A New YEAR 2023

Good Morning ALL! Well today is another day. Alvin is doing okay. There is a bit of change in his poop, less blood but he still has diarrhea. I know not really the kind of thing one wants to see first thing in the morning. I still feel kind of blah but likely due to the up and down during the night. Missing two days is a lot so back to work today. Hopefully things are “quiet.” I am grateful that I can work from home during this time. Between going outside with him to monitor him and giving him medications, one cannot do this from the office and also it would mean having someone stay with him and that is not possible. So I will work from home. Thankfully today is Thursday, it is Thursday, correct? I am totally lost on the days at this time.

Thankfully the weather, the temperatures have been nice as sometimes we are outside for a bit as it takes Alvin time to be done. I am hoping that by tomorrow there is a major difference in his bowel movements, if not we may be going back to the vet. For now, medications and keep an eye on him. Thankfully he is eating and drinking water and his pee is clear.

I am still figuring out this new computer and some of the new updates over the last few years have changed things quite a lot. Hopefully on the weekend I can get things figured out. My daughter is coming for a sleepover tomorrow night. She will help get the external hard drive set up (formatted) so that we can put all of my photos, almost 50,000 of them on the HD. I will be so happy when they are on something that can be easily accessed. YAY.

Hard to believe that today is January 5th, 2023. Almost one week into the New Year.

A reminder of Christmas Eve 2022. Aspen at the window looking out to see where her Mom & Dad are or perhaps at someone out for a walk, I do not quite remember. Alvin and Mi-Mi watching her. The fireplace, the mantel with stockings. We had a great Christmas. A good memory.

Time to head downstairs. Put on the coffee, I need a boost this morning.

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

Always, Carol & Alvin

A New YEAR 2023

Good Morning ALL! What a beautiful clear blue sky (there are a few wispy white clouds but mainly blue). The air was warm when I was out earlier cleaning up after Mr. Alvin’s early packages left in the snow. I am so grateful to have this last day at home with Alvin before back to work tomorrow. I am grateful that I am working from home tomorrow. YAY.

We had a wonderful day yesterday. In the morning my friend Gillian came over and we had a great conversation and visit and coffee. She told me that her in-laws also had a memory/storage problem with photos and so they bought external hard drives (extra memory) and store all of their photos off the computer. When they need to access them – simply plus in the external hard drive. Great idea. I think that Amanda may have mentioned that as well. I love when my friend(s) came come for a visit. YAY, for friends.

I putzed doing a few things before taking Mr. Alvin for a walk not long after Gillian left for home. The air was warm and it was so nice outside. Alvin did not get cold at all.

Did I mention that I managed to figure out how to set up my iTunes on the new computer? I am more tech savvy that I first thought. I texted Amanda and before I knew it she had ordered an external hard drive with 5 terabytes of memory. That should do the trick. No running out of memory in the near future. It will be delivered today (talk about fast) and then I will wait until Amanda can help me as they will need to be formatted or something. I still have to download or upload the WORD package that I purchased when I bought this new computer. This all is happening so fast. YAY.

My coffee has just finished perking so I will see if I can access the photos that I uploaded yesterday. I even went through most of them and deleted a bunch that were poor shots or duplicates. Time to get in the habit of doing that right away.

Well looks like no photos for this post. The computer is putting the photos in some kind of special order or something. This is not going to be a quick thing, I suspect. I hope that you are doing well. I will post the photos from the walk on New Year’s Eve as the sights are absolutely breathtaking. I would love for you to see them.

Time to go and clean Mr. Alvin’s ears and then have some coffee. I will work on the photos after that.

I am grateful for this mild weather and will be even more grateful if I can figure out “photos.” ARGH.

Have a wonderful Monday.

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

Always, Carol & Alvin

Last Days 2022 – December 31st.

Good Morning ALL! Well we have had a last twenty-four hours. Yesterday was quiet until it was not. I did some laundry, bit of cleaning, Alvin and I walked to the park and I shovelled the neighbours garage pad and driveway for them. The sun did shine for part of the day and it is shining brightly this morning. While Alvin and I were walking one of our friends (neighbour) was driving by and pulled over and we chatted for a couple of minutes from across the street. It had been months since I had seen her. We both said that we had a card and gift for each other. I asked her to let me know when I could pop by with her gift. She said that she would. After we got home, I decided to text two other friends that I had cards and gifts for to see when I could bring them by. Time just had seemed to got away on me this holiday season. It was cold and then Alvin was gone for three weeks and then it was cold again. So I did not get out to do much walking. Anyway, I heard back from one of the two and later in the afternoon, went over to drop off the gift. One hour and a few minutes later, I was heading back home. We chatted for over an hour. So much seemed to have happened and she wanted to tell me, so I listened. Sometimes people just need to share and sometimes we just need to listen. I did add my stories in here and there. I had mentioned that I had not seen our other friend until I saw her when we were out earlier for a walk. She seemed to be surprised by that revelation, and when I asked why, she did not want to answer so I left it at that knowing that I would see the other friend later. It was almost 5:00 p.m. when I got home to find a box on my front porch, I picked up the box and went inside. Alvin was wanting his supper so I fed him, and then popped a black bean burger into the oven. I realized that it was my new computer which had been delivered a few days early. That almost never happens so I unpacked my new pick iMac computer. A few minutes later I checked texts and messages and found one from the friend that I had seen driving earlier and she said “come over.” So I quickly texted her back to say that I could come but had supper in the oven so could only stay for a few minutes. When I arrived at her house (only a few door away), the friend that I had visited with earlier was there. I almost jumped out of my body. Not sure why I was surprised but I was. Nothing could have prepared me for the news. Our friend has breast cancer. She had a second surgery just last week and is waiting for the pathology results. I felt like I was having an out of body experience. We chatted and finally I had to go before my supper burned (no one wants to cause a fire). In between the news – we exchanged Christmas presents which seemed so surreal. Last night was odd. I could not get my friend out of my mind. I pray that they were able to get all of the cancer with the second surgery. Life. We never know.

I was going to post photos of this past year and a summary of what happened in our house. Maybe some wise words or thoughts. But now it does not seem appropriate. I know the stats of cancer, of breast cancer so I should not be surprised that I would know someone. Keeping positive thoughts for a full recovery for her, for my friend.

Instead, I will just say that it is a reminder to us all to listen to our “intuition” and go for checkups. Get those mammograms done, I will be making an appointment in the New Year. If we do not look after ourselves – no one else can.

Happy New YEAR, cannot believe it will be 2023 at 12:01 tonight. Where has the time gone. I am excited to set up my new computer but for now, I need a cup of coffee. Oh, this morning, earlier when we had come back upstairs, I had just opened the blinds in our bedroom to see one police car turn up the street, then a second and then a third. My heart went into my socks. What the heck? They stopped up the street and got out. Twenty minutes later they left. I hope that everything is okay. Seems like there is always a police car or two up the street and around the corner.

I am happy that Alvin and I are in good health at this time. I am grateful for the sunshine this morning. I am grateful for our family, friends, this house – our home, to be financial “secure,” and my life. We are very blessed. I am grateful for that. Many blessings.

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

Always, Carol & Alvin

P.S. hoping to be able to set up my new computer after some coffee ……….

The New YEAR 2022

Good Morning ALL! Another Sunday morning. It is snowing. We sure have a lot of snow. I was out shovelling on the deck and I am running out of places to put the snow. It felt heavy but it is likely because it was morning and I had just got up and gone out with Mr. Alvin. On the plus side, it feels warmer. When I look outside the sky is white, the ground is white, the rooftops are white and snow is falling. We are literally covered in snow.

Yesterday I finally cleaned the area rug in my bedroom. I love my Bissell Crosswave, it works like a charm. Man was the water ever dirty. So happy to have that job done. I also cleaned the hallway rug as well. Lots of laundry was done yesterday as well. Looks like I have shovelling in my near future and I will round up the garbage and put in garage so that it is ready for Tuesday. With all of the pee pads from Cookie’s stay I may have to wait to put all of the garbage out. Oh well, not the end of the world.

Alvin is waiting patiently in the hallway, I believe as I cannot see him from my home computer as I moved it to the desk closest to the window and have my work computer near the door to the office. Today will be a quiet day for us. I am so excited for this week as with warmer temperatures we can go for walks. Our neighbours adopted an 8 month old female pup named Addy and she will be younger sister to Humphrey and Bogart. Her new very excited parents brought her over to meet us yesterday. She was very well behaved. Alvin barked once at her but I think it was a bark to say “okay young one, this is my house and I am the senior here.” Both did well together considering she is a puppy. I cannot wait to see her again. She was outside in the backyard with her Dad a few minutes ago. He went into the garage and she waited patiently outside the door.

Well I suppose I should get going and make some coffee before heading out to shovel, doing one last laundry as I forgot to wash Alvin’s sweater and he will need it this week when we walk. He has a jacket but it will be too small and the sweater covers all of him and keeps him warm. He does have a big warm jacket but he doesn’t like to wear it much. Actually it is almost too big for him. Perhaps I should see if it would fit Addy. I will see.

Have a great day. Be kind and respectful to yourself and to ours. We have to do better this year, we must. There is something about 2022 that tells me that. Something about the number.

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

Always, Carol & Alvin

2021

Good Morning ALL! Welcome to the last day of 2021, Friday, December 31st. 2021 was not much different from 2020 in that it was filled with financial hardship, heartbreak, sadness, stress and a longing for good things to come. The new year is on our doorstep and is filled with possibilities. I was reading my daughter’s Instagram post yesterday. She posted one of her latest creations a collage celebrating “possibilities.” She wrote: “To Possibilities. Ah the possibilities of a new year, a clean slate on which to dream. Do you set intentions or resolutions or choose a word to live by for the year? Or are you like me and sorta run around in all the possibilities, making a creative mess but having fun along the way (I might try the word “focus” this year)? I wish you all a 2022 filled with good health, love, creativity and all those delicious possibilities.”

What will our thoughts, our intentions, our resolutions be for the New YEAR? Do we remain focused and diligent during the New YEAR OR do those resolutions fall by the wayside a few weeks in? We mean well but sometimes we make unrealistic goals and resolutions.

My daughter’s post gave me the idea that maybe if we set out intentions, our resolutions if you will by a word or a handful of words that have great meaning and direction for us, that perhaps we will remain focused and keep them for the days of the coming year.

What are you words? What is your MANTRA? Do you have one?

I have been closing this post for months with the following: Continuing to live this life with kindness, respect, compassion, patience, love, laughter, understanding and gratitude. I am going to add two words possibilities and focus.

My new mantra for 2022:

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

Write your words, say your words aloud, make them a part of your day, an important part of your life and they will become your every day, your life.

I wish for the New YEAR to bring you and your family good health, a sense of renewal, but most of all, I hope the New YEAR brings you possibilities. We, you, me and the world need possibilities now, more than ever.

Happy New YEAR to my family and friends and to all of you who take your precious time to read this post each and every day. I so appreciate each one of you. May your lives be filled with good health, great joy, much love and laughter and abundance and a clean slate on which to dream.

A special thank you to my daughter for her words who inspired this post and who gives me inspiration every day of my life. You are my dream, you are my possibility and I love you very much.

Thank you to Mr. Alvin who in a few short weeks will turn 13. My constant companion and who brings me joy and laughter and stories. I love you buddy!

So on that note, HAPPY NEW YEAR. The best is yet to come. 2022. A year filled with possibilities, of dreams yet to be realized.

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

Always, Carol, Alvin and Cookie

P.S. I think that we are going to miss the Cookie Monster. She is lovingly nicknamed CM for her boisterous, active nature. She is a good girl. Just super busy. LOL. H

HAPPY NEW YEAR.

Where anything is possible!!

Photo by Anna-Louise on Pexels.com

Photo by Sebastian Hietsch on Pexels.com

2021

Good Morning All. How are you on this 2nd day of January, 2021? I am doing well. Again, up a bit later than I would have liked but I have to stop feeling guilty as when the body and mind are in tune and want to do something that is when it gets done. What can you do? The morning sky is now bright and sunlit. Seems to go from darkness to light quickly as the days begin to lengthen. Alvin and I are enjoying our time at home on my “work break” and will enjoy our time at home when “works begins.” I am still in disbelief that I have now been working from home for nine months and come March 19th, it will be a whole year. WOW. I am so grateful that this is my new norm.

Everyday you wake up is an opportunity for change, to be better, to learn more, in essence to grow, to take chances, to dream, to live. Food for thought.

Something that I must learn and fair quickly as it has been a bit of time since the changes were made to WordPress is to learn all those changes. I realized that I should have written down how to find the photo gallery as yesterday I looked and could not find it. Sometimes I wonder when things change if it is for the better. Sometimes I think that people change things firstly because they can and for the sake of change. Trust me it is not always necessary to change things. Keeping things simple is always important especially when you have a broad range of technically savvy folks using your programs. Just saying. Putting it out there to the Universe. Am I alone in this? I am 63 and I know for a fact that I am not the most tech savvy person on the planet nor am I the least tech savvy person either. I have learned so many things this past year working from home thanks in large part to my daughter, to my friend Signe, and to our systems staff, most especially “M” at “work.” All have tremendous patience with me and that is what I need in order to learn. Once I know something – generally I am good. I like to take notes to refer to for those days when instant recall is not working. Besides our brains are overloaded with information and sometimes those tidbits cannot be located in amongst the massive amount of other tidbits lodged in there. My thought anyway. I also know that we only use a small amount of our brain power but is it in connection with memory? That I am not certain. Anyway, I will figure things out, I usually do. Sometimes it takes me longer as I get frustrated and give up. How did I get on this topic. I seldom plan what I can going to write about and just go with whatever comes to my mind. Sometimes it may seem frivolous and other times it may be worthy of writing about. It is what it is. I also like to make people laugh. So perhaps along the way you giggle at my “frivolity” of thoughts.

Well today is Saturday – good old laundry day in this household. I love doing laundry actually – it is the carrying up and down of said laundry two flights of stairs that I am not fond about. Every time I feel less than impressed about the up and down, I think back to the days when I was a child and did laundry for seven people using a wringer washing machine and then hung the clothing, sheets, towels (everything) on the clothesline outside. Later in my youth we did get a dryer but still used the wringer washing machine.

P.S. how many know used a wringer washing machine?

I managed to give Mr. Alvin a haircut and bath yesterday although looking at his front paws and the back of his front legs, I wonder. What a guy. I spent over two hours trying to calmly, gently and reassuringly give him a haircut. He does not like it and I guess it is not going to get any easier over time as he ages. Oh well, I did my best at the time. Over the next days I will grab the scissors and trim a piece here and there until it is better.

Well I suppose it is time to get dressed and go check on the first load of laundry. Yes, I put on the first load after I hauled my butt up off the sofa about an hour ago. Wow, it is now 9:42 a.m., time just seems to fly. I think because work is now only today and tomorrow away. But perhaps getting back to “norm” will be okay. What is normal anyway? Different for most people, I suppose.

Enjoy your Saturday. If you have an opportunity to go for a walk, go and enjoy nature. It is true to take the “time to stop and smell the roses.” Alvin does every time we are out – except he is not exactly smelling roses, lol. Although in the summer he does stop and smell them. Gotta love my boy.

Continuing to live with kindness, respect and compassion for all. We all deserve to be treated with kindness, respect and compassion, ALL creatures big and small.

Always, Carol & Alvin

2021

Happy New Year. Good Morning ALL. We were up late and up early and after sleeping on the sofa for awhile, I decided to go back and lay on our bed. I opened the blinds and gazed out at the morning sky. The sky was divided into ribbons of gray and pink as the sun began to rise. Slowly over time the gray turned to blue and the pink turned to orange and to yellow. So beautiful. It has been a long time since I actually just was still and watched the sky for any length of time. I think that even though it is now 10 a.m. and I am basically just getting up – it was a great way to start the New Year. 2021 is a New Year so why not start doing something that you would not normally do. So I did.

New Year’s Eve – Alvin and I had a quiet evening. We each had our own supper (I threw together a roasted chickpea salad with caramelized onions, fresh tomatoes, cucumbers, and peppers)and afterwards I cleaned up. Then I watched the CTV’s viewing of a James Bond movie “Spectre.” Oh, I enjoyed a “mug” of baileys over ice. After the movie it was 10:00 p.m. with not being close to the NEW YEAR, I watched a bit of Hoda & Jenna’s New Year Special and Ryan Seacrest’s Special and caught a performance by Billy Porter which was great. Every once in awhile I would hear fireworks going off somewhere in the neighbourhood. Over the evening I sent texts to family and friends as I had posted a message on FB. At 10:45 p.m. we started making our way upstairs, turning the television off, Alvin going outside one last time before bed, lights off and then teeth brushing, face washing, pjs on and bed. I ended up reading for a little while listening to fireworks. I am not certain what time I finally fell to sleep but safe to say it was likely midnight somewhere.

Things I learned during 2020:

1. technology
2. that I actually liked being alone with myself and Alvin
3. loved spending more time with Alvin
4. more grateful
5. I liked not having to go shopping
6. taking time to appreciate life, health, people, environment, nature and climate
7. appreciate time at home
8. that I love working from home
9. learning what is truly important
10. sweating small stuff is better than having to sweat the big stuff
11. wearing lipstick when at home not wearing a mask makes you feel good
12. wearing sparkly ball earrings gives you a lift
13. learning new meanings for words such as: POD
14. not to be afraid, continue to follow the rules
15. walks at lunchtime with Alvin were not only good exercise but a good way to break up the work day
16. that my kitchen is a better place for me to work than my office upstairs, which is my creative space

Well it is a New Year, a new Day and time to get this one going. Time to get dressed, make coffee, eat some breakfast, go for a walk, give Mr. Alvin a haircut and bath and do some laundry.

I hope that you had a great night last night.

This is going to be a great New YEAR, 2021. We must be patient when it comes to COVID19 as we truly know that it is not going to disappear overnight, I know that we all wished that it would. Just follow the rules set out by the Health Professionals and Government. We will get through this, one day at a time. We will be better people, better friends, mothers, fathers, sisters, brothers, coworkers as a result. Work together. Be strong. We got this.

Happy Friday, January 1st, 2021. YAY.

The sun is shining so bright. I just know it is going to be a great year.

We will continue to live with kindness, respect and compassion for all.

Always, Carol & Alvin

December 30, 2020 – almost over!

Good Morning All. How are you this fine Wednesday? Alvin and I are doing great. Cannot believe that 2020 is almost over. Most people are so over 2020 that they cannot wait for it to end. Me and Alvin had an interesting year and mainly on the positive side. I am so grateful to be working from home, to be employed and that we are in good health. Actually the good health is number #1 on the gratitude list.

Well I finally figured out how to work this new fangle wordpress photo stuff. Here are some photos from the month or so.

Most of the photos are self explanatory but some may require further explanation. The third photo. Kelly Ripa’s glasses (on my new large screen television set). I fell in love with these glasses and when I went to pick out my new glasses, I wanted something similar to these ones and I found them. Not quite as big as hers but pretty close. Happy about that.

The fridge filled with baking and on the table. This year I made up over 20 boxes of my homemade: sugar cookies, unbaked chocolate macaroons, chocolate chip, raisin gingerbread cookies and fudge and delivered them to friends in the neighbourhood, and to my daughter (she picked them up). There are photos of presents on the kitchen cupboard and that is because as I have mentioned Mr. Alvin has decided to open his presents ahead of time. So anything for him or for his friends stayed on the counter until they were delivered. The photo of Alvin with the orangutan is not the best photo of the boy but it gives you an idea of how he felt about this gift (which luckily was for Aspen and Milo ). I have a photo of him with the orangutan wrapped about him, not sure where it is but he was scared of the furry guy. Photos of my grandpups Aspen and Milo just relaxing. The Elephant necklace from Fifth Avenue Jewelry (FAC) – my most favourite piece of jewelry. I have been wearing it lots. So pretty.

Christmas Project 2020 – a gift for my daughter. I created this gift by using one of her baby bonnet’s and some antique brooches. Creating a bouquet of flowers on the bonnet with a bee close by. My daughter loves bees so the bee pin had to be included. It turned out great and looks so good displayed in a shadow box.

• 

  Christmas Tree 2020

• 

  Sunrise

• 

  Kelly Ripa’s glasses

• 

  Baking

• 

  More Baking

• 

  Christmas presents

• 

  My new television

• 

  Miss Aspen Xmas 2020

• 

  Milo Xmas 2020

• 

  Alvin Xmas 2020

• 

  Alvin’s new winter coat

• 

  My fav new necklace

• 

  Wrapping Xmas presents

• 

  Wrapping xmas 2020

• 

  Christmas Project 2020

• 

  Close up of our tree

• 

  More of our tree

• 

  and more

Yesterday I took down the Christmas tree and most of the decorations on the main floor. I did not bring up all of the ornaments that are up for most of the year as I just like the almost bare look for now. I would like to bring in the New YEAR in a simple easy uncluttered manner. The basement has to be reorganized now and that will be my project for today. I also have to run (will walk) to the Vet and pick up food for Mr. Alvin. Cannot run out of that. We will go for another walk. Yesterday while out on our walk we bumped into our friend Malena and her dog Rio. She is staying with her parents for awhile. We of course chatted while social distancing.

I hope that you have an awesome day. Time to head for the shower. Then have breakfast. I think that when I go back to work, I am going to start eating earlier in the morning again instead of waiting until 10:00 a.m.

Be safe, take some time for yourself. Be kind, respectful and show compassion to all others.

Happy Wednesday.

Always, Carol & Alvin

December 29, 2020 – close to a New YEAR.

Good Morning ALL. The sun is shining and I can imagine birds singing. The sky is clear. I can see a bird flying in the distance. Well here we are Tuesday, December 29, 2020. How are you doing this morning? I am doing well. I must admit that even though we were up at 4:10 a.m. we hit the sofa after that until quite late. Something in me, just wanted to lay there, I did really sleep in until after 9:00 a.m. but rather I laid there looking at our Christmas Tree. I had made the decision last night to take down the tree today. There is something about the stillness of the morning and the unlit Christmas Tree that is so wonderful. A vision to behold. So many of my ornaments can tell a story. Sometimes you just have to take a step back and look. Just one of those lazy, pondering kind of mornings. Then I am “mad” at myself for not getting up and getting things done earlier. I cannot please myself. LOL.

Yesterday I went and picked out frames. It was definitely different from the past when I would go and have my eyes checked and then pick out my frames and then be on my way. This time I had the eye exam on December 11, 2020 and then on December 28, 2020 went back to pick out frames. There was lots of hand sanitizer involved, social distancing and mask wearing happening. I pointed to several pairs of frames and “Kelsea” grabbed them and once I had a tray full we went back and sat down. She gave me a mirror and I tried each one on. She advised to have two piles, one that I liked and the other that I did not like, so that is what we did. It was easy at first once I tried the frames on. The front of the office is all windows so it was very bright. The brightness really made me look pale even though I had put on my makeup. I narrowed it down to a few and then snapped photos to send to my daughter who was “waiting” to see my choices and to help me make the decision. In the end, it was down to two and we both liked one pair more than the other and Kelsea thought the same. It is nice to have photos of your choices as it used to be you picked out frame and then waited until they came in before you really remembered what they looked like. Technology is a good thing for sure. I will say that after looking at them later although I am happy with my choice there are three that I really did like. Oh well. I chose the ones that reminded me of a pair of glasses that Kelly Ripa wore on Live with Kelly & Ryan. Anyway it is done. They are paid for and I just have to wait for them to arrive. Kelsea said it would take about three weeks at the latest. Everything is taking just a bit longer than preCovid. I am happy that I was able to get this done before the end of the year.

Well it is now 10:00 a.m. – can you believe it. I guess we should be going to bed at our usual time, I forgot to say that we were up later last night watching of all things ….. Christmas movies on the Hallmark Channel. There are so many that I did not see or did not watch in its’ entirety. Oh well, I guess this is a week off and time to just do what I can do or not. Just turned my head to see the sun shining so brightly that the snow on the garage roof appears to be a massive lot of diamonds. So beautiful.

Yesterday morning on Live with Kelly & Ryan …… the Story of the Day was about this family from Calgary, Alberta. The Williams Family who make reindeer lawn / outside ornaments and then give the money to homeless shelters. The City of Calgary is just south about 2.5 hours of where I live in the City of Edmonton, Alberta. So excited to see Canadians making “the news” for good work.

I hope that you are doing well on this Tuesday. Mr. Alvin is ready to go back downstairs. I will get some photos uploaded to WordPress for tomorrow. Or is it downloaded?

Enjoy this Tuesday, December 29, 2020. Be well. Be safe. We shall all continue to live with kindness, respect and compassion.

I am grateful this day to have some time off from work with pay. I am grateful to live in a beautiful country. I am grateful to live with my best buddy Alvin. I am grateful for good food, good friends and family. Life is good. May 2021 be even better. I am grateful that so many folks are reading my posts. I am overjoyed.

Always, Carol & Alvin

Welcome to December 2020

Good Morning ALL. How are you doing on this fine Thursday? I just had a refreshing, relaxing wonderful shower and am so ready for the day. Countdown to CHRISTMAS EVE DAY brings us to “15” days. WOW. I must have miscounted! Oh well, we got this. Right. Christmas and the Holiday Season will be a bit different, okay a lot different for most of us this year but different is so much better than the alternative. If we can open our eyes and take in that first breath of the new day, if we have food to eat, technology to reach out to family and friends and are in good health – no complaints. We have so much more than so many others. I recognize the fact that I am more than truly blessed at this point in my life. I have a beautiful home to live in and to call my own with a yard and deck and a tree. Mr. Alvin has been my trusty companion for almost 11 years now which I will say the longest period of time that I have lived with a “guy.” I am employed by a employer who was actually prepared for a situation that would call for us to work remotely. Yes, there have been a few hiccups but very, very few. I am so grateful that I am able to work from home with no commute to and from the office, and be with Mr. Alvin who is fast approaching 12 in January of this coming New Year. This gives us the opportunity to go for walks at noon and have more time together. I have more time to read and so much more. More time to sleep as well which has been wonderful. Yes, it is true that there has been much less contact with friends and family. But we have figured it out. There is Facetime, Skype, Zoom and texting and more. So we are good. Right, we are.

Tomorrow after work I am going to have my two year eye checkup and get new glasses. So stoked to get some new shades. I wished that I would be able to have my daughter with me to help me pick them out but that is okay, I got this. New glasses for the upcoming new year. Might have to really whack off my hair and be a really new me for the New Year. Time will tell. I was thinking that tomorrow night might be wrapping the gift night. This is the gifts for my daughter and her husband. I will be stopping at the Bone & Biscuit to pick up gifts for Mr. Alvin, Aspen and Milo after my eye appointment. My daughter has the gifts for the other pups on our list which I realized could have been much longer had I remembered them all. I have the gifts here for Humphrey and Bogart so will get them wrapped and over to them shortly. There may be more baking on the weekend, I have not decided.

Well Mr. Alvin is giving me that look – that look – get the heck off that thing and come downstairs. Okay, I need some coffee anyway.

I hope that you have an awesome Thursday. Remember we shall live our lives with kindness, respect and compassion for all. We will get through this, together!!

Always, Carol & Alvin