2021

Good Morning ALL! How are you on this beautiful bright and sunny Wednesday morning? Alvin and I are okay. For some unknown reason he was up starting from midnight and every couple of hours until I am up for the day. I am feeling a bit on the tired side but hopefully it does not affect the day too much. Perhaps some caffeine soon will perk me up and I hope that night we sleep through the night.

I was looked through my posts back to near the beginning of this blog and found one that I thought was pertinent today and always and will share it now:

April 2010

I have been thinking lately of family and friends.  About how easy it is to lose track of people.  Recently I have connected with old friends on Facebook, and am thrilled to hear about their lives.  I find people fascinating, and it pleases me a great deal to hear from them.  To hear their stories.

My thought for this day is:  send an email or SKYPE someone you care about, do it right now.  Time is of the essence.  It can get away on you.  Take advantage of this new technology.

Make someone’s day……. you just made mine.

I am not sure how many people still use SKYPE now, likely more TEAMS or ZOOM but the idea remains the same. There is also INSTAGRAM in addition to Facebook and other Social Media platforms.

The point being reach out to family and friends. They might love to hear your voice over the telephone.

Whether you phone, use messenger, FB, Instagram, SKYPE, Teams or ZOOM or something else, the point is our family and friends need us more than ever.

Time can pass so quickly and it is very easy to say “I will call her or him tomorrow.”

Reach out today.

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

Always, Love Carol & Alvin

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  Photo by Jou00e3o Jesus on Pexels.com

Welcome to December 2020

Good Morning ALL. How are you doing on this fine Thursday? I just had a refreshing, relaxing wonderful shower and am so ready for the day. Countdown to CHRISTMAS EVE DAY brings us to “15” days. WOW. I must have miscounted! Oh well, we got this. Right. Christmas and the Holiday Season will be a bit different, okay a lot different for most of us this year but different is so much better than the alternative. If we can open our eyes and take in that first breath of the new day, if we have food to eat, technology to reach out to family and friends and are in good health – no complaints. We have so much more than so many others. I recognize the fact that I am more than truly blessed at this point in my life. I have a beautiful home to live in and to call my own with a yard and deck and a tree. Mr. Alvin has been my trusty companion for almost 11 years now which I will say the longest period of time that I have lived with a “guy.” I am employed by a employer who was actually prepared for a situation that would call for us to work remotely. Yes, there have been a few hiccups but very, very few. I am so grateful that I am able to work from home with no commute to and from the office, and be with Mr. Alvin who is fast approaching 12 in January of this coming New Year. This gives us the opportunity to go for walks at noon and have more time together. I have more time to read and so much more. More time to sleep as well which has been wonderful. Yes, it is true that there has been much less contact with friends and family. But we have figured it out. There is Facetime, Skype, Zoom and texting and more. So we are good. Right, we are.

Tomorrow after work I am going to have my two year eye checkup and get new glasses. So stoked to get some new shades. I wished that I would be able to have my daughter with me to help me pick them out but that is okay, I got this. New glasses for the upcoming new year. Might have to really whack off my hair and be a really new me for the New Year. Time will tell. I was thinking that tomorrow night might be wrapping the gift night. This is the gifts for my daughter and her husband. I will be stopping at the Bone & Biscuit to pick up gifts for Mr. Alvin, Aspen and Milo after my eye appointment. My daughter has the gifts for the other pups on our list which I realized could have been much longer had I remembered them all. I have the gifts here for Humphrey and Bogart so will get them wrapped and over to them shortly. There may be more baking on the weekend, I have not decided.

Well Mr. Alvin is giving me that look – that look – get the heck off that thing and come downstairs. Okay, I need some coffee anyway.

I hope that you have an awesome Thursday. Remember we shall live our lives with kindness, respect and compassion for all. We will get through this, together!!

Always, Carol & Alvin

Thoughts for the day ….

Good Morning and Welcome to Saturday the 5th day of January, 2019.

Still dark out as we are up earlier than usual for a Saturday.

We were awake at 4:30 a.m. – Alvin outside.

Bathroom breaks for everyone and Alvin had his glucosamine chew.

 

Followed by a couple of hours or so on the sofa.

Our sofa is so comfortable and quite often my sleep even though the time is shorter on the sofa – is a better one.

I think that I sleep well but it is BETTER on the sofa.

I need a mattress that replicates my sofa.

Isn’t that funny how most of us can sleep better and fall asleep more quickly on the sofa.

Why is that?

Because it is not in the bedroom, where you are typically supposed to sleep?

Because you know it is for a shorter time?

Because maybe it is more comfortable than your bed?

Because you are more relaxed on the sofa?

There is no television on when I sleep on the sofa in the morning.

There is no music playing.

I do not have a special pillow.

Why? WHY? Why?

All I know is that when I sleep on the sofa – I fall asleep right away – I dream lots – am super comfortable.

Alvin loves the sofa, too.

Although he can sleep pretty much anywhere (like right now on his blanket on the floor).

So this is the thought for the day.

 

Well this is going to be a busy weekend.

This morning: after finishing my post – need a shower – eat breakfast (both of us) – go to the Vet for Al’s regular nail trim and extras, he needs food, toothpaste and some treats – laundry – groceries –

house cleaning – put away the Christmas decorations that were banished to the basement and whatever else I can get done.  There is also more snow shovelling to do as well.  Tomorrow I was invited to

a baby shower for the daughter of one of my friends.  Have not been to a baby shower for years.

 

Time to fly here.

While the momentum is there.

Sometimes all we want to do is veg.

Alvin has moved from the office to the hall (there is carpet there and definitely more comfortable than the floor with his blanket).

I hope that you have an awesome Saturday.

The debate will continue between sofa and bed – bed and sofa.

 

Special Hello to: my sister ….. SKYPE time, let me know?

Always, Carol & Alvin

 

 

Thought for the day ….

Good Morning and Welcome to Monday the 26th day of November, 2018.

Yesterday was a gorgeous day.

Alvin and I enjoyed a wonderful walk.

 

Twenty-five years ago, my Mom passed away at the young age of 55.

We all miss her.

I wrote this poem when we arrived at my brother’s and it was read at her funeral.

 

“Dear Mom”

 

Dear Mom,

Sitting here thinking back,

One moment ago,

Sometimes only days, then back a dozen years.

The memories flood on in,

There were happy times and sad,

Crazy wonderful and bad.

I think of all the voices of family and friends, chattering in my head.

Everyone has a special story, a thought for me to hear.

How hard it is to say that last good-bye.

I remember your laughter, your firmness and the way you spoke your mind.

The Love you shared with others, your charm, that wit, that mind!

We will always wonder, why your time with us was short.

But you gave us all love and understanding, you always believed in us.

Pointed us in the right direction.

Then quietly and quickly moved on,  to watch down over us – our Guardian Angel!

There will never be another “Jeannie”, another “Granny”, another Mom, another Friend like you.

Mom, there is no doubt in my mind that you were one of a kind!

You touched so many hearts that is evident by the stories I have heard,

and by the tears that have and will be shed.

Mom,

No one Loved You More

No one Loved You Better

We all Love You the Same.

Written by Carol Lewis (November 1993) to honour our  “Mother” who passed away in November of 1993.

I miss my Mom and think of her often.  When I think about how easy it is to communicate with family and friends who live at a distance, I am utterly amazed.  It would have been so great if back in 1993, and prior we could have sat down at the computer and SKYPED each other.  So if you are thinking about me or your Mom or your best friend, and they live at a distance, take advantage of the free download and start to SKYPE.  Between Facebook, E-mail, and SKYPE there is no reason to miss out on the days and years of our loved ones.  Post some photos.  Send some love.  Stay in contact.   To all my friends and family out there, I love you and think of each and every one of you each and every day.  Really I do.  I send my love and thoughts of good health and abundance.  Take care everyone…..

 

Special Hello: to all our Angels, you share a place in our hearts and minds as you watch over us all.

Always, Carol & Alvin

Thought for the day ….

Good Morning and Welcome to Thursday the 14th day of June, 2018.

Started to rain just as we were going to bed last night.

But does not appear to have rained for any great length of time.

We watered our friend’s flowers and plants last night.

The north side of her house the flowers were still wet but on the south side they needed a drink.

North side does not get the hot afternoon sun but the south side, well yes it does.

All of our flowers are doing great.

She has some awesome looking tomato plants.

They are huge …. look like small trees.

I have a tomato plant and it is doing well….

My friend has this green thumb …. me, well I do love it and give it my best effort.

Looks like the clouds are blocking the sun or at least on the south side of our house … from our office view.

Now just a second ago at the north side … our bedroom side ….. there was bright sunshine.

 

I forgot to tell you all guess what Mr. Alvin and I saw the other night while out for a walk?

A goose and a biz-llion goslings.

OMG, they were so cute.

I just wanted to go and hug them.

Alvin used to be so taken with them when he was a pup.

We would spend hours watching them at the lake.

Now he just takes a look and is on his way.

Oh, Mr. Alvin.

 

Friends.

Do you have a special friend?

A best friend?

Perhaps you have several friends.

Just acquaintances!

Or maybe 20 dear friends.

Some of us are so blessed to have a great many friends in our lives.

Whether they are what people deem to be “best friend” or your “BF,” it really does not matter.

We all need someone to chat with, to confide in, to listen to, to just be near ….

We are social creatures, after all.

We have to remember the health benefits to having a friend or friends in your life.

So take the time …. today ….. call a friend.

Connect …. maybe go for coffee …. or just chat on the phone or SKYPE.

 

Well almost time to hit the road once again.

Have an awesome day.

Do not forget to call a friend today.

They really are your life line.

 

Special Hello to: all my friends and family all over the world, thank you.

Always, Carol & Alvlin

Thought for the day ……

Good Morning and Welcome to Monday the 9th day of April 2018.

The sky is begin to lighten as the sun slowly begins to rise.

This week I am riding the bus as my friend is on vacation.

 

Yesterday we had an unexpected but happy guest.

Master Teddy spent the afternoon with us while his parents attended a birthday party.

OMG, he brings a smile to my face.

He is always so happy to come to our home and that makes me happy.

I am so pleased that Alvin has a playmate in our neighbourhood that he can see on a semi regular basis.

Teddy brings an energy to the house that brings a part of Alvin’s younger days back.

So great to see.

Although they do not play for long periods of time – they like each other.

They are happy to be chewing away on treats together.

Teddy on the new bed and Alvin on the sofa.

I also learned a valuable lesson yesterday.

You know how Mr. Alvin loves his vegetables.

Well I had given them both a few cooked peas in their own bowls.

Which they gobbled down.

Then I gave Alvin a piece of broccoli.

I figured that he ate it and never thought anything more about it until a bit later, I was in the living and looked down at the new doggie bed and saw bits of uneaten vegetable.

So nicely nestled in the fibres of the bed.

I then spent the next ten minutes or longer picking each tiny bit and piece out of the bed.

ARGH.

Lesson learned.

No one wants broccoli bits on their bed and most especially once they start to rot.

ARGH.

I believe that I got them all.

Later in the afternoon Teddy’s Mom arrived.

She walked from her house so as to walk Teddy home.

I asked if we could join them as we had not gone for a walk, so we did.

The wind was cool but the temperature felt warmer than it has in several days/weeks.

Perhaps spring is actually here.

Well time to leave for work.

The morning minutes fly by.

I hope that you all have an awesome day.

Special Hello to: my sister ….. hello….. how are you? SKYPE?

Always, Carol & Alvin

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Tuesday the 27th day of March, 2018.

Well Mother Nature has decided that we needed more snow.

She is not ready to give up on winter just yet.

We have a light blanket covering the ground, decks, rooftops …. everything.

It would appear to have stopped.

Today I am taking a vacation day to take Mr. Alvin to see his Doctor for the final treatment for the left ear and follow-up on his right ear.

Hopefully he gets a good report.

He has been shaking his head and scratching some.

ARGH,  my poor boy.

I did keep the outer portion of his ear nice and clean.

 

I was so lucky to get a ride home last night from my friend and we discussed the possibility of car pooling.

We have a IMPARK lot right beside the building where I work and it is only a few blocks from where she works.

So we could park by my office and she would walk to her office.

Parking is so costly downtown.

We will only do it if it does not cost either one of us more than what we are currently spending.

It would be so nice to get home earlier and have an extra 40 minutes or so with Mr. Alvin.

 

Guess what?

Master Teddy is coming for a sleepover on the weekend.

He arrives Saturday morning and goes home on Sunday.

We are so excited.

First time overnight.

I am certain he will be okay.

He is comfortable with us so he will be okay.

Hard to believe Easter weekend is just a few days away.

 

Wow, seems so funny to be at home on a Tuesday.

Nice, though.

 

Well better get this show on the road.

Late breakfast and coffee.

Then get us ready to leave for Alvin’s appointment.

 

Have an awesome Tuesday.

Special Hello to: back at you, my sister.  SKYPE this weekend?

Always, Carol & Alvin

 

Thought for the day ……

Good Morning and Welcome to Thursday the 14th day of December, 2017.

Another beautiful day on the way.

Our TELUS guy actually showed up ten minutes earlier than scheduled.

They always give you a two hour window and mine was between 5-7:00 p.m.

He is the first one to be early.

The young guy said he was done early at the previous appointment which happened to be close by.

I would not have been home if I had not received a ride home from my daughter.

I had been thinking of going for a quick walk with Alvin so that was totally lucky.

Unfortunately after one hour of checking all the equipment and talking to several TELUS staff members, we were no farther ahead.

Problem not solved.

Oh well …… problem has been noted and I will be watching my bill.

So almost the weekend.

Tonight right after I get home from work – my neighbour across the street is going to come over and cut my hair.

I am so grateful to have her so close.

She charges reasonably ….. affordable.

So excited to have my hair cut for Christmas and the holidays.

Love the last cut and will get done same way.

After that …. hopefully time for a quick supper and walk before our company, another neighbour comes for tea and treats.

She is the wife of the man who fixed my dryer.

Alvin loves them as much as I do.

They are just plain great people.

Always have been great friends.

Well I guess I had better get the show on the road.

I am not typing quite as fast as usual.

My hand is feeling much better …. but still a bit swollen and sore depending on what task I am doing.

Happy Thursday.

Feeling good …. today.

Great day ahead.

Special Hello to:  my sister …… I am excited to speak to you …… maybe SKYPE on Sunday?

Always, Carol & Alvin

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Wednesday the 13th day of December, 2017.

Another beautiful “spring-like” day on the way.

A good bit of the ice has melted and I am truly thankful for that.

Mid week, that is a good thing.

We are having our “floor” Christmas potluck today.

I am taking a veggie ….. “corn” ……. not too exciting but everyone loves corn, right?

Sure hope so.

Alvin and I have been enjoying our evening walks in this gorgeous weather.

Good for body, mind and soul.

My sprained hand is healing.

On the days that I use it more ….. well I know it for sure.

But life goes on.

Sometimes you just have to power through things.

Tonight my girl is picking me up after work and giving me a ride home.

Love rides home with my daughter.

Catching up and all.

A technician is coming from TELUS this evening to hopefully get my “internet” in order.

Always something.

Well time to go and get that corn packed ….. I need to put my purse and the corn in one bag so that I can carry them with my good hand.

Have a wonderful Wednesday.

I hope that life is treating you wonderfully well.

Happy Day ….. Christmas is just around the corner.

Special Hello to: My Sister …… we will SKYPE soon.

Always, Carol & Alvin

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Wednesday the 11th day of October, 2017.

Yesterday was a great start to my “work” week.

I accomplished everything on my work “to do” list.

As I was waiting for the bus with a guy that I know from the office; this car stops and someone was waving.

We looked at each other and wondered aloud was this someone that knew one of us? or thought that they did?

After a few seconds and before the light changed I decided to just walk closer to the car so that I could see who it was,c and it was for me.

A gal that I had met on the bus that lives in a neighbourhood north of me had noticed me so stopped to see if I would like a ride home.

How simply wonderful is that?

Pretty great, I will tell you.

As it turns out she had started to carpool with her son and he is on a week vacation so she is continuing to drive.

She works downtown so she drives right by bus stop.

She had wondered if she would see me.

We had a lovely chat on the way home and she advised that she should be able to give me rides home all this week.

My bus friend said that she will pick me up from my work.

Also said that her son loves tea and has started to drink more and wanted to see a catalogue.

BONUS.

Also our Canada Post is having FREE shipping on parcels every Tuesday in October for those who have this certain small business card, for which I do.

Anyway I had been unable to set up an on-line shipping account until yesterday.

Last night I went to my friend who uses it and was able to print the postage label for my parcel.

BONUS.

What a crazy great day.

Alvin and I had a wonderful walk after work.

I think that today is going to be even better.

So put on your easy going positive cap and walk out your door.

No worries ….. be joyful.

Good things happen.

 

Happy Wednesday.

Yes, my sister I had a great day yesterday.

We will SKYPE soon.

 

Special Hello to: my dear friend “V” ….. always in our thoughts.

Always, Carol & Alvin