Last Half 2022 – December 24th

Good Morning ALL! Merry Christmas Eve 2022. I am up and have changed bedding, trash cans in bedrooms, giving upstairs bathrooms a quick clean up and writing this post before I head downstairs where I will put on a big pot of coffee. After that I will wash some bedding and get to my final TO DO LIST before the kids and pups arrive about 2:30 p.m. There will be shovelling, baking some mincemeat tarts (lazy way, I purchased a ready made jar of mincemeat and tart shells), some tidying up and that final dust and vacuum and then have a shower and get “dressed up” before they arrive. I cannot wait to see Alvin, Aspen, Milo, Steven and Amanda. Today marks three weeks since I last saw Alvin and I sure miss him. He will be surprised to be home. Will have to fill up water dishes and put some of his wet food into the fridge. Exciting!

COUNTDOWN: We are here! Christmas Eve 2022.

Yesterday we were off at noon. I did a few things around the house and then went to the grocery store. One of my friends and her daughter dropped me off at Save-On-Foods while they went to Dollar Tree and then picked me up when they were done. The parking lot was full and the store was busy but not too bad. Once back home, a bit later, another friend and her Mom popped by for coffee and she picked up the folding chairs that I had borrowed for the Christmas party last weekend. We had a last coffee with some Christmas cookies before the big day! Last night I did a few more things, had supper and then watched a bit of the new Netflix movie: Pinocchio. I was tired so left part way through to watch later and then off to bed.

Merry Christmas 2022

May you be surrounded by the people that you love!

May you have more than enough good food to eat!

May you be in good health!

May your worries be small!

May your house be warm!

May your love be strong!

May your mood be jolly!

May you enjoy the time!

May this Christmas be memorable for all the right reasons!

Merry Christmas to ALL!

Wishing you safe and easy travels wherever you may go.

Merry Christmas 2022.

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Photos from Christmases past.

Christmas 2010 – Alvin’s first Christmas with me, with us. Playing tug with a new toy with Elton.

Christmas 2012 – colourful packages and our tree

Christmas 2014 – Alvin, Elton and Penny ………. toys, toys and more toys.

Christmas 2016 – Aspen and Milo (Mi-Mi) join our family.

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

From Our House to Yours – Merry Christmas Everyone!

Always, Carol & Alvin

2021

Good Morning All! How are you this morning? It is Thursday, December 9, 2021. There are 15 sleeps till Christmas Eve, 15 sleeps till Santa arrives. Are you excited? I am. I am a 6 year old girl locked up in the body of a 64 year old woman. I believe that says it all. When I was a little girl, I remember being so excited and wondering if Santa got my letter or was listening to me when I said aloud what treasures I would like under the tree. At my real age, I honestly do not remember specific gifts other than a watch which I was both excited and disappointed in receiving. I wanted something a bit more exciting and not so practical. I think that I was about 11, maybe 12. I remember my sister and I getting dolls. There was a horrible year when we girls received these toy machine guns complete with the rat-a-tat noise. I was mortified. We had three younger brothers and I do not remember what they received for Christmas that year but guns for girls. Can you imagine buying your young daughter a toy machine gun for Christmas. I am not sure what I told my friends when they asked what I received for Christmas. Why anyone would think that making toy guns for children was a good idea whether in the 1960’s or at any time is beyond me. But back then, it was as it is still today, all about the money, the sales. Whatever they can advertise whether it is good for children or not, they do. I will say that when I had my daughter, I made quite certain that she had age appropriate gifts and things that she actually wanted. But it was likely my Dad that bought the gifts and he did not think about what the girls would like or the boys but rather whatever he could easily find.

Thankfully yesterday, I was able to get some ice melt from my neighbour and I was able to clear most of the ice from my sidewalk and I also put some ice melt down for them and cleared some of the ice from their walk as well. It is still warm out but I am concerned that even though I scraped away the ice once it melted, the sidewalk was still wet and maybe have a very thin layer of ice on it this morning. I have a friend who is dropping off something this morning and I sure hope that the sidewalk is okay. I wished that I would have shovelled a path through the snow on our front lawn for people wanting to come up to the house. I will keep an eye out for her. What a crazy December. I guess we had thunder and lightning the other night before we had the rain. I can honestly say that I do not ever remember having thunder and lightning in December. But apparently it happened, I missed it. Oh darn, that would be one for the memory books. Anyway, be safe out there all you folks that have to drive to work or to school or for anything, really and on the sidewalks, put on those ice grips or something it is scary icy in places.

Well time to head on downstairs. Alvin did not go outside after his breakfast at 5:00 a.m. nor did he want to go out when I came upstairs. He must have to go.

Take care and be safe.

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

Always, Carol & Alvin

P.S. thank you Gillian for picking up a few things from Costco for me. I cannot wait to try the new bread and now we have popcorn for awhile. Nice treat to have with all of the sweets.

Christmas Morning 2020

Good Morning ALL. Happy Christmas one and all. The air is warm outside. The house is quiet as my fingers clack away on the keyboard. Alvin is stretched out on the carpet in the hallway just outside the office door. My daughter, son-in-law and pups are snoozing in “the master suite” (okay perhaps not what you would consider to be a master suite but for me a bedroom with an adjoining bathroom, is pretty master, lol). What a glorious Christmas we are having. The family arrived in the later part of the afternoon on Christmas Eve, that would have been yesterday. We make some snacks, ate some snacks and ate more snacks and more snacks and then decided to open gifts. We always have enough food to feed about 20 people and there are three of us. Likely we should have gone for a walk but it is Christmas and who thinks of exercise when there are presents under the tree and food all over the place. Even before we sat down to open gifts, actually not long after the kids and grandpups arrived – we heard some rustling in the living room. We were busy snacking in the kitchen. Amanda went into the living room and there was the Alvin getting a headstart opening his gifts. He had found one of his gifts that was way back under the tree, without causing disarray to the other gifts or knocking over the tree – he pulled the gift back out onto the middle of the living room and was beginning to tear apart the tissue paper that covered his gift. How he knew that was his gift we will never know. My son-in-law joked that perhaps he knew how to read. What a guy. After we had some goodies, we settled in to watch the Christmas movie “ELF” which is another little story. Steven wanted to watch the movie which I happen to have on DVD in my massive Christmas movie collection. When the kids gave me the new television just before Christmas – we decided to disconnect the DVD player and put it in the basement. We would have had to hook it up which is not a big deal when the light bulb came on and I checked my PVR recordings and voile, I had recorded it. So no need to bring up the DVD player. We chatted and watched the movie. Drank coffee and eggnog. Throughout the movie, someone was whining so much. Not loud but clearly not happy. When the movie was over and we started preparing to open gifts, guess who was the first one to the tree? Three guesses and the first two don’t count. Mr. Alvin. He was so excited. I think with all of the gift opening that we have been doing and the parcels from our friend Val, he is beginning to put two and two together. He definitely understood about the gifts. I will note that he has been going to tree over the past few weeks once I wrapped gifts and we remember when he pulled my son-in-law’s stocking from under the tree and started to open his gifts. Note to self for next year. I made sure that I safely tucked all gifts with food related items and the stockings in a basket in the basement landing until time to open. We certainly were entertained by Alvin. He was frustrated with me at times. What can you do? He, me, we were all super spoiled. The perfect year to be spoiled. I received clothes, books, special pens, several items from my favourite store “Bath & Bodyworks”, chocolates and more chocolates and more chocolates, a hand held blender with more gadgets than I know what to do with and more. Definitely crazy spoiled. My son-in-law received from my daughter one of those projectors for indoors so we did some star gazing for part of the evening. A great night. Merry Christmas.

Well time to head back downstairs and have some coffee. I am going to call my sister and chat. It is beginning to get light outside. Hopefully the sun will shine. We definitely need a walk or two, today.

Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas. I hope that Santa was good to you. Not sure that me and Alvin deserved all the lovely gifts that we received but we are grateful to all those folks who showered us with them this year. We are grateful to have all of you in our lives. Truly, we are blessed.

Have an awesome day. Be safe, go for a walk. We will continue to live our lives with kindness, respect and compassion for all.

Merry Christmas 2020.

Love, Always from Carol & Alvin

Living … One day at a time.

Merry Christmas ….

The sun is already up ….

We were up late last night and slept in this morning.

I managed to keep Mr. Alvin in bed until about 7:00 a.m.

The pups were up shortly after that ….

My daughter went back to bed and my son-in-law is still sleeping after an extra long day (he had to work).

We had a great Christmas ….

Had some late night snacks just after they arrived from an earlier Christmas feast with my son-in-law’s family.

Opening the gifts after that …

Mr. Alvin was the unintentional star of the night.

He absolutely loves opening gifts.

First he opened his gifts, Aspen and Milo’s gifts and then mine.

He does so great …..

There were toys and more toys and treats for the pups and a bandana each.

The boy got his duster with extender that he wanted and more.

The girl got some jewelry as what girls do not love some bling and more.

The Mama got spoiled.

I needed kitchen towels and a stir fry pan and those were two items that I received.

Along with scratch tickets, crystal ornament, HONEY, more kitchen towels, single serving Tupperware food chopper, Magnolia & Vine bracelet and extra charm and more.

I was so spoiled this Christmas.

Thank you to my family and friends.

Here are some photos and then I better go clean up some more and make some COFFEE.

Merry Christmas.

Oh and make some phone calls.

 

Bit of action shot so blurry

Some of my gifts.

Alvin enjoyed opening his gifts and mine.

Aspen and Milo just enjoyed their gifts.

We had a great Christmas Eve and now it is Christmas Day.

I went and spent over one hour with Humphrey and Cynder.

Giving them fresh food and water.

Cleaning the litter box.

Everyone wants a clean one of those ….

Time to go downstairs and make me some coffee.

Then call some family before I start to make brunch which I am thinking will be kind of like “lunch.”

There are no rules on this day.

We just go with it.

Whatever happens, happens.

 

I hope that you are having an awesome Christmas.

Merry Merry Christmas To You and Your Family.

Always, Carol & Alvin

I guess I should upload our newest photo.

 

Living … One day at a time.

Hello,

Monday morning here we go.

Back to the weekday routine.

We love routine.

We, Alvin and I had a glorious weekend.

There was a visit and overnight stay by a best friend named Teddy.

There was a visit by our friend and neighbour Humphrey.

There was a visit by the two little neighbour boys from two doors down.

There was JENGA, Halloween ARTWORK, Laughter and toys flying through the air.

Girl Guide Chocolate Mint cookies.

Throughout this weekend surrounded by fur babies and children we had so much fun.

We enjoyed our walks this weekend.

There was sunshine and warm temperatures.

It was perfection.

I even managed to find time for laundry, some cleaning and relaxing.

Although who wants to relax when they are enjoying themselves.

Better to be in enjoyment than a couch potato.

I guess that I should not compare “relaxing” to “being a couch potato.”

They are definitely not one in the same.

Anyway we had a great weekend.

Also yesterday we were out for our walk and bumped into another friend who joined us for an extra long walk.

We just had to enjoy that perfect day …..

 

We both slept well last night and no waking up at 2 or 3 a.m.

First up at 4:00 which is doable.

 

I was working on taking a selfie (yuck, that word) of me and Alvin.

He wasn’t very cooperative but I will keep trying.

 

Well time to get this show on the road.

 

 

Kindness and Respect go hand in hand.

A better place.

A better world.

 

Thought for the day ….

Good Morning and Welcome to Saturday the 6th day of April, 2019.

Waking up to gloominess.

Where oh where has the beautiful bright sunrise gone?

The sky is that grey.

That gloomy colour.

The one that does not give you energy to get up and go.

Thankfully I have the pups for that …. Alvin and Teddy.

Playing already this morning.

I am so grateful that Teddy has arrived in our lives.

He gives us energy and Alvin plays now.

Even when Teddy is not around.

He grabs his toys and runs around the house; sometimes throwing them into the air.

Sometimes Alvin’s gregarious nature startles Teddy a bit, I think.

Perhaps a bit too “social.”

But they definitely are good friends.

Last night for dessert while hanging out with the boys.

I had a Baileys Banana Chocolate Frozen Dessert.

You know a little frozen banana pieces, throw in some coconut milk, a nice heaping tablespoon of dark cocoa and some BAILEYS, just a nice healthy splash.

VOILA ….. delicious.

As it was better frozen – I had to eat while in that state.

By the time I was done – a little buzz.

Just something I threw together while I watched “Kathie Lee Gifford’s last TODAY SHOW as a regular HOST.

I am sure going to miss that wicked sense of humour, her light, her kindness and her talent.

She can take a blah day or a sad moment and turn it all round with one lift of her eyebrow and a turn of her mouth.

In my previous post I did not mention her writing.

Songs, books both adult and children, plays and movies.

She sings, acts and really could have been a stand-up comedian.

 

Really there is not much this lady has not accomplished and is still accomplishing well into her 60’s.

I salute you Kathie Lee and look forward to hearing your news and music, and watching your movies.

Definitely a legend.

All the Best.

 

Bedtime for me and the boys.

They each had a chew treat.

Of course, Mr. Alvin wanted Teddy’s even though he had his own.

Oh, me Alvin.

What am I going to do with you?

 

The boys with me in my office while I write this blog post.

They patiently wait for me.

Well before a riot breaks out I had better grab the boys and head to the shower.

Too much sitting around for the boys can mean only one thing – “trouble.”

 

Wishing you all a wonderful Saturday.

May the light shine on us always.

Good Health, Joy and so much laughter that you almost pee your pants.

That is what I wish for you …..

 

Special Hello to: my friend “LE” who is celebrating a birthday today.  Happy Birthday.

Always, Carol & Alvin

 

 

 

Thought for the day ….

Good Morning and Welcome to Thursday the 21st day of March, 2019.

Well we are officially on day two of SPRING.

Yesterday was gorgeous.

When Alvin and I were out for our walk with our friend; I actually was too warm with a sweater on top of a tank top.

How is that for the 20th day day of March 2019?

I say FANTASTIC.

We are so grateful for this change in the weather.

Long time coming.

Don’t get me wrong I do like, okay love winter but even too much of a good thing; can be too much.

Alvin was so muddy by the time we got home.

Took a while to get him cleaned up but we did.

I am so grateful that the sidewalk in front of my house is slowly starting to resemble something one can walk upon.

It has been brutal the past week or so.

To think that it was clean except for a bit of snow, well that is just crazy.

There is a rim of ICE about four inches thick that is on the bottom of the snowbank that covers the lawn.

I have never seen such a thing on our lawn until now.

That is going to take some time to melt for sure.

Okay perhaps enough about snow and ice.

I am very happy as is Mr. Alvin that it is SPRING.

 

After we got home from our walk and I got Alvin cleaned up; I walked over to pick up Humphrey.

Was I ever surprised when I unlocked the door to see the patio door open and his Momma and him out on the deck.

We startled each other.

She decided to work from home last night.

Humphrey joined us so that his Momma could get her work done.

We had a great night.

 

A quick Alvin story.

One of my colleagues from the office recently lost her dog.

She asked me if I would like all of his dishes, toys and stuff.

I will clean it all, she said.

I told her with gratitude that “Alvin” would love to have his things.

For some reason, I fail to remember his name.

Anyway she brought these two huge bags to work yesterday and I brought them home.

Well Mr. Alvin thought it was Christmas …… he found a duck and was so excited, a new toy.

He grabbed that duck and threw it up into the air.

Grabbed it again and ran with it.

He went to the back door wanting to take it outside.

I said “Alvin, your duck has to stay in the house.”

He dropped the duck and went outside.

In the bags there was a sleeping blanket for pups, a hand-made quilt from pup’s Grandma, two sets of dishes with stands, toys, a big stuffed dog pillow, two stainless steel water dishes, did I say toys!

We, Alvin hit the mother load.

There were two jackets which are so cute but they are not the “proper cut” for Mr. Alvin (it has been a long winter)!!

Alvin is so lucky.

We can share some of the items.

I wrote up a nice “thank you” card for my colleague to show our appreciation.

 

Well appears that it is almost time to leave for work, yet again.

My the time zips along quickly.

Alvin is resting on his blue blanket beside me.

He loves that blanket.

He actually has three blue blanket.

There is the one that came with him from his Foster Parents and then two light blue blankets that I bought from my neighbour at a “garage sale.”

He has so many blankets now.

So lucky.

 

Have a wonderful Thursday.

Hoping for  a quiet day at the office.

Special Hello to: you and you and you and you…….take care …… Happy Thursday.

Always, Carol & Alvin

Thought for the day ….

Good Morning and Welcome to Tuesday the 5th day of March, 2019.

Today is the birthday of my Dad’s only sister, my Aunt L.

I have fond memories of the time we have spent together over the years.

Wishing her the best day.

Enjoy your supper out.

 

Temperatures warming up, spring will be here soon.

I can feel it …. almost taste it.

So grateful that we had our regular walk last night.

The wind was a bit cool but we managed to get all the way round.

YAY, me and Mr. Alvin.

We will lose this winter weight …. yes, we will.

 

Last night we had a visitor while his Momma was out at her dance classes.

Humphrey snuggled with me on the sofa and even spent some time out on the deck with Mr. Alvin

But his favourite spot seemed to be in the midst of Alvin’s toys on his bed.

He is so good and so cute.

I love spending nights with these guys.

Calming, relaxing and fun.

Alvin decided not to be cooperative when it came to taking his photo.

Not sure why.

Humphrey was right there.

Oh well.

Both cutie pies.

Great way to spend a Monday evening.

 

Well here it is almost time to leave once again for work.

Oh well, what can you do.

I am grateful to be employed.

I am grateful that I am in good health so that I can get up out of bed and go to work.

I am grateful to be surrounded by loving, supportive people at my office.

I am grateful that Alvin is my companion.

 

Happy Tuesday.

So happy that it is 6:30 and the sky is beginning to lighten in the east.

We jump ahead one hour on Sunday early morning.

Spring FORWARD don’t you know.

 

Have an awesome day.

 

Special Hello to: all those bloggers out there …. you rock.

Always, Carol & Alvin

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Friday the 25th day of January, 2019.

Well here we are almost one whole month into the New Year.

It has been a busy one for me and Alvin.

Weather has been all over the map.

Mainly quite nice.

After a couple of minus 20 mornings it is warming up.

Supposed to be +5 degrees celsius tomorrow.

WOW, end of January, crazy.

Now they are forecasting snow for today, argh.

We have enough for now.

 

Mr. Alvin has settled back into our routine after his big BIRTHDAY weekend and company.

We are having company for a visit and then dinner tomorrow.

So tonight will be getting some laundry done, a walk with Alvin and I am CALLING my sister.

Time flies and it has been quite a bit of time since we had a nice chat.

We always have good intentions and then before you know it …. months have elapsed.

Thankfully today is Friday.

My neighbour gave me a ride to and from work yesterday.

On the way home from work we stopped at COSTCO and I was able to pick up the groceries that I needed.

Another ride this morning and then bus tonight.

My carpool is leaving tonight for a MEXICO vacation with her husband.

Lucky guys.

 

I gave Alvin a chew treat last night.

First thing he did was to take it outside and bury it in a snow bank on the deck.

This morning he went outside to said snowbank and dug it out.

Came to the door with snow on his nose and the chew treat laying beside him.

When I opened the door, I instructed him to pick it  up.

He complied bringing it into the house.

He finally let it down near the stove.

When I went to turn out the lights to come back upstairs to get ready …. I hear a whimper as he wanted to bring the chew treat upstairs …. lights on.

Upstairs he dropped it in the office but when I only turned the computer on and then went to the bathroom to brush & floss my teeth …. he whined at the office door.

Turned lights on.

He brought the chew treat into the bathroom and dropped it by the bathtub.

Brushing done.

Lights out.

Alvin  standing at bedroom door ….

Turned lights on …. Alvin grabbed chew treat and brought into master bathroom.

Once done with putting on “eyebrows and lips” …. lights out ….

A different light on ….

Alvin picked up chew treat and it is laying beside him on his blue blanket as I type these words.

What a guy.

Every room we were in …. the chew treat had to be.

He will likely bring it with him before once again burying it.

He may or may not actually chew it.

So cute.

He loves to hide and bury things …. mostly his chew treats.

Used to be his toys when he was little.

 

Well almost time to leave for work once again.

Thankfully it is Friday.

 

Have an awesome day ….. almost the weekend.

Special Hello to: my friends and family ….

Always, Carol & Alvin

Thought for the day ….

Good Morning and Welcome to Monday the 21st day of January, 2019

At 8:20 a.m. the sky is overcast and I believe that there is snow in the forecast.

WOW, hard to believe that Mr. Alvin’s Birthday party is just a memory now.

WE had such a great time.

The air was nice and warm yesterday.

The pups were all excited.

Alvin, Teddy, Aspen and Milo.

Decorations

Goodie bags for Alvin’s guests

One bag with a toy and the other with a little “sweet” treat.

Presents galore.

Photos from before the party.

Making up the treat bags.

Alvin and I from our beginning.

Alvin greeting his guests.

Alvin’s sister, Milo (odd shot of him) and Alvin.

Miss Aspen

Pups and more pups.

Teddy’s Mom and Alvin

Alvin’s brother-in-law

Unwrapping gifts.

Alvin loves to unwrap presents and does a great job.

Alvin’s guests enjoyed opening their bags of treats and toys.

 

Most of the photos are blurry, sorry.

Trying to get the pups still was almost impossible.

By the time he got to his last one, I think he was tuckered out.

Birthday Cards

This morning checking out some of his birthday gifts.

I cut the birthday cake which was made from meat and veggies in different sized pieces depending on the size of the guest.

Alvin and Aspen ate theirs pretty much right away.

Teddy and Milo took their pieces to a different location to enjoy.

The cake, unfortunately I missed taking photos of his cake, him eating the cake and opening the treat bags.

Will be posting more later as others took some photos.

We had such a great time.

Everyone remarked on how much fun this party was and I am so grateful it all worked out.

I am so pleased that Mr. Alvin enjoyed his special days.

 

My nephew is visiting.

So have to go and visit with him.

I am grateful that I have today off and I took tomorrow off as well.

Looks like snow is on the way.

 

Special Hello to: my daughter, son-in-law, Teddy’s Mom, Miss Aspen, Teddy, Baby Milo for all attending Alvin’s 10th Birthday party.

Always, Carol & Alvin