Second Half of the NEW YEAR.

Good Morning All,

Well today is my late shift and as always we were up extra early to start (@ 3:54 a.m.).

So of course, after Mr. Alvin had breakfast and made a trip outside with me, of course, we went back to bed.

Usually we hit the sofa for more zzz’s but today as he forgot a chew treat upstairs, we just went back up to “bed.”

We were up again and then to the sofa but I just wanted to sleep.

So finally at 8:30 a.m. – time to rise and shine.

The sun is shining and there is quite a strong breeze.

The trees out of my office window to the south have turned started to turn this beautiful yellow and are twinkling as the sunshine touches them.

So beautiful.

Alvin is laying on his little homemade bed of blankets and towels.

A reminder that it must go into the laundry this weekend.

Always keep clean.

 

So my late shift has me starting work at 11:00 a.m. and working until 7:00 p.m.

Today we have a team meeting at the actual physical office.

We are to meet at 1:30 p.m. and it is scheduled to run until 2:30 p.m.

I will be shocked if it only goes for one hour.

We have not been altogether since March 19, 2020.

I will miss my first 15 minute break of the day as I will be in the car going to the office.

One of my team lives a short drive from me so she offered to pick me up.

I will say that as our team is down a couple of members, will still 8 in the meeting room.

Which to me is a lot.

Other than shopping …. this is the most humans I have been around since March.

My 45 minute or lunch break will fall at 3:00 p.m. so likely that will be pushed forward.

I want to take Alvin for a walk then.

I suppose we could have gone this morning had the Momma been more on the ball and likely still could.

Sometimes it just feels like a lazy morning ….. write …… shower ….. have breakfast and coffee.

Oh well, such as life.

My top ten list of things that I have love about working remotely:

1.  Being home with Alvin
2. Drinking my own perked coffee
3.  No commute to work
4. Sleep in later
5. Can walk at lunch break with Alvin if we choose
6. What I wear to work
7. Just being at home
8. Less distractions
9. More time in evening
10. More time in morning
11. More time to read (just had to add)

 

Actually I think I could do a list of more but will leave it at ten.

If you are working remotely, are you happy or are you missing work?

Personally I love being at home and if possible would love to continue to work from home.

I do miss my coworkers but with technology we do have the ability to see each other via video.

 

Today is also the 12th birthday of one of my closest friend’s daughter.

I cannot believe you are 12 Miss Madeline.

She was just a toddler when I first met her.

WOW, time flies.

 

Just about forgot to mention Alvin’s visit to the vet yesterday.

I was told beforehand that Dr. Karen would be away and that another Vet would be there.

So I was prepared for a new person.

One of the staff showed us to one of the patient rooms and we waited for a few minutes.

I tried to give Alvin some water but no.

He was a bit anxious but settled down.

When the Vet entered the room – I knew things were going to be different.

He was carrying his tools with him.

He said “Hello Alvin.”

But Alvin first.

He squatted down to Alvin’s level.

Said hello as he gave him a little check over while asking me if he was okay.

I told him the reasons for our visit.

He checked his ears and said other than a bit of wax in the outer part there was no redness and they did not smell of infection.

YAY.

As we chatted, he clipped Alvin’s nails.

He was almost finished the first paw before Alvin even noticed.

I could not believe it.

He did not put him up on the examination table ….. the whole visit was done at Alvin’s level with him staying on the floor beside him.

I can not imagine being able to stay squatted in one spot for that amount of time.

Even when Alvin starting to “make some noise” about the nail trim ….. “Greg” just kept on going.

Yes, I could not remember his last name so I asked his name.

He was gentle and kind.

Actually can I have a crush on the Vet, cause I sure do.

He took it all in stride saying that Alvin is all talk and no follow through.

Which was good as I think follow through meant struggling and perhaps getting vicious.

I did mention that usually Alvin is up on the examination table and his reply was “I like to change things up.”

Whoa, that was great.

He checked his anal glands and said they were empty.

I was duly impressed with Dr. Greg.

I love his regular vet Dr. Karen but Dr. Greg, I must say brought a whole new experience to Alvin’s appointments for both of us.

 

 

Well time to hop into the shower and get this day going.

Starting to feel energized.

 

We wish you a great Thursday.

Take Care and Be safe.

We shall continue to live with kindness and respect.

As Always, Carol & Alvin

 

It is a NEW YEAR.

Good Morning Everyone!

The sky is a patchwork quilt of deep blue and light blue clouds.

It is windy and cool.

Not a great morning to start the repairs on my fence but it is nonetheless the start day.

It has been delayed due to personal matters on the repairman’s side and then time delay this morning as I have a 9:00 a.m. morning.

The start time was to have been 9:00 a.m. but I didn’t think that would work out if I am in a meeting as I have to open the garage door etc.

Anyway with much luck from Mother Nature the work will begin today and hopefully end early tomorrow.

Not a huge job but big enough for sure.

 

Good news on the Alvin front.

Finally the closest to a normal poop that my boy has had since May 13th, 2020.

I will be so glad to get back to our new norm.

That seems to be an ever changing thing these days.

 

I am hopefully that we will get news on the return date to work.

Deep well not that deep in my heart, I am hoping that we will stay home until the end of August, 2020.

There are many people with children and with the schools closed and daycares closed, who looks after the children.

Not everyone has a parent or family members that is able to do this.

Hopefully we then have some more nice weather.

 

Every morning or most mornings Alvin stands by the fence that separates us from Humphrey and his Mom.

He loves his friend, Humphrey the cat.

They usually have a little visit by the fence everyday.

I guess we can all learn a lesson from animals.

Traditionally cats and dogs do not really get along but look at these guys.

They love being together.

Both are excited to see each other.

I can always tell when it has been a few days.

If we have a rainy spell and no one is really outside ….. man, are they happy to see each other.

When Humphrey visits, they both line up at the pantry door wanting a treat.

Everyone that comes to visit knows where the treats are located.

Man and Beast alike.

Too strong of words.

Okay, my daughter, grandpups, Alvin, Humphrey and Teddy to name a few.

That sounds much better.

 

Hey, if you have not heard of “PLUTO LIVING” – please go and check out YouTube, Facebook and Instagram.

Pluto is the cutest little dog and with help from Mom, well they are the best team to come out of Canada or anywhere in decades.

Great at giving us the news, telling funny stories, giving advice, poetry and so much more.

But most of all bringing us great joy through laughter in these uncertain and sometimes scary times.

Please seek them out you will not be sorry.

Take the time, please.

 

Well it is now time to get to work.

I have such a long, long, long commute.

I think it might be two regular steps, no maybe less from my personal computer and space to my work computer and space.

ARGH, so tough, I know.

No complaints, really.

Alvin is resting comfortably on his little bed that I made with some fluffy towels and two nice blue warm blankets.

Oh, I see the sun shining now that is a great sign.

Still pretty windy and hopefully that does not bring in any storms or hamper the work for today.

 

I wish you a day filled with love and laughter.

I wish you an easy Wednesday.

Perhaps time for a walk.

Enjoy.

 

I will continue to live my life with kindness and respect.

As I am human sometimes I have moments where I may be less than perfect.

But I will always try by best to be a good soul with a warm heart living with kindness and respect to myself and most of all to others.

 

I/We shall remain,

As Always, Carol & Alvin

 

I need a haircut as my hair looks nothing like this photo.

I do like this photo of me and I am not a huge fan of photos of me.

It is a NEW YEAR.

Good Morning ALL,

A bright sunny morning.

As you may have noticed I am posting this a bit later than my usual.

That is because today is my shift to work from 11:00 a.m. until 7:00 p.m.

Our team shares the after hours phone line from 4:00 – 7:00 p.m.

But today I have been requested to attend a meeting that starts at 10:30 a.m. so I will sign on about 10:15 or perhaps a few minutes sooner.

Just to ensure that I get everything ready.

So this will be a mixed up day.

My first break won’t be until 1:00 and then “lunch” will be at 3:00 p.m. and final break about 5:00 p.m. so that I can feed Alvin.

The Hello Fresh food order is supposed to arrive today but I won’t be making that tonight or else I will be eating way too late.

Also UPS did not deliver my Steeped Tea order yesterday so I will have to look into that and see what happened.

My coffee is perking away and should be ready momentarily for me to enjoy.

Even this one day with different hours reminds me of my time in retail.

Working all sorts of shifts.

It does take some getting used to that is for certain.

I have the office window open a crack and can hear a goose honking.

Perhaps he or she got separated from the flock.

It sounded like a cry of desperation.

I hope the poor goose finds her/his flock.

Not great to be separated from the group for sure.

 

Yesterday was gorgeous.

We enjoyed another two walks.

One at lunch break and the other after work.

Although I did finish work a bit later than usual.

 

Last night I snapped some photos of my plants.

I am smitten with my pink geranium.

Actually all of my plants are doing quite well at this time.

The time is getting closer to transplanting the geranium outside.

I will likely place it in the biggest pot that I have …..

 

One lone goose just flew by …. honking away.

Perhaps the other may have been more than one as the honking was quite substantial.

 

Well friends time to get this day going.

We were able to sleep in, had breakfast, I had a shower, my post is almost complete -COFFEE TIME.

Hopefully my tea order will arrive today.

The Hello Fresh food order arrives today.

YAY.

 

In life, if we all practice daily, living with kindness and respect.

We shall manage to live our lives just fine.

There will always be ups and downs.

That is for sure.

 

Take care.

 

With kindness and respect to and for all,

I/We remain,

As Always, Carol & Alvin

 

Thought for the day ….

Good Morning and Welcome to Thursday the 5th day of April, 2018.

YAY, today is Thursday.

We want to be excited for each day.

Always a good thing when you wake up in the morning.

Mr. Alvin is going for a sleepover to this sister’s house tonight.

I have a meeting right after work.

I have not mentioned it to him as I do not want to create anxiety for him.

He loves to see them but the car ride bothers him.

We did find out that he could have a small bit of GRAVOL to calm him.

 

Last night right after work we walked over to Alvin’s Doctor.

The final follow-up and cleaning of his ears.

Happy to report that they are all better.

No infection.

Thankfully all done.

 

I was shocked but not surprised by the amount of garbage on the streets and in the grass by the sidewalk.

GLASS.

Does not one SEE this?

I do not understand.

I can only imagine what their homes look like if they do not take the time to pick up the garbage.

It does not matter if you tossed the garbage we all need to be responsible.

We are always picking up trash.

Although Alvin does not actually pick up things, he does accompany me as we pick up items while we are out for a stroll.

In fact, I am going to start carrying my disposable gloves with me.

Soon when the snow and ice melts I can go and finish picking up those items that line the walkways and sidewalks in my neighbourhood.

It breaks my heart that people do not have any consideration.

 

Well almost time to go to work.

Carpooling is great.

Nice change.

 

Special Hello to: all those folks who take the time to keep their neighbourhoods free from trash.

Always, Carol & Alvin

 

Thought for the day ….

Good Morning and Welcome to Wednesday the 14th day of March, 2018.

Still dark out and it is after 7:00 a.m.

We have an off site staff meeting today and our office is closed.

One of my co-workers is picking me up so we are leaving later than my usual 6:25 a.m.

 

Update on my Alvin.

He has a “yeast” ear infection, and I guess it is pretty bad.

Bad Momma.

Not sure how I missed that …. that would be why he did not want me to clean his ear.

Usually he does not like his ears cleaned so I did not think further.

His other ear was okay.

My sense of smell must be way off.

Anyway he had his first treatment yesterday which lasts for one week.

Then his second treatment is next Tuesday and the follow-up the next Tuesday.

He is doing well and SLEPT last night.

That was great for both of us.

Reminder to everyone to clean your doggie’s ears.

Make sure that you use the VET recommended ear cleaner.

The VET said yesterday that someone was using vinegar ….. can you imagine?

Why would you use vinegar.

Oh my goodness.

When in doubt, ask someone.

Phone a VET.

 

Well almost time to go.

See if the boy has to go outside one last time.

I hope that you all have a wonderful Wednesday.

 

Special Hello to: my sister …. thank you for your thoughts for Alvin.

Always, Carol & Alvin

 

Thought for the day ….

Good Morning and Welcome to Thursday the 22nd day of June, 2017.

The second official day of summer.

Our longest day yesterday and it was hard to sleep as it was still bright outside when we went to bed at 9:00 p.m.

Later in the evening the weather changed.

Wind got stronger and it started to rain.

This morning the skies are GREY and it is very windy.

Not looking forward for the walk to the bus.

Thankfully I have shoes, a coat and an umbrella (although the umbrellie is not going to be much help with this wind).

 

Question?

Do you have a hard time keeping quiet during meetings or talks at work?

I confess that I do.

Sometimes I just want to lighten the mood and end up saying something self-deprecating.

That is one thing that I have a problem with ….. have to learn to sit still and listen only.

Working on it but almost 60 years into this life and I still cannot sit quiet during a whole meeting.

I will get this ….. there is always time to just listen and not make a remark or comment.

In other situations I can sit quiet …. why not meetings???

Anyway …. time to get the coat and shoes and stuff ready for my walk to the bus.

Appears not to be raining for now so that is great.

 

Happy Thursday.

Have an awesome day.

Special Hello to: my friend “V” who is always crazy busy. I am so proud to call her my friend because she is so wonderful.

Always, Carol & Alvin

Thought for the day ….

Good Morning and Welcome to Sunday the 9th day of April, 2017.

Well we are now one week and two days into April, our “spring” month.

Yesterday we had a nice rain and then the sun came out.

Always nice to have both.

Alvin and I enjoyed a lovely walk.

We changed it up a bit as our park was just a tad bit WET.

On our way home which was through “the Blue Park” we stopped to chat with a nice woman and her two doggies.

One of the doggies the elder one had a visible medical condition.

She was a paramedic and her dogs were both rescues.

Both of them were bigger dogs one a shepherd and I am not sure the other although I believe he may have been part golden lab.

Alvin initially had a little bark but settled down very quickly and we enjoyed the visit.

The one that was part gold lab as her lady said is very attached and protective of her …. she is learning how to be social.

We had a nice visit before we both left for our homes.

I always love meeting people and hearing their stories.

 

Just have to mention this ….. guess who got out again.

I just happened to look out the living room window and there was a young black dog.

He looked familiar.

I grabbed some shoes and locked the house before heading out.

Checked for traffic before crossing the street.

I managed to easily coax the little guy back home.

There were a bunch of people on the deck and one guy walked over to me when I approached the house.

I explained that this is a very busy street.

He did not really seem overly concerned and was not the owner.

The pup went into the back yard.

I hope that this will not be an ongoing thing.

I did ask what the pup’s name was ….. TUG ….. will make it easier if we meet up again.

 

We had a great day …. not quite sure why I decided to “wash the main floor on my hands and knees” but I did.

That is a work out.

Usually I use a mop of sorts ….. or borrow my neighbours steam mop.

I would love to get a steam mop.

Quick and easy.

 

Well my girl and hopefully the pups are coming for a visit.

I made pancakes yesterday – just made up enough for me and saved the batter to make them again today.

YAY …. pancakes two days in a row.

Does not get better than that.

 

I am excited to have a visit with them and so is Mr. Alvin

 

Have a great day everyone.

I hope that you are able to have some time with your family and or friends or maybe ALL.

Take some time and go on a walk.

Nothing better to clear your head and get your heart beating than walking.

You never know who you may meet.

You never know what you may learn along the way.

 

Special Hello to: all my fellow tea drinkers out there……

Always, Carol and Alvin

Thought for the day ….

Good Morning and Welcome to Wednesday the 23rd day of March, 2016.

Mid week …..

Actually for me only today and tomorrow to work as it is an extra long weekend for us.

I am so grateful to have some extra time off.

Alvin is going after work to his Sisters for a sleepover until Friday.

She will bring him home and stay for a visit …. I always LOVE her visits.

So I packed him food, treats (cooked carrots as they have to be soft), his blue blanket and his medicine.

He loves his blue blanket.

This was the special blanket that his Foster Parents gave him when I adopted him.

The blanket covers the seat and arms of the chair by the window so he lays on it every day except laundry day.

Amazingly enough the blanket looks like new and it is six years old.

I will miss him as I always do but it is important for him to spend time with his sister, brother-in-law and Elton.

He will have fun for sure.

 

I have been thinking as of late about all of the children and animals that are not allowed to live proper happy, safe lives because of ADULT human beings.

There is always an add on television or on social media about the abuse and neglect going on across this planet.

It breaks my heart and whenever I hear or see these stories I just want to give the person doing these terrible atrocities  a SMACK across the head (I know violence does not help).

I am outraged at these ongoing actions and it hurts to my core.

POWER,  MONEY and downright GREED …..

Something needs to be done.

This needs to be stopped.

What is wrong with these people?

My wish is that every living creature on this planet is able to live their entire lives in peace, happy and safe.

We all deserve this ….. EVERY creature big or small.

 

I hope that you would intervene if you saw a child or an animal being neglected or abused.

It is up to us to help …..

 

Well it is time to get ready to leave for work.

I hope that you have a great day.

Special Hello to: all those people who work hard each day to bring goodness and light to every person and animal they encounter.

Always, Carol and Alvin

 

 

Thought for the day……

I had the best day today.

Most of the day, I spent in my garage with my dog Alvin.

What was I doing in said garage with my dog?

Well, I was having yet another GARAGE SALE.

We just had so many things (multi-family sale) that I just had to sell the remaining items.

So there we sat but fun we had …..

Some of the neighbourhood children dropped by …… some spent some of their “hard earned cash” while others were excited when I “happily” gave some items away for FREE.

Free is a word that every age loves to hear…….

So during the rain, the damp and cold of the day and the bright sun that shone for a bit …. I met some very cool “kids”.

I am so blessed as I live in one of the most “multi-culturistic” (if that is indeed a word, well spell check didn’t line it in red, so I must be good, LOL ) neighbourhoods on the planet.

Where can you go that you hear these languages in the course of a few short hours (okay perhaps the United Nations) ….  English, Farsi, Russian, French, and languages native to Philippines, Afghanistan, Pakistan and Israel.

Very cool.

So my thought for the day is …….. if you do not live in my neighbourhood ….. THEN YOU MUST MOVE HERE …… just kidding (but we would love to have you…… ).

Thought for the day is ……. ENJOY EACH MOMENT NO MATTER WHAT YOU ARE DOING …… EVEN AT A GARAGE SALE IN THE POURING RAIN ….. YOU CAN HAVE FUN AND MEET SOME OF THE MOST WONDERFUL PEOPLE  ON THIS EARTH.

I would say that I am extremely blessed and fortunate.  I am very grateful to have had these experiences.

Also I have a story about Alvin and a St. Bernard that I will share later in “Alvin’s Stories” ….

Take Care.

HAVE A GREAT DAY.

Always, Carol

Thought for the day……

Well it is a glorious day here in the City of Edmonton, one of the crown jewels of Canada.

I am most blessed to live in such a great country.

Today my friend John called to see if I wanted a coffee (Starbucks) but as I was already sipping on a homemade cup of coffee, I like any other good natured “single” gal – invited him over.

So we had a most enjoyable visit on my new deck.

I met John last summer but really got to know him when he built my beautiful deck (as you have seen in my photos on FB), I really must post some on my  BLOG.

He also built a stone flower bed in the front and one in the back and put some beautiful stone in the middle section out front.

Also nice to have wonderful friends to help you out.  I couldn’t have done it myself.

This afternoon I am on my way to a birthday party for a new friend’s six year old son (met her at my garage sale last weekend).  She lives close by.

I am so blessed to be meeting such wonderful people.

The thought for the day is:  get out of the house and meet new people.  Literally you can meet them anywhere, anytime and any place.

Take care and have a great day.

Happy “Holiday” to Canadians.

Always, Carol