The Next Chapter

Good Morning! How are you this Monday morning? Yes, it is Monday already. Don’t you think that the weekends go far too quickly? I had a fairly good sleep but woke up around 4:00 and then dozed off and on until the alarm went off.

Yesterday a flock of medium sized birds of which I did not recognize flew into my tree. There must have been well over one hundred of them. They dangled and say for a moment while I struggled to take a photo or video. By the time I was ready most of them had flown away and to a neighbouring tree (I did get a short video there). It was like a beautifully orchestrated dance. Safe to say that spring is here. Oh, I hope so.

I had been thinking of reading up on the external hard drive and finishing off my taxes but after spending most of Saturday on the computer, I thought “no.” Instead I cleaned. The upstairs. Cleaned the bathrooms. Washed the cabinets, the sinks, the toilets, went through the cabinets (spring clean) and vacuumed. I vacuumed the stairs and the main floor. Just did some cleaning which is good for the soul.

Oh and big news. I had decided to bake a banana pumpkin loaf. Likely should have turned the oven on first to preheat but instead I put together the loaf and then turned on the oven. It did not warm up. I reached out to my neighbour but she did not get back to me and found out a bit later that they had gone out. By that time, I had googled two things. How long can you keep batter in the fridge and can you use the microwave to bake this type of loaf. Surprisingly enough positive searches for both. I ended up popping it into the microwave and after about 12 minutes off and on, it was done. Knife came out without batter. I let it sit for a minute before taking the knife and going around the outside edges to loosen it before turning it over onto a tray to cool. A little while later, I gave it a slice. Voile, it was cooked. Then to taste, well not the same consistency as baking in the oven but it was done and edible. So in case your oven stops working – you can use the microwave and not waste the batter. I had taken chicken out of the freezer so had to pan fry it. Not my favourite way of cooking chicken that is for sure but it works. Now I am oven less until I am able to get it fixed. I think it is the heating element, I had it replaced several years ago. Hopefully that is all.

Time to head downstairs. Have a wonderful Monday.

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

Always, Carol & Alvin (My Forever Angel)

The New YEAR 2022

Good Morning ALL! How are you this beautiful Friday morning? Feeling great, I hope. We are doing very well. I am happy to see a beautiful sunrise with a clear blue sky. The ground is dry so no more snow overnight. Although I have been outside off and on since 4:10 am, lol. We are happy that it is Friday. I do think that it was Sunday only a day or two ago. The time flies even though it travels at the same pace always. This weekend I have a coffee date with my girlfriends which is exciting. The OSCARS are on Sunday night. For those movie buffs.

We did have a frost last night as I see frost on the rooftops and car windows. A bit of scraping involved this morning for some people. I still am over the moon grateful to be working from home. I have so much more time to do whatever I need or chose to do. Which is perfectly lovely. Even if I do nothing, I can make that choice. Plus to be home with my Alvin is so great. I am not sure what I would have done last year with his two surgeries. Would have been tough. But I am home, working from home and it is very good.

What are your plans for the weekend? If the temperatures are warm, I will be continuing to move about the snow from the backyard grass area. The snow of the deck is melting fast and his portable potty will be gone soon. I sure do not want to have to take him out front. Means putting on harness and leash. He would not like it and would be a pain for me, doable though. Back to the weekend, of course the regular laundry, cleaning the bathrooms etc. I am also going to bake a coffee cake for the get together on Sunday morning with the girls. We will get a few walks in this weekend. There is a good portion of the sidewalks that are dry and safe to walk upon which is great. I love to walk. I guess whatever we can squeeze into two days we will do. I am thinking of colouring my hair. Maybe tonight! Just to give me a pick me up! A little change of colour is good.

The time is flying by here. I kept hitting the snooze button this morning. I wonder what it would be like to go to bed at 10:00 and sleep through the night. Not even sure if I would be able to after years of Alvin conditioning. But it is not all because of him as two years ago I was always up at least by 5:00 a.m. to get ready for work. I am so grateful to have that extra time on the sofa to snuggle with Alvin these days.

I know that I was going to mention something that I thought of last night but of course, I did not write it down and have forgotten it. Hopefully will remember for tomorrow.

I saw a video on social media somewhere and I am not much for watching too many of them but this one caught my eye. It was about a young woman called Lizzy who loved to dance. So well done. It is a reminder that looks can be deceiving and do not judge a book by it’s cover. Body shaming needs to be a thing of the past. We all have dreams and even though we may not look like the “advertised version” – that does not mean it makes it impossible or unlikely that we should have to give it up. You have to watch the video. She is amazing. To all those bullies out there – you never know what a person has gone through until you walked a mile or thousand in their shoes. Next time you want to judge someone – keep your lips closed. We all have to do that.

Not all opinion have to be shared. Food for thought.

Time to go.

Have a great Friday.

Here comes the sun brightly shining on everything it touches (my neighbour’s garage is aglow).

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

Always, Carol & Alvin

The NEW Year 2022

Good Morning ALL! How are you this morning? Alvin and I are doing great. We were in bed last night before 9:30 and I read for a bit, Alvin woke up at 4:00, we went downstairs for the usual and then to sofa until, wait for it ……. wait for it ……. 6:30 a.m. …… Can you believe it? I could not believe the clock. Of course, I did not add the 2:00 a.m. up for me to run to the bathroom. But all in all we had a great sleep. So grateful.

The wind is howling madly. I can see the orange horizon to the east, which is to my left, and darkness to my right. It won’t take long and the sky will clear of the dark. Even as I type these words the sky is becoming more light. So beautiful. I love the contrast between sunrise and night. I noticed that the water outside did not freeze overnight as I can see the puddles rippling with the wind. I guess this will help melt the snow once the sun begins to shine.

Mr. Alvin is making an odd whining sound as he looks to his water dish from his bed. Is he thirsty? Likely. Not sure why he does not just get up. Now he has stopped.

Most of the snow has melted on the deck and it is so dirty (not sure why) and I will be able to shovel the remaining snow from the grassy area so that he can do his business down there. That is Saturday chore.

I am off from work this afternoon as I am taking Mr. Alvin to the Vet for his appointment. Thankfully I can borrow Sonja’s car so we do not have to walk in these conditions.

I guess he wants his water and of course, he needs me to be right beside him.

Okay, back now.

Last night we played with one of his favourite toys. I threw it and he ran like the wind and grabbed it and brought it back to me so that we could play tug of war. So cute. It was funny after we had been playing for several minutes, I decided to grab my phone and take a video. He immediately stopped and then played a bit so I was able to grab a bit of video and it was not until I put down my phone and stopped recording that he was right back into the action. He knows that he does not get 100% attention when I have that thing in my hand. Smart cookie.

Well time to go. I hope that you have a wonderful day. Almost light now.

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

Oh, one more quick story. Yesterday near the end of my work day, I called the client who had sent me the most thoughtful Thank You card to thank her. Well actually I called her earlier and had to leave a message, she called me back and then I returned her call. YIKES. Anyway, we had a lovely chat. She said that her son helped her pick out the card for me. I loved that she thought that I should be getting a raise for all the hard work that I do and that she was grateful to be living in our housing and have affordable rent. She was so sweet. We had the nicest chat and then it was well past my stopping time.

Always, Carol & Alvin

Second Half of the NEW YEAR

Good Morning All,

Well there is a breeze blowing out there.

The sky is clear with hues of oranges as the sun rises.

Looks amazing.

Love sunrises and sunsets.

 

So how are you doing today?

I am doing well.

House is quiet of course without my partner in crime, Mr. Alvin.

He is doing well at his sister’s house.

Now today she has to go into the office so time will tell.

My son-in-law is at home so it will be interesting to see if he “sticks like glue” to him.

My daughter has been telling me that he goes wherever she goes.

If she is working …. he is under her desk or on the dog bed beside her.

If she is in the kitchen …. he is in the kitchen.

In the bathroom …. he’s there, too.

Pretty much the same as with me.

Although occasionally he will sit on the chair while I go into the basement or upstairs.

But most times he is with me.

I am sure that he will have many stories to tell me when he arrives home on Sunday.

Last night they received their first robot vacuum cleaner.

My daughter says with all of the dog hair ….. they had to try something.

She sent me the cutest video.

All three dogs engaging …. watching ….. wondering the vac as it maneuvered around the floor.

Alvin watched intently and kind of followed BoBi, that’s her name.

Aspen walked up to it and then backed away.

She did not want to turn her back to the machine.

Milo had been on the stairs, he came down walked up to it and then away.

Cutest video ever.

They all reacted differently much the way humans do when we encounter something new.

Interesting and funny to watch.

The machine is quite loud.

BoBi is quite loud.

Anyway it was nice to see the pups in a video.

 

Last night two of my girl friends were over for a Diamond Painting evening.

We all are working on projects and felt that it would be fun to get together and work on them.

So great to have a week day get together.

I love my girls.

I am working on my FALL one that yes, I started in July on our other Painting Night with the girls.

Yup, I am falling short on completion date.

Fall is here and I am not done.

Hopefully Fall last for awhile.

Fingers crossed.

 

Did anyone watch the U.S. Presidential Debate?

I will only say this …. I expected nothing less from Trump and was a bit concerned for Joe Biden.

These are interesting times in the world that is for sure.

 

Well it is time to grab that mug of coffee and start work.

 

Have an awesome Wednesday as I was starting to type Tuesday.

Yikes, the week is going quickly.

Take Care and Be safe in all that you do.

I am going to go for a walk at noon.

Not walked since Saturday.

Exercise would be good for me.

Continue to live your life with kindness and respect,

As will I,

I/We shall remain,

As Always, Carol & Alvin

 

Living … One day at a time.

Whew, GOOD MORNING, I made it to the last day of work before Christmas break.

I am so excited to have some time at home with family and friends.

Last night our parcel from our friend back home arrived.

It had gone to another city in a different province hundreds of miles away.

Delaying it by a couple of days but it arrived yesterday.

While Alvin was eating his supper I quietly slipped out to the mailbox to retrieve the “golden” oh so special parcel.

Alvin noticed right away but I managed to place it on the counter in the kitchen and get him sidetracked with getting ready to go for a walk.

Off we went.

Not a long walk but it was a few blocks and that is always better than nothing.

I guess we should be doing YOGA or some stretching exercises and perhaps lifting some weights.

Alvin knows how to do “downward dog” so he is off to a great start.

First item on the agenda was to open the gift from our friend.

She always sends some things that should go into the fridge “like baking, like yummy stuff.”

I opened the box to see some colourfully wrapped Christmas presents.

One of the tags on a package read “PAWS OFF ‘TIL CHRISTMAS” To Alvin from V.

Well once Alvin caught a whiff of that package there was no turning back.

He started to bark in excitement and kept going until I had to cave and let him open the package.

I texted our friend to “say he can’t wait.”

The video I recorded of him opening the package was over one minute.

I lost track of time.

At one point just after the minute mark I decided to give him a hand.

So we got the last bit of paper and opened the package to see what appeared to be OREO cookies.

In vanilla and chocolate.

I figured they would not be OREOS as everyone knows dogs cannot have chocolate and sugar is definitely not good for their tummies and little bodies.

The package read “Just for DOGS, Natural something or other.”

The label put my fears to rest so I opened the package and gave him one, he gobbled that down and then a second one and finally after three, I managed to slip the rest of the cookies

into the pantry in his container with treats.

That container has treats for Humphrey as well (when he comes to visit).

He was not happy that I put them away but it had to be done.

Safe to say after all the barking, I am quite certain that I am not a very good “pack leader.”

He is spoiled beyond belief.

He is social and great with everyone including most dogs and cats but listening to me, well not so much.

Anyway, after that.

I found in the box a tin of Christmas baking from my friend (I had one of the cuban lunches, OMG, so delightful).

There was also a bag of my favourite sweet treat “biscotti.”

I placed my Christmas present under the treat to be opened at Christmas.

I was making my supper when I heard paper rustling in the living room.

Rushing in to find …. Mr. Alvin eagerly trying to open my Christmas present from V.

I grabbed it quickly and luckily he didn’t get too far, so the gift remains a surprise till Christmas.

What a guy!!

First time in the almost ten years since I adopted him that he has actually tried to open one of the gifts.

He sometimes sniffs about but never actually touches anything.

I then texted my friend and she thought it was likely because he could smell his cookies on the parcel.

After several days in the same box …. likely everything smells likes COOKIES.

Oh well.

It was cute for sure.

 

After the lecture from me regarding the constant barking to him, he actually sat on the sofa while I was eating my supper.

He faced forward and would not be look at me.

I think he knew that I was not a happy camper.

I could not be mad at my boy for long, he is me Alvin, after all.

But he has such a shrill bark that it can cut to the very core of your being and slice it in half.

After supper and cleanup I finally got to call my sister.

We enjoyed a nice long chat.

Alvin remained quiet.

I guess he made it up as between the two of use we were up several times over the course of the night.

ARGH.

Something made woke me and I jumped up …. not sure what it was.

Anyway, almost time to leave for the last day of work.

My neighbour is giving me a lift to work.

Carpool is starting Christmas vacation today.

My neighbour is driving me to work (even though she is not working today which I did not know) as she wants to get an early start.

I am one lucky girl.

Well almost time to go and pick up the poop.

I hope that today is a great day for us all.

Quiet on the phones so that I can finish all my mail before the end of the day.

 

Happy Friday.

And so it begins…….

 

Always, Carol & her Alvin

Thought for the day ….

Good Morning and Welcome to Thursday the 24th day of January, 2019.

Another BRISK morning ….. er, cold.

Then it is warming up.

This winter we have had quite the assortment of temperatures from one day to the next.

Thankfully it has stopped snowing and the sun shone through yesterday.

My nephew went back up north the oil rig yesterday morning bright and early.

He called last night and said it was BAD on the drive, near white-out conditions most of the way.

Thankfully he has a good vehicle and is a good driver.

 

Last night another package arrived from our friend in Regina.

Alvin was so excited.

I took a video of him but it is too large to post on FB or to email.

I guess I have to play with it a bit.

He skillfully opened the package.

One piece at a time.

Holding the package with one paw and ripping the paper with his mouth.

Spitting out the paper as he went.

He knows not to eat the paper, which is great.

I have to say that watching him open a package warms my heart and brings a huge smile to my face.

 

After we opened the parcel, I got changed and did a couple of small chores – went to pick up Humphrey.

He spent the evening with us.

Lots of company as of late.

At one point, I was outside shovelling and picking up poop and took a peek through the back door to see Alvin and Humphrey nose to nose.

Just smelling each other.

No growling or hissing.

No paws flying.

Just smelling each other.

They do pretty well other than Mr. Alvin is a tad bit jealous of attention that I give to Humphrey.

Mostly when I sit down.

As week when one was on one side of me and one on the other.

I again, wished that I could have snapped a photo.

Just did not work.

Humphrey sure likes the tablet and watched mine intently for several minutes.

He even crawled on me and up to face where he placed his paw.

A couple of times, a claw touched my skin, accidentally of course.

No major injuries.

The boys were both drawn to the living room at the same time and it looked so cute with both of them sitting in front of the window, looking out.

They do quite well together.

Will get better over time.

 

We are having company for the afternoon and for supper on Saturday.

I am trying to come up with an easy, delicious menu.

Not a billion ingredients.

I keep changing my mind.

 

Well I am grateful that today is Thursday …. I know it was an extra short work week for me.

Almost time to leave for work.

I hope that you have an awesome day.

I am going to work on getting some photos of the boys together.

The cutest thing ever.

 

Happy Thursday.

Special Hello to: my sister …. I have not forgotten …. phone call Friday night.

Always, Carol & Alvin

 

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Friday the 9th day of November, 2018.

Here we are.

The last day of the first full week of November.

We had a good night.

Both Alvin and I were only up once and that was at 3:00 a.m.

Puppies went outside for a moment and then we were back to bed until time for breakfast at 5:15 a.m.

After they ate we hit the sofa for some snuggles and a few more zzz’s.

Because why wouldn’t we when I do not have to go to work today.

I took today as a vacation day and so happy that I did.

 

Last night when I arrived home from work ….. greeted as I came up the walk by Teddy’s barking.

As soon as he sees me getting out of the car he starts to bark.

When I open the door they both practically jump into my arms.

Most especially Master Teddy.

Both happy to see me.

Being greeted by two happy pups is just double the happiness.

What a great way to end the work day and begin the evening at home.

After looking after them I went to the mailbox to pick up the parcel that our friend from Regina sent to us.

Alvin was excited at the word PARCEL.

He knows what that means.

A present for him.

Here are some of the photos of the boys and the parcel…..

 

The parcel from our friend for the boys was a big bag of treats.

They were so excited.

Alvin most especially.

 

Well time for a shower.

The boys are napping on the blue blanket beside me.

I hope that you all have an awesome day.

If there is a way for me to post the video of the pups opening the treats I will post later.

I think that I have tried before …..

 

Happy Friday.

Also get to see my daughter tonight after she is done at work.

Another trip to COSTCO.

Time to make the list.

 

Special Hello to: our friend “V” who always brings joy to our household.

Always, Carol & Alvin

 

 

Thought for the day ….

Good Morning and Welcome to Thursday the 16th day of August, 2018.

Today is the birthday of our dear friend “V” who lives in Regina.

Funny story.

She was busy and did not get my “birthday parcel” to me (yes, she is the one who sends the most glorious parcels) for my birthday.

I was away as well.

So I was a day early and she was a tad late.

It worked out perfectly.

I wanted to find her something extra special while my daughter and I were on our trip to AIRDRIE.

Her parcel arrived yesterday and mine arrived yesterday.

TIMING.

I think so.

I found for my friend the most beautiful orange almost flower shaped dish made in England.

Antique.

Small not large.

It reminded me of dishes that my Grandma used to have and use for jam/jelly.

But really you could use them for anything including a spot by the sink to put your rings/watch in ….

Anyway I was pleased and she was pleased.

Happy Birthday to our friend.

Oh, when I mentioned to Alvin that I was going to the mailbox to pick up the parcel from “V.”

He got so excited.

Back to the house and he could not wait until the box was open.

Even before I had my utensil to open the box, he was jumping up, so happy.

I opened the box and the first present was for him.

I set it on the floor and grabbed my camera in hopes that I would get a decent video.

He quickly tore open the tissue paper.

Setting the pieces aside with his mouth as he went.

He got to one point where he needed my help and just stopped starring at the parcel.

Barking and barking.

So I helped him.

He loved his treats.

His Momma loved hers as well.

 

Well I am running late (nothing new, it seems).

 

Wishing you all a great Thursday.

Still smoky here in Edmonton.

That eerie view from the office window.

Wishing rain for the fires.

 

Special Hello to:  the Birthday GIRL …..

Always, Carol & Alvin

 

 

Thought for the day ….

Good Morning and Welcome to Wednesday the 9th day of May, 2018.

Some clouds loom in the morning sky as the sun rises to the east.

Cooler today as per the forecast.

Yesterday we had a bit of rain – which we need.

 

Funny story.

After work last night – I let Alvin outside as per usual.

When he was done – back into the house – dished out his supper.

My friend from Regina had let me know that there was a package waiting for me in the mailbox.

I had ordered some tupperware.

So while Alvin was eating his supper; I thought that I would run and grab the parcel.

He was standing on his chair with his front paws on the arm looking out of the living room as I came up the sidewalk to our house.

Quicker than quick – he was off the chair and at the door – jumping up.

You see he knows when a parcel arrives it is always from our friend back in Regina.

He must be able to smell inside the parcel with his extra sensitive sense of smell.

Alvin followed me as I kicked off my shoes and made my way through the living room and into the kitchen.

I placed the box on the kitchen table and went to grab my letter opener which doubles as a “parcel opener.”

He was up on his hind legs and barking.

So excited.

I barely had the box open and he was more than ready to see what our friend had sent to him.

I spotted a package with his name on it and quickly grabbing my camera from its’ perch hoping that I would be able to catch a video.

I did.

Oh my goodness – so funny.

Well I am super disappointed as apparently I cannot put a video on my blog due to security reasons.

But I can post photos – strange.

Anyway as you can see from the blue tissue paper that is what was left.

He shredded it.

It was oh so cute as he held the package with one paw and using his mouth starting to rip at the tissue paper.

He pulled at the tissue paper with his mouth turning his head and causing a thud with each movement of the package.

It was priceless.

At one point when I asked if he needed help – he turned his head and gave me a quick “glare.”

He just kept going.

Finally after ….

a more than valiant attempt to remove the ribbon but that was a bit much after 57 seconds of video, I figured he was done.

So I took his parcel and helped him open his present.

He loved his chew treat.

He would not even eat supper for the longest time.

Finally I coaxed him to eat by hand feeding him.

Okay, spoiled I know.

Then he carried it around and then he buried it.

We went for a walk and met up with friends and got home after 6:30 (we left the house at 5:15 p.m.).

Anyway had a nice walk and a visit.

When we arrived back home – Alvin was all about digging up the treat.

Then hiding it in the cushions of his chair and the sofa.

ARGH, it was dirty but I bit my lip and figured ….. I can clean up when he is done.

He went back and forth between burying the treat and digging it up, hiding it and finding it.

Finally just before bed – he ATE it.

He had several hours of pure enjoyment from that treat from his/our friend.

Thank you again for always thinking of my boy.

Me, well the Momma did not do so badly either.

Did you see the biscotti that I got?

I was only going to eat one but had to have two and put the others away for another day.

Cheese bun was perfect with supper and the dinner bun for lunch tomorrow.

Lucky we are.

 

Special Hello to: my friend “V” who spoils us and we love her for the most wonderful human being that she is …..

Always, Carol & Alvin

 

Thought for the day ….

Good Morning and Welcome to Monday the 20th day of November, 2017.

WOW, just a little over one month till Christmas Day.

Where did the time go?

I remember last Christmas so well and the summer seemed like yesterday.

 

Woke up to a layer of fresh white snow.

There was wind last night just as we were going to bed so I am thinking it might have rained as well.

Yesterday was in the plus temperatures and today minus double digits.

Crazy weather.

We had a great walk yesterday.

Oh, does Mr. Alvin love to sniff about.

I love our walks when the weather is nice whether summer or winter.

 

Well back to work …. weekends always seem to pass quickly.

My neighbour and friend took the dryer apart and one of the fuses burned out.

Burned out due to being blocked by lint and some dryer sheets.

I will tell you this ….. take your dryer apart once a year and clean it out.

My was jammed pack with lint and dryer sheets.

Now considering it had not been done EVER, I was shocked it was not worse.

But I will say that once a year I will be cleaning out the inside of my dryer.

Your dryer will let you know if it is not drying clothes in one cycle ….. likely you have a lint/dryer sheet clog.

It took some time to get all of the screws out but at the end of the day ….. that is such a fire trap …. take the time.

Get a friend to help and maybe do a video so you remember what you did because it is a bit detailed but not hard.

Worth it and I learned so much.

 

Well almost time to go to work.

Have a great day.

Happy Monday.

 

Special Hello to:  all those folks who take the time …… and to those who do not…… please take the time.

Always, Carol & Alvin