Good Morning! Another overcast morning. I cannot believe that my Alvin has been gone for three weeks. I think that I shall always miss him. He is everywhere in the house. Last night I washed some of his harnesses that I found in the closet. Some no longer would fit him. They are washed and clean and perhaps someday will find another home. Every day I go through the bouquets of flowers and plants that we received and make sure they have fresh water and remove the ones that have passed. Surprisingly, there are some cut flowers that are still doing well. I am so grateful to all those friends and neighbours for the most beautiful flowers. Alvin would have loved them. He really did love flowers and always had his nose in the flower pots in the spring and summer. He was always watching me while I watered the plants in the house and sometimes wanted me to bring them down so that he could see them. Yes, he did. Very curious he was.
Last night I started the preparations for his sister’s Birthday party. She turns 43 tomorrow and Alvin was 13 in January. Lots of the number 3 and 4 combinations, if you are into numerology. Just thought that looked cool. I will keep the decorations for her party a bit on the low key side because we are mourning our beloved Alvin and I just do not feel that it would be right. The house will be full of celebration for a birthday and also celebration of a life well lived. I know that we will be talking about him tonight. He loved a good party especially when there were gifts for him to open, even if they were not for him. To Alvin it was all about opening the gift. Now if there was food inside, he was wanting the food for sure but at the end of the day, he loved to open gifts. At Christmas, he seemed to have started Miss Aspen to be interested in opening a gift, so perhaps he has passed his talents to her. That would be nice. I guess we shall see over time.
This morning, I have a list of things to do. Last night I boiled the eggs and potatoes so I will cut them up for the salad. I may have to put the chicken in cold water for awhile as last night it was still frozen solid. I guess my freezer works good. Shovelling is on the list. Also making the fruit pizza which has a few steps so that takes a bit of time. I put up some Happy Birthday Balloons (I know, they are helium ones that I keep reusing each year and two are from my 65th Birthday but they do not say a year). Not sure my daughter would appreciate a birthday balloon that said Happy 65th Birthday, lol. I may have the chicken cut up and ready to go. I just received a text from daughter that she sent last night and they have a slight change in their plans and won’t be here until around 2:30 so that gives me a bit more time to get things done. I washed my clothes last night so that is off the plate for today. Towels and bedding can wait until tomorrow. I have lots of towels so I could easily do them once every two weeks. There is shovelling on the list. Did I mention that already? If I have time I will vacuum upstairs otherwise that is for tomorrow. I am excited to see Miss Aspen, Mi-Mi and Miss Betty Ann this afternoon for a few hours before Amanda & Steven come for the party.
So the office. Yesterday I left the house at 7:05 and walked to the bus stop to catch public transportation for the first time since pre pandemic. Yes, I was a little bit anxious but just making sure that I had the right one and good thing that I asked because one of the two that I was supposed to be able to catch would have meant a further walk for me so glad that I asked the driver. The bus was on time and I waited for a few minutes because I left early to ensure that I did not miss the bus. The bus ride was less than 5 minutes (for real) and then I walked to the new office. The walk took just under 10 minutes. When I got to the office, I realized that the front door had a FOB entry and not key and it was cold and snowing and I was cold from being outside waiting and walking. I walked around the building as it is small and did not see the other entrance due in part to my glasses being fogged over so I pulled out my cell phone and texted the gal that I carpool with as she was going to the office for further training. I think I mentioned that we will end up working together after all as she will be in a different position. Anyway, she texted our Manager and then I remembered that I had our Director’s phone number so I texted her, she texted me and then called me. She said that the other entrance had a key entry and did I have a key. I said yes to the key but did not see the other door and I did know there was one but just in the moment did not see it. She stayed on the line while I walked and located the door and let myself into a dark building as I was the first one to arrive. Yes, I am always early. Habit of mine. I thanked her and then started to remove my coat etc and settle in. I picked one of the desks, the one closest to the door, lol. Then I set about setting up the Keurig coffee machine so that I could have coffee. It was awhile later after I was enjoying some coffee that another staff arrived followed by the Manager and later another staff. The Manager for our Systems arrived to get us set up and the movers with filing cabinets etc. I even managed to get some work done. The best part of all was that I got home at 4:31 p.m. I made sure that I was out the door at 4:00 as I wanted to see what time the bus arrived. I ended up waiting for a few minutes so now I know that I don’t have to rush rush out the door, just in case. Another new chapter ……. the office is not and sparkly like the downtown one but it does possess a kind of 80’s charm.
Time for me to head downstairs and put on some coffee. It is 7:53 now and I was up just after 7:00 and awake much earlier but chose to lay in bed and just mull over life with constant thoughts of Alvin. Doesn’t seem fair to him or to me that he had to leave what seems like way too soon.
Have a wonderful Saturday.
Continuing to live this life with kindness, respect, compassion, patience, love, laughter, understanding, gratitude, focus, possibilities, coffee and forgiveness.
Good Morning ALL! How are you this morning? I would say that I am okay, we are okay. Not sure why but Mr. Alvin was up basically every two hours last night. He did have to pee when we first were up at 12:30, then at 2:30 (just up), then 3:00 (gave him his glucosamine chew), then I don’t remember if it was 4:00 or 5:00 then it was 6:15; needless to say we were not up to stay up until 9:15 a.m. I hope that we get our schedule worked out before next week. Working with such disruptive sleep is not much fun and I can say that from experience. Fingers crossed.
We had a quiet day. My daughter ordered a new iMac from Costco for me. It is to be delivered on next Tuesday. I also placed an order to Ricki’s for some new items. There is no way on this planet that I would pay their ticketed prices so with a massive sale; it was the perfect time to pick up a few things. I am very excited to have a new computer. This computer has served me well. She has been here with me for the past 13 years, I purchased her the summer after I moved to Edmonton. The poor girl is no longer able to take updates but that is okay. She is able to do what I need for the most part. A new computer is a huge deal. This will be my third iMac or is it the 4th? Oh my, now I am not sure. I do think it is the third one though. LOL.
Alvin and I went for a short walk yesterday. I had planned to walk at least to the park but not Alvin. So grateful for this nice weather. There appears to be clear skies developing on the horizon. Sunshine would be wonderful as it has been cloudy here for the past few days. I did some shovelling yesterday. Yes, I also went and paid for my eyeglasses and they should be here in a couple of weeks which is about the same time as I go back for another eye pressure test. Hopefully it has gone back to normal. I was reading that coffee is not good for high eye pressure. I also went to Shoppers and cashed in my “winning” lotto tickets/scratch tickets from Christmas for the grand total of $44.00 and a freeplay on the Lotto 649. YAY, me.
In a little while, I will give Mr. Alvin a haircut and bath.
Christmas Eve 2022 hanging out with Alvin, Aspen and Mi-Mi (aren’t they adorable). Alvin was snooping under the tree looking for his gifts to open.
Alvin looking for his presents
I will post more Christmas photos tomorrow.
We hope that you have a great Thursday. Tonight, I am invited to a neighbours home for a visit.
Fingers crossed that Alvin’s haircut goes well.
Continuing to live this life with kindness, respect, compassion, patience, love, laughter, understanding, gratitude, focus, possibilities and coffee.
Good Morning ALL! How are you this morning? I am doing well. When I looked out of the bedroom window I saw more snow so there will be more shovelling in my future. The sky is grey so more snow. I was pretty sure that the temperatures were getting colder so not sure why the snow but not much one can do about this situation. Mother Nature does what Mother Nature does in the winter on the prairies in Canada. Happy December! I am grateful that today is Sunday and that I do not have much on my plate today except putting my winter coats back in the downstairs front entranceway closet and emptying the dishwasher. Oh, and shovelling! I have done lots of cleaning last weekend and on Friday and earlier on Saturday preparing for Christmas parties each weekend.
Last night was so much fun. There were five of us in total. Two ladies cancelled at the last minute. That did not stop us from having a great time. We laughed, we “cried”, we ATE (oh my goodness did we eat), drank and spoke about our ups and downs, some about work. I was actually surprised that we held off talking about the “W” word for most of the evening and then we had a good chat. We were all feeling the same as we shared our anxieties and all of that. Next time I ask people to come over – I will not ask them to bring food as I made enough for about 20 people. We laughed about that …..
Well, I am keeping this short as I just want to have a lazy day and I want to get that started now. In fact, I am going to stay in my pj’s for awhile until I go out to shovel, might as well wait until the snow stops.
Tomorrow is back to the office. I was thinking last night and shared, “Wouldn’t it be great if our employer decided to change our “schedule for back to the office” down to one or two days per week. Dependant on whether or not your job required you to actually be in the office” What a morale booster that would be right before Christmas.” A girl can only hope. Maybe changing my thoughts will change the outcome. Oh that would be so nice. Fingers crossed. Changing my thoughts to change things!
Have an awesome Sunday. Coffee here I come.
Countdown to Christmas: only 6 sleeps until Christmas Eve. Only 6 sleeps until ALVIN comes home. I cannot wait to see him, Aspen, Milo, Amanda and Steven. YAY. Happy Christmas to me!
Continuing to live this life with kindness, respect, compassion, patience, love, laughter, understanding, gratitude, focus, possibilities and coffee.
Always, Carol & Alvin
P.S. last night was a reminder, if you are feeling something, it is very likely that others feel the same way! Always reach out and know you are never alone.
Good Morning ALL! I hope that this finds you doing very well. Both Alvin and I are doing great. I happy over the moon excited for this weekend. I will be writing up Christmas cards and letters. Laundry as always. Must remember to pop Mr. Alvin’s sweater into the laundry. Maybe he needs another one! Christmas present idea, lol. The sun is shining but there are a few clouds. No wind. I think it might be worth going for a walk this morning. The sidewalks out front look dry. I need to go and remove the snow that I tossed onto my sidewalk from the grass back onto the grass. There was a need a few days ago to have a safe place to walk for both me and Mr. Alvin. Now that time has passed so remove the snow so it will dry off. I placed a Mary Kay order last night as I had a few people wanting a few items for themselves and for Christmas gifts. I have other things on my list. The main focus is the Christmas cards as I would really like to get all the ones that need to be mailed outside of Canada and outside my realm of hand delivery posted right away. I have the cards and stamps so I just need to address them and write some notes/letters. My favourite part is writing the letters. I love to receive cards and letters although it seems to be going in the direction of the dinosaurs. Too bad! I will continue until I am not physically able to write / print. It is a tradition that I love so much.
I should also post some photos of my redecorated tree. Yes, I will. Hopefully sooner than later.
Last night after work I came home with my carpool as we agreed, my daughter and I that is that perhaps a visit was not in the cards last night. She had things to do and the weather was not looking great but ended up okay. Alvin and I were going to head out for a walk when I saw a text from Cookie’s Dad asking if she could come and spend a few hours with us. Of course, I said “YES.” I am so grateful to them for taking such great care of Mr. Alvin since I have returned to work three days per week. My fingers are crossed that perhaps that will be reduced to two days each week or even one. Our moral at work between the return to work and changes (always changes) is at an all time low. Very sad. Anyway, we had a great time with Cookie who for the most part watched out the living room window from the arm of the big chair. I guess watching for her family. Perhaps she was thinking of last year when she ended up with us for two weeks while her family went to Disneyland. Poor little girl. She did run around the house stopping to give me some love. She is so adorable. She likes to get Alvin going which is not necessarily a bad thing. They do well together. I have decided it may be a good idea for Alvin to spend some time with his sister, brother-in-law, Aspen and Milo when I have the office Christmas party. It may be too much for him. If it were one or two or even three people that is one thing but looks like will be over 10. Plus I will be able to concentrate on the company and having a good time without having to worry and care for him. Win, win. He needs some time with them for sure. They love him so much and as he is getting older, I am not sure how many more road trips he will be able to tolerate. He doesn’t like car rides as it is.
Time to fly. Lots to do. I need COFFEE, too.
Have a awesome Saturday.
Continuing to live this life with kindness, respect, compassion, patience, love, laughter, understanding, gratitude, focus, possibilities and coffee.
Always, Carol & Alvin
PS: another item on the list is to wrap gifts. Oh, I cannot wait until I am able to get the new computer. Hopefully soon.
Good Morning ALL! Well I have had a cardio workout already this morning as I shovelled some snow around on the deck and then our sidewalks out front. I always do my neighbor Sonja’s as we help each other. I had shovelled the snow in the late afternoon after work and there was another six inches or so piled up again this morning. I am very happy that the snow has stopped falling from the sky. Was beginning to think it was never going to stop. Snow is pretty but not all at once. Just a little bit at a time.
We had a pretty good sleep. Bed early which was good because Mr. Alvin was up and had to go outside at 3:30 and then managed to sleep until the alarm went off at 5:15 a.m., hit the snooze button for 5 minutes and then we were up. Fed Alvin, went outside and shovelled, made bed, brushed teeth and put on some makeup, got dressed and now doing this post. I texted my carpool and she would like to leave a few minutes early so I have a few minutes less than usual but I am going to have to get up at 5:00, I think (especially on the shower mornings). Anyway, all good.
We are doing well and that is always a good thing. I am so grateful that both Alvin and I are feeling fine, that we live in this beautiful house, that all of our appliances big and small work hard to keep us warm, watered, bottom business, fed and entertained. I am grateful to be surrounded by warm, loving and supportive people. I am grateful that I have the strength to shovel snow and hopefully for many years. I am grateful for the coffee that awaits me at the office. I am grateful to have the finances to live in this house and afford the things that we need and some of the things that we want. Totally grateful on this Tuesday morning.
Christmas 2022
Running late, experiencing technical issues.
Have a great day.
Continuing to live this life with kindness, respect, compassion, patience, love, laughter, understanding, gratitude, focus, possibilities and coffee.
Good Morning ALL! Well here we are at another Monday morning. More snow! I think that we are going to break some records this year for snow. Seems like every day it is snowing. Shovelling and more shovelling. This morning my neighbour shovelled our sidewalks before she left for work. I am working from home so I will shovel after work or perhaps at lunch break. I hope that we get some days where Alvin and I can head out for a walk even if it is a short one.
I am happy that Mr. Alvin has now started to do his business on the deck in the layers and layers of snow. Easier for me to see and to clean up and I do not have to worry about him jumping off the deck onto the hard frozen ground/snow.
Yesterday morning two of my friends came over for coffee. We had so much to talk about work, home, the state of the world. There was much chatter happening and even some laughter along the way. Much better than “tears” for sure. Another wonderful visit with these dear friends of mine. G was heading out to the grocery store in the afternoon so I tagged along as it had been over a month since I had been to the store. I had a few things picked up by my daughter and friends but not been for a serious grocery shop. I even found a sale on chocolate chips and evaporated milk and mini marshmallows so I have some of my Christmas baking supplies. Funny how a little trip to the grocery store can feel like a huge outing!
I baked some sweet potatoes, onions and carrots for supper with a piece of Highliner Cod. Honestly I do not remember the last time I had fish. Was so tasty. Tonight I am baking a Hamburger Quiche which uses YVES Mexican blend (meatless) instead of ground beef. I will have that to eat from for most of the week.
Time to head downstairs and turn on the coffee. Have a wonderful day.
Continuing to live this life with kindness, respect, compassion, patience, love, laughter, understanding, gratitude, focus, possibilities and coffee.
Always, Carol & Alvin
PS: will download/upload some photos of the Xmas Decorations tomorrow.
Good Morning ALL! Can you believe that today is November 6, 2022 already. Yikes. It has been a snowy snowy November thus far. Colder, too. Our clocks were turned back last night at 2:00 a.m. which has already played havoc with our minds and bodies. I will admit that I am happy that the time goes back as it gives us one more hour in bed and when it is a reasonable time in the morning – we can see outside without the aid of a flashlight. It was snowing earlier when we got up. In fact, we went to bed at our usual time last night as the Momma was tired after a full day of decorating the house in all of our Christmas attire and the much later than usual Friday night. Mr. Alvin was awake and had to go outside at 1:30 a.m. The one thing about winter and senior dogs. You cannot just open the door and let them go out or at least I do not like to, so it means grabbing my winter coat, boots and mitts before heading out and if it is dark outside, I need my phone and with help from SIRI, the use of the phone flashlight. It is a whole deal but I gladly do it, as I do not wish my boy to slip and fall.
With all this snow and all of the shovelling so far, I am thinking it is going to be one of those winters where the snow banks are taller than me me. My computer brought up photos of a winter since I moved to Edmonton where the snow banks were taller than me. Who really wants that memory jog? But it is history and I thought it was important for whatever reason, lol, to take the photo, so I will not delete it.
Mr. Alvin is finally pooping on the deck in the snow. Easier for me to clean up and less likely someone will get injured jumping off the deck into the snow. I am going to shovel some of the excess snow off the deck onto the grass area so he will not jump off. There is quite a lot down there now.
My friends Gillian and Signe are coming for coffee and a visit this morning. I need to get outside and shovel the sidewalks. A couple neighbours have already been out. I have been shovelling every day. But it is good for the arms and good cardio.
I will post photos of Christmas decorations once I have taken a few more. I am almost done my shopping. As per usual, I am supporting small business and direct sales. That is the way to go. Helping where I am able. I do have to get some photos printed of our “family photo from summer” to pop into the Christmas cards. This year I am cutting back on the cards that I give to people that live near to me. There are a few that look forward to the card and photo so I will continue hand delivering those. I hope that stamps stay at the same price. Then baking. The big question. Everyone has been asking me. Are you doing your baking this year? What are you baking? That has not been yet decided. I will for sure do some but whether I give boxes of treats to 50 different families, not sure. I will do my best. I do know that everyone appreciates the treats.
Time to head downstairs. Get that walk shovelled. Put on the coffee and be ready for company.
Continuing to live this life with kindness, respect, compassion, patience, love, laughter, understanding, gratitude, focus, possibilities and coffee.
Good Morning ALL! Looks like November is off to a wintery start for us here in Alberta. We had a stormy day yesterday but we made it to the office safely. Most people elected to stay home. I spent lots of time shovelling between early morning and after work. This morning it is cool but at least the sky has cleared.
Well Mr. Alvin was throwing up at 5:00 a.m., and I listened when the vet told me not to feed him for awhile. So I have to wait and monitor him and see if it happens again. He has been peeing and pooping okay but I did not want to leave him alone especially when I could not feed him. He has not drank any water since that time so I have to see if I can get him to drink and monitor that which is more important than the food at this point. I hope it was an one off situation but who knows. So I am working from home today.
I apologize for the shortness of this post but I am running late and cannot be late for work.
Have a wonderful Thursday.
Continuing to live this life with kindness, respect, compassion, patience, love, laughter, understanding, gratitude, focus, possibilities and coffee.
Good Morning ALL! Welcome to WINTER. We are down over ankle deep in snow. Alvin and I were up to stay at 5:15 this morning. After he had his breakfast, I donned my WINTER BOOTS and coat grabbed the keys to unlock the garage and outside we went with first stop to get the snow shovels out of the garage. There is nothing like shovelling snow first thing in the morning. Poor Alvin wasn’t sure what to do. He wanted to go down into the grass to do his business but the snow. Actually we were outside at 3:30 and he peed in the snow which was covering the deck by several inches. He kept wanting to go down onto the grass area but did not. I moved some of the snow out of the way so that he was able to jump off the deck and go poop. Oh my Alvin. Honestly, it looks like we are well into December already with the amount of snow that has fallen. The snow is still falling and I think the weather forecast was for continued snow all day today. Oh yay. More shovelling. Anyway, I got the first round done for now. I will be able to find my way safely down the steps and to the car when it is time to go to work. That first drive to work in the snow is always fun. The snow is wet and when I removed it from the sidewalk, it was wet and “crusty” underneath, so may be icy later on.
Last night after work, we went for a walk and it was quite nice out but it was short lived. We managed to get a few houses away from ours when Mr. Alvin stopped and sniffed and then headed for home. There was no coaxing him. We just got inside the door and it started to rain/snow. I wonder if he could smell or sense that it was coming and wanted to get inside? Perhaps. Although he will walk around the grassy area in the rain or in the snow for several minutes before wanting to go into the house. That is my Alvin. I never quite know what to expect from him.
I am kind of wishing that I would have made some coffee to have before leaving for work but too late now. It was a busy first hour after getting up as I managed to feed and look after Alvin, shovel the deck and grassy area of the backyard, the front sidewalk including Sonja’s and have a shower. Feeling accomplished. Good way to start the day.
I hope that you have a safe and wonderful day.
Continuing to live this life with kindness, respect, compassion, patience, love, laughter, understanding gratitude, focus, possibilities and coffee.
Good Morning ALL! Merry Christmas or at least it feels like it. Thankfully the sun is shining brightly this morning. The snow rain mix began to fall yesterday just after Aspen and I started our walk. It was light at first but throughout the day it became more heavy and eventually the temperature dropped and it did not melt as it made touchdown to the ground. When me and the pups were up at 4:15 this morning there was even more than when we had gone to bed. The places on the deck and in the backyard where I had shovelled before going to bed where once again covered by a pile of the white stuff. We would need double digit plus temps before this will melt quickly but not going to happen. Not likely it will stay long but will require shovelling “one more time.” April 20th, 2022 and we have what feels like a foot of snow and I am so grateful that I had the foresight to take Miss Aspen for a walk yesterday before all of the snow. We will likely go later this afternoon. Once the sidewalks are clear and hopefully dry. I am never totally surprised by the weather in Canada or in Western Canada. It changes quickly. We did need the moisture and I do hope that the areas to the south where it is incredibly dry got some of this moisture. I will say that someone was happy to see the snow and has already gone sniffing about some of the piles on the deck. Actually all three of the pups were happy to see the snow this morning – well actually last night. So someone is happy. Perfect for making snow people.
Today is my last day of vacation before work tomorrow. I am so grateful that I am able to work from home. I am grateful that I don’t have to worry about the commute, about leaving Alvin alone or having to find someone who could come and check on him, that I don’t have to worry about the large cost of public transportation or carpooling, about the extra costs for clothing, shoes and food and the costs of being in an office. There was always something going on that required extra money. This way my money is my own. With the increased pricing of just about everything – working from home has made it so that I can afford to pay my utilities and to eat properly. Life.
Well time to head to the shower, then coffee, some laundry, shovelling, walk the pups at some point, find all of the pup’s things tonight as their parents come home tonight, make supper, cleaning and ……
Milo and Alvin did not have a walk yesterday. I decided it would not be pleasant for them to walk in the ever falling wet snow. Alvin is sensitive to yeast infections in his ears from moisture. I was drying him like mad yesterday after each visit to the backyard.
I think he secretly like having all the snow as he could pee on the deck. Who would know and really who cares at this point. Much easier to clean the poop up for sure.
I hope that you are well and having a great day. Hard to believe it is this late, after 10:00 on a Wednesday. Tomorrow at this time I will be just about to take my first coffee break.
Continuing to live this life with kindness, respect, compassion, patience, love, laughter, understanding, gratitude, focus and possibilities.
Always, Carol & Alvin, Aspen and Mi-Mi
P.S. I shall miss my grand pups when they go home. We have had a good week.
My New Life @ 51 