A New YEAR 2023

Good Morning ALL! I am cheating a bit here as I was playing around with the computer and trying to figure out how to get some photos onto my blog. Not sure what I did but I was able to upload some. These photos are from my New Year’s Eve walk near the North Saskatchewan River Valley in Edmonton, Alberta. Remember the story about me and my friend Lucy? Well that is me all bundled up in my winter coat, boots, warm pants, scarf, mitts and hat. The view was amazing. What a great way to start the week. Pictures of Mother Nature. I so badly wanted to share these with you and here they are.

Well I am going to stop here and then continue in the morning ……. we are having a last Sunday afternoon……

Well that was disappointing – just after I wrote two paragraphs and decided to cut them out of their place and move them below the photos, they are not there. Did something change with the new iMac that you cannot cut and then paste? Now I am running late. In summary, our friend Gillian came for coffee and a visit yesterday morning. We chatted about so much leaving work out of the conversation for the most part. We had taken a vow to keep conversation about work to a minimum. We cannot believe that her eldest son will be getting his driver’s license in April and the youngest son will get his Learner’s license in March. Other than that, I mentioned that we had a good sleep last night. I did have an odd dream or was it a dream. Felt like I was being kicked in the stomach until I turned onto the other side. Weird. Alvin is improving with each passing day and we are both wanting to get out for a walk. I am reluctant to walk until he is better and has taken all of his medicine. Just in case.

Time to fly downstairs. Get that coffee on and start my computer.

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

Always, Carol & Alvin

2021

Good Morning ALL! I hope that this finds you well and enjoying this Saturday, June 5, 2021. Alvin and I are up and at it. He has already had breakfast, I am washed up (still in pjs for the moment), bed made, laundry gathered and writing this post. I am hoping to get out shortly and get a walk in before it rains. Rain in the forecast for today. This seems like a great opportunity to work on my photos on the computer and on my phone. I was attempting to download my recent photos from my phone to the computer but alas it downloaded older photos which are already on my computer. Not quite sure about what is going on but I am going to delete and clean up both my phone and computer. Figure out what is already on my computer and delete them permanently from my phone. Why oh why is it so difficult to delete photos from your phone or anywhere really. Most times we have a billion of the same shot. Even the ones that are out of focus are sometimes hard to depart with. Do I have a problem? Or is this what some of you are experiencing as well? Can you let me know? I know that I have a problem, somewhat. Even back in the days of film and printing them (which by the way we don’t do much anymore, or is it just me?), I had a hard time throwing out the shots that were totally black. Anyway, I am working on this issue and luckily with technology those days are gone. We can take multiple shots in the moment and usually have at least one that is good for our collections. My collections. OH my goodness. I have over 39,000 on the computer which is down as I have been slowly going through them. I also pay a company to backup my photos so why do I keep them all? Not sure. I have almost 3,000, I believe on my phone. Which is another story. Most of those photos are on my computer which is backed up by yes, that company. I also paid extra for room on the cloud. Something about not being able to see although the company that backs them up, I can access and see them. I have to figure things out as clearly there is a pattern here, lol. Perhaps if I was more comfortable with technology and could trust in it, I would be able to let go. I have that song from FROZEN in my ….. Let it Go, Let it Go …… I say that often in my life. Oh well. My issues for the moment. Shortly I will be dressed and we will be walking out the door. I am looking forward to spending the day looking at photos. Not a bad way to spend a Saturday. Also doing laundry ….

I hope that you are doing well. Time to get this show on the road. We want to walk before the rain hits.

Have a splendid Saturday. Trying to use some new words as typically we use the same adjective and adverbs over and over and over again.

Continuing to live this life with kindness, respect, compassion, patience, love and gratitude each and every day.

Happy Saturday.

Always, Love Carol & Alvin

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  Photo by Gabriela Palai on Pexels.com

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  Photo by Engin Akyurt on Pexels.com

Now that is a view on a rainy day……

2021

Good Morning All. How are you this bright sunny Thursday morning? Alvin and I are doing great. We went upstairs to prepare for bed last night at just a few minutes after 9:00 p.m. Now of course we were not sleeping right away as someone has to change into her pj’s, brush teeth both of us, wash face and moisturize and then I read for a bit but safe to say lights out before 10:00 p.m. – the boy slept until 4:18 a.m. this morning. Cause for celebration in this house. I happily went downstairs with Alvin and firstly gave him his glucosamine chew followed by breakfast and then he went outside. A few minutes later he was back in the house and we were curled up on the sofa. The next thing I knew it the alarm was going off on my phone and it was 6:45 a.m. There are no words and I feel fantastic. Like I actually got a good night’s sleep. Seems like forever since that has happened but so grateful that it finally occurred. Alvin is waiting patiently at the doorway to the office for me to finish so he can go downstairs. Today is payday so bills have been paid. Money seems to evaporate. But that is not the word that I want to dwell on. I am grateful to have more than enough money in my bank account for all of the things that we need and some of the things that I want. I am far from greedy. If our needs are met and some of the “wants” then I am feeling deeply in gratitude.

I noticed as I looked out of the bedroom window a few minutes ago that there is absolutely no snow on the north side of the street which is facing south. Our neighbours across the street get the warm sun which quickly melts the snow. The sidewalks are bare and dry. In fact even the grass areas are bare showing the remnants of the fall, leaves that were not raked. On our side of the street which is shrouded in shadows most of the time still is covered in snow and ice. I have been shovelling along with the neighbours but some of the ice that is caused from runoff from our backyards is not as easily disposed. Anyway quite the contrast. Out of the office window the trees are still basking in the bright morning sun and look beautiful against the blue backdrop. Has spring arrived?

Well I am one happy Momma this morning. Also note: that I booked a day of vacation tomorrow. Friday is my daughter’s birthday and Alvin goes to our Vet to have the stitches removed. I noticed that the incision has healed nicely. My daughter is coming to drive us and I am grateful for her kindness. Tomorrow I am going to pick up the ingredients needed to make her a “fruit pizza” for her birthday. She decided she wanted the FP instead of a regular cake. Nice to change things up.

I am grateful for this moment and for all the ones ahead on this day and always. I am basking in gratitude for the blessing of Alvin sleeping and healing and recovering. He is one strong old guy. We are waiting for the results from the tests that were taken at the time of his surgery but I know in my heart of hearts that he is going to be fine. He has many good healthy years ahead.

Time to plug in the coffee and get to work. I am training which has been both interesting and actually fun considering we are doing virtually. Who knew that I could actually train someone without them being in person. It actually is quite easy and we are enjoying the process.

Remembering to live each moment of each day in kindness, with respect, compassion and patience.

Always, Carol & Alvin

Second Half of the NEW YEAR.

Good Morning and welcome to the day before the official first day of fall.

This would be Monday, September 21, 2020.

How are you doing today?

I could not turn off the thoughts last night.

Do you have any idea of what I was thinking?

Well I was all consumed with the photos on my camera and not being able to upload / download from camera to computer.

I did “more carefully” read the notes on my camera/phone as follows:

Upload paused for 3682 items MANAGE STORAGE 

Not Enough iPhone Storage.

So last night I was quickly going through my photos.

The only problem is … I am not 100% sure that they are all downloaded as not initially when I got the phone but more the past few months, I was having some issues

downloading to computer.

I would get the message on my computer that “there were files that would not download.”

They could be the photos that are multiple frames in one.

I have found that if I do not put the mode into portrait it shots live and there can be multiple shots in one photo.

Now I have no idea if this is the problem.

Unfortunately I forgot to ask my daughter, the photographer when she was here on Saturday.

But definitely will be asking her.

So there will be no photos for awhile.

I will keep going through photos each night.

This is what happens when you are lazy and procrastinate.

I should have been going through them as I downloaded them and then deleted the photos from my phone.

Before my computer cannot handle the thousands of photos, I must do the same.

It was far more easy in the old days when we could take a photo, if it turned out, you kept it otherwise you threw it away.

But you know even at that I kept photos that were not perfect.

I guess I have always felt that I was throwing away the person or whatever the subject of the photo was.

One would think that I was a hoarder by those comments.

I guess when it comes to photos I am.

They are precious to me.

But I have to get things straightened out.

So every night for as long as it takes, I will be going through the photos on my phone.

I think it is safe to say duplicates can go.

I think it is safe to say out of focus can go.

I think it is going to take some time.

But that is life.

 

Well time to head on downstairs and start work.

Perhaps some of you can identify with my “photo problem.”

Others will likely giggle and say “Oh my gosh, Carol.”

Whatever you think or feel, I know that I am a work in progress.

 

Be Safe today.

Take Care.

Continue to live with kindness and respect for ALL beings …… animals, trees ……….

We need everything to be in good repair on this planet for us all to survive.

 

Living with kindness and respect.

I/We shall remain,

As Always, Carol & Alvin

 

No frost, thank goodness.

Beautiful sky this morning.

Great day ahead.

It is a NEW YEAR.

Good Morning and Welcome to a much cooler morning.

Last night we had some snow.

Nice to have a fresh layer covering the ground.

Unfortunately it will cover the ice so be careful out there.

I am so glad that I removed the majority of ice from in front of my house and my neighbour.

There is the runoff that I could not keep up to …. for that you would have to be out 24/7 and that is not possible.

Suppose to be Zero this week so I will keep chipping away and it will keep melting and the runoff will collect.

That is what happens when the storm drain is in front of your house.

It drains from both sides not just my yard.

I am grateful that my backyard is on an incline as it drains nicely and the only time it is annoying or a problem is when it melts during the winter.

That freeze/thaw thing is most definitely a pain.

But that is okay.

 

Yesterday was a good day.

Alvin and I hosted our friend S’s birthday party and we had a blast.

The crackers, boursin cheese and grapes plus birthday chocolate cupcakes with my special icing and decorate with purple tiny beads (edible) were a smash.

We laughed and almost cried.

I love these girls they are the best.

 

The rest of the day I finished some laundry, some cleaning, preparing for today and then we watched a movie.

It was great to have some down time.

Too icy outside for me and Alvin to walk so we spent some time in the backyard.

A car was turning off the side street to the north of our house when one of my neighbours was coming home on the main street and hit them.

The driver of the car was upset and said why didn’t you stop.

My question is why didn’t you?

She was supposed to yield to the main street.

Luckily they, my neighbours were going very slow about 8 miles per hour so damage was not major.

They were only seconds from home, like three.

I had been in the living room watching a movie but decided to run upstairs to check and see if the photos downloaded (which they had not) and missed the accident.

Luckily no one was hurt and both parties had insurance.

It is very icy, most especially in the residential areas.

Our streets are always extremely icy this time of year.

Basically all winter long.

 

I even turned the channel in time to see the halftime show of the Super Bowl.

Entertainment was great.

Jennifer Lopez and Shakira.

The ladies have moves.

Shakira does a mean “belly dance.”

I wish that I could do that …..

Good exercise for the core.

 

Well it is almost time to head downstairs.

We are parking in a different spot which means walking for both of us, so my ride is picking me up about ten or so minutes early.

 

I wish you a wonderful day.

Filled with kindness and respect.

Lots of laughter.

If we cannot laugh – life is pretty dull.

 

Happy Monday.

 

Always, Carol & Alvin

 

P.S. will try downloading those photos tonight.

Living … One day at a time.

Good Morning and I guess the countdown has already begun.

There are only “14” sleeps till CHRISTMAS EVE.

How exciting is that?

Very.

Do you believe in Santa Claus?

I have always believed.

Believing in something not the modern day commercialism of it all.

Truly, I love the thought of Santa Claus.

The goodness and the love within Kris Kringle.

The ability to bring joy to millions.

Every July I begin to watch every Christmas movie, I have and I have many.

I believe that we all have the ability within us to be SANTA CLAUS.

Or at least what we have billed him to be.

The giver of wonderful thoughtful gifts to children and adults alike.

Every person deserves to have a little something that they have always desired or wanted or needed.

Does not have to be a jet plane or an expensive video system.

Does not have to be expensive jewelry or a new car.

Sometimes all someone desires, needs or wants is a warm pair of socks.

Sometimes all someone desires, needs or wants is new dish towels for the kitchen.

Sometimes all someone desires, needs or wants is a new warm winter coat as theirs is too small or worn out.

Sometimes it may be a book, some of their favourite candy, a board game or a doll.

It does not have to be big or expensive.

But it needs two things.

1.  To be given with love.
2. To be received with love.

 

Well I guess on that note it is time for me to head downstairs.

Finish getting ready.

Pick up the you know what from the you know where !!!!

 

Have an awesome Tuesday.

 

Thank you for reading my blog.

I only have two goals.  One is to write daily and the other is to hopefully bring a smile to your face.

Thank you.

 

 

Always, Carol & Alvin

 

 

 

 

 

Living … One day at a time.

Good Morning All,

Well no bright sun shine this morning.

More cloud cover than sun.

But no moisture so that is a good thing.

What a Saturday we had …

Started off by the house phone ringing while I was upstairs writing my blog post …

Then checked mobile phone to find out that my neighbour was wondering if Humphrey could spend the day with us from 9-6 p.m.

Of course, yes.

We had a busy day.

Doing laundry, cleaning and changing things about in the kitchen.

Moving a plant upstairs as the kitchen just seemed dark with all three plants in the window and all of the Christmas decorations.

We were in and outside.

In the afternoon we were surprised by Teddy, his Mom and little sister dropping by.

She had sent a message via messenger but I was so busy I did not see it.

She was needing a break from the house with the new puppy, Teddy’s new sister and was wondering if they could stop in.

So both Humphrey and Alvin got to meet baby Kobi.

Oh my goodness is Kobi ever cute.

I made sure to snap some photos.

We had some tea and then Kobi had to go to the bathroom as determined by her Mom.

I did not know the sign.

We ended up drinking our tea on the deck in our jackets.

It was so warm and nice outside, most enjoyable.

When it was time to leave, Teddy’s Mom asked if we could walk Teddy home on our walk.

Of course, I said.

A little while later I harnessed the boys up except for Humphrey and went for a walk.

It was icy in spots but the temperature was warm.

When we got to Teddy’s house we rang the doorbell and met his Mom at the garage.

Reason being is that “Kobi’s Condo” is the front entranceway.

It is a good space with no carpet for her to hang out.

They have it all set up.

Teddy’s Aunt was celebrating her 65th birthday so his parents were going out for supper a bit later.

His Mom asked if it would be okay for Teddy to come home with us and in the next moment he was going to spend the night.

The baby would be okay in her condo.

Teddy is downstairs at this moment barking at something going by and now Alvin.

I guess I will check again.

I checked a few minutes ago and there was nothing.

Anyway.

Well our weekend was full of pleasant surprises.

All sorts of company.

Would you like to see the new addition to the family?

She is our family, too.

You may have notice the little pink harness and a diaper.

Kobi’s Mom fixed up this diaper so that she doesn’t have an accident when she is outside of her Condo.

So cute.

I hope that you enjoy the photos.

She is just so sweet.

So little.

We including me had to be careful not to step on her.

Alvin did run her over accidentally once.

It has been awhile since we have had a puppy in the house.

I guess since Milo.

Well I should get going.

If I want to have the coffee drank before lunch time.

The backyard looks so bare without flowers and furniture.

Happy Sunday.

I wish you the best day.

 

Always, Carol & Alvin

Living … One day at a time.

Good Morning,

Happy Saturday.

We were up early and then hit the sofa for some extra zzz’s cause that is how we roll.

At 7:46 a.m. the sun is just beginning to pierce the horizon and the sky is begin to lighten.

I love sunrise.

Alvin just let out a huge sigh as he lays on his blue blanket beside me.

Always close and evidently not pleased at the moment.

What a guy.

Last night as we were leaving the house for our walk …. some friends were walking by.

Jack (little doggie friend) and his Mom.

So we joined them for our walk and enjoyed their company.

 

Today is a very special Saturday.

Today two of my most favourite people on the planet celebrate their 11th Wedding Anniversary.

I remember their wedding as though it were yesterday.

The day was similar in temperature perhaps a bit cooler.

There was sunshine and blue sky.

I remember standing behind them as they stated their wedding vows.

Barely holding back the tears and smiling at the same time.

Then they were married.

 

Their wedding photos were taken down in the River Valley a short walk from where they were married.

The trees were bare, stripped of their leaves from the wind and weather.

Steps, so many steps leading down to the valley.

Not great for high heels …..

As the photographer (a school mate of the bride) snapped photos; I thought how much it reminded me of a scene from days of old.

The forest …. the trees, the darkness in the valley …..

Anyway it was very cool and a day to remember.

 

Happy Anniversary to my darling daughter and sweet son-in-law.

May the years ahead treat you with kindness and respect.

May you have good health, great joy, much love and laughter.

May abundance be with you.

May you celebrate with love each day of your lives.

Dreaming always and realizing those dreams.

Have a great day my loves.

 

Some flowers for the day.

With Love, Forever and Always,

Alvin

Aspen

Milo

Mom

 

 

Now time to get this show on the road as my darling daughter will be joining me

this morning for a pancake breakfast.

Time to shower and get laundry on and make those pannie cakes.

 

Always, Carol & Alvin

 

 

 

 

 

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Wednesday the 4th day of April, 2018.

Starting to get light earlier now, thank goodness.

Alvin is sitting on his blanket that is on the floor in the office.

I love how he likes to be near me.

What a cutie pie.

Today feels like a photo day.

Just sharing photos of me and Alvin over the years.

Mostly Alvin but I joined him here and there.

We have been together since January 2010.

Happy Alvin Day ….

Alvin, one of my babies

Alvin at home…..

Baby Alvin

Alvin ……

Ah, Mama’s boy…….isn’t he cute!!!

Alvin in the snow…..

Me and Alvin 2010

Me and Alvin Oct 2013

Me and Alvin 2012

Alvin opening his package from our friend “V.”

Me and Alvin 2016.

 

Special Hello to: all those folks who have a puppy or two.

Always, Carol & Alvin

 

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Saturday the 16th day of December, 2017.

Yay, it is the weekend.

A busy one ahead but it is the weekend, so looking forward to being at home with me Alvin.

We are puppy sitting “Master Teddy” for the day, today.

We are both excited for that lovely energetic ball of fur.

He so so cute and warms our hearts.

Besides doing laundry and the usual suspects like cleaning the bathrooms, I am working on my Christmas projects for my kids.

Time is running out so I must get them done this weekend.

I will get them done.

Both are started and just require me to FOCUS.

Do you ever have times where you know what you need to do and just cannot seem to settle into the task?

Oh my, do I ever.

Procrastination …… yikes.

Well I suppose we all do.

Sometimes snuggling with Alvin is more appealing than working.

Actually most times but that is okay, I am proud to actually be crafting gifts for each of my kids.

It is fun ….. all it takes is an idea.

Big or small and run with it.

Well Teddy will be here (time seems to be going quickly) just before 9:00 am and already it is after 7:30.

Yikes.

Time to start the laundry, have breakfast, make coffee for me and my neighbour, bring my craft projects back downstairs and we should be ready.

I hope that you all have a great day.

Oh, update on my sprained hand – it is feeling much better.

In between all of the madness that surrounds you at this time of year remember to take some time for YOU.

If you do not do this – no one else will.

Happy Saturday.

Last weekend before Christmas …… no actually we have next weekend or at least part of it.

Breathe, crazy woman, just breathe.

Okay we can do this ….. we can.

Happy Saturday.

Whoops, I said that already.

Well, yes, I did.

That is okay.

Long conversation with myself…..

Time to go.

 

Special Hello to: all my fellow bloggers around the world…..

Always, Carol & Alvin