Living … One day at a time.

Wow, welcome to Monday and the actual calendar date of Thanksgiving.

We celebrate yesterday with our family.

The wind is blowing and the sky is grey.

Happy Thanksgiving.

 

I was chatting with my friend G yesterday morning.

Catching up.

She mentioned about going to COSTCO, so I asked her to keep any eye out for casual, around the house, sweatpants.

G said that she would.

She texted me from COSTCO as she found sweatpants for $14.99.

G picked me up two pair one charcoal grey and one black.

I must say they are the most comfortable pants that I have had in a long time.

Wished I could wear them to work.

Will be great for walking with Alvin.

My other pants will be tossed with a small ceremony.

They served me well.

So appreciated them but the holes can no longer be sewn, time for them to go.

These dear old pants are over 10 years old.

Wore them everyday.

YAY, thank you my friend for the new pants.

 

 

My four charges from yesterday.

The kids had to make a trip to COSTCO so dropped pups off.

Miss Aspen, Baby Milo, Master Teddy and Rockstar Alvin

How I managed to get them all looking to the camera was an achievement.

Oh my babies.

Thanksgiving

I forgot to take a photo when the food was served but the buns that my friend made were under the tee towel.

The turkey platter was filled with desserts.

One would think we were feeding twenty people, nope just three of us.

I provided my friend’s homemade apple pie and I bought a pumpkin pie (cut into wedges).

The kids brought some cake that one of their friends had made.

So we were surrounded by loving hands.

We had a great time.

Well we went to bed late and got up at 5:00 and then back to the sofa for a few hours.

So it is now after 9:00 a.m. ……

Guess it will be a quiet day.

I might have to work on the photos.

Just noticed that the total of photos I have on the computer is now over 33,000 and almost 1,000 videos.

ARGH.

OR may be a project during Christmas holidays.

 

I hope that you all have an awesome day.

Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family.

 

Always, Carol & Alvin

 

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Friday the 29th day of March, 2019.

WOW, almost the end of March, 2019.

Crazy.

Our weather has been quite nice.

It was beautiful when Alvin and I went for a walk last night.

We took a longer walk and enjoyed it immensely.

Still getting muddy and thankfully I remembered to have a wet towel at the front door.

Need more exercise we do.

Alvin will be having a bath and hair cut this weekend, likely Sunday.

 

Master Teddy joins us tomorrow for the day.

Alvin sure perked up when I told him last night.

He will be happy to have him with us again.

I was wondering last night why Alvin wanted to be outside on the deck so much.

The reason.

Mr. Humphrey was out on his deck.

Humphrey was telling him quite the story.

Alvin sure loves his friends.

We are so lucky to be surrounded by lovely creatures four-legged and two.

 

I am debating on whether I should go to the grocery store at lunchtime or go after work.

About the same distance to carry and walk.

Maybe at noon a bit further but not much.

I am out of ideas for lunch and do not wish to have a sandwich again.

Out of vegetables.

So likely will trod on over at lunchtime.

I am nearing the end of my toothpaste and completely out of dish soap.

So decision at lunchtime or after work?

I am catching the bus as my carpool took the afternoon off …..

I guess by the time I have to take lunch – I will have made a decision.

ARGH.

Somedays.

You know if that is the hardest decision that I have to make today – I will consider myself more than lucky.

 

I see 3.3 million dollars in my future.

Sharing the Lotto Max Jackpot with 14 of my coworkers.

Perfect beginning to the weekend.

YAY.

 

Well perfect sight …. listening to Alvin breathing as he rests on his blue blanket.

Oh, how I love that guy.

 

Well I guess it is time to go.

Time to go to work.

 

Special Hello to:  all those folks who have a four-legged friend in their family.

Always, Carol & Alvin

 

Thought for the day ….

Good Morning and Welcome to Monday the 11th day of March, 2019.

Yesterday was so WARM with no breeze.

I decided yesterday to take Mr. Alvin to our friend’s birthday celebration.

The cats and Alvin did well.

He kept his distance.

Cricket knows Alvin but Casey has only joined their household last October (2018) and she wasn’t quite sure.

Both are used to dogs but everyone knows that sometimes there can be moments.

Casey did take a swipe at Alvin but he was not close and he retreated to the safety of his Mom’s legs.

Funny how that works.

Poor Alvin had wanted to say hello but Casey was not having any of it.

He pretty much stayed beside me the whole time except when our friend opened the fridge as he knows she keeps the treats in there.

We had a great visit and was interesting watching two cats and a dog navigate their time together.

After the visit we headed home where I quickly changed into boots, coat (had light jacket on) and mitts and of course grabbed some “poop bags.”

Our friend J had left the party when we did and by the time I stopped in and got changed she was outside with Jazmin.

She had not planned to go for a walk but when she got home Jazmin gave her the sign that she wanted to walk.

Miss Jazmin is I believe 14 years old and has a heart condition.

Somedays she just doesn’t want to go.

Yesterday she was excited to go and she tried and mostly kept up with Mr. Alvin.

They get along so well.

I was so happy to see her out and enjoying the warm day.

We had a great walk.

Perfect end to a perfect day.

 

I think that Mr. Alvin is beginning to dream “CATS.”

We were surrounded by CATS this weekend.

AND Miss Jazmin, who is a doggie.

We missed seeing Master Teddy this weekend.

 

Well back to work today.

We had a great day.

Quiet and relaxing and FUN.

 

I hope that you all had a great Sunday.

I hope that if you are in the “time changing zones” that getting up this morning did not hurt too much!!

Wishing you a wonderful Monday.

 

Listening to dogs barking in the distance.

One sounded big.

 

Happy Monday.

Special Hello to:  everyone who READS, whether it be this blog or another, a book or a magazine or a newspaper.  JUST READ.  Read to your children and grandchildren, too.

 

 

Thought for the day ….

Good Morning and Welcome to Wednesday the 24th day of October, 2018.

I am back.

Was down yesterday with a headache and just not overall feeling well.

Feeling better.

Later yesterday afternoon Alvin and I went for a walk.

The first bit of the walk I was thinking perhaps this was a bad idea and then once I ploughed through it – all was well.

Sometimes this happens after you have not been feeling well and then do a big chore or exercise.

Anyway we enjoyed the walk.

It was the perfect calm.

It was the perfect temperature.

It was the perfect walk.

Of course another side effect of staying home and sleeping ….. is that you are awake all or most of the night.

Oh well, it happens.

 

We are so happy to have this beautiful fall / autumn weather.

Sunny skies.

Warm temperatures.

Happy Dance.

 

Hard to believe that Halloween is right around the corner.

Next Wednesday.

I guess that makes it exactly one week away.

I have the house decorated and a bit outside.

I have bought the treats.

I am just deciding what to wear for work.

The carpool took the day off so that means I will have to dress up when I get to work.

Meaning I will have to leave extra early for work.

ARGH….

I guess it means keep it simple.

I can do that.

 

Master Teddy is coming for a sleepover and then will go home Thursday night.

YAY, Alvin will be happy.

 

Well it is almost time to leave for work.

Just a few things to do and see if Mr. Alvin needs to go back outside.

I hope that you all have an awesome WEDNESDAY.

Next week we can call it “WEIRD WEDNESDAY.”

Happy Wednesday for this week.

 

Special Hello to: my younger brother who is also beginning his “blogging – writing” journey.  I cannot wait to read your work and I know that you will be GREAT.

Always, Carol & Alvin

 

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Saturday the 8th day of September, 2018.

The sky appears to be multitude of pinks, greys and blues this morning as the sun begins to rise in the morning sky.

Yesterday was over 26 degrees celsius and we enjoyed it.

Today is forecast to be around 20 degrees celsius and then we have rain with mid teen days.

I hope that all of the farmers out there were able to complete the harvest of all their crops.

Sounds like British Columbia is having rain and rain in their forecast so hopefully the fires will all go out soon.

Today Master Teddy – Alvin’s BFF is coming to spend the day with us.

His Papa is going to the farm and his Momma is working so he will come and keep us company.

Just a great play-date.

He is such a happy little guy and always brings such joy to our house.

Both Alvin and I love to have him here.

Bundle of energy that one.

Alvin has his regular 5 or so week pedicure and check-up so Teddy will accompany us.

 

Oh, I did not have to catch the bus home last night as my daughter picked me up from work.

We went to COSTCO.

COSTCO was busy as usual.

For some reason it took us longer than usual.

After my daughter dropped off me and the groceries and said HI to her little brother.

Alvin of course had his supper.

I put away all of my purchases.

Then went to change out of my work clothes.

After our usual Alvin go round the table or actually under the kitchen table, he was in his harness and we were out the door.

Just Alvin, his water bottle and me.

Poop bags and keys in hand.

It was so beautiful last night.

We thoroughly enjoyed it.

When we arrived near Teddy’s house we saw his Papa outside walking back toward the garage.

Alvin made a dash for him and our friend yelled out in his soft voice “Alvin, hello.”

He invited us into the house.

Teddy ran and jumped up into my arms and gave me a kiss.

He is so darn cute.

I quickly undid Alvin’s leash and he was off – checking every place for food.

Teddy eats a bit here and a bit there so they leave his food out all day.

Not me Alvin.

He eats whatever is out and then looks for more.

We had a nice visit and then off as I needed to get the lawn mowed.

Last night mowed the front and back, trimmed some of the plants in the front flower bed and watered everything as no rain in the forecast until tomorrow.

Well here it is almost time for Teddy to arrive and I need to put on a load of laundry and get that part of the day going.

I hope that you have an amazing Saturday.

Take some time to “stop and smell the roses.”

We actually have roses lining the entrance to our park and I always stop.

It is a reminder to be still and enjoy.

Take care.

 

Special Hello to: all of my friends all over the world.  Thank you for joining me on this adventure called “life.”

Always, Carol & Alvin

 

Thought for the day ….

Good Morning and Welcome to Sunday the 26th day of August, 2018.

Happy Birthday to a friend of ours who turns “12”today.

She is almost a teenager ….. hard to believe …. when we met as neighbours you were a little girl….not even in school.

The sky is partially cloud ….. a bit of smoke lingering in the air …. possibly some rain clouds.

Cooler than the average for this time of year but that is okay.

We had a little rain shower last night.

Today will be a quiet day just looking after the boys.

Putting away the laundry that has been drying in the laundry room.

Snuggling with pups and visiting with Humphrey the Cat.

 

I had a start last night.

I went to visit Humphrey and Cinder after 9:00 p.m. last night ….. Cinder was awake and when I turned on the light …. she was staring right at me.

Her eyes are so cool.

Round black with a sliver of lightness going through them.

Geckos are so unique.

I do not see her much when I look after them.

Again this morning she was laying on a stem of the plant that is her in home …. Not sure if she was sleeping or not.

Usually during the day she is in her sleeping pod.

So twice I have seen her in less than 12 hours.

Very unusual.

Well I have Master Teddy in my lap and it is not quite so easy to key with someone who wants you to hold him.

We have had a good few days together.

The boys have played, we have walked and just hung out.

 

Mr. Alvin has been eating grass the past couple of days.

Last night he threw up once and I thought he was going to do so again.

He has no problem eating or drinking.

Perhaps he has been eating too much.

I am watching that carefully today.

Teddy seems to like Alvin’s food AND Alvin will eat his and Teddy’s if given the chance.

 

Well time to go and have coffee.

Teddy is moving about and I do not wish to drop him.

 

His Aunt is picking him up tonight.

His Mom and Dad will remain away on vacation for an additional few days.

He will be excited to his Auntie “J.”

 

Life is good.

 

I heard somewhere the following and it makes sense to me:

“The age that is one’s highest self esteem is “60.”

I definitely can see that.

It has taken me to age 60 to be better in my own skin, to know what I like, and to be confident in myself.

Life is better as we age.

 

Have an awesome day.

Special Hello to: my all my girls ….. each year you get better and better.

Always, Carol, Alvin and Master Teddy.

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Sunday the 8th day of July, 2018.

There is a nice cool breeze coming in through the office window as I type these words.

The sky is overcast with rain clouds.

Yesterday Master Teddy spent the day with us.

We had a quiet day just me and the pups.

Enjoying the thunderstorms off and on all day long.

One minute there was thunder and lightning and downpours.

The next minute the sun was shining and it was lovely.

We enjoyed every minute of it.

My flowers are doing well.

Even with the constant pounding of the rain.

Just some photos from our day.

Pups and flowers.

A great combination.

Happy Saturday it was.

 

Now after having a quiet, relaxing day it is time to get some work done.

Finish laundry, bake some cranberry oatmeals muffins with perhaps some raspberries, some house cleaning, update my financial records, have a shower, go for a walk.

That kind of thing.

STUFF that needs to be done.

 

The house is quiet this morning with only me and Mr. Alvin.

The boys together can sometimes be noisy.

Alvin actually played with one of his toys yesterday.

The boys played tug-of-war for about 4 seconds but it was cute.

Then each one ran after the toy when I threw it across the room.

They are good for the soul, those boys.

Made me smile and once or twice gave me a moment of “argh.”

Mostly made me smile.

You might notice that Master Teddy has a bandage on one of his front paws.

His Momma told me that after his bath on Friday he ran around like a house on fire, like he usually does (as does Mr. Alvin) and somehow managed to tear his “dew claw.”

So his Momma took him to the Vet where they put on some antiseptic and clipped it off so that it would not catch on anything.

Then bandaged so that it would heal (get hard).

His Mom brought the roll of bandage over – just in case it got wet.

The bandage is the coolest thing ever.

It is gauze but is sticky so it does not require tape or pins.

Not really sticky as in glue but it stays in place.

Poor little guy.

That must have hurt.

 

Well I had better get this show on the road, so to speak.

Have an awesome day.

I hope that you are able to spend some time relaxing whether with someone or one your own.

Enjoy this day.

 

Special Hello to:  my daughter and sister, two of my favourite women on the planet.  Kind and good and supportive.

Always, Carol & Alvin

Thought for the day ….

Good Morning and Welcome to Saturday the 7th day of July, 2018.

One week into July, 2018.

Up early this morning as Master Teddy is spending the day with us.

Outside the air is a bit cool which is refreshing.

Windows open to take advantage of that coolness.

Yesterday was a HOT one.

We managed to get through it.

 

Was grateful that I was able to pick up groceries on way home from work last night.

Also grateful that our office closes early at 3 p.m. on Fridays during the summer months.

Still made it home close to regular time in carpool.

 

The sky has the most glorious looking marshmallow fluffy white clouds dotting the powder blueness, this morning.

Okay, perhaps that is a mouthful, but oh, so true.

 

We went to bed early as I am reading one of the books in the series of the No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency series.

Such good books.

You truly feel like you living in Botswana, Africa.

With the majestic landscapes and friendly peoples.

 

Do you ever feel like you are all over the place?

That is me this morning.

I had a good sleep or perhaps should have had .. but the heat plays havoc with one’s sleeping patterns.

Still feeling a bit sleepy but perhaps a nap later.

It is Saturday after all.

I know once I get into the swing of things …. like laundry, making breakfast, coffee, Teddy’s arrival etc. …… I will be AWAKE.

 

I do remember a small piece of a dream from early this morning.

I was going to cross a busy street and there was a light.

On the other side were a bunch of people that I knew …. seems like they were saying good-bye to someone.

Beside me out of nowhere appeared a big black dog.

He had a collar and seemed to be friendly.

I wanted to grab his collar to keep him safe from the traffic.

When the light changed to GREEN and WALK, he seemed to know it was time to walk.

He stepped out onto the street and took a few steps, and before I could even take a step.

He was back beside me.

It was at that moment that I turned around a saw a giant grey WOLF not far away from us.

In that split second I glanced up and noticed in the other direction at the gas station, there were several large grey wolves.

All that I remember was people screaming across the way and the big black dog had got between me and the wolf.

Next thing I know I am out of danger but see that the big black dog is on the ground.

He is not moving.

I think that he is dead.

Woke up.

 

Time to go.

Have an awesome Saturday.

Special Hello to: my sister, our lives, hey.  Looking forward to seeing you in a few weeks.

Always, Carol & Alvin

 

 

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Sunday the 1st day of July, 2018.

In CANADA, we are celebrating “CANADA DAY.”

Today we celebrate our “ONE HUNDRED AND FIFTY-FIRST BIRTHDAY.”

In Edmonton, in our neighbourhood there is quite the breeze and a somewhat sunny sky.

Clouds roll in and roll out.

A beautiful day to celebrate CANADA.

To all my fellow Canadians, Happy Canada Day.

A day to celebrate the peace that we are honoured to live within our borders.

A day to celebrate the grand beauty of this amazing country.

A day to celebrate each other.

Happy Canada Day.

 

Yesterday was day two of Teddy’s sleepover.

Here are some photos of the boys.

I think you can see what is happening here.

Boys each with a chew treat.

Alvin with two chew treats.

Alvin making certain no one has his second chew treat.

I made certain that both boys had treats.

So cute.

Someone may notice that the sofa in the bottom three frames/photos is near the window.

Yes, it is ….. I decided to change the furniture around in the early afternoon.

I like to change things up from time to time.

 

Teddy left for home about 4:30 p.m. yesterday afternoon.

It is late already this morning.

Neither of us have had breakfast which is strange but we will take a walk shortly.

 

Happy Canada Day Everyone.

Enjoy the day with your family and friends.

CELEBRATE what we have and who we are …

 

Special Hello to: my fellow CANADIANS.

Always, Carol & Alvin

 

 

 

 

Thought for the day ….

Good Morning and Welcome to Friday the 29th day of June, 2018.

It is overcast at the moment with clear skies to the south (we are facing south at this time).

Feels okay outside as I was out earlier in my p.j.’s and there is no breeze.

We had a shower overnight.

Never heard a thing.

I took a vacation day to have an extra long weekend.

Yesterday we had a request to look after Master Teddy for today and tomorrow.

So he will be joining us soon.

I have changed my plans somewhat but I am flexible.

One can go through photos on the computer just as easily on Sunday as today.

One can delete emails just as easily on Sunday as today.

It all works out.

 

Well last night was our Ladies Paint NIGHT.

It was a blast.

The artist instructor was very nice.

She tried to be funny and all the ladies were not quite sure what to do.

So we laughed where appropriate and carried on.

She had done something like 242 classes.

Crazy hey.

We sat at tables at the Tony Romas Restaurant in St. Albert.

It did feel at bit awkward as I felt low in proximity to the canvas.

But that is no excuse for my “starfish.”

I tried to follow her instructions for the most part and found myself going my own way.

She claimed as my paint tray was messy that was a sign of an “artist.”

Not quite sure about that but we GIRLS did have so much fun.

We laughed and almost cried.

The girls, my friends did a great job.

We are going to find another one to do.

I thought perhaps a landscape with trees.

Practice.

I have always like abstract and that has been my thing.

But here is a few shots of my “work of art.”

My starfish’s name is “Fred” after Freddy Flintstone.

 

 

 

Well should sign off for now as Master Teddy will be along shortly.

I wish you all a wonderful Friday.

I know that I am going to enjoy this day.

 

Special Hello to:  my sister …..

Always, Carol & Alvin