It is a NEW YEAR.

Good Saturday Morning,

Wow, this year so far has been filled with incredible highs and incredible lows.

This past week I would say has had some incredible lows.

Three nights this week of virtually no sleep countered with last night with first time up at 3:30 a.m. has made for a very long week.

One great thing to happen is my daughter is coming to visit today and I shall whip up some pancakes.

I don’t have my usual ingredients but that has never stopped me from making something.

I have found in life you have to be able to use what you have and go from there.

 

Just like this fence adventure and I shall call it that ….. I finally got things sorted out and just have to chat with my neighbours about the final tally.

I researched and spoke to people and then negotiated.

Negotiation is not something that I find easy to do ….. selling is more my thing.

That being said I guess negotiating is part of selling.

Now working for someone else and selling is one thing …. like retail.

I love that …. and I am good, no very good at selling things.

Anyway, I am more than happy with the final result in this case.

 

Perhaps after having a shower will perk me up and that is next on my list to do.

Last night I did some laundry so that reduced the number of loads for today.

I will say that with not having to go to the office, my laundry is considerably less.

Now basically one outfit for the day not two or even three.

I think that perhaps Alvin may need to go outside before I slip into the shower.

Will check with him first for sure.

 

The rain has stopped and it is very windy.

Clouds still fill most of the sky although it does appear to be brighter in the distances.

Tomorrow is supposed to be sunny and 20 degrees celsius.

Now that would be nice.

Something to note that yesterday afternoon it was snowing, yup it was.

Mostly it was wet snow and melted as it touched the ground.

The point is on May 22, 2020 it was snowing.

 

At this moment both of us long to go walking but until he is back to normal, not taking any chances.

Not a pretty sight to have diarrhea on a walk, the clean up is a nightmare.

 

Well my daughter will be here in approximately two hours and I have things to do in preparation of her arrival.

I hope that you are having an incredibly “high” kind of day filled with all good things.

 

This life of ours now is unique for our time for most of us.

I hope that we are able to figure out a “new norm” and that it is one that is good for everyone including animals and all creatures including the environment.

We need to be more kind and respectful in all areas.

Take our new norm, go forth and spread that kindness and respect into your daily life.

This is a good thing for sure.

 

Well I better get this boat on the water …..

Wishing you a wonderful day filled with all sorts of goodness.

You deserve this most definitely as do we all.

Take care and be of good health.

 

With kindness and respect,

I/We shall remain,

Always, Carol & Alvin

 

Sometimes we just need some photos of cuteness and the beauty of nature.

My grand pups Milo and Aspen

My beautiful geranium waiting to be transplanted outside.

My little cuteness,  my boy, Alvin

Living … One day at a time.

Hello,

Thankfully a bright sunny Sunday morning sky after much of Saturday was overcast and raining.

Bit of a breeze so comfortable outside.

We had Alvin’s regular 5 week appointment yesterday.

He had his pedicure, nail trim, which is not one of his most favourite things to do.

That is a definite NOT.

Hear a crow “caw” “caw” “cawing” outside my office window.

Alvin is resting on his blue blanket as I type/key these words.

My office is as bright as the morning sky.

I love the new paint colour in my office.

Just makes me happy as soon as I come into this room.

Back to yesterday …. when we arrived home yesterday morning …. it was about 11 a.m.

I set to work turning on the laundry, sipped on a cup of coffee before heading outside to do some garden work.

I knew that the window of sunshine would be limited.

Grabbed my garden tools, some dirt that I had in the garage, a plant and went into the back raised garden.

My friend had given me a plant during the week that had to be transplanted.

First pulled the weeds as finally it was mostly dry in that garden.

Transplanted the plant.

Also moved some of another plant that has been spreading like mad to a new location with the garden.

Unfortunately I do not remember the names of these plants.

ARGH.

My “Hens & Chicks” plants which are succulents are now able to see out from under the one plant that I moved as it spreads like wildfire.

Now I only moved a portion of said plant.

Spreading the dirt.

Weeds pulled.

Looks great ….. did some watering…..

Perfection.

Had to run back into the house and grab my phone so that I could take some photos which I will share with you all shortly.

Very proud of my little flower/shrub garden.

Starting to look most lovely.

The other chore that I did was change the garden hose that was attached to the house.

Remember the hose that my friend gave me some weeks ago, finally had the time and good weather to get that changed over.

I could not get the hose round onto the hose station that is attached to the house.

So I gathered the hose and placed it into a rubbermaid garbage can (which was clean and used for recycling bottles etc).

This morning I will have to remove the hose and fix it as the can filled partially with water yesterday after all the rain.

I now have captured some rain water.

In addition to these chores, I weeded and watered the flower flower bed.

My lilies are beginning to bloom.

The ferns are doing well as are the other plants that fill the front bed.

Photos:  in the first photos … the new plant is in the back of the garden … best seen in the last photo … the short light green plant between the two tall green ones.

Which now I cannot remember the name.

This is their second year and they have not bloomed.

Might be due to not so much direct sunlight.

But pretty all the same.

I just could not help but to share my flower pots.

Some close up shots … colours so rich and vibrant.

I love this colour combo.

So pretty.

The rain started just as I had completed my gardening and continued for most of the day.

There was a short break in the rain and we took that opportunity to head out for a walk.

Even had to wear a jacket.

ARGH, July.

 

Well the coffee is brewed and there are chores to do.

Unfortunately Alvin cannot help with them.

I knew that he would if she could.

Happy Sunday.

 

Great to see the sunshine.

 

Kind actions with Respectful thoughts …. awesome.

 

Always, Carol & Alvin

 

Oh, now clouds beginning to roll in …..

Living … One day at a time.

Hello,

Morning started out bright and sunny and the clouds are now rolling in.

Mr. Alvin had us both up most of the night in and outside.

This morning he was sick to his stomach.

A little while ago he ate his breakfast and seems better now.

I feel like a zombie.

Clicking away on the computer.

 

This morning was/is our girls coffee date.

I am going to pop over to see them for a few minutes.

Need some coffee….

Alvin seems fine.

Perhaps he will finally settle down and sleep.

I am going to sleep like a baby tonight.

But if I lay down any later this morning …. I am afraid that I will be awake tonight.

That would not bode well for working tomorrow.

 

Thankfully I did all of the cleaning, some yard work and laundry yesterday so today is an easy day.

Oh and I transplanted all my house plants except the big one in my office.

Into the nice new plant pots from IKEA.

Just have to bring up the laundry that is hanging to dry in the basement.

Go for a walk later.

 

Do you have a pet?

Alvin has been with me for over 9 years now.

He is family.

When he is not well ….. it hurts my heart.

I try to do the best for him.

HE goes to the Vet on a regular basis as you know.

Yesterday he actually went for his regular 5 week “pedicure” and “anal gland check.”

I will say that he was a bit more mellow when his nails were being done ….

 

The house phone rang a bit ago and I jumped up from the sofa where we had finally fallen asleep but did not see who was calling because I did not have my glasses on.

A few minutes later Humphrey’s Mom was a the door.

We chatted and she said that Humphrey was a bit off his game as off late so perhaps it was just a bug or something they ate.

She had popped over to see if I had any of her boy’s treats as she was out.

Yes, I did.

 

Anyway, never a dull moment.

I am going to go and see my friends as my mental health is important as well.

He seems fine and I will not be away for long.

Also need coffee – although I could easily make myself some.

 

At the end of it all ….. it is always a good thing to treat your four-legged companions with love and respect.

They are just as important as we are …. maybe more.

He brings me such great joy and is such a good companion.

All he asks is for food and me.

He doesn’t gossip or treat me ill.

He is always here.

 

Well I am going to go downstairs and wait a few minutes to see how he is…..

Then pop over to my friend’s house where the girls have congregated.

 

Happy Sunday.

Always be kind and respectful of yourself and others.

 

Always, Carol & Alvin

 

 

 

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Monday the 28th day of January, 2019.

Temperatures cooling down and we received a fresh light blanket of snow overnight.

What a crazy assortment of weather we have had over the past few weeks.

Up, down and everything in between.

Anything but consistent.

Starting to feel more like Calgary.

 

We had another busy, busy weekend.

Yesterday, Teddy’s Mom called to see if he could come for a play-date as not great for walking, I agreed.

He spent from about 1:15 until 4:00 p.m. with us.

Then Humphrey’s Mom asked if he could come and stay with us from 4:30 – 8:30 p.m.

Earlier in the afternoon I had the most glorious telephone conversation with my sister.

I always love our chats.

We catch up and always, always have a bit of laughter.

I would say this time not as much as other times.

But she always brings a smile to my face.

I miss not having her close by.

Tonight Humphrey will be spending the evening with us.

I would say that Alvin was a tad bit nervous with Humphrey last night …. most especially when he moves fast.

He is a bit awkward when he runs as he has three legs.

But they get along and I am grateful.

 

I can hardly believe that the weekend is over.

The whole weekend including Friday night was jammed pack full of company and outings.

I did manage to get some laundry and tidying up done.

Even transplanted my two poinsettia plants into one point.

I received two beautiful arrangements over Christmas.

One of them had a poinsettia plant and three other plants.

Only the poinsettia and one plant survived in that arrangement.

That one was a red poinsettia, so pretty.

The other arrangement was a yellow poinsettia.

So I put it all together and it looks great.

I hope that it survives.

They are fussy plants.

Not good for pets either.

So have to be very careful, which I am.

 

Well getting close to time to head on downstairs and finish getting ready.

I am getting a ride to work most days with my neighbour as she works downtown.

My carpool is soaking up the sun with her husband in Mexico.

Lucky gal.

 

I hope that you have an awesome, fantastic Monday.

See you tomorrow.

 

Special Hello to: my sister, thank you for our chat yesterday and looking forward to a SKYPE chat with you soon.

Always, Carol & Alvin

 

Alvin’s friends and mine, too.

Humphrey the Cat

Teddy the Pup

Thought for the day ….

Good Morning and Welcome to Sunday the 27th day of January, 2019.

Well the WIND has been howling all night long.

There has been rain off and on throughout the night and morning.

Sky is overcast with no sign of sunshine.

Yesterday was glorious.

Although I will say that part of the walk to Alvin’s appointment was nerve wracking.

Once we got out to the street that runs to the Vet’s clinic, the sidewalk walk ICY.

I luckily last minute decided to put the picks on the bottom of my boots.

Taking baby steps it took us almost ten minutes for that part of the walk that usually takes two or three.

But we made it.

We got in right away and Dr. K examined his eye and determined that yes, he will need surgery to have the growth removed.

She figured that perhaps that area had been scratched which lead to the discolouration and subsequent infection.

Instead of having his regular appointment for his nails and anal glands and his vaccination – I made an appointment for him to have all of this done as well as his teeth cleaned.

Better to have it all done all at once.

Less stress for him.

They gave me an estimate for the surgery.

We have insurance and hopefully part of the costs will be covered.

The staff at the clinic will submit the estimate to see how much will be covered.

But it has to be done so that is that, they said.

Alvin is doing well.

We were prescribed some ointment for his eye for the infection.

On our way home … just at our house …. we spotted Humphrey and his Mom.

They were having a bit of a walk and fresh air.

Mainly the fresh air as he likes to sniff about our yards.

She has him on a leash and he looked so cute.

He is doing much better.

I invited them into the house for a visit and coffee, as I did not have time to drink much of my coffee before leaving to the appointment for Alvin.

My friend can not drink regular coffee so she left Humphrey with us and drove quickly to the neighbourhood MacDonald’s for a decaf coffee.

We had a great visit and talk about Humphrey’s surgeries  and huge bills and Alvin’s estimated cost of his, among other things.

After they left for home, I quickly did more laundry, cleaning, transplanted two plants from Christmas into one pot and vacuumed.

Our company arrived at 3:00 p.m. – my cousins.

We had a great visit stopping for supper about 5:30 or so and then continuing to visit and eat.

They left about 9:30 p.m.

What a wonderful visit we had …. I was tired.

Busy day.

So this morning …. we did not get to bed until after 11:00 p.m. and were up at 5:30 a.m. …. Alvin went outside and then ate his breakfast.

We went back to the sofa for some extra zzz’s as I was not quite ready to get up and then ended up sleeping until 8;45 a.m. – disappointed.

I wanted to be up about 7:30, oh well.

Today is going to be a more relaxed day than yesterday although I do have a few things to do and the most important being calling my sister.

We have not chatted in awhile and it is time.

I miss her.

Well before the phone call – get dressed, put on the last of the laundry, have breakfast and COFFEE.

There is always the getting ready for the work week ….. lay out clothing …. make lunch but I am grateful that I have leftovers from last night’s supper for tonight and

for a couple more lunches / suppers.

YAY, me.

 

Have an awesome day.

Well it is now snowing so I had better get dressed pronto and get outside and pick up the poop that has collected since last night.

My little pooper.

 

Wishing you a great day.

I will say just once more thing …. looking out the front window there are huge puddles of water (not frozen) and on the sidewalk in front of my house and now looking

out the office window it is snowing.

What a place we live in …..

It is not freezing rain …. at the moment it is snow.

 

Happy Sunday.

Stay safe, warm and share some laughter.

I remember the laugher I had with my cousins last night.

We had a wonderful time.

 

Special Hello to: my sister …. will call you about 1:30 p.m. …….YAY.

Always, Carol & Alvin

 

Busy weekend and also a busy week ahead …..