2021

Good Morning ALL! How are you today? Friday, bright and sunny where I am. There appears to be no breeze or gale force winds this morning which is great. I am getting ready to head into the office for the day. This just seems weird. Alvin appears to be wondering as I am doing a few things differently than our usual routine. In less than 30 minutes my daughter will be here to pick me up and Mr. Alvin will be alone. I feel badly for him as I love being able to be home with him. Here to open the door so that he can go out into the backyard to pee or just to lay on the deck by the back door to bask in the warm spring sunshine. He always makes sure he is as close to me as he can be and still do this thing. What a companion. Love my little four-legged guy. The sunlight on the trees gives them a red brown glow. One morning I will wake up and look outside at the trees and they will be covered in green leaves. The process seems to happen overnight. I love spring. I have a dilemma, whether to wear shoes or sandals. I will be sitting at a desk by a window facing east so I am thinking that perhaps I should wear sandals. The temperature is supposed to be +18 celsius today so will be warm enough to do so. Guess I will see what I feel like doing when I leave the house. Time will tell.

My neighbour will be coming over to check on Alvin and let him outside. Thank goodness for great neighbours.

This post will be a bit short as I am quickly running out of time and still have a few things left to do. I guess that I shouldn’t have hit the snooze button earlier.

Photo of my cute boy Alvin from a while back.

Photos of flowers to come and that fence will be painted this summer.

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  More Flowers

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  My Flowers

Wishing you a wonderful Friday.

Continuing to live with and in respect, kindness, compassion and patience.

Always, love Carol & Alvin

It is a NEW YEAR.

Good Morning and another Monday Morning.

That is a good thing actually a great thing.

This may be the most unpopular day of the week.

But the fact that you are reading this post and I am writing it are a great thing.

I hope that this finds you in good health.

 

What did you do this weekend?

As you know I had Friday off after a quiet celebration on Thursday for my daughter’s 40th Birthday.

I did the normal chores like laundry and some cleaning.

Alvin and I had the most glorious walk yesterday the first full one in as many days.

I was blessed to have had a girls night on Saturday with my young friends.

Spoke on the phone with other friends over the weekend.

Did you have a quiet or noisy weekend?

Did you stay home and watch movies?

Did you colour a picture in your daughter or son’s colouring book?

Did you play board games?

Did you go for a walk with your doggie?

Did you make a bit pot of soup, just because?

Well whatever you were doing as long as you are in good health, that is the most important thing of all.

Yesterday I started putting my papers together to do my taxes.

So shouldn’t take me too long.

 

Guess what?

Big news.

Alvin slept through the night.

I would say this is the first time in weeks, months and possibly years.

He did not get up in the middle of the night nor did he stir before the alarm went off.

You may think that perhaps I did not hear him but I always hear him.

Actually I got up once but did not check the time, assuming it was middle of the night.

He appears to be okay nothing out of the norm.

That is my big news.

 

Well it is almost time to head downstairs.

Today we will find out about work.

Are we working through this or is the office closing.

We are closed to the public which is a good thing.

 

Please make sure that if you have an elderly neighbour or someone who is not easily mobile, that you call by and see what they need.

Take them some bathroom tissue and some food items.

Think of others during this time and all times.

Please be kind and respectful.

Please think of others.

We need each other during this time and always.

 

Time to head downstairs.

Pick up the poop.

Grab my lunch and stuff.

 

Have a wonderful Monday.

Be kind and respectful.

Be well.

 

Always, Carol & Alvin

 

 

It is a NEW YEAR.

Good Morning and Welcome to the DEEP FREEZE.

ARGH, cold temperatures for the next week.

On the plus side our winter has been relatively mild until this cold snap.

Should we be complaining?

Likely not.

But will we?

Likely yes.

 

My carpool decided to take today off from work.

Usually this would mean that I would be taking the bus.

Lucky for me, my neighbour is giving me a ride to work.

I am on my own going home.

One way is okay.

 

Well this has placed a damper on our walks for the next days.

Usually Alvin likes to mull around outside when he is out doing his business or just hanging out.

Not now.

He does his business and runs back to the house.

Not much coaxing which is fine by me.

No offer of a treat to come inside.

Likely best for the waistline.

So we are playing more ….. Alvin is playing more if truth be told.

 

Tonight down comes the Christmas tree and then I will spend part/most of the weekend taking down the decorations.

Thankfully I only have a couple of items outside.

The wreath on the door and a small tree on the porch.

The wreath I can quickly grab despite the cold but the tree can remain on the porch until the temperature warms up.

It will be good to get back to the normal decorations although it does seem bare in the house for a few days.

But sometimes BARE is good.

Actually I have so  much Christmas ….. it looks like a store.

The rest of the year is much more low-key.

So that is good.

 

I was thinking of something as I was going to bed and of course, did not write it down.

A topic to write about this morning.

Note to self: when a great idea comes to your mind – WRITE IT DOWN, you silly girl.

 

I am also going back and forth between glasses this morning.

I have two pair.

One is older but as my prescription did not change, I can continue to wear them.

One pair has plastic frames, and the other are wire/metal.

The metal/wire frames sometimes bother by my ears.

But they have a slightly bigger lens and I like that.

I have to decide before wearing them for more than a minute or two otherwise will have a headache.

Small decision.

Will check out in the mirror and then decide.

 

What is new with you?

Did you set out with New Year Resolutions?

I did not, really.

I just try to do better than I did the year before in all aspects of my life.

Body, mind and soul.

 

Well almost time to head off downstairs.

On poop patrol.

Now those brown packages freeze before they hit the ground.

Easy to pick up.

 

I hope that on this cold Friday that you are warm and safe.

I wish that rain would extinguish ALL of the fires in Australia without massive flooding.

I wish that there would be PEACE in the Middle East and around the world.

I hope that everyone has a good day.

Yes, everyone.

Remember to breathe.

Go to the bathroom and fake yell if you need that release.

Shake it off.

Put one foot in front of the other!

Soon you will be walking out the door or opening doors to better things.

 

Happy Friday.

 

Always, Carol & Alvin

Living … One day at a time.

Morning All,

Woke to another brown ground morning.

The white stuff will come soon enough.

Despite the wind and rain mixed with snow yesterday afternoon and into the evening we missed another attempt by Mother Nature.

Another attempt to bring snow to us.

We are so grateful to have another day without the white stuff.

I love FALL or Autumn.

Surprisingly enough there are still quite a few trees with leaves.

 

TODAY is a very special day.

Today is the 4th Birthday of my eldest grandpup “Miss Aspen.”

She joined our family Christmas of 2016.

Milo joined our family this day in 2016 when he was just a baby.

 

Aspen is such a kind and gentle soul.

She has brought a calmness to our family.

She is elegant and energetic.

We just love her.

Happy Happy Birthday to our Dear Aspen.

Hugs and Kisses from Grandma and Alvin

At Grandma’s house – her favourite spot

First Christmas at our House above photo

Aspen at her home (photo below)

 

Wishing you a great day.

 

Happy Tuesday everyone.

Time to leave for work.

 

ALways, Carol & Alvin

 

 

 

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Thursday the 31st day of January, 2019.

The last day of January 2019.

WOW, that flew by.

Seems like I say that often.

 

Alvin’s best buddy, Teddy arrived last night after supper for a couple of days.

His parents are taking a month long vacation.

Lucky guys.

Teddy’s Aunt J is going be looking after him while they are away.

But she is at their destination now and will arrive at Teddy’s house a few hours before they leave.

So that Aunt J can get some sleep after her long trip – Teddy is here until Friday night after I get home from work.

We are lucky that Alvin has a friend close by that can spend time with him.

They usually settle down better or shall I say Teddy does except for last night.

Perhaps he knew that he wouldn’t see his Mom & Dad for a long time, I don’t know.

But he was certainly restless.

Both the boys are in the office with me now.

Alvin is chawing on a chew treat while laying on his blue blanket with Teddy looking on.

 

Well it appears by the forecast that today will be our last “mild” day before bitterly cold temperatures set in for at least one week.

I know that a good portion of western Canada was in a deep freeze so we certainly cannot complain.

Starting February tomorrow and the weather can be all over the map, much like our January has been.

Whatever it is we will get through it, one day at a time.

I will enjoy a nice walk with the boys tonight after work.

 

Looks like almost time to leave for work.

Alvin is making this crazy sound as he chews on his treat …. sounds like a breathing machine or something like that.

Teddy looks on….

Oh, the boys.

 

I am blessed to have such great family and friends.

They are always there for love and support.

We all need advice, a shoulder to lean on or an EAR to listen.

With that said Master Teddy wanted up and as he is more of a lap dog than Alvin, I scooped him up.

Wow, he is so much lighter than me Alvin.

Well I had better sign off for now.

 

Have an awesome Thursday.

Enjoy your day.

Remember it is easier to be kind than to be mean.

The results of this action has doubly good return.

To the one giving and to the one receiving.

 

Special Hello to: You, one of the great ones.  Thank you for all that you do.

Always, Carol, Alvin and Teddy.

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Thursday the 20th day of December, 2018.

Okay, we finished packing yesterday and spent the day in a dust bowl.

People were sniffing and sneezing.

It was dirty as some places that not seen the light of day for awhile.

You know how that is, right?

I am excited to move into our temporary workspace down the street.

Not far away which is nice.

Today we will unpack and get settled.

Tomorrow the office is open in the morning to the public and closed at noon as we will have our corporate Christmas Lunch.

Lucky me, my neighbour gave me a ride to work yesterday and will do so today and tomorrow.

So happy that I do not have to walk in baby steps to the bus.

I have my “ice picks” strapped onto my boots but you still have to be careful.

Deep sigh of relief.

Tomorrow last day and then I am off for “11” days including weekends.

So excited.

Tomorrow night I have a long list of things to do: starting with picking up the remainder of groceries for the Christmas party and for Christmas; bath Alvin, make another batch of fudge, and I know

that I had other things on the list (have to seek out that list, OR did I even write things down.

I forget.

Down to the wire.

Oh yes, wrap gifts that would be helpful.

Some items cannot go under the tree until the last night because of the pups.

Last night my daughter picked me up from work and we went to COSTCO.

I thought it might be really crowded to the rafters but luckily not bad.

Tonight I have to take the bus to Alvin’s Vet and pick him up some food.

Cannot have the boy without food.

Okay, clearly I am rambling here.

Things are all mixed up.

Oh well, I hope that you are smiling or chuckling.

Almost time to hit the “dusty trail” ….. wishful thinking.

I hope that this finds everyone doing well.

Both Alvin and I are doing VERY well.

We are as you know putting on the final touches for Saturday’s Christmas party and for Christmas.

Mostly everyone is done.

Just the final touches.

Oh, one more thing.

I am cheating this year.

I found at COSTCO (imagine that) a box with a frozen turkey breast.

So I bought two.

The instructions sounded ultra easy so we shall see.

Still will have the wonderful aroma of turkey roasting in the oven.

Time to fly.

Special Hello to: my friend “D” who I just found out reads this blog and that makes me happy & grateful.

Always, Carol & Alvin

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Friday the 24th day of November, 2017.

Really …. how did that happen?

Time ……

Well our temperatures have turned mild for the next little while.

We had freezing rain yesterday which played havoc with sidewalks.

I walked along the edge of the sidewalk in the snow on my way home from the VET.

I got off the bus by the VET clinic and then just had the one way home.

Man, you sure had to be careful.

This morning I am thankful to be hopping a ride with my neighbour.

Now all I have to do is get from the house to the car.

Carefully.

I love the warmer temperatures for sure but not good for walking.

We had to skip the walk last night.

I was disappointed as was Alvin.

We just played in the back yard / deck for a bit.

Hopefully the sidewalks are better tonight.

I almost forgot until this very second ….. I purchased those ice pick things that you can put onto your boots.

Gotta run ….. find them and put them onto my boots.

Have an awesome day.

 

Special Hello to: all my friends and family …… stay safe.

Always, Carol & Alvin

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Tuesday the 31st day of October, 2017.

The last day of October 2017 and Halloween.

Happy Halloween Everyone.

I am all dressed up as a “HIPPIE complete with the colourful bell bottoms.

Looking pretty groovy.

Starting to get a little warm from the layers but it is was cold in the office yesterday so I should be perfect today.

It looked dry out earlier when I looked out the front window and the back door but not now.

The street appears to be wet.

So will have a change of plans for footwear.

Drive carefully everyone.

I am so grateful to my neighbour who is giving me a ride to work today so that I do not have to change into my costume at work.  YAY.

Well this will be short today as I need to pack up the stuff for the potluck.

I made a pasta salad …. it turned out so good.

Have a Happy Happy Halloween.

Be Safe and Have Fun.

 

Special Hello to:  All the TRICK OR TREATERS out there – have a great evening.

Always, Carol & Alvin

 

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Thursday the 5th day of October, 2017.

Another beautiful warm day on the way.

We are so happy to have these days at this time of year.

Last night our walk was absolutely delightful.

No breeze just warm air on our faces.

We enjoyed “sniffing” as we walked along our path.

The fountain is still on at our lake and it looks so pretty against the backdrop of yellow, orange, red and green leaves.

I love this time of year.

Perhaps it is the calmness after the summer and before the hectic Christmas season begins.

Not sure but I love this time of year.

 

Well we or rather Mr. Alvin is having company today …. Miss Aspen and Baby Milo will be here shortly.

So I am getting a ride to work today which is awesome.

I guess that I better go and put the finishing touches on the house ……

 

Have an awesome day.

Enjoy this time ….. each moment is precious as it will never come this way again.

Special Hello to:  all those folks out there who are missing a friend or loved one, you are in my heart today and always.

Always, Carol & Alvin

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Friday the 17th day of March, 2017.

Happy St. Patrick’s Day Everyone …..

Today is the 60th Birthday of my dear friend “TW” back in Regina.

Wishing you the best day and all things wonderful for this year and all the years to come.

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YAY, it is Friday.

Yesterday with this change in weather again ….. more ice.

So yesterday morning I left the house a few minutes early so that I could take my time walking to the bus stop.

I found that the sidewalks were too icy as I almost wiped out just across the street from my house so I walked on the streets where I could.

On the walkway I had to walk on the border to the sidewalk which in summer is grass and in winter is SNOW.

Thank goodness it was only about 8 inches deep but I still managed to get snow in my boots and my pants were wet on the bottom when the boots came off at work.

ARGH.

Oh, the best part.

After most carefully walking and managing to remain upright ….. just as I was approaching the street the BUS whizzed past.

Of course, he did not see me.

Of course not.

Really, I thought.

I was almost there.

ARGH.

So I thought what is the point in getting upset so I just patiently waited for the next one to arrive knowing that I would not be late for work.

I catch the bus that I do, so that I have extra time (you never know).

After a waiting for about ten minutes a silver SUV came around the corner and stopped at the bus stop.

Now it was kind of dark so could not see inside until she turned down window and I saw my neighbour ….. so ended up getting a ride to work and being almost 1/2 hour earlier than usual.

So it worked out.

This morning I called my neighbour to see if I could catch a ride with her so that I do not have to go through that again knowing it is even more icy today than yesterday.

Luck of the IRISH, methinks.

I found a SHAMROCK charm and placed it on a silver chain that I have ……. along with a green and silver necklace and green sweater I am all set for St. Paddy’s Day.

 

I think that Mr. Alvin is feeling bad that he does not have anything green to wear.

Maybe tonight I can find something for him……

Guess I will have to buy him a green sweater for next year.

 

Happy St. Patrick’s Day to my IRISH Family and Friends all over the world.

Special Hello to: my friend T. W. ….. today is your birthday …… WOW, what a great day to celebrate.

Always, Carol & Alvin