Last Half 2022

Good Morning ALL! Welcome to Friday, July 22, 2022. It is a beautiful morning. A mosquito got into the house earlier and wreaked havoc with the Momma but I survived. Not sure about the mosquito. There is a breeze, dark rain clouds to the south share the sky with the sun. Thankfully it will be a bit cooler today although I am not complaining about our temperatures. I know that all over the world including parts of Canada are experiencing way above normal temperatures. Climate Change! It is real.

I am happy to report that Mr. Alvin is closer to his old self. This morning he drank quite a lot of water from his dish without having it mixed in with his breakfast. He just looks and seems better. Yesterday in the later afternoon Michelle from the Vet clinic called to check on Alvin, she apologized for not calling sooner but they have been very busy. Oh, I get that. I told her all about how he was doing and she made me more confident that he was on the mend. She reminded me that he will not poop that much because he wasn’t eating that much and if he was getting water by way of with his food, that was great. As long as he was not vomiting, life is good. So I relaxed a bit. I will say that it put me in a totally different frame of mind and I felt more positive about how he was doing and this morning, well the proof is sitting not far from me. So happy.

Last night I had a wonderful video chat with my friend Val from Regina. They have had some wild weather as of late. One day they got 3 inches of rain, and the next day her garden was dry. Grateful that they did not have any flooding at their place and I checked on my sister, all good there. I am reminded that I need to chat with my friends and family back “home” a bit more often. Actually a lot more often.

My daughter and grand pup Milo are on their way here. Amanda is dropping off Milo on her way to work, and after work they will spend the night. We are so excited. I cannot wait.

They should be here in a few minutes so I want to be ready.

YAY, starting off to be a great day. It makes a difference in your mindset. I felt that I was slowly slipping to the dark side and now I am back. YAY, me.

Thank you friends and family.

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

Always, Carol & Alvin

PS: wow only 18 days till I turn 65. Coming fast. YIKES.

Last Half 2022

Good Morning ALL! I trust that you are well and enjoying the weekend. The sky is a brilliant blue, the sun is shining and there is the most refreshing breeze wafting through my office window as I type these words. Alvin is laying on his belly on the hallway carpet, waiting for me. Another glorious weekend. Everything from walks to visits to video chat and in between some work got done. Yesterday morning we started out the day with a walk and I was happy that we were able to do what I refer to as a full one / normal one, then there was some laundry, coffee, breakfast, more laundry, cleaning and laundry. Our friend sent us an email inviting us for a visit as she missed us in the morning. We were just in process of getting Alvin’s harness ready to put on when there was a loud knock at the door, I was not expecting anyone so I carefully opened the door, to our surprise on the other side of the door was Pauline and Georgie. They had decided to walk over and pick us up so we could walk together. She also gave me a very thoughtful thank you card with the most beautiful floral design on the front. I thanked her and set it on the counter and continued getting us ready to go. A few minutes later we were out the door, I picked up Alvin and carried him down the steps as I have been doing as of late. Helping to keep him from injuring his knees. We walked and chatted and even saw neighbours outside along the way. When we arrived at the park Pauline suggested that we go the back way through the grass (which recently had been cut) the opposite side of the park which does not have a sidewalk. It was nice as the grass was wet and cool. We took a shortcut through the trees between the second and third pond which had us walking on some stones to come out near her house. My flip flops were wet and I was almost going to take them off to cross the stones as I thought more safe in bare feet but decided to go slow and most of the stones had more flat tops and rounded. It only took us a minute or so to cross. The pups got a bit wet as there was water up near the stones/rocks. Next thing we were through their gate and in the backyard where I removed Alvin’s leash and a minute later decided to take off his harness as it was warm outside. He was happy. Pauline grabbed a couple of cushions for the chairs that sit under the deck on the patio out of the sun. Then she was in the house to get our refreshments. While she was in the house Georgie jumped up on my lap while Alvin paced the patio sniffing and what not. We had iced tea and banana bread. She also brought out some photos of their Ontario trip to show me. Sometime during the visit I had lifted Mr. Alvin up on a third empty chair which was in between us, and he relaxed while we chatted. Georgie on Pauline’s lap. It was about 5:00 p.m. when Pauline noticed that the sky to the west was beginning to get some very ominous clouds developing and suggested that we may want to go home before the rain. I took a quick look and decided that we best be going and grabbed Alvin’s harness and his water bottle and put on his leash and said our goodbyes and were on our way. We were coming by Lucy’s house and she was outside doing yard work, we quickly said hello and pointed to the sky and advised that we had to get home before the storm hit. A little while later we saw a neighbour walking her two yellow labs and pointed out the storm. We hightailed it home. Just about home and saw our neighbour who recently had surgery out front speaking with her neighbour. We stopped briefly to say hello before going the last couple of minutes to our house. I think we were home not even 10 minutes when it began to rain. The storm was not like Thursday night and I was very happy about that. After that I fed Mr. Alvin his supper, turned on the last load of laundry and the dryer. I got my supper in the oven and then texted my sister. We ended up having a video chat via messenger as my cell phone cuts in and out and one cannot have a very good conversation that way. I am chalking it up to dead zones in the house which appear to be increasing over time. I plan to call Telus who is our provider in the area and see what can be done. Just seems like there has not been time to do so. If it were a matter of calling and speaking to someone right away that would be one thing but it is always a long wait and then I would be cutting in and out. I will perhaps try and contact them on-line. I had a great chat with my sister and had a late supper at 7:30 p.m. I cannot remember the last time that I ate that late but it happens. We were out and about and enjoying life. Who cares, right. Most important things we had great walks, good exercise, good company and visits with family and friends! Last night was quiet. I watched a movie followed by bed. That was our Saturday.

Today my daughter Amanda and one of my grandpups, the little one named Mi-Mi or Milo is coming for a visit and will spend the night. She will go to the office from here and then pick up Mi-Mi after work. We have lots to do this afternoon and evening.

Time to fly and have a shower. I brought up all of the laundry that had been drying and put it all away. I dry most of my clothes on racks. They last longer that way.

Have a wonderful Sunday. Enjoy the morning, maybe even get out for a walk.

We might get out after my shower or wait for the others.

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

Always, Carol & Alvin

PS: now 30 days till turn 65. The card was beautiful with a gift inside for looking after her garden while they were away. I called her to thank her for her generosity and that it was not necessary but she insisted. Smells like weed outside, not the garden variety – coming in through my open window. Smells like skunk ….. lol

Last Half 2022

Good Morning ALL! Well I am so proud of Mr. Alvin. We were in bed by 10:00, I read for a bit before turning out the lights and next time up was 4:00 to take Mr. Alvin outside. We laid down on the sofa and he made it until 5:45 and I had the alarm set for 6:00. I was able to coax him to wait for another couple of minutes before I hopped up off the sofa. We have been up to stay up since then. I gave him his breakfast and we went outside. The breeze was cool but felt really refreshing. The sky was clearing but now I see rain clouds beginning to form. We have had such a weird and wonderful spring and summer. Next week hold onto your hats, they are forecasting +30 temperatures. WOW. The sun just gave a burst of light through the clouds, so pretty. I have such a great vantage point from my office window – just keying away and looking out the window for an update every so often.

Yesterday at noon we had a great walk and after work we made it just inside the park and the boss of me stopped and turned for home. He is truly the “boss of me.” When he says suppertime, I “run” to the pantry and then to the fridge. He has a mix of dry and wet food and pumpkin. I also realized something if I cut the pumpkin back to only in the mornings and not with his supper, that also seems to help his poop. Yup, just what you were waiting for, another “pooping story.” I am sorry but my life revolves around Alvin and part of what he does on a very regular basis is pooping. Now, let’s face it, his stories are more entertaining than my pooping stories! LOL. Life is breathing, drinking, eating and pooping and paying taxes. I hope that you are smiling now and not crying.

A couple of weeks ago, I met a woman at our garage sale. She was looking for antique/older rhinestone jewelry as she was making a bouquet. I did not have anything in the sale but I knew that I had some in my collection of odds and ends. So I took her contact info and called her a few days later. I found actually several pieces that she would be able to use. Well, last night she came after work to pick them up and we chatted and looked at the pieces of jewelry that I had out. We chatted for over 1.5 hours. I found out that she was actually making her bridal bouquet using rhinestone jewelry (some broken and other pieces too beautiful to take apart, using the whole piece) and would make the boutineers and add to table decor if she had enough. She is using coloured rhinestones for her bouquet and possibly the clear for the boutineers and tables. What a great idea. Her knowledge of jewelry designers / makers was incredible and I learned so much in a short time. I think it is safe to say that we will be keeping in touch.

My friend Gillian is borrowing some space in my fridge for food items as her work is having a barbeque and she was the person that did the shopping. It was hard not to open that big huge cake that she had picked up from Costco, looks so good. There is also salads and vegetables in the fridge. She will be picking it all up in a few minutes so it is almost time for me to sign off. I think that I have caught you up in my last day. It has been a good one. The week has had peaks and valleys but way more peaks. My cousin is home recovering from her major surgery and I am so beyond words joyful about that news. Work is going well, busy as usual but that is okay. No time for getting bored although perhaps sometimes that may be a nice change of pace.

I hope that you have an awesome Thursday. We are invited out after supper for a visit at Cookie’s house with her family. Cookie will be there, too. We haven’t seen too much of them lately so will be nice to catch up. I am grateful to have such great people within walking distance to visit. They are super close to us, just a few doors away.

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

Coffee is ready to plug in.

Always, Carol & Alvin

PS: yes, it is only 33 days until my 65 birthday. I took a really hard look in the mirror this morning after I applied some makeup (which I do not always wear this much but sometimes) and I am pretty proud of the way in which I am aging. YAY, me.

The New YEAR 2022

Good Morning ALL and Welcome to Wednesday, June 22, 2022 the 2nd day of SUMMER. Yesterday was the longest day of the year. Earlier this morning close to 6, the sun was shining brightly and we should have gone for a walk. Now over one hour later the sky is beginning to cloud over. I believe that there is rain in the forecast. Oh well! I needed more sleep what can I say! Yesterday we had a nice little walk at lunch followed by a short one after work. It was cut short as it started to rain. When we were getting ready the sun was shining with rain clouds hovering in the distance and by the time we got to the front door there were large drops of rain coming down. I figured we would go as far as we could. We made it almost to the park and then the rain started (not pouring) and we turned around and headed for home. We came across neighbours heading home with their pup cutting short their walk. My neighbour cut our lawn yesterday and it looks the best it has looked in years. The green appears to be more rich. No watering needed for the plants and lawns with the rain. Which is great.

We are also in the countdown to the garage sale. I hope that we get a lot of people out. Maybe with maps provided by a Real Estate Agent in our area, she is actually “hosting” the event if you will. Yup, a Real Estate Agent not the Community Association. I actually thought it was another Community Association for which we seem to partially belong to. We are on the border. Anyway, all good. I just hope that there are people and they buy stuff. I want to clear things out. Feels so good. I have been selling and giving items away over the different Community boards on social media. So great.

Well here it is getting closer to work time. I have to plug in the coffee. Today was shower day. I have found as I get older and unless I am out working up a “sweat,” I certainly do not need to shower every day. Just dries out your skin and as you age, that is not a good thing. So I feel daisy fresh this morning, lol.

I hope that you have a great Wednesday. Reminder to self to go and pick up a case of Alvin’s wet food today either at lunch or after work. Will depend on the weather. If we can walk, we will walk at noon and I will go after work. I have leftovers for supper so don’t have to worry about cooking from scratch. We can also have a second walk after supper.

Continuing to live this life with kindness, respect, compassion, patience, love, laughter, understanding, gratitude, focus, possibilities and COFFEE. Cannot live my life without coffee.

Always, Carol & Alvin

PS: wow, we are 48 days until my 65th brrr birth-day …..

Second Half of the NEW YEAR.

Good Thursday morning and welcome to September 3, 2020.

Well we were up at 3:30 because that is how we roll.

Alvin had his glucosamine chew and outside for a pee and then we hit the sofa.

I had planned to get up at 6:00 but not because I had to be up at that particular time.

6:00 rolled around and I set the timer on the microwave for 6:40.

6:40 came and then again stopped and reset until 7:00.

Why do we do this?

Surprisingly enough I am almost ready and it is just 7:30.

I start work at 8:00 so there is lots of time to write this post, grab my coffee and take the boy out for a poop.

Not sure why some days but perhaps it was the extra early start.

I am very lucky that I can go back to sleep right away.

 

Yesterday I was checking my email and found one from Good Food.

I have ordered from them a few times and then you have to remember to check the calendar and SKIP deliveries or else they automatically are sent out.

I was surprised to see a delivery was scheduled for today.

I had skipped ahead but that was from June …. my how time flies.

So today I have a food order coming.

I guess I know what my meals will be for the next week.

I did go into my account and skipped the meals until December 3, 2020.

The calendar on my fridge has been marked so I know in advance next time.

Now you can always check to see what the meals are at any time and order if you like.

You can always change to order by a certain date.

I was kind of mad at myself for then you have no choice in the meals.

Luckily only one is perhaps not something that I would have ordered.

It will likely be okay and now I won’t need groceries, so that is good.

 

Well it is getting on and time to head back downstairs.

Definitely needing that coffee this morning.

 

The sun is shining and there is a bit of a breeze.

No gale force winds at this time.

Quickly have to tell you.

Yesterday at lunch time we were out for a walk.

There were some pretty fierce looking rain clouds out there but I thought let’s go.

The sun was shining and the clouds appeared to be to the south and not close enough for a rain shower.

We were about half way when out of the blue there was a large boom of thunder.

I said to Alvin, “Okay, that is a sign to head home.”

We did.

Luckily the rain only started near to home.

We did not get very wet.

There is always a sign ….. you just have to pay attention…. and listen.

 

Living with kindness and respect.

Grateful for each day.

I/We shall remain,

As Always, Carol & Mr. Alvin

 

 

Second Half of the NEW YEAR.

Good Morning and Welcome to a now rainy Thursday, July 2nd, 2020.

I booked today and tomorrow off as vacation so that I would have an extra long long weekend.

Last night we went to bed at our regular time or close.

I read my book, I am really enjoying this book.

“The DEATH of Mrs. WESTAWAY” by Ruth Ware.

This book is difficult to put down and last night knowing that I did not have to get up early – well I read late.

As I read the Canada Day fireworks were going off in the near distance.

They seem to go off for hours and I felt like I read for hours.

After I turned off the lights to go to sleep, I could not settle down.

When Alvin woke up at 4:30 – it felt so early.

Up we got and he had his glucosamine chew followed by breakfast.

Outside.

Then back to the sofa.

I/We were up about 6:30 a.m. and back outside.

No rain at that time.

Back in the house the sofa was calling my name and I just could not resist.

So back to the sofa.

I woke up at 7:30 and should have stayed up and was thinking “it is not raining – we should walk.”

But the sofa kept calling my name.

So I played this back and forth game until 8:35 a.m. – how horrible.

Now it is raining and we missed our opportunity to go for a walk.

The forecast is for some sunshine this afternoon so we will make sure that we go then.

I can only blame that sofa for calling out my name, NOT.

Oh well, I guess it is a day off and all is well.

Not worth whining about it as it is what it is.

Somedays you just have to have some extra sleep, right!

 

Perhaps some sunshine will perk me up and fill me with some energy.

Hopefully the sun will shine this afternoon.

 

Yesterday the sun did come out from behind those rain clouds.

The sky was amazing.

Huge dark blue rain clouds in parts of the sky and closer to us there were these white clouds that seemed to part to display pure blue bright sky.

Like a gate opening.

I could literally watch the sky for hours.

The way the clouds move and stay still.

Movement and stillness.

The colours.

So beautiful.

 

I found the start of a story that I had written almost ten years ago on my 53rd birthday.

The story is about Alvin and how my road led to him.

I cannot believe that I am going to be 63 next month.

Ten years has passed in the blink of an eye.

Life always seems to get in the way.

Seriously, I need to finish this ……

So I am going to transfer what I have written into the computer as it is way easier to type than to write for hours.

After a few minutes my writing / printing is not legible so typing is the best way to go.

 

Well I guess it is almost 9:30 a.m. and I don’t wish to be drinking coffee too far into the afternoon.

Time to get this day going.

Coffee and some breakfast.

Some writing (typing) today and walking and exercise.

I need to listen to Alvin more ……

I was thinking we could have had an nice early morning walk in ….. argh, okay, enough.

Okay this might be an interesting day.

 

Living with kindness and respect starts with oneself.

I/We, shall remain

Always, Carol & Alvin

 

 

 

Living … One day at a time.

Hello, good morning.

The sky was bright blue a few hours ago but has started to fill with rain clouds.

Yesterday was a brilliant day filled with lots of beautiful sunshine.

Everyone in my neighbour was out walking throughout the day.

You could hear the children playing outside through the open windows.

Alvin and I enjoyed a walk but waited until after supper.

I finally finished hanging up photos and memorabilia on my bulletin boards.

So nice to have that done.

Now the last part to be done in this room is the closet but it will likely wait.

I haven’t quite decided on how I want it to be so will wait for now.

Yesterday washed the bedding for the spare room for my sister’s arrival on Saturday.

Also changed the bedroom around for something new.

Hung a couple of pictures/paintings on the wall and a scarf over the centre of the blind for a little extra something.

Vacuumed and washed the floor as well.

I think it looks great.

Today will finish the upstairs.

Bathrooms and rest of the floors including the office.

Then the upstairs is done.

There needs to be a trip to the grocery store for a few items.

A few loads of laundry ….. my bedding and more clothes.

Not only am preparing for my sister’s arrival but for our road trips next week.

We will be home and then gone, home and then gone.

The following Tuesday after that will be back to work.

I am enjoying this time at home.

Our summer in Edmonton has been well not summer-like.

Most days have been overcast and rain.

But on those days where the sun has been shining …. we are so happy.

I will say that even on the cloudy days …. life is good.

Right.

Although some days the temperatures have been downright “cool” …. it has been refreshing.

Last night when it was nice …. warm and sunny …. the mosquitoes were out in full force.

But that is summer.

Sometimes it is warm and sometimes it is not.

I am so grateful that there has been moisture and less watering.

I am so grateful for the sun when it shines.

I am grateful for vacation.

I am grateful for green instead of white.

 

Well only TWO more SLEEPS till my beautiful sister arrives.

So I had better get this show on the road.

A few things left to do.

 

If we treat ourselves with kindness and respect – it will transfer to others.

 

Always, Carol & Alvin

 

Flowers from last year.

Living … One day at a time.

Hello,

 

Sometimes, actually most times a photo is worth a thousand words.

I cannot think of a better way of spending time than walking about a beautiful yard snapping photos.

We visited our friend yesterday morning on our early morning walk.

She has the most glorious flowers.

The first two rows of photos are the flowers that line the entrance to our park and some taken as we passed the water fountain.

 

Da-da ….. so pretty.

These last photos were on our walk home.

Alvin needs to me to take him downstairs.

Have a wonderful Monday.

 

Be kind and respectful to yourself and to others.

 

Always, Carol & Alvin

 

Living … One day at a time.

Hello,

Dark outside as the skies are filled with dark rain clouds.

Change of plans, Humphrey will be staying with Mr. Alvin today as his Mom decided things would work out at home for him.

She gated the upstairs off so Humphrey would have the upstairs and Luna, the dog would have the main floor.

Today, Humphrey has had enough.

So he will be spending the day at our house.

For some reason even though we were up on time, I am running late.

I might be slow moving as Mr. Alvin was up twice during the night.

Makes for chopping sleep and I have a headache as a result.

He does have an ear infection as I took him to the vet after work.

Thought he did but always good to check.

 

Photos from my window.

Photos 1 & 2 – from my bedroom window – facing North

Photos 3 & 4 – from office window – facing South

Well looks like a dreary morning.

My flowers are starting to say “Sunshine please.”

Grass is so green and growing so fast.

 

Well as I am running late and have to do a bit of prep work for Humphrey, I had better fly.

 

Reminder on this dreary Friday to be kind to yourself and it will pass to others.

Happy Friday.

Happy Long WEEKEND to me and the rest of CANADA, of course.

 

Always, Carol & Alvin

Living … One day at a time.

Hello,

What a beautiful morning today.

Bright blue sky with the odd fluffy grey white clouds dotting the sky.

Okay there are some bigger grey clouds but I believe that they are going to dissipate shortly.

The grass is this amazing green.

Everything is picture perfect.

The plants in my front flower garden are growing so fast.

 

Alvin enjoyed Humphrey’s company last night.

Some photos to share, of course.

The boys were outside in the backyard.

Alvin had come into the house but of course when I went out to see what Humphrey was doing in the back flower garden; he had to come along.

Except for work; Alvin is not far away from me.

Humphrey was sitting on the retaining wall for the back garden.

Which I may add is starting to look amazing.

Perhaps I have a green thumb after all.

Who knew?

Both Humphrey and Alvin appeared to be in detective mode.

Humphrey was starring and checking things out.

It took a while for me to figure out what he was so intent about ….

If you look ever so close you will see a little black bug.

He would go to catch it and the bug would run for cover.

Most of the time Humphrey just watched the little black bug go back and forth between the slabs of rock.

I could watch these boys forever.

Alvin was checking out something in the grass.

I thought that his black and white coat looked so handsome against the green grass.

Of course, I just had to snap a photo of the deck.

My flowers in the pots are beginning to take off as well.

Humphrey will be joining us this evening as well.

Always, look forward to have Alvin’s friends to visit.

 

I have a slight dilemma ….

The pergola over my deck was not built very well.

It was already here when I moved in ….

They did not use treated wood so the wood is beginning to burn black.

I am thinking of having it removed in the fall before winter.

It will likely last for a few years ( I checked with a friend ).

With or without?

That is the question.

I would appreciate your thoughts and comments.

 

Well almost time to head out for the day.

I guess my positive thinking did not remove those darker grey clouds.

Oh well, rain is a good thing.

Things were pretty dry around here.

 

Time to go as I have to put together a birthday gift for tomorrow.

It is the birthday of my walking buddy tomorrow.

Just in case she is able to go tonight – I want to have a little something for her.

 

I wish you sunshine and rainbows.

Be kind to your fellow humans, to every living creature and to the environment.

If we all work together ….. life will be grand for all.

Happy Wednesday.

 

Always, Carol & Alvin