The New YEAR 2022

Good Morning ALL! How are you this morning? Alvin and I are well. Up a few extra times but other than that okay. He seems to be feeling better. The sky is overcast so not sure what is going to happen today. I think the temperature is supposed to be plus 18 degrees celsius. Which is great.

Yesterday after work was lovely. Alvin and I went right away on a walk. As we approached our friend Pauline’s yard we both skipped a heartbeat as we saw her bent over working in the garden. Alvin pulled me to the gate and I called out so not to startle her. Alvin as soon as he was at the gate started to bark. Just at that time, we started to chat. She said to Alvin, “Come on in Alvin and opened the gate.” I replied “does that include me,” and we both laughed. Pauline had her grandpup Georgie over visiting so she brought him outside. The pups said hello. All was well. Georgie is younger and has lots of energy so sometimes he got over stimulated when Alvin was there. Not this time, they were both happy in each other’s company.

I have to say there are a few places on this earth that bring me such great joy and in my friend’s backyard is one of them. Her backyard is huge and it affords Alvin to run without being on a leash. He is so full of joy running from one corner to the other smelling each blade of grass, checking out each and every pot, tree, shrub and so on. When he is happy I am over the moon. Both of us were clearly excited that it is time once again to go to our happy place. We had as always one of the best chats. We talk about everything. Family, weather, gardening and more. I happened to glance at my watch and saw that it was almost 5:30 p.m. Wow, we had been there for over one hour. Time flies when we get together. Then we said our goodbyes and were on our way.

Back home, supper for Alvin and leftovers to warm for me. We had a lovely quiet evening.

Planning in my mind what to buy for plants and what to get for seeds. Have to get things soon. My daughter said that we should go to one of the nursery / garden places on Mother’s Day. I think that sounds great.

Well time once again to head downstairs and start work. I have to throw on the coffee as I had to shower and ran out of time to do it earlier.

Have a wonderful Wednesday.

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

Always, Carol & Alvin

P.S. Yesterday Ceridian the company that does our payroll etc. was down. Get this worldwide. I wonder if they were hacked?

The NEW Year 2022

Good Morning ALL! How are you this morning? Alvin and I are doing great. We were in bed last night before 9:30 and I read for a bit, Alvin woke up at 4:00, we went downstairs for the usual and then to sofa until, wait for it ……. wait for it ……. 6:30 a.m. …… Can you believe it? I could not believe the clock. Of course, I did not add the 2:00 a.m. up for me to run to the bathroom. But all in all we had a great sleep. So grateful.

The wind is howling madly. I can see the orange horizon to the east, which is to my left, and darkness to my right. It won’t take long and the sky will clear of the dark. Even as I type these words the sky is becoming more light. So beautiful. I love the contrast between sunrise and night. I noticed that the water outside did not freeze overnight as I can see the puddles rippling with the wind. I guess this will help melt the snow once the sun begins to shine.

Mr. Alvin is making an odd whining sound as he looks to his water dish from his bed. Is he thirsty? Likely. Not sure why he does not just get up. Now he has stopped.

Most of the snow has melted on the deck and it is so dirty (not sure why) and I will be able to shovel the remaining snow from the grassy area so that he can do his business down there. That is Saturday chore.

I am off from work this afternoon as I am taking Mr. Alvin to the Vet for his appointment. Thankfully I can borrow Sonja’s car so we do not have to walk in these conditions.

I guess he wants his water and of course, he needs me to be right beside him.

Okay, back now.

Last night we played with one of his favourite toys. I threw it and he ran like the wind and grabbed it and brought it back to me so that we could play tug of war. So cute. It was funny after we had been playing for several minutes, I decided to grab my phone and take a video. He immediately stopped and then played a bit so I was able to grab a bit of video and it was not until I put down my phone and stopped recording that he was right back into the action. He knows that he does not get 100% attention when I have that thing in my hand. Smart cookie.

Well time to go. I hope that you have a wonderful day. Almost light now.

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

Oh, one more quick story. Yesterday near the end of my work day, I called the client who had sent me the most thoughtful Thank You card to thank her. Well actually I called her earlier and had to leave a message, she called me back and then I returned her call. YIKES. Anyway, we had a lovely chat. She said that her son helped her pick out the card for me. I loved that she thought that I should be getting a raise for all the hard work that I do and that she was grateful to be living in our housing and have affordable rent. She was so sweet. We had the nicest chat and then it was well past my stopping time.

Always, Carol & Alvin

2021

Good Morning ALL! How are you this great Thursday morning? Alvin and I are doing great after a FANTASTIC night sleep. The sky is overcast and it is windy. The wind seems as though it is here to stay.

I finally downloaded my photos from Tuesday night. The flower shots were all taken during a crazy strong wind. Some photos were so blurry that I had to delete them and reshoot them. I love the vibrancy of my beautiful flowers and the green plant at the end of the first row is a PEPPER PLANT. I can hardly wait to see peppers forming. It will be a surprise as to what colour they will be. How exciting. I also threw in some photos of a couple of selfies that I was trying to take for a Fifth Avenue Jewelry Jewelry post and well, the most important subjects were Alvin and the necklace. I took those photos Wednesday late afternoon and the ones of Mr. Alvin laying on his bed were taken Wednesday morning after he wanted to play with his Teddy Bear. Which we did. So cute.

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We had two lovely walks yesterday. At lunch time we met a dog named Wilson. I love that name for a doggie. Not much is new with me and Alvin. Father’s Day is coming up for all those Dads out there.

I hope that you enjoy the photos as much as I love the subjects of the photos. Flowers are a passion for me. I love their beauty, various colours and shapes and scents. They just make me feel like a billion dollars. Another passion in my life is my four-legged buddy. I will admit that sometimes I do have less patience than I should but I do try as we continue to muddle through this life of ours together.

Wishing you a wonderful Thursday. Maybe you are doing something special today? Just for you! I hope so. You deserve to take some time and do something just for YOU. You, rock. Remember that! We take ourselves for granted sometimes.

Continuing to go through this life with kindness, respect, compassion, patience, love and gratitude and thoughtfulness.

Always, Love 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 Saturday the 13th day of April, 2019.

Almost mid point.

The sun is shining brightly and it is a beautiful day in the neighbourhood.

We were up early and already went over to Humphrey’s house and cleaned out his litter box and then decided to bring him over to our house.

The boys have been outside and even tried their paws at playing.

Alvin wants Humphrey to play so badly but Humphrey is not quite sure.

So he lays or sits and then will bat his paw at Alvin.

Or they chase each other outside and inside.

I have the cutest photos this morning.

They say it all …..

Alvin was laying on our bed and Humphrey was just hanging out so I decided to lift him onto the bed.

He immediately sat beside Alvin and starting to look out the window.

Just a dog and his cat.

I wished that I had been carrying the camera with me as I missed the best photo of the day.

They were playing upstairs.

Well at least trying.

Funny how the both of them have to be wherever I am.

Both are just hanging out patiently waiting for me.

Humphrey even tried out Alvin’s water dish in our bedroom.

 

Alvin has his regular Doctor appointment so I will take Humphrey home for that time period.

Once home I will go and bring him back to our house.

Coffee with the girls at my house once we were back home.

A busy morning.

 

I have the best life.

Thank you for the best four legged friends for me and Alvin.

Happy Saturday.

 

Special Hello to: my daughter, son-in-law and grand-puppies – we love you guys.

Always, Carol & Alvin & Humphrey

 

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Sunday the 17th day of February, 2019.

This month seems to be passing by in light speed.

Already we are half way through and was it not the 1st day just last week.

WOW, crazy.

 

As I look out of my office window the sky is a grey-white colour just a tone darker than the snow that is covering the ground and rooftops.

No snow overnight so that is good.

When I shovelled yesterday it was difficult to find a place, a spot to put the snow.

The deck and grassy area in my back yard have SNOWBANKS.

At the front, I am shovelling above my shoulders, which is not easy.

 

Last night Teddy and his Aunt J arrived about 3:30 p.m. for a visit before having supper with us.

Aunt J brought all of the fixings for a pretty much traditional Mexican taco meal right down to the limes.

It was fantastic.

I realized how much I love refried beans, so good.

Mexicans eat a lot of beans and they are so healthy for us.

We had a great visit and during our conversation I suddenly realized about the wildlife and their struggle for food this winter.

How can they find food when there is so much food.

Some folks are leaving out food for the wildlife.

Thankfully there are some berries on the trees for the birds.

But the pickings are slim.

We do not often think of the wildlife and their struggles between nature and man.

Without wildlife – I doubt we would continue to exist.

We would forever damage the balance, the natural order.

 

The evening was great.

The boys, Alvin and Teddy had fun.

Mostly just collapsing in each other’s company.

Isn’t that what friends do?

They are good just to be around each other, no fancy conversation or entertainment.

They did have chew treats and there are toys.

 

About 8:00 p.m. or so they left for home.

We had such a great afternoon/evening.

Great conversation and food.

I showed off some of the Steeped Tea as she loves tea and had heard all about it from her sister, Teddy’s Mom.

I was happy to give her some different teas to try.

 

The rest of the evening was quiet.

I finished off the few dishes that did not fit or belong in the dishwasher.

We just watched a bit of television before retiring to bed about 10:00 p.m.

 

Saturday was a great day.

I almost forgot that while I was out shovelling,  one of my neighbours happened to be on her way to her car when she saw me.

She came over and we had a brief chat before coming into the house so she could say hi to Alvin.

Which by the way is doing incredibly well.

 

My sister called but I will share this story next Saturday as it pertains to her birthday.

 

Today will be quiet.

Perhaps a bit of laundry and if warm enough we will end out this afternoon for a walk.

Maybe should check the temp this morning before it snows.

Hoping it does not snow.

 

What a weekend.

Fantastic pizza on Friday night.

Great Mexican food and company on Saturday.

We are only at the half way point.

What will Sunday have in store for us.

No plans but you never know.

 

Special Hello to: all our friends and family.  We love and appreciate you.

Always, Carol & Alvin

 

 

Thought for the day ….

Good Morning and Welcome to Thursday the 24th day of January, 2019.

Another BRISK morning ….. er, cold.

Then it is warming up.

This winter we have had quite the assortment of temperatures from one day to the next.

Thankfully it has stopped snowing and the sun shone through yesterday.

My nephew went back up north the oil rig yesterday morning bright and early.

He called last night and said it was BAD on the drive, near white-out conditions most of the way.

Thankfully he has a good vehicle and is a good driver.

 

Last night another package arrived from our friend in Regina.

Alvin was so excited.

I took a video of him but it is too large to post on FB or to email.

I guess I have to play with it a bit.

He skillfully opened the package.

One piece at a time.

Holding the package with one paw and ripping the paper with his mouth.

Spitting out the paper as he went.

He knows not to eat the paper, which is great.

I have to say that watching him open a package warms my heart and brings a huge smile to my face.

 

After we opened the parcel, I got changed and did a couple of small chores – went to pick up Humphrey.

He spent the evening with us.

Lots of company as of late.

At one point, I was outside shovelling and picking up poop and took a peek through the back door to see Alvin and Humphrey nose to nose.

Just smelling each other.

No growling or hissing.

No paws flying.

Just smelling each other.

They do pretty well other than Mr. Alvin is a tad bit jealous of attention that I give to Humphrey.

Mostly when I sit down.

As week when one was on one side of me and one on the other.

I again, wished that I could have snapped a photo.

Just did not work.

Humphrey sure likes the tablet and watched mine intently for several minutes.

He even crawled on me and up to face where he placed his paw.

A couple of times, a claw touched my skin, accidentally of course.

No major injuries.

The boys were both drawn to the living room at the same time and it looked so cute with both of them sitting in front of the window, looking out.

They do quite well together.

Will get better over time.

 

We are having company for the afternoon and for supper on Saturday.

I am trying to come up with an easy, delicious menu.

Not a billion ingredients.

I keep changing my mind.

 

Well I am grateful that today is Thursday …. I know it was an extra short work week for me.

Almost time to leave for work.

I hope that you have an awesome day.

I am going to work on getting some photos of the boys together.

The cutest thing ever.

 

Happy Thursday.

Special Hello to: my sister …. I have not forgotten …. phone call Friday night.

Always, Carol & Alvin

 

Thought for the day ….

Good Morning and Welcome to Tuesday the 29th day of May, 2018.

The sky is partially overcast now and the air is COOL.

Quite refreshing as I found when I walked over to look after my charges.

Humphrey the Cat and Cinder the Gecko.

Humphrey is so cute.

As we drove by his house last night on my way home I could see him in the window and his mouth was moving.

Ah, I guess he missed me.

Last night when I went over to spend time with him he was quite playful.

He was on one side of the coffee table and I was sitting on the sofa on the other side.

Every time I would bend down and say peek-a-boo – he would pop his head up and then down.

I know he knew what was going on as he did it several times.

So cute.

I would hide and then he would.

He loves to be held but on his terms (meaning a snuggle and then needs to get down).

He loves to sit in the window and I had gone over after work to open the living room one so that he could enjoy the fresh air.

Humphrey always comes running to the door when I arrive.

Cinder is the quiet, silent type.

She is also sleeping when I am there.

She sleep during the day and is up in the evening.

I guess I am always too early in the evening to see her up and about.

Alvin was a champion as he stayed home and patiently waited for his Momma.

 

Oh, we had a glorious walk last night.

Although we did come across a dog about his size that he definitely was not feeling the love.

Oh well, cannot like everyone, right.

I am also cautiously optimistic about other dogs.

Perhaps he can feel that ….

Well they are forecasting rain … sure hope so.

We could use some for sure.

The lawn out front is finally beginning to resemble a true lawn.

GREEN.

There are some weeds but in order to see weed-free you have to keep spraying and I do not like that “stuff” no matter how they have it labelled.

 

Well almost time to leave for work once again.

So happy that the temperatures will be a bit cooler for a few days.

Too hot too early is not a good thing.

 

Happy Tuesday.

Special Hello to: my friends and family …. you are all the best.

Always, Carol & Alvin

 

Thought for the day ……

Good Morning and Welcome to Friday the 3rd day of February, 2017.

Another winter morning but it does warm up over the course of the day.

Another super quiet morning with Alvin away at his sister’s house.

He comes home tomorrow.

I spoke to my daughter last night and apparently Alvin is trying hard to play with Aspen.

She gets so excited when he signals play-time that she runs around and scares Mr. Alvin, poor old guy.

Perhaps soon they shall get on the same page and actually have fun and not give each other a bit of anxiety.

But they do love each other and that is the important thing.

The playing will come in time.

Practice makes perfect.

I had a great time at the mall last night.

Ran my errands and did a bit of shopping.

Pretty surprised by the amount of people in the mall.

By listening as people passed there were lots from out of town.

I had decided to treat myself to supper at “Freshi’s” in the food court closest to Bath & Body Works, my old haunt.

The gal in front of me placed her order and had turned to the side.

When I was placing my order she turned around when she heard my voice and low and behold it was one of the girls I worked with at Bath & Body Works.

We ended up having our supper together.  She goes to University and works part-time at one of the stores in the mall.

It was great to catch up.

What are the chances of meeting a friend in line for food.

I will take those chances …..

 

Well here we are almost time to hit the trail again.

Friday, though and that is good.

Have a wonderful day.

Special Hello:  Lots of Birthdays today ….. Happy Birthday Everyone.

Always, Carol and Alvin

Thought for the day ……

Good Morning and Welcome to Sunday the 29th day of January, 2017.

Looking like another beautiful day.

The sky is mainly overcast but the sunrise is peering through.

Yesterday was absolutely gorgeous here in Edmonton.

Alvin and I thoroughly enjoyed our visit with my daughter and the pups.

Alvin and Aspen are still figuring things out.

Aspen wants to play so badly with Alvin.

Yesterday, at one point we were up in my office and they had some “playful moments.”

Her size kind of intimidates Alvin but he tried.

Alvin would bark and Aspen would bark because he was barking.

Then he would playful chase her but remember she is quite big and almost took out a table that I have in my office.

So cute to watch.

He tried to do “the thing” you know ….. he’s a guy and she’s a girl or at least that is what it looked like ….

Milo just stood beside us and barked when they barked.

Of course, remember he is only 5 pounds.

We had a great visit and look forward to the next one.

We even took them all for a walk.

Looking so cute walking down the street.

Our three Amigos or at least trying to be.

Left to Right: Aspen, Baby Milo and Alvin.

Now Baby Milo has grown and is now 5 pounds.

Despite the barking which if my neighbours were home would not have been great.

Thankfully it did not last too long.

In time they will all be best buds.

Alvin is the oldest and it is definitely taking him the longest.

I guess that is true for older humans, as well.

Young ones learn quickly for the most part and the old ones well it sometimes takes a bit before they are comfortable.

Nothing wrong with either scenario.

Well time to get this ship on the water or time to get this show on the road.

We have had a great weekend thus far and have another busy day ahead.

Time for Alvin to have another haircut and bath.

We have or rather I have lots to do mainly some items but a lengthy list so time to get started.

Have an awesome Sunday.

Remember no matter who you are if you are meeting someone new it is okay to take your time getting to know them.

Taking your time is okay.

Relationships are not to be rushed.

 

Happy Sunday.

Almost February and then S-P-R-I-N-G …….. wonderful.

Our winter has been good but spring is always most welcomed.

 

Special Hello to: You, remember you rock.

Always, Carol and Alvin