A New YEAR 2023

Good Morning ALL! How are you this morning? We are doing great. So happy that the sun is shining and that the temperatures are on the mild side. I am also very grateful to be on vacation now for TWO WEEKS. There is lots to do but today will be scaled back as it is the first day. We were up a couple of times during the night so we slept in and got up when our bodies told us that we were ready to begin the day. I have changing my bedding and some banking and now writing this post which will be followed by a quick shower. After that I will put on some coffee and start the laundry. This afternoon I plan to work on the photos. I kind of fell down on the promise to do some every day this past week. They need to get done as soon as possible. Hopefully it goes quickly.

I have been going through my head, my mind about all of the things that I want to do over my vacation time and when I retire. Oddly enough, the list is similar except with retirement there are not as many hard fast deadlines. I cannot wait to retirement.

Alvin is patiently waiting for me. Last night at supper he decided to pick up out the chicken pieces from his supper leaving some of his wet food and rice and pumpkin. I decided to order pizza to celebrate vacation. You know that you order pizza much too often when the delivery guy comes to the door and calls your dog by his first name and says “How are you doing Alvin?” Makes me feel good. He is such a nice young man. I asked how he was doing. He is taking schooling to work for Immigration Canada. Also he has a new “tire” business and he delivers pizza. Very enterprising you man. I must remember next time to ask his first name. Seems only right as he knows my name and Alvin’s. When I went to eat my supper, I brought to the sofa the rest of Alvin’s supper and very quietly he ate it with no fuss. That was a relief. This morning he did the same thing so I put the rest of his breakfast into the fridge and will bring it out when I have my breakfast. Fingers cross that it will work once again.

Well keeping this short. I need coffee and am excited to get this day going. YAY, clear blue skies and bright yellow sun shining. There is a breeze. The snow is melting.

Have an awesome Saturday.

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! How are you this Wednesday morning? I hope that you are doing great! We are doing very well. Alvin seems to have turned the corner, his poop is looking better and there has been no blood for two days now. Fingers crossed and I will keep the positive flow of thoughts for his continued progress to good health. We were up a couple of times but in between had about three hours of sleep and I can function on that amount so we are all good.

You can probably tell that I am feeling happy and part of it is due to Alvin feeling better and the other is because after Friday I am on vacation for two weeks. YAY. When one of my coworkers asked me if I was going away or doing something special while I was on vacation, I replied that I am going to recreate a tropical vacation by having a warm bath in lavender epsom salts, perhaps burn a candle and have a large glass of Baileys on ice (I even have a drink umbrella around here somewhere) and play some of my favourite music. Realistically because I am a shower person, this may or may not happen but it should because I have lots of epsom salts to use and I do enjoy them. I have lots to do over the next couple of weeks. Alvin needs to have his nails trimmed etc, I need to make a couple of medical appointments for the near future (time has just flown by and I need my teeth cleaned and checked). The photos need to be moved to the external hard drive, and honestly there is a list a mile long. I am hoping for good weather so we can go for some walks and the big thing is getting up when we get up and not by the sound of the alarm. I would also like to have coffee and or tea with friends. There is always “cleaning” to do. One day at a time.

Last night when we got up at 1:00 a.m. it had already started to snow and there was quite the accumulation by the next time we went outside which was 4:00 a.m. I did some shovelling on the deck so that Alvin would not have to wade through six inches of snow.

Just checked my watch and time to head downstairs. Have a wonderful day.

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

Always, Carol & Alvin

Last Half 2022 – December 24th

Good Morning ALL! Merry Christmas Eve 2022. I am up and have changed bedding, trash cans in bedrooms, giving upstairs bathrooms a quick clean up and writing this post before I head downstairs where I will put on a big pot of coffee. After that I will wash some bedding and get to my final TO DO LIST before the kids and pups arrive about 2:30 p.m. There will be shovelling, baking some mincemeat tarts (lazy way, I purchased a ready made jar of mincemeat and tart shells), some tidying up and that final dust and vacuum and then have a shower and get “dressed up” before they arrive. I cannot wait to see Alvin, Aspen, Milo, Steven and Amanda. Today marks three weeks since I last saw Alvin and I sure miss him. He will be surprised to be home. Will have to fill up water dishes and put some of his wet food into the fridge. Exciting!

COUNTDOWN: We are here! Christmas Eve 2022.

Yesterday we were off at noon. I did a few things around the house and then went to the grocery store. One of my friends and her daughter dropped me off at Save-On-Foods while they went to Dollar Tree and then picked me up when they were done. The parking lot was full and the store was busy but not too bad. Once back home, a bit later, another friend and her Mom popped by for coffee and she picked up the folding chairs that I had borrowed for the Christmas party last weekend. We had a last coffee with some Christmas cookies before the big day! Last night I did a few more things, had supper and then watched a bit of the new Netflix movie: Pinocchio. I was tired so left part way through to watch later and then off to bed.

Merry Christmas 2022

May you be surrounded by the people that you love!

May you have more than enough good food to eat!

May you be in good health!

May your worries be small!

May your house be warm!

May your love be strong!

May your mood be jolly!

May you enjoy the time!

May this Christmas be memorable for all the right reasons!

Merry Christmas to ALL!

Wishing you safe and easy travels wherever you may go.

Merry Christmas 2022.

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Photos from Christmases past.

Christmas 2010 – Alvin’s first Christmas with me, with us. Playing tug with a new toy with Elton.

Christmas 2012 – colourful packages and our tree

Christmas 2014 – Alvin, Elton and Penny ………. toys, toys and more toys.

Christmas 2016 – Aspen and Milo (Mi-Mi) join our family.

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

From Our House to Yours – Merry Christmas Everyone!

Always, Carol & Alvin

Last Half 2022 – October

Good Morning ALL! Well I see that I am not the only thing that is “slow” this morning, my computer is, too. I hope that you are having a great morning so far. We have been up and down for hours. I know this is my sad story but it is my truth. Lights out by 10:00, Mr. Alvin had to go outside at 11:00, then 1:30, then 4:30 and then we were up to stay up at 5:30. I feel like, I do not know exactly. Time will tell. I tried to coax him to stay in bed but he was persistent so I then know that he really has to go and he really did. But up and outside that many times is hard on a person, must be hard on him, too, although he can sleep for most of the day, I cannot. Oh well, that is life!

I heard the news that one of my favourite “funny” people “Leslie Jordan” died in a car accident yesterday. How sad that we lost such a beloved character actor. I loved him in “Call me Kat.” He will be missed.

We dropped off a parcel at my friends’ house so that she can print the mailing label and had a visit. Alvin was happy to see Maddie again. After leaving there we were on our way to the park and not quite halfway, someone who shall remain nameless, “ALVIN” turned around and headed for home. I tried but unless I physically pull him, he wanted to go home. Home we went. We were standing on our lawn when I heard a familiar voice and there was our friends Alyaa and Donia. She wanted to tell me the story from her visit today. She had brought Cookie and Donia with her as Donia did not have school. I guess Cookie not able to find a pee pad – pooped on the matt by the bottom of the stairs. She explained how she had washed the matt with dish soap and hung it over the railing on the deck. She was so concerned about the whole situation. I laughed and told her not to worry and that I have lots of pee pads which Alvin does not use. We had a giggle over it all and I advised that I would leave some out and that she is always welcome to bring Cookie with her as she thought she should just leave her at home. I think that Alvin needs to socialize and that an accident, well an accident will happen. So I will place a couple of pads out and also leaving the “pooping bags” in a bag on the table as she was bringing her own. I am so grateful to have someone watching over Alvin that care so much. I have the best support system. All of my friends who have watched Mr. Alvin when I have had to go to the office are amazing. I have a DREAM TEAM for sure.

Well it is almost time to head back downstairs. I need to take him outside once again before I leave for work. It is very frosty on the ground and deck this morning. The air was not too cold.

Sometimes life is all about the “poop.” In always arrives one way or the other!

Have an awesome Tuesday.

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

Always, Carol & Alvin

P.S. We did have a few snow flurries yesterday and some on the way for today.

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Sunday the 22nd day of January, 2017.

Another overcast foggy morning.

The sky looks like a giant snowbank.

Amazing how the sun from its’ distance can actually make it seem light.

Alvin and I are having a great weekend.

Yesterday we took the long way to his vet appointment and enjoyed the walk.

He had his pedicure done and his Momma bought him some food and toothpaste.

We spent the day doing laundry (actually I spent the day doing laundry).

Alvin is no help unless he picks up a stray sock ….. (usually it is because he pulled it from the laundry basket).

Just did odds and ends of things.

I even worked on some more jewellery.

We had a change of plans for today but that is okay because I have lots around here to do.

The new Steeped Tea Catalogues arrived a couple of days ago so I see label writing in my near future.

I love Sundays …..

We can do whatever we choose.

What are you doing on this Sunday?

I am just going to do some odd jobs as my youngest brother is calling this afternoon to catch up.

Time passes so quickly that sometimes we forget or put off conversations with loved ones (family and friends).

So today is talking to my youngest brother day and I am excited.

Even though this is late …. have to get this show on the road.

We were up at 5:00 a.m. (you know “The Alvin” and his internal food clock”); we went back bed until 8:00 a.m. …..

Once downstairs we ended up on the sofa.

I love laying on the sofa because Mr. Alvin just plunks himself down beside me on the pillow.

We just laid there and of course, I fell back to sleep and then it was 9:30 or so.

What a lazy Sunday morning ….. which is okay.

Have a great Sunday everyone.

Special Hello to: my siblings ….. Hello …..

Always, Carol and Alvin

 

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to May 31st the last day of May, 2015.

It is bright and sunny this morning.

Last night about midnight I was awaken by the sound of thunder and the bright light of lightning.

YAY ….. we finally got some rain.

The grass is a brilliant green this morning after Mother Nature’s elixir.

Even my flowers appeared to have grown an inch or so this morning.

We are happy happy happy here.

To top this amazing morning off ….. my daughter is coming for pancakes followed by a trip to the Dunvegan Nursery.

We are going to get some flowers to fill my front flower garden and perhaps another pot or two ……

YAY ……

This is a great day.

Yesterday was amazing …… slight change of plans but a great one.

Well time to go and start those pancakes and clean up some fruit ….

Oh and PUT on the COFFEE …..

A Momma needs her morning coffee.

I hope that you are having the most glorious morning ever.

Life is wonderful ….. I am so blessed and hope you are as well.

Tomorrow is June ….. more great things to come.

Special Hello to: all those lovers of flowers …..

Always, Carol and Alvin

Thought for the day…..

Good Morning and Welcome to Tuesday the 24th day of June, 2014.

Bright, sunny with a bit of a breeze.

Just enough to make it comfortable to be outside for any length of time.

Well looks like I am home today as I had an unexpected trip to the dentist yesterday afternoon.

Had some work done and with the after care no way to go to work.

They told me to “watch television and rest” ……..

I guess that is good but I have so much to do.

The appointment kind of put a damper on my plans yesterday …..

Oh well, what can you do.

Perhaps me and Alvin will go for a little walk before it gets too warm.

Then I will just do the “after care” and rest.

Not everyday you get instructions to rest.

Kind of nice for a change.

I hope that you are all having a wonderful day and remember to take time for yourself.

Special Hello to: all those people who work hard and put themselves second ….. put yourself first ……

Always, Carol and Alvin