Last Half 2022

Good Morning ALL! I hope this finds you doing very well on this Monday morning. Both Alvin and I are doing great. For now the second day we had 7 hours of consecutive sleep.

Happy Thanksgiving to all our Canadian Family & Friends here in Edmonton, back home in Regina and all over the world. The sunrise was so beautiful this morning. We hope that you have a wonderful day surrounded by family and friends with good food.

Flowers still blooming

Our Door

Surnise this morning

Beautiful colours

The sky was amazing

Clouds rolling in

OUR TREE

Earlier this morning the sunrise was amazing chalked full of oranges, pinks and yellows. Absolutely breathtaking.

Yesterday when Alvin and I were out for our walk we came across Jamie and Sadie. We chatted for quite a long time before heading back towards home together. I had planned to put away the patio furniture today but will wait until next weekend. The remaining outside work to do is putting away the furniture (will honestly will take about 15 minutes), clean our the remaining three plant pots, and that is it. Today I am going to give Mr. Alvin a trim and a bath, put away laundry that is air drying in the basement, wash one load of laundry, sweep where BOBI (robot vac does not go) and then later make my own Thanksgiving Dinner with roasted sweet potatoes, brussel sprouts, stove top stuffing with cranberries with pumpkin pie for dessert. I walked to the store yesterday at noon and cashed in my winning lotto tickets (free plays), picked up a pumpkin pie, cucumbers and strawberries.

I am grateful for this day at home with Mr. Alvin. I guess tomorrow is garbage day as well.

I hope that you have a great day.

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

Always, Carol & Alvin

PS: also have to drop off house key to my friends who will be watching Mr. Alvin on Wednesday-Friday.

The New YEAR 2022

Good Morning ALL! How are you this morning, doing well I hope. Alvin and I had a good morning thus far. I was up and stayed up at 6:20 a.m. – going to make a point of trying to get up at least by 6:00 a.m. each morning so that I can enjoy the early morning sunrises. I can feel the sun on my heart and soul. Erasing the anxiety of days gone by. The sky is blue and the wind is blowing and life is good.

We had a wonderful weekend. Sunday was basically a repeat of Saturday. My friend Gillian came for coffee in the morning and we chatted up a storm. So much good conversation. Friends are the best. I love her, she keeps me thinking and young. Gillian is also going to pop by and check in on Mr. Alvin while I am away at the office tomorrow. So grateful to have such dear friends. Very grateful. The other pea in our pod has a cold and decided to keep her “germs” at home. We missed her. I shared some of the delectable baking that my friend Val had sent to me from Regina. So good. Love(d) the cinnamon buns and my favourite the “biscotti.” I love that word. Sounds beautiful, so Italian. I would love to travel there some day. But for now I go there in my dreams.

The earlier plan had been for my daughter to come for a visit in the afternoon but then she decided to come today and then spend the night. She will come later this afternoon. Makes sense as she is going to drive me to work in the morning. Then we have the evening to get caught up on all things the trip to VEGAS! I am making her favorite supper – chicken stir fry.

With the change in plans yesterday, I decided to go for a walk a bit earlier. Another sweater day. When we got around the park to our friend Lucy’s house, who did I see hanging from a ladder trimming one of her trees, but LUCY! OMG, all alone and doing that. We caught her eye and she happily accepted me to stay while she finished the tree. We had some great conversation while Mr. Alvin sat patiently. She was up and down the ladder. I handed her her trimming shears and the long handled ones. I was wishing that I had those sizes as well. I only have the one on the pole. She likes things to be clear and simple. So all the extra branches some of which had died, she wanted gone. Most people wouldn’t be bothered but not Miss Lucy. Up that ladder and leaning on the trunk of the tree, took my breath away. She kept saying how much she appreciated us being there but we could go as she did not want to interrupt our walk. I plainly said “No, we are not leaving until you are done pruning the tree.” We stayed. There was no way I was leaving her alone. Once she was finished we were on our way. By the time we got home it was close to two hours of walking/fresh air/visiting. I was in my happy place. Alvin was in his and pooped. I think he figured it was suppertime but no too early for that but I did give him a snack. Likely better as he gets older to cut back on the breakfast and supper and give him snacks (his food) late morning and mid afternoon. Keeps his belly full and happy.

I also cleaned out my pantry and discarded and recontained all of my spices. Thank you Val for the new tupperware spice containers.

I made a really delicious pasta with tomato sauce. Was disappointed when I went to put it away and noticed that I had forgot to use the pepperoncini and roasted tomatoes that I had purchased for this meal. Oh well, I can also add them to the leftovers. LOL. The fresh PARM from the Italian store was so darn good.

Well we had a nice evening. Oh and before supper I brought out some of our patio furniture. Now it looks like spring/summer. I am happy.

Time to go and plug in the coffee and soon to start work.

Looking forward to seeing my girl later today.

Have an awesome Monday.

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

Always, Carol & Alvin

2021

Good Morning ALL. How are you today? I am doing great. Off to a little wobbly, well rather later than planned start but all is good. I have showered and am writing my post now and one of the girls will be here in less than a hour. She is bringing a couple of small heaters as we are having a birthday party in my garage. Thankfully the temperature is warming up but having the party at 10:00 a.m. …. it is likely still going to be cold. I wore a long sleeved top and a cardigan and sweatpants that are toasty warm. Not sure if to wear my bigger coat or my other one. Both are warm but one covers more of my legs. Boots ….. Also I will be putting a sweater on Mr. Alvin, his sweater of course, not one of mine, (you are silly, lol). All depends on how you write words as to the understanding, right? I have everything packed up and ready to be hauled out to the party area. Last night after work I moved and rearranged things in the garage so each of us are more than six feet apart so we can be mask free so we can drink our beverage (coffee and tea) and eat the birthday cupcakes. Each person has a comfy chair with a nice cushion. I am taking out blankets as well. Also we each have a side table of sorts. One is a table, one is a wooden bench and the other which I am using is a rubbermaid container with a piece of cut drywall as a topper (as it is flat). I am taking a cloth to cover the table. Decided to use the river rock top bistro table as I was unable to easily get to the other bigger patio table. I think it will be perfect. A birthday banner will be hung this morning as I thought the tape would come off in the cold. I have a few decorations that will go onto the table and voile we are done. Ready to party. I will put on the coffee so it is ready when Gillian arrives. I said her name. Sometimes I mention friends and family by name and sometimes not. The birthday girl is Signe. Her actual birthday is tomorrow. The sky appears to be clear. I think this is going to be a great party. It surely is. Also the extra gift for the girls that was being commissioned and did not make it for Christmas has arrived. So both girls will have gifts today. How wonderful is that. I am so excited. Alvin had lots of gifts last Sunday and me, well everyday and all the time that I spend on this earth with my Alvin, family and friends is all the gift I need.

I did want to mention something that I believe has become so important this past year and will remain important now and into the future. That is PATIENCE. We have all had to learn and be patient this last year. It is not a trait that comes naturally to human beings or at least not in my experience. It does come more easily to some than to others but it is most important these days. We have had to change our daily lives completely in 2020 and even into 2021 whether working from home, changed work hours, having no job, wearing a mask whenever you are outside in public, teaching your children from home, either having personally experienced the COVID 19 virus first hand or having a family member or a friend have the virus and of course, the worse possible – having someone pass away. There is no one on this planet that has not been affected in some way, shape or form. You may be one of the millions of folks who work in healthcare, with seniors, in schools, in stores, restaurants, fire department, police, utility companies and the list goes on and on of those that are out everyday no matter what. Also to all of the small businesses who have either had to close their doors or somehow have managed to keep afloat. Everyone, everyday has had to have patience. Whether you are at home or at work …. we all need patience. I tell myself (quite often, actually) and others to stop, take a deep breath and then go forward. We can do this. Patience will always serve us well in every situation for the present and into the future. Some things are beyond our control but patience is something we can control if we work on it. I know that for sure. Deep breath, patience all. We got this. We have learned valuable lessons as human beings or at least I hope so and although there may be many days that are marred with doubt and despair we will get to the other side. It will be different. I do not believe that things will ever go back to the way they were or at least some part of me, hopes that is the case. We hopefully will have learned for the future, for our children’s futures and their children.

So time to go and put the finishing touches on this birthday party. Mr. Alvin looks like me may have to go outside as it look like his eyes are watering …. he is fussing. He even asked me nice. How can you ignore that.

Be well, take cake. Breath and have patience.

Oh, I get to pick up my new glasses today, so excited. We might also get a walk in later this afternoon.

Life is good.

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

Always, Carol & Alvin

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

Living … One day at a time

Hello, good morning …. I miss the early morning sunrises.

Yesterday was the OFFICIAL day of FALL / Autumn.

My tree out front has almost entirely turned to a beautiful yellow.

Some of the leaves have fallen to the ground covering the green grass with a crunchy yellow gold blanket.

I do love the colours of fall.

Warm and rich.

I am going to stay positive with the hope that the weather will hold for a few more weeks at least.

It would be wonderful if the days would remain the same as this past weekend.

We had in the mid 20 degree days with lots of sunshine.

So beautiful.

I am so grateful that we had lots of walks.

I had extra ones with my grand pups here on Saturday.

 

I was looking at my flowers in the front and back raised beds and the ones on the deck.

Soon it will be time to trim them back.

Soon I guess with a tear in my eye it will be time to put away the patio furniture and prepare for that next season.

There was not even a day (except for last weekend) to put out the white and blue patterned pillows for the second patio set.

They remained in bags in the garage all summer long.

Our summer was more like a combination of spring and fall with flowers.

My SNAPDRAGONS insist with the recent sunshine to bloom in all their glory.

A beautiful site to behold.

 

The marigolds are doing quite well, too.

 

On this Tuesday, I think about how very blessed I am.

I live in my very own home.

I have Alvin as my steadfast companion.

I am surrounded by great friends and neighbors.

I have the best family on the planet.

I am employed.

I am in good health.

Feeling very happy and blessed.

 

 

Remember most people and animals are drawn to those who are kind and respectful.

Why not take the time, make the time.

To treat every being you encounter with kindness and respect.

Why not?

 

 

Always, Carol & Alvin

Living … One day at a time.

Hello,

Monday morning once again.

Overcast sky.

Smoke or rain clouds?

Do not smell smoke, so that is a good thing.

 

We had the pleasure of having Humphrey the Cat spend the weekend with us or rather the waking hours.

He did sleep at home.

After this post, I am going to his home to make sure that he is okay before I leave for work.

His Momma will be home today.

 

If you are in the moment and are quick enough ….. well you will see …..

Humphrey hiding behind the planter.

The boys out together.

Humphrey deciding what to do.

I was so pleased to be able to snap this shot, Alvin and a Magpie at a star down.

Alvin walking away ….  ” I did not catch the bird”….

Humphrey is so photogenic …. I guess most animals are ….

I love the shots of Humphrey playing under the patio furniture.

The shot of the day ….. Humphrey just popped his head up … to see what I was doing.

They bring so much joy and so many stories.

Overall the boys did very well.

Considering they are a cat and a dog.

Alvin is just a tad bit fearful of Humphrey which is okay.

Humphrey has a good amount of patience.

So together it works.

 

Speaking of Humphrey …. I must go.

 

Living … One day at a time.

Have a wonderful day.

 

Always, Carol & Alvin

 

Thought for the day ….

Good Morning and Welcome to Monday the 22nd day of April, 2019.

The sky is slightly overcast this morning as the sun rises in the sky.

Forecast is for above 17 degrees celsius today.

Yesterday was glorious.

We were up in good time yesterday morning and spoke to my daughter via the telephone followed by a call from my friend P to go for a walk with her and her grand pup Georgie.

Just when I was sipping my coffee we received another phone call from our friend V in Regina, Saskatchewan.

The phone rang off the “wall” so to speak yesterday morning.

So great to chat to the girls.

Alvin and I met P and Georgie at the entrance to the nearby park and then continued for a nice long walk.

Just a few minutes into the walk we noticed a bright white flock above us filling the sky.

I was distracted by a larger dog and was paying more attention to Alvin and the dog than the birds.

P told me quick look it is a flock of SWANS.

She had heard on a news report that there were swans in our area.

This is not their normal flight route.

A historical flight change for sure.

The sky was white with the huge number of swans.

In all my years I have never seen a swan flying overhead.

How cool is that?

We continues about our walk and enjoyed everything that nature had to offer us.

Everyone was out walking their pups yesterday.

One hour later we returned home.

We, well I spent the day taking apart the office.

Everything down from the walls, packed up the closet and filled two garbage bags.

There are still a number of items and boxes to take to the basement for storage.

Once the room is clean except for the computer desk and chair; I will begin to prepare for painting.

Then at some point – there will be new paint in my office and I will finally hang my bulletin boards that my daughter made me for Christmas a few years ago (3 actually).

Sometimes it takes a while to get things done.

ARGH.

I also pressure washed the deck yesterday early afternoon.

Alvin and I even went for another walk late afternoon – early evening – 30 minutes.

Lots of exercise for us.

Was so great to get it all cleaned and now ready to put out the patio/deck furniture.

I might just put out a few things for now.

Another successful day.

Today will be shower for me after this post, then make pancakes, put on another load of laundry, COFFEE, take boxes and items to the basement and give Mr. Alvin a bath.

I am hoping to trim his front paws and legs a bit more before the bath.

I am excited to have today plus tomorrow off from work.

Feeling like I am accomplishing so much this weekend.

The weather has been great for walks.

Perhaps our daughter/sister might pop by today for a visit.

I will make pancakes and perhaps that will bring her here this morning.

Well time to hop into the shower.

Already changed our bedding.

All fresh for clean human and dog tonight.

We will be freshly clean as well.

 

I am so grateful to have this beautiful house.

I am so grateful for my daughter and her family.

I am so grateful for my sister and brothers.

I am so grateful for all our family.

Young and old.

I am grateful to have had this extra long weekend to get some tasks/chores accomplished; to have had extra walks and to have had some wonderful relaxation time.

Feeling pretty great.

 

Big celebration today is EARTH DAY.

Please be kind to our Earth this day and everyday.

Pick up trash.

Don’t destroy our Environment.

Turn off unnecessary lights.

Plant a tree.

We can all work together and make a difference.

Celebrate this beautiful planet we call EARTH.

Happy Earth Day.

Be kind to our precious EARTH.

Happy Earth Day.

 

 

Have an awesome Monday.

So much to celebrate today.

 

Special Hello to: my family and friends.

Always, Carol & Alvin

 

 

 

Thought for the day ….

Good Morning and Welcome to Friday the 19th day of April, 2019.

It is mid morning in Edmonton as we get to starting this day.

We were first up at 3:30, then 5:30, then 7:15 and then just before 9:00 a.m.

Perhaps that is why I found it difficult to actually get up and stay up.

Oh well ….. what can you do.

The sky is partially overcast as I look out the office window which faces south.

Looking out our bedroom window to the north the sun is shining with mainly clear sky.

Always amazes me.

Only sound is the odd car driving by on the street.

Perhaps others are feeling lazy this Friday morning.

There is a breeze as I see the trees swaying gracefully in the wind.

 

I am most grateful to have a five day weekend.

We started last night by going for a walk with our friend P.

The walk took us about one hour.

We walked by the larger “lake” and park to the north of us.

P was telling us all about the frogs as we could hear them singing their songs.

We even walked through the grass and small shrubs by the water to see the frogs floating on the water.

Very cool.

Nature is cool.

It is all of the small things that we walk by each and every day with no thought of what is going on in their world.

Alvin just kept following P.

I think he was wondering why all of a sudden it was okay to walk off the path.

We also walked down by the water at our ponds for a bit.

There was a bit of action there but not nearly as much as at the big lake.

During we came across two geese just walking in a grassy area.

There was a young boy of about 9 I would say sitting on his bike with a long stick in his hand.

Looking to make a move on the geese.

Geese VS boy.

I know who would come out ahead.

Not the boy.

P told the boy to leave the geese alone.

While we were there he seemed to listen.

I will never know why it is that some children and some adults feel the urge to bother or to hurt or worse.

Why not just sit back and watch them.

Geese are such beautiful birds.

I love their grace as they take off and land on the water.

I love watching them with their babies.

We also saw a pair of ducks in a small grove of trees on the other side of the lake.

You can always tell the difference between a female and a male in nature.

The males are always the most colourful and the females are always the “drab ones.”

What happened to humans?

I understand why animals do this …. to distract the predators from the female and the babies.

Most of the time anyway.

 

Well time to get this long long weekend on the way.

I will start with coffee and making a list of all of the things that need to be done.

There is a few to be sure.

Looking forward to spending some time outside.

Walking.

More yard work.

Pressure washing the deck.

Perhaps bringing out the patio furniture?

Too early?

 

I hope that you have a wonderful day.

Happy Friday.

Special Hello to: my family and friends …..

Always, Carol & Alvin

 

 

Thought for the day ….

Good Morning and Welcome to Tuesday the 18th day of September, 2018.

No moisture overnight.

Sidewalks are dry.

Alvin is laying on his blue blanket and sound asleep.

He can sleep anywhere, so cute.

I sure love that guy.

 

Happy Birthday to “G” …… he came into our lives almost ten year ago.

Alvin and I wish you the best birthday.

Have an awesome day and take some time off work.

Can someone reading this post please pass this message to him.

You know who you are.

Smiling….. thank you.

 

Last night I put away the last of the furniture from the deck.

Actually I have a river rock top bistro table and two chairs remaining.

I will leave them out for now.

The bistro table is heavy so might need a hand putting it into the garage.

The flowers are hanging in their inside of the garage although we have not had much sunshine as of late.

Perhaps it is time to just dig them up …. they are still so pretty.

I feel that they are cold in the garage …. my poor little flowers.

Still have to do something with the lavender as it smells too good to waste.

Keeps me busy.

Oh, I have lots of snapdragon seeds for next year.

 

Last night we walked with our friend “P.”

We did the walk in just over 45 minutes.

About halfway into it or so …. Alvin wanted to turn around …. but we urged him to continue.

He did …. we did.

With the snow and rain on the weekend we did not walk Saturday or Sunday.

Always good to get exercise whenever you can.

Especially when you like “treats” and both Alvin and I like the treats.

I will say that his treats are more healthy than mine

 

We noticed on our walk last night that the gulls, pigeons, magpies and crows are all starting to hang out on the rooftops.

I bet near the chimneys for warmth.

 

Well here we go for Tuesday.

Another Tuesday.

I hope that you have an awesome Tuesday.

 

Special Hello to: my sister ….

Always, Carol & Alvin

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Saturday the 28th day of April, 2018.

The sun is shining brightly as it is almost 7:30 a.m.

Alvin and I have been up for awhile now.

I switched my winter clothes with my summer clothes – one closet to the other.

DONE.

I had the most productive evening last night after work:  Alvin had his supper, raked the back yard, spray washed the deck, washed two loads of laundry, moved my winter coats and boots to the basement

and moved summer jackets to the front closet, brought out most of the patio/deck furniture, made coffee for me and my neighbour, supper, submitted a tea order, did dishes by hand, cleaned the house a bit and was

in bed by 10:10 p.m.

With the cleaning of the deck last night – managed to spray wash myself.

The end on the garden hose is slightly cracked making it impossible to connect the sprayer properly.

So I got wet along with my neighbour who was in her yard.

She came over to help me and I ended up using her hose to clean the deck.

What a night …. thankfully it was really warm so after the initial blast of cold water, I was fine and dried quickly.

 

This morning our little friend TEDDY is coming to spend the day with us as his parents travel outside the City of Edmonton to their farm.

I wanted to have most of my chores completed so that I had time to spend quality time with Alvin and Teddy.

The deck and back yard are all cleaned up so they can play before it gets to hot.

Supposed to be +27 degrees celsius today.

My neighbour is going to help me put out the base for the one patio table and lift the other table down to the deck area closest to the house.

Then we will be ready for sitting outside.

I have an idea for a short story so am making notes.

Time to have breakfast before our company arrives.

Tomorrow I am going to clean up the trash in the neighbourhood and pick up a few things at the grocery store.

Also rake the front lawn.

Always lots to do.

Soon the perennials will begin to grow, I sure hope so, anyway.

Looking forward to the buds on the trees.

 

I am inspired by the sunlight and Teddy’s arrival.

He is a little bundle of energy that makes you want to get up and go.

 

I hope that you all have an awesome weekend.

May the “sunlight” be with you.

Happy Saturday.

 

Special Hello to: my family and friends, who are my “sunlight.”
Always, Carol & Alvin