2021

Good Morning ALL. How are you doing today? I am/we are well. Last night or rather this morning, first time up and downstairs was at 4:08 a.m., yay Mr. Alvin. Next time up when I set the alarm. Feels like I had a good sleep. I am most grateful. The night sky is just starting to show the morning sunrise as it begins to lighten on the horizon. My view from the office window facing southward.

News on the block. My kids bought a new car. So exciting for them. They brought it to show me on their way home from the dealership last night. It is a beauty.

Today is the 44th birthday of my eldest nephew. One of my high school classmates turns 64 today as well. It is a reminder that this is the year me and my graduating class turn 64. I cannot believe it. Does not seem real but then again on the other hand – my nephew just turned 44, so it does. Happy Birthday Nephew – Wishing you a wonderful day. He is away working up north and it has been minus 50 celsius. Now that’s cold. Sending you good wishes and warmth. Take care and be safe. To my friend Barb, Happy 64th Birthday. Wishing you a wonderful day.

As I look about my office, I see that my African Violet has a great many purple flowers. She is most beautiful with her deep purple blooms and rich green leaves. The smaller Spider Plants that I have brought up stairs are doing well. They seem to grow like nobody’s business no matter where they are placed. Easy peasy. My Geraniums downstairs are blooming with bright pink flowers. Love them. Poinsettias are doing well. The one from last year has some leaves that are turning red. So pretty with green and red leaves. I would say that my little garden in the kitchen and in office are bright and cheery and bring joy to my days. Always good to be surrounded by greenery with a pop of colour. Good for the air as well.

I can see the sky starting to turn oranges and pinks on the horizon and soon the sun shall be up and shining every so brightly.

Another cold day but by Friday it will be warming up. Which is a good thing as I have to make a run to the vet for supplies for the boy.

Well time to head on downstairs. The boy is standing staring at me from the hallway. He has a piercing look when he wants something.

I wish you a great Tuesday, be safe and warm and take care.

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

Always, Carol & Alvin

2021

Good Morning ALL. How are you today? Well if you live in Western Canada it is very likely you are experiencing extra low temperatures to the tune of minus 30 degrees celsius and colder. My brother tells me it is minus 42 at his house in rural northern Alberta (northeast of Edmonton), my sister from Regina says it is minus 45 with the windchill and my nephew who is working north of Grand Prairie on the oil rigs, says it is minus 50 and in Edmonton it is hovering somewhere around the minus 33 temperature and I am not sure what the windchill is at this time. I do know that when I was out picking up the poop earlier, I noticed frost on the handle of the shovel. I was moving some snow around the deck as the pups have been peeing in the snow. Cannot blame them too friggin’ cold to be out for longer than a second. Last night Alvin’s bestie Teddy came for a sleepover and a minute ago I heard a toy squeaking downstairs, that would be Master Teddy. Alvin of course, if never far from my side and is laying on the carpet on the hallway floor. For the first time other than Teddy barking when someone walks by the front of the house, he barked. It was a low little bark unlike the loud semi shrill bark of Mr. Alvin. Alvin was barking about god only knows what while sitting beside me on the sofa as I was trying to watch AQUAMAN and then Teddy on the other side of me started to bark. I think he was trying to tell Mr. Alvin to be quiet. But I don’t know. They had a good night. We all need to have someone around from time to time. Without going for walks due to these frigid temperatures, I thought it was time for a friend to sleepover (not for me but for Alvin). At least I can chat on the phone and video chat to see people. We were all snuggled into bed last night and I read for a bit. At first Alvin was on the left side of me not real close and Teddy was by my feet …. as I sleep on my side I had to move my legs around a bit to get comfortable. Finally found the sweet spot and on our way to sleep. After I am not sure how long I felt Teddy move ….. he came up to the pillow and laid on the pillow so that he was almost like a warm scarf on my neck. Alvin does not do that for apparent reasons, main one being he is too big but Teddy is small. He spent the rest of the night snuggling close to me and Alvin nearby. Usually Alvin would growl but not at Teddy. Teddy barked a couple of minutes ago so I went downstairs as he had to go outside so both boys went out. He came back upstairs with me and Alvin for a minute and then back downstairs.

We are enjoying our company. I think with this cold weather we shall have just a lazy day. I will bring up the dry laundry from the basement at some point and I will make coffee and have breakfast and we will watch some television. I may even do some writing. I put my books and pens together last night. My hands are so rough and dry and no amount of hand cream seems to be working. The air is dry. Thankfully we are toasty warm inside the house and I am grateful to have heat and to have a beautiful home to live in.

• 

  Teddy

• 

• 

I apologize for these not being current photos of the boys. Both the boys just had hair cuts and are looking top notch. But cuteness still prevails no matter how long their fur/hair is. Yes, Mr. Alvin had a hair cut and bath yesterday before his friend came for the sleepover. I did snap some photos last night but have not downloaded them to the computer as yet. I will thought. They are looking super handsome, these boys.

We hope that you are safe and warm.

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

Always, Carol, Alvin and Teddy

2021

Good Morning ALL. How are you today? I want to wish a Happy Birthday to my nephew in Calgary and one of my long time friends in Regina. They both celebrated birthdays yesterday and guess who forgot to send them birthday wishes. Happy Birthday to you both. May 2021 be filled with good health, great joy, much love and laughter and abundance.

Turnaround in our weather. Thankfully the temperatures are going up (warmer). One or so weeks of this frigid weather is enough for us. Tomorrow I am hosting a birthday party for one of my Edmonton friends in our garage. We will have heaters thanks to another Edmonton girlfriend. I can honestly say that I have never hosted a birthday party in a garage. I have hosted on the deck, in the house, in basements, on the beach, at McDonalds, in a park and so on but never ever in a garage. After work today, I am going to move around and organize seating and a table for us. Hang up some decorations. The Birthday Banner. The guest list is the three of us friends which includes the birthday girl. I must add Alvin to the list as he will NOT stay quiet in the nice warm house. He has to be attached to me all of the time. I have this perfect patio set that is made to resemble wicker but it is not. There is a small “loveseat” and two comfy chairs. They all have nice cushions which I just remembered will need to be brought out of their storage bags. I also have a small table that comes with the set and then a large round table. So I will move the large round table into the middle of the garage or close to the middle. Place the seating six feet apart. Make sure that everyone has a spot to set their coffee/tea drinks on and we are set to go. Set up should not take too long. Just some rearranging and we are good to go. In the morning, I will take the cupcakes (made from scratch, I might add) and some other treats to the garage along with a butler of coffee. The gift. Party time. I am so excited to spend good quality in person time with two of my best girl friends ever. They are amazing human beings and I am more than proud to call them my friends.

Well I guess it is time to head on back downstairs. Put on the coffee and start work in a few minutes. YAY it is Friday. It has been a strange week. Alvin seems to have a dislike for the headset that I put on so when I am on the phone which is often he barks. I even let him sniff the headset but to no avail, he still barks. When I was using the phone app, I could get up and take the phone with me, I cannot do that with the headset, as it is not cordless. So it has been frustrating. Sometimes he has to go out and other times not. What a guy.

Okay, it is Friday. Today is going to be quiet and a great day. Looks like it may be nice enough for us to take some semblance of a walk at noon today. I am so grateful. I think he needs to get out for longer than bathroom breaks.

Living with kindness, respect, compassion and learning to be more patience. Learning. Learning, Learning.

Always, Carol & Alvin

Second Half of the NEW YEAR.

Well Summer VACATION 2020 is winding down.

Today is the last actual day of vacation and then I have the weekend before heading back to work.

Heading back to work …. to the computer beside me.

I changed my computers around and I think that having the work desk closer to the window will work out better.

As it is by the window …. and the computers are on the desk to my left …. I think it will feel like I have more space, more room.

I did sign onto my work computer just a few minutes ago as my curiosity got the better of me, I needed to know how many emails I had.

Well it was still loading at 183 when I turned it off.

Anyway work is Monday.

 

Today is the 15th Birthday of my eldest great nephew “Azlin.”

I cannot believe he is almost old enough to have a Driver’s license.

He is in high school – how did that happen?

I remember his first sleepover at my home in the apartment.

We had so much fun in our adventures that weekend.

The days, the months and the years somehow seem to slip away as we live our lives.

Wishing the boy …. the young man …. a Very Happy Birthday.

 

Well I have planned for Alvin and I to go on our Annual Summer Adventure.

We head out ….. on our hike past 62nd Avenue which is the border of our neighbourhood.

To the Northlands ….. to the area further north of us.

It is not called Northlands, I am calling it that because this is our adventure and it is the lands north of us.

We will head out to “Goose Island.”

The park has a small island in the middle of the park where the geese and ducks nest.

There is even a couple of walking bridges to check out.

There is a nice area to sit and have a snack.

The wooded area is very cool.

When you walk through it is as if you are walking in a huge forest with a paved path.

I do not remember if we actually went on our hike last year or not.

We will pack some essentials like treats for both of us, water, a mask for me, kleenex, maybe a bandaid or two, my cell phone to take photos and pooping bags for the boy.

I have a nice medium size cross body purse that will hold everything nicely.

Our only block at the moment is the weather.

There are clouds in the sky so I check the weather channel and see what is what for today.

The plan was for this morning but we can always go this afternoon.

I don’t think it is to be a hot one today so early afternoon would work as well.

 

This Pandemic has certainly shown us different ways of doing things.

I had planned to host a Fifth Avenue Jewelry party for tonight at my home before all of this but now it will be on Facebook.

I invited people just as though I was having the party in my home.

Unfortunately no refreshments or treats.

Amber will do four live spots where she will talk about the jewelry and model different pieces.

The first spot will be tonight, two on Saturday and the final one on Sunday.

Very cool idea.

I think more people can take part on their own schedules.

Which is great.

 

I hope that life is treating you well.

If we all could treat ourselves and all others with kindness and respect, the world would eventually heal.

What a great place it would be.

Imagine.

We are sending positive, good energy out to the world on this Friday.

Alvin and I will continue to live our lives with kindness and respect.

Be safe, be healthy and be kind.

 

Take care.

I/We shall remain,

As Always, Carol & Alvin

It is a NEW YEAR.

Well here we are the first Thursday of March, 2020.

Almost one week into this month.

Today is my Dad’s sister’s Birthday.

Happy Birthday Aunt.

I hope that you have a wonderful day.

March is almost as busy a month for birthdays as February.

 

Well we brought Mr. Humphrey over for the evening.

My nephew stopped in and spent the night on his way back to work up north.

He brought me a DAIRY QUEEN treat – box of buster bars.

My favourite.

We had a nice visit before an early bedtime.

It was nice to see him and to catch up with all of the family news.

There is always a surprise or two.

He was up and away by 5:30 a.m.

 

Another nice morning although I can hear the wind gusting from time to time.

Gusting as it rattles the outside vents and the chimney.

Alvin and I did not make it out for a walk last night.

Our sidewalk/street out front is a big mess.

Kudos to our neighbour in the other half of our duplex who was out during the day chipping away at the ice.

Working to make the water drain from the street to the storm drain and from the sidewalk.

She did a great job.

Only thing is someone drove over the canal from the street causing it to collapse and then the water could no longer make it to the drain.

Oh well, a few more days/weeks of warm weather and it will be mostly melted.

There is snow and cold temperatures on the way for the weekend so that will put an end to the melting for now.

Time.

All we need is time.

 

Well another work day ahead.

How is your job going?

Perhaps you go to school?

Or maybe you are retired and just enjoying life.

Whether you work for someone or for yourself.

Whether you go to school or not.

These are all things we do to fill our days and to earn a living.

This living helps us to have a roof over our heads, food in our bellies and clothes on our backs.

Simply put.

These earnings also help us to have cable and internet for connections and entertainment.

Help to pay for vacations.

Car loans.

Basically everything we consume whether internally or externally.

Yikes one of the cards that I have displayed (hanging) from my bulletin board just fell off.

I had only moments just barely touched it so that I could read the words that my daughter had written.

 

Dear Mom

We’re so grateful to have you in our

lives and are so proud of all you’ve 

accomplished.  This year brings lots 

of change but we’ll get through it 

together.  Love you so much!

 

This was from Mother’s Day 2014.

 

Everyday of my life, I am grateful for my kids.

My daughter and my son (her husband).

For my grand pups, Aspen and Milo.

For me Alvin.

For my family near and far.

For my life.

 

We should always take the time to be grateful.

Fill your life with gratitude and your life will be filled with gratitude.

 

Well almost time to head on downstairs.

Hard to believe that my nephew has been gone for almost one hour already.

Time marches on.

 

Have a wonderful day.

Kindness and Respect, always.

For yourself and for others.

 

Happy Thursday.

Always, Carol & Alvin

It is a NEW YEAR.

Good Morning and Welcome to the last day of February 2020.

the 29th …. the extra day once every four years.

The sky is overcast so I hope that doesn’t mean the white stuff will be falling from the sky later.

Yesterday was incredibly warm, think in the +6 degree fahrenheit range.

So of course some of the snow melted from the backyard, front yard and from neighbours and has pooled in front of my house.

Well actually part of mine and Humphrey’s house.

It is a mess of ice and water.

I see some ice picking in my future today.

Last night after work I went for groceries.

It was ugly getting out and then parked back out front.

I wished that the City would have had the big grader come down and scrape the street.

Instead we had a mini cat come down and plough.

Helped some but not enough.

Last night before groceries, Alvin and I attempted to go for a walk but after getting splashed by cars/trucks driving by …

Because of course, no one wants to slow down for those of us on the sidewalks.

I had bumped into a neighbour who was walking with her puppy and she was frustrated as well.

We were chatting on the sidewalk in front of her house when two trucks went by and splash us.

When we raised our arms in protest, they looked stunned.

Then bless their hearts a couple of vehicles went by and crawled along to ensure we did not get wet.

I honestly do not believe that people plan or intentionally want to splash water and mud on anyone.

But into their own little worlds and not paying attention.

Anyway.

It was nice to get out and have some fresh air.

It was nice to go shopping as well.

Something not at home and not at work.

 

Tonight I am hosting a 5th Avenue Jewelry party.

So after this I am going to get the laundry going, make breakfast, have coffee, clean and do some baking.

Excited to see some bling.

To try some pieces on.

Always a fun way to spend an evening.

There will be a few of us.

Alvin likes having company once he calms down.

 

Well as I might be deicing out front as much as possible.

I better get going.

Funny how the night before last there was only a small amount of ice out front.

Warm temperatures are appreciated but then it takes time and effort to keep the ice away.

 

Yesterday was my second eldest nephew’s birthday.

I forgot until almost the end of the day.

Bad Auntie.

I apologize to him.

Happy Birthday Buddy to one of the best guys I know.

He is hard working, a good father and husband.

An all around good one.

We are grateful to have him in the family.

 

So on this overcast gray kind of day.

I wish that you treat yourself with kindness and respect and some quiet time.

Treating others with kindness and respect is a given.

 

Happy Saturday.

Enjoy the last day of February 2020.

 

Always, Carol & Alvin

 

Living … One day at a time.

Good Morning Y’All …..

Light snow earlier this morning ….

Back to the routine.

We had a great long weekend.

Yesterday my daughter, Alvin’s sister stopped by for a visit and a trip to the grocery store.

Also great to see our girl.

We had a wonderful walk and happy for warmer temperatures.

Spoke to my nephew on the phone for his 35th Birthday.

I remember the day that he was born …. seems like yesterday.

On Sunday, we had Humphrey spend the day.

We had Teddy and Aunt J over for a visit and supper.

Did some work.

Shovelled some snow.

Tweaked the Christmas decorations ( that is ongoing for me ).

 

Nothing like having a Humphrey Cat under the tree.

He looks rights at home there.

I was a bit nervous, will admit to that.

I added some tiny lights that run off battery pack to the trees on the mantle and to the stairway.

You can just see them in the last two photos on the top row.

 

I love my tree.

Photos just do not do it justice.

 

Happy that we had a great weekend.

Remembering those near and far.

 

Have an awesome Tuesday.

 

Always, Carol & Al.

Living … One day at a time.

Good Morning and Hello.

Welcome to Wednesday.

Mid week day.

Earlier this morning when I was outside with Alvin ….. there was tiny snowballs being hurled toward the ground.

Mother Nature at her best.

The grass crunched under my feet.

Lots of leaves covering the grass having blown in from the front and neighbouring yards.

Reminder for one last rake before we have snow cover.

Hopefully I have that opportunity this evening.

 

Well today is our off-site Staff Meeting.

Even though I do not like time away from my work; I really don’t mind the staff meeting.

There usually are a variety of topics and something guest speakers and the FOOD is great.

Nice to kick back and listen …. no phones …. no computers …..

 

Last night Alvin and I enjoyed our walk.

It was cold so we stopped by at Teddy’s house.

As always Teddy and his Mom were so EXCITED to see us and asked us to warm up and stay for tea.

Well Alvin did not have tea ….

He did have a treat …..

It was lovely to have an actual conversation with someone who would reply.

We thoroughly enjoyed our visit.

I have never met anyone like Teddy’s Mom.

She is always over the moon happy to see us.

So welcoming.

Both Teddy’s parents are such wonderful people.

I am, we are blessed to call them friends.

 

One of my nephews called me last night.

We had such a great conversation.

Another reminder to call people.

I must get better about calling family and friends.

 

I am blessed to have a ride to the meeting with a co-worker and home.

A little birdie reached out and told me that there is going to be a parcel in the mailbox when I return home this evening.

Cannot imagine who that might have been / be.

Looks like this is going to be “our” lucky day.

It all started with me accidentally stepping on some poop in the backyard …. thankfully with my yard shoes.

Guess this means I need a stronger flashlight.

The one that I have is very small ….. like a keychain one.

Time for batteries …. note to self ….. put BATTERIES ON THE GROCERY LIST.

Yup, I will …. right now.

Done.

No more stepping on poop and then having to take 10 minutes to clean said shoes.

ARGH.

That is what happens when it is dark outside.

Another good reason to get batteries and rake the leaves.

 

Well time to put the finishing touches on before my ride arrives.

Alvin will have to go outside one last time.

Nice to be leaving later for a change.

 

Happy Happy Wednesday.

 

Reminder to myself …. always be KIND AND RESPECTFUL.

We may be kind, I may be kind  but watch on the respect.

It is easy to be less so.

But so import to be 100%.

 

Always, Carol & Alvin

 

 

Living … One day at a time.

Hello,

It is Sunday ….

Overcast and raining.

My nephew leaves later this afternoon and my sister arrived about 4:00 p.m. yesterday afternoon.

We have been enjoying our time together.

This is what my nephew and I did yesterday around noon.

Bright sunny day ….

The pergola came down.

At the end near the back door it was beginning to split and I was afraid it would come crashing down.

It was very poorly constructed as we found out once we decided to take it down.

The deck looks bigger and is so open.

There are the four corner posts remaining and I will remove them once I have a proper saw but for now they are solid.

 

We had pizza for supper …. nice and easy.

 

Well today is our family get together and belated birthday celebration for me.

So time to get cooking.

I am making potato salad and chicken (deep fried, chicken breast) and some vegetables and that cake.

That beautiful carrot cake.

 

Also I am going on a road trip with my sister and daughter leaving tomorrow morning.

My sister and I will take Alvin to my daughter’s where we will change vehicles.

Alvin will stay with my son-in-law while we are away.

So excited for our second annual girls road trip.

 

While I am away …. I will not be writing this blog.

So will have lots of stories and photos to share upon my return.

Have a great next few days.

 

 

 

Travelling along life’s path with kindness and respect, that is how I roll.

 

Always, Carol & Alvin

Living … One day at a time.

Hello,

Partially sunny skies this Saturday morning.

Alvin and I are trying to be quiet as my nephew sleeps.

He arrived about 8:30 p.m. last night and is leaving today for work a few hours from Edmonton.

My sister sent me a text about 35 minutes ago and she is on her way.

To be honest I could not sleep last night thinking about my sister and some other stuff.

Sometimes the excitement just cannot be quietened.

I did however fall to sleep just as the 5:00 a.m. alarm went off on my phone.

ARGH.

Oh well, I will sleep good tonight for sure.

I hope that the weather is good for her trip and the construction does not slow her down too much.

My nephew reported some highway construction along the way.

 

We had a call from Teddy’s Mom asking if he could possibly spend the day with us.

How could I say “no.”

So Master Teddy will be spending the day with us.

My sister will arrive at some point this afternoon.

She promised to check in along the way when she takes a break.

It is a long drive by yourself.

 

I think that coffee will do the trick this morning.

Will be putting on the coffee after this post.

Alvin has been surprisingly quiet this morning.

He did stop and lay down by the bedroom door where my nephew is sleeping.

You should have heard him last night …. so excited to see him.

Took him awhile to just relax.

 

At first I did not see the trees moving but alas I do see that there is a breeze.

Well I only have a couple of things to do before the arrival of my SIS.

But I want things to be perfect or close to it.

Happy Saturday everyone.

Oh, the birthday cake was delivered yesterday and it is beautiful.

Cannot wait till Sunday to have a piece.

Part of the cake will go with us to see our brother for late birthday celebration for him and me.

Yesterday I coloured my hair, not something I do on a regular basis.

I was playing with the filters on my phone and took this photo.

Normally I am not a fan of my own pictures NOR am I one of those folks who do “selfies” at every turn of the clock.

Like almost NEVER!

But I kind of like this one so am sharing.

 

Perhaps will add a few more photos from my birthday adventure to the University of Alberta Botanic Garden.

If you are ever in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada …. you really do need to visit these amazing gardens.

More photos from the AGA KHAN Garden.

Spectacular ….

There will be more floral photos to follow.

 

 

Remembering always kindness and respect start and end each day.

 

 

Always, Carol & Alvin