Last Half 2022 – November

Good Morning ALL! I hope that you are feeling and doing GREAT this Wednesday morning. Today I work from the office so I am trying to keep my energy levels high and positive. To be honest I love working from home and being with Alvin and going to the office well it is okay but there is no comparison. The air is warm outside this morning. Hard to believe it is going into the last week of November. Although I did hear on the weather channel last night something about “our temperatures being close to normal,” I guess they should know as they keep track of these things and I do not. Alvin and I went for a lovely walk during my lunch break. So nice outside. I love my ice tracks.

I made my list, well sort of all how much baking I need to do to cover Christmas 2022. There are three parties of various sizes, friends and neighbours and family on the list and of course some for Christmas. Trying to keep it down to a dull roar this year. We really do not need that much “sugar.”

I learned that a fellow coworker from my SGI days passed away and her funeral was yesterday. She was the age of my sister. How incredibly sad! Always a reminder when someone passes away – that we need to live and love our lives each and every day. You never know. Be kind and have fun.

Still pretty dark outside at 6:09 a.m. – we are running ahead of time this morning. We will have time to do some cuddling before my ride arrives.

Well I suppose we will head back downstairs. I do want to ensure that Mr. Alvin goes outside again before I leave and that he drinks some water.

Have a wonderful Wednesday.

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

Always, Carol & Alvin

PS: just a tad over one month until Christmas Eve!

2021

Good Morning ALL! We are officially one sleep away from Christmas EVE. I am so excited. Feeling, I must admit like a small child excitedly awaiting the arrival of SANTA CLAUS. Do you remember when you were a child at Christmas time? I understand that not all of us had the same experiences. Good or bad or indifferent. For me, I remember putting on Christmas concerts with my siblings for my parents and grandparents. I loved going to the Christmas Concerns at church, the music was my favourite part. We sang “Joy to the World” and “Silent Night” (which was my favorite all time Christmas song). I guess it was the innocence of things at that moment in time. The feelings that were in the air no matter what was happening in your household at the time, if you went elsewhere there was joy, simple absolute joy. You just felt it. I felt it. I wish everyone, everywhere whether you celebrate Christmas or not, I wish you the “joy” that we all should feel in our lives every day.

Well Miss Cookie is settling in, I would say. We had a great sleep. Everyone cooperated. Even Mr. Alvin. Last night my friend Pauline popped in to Wish Us a Merry Christmas and we exchanged gifts. I gave her a beautiful tea cup and saucer which she loved and she gave me the most glorious little tree with lights in a teacup surrounded by two pups ornament. Hard to explain but it is so sweet, I absolutely love it. She said when she saw it – it reminded her or me. As I sold Tea, (cup), loved Christmas (the tree with lights) and loved dogs (pups by the tree). How thoughtful. It is my new favorite ornament. Poor Miss Cookie was so wound up and it was loud so we could not have much of a conversation, we tried. I even held Cookie to calm her down. She was running, biting and just being annoying. I almost thought she was jealous of me having company! Just a few minutes after Pauline left, both pups laid down on the sofa and were quiet. WOW. Another mystery of the world. I was happy and grateful to have time with my friend no matter what was going on. I miss our walks and our great chats. She is a wonderful friend. I do have the best friends. Hopefully will get to see more of them in 2022.

Well time to get on downstairs and see what the munchkin “Cookie” is up to. WE all know exactly where Mr. Alvin is.

I wish you a sparkly, happy, fun, joyful, happy, healthy, wonderful, fantastic Thursday, December 23, 2021. Have a great day!

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

Always, Carol, Alvin and Cookie

P.S. I have my fingers crossed that the skies stay clear and the snow stays away. There is more shovelling to do again. I have to shovel the driveway which I forgot to do yesterday, argh. lol.

2021

Good Morning All! How are you doing? Alvin and I are great. We had a great long weekend. Even managed to give the boy a haircut yesterday minus the bath. I did take a really wet cloth and washed off the loose hair. I figured he was stressed enough with the haircut that a bath would be too much. He had a bath last weekend. I did give him an anti-anxiety pill but it did not seem to help. We had two walks. I did some yard work and finished the laundry. Popped in three times to see Humphrey and Bogart and Cynder.

Just as I cleaned up some flower pots and pulled some weeds, the sky got dark and there was the roar of thunder. I hurried up and picked up Alvin and headed into the house just as it started to rain. We got a nice shower and then the sky cleared.

We were up at 430 and Mr.Alvin had his breakfast and then did his outside business. I cannot believe we slept again till 830 (well actually 839). I guess we were tired. Doesn’t matter as it is not a work day. We will go gore a walk I a few minutes.

The sun is starting to shine although there are patches of clouds. Not sure if rain is in forecast or not.

Today I have mainly things to do on the computer so will either do in pieces or bring the boy upstairs.

Sending hugs to our friends whose grand pup recently passed away. We know he was loved. Rest In Peace, little Otis. We hope you are chasing rainbows and having lots of yummy treats.

A reminder to be kind and respectful to all creatures on this planet. Our time is relatively short so use it wisely.

I wish you a great day.

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

Love Carol&Alvin

2021

Good Morning All! It is a gorgeous morning here in Edmonton. I hope that this finds you well.

Today is my 64th birthday. It is also the 54th birthday of my cousin Michael, birthdays for friends April and Dennis.

So on this 64th Birthday- I am grateful:

I am grateful that I thought to book this day off as vacation.

I am grateful that we finally moved upstairs to sleep after five weeks on the sofa.

I am grateful that Alvin is well on the road to recovery.

I am over the moon grateful for my daughter, son-in-law and grand pups.

I am so grateful for the best friends in the universe.

I am grateful for the beautiful bouquet of flowers delivered to my door yesterday from my kids.

I am grateful to have my own home.

I am grateful for the recent rain.

I am grateful that I am surrounded by good people.

I am grateful to see green lush trees out my front window.

I am grateful to all my family and friends who reached out to me this morning via phone, text, emails and on social media.

I am grateful to be in good health.

I am grateful that I sat up in bed this morning reaching my toes to the floor for the 64th year.

Alvin has his first of six laser therapy sessions this morning. A friend down the street will drive us to and from his appointment. My cousins Lorette and Wayne are coming for a visit. I even have birthday cake to share. Now time for some toast. Also I have lots of food in the fridge so no cooking this week for me.

Amanda and Steven had supper with me last night. We had our fav meal: homemade “chicken fingers” with honey mustard sauce, potato salad and vegetables. I made a vanilla layer cake, too. It was great.

My life is good.

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

Always Carol&Alvin

It is a NEW YEAR.

Happy Saturday Everyone!

The sun is shining with a high of +6 degrees celsius.

The snow and ice are actually quite quickly disappearing from our landscape.

The once pool or pond of water in my backyard has gone.

There is a smaller bank of snow which I am going to break up and shovel over so that it melts more quickly.

There is only a couple of shovels of snow left on the deck.

I have been trying to keep the snow mould down to a minimum as I shovel and then sweep and pour clean water on.

Once dry sweep again.

So once the temperatures are warm enough with no hint of freezing overnight I will take either a pressure washer or garden hose and clean the deck.

I have a pressure washer but it is currently housed at my daughter’s house.

My neighbour has one so I could always borrow it.

But I will get it all nice and clean before bringing out the deck furniture.

The front yard still has snow but that is melting and where there were three to four banks a week ago there are perhaps one foot with clear spots.

So it is going for sure.

No snow covering the rooftops.

But what I am over the moon happiest about is the temperature for tomorrow +16 degrees celsius.

The forecast is double digits for the next two weeks so the cold temperatures should be behind us.

Then we can all get our yards cleaned up and start spending some time in the backyard and on our decks.

I am hoping that all of my perennials come up okay as I do not think that there will be nurseries opening.

Or perhaps they will, I do not know for sure.

I am grateful to have my geranium.

It is full of blooms and is so huge.

It will be ready to be transplanted.

I think that I will find a huge pot in a few weeks and put it on the deck.

It appears to like the southern exposure.

On those super hot days I can move it into the shade.

 

Yesterday my Director brought me a brand new computer monitor.

We all have new ones at work as we were going to start using two monitors.

Really with our jobs they are a necessity.

Now with the laptop and the monitor it seems like a workstation.

Having a full large screen is wonderful.

The best part was I set it up all by myself.

I am no techie so I was so proud.

I had a little moment ….. just me and Alvin.

He was proud of his Momma, too.

 

Well today.

What is on your list for the weekend.

We slept in a bit ….. after 8:00 a.m.

I had the craziest, most strange dream.

So real.

Then we were up.

Oh, we were up at 5:00 a.m. when Alvin got up to have his breakfast and go outside.

That is another reason to get that back grassy area in top shape so that he can go to the bathroom there.

I keep that clean.

Always picking up the poop.

That is part of my job as a pack leader.

Yes, it is.

 

Anyway back to today and for tomorrow:

Laundry

Clean out closets and put winter things away

Clean off the deck

Break up the remaining snow in backyard so it will melt more easily

Vacuum

Dust and Clean

Bathrooms

Bath Alvin

I usually shower so thought at some point I may have a luxurious bath

Work on the basement ( still putting things in order down there )

Go for walks

Relax and Enjoy this weather.

 

Well that is my plan for the weekend.

I will do what I can.

Likely all of it.

 

I hope that this finds you in good health and safe.

As summer approaches us and we want to go outside and be with others more and more.

Remember you can visit but keep the social distancing rules in place.

There can be outdoor visits in your front yard.

You in the garage and visitors at the entrance way.

Have someone bring their own chair.

You have your chair.

No one has to clean things afterwards.

If we all work together ….

We will get through this.

 

Take care.

Live with Kindness and Respect.

Enjoy your time at home.

Be grateful for what you have ……

Things can change quickly.

 

With Kindness and Respect,

I/We remain,

As Always, Carol & Alvin

It is a NEW YEAR.

It is definitely a New Year, 2020.

Life is whirling about me.

There has been both good and bad news, and everything in between.

Me, myself and Alvin are doing great.

Life is not clear cut.

Some days there is no easy way through.

Always do what is best for you in that moment.

Seek positive situations, outcomes and people.

Find someone who will listen.

Someone who will hear your story.

***********************

 

I hear Teddy and Kobi barking, well actually Teddy.

So someone must be going by the house.

The pups are doing great.

We had another good night.

Some puppy photos to warm your heart and bring a smile to your face.

We are doing great.

I will admit that I am a bit tired but my heart is full.

We have been enjoying walks.

Last night I took the puppy with her big brother and then Alvin.

The puppy was all over the place and poor big brother just trotting along.

Happy to come home from work to find three babies happy to see me.

Happier still to find one pee pad that someone had used and no poop anywhere.

 

Seems as though Teddy did not make it into many photos.

The puppy seems to be stealing the show.

She is this burst of energy, this bright light that amazes me.

Happy Wednesday.

 

I wish you many more good days than not.

I wish you abundance and love.

I wish you much laughter.

 

Have an awesome day.

I am always here for you.

 

Always, Carol & Alvin

Living … One day at a time.

Good Morning and today would be Thursday.

November 21st, 2019.

Can you believe it?

I am trying to make the best use of my time but I will admit that some days it just gets by me.

I guess we all have those days.

I felt like a bad Mom as Alvin missed walks two days in a row.

Tuesday there wasn’t enough time before the Snowflake Tea and Cookie Sale and it was raining/snowing.

Oh, my daughter picked me up from work.

I love our rides and time together.

We have the best conversations.

COSTCO wasn’t too busy.

Last night by the time we got home from Costco and I had supper it was too late and Humphrey was over.

I did not want to leave him shortly after he arrived for the evening.

Oh well, we will be going this evening.

He did spend a lot of time outside last night so am thinking that Alvin is trying to tell me something.

I do get it.

 

Again I tried to download the photos from Tuesday but for some reason I am running into technical difficulties.

Always tomorrow.

ARGH.

What is it with me and technology.

Some things work all of the time and others it seems to be hit and miss.

Oh well.

LIFE, right?

 

Well here it is time to head back downstairs.

No pearls of wisdom today.

No great stories.

Just a 62 year old woman trying to make the best of each day and sometimes failing miserably.

Just me and my Alvin ….

Please don’t get me wrong …. I do have a pretty great life all things considered.

There are just moments within some days that I would like to crawl under a rock until I can breathe again.

Okay enough with the self pity, here.

 

Happy Thursday.

I am happy today is Thursday.

 

I will live my life with kindness and respect.

 

Always, Carol & Alvin

 

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Thursday the 28th day of February, 2019.

WOW, the second month into 2019 almost into history.

Tomorrow will be March.

March is already looking to be a busy month.

My daughter’s birthday is in March.

 

Last night the carpool dropped me off a few minutes earlier than usual.

So as soon as Alvin went outside, I got changed we donned our winter walking apparel and were on our way.

We walked over to Teddy’s house where they were expecting us.

Teddy was watching from the upstairs window and greeted us with a series of small barks.

We were happy that they joined us for our walk.

Alvin and I have been able to walk almost every night for the past few days.

But a treat.

We are feeling more energetic and sleeping better.

Well I am sleeping better.

We were up again at 2:30 a.m. …. downstairs..

I gave him one of his glucosamine chews and let him outside.

Now I am afraid that I have started a routine.

Oh well, when we hit the sofa after that ….. we get some quality sleep.

This is my life.

The life of a Momma and her Alvin.

It was so refreshing to walk last night.

I did not even have my hood up …. bareheaded …. living dangerously….

It was a great walk with our friends.

 

My carpool is writing an exam today so I am catching a ride with my neighbour.

So leaving in a few minutes.

So have to fly.

Wishing you all a very Happy last day of February 2019.

Enjoy, as well all know it will not repeat itself.

 

Happy Thursday.

Special Hello to: all those folks out there who are thinking of spring ….. I am with you.  Flowers …… green grass ….. mmmmm….mmm

Always, Carol & Alvin

Thought for the day ….

Good Morning and Welcome to Wednesday the 27th day of February, 2019.

TO BE minus 3 – 4 today.

Welcome to SPRING.

For one DAY only.

This would be my one day only …..

A GIRL CAN DREAM, CAN’T SHE?

How about on this dreamy Wednesday we take a few minutes and close our eyes and dream of spring.

Dream of brown bunnies sitting on the grass in your front yard.

Dream of tulips blooming in your flower beds.

Dream of buds on the trees.

Dream of all of wildlife babies being born and the cuteness in abundance.

Dream of walks with only a light jacket and shoes on.

Dream of NO SNOW.

Dream of plus temperatures.

JUST DREAM.

 

Happy Wednesday Everyone.

Did you close your eyes yet?

Have a wonderful day.

 

Special Hello to: my friends near and far.

Always, Carol & Alvin

 

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Sunday the 17th day of February, 2019.

This month seems to be passing by in light speed.

Already we are half way through and was it not the 1st day just last week.

WOW, crazy.

 

As I look out of my office window the sky is a grey-white colour just a tone darker than the snow that is covering the ground and rooftops.

No snow overnight so that is good.

When I shovelled yesterday it was difficult to find a place, a spot to put the snow.

The deck and grassy area in my back yard have SNOWBANKS.

At the front, I am shovelling above my shoulders, which is not easy.

 

Last night Teddy and his Aunt J arrived about 3:30 p.m. for a visit before having supper with us.

Aunt J brought all of the fixings for a pretty much traditional Mexican taco meal right down to the limes.

It was fantastic.

I realized how much I love refried beans, so good.

Mexicans eat a lot of beans and they are so healthy for us.

We had a great visit and during our conversation I suddenly realized about the wildlife and their struggle for food this winter.

How can they find food when there is so much food.

Some folks are leaving out food for the wildlife.

Thankfully there are some berries on the trees for the birds.

But the pickings are slim.

We do not often think of the wildlife and their struggles between nature and man.

Without wildlife – I doubt we would continue to exist.

We would forever damage the balance, the natural order.

 

The evening was great.

The boys, Alvin and Teddy had fun.

Mostly just collapsing in each other’s company.

Isn’t that what friends do?

They are good just to be around each other, no fancy conversation or entertainment.

They did have chew treats and there are toys.

 

About 8:00 p.m. or so they left for home.

We had such a great afternoon/evening.

Great conversation and food.

I showed off some of the Steeped Tea as she loves tea and had heard all about it from her sister, Teddy’s Mom.

I was happy to give her some different teas to try.

 

The rest of the evening was quiet.

I finished off the few dishes that did not fit or belong in the dishwasher.

We just watched a bit of television before retiring to bed about 10:00 p.m.

 

Saturday was a great day.

I almost forgot that while I was out shovelling,  one of my neighbours happened to be on her way to her car when she saw me.

She came over and we had a brief chat before coming into the house so she could say hi to Alvin.

Which by the way is doing incredibly well.

 

My sister called but I will share this story next Saturday as it pertains to her birthday.

 

Today will be quiet.

Perhaps a bit of laundry and if warm enough we will end out this afternoon for a walk.

Maybe should check the temp this morning before it snows.

Hoping it does not snow.

 

What a weekend.

Fantastic pizza on Friday night.

Great Mexican food and company on Saturday.

We are only at the half way point.

What will Sunday have in store for us.

No plans but you never know.

 

Special Hello to: all our friends and family.  We love and appreciate you.

Always, Carol & Alvin