The New YEAR 2022

Good Morning ALL! How are you this morning? So nice to see clear blue sunny skies to begin the day. I noticed just before I clicked on NEW to write this post that I had written over 4000 posts since I started this back in 2010. I try to do this daily but of course there are times when it was not possible. I was so excited to notice that number. To me that is huge. Congratulations to ME! Alvin said “Congrats Momma.” Hard to believe it is almost 12 years since I started this. I hope that I am still writing this more than 25 years in the future. Till will tell.

Well the weekend has been wonderful. Yesterday we had sunny breaks which was wonderful. Alvin and I spent some time in the backyard (him on the decK) while I shovelled some of the once grassy area. I would say that I shovelled almost half before I had to call it quits. The snow did not really soften so I had to take the ice pick and break it up before shovelling it towards the back gate. A bit later, I decided as we were not able to go for a “safe” walk that I would put on his harness, me in my coat and shoes and we would walk the loop between my neighbours (in other half of the duplex) and me. So that meant down the steps onto our walk that goes to the public sidewalk turning right and then a few steps before coming back up on our neighbours walk to their porch. We made the loop ten times. It felt kind of silly and it took Alvin a couple of times to figure out what I was doing before he pretty much followed me round and round. This is the only spot that is safe for us to walk that has no ice. If we do this a few times each day until the ice has melted we will have had some exercise and fresh air. Sometimes you just have to do what you can. Nothing is perfect. Should someone drive by and laugh, well that would be okay. It is worth a laugh or a smile. I actually was smiling. Life in our fast lane!

There is only a slight breeze this morning which is nice. Not the gale force winds of recent days.

We are having a quiet weekend. Yesterday was laundry, some tidying up, cleaning bathrooms, shovelling snow and a bit of walking. Today I want to wash the main floor and put away the remainder of the laundry that is drying in the basement. We will be doing our walks a few times. I don’t even have to lock the door and do not need boots. That is my kind of walk in the winter. Would be nice to be able to go further but that is okay. We have been doing some steps as well. That is one good thing about having laundry in the basement and bedrooms on the second floor. Up and down is daily.

I prepared the coffee but did not turn it on, why did I not turn it on? Oh well, I will get dressed and then we will go downstairs and turn on the coffee and while it is brewing I can get the laundry out of the basement and perhaps we can go and do ten laps. Not a bad idea.

Well I hope that the bitter cold weather and mountains of snow is over for this year. I am tired of the ice and snow. Mainly of the ice. It would seem that we cannot have one without the other.

Well folks on that note, time to go and get dressed.

I hope that you have an awesome day.

Thank you for reading these posts. I try to read some of the posts that you write as well. I need to do better at that. I will do better. Comments are always welcome.

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

Always, Carol & Alvin

P.S. Life is better without ice on the sidewalks. The ice should be up north, way up north.

It is a NEW YEAR

Well Good Morning and WELCOME to FRIDAY.

Today is the last day of the first month of the New Year.

Is that not super crazy that we are done the first month?

I can hear that puppy crying for me on the other side of the gate.

Our little escape artist finally cannot get out/up.

She can push the metal enclosure to get to the steps going upstairs.

Usually I have a baby gate / heavy basket blocking and that keeps Teddy from coming up.

But not the baby.

Oh, she is determined.

She does not give up.

This morning I had a brilliant idea to use the gate that Kobi’s Mom brought over.

Yes, it worked great as it goes all the way across.

So I placed it on one of the lower steps and on the other side pushed the heavy basket.

She cannot move it or get around.

So she is crying/squeaking/barking for me as she sits on one of the lower steps.

What a character.

Thankfully last night everyone slept pretty well …. Alvin did get up to go outside about 3:00 a.m. but that is normal.

Kobi slept until he woke up.

I am a happy camper this morning.

Hopefully tonight will be a clean house when I arrive home.

It was so icy that we only made it to the park and home.

I took Kobi and Teddy first, brought them home and then took Mr. Alvin.

He is doing well despite having a five month puppy at him every day all day long.

Poor Teddy I think is exhausted.

She does not give up.

I get that she loves to play but poor Teddy.

Anyway if you are ever thinking about getting a puppy for a child/children and that they will be able to take care of him/her, think again?

Puppies are a lot of work.

They have boundless energy and NEEDS.

Be prepared.

Do your homework.

Just because they are cute and cuddy, does not mean that they are not work.

You owe it to that puppy as well.

At Christmas, this is what happens.

Cute puppy.

Let’s buy that for the kiddos for Christmas.

One week or less into caring for the energetic puppy adding into the mix many sleepless night ….

Parents take the pup to the Humane Society or some other organization.

Very sad.

Please know what you are getting into …. perhaps puppy sit for someone who has a puppy.

 

Anyway almost time to go and rescue Miss Kobi from the bottom step.

She wants so badly to come up to see me.

I have time for cuddles now.

So I shall sign off.

Time to go and give some love to the pups and to let them outside for one final pee/poo.

 

Have an awesome Friday.

YAY, it is the weekend.

So excited.

 

Always, Carol, Alvin, Teddy and Kobi.

VACATION Summer 2018 – Thought for this day

Good Morning and Welcome to Monday the 20th day of August, 2018.

This kept me busy for most of yesterday …..

Welcome to my vacation.

Road trip from Spruce Grove-Edmonton to AIRDRIE, Alberta.

Momma and her daughter.

Take the scenic tour.

Most of the photos were shot as we drove down the highway.

Some poor “bugs” were lost along the way and I was sorry that their lives ended.

My daughter drove all of the way …..

We passed by many a red barn.

Some of the shots were blurry.

Most of those I deleted because why would you want to see those.

Oil digging machines.  Big round bales.

Beautiful green countryside.

Even time for a selfie when we were stopped for construction.

Those poor workers out paving the roads in the HEAT.

As my daughter would say ….. “Another photo of a sign”

I thought they would always remind me where we were.

ROCKY MOUNTAIN HOUSE.

They have had some of the best signs.

 

Okay perhaps the 7-Eleven sign was over the top.

Pretty flowers ….

Our first stop was CAROLINE.  I managed to get a photo of the Town OFFICE.

Disappointed in missing the entrance sign.

A map to show us the way (we had GPS, too).

Dirty windshield.

Sorry poor little bugs.

The trees were absolutely thick, green and glorious.

The highway just stretched out in front of us.

 

We stopped in SUNDRE for lunch at this local establishment.

 

The server/cook was amazing.

They had a wall filled with Record Album Covers …. so cool.

We had to have a photo taken in front of it.

When asked us if we wanted dessert?

We hesitated and then said “sure” and she gave us Saskatoon pie for FREE.

We did not have to pay for the pie.

Can you believe it?

Such a nice person.

 

After lunch we headed over to a book store that my daughter had spotted on our way into the town.

Shout out to “CAMELOT BOOKS.”

Unfortunately per the owner only in business until end of August, 2018.

After all, one can never have too many books, right!

This was a used book store with something to suit everyone’s imagination.

They had some books over 100 years old.

Such treasures.

What a great place to stop and investigate.

I picked up two books of poetry that were printed before I was born.

So I know that there are some things older than me.  Ha.

After we spent some time checking out the books and of course leaving some of our holiday money at the bookstore, we were on our way once again

 

 

The way to AIRDRIE.

Somehow or OTHER I managed not to get a sign for AIRDRIE.

How did that happen?

Disappointing.

Three hundred and some odd photos and none of our destination, well that just plains SUCKS.

We arrived at AIRDRIE just after 3:30 p.m. and drove straight to the hotel to check in before heading to our REAL DESTINATION.

IT was the antique shop/mall named “WHERE ON EARTH …. DID YOU GET THAT?”

One of my daughter’s friends who lives in Calgary met us at the antique stop/mall for a visit.

She brought her Mother and baby son ….

Now for some reason I did not take any pictures of the store or the SIGN at this time.

What was I thinking?

Perhaps distracted?

After all I am or was almost “61” at the time.

After we hung out at the store for a few hours and it was about to close up, I asked one of the staff for the name of his three favourite restaurants in town?

He gladly gave me the names of them and even wrote them down.

 

We headed back to the hotel and found my youngest brother hanging out (waiting for us).

We went to a restaurant named “PEPPERCORNS” by the water which is in the background of the following photos.

At first we were wondering where the water was until we opened the blinds at our table and voile, WATER.

It was great.

Snapped a few photos.

Some of the homes lining the water were so pretty and their back yards …. well I was a bit envious.

 

We found these bushes by the water that were this grey colour with same colour berries.  Very cool.

Ducks as there should be in water.

The sun was setting and the smoke gave it an eerie look.

We had a great visit with my youngest brother from Calgary.

 

The next morning (Wednesday) instead of heading off to “DRUMHELLER” to see the dinosaurs we decided to go to the mountains.

CANMORE.

We could not believe how far out Calgary has grown – almost reaching AIRDIE.

Here are some shots of the ever growing city of Calgary.

HAZY due to smoke and heat.

Police van across the highway keeping everyone safe.

 

Photos of everything.

I had to get one of the truck hauling LOGS.

On the way to the mountains…..

 

I see mountains….. yay.

 

Sign for CANMORE.

We went to this bookstore in CANMORE.

Yup another bookstore.

So very cool.

On one side of the store there were new books and little gifts and on the other side used books and a coffee shop.

We had coffee and goodies …. coffee break.

 

 

 

We took a walk about Canmore and took in some of the local stores.

Vintage store.

We had lunch along the way.

The best CHICKEN and FISH TACOS ever (I am not sure that I have had them before but they were good).

I cannot remember the name of the restaurant.  Not a chain.

One of my favourite things was we bought locally made rings to mark our trip.

I shall treasure them forever.

I should have taken a photo of them.

I wear one or both of them every day along with the one that I purchased on our Mother/Daughter Trip to Jasper in 2009.

 

When we were on our way out of Canmore, we turned down a street and found this walk way by the river.  There was not much water in the river but the sights were beautiful.

This was a wonderful find.

 

 

 

 

Along the way ….. taking in the sights.

 

On our way back to AIRDRIE.

Shots from the car.

 

Everyone needs a shot of the big SHOPPING MALL sign.

Designer stuff ..

We laughed all the way about me and my sign obsession

 

.

 

Finally the morning we were leaving AIRDRIE and one last stop at our favourite ANTIQUE place.

I decided to take some photos.

Neglected to take a photo of the sign on the store.

But I took some photos of some cool items.

There were so many items that I would have loved to have brought home with me.

Alas not enough room or money.

I desperately wanted one of those wagon wheels for my back garden.

The rusted old water pump would have worked, too.

Just before I left …. five minutes before leaving the store.

On one last look about I found the item that sung to my heart.

THE ROOSTER WEATHER VANE.

Rooster is my Chinese sign.

This was my gift to myself.

It remains in my garage at this time until I find the perfect spot for it.

Likely will wait until spring to display it.

So grateful that I found the most perfect item.

 

On our way home.

More shots from the car.

Those buildings in the next photos …. store the big round bales.

Very cool.

More photos of logging trucks, not sure why.

Another red barn.

We stopped again in SUNDRE and hit the bookstore one last time.

I found ten more books …. love to read.

 

Construction ….. trees ….. this truck ahead of us ….. we followed him for over one hour…… we thought he was taking us home.

Cool churches, a tractor.

Electrical tower.

 

BACK TO SPRUCE GROVE.

 

Here are some photos of my finds from the Antique Store …. some for me and others for gifts.

Books ….

Teddy and Alvin ….. the day after we arrived home … Teddy came for an overnight stay.  We missed him.

So that was our trip.

We had a blast and have vowed to do it again next year.

We only have to convince my daughter’s husband, my son-in-law that it is a good idea.

Just kidding …..

We were gone for two nights – three days but had the best time.

Saw my little brother, the mountains, ate in great places, shopped in book stores and antique shop,  and took lots of photos of signs.

What could be better than that.

Oh, spending time with my daughter and my little brother.

Okay ….. done.

 

Special Hello to: my daughter who is the best travel partner ever, thank you.

Always, Carol & Alvin

 

PS:  just in my office putting the finishing touches on this blog before going to POST.  I sat down in my chair and Alvin came up to me and put his paw on my leg.  He does this when he is asking “politely for something.”  Here he was asking for me to put his blue blanket on the floor as I had forgotten.  How cute is that?  I love this little guy.  Makes my heart sing.

 

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Thursday the 17th day of March, 2016.

It is going to be a solemn St. Patrick’s Day for me with the recent passing of our sweet Penny.

My four-legged Grand-puppy …..

She has, and will always be in our thoughts.

It is always difficult to proceed after the passing of a loved one.

The first steps are always the hardest.

Seems strange to be going to work but it must be done.

Definitely is not an easy time.

I keep telling myself it is okay to be okay.

It is okay to smile and to be okay.

Your strength is what pushes us on.

Keeps us going.

Penny is not my first loss, and unfortunately will not be the last.

We grieve in our own ways.

It is most difficult for Penny’s Mom and Dad and for Elton.

She was a part of their daily lives ….. everything reminds them of her ….

It will be a long process but they will heal over time.

With the memories of her sweet face and her energy filling their thoughts.

I am grateful to my friends and family at this time for their support and kind words.

 

I hope that today is a good day for you.

May the sun shine down upon you on this St. Patty’s Day of 2016.

May your life bring you smiles and laughter.

May the memories be a reminder of goodness and light.

Happy Thursday …..

 

Special Hello to: all the little angels …..

Always, Carol and Alvin

 

Thought for the day …..

Good Afternoon and today is Saturday the 26th day of December, 2015.

Boxing Day here in Canada.

Lots of folks are likely out and about shopping looking for deals.

Spending Christmas money and gift cards.

My kids dropped me and Mr. Alvin off just a little while ago.

They have some shopping to do.

We had an awesome Christmas….

So nice to spend Christmas with my kids in their new house.

Mr. Alvin was not quite as pleased with his new surroundings as his Momma.

He did finally go upstairs and both nights he really did not sleep.

The first night …. Christmas Eve we slept upstairs in the bonus room.

They have an open railing at the top of the stairs and we think it freaks him out.

My daughter put these mats/runners on the steps hoping that the puppies will go up and down.

They would not go up before as the steps were slippery (laminate).

Mr. Alvin did master the stairs which was good.

He would stand at the bottom whining before the mats.

 

Last night we slept in the living room as I thought he might settle down better.

But really not much difference.

He will definitely sleep well tonight.

 

We had an awesome Christmas and now back home.

I hope that you all had an awesome Christmas.

Special Hello to: my family ……

Always, Carol and Alvin

 

Thought for the day ……

Good Morning and Welcome to Thursday the 11th day of June, 2015.

It is warm out but overcast here this morning in Edmonton.

We had a great evening last night me and Mr. Alvin.

Our friends “I” and “N” were riding their bikes by as I went by the window last night.

I quickly opened the door to say hi and to show them which house was ours.

They live a few houses away but we always see them when we are out for a walk.

So we visited for a few minutes and I could hear Mr. Alvin in the house.

He did not wish to put on his harness so at first I just carried him out and set him on the ground between

us so that he would stay.

Alvin squeaked and squealed with excitement over our friends.

Unfortunately that did not really go well … so I picked him up ….

I guess I need to lift more weights …..

I held him for all of our visit until near the end when my arms would hold him no more and we went back to the steps where I set him down.

It was great.

He loves them so much.

Safe to say that Mr. Alvin has a lot of friends here in the “hood.”

A bit later we got ready and went for our walk and saw our neighbour out watering her flowers, so we stopped.

This time Alvin kind of held a back seat to the visiting …. he patiently stood waiting for us to go.

What a guy.

Well I am running late ….. just a tad.

You see I was having this dream …. it was very odd.

Up at 4:30 with Alvin and then back to the sofa till 5:30 and had to have 15 more …..

I hope that you have an amazing day.

It is always the little things that are the best.

Oh and the “wild” roses that line our walkways by the parks are oh so fragrant.

I wished that I had one of those bushes in my back yard.

Special Hello to: all of our family …..

Always, Carol and Alvin

Thought for the day……

Good Morning and Welcome to Sunday the 24th day of May, 2015.

It is a beautiful morning here in Edmonton, sun shining and a cool breeze masking the heat.

Yesterday felt like a July day ….. HOT.

Weather is a funny thing not funny ha ha but strange.

This morning is what I deem as perfection.

It is warm but the breeze keeps it comfortable to be out and about.

Great for walking.

But alas, Mr. Alvin is on his sleepover at his sister’s house.

His first one at their new place.

I am excited to hear all about it.

While he was away and the reason for his sleepover the furnace was cleaned.

Two of the nicest young men did the job.

Funny though they both told me different sizes for the furnace filter ( I already know which one ).

Perhaps it was the hot day that messed with their memory.

Once they left I got busy …. it was close to 4 p.m. but better late than ever.

I dug out three shrubs from the front “flower bed” ……

It took some work and at one point I was thinking it would have been nice to have had some help.

But I kept at it and got them out.

Got most of the dirt from the roots and then as the shrubs lay on the lawn …..

Now what?

One was quite heavy and with branches how am I going to dispose of them.

Aha, I thought ….. get those big stretchy black garbage bags …..

I managed to squeeze each one into their own bag.

Then lugged them to the back …. up the steps and onto the deck and up more steps and into the garage.

It took me almost one hour to get the shrubs out but I must tell you, I felt like a million dollars.

I did it all by myself …… I am strong and not reliant on someone else.

It was a good thing.

Then after that I raked and moved the dirt around in the now naked flower bed.

Also the neighbour behind is building a huge garage and has a big pile of top soil so I decided to ask him if I would be able to use some to top up my front flower bed.  He kindly said “yes.”

Then I had to find something to put the dirt into …. I found a ten gallon pail in my garage.

Now let me you a pail full of dirt is not light.

But I hauled five of them from his yard across the back alley into my garage down both sets of steps on my deck across the path between me and my neighbour’s to the front flower bed.

What a great workout.

I do believe that going to bootcamp helped me to complete this task.

I definitely could feel my core and arms doing what they were supposed to ….

Here are some photos:  furnace cleaners and the flower bed ….. forgot to take before photos !!

Was so grateful to have my kids shovels and garden tools to use….

Now all I need is a couple of bags of potting soil to top it up and then some flowers.

YAY ….. I did it.

Well time for breakfast and coffee…

Happy Sunday and always remember “do not sell yourself short.”

You are stronger than you think.

You are better than you think.

You are more resourceful than you think.

You can do anything.

Special Hello to: all the single women in the world……

Always, Carol and Alvin

Thought for the day…..

Good Morning and Welcome to Thursday the 19th day of March, 2015.

One day closer to SPRING.

Are you getting excited?

Perhaps for some folks you may still have a ton of snow but with the sun higher in the sky it is warmer, and it will melt more quickly.

Not to worry.

Spring is right around the corner.

We are so blessed as our sidewalks are almost clear of the ice.

The streets and sidewalks are now topped with tiny bits of gravel from the City dusting the ice over the winter months.

There is dirt in the air ….

I am so excited for some rain …… just a nice shower would do.

I am so grateful that Mr. Alvin and I have been able to walk every night after work.

I can feel our “winter weight” slowly beginning to disappear.

Mr. Alvin still has not “taken the steps” up to the bed.

Perhaps in time.

Either that or I am going to purchase another stool from IKEA (the one that has a gradual incline, perfect width and doesn’t look like stairs).

Perhaps he just doesn’t like stairs.

Oh well, time will tell.

I feel like a million dollars this morning.

Like someone removed a hundred pounds from my shoulders.

Sometimes just little decisions make the world of difference.

So on this Thursday I feel like a million dollars.

I just have to remember, we all do that when doors close more open.

Fact of life.

Take that step …… go for it.

I am.

Have a wonderful day.

It is payday at the office …… how great is that.

Another thing to be grateful for and I surely am.

Well time to go and put the finishing touches on …

I want to wear my shoes that lace up today …..

My new laces are slippery so sometimes they do not stay done up ….

Note to self: go and look for new ones.

Happy Thursday …..

Special Hello to: all those folks who read my blog.

Thank you.

Always, Carol and Alvin

 

Story Line by line – September 8, 2013

Chapter Two:

September 1, 2013

“Alvin, you found me”, I cry as my heart and soul are filled with a gratitude magnified by the love I have for my friend and I know we will find our way together.

September 2, 2013

There is silence between us – no words or barking – just silence in knowing that as long as we are together we will figure this all out and get back home where we belong and we continue on our way side by side.

September 3, 2013

“So me Alvin, what now?” as I search his body to make sure that he has no wounds and give him hugs  and wished that the fog would lift so that I could see where we are going.

September 4, 2013

“Well Mr. Alvin, I guess we had better get moving so maybe we can eventually walk out of this fog and actually find some help” with this Alvin begins to move forward slowly and we are on our way.

September 5, 2013

I have no idea how far we have walked or where we are but I know one thing it is getting colder ….. freezing in fact.

September 6, 2013

Thank GOD, Alvin has a fur coat and that I had not cut it recently but me on the other hand, I only have flip flops, cotton capri pants, a t-shirt and light jacket; the jacket hadn’t really been needed that morning but I needed a place to put my keys and poop bags for Alvin; my keys?

September 7, 2013

I reach into my pocket and touch the coolness of my keys; I am not certain how they are actually going to help us at this point but they give me a sense of peace in that they are our link to home.

September 8, 2013

At this point I am really grateful that I have my Alvin with me and that we are okay despite being cold and now we will just continue on – one step at a time.