Last Half 2022 – July

Good Morning ALL! Well it is gearing up to be another hot one here in Edmonton. I know that according to the weather channel we are by no means the hot spots in Canada or even in Alberta. I am so grateful that it is only as hot as it is. This morning it was 80 in the house, by opening the main floor windows (as did not wish to leave them open all night) and turning on the fans, the temperature is now 77. That is three whole degrees lower, which is a godsend at this point. I am doing okay but I worry about Mr. Alvin but I think between the fans and the cool wet towels he is okay. It is beautiful outside right now and he sure wanted to stay out in the backyard sniffing away. But I needed to get dressed and write this post. I told him we are going as soon as I am done with my blog. He thought that was okay. Yes, he did.

Last night I broke down and ordered pizza. Just did not know what to make and it was so hot. So pizza and some carrots and celery (raw) was the menu for supper. Not many dishes and no work in this heat. I could have make something else, I am sure but let me tell you when you are cooking for one, sometimes it is difficult. What to make? Sometimes you just do not want to cook. Pizza got ordered. I was able to get the call in before they could not hear me due to the dead zones in my house. I guess I will be contacting TELUS via computer this weekend as cannot call on the phone or they won’t hear me or maybe I should. I hope that there calls are at a minimum, maybe summer is a better time to contact them. Time will tell. Also this weekend I want to give Mr. Alvin haircut and bath. He will feel so much better.

I am sure all the wildlife is enjoying the coolness of the morning air. Forecast said 21 degrees celsius by 9 a.m., that is warm for that time of time. We have many days where the daytime high is only that, lol.

Well I had better run. I am sorry to make this so short. Oh, good news for Alvin and for me. Teddy’s Mom called last night they are in town and wanted to set up a visit. Tonight’s the night. Alvin is going to be so happy to be see his BFF and his little sister Kobi. I am excited, too. We miss them.

Have a wonderful Thursday.

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

It is a great day!

Always, Carol & Alvin

PS: 12 days till 65. Panic time, lol.

The New YEAR 2022

Good Morning ALL! How are you this morning? We are okay. Sure did not want to get my butt out of bed this morning. We were up at 4:30 the first time and went downstairs. I held off feeding Alvin his breakfast until he woke up again at 5:30. The second time we were up it was snowing. Large wet flakes. Alvin looked like a snow globe when he came back inside the house where his Momma was waiting with a towel to dry him off. After that, we hit the sofa for a bit until he woke up and then I decided to go back upstairs to bed. Each time we have got up it was storming more. Now the wind is howling and the large wet flakes have turned to smaller ones. Nothing like a spring storm on the first day of SPRING. Happy Spring Everyone. It would likely not be too bad out without the wind. All of the bare spots are now white once again. Are we ever going to have spring this year, I wonder? What a winter!

In contrast yesterday was absolutely beautiful more like the first day of spring should be. The sun was shining melting the ice and snow everywhere. The sky was the most brilliant beautiful blue. I am so over the moon pleased that we went for a nice long walk. We were out for over 50 minutes. I tried to find the most dry path to take and it worked out for me not so much for Alvin but he was easy to clean up once we returned home. We were on our way home in fact, when we came upon a man. We both exchanged greetings and I think it was me who mentioned about all the garbage that was laying on the bare ground (today it will be covered). I guess he really wanted to talk. Because we had a conversation after that. He was from the Philippines but pointed out that he was a Canadian Citizen during the chat. Got a little serious! Note to self, do not engage! Oh, silly girl, I cannot do that. I only said hi and remarked about the garbage. It was okay. Clearly he just needed to get some things off his chest. I am so happy that Alvin and I had a good walk. We took a different route. I know where we can go next time we go for a walk. Alvin was pretty wet and a bit muddy by the time we got home. Was glad to have a towel by the front door. After I wiped him off and took his harness off, I grabbed a wet Norwex Enviro Cloth and cleaned any remaining “dirt.”

After our walk I just continued with the laundry. Earlier in the day I had gone through the bathroom drawers and cupboards throwing out old products and items that we do not use or need. Nice to get that done. I am glad that I did not put away my winter coats and boots just yet because looks like we will need for a bit longer. I will say that usually we still have winter until at least the end of March.

I brought up all of my jewelry / beading supplies and arranged them on the IKEA shelf in the kitchen. Prior to I had cleared a few shelves. There was no jewelry making happening yesterday but I did roll some beads in between my fingers and arranged some different colours together to get some ideas. You cannot make anything if you do not have the ingredients in clear sight. Also you have to play first to get ideas. Making jewelry is my happy place and I am looking forward to whipping up a necklace or perhaps another bracelet. Although I am not sure what I am going to do with more jewelry. I already have more than any one person needs or will wear. But I can give some away! Birthdays coming up?

Looking out the office window is kind of depressing I will say with the white gray sky looking back at me. The wind is blowing the snow around on top the garage. The bare trees are swaying back and forth to the tune of “Still Winter, fooled ya.”

Well it is now way passed mid morning, in fact it is after 10:00 a.m., I have lots to do. The big job for today is giving the boy a haircut and bath. I did plan to do it today. Actually they did forecast snow for today so I was not totally surprised. But still, it would have been nice for them to be incorrect. I have laundry that will be dried in the basement to be brought up and put away. Oh, I need coffee. Have to put it on and better do that quickly as I do not want to be drinking coffee in the afternoon.

Happy First Day of Spring Everyone !!

I am so grateful that we had such a good walk yesterday and spent time outside “frolicking” in the sunshine.

I hope that you have a great day. Do some relaxing and perhaps watch a movie. I remembered to give Mr. Alvin some medication earlier to help with his anxiety so hopefully his haircut will go faster and easier. Anyway.

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

Always, Carol & Alvin

P.S. Oh, I actually ordered a pair of shoes from The Bay online yesterday using a gift card that I received with the points that I collected from my internet/cable provider. I am so excited for them to arrive. How lovely is it to buy something without having to actually spend money. Now that being said, I know I spend money to get the points. I have not heard of point collection with internet/cable provider before and am wishing that utility provider would give points. That would be nice after we spend literally hundreds of dollars per month lining their pockets. Gotta love point redeeming.

2021

Good Morning All! What a morning so far. How are you? We went to bed about 10:33 last night. Alvin was sleeping before me as I was watching taped shows of “Beat Bobby Flay.” We we’re up at our around 300 AM bathroom break, yup we are both old and nature calls at the strangest of times. There were a couple of times after that, that Al wanted to get up but he stayed sleeping and when we got up it was 623 AM. Time for a late breakfast for the boy and of course outside. I’m not sure I felt the need to lay down again instead of staying up but we hit the sofa again. Next time I woke up it was 900 AM. Speechless. I quickly got dressed and we went for a walk but not after spending several minutes trying to retrieve Alvin from his hideout under the table. Finally on our way. Yesterday we walked to the park and back. I kept track of time and it is 15-16 minutes with several stops so we are okay for time given by vet for walks. I can tell you he was so happy. So for second day in a row, we walked to the park. We only did the one yesterday morning but today will do another one. I noticed in the park that the roses are pretty much done blooming which makes me so sad as I totally missed their amazing fragrance. Well we might have had a few sniffs early on in the season. So once home I was about to start writing this post when I was thinking that I couldn’t do without a morning coffee. I’m out. So I reached out to my neighbours via text and started to write this post. Just as I was typing the phone rang and it was my neighbour. She said the Telus Technician was at their house two hours earlier than the appointment and could I let him in and that in her cupboard by the fridge were two bags of coffee that they cannot drink as is caffeinated and I could have him both.

So out I went and the technician was at the side of the house running in the cable and I explained that I could unlock the door for him and if he needed anything he could let me know. I warned him of Humphrey and Bogart as I certainly don’t want them escaping. I unlocked the door and found the coffee checking with him on my way home. I guess Telus gave him the wrong time.

The coffee is now finished brewing and I really need that coffee. Lots to do today and what a start. I’m going to check in the technician.

Coffee time and then breakfast and then get this show on the road. What a start!

I hope the day and the weather is perfect where you are. The morning is perfect here so we will want to take advantage of it by perhaps having coffee on the deck. Might as well as the Telus guy is done.

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

Always Carol&Alvin

2021

Good Morning ALL. How are you doing this morning? We are great. Alvin slept pretty much until 3:00 a.m. or at least I was able to get him to lay back down on the bed until then…..up and has his glucosamine chew and outside for a “bathroom break.” On the sofa ….. until 5:00 a.m. although I think I remember him wanting to get up before then but again I coaxed him to lay back down. So at least this morning although choppy – I do feel like I had a decent night sleep. I guess for the most part I am so used to this routine of get up in the middle of the night although I understand why. We are both getting older. I have been getting up and going to the washroom for years and he just started maybe in the last year or so PLUS he dozes from about 7:30 p.m. until we go to bed at 9:00 ish. So by 3:00 a.m. he has slept long enough. Anyway, this is not breaking news and likely not interesting to anyone but me. I am sure that actually a lot of people can sympathize with me. If you are getting older, if you have a pet or children?

We are back into a deep freeze. We had quite a bit of snow yesterday morning but by the time I shovelled snow which was at a late lunch break for me; the falling snow had stopped. No more snow has accumulated. YAY. I still have to shovel the driveway. That is one thing about having the garage detached from the house and not having a car – I sometimes do not think of it right away. I will say that shovelling is a good source of exercise when one cannot walk. I did start walking in the house ….. on the spot ….. using weights but that lasted three days and then I stopped. For no real reason. It would seem that I cannot seem to do anything consistently as of late. Are you feeling this way as well? I think it is the WINTER TIME BLUES. Really all I want to do is to snuggle up on the sofa with Mr. Alvin. Hibernation. Hibernate. Sleepy time. Yup, that sounds good to me. I have to find something to perk me up and get me out of this funk. I am so grateful that I do not have to go to work and can get up and stay warm in the house. Although I do have to go outside from time to time each day. Once the cold weather subsides a bit and we can get back outside and walk ….. that should help. I have also been thinking and thinking and pondering the reasons why I cannot seem to get a “book written.” For many many years I have been wanting to and saying and wanting and saying that I want to be a published writer and then I do not go anywhere with that ….. I have more than enough ideas and actual data to write several books but somehow I cannot seem to get any further than that. Well I guess that is not quite true as I have started the first chapter of a book about Alvin and me. I have to get my butt in gear. Perhaps I am afraid. Of what exactly I do not know but likely that is the reason. Fear of failure, perhaps. Fear of the unknown, although that is never really bothered me before ….. I honestly do not know. So please bear with me as I navigate this dream of mine. I know that I will get it done ….. sometimes procrastination gets the better of me. Isn’t it always easier to say that I will start tomorrow and that I have lots of time. Well at this point in my life …. even though I feel that I have a great many years left to live …. one never knows. After all, I somehow write this post almost everyday. In the almost 11 years that I have been writing this, I have only missed a few days.

Okay time to head on downstairs and get this work day going. Coffee sounds like a plan. Maybe I will listen to hits from the 80’s again as the soundtrack of the 70’s seemed to be repeating. I have been listening to the Stingray Music (Telus) on the television. T.V. Such a great selection. Every type of music imaginable. Perhaps it is time to try something new???

Continuing to live each day with kindness, respect, compassion and learning to be more patient.

Wishing you a wonderful Wednesday, yes it is mid week already.

Always, Carol & Alvin

Second Half of the NEW YEAR.

Good Morning All,

Well I had an interesting day yesterday to say the least.

Who would have thought that not having cable would affect your WiFi connection for work.

Well it does and it did.

So it was a long day working remotely with one of our IT staff.

Even had to take the laptop upstairs and plug it into the MODEM/Internet Connection to see if could access.

Of course, that worked (which was a good thing).

So I learned some valuable information yesterday.

TELUS Optik is Internet.

The TELUS repair person came about 12:30 which was 1/2 hour early.

Thank goodness for that.

He also found that I had a cord attached from the External Hard Drive off my Computer to the Modem that should have not been there.

So now the green light on my External Hard Drive is not flashing yellow.

Good thing.

It was after 2 p.m. when I actually was able to start work.

When I checked phone messages for work I had 32 and then received more after that.

Wouldn’t you know that I then had issues with the phone app that we are using.

So had to change password and that worked.

It was an incredibly long and frustrating day.

Of course, Alvin was needy because I was anxious.

So this will be short as I desperately need coffee and would like to start work early.

With hopes that sometime in the not too distant future I can actually get caught up or at least relatively close.

Oh what a life.

I am most grateful to our IT guy and the guy from TELUS.

They were patient and I learned so much.

Hopefully I can remember.

Alvin is whining.

I hope that this is my productive, quiet on the phones kind of Tuesday and the rest of the week.

Fingers crossed for me ….. send me some good vibes.

I will try to remain calm, cool and collected.

 

I know that good things are coming to me and to you.

I know that my life is very blessed despite the odd blip on the screen.

I am grateful.

And I can watch television once again.

 

Wishing you all a great Tuesday.

May you be surrounded by love and support.

Kindness and respect.

 

Living with kindness and respect.

I/We shall remain,

As Always, Carol & Alvin

Second Half of the NEW YEAR.

Good Monday Morning,

Why is it that the weekends have to pass so quickly?

Sunday nights have always been for the most part “sleepless” for me.

I cannot seem to turn the thoughts off.

I toss and turn.

I think about what needs to be done at work.

The thoughts just keep rolling and rolling and tossing and going on and on.

Drives me a bit off the deep end.

Then come Monday morning ….. I just want to stay in bed.

Likely I am not alone in this respect.

 

Anyway we did have a nice weekend.

I got some things checked off the TO DO LIST.

Had coffee and a lovely visit and some laughs with two of my girl friends.

I chatted on the phone yesterday afternoon with my youngest brother.

The only thing that was frustrating this weekend was the loss of cable.

Connection not working.

I called the phone number for TELUS and an automated message stated that the wait would be just over one hour.

I could wait on the line or receive a call back, I decided to go for the call back.

Almost two hours later, no call back.

So I called with my cell phone.

At three o’clock, I decided to go on the computer and try their online help desk.

After less than five minutes I was chatting with someone.

She was going to “reboot” the connection.

After a few minutes she called me on my cell.

After one hour …. nothing ….. I unplugged and plugged every cord twice or three times.

Waited till the cows came home and nothing.

So after 4:00 p.m. she asked me if I wanted someone to come out.

YES, please I said.

So I have a tech person coming out this afternoon.

What a waste of the afternoon except for the chat with my brother.

Anyway, I am running late of course.

I definitely need coffee.

The help line is located in the Philippines.

I asked.

She said that they only have a few staff in Canada.

Well I thought at least we are employing people in other countries.

But at the same time we have lots of people that need jobs here.

Telus is likely not paying them much compared to what they would have to pay them in Canada.

Oh, the greed of large corporations.

Another story for another day.

We did manage to squeeze a walk in before supper.

I also made this yummy quinoa dish.

Just threw it together.

So happy.

 

I hope that you have an amazing Monday.

Be safe.

Keep well.

Have patience.

I managed to have some yesterday from 12:30 – 4:15 p.m.

 

With kindness and respect.

I/We shall remain,

As Always, Carol & Alvin

Living … One day at a time.

Good Tuesday Morning,

As we wind down the month of November, 2019.

Again, I say, time is passing way too quickly.

I try to live the most that I can in any one day but that does not seem to stop the hands of time.

 

Alvin and I went for a walk after work.

We started to make the bend at the entrance of the park and he stopped.

He looked both ways and turned toward home.

So that was it …. I tried but he wanted to go back home.

Thankfully we had a nice long walk on Sunday.

I think that perhaps he does not like to walk in the dark.

At the beginning of our walk just past the poop station it is quite dark.

It can definitely be off setting for sure.

There are houses that line the outside lines of the park and perhaps they did not wish to put too many street lights out there or it would be distracting and annoying for the

homeowners.

But then there is the public who walk in the park with and without their beloved dogs.

It is truly pretty dark.

There are street lamps but not enough to light the area.

If someone or something was in the bush/trees near the water you would not see them.

I have resorted to carrying a flashlight.

The main reason was to find Alvin’s poo …. as I always pick it up.

Unlike so many others.

Seems like in the winter people don’t care.

What is up with that anyway?

Anyway, the flashlight does help us feel more secure.

In the end we turned around and headed for home.

It was a bit of a walk and being a Monday I was not heartbroken to take a short walk.

We did have some fresh air and that was a good thing.

 

So guess what I did last night?

I had just finished supper and had made some tea when I decided to “quickly” go upstairs and check my email.

While doing what I had gone to the computer to do ….. I saw my most recent TELUS bill.

When I opened it to see the amount and to write it down, I almost fainted.

It was over $170.00.

My usual bill is somewhere around $130.00.

I know that I had not rented more than one movie.

So I checked the statement.

Low and below I found out why.

They had charged me for the PVR rental to the tune of $39.00 (and change).

So I called TELUS and the wait was up to one hour.

Really, is that anyway to do business.

Have you ever waited in line at the grocery store or bank for one hour?

The only exception is the hospital or Doctor’s office and I get that …. whole different ball of wax.

But your internet/phone/cable provider.

Really.

Really.

Really.

I was mad.

I do not get mad often but I was mad.

So as I was on the computer I checked out the online assistant.

Well after they said “put in simple terms” and still did not understand, I connected to CHAT.

There were 3 people ahead of me so I figured the chances of me getting served in the next little while were good.

Finally after what felt like forever, I was connected.

She identified herself and then asked for me to verify who I was and asked what the issue was.

So I explained.

After several minutes she ended up checking my bill ( as I suggested in the first place ).

Came back on and said that she would credit my account for the rental amount and ensured me that it would never happen again.

Anyway, my bill is back to normal.

After one hour on the phone/computer I went back to my cold cup of tea.

Not exactly the way that I had planned to spend most of my time for the evening.

I could also see that Alvin was annoyed with the whole being in the office bit.

Anyway I was happy to have my bill corrected and it only cost me “one hour of my time.”

So how much is my time worth?

I guess $39.35.

 

Well time to go back downstairs.

Grateful it is a new day.

Alvin is as well.

Tonight will definitely be working on those Christmas cards because that did not happen last night.

Happy Day.

 

Have an awesome Tuesday.

Remember with Kindness and Respect we will live our lives.

I will admit that last night I was not feeling very kind.

To say that I was not wholly respectful would not be a true statement.

But anyway !

 

Always, Carol & Me Alvin

Living … One day at a time.

Good Morning All,

Thursday it is.

Yesterday turned out to be great weatherwise.

On our walk I just wore a sweater, yay.

The sun did shine.

 

After work I picked up Humphrey as his Mom was busy after work.

Then started supper as the TELUS service person was to arrive somewhere between 5-7 p.m.

Lucky for me he was at my house by 5:19 p.m. and finished everything and gone by 6:03 p.m.

So I quickly scooped up Mr. Alvin and went for a short walk as we did not wish to leave Sir Humphrey alone for too long.

I was pleasantly surprised when I learned from the TELUS person that I would not in fact lose my series scheduling.

Yes, I lost the few shows that I did not manage to watch from the old PVR but I was so OVER THE MOON pleased that I did not have to set up the scheduling again.

So it worked out.

Humphrey was very intrigued by this young man, he followed him and watched him as he worked.

Alvin he was excited and yes, barked some but behaved pretty well all things considered.

I really thought it was cute when Humphrey walked over to the young man’s bag and looked in.

He also laid on the floor in the office while he was swapping out the MODEM and just watched intently.

I was able to watch the two shows I missed on the TELUS ON DEMAND.

YAY, me.

We had a great night ….. pretty quiet and that is always great on a Wednesday.

 

You may wonder why I repeat my message, this message everyday?

About being kind and respectful.

It is a reminder to me mostly.

As some days, maybe most days it is easy to lose the kindness and respect aspect.

Sometimes I am disappointed in my behaviour but I always try to do better.

After all, I am only perfect in that I am not.

Well almost time to leave.

There be poop to pick up in the backyard.

Yup, that will always bring one back to earth.

Yes, it will.

 

I hope that you are having a great Thursday whether you are just starting, half way through or at the end.

Wherever you are….. whenever you are ….. have a wonderful day.

 

With kindness and respect I shall be me.

 

Always, Carol & Alvin

Thought for the day ……

Good Morning and Welcome to Thursday the 14th day of December, 2017.

Another beautiful day on the way.

Our TELUS guy actually showed up ten minutes earlier than scheduled.

They always give you a two hour window and mine was between 5-7:00 p.m.

He is the first one to be early.

The young guy said he was done early at the previous appointment which happened to be close by.

I would not have been home if I had not received a ride home from my daughter.

I had been thinking of going for a quick walk with Alvin so that was totally lucky.

Unfortunately after one hour of checking all the equipment and talking to several TELUS staff members, we were no farther ahead.

Problem not solved.

Oh well …… problem has been noted and I will be watching my bill.

So almost the weekend.

Tonight right after I get home from work – my neighbour across the street is going to come over and cut my hair.

I am so grateful to have her so close.

She charges reasonably ….. affordable.

So excited to have my hair cut for Christmas and the holidays.

Love the last cut and will get done same way.

After that …. hopefully time for a quick supper and walk before our company, another neighbour comes for tea and treats.

She is the wife of the man who fixed my dryer.

Alvin loves them as much as I do.

They are just plain great people.

Always have been great friends.

Well I guess I had better get the show on the road.

I am not typing quite as fast as usual.

My hand is feeling much better …. but still a bit swollen and sore depending on what task I am doing.

Happy Thursday.

Feeling good …. today.

Great day ahead.

Special Hello to:  my sister …… I am excited to speak to you …… maybe SKYPE on Sunday?

Always, Carol & Alvin

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Wednesday the 13th day of December, 2017.

Another beautiful “spring-like” day on the way.

A good bit of the ice has melted and I am truly thankful for that.

Mid week, that is a good thing.

We are having our “floor” Christmas potluck today.

I am taking a veggie ….. “corn” ……. not too exciting but everyone loves corn, right?

Sure hope so.

Alvin and I have been enjoying our evening walks in this gorgeous weather.

Good for body, mind and soul.

My sprained hand is healing.

On the days that I use it more ….. well I know it for sure.

But life goes on.

Sometimes you just have to power through things.

Tonight my girl is picking me up after work and giving me a ride home.

Love rides home with my daughter.

Catching up and all.

A technician is coming from TELUS this evening to hopefully get my “internet” in order.

Always something.

Well time to go and get that corn packed ….. I need to put my purse and the corn in one bag so that I can carry them with my good hand.

Have a wonderful Wednesday.

I hope that life is treating you wonderfully well.

Happy Day ….. Christmas is just around the corner.

Special Hello to: My Sister …… we will SKYPE soon.

Always, Carol & Alvin