and Maddie did well and it was then, that I asked if she would be available to stay with Alvin while I went out for supper. She said yes. I had earlier advised her that I had changed my mind because of Alvin and work, if I am being honest. The week from HELL, I will say. I texted everyone to tell them of my changes to the plan. For sure I wanted the Hostess to know that now she would have four people including herself for supper. As it turns out she had not seen my text saying that I was not going to attend, lol. I guess she was busy with all of the calls/texts coming in from family and friends back home in China.

After Madeline (Maddie) left, I did a couple of quick things and then grabbed Alvin’s harness and some poop bags and with only a sweater (instead of coat), we were on our way for a walk. Alvin did not need a jacket and I was so warm from my walk that I wore a warm sweater. He stopped and sniffed along the way. We both enjoyed the warm air and sunshine. Divine. We went as far as just into the park which is the longest we have walked together in a long time. Then back home. We had some quiet time before I got Alvin his supper and then changed for the dinner party celebrating Chinese New Year’s Eve. Next thing I knew it Maddie was there, Alvin was happy to see her. When she arrived earlier his tail was wagging so much and the same this time. Then I was off with my gifts for Lucy to acknowledge her tradition and the New Year. It was starting to get a bit icy by this time as the sun was going down. So I walked semi slowly and carefully. When I got to Lucy’s house, our friends who live two doors down were also just leaving so we walked over together. We had a great evening. Lucy had her house decorated with red decorations for which I forgot to ask if they said “Happy New Year” or something else. All the food items for supper had a meaning. “Blessings,” “Abundance” and so forth. The dishes were so yummy. There was a noodle dish with mushrooms and beef, fish dish, shrimp, a type of meat ball with carrots, great soup and so much more. We laugh until we cried (almost). We had the best time. Ate way too much but the food was amazing. We took a selfie of the three of us without Pauline’s husband. He took a photo of us gals together earlier. In hindsight I do not think I took one of him. I was home by 8:17 p.m., I think. Pauline drove me home as it was dark and the sidewalks were icy in places. Very grateful for the ride. At home Maddie and Alvin were hanging out. She had been studying and Alvin was “watching” a Disney movie.

Photo by Adi Perets on Pexels.com

Photo by mahe haroutinian on Pexels.com

Photo by RODNAE Productions on Pexels.com

Happy New YEAR

Photo by Angela Roma on Pexels.com

Photo by Angela Roma on Pexels.com

Wishing you a Happy New Year and a great Sunday.

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

Always, Carol & Alvin

My gifts to Lucy were tea and chocolate.

Last Half 2022 – November

Good Morning ALL! I hope that your Sunday is going well thus far. I am freshly showered and feeling GREAT and Mr. Alvin is resting on the rug outside the office, so I am going to go out on a limb and say that he is doing great as well. Sky is overcast and it is windy.

I would like to wish my nephew in Heaven a belated Happy Birthday and to a friend here on Earth, Kris, a very Happy Birthday.

Today is I am going to do some shopping. I am hoping to pick up any last minute gifts and most of the groceries that I will need for the next while including for the Christmas parties, baking and Christmas. There will be another trip to the store later for those items that were forgotten and fresh produce. I will also mail my Christmas cards inside and outside of Canada. Yesterday I wrote cards and letters most of the day in between doing laundry, going for a walk with Alvin and some cleaning. A very productive day.

They started out in order but somehow the tree photo with only the lights ended up last, lol. Anyway more Christmas decorations photos, my favourite time of year. The bannister turned out great.

Time to head downstairs and make some coffee, then have coffee and then go shopping.

Have a wonderful Sunday.

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

Always, Carol & Alvin

Last Half 2022 – September

Good Morning ALL! Another beautiful day on the way. The sun is shining and the sky is that perfect powder blue, there is a breeze and the trees are sparkling in the rays of the sun. Oh, how I love Nature. She is glorious. Beautiful and Wondrous.

Well yesterday went okay. I was concerned that Alvin did not drink water before I left for work but my neighbour Sonja to the rescue she came over three times ensuring that he drank water, peed and had a little treat and some snuggles. I thank whomever is watching over us everyday for the wonderful people that surround me and help me to live my life. Because after all, it really does take a village. No one human is an island. We all need someone or multiple someones. He was over the moon happy to see me. The construction held us up a bit but made it home before 6:00 p.m. Well before he needed his medication. He had his breakfast at 6:00 so having his supper around 6:00 p.m. was perfect. Once again, I am so very grateful for all the Sonja’s in my life. I have the best friends and neighbours in the world. My, our family has been so supportive now and always. I am grateful for them.

Work, so it was okay. I was concerned that my tag would not let me into the building as I had some issues with it the last time that I was at the office. But it worked. I entered a dark building which was kind of freaky. There should be some lighting. It took me a few minutes to get to the lights. Then I unpacked my laptop and few items that I brought from home. Had some coffee and then a couple of staff arrived. One being my direct coworker. We had a chat about work (nothing personal). Then it was too work. I found that I have got so used to no arms on my chair that I kept hitting my elbows again the arms, kind of annoying but oh well. There were a few things that I am realizing will have to be changed as they are not comfortable. But that can be done. Working from the office back to the disruptions and distractions and noise. Oh, how I missed being at home. My daughter drove me to work and home. She works until 4:30 so I just hung around inside the office chatting with a couple of staff that were “done” but just tidying up. I had no desire to wait outside. Our downtown area is not safe at the best of times. So inside I stayed until she pulled up out front. I love the drives with her. We chat about everything. It seems to be our catch up time.

I think that we have lost the art of conversation. Chatting about the little things like maybe “where did you get that nail polish from” OR “did you notice all of the robins in the neighbourhood” OR “did you see the sunset last night.” We are so caught up in the major “dramas” in our life that the little things slip away, fall to the wayside. No time for them when we are trying to do what is expected or needs to be done. Anyway, it would be nice to have a conversation about good things, nice things, loving things and stay away from the drama. We all need to vent, I certainly get that as I do that just like the rest of the human population. Back to living in the moment. Keeping positive. Even the way we talk affects our minutes, our hours and our days on this planet. How about when the Universe seems to be giving up that little nudge, or that kick in the butt – we listen and take action. I just realized that with these recent changes that I am not listening and I need to listen. Remember your dreams. If we just sit back and let the things that we tolerate or do just because we feel there is no choice and let our dreams just be that, dreams , then we will never move forward and realize them. Nothing is perfect, for sure. But if I have learned anything in the last few weeks, months and years – if you are not happy doing something and excited to get out of bed in the morning – then you are not living your best life. Sometimes the first step is the hardest. I believe in you and me and all of us. We can do anything. WE CAN.

On that note, time to head downstairs and get that coffee plugged in, I know that I would love a cup of coffee. Time to get this life full of happiness once again. Forget just settling.

Have a glorious day!

Sunshine and rainbows.

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

Always, Carol & Alvin

The New YEAR 2022

Good Morning ALL! How are you this morning? I am doing well, we are doing well. Up a bit earlier than I would have like originally but what can you do. Mr. Alvin had to go outside and when you have to go – you have to go. LOL. Anyway, I need to get past this clicking on the SNOOZE button in the morning. Just get up and stay up even if it is 5:00 a.m. Have to try.

I was thinking as the time rolls along that we should have stayed up at 6:00 and gone for a walk. The sky is that perfection of blue or at least appears to be to the naked human eye. There is a slight breeze and the SUN well shining would be an understatement – it is gloriously sending those rays down upon us. I am a happy person this morning – starting your day with sunshine always makes me happy. Tomorrow morning we will endeavour to get up and stay up at 6:00 and then go for a walk. I can then get more time with the roses at the entrance to the park. OMG, they smell so divine. There are no words for that fragrance. It is definitely one of my favourites. If it were possible to bottle it, I would. I could lay down on a blanket by the roses and stay there forever or until I had to go “pee.” That will always get me up for sure. Anyway, needless to say it is beautiful outside and the roses are the best.

Last night we went over another walk over to our friend Pauline’s house and hung out in their yard. Her flowers are so beautiful. She has the most exquisite delightful yard. In the corner, by a flowering tree there are ferns, irises, and hostas and more. She always put a fire pit that was not good for fires any longer in this area and filled it with pansies and violas. The colour is amazing. Another area where I could just sit or lay down on a blanket and just be. It is my happy place. She has so many different types of flowers and they grow for her, she has a “green thumb.”

Well folks I need coffee. Have to plug it in and then before I know it will be time for work. We have a meeting in our group over TEAMS this morning. Gotta love meetings. I am not a meeting person but what can you do. I am so grateful to be working from home. I will gladly go to the odd virtual meeting.

I hope that you are enjoying the morning wherever you are. I hope that you are well and that there are sunny skies with a beautiful space filled with flowers and trees near you and grass.

Continuing to live this life with kindness, respect, compassion, patience, love, laughter, understanding, gratitude, focus and possibilities. Don’t forget the COFFEE.

Always, Carol & Alvin

PS: 41 days till my 65th birthday. I hope that gravity takes hold and bring my ears back to their original place and something else, I will leave that to your imagination. Gotta love getting older. I do actually.

2021

Good Morning ALL! How are you this morning? When I went outside this morning with Alvin at 5:00 a.m. the grass in the backyard was cold and crusty (frozen). So dark almost like the deep of night.

MORNINGS WITH ALVIN

When we wake and I follow you ouside.

The early morning is as the deep of night.

We walk across the deck,

You jump off at the low end and I take the steps.

We enter the grass area of the backyard.

Not too big,

Just enough for you, my Alvin.

You prefer to walk around and sniff.

Nothing new but sniff you do.

Wishing that I had remembered to buy batteries.

For the big flashlight,

As this small one brings me bent over to the ground.

To ensure that I did not miss picking up any poo,

Yes, poo from you.

Oh my Alvin,

Without you I would never have experienced the deep of night.

Out in the backyard.

This morning the stars were shining brightly in the sky.

Yes, we could see the stars.

There is nothing better than stars shining in the early morning sky.

The sky being so crystal clear.

I can see my breath and yours.

Thank you for bringing me outside to enjoy.

The early morning sky.

P.S. there are lots of middle of the night sky, too.

Thank you Alvin.

I love you.

Written by CY Lewis @ this morning October 26, 2021

Sometimes you just feel like writing a poem.

Wishing you a wonderful day.

Time to go and make a pot of coffee and perhaps start work a bit earlier than usual.

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

Always, Carol & Alvin

P.S. Someone just had to be upstairs with me so I let him come upstairs (all by himself). I shall carry him down.

2021

Good Morning All! How are you doing? Alvin and I are great. We had a great long weekend. Even managed to give the boy a haircut yesterday minus the bath. I did take a really wet cloth and washed off the loose hair. I figured he was stressed enough with the haircut that a bath would be too much. He had a bath last weekend. I did give him an anti-anxiety pill but it did not seem to help. We had two walks. I did some yard work and finished the laundry. Popped in three times to see Humphrey and Bogart and Cynder.

Just as I cleaned up some flower pots and pulled some weeds, the sky got dark and there was the roar of thunder. I hurried up and picked up Alvin and headed into the house just as it started to rain. We got a nice shower and then the sky cleared.

We were up at 430 and Mr.Alvin had his breakfast and then did his outside business. I cannot believe we slept again till 830 (well actually 839). I guess we were tired. Doesn’t matter as it is not a work day. We will go gore a walk I a few minutes.

The sun is starting to shine although there are patches of clouds. Not sure if rain is in forecast or not.

Today I have mainly things to do on the computer so will either do in pieces or bring the boy upstairs.

Sending hugs to our friends whose grand pup recently passed away. We know he was loved. Rest In Peace, little Otis. We hope you are chasing rainbows and having lots of yummy treats.

A reminder to be kind and respectful to all creatures on this planet. Our time is relatively short so use it wisely.

I wish you a great day.

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

Love Carol&Alvin

2021

Good Morning ALL! How are you this fine May 12, 2021 Wednesday morning? Alvin and I are doing okay. He has yeast infections in both ears. Came on quickly considering we had been to the vet not even two weeks ago. Might have had something to do with walking in the wind and perhaps getting dirt and perhaps I did not get them dried enough when he went outside to go to the bathroom when it was raining. The vet who he has seen before is not his regular vet but I feel she brings a new light to the table. She helps out at the clinic to give my vet a break for a week or so each month now. It is easy to burn out when you work with no breaks. I cannot imagine that being a vet would be an easy job either. Also Alvin is taking probiotics for seven days with hopes that it gets his tummy and stuff back in regular order. I that Teddy’s Mom gives them probiotics, perhaps Alvin should take them on a regular basis. Mr. is sitting in the hallway calling to me, so perhaps he needs to go out or just wants my attention. I just called him to lay on his little bed in the office and he came and now he is gone again. Definitely he is not quite back to normal. Hopefully soon.

The sun is shining brightly in a clear blue sky this morning and there appears to be just a slight breeze as I can see the trees to the south of us moving ever so slightly. I believe we are going to have a +18 degree celsius day today. Perfect for walking.

We had the walk to and from the vet in the morning and after work we went for our regular walk. The trees are budding and in some cases the leaves are already out. I love this time of year. Everything so fresh and new. Wouldn’t it be nice to feel fresh and new? I think so.

Well sorry for this being so short. The boss is calling me. If you could hear him you would want to finish this as soon as you possibly could.

I wish you all a wonderful Wednesday. Go out and enjoy the day and remember to take some time just for you. 15 minutes or 30 if you can. Walk, sing, dance …… read a book. Time is precious and we have to remember to take some for ourselves. Recharge those batteries. I am thinking. Need to do that.

Continuing to live this life with kindness, respect, compassion and patience.

Always, Love Carol & Alvin

2021

Good Morning ALL! How are you doing this bright and sunny Tuesday morning? I, we are doing well. Alvin is patiently waiting for me outside the office door. The garbage truck is making the regular rounds. Just a soft breeze this morning. I can hear the hum of the traffic on the highway in the distance as people are out and about.

I was wondering who do you admire? Who were your childhood heroes? Did you have any? What did you learn from them? Are you continuing to learn from those people? Perhaps they have passed. Did you learn life lessons? Did they make an impression on your life? on your future? on your personality? on what you chose as a career? So many questions.

I would say that I admire those folks who do what they say and say what they mean.

I admire people who stand up for what they believe in.

I always admired my teachers growing up as I learned about the world from them.

My paternal grandmother played a huge role in my life. She gave us time, love, taught me to dance and was always there for me and my siblings. I could say so much more about my Gran Stella but it is almost time to head downstairs for work. These are big questions and I could write likely forever on them.

I want to continue this post perhaps on the weekend when there is time to delve into details.

Food for thought, though.

Wishing you a great Tuesday.

Continuing to live with kindness, respect, compassion and patience.

Always, Love Carol & Alvin

2021

Good Morning ALL! How are you doing this last day of March 2021? We are doing well. Today is my late start / late shift day. I will say that I am not terribly excited about having to work these shifts every month but it is what our employer asks of us so what can you do? The sky is overcast and there appears to be little wind this morning. YAY. Happy about that. Today and tomorrow are supposed to be double digit plus temperatures here in Edmonton and that is great news. The Easter weekend, the long weekend will be much cooler with plus single digit temperatures. Now as long as our day time highs are plus temperatures not much to complain about from me, anyway.

Alvin and I had a nice walk yesterday at lunchtime. Walking into the wind was a bit on the cold side but definitely not winter like conditions and our walk was most enjoyable. I have noticed that the past couple of weeks Alvin has been jumping up onto his chair by the window a bit more often. He used to sit in that chair and look out of the window for hours during the start of my time at home but gradually starting spending more time on the sofa or on his bed in the kitchen close to me. I am happy to see him enjoying looking out of the window. I wonder when I was working away from home just how long he actually stayed in the chair? Or did he go upstairs and lay on the bed? Perhaps he ran around the house. I will never know. Some days upon my return from work he would be sitting in the chair looking out the living room window …. he would see the vehicle and jump up onto his back legs and take a really good look before jumping down and running to the door. Always happy to see me and to go outside. It was an awful long time to hold his pee and I always felt guilt and wished that I had trained him early on to go on pads. There were also times when he would not be at the window looking out and as I opened the door I could hear him jumping off the bed and then see him come bounding down the stairs to greet me. Our four legged companions. They treat us like royalty with their unconditional love and gratitude. Even though sometimes we get on each other’s “nerves” so to speak we are pals and I will always do whatever is earthly possible to ensure that he is happy, healthy, comfortable and surrounded by love. After all, he is my boy and has been from the beginning. We are both working on patience.

Almost time for me to head to the shower and get freshened up.

Oh, no …. how could I possible forget the birthday of one of my dearest and long time friends who celebrates her birthday today. Happy Birthday P, wishing you a wonderful day. May you be surrounded by family, love and laughter on this special day. WIshing you good health and abundance. Thank goodness for that birthday calendar.

Continuing to live this life with kindness, respect, compassion and respect.

Always, Carol & Alvin

• 

  My Flowers

• 

• 

• 

2021

Good Morning All! How are you doing this Friday morning? We are well. Third day in a row that we were up and stayed up at 6:30 a.m. – no turning on the snooze button.

FRIDAY THOUGHTS

Up we are,

Listening to the hum,

of cars in the distance.

As I write these words.

Looking around,

this room,

I see hints of my life,

Photos, cards, books, plants, art and stuff.

All things that one would collect over time.

Alvin moans, then whines,

afraid to cross the floor.

Words of encouragement to help him,

cross to the hallway.

Silly boy …. but that’s okay.

Life has always been interesting,

full of surprises and not,

Mostly just the regular everyday.

Living each day as best that I can,

What else is my lot?

I fill my days with work,

happy to be employed,

working from home these days,

So happy about that.

Writing each day makes me happy.

Perhaps one day I will get my ducks,

in a row,

maybe they will fly and soar,

I will get to those heights.

As I put together my words, the writings into a book.

That is my dream.

What is yours?

Does everyone dream of something better?

Of a passion?

Of a different life?

I guess so, we are human,

of that I am certain.

Well as the minutes pass away,

it comes closer to the time,

to start work for the last day this week.

Then my work at home begins,

you know laundry and cleaning.

In between we shall enjoy our walks,

me and Alvin,

our time together.

We do not know how long it will be,

so enjoying each moment, each minute,

each day is important.

Have a wonderful Friday.

Do something that you love?

Something that you love with your whole heart?

Take that chance,

take it now.

We will continue to live each day,

with kindness, respect, compassion

and of course patience,

always working on patience.

Always, Carol & Alvin

Written this day Friday, March 19, 2021