Last Half 2022 – December

Good Morning ALL! How are you this morning? Another blast of winter this morning before starts to slowly warm up. I just hope that the weather is good and the highways for travel over the Christmas weekend and holidays. Fingers crossed. If you are travelling long distances this holiday season, please ensure that you have an emergency bag in the car filled with warm clothes and boots, waterproof blankets or even a tarp, flares, batteries, chocolate, water, first aid kit and booster cables for the vehicle. Also make sure that someone always knows which road you are taking and your projected time of arrival to your destination. If you should stray from that schedule/route, please let someone know. When living in Canada or any other country on the planet where the weather gets bitterly cold at this time of year it is always important to be prepared. Check your local weather station for updates on the weather before and during your trip. Ask questions. Do not take anything for granted. Keep your gas tank on full. Check your tires before leaving and make sure that you have a spare in the trunk along with the tools.

I am so grateful that I am able to work from home today and tomorrow. So great being able to sleep in for a little while. After work I will have time to get some things done around the house preparing for Christmas. Last night I hung up another string of Christmas cards. The house looks so Christmasy.

COUNTDOWN TO CHRISTMAS: Just t-w-o sleeps until Christmas Eve. I am so excited. Cannot wait. The pups: Alvin, Aspen and Milo will spend Christmas Eve afternoon/early evening with me while Mom & Dad go to St. Albert to see the other side of the family. They will come back later in the evening and then we will open Christmas gifts. I am looking forward to cuddling with the pups.

I hope that you have a wonderful Thursday.

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

Always, Carol & Alvin

P.S. I get to have perked COFFEE this morning ……….

The New YEAR 2022

Good Morning ALL! How are you this morning? Well, I hope and trust. Me, well I hit that darn SNOOZE button on my phone more than once this morning and now I am racing to get things done. My fault. I am not sure why as I was awake, just finding it difficult to get out from underneath that red cozy blanket snuggled beside the Alvin while listening to the wind howling. For some reason the wind does not give me incentive to get my butt moving in the morning. Unfortunately for me, there has been a lot of wind howling going on here in the past few days and even weeks. Thankfully not everyday until recently. I will say it is nice to be looking out of my office window and seeing the sunrise. It is so pretty. Makes me smile and feel good. I can smell my coffee waiting for me to drink. Thank goodness today is Friday. We made it to yet another weekend.

Alvin had a good vet appointment yesterday. No ear infection. He got an oral vaccine for a word that starts with a b and I cannot remember how to spell it at this moment. Too much of a hurry to stop and figure it out. Not important. He does need to have his teeth cleaned sometime in the coming months. Which I was not surprised by. So do I. It is funny that the best things in life are free like snuggling with Alvin and walking but to keep him alive and healthy COSTS so much money. Same thing applies to us. We in ourselves are free but everything to stay alive and well costs money. Isn’t life so much fun, lol.

I was so grateful to have my neighbours car to drive to the vet. She is parking in our garage for the time being as parking is little or none and when her guy is home, well, not enough room for them both in her garage. Anyway, it was great not to have to worry about walking over the ice and water to the vet. Dangerous even. We had a little situation as we were leaving but thankfully my neighbour was able to come over right away and help me. Ended well.

Anyway, I was so happy when they announced the total of my vet bill yesterday as it was much less than originally quoted which leaves me money for groceries. Oh, I am not starving as I have my pantry and freezer with food. But never good to be completely without funds. I also picked up his food, toothpaste, movoflex so he is also good to go. Thank heavens for that.

Well I have to sign off. Sorry for the short post. I think we can all agree that we have been there – hitting that darn snooze button in the morning.

I hope that you have an awesome Friday. Be safe and take careful.

So light out now. YAY. Spring is close.

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

Always, Carol & Alvin

Living … One day at a time.

Hello,

Rained overnight with partial sunny skies this morning.

Always makes a difficult decision as to what to wear?

Oh well, dressed now.

It is was it is and will be what it will be.

Mouth full.

Yikes.

 

I will post some of the photos that I took of the little blue/white/black birdies who have made a home in our backyard bird house.

So excited for this little family.

I wished that I would be able to see the babies fly away when they are grown.

 

We now have a black cat who appears to be dropping by for a visit.

Humphrey is not impressed.

Beautiful black cat.

Alvin is in the house.

He likes cats but not certain if this cat likes dogs.

Or even has been around them.

 

We are turning into a animal sanctuary.

Which is fine by me.

 

We did not see the goslings and their parents last night on our walk.

Very disappointing.

We were late going on our walk as I had caught a ride home with my daughter and we stopped at the grocery store.

Too many items ….. too many choices.

I wanted to purchase these new vegan burgers.

They were in the recent flyer and something new.

More than a burger …..

I don’t remember the exact name.

Well they were good but I still love the black bean burgers from COSTCO.

They were so good.

 

Well it is Friday and that is always a good thing.

Last day of work for the week well at the office anyway.

There is work to do 7 days a week.

Work at the office.

Work at home.

Keeps me busy.

Not a bad thing.

 

Well I am running a tad behind.

Seems to be the program the past couple of days.

Just want to snuggle with the boy.

Oh well.

 

I wish you a splendid Friday and weekend.

Roses and Rainbows!

Living … One day at a time!

 

Always,

Carol & Alvin

 

Thought for the day ….

Good Morning and Welcome to Monday the 30th day of April, 2018.

WOW, the last day of April.

First quarter of the year now on the books.

The sun is rising brightly in the morning sky.

Everyone is hoping for a much warmer day than yesterday.

Yesterday it was cold, windy and overcast for most of the day.

No rain, though.

We could use a nice rain to give everything a nice fresh drink.

I did not make it out to clean up the trash in the neighbourhood yesterday.

Just not easy to do when the WIND is blowing everything around and back.

I noticed that with the wind some trash has blown in the gutter in front of my house and there is trash lying about.

So will get that all picked up.

 

Update on Mr. Alvin.

I have decided to just wet/soften his food for him.

Although that is likely not good for his teeth.

Will keep an eye on him and if need be take him to see his Doctor.

 

We had a nice quiet day inside other than my trip to the grocery store.

My neighbour lent me her car.

Always a nice treat to drive.

Keeping up my skills as well.

It was nice just snuggling with the boy while the wind howled outside.

 

Well almost time to leave for work.

It is nice being in a carpool and just taking the bus from time to time.

Some of our vacation time is the same so that worked out nicely.

Otherwise just will pick up more bus tickets.

I am / we are enjoyed the extra time in the morning and at night.

 

I hope that you all have a bright, sunny, warm and wonderful day.

Special Hello to: my sister……

Always, Carol & Alvin

 

 

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Wednesday the 10th day of January, 2018.

Brr, it is a COLD one here in Edmonton and most part of the WESTERN CANADIAN PROVINCES.

We seem to be having one week with warm temperatures and then the next bitterly COLD ones.

I am grateful for the break in between this COLD SNAP.

It is funny, no I mean strange that when it is cold all you think about is eating and sleeping.

Bundled up, warm sweater, blankets and next to your significant other or in my case snuggling with Alvin.

He does generate a lot of heat.

On these cold mornings it is hard for him to go outside.

I always wait right by the door to let him back into the house the moment that he is done his business.

There is no taking your time on these mornings and days.

I feel bad for him.

Just keeping warm.

I will be laying layers onto my regular warm clothing today.

Bringing out the big boots.

I just want to sleep …… snuggle up with Alvin under a warm blanket and sleep.

That is the cold weather talking.

Argh, have to leave the house.

Oh well, that is life.

My choice.

To all those folks living in a “deep freeze” please be aware of how you are dressed, your children are dressed, and DO NOT LEAVE your PETS outside.

Make sure as in the heat you keep hydrated.

Well almost time to go and start the layering process.

Need to do this when you are walking and catching a bus.

 

Happy Wednesday.

The next few days are all about the weather and keeping warm.

Take care.

Be safe.

If you are driving – make sure that you have emergency items in your vehicle.

 

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

Always, Carol & Alvin

 

Thought for the day ….

Good Morning and Welcome to Friday the 5th day of January, 2018.

YAY, it is the last day of the work week and then the weekend begins.

So excited for the weekend.

We are expecting a beautiful weekend weather wise so that means good for our walks.

Nice to be able to go out during the day light hours.

Perhaps Alvin won’t have such aversion to walking.

Who knows.

 

Do you ever dream about people from your past but in different circumstances?

Odd circumstances.

Very odd.

Anyway that was last night’s dreams.

Cool but strange, very strange.

Cannot mention names to protect the innocent, of course.

Just food for thought, dreaming??

 

My favourite part of our morning routine is our snuggling on the sofa.

Most comfortable place to “s nap”  (snuggling while napping).

I love it when Alvin stands up and then moves to the pillow and then drops his body with his head landing on the pillow right beside mine.

He never misses.

He is good at cuddling.

 

Well here we go.

Time to leave again.

I wish you a wonderful day filled with kindness and respect.

 

Special Hello to: my friend “I” who lives in Sweden.

Always, Carol & Alvin

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Wednesday the 15th day of February, 2017.

Another warm day on the way.

Forecast is for 10+ degrees celsius ….. there is nothing like a couple of weeks of this kind of weather to cheer one up.

Bringing spring just that much closer.

When I look outside it is still dark but by the time I arrive at work the sun is beginning to rise and there is blue sky.

What a welcome sight.

 

Alvin and I had a wonderful Valentine’s Day.

We did not make it out for our regular walk as there is just too much ice and salt on the sidewalks and streets.

If he were a few pounds lighter I may try and carry him over those spots although there are many of them …

So we stayed home.

He had an extra treat or two.

We snuggled …

I told him about my day and he in his own way told me about his.

Our regular evening minus the walk.

Routine is nice.

 

Well mid week once again.

Can you imagine how many Wednesdays have come and gone over our lifetime?

How many times we think about the weekends from Monday to Thursday?

How many dreams we have that make no sense?

How about the ones that we have, that do.

So many thoughts.

So much time.

Behind, now and ahead.

Are we not blessed to be able to enjoy the past, present and future?

I would say so.

I enjoy thinking back over my life on this earth and seeing all of the changes.

I try to live in the present, in the now.

I dream of the future and look forward to it.

 

Well time once again to head out the door for another work day.

Have an awesome Wednesday.

Perhaps a couple more of these 10 degree days and most of the sidewalks will be clear.

Although I did see snow for Friday ….. maybe I was dreaming ….

Happy Wednesday.

 

Special Hello to: all those dreamers …

Always, Carol and Alvin

Thought for the day ….

Good Morning and Welcome to Wednesday the 4th day of January, 2017.

Warming up to minus 9 degrees celsius today.

YAHOO.

We are walking tonight.

 

This will  be short this morning because I elected to snuggle a bit longer with Mr. Alvin this morning and am now a little bit late.

When we “hit” the sofa for some extra zzz’s the odd time and I have mentioned this before he will line up and plunk himself down his head right beside mine on my rectangular pillow.

His body snuggling to mine.

I would love to have a photo of this ….

Anyway this morning he was laying beside me on the pillow and I just could not bring myself to disturb him.

So this is now.

 

Time to go out and pick up poop as cannot wait until tonight as it is snowing.

I hope that you all have a wonderful day and perhaps someone will “snuggle” next to you (only if they are welcome).

I wish each of you had someone like me Alvin ….. a snuggle from a precious four-legged creature …. well there are no words.

Happy Wednesday.

 

Special Hello to: my sister and brothers …..

Always, Carol and Alvin

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Sunday the 1st day of January, 2017.

Yes, 2017.

Happy New Year.

I hope that you all had a wonderful time last night.

My evening was awesome.

One of my neighbours invited me over along with two other friends of hers.

We had good food, mainly non-alcoholic drinks (which is fine by me), chatted and played cards.

We laughed and shared stories.

It was so much fun.

It was a nice change from sitting at home although I missed snuggling with Alvin.

So here we are ….. Alvin will be home in a little bit which is great.

He is slowly getting used to Aspen our newest addition.

Her size kind of intimidates him.

Both the sky and the ground match in their white grey hues this morning.

Sure would be nice to see the sunshine.

Seems like we have not seen much of old Mr. Sun as of late.

Temperatures are to be cooling down just in time to go back to work but that is okay.

One more day before heading back to the office.

It was a great week or so off ….. relaxed ….. ate way too much …… spent time with family and friends both in person and via SKYPE.

Time to go and have a “late breakfast” …….  I got to bed late and in turn eight hours later I am up at 10:30, argh.

Happy New Year to You All.

Special Hello to: All my Family and Friends …… thank you.

Always, Carol and Alvin

Thought for the day ……

Good Morning and Welcome to Wednesday the 14th day of December, 2016.

Well there are only “10” sleeps until Christmas Eve.

One of the two most exciting days of the year.

I also was asked by one of my neighbours to check in on a young cat that she is sitting for this week.

OMG, he is pure black, friendly and was so cute.

It was a change from Mr. Alvin …… Alvin is cute, too.

I was reading over blogs from around this date from years ago.

The following one is from December 16, 2010 – mine and Alvin’s first Christmas together.

I think it is always interesting to check back and see what was happening this date two, three or six years ago.

It’s CHRISTMAS TIME !!!

Wishing everyone a safe and fun Holiday Season.

May you be surrounded by love and laughter.

May hot chocolate warm your tummy ……

Pull out that old board game and play with your kids.

Fill a tin or other container full of your holiday baking

Take it to a neighbour, friend or give it to someone you meet just walking down the street.

Grab some friends and family and go sing Christmas Carols at a Seniors Home or in your Neighbourhood.

Put a Christmas movie in the DVD player, and call the neighbourhood children to come in and watch.

Take a morning or afternoon and surprise someone by cleaning their house.

P.S. make sure that you have a key !!!

Shovel someone’s walk.

Put a holiday CD in the player and crank it up and dance around the house …..

Give your doggie a bath (if you have one) …… Merry Christmas…

Take the time to do something special for a family member or friend or a neighbour.

Go to a coffee place and purchase several coffee cards with a free cup of coffee or hot chocolate on each one …

Then go out in the world and hand them out ….. Merry Christmas.

You can also take them to your neighbourhood shops ….. give them to all those special people that work so hard in retail….

We all have an extra pair of mittens, scarf, toque or coat that we could donate to someone in need.

Drop off some canned goods at your local food bank.

I guess at the end of the day …… just go out and spread LOVE to the World.

We have so much – please share.

Remember to smile at everyone you meet all day long…..

Let’s make this the most wonderful Christmas ever !!!

Merry Christmas Everyone…..

Special Hello to: All my Friends and Family all over the world.

Always, Carol and Alvin