Last Half 2022 – October

Good Morning ALL! Looks like another beautiful fall / autumn day on the way, perhaps it is already here. Everything is great at this very moment in my world. Alvin is/was napping outside the office door but he heard something and his head has perked up while my daughter is catching some final zzz’s before getting up to start her day. Life is great. I have both my “kids” here with me. Alvin and Amanda. The lights of my life. I should include my son-in-law and my grandpups as well in that “lights of my life” statement as they are definitely included. Last night we had Pad Thai for supper (my first attempt) and apple crisp for dessert. Supper was great. We had tried to take Mr. Alvin for a walk when we first got home from work and almost had to drag him to the park. He just did not want to walk. But we did get to the park. When he does not want to go – he is very firm about his decision. I thought after missing his noon walk that he would have loved to go but not the case. I am so grateful that Amanda was able to sleepover. Nice having her here with us.

Yesterday on the way home from work I was able to stop and pick up spare house keys so that whomever is watching Alvin has their own key and then I do not have to run about the neighbourhood picking up and dropping off keys. Much easier. Also, if someone ended up being sick or unable to watch Alvin at the last moment, then I would just have to call the phone list to see who could come over instead. A good plan. We also stopped and picked up lottery tickets and I may very well at this exact moment be a multi-millionaire. That changes everything. I would instantly retire, pay off the mortgage and just enjoy the rest of Alvin’s days and do the things on my bucket list like: publishing a book. I would also love to visit the East Coast of Canada and the Northern Territories, perhaps go to the United Kingdom (Ireland, Scotland and England), Italy and Greece and back home to Regina. Not all at once but I would definitely do this. I have always wanted to go to a tropical place so I would have to decide on which place: Hawaii, Bahamas? After that was all done, I was be more than happy to stay home or at least keep the travel to within Canada. Of course, who would not like to go on an African Safari or visit the Amazon in South America or the vast expanse of Australia. But I am being realistic in my choices. Besides I am not too keep to travel too far from home.

Well it is Thanksgiving weekend in Canada. I celebrate and give thanks for my life. I am grateful that my little buddy Alvin is doing well healthwise at this moment. I am grateful to be surrounded by loving, kind and supportive family, friends and neighbours. I am grateful to be in good health. I am grateful to live in this beautiful home with a nice yard. I am grateful that I can see and hear and have the ability to smile. I am grateful that I can dance and sing and enjoy life. I am grateful for walks with Alvin and with friends. I am grateful for quiet moments and loud ones. I am grateful that I am living my life to the best of my ability and beyond. Happy Thanksgiving to all my Canadian Family & Friends. May you be of good health and surrounded by love and kindness and respect. Happy Thanksgiving!

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

Always, Carol, Alvin & Amanda

PS: there will be raking in my future with some laundry and putting away patio furniture!

I just realized that I do not have a pumpkin pie, oh no!

Second Half of the NEW YEAR – last quarter.

Good Morning All. My long weekend is over but I am working the late shift today so start work at 11:00 a.m. (which worked out pretty good, I would say). The sun is coming up with hopes of yet another beautifully warm day. Yesterday was warm but overcast the majority of the day. I had a super productive day and accomplished everything on my to do list including multi-tasking walking with Mr. Alvin and picking up trash as we went. I have this tong like hand held tool and then of course a garbage bag. Worked pretty good. Not the most ideal thing walking with a dog and picking up trash but we managed and I was happy to get the trash picked up as it had been annoying me for awhile. I do not understand how people can walk over, around or whatever trash in front of their homes and cars. Anyway, it is done. I raked my lawn and Humphrey’s Mom’s as we are joined and bagged the leaves (1.5 bags) and then raked the backyard. I did the raking first and then did the trash and walking. Finished decorating for Christmas in the morning. Did some laundry throughout the day. Wrote up some Christmas cards and letters. It was a GREAT DAY. Question: do you think that perhaps Christmas Cards will make a come back as people won’t be travelling as much this holiday season?

This morning Humphrey’s Mom is bringing Bogart over to stay with us while she takes her car into the shop. Bogart had some surgery yesterday. He is wearing a cone which he does not like. Thankfully he has a great Momma who had found these soft material cones for cats. So Bogart like Humphrey will not ever have to wear those hard plastic ones.

I guess today is the election for our neighbours to the south. Wonder what will happen. I read about their election and about the electoral college and all. Too much room for people to play with the results. I don’t think that the drama is over just yet. Their President seems to enjoy “drama.” Good luck United States, I hope you make the better choice.

Well I will say this again and again, I am grateful to live in this country and to be a Canadian. I am grateful to be working from home. I am grateful that our leaders both politically and medically are doing the best for us, all.

Time to head to the shower. Just going to have a lazy dazy morning until Bogart arrives and I have to work at 11:00 a.m.

Wishing you a great Tuesday. May you be safe and in good health. May you spread kindness and respect to every living creature you meet. Take care.

Living with kindness and respect, I/We shall remain, As Always, Carol & Alvin

Second Half of the NEW YEAR – last quarter

Good Morning All. I say “Good” with some hesitation as when Mr. Alvin and I were first up and about about 4:30 a.m. this morning there was no sign of frost and the air felt warm as it touched my face. Today is my late start so the next time we were up was 7:00 and I looked out the front window to see something covering the top of the cars parked out front on the street. Some stuff indeed, it was the dreaded white stuff we call SNOW. No, I thought as I brushed my eyes with my hand, it cannot be. I made a TO DO LIST just last night before going to bed based on the weather forecast which did not call for snow until Friday. I have two potted plants which are still blooming and will need to be pulled and the pots put away (not a huge job, perhaps 10 minutes) AND to rake the front lawn which will take slightly more than ten minutes but longer to put the leaves into a garbage bag. It has been so windy that I have procrastinated the raking. Most times I have already raked the front lawn about 5 or 6 times but this year I thought why bother. I am always raking everyone else’s leaves at some point. So I guess I am the bad neighbour this time around. Also I have Alvin’s little patch of green in the backyard to rake which will take about 5 minutes. Oh well, it does appear to have stopped although the sky is overcast so it could mean more to come today. This day is also my late start. I start work at 11:00 a.m. and work until 7:00 p.m. On this shift we are on the after hours phone lines taking calls that come in from our clients/customers. I will say after being on the phones the rest of the time on my regular shift, this is not my favourite thing to do. Never been much of a phone person. Well there I have vented about the white stuff and phones.

Mr. Alvin is sitting whining at the doorway so I guess he needs something. I also have to run to the vet and pick up some food for him and a small bag of treats. I am going to pick up a lottery ticket because without one there is zero chance to win.

Yesterday was Tuesday and the first day of the work week for most of us “office” types and it felt just like a Monday. Alvin and I did enjoy a nice walk at lunchtime. Also we had a request for Alvin’s bestie Teddy and his little sister to come over this afternoon and spend the night to go home by Thursday night. Their parents are going to the farm to winterize their RV and it would be easier if they were in the city with us. So why not, I thought. Hopefully everyone is quiet while I am on the phones or not.

Time to go and I hope that you enjoyed my little stab at humour even though it really did sound serious …. I was joking about the snow. I actually like snow. Perhaps the arrival could have been a few weeks in the future but still I do love snow.

Please enjoy your Wednesday. I am coming Mr. Alvin.

Live with kindness and respect and love.

I/We shall remain,

As Always, Carol & Alvin

Living … One day at a time.

Good Morning Canada.

Tuesday morning.

Our Federal Election is now over and it would appear that the Liberal Party under the leadership of Justin Trudeau has held on with a Minority Government.

The  Official Opposition under the leadership of Andrew Scheer is the Conservative Party.

The following parties all have various number of seats in government in order of the most to the least with one.

Bloc Québécois

New Democrat

Green

Independent

 

Well it was an interesting evening but not a real surprise.

Or at least not to me.

 

Last night after work Alvin had his supper, we went for a walk, took out the trash, raked up the leaves front and back all before I caught a ride to vote with one of my friends

at 5:45 (home at 4:40 p.m.).

Good night, all in all.

I am happy that I was able to get the leaves raked for the fourth time – just in case.

Although I did hear another double digit plus day later this week.

Whoot Whoot.

Awesome news.

Oh and Humphrey joined us last night after work.

 

Those darn little plant flies.

Not many but enough to be annoying.

 

Well almost time to go back downstairs.

I had better remember to take that box of kleenex to work.

Yesterday, I forgot and kept reaching for one.

 

Happy Tuesday.

Oh, I have a costume for Halloween.

Thank you to my friend for lending me her “Harry Potter” costume.

I am using my own hair as I have a similar hair cut … who knew.

 

Happiness lies in a life lived with kindness and respect.

 

Always, Carol & Alvin

 

 

Living … One day at a time.

Good Morning, partial overcast sky this morning.

I can see the sun on the horizon.

We had some rain last night.

A bit on the slippery side out there this morning or at least it was on the deck and the grass.

Well Alvin and I had a great Saturday.

His sister/my daughter arrived after dropping her car off to be winterized at their dealership.

We consumed “massive” amounts of pancakes (not really but it sounded good).

My friend had given me a can of maple syrup from Quebec so it was opened to use.

MMM, so good.

Happy Anniversary gift and card for my kids.I d

After breakfast, we decided it was a good opportunity to go and photograph me and Alvin for our Christmas photos.

We always take them in the fall.

Earlier in the morning I decided might be a good idea to shower and wash my hair and put on some makeup.

Paid off.

So after a few minutes of figuring out what would be good to wear and careful not to be similar to last years colours; we were off.

Jeans and a purple sweater and tank top.

Alvin wore his usual “black and white tux.”

Always so formal that guy.

We spent less time than usual snapping a few photos and for the first time using her iPhone camera.

I was happy with my hair until there was a breeze and then it was out the window.

We/I sat on rocks by the water (not that close), on the little bridge and standing.

At the end of slightly more than 30 minutes; we had some shots that were worthy of our “10th Year Photo.”

Cannot believe ten years already.

The shortest photo shoot and with a phone camera.

Who would have ever thought …. not having to lug a big camera around.

Nice for my daughter.

 

After returning home after the photo shoot, my son-in-law called an UBER for us (cause he has the APP).

I quickly changed into something less dressy.

Gave Mr. Alvin a treat.

Shortly thereafter we were on our way.

My daughter had heard about this Thrift Outlet store which is on the premise as the Recycle place.

All the items whether household or clothing or books whatever are purchased by weight.

We found a few things but it was so busy …. I am no longer happy in crowds.

After leaving there we went to the Thrift Store not far away.

It is new and looks like a Winner’s type store.

In fact, set up much the same.

Everything looks like new or close.

Needless to say we, mainly me found several items that I ended up purchasing.

Some items to hang on the wall, some small Christmas tins to put gifts in as wrapping and PJ’s.

I washed the clothing items right away …. love the pj’s.

Also found a white handmade blanket which will be washed this morning.

It is so pretty, no stains and perfect.

 

Returned home, sorted the purchases and my daughter was on her way.

I decided we would go for another walk as it was so beautiful out.

We had a great walk.

After returning home made supper and cleaned up.

I did another couple loads of laundry.

Today is finishing the laundry, hair cut and bath for the boy and baking of chocolate chip cookies for the 5th Avenue Jewelry party next Saturday evening.

It is finally light out so one can see everything clearly.

Have to decide if I will rake the leaves for the 4th time …. my tree is bare.

 

I hope that you all have an awesome day.

Thus far our weekend has been amazing.

Happy Sunday to you.

 

Always, Carol & Alvin

 

 

Thought for the day ….

Good Morning and Welcome to Sunday the 21st day of October, 2018

Well it is another beautiful morning looking out of the office window.

The sky is a glorious powder blue with that big yellow ball shining ever so brightly.

There appears to be no breeze or wind blowing.

 

I wanted to show you photos of my snapdragons.

The first one was a few weeks ago on September 18, 2018  when I was putting away deck furniture and cleaning out flower pots.

The snapdragons were doing so well that I left them out on the deck.

The second photo was taken on September 22, 2018 after the snow had fallen.

Still holding their own with the weight of the wet snow.

Since that time they have been snowed on, rained on, and made it through freezing temperatures.

 

 

 

The photos below were all taken with the last 30 minutes or so this morning.

Despite the snow and the freezing temperatures they are still green and blooming.

Those mighty little flowers.

 

 

Yesterday I raked the leaves that covered our front lawn.

A couple of weeks ago I raked all of the leaves that had fallen from my tree but since that time and with the wind yesterday our front was covered once again.

So I raked and filled another three garbage bags.

As it was still windy there are now more leaves to rake.

Not as many as before but they have managed to find a resting place on the front lawn.

Oh well, as I told my other neighbour …. raking is good exercise.

 

Food for thought ….. it is the little things in life …. those moments …. like the pure enjoyment of the snapdragons that have survived the elements and are blooming away like it never happened.

That in itself gives me strength.

Gives me the notion that perhaps I can do whatever needs to be done.

Why not?

Right.

 

Well I hope that you have an awesome day.

We were up today in good time.

Lots to do as my friend and neighbour “N” is coming to help me fix the two boards on my fence and to help me make a trap door on the deck to reach the dryer vent.

Now it is only accessible by a door on the side of the deck and crawling underneath.

ARGH.

I am so lucky.

Also going to have my friend show me how to fix the leg on one of my kitchen chairs that has loosened.

So it will be a project day.

Finishing up some laundry before he arrives just after lunch.

 

Happy Sunday.

 

Special Hello to: my sister who I am so proud of and who always makes me laugh.

Always, Carol & Alvin

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Saturday the 6th day of October, 2018.

Yay, it is the weekend.

The weekend that we give thanks.

We should always give thanks.

Our buddy Teddy will be coming this morning to spend the day with us.

Alvin needs a hair trim (mostly his paws) and a bath.

He does not like the hair cut.

Bath he tolerates.

Looking to fulfil my part of our collaborative art project (with my daughter).

Laundry is already starting.

Again Mr. Alvin wanted to get up to stay up at 3:00 a.m. ISH.

ARGH.

But I took him downstairs and he did go outside (so that was good).

Then back upstairs to BED where after many minutes of saying “back to bed” etc. – he finally curled up and stayed there until almost 7:00 a.m.

He is quite the character.

This morning I decided as it is Thanksgiving and part of being grateful is LOVE.

If you are in gratitude you are in love.

I wrote this back in August 2010 and it is in memory of my grand-pups Elton and Penny who have since passed but are NOT FORGOTTEN.

Even Alvin remembers when I mention their names.

Wags his tail.

We miss them every day.

So grateful that they were a part of our lives.

I am so grateful that I lived out here for a few years and was able to spend lots of time with them both.

Have an awesome Saturday.

Supposed to be +10 degrees celsius today.

It was nice when I raked the leaves from the front lawn.

I did both mine and my neighbours to the tune of three bags full of leaves.

I enjoyed every moment of that experience.

Likely the most leaves we have had to this point.

Mostly my leaves.

I love FALL.

 

**********************************

 

WHAT I LOVE

I love my family.

I love my dog Alvin.

I love the rain.

I love the sunshine.

I love the smell of roses.

I love being me.

I love a beautiful fall morning.

I love my friends.

I love people that walk their dogs.

I love the dew in the morning.

I love a knock on my door.

I love that first cup of coffee in the morning.

I love my grand-puppies, Elton & Penny.

I love the smell of babies.

I love a nice long walk.

I love the smell of fresh laundry.

I love the smell of my perfume, CHANCE.

I love my nieces and nephews, each and every one.

I love meeting people.

I love to travel.

I love my hair.

I love my feet.

I love a shiny penny found on the street.

I love “Maggie May” playing on the radio.

I love a fresh strawberry.

I love good conversation.

I love this beautiful planet.

I love the smell of the forest.

I love the smell of my flowers on a hot summer day.

I love chatting with my friends on Facebook.

I love the thought of love.

I love the feeling of love.

I love the grace of love.

I love the action of love.

I love, love.

That’s what I love.

CYLewis, written August 23rd, 2010 (inspired by my doggies who are patiently waiting downstairs for me, hey Alvin, Elton & Miss Penny).

 

Special Hello to: all those folks who are inspired to write about LOVE.

Always, Carol & Alvin

Thought for the day ……

Good Morning and Welcome to Saturday the 1st day of October, 2016.

One month from today is the day that I typically put up and decorate my Christmas Tree.

This year I believe that November 1st falls on a Wednesday so I may take the liberty and put up my tree on the Friday.

It will be a couple of days later than usual but there are times that it is beyond my control.

Most times since I moved to Edmonton it has become a Mother – Daughter time together decorating the tree.

Also since I moved I purchased a much bigger tree and this Momma finds it difficult to put it up by herself.

Now I can do it but would prefer to have help whenever possible.

 

Now I do not wish to get ahead of myself as we are celebrating all things falls for the month of October.

Last night after our walk I raked the leaves from the front yard.

I almost filled a blue bag full of yellow leaves.

Now this morning you would never know that I had cleaned up the leaves as there is an even bigger blanket covering the grass.

But this morning it is gloomy to say the least.

No sunshine in the near forecast.

It was raining when we got up both times.

Now it has stopped.

Today is laundry and bit of cleaning day. AND

Time for Mr. Alvin to have a haircut and a bath.

I also have to run to the store for a few things and pick up my bus pass.

I sure hope that it stops raining …… carrying groceries and an umbrella can be tricky.

 

Looking out of my office window there are some green leaves covering trees and some red and some yellow.

They are poking out from between closely standing homes.

I always thought it was strange but I do understand the reason but do not necessarily agree with it.

Everyday on the bus we drive through a neighbourhood that has been around for over 50 years at least.

The yards are huge …. likely over an acre.

You could put three houses side by side in the space in these yards compared to the new neighbourhoods.

What other than taxes could be the reason?

Perhaps space but heck we live in Canada and space is not a restricted commodity.

I guess depending on where you are building it may be.

But really, how many people really want to spend on average $400,000 to see inside their neighbour’s window.

I swear that in one of the newest neighbourhoods along my bus route you could literally put your hand out of the upstairs window and touch the

house next door.

Really …..

Why?

These are my thoughts for today as I sip on a nice cup of coffee.

I guess it is time to get dressed and get going on my projects for the day.

Giving Alvin a haircut and bath usually takes me about three hours.

Not his favourite things to do that is for sure.

 

So happy that this is the weekend.

Happy to spend time in my home.

So happy that I put away the deck furniture and cleaned up most things.

YAY me for being progressive and not putting it off.

 

Have a GREAT Saturday.

Thank you for reading my blog.

I am forever grateful.

 

Special Hello to: my daughter, my sister and my friends, thank you.

Always, Carol and Alvin