It is a NEW YEAR.

Good Morning All,

Well looks like another rainy day in paradise.

Paradise is not always sand with palm trees swaying in a tropical breeze near a massive body of water under a hot sun.

I live in my own little paradise.

I live in my own home which I have longed for my whole life.

It is mine, I obtained it on my own with only assistance from the bank and I pay them dearly for it every single month.

There are paved roads outside my home on the street lined with sidewalks for pedestrians and the like.

I have green grass instead of sand.

I have flowers instead of palm trees.

We have a breeze almost everyday.

There is a park nearby with water but not for swimming.

I have running water that flows upon my command in my home with a bathtub and showers to boot.

We have varied temperatures each day.

The sun shines and the rain falls in my paradise.

In my paradise I live close to some wonderful people I call friends.

Alvin has his best friend living nearby.

We are truly blessed.

Speaking of Alvin’s best friend Teddy.

Yesterday we were out for our second walk of the day and just coming up to where Teddy lives.

Every time we pass by Teddy’s house Alvin turns to go in.

Since March I have had to say “Sorry buddy not today.”

Until yesterday.

Teddy’s Dad was outside on his way to the mailbox when we spotted each other.

We said hello as Walter gave Alvin a pat on his head.

I said how Alvin always turns in to their house.

He said I think that Iris sent you a text for a get together.

Go into the house.

So we walked up the sidewalk (someone ran).

There was no doorbell ringing as Alvin started to bark and I could hear Iris say “Alvin, oh Teddy it is Alvin.”

With Kobi in her arms and Teddy running to Alvin she opened the door.

We practiced social distancing and enjoyed a wonderful visit on their deck.

Teddy and Kobi kept running and jumping so happy to see us.

Teddy spent some time snuggling on my lap outside on the deck.

We enjoyed a glorious visit on the deck.

So much so when we finally got home it was almost 6:30 p.m.

We left home just before 4:30 p.m. (after work and yes, I was late leaving my desk).

So this is my paradise.

Home and friends.

Friends and home.

My daughter, son-in-law and grand pups live about 20 minutes away.

Well time to go and do the laundry in this paradise as the maid service “sucks.”

I will say that.

The butler sleeps all day or is always wanting a treat.

Imagine that!

Just another day in paradise.

I believe that is a line from a song song by Phil Collins (a fav of mine).

Just another day in paradise.

Coffee is brewed.

Life is good.

Have a great day in your very own paradise.

Paradise is not always defined by the traditional tropical setting.

Paradise is wherever you are ……

Happiness is ….

Yup, it is.

I like that word “yup” with no reason why.

 

Living with Kindness, Respect and a Generous Spirit.

I/We, shall remain,

As Always, Carol & Alvin

 

Perhaps it is almost time for Christmas in July, “MOVIES.”

Oh, how I love Christmas with the Kranks.

 

Inside my PARADISE,

 

 

Life is GREAT.

 

It is a NEW YEAR.

Good Morning.

Hello Monday.

The sky is overcast between early morning and snow.

There are no colours in the sky to the east.

We will not see the sunrise from this vantage point.

I feel sad as I missed seeing the SPACE STATION in the night sky.

I believe it was last night.

That would have been cool for sure.

 

Alvin is resting on his little bed beside me.

Coffee is brewing.

Work awaits me …. my start time is 8:00 a.m.

I always sign on before so that I can be all set up and ready to go and yes, sometimes I start early.

I am 62, it is a hard habit to break.

Being early and giving a job 150%.

I am trying to stick to taking breaks and lunch.

Alvin is a great reminder as he already knows our schedule.

Thank goodness, do not even need a watch to be reminded.

He is one smart cookie.

 

The next few days are to be cooler than previous ones.

Yesterday we enjoyed a nice walk.

On our way home I had to put up the hood on my coat.

But other than that it was pleasant.

The streets / sidewalks were frozen in the morning when we walked so easy on the paws.

Friday Alvin was a big muddy mess when we arrived home from our second walk of the day.

Weather, Canada, Alberta, end of March …… it is always a surprise.

Are we really surprised?

No, not really.

After all, we are Canadians and the weather changes sometimes within an hour or less.

 

Yesterday I had a video chat / facetime (I don’t really like that term) with my daughter.

It was great.

We walked around our houses …. showing anything that changed.

Showing all the pups, Alvin, Aspen and Milo.

I took the opportunity to show off my plants.

They are doing great.

Big and bigger.

 

We had a quiet day after the chat with our girl.

Watched television and I worked on my bead painting that I started on the 14th of March when we had a girl’s night.

That seems like forever ago.

I am still not finished the painting but it is coming along.

I will post pictures when I have finished.

 

Hopefully you had a great weekend.

Able to rest and recharge.

Perhaps did some video chatting with family and friends.

Maybe cleaned out a closet or two.

Read a good book and likely finished.

Watched a movie or zipped through a taped t.v. series or on demand.

 

Whatever you are doing on this day be safe.

Think about yourself and others when you go about your day.

Stay in the house unless you are walking or absolutely have to leave for work or food.

It is really important that we follow the instructions set out by Medical and our Leaders.

If you think it will not happen to you, you may be surprised.

Keep an eye on the young ones most especially the teenagers who always think they are invincible.

No one is ….

So follow the instructions.

Get lots of rest, keep hydrated, eat properly, get exercise, keep commonly touched areas clean.

Keeping your anxiety/stress levels low is also important.

 

Okay on that note, I am going to have that cup of freshly brewed coffee before I get signed onto my work laptop.

Please look after yourself and those around you.

Do the social distancing …..

We have the technology so there is no need to be running about to visit your best friend for example.

You can see their pretty face ….. video chat.

 

In kindness and with respect,

We shall remain,

Always, Carol & Alvin

It is a NEW YEAR.

Good Morning All,

Well it is a bright, sunny morning here in Edmonton, Alberta.

Alvin actually slept until a reasonable hour this morning and then of course we hit the sofa for a few more hours of sleep.

Sometimes it is even nice to just lay in the quiet and just be.

No voices or sounds but our breathing.

 

Yesterday we had a good day.

My decision to stay away from SOCIAL MEDIA and leaving my cell upstairs in the office was a great decision.

Before I went “dark”, I sent quick texts to my daughter, sister and a few friends that I usually have daily contact with so that they would not worry if they did not reach me.

Also did not wish for my house phone to ring off the wall either.

It was a good decision.

I think it was cutting off the demon before my body and mind could not stand the constant barrage of opinions, news and such.

I no longer feel as though I am going to implode.

I felt wonderful yesterday.

The majority of the massive feeling of anxiety was bringing my job home with me.

I have always felt as though my house was my safe place away from the madness, the stress, that is sometimes my job.

Not really in a bad way as I am grateful to be employed in a time where folks do not have work and I am grateful to be working from home.

But at the same time, now work has invaded my space, my sanctuary, and my phone.

We have our phone system set up with an APP on our mobile phones, so we can call out without giving out our personal phone numbers and people can call in.

So now my cell phone is not just for personal use, I have to use it for work.

It was less than a year ago that I did not have a cell phone, who would have known.

Anyway, we shall see how tomorrow goes.

I guess I will have to adapt and ensure that I step away when I or if I am feeling anxious.

Thankfully I have Alvin here with me.

 

Yesterday the good day that I started to tell you about.

Well I even cleaned out the “junk drawers” in the kitchen.

Those spaces where every little thing goes to hide.

It always amazes me at how fast they fill up and with the most interesting items.

Checked that off the list and it was not even on the list.

 

I did some laundry.

Alvin and I went for a walk.

Cleaned the bathroom.

Washed the main floor.

My neighbours in the other half of the duplex and I chipped away at the ice out front on the street and managed to drain the lake that was out front.

We are so proud.

It took us just over an hour despite the interruptions by passing vehicles.

Funny how most people slowed down and some did not.

Would they think that we are out doing this for our health and that we wanted to have dirty water splashed all over us?

I guess they must.

Anyway, it was nice to chat with them while we worked.

Alvin watched out of the window.

We had a quiet night after supper.

 

I watched a movie called “Dark Waters.”

I heard the name but did not know what it was about.

DUPONT ….. I learned some things. C8 and Teflon.

This all happened during my lifetime and even recently but I do not remember.

Makes me want to check my pots and pans.

Anything coated with teflon is not going to remain in my house.

I know that the list is likely long of the items that we use on a daily basis.

They gave out a staggering and very frightened statistics at the end of the snow.

One being that 99% of the world human population have C8 in their bodies.

C8 causes cancers amongst other things.

I urge you all to watch this movie, it was disturbing in places but informative.

 

Well it is Sunday.

Time to go put on some coffee and have some toast.

Then I am going to give Mr. Alvin a haircut and bath before vacuuming the upstairs and washing the floors up here.

 

I hope that you are having a good day.

Be safe and I hope you remain in good health.

Practice the social distancing and stay home when you can.

I would think we will have the cleanest homes and will have all of our odd jobs completed by the time this is over.

Who knows how long that will be.

 

I am grateful to have supportive, generous and amazing family and friends.

Take care.

Remember we must be kind and respect to all our human counterparts and also to all of the animals and life out there.

We need each other now more than ever.

Maybe the reduction of manufacturing will help the environment.

Maybe we will learn to do with less.

We should.

 

 

Have an awesome Sunday.

Alvin is ready to go back downstairs and I need some COFFEE.

 

Take Care.

 

Always, Carol & Alvin

 

 

 

 

It is a NEW YEAR.

Good Morning World.

Welcome to Sunday in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.

The SUN is SHINING brightly.

I can imagine the birds singing as I sit here clacking away on the keyboard.

My trusty companion Alvin is laying on his blue blanket on the floor beside my chair.

The sky is the purest of the palest of blues that I have seen in a while.

YAY, I love Sundays.

The coffee is perking away and I am energized by the aroma as it wafts throughout the house.

Life is good.

 

Last night I was invited to attend a “paint night” with my young friends.

We had a hoot.

The painting is not actually painting in what we traditionally know it to be ….

but rather with this little plastic stick of sorts you pick up a bead that has a round head and flat bottom and lay it onto the picture.

It reminds me of paint by numbers but the picture is sticky and you attach beads.

The pictures are pre numbered of course and they are small beads.

All of our paintings were different views of the sunrise and sunset.

Morning, daytime and evening.

I cannot wait to finish mine.

Definitely longer than a one evening project.

I only did about a 1/4 and then stopped to just concentrate on visiting with my friends.

But so much fun.

We chattered away catching up on our our news and the world’s.

All three of us brought some goodies to share.

There was the taco dip and chips, veggie and fruit tray and dip, “energy bites,” goldfish and breton crackers, and this crazy yummy chocolate pudding with whipped cream and graham cracker

crumb dessert.

We had coffee and wine.

I am so grateful to have these gals as my friends.

We support and love each other.

They have young families so I am kind of like the Grandma or an older Aunt.

I have seen their children grow over the last almost ten years.

They were really just babies when I moved here and met them.

The laughter that emanates from the room when we are together is crazy.

I love these ladies.

 

Well time to head back downstairs and have some of that glorious coffee.

Just relax for a bit before changing and getting on with the day.

I have towels in the dryer to bring up and put away.

I would like to go through and put in order my papers for taxes (yup, I did not put things in good order like I was going to at the start of the year).

Go for a walk later if the temperature is okay.

 

Yesterday morning we hopped quickly over to the vet to pick up some food for Mr. Alvin.

He has enough for maybe a week but sometimes hard to gage and I did not want to run out part way through the week.

Mmm, what else.

Get ready for work.

I know that I had a couple of other things on my list ….. wipe out the oven.

 

I hope that you had an awesome Saturday night with family and or friends.

Perhaps you spent the evening watching your favourite movies cuddling with your puppy dog.

Maybe you played cards or a board game with your kids.

Whatever it was …..

 

Have an awesome Sunday.

Life is good.

Be kind and respectful to one another.

 

Always, Carol & Alvin

 

Hello My Beautiful Sister ……

 

 

 

It is a NEW YEAR.

Good Morning and Welcome to Monday, January 06, 2020.

Almost typed/keyed 201 ….

Alvin is laying on his blue blanket beside me.

The strangest thing happened a few moments ago.

I was in the main bathroom putting on my jewelry when I heard someone yell my name.

I ran to the bedroom window and looked out, no one.

I went to the office and opened the window and called out, nothing.

It was so crisp and clear, now I am thinking, “am I hearing things.”

There were no thoughts crossing my mind at the time I heard someone calling out.

No reason at all.

I guess just one of those unexplainable moments in time.

Alvin did not flinch so I should have known.

If someone would have been yelling he would have ran downstairs.

Note to self.

 

We had a great weekend.

Lots of walks in and the weather was beautiful.

Yesterday between the beginning and ending of our walk, right in the middle.

We dropped in for a visit to Alvin’s best friend’s house.

Don’t worry I had been texting with our friends to make sure that it was okay.

When we arrived at their house our friend was just arriving home.

She said that she had ran out to the mall (said busy for no real reason, I said good for business.)

We had tea and a visit before continuing on our way.

I cannot believe how much Teddy’s little sister has grown.

So cute.

Alvin was as always on the hunt for food and a chewie.

He found both.

Thankfully not much food as he does not need to be eating at his friend’s home.

They leave the pups food dishes out all of the time with food as Teddy is a grazer.

Not sure about the little one.

 

We had a good sleep and Alvin slept almost until the alarm went off.

Actually I woke up at 4:43 and he got up at 4:53; so we did well.

I think it was almost 9:30 when we were in bed.

We, I watched the GOLDEN GLOBES with Ricky Gervais hosting.

He brings a different light to the show.

I like him.

Some surprises but really I did not see many of the movies so I could not really “vote.”

Most of the television movies and specials were not on regular cable.

Anyway it is always interesting to see which “stars” are going to speak out on what is currently going on in the world.

Lots of mentions about the fires in Australia and that is no surprise; especially with so many actors from that continent.

Also a few mentioned the U.S. election coming up.

That is going to be interesting.

 

Well here it is almost time to finish getting ready.

Then go outside and clean up the little parcels Alvin left behind this morning.

 

I hope that you have an awesome day.

Perhaps all of the positive energy going to Australia will bring them some much needed rain.

I said that it cannot hurt.

We are all made of energy and if we focus the energy collectively we can change the world.

Collectively to make good changes of course.

 

Happy Monday.

Always, Carol & Alvin

Living … One day at a time

Hello, it is Saturday, the day after …

I had a great 62nd Birthday.

Spent the day with Alvin and Humphrey.

Alvin and I had an early morning walk.

We pretty much lazed around the whole day long.

Listened to music and watched some television.

Sort of had a nap ….

My daughter came for supper and sweet treat.

My co-worker, the baker dropped off the sweet treats (photos coming).

Invited her for coffee …. we three girls had a great visit.

Here are some photos from my BIRTHDAY DAY.

The boys lazing around.

Nothing like mug of coffee and BISCOTTI

Humphrey in his favourite spot on the stairs.

Looks like I have a spot or two to repair … he did not chip the paint.

THE CUPCAKES

The green ones are:  Vanilla cupcakes with KEY LIME ICING and chocolate ornaments

The others are: Chocolate cupcakes with umbrellas and Teddy bears relaxing on the sand chocolate icing.

Only tried the Key Lime iced one and it was DELICIOUS.

This morning at another birthday bash I will have a chocolate one.

A friend and neighbour dropped by later in the evening with a lovely gift of shower gel, body lotion and a pumpkin apple candle ( I love that fragrance).

Snapped some photos of the boys.

A great day.

Now today one of my young friends is hosting a party for me.

We take turns.

I am taking some of the above cupcakes.

Special Special TREAT.

Humphrey is already in the house.

Teddy is coming this morning.

Almost time to hop into the shower and get dressed for the party.

Might have time to brew a mug of coffee before I leave ….

Lots of time.

Well it was a great BIRTHDAY.

Lots of birthday wishes via Facebook, phone calls from my siblings, a visit from my daughter and friends.

Hung out with two of my favourite fur boys: Alvin and Humphrey.

Does not get better than that.

 

Well time to fly.

Happy Happy Saturday.

 

 

A day filled with kindness and respect is a great day.

 

Always, Carol, Alvin and Humphrey.

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Saturday the 27th day of April, 2019.

Well at 3:30 this morning we got up; we being Alvin, Teddy and me.

The grass was green and all was well.

We laid back down again until 5:00 a.m. and the pups had breakfast.

Went outside and did their business.

Then we got up at 5:58 a.m. and looked out to see what had happened below.

I took this photo with my tablet and had saved it to Facebook thus the size of the photo.

Now it is after 9:00 a.m. and there is several inches of the white stuff covering the deck.

The umbrellas on the patio tables are blowing in the wind.

I forgot about the plant that I had placed on the deck last weekend.

It is a type of grass so am hoping that it will survive the blast of snow and coolness.

 

So today is going to be a lazy day.

Will get some laundry going soon.

The snow has just made us want to sleep …. even the boys are thinking the same.

Movie day ……

It will be a quiet one.

Lazy day….. with my boys.

 

Wishing you all a great Saturday.

Hoping that wherever you are …. that you are safe and warm.

Good day to read a book …..

 

I am so grateful to my friend S who called to let me know that she had been trying to get us tickets to see the new AVENGERS movie ENDGAME but everywhere was sold out.

Just the mere thought made me feel like a million dollars.

Noticed that a few people had seen and were posting comments on FB, so I looked away.

I understand their excitement but I wished that perhaps they would not give details until the rest of us were able to see the movie.

Oh well, such as life.

 

Special Hello to: my sister ….

Always, Carol & Alvin

Thought for the day ….

Good Morning and Welcome to Saturday the 6th day of April, 2019.

Waking up to gloominess.

Where oh where has the beautiful bright sunrise gone?

The sky is that grey.

That gloomy colour.

The one that does not give you energy to get up and go.

Thankfully I have the pups for that …. Alvin and Teddy.

Playing already this morning.

I am so grateful that Teddy has arrived in our lives.

He gives us energy and Alvin plays now.

Even when Teddy is not around.

He grabs his toys and runs around the house; sometimes throwing them into the air.

Sometimes Alvin’s gregarious nature startles Teddy a bit, I think.

Perhaps a bit too “social.”

But they definitely are good friends.

Last night for dessert while hanging out with the boys.

I had a Baileys Banana Chocolate Frozen Dessert.

You know a little frozen banana pieces, throw in some coconut milk, a nice heaping tablespoon of dark cocoa and some BAILEYS, just a nice healthy splash.

VOILA ….. delicious.

As it was better frozen – I had to eat while in that state.

By the time I was done – a little buzz.

Just something I threw together while I watched “Kathie Lee Gifford’s last TODAY SHOW as a regular HOST.

I am sure going to miss that wicked sense of humour, her light, her kindness and her talent.

She can take a blah day or a sad moment and turn it all round with one lift of her eyebrow and a turn of her mouth.

In my previous post I did not mention her writing.

Songs, books both adult and children, plays and movies.

She sings, acts and really could have been a stand-up comedian.

 

Really there is not much this lady has not accomplished and is still accomplishing well into her 60’s.

I salute you Kathie Lee and look forward to hearing your news and music, and watching your movies.

Definitely a legend.

All the Best.

 

Bedtime for me and the boys.

They each had a chew treat.

Of course, Mr. Alvin wanted Teddy’s even though he had his own.

Oh, me Alvin.

What am I going to do with you?

 

The boys with me in my office while I write this blog post.

They patiently wait for me.

Well before a riot breaks out I had better grab the boys and head to the shower.

Too much sitting around for the boys can mean only one thing – “trouble.”

 

Wishing you all a wonderful Saturday.

May the light shine on us always.

Good Health, Joy and so much laughter that you almost pee your pants.

That is what I wish for you …..

 

Special Hello to: my friend “LE” who is celebrating a birthday today.  Happy Birthday.

Always, Carol & Alvin

 

 

 

Thought for the day ….

Good Morning and Welcome to Friday the 5th day of April, 2019.

Still dark outside but sun is shining in my heart.

I want to take this moment to send positive energy to family member and friends who are in need of some extra “help.”

My heart is open and I am thinking of you at this time.

May what you need come to you sooner than soon.

 

We all have our ups and downs.

No matter what is going on in your life; show gratitude.

 

I would like to take this time to say thank you for one of my favourite people in television.

She is one of a current duo.

Today is her last day on the 4th Hour with HODA; she is Kathie Lee Gifford.

I have watched her from Canada for most of her twenty-six years on television.

Firstly, she won our hearts with Regis and then with HODA.

Throughout those years she has made  appearances on other television shows, done commercials and movies.

Kathie Lee is boundless energy, love, kindness, witty, talented and so much more.

She makes us laugh and takes us to places where we may shed a tear or two.

Oh how she makes me laugh.

I will miss that part of her the most, I think.

This week once again she brings her strong faith and humour and energy to those final shows.

I wished that just once I had made it back to New York to see her and HODA in person; on the TODAY Show.

She gives everyone hope that is over 50, well over 60 – women and men that you can still change gears and do what you love.

There is no age limit.

Just do it.

She gives me hope; she gives us all hope.

I am proud to share the birth month of August with both Kathie Lee and HODA.

I share the same birthdate of August 9th with HODA.

Cheers to you Kathie Lee Gifford.

Wishing you all the Best for I know will be an amazing future.

Looking forward to seeing your movies.

Thank you.

 

Well time to go to work.

Special Hello to: Kathie Lee Gifford.

Always, Carol & Alvin

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Monday the 18th day of February, 2019.

The sun is up.

Shining brightly on this Family Day.

This is a Statutory Holiday here so our office is closed today.

I am grateful to have another day at home with Mr. Alvin.

 

We were up at 4:00 a.m. as he had to go outside.

Thankfully we were in bed about 10:30 p.m.

I caught the first 30 minutes of the Elvis Presley Celebration.

Thankfully I had the mindset to record to watch at a later time.

 

The weather channel is forecasting warmer temperatures over the coming days.

YAHOO, walking will be in our future.

We did manage to take a short walk to the park yesterday afternoon.

It was cold but so much better than the past over two week period.

 

I have decided to take one hour every weekend to go through my on-line photos and delete the ones that are out of focus or duplicates.

When you have 30,000 photos on your computer – it is time to do something.

I also have about 10,000 hard copies of photos in boxes that need to be sorted.

A HUGE JOB.

 

Well I am thinking that today is a good day to make some pancakes.

My daughter might be coming over for a visit.

I love making pancakes for her.

 

So another day in paradise.

We are so blessed, me and Mr. Alvin.

 

My thoughts do go to all of the bunnies, birds and other wildlife that are desperately foraging for food.

We have quite a bit of snow.

 

Happy Family Day.

I  hope that you enjoy your time with your family.

Family may be described as any being that you “love.”

May be two-legged or four or winged or …..

Family are the ones that are ….

They may be of same blood, related or not ….

Family are the ones that you want to spend time with ….

Whether you spend the day playing board games or baking together…

Whether you talk on the phone or go to see a movie.

Just spend time together.

Just be.

Happy Family Day.

 

Special Hello to: all of my Family, related and those who are not, we love you and have a Happy Family Day.

Always, Carol & Alvin