The New YEAR 2022

Good Morning ALL! How are you this morning? Doing great, I hope. Alvin and I are well. He has an appointment this afternoon to trim his nails etc. Appears that we have some clouds in the morning sky which are masking the sunrise. The sun is shining and rising somewhere. Wished it was more visible to me. I was just outside with Mr. Alvin and it is so nice out. No wind, just calm and warm. I was checking over the back area and there is still so much snow and ice. It is more the ice that has me concerned. The snow is almost gone from the deck and once it is gone, Mr. Alvin will have to do his business in the grassy area which at this very moment is covered with 3-4 foot of snow at one end and about 3-4 inches of ice after that. There is only a small part of it by the back gate that is clear from ice and snow. I can see what I will be doing after Alvin’s appointment later this afternoon. I believe it is supposed to be about plus 12 degrees celsius. Which will help. I hope that we can get over to the vet without getting too wet and dirty. I am going to take a small towel with me to wipe his paws when we get to the vet, wet towel, I guess.

I have noticed a lot of folks complaining or at least mentioning that they are tired, almost exhausted this past while. I chalk it up to a couple of things “changing of the clocks here” and “spring.” Although we are getting almost to the two week point since the time change I think, and spring, well even though it is time for birth and renewal, coming out of a long winter, is exhausting. I think the majority of this is due to weather and time. What do you think? Although I am not a medical expert, just makes sense to me. If you are continually tired, please go to the Doctor.

Oh, the clouds seem to be dissipating as I type these words and the sky appears to be brighter in spots. YAY. I hope that this will be a sunny warm day. We need some real warmth to melt that windrow out front. It is now a dirty pile of snow and ice and has reduced in size.

Well I have lots to do at work and might as well start a few minutes early. Mr. Alvin is resting on his little bed. I can smell my coffee just waiting for me to take a sip.

Wishing you a wonderful day.

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

Always, Carol & Alvin

P.S. Was watching two of my favourite shows: 9-1-1 and 9-1-1-Lonestar. I am totally infatuated with Rob Lowe. OMG. Totally.

Thought for the day ….

Good Morning and Welcome to Sunday the 16th day of December, 2018.

Well I would like to say that yesterday was super productive but I cannot.

Well I could say that yesterday instead that yesterday was a mix of rest and work.

I have a few things left that I wanted to get done this weekend.

This year I gave baking to “31” people.

Ranging from small cookies bags to large tins and containers.

I have a few left to hand out but they are all done and I had enough baking for them all.

 

I have Christmas wrapping to do but I will do that one night this week.

Finishing up some laundry today.

The coffee is now brewing.

Bathrooms and vacuuming to do.

The big stuff.

But I am feeling better today.

Yesterday I was just tired due in part to the tooth extraction.

One is supposed to relax and not be doing heavy work ( I guess vacuuming would fall into that category).

Oh well I can get it all done in a short amount of time.

Work has been ultra draining as of late, as well.

I will go after work on Friday and pick up the food for the Christmas party that I am hosting on Saturday next and for Christmas.

Then Saturday will just put the finishing touches on the party.

One quick “sweep” and putting the food and beverages in order.

I got this.

Oh and yes, I finally put the menu together for the Christmas party.

YAY.

Only took a couple of months.

Simple, someone said.

 

Mini Quiches

Caramelized Onion Cheese Dip (hot) – served with baguette

Pita Chips and Crackers

Red Chilli Jelly

Boursin Cheese – Cranberry with Cracked Black Pepper

Veggie tray ( carrots, grape tomatoes, cucumber and peppers) with dip

Sausage, cheese, pickles and crackers – one of the girls is bringing

Assorted Christmas cookies baked with love by Me.

 

Well I should get going.

Get dressed.

The last load of laundry is washing.

Coffee is perking.

Blog almost done.

Then breakfast and then vacuuming and bathrooms.

Afterwards time for a shower as I am going with my kids to see the Christmas Light Show at the Zoo.

 

I hope that you have a wonderful Sunday.

Everything is as perfect as you make it.

 

Special Hello to:  my sister ….

Always, Carol & Alvin

 

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Sunday the 30th day of April, 2017.

Well here we are just a few hours away from the end of the first quarter of 2017.

Three years away from 2020.

Does that not sound futuristic?

Yikes ….. perhaps in a few short years we will be more “space age.”

Who knows.

 

This morning the sun is shining.

We did receive some rain overnight but it has dried now.

YAY ……

 

This morning Mr. Alvin surprised me ….

Last night by the time I went to bed it was almost 11:00 p.m.

Once again Alvin was ready to rise at 4:00 a.m.

ARGH.

So as per usual, I sleepily get up and go downstairs.

He has his breakfast and goes outside.

This time …… GUESS WHAT.

We came upstairs to bed after his EARLY breakfast.

When I woke up it was almost 8:00 a.m.

Unless I did not hear him he did not wake up in between.

FIRST TIME EVER.

Cannot believe it.

Perhaps we should always come back upstairs.

Although it did not work yesterday.

I guess his hair cut and bath really caused anxiety and our back to normal walk really tired him out.

He looks really cute ….. my little black&white guy….

Anyway good news.

I at least got two chunks of sleep four hours each.

YAY …..

 

Well time to finish the laundry.

Get ready for tomorrow.

You know prepping the oatmeal for breakfast for the next three days.

Deciding on what to wear?

Lunch.

RELAX as we worked …. er, I mean I worked all day getting things done so that today could be a relatively quiet day today.

Might do some more yard work (might), as it is still a bit wet.

After supper we will SKYPE with my sister and hear all about her trip to PERU and VEGAS.

 

I hope that you all have a wonderful day.

Be KIND and have FUN.

 

Happy Happy Sunday.

Special Hello to: YOU, thank you.

Always, Carol & Alvin

 

 

 

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Saturday the 18th day of February, 2017.

The sky is overcast and there is forecast for snow over the weekend.

Guess we will be walking sooner today than later….

Well it has been a morning already in our house.

Mr. Alvin up at 4:00 a.m. – had his breakfast – outside to do his business.

Back to bed till 7:30 a.m., and we were up again.

Then to the sofa until 8:00 a.m. and up again.

I feel like I have not slept at all.

Not quite sure what to do.

Perhaps stay up later ….

I guess it is not like 7:30 a.m. is early or anything but you know sometimes you just want to lay down.

Perhaps not even sleep ….. just rest your bones so to speak.

Well not in our house.

He is an early riser …..

During the week not a problem because I have to be up anyway but on the weekends ….

Well I should not be complaining as I have a comfy bed, I have lots of things to do and I guess if I were up early they would be done earlier, right?

Forgive the choppy …. nonsensical talk here.

I hope that you have a great day as will I.

Tomorrow we will stay up when he gets up.

I guess if I would have stayed up at 4:00 – all of my laundry would be done.

There is always that …..

Time to hit the shower and really wake up.

Have an awesome Saturday and weekend.

YAY ….. coffee where are you …… need coffee, I think.

I forgot to mention that I started to drink tea in the mornings at work.

I brew some tea in my “Steeped Tea Pop Top Tumbler” which keeps it hot for up to 8 hours and take it to work.

I can sip on it all morning long.

I have been drinking black tea so there is some caffeine not as much as coffee.

I do miss the smell of coffee and the taste.

The reason for doing this was because I have so much opened tea that I need to use and figured it was a good way to do so.

Normally I only drink tea in the evenings after supper.

Back to the shower. …. going now.

Have an awesome Saturday.

 

Special Hello to: my fellow bloggers ….

Always, Carol & Alvin

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Wednesday the 10th day of June, 2015.

It is a beautiful morning here in Edmonton …. sun coming up with a bit of cloud cover.

Mid week.

We had a strange night …..

About 8 p.m. or so I just felt so tired and actually fell asleep for about 40 minutes on the sofa.

It was after that ….. that I decided might as well go to bed.

So we were in bed before nine which is rare.

Of course, Mr. Alvin did not settle down right away and he was also up bright and early.

After having my shower this morning …. Mr. Alvin treated himself to licking some of the coconut oil from my legs.

What a silly dog….. it was funny trying to keep my legs away from him.

Perhaps I will start giving him a bit everyday and then he will leave my legs alone.

I have been giving him these chews from the Vet.

He really likes, understatement, really loves them.

He wonders about the house hiding them and last night ….. he decided he was going to bury one in the back yard.

I found this out when he brought it back in the house at one point and it was covered in dirt.

YUCK.

So as any good Momma would do …. I wanted to wash it.

Only thing was …. he thought that I wanted it … wanted it….. and growled at me.

Can you imagine?

Growling at the “Mom.”

Finally after tricking him with some of Elton’s dog food that was left behind and we used as treats (because Elton has allergies and by the way, Elton is my grand-puppy).

Anyway he dropped the chew and I grabbed it up with my other hand.

Washed it up and that was that.

He is a funny guy, Mr. Alvin.

He always makes me smile.

I hope that you have an amazing Wednesday.

Thank you for reading my blog ……

Special Hello to: all those folks out there who have a special “Alvin” in their lives …..

Always, Carol and Alvin

Thought for the day…..

Good Morning and Welcome to Tuesday the 9th day of June, 2015.

Well it is overcast and cooler out this morning.

Last night after work my daughter stopped by to drop off their sander so that I can sand and paint the front porch, and I in turn had her plants, and a couple of items packed and ready for her to take to their new home.

Alvin and I were so happy to see her ….. we miss them very much.

You should have seen Mr. Alvin ….. he didn’t know what to do.

He wagged his tail ….. grabbed a toy ….. ran almost sideways to her …..

He loves his big sister.

We had a brief visit as she had to get home.

With her husband’s recent injury he is unable to take the pups out to the bathroom.

Well for some reason this morning I feel tired.

Not sure why as I went to bed on time and I don’t remember being up during the night.

Well I guess if you count Alvin waking up just before 4:30 a.m. …. well maybe that is it.

He likes to get up early.

So on this Tuesday I am repeating the words “I am energized everyday.”

If this is you ….. like me …

That should do the trick …. and perhaps that first cup of coffee.

A great combination.

Happy Tuesday everyone ……..

Special Hello to: my friend “M” who makes the most beautiful hand-crafted treasures.

Always, Carol and Alvin

Thought for the day …….

Good Morning and Welcome to Saturday the 16th day of May, 2015.

It is overcast and very windy.

We did however receive some rain overnight which is great.

Perhaps it will rain over the course of the day and that would be wonderful as it is so needed.

Well I had the best start to the long weekend.

Yesterday started off with bootcamp.

This one was very engaging ….

Found out “all of the arms work” really engaging when I went to dry my hair after a nice warm shower.

I could barely lift my arms …… arg ….

This morning they feel great …. not tired ….. they feel strong.  YAY.

My friend “S” and I went shopping/ running errands after bootcamp.

First stop was the VET to pick up food for Alvin and some treats for him.

Our second stop was Home Depot to pick up some more flowers.

OMG, I could have bought every single flower there.

I picked up a ready made pot filled with pinks and white flowers.

Impatiens and I think begonias to plant for the front porch.

Petunias, and some others that I am not certain of their names.

Have to read the labels.

Also small basket of purple pansies.

So pretty.

I LOVE FLOWERS.

I LOVE LOVE FLOWERS.

They make me so happy.

The colours.

There was one tiny white flower that filled the air with the most amazing fragrance.

I made sure that I picked up some of them.

I decided to plant them (was hoping today) later.

Later might be tomorrow.

They are carefully sitting in the garage by the window.

Will check them later to see if they need a drink of water.

After our stop at Home Depot we went to Costco.

Now that store on a Friday was “busy” …..

People were doing silly driving parking things.

Well of course when you go to Costco …. do you ever stick to the list?  NOPE. Never.

After all doesn’t everyone need a ten pound bag of carrots ….

Apparently me and Alvin did …..

One last stop before home.

Save-On for the winning lotto tickets.

P.S. the one item that I really should have picked up was new house phones because apparently mine are not working …. just filled with static when someone calls ….. I did find out that they can hear me quite fine……..

It was wonderful to spend time with my friend “S” ….. we laughed and chatted and laughed.

Great time.

Now on this quiet Saturday ….

The only sounds in the house are the clock tick tock ing in the bathroom, the sound of the keys as I type these words and the wind as it blows through the upper vents.

Friday was great …… exercise, shopping, walk with Alvin and then being at home.

So on this quiet lovely Saturday morning I hope that you too are enjoying your day.

I love being in my home ….. just puttering …. doing laundry ….. sipping on a cup of coffee ….. just being.

I did think however after yet another bootcamp that I had better get out my yoga equipment and get stretching.

It is amazing as you get older how inflexible you become if you do not work at it.

So I am going to ……

I want to be the most healthy almost 58 year old woman…..

So time to go and get at it.

Remember to take time for yourself. ….

If you like flowers….. go to and pick up some to plant or a ready made pot.

If you do not have the extra money to buy flowers today then just go and spend some time at one of the retail garden stores.

Smell them and take in all of the amazing colours.

This experience will uplift and bring you to a great place.

Well I hear the laundry calling and another cup of coffee …. perhaps I will drink it while it is “hot.”

Have a wonderful Saturday …..

Special Hello to: my daughter and family …. we miss you guys.

Always, Carol and Alvin