A NewYEAR 2023

Good Morning ALL!

HAPPY VALENTINE’S DAY

The sun is shining here in Edmonton. The air is somewhat cooler than it has been the past week or so. We are doing well here in our home on this day. Alvin is downstairs sleeping on the sofa while I am upstairs getting dressed (done) and writing this post. I think that I heard someone stirring.

Happy Valentine’s Day to you all! I was thinking back to my childhood in the 1960’s, in Elementary School when we used to write up a little card for each of our classmates. I think each student had a box or bag with our names displayed so that everyone knew where too deposit the cards. For years I used to send cards out to family and friends and somewhere along the way, I stopped. Not even sure when or really why. I loved receiving but most of all I absolutely loved sending cards to everyone. Sending cards to family and friends whether it is for this day or any other special occasion is something that I LOVE to do. As the years pass by and less and less people send cards, I feel a bit more sad. When someone receives a card it brings joy to their face and to their hearts, I know it does for me. It means that someone took the time to purchase and pick out or make by hand and then write up and mail the card. There is a lot of work that goes into this.

I hope that you all have a great day. Whether you give chocolates, flowers or go out for a nice supper with your significant other (if you have one) or if you are like me and spend the day with your pup or for those that have a kitten, it is all wonderful. Just being with someone whether two or four-legged you love is all one really needs. Happy Hearts Day.

Alvin’s vet appointment went okay. He has ear infections once again, not really surprised. Poor guy. Big change. We are changing up his diet. From last night forward he will be on the Balance Diet which is human food and a supplement. Fingers crossed. Last night I did not have the supplement or this morning so I did my best. He does like chicken, peas and carrots and boiled eggs and not so much oatmeal. So will have to do even more research to get this right. I will be picking up the supplement from the vet today as they ordered it yesterday and claimed it to be delivered today. Someone just woke up so I had better go downstairs. As you know, I threw out a huge amount of his dry food as I was not confident that it was still good according to research that I did on the WEB and the remaining five cans of his wet food, I will take to the vet today and have asked that they donate to someone who needs a special diet for their pup as it would help someone financially. Sorry, gotta go.

Have a Happy Valentine’s Day.

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

Always, Carol & Alvin

Last Half 2022 – September

Good Morning ALL! Today is September 29, 2022. Second last day of September for 2022. This month seems to be flying by although at this point in my life, I could say that honestly for most months. Yesterday was at the office. It was the office as I would prefer to be working from home. I love working at home. I missed Alvin but had comfort that someone was checking on him. Next week we are back to three days per week and I hope that this schedule will remain intact. At least that way a person has some time at home with no commute. Now that the days are getting shorter, it will be dark soon by the time we get home from work making it harder to go for walks. We can manage until the white stuff arrives but after that it will be difficult. I am grateful for all the days that I can work from home and be with Mr. Alvin. Did you know that 14 in dog years is 98 in human years? He does very well for that age and then some.

There are some days when you receive news that really puts your life into perspective. Sometimes those situations that one has been stressing / fretting about – just do not seem to be that important any longer. So in the grand scheme of things, in life – I am so grateful that I am alive, that both Alvin and I are in good health, that I live in this beautiful home in this great neighborhood in this wonderful Country, that I am surrounded by loving and supportive friends and neighbors, that I can see the beauty in the leaves as they change colour all around me, that I can hear the music playing on the radio, that I can dance if I want to, that I can sing if I please, that I can walk and talk and do things, that I have time. So when someone or something whether at work or in your personal life gets you down or feeling stressed, just remember we all have a limited amount of time on this earth. DO NOT SWEAT THE SMALL STUFF! Words to live by. I am going to do my best to stop with Alvin and smell the “roses” not to be worried about the time. I am going to reach out to my family and friends on a regular basis. I am going to do my best not to listen to gossip or to respond to that “silliness.” I am going to do my best to think of all the GREAT people in my life. I realize that I have in fact, a very great life. I am going to laugh more and play more. I am going to do my best to just live my life!

So on this Thursday, the last day of work for me this week, I wish you a great and wonderful day. The sky appears to be hues of pinks and blues, so pretty.

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

Always, Carol & Alvin

Last Half 2022 – August

Good Morning ALL! What a beautiful morning. A bit of a cool breeze wafting in through the open office window. The sun is up. I think it will be a warm one. I heard a weird sound coming from the fireplace (gas) earlier – might have been a bird. Maybe was sitting on the chimney and the sound carried.

Yesterday we had two delightful walks, once before work in the morning and the other at 7:50 p.m. last night. One of my friends had popped by for a few minutes (dropping something off) and as she was leaving and we were chatting at the doorway, I realized how nice it was outside. Not too hot so I quickly got Mr. Alvin ready and we went for an evening stroll. For the second time in one day we went to our “happy place” which is my friend Pauline’s backyard. We did not go in but admired from afar.

OKAY, today is a special day. Today we celebrate two special friends birthdays. One friend I have known since high school and the other for about six years. I met Iris while walking with Alvin. Both incredible women. Happy 65th Birthday to my dear friend Carolyn. I had sent her a Birthday text a few minutes ago and as I was sending a birthday message to Iris, a phone call came in from Carolyn. OMG, so exciting. I am not sure why we do not call but we have been texting. I guess texting is the thing not that either of us “do the thing” per say. It was so good to hear her voice. She made my day, my month, my year. Sometimes we forget how great it is to hear someone’s actual voice. Happy Birthday Ladies. Wishing you both the best day and may the days to follow be filled with continued good health, much love and laughter and abundance. May we continue to stop the smell the roses.

This will be short as I am running late, go figure, lol. We have to get in a walk. Might be a bit shorter but we are going to walk.

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

Always, Carol & Alvin

PS: I forgot to tell Carolyn that I have been wearing the jade ring that she gave me since 1976. She brought it back from a trip she had taken. I am so blessed to have such amazing longtime friends.

Last Half 2022 – August

Good Morning ALL! What a beautiful morning it is! The sun is shining, the sky is blue and there is a slight breeze. We will be hitting the trail shortly for our morning walk before the heat of the day sets in. Today is also my first day back to work after six days of vacation. Although I wished that I had a few more days of vacation – it has felt like I had time off.

I was thinking what shall I write about this morning and I was thinking “what’s it like to be sixty-five years old.”

Well to be honest – not much different than 64 or 63.

I am excited to have a much cheaper eye exam fee come December.

I am happy that I can apply for Senior’s Benefits.

I am happy that I am in good health.

I think that 65 has given me more confidence.

I feel more free.

I think 65 is the beginning of the next chapters of my life.

I think 65 shows you the way.

I know that as we age we need to exercise our minds and our bodies more.

Wow, I still cannot believe that I am 65 years old.

Photo by Polina Tankilevitch on Pexels.com

Photo by Secret Garden on Pexels.com

To my friend Val who celebrates her birthday today, Happy Birthday my friend.

To my great nephew Azlin, I apologize for missing your birthday on the 14th.

To all those folks who celebrate a birthday this week.

Happy Birthday.

Time to hit the dusty trail.

Have an awesome day.

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

To the next 65 years!!

Always, Carol & Alvin

Last Half 2022

Good Morning ALL! It is about 20 minutes to 10 this bright and already warm Saturday, July 16, 2022. Happy Birthday to our neighbour and friend Joanna. We celebrated with her on Thursday night. We were up early, well not as early as I mad planned as I kept clicking on that darn SNOOZE button. Why did someone invent that anyway? We were up just before 7:30 and immediately went for a walk. Well not immediately as I went upstairs and changed out of my pj’s first, filled Alvin’s water bottle, put on his harness, leash and my shoes and then we went. It is funny that even by that time, the coolness of the morning had already started to disappear as the sun’s rays heated up the ground below. There is only a slight breeze at the moment. I am upstairs with the oven going downstairs, yup, you read correctly the oven is on at this moment. But I digress, we walked along the sidewalk stopping every so often, actually quite often as Alvin sniffed all the smells around him. We were well inside the park when we saw our friend Lucy out in her yard. She had full length pants, light jacket and a hat on and was spraying herself. Lucy saw us and we both say HELLO. Alvin and I walked over to check on her and to admire her most beautiful roses. Lucy told me that she wanted to give me a bouquet of them. She had been speaking to our friend Pauline who lives a few doors down and they were talking about the roses. Lucy wanted to give some to people and Pauline thought they should stay there for people out walking to admire. There are so many that giving away some, will not make a difference. The rose bushes have been incredible so full of flowers. Lucy told me that she would cut somoses for me and I could pick them up on our way back. So we changed our route and then headed back for the roses. OMG, not only did she give us roses but some fresh garden green onions and lettuce. Well I proclaimed that I was so lucky and grateful, for this amazing gift. So I will have lettuce to have with my black bean burger and green onions to use. Maybe I will make a salad tonight. I can whip up some dressing for the salad. We chatted for a moment after she handed me this huge plastic bag full of roses, onions and lettuce. I still cannot believe how blessed that I am. On our way home, we saw this young couple walking, we exchanged hellos, I was tempted to say something and decided not to. I guess I would not have “taken” them if I had a bag. Closer to the edge of the park we came across a neighbour and friend out walking with her two pups Carter and Leon. We chatted for a couple of minutes before I headed out with my “haul.” Once home, I removed Alvin’s harness and began the process of preparing them for a vase. Oh, those thorns. Quite a lot of the petals came loose and I actually filled a dish with them. I have photos. Once done, I had to grind coffee and made a pot, then made a banana-raspberry loaf as the girls are coming for coffee tomorrow morning and then cleaned up. Upstairs, I turned on the computer, plugged in my phone to upload photos, brushed my teeth, changed bedding, washed up, partial changed clothes, gathered laundry, put out fresh towels and now writing this post. Should not be too long before the loaf is baked so better hustle.

What a morning I have had so far. Pretty great, I would say!!

Geraniums budding

Blooming

MyMy Flowers flowers

From Lucy

Lucy’s Roses

Bowl of Petals

Well the banana-raspberry loaf has finished baking. I have everything done upstairs for now. The roses are incredible. I am a lucky person. Alvin’s appointment was good yesterday except for the ear infection. He seems to get those darn yeast infections quite often. My friend next door lent me her car so we did not have to walk yesterday in the heat to the vet. I also received a $269.50 deposit from the Federal government for the carbon rebate which helped take the sting out of the $367.00 vet bill which I should mention included the $157.00 from last Friday, when the debit machines were down across Canada.

Time to head downstairs. I need to start laundry, wash the baking dishes, have breakfast and more coffee.

Have an awesome Saturday. I wish you all the joy and gratitude that I feel in my heart at this very moment.

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

Always, Carol & Alvn

PS: 24 more sleeps till 65. I am not ready whatever that means,lol.

Last Half 2022

Good Morning All! How are you this morning? Is it raining where you are? It has been raining here since last night. I think there were breaks in the rainfall but the sky is grey and it appears that it may have set in for the next several hours. Hopefully the Sun breaks through. We have had enough rain for this time around. I did remember to move my one Lavender plant in the shelter of the house but I noticed earlier this morning that she appeared to be wet but not saturated. Thinking sunshine, sunshine, sunshine. I can feel the warm rays of the sun falling down upon my face (oh, I think that was the line in an old song), lol. Anyway, we have a problem. Roger dodger, Mr. Alvin does not want to go outside in the rain. Even with my umbrella up and following him about, he ran out and peed and ran back to the house. I hope there is a break in the rain soon, as I am quite certain he will need to poop shortly. Here we go again, talking about poop. Could be worse, lol. Anyway, when we go back downstairs, we will try again. Looking out the office window it is hard to tell if it is raining at this moment or not.

We were lucky to get in two walks yesterday. At noon we walked to Pauline’s house, that seems to be the furthest he will go these days but if I counted our return from Pauline’s to our house, I think it would be close. Just in a different direction. It certainly takes us as long but Alvin is walking just a bit slower most days. Then again, there are times when he surprises me and seems like a puppy again. We both love being in Pauline’s garden. On the way home, we met this couple with two small dogs. So we gingerly approach, the man said the one can be a bit off, she was a puppy and the other dog was 15 years old. The younger one came up to Alvin, growled and nipped at him. He backed away. She did not bite him. Just looked like she was going to nip him. The other dog just hung out. I am always amazed at the different reactions and actions of dogs we have never met. Alvin was good. I still could not believe that dog was 15. WOW. We enjoyed meeting them nonetheless. As we approached the entrance to our park, we both stopped to smell the roses. I hadn’t really realized before that whenever there are roses blooming he noses around them – getting a sniff of that heavenly fragrance. We are both rose lovers.

Last night Cookie’s Dad texted me and asked if we would like to come one night this week for a visit. So we are going over Thursday after supper. YAY, I am excited to see them again and catch up.

There is not much else new. We are living our lives. I am so grateful to be working from home. There are two days coming up that I will be going to the office and I have made arrangements for friends to come and check in on Mr. Alvin. I am so grateful for them.

Time to head downstairs and see if I can get Mr. Alvin outside before work (hopefully the rain will let up). Sun is shining, repeat after me, sun is shining. Clear blue skies…….

Have a wonderful Tuesday.

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

Always, Carol & Alvin

PS: only 35 days until my 65th BIRTHDAY. YAY.

Last Half 2022

Good Morning ALL! What a gorgeous morning. Bright sun shining and mostly blue sky. There are a few deep blue clouds but for now the sun is shining and that is what matters. I of course, am running late as I cannot seem to stop clicking on that darn “snooze button,” why oh why!

Today is the birthday of a friend (co-worker). Wishing you a great day Miss Suzette. She took a few days off for her birthday week. Another huge birthday – Happy 4th of July 2022 to our neighbours to the south and to my friends and cousins who live in the United States. Wishing all a wonderful, safe and fun day.

We had a great Sunday. I veered in a total different direction from my original plans for the day. WE were up in good time. I thought that we should go for a walk while it was still morning so we did. We walked right over to our friend Pauline’s house. The garden did not require any watering between my Friday watering and the rain on Saturday. I let Mr. Alvin off his leash so he could wander around unfettered. We both just enjoyed the sunshine and the beautiful garden, my secret garden, of sorts. Of my favourites, the roses. She has multiple bushes and one of them is right near the house, so it looks like it is running up the house. The bush was just filled with incredible pink blooms. The fragrance is another story. I do not know how long we sat in the garden as I did not wear a watch and that is the best kind of time, not paying attention to the minutes, living in the moment. I gave Alvin a few drinks of water while we hung out in the garden.

I, noticed when we were walking through the entrance to the park that there appeared to be a pink rose bush growing out of a white one??? So I investigated to find that someone had picked a bunch of pink roses and set them on the white rose bush. So on our way home, I picked them up and took them home so that they could be appreciated and not wasted. I was able to take most of them and have a beautiful rose bowl which is filling up the main floor with that incredible fragrance.

Yesterday I finished some laundry and decided that I should go through the odds and ends of jewelry that we have accumulated for our Dear Stella Jewelry business but not jewelry that we made. When my daughter and I had our business, technically we still do. Anyway, on a couple of trips and from around Edmonton, we came across some unique pieces so we kept them thinking that perhaps we would reuse them and never did. So I had this container filled with jewelry of all sorts. I spent several hours going through and had the realization that I have some very cool pieces. So at some point when I am ready, I will gather together and have a sale.

I also decided to make some changes with pictures and managed to get two of them moved and asked Sonja to help with the others and she also changed some light bulbs for me. I have the best neighbours.

Well it is getting very close to work start time, so have to go. Plug in the coffee pot as I always enjoy that first cup of coffee.

Have an awesome Monday – go outside.

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

Always, Carol & Alvin

PS: today is 36 days until my 65th birthday. WOW.

2021

Good Morning All! What a morning so far. How are you? We went to bed about 10:33 last night. Alvin was sleeping before me as I was watching taped shows of “Beat Bobby Flay.” We we’re up at our around 300 AM bathroom break, yup we are both old and nature calls at the strangest of times. There were a couple of times after that, that Al wanted to get up but he stayed sleeping and when we got up it was 623 AM. Time for a late breakfast for the boy and of course outside. I’m not sure I felt the need to lay down again instead of staying up but we hit the sofa again. Next time I woke up it was 900 AM. Speechless. I quickly got dressed and we went for a walk but not after spending several minutes trying to retrieve Alvin from his hideout under the table. Finally on our way. Yesterday we walked to the park and back. I kept track of time and it is 15-16 minutes with several stops so we are okay for time given by vet for walks. I can tell you he was so happy. So for second day in a row, we walked to the park. We only did the one yesterday morning but today will do another one. I noticed in the park that the roses are pretty much done blooming which makes me so sad as I totally missed their amazing fragrance. Well we might have had a few sniffs early on in the season. So once home I was about to start writing this post when I was thinking that I couldn’t do without a morning coffee. I’m out. So I reached out to my neighbours via text and started to write this post. Just as I was typing the phone rang and it was my neighbour. She said the Telus Technician was at their house two hours earlier than the appointment and could I let him in and that in her cupboard by the fridge were two bags of coffee that they cannot drink as is caffeinated and I could have him both.

So out I went and the technician was at the side of the house running in the cable and I explained that I could unlock the door for him and if he needed anything he could let me know. I warned him of Humphrey and Bogart as I certainly don’t want them escaping. I unlocked the door and found the coffee checking with him on my way home. I guess Telus gave him the wrong time.

The coffee is now finished brewing and I really need that coffee. Lots to do today and what a start. I’m going to check in the technician.

Coffee time and then breakfast and then get this show on the road. What a start!

I hope the day and the weather is perfect where you are. The morning is perfect here so we will want to take advantage of it by perhaps having coffee on the deck. Might as well as the Telus guy is done.

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

Always Carol&Alvin

2021

Good Morning All! Well my boy sure has had some challenges in the last six months or the first half of 2021. Let’s hope that the second half of 2021 is more kind to my little guy.

it has been interesting adjusting to this new norm. I feel like we are living in a two room apartment with access to another floor to get dressed and do my blog. I am grateful that we have a main floor bathroom. Alvin does not like staying in his little gated area by the front door while I go into hyperdrive doing whatever I need to do upstairs.

He is semi adjusting to my lifting him up from the sofa to the floor and visa versa and up and down the steps to the grass area. The grass was beginning to be green again after the rain but after one hot day it is looking a bit brown.

We definitely have to work on his staying on the main floor while I slip upstairs as he is in his gated area while I am getting ready and typing this post and he is BARKING. OMG, I pray that he calms down over the next few months.

My flowers appear to be peaking and are so pretty. I hope they last till September.

I guess lifting him up snd down will build up my arm strength and maybe more muscle, lol.

I feel so bad for Alvin. Cannot imagine the pain ge is experiencing. Thank goodness for pain meds. Poor guy has bouts of gas and poor Momma when downwind to that smell. I shall miss the fragrance of the roses near the park as it Will beautiful long time before we are walking again.

For the next two and a half months we are housebound. I’m going to have to incorporate some exercise into my days as I find myself sitting more than usual. Mainly to keep the boy still and to make sure he doesn’t jump up or off the sofa. He did get away once this morning and I grabbed him at the third stair as he realized that it wasn’t as easy as usual. So carried him up and back down. Very carefully.

I am grateful that I booked an appointment to have a/c serviced on the 14th as temperatures are warming up but thankfully not the high 30’s.

Well time to go.

I hope you have a great Thursday.

Remembering to live each day with kindness, respect, compassion, patience, understanding, love and gratitude.

Always, we are Carol&Alvin

2021

Good Morning ALL! How are you this Wednesday morning? Cool, I hope. Alvin and I were up at 3:30 as both had to “pee.” It was so refreshing outside and even though it was in the 20’s celsius even at that time with a breeze it felt cool and as I was wearing my summer pj’s, I put on a sweater, imagine that! We lingered on the deck for a time enjoying the coolness and for a moment I thought of grabbing Alvin’s beds and bringing them outside and laying down on the deck. For a moment. Then back into the house and laid down until he was up at 4:30 to eat. After Alvin ate, I changed my alarm from 5:00 to 5:30. I checked the weather and before the official sunrise it was 24 degrees celsius with a breeze and only climbing after the sun begins to rise higher in the sky. The sun rose at I think 5:07 so we could see to walk of course and at 5:40 a.m. this morning Alvin and I headed out for a walk. We came across three runners and one couple with a dog walking. I think that the dog was walking the Mrs. They were fully dressed with long pants, tops and jackets. I felt warm looking at them. Anyway we enjoyed the coolness in the air, the smell of the roses, the smell of the morning. It was enchanting. Really it was. I felt like we were in a different place and shortly we will be. I am grateful that we have fans and can keep relatively okay. Last night before bed I gave Alvin a bath of sorts, no shampoo, just got him wet and then partially dried him. I had a shower. Then we went to bed. I also put a wet towel on him. When the towel dried out during the night, he woke up. I realized what the problem was grabbing the towel went into the bathroom and ran some coolish water soaking the towel. Covering him with it once again, he went back to sleep. I think that he knows what the towel represents now. I am grateful to have towels and water. There is still a breeze coming in through the office window and it is actually cool in here. Unlike yesterday morning when it was warm but we are earlier I think. A few minutes ago after returning from our walk, Alvin wanted to go outside. So we went into the backyard and found Bogart atop the fence between his yard and ours. He was meowing at Alvin and Alvin was barking at him. His Mom came out, picked up Bogart from the top of the fence, he was not impressed, we had a short visit as she was vacuuming while it was still cool before realizing that she promised a coworker that she would go to the office and help with a task. So then she was hustling Humphrey and Bogart into the house. That has been our morning thus far. Honestly feels like we have been up for hours and I guess actually we have.

At least the weekend will be 10 or more degrees cooler and 25/26 degrees celsius looks pretty cool to me.

So on this Wednesday the last day of June 2021 and the day before we celebrate Canada Day, I am grateful to live in a country that is not perfect but we are trying to do better for all our citizens. We are hopeful that for the children of the next generations we will always remember what is not acceptable and that we will all live together with respect, compassion and kindness for everyone, for each citizen of this great land. Everyone is important. Everyone!

Happy Wednesday to you. I am off to put on some coffee and perhaps sit outside on the deck for a little while while the deck remains shaded before the sun rises higher in the sky. Enjoy that refreshing cool air a bit longer.

Take care and stay cool and hydrated.

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

Love, Always, Carol & Alvin