2021

Good Morning ALL! How are you this Monday er I mean Tuesday morning? Alvin and I are just back from a walk. No one out there except rows and rows of garbage bins and bags. The same two families as last week don’t have their bins pulled to the street, not facing the right direction and not the right distance between, go figure. Don’t people pay attention. Even if I didn’t read the instructions which I did several times to ensure I had it correct, I would have noticed the other 50 neighbours. Made me smile. Kids are out in masks with backpacks on their way to school. It is a beautiful sunny slightly cool morning. Mr. Alvin has been over the moon with walls to the park. A few more weeks and we should be able to increase the length. I was thinking walking to our friend Pauline’s house and back home. That is roughly half of our regular walk. I cannot wait and hopefully we will have a long fall-autumn.
Every day he gets stronger. Today after work Alvin has his fifth laser therapy session. He needs his nails trimmed but that’s next Monday. Slowly but surely we are getting back to our normal. So happy about that and I cannot wait till we can sleep in our bedroom and not in the living room. I am grateful for a comfy sofa.

On this Tuesday I wish good and happy thoughts to and for everyone. Can you imagine the state of things if just for a few moments every single human on the planet had good thoughts. Might just turn things around. Would be great.

Remember it all begins with me and you!

Time to go and get the coffee poured and turn on work computer. Have an awesome day!

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

Always Carol&Alvin

Second Half of the NEW YEAR.

Good Morning and Welcome to Monday the 20th day of July 2020.

The sun is shining brightly here in Edmonton.

The sky is a bright blue (no rain clouds).

The morning air remains cool and refreshing and there is only the slightest hint of a breeze.

 

Well our household is not back to normal.

Perhaps it never will.

Mr. Alvin and I slept on the sofa last night.

I figured one less time he would have to go upstairs and I have been carrying him down.

So have to keep that to a minimum.

He never has liked me to be out of sight and now even less.

It took us awhile to get settled down.

He did jump off the sofa last night and cried as he made contact with the floor.

Walking over to his bed on the floor he laid down.

I then laid back down on the sofa but a bit later he came back to the sofa for the night.

It was warm in the house even with the window open a crack.

So I decided at one point to turn on the fan.

Once we settled down we both slept.

This morning we did all of our main floor routine before coming upstairs.

I figured that I would just come upstairs in time to brush my teeth and wash my face, get dressed, write this post and then go to work.

I can then slip downstairs to grab my coffee and he usually stays up here anyway so that should work.

By the time coffee break comes it will be about four hours since he went for a bathroom break so I will have to carry him downstairs.

Very carefully I might add.

 

Most of our day yesterday was good as we had lots of company.

Two of my friends came in the morning for coffee and then my daughter came for a visit as well.

I always enjoy spending time with the girls.

 

We did not go out for a walk but I am hoping to try again today.

I think they are forecasting about 25 degrees today so it will be a late afternoon early evening walk.

Likely just a short one …. I don’t want to push him.

I understand as well that he is getting older.

He turned 11 in January so that makes him 11.5 years old.

Now that was an approximate date but not out by much, I don’t think.

Last night I also texted with one of my friends from Regina.

I am not sure why we didn’t just call each other but texting is beginning to be a habit for us all.

Even though it takes longer to get a thought across and then there is spell check and don’t get me started on that “feature.”

 

So I guess as I recently read in a post by Maria Shriver …. take one day at a time, sometimes half a day or sometimes one hour at a time….

Not exact words but you get the idea.

I really enjoy reading posts and Maria Shriver’s Sunday Paper.

She just makes sense to me.

 

I need that coffee this morning.

This weekend was a revelation as well.

I had decided just at the end of last week to change my August vacation from two weeks to one.

Then with the recent events starting with the after hours calls on Thursday night and then Alvin and with help with my daughter; I realized that I do need to take two weeks vacation.

It has been a long haul and with recent events, I need a nice break.

Time to do my thing even if that thing is just relaxing with Alvin.

So I emailed my Manager to see if I can once again change my mind.

I hope that it is not a big deal.

Sometimes we don’t realize just how close we are to “that point” until someone tells us.

That point has arrived and if I want to stay healthy in body, mind and soul, I have to look after me.

I have to stop always putting everyone and everything in front of my needs.

Meaning that if I do not look after me first – then how can I look after anyone or anything else.

That sounds better.

Man, I need to run and grab that coffee.

 

We had another two big storms yesterday.

One about 5 p.m. and the other a short time later.

Lots of heavy rainfall, thunder and lightning.

I don’t think that the storms are helping Alvin much either.

Seems like everything just has come to a head this weekend.

 

I have learned so much this weekend.

I do hope and pray that Alvin recovers quickly and in full.

Thinking that his days of jumping up and down from the bed, sofa, chair and possibly stairs might be over.

Perhaps he will be able to do the stairs with some help.

Definitely not onto the hard floor even though I have strategically placed mats with padding in the places where he goes up and down.

These past few months have been full of change.

I have been trying to roll with it and find my way.

I guess we all have …..

 

Time to go and grab my coffee.

Wishing you a wonderful day.

Please keep Alvin in your thoughts and with positive energy.

I will monitor him for one more day and if no change back to the vet tomorrow …..

Big sigh from the boy as he lays on his bed not far away from me.

Living with kindness and respect.

I/We shall remain,

As Always, Carol & Alvin

 

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Wednesday the 8th day of May, 2019.

Semi overcast sky this morning with hopes of bright sunshine throughout the day.

No moisture this morning.

 

Last night after work, Alvin and I went for our walk.

We stopped at our friend’s house and watered / checked on her plants.

Plants doing great.

We continued our walk to Alvin’s best friend’s Teddy’s house.

Everyday we pass by and he always wants to go in and almost everyday I say “not this time, Buddy.”

This time, it was okay.

As it would happen Teddy’s Dad was just going into the house from work, and he was excited for us to come in for a visit.

When the door opened – Master Teddy was so over the moon happy to see his Dad, his best friend Alvin and me, Aunt Carol.

While his Dad went into the garage to put some things away, I let the boys out into the backyard.

After all …. Teddy had been holding it for several hours by this time.

I know what that is like for Alvin.

We were visiting when Teddy’s Mom came home.

I do not know many folks who would be happy to see company upon arriving home from work.

These are such lovely, warm and caring folks, all I can say is that Alvin and I are lucky to call them friends.

Teddy’s Dad suggested that the Teddy and his Mom walk us home while he went for a bike ride.

We ended up walking by the big lake/pond north of us.

It was absolutely wonderful.

So many folks out walking with their pups of all sizes.

Alvin and Teddy made new friends.

We met a couple of old friends, as well.

We saw ducks, ducks building nests and muskrats in and out of the water.

The air was soft and warm as it touched our faces.

Perfect outing.

 

Well almost time to leave for work.

Great night last.

Great day on the way.

 

Wishing you all a wonderful Wednesday.

 

Special Hello to: my sister ….. hello my girl.

Always, Carol & Alvin

 

Thought for the day ….

Good Morning and Welcome to the 8th day of August, 2017.

The skies are overcast but the weather channel had forecasted sunny skies for today (last night’s report).

I hope that the sun shines.

Lots of birthdays today …..

Happy Birthday to:  Niece-in-law “S”,  little “A”, cousin “T” and my dear friend “K”

August is a huge birthday month in my family and with several of my friends.

My friend “K” celebrates her birthday today and mine tomorrow.

 

We are almost ready for all the company descending upon us today.

Some dropping by for a visit while in the area visiting in-laws.

My brother will arrive from Calgary later this afternoon.

 

Started the prep work for supper so that I am prepared.

Bedding changed for a change in the guest room occupant.

 

Alvin is loving having the company.

Wonder what he will think when my nephew and his family arrive?

 

Happy Tuesday.

Have a great day.

Excited to see everyone …..

 

Special Hello to: Birthday Celebrators

Always, Carol & Alvin

 

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Sunday the 2nd day of July, 2017.

Bright sunny morning.

Appears that all Canada Day Celebrations went well.

I am grateful that my daughter is coming to visit us today.

Yesterday was hot and humid.

We did have a storm earlier but the evening turned out to be sunny.

Summer weather, right.

 

I managed to give Mr. Alvin a hair cut and bath.

Did some house work, laundry and mowed some grass.

Watched some of the Canada 150 Celebrations.

 

Well I have to get this show once again on the road.

Yesterday I did not get the rhubarb crisp baked as it was hot and I did not get to it early enough.

Even baking with air conditioning …..

So want to get it done this morning (promised my daughter).

Not only that …. the rhubarb will soften and better when it is firm.

 

Have a great Sunday everyone.

Special Hello to: my sister ….. not long now until you visit.

Always, Carol & Alvin

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Sunday the 26th day of February, 2017.

Another bright sunny morning here in Edmonton.

So far our weekend has been great.

Yesterday morning we started our TO DO LIST with Alvin’s routine visit to the Vet’s Office in our neighbourhood.

One of the part-time helpers was there to help Dr. Karen.

We had not seen her in a long while and it was great to catch up.

She was so happy to see Alvin ….. she calls him “baby Alvin” …. her pet name for him.

We had a good visit and had Alvin’s appointment completed before heading out.

When we got back home I took a coffee break before heading out once again to do my errands.

All on foot …. good exercise.

First stop was the Optometrist to adjust one of my new pairs of glasses.

Once done I crossed the street to go to Shoppers Drug Mart to pick up a bus pass for March.

It crossed my mind as I was approaching the store “Wonder when there next Gala is?” and “Guess what”?

It was then …..

So I purchased a ticket as $5.00 of the $15.00 goes to help Women and the remaining $10.00 is deducted from your purchase so win/win.

Also they have free gifts, goodies to eat and drink and the possibility to win baskets of all sorts of items.

In the past my daughter and I have won on several occasions and that was nice.

I have not heard as yet so perhaps not but that is okay.

I also saw two staff that I have got to know over the years so it was nice to catch up with them.

After winning 1,000. free optimum points and having a visit, some treats and making my purchases including the bus pass, I was on my way.

Next stop the grocery store.

Just had a few items to pick up as long gone are the days when I can carry twenty bags of groceries home (I am not kidding).

When I got home …. Mr. Alvin was happy to see me and me, him.

He had to go outside …. me, too (not outside, though) ….. perhaps too much information.

Here is where you are smiling and perhaps even snickering a bit.

After I had a bit of a break and safely stored away all of the purchases, I grabbed my canvassing materials, of course coat, boots etc. and was on my way.

It was disappointing as I did not receive any donations this year except for my daughter and I will make one.

Some people on my first round said that they would make a donation on-line so that would be nice.

After home I started the laundry and some cleaning.

One item that I had wanted to do for a couple of weeks was to call my internet, cable and telephone provider to change up my cable packages/check about unlimited data plan.

First of all I spoke to a young woman and after being on hold in between her checking she transferred me to another person.

On hold again …. finally this young man came on and introduced himself as “Brandon.”

He said “repeating my name Ms. Louis” …… I politely corrected him and said Lewis and asked him where he was located.

He replied “Guatemala.”

So my Canadian internet, cable and telephone provider uses a Central American Country to serve as Customer Service, interesting.

I guess I had found that out the last time I called.

He was really nice and we had a couple of chuckles.

I asked what the weather was like there and he said “HOT.”

I told him about our minus 30 and snow weather of a short time ago and he almost lost his breathe.

There is no way he could even fathom what that meant as he said of course, they do not get snow, there.

He was very helpful and I even got an extra good deal and am so grateful to that very lovely young man from Guatemala.

I will say this, he was shocked that I knew where his country was …..

After the phone call …. continued with laundry and stuff.

After supper I started watching the Star Trek Voyager series from the first show (on Netflix) …. memories.

Also I was so lucky that it just started to snow as I finished up canvassing for the Heart & Stroke ….. pretty lucky.

There is some shovelling to do this day but not much.

Luckily it is light and not heavy/wet stuff.

Well today is cleaning and later watching the “OSCARS.”

My how time flies.

I hope that you all had a great weekend.

Looks like a clear sailing and a great week will follow.

Well time to get this show on the road.

Shovelling, laundry to finish and some cleaning.

Oh, time with Alvin and a walk.

Special Hello to: my daughter and her family.

Always, Carol and Alvin

 

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Thursday the 26th day of January, 2017.

Does not appear to be foggy outside, so that is good for drivers this morning.

Forecasting 0 degrees for Edmonton today, +1 for tomorrow and +5 degrees celsius for Saturday.

Plus temperatures in January in Edmonton – well that is just crazy.

We are loving this mild weather for sure.

It makes going for walks more enjoyable and allows us to go for walks.

It makes walking to and from the bus actually nice.

A far cry from normal temperatures for this time of year.

So nice and I am so grateful for this wonderful reprieve from “winter.”

 

So Thursday already ….. another week almost over.

It has been an odd one….

You would almost think that there has been a full moon.

But this time … it is just the time of year.

Not much sunlight and despite the warmer temperatures it is still winter.

I think most of us feel some degree of depression at this time of year.

If you feel yourself slipping into  that place …. go talk to someone.

Talk to a professional ….. always best to seek someone who understands.

Maybe it is a simple as taking a vacation to a tropical destination …..

So many people with varying degrees of depression and other mental illnesses sometimes do not realize or understand that they need help.

Also for far too long those suffering have been afraid or embarrassed to come forward because of the stigma attached to depression and other forms of mental illness.

You are important and if you are not well, seek help.

I can tell you that when the sun does not shine, I can feel the dip in my well being.

I feel less joyful.

I feel less “sunny” and more “foggy.”

I feel less social.

The list could go on.

Take care of yourself.

Ask the questions.

Find the answers.

 

Have a wonderful Thursday.

Special Hello to: my sister ….. time to SKYPE?????

Always, Carol and Alvin

 

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Monday the 3rd day of October, 2016.

We had a beautiful Sunday.

Bright sunny skies.

Felt warm.

Had coffee with two of my friends in the morning.

Went for a walk with Alvin in the afternoon.

Trimmed our tree in the front and raked the leaves again.

Likely will be a couple more times.

Flowers still blooming away.

No moisture over night.

YAY.

I have been trying to keep this cold at bay but alas this morning it has taken over.

Not too bad at this point and hopefully it stays this way or gets better.

This coming up weekend is a three day one which is nice.

Another weekend come and gone.

Another weekend enjoyed.

Back to work.

Note to self:  take kleenex.

I hope that you had a great weekend.

Happy Monday.

Special Hello to: You, just remember that you are awesome.

Always, Carol and Alvin

 

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Monday the 19th day of September, 2016.

Yesterday I spent the afternoon with my daughter, one of my girl friends and her husband and two sons.

We had a photo shoot at the Devonian Gardens just south and west of Edmonton.

If you have never been – you should truly go.

Such a beautiful tranquil magical spot.

Waterfalls, a bridge over the water, rocks, flowers, plants, trees, shrubs.

It was such a great place to walk about ….

The colours were such a vibrant mix of end of summer and beginning of autumn.

Here are a few of the photos I shot in between:

Our selfie …… whoops.

Well okay maybe more than a few.

All but a few that had people in them.

We had the best time.

Lots of beautiful photos taken.

We had a wonderful afternoon.

I hope that you enjoy the photos.

Best outing.

First outing in a long, long time.

So much fun.

 

Happy Monday.

Special Hello to: all those folks who spent Sunday afternoon exploring new places.

Always, Carol and Alvin

 

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Sunday the 15th day of May, 2016.

Another sunny morning although it appears to be a bit smoky out there.

Temperature starting to warm up.

 

Today is the seriously putting together things for next weekend’s garage sale.

Cleaned out my closet yesterday and filled a huge rubbermaid container of clothes.

Still have to go through the basement and gather things.

It feels so good to go through and clean out things.

There are always a couple of items that can be tossed but otherwise all things have a long life yet.

 

My daughter and family are coming for a visit today.

We have not seen Elton since his surgery and I am excited to see the little guy.

 

So just a day of posting a garage sale on KIJIJI and carrying things out to the garage.

All things garage sale this day.

Maybe a short trip to the grocery store to break things up and of course our very special visit.

My daughter is bringing things to add to the sale.

Also some of my friends are bringing things over so will be a multi-family event.

Next Friday and Saturday.

 

Well better get this show on the road as time is evaporating as I key these words.

 

Have an awesome Sunday.

Remember always good to clean out closets and such.

You will lighter and better.

Give some away and sell some maybe at a garage sale.

I do both.

 

Special Hello to:  all those holding garage sales, have fun and sell lots.

Always, Carol and Alvin