A New YEAR 2023

Good Morning ALL! I am cheating a bit here as I was playing around with the computer and trying to figure out how to get some photos onto my blog. Not sure what I did but I was able to upload some. These photos are from my New Year’s Eve walk near the North Saskatchewan River Valley in Edmonton, Alberta. Remember the story about me and my friend Lucy? Well that is me all bundled up in my winter coat, boots, warm pants, scarf, mitts and hat. The view was amazing. What a great way to start the week. Pictures of Mother Nature. I so badly wanted to share these with you and here they are.

Well I am going to stop here and then continue in the morning ……. we are having a last Sunday afternoon……

Well that was disappointing – just after I wrote two paragraphs and decided to cut them out of their place and move them below the photos, they are not there. Did something change with the new iMac that you cannot cut and then paste? Now I am running late. In summary, our friend Gillian came for coffee and a visit yesterday morning. We chatted about so much leaving work out of the conversation for the most part. We had taken a vow to keep conversation about work to a minimum. We cannot believe that her eldest son will be getting his driver’s license in April and the youngest son will get his Learner’s license in March. Other than that, I mentioned that we had a good sleep last night. I did have an odd dream or was it a dream. Felt like I was being kicked in the stomach until I turned onto the other side. Weird. Alvin is improving with each passing day and we are both wanting to get out for a walk. I am reluctant to walk until he is better and has taken all of his medicine. Just in case.

Time to fly downstairs. Get that coffee on and start my computer.

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

Happy New Year. Well it was an interesting end to the year for me, how was it for you? Did you go out and celebrate with friend(s) or family or both? Did you stay at home? Order in food or cook something special? Watch a movie and New Year’s Eve program? Well on December 31st, I received a phone call late in the morning from one of my friends asking me if I wanted to go for a walk. My friend Lucy. She is a neighbour of another friend Pauline. When she asked I thought she meant in the neighbour and with Alvin but she had other ideas. We finally got it sorted out and what she was really asking was if I wanted to walk near the River Valley. There is an access point less than a 10 minute drive from my house. I had never been there and had no idea what to expect. But I figured, I should get out and let her know that I would take Alvin out first and then I could be ready for 2:00 p.m., if that was okay with her. A plan was set. I went over in my head a list of items that I should wear for my 1-2 hour walk. Winter boots of course, winter coat, scarf, lighter gloves and pair of mitts and a hat. I normally do not wear a hat but this time, I figured that I would wear one and it worked out well. In hindsight, the only item that I could have used was my ice picks for my boots. The trail was not icy but it might have given me a bit more traction climbing up the slopes/hills. Back to the beginning. Lucy picked me up just before 2:00 p.m. and I said goodbye to Mr. Alvin. He had been outside for a pee and had water so he was good for a few hours. I also put up a baby gate to upstairs. The thought of him slipping when I was not at home, was not one that I wanted. We chatted during the course of the drive. Then we were there. Two cars were parked at the entrance so we pulled in behind. Next thing I know we were walking downhill taking in the most exquisite sites of nature. The trees were covered in frost and as the sun was shining but not too brightly they appeared to be almost grey. Such a beautiful sight. We both stopped to take some photos. We did a couple of selfies along the way. There was a bridge along the way over the river, the North Saskatchewan River, I believe. The trees were so thick and with the water being frozen over; it was not easy to see the “actual water” but we could see the bottom. We were walking up and down and down and up and then came the greatest incline and I could feel the breath being sucked out of me. Definitely not in great shape. I can walk on a flat surface for a long time but when you add an incline, man, I could feel it. But I did it and was very proud. Once we came out on the other side, Lucy asked if I would like to keep walking and take in the neighbourhood which was filled with huge brand new homes and some even being in the midst of construction, so we continued. Some of the sidewalks were shovelled and others were not. We both were in awe of Mother Nature. Decorative grasses were heavy with frost and looking more beautiful than during the summertime. The branches of trees were heavy with the frost and in some places, the frost was so heavy on the small branches that the slightest of breezes was making it snow. The air was warm for this time of year. I believe it was about minus 9 celsius which is perfect for walking. When we came to the end – we turned around and went back. There is something about going home that makes it much easier than going. The incline did not seem so high. We stopped along the way out taking photos and admiring Mother Nature’s achievements. I am so grateful to Lucy for calling. She had wanted to take one last walk at the River Valley for 2022. Then I was home. We said our goodbyes and she was on her way. Lucy will be at work and already working for a hour and a bit. Alvin was happy to have me back home.

I let Alvin outside for a pee and then we snuggled for a bit before time to think about supper. I think it was about 3:45 when I arrived home. Suppertime arrived and I feed Mr. Alvin and then prepared my supper. After deciding on roasted vegetables, I prepared them and popped them into the oven. During the time supper was cooking, I decided to see if I would be able to transfer the information/data from my old computer to this one. Well I was able to do so but was sad to find out that my new computer does not have enough memory to hold my 45,000 + photos. They are on the cloud and on another online data storage facility but I no longer have access to them at my fingertips. I will have to figure something out. Clearly I need to go through them and weed out the poor shots and the duplicates. I know that for a time some of the photos were duplicated when uploaded/downloaded whichever it is called. Anyway, I was able to set up the new computer all by myself. In between, I went downstairs and checked on dinner.

I am having company for coffee at 10:00 a.m. and it is almost 9:00 so I need to sign off as the shower is calling me.

The sky is painted pretty oranges and pinks this morning. Oh, we did not stay up until midnight last night. I was too tired. I watched Guardians of the Galaxy before heading to bed about 9:30 and sent off a few texts to family and friends wishing them a Happy New Year. Of course, after I was tucked away in bed, I remembered a few more that I forgot but I just could not drag my body up to send another text. Today I will send messages with wishes for a Happy New Year. Also, if someone calls you out of the blue and wants to do something that is a bit out of your wheelhouse, say “yes.”

I did try to see if I was able to “air drop” my photos from yesterday’s adventure onto this new computer but Miss Siri was not too helpful. I will try again later.

Happy New Year. All the Best for 2023. This year is going to be the best one yet.

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

Happy New Year with Love Carol & Alvin

It is a NEW YEAR.

Good Morning All.

Well today is my first day of working from home.

We left work yesterday during early afternoon hours with laptops in tow.

I managed with a tinge of assistance from a co-worker on line to get set up.

I moved my office around and set up the laptop (which I have not really worked on before).

Set up the  mouse and I am so glad that I brought home my keyboard, that was a good move.

Thank you to a fellow coworker who had decided to take hers home.

It was so much easier setting things up.

My office looks strange with my APPLE on one end and the laptop on the other.

Shortly I will turn on the laptop and start the day ….. my work hours are 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM.

Still almost one hour but I want to do my timesheet and have everything open before 8:00 AM.

Poor Mr. Alvin is definitely wondering what is going on.

I think he noticed that I did not put on much makeup other than some eyebrow gel stuff and some lip care.

I think he definitely noticed that I did not put on my dress clothes and I know he noticed that I put on my work socks.

I did that just to throw him off.

He is just so smart.

I am kind of anxious to see what happens when I am on the phone (work) …. we have been hooked up through an APP for our phone.

This should be interesting.

Alvin does not like it when I am on the phone.

Hopefully after the day he settles into me working from home.

Much different than a weekend.

 

Yesterday my daughter picked me up some fruit, vegetables and bread.

She also picked me up a bag of CHICAGO popcorn (one with the cheese and caramel popcorn).

This was a treat for me, how sweet of a girl do I have.

 

The streets are still busy here or at least they were yesterday.

Our street has had cars zipping by all morning.

I wonder if this will change.

 

Well I am anxious to go and get my coffee and get started.

It will be much different working on a laptop small screen compared to our big computer screen at work.

Likely a bit slower going back and forth between windows but at least we are working.

Our clients will be happy about that.

I think some of them figure that with the doors closed to the public that we are not working.

But we are ….. we certainly are ….

We are all in this together.

 

Well time to go and get things going.

Starting to get light out there.

 

Be kind and respectful to all you encounter.

Remember to check on your elderly neighbours and those that are not able to get out and about.

If someone has a pet and they are sick, help out.

Make sure they have food for their pets.

If they have a dog …. take the dog for a walk.

Help where you can.

Be grateful you are well and are able to do so.

 

From an eternally grateful human being,

I remain as Always, Carol with her trusty friend Alvin

 

My geranium is blooming like crazy.

Outside the bunnies are beginning to turn brown.

Spring is official tomorrow.

Forgot to mention that I saw a coyote downtown on my my to work yesterday morning.

My daughter says there are many of them downtown due to the River Valley being close by.

It is the NEW YEAR.

Well thankfully today is Saturday.

The temperatures are still brutally cold but on a positive note the temperatures will be minus 1 degree celsius on Monday.

Talk about a change.

Will be time to bring out the sandals, shorts and t-shirts.

Likely there will be folks wearing much lighter clothing then for sure.

 

Yesterday we packed up our workstations for the move back to our newly renovated office on Monday morning.

Employers have moved us back in smaller numbers.

Less stress on our systems guys.

As with any move there are always things that no one thought about or something goes wrong.

They have had both.

So I am most grateful that we are the last group to move back.

It will be weird after more than one year to be leaving our current office building.

I am excited to see what it is like once we have moved back into the newly renovated office building.

 

Grateful to my daughter for driving from her home to take Alvin and I to his appointment this morning.

Way too cold to walk and all of our friends in the neighbourhood are busy.

I am happy to spend time with my girl.

They will be coming over for Mr. Alvin’s birthday party tomorrow as well.

Well this will be short as I have laundry to start, poop to pick up, coffee to brew and a list one mile long.

 

Wishing you a calm, joyful day filled with laughter and love.

Happy Saturday.

 

Always, Carol & Alvin

From our walk beginning of January with our friends out in the River Valley.

It was a gorgeous day.

Living … One day at a time.

Good Morning,

Happy Saturday.

We were up early and then hit the sofa for some extra zzz’s cause that is how we roll.

At 7:46 a.m. the sun is just beginning to pierce the horizon and the sky is begin to lighten.

I love sunrise.

Alvin just let out a huge sigh as he lays on his blue blanket beside me.

Always close and evidently not pleased at the moment.

What a guy.

Last night as we were leaving the house for our walk …. some friends were walking by.

Jack (little doggie friend) and his Mom.

So we joined them for our walk and enjoyed their company.

 

Today is a very special Saturday.

Today two of my most favourite people on the planet celebrate their 11th Wedding Anniversary.

I remember their wedding as though it were yesterday.

The day was similar in temperature perhaps a bit cooler.

There was sunshine and blue sky.

I remember standing behind them as they stated their wedding vows.

Barely holding back the tears and smiling at the same time.

Then they were married.

 

Their wedding photos were taken down in the River Valley a short walk from where they were married.

The trees were bare, stripped of their leaves from the wind and weather.

Steps, so many steps leading down to the valley.

Not great for high heels …..

As the photographer (a school mate of the bride) snapped photos; I thought how much it reminded me of a scene from days of old.

The forest …. the trees, the darkness in the valley …..

Anyway it was very cool and a day to remember.

 

Happy Anniversary to my darling daughter and sweet son-in-law.

May the years ahead treat you with kindness and respect.

May you have good health, great joy, much love and laughter.

May abundance be with you.

May you celebrate with love each day of your lives.

Dreaming always and realizing those dreams.

Have a great day my loves.

 

Some flowers for the day.

With Love, Forever and Always,

Alvin

Aspen

Milo

Mom

 

 

Now time to get this show on the road as my darling daughter will be joining me

this morning for a pancake breakfast.

Time to shower and get laundry on and make those pannie cakes.

 

Always, Carol & Alvin

 

 

 

 

 

Thought for the day…..

Good Morning and Welcome to Saturday the 3rd day of May, 2014.

WOW, here we go.

May …..

Summer is right around the corner.

Do you take a summer vacation?

Perhaps you take the family and go camping?

Or perhaps you and the family hop in the car and drive to see “Grandparents” or “Siblings” in a faraway location.

ROAD TRIP …..  could be a day trip…. the possibilities are endless.

Or maybe it is just you …… you hop on a plane ….   go visit Vegas to do some shopping ….  see some shows.

All sound nice.

Maybe you take the vacation days you have earned and just stay at home.

Catch up on things …… then sit out on the patio or deck and just enjoy the fruits of your labour.

Whatever you do ….. time away from work is always a good thing.

Time to unwind and relax.

Even if what you are doing may not exactly be “unwinding or relaxing” …… it is in a different environment and that is what helps you to recharge those batteries.

Being around different people and doing things other than what you do for employment helps you.

I hope that you are all able to slip away and enjoy those “summer days and night.”

I would love to see my family and friends.

My daughter and I would love to take a road trip.

I would love to see more of my relatively new home city “Edmonton.”

Like the river valley that winds through the city.

Driving by in the early morning on the way to work entices my senses and makes me want to go check it out.

So start thinking …. start planning or I am sure you already have ….. right!

Take the well deserved time off …..

Even if you do not get vacation time … always good to take a few days off of work to enjoy yourself.

Think about the possibilities.

There are always things to do and price wise…. do what you can afford.

Have a great Saturday.

I can hear laundry calling me and also the rake …. front lawn needs a good “combing” ……………………..

I will be back tomorrow.

Special Hello:  everyone …..

Always, Carol and Alvin