Last Half 2022 – October

Good Morning ALL! Looks like another beautiful fall / autumn day on the way, perhaps it is already here. Everything is great at this very moment in my world. Alvin is/was napping outside the office door but he heard something and his head has perked up while my daughter is catching some final zzz’s before getting up to start her day. Life is great. I have both my “kids” here with me. Alvin and Amanda. The lights of my life. I should include my son-in-law and my grandpups as well in that “lights of my life” statement as they are definitely included. Last night we had Pad Thai for supper (my first attempt) and apple crisp for dessert. Supper was great. We had tried to take Mr. Alvin for a walk when we first got home from work and almost had to drag him to the park. He just did not want to walk. But we did get to the park. When he does not want to go – he is very firm about his decision. I thought after missing his noon walk that he would have loved to go but not the case. I am so grateful that Amanda was able to sleepover. Nice having her here with us.

Yesterday on the way home from work I was able to stop and pick up spare house keys so that whomever is watching Alvin has their own key and then I do not have to run about the neighbourhood picking up and dropping off keys. Much easier. Also, if someone ended up being sick or unable to watch Alvin at the last moment, then I would just have to call the phone list to see who could come over instead. A good plan. We also stopped and picked up lottery tickets and I may very well at this exact moment be a multi-millionaire. That changes everything. I would instantly retire, pay off the mortgage and just enjoy the rest of Alvin’s days and do the things on my bucket list like: publishing a book. I would also love to visit the East Coast of Canada and the Northern Territories, perhaps go to the United Kingdom (Ireland, Scotland and England), Italy and Greece and back home to Regina. Not all at once but I would definitely do this. I have always wanted to go to a tropical place so I would have to decide on which place: Hawaii, Bahamas? After that was all done, I was be more than happy to stay home or at least keep the travel to within Canada. Of course, who would not like to go on an African Safari or visit the Amazon in South America or the vast expanse of Australia. But I am being realistic in my choices. Besides I am not too keep to travel too far from home.

Well it is Thanksgiving weekend in Canada. I celebrate and give thanks for my life. I am grateful that my little buddy Alvin is doing well healthwise at this moment. I am grateful to be surrounded by loving, kind and supportive family, friends and neighbours. I am grateful to be in good health. I am grateful to live in this beautiful home with a nice yard. I am grateful that I can see and hear and have the ability to smile. I am grateful that I can dance and sing and enjoy life. I am grateful for walks with Alvin and with friends. I am grateful for quiet moments and loud ones. I am grateful that I am living my life to the best of my ability and beyond. Happy Thanksgiving to all my Canadian Family & Friends. May you be of good health and surrounded by love and kindness and respect. Happy Thanksgiving!

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

Always, Carol, Alvin & Amanda

PS: there will be raking in my future with some laundry and putting away patio furniture!

I just realized that I do not have a pumpkin pie, oh no!

Last Half 2022 – August

Good Morning ALL (it is just barely morning). What a great last almost 24 hours we have had. There is something about having your brother, his husband and your daughter and your pup in the house at the same time. We laughed and cried as we shared news and talked about “the old days.” Some of us remembered things a bit differently but it was all good. Just after the boys arrived, my brother and I left the house to go to the grocery store. Likely not a great idea for Mr. Alvin as he was left with my brother-in-law who is a lovely human being but Alvin really didn’t know him. Todd said that he tried to get him to go outside with him but did not work instead he sat on one of his beds and looked out the living room window waiting my return. Clearly no separation anxieties here, lol. I get it – for most of the time he sees only me and he had not met Todd before and to be honest, I never really thought about it. Note to self. Do not leave the house right away after bringing someone new inside. It is funny not funny ha-ha that Todd has never been to my house here in Edmonton and I moved here in 2009. My brother has been here several times over the years. My poor Todd is awaiting double hip replacement so it was not easy going up and down stairs but he does not let that get in his way. He is a real trooper. Good mindset about his whole ordeal. He will be 54 in a few days. Hopefully after waiting for over two years, the surgery will happen soon. It breaks my heart when you know someone who has been waiting to have surgery and in constant pain. So it seems to be the standard thought process to give you drugs that you may or may not become addicted to help with the pain instead of doing the surgery right away. Drugs that over time damage and destroy your muscle/joints and whatever else. So why not do the surgery sooner than later. I wonder what the real reason is? We also realized that my brother and Alvin are on the same pain medication – just a different dosage. We had a real giggle over that.

I was so happy that my daughter decided to stay and visit. We had a cold supper if you will which was great. After supper and the sun went lower in the sky we sat outside on the back deck. It was wonderful listening to the laughter coming from my house. It has been awhile since I have had that many people enjoying the deck and each other’s company. I am so grateful that they took the time and came out of their way to come from Calgary to Edmonton before heading to Regina with final destination Winnipeg – then the lake. I remember to a few days ago when we were out at my daughter’s. I love the laid back lifestyle. So much fun.

Well it is almost time to head downstairs and get the laundry going and set up the fans and close all the blinds before it gets too hot in the house.

I am grateful to the Universe for bringing some of my family together for a great evening. I drank a bit and even had a few puffs of a cigarette (my brother-in-law smokes). I was a bad girl but sometimes you just have to be “bad.” We had good food, laughed, cried, shared stories, took pictures and just enjoyed being together. Does not get better than that.

We made a pact that next summer for us to get together again but we will make sure that our sister and other brother will be there, too.

Well I should go. Get things back to normal and do laundry. Always laundry.

Have a wonderful Saturday. Oh, I have to check my lottery ticket from last night -that would be a perfect end to a wonderful time. Especially if it were enough to share with family and friends.

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

I do love to entertain. This morning I made buns with two kinds of toppings, some cut up raw veggies and a container of unbaked chocolate macaroons. That was my gift to the boys – the macaroons. A request made by them. We celebrated my birthday and Todd’s which is coming up last night. Now they will have a good snack to have on their trip.

Always, Carol & Alvin

P.S. we had some rain earlier this morning.

2021

Good Morning ALL! How are you this Friday, March 26, 2021. It is the weekend, yay. I love the weekends. A chance to do some of the things that you did not have time for during the week. Even though I am working from home, I do the laundry for example of Saturdays and sometimes finishing on Sundays as I have always done. That goes for everything that I have traditionally done on the weekends still is completed on the weekend.

One thing away from the joy of weekends and that I was thinking about earlier this morning is the recent loss of life in the U.S. from shootings in a public place. I will never understand why the Americans keep clinging to the The Second Amendment of their Constitution that reads: “A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.” Why is that a fundamental right of the people? Why has not been amended in 2021. This was ratified on December 15, 1791. I am never quite sure why any country clings to outdated laws. This does not make sense to me in 2021. I know that this is very important to the Americans. We share a border with the U.S. and are similar in so many ways. In fact in the early days many people populated Canada from the U.S. – coming in from other countries. So why did we not have a similar Constitution? I wonder. We do not have a “right to bear arms.” People in Canada can apply for a license to own a gun for hunting and such. But there seems to be a lot more control over guns and a lot less mass shootings. Not to say that we have not had them. When will there be a breaking point where the people just say “enough is enough” or will they ever say this? I wonder? Incredibly sad for unnecessary loss of life. Most especially sad during a pandemic. I have always wondered these questions and perhaps because this is not something I usually write about in a public forum, today seems like the day. I believe that there are always going to be people that are able to obtain guns in some manner or other but why make it so easy for them. Also some of these guns that can spray what seems like a million bullets …. why are people able to purchase them? I wonder how many people are afraid to send their children to school, afraid to go to the mall or go pick up groceries?

Time to head on downstairs and get to work. Excited for my morning coffee. The sun is beginning to rise for a new day.

Always good to think about things that do not make sense to still be an active law, if you will.

Living my life in kindness, respect, compassion and patience.

Always, Carol & Alvin

Welcome December 2020

Good Morning ALL. Well it is Thursday morning December 3, 2020. Another gorgeous day on its’ way to us living here in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. This day is forecasted to be +5 degrees celsius. Our normal temperature is -4 for this time of year. We are to have about another week of these temperatures. I will say that when we were out for our noon day walk that Alvin and I wanted to keep on walking – well I did anyway. There were a couple of times that he wanted to turn around and head for home – not quite sure why but I was able to convince him to keep on trucking. The air was so warm and soothing as it touched my face. The sun was shining brightly in the perfect blue sky. I am so grateful for these days. So grateful.

What is on your “plate” for today. Well another workday for me. Tonight I will almost finish my Christmas project which is very exciting for me. Just about there. I also have to double check my recipes and ensure that I know what I am going to bake and that I have the right amount of ingredients. I know that I have more than enough flour and sugar and butter. More than enough. Somehow in the beginning it seemed like a good idea to buy 10 kgs of flour and I think it is the same in sugar and four pounds of butter. The butter might be more close but the flour and sugar will keep. If anyone needs a cup or five of them, I will have some for that. You never know. I did work on the Christmas project last night. I had to use this strong glue so opening the windows and then I placed the project under the fan for the stove (which had it sitting on top of the stove). Yikes. Not a nice smell and not good for one to breathe in – that is why I opened the windows and turned on the fan.

How are you doing these days? Are you okay? I know that this year or almost year has been so off the charts strange for everyone. Strange is putting it lightly of course. People are either working from home, laid off and receiving government relief benefits or out on the front lines working through this pandemic. For the majority of people having to remain at home and away from large groups of family and friends or even travelling has been difficult. Although I will say there are people travelling and that scares the “crap” out of me. What will they bring back with them? Travelling should be ban until this is over unless you are in the military or some health care professionals. Allowing folks to travelling especially out of the country is absolutely ludicrous at this time. How can you ban people from getting together with family at Christmas and allow families to travel outside of Canada. Does not make sense to me? I do agree that we have to buckle down and stop the crazy increase of this virus and if that means wearing a mask and social distancing until who knows when, well this girl is in. What will happen if we do not adhere to the new “rules.” I do not even want to go there.

I am sorry for the dark message so early in the morning but sometimes I just have to get things off my chest.

Okay how about Christmas? Do you have your tree up? I have heard that tree sales are up and that most people already have their trees up and decorated much earlier than normal. I have also heard that flour and sugar and other baking items are beginning to fly off the shelves. So I guess that I am not the only one that is baking. Isn’t it funny that no matter what I am talking about it all comes back to that darn virus. Anyway. I am excited to get some serious Christmas baking done this weekend. Sugar cookies, fudge, chocolate chip cookies, unbaked chocolate macaroons, raisin cookies and who knows what else. Will depend on time and energy and supplies. I even have some delightful boxes to place the baked goods in to deliver to friends and family. So excited. Thanks to my “personal shopper” and you know who you are. I am the most blessed person on the planet. I know this to be for certain.

Well time to head on downstairs. Put on the coffee and get to work.

If we all continue to live our lives with kindness, respect and compassion – what a wonderful world this will be.

Always, Carol & Alvin

It is a NEW YEAR.

Good Morning and Welcome to Thursday, March 12, 2020.

Today is the 40th birthday of my daughter.

She was born on a Wednesday on definitely a winter’s day.

She was the third grandchild on her Dad’s side of the family and the second on mine.

My nephew was just three years old when she was born.

Lots of Aunts and Uncles on both sides to spoil her with love and attention.

Both sets of Grandparents and one Great Grandmother.

 

So tiny was my girl.

5 pounds 11 ounces and 17 3/4 inches long.

When we left the hospital for home she weighed 5 pounds 5 ounces.

Our little doll.

 

So much has happened over the last forty years.

We started off together at home.

Then off to daycare when I went back to work.

The next thing I knew you were entering Kindergarten.

Then you were standing up to bullies on the school playground.

My darling little girl.

Definitely a force to be reckoned with, in her own quiet way.

Creative from the beginning.

In middle school she participated in a play and I helped contribute by writing a poem.

A collaborative venture. So proud.

It was about saving the environment (we have been working on that for a long time).

My girl always great in the art department.

Some of the pencil drawings of her favourite model or actor or entertainer still put me in a state of AWE.

All through school as much as she loved hanging out with her friends, she was just as happy to be at home in her room, reading.

I started to read to her when she was in the womb.

She loved to read and read from an early age.

My girl did great all through school.

In High School she decided to get a part-time job.

She worked at Zellers, Blockbuster, Black’s Photo and Chapter’s over those early years including her first two years of University in Regina where she studied Fine Arts.

In the beginning she thought of Direct and Producing Films, which she was passionate about early on.

In her early teens she found a love of photography as did I.

She loved to snap photos of her cousin.

One day after completing two years of University and being unsure of what direction to take, she decided that she wanted to pursue her dreams of photography.

Applied to NAIT in Edmonton, Alberta.

This would mean a move.

She was accepted and was the only student from Saskatchewan that was accepted that year.

They had a rigorous process for acceptance.

I was so proud of her but was sad for me knowing that she would be living several hundred miles and not just down the hall from me.

She had been down that hall for 22 years and I was going to miss her.

Now I could certainly write a letter about our first forty years …. her first forty years.

I could not be more proud of another human being as I am of my girl.

She is loving and giving, smart and funny, generous and supportive.

Compassionate for all creatures.

There is so much to say that I could likely write a book and this is not the time.

Upon moving to Edmonton, she got right into school and working.

Most times working at least two part-time jobs while attending school full-time.

She worked hard and still does.

She met her partner in life while working at Blockbuster in Regina and they have been married for more than a decade.

Time flies.

She has photographed people, weddings, special events, pets and more.

We had / have a jewelry business together.

Just after graduating from photography she went to work for one of the City Councillors.

Today she continues to work for the City.

She continues to pursue her dreams in the art world.

Paper collaging these days.

She was featured in one of the first issues of an Australian Art Magazine.

She has collaborated with a “famous” videographer/producer.

 

We have travelled to Jasper and Montreal together.

Nowadays our thing is a small girls road trip in the summer.

The trip is within an easy drive from our homes.

Checking out quirky and interesting places along the way.

 

 

She has been a Mom to Elton and Penny, our fur babies, who watch over us all.

These days she is Mom to Aspen and Milo.

There is so much to say about this baby, this girl, this woman who is my daughter.

I love her more than words can say.

I am more proud of her than I can show.

I have watched this girl of mine grown in this phenomenal woman filled with grace, elegance and compassion.

We wish her all the best in the years ahead.

May your days be filled with love and laughter and your nights, too.

May you have good health, always.

May you always follow your dreams wherever they may lead you.

Life takes courage and strength.

Always do what feels right and you will always do the right thing.

Happy Birthday to our darling girl ….

 

 

So on this your fortieth birthday, my darling daughter and Alvin’s big sister …

Happy Birthday

With Love

Always & Forever,

Mom & Alvin

 

 

 

 

 

It is a NEW YEAR.

Yes, we are well into this new year.

One month over and done.

Now almost one week into February, 2020.

Where are we?

 

Well some folks are vacationing and enjoying life.

Some folks are at home working, waiting for said vacation to arrive.

While others work and never get away on a “tropical” or winter vacation.

Now there are likely a great many folks who never have the luxury of going away on vacation whether it is a winter or summer one.

That is very true.

What percentage of the population has that luxury?

I wonder of the ones that go away how many run up their credit cards in order to do so?

It doesn’t matter where you fit in above, we are all blessed.

I am blessed to live in a nice, no beautiful house, a home with my trusty companion Alvin.

We may not travel far from home but we have our house, our sanctuary.

We have a yard to putz about in the spring and summer and fall.

We could build a snowman on the front yard or the back when the snow is sticky.

I can plant flowers and some vegetables, if I desire.

Having this house is important to me, it is not just a house.

It is my place to relax, to entertain, to live, to grow, to write, to clean and so much more.

 

Sometimes we do not know where life will take us when wherever we are, we can make it our own.

Grab a piece of cardboard or heavy construction paper and make that Vision Board.

Make your dreams come true.

Some may have small dreams and some may have large ones.

But whatever they are ….. you have the ability to make them all come true.

Live in gratitude each and every day.

 

Well, I am thinking that I should go and shovel the front sidewalk before my ride comes.

There is lots of time and then Mr. Alvin will need to go out back.

 

Life always amazes me.

Whether it is work or play, it never ceases to amaze me.

 

Wishing you a great day.

Filled with kindness and respect.

 

 

Always, Carol & Alvin

 

 

 

Thought for the day ….

Good Morning and Welcome to Sunday the 3rd day of February, 2019.

Just looking out the window on this Sunday morning at the snow covered ground, rooftops and the grey-white sky; honestly just makes me want to hibernate until this is all over.

Back and front of my house …… snow, snow and more snow.

 

But unfortunately cannot.

Another brutally COLD day on the way.

Roads are icy so I heard from my friends who were out and about yesterday.

I am quite certain that nothing has changed since yesterday concerning that status.

I am quite content to just stay put in the house with me Alvin on this Sunday.

There are floors to wash and a tea order to submit.

I also have some odds and ends of things to do and then of course, prepare for the work week.

Lunch to make and clothes to lay out.

Better to be prepared.

 

Oh, the birthday party, yesterday.

That 10 year old can really throw a party right from the decorations to the food and the guests.

It was awesome.

Really see that in her future.

Great organizer.

We had an awesome time.

 

I wish all my Canadian family and friends that are living in the areas affected by this COLD weather; warmth and safety.

Stay inside if you can.

If you cannot, be prepared.

Whether walking or driving.

Do not take any chances.

Dress in layers and have proper emergency items in your vehicle for extreme COLD.

Happy Sunday.

I guess winter had to hit at some point.

Funny how it happens just as the groundhogs predict an early spring for us and longer winter for the Maritimes.

 

Special Hello to: all those folks affected by this bitterly cold weather all over North America and beyond.

Always, Carol & Alvin

 

Thought for the day ….

Good Morning and Welcome to Thursday the 26th day of July, 2018.

July is winding down quickly.

Where did it go?

The sky is an odd shade of pale pink and white.

Not really rain …

Not really sunshine….

There is no breeze really.

But it is cool with the windows open.

I opened them all as they are forecasting a warm one (not super hot but warm).

 

Well I have been excited thinking about my company arriving next week and the following week going on vacation.

So nice to be able to see my family and to get away with my daughter for a few days.

Alvin will enjoy his sleepover with my son-in-law and the grand-pups.

We need to spend some time apart as we are joined at the hip.

Sometimes Alvin has separation anxiety.

YAY, vacation.

I am ready.

 

Do you have time off from work or school?

Do you go away or stay home?

Do you travel the world or travel close to home?

Do you go see family on vacation?

Do you stay in a hotel?

Do you stay with family?

Do you camp?

Summer for most of us in North America or at least the northern portion of North America; is short.

We appreciate that time.

We sometimes grumble when it is hot but we do not wish to complain as our summers are short.

I love the flowers, the green grass and the trees.

GREEN is my favourite colour.

This summer my flowers are doing GREAT and I hope that they look this good when my company arrives next week.

Next Tuesday night to be exact.

We will have a house full and that is okay.

Always great to see everyone and spend time with them.

 

Well almost time to leave for work.

Carpool will be arriving shortly.

So happy to have a ride.

Really grateful.

Experiences with city public transportation as of late have been poor.

 

I hope that you have an awesome Thursday.

Enjoy the weather ( hope it is sunny and warm where you are ).

Take a breath and relax when you can.

 

Special Hello to: my daughter who is simply the BEST.

Always, Carol & Alvin

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Thursday the 16th day of November, 2017.

 

The past couple of days has seen some snow.

Back to work today after being home sick for a couple of days.

Not sure what happened but started with the chills.

Alvin liked having me at home but I am ready to head back to work.

Weather to be warming up this weekend which is good for walking.

Poor Alvin has not had a walk since the weekend and I am sure he will be ready to head out for one this evening.

 

Yesterday was my nephew “J’s” 31st birthday …… cannot believe he is 31.

Just like I cannot believe that I am 60.

Where does the time go?

Evaporates, me thinks.

 

Well back to the slate …. to the quarry ……. been thinking of the Flintstones as of late.

I loved watching the Flintstones.

 

Funny about what you think about when you are home sick.

I had the strangest dream last night and this morning.

Travel …… airport …… I still have not updated my passport.

 

Well I guess time to get this show on the road.

Have an awesome day.

 

Special Hello to: all those folks who are not feeling well …… feel better.

Always, Carol & Alvin

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Tuesday the 18th day of October, 2016.

Wow, today is Tuesday.

Isn’t that great?

I love Tuesdays.

Day after Monday.

How often do you wish today was tomorrow?

That it was Friday already?

We always are wanting the next day or the next thing.

Too busy rushing the time to live in the moment.

I sometimes do.

We all do.

But we must take a deep breath and live in this minute, this moment.

Right now my life is perfect.

I feel great.

Alvin is cuddling on the end of the bed on one of his many special blankets.

Once I am done my blog and go downstairs he will follow.

Then I will don my outerwear and be off to work.

Animals live in the moment.

No thoughts of the future.

I am pretty sure that Alvin does not lay on his chair while I am gone “thinking maybe next year I can retire” or “what do I want for Christmas.”

That is why they are so happy to see you when you get home from work.

Now granted they have to pee and are hungry but they are still happy to see you.

All creatures just want love and respect.

Whether two-legged or four.

So if we live in the moment – be that better person – that great human being.

If you live that minute to the best of your ability then you are in the moment.

We should not compare ourselves to others.

Each of us is special.

Each of us has the ability to be the best that we can be.

We are unique.

So in this moment we are all amazing … keep up the great work.

Well here we are once again …. time to sign off and finish getting ready for work.

Today two of my friends are off to England for two weeks.

How exciting.

I wish them safe travels and a great visit with family.

Special Hello to: my friends “P” and “A” who are travelling.

Always, Carol and Alvin