Last Half 2022

Good Morning ALL! Well I am so proud of Mr. Alvin. We were in bed by 10:00, I read for a bit before turning out the lights and next time up was 4:00 to take Mr. Alvin outside. We laid down on the sofa and he made it until 5:45 and I had the alarm set for 6:00. I was able to coax him to wait for another couple of minutes before I hopped up off the sofa. We have been up to stay up since then. I gave him his breakfast and we went outside. The breeze was cool but felt really refreshing. The sky was clearing but now I see rain clouds beginning to form. We have had such a weird and wonderful spring and summer. Next week hold onto your hats, they are forecasting +30 temperatures. WOW. The sun just gave a burst of light through the clouds, so pretty. I have such a great vantage point from my office window – just keying away and looking out the window for an update every so often.

Yesterday at noon we had a great walk and after work we made it just inside the park and the boss of me stopped and turned for home. He is truly the “boss of me.” When he says suppertime, I “run” to the pantry and then to the fridge. He has a mix of dry and wet food and pumpkin. I also realized something if I cut the pumpkin back to only in the mornings and not with his supper, that also seems to help his poop. Yup, just what you were waiting for, another “pooping story.” I am sorry but my life revolves around Alvin and part of what he does on a very regular basis is pooping. Now, let’s face it, his stories are more entertaining than my pooping stories! LOL. Life is breathing, drinking, eating and pooping and paying taxes. I hope that you are smiling now and not crying.

A couple of weeks ago, I met a woman at our garage sale. She was looking for antique/older rhinestone jewelry as she was making a bouquet. I did not have anything in the sale but I knew that I had some in my collection of odds and ends. So I took her contact info and called her a few days later. I found actually several pieces that she would be able to use. Well, last night she came after work to pick them up and we chatted and looked at the pieces of jewelry that I had out. We chatted for over 1.5 hours. I found out that she was actually making her bridal bouquet using rhinestone jewelry (some broken and other pieces too beautiful to take apart, using the whole piece) and would make the boutineers and add to table decor if she had enough. She is using coloured rhinestones for her bouquet and possibly the clear for the boutineers and tables. What a great idea. Her knowledge of jewelry designers / makers was incredible and I learned so much in a short time. I think it is safe to say that we will be keeping in touch.

My friend Gillian is borrowing some space in my fridge for food items as her work is having a barbeque and she was the person that did the shopping. It was hard not to open that big huge cake that she had picked up from Costco, looks so good. There is also salads and vegetables in the fridge. She will be picking it all up in a few minutes so it is almost time for me to sign off. I think that I have caught you up in my last day. It has been a good one. The week has had peaks and valleys but way more peaks. My cousin is home recovering from her major surgery and I am so beyond words joyful about that news. Work is going well, busy as usual but that is okay. No time for getting bored although perhaps sometimes that may be a nice change of pace.

I hope that you have an awesome Thursday. We are invited out after supper for a visit at Cookie’s house with her family. Cookie will be there, too. We haven’t seen too much of them lately so will be nice to catch up. I am grateful to have such great people within walking distance to visit. They are super close to us, just a few doors away.

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

Coffee is ready to plug in.

Always, Carol & Alvin

PS: yes, it is only 33 days until my 65 birthday. I took a really hard look in the mirror this morning after I applied some makeup (which I do not always wear this much but sometimes) and I am pretty proud of the way in which I am aging. YAY, me.

The New YEAR 2022

Good Morning ALL! How are you today? Alvin and I are doing well. When we were outside much earlier about 4:00 a.m., a strange cat was on the railing around the fence at our neighbours, the home of Humphrey and Bogart. I hadn’t heard the cat calling out to the others but when their Dad popped his head out the window, I guess that the cat had been. We or at least I did not hear the commotion. With this weather I do not like to see cats outside. Thankfully the new few days are going to be warm. The sun is breaking through the clouds and we are well on our way to a beautiful Saturday. Mr. Alvin is trying to tell me something.

This weekend I am going to spend some time putting together the documents for my taxes so that once I have my T4 – I can go ahead and submit them. Laundry. Those are my two jobs for the weekend. We will get some walks in and also it looks like I will be chipping away at ice once again out front. Dratted ice. With this weather it happens a lot. We have so much snow and then melts and runs down the lawn onto the sidewalk where it is lower and pools freezing overnight making a deep pool of ice. That is a job that follows me every single winter. Good exercise for the arms, though. The snow banks look pretty as they glisten in the morning light.

I have not seen any coyotes or bunnies as of late, not a good sign for the rabbits. Poor little ones.

It is nice see that most of the snow has melted from the roofs as it had been accumulating. At least on my neighbours to the south. I will have to check the back of my house next time I am in the backyard.

I have been thinking of my friends and neighbours as I have not seen much of anyone as of late. With the cold weather we were not walking, then ice. No one is visiting. I think that today I will also reach out to a few of them. Perhaps we will be able to walk as far as our friend Pauline’s house. I miss her, I miss them all. Before the Pandemic I saw friends almost every week/weekend whether walking or visiting NOW if I see someone once a month, I feel blessed. I am however, grateful to be of good health so I will patiently wait till I can see them again. We can video chat and I think that would be a great idea at this point. Likely a good idea for everyone. Thank goodness for technology. We are more lucky than we know.

That SUN is starting to sparkle and shine. A great day is here for us all to enjoy.

Have an awesome day. “See” you tomorrow.

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.

Good Morning and welcome to a clear sky Saturday morning.

Yay it is the weekend.

My friend dropped by last night with the new Christmas Wreath that I purchased from her craft sale.

It is absolutely beautiful.

I am so in love with this little owl.

My Mom passed many years ago and she had a passion for Owls.

She collected all sorts of ornamental owls.

 

Well we just had a phone call from Humphrey’s Mom.

Humphrey is here and will be spending the day with us.

It is almost 9:00 a.m. – how did that happen.

Time to get going.

Coffee.

Laundry.

Cleaning.

All the fun stuff.

 

Fun stuff for later …. Christmas cards.

Does anyone still write letters and send Christmas cards?

 

Alvin is on his blanket watching the office door which makes me think that Humphrey is in the hallway.

I just saw a shadow so he is now upstairs.

They will have company for the day which is nice.

I will be bathing Alvin later and taking him for a walk.

Walk first and bath second, of course.

I think he is okay in the hair cut department.

That will wait and perhaps just before Christmas – give him a trim.

 

No grand pearls of wisdom at this moment.

Just grateful to have the weekends off and to be at home.

I am grateful to be surrounded by great friends and family.

So happy to see the sun shining which will hopefully dry things up.

Not much snow left now.

 

Well I hope that you all have an awesome Saturday.

 

Happy Day.

Always, Carol, Alvin and Humphrey

 

 

Living … One day at a time.

Hello, WOW today is Monday.

Back to work.

What a great weekend.

Spent most of the time surrounded by my lovely little furry friends.

Alvin, Humphrey, Miss Aspen, Baby Milo and Master Teddy.

All of my favourites.

It was a glorious weekend.

Feeling pretty relaxed.

Had a bit of rain overnight and earlier this morning.

When Alvin went outside about 4:00 a.m., he came back inside a bit wet.

Momma was waiting with a towel.

 

Was shocked to hear two people state and the weather channel last night that the four letter WORD that most of us dread is perhaps on its’ way on Thursday.

All I can say is I am most grateful for this past weekend.

The weather was PERFECTION.

Lots of sunlight, sunshine and clear blue skies.

I had extra walks with my grandpups and Alvin.

I do not think that my SNAPDRAGONS received the memo regarding the possibility of the “stuff.”

Even the MARIGOLDS are making a bold statement.

Photos taken yesterday.

How beautiful these flowers are …. the colour so rich and vibrant.

I will keep them safe and warm as long as I can.

Likely to place them in the garage on Wednesday night …..

The yellows remind me of the sunshine this weekend.

The pinks and blues just so very pretty.

 

So on this Monday morning I wish you the most glorious Monday ever.

May there be no BUGS flying in your face (one just came out of nowhere and collided with my glasses, argh and flew away).

May your day be filled with kindness, respect and generosity.

May your day be with great health and abundance.

Happy Monday.

 

 

Always living each day with kindness to all and respect to all; is the WAY.

 

 

Always, Carol & Alvin

 

 

Living … One day at a time.

Hello,

 

OH, A STORM

Thunder and lightning.

Lightning and thunder.

Rain.

Boom

More flashes of light.

I can hear the pitter patter of rain drops as they hit the window.

Alvin stirring once again.

Up and down all night long.

Inside and out.

Drying those paws.

Was it the storm?

Or something else?

Animals are intuitive.

Something was up.

So, feeling a bit sleepy this morn.

Now the clouds are breaking up as the sky lightens and the sun begins to make an appearance.

The house is warm.

Humidity levels high.

Alvin is resting on his blue blanket.

Ah, my boy.

Oh, a storm.

 

Written by CY Lewis, July 24, 2019

 

With kindness and with respect

Always, Carol & Alvin

Living … One day at a time.

Hello,

The sky is overcast and the wind is blowing this morning.

No rain overnight.

We slept through the night.

All is well in our household this morning.

Back to work.

Canada Day weekend coming up.

Always love a long weekend.

 

Have you ever snapped photos that made you think of a different time and place.

Perhaps reminded you of a story line or gave you inspiration to write a story all your own.

These photos were taken several years ago on a beautiful late summer, almost fall weekend day.

Alvin and I were out on a walk.

We went to a park north of our home.

One place that we seldom visit.

For no reason other than it does not come readily to my mind.

It reminds me of a magical place.

A place with many trees.

The soft shadows.

The colours of the trees that were already beginning to turn.

I love the way the sun creeps into the space.

Lightly touching the trees and grass.

 

I know that it is barely the first week of summer but somedays you just need to see a magical place.

A reminder of the beauty of a single day.

A day with your buddy.

Just hanging out.

Taking in the spirit of the day.

We all need these days.

Reminder to self to go on this walk this coming long weekend.

 

Happy Monday.

Mr. Alvin seems to be back to his own self.

We had a good sleep.

 

BE Kind and Respectful to yourself and to others.

One small thing can make such a difference in your life and in the life of another.

 

Always, Carol & Alvin

Living … One day at a time.

Hello,

Friday morning.

The sun is trying hard to burst through the rain clouds that have set in for the past few days.

We managed to have a beautiful walk with our friend P after my dental appointment (just a cleaning).

The wind is blowing.

I am running extremely late this morning.

I took some photos.

Pretty flowers from the front of our temporary office location.

The rain and early morning beauty of the green grass, trees and plants.

But I did not realize when I was snapping photos the phone takes almost like videos but photo bursts.

Anyway …. no photos ….

Have to run.

 

I wish you all an awesome Friday.

Be kind to yourself and to others.

Respectful….

 

Always, Carol & Alvin

 

 

Living … One day at a time.

Hello,

Another smoky day here in Edmonton.

I can only imagine what the air is like closer to the fires.

Yesterday the upper atmosphere was filled with smoke covering the SUN with a veil turning it a red colour.

Throughout the day the smoke slowly fell closer to the ground.

Many folks were saying “it looked like the zombie apocalypse.”

The smell of smoke covering everything it touched.

The smoke making it hard to breathe for those with respiratory issues.

Our thoughts are daily with all of the folks, animals, first responders and firefighters that are right in the middle of it all.

I cannot imagine.

I am grateful that the temperature has come down ….

 

Alvin and I did manage to go for a short walk.

We walked to our friend’s house by the lake.

Stopped in for a short visit.

We missed the previous two nights due to the high temperatures.

 

I guess with all that is going on in the world and at home.

Always gives pause for thought.

But I always remind myself to be present, listen to myself and to others.

 

 

Well we were dilly dallying a bit too long this morning.

Now almost time to leave for work.

Looking forward to the week.

Humphrey is coming for a visit over the weekend.

That will be lovely.

 

If we are all kind to ourselves and to others.

What a wonderful world this would be …..

Keep on Living … One day at a time.

 

Always, Carol & Alvin

 

Thought for the day ….

Good Morning and Welcome to Wednesday the 13th day of June, 2018.

Today is the 65th Birthday of my dear friend “P.”

She is a wonderful person and friend.

Alvin and I send our wishes to her for a great day.

Today is a great day to be celebrating a birthday as the sun is shining and there is only a slight breeze.

Happy Birthday to all those celebrating today.

 

So great to wake up to the sunshine and a light breeze.

Those gale force winds reeked havoc with some trees, plants, fences, signs and more.

Last night I took the bus home from work and noted all of the small boxes that scattered one of the walkways along my walk.

Not quite certain why people would feel the need to place small cardboard boxes loosely out in their garbage during gale force winds.

But then again “common sense” seems to be a fleeting thing these days.

So that will give me lots of trash to pick up before we have more rain.

Oh people!!

I was so grateful that we seemed to be intact after those winds.

I checked the birthday girl’s house last night as they are away to celebrate her birthday.

Only some newspaper had blown into their yard and was trapped in between plants and the fence, so I cleaned that up.

A couple of small pieces of tree branches had broke off and a few plants looked a bit wind blown.

No major damage that I could see and was grateful.

Alvin and I enjoyed our walk and our friend left a bag of treats in a water proof bag for Mr. Alvin.

How spoiled is he?

 

Spent some time last night moving flowers back to their spots on the deck.

I left the umbrellas in the garage until later in the week.

No need for them now, anyway.

 

Wow, so today is Wednesday.

Having Monday off – changed the pace of the week.

 

Well almost time to hit the road ….

I hope that you all have an awesome day.

Enjoy the sunshine and I hope that the sun is shining for you.

 

Special Hello to:  Hi Sister ….. glad to hear that your vacation is going well.

Always, Carol & Alvin

 

Thought for the day ….

Good Morning and Welcome to Monday the 21st day of May, 2018.

Today we celebrate “Queen Victoria Day” with a statutory holiday.

A day at home with our loved ones.

How perfect is that.

Another simply gorgeous day has already begun.

The sun has been up for a few hours now and the sky is sprinkled with with a few clouds.

There is a BREEZE, a cool one at this time.

I have opened all of the windows to keep the house cool.

Later this morning I will close them unless the breeze stays cool.

Sure has helped to keep the house comfortable for me and Alvin.

Well three days of my extra long weekend have already passed.

Certainly I did get a few things on my to do list completed but still a few left to do.

I figure while it is cool, time to get the floors washed with my steam mop.

It has take a couple of days for me to recover from staying up all night.

I guess that is something to do while you are a young one and not when you are over 60.

Although it was great at the time.

Sometimes one just feels lazy and just wants to putz about.

Yesterday a good portion of my day was giving Mr. Alvin a hair cut and bath.

Followed by a shower for me after being covered in his hair.

I baked some chocolate chip cookies and we went for a walk.

Oh, there were dishes washed and put away.

Some small chores.

I patched a pair of PJs that I love, and wish to keep.

Oh, I watched “BLACK PANTHER” last night.

It was one of the best movies that I have seen as of late.

The house is quiet as is the neighbourhood.

It is about mid morning now.

Soon the children will be up and outside.

People will be out walking their pups.

Me, after a quick breakfast and sharing coffee with my neighbour it will be on to getting those floors all washed.

I also feel the need to tidy up the garage.

I have stacked a few empty boxes in there and they must be broken down to put into the garbage.

Tomorrow is garbage day.

This morning before it gets hot I will get that housework done.

Sometimes it is just a matter of being in the mood and then I can zip through that list in no time flat.

I kind of feel like housework now.

So better get to it.

 

Mr. Alvin had some drops from his Doctor for his ears as they are a bit inflamed but not infection.

OMG, you would think I was doing something dreadful to him.

He clearly is becoming more difficult when it comes to his ears.

Not good for the Momma.

I could barely hold him still.

ARGH, my boy.

 

Well folks time to spring into action.

Actually there appear to be some clouds blocking the sun and this is a good time to get things done.

Then one can relax in the afternoon when it is warm or something like that.

I had some interesting dreams that at the time seemed like a good idea for a book and now they have evaporated from memory.

 

Have an awesome day.

Enjoy the time.

Each day is special.

Every moment.

Each one only comes once.

 

Special Hello to: my sister ….. we have to chat.

Always, Carol & Alvin