2021

Good Morning ALL! I hope that this finds you well and in good spirits. Both Alvin and I are doing well. The probiotics and ear meds appear to all be working, thank goodness. The bottom end of the boy seems to be almost back to normal, so grateful for that. Alvin is laying in the hallway, patiently waiting for me to write this post. Some mornings I have lots to say and know exactly what to type and others, I am not quite sure. This is the latter. I can tell you that today is Friday for me and I am over the moon to have tomorrow off as a vacation day. The plan is to spend some time with my daughter. We were going to take Alvin to their house so that he would not be alone but under the circumstances with the anxiety that he feels taking a car ride and the fact that he is just recovering from something – that would not be a good plan. So we will just go for a few hours – much less than I would like but the boy has to come first. If I had someone to check on him, then I could stay out for a few more hours but cannot find anyone at this time. Less time is better than no time. He will be fine for a few hours. It is funny how just over a year ago he was home from bright and early in the morning when I left for work until I got home after work. Too many hours but what choice did I have? I always felt guilty leaving him for so long. Now that I have been at home, I find it hard to leave him. On those times that I have had to go into the office – I have made sure that someone could come and check on him, let him outside to pee and give to him some love and maybe a treat. Speaking of treats, I have to go and pick up his treats from the vet. They had to order them and they arrived later on Tuesday (we were there in the morning).

I am so grateful for this weather. The sun is shining brightly and the sky is that perfect powder blue. There is a slight breeze much the same as yesterday morning. Quiet in the house. Looking forward to our walk at lunchtime.

I have been receiving signs from every direction and I think that I have to get on with getting this book written and then published. Dreaming of this for decades. I have enough to write several books but just want to make sure that I write the right one for this time. Something that people will want to read. So many ideas. I guess pick one and get the heck going.

Wishing you the perfect day. Perhaps a walk at lunchtime. Snuggle with your little one or your pup. Perhaps time out of your busy schedule to read a book. Maybe even dancing in your living room or out on your lawn. Have an awesome Thursday.

Living with kindness, respect, compassion and patience.

Always, Love Carol & Alvin

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It is a NEW YEAR.

Good Morning and Welcome to Wednesday the 1st day of a new month, April.

Usually people would be playing pranks on one another this morning but alas I don’t think it is likely appropriate this April 1st.

The sky is almost white this morning with a tinge of the palest of blues.

I am hopeful that the sunrise will be visible shortly.

Yesterday afternoon the SUN was so bright against the deep plush blanket of snow it was almost blinding from inside the house.

At one point I was thinking I should put on my sunglass clips but then I was not in the living for long and in my office it was not too bad.

Working from home as been interesting.

Today is our 10th day, I believe.

I do love being here with Alvin, going for walks at lunchtime when we can and the commute.

Nothing beats the commute.

Nothing.

Other than retirement and then there would be no commute, period.  OVER and OUT.

But that is not where I am at this time so a short commute is wonderful.

It is nice dressing how you feel.

Somedays I feel like dressing as though I am going to the office and others it feels more casual.

I have not as yet wore my pajamas or gone without wearing a bra.

But we are just beginning in this new norm.

I have a feeling that it will be extended for us past April 30, 2020.

I have not been watching the news to see how many cases or if the virus has grown substantially in Canada.

I feel that I am doing my part.

Staying home and reducing the chance of catching the virus.

My friends drop things off at the door and when we visit it is in short spurts at the door and I am six feet away.

No hugs even though we really want to.

I wash my hands.

Importantly I get lots of rest, try to remain calm, get some exercise and eat right and keep hydrated.

Speaking of hydrating (kidding), I smell the coffee perking away.

Let me tell you there is nothing short of wild roses lining the path to the park or lilacs blooming or the scent of a little baby that matches the smell of coffee brewing.

I guess the secret is out.

BEST SMELLS EVER:

Wild roses

Lilacs

Scent of a baby

COFFEE

Perhaps after a rain ……

What are you favourite scents?

Maybe you could send me your list.

I am excited to see what everyone likes or loves.

 

Mr. Alvin ….

Even though he has my schedule for starting and ending work and breaks down to the minute, I think he is out of sorts.

I think that he has some pain in his paws due to arthritis.

It was/is a matter of time.

I will continue with his daily regimen of glucosamine.

I do know that when the weather changes, I can see a difference.

This is not news to his Doctor.

Don’t worry I keep her aprized.

 

How about some miscellaneous photos.

I love photos.

Let me see what do I have handy.

 

Oh my darling grand pup MILO closest to the camera and little KOBI in the background.

MILO and Miss ASPEN.

Love my grand pups.

I love the way the tree looks after a snowfall.

Branches gently cradling the snow.

Last year’s birthday …. the most delicious cupcakes.

With Key Lime Icing

Geese near the park by my house, last year or year before.

Time passes so quickly …..

Flowers from my friend’s garden.

I cannot wait to see her garden this summer.

Our friend next door, HUMPHREY.

Thankfully he does not have to wear the CONE often anymore.

But sometimes.

FRIENDS

I wished that I had one of Alvin and Teddy looking out of the bedroom window.

I have some.

ALVIN and TEDDY on the bed.

 

Well almost time to grab my coffee and get the start up to work.

I hope that you have an awesome day.

Wednesday, we got this.

Two more days until the weekend.

 

Living in Kindness and with Respect,

I, We remain as,

Always, Carol & Alvin

It is a NEW YEAR.

Well folks we made it through another week.

This weekend marks the end of February 2020 and the beginning of a new month March 2020.

March is an extra special month for me as it is the birthday of my daughter.

Also is the birthdate of my Dad’s only sister, my Aunt, son-in-law’s brother, friend’s children, sister-in-law, niece in-law and some of my most dearest friends.

A busy month to be sure.

Which reminds me that I forgot to pop a card and letter into the mail for my Aunt.

I will do that this weekend and even though it may be late ….. always better to send than not to.

She is of the generation that cards and letters were important.

The largest way of communication next to the telephone.

Long before the days of email, texts and video chats and social media.

I have a good stock of miscellaneous cards as I still love to send them from time to time.

 

Last night on our walk …. oh, it was so beautiful.

We bumped into the gal that delivers our flyers down the street at the houses near the park.

We stopped for a chat.

The chat carried on for several minutes when all of a sudden I saw out of the corner of my eye and then did a quick spin …

To see by Alvin and me, this chocolate lab pup off leash.

There was a family coming down the sidewalk and I called out to them.

They explained as they got to us that this pup had just joined them.

He/She walked beside them the whole way.

Now as they were on a busy street they were concerned.

No one happened to have an extra leash.

As we were near the house of a friend, I ran up the walk to see if she could help us out with a leash.

She has two small dogs.

But no one was home.

Quick thinking, I thought of tying some poop bags together but that didn’t seem like a great idea, no one had a scarf (I would have given up my scarf, for sure) but I did have

my Bath & Body Works lanyard on my keys.

So I removed the lanyard and it worked perfectly as the pup did have a collar with a ring for hooking leashes.

We hooked up the lanyard and I asked if they were able to take the pup and contact the appropriate authorities and they said of course.

The pup seemed perfectly happy to be with them.

Alvin did okay with the pup considering there was no leash on the pup and hard to hold him/her.

There was a bit of growling on Alvin’s part but the pup was so good natured it did not last.

I hope, pray and wish that they found the pup’s home or the authorities did.

Such a beautiful pup.

There was no one out looking during the time we were out.

I am not certain where exactly the dog joined them.

Best of luck to you little one.

I should have carried my phone but did not have the appropriate place and my hands were full.

 

Well almost time to leave here.

My neighbour is feeling better and will give me a ride to work this morning.

Yesterday funny story.

I left home a few minutes earlier than what I normally would to catch a bus and when walking by my friend’s house, she was backing out.

She saw me and gave me a ride to the bus stop.

That helped greatly … no dodging ice …. yay, me.

I caught the earlier bus and was to work before 7:30 a.m. ( I do not start till 8 but like to be there early).

 

Well time to fly.

I hope that you have an awesome, amazing, wonderful day.

Isn’t the morning sky beautiful?

Getting more light everyday.

Take Care.

 

Always, Carol & Alvin

Treating the world with kindness and respect.

Trying …..

Thought for the day ….

Good Morning and Welcome to Wednesday the 6th day of June, 2018.

A beautiful morning with sunshine and blue skies.

There remains at this time a bit of coolness to the air.

But to warm up over the course of the day and the next two.

 

Alvin and I enjoyed our walk last night.

Not too many folks out but we did bump into some folks we had met another time.

Last night I went over to my NORWEX Leader’s house for some additional information.

She is a nice person and reminds me so much of a gal that works at Alvin’s Vet Clinic.

They both sound exactly the same and even similar features.

 

Well my carpool starts vacation this afternoon so it will be back to taking the old City BUS until next Tuesday.

Will have to see what is new on public transit.

Likely should check to see if the schedule changed.

 

Funny how you can be dreaming and wake up and are surprised it was not actually happening.

I had such dreams last night well actually just happened while dozing on the sofa this morning.

We had 1.5 hours give or take, well actually take and I had the most bizarre dream.

There were dogs, me, a house, police officers, water, flooding, fake police officers, plants, carpool, work and more.

 

Well almost time to hit the road.

Happy to have a ride this morning.

 

Have a great Wednesday.

Special Hello to: all the dreamers….

Always, Carol & Alvin

 

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Saturday the 27th day of January, 2018.

The SUN is shining this morning.

The sky is beautiful with a mixture of colour and clouds.

The thin dark clouds appear to be dissipating and the sun shining more brightly.

What a lovely break after the overcast snowy past couple of days.

Shovelling, argh there was shovelling.

I did all but the driveway last night and will have to do that today.

We have banks of snow on the deck and on the front lawn from me throwing the snow to the side.

I will say this on my walk to the bus yesterday morning the snow shone like a billion diamonds in the street lights.

So beautiful.

 

YAY, it is the weekend.

I must make a TO DO LIST as I have so much that I would like to accomplish this weekend.

So many chores and such running through my head.

Stuff to do.

We all have stuff to do on the weekend.

I sort through the needs to be done stuff first ….

Now Alvin really could use a hair cut and bath.

It is COLD outside.

So the hair cut will be a trim and the bath will be a bath but I will ensure he is dry before he goes outside.

I also have to measure his food as it is getting low.

I was going to get off the bus and go pick it up this week but four out of the five days I got a ride home and one I got off at the grocery store.

The vet is on the other side of home.

Last night it was snowing, the traffic was well crazy and I did not reach the house until 6:00 p.m.

Usually I get home while taking the bus about 5:15 p.m. and with rides it was 4:45 or earlier.

Monday is supposed to be warmer.

A temporary reprieve.

So if there is enough food for Alvin I will get off the bus Monday after work and pick him up a bag.

If there is not enough – well I will bundle up and go.

I think it is too cold for the boy to be out.

I especially think of his poor little paws.

Always laundry, clean the office (put the smaller Christmas tree away to the basement), vacuum, wash floors.

Prepare my friend’s 40th birthday gift and card for next Friday.

I know there are more things to do and that is why I shall sit down and make a list so that nothing gets missed.

I have two days so no need to worry.

Alvin will help where he can.  LOL.

Well I suppose that I should not put off the inevitable any longer as I need to get changed and get this day going.

It was and is always Alvin that makes me get up and get going on the weekend.

I would love to dilly dally longer but he is the BOSS …. get up and get going.

No laying around for long with him.

He first was up this morning at before 4:00 am and I managed to have him stay in bed until a few minutes later.

Oh, I have not been up since then – I am not that silly.

I do have a great life and am grateful that I can do what needs to be done virtually on my schedule.

That would be on the weekends only.

WORK, is another story.

Nothing seems to go according to plan.

But that is okay.

If everything was scheduled that may eventually be boring.

Okay, I am going now.

Have a wonderful day.

Enjoy the weekend and I hope that you are able to have some down time for yourself.

Even though Alvin sometimes cracks the whip, I manage to have some downtime …..

 

Special Hello to: all those folks out there who have a dog in their household, enjoy.

Always, Carol & Alvin

 

 

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Tuesday the 6th day of September, 2016.

The long weekend is over and it is back to work for me and many others.

It would appear that it rained overnight.

I thought that I heard it rain last night.

Well it was an extremely productive weekend for me.

I accomplished everything from laundry to mowing the front and back lawn to defrosting the fridge to picking up trash in the neighbourhood.

Busy but good.

It was nice to have so much time with Alvin, too.

After waking up to cool temperatures in the house and it not climbing after several hours, I broke down and turned on the heat.

With the temperatures being the mid teens this weeks it would have been too cool for the boy.

During the self imposed break from writing I did not plan on where I wanted to go from here.

So it will just evolve over time.

I guess that is a decision that I must make.

I am debating whether or not to catch the earlier bus this morning.

My regular time is back on the schedule.

Back on schedule because the kids are back to school and they added more times to the routes.

YAY.

It will be good in the winter when the bus is usually running a few minutes late.

I do not want to be late for work.

It leaves every 15 minutes so I have wiggle room.

 

I was inspired to write more poetry so that is for certain.

Something that can be done anywhere ….

Just have to have a pen and paper with me.

I hope that you had a great weekend.

Time to go and finish getting ready.

Thank you for reading this post and my blog.

 

Special Hello to: all my friends and family.

Always, Carol and Alvin

 

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Tuesday the 8th day of September, 2015.

Dark out ….. dry on the deck …. no rain overnight.

Wow, Tuesday already …. so great to have a long weekend.

I am so grateful that I was able to spend some of it with my dear friend “P” from Regina.

We had such a great visit.

Now today back to the regular routine …..

Work …. home ….. work …. HOME …..

We are so wrapped in routine we humans.

In fact, I would say that most of us are most happiest when we are in a routine.

When we get up at the same time, eat at the same time, work at the same time …..sleep at the same time.

It is a circle that for the most part keeps us the most happiest.

If you think about it having your life in a regular schedule/routine helps you to do what you needs to be done.

At least it works for me.

There I go again …. back to the “TO DO LISTS.”

But really …. they do work.

Whenever you have things to do write them down.

As you complete them …. check off ….. DONE.

We/I/You will have a sense of accomplishment.

Even if it is just emptying the dishwasher.

Trust he it feels like you actually did something.

Well I can hear the sidewalk calling my name …..

Now that I have to wear a jacket and “shoes” ….. need a couple extra minutes to put the final touches on before I leave the house.

Have a Happy Tuesday.

Special Hello to: my friend “M” …. thank you for your thoughtful comments and your “work” is amazing.

Always, Carol and Alvin

Thought for the day ……

Good Morning and Welcome to Monday the 11th day of May, 2015.

Beautiful morning after a beautiful day.

So great to see the sky beginning to lighten as me and Alvin arise at 5:00 a.m.

Alvin and I now have a routine, I would say.

Routine are good most especially for pets.

During the week we keep pretty much to a regular schedule.

Do you have a schedule or is every day different?

I am lucky because I have one job now, same hours every day. Upon arriving at home it is let Alvin outside, feed Alvin and then get changed, go for a walk, and then have supper.  Most evenings just do bit of tidying up and anything that requires immediate attention, and other than that we relax on the sofa.  By relax I mean watch a bit of television.  Sometimes I just get lost in the moment gazing out the living room while snuggling with Alvin.

Most of us working folk only have a few waking hours at home during the week.

It is crazy how many hours we spend away from home, at work ….

To have a roof over our heads, food in our bellies and to pay the bills.

I like to get to bed during the week at the same time.

I tend to leave the big jobs for the weekend.

Now that the lawn requires attention I would rake it and water it during the week of course.

Perhaps leave the mowing for the weekend.

We all do what works best for us.

You never know what the day will bring.

I am hoping for a quiet day that I can accomplish everything on my TO DO LIST (at work).

Well here it is almost time to leave and looking out the office window I can see the sunrise ….

It is going to be a glorious day ….. the sky is clear with a slight breeze.

I do kind of enjoy the bus ride to work …. mainly because I get on one bus and go all the way to work.

Sometimes in the evening it takes three buses to get home if you miss that one.

Oh well, life is pretty great on this end.

I hope that you all had a great Mother’s Day ….

I was absolutely spoiled ….. huge ( BIG ) bouquet of roses, gerber daisies, carnations, hydrangeas,  and several other flowers who names elude me at 6:00 a.m. …… the most beautiful card, and the company first and foremost of my daughter and grand-puppies.

We even went out for a bit to run some errands and I picked up one of Mike Dooley’s book (started to read last night), some wooden spoons, couple of cool place mats for the kitchen table and some groceries and a pot of flowers for the deck.

WHAT a great day.

Still excited ……

Okay gotta go ….. have a great Monday.

Clear skies ahead.

Special Hello to: all my friends and family ……

Always, Carol and Alvin

Thought for the day…..

Good Morning and Welcome to Saturday the 18th of April, 2015.

The sun is shining and the temperature is mild and the wind is BLOWING.

We have had quite the breezes the past few days.

Well this is our first weekend with no house guests.

The second weekend where I do not go to work at the store.

It feels strange on both counts.

Alvin and I are settling in ….. it is very quiet.

I can hear the echoes of his footsteps, and my voice throughout the house.

Another chapter closed and another opened.

Yesterday I did laundry and some moving things back into my bedroom and regular cleaning.

I had coffee with my friend “G” and that was nice to do on a Friday afternoon.

Alvin and I enjoyed a walk ….. it was strange without my daughter and the pups along.

We got out and back just before it started to rain….perfect timing.

We slept in …. just lying there …… mind drifting off ….. to places ….. to people.

Today my daughter was coming back for one last load of odds and ends.

I found a few things that have to go as well.

There are always those items that miss the boxes.

So today, to do:

1.  make a list of everything that I have to do over the next month

2.  check on Aussie the cat

3.  perhaps rake the front lawn (or wait until next Saturday when the ground has thawed more)

4.  make fudge for my friend’s little guy who is celebrating a birthday, and happens to love my fudge …..

5.  go for a long walk with Mr. Alvin

6.  RELAX

One more day until back to work and oh has it been wonderful being at home.

Well that kitty is waiting …. she needs some company.

Almost forgot about breakfast.

COFFEE …..

Well here we go …… it will be easier by next weekend when the schedule is in place.

I do love my house when it is filled with voices, barks, love and laughter.

I do love my house when it is filled with us.

They will come back for visits and maybe even sleepovers ….. at least for sure the puppies, will.

 

Happy Saturday.

Here we go.

Life carries on.

I am so blessed.

With the wind in my sails I will go.

With Alvin at my side I will never be alone.

Happy Saturday.

 

Special Hello to: my family and friends …. time to be making some phone calls……and video chats…. SKYPE…anyone.

Always, Carol and Alvin

 

 

 

Thought for the day…..

Good Morning and Welcome to Wednesday the 8th day of April, 2015.

Well I will admit that I am running a couple of minutes behind so this will be short.

Starting to get used to the new schedule.

Thought better try it before the kids move to their new house.

I will be leaving the house at 6:10 so that I can catch the bus and hopefully arrive at the office before 7:30 a.m.

This will be for a short time.

Then I will be able to leave about 6:30 a.m. for the office.

Which doesn’t seem like much but early in the morning 20 minutes, is 20 minutes.

Last night I signed up with my friend “G” for boot camp.

Every Tuesday night for eight weeks.

I knew that I was out of shape but it makes you realize just how “inactive” we really are in our day to day lives.

I feel good this morning other than tired …..

Perhaps tomorrow will be the telling story.

I break my time down into segments in the morning.

That way I know what needs to be done and how much time I have ….. seems to work.

The kids are home today as they go for the final walk through in their brand new house.

I am beyond excited to see the finished product.

Hopefully I can make it over before they get moved in ….. like to see it while it is empty.

Well I had better hop to it here.

I hope that you have an amazing Wednesday.

Remember to try something new ….. mine is the boot camp.

I did go once but never signed up for the class.

I am looking forward to finally getting my core back to it’s original glory.

Or at least have a core that works.

Special Hello to: my sister ….. I miss you.

Always, Carol and Alvin