The New YEAR 2022

Good Morning ALL! I hope this find you doing great. Not sure what our weather is doing. Appears to be a mixture of sunshine, clouds, rain and wind for the weekend. All is well with our company. Alvin woke up a bit earlier than what he has been the past few days but I would expect it is due to the change in our household. They are getting along quite well. The odd growl here and there mostly from Georgie. He is about the same height as Alvin but about half the size. He can easily sit upon my lap and he is doing so right now. In fact, when we were sitting on the sofa last night he was right up there. I am so grateful that Alvin does not get jealous when other pups sit on my lap. I found that Georgie loves Alvin’s wet food and by the way, not one dog that I have come across does not like it. Likely because it costs $5 per can. Just like the humans, always going for the most expensive. Anyway, all is good. As long as everyone is happy, I am happy. After having breakfast at 6:00, we laid back down on the sofa till 8:00 which was nice. Cute story, just after they arrived later yesterday afternoon, I was getting instructions from Georgie’s Mom when we noticed he was in the kitchen, he lifted his leg and peed right smack on the end of the IKEA shelving unit that is laying on it’s side (which is my flower stand etc). I just smiled and said “it is okay” as I grabbed some paper towels and the puppy cleaner solution. What is a little pee anyway, that was the last time in the house, thank goodness. He was just marking his place. I ended up putting his food / water dishes stand on a little mat covering the area with hopes he won’t do it again. So far so good. He has market his place on two of my flower pots on the deck so of course, I cleaned them as well. What a guy! He is well behaved and listens pretty good and loves me right beside me, just like Mr. Alvin. We went for a walk after an early supper and it was still pretty warm so we only go just inside the park when the boys turned around for home. Even with a drink or two of water (I always carry water for pups) they were hot. Home we went. Georgie took the lead just as we approached our house and walked right up the sidewalk, he found it all by himself. I better get them downstairs in case someone has to pee or poo. We will have to get out for a walk before it starts to rain this afternoon.

Enjoy your Saturday.

My plans are to do laundry, clean the garage, take the pups to the park for a walk and hopefully get to the grocery store. The girls are coming for coffee tomorrow morning and unless I get very creative I am not sure what I can make unless it is eggs and biscuits. I don’t have any fruit. Cannot even bake banana muffins.

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

Always, Carol, Alvin and Georgie.

P.S. I shall post photos in tomorrow’s post. The garage is getting close to be ready for the sale on weekend of the 25th of June. Today is 59 days till my 65th Birthday.

2021

Good Morning ALL. How are you today? Sun is starting to rise in the morning sky. Just out of a most refreshing morning shower. Al is waiting patiently in the hallway for me to finish this post. Yesterday was another gorgeous day and the forecast for today is even better. I hope that we can safely say this is SPRING. The ice is starting to clear in front of our house. I go out everyday after work and chip away at the ice on the sidewalk to ensure that the water finds it way down the drain as it melts. It feels like I am making tiny river beds for the water to follow as it melts. It is all good until someone drives over them and then I start again. But it is clearing and hopefully this will be the last of the thick ice that needs to be cleared.

How many folks out there are ordering from places like Good Food, Hello Fresh and Chef’s Plate? I have tried all three. Last weekend I went and SKIPPED weeks so that they would not automatically send me an order that I did not want. Guess what? Somehow or other, I missed this week? Not sure how I did that but I guess I did. My word against theirs. They have already billed the credit card so no going back now. The three meals were not even what I would have chosen. One is red meat which I do not eat. How is that for wonderful? Makes me mad but I guess it was my fault. I was so certain that I had skipped the dates for way into the future. I think that it should be the other way around ….. if you want to order you make the selections and if you do not make selections then an order does not arrive. But I guess they likely get more business with this automatic ordering process. I am not a fan will just say that. Luckily for me, my kids ordered this week and we can switch a meal and I will give them the “red meat” meal that I will not eat. I sent an email to the company and they sent me a response in French stating that the English email would arrive shortly. Well that is great customer service, why would you send a French email first to a English speaking client. Why bother sending the French one? Perhaps this automatic food delivery is not for me. I do love eating things that I would normally not cook but the ordering process, I could live without. Okay, I usually do not rant but it is good to get it out of one’s system and besides perhaps you were pondering the thought about trying one of these companies. Buyer beware. If you forget to skip you are on the hook. That is why they get your credit card. Easy for them. Anyway, that is done.

Mr. Alvin is still waiting patiently for me.

I am grateful that he has recovered from his surgery in fine fashion. He seems to be having no issues with the new food as I am gradually introducing it to him. So that is a relief.

I am grateful that my daughter will be popping by after work to drop off the food order and I will give her the one that comes today in return.

I am grateful to see my daughter not just about the food order. Any chance that I have to see her is the best.

I am grateful to be employed and earn a decent living.

I am grateful that the weather is good for walking.

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

Always, Carol & Alvin

Second Half of the NEW YEAR

Good Morning and today is Wednesday, August 12, 2020.

We had a huge storm last night which started late in the afternoon.

The sky got so dark that when the lightning hit, it appeared like a bright negative from a photo.

It was eerie.

The thunder roared.

The lightning seemed to be right close by.

I would think there was a lightning strike somewhere close by.

Thankfully not here.

This morning now at mid morning the sky is a bright blue and there is a breeze.

The pavement and sidewalk are dry but the wood deck remains wet as does the grassy areas.

Almost time for us to head out for a walk.

When we first got up there were still rain clouds in the sky and although I love to walk in the rain, not great for the boy.

He can get yeast infections in his ears if they get wet.

 

Well this is mid point through my second week of vacation.

I have enjoyed my vacation thus far.

Odd jobs were completed and relaxation has happened.

 

I saw a post on FACEBOOK of someone mentioning that “fall” is here and Bath & Body Works have their fall collection out.

I love fall but officially it begins in September although I think both Mother Nature and the Retail Gods have other ideas.

 

Also on this vacation break I would like to go for a nice long walk with Alvin into some of the other neighbourhoods.

We have not left ours for awhile.

I will watch the weather channel for a nice day not too hot.

Appears that we have some of those days this week.

I will take lots of water for sure for us.

We can take our time and enjoy some of the parks that surround us.

I will have to take a small purse to house my cell phone so that I can take photos.

Two necessities: water and phone.

 

Well time to get dressed as I was super lazy getting up this morning.

Sometimes when it is raining and wet – I just want to laze around.

Alvin did not seem to care as he snuggled right beside me on the sofa.

 

My tea order will arrive on Friday.

I am excited to see our new Fall/Winter Steeped Tea catalog.

Also to try the new teas, there seem to be more this time round.

 

Also one of my friends from back home has sent me a birthday parcel and it should arrive today.

Alvin will be excited as our friend always sends a little gift for him to open.

He loves to open presents.

Yes, he is an odd doggie.

I guess he has been around me long enough to appreciate opening a gift, a present.

 

He is patiently waiting for his Momma to get the show on the road.

Appears that I could actually wear long pants today and not be hot.

Wow.

 

I am wishing all of our friends with birthdays on this day – Happy Birthday.

I am sending positive energy and good thoughts to our Aspen who has been under the weather.

 

Happy Wednesday.

Oh, that cool breeze coming in through the office window is simply delightful.

Living our lives with kindness and respect, always.

I/We, shall remain

As Always, Carol & Mr. Alvin

 

One of my fav birthday gifts from this year.

Actually all my gifts are my favourites.

One early evening out on the back deck enjoying the evening.

It is a NEW YEAR.

Good Morning and well here we are today is Thursday.

Almost one week in the newly renovated office building.

I actually kind of like my new workspace.

What is taking a bit of getting used to it is so open.

If we use the stand up desk … you can see your neighbour.

It is loud as there is are upper dividers.

Nothing on the walls to absorb some of the sound and echoes.

But all in all, it is okay.

 

Last night Alvin and I shovelled the driveway and deck.

The stripping on the bottom of the garage door came part way off so I called one of my neighbours to the rescue.

Thankfully their older teenage son was home and came to help.

I am most grateful to have such great neighbours.

After that situation was handled; I went to shovel the front.

As I was shovelling the porch I happen to look down and see that the walk and the front of my house had already been shovelled.

My neighbour shovelled.

So then I went and shovelled Humphrey’s Mom’s front sidewalk and then to the house.

I am so blessed to know and be surrounded by such good people.

Got some exercise and fresh air.

We did not make it out for a walk which was disappointing as the snow was too deep for Alvin.

Not everyone had shovelled when we would have gone for our walk.

 

I have been posting some tips for reduction of Plastics on Facebook.

Especially single use plastics.

Most people are also posting tips.

Which has been nice.

At the end of the day it is not just plastics; it is everything.

We in North America are just crazy over the top consumers.

I look around my house and see all of the “stuff” that I have accumulated over the years.

Most things I never use.

To be honest.

Some things once a year and they remain in storage during the rest of the year.

I just want to be more aware and want others to be the same.

We will not always agree on everything but we need to try to do with less.

 

Well time for me to sign off for today.

Be Kind and Respectful to yourself, to others, to animals, to the environment and to this Planet.

We only have one.

 

Always, Carol & Alvin

Living … One day at a time.

Good Morning and Welcome to Winter once again.

I guess that I always associate “SNOW” with winter.

When we were first up at 3:00 a.m. – there was a nice cozy blanket of snow covering the ground.

Covering the deck, the rooftops and just everything.

The trees have that layer of snow covering each and every branch.

The snow has that fluffy consistency that we love.

Well I know that we like to make snow creations when the consistency is sticky.

But I love the fluffy snow the most.

I love the way that the street lamps and the moon reach down and make the snow sparkle as though they were a billion diamonds.

Brilliant and beautiful.

Ode to Snow.

How about that.

Only in Canada, eh!

Just kidding.

 

Well today is Wednesday.

Last night the STEEPED TEA order arrived and I had it pretty much all sorted before we even went for our walk.

Most of the orders go to my office.

They are ready to go.

Also my new toothbrush heads arrived as well.

They were in a light envelope and I am grateful that they did not blow away.

I am excited to try some new tea blends over the next while.

 

We enjoyed our walk last night.

Funny story.

We were walking just past the poop station near the entrance to our park.

It is quite dark as you continue down the path.

They could use more lights that is for sure and also there is one that was removed.

Not sure about that.

Alvin stopped and I coaxed him to go a bit further and then he was done and turned for home.

I managed to convince him to walk up the hill to the sidewalk instead and go down the street toward Teddy’s house.

He actually kept going.

So we walked our path in reverse.

Worked out okay.

That will be the way we go for the rest of the winter months or at least until it is not quite so dark.

I had my trusty little flashlight with me shining as we went.

Lighting the path.

A little safety blanket of sorts.

 

Well today is Wednesday.

When you are off on the Monday it certainly speeds up the work week.

Tomorrow is Thursday. WOW.

 

Today is also the 14th Birthday of a very sweet young lady.

She is the niece to my son-in-law.

Happy Birthday E-K

Wishing you the best Birthday.

I know that you enjoyed your brother’s hockey game with Auntie A (my daughter) at REXALL PLACE.

 

My daughter sent me a photo of the two girls all smiles.

 

A sunflower for the Birthday GIRL.

 

Well time to go out and play find the poop in the freshly fallen snow.

Luckily for me I was paying attention to Alvin when he was outside.

Time to do some shovelling as well.

 

Have an awesome Wednesday.

This day will be filled with pleasant surprises, I have a feeling.

Remembering to be filled with kindness and respect.

Always, Carol & Alvin

Living … One day at a time.

Hello, good morning one and all.

Well today is thankfully Friday.

I am excited for two reasons.

Tomorrow my daughter is popping by and I am hosting a Fifth Avenue Jewelry Show/Party/Event.

I love to entertain and I love jewelry.

We are going to have fun trying on jewelry for an evening.

Of course, there will be some visiting going on as well.

 

Last night Alvin and I enjoyed a wonderful long walk in our park.

We bumped into Miss Rosie and her Dad.

First time that Alvin got to meet Rosie.

I think she scared him just a bit.

She is young and full of energy.

But all things considered they did well.

I saw Rosie in the early morning before leaving for work with her Mom.

All things Rosie yesterday.

They are a nice family.

I also learned something from Rosie’s Dad.

He told me that they usually start their walk over by the park south of us and then make the loop through this park and then back home.

During their walk in the first park they were stopped by a PEACE OFFICER who told him that “dogs are not allowed to walk on the grass in the park, as it is treated as parkland.”

Surprisingly enough people can.

Dogs are supposed to walk on the sidewalk.

So my question I thought of later was this:

“Where do they poop, on the sidewalk?”

Silliest bylaw I have heard in a long time.

Poor pups now they cannot even walk on the grass.

For all the taxes we pay and now Alvin cannot walk on the grass in the park.

I am not a happy camper?

No grass to sniff?

Argh.

Now what?

 

Well it is almost time to head off downstairs.

I hope that you all have a wonderful day.

 

I am going to continue to work on being patient.

Patience is a virtue, so I have heard.

 

Happy Friday.

 

With Kindness and Respect, I shall enter yet another moment in time.

 

Always, Carol & Alvin

 

 

Living … One day at a time.

Hello,

Bright sunny morning with just a few clouds dotting the sky.

Yesterday was a glorious day weather wise.

In the morning it was bright and sunny beginning to warm.

Afternoon came around with rain clouds and rain.

One minute it was bright and sunny and the next there was a gentle downpour.

This went on and off all afternoon.

Alvin and I managed to score a wonderful walk in between showers.

Although I would not mind getting caught in a gentle rain shower.

Alvin, would be okay except would have to make certain that his ears were dry on the inside.

He is prone to ear problems so have to be careful.

On our walk we came across several families of geese.

I could tell as there were at least three different sized goslings.

So cute.

We walked by them and checked out their cuteness from the sidewalk.

I was prepared to move onto the grass on the other side.

But they did not seem to mind us as all.

One of the Papas and I will call the goose that as I really have no idea if it was Momma or Papa …. he stared me down as we walked by.

The air was so fresh and clean after the rain.

Felt so good …..

Great walk.

After arriving home I decided that it was a good time to stake up one of my plants in the front flower bed.

Alvin helped me find a stake in the garage.

He stayed in the house to supervise as I fixed the plant out front.

When I was out there …. our friends from down the street … spotted us and popped by for a visit.

J showed me Jazmin’s hair cut ….. she looked so good.

Jazmin is an elder dog with a heart condition, she is doing so good at the moment and I hope for a long while longer.

My friend helped hold the plant while I tied some garden twine to the stake.

Tonight or tomorrow night I have to transplant one of the lilies as the ferns are taking over the front garden.

Will move the lily to a different spot in the garden.

Well almost time to go and catch the bus to work.

Carpool is back in business for tomorrow and the rest of the week.

Will be nice to get home in good time once again.

 

I hope that you all have a wonderful Monday.

I hope that the sun is shining and if you need a rain shower, I hope that one comes your way.

I hope that love and kindness surround you on this day and always.

Happy Monday to you ALL.

 

Always, Carol & Alvin

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Sunday the 19th day of August, 2018.

There be some BLUE SKY and a bit of a breeze this August morning.

Last night I figured that we should go for a walk.

We have missed a few due to the poor air quality from the smoke.

The air was surprisingly clear and not much smoke.

We enjoyed our walk.

On the half way part of our walk coming toward home, we stopped a chatted to a gentlemen who is always working in his garage.

A couple of houses away lives Teddy (our little four-legged friend).

As we approached his yard, Alvin pulled me as if his life depended on it.

Across the grass we went and toward the sidewalk.

I had to keep looking down so that I would not lose my balance and trip.

He was a dog with a mission.

Up the front stairs and he started barking at the door just as I was able to ring the doorbell.

Our friend “I” answered the door and said “Well hello, perfect timing, come on in.”

I said, “I am sorry but Alvin just pulled me across the lawn and up the walk to your door.”

So in we went for an unexpected visit.

They had just finished supper.

We had a great visit.

Teddy and Alvin.

They ran and around.

Teddy kept jumping up …. so happy to see us.

Sometimes it is those out of the blue happenings that are the most fun.

We bumped into other friends out for a walk on our way home.

What a great night.

 

After returning home, I decided that I wanted to watch the new AVENGERS movie.

This is the one that my neighbour and I did not get to see as there were technical difficulties at the theatre.

Final it is on DEMAND so I was able to rent it.

Really good movie.

Unfortunately I was so tired that I kept nodding off and there was about 45 minutes remaining.

So decided to stop it and will watch it today.

I guess all of that fresh fresh air.

 

Teddy will be spending a few days with us this week.

We always love having him over.

 

Well time to get this show on the road.

Still have some items on my TO DO LIST.

One thing I did between yesterday and this morning is to write a letter.

YES, I hand wrote a letter to my Aunt.

I have not done that in a long, long time.

Felt good.

 

Well I want to do some work on preparing the photos of my vacation for this blog.

Do not want to wait too long or I may forget some important item/fact.

Also have to work on my STEEPED TEA and NORWEX businesses.

Somehow they have been slightly neglected this past while with company and vacation.

 

Have an awesome day.

Life is great.

It truly is.

Family and friends.

All of the fur babies in my life.

Happy Sunday.

 

Special Hello to: my sister, ditto my darling.

Always, Carol & Alvin

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Thursday the 21st day of June, 2018.

DA DA DA …… (supposed to be trumpet) Today is the first day of SUMMER for 2018.

It is hot in the house unless you are sitting beside the fan or by the windows which are all open for the next bit.

Downstairs has cooled off so should be okay for me, Alvin.

 

Last night on the bus ride home the bus “broke down.”

We were only about ten minutes into the ride from where I get onto the bus when stopped at a red light; an alarm came on.

Sounds like a phone ringing.

Anyway everyone is looking at each other.

The back doors had come open.

The driver tried to close them to no avail.

So he called it in.

After turning the bus off and “resetting the computer” the alarm went off.

He managed to get the door closed but as soon as he drove the alarm went off again.

We sat for just over 15 minutes on a full bus in the HEAT with the alarm going off and on.

He called it in again and asked for buses to stop and pick up his passengers.

By this time people had escaped from the bus.

It was kind of funny one girl went to get off and the driver told her to get back as it was unsafe.

She in turn said well others have got off and he replied that she needed to sit down (nicely).

He was in the first hour of his shift when this happened.

I think he was hot and frazzled by that time.

Anyway we all climbed off the bus.

I along with 50 of my bus mates walked back to the bus stop (behind the bus) and waited.

One bus went by and the driver was out and managed to flag him over.

I could see the “100” which is the one that I catch (there are several at that time of day).

Some woman walked to be in front of me.

So I walked over and the driver of the 100 stopped right by me.

When he opened the doors it was my regular driver (he had been late and I had not asked if he turned into the 119 which takes me straight home from downtown with a few stops).

Long story short …. only about 20 minutes late getting home.

 

NOW for the cute story.

This morning as Alvin and I were out for our 5 a.m. stroll I spotted this black and white cat down in the trees by the water.

It was walking along as we were coming up to the benches and trash can.

As we approached it moved and sat under the bench which I thought was very odd.

It remained there as I steered Alvin away as not to start a commotion.

As we walked by the cat remained under the bench.

I looked down on the sidewalk and saw why?

There was his catch for the morning laying on the sidewalk by the bench.

Argh, a mouse.

We quickly continued on and as we turned the bend I looked back to see the cat jumping through the air and what looked like the mouse jumping, too.

Perhaps the mouse had only been knocked out or was playing “dead.”

OR the cat was batting him all over the place.

It was quite the sight.

So that was my morning.

Just about time to leave to catch the bus.

Have to close all of the windows.

 

Have an awesome Thursday and first day of summer.

We are having Teddy come for a sleepover beginning tonight.

 

Special Hello to: my daughter who is my pride and joy and who helps people in many ways.  Love you my darling.

Always, Carol & Alvin

 

Thought for the day ….

Good Morning and Welcome to Saturday the 9th day of June, 2018.

Oh, what an absolutely glorious morning it is here in Edmonton.

Alvin was up early and then we went back to bed.

I had wanted to get up earlier than usual so that we could go for a walk before the heat sets in and possibility of storms.

We were up about 7:30 a.m. which isn’t that early for a lot of people but I am up at 5:00 or earlier during the work week and like to sleep in on the weekends when I can.

I opened some windows to create that cross draft as there is a beautiful cool breeze.

Donned my shorts and t-shirt.

Grabbed the leash and cornered the boy to put his harness on.

(He was upstairs).

Usually it is going around the kitchen table for ten minutes (as he hides underneath) before I am able to get him ready.

Anyway, that is okay.

Grabbed some more poop bags, sandals on of course and the keys and not forgetting Al’s water bottle.

And we were off.

The cool breeze hit me as I opened the door blowing into my face and washing over me.

I could have stood there for eternity basking in the perfect cool air.

Locking the house we were on our way.

I admired my flowers in the front flower bed as we skipped down the sidewalk.

Well perhaps “skipped” is more of a term in a musical but we were happily going along.

The sun shining brightly.

We past a neighbour closer to the lake out watering his flowers and said “good morning” to each other.

At the lake the breeze moved the trees and grass around the water.

Each blade of grass appeared to be dancing around as the branches on the trees swayed to that music of the birds.

I have never heard so many birds singing their songs all at once.

I thought I was in heaven or some magical place.

We looked for the geese and their goslings but to no avail.

We saw a couple of ladies out walking with their dogs (one was running).

Stopping to say “hello.”

The smell to the air is better than the smell of freshly brewing coffee.

Er, maybe I mean to say “the freshness of the air tickled my nose and gave me this washed over feeling of zen.

Nothing compares to, nothing compares to coffee.

I love the smell of coffee brewing.

Now that we have that established….carry on.

Alvin enjoyed sniffing every blade of grass along the way.

He also enjoyed a sip of water here and there.

The water shone with a brilliance of polished diamonds.

So absolutely breathtaking, I had to stop and just take it all in.

Both Alvin and I could have stayed there forever.

It was one of the best walks we have ever taken, perfection.

Everything fell perfectly into place.

 

So now back at home time for a reality check.

Time to change bedding, start laundry, have breakfast and that beloved cup of COFFEE and get things done.

I hope that you all have that magic in your day.

 

Special Hello to: all those folks who enjoy a morning walk.

Always, Carol & Alvin