Last Days 2022 – December 30th

Good Morning ALL! We had a great sleep so why I am still tired? Last night I was home and we were in bed by just after 11:00 p.m. and up at 6:30 a.m. I gave Mr. Alvin his glucosamine chew followed by his breakfast, he had a drink of water and then went outside. It was me who was up twice last night having to go pee, okay I will just say it. Why do we think bodily functions that every living creature on this planet does in some way shape or form? No idea. I guess people think it is gross. Once you have a baby or have a pet – all that goes to the wayside. Cleaning up after them is not pretty. You can be chewing on a mouth full of something and then have to go outside with your dog and pick up poop and it is okay. Not that I do that on a regular basis but I have found myself in that situation. Part of life. So we must get over it. As you know, I say the words “poop” and “pee” quite often and why at age 65 would I stop now. LOL. Anyway we are up and I am dressed with my eyebrows on writing this post.

Last night I was invited over to our friends Norbert & Irene’s house for a visit. This was my first real visit since the loss of their son in November. I had previously stopped by to give my sympathies, to drop off an arrangement, to drop off a card and Christmas baking but not long enough to take off my winter boots, and stay awhile. They are doing incredibly well and I am not sure how I would be in their position. We did speak about their son, Darcy throughout the evening. I let the conversation go where it needed to be. We chatted about so many things including Darcy and the accident leading to his passing. There was a Chinese checker game board out so I knew at some point we would be playing games. After much conversation, Irene asked if I would like to have a game of checkers and I said “yes.” I do not remember the last time that I had played this particular game but it did not take long to figure it out although I am not very good at it. Irene won every round we played. Next she brought out a mind teaser game which was interesting followed by another game which I knew “Connect Four.” I love that game. Cannot remember the last time that I played that game, oh yes, I do now. It was at a games day that we had a work a few years ago. Connect Four was one of the games that we played. Irene still won most of the games (she said that she likes to win and she wins) but I managed to score a win here and there. We kept saying “one more game.” Then it was nearing 11:00 p.m. and I knew that Mr. Alvin would wonder where the heck I was and likely needed to go pee. We said our goodnights with Irene handing me a package which contained a thank you card, a copy of the Eulogy, copy of newspaper clipping, the card from the funeral for their son Darcy. I graciously accepted and was on my way.

The once brightly lit bushes were dark as I left their house. They have their lights on timers. The lights were so beautiful when I approached the house. I forgot to mention that in the previous paragraph, I guess I could have added it but why? This is when I thought of it. LOL. The air was filled with fog as I walked the two minute walk home. Very eerie but the air was warm.

When I arrived home Mr. Alvin had been laying on his bed near the window. I deliberately placed it so he could see outside. Happy to see me, he did let me know that I should have been home with him. I pulled off my boots and we walked to the back door so I could let him outside to pee. Yup, he had to pee. A few minutes later we were upstairs and I was getting ready for bed. A great night.

Earlier in the day – I gave Mr. Alvin a haircut and bath followed by a shower for me. His hair clings to my clothing like flies to honey. He looks oh so handsome.

Well on the agenda for today. Do some laundry. A bit of cleaning. Go for a walk. Shovel the neighbour’s driveway. Relax. COFFEE, oh yes, I need to make some coffee.

Well it is time to head back downstairs. The sky looks so amazing with the sun trying to peek through the fog with the frosted tipped trees lining the horizon with the white tops of the houses and garages. That is the view from my office window. Amazing.

Have an awesome day. I guess tomorrow is New Year’s Eve. No real plans but will have to figure out what my post will be so that I have some kind of idea. Maybe some photo highlights of 2022. It has been quite the year for most of us, actually all of us.

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

Have an awesome Friday.

Always, Carol & Alvin

The New YEAR 2022

Good Morning ALL! How are you on this rainy Friday, May 6th morning? We are doing well. Yes, I said rainy and looks like the forecast is for mainly raining days for the next week including this weekend. So that changes my trash pick up tomorrow. Oh well. Once it dries out again, I will get out there and clean up my hood. I can see the buds on the trees out of my office window as they sway back and forth in the morning breeze. The sky is a deep grey with pockets of white clouds. Beautiful.

Yesterday was an odd day as I took the afternoon off for Alvin’s vet appointment. Unfortunately there is no other way other than to take 1/2 day vacation when I have to take him to the vet but that extra time turned into this. Just as I was ending my work day yesterday, my phone rang and I picked up my phone to see it was our friend Iris (Alvin’s best friend Teddy’s Mom). I said hello, she said we are in town and was wondering if we could get together, I literally screamed “YES.” How about your perfect timing. They had not been planning to be back in the city so soon and then Alvin’s appointment was not until 3:30 and it was 12:20 at this time. We decided as she had her lunch in the oven that it would be better if we went over there so that we would have some real time to visit and then she invited me for lunch. Alvin as you know has been in an odd frame of mind. So I finished off what I was working on (work) and shut of the computer and got ready for us to walk to their house. Alvin sniffed and walked along not in any particular hurry which is not him when he knows Teddy is in town. When we got to the park there was a single goose sitting on the grass only a few feet from the sidewalk. Mr. Alvin starting walking toward the goose, the goose hissed and I pulled him back quickly. The last time he walked toward a goose was when he was a puppy. Odd. Who knows what he was thinking or not? When we got to Teddy’s house he did run across the driveway and up the steps and sniffed at the door. I rang the doorbell and could hear Iris tell the pups “wonder who that is at the door, lol.” Door opens and Teddy and Kobi are so excited – Alvin is happy but not as much as usual. Anyway we had a great visit and he settled in and loosened up. I think he has been a bit depressed. We had made plans for the pups to come over after supper and then Iris was free, too. So we had another visit. It was wonderful. Kobi was sitting on her hind legs looking out of our living room and then she put her paws on the window sill and sat on her bum. So cute.

Alvin’s appointment went well, only nail trim. A $25.00 vet visit. I don’t think that I have ever had a bill that low and was very grateful.

It was a great afternoon and evening.

Lots of walking yesterday in the +22 degree celsius weather.

We may not get too many walks in over the next week. I hope that there are breaks in the rain. But it is dry so moisture at this time is well received.

Time to head downstairs. I hope that you have a wonderful day.

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

“Every next minute is filled with possibilities if we focus and have gratitude.”

Always, Carol & Alvin

Second Half of the NEW YEAR.

Good Monday Morning,

The sky is clear and there is a bit of a breeze.

The sun is shining brightly.

It is cool in the house this morning.

I did not have to open the windows this morning.

 

Today at noon my daughter will be coming for lunch.

It will be great to entertain her for lunch and for a visit.

We are excited to see her, as always.

 

I am excited to hear – how was your weekend?

Did you get outside for a walk?

Did you sleep in?

Did you see a friend?

Did you talk to a family member?

Did you do laundry?

Did you read a book?

Did someone give you something?

Did you cook a meal?

Did you feel guilty?

Did you eat something that you should not have?

Did you dance?

Did you sing?

Did you have a shower or bath?

Did you have moments where negativity ruled the conversation?

Did you drink tea and or coffee?

Did you wash dishes or throw them into the dishwasher?

Did you post something on social media?

Did you sweep or vacuum the floor?

Did you water your flowers?

Did you pull weeds?

Did you feel like you could do anything you put your mind to?

Did you deadhead flowers?

Did you chat with a neighbour?

Did you see a cat?

Did you walk your dog?

Did you wish upon a star?

Did you see the almost full moon last night or earlier this morning?

 

Well I can say that I say “yes” to all these questions.

You see we all have so much in common.

More in common than not.

 

We have to remember that ….. we are more the same than different.

When you see someone that may not look the same as you?

Or sound the same as you?

Just remember my questions to you.

If you asked them these questions …. it is likely they said “yes” as well.

 

We are human and part of the same family.

We may not be the same colour.

We may not have the same beliefs.

We may not be from the same place.

But we are human and as such we all deserve to be treated equally.

To be treated with kindness and respect.

 

So on this Monday, I am reaching out to all my fellow human beings and asking them to treat ALL the people they meet with kindness and respect.

I would add to this as well ….. treat every creature big or small with the same kindness and respect.

Can you imagine what a wonderful world this would be?

I can.

Can you?

Will you?

Thank you.

 

Well time to head downstairs and turn on the work computer.

 

I shall treat all with kindness and respect.

I/We shall remain,

As Always, Carol & Alvin

 

 

It is a NEW YEAR.

Well HELLO FRIDAY, April 24th, 2020.

 

I have long since forgot how many days exactly that I have been working from home.

To be honest 95% of the time it is wonderful.

I love the “short” well actually no commute to my work.

I love sharing more of my time with Alvin.

I love being able to walk for 1/2 hour at lunch and then right away after work.

I love arising a bit later (truth be told even Mr. Alvin is starting to wake up a bit later).

I love being able to stay up a bit later to enjoy the evening light.

100%, I absolutely adore having more time at home.

Who doesn’t like working in their sweats and a tee-shirt and no makeup.

Bad hair days …. who cares.

It does not matter …. whatever you are comfortable in.

Some days it is office attire with makeup and others it is not.

More time for walking.

More time to get housework, yard work and exercise done.

It is nice being able to have more free time on the weekends.

I am off work at 4:00 p.m. (not granted some days I leave 10-15 minutes later but that is okay).

I can have supper and dishes done well before 6:00 p.m.

When working at the office by 6:00 p.m. – Alvin would have his supper etc, we would have walked and I may have started supper.

Usually it would be 7:00 by the time supper and dishes were done and sometimes later.

So even though there are moments throughout my day that I could honestly pull my hair out by the roots, I do love being at home.

I know that there is no separation between home and work.

But I have come to terms with that fact.

Life is meant to live.

If we continue to wrap ourselves in the negative before too long it is over.

What a waste.

 

I am off today at 3:00 p.m. (took one hour off).

The plan is to go for a walk right away, then come home and start the laundry and then rake the front lawn.

I have been raking the back out of necessity for Alvin.

Luckily the mucky mess is drying up (in the back).

The front needs some TLC.

Tonight will be the second of the three meals from HELLO FRESH.

Excited for that.

Tomorrow Mr. Alvin needs a haircut and bath (yup again).

My daughter is dropping some items by and for a visit (miss her).

Whether Saturday or Sunday – we hope to visit with our friends in their backyard.

Tomorrow is supposed to be really nice so I want to take advantage of the warmer temperatures.

 

Well almost time to grab that cup of java and start work.

Technically I do not start until 8:00 a.m. but I like to get things started and I have a contest to enter (matching pets through work).

Have to submit my entry.

Wish me luck.

 

I hope this finds you and your family in excellent health, safe and having lots of giggles.

Happy Friday.

 

With Kindness and Respect,

I/We Remain,

Always, Carol & Alvin

 

It is a NEW YEAR.

Happy Easter Sunday.

The sky is overcast and it is snowing.

We enjoyed a later walk yesterday after my daughter popped in with groceries and for a short visit.

I miss seeing her on a regular basis.

I guess I am not alone in that regard.

Also enjoyed video chat online with three girl friends yesterday morning.

Next best thing to physically seeing everyone.

Most of laundry was completed.

Floors washed and some cleaning accomplished.

Today will be tax day and finish the laundry and some odds and ends.

Thank you to one of my friends and her daughter who stopped by with an Easter gift and card.

A lovely chocolate bar and the winning lotto max ticket for next Tuesday.

I already  know what I am going to be doing with the $70 million dollars.

I do.

 

Early evening I set up a little Easter arrangement.

Snapped some photos.

 

Happy Easter to you all.

May you and your family be safe and healthy.

This is a different time for most of the world.

We will endure.

Happy Easter.

 

Played around a bit …. sorry for the almost duplicates.

Learning about my phone/camera even now.

 

WIth kindness and respect

I/We Remain,

As Always, Carol & Alvin

 

 

It is a NEW YEAR.

Well here we are the first Thursday of March, 2020.

Almost one week into this month.

Today is my Dad’s sister’s Birthday.

Happy Birthday Aunt.

I hope that you have a wonderful day.

March is almost as busy a month for birthdays as February.

 

Well we brought Mr. Humphrey over for the evening.

My nephew stopped in and spent the night on his way back to work up north.

He brought me a DAIRY QUEEN treat – box of buster bars.

My favourite.

We had a nice visit before an early bedtime.

It was nice to see him and to catch up with all of the family news.

There is always a surprise or two.

He was up and away by 5:30 a.m.

 

Another nice morning although I can hear the wind gusting from time to time.

Gusting as it rattles the outside vents and the chimney.

Alvin and I did not make it out for a walk last night.

Our sidewalk/street out front is a big mess.

Kudos to our neighbour in the other half of our duplex who was out during the day chipping away at the ice.

Working to make the water drain from the street to the storm drain and from the sidewalk.

She did a great job.

Only thing is someone drove over the canal from the street causing it to collapse and then the water could no longer make it to the drain.

Oh well, a few more days/weeks of warm weather and it will be mostly melted.

There is snow and cold temperatures on the way for the weekend so that will put an end to the melting for now.

Time.

All we need is time.

 

Well another work day ahead.

How is your job going?

Perhaps you go to school?

Or maybe you are retired and just enjoying life.

Whether you work for someone or for yourself.

Whether you go to school or not.

These are all things we do to fill our days and to earn a living.

This living helps us to have a roof over our heads, food in our bellies and clothes on our backs.

Simply put.

These earnings also help us to have cable and internet for connections and entertainment.

Help to pay for vacations.

Car loans.

Basically everything we consume whether internally or externally.

Yikes one of the cards that I have displayed (hanging) from my bulletin board just fell off.

I had only moments just barely touched it so that I could read the words that my daughter had written.

 

Dear Mom

We’re so grateful to have you in our

lives and are so proud of all you’ve 

accomplished.  This year brings lots 

of change but we’ll get through it 

together.  Love you so much!

 

This was from Mother’s Day 2014.

 

Everyday of my life, I am grateful for my kids.

My daughter and my son (her husband).

For my grand pups, Aspen and Milo.

For me Alvin.

For my family near and far.

For my life.

 

We should always take the time to be grateful.

Fill your life with gratitude and your life will be filled with gratitude.

 

Well almost time to head on downstairs.

Hard to believe that my nephew has been gone for almost one hour already.

Time marches on.

 

Have a wonderful day.

Kindness and Respect, always.

For yourself and for others.

 

Happy Thursday.

Always, Carol & Alvin

It is the NEW YEAR.

Well thankfully today is Saturday.

The temperatures are still brutally cold but on a positive note the temperatures will be minus 1 degree celsius on Monday.

Talk about a change.

Will be time to bring out the sandals, shorts and t-shirts.

Likely there will be folks wearing much lighter clothing then for sure.

 

Yesterday we packed up our workstations for the move back to our newly renovated office on Monday morning.

Employers have moved us back in smaller numbers.

Less stress on our systems guys.

As with any move there are always things that no one thought about or something goes wrong.

They have had both.

So I am most grateful that we are the last group to move back.

It will be weird after more than one year to be leaving our current office building.

I am excited to see what it is like once we have moved back into the newly renovated office building.

 

Grateful to my daughter for driving from her home to take Alvin and I to his appointment this morning.

Way too cold to walk and all of our friends in the neighbourhood are busy.

I am happy to spend time with my girl.

They will be coming over for Mr. Alvin’s birthday party tomorrow as well.

Well this will be short as I have laundry to start, poop to pick up, coffee to brew and a list one mile long.

 

Wishing you a calm, joyful day filled with laughter and love.

Happy Saturday.

 

Always, Carol & Alvin

From our walk beginning of January with our friends out in the River Valley.

It was a gorgeous day.

Living … One day at a time.

Hello, well so happy today is Friday.

Wishing my nephew “J” a very Happy Birthday.

Also belated birthday to my Cousin-in-law “W.”

 

We just found out last night that Teddy is going to have a little sister.

Well actually he has one and her name is KOBI.

Last night we heard the great news.

Teddy’s parents are in VEGAS on vacation and adopted a sweet little girl while there.

She is the cutest pup and I am sure that once the initial surprise has wore off Teddy will be a great big brother.

Alvin will have a best friend that has a little sister.

How about that.

Now it will be Alvin, Teddy and Kobi and Humphrey and perhaps Aspen and Milo.

Grandma will have a full house at that rate.

I look forward to many visits from all of the pups and the week at the end of January when Teddy was to stay with us while his parents are in Mexico.

Guess it will be Alvin, Teddy and Miss Kobi.

WOW, cannot wait.

Another beautiful bundle of joy.

Walks might be exciting for a bit.

But on the up side of that at least two of the three I can easily carry.

 

Well I guess it is almost time to leave once again.

So much excitement.

This weekend friends and neighbours down the street are having a CHRISTMAS CRAFT SALE.

They hosted one a couple of years ago and it was great.

Check out the crafts, have some refreshments but most of all enjoy great company, they are a wonderful family.

Then next Tuesday it is the SNOWFLAKE COOKIE EVENT, the annual one hosted by the GIRL GUIDES.

The daughter of my friend is a girl guide and participates in the event.

Great time to shop for some cookies to have for Christmas ….

I think that I may have mentioned that I plan to only bake one kind of cookies this year.

SUGAR COOKIES.

They are the ones that everyone loves and they are the most work so why not.

I only ever make them at Christmas so makes sense.

 

Busy times ahead.

Well I had better hit the trail.

Happy Days.

Oh and last night we safely walked over to Teddy’s house to visit for a bit with Aunt J and Teddy as she goes back home on Sunday.

Teddy’s parents and new little sister arrive home this afternoon.

WOW, still cannot believe they are bringing a little one back from their vacation.

 

With kindness and respect, we will be joyful.

 

Always, Carol & Alvin

 

Living … One day at a time.

Hello and a good Friday morning to ALL.

Well it is the last day of the work week for me.

Excited as tomorrow my daughter is coming for a pancake breakfast and visit.

We are both excited.

Always wonderful to have her in the house.

 

Last night Alvin and I had a great walk.

We are enjoying these warm days.

Stopped in at Teddy’s house and had a visit with them.

I helped Teddy’s Mom with a project involving her bird feeders in the backyard.

I think that would be a great idea ….

To have a bird feeder out front.

Humphrey’s Mom has a bird feeder on her front tree.

I love watching the small birds.

I really don’t mind the magpies although they make it difficult for the smaller birds.

But they play an important role in the grand scheme of things as do we all.

 

What are your plans for the weekend?

Cleaning?

Relaxing?

Going to a movie?

Raking the lawn?

Baking?

Pancake breakfast?

Couch potato?

Walking?

 

So many things that one can and should and would do.

Can you guess which of the items are not in my plans for the weekend?

Did you guess?

Going to a movie?

Then you would be correct.

No plans for a movie.

But one never knows what can come up.

 

Well it is getting late.

We kind of hit the sofa for some extra zzz’s.

I hope that you have a wonderfully safe and good Friday.

Be in good health, surrounded by laughter and be in joy.

Happy Friday.

 

Treat each person and creature you meet the way that you would like to be treated.

With kindness and respect, of course.

 

 

Always, Carol & Alvin

 

 

Living … One day at a time.

Hello, good morning.

The sky was bright blue a few hours ago but has started to fill with rain clouds.

Yesterday was a brilliant day filled with lots of beautiful sunshine.

Everyone in my neighbour was out walking throughout the day.

You could hear the children playing outside through the open windows.

Alvin and I enjoyed a walk but waited until after supper.

I finally finished hanging up photos and memorabilia on my bulletin boards.

So nice to have that done.

Now the last part to be done in this room is the closet but it will likely wait.

I haven’t quite decided on how I want it to be so will wait for now.

Yesterday washed the bedding for the spare room for my sister’s arrival on Saturday.

Also changed the bedroom around for something new.

Hung a couple of pictures/paintings on the wall and a scarf over the centre of the blind for a little extra something.

Vacuumed and washed the floor as well.

I think it looks great.

Today will finish the upstairs.

Bathrooms and rest of the floors including the office.

Then the upstairs is done.

There needs to be a trip to the grocery store for a few items.

A few loads of laundry ….. my bedding and more clothes.

Not only am preparing for my sister’s arrival but for our road trips next week.

We will be home and then gone, home and then gone.

The following Tuesday after that will be back to work.

I am enjoying this time at home.

Our summer in Edmonton has been well not summer-like.

Most days have been overcast and rain.

But on those days where the sun has been shining …. we are so happy.

I will say that even on the cloudy days …. life is good.

Right.

Although some days the temperatures have been downright “cool” …. it has been refreshing.

Last night when it was nice …. warm and sunny …. the mosquitoes were out in full force.

But that is summer.

Sometimes it is warm and sometimes it is not.

I am so grateful that there has been moisture and less watering.

I am so grateful for the sun when it shines.

I am grateful for vacation.

I am grateful for green instead of white.

 

Well only TWO more SLEEPS till my beautiful sister arrives.

So I had better get this show on the road.

A few things left to do.

 

If we treat ourselves with kindness and respect – it will transfer to others.

 

Always, Carol & Alvin

 

Flowers from last year.