The New YEAR 2022

Good Morning ALL! How are you this Monday morning? Alvin and I are doing great. I changed his bed in the office and I think that he likes this one better. He is one lucky little guy as he has three beds. Now one in the family room in the basement, one in the living room and one upstairs in the office. I do not have to haul them around so that is great. Alvin is one wonderful little guy. Yesterday was so nice that despite the messy icy sidewalks we ventured out for a walk. I had cleaned our walks pretty good with only one chunk of ice that is in the dip nearly impossible to remove at this point. We still have the five feet of snow and ice chunks lining the streets and our sidewalks. Keeping most people from parking on the street including company and delivery trucks. One of the neighbours from a few doors down is parking in front of Sonja’s house and I believe the reason is because they have an opening in the snow to the street or at least it is lower. Not really the way it should work. They should be parking in their garage or garage pad. The street is for company and delivery trucks not to park one of your five vehicles. I am kidding about five but some people have at least three vehicles which makes it difficult. Most times this street is down to one lane and people drive way too fast. Our street is really busy. Anyway, we went for a walk. We got down the sidewalk very carefully to the corner where our friends live across and made sure we checked both directions and in a low spot we crossed to their side of the street. The sidewalks were not too bad. We walked up the street and then I realized that I found the perfect walking place, the crescent. There is a pile of snow from the graders and we walked around the crescent and the pile of snow ten times and then went home. It took us 20-25 minutes so I figured that was perfect. Mr. Alvin was slightly confused as he kept trying to break free of the circle walking and go down the back walkway toward the other park. I was happy and felt like we actually had some exercise and we so enjoyed the warmth of the fresh sunny warm air. One of my friends posted that it was +10 degrees celsius. So today we will do that same walk. We were walking on the street in the crescent but I was able to watch for cars and not as busy as being on our main street. YAY, a safe place to walk. I hit the motherlode.

The forecast is for continued nice warm temperatures and hopefully SUNNY blue skies. I am a bit tired of the grey ones. My body craves the sunshine. My mind needs the sunshine. My soul would very much like the sunshine a bit more often. I can see the sun starting to rise with partially clear skies so we are definitely off to a great start. Happy Monday that be!

I wish you a great day. If it is nice where you are – go outside and take that walk. Whether it is 5, 10 or 30 minutes, fresh air and exercise is magic. Good for your heart, mind and body.

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

Always, Carol & Alvin

I am so grateful to have a cup of homemade perked coffee. Oh, I forgot to mention that one of my dear friends called yesterday morning to see if I was up for a cup of coffee? I had just made 10 cups and was going to have one, what great timing and usually I do not make that many cups so it worked out perfectly. We had a great visit and even had some good laughs. I am so lucky to have such great friends and happy for such a wonderful surprise on a Sunday morning.

Welcome to December 2020

Good Morning ALL. How are you doing this wonderful Tuesday? I am doing well. Today marks “9 sleeps/days until Christmas Eve Day. Time is definitely zipping along. Well our cold snap appears to be dissipating which is good for us and I heard on the weather report yesterday that Christmas Eve is to be about plus lower single digits temperatures. WOW! If the report is correct and Mother Nature does not throw a wrench into things we will have nice temperatures until at least Christmas. Oh and I do not blame Mother Nature on our weather as we have done enough damage to the environment ourselves. But let us move on from this spot and keep it light and positive. I have mentioned this before that I send Christmas Cards and letters out each and every year at Christmas. This card and letter writing started when I was very young, the first card I remember making was for my grandparents at age 6. I also made them Valentine’s cards and Birthday cards. When I was 11 years old my family spent the winter in Texas (yes, United States) in a city called McAllen which was located not far from the Gulf Coast. I wrote my best friend back in Saskatchewan, Canada letters as often as I could. When we moved from the farm in Saskatchewan when I was 14 to British Columbia, I continued writing my grandparents and my best friend. I made cards for birthdays, Christmas and other occasions. It was much later that I actually starting buying for special occasions and bought them I did. I send cards to all my family and friends for every birthday, Easter, Valentine’s and Christmas and everything in between. I love receiving cards almost as much as I love to send them. Yesterday I received THREE Christmas cards in the mailbox. One from my Aunt & Uncle who live in British Columbia and the other two were from Regina, Saskatchewan. Both friends and past co-workers. There were letters and photos. One of the best things about Christmas and the Holiday Season is cards, letters and photos. I was hoping that perhaps with so many people being at home due to COVID19 that maybe the art of sending Christmas cards and writing letters would make a comeback. This is one thing that is easy and inexpensive to do. The positive impact that it has on the both the sender and the recipient is huge. So good for mind and soul. We all could use a bit of that right now. Right! It is not too late. You can even write up a nice card or make one and give it to your neighbour down the street OR mail it to your Aunt who is alone.

Last night after work I delivered two more gifts and more treat boxes to my girlfriends. Alvin walked with me to make the first delivery and it was cold out so I brought him home and then I made the second delivery alone. We are going to hold our Annual Christmas get together via ZOOM. I was hoping that perhaps I could figure out how to do it via my new smart television set but am thinking not OR maybe on my phone. I am getting there – for the phone that is. Would be easier that using the computer upstairs and besides would feel more like a Christmas party if I was close to the Christmas tree and decorations. I have a few upstairs. Might have to move my smaller tree that is sitting on the upstairs landing and place it in the office. We will be able to take our walk today as it is warming up.

I wish you a bright and happy Tuesday. Alvin and I are hoping that you and your family are safe and in good health. We continue to be safe, in good health, bright and happy.

Living our lives with kindness, respect and compassion for all others.

Always, Carol & Alvin

Second Half of the NEW YEAR.

Good Morning and that it is ….

The sun is shining and there is a nice cool breeze.

We survived a HUGE storm last night …

It has been awhile since I have heard thunder booming like a massive drum held up to your ear.

The light show was nothing to sneeze at either.

Lighting up the entire room when it flashed.

I looked out of the bedroom window at one point when the lightning flashed and it lit up the whole street in my view.

I must have fallen asleep shortly after I put my book down because the storm woke me up before 10:30 p.m.

Poor Alvin was a little stressed by it all but likely didn’t help when I was startled by the start of it all.

I heard that extra cracking and thud of hail as it hit the house and ground.

So happy that I had moved my precious flower pots out of harm’s way.

We were lucky as I surveyed the damage this morning.

Oh and the wind …. it was scary.

There were moments when I thought the roof was going to blow off.

My mind wandered briefly to the thought of a “tornado” but again we were lucky.

Just a huge wind.

It was the whole package …. one of those out of this world summer storms.

The rain was coming down so hard at one point that I could not see the other side of the street.

I have not got to the basement to check things but our drain system seems to function well.

I can hear the slight mews or it sounds like a cat but then as it got closer it was a crow.

Well as you can imagine after last night it was most difficult getting out of bed this morning.

Alvin did not want to lay down.

We were up and down a few times before finally settling on the sofa.

That seems to be his safe place.

 

Well as I am running extra late this morning …..

Will have to cut this short, I am sorry.

We are doing well.

Had two awesome walks in yesterday.

Which we so badly needed.

 

Supposed to be hot tomorrow so likely another storm tomorrow night.

Take care.

Be safe.

Live your life with kindness and respect.

Time for that first cup of coffee.

I/We shall remain,

As Always, Carol & Alvin

Thought for the day ….

Good Morning and Welcome to Sunday the 22nd day of April, 2018.

The sun is shining but there are some clouds scattered throughout the sky.

There is a strong wind blowing.

Woke up with a headache this morning.

Had been invited to one of my friend’s homes for morning coffee and visit but decided to cancel this time.

Alvin needs a hair cut and bath.

That needs to be done.

No excuses there.

 

We have had a good weekend.

Laundry and some cleaning was accomplished.

We enjoyed our walks.

So nice to have most of the sidewalks dry now.

Finally.

 

Was happy that yesterday was not an all day rain fest.

In fact it did not start raining until well into the afternoon.

Alvin and I beat the rain and had a lovely walk.

We saw one of our neighbours who lives on the opposite side of the street.

He was raking his lawn.

We still have snow and ice on ours.

Funny how that is.

 

Well time to get going.

I can hear a big dog barking to the south of us.

Oh, how I wish that people would not leave their dogs outside for long periods of time.

 

Have an awesome Sunday.

 

 

Special Hello to: my friends and family.

Always, Carol & Alvin

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Wednesday the 30th day of August, 2017.

WOW, can you believe the second last day of August?

This has been the best August perhaps even ever.

I was visited by many family members and friends.

Some came for my birthday and others came because they were in the area and wanted to drop by.

It was a birthday celebration that last for over two weeks.

So lucky on all fronts.

 

Some may have noticed that I did not write my blog yesterday.

Woke up Tuesday morning with a raging sinus headache and with a plugged ear and being congested, I was not really fit to go to work.

So I stayed home and went to the Doctor.

Likely the best move ever.

Now I can hear, the headache is gone and I am much less congested thanks to some new allergy medicine the Doctor gave me.

Feeling like a million dollars this morning.

Alvin loved having me at home.

This morning he is wondering?

 

Well we are having another crazy hot day …. to be plus 30 degrees celsius which is not normal for this time of year.

 

Also have to tell you all a quick story.

This past Sunday night when Alvin and I were returning from watering our friend’s flowers and our walk ….. something zoomed by Alvin almost knocking him over.

Made me scream and Alvin dropped to the ground.

I turned my head to see a rabbit running at lightning speed and so fast that when he went to turn at the sidewalk by the street he was actually in the AIR.

A couple of seconds later I understood why ….. a big white dog …. OFF LEASH ran by us.

Poor Alvin and poor Momma.

Some young men were following the dog and I shouted “Please put your dog on a leash.”

I understand why people want to leave their dogs unleashed, I do get that and I wished that I could allow Alvin to run free.

But all it takes is that one rabbit.

In this case the dog actually stopped at the street ….. the guys caught up and put his leash on.

It truly was a terrifying couple of seconds until we realized what was happening.

Could have ended very different …. for Alvin …. for the rabbit ….. for the white dog and me.

 

Well time to get this show on the road.

Thankfully it is still cool outside.

I will leave the fan on so that Alvin can stay cool.

 

Have an awesome Wednesday.

Special Hello to:  all those folks who faithfully support all of us bloggers …. thank you.

Always, Carol & Alvin

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Sunday the 25th day of June, 2017.

We have had a glorious weekend here in Edmonton.

The sky was a bright blue earlier but now is clouding over…

I am planning to mow the grass so hopefully if it does rain that it waits for a little while.

Yesterday morning I helped my neighbour move things about from her garage to mine, temporarily.

Alvin had some anxiety issues and one of my friends from down the street heard him and came to the rescue.

She was worried that something had happened to me.

I guess when you live by yourself having people watch out is a good thing.

He was whining and barking as I had put a little wall so that he could not come into the garage from our backyard.

I did not want him to go into the back lane and a car come zooming down …. well you know what I mean.

I had been checking on him everything I came back into the garage but he is definitely a Momma’s boy …. has to be at my side on the weekends.

He is fine during the week but on the weekends when I am home ….. I have to be accessible to him.

All is well.

We had a play date with our friend and her little dog Presley although they really did not play with each other much.

Work in progress.  We had fun and Alvin played with a toy in the back yard …. running and chasing.  So cute.

Well after spending almost 45 minutes on my COUNTDOWN: 60 Days to 60 post I had better get going.

Lots to do.

 

Have an awesome Sunday.

Looking forward to mowing the grass.

Happy Sunday.

 

Special Hello to: my friend “V” who has the best ideas.

Always, Carol and Alvin

Thought for the day ….

Good Morning and Welcome to Tuesday the 16th day of May, 2017.

The SUN is SHINING and the sky is a pretty much that gorgeous powder blue with a hint of pink.

There appears to be a bit of a breeze.

With hope of a beautiful day.

We needed the rain but now we could use the sunshine and some warmth.

I have held on and have not turned the heat on in the house.

This morning it was 60 degrees F ……

Not sure how Alvin feels about the coolness but if he did not have a toasty warm fur coat on – I would not have put him through this….

I will say one thing both of us are sleeping better.

Alvin has been sleeping past his usual 3:00-3:30 a.m.

So perhaps it is hypothermia …. not really …..

But definitely the cool temperature is good for sleeping.

 

Cute story.

Last night on my way home from work – I bumped into “A” and Abi.

Whenever Abi sees me she gets so excited.

“A” let go of her leash and with firm instructions said “Go see Auntie Carol.”

With her tail flying madly she raced toward me.

Ready to give me a doggie kiss.

Once she arrived at her destination I grabbed the leash.

She is so cute.

We walked and talked on the way to my house where I invited them in ….. advising that Alvin would need to go outside first ….

But first thing he did was to look at Abi and then run upstairs.

He brought down his chew treat and proceeded to hop up onto the sofa.

His little tail wagging all the way.

Then he was down and then up and then ran to the kitchen.

I let both of the pups outside.

Alvin did his business and they were back inside the house.

He did not really give her much attention as he was not quite sure what to do as usually I come home, he goes outside and then has supper.

Oh bad Momma.

After a few minutes and a treat for Miss Abi …. they left.

Alvin had his supper and I got changed into after work clothes and we were on our way out the door for our walk.

We did not get very far and we saw the girls coming back ….

It had just started to rain BIG drops.

They were on the other side of the street and Abi pulled making a bee-line for us.

Carefully looking for traffic they crossed to us.

We had a short visit before going on our way.

This time Alvin greeted her properly.

Our walk was cut short as it started to rain hard ……

A fun start to the evening.

 

Happy Tuesday.

Sometimes it is good to change things up ….. does not have to be anything big.

 

Special Hello to:  YOU, today.

Always, Carol & Alvin

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Friday the 12th day of August, 2016.

Bright sunny morning with a cool breeze which is perfection in my books.

On Wednesday of this week when my daughter brought Mr. Alvin back home, she was helping me with something in my home office and then we ended up moving everything.

Now my desk and the computer are by the window so that I can look out …. the view is not spectacular as it is peoples houses and the back lane but it is a view nonetheless.

I can see a bit of green so that is nice.

Not quite high enough to see my back yard.

 

Well today is the last day of my vacation and then on Monday it is back to work.

It is has been a good vacation – time away from work – time at home.

I was able to purge some items from the house and garage which is excellent.

I feel so light.

There still are some things to go through but the majority of things to go are gone.

It is so worth it to take some time and go through closets, drawers, each room in your house and basement and the GARAGE.

We tend to collect things over the years that we seldom use or even look at …. that is the truth.

So time to clean / purge and be light.

 

Well I am attending a luncheon today with my Steeped Tea girls.

I am so excited for that – in fact this week has had me going out a few times and not having to cook.

Tuesday for my birthday supper.

Wednesday for burgers at my friend’s house down the street.

Friday, today, our Steeped Tea luncheon.

Oh and tomorrow two of my girl friends are having a “birthday party” for me.

We are having carrot cake and I am so excited for that ….

Good way to end the vacation.

 

Well I should go and have a shower ….

Spend some more cuddling time with Mr. Alvin.

Love cuddling with the boy.

 

I wish you all an awesome Friday.

May your dreams all come true.

 

Special Hello to: my sister … we are chatting tonight.  Last night I spoke to an old friend from back home.  YAY.

 

Thought for the day ……

Good Morning and Welcome to Sunday the 17th day of July, 2016.

The skies have already ran the spectrum of sunny to completely overcast.

This morning shortly after getting out of bed (well actually off the sofa as well all know that Mr. Alvin always gets up at 5:00 a.m. or sooner, weekday or weekend).

Got dressed and washed up and decided to go for walk first thing before breakfast and before COFFEE.

Yes, I know a walk before COFFEE, what is wrong with me?

I felt bad as Mr. Alvin did not really have a walk as such yesterday …. also weather reports are for thunderstorms off and on today.

After I grabbed my sunglasses, water bottle for Alvin, poop bags for Alvin (most likely), key and flip flops and Mr. Alvin and his harness/leash we were ready to go.

Not too far down the street we can across a patch of wet sidewalk – the only patch of wet sidewalk for miles.

Okay for at least a block or at least as far as I could see.

I could see the water running down the storm drain.

I could hear a sprinkler going ….

In my mind I thought on our way back if it is still running I will investigate further.

We kept walking and walked down by our park and man-made lakes.

So pretty down there.

There was a bit of a cool breeze making it lovely.

Alvin would stop and sniff along the way ….. me enjoying the cool morning air.

On our way home I saw some broken glass on the street by a company truck.

I was not completely sure who the truck belonged to but took a guess and promptly walked up their steps, and rang the doorbell.

Mr. answered (yes, it was one of the neighbours I had met when he was out with his children and I was walking with Alvin) and I asked if that was his work truck out front and he said “yes”.

I then explained that someone had smashed the driver’s door on his truck.

We walked to the truck together.

It appeared that only the window was smashed as the door lock appeared to still be in the lock position.

Thank goodness for that.

But who does “stuff” like that and I want to say the sh– word here, so badly but I will not.

After a short chat we headed off toward home.

Argh, that patch of water on the street.

Well I could not let it ride.

I had to  do something.

THE HUGE waste of water here.

So we went up to the duplex where the sprinkler was turned on and knocked on the door, nothing.

So we went up to the duplex on the side sharing the side with the sprinkler and knocked on the door, nothing.

So then we went up to the other half of the duplex where the sprinkler was turned on and knocked on the door, nothing again.

I went back once again to the house with the water running and knocked again.

So I just made an executive decision to walk over and investigate closer.

Someone definitely had just turned on the sprinkler as a prank as the water was bouncing off their neighbour’s house and in a matter of time there would be water in someone’s basement.

The grass was totally saturated and my feet as well as Alvin’s were soaked as we walked to where the tap was to turn it off.

I will go over later and let them know what happened.

I am pretty confident that it was just kids out with nothing better to do in the middle of the night but to break things and cause havoc.

Sure wished that I could get my hands on the little buggers . …. yes, I said that word, too.

Makes me mad that there is no regard to other people’s property.

Also with the water ….. the amount of water that was wasted would be in the hundreds of gallons if not thousands as I am certain by the saturation of the ground that it had been running for several hours.

Funny how no one heard as each of their homes had the upstairs windows open?

Anyway we got home …. dried off our tootsies and had breakfast.

And here we are ……

Well I have a few more cleaning things to do today and also want to work on some Steeped Tea stuff.

I hope that you have an awesome day.

Take care and if you see something out of place …. do the right thing.

Special Hello to: my friend “V” ….. two sleeps now.

Always, Carol and Alvin

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Friday the 5th day of February, 2016.

YAY, it is Friday.

Both Alvin and I have been waiting “patiently” for this day …..

We still have a few hours to wait but it is closer than it was yesterday.

Tonight after work my daughter is picking me up (we now end at the same time) from work.

She is coming to our house for “STIR FRY” ….. one of her favourite things to eat.

We are so excited.

I even prepared the veggies last night so that all I have to do is cook the rice and actually cook the stir fry … no prep.

We love having her come for a visit.

At the mere mention of his beloved sister’s name he gets excited wagging his tail and usually runs back and forth from the front living room windows to the back door.

Sometimes she comes parks on the street and comes in from the front and other times through the garage.

I miss her even though she is not really far away.

We email every day ….. neither of us are really telephone chatters …. but when we need to we do for sure.

I even save some of her messages so when I need to hear her voice …. it is like she is right beside me.

She is truly my BEST FRIEND and the most WONDERFUL DAUGHTER, a Mom could ever ask for ….. sorry Alvin ….. he is the best BOY ….. SON.

Well here we are almost time to leave for work.

The morning got away on me.

I hope that you have something as wonderful to look forward to this evening as I do …..

Thank you for reading and feeling great on this Friday, February 5th, 2016.

Reach out ….. call or visit or SKYPE your BEST FRIEND.

Take Care.

Special Hello: to all the BEST FRIENDS in the WORLD ….

Always, Carol and Alvin