2021

Good Morning ALL! How are you this morning? Well other than not falling asleep quickly we had a great night sleep. Alvin woke up at 4:00 and then we were up to stay at 6:22 a.m., now does not get more perfect than that. YAY Mr. Alvin and yay Momma. The wind was cold last night and I was worried for my flowers but looking at them earlier they appear to be okay. We do have some cold weather coming this week with even possible “snow” flurries, I sure hope that the sun shines and the only moisture we receive is rain. Some of the overnight temperatures are in the single minus number range and that means covering the plant pots that I cannot move. There are three that I struggled to get to the lower deck from the garage and there is no way that I can easily move them into the garage and out for the daytime. So covering is the only option. I finally was able to download my photos and I now have figured out why everytime I download photos from my phone to the computer ….. that I get a message stating a number of files did not download and that is because they were LIVE shots. Gotta love technology. So yesterday when after two years with this phone (should have asked my daughter) the light bulb came on and I made the realization. So I spent over an hour deleting live shots from my phone. Luckily I had some portrait mode ones that I could download. I reshot the flower photos last night. The jewelry party was a success, I have no idea the sales but there were more people attending and watching the replays than ever before and I am grateful for that.

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

This is my back deck area. Lots of flowers and different than I usually plant. Of course, there are some of the usual. I did forget to pick up marigolds so will have to grab a couple of those at some point during the next couple of weeks. Marigolds help keep mosquitoes and wasps away.

I hope that you all have a wonderful day and that your weekend was great.

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

Always, Love Carol & Alvin

2021

Good Morning ALL! How are you doing this Thursday morning, May 6th, 2021? We are well. We enjoyed a couple of walks yesterday and on the second one we were able to have an outside visit with our friend. She was working in her garden and invited us in for a patio visit. I love sitting on her patio in her backyard. I cannot wait until her flowers are all out and blooming. She starts most of her plants and flowers inside the house and then in spring plants them in pots on her patio and some in her flower beds which surround the lawn area. She has one of the most beautiful garden ever. It is our sanctuary away from home, I always feel relaxed and calm in her yard.

As I am plum out of stories and things to say on this morning. I am going to post some photos of mine from previous years. Bad me, I still have not downloaded the photos that I have been taking recently. I will be proud to show you my handiwork on the front flower bed and cannot wait to fill it full of plants and flowers. It is now a blank canvas so I had better get planning it before it is too late. Soon it shall be time to pick up some plants/flowers and get them planted. I cannot wait. My favourite thing is picking out some plants/flowers, then planting and caring for them and watching them grow and flower.

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

  My Flowers

• 

  A gift

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

  Impatiens

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

  My pansies

• 

  Perfection

• 

• 

Wishing you joy and laughter on this Thursday. Continuing to live this life with kindness, respect, compassion and patience.

Always, Love Carol & Alvin

Love flowers ………

P.S. cannot wait to get the fence painted. Looking a bit worn, lol.

It is a NEW YEAR.

Good Monday Morning!

Well this morning has certainly been a mix of sun and clouds.

Looking as though it will clear up.

They are forecasting 25 degrees celsius for today.

There is a bit of a breeze wafting in through our open windows.

I started this spring opening the windows in the morning.

If it gets cold …. of course, I close them but on those days where the temperature soars, the refreshing cool air early in the morning is welcome.

I still have not had my central air conditioning serviced.

It is on my TO DO List for this summer.

Finally found someone that will take a look at it.

Just have to set up a date and time.

COVID19 kind of changed some of my plans or at least timelines.

Oh, I see the SUN flashing through the corner of my eye as I am still at my desk right close to the window.

My favourite spot.

I had thought of flipping my workspace but then decided against that thought.

I love having my personal space by the window with my elephant and box of kleenex on the ledge.

Sitting beside my green gauze curtains and little beaded curtains always makes me feel good.

 

Last night one of  my friends brought over the diamond paintings that I had ordered.

We girls, well they have done more than me, I only have done one thus far but that is about to change.

In July we are having a big GIRLS NIGHT and working on a diamond painting.

We will have snacks and all sorts of different liquid refreshment.

I cannot wait.

Anyway last night we sat on the deck and had a “long island iced tea” and chatted.

First time in many years that I have “drank alcohol” on a Sunday night.

Just one over ice.

Lovely.

The evening was perfect.

Sunshine and not too hot.

The mosquitoes kept at bay.

It was much later than usual when we went to bed which I thought would have been a good thing.

I decided as Alvin had been fussing with his ears to clean them.

Bad idea.

I tried to look at them closer with a flashlight and it looked as though the one is inflamed.

At one point I thought there was something in the one.

I of course, was panic stricken thinking there was a worm or something in his ear.

Then he got really anxious and panting.

Finally after awhile he settled down and then I couldn’t sleep.

It felt like one hour, then two, then three and then I don’t know.

At 4:00 p.m. Alvin was up and we went downstairs.

He had his glucosamine chew and I caved and let him have breakfast.

A tad early but he was hungry.

So I will call the Vet this morning and make him an appointment, clearly something is not right.

 

Introducing Baby Bogart, Humphrey’s little brother.

So cute and so little.

I snapped a million photos but found that I took even more video.

I

Gotta run.

Time to work.

 

Have an awesome Monday.

Living with kindness and respect.

I/We shall remain,

As Always, Carol & Alvin

 

 

 

 

 

It is a NEW YEAR.

Wow, so excited for another bright sunny morning.

There is not much of a breeze this morning so the temperature will feel warmer (fingers crossed).

Always makes me feel great when the sun is shining.

Mr. Alvin actually slept right through until 4:52 this morning.

Which was great.

 

This morning at 9:00 a.m., Alvin’s BF Teddy and his little sister Kobi are coming to spend the day.

First time Kobi has spent the day with us since the week at the end of January.

She has grown and hopefully a bit more calm but time will tell.

Kobi really is still a puppy so cannot expect her to sit in a corner with paws crossed not moving.

I tried to puppy proof the main floor and upstairs.

It was a difficult decision to make about blocking off the stairs so that Teddy and Kobi would remain on the main floor.

Alvin would not stay downstairs without me (especially if he knows I am upstairs).

Last time Kobi was here my attempts at keeping her downstairs failed miserably.

So this time I am going to live dangerously and leave the entrance to upstairs unbarricaded.

I have closed the doors to the bedrooms up here.

Placed the water dish in the bathroom.

A couple of pee pads just in case (hopefully if need them they get used).

Downstairs I moved things around just a bit.

A plant over there and also placed a couple of pee pads in stragetic spots.

So we are ready for the gang to arrive.

I made up another little bed in the office just in case someone wants to lay down.

I will take photos of the pups when I can.

We should manage okay as I pretty much have a break every couple of hours.

At that time everyone will go outside for a pee break and some sunshine.

 

We enjoyed 1.5 walks yesterday.

At noon we got our full walk in and under our belts.

After work we spotted our friend P in her yard working and amazingly enough she was just about to take a break.

She invited us in and we had a visit on our patio.

My friend P celebrates a birthday on Saturday.

I always love sitting in her yard admiring all of her beautiful flowers.

This year she put different flowers together in pots.

She also has a full on flower garden with shrubs and trees.

A bird bath where the little songsters come to hang out.

They love watching them from their windows or from the patio.

Great way to start the day my friend told me.

 

Well I can feel a sneeze coming on.

Achoo Achoo.

Kleenex …. yes, please.

Time of the year for allergies.

 

I hope that this finds you in good health.

Wishing you a Wednesday full of love and laughter.

If you are working from home I hope that you take some breaks.

I know it is hard sometimes ….. I am busy in my job.

If it was not for Alvin, I would like work a great many more hours than I already do.

Yup, I am guilty of putting in extra time.

I do it for my clients and for my well being.

As oddly as it sounds.

Perhaps my idea of well being is mixed up, I do not know.

Oh well.

I feel great and that is important.

 

Time to fly.

Just like a bird.

High in the sky.

Not this bird.

I will slide over.

Time to work.

 

Have an awesome day.

Filled with kindness and respect.

I/We, shall remain,

As Always, Carol & Alvin

 

 

 

Thought for the day ….

Good Morning and Welcome to Sunday the 24th day of June, 2018.

Another beautiful sunny morning.

Alvin slept from 10:00 p.m. until 6:40 a.m. (he must have been pooped after his sleepover with Teddy.

He had a moment this morning and did not wish to walk down the stairs.

So I gingerly picked him up to carry him downstairs.

He wasn’t really happy about that and perhaps he did not trust that I could manage carrying him down the stairs.

I was carefully as after all he is “me Alvin” and I would never intentionally put him in harm’s way.

We made it to the bottom of the stairs and I carefully set him down.

After that he has been up and down the stairs.

He has been looking around and not sure if he thinks that perhaps Teddy is here somewhere.

 

Yesterday my daughter and Milo came for an unexpected visit.

Timing was perfect as I was giving Mr. Alvin a haircut.

Teddy just watched and perhaps was thinking “Yikes, I may be next.”

Even with the two of us we were not able to get Alvin’s front paws trimmed very short.

So it is what it is.

He looks good and will be much cooler.

Now after tomorrow the temperatures are cooling off.

I give him a trim/cut once a month.

Timing.

The boys had fun playing and hanging out.

Milo and Teddy got along well.

So great to have Teddy come to hang out with Alvin.

We enjoyed having him over.

 

Happiness means something different for everyone.

What brings you great joy?

What makes you feel giddy with joy to the very bottom of your being?

Happiness for me is being in good health, being surrounded by family and friends and being at home.

I have always wanted as long as I have lived to have my very own home.

This belongs to me (and to the bank), and I am so grateful to call this mine.

I can come home every night after work to my little piece of heaven.

I have flowers in the spring until fall.

I have room for me Alvin to relax and to run around.

There is room to sit for me, Alvin and company.

I can sit under an umbrella and sip on a cup of coffee and read a book, if I wish.

I can lay down if I wish but have to watch out for the “ants.”

They seem to be living everywhere these days.

I can take in the sunshine, the moon, the stars.

I can breathe fresh air sitting on my deck.

I can be proud of what this is and I am.

I can admire the flowers.

I can watch the clouds rolling by.

I can smell the fragrances of the flowers.

This is it.

Happy Days.

These were taken last night about mid evening before the sun went down.

 

 

 

 

 

Love the reflection of the night sky in the garage window.  It was so perfect out last night.

Well I guess I had better fly into the shower and then head out for coffee with my girls.

Always enjoy our get togethers.

Happy Sunday.

Enjoy what you have …..

Big or small …..

It is yours……

 

Special Hello to:  my sister – these flowers are for you …

Always, Carol & Alvin

Thought for the day ….

Good Morning and Welcome to Friday the 15th day of June, 2018.

How about Friday photos?

My life in photos ….. last night.

After the rain …..

The grass was glistening …

The flowers standing proud and tall ….

A rainbow …..

Favourite items ….

Most favourite guy …. me, Alvin ….

I cannot help but smile when I see the bright colour checks reflecting from the sunshine to the MOSIAC to the wall.

The biggest smile is on my face as I take the photos of Mr. Alvin with that chew treat dangling from his mouth.

Looking so somber …..

Gotta love my boy …. what a cutie …..

Thank you Alvin ……

At 4:08 a.m. this morning we were first up and there was one lone bird in the back yard or close by that was singing up a storm.

Sounded so beautiful.

Hopefully the birdie was okay.

 

Special Hello to: my daughter and family …… thank you guys for your love and support.

Always, Carol & Alvin

 

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Sunday the 1st day of October, 2017.

October ….. 30 days after today until Halloween.

31 days till I start decorating for Christmas.

My favourite time of year.

Both of my favourite times for decorating although Christmas wins out.

I do love them both.

 

So yesterday I said that I was going to remove the rocks from my back garden.

After lifting many rocks and placing them in every empty container I could locate.

I decided to use some them along with the areas that would have flowers.

It was definitely some of the hardest physical work that I have done in a long while ……..

The photos do not do it justice as this was just after I watered the plants and of course the rock got wet and it just does not look the same.

Some of the plants are IRISES and the others I do not remember the names.

This bed was completely covered in stone and the shrubs/plants that I had in here before where surrounded by them.

Pulling out the landscaping cloth was not easy but so happy I was able to do it.

Also because Mr. Alvin has started to bury his chew treat in this flower bed, I upon the advice of my daughter placed up the little metal dividers.

You can barely see them but it should keep him out.

I had some plants temporarily in there and with him jumping up …. well not good.

I also threw in a photo of my ready for winter front flower bed.

There is no real design involved in the garden …… just what worked.

Our front tree all yellow and gorgeous.

Decided to wait and rake the leaves all at once instead of five times.

Oh, the fall wreath on our door.

I made this …. should have been a close-up but it has lasted pretty well since it was seven years ago since I made it.

I put away the last items that I could move myself.

Left are the two tables, the bottom thing that holds the umbrella in place and the two chairs for my bistro table.

Deciding if I should just put them all in the garage or not.

Doesn’t leave much room for a car …..

That was my Saturday except for laundry.

Poor Alvin was outside with me the whole time …..

It took about five hours or so ……

Coffee with my girl friends this morning.

One has her Mom visiting from Newfoundland and we are celebrating her birthday.

Should be fun.

The sky is overcast and rain is on the way.

Only hoping it is ONLY rain.

Perhaps I shall take Mr. Alvin for a walk sooner than later.

Happy Sunday Everyone ……

 

Special Hello to: all those folks preparing their gardens for winter.

Always, Carol & Alvin

P.S. feeling a bit sore this morning most especially when I bend ….. oooo

 

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Wednesday the 29th day of June, 2016.

Only one more day left in June, 2016.

This morning I am leaving the house 15 minutes earlier than usual due to the interruption in bus service.

Meaning that they removed my bus from the regular schedule.

Hopefully it is only for the summer months.

If I leave at my normal time I wait for 20 minutes at the bus stop and then arrive at work just in time, not late but not early.

I am old school and need to arrive early ….

So with extra time this morning I will stop at the Save-On by work and pick up bananas which we are out of ……

 

I was thinking while in the shower about what I would write on my blog this morning.

My mind went to Alvin.

How our beloved dogs and cats make us feel like a million dollars.

They warm our hearts.

They are food for our soul.

Comforting and loving.

My most favourite times with Alvin are sitting on the patio sofa and he jumps up and lays down beside me and we just sit there.

No expectations.  Nothing to do.  Just be.  Just starring into the air.  Sometimes he is sniffing …. catching the scent of whatever passes his nose.

The other is at bedtime …. he takes a few minutes to get settled.

Always at the end of it all …. he lays down at my side and nestles close.

He always makes me feel loved, wanted and needed.

He brings me joy and contentment.

So much for a little guy.

Well time to fly ….. gotta leave extra early.

I did not quite articulate what I was thinking earlier but I think you get the idea.

Always …. he is at the door to greet me after a long day.

Thank you me Alvin.

 

Special Hello to: all the pups and kitties out there, thank you.

Always, Carol and Alvin

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Saturday the 16th day of April, 2016.

YAY, happy that it is now the weekend.

Last night after work Alvin and I set out on our routine “early evening” walk.

It was about 5:30 p.m.

We were walked to the park and were about halfway round when I heard my name being called.

I looked away from Alvin to see our friends “P and A” sitting on their patio sipping on drinks.

So we toddled on over to say hello.

Alvin was desperately trying to get in through the gate.

They have the one that is steel/iron or the like and he can get his nose in ……

He wanted the door to be opened so that he could say hello.

We quite often see our friends in the summer.

P is an avid gardener and has one of the prettiest ones in the area.

She is English and her garden lives up to the “English Garden” reputation.

Anyway …… they invited us in.

Mr. Alvin was so excited.

They said gates were closed and nothing he could get into so off came the leash.

Now they live off the park that surrounds our man-made lakes and they have a BIG backyard.

They had crocuses blooming and at the moment some yellow daffodils.

I remember crocuses on the farm when I was a young girl.

Fields of purple….. so lovely.

He ran and ran and rolled and rolled.

He loves their backyard.

They asked if I would like a glass of wine …. now I am not much of a drinker period and wine is not really my forte but I decided to throw caution to the wind (and it was windy) and have a glass.  Whew, long sentence, I know.  I was thinking it all in one breath.

So out came the extra chair and a glass of white wine.

It was actually yummy and we visited and I sipped on the glass.

There was a cool wind blowing so eventually we took the “party” inside.

I joked about not eating and was feeling tipsy after half a glass.

Oh my …..

Alvin was treated to some yummy stuff and they from time to time look after their “grand-puppy (an actual puppy) …. wait for it “GEORGE.”

The cutest bundle of brown joy if there ever was …..

He was not there but Alvin enjoyed some of his treats.

We visited and had a great time.

They are such a wonderful couple.

Two hours later Alvin and I walked into our house.

First thing on the agenda … supper.

A quick bowl of soup and I felt much better.

I will say that this morning I had a bit of a headache – ARGH a hangover ….. at my age.

Oh well, it was so much fun.

They invited us to come over when they have a fire … they have an iron fire pit (so it is contained).

We will have a party with hot dogs and marshmallows and maybe even a glass of wine.

Food first …… definitely.

Well I am now getting ready to go and spend a couple of hours with my friend “J” whose grandson is in the Stollery Hospital here in Edmonton.

The family (Mom, Dad and big brother) are stay at Ronald McDonald House.

So my friend thought it would be nice for me to take a tour and to meet her elder grandson who is 2.

They live in Regina / Moose Jaw.

Tomorrow is my training party for my new consultant to Steeped Tea.

I guess I have a team …..

So a busy weekend and I am also meeting the girls for coffee tomorrow morning.

Usually I am at home except for a stop to the grocery store.

I am sure that Alvin would be okay …. I just feel badly to leave him alone.

Gotta run and eat and have some COFFEE.

Have an awesome Saturday.

Hang out with some friends …..

Special Hello to: all of my friends … I am truly so blessed.

Always, Carol and Alvin

 

Thought for the day……

Good Morning and Welcome to Tuesday the 12th day of May, 2015.

Sun coming up …..

Great start to this wonderful Tuesday morning.

Last night I raked the front lawn and gathered up the hundreds of cork size bits of soil from the aeration.

I thought it would never end.

There literally were hundreds of them.

Also just saying ….. THEY WERE HEAVY when placed in the recycling bag.

Followed by a good watering.

The ground is so dry that watering is likely in the future if we want green grass unless Mother Nature decides to help us out.

Mr. Alvin was out with me for a bit until he was so excited by something that I could not see that I let him back into the house.

It was so relaxing and so much fun being outside doing this small amount of yard work.

No matter what our days are filled with …. work …. school whatever …. we have our homes.

Most of us are so blessed to have our own homes.

I know that I cannot speak for everyone.

If you are blessed enough to have your own yard or even a balcony or patio space ….. go OUTSIDE.

Use it.

Plant some flowers ….. maybe some herbs or veggies …. put a chair out there.

It is so great to be outside ….. most of us do not fully utilize our green space.

Even if you do not have your own ….. there are parks usually not far away …..

Have fun, enjoy.

We also enjoyed a beautiful walk last night.

Well time to finish getting ready to go to the office.

Have a great Tuesday ……

Deep breath … you can do it.

Special Hello to: my cousin “J” in Saskatoon ….. miss you cousin.

Always, Carol and Alvin