Last Half 2022 – October

Good Morning ALL! How are you this Wednesday morning? Alvin and I are doing very well. We had a great sleep for us. Lights out at 10:00 p.m. and first time up at 4:00 a.m. and then up to stay up at 5:40. No complaints. Today is my last day at the office for the week and that makes me happy. I am doing a little dance while sitting on my chair typing/keying this post. YAY.

The traffic seems to change from day to day. Sometimes I get dropped off at 4:30 and others about 4:45 or so. Life in the fast lane.

There is not too much new in my live at the moment so that is good.

I am thinking ahead to next weekend which will be the first weekend in November and time for me to start decorating for Christmas. With Halloween being on Monday and working at the office from Tuesday to Thursday, I thought better to wait until the weekend.

Looking at the plants that I have in the office, I noticed that my African Violet is blooming. Beautiful deep, rich purple flowers. She is amazing. The Spider Plant is enjoying more sunshine in the office than in our bedroom and the third plant which I am not quite certain its’ name, is green and beautiful. I am so grateful to be surrounded by so many healthy, pretty plants. Looks like they may need a drink so I shall do that before I go back downstairs. One more time outside for Mr. Alvin before I leave for work. Our friend is only able to come over at noon today so I want to make sure that he has that last pee and possibly another poop and drinks some water (not necessarily in that order). Better to drink the water first and then go outside. Hopefully he will.

There was frost on the ground again. I noticed that the weather channel has single digit temperature for today but warming up for the next few days. I hope that they are correct. We can enjoy more warm walks. Perhaps Alvin won’t need his sweater. I think that I gave Alvin’s winter coat away, the big one as it was a bit too big on him anyway although with his recent weight gain, that may have changed. Will have to check things out.

I hope that you have an awesome day. May you be surrounded by the beauty of nature. Most of the leaves have fallen from the trees although there are a few left and I treasure each moment with them on the trees. Looks like I may have some raking in my future although some leaves on the ground does help protect the grass and fertilizes it for spring.

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

Always, Carol & Alvin

PS: oooooo, coffee!

The New YEAR 2022

Good Morning ALL! How are you this Tuesday morning? We are well. Mr. Alvin did throw up earlier about 4:30 this morning but appears to be okay now. When I went outside with him at 6:00 after he had breakfast I noticed some flakes of the white stuff coming down. As the sky lightens this morning I do not see anymore but it is cold outside. There is wind as that seems to be our new norm. Always something changing.

I am happy that today is my last day of work until Thursday, April 21, 2022. YAY. I just need to get some things finished up today and then I can relax with my grandpups and Alvin on my time off. The sky is an unusual colour palette as I look out of my office window. Hopefully the clouds clear soon. The forecast for the next few days is supposed to be on the cooler side but at least we can walk. Just have to bundle up. Hopefully the sidewalks remain clear.

We managed to get out for a walk yesterday at my lunch break but it was short at only 15 minutes. Better than nothing but the wind was so cold. I even had my winter coat on and Mr. Alvin had his warm sweater on and the wind just cut through. I could not even warm up and the house seemed colder.

I am grateful for this house, our home, for our good health, for our many friends and family, for a job that continues to allow me to work from home, for good food to eat and so much more. I am truly blessed.

On this Tuesday, I hope that you are well. I cannot take my mind off the work I have left to do so I will make this post short and head back downstairs, pour my coffee and get to work.

Take care, be well and have a wonderful day. I hope that you are able to get outside and that you are surrounded by laughter. Fresh air and laughs are the perfect combination.

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

“Dare to dream,” – why not?

Always, Carol & Alvin

2021

Good Morning ALL. How are you today? I am doing great. Off to a little wobbly, well rather later than planned start but all is good. I have showered and am writing my post now and one of the girls will be here in less than a hour. She is bringing a couple of small heaters as we are having a birthday party in my garage. Thankfully the temperature is warming up but having the party at 10:00 a.m. …. it is likely still going to be cold. I wore a long sleeved top and a cardigan and sweatpants that are toasty warm. Not sure if to wear my bigger coat or my other one. Both are warm but one covers more of my legs. Boots ….. Also I will be putting a sweater on Mr. Alvin, his sweater of course, not one of mine, (you are silly, lol). All depends on how you write words as to the understanding, right? I have everything packed up and ready to be hauled out to the party area. Last night after work I moved and rearranged things in the garage so each of us are more than six feet apart so we can be mask free so we can drink our beverage (coffee and tea) and eat the birthday cupcakes. Each person has a comfy chair with a nice cushion. I am taking out blankets as well. Also we each have a side table of sorts. One is a table, one is a wooden bench and the other which I am using is a rubbermaid container with a piece of cut drywall as a topper (as it is flat). I am taking a cloth to cover the table. Decided to use the river rock top bistro table as I was unable to easily get to the other bigger patio table. I think it will be perfect. A birthday banner will be hung this morning as I thought the tape would come off in the cold. I have a few decorations that will go onto the table and voile we are done. Ready to party. I will put on the coffee so it is ready when Gillian arrives. I said her name. Sometimes I mention friends and family by name and sometimes not. The birthday girl is Signe. Her actual birthday is tomorrow. The sky appears to be clear. I think this is going to be a great party. It surely is. Also the extra gift for the girls that was being commissioned and did not make it for Christmas has arrived. So both girls will have gifts today. How wonderful is that. I am so excited. Alvin had lots of gifts last Sunday and me, well everyday and all the time that I spend on this earth with my Alvin, family and friends is all the gift I need.

I did want to mention something that I believe has become so important this past year and will remain important now and into the future. That is PATIENCE. We have all had to learn and be patient this last year. It is not a trait that comes naturally to human beings or at least not in my experience. It does come more easily to some than to others but it is most important these days. We have had to change our daily lives completely in 2020 and even into 2021 whether working from home, changed work hours, having no job, wearing a mask whenever you are outside in public, teaching your children from home, either having personally experienced the COVID 19 virus first hand or having a family member or a friend have the virus and of course, the worse possible – having someone pass away. There is no one on this planet that has not been affected in some way, shape or form. You may be one of the millions of folks who work in healthcare, with seniors, in schools, in stores, restaurants, fire department, police, utility companies and the list goes on and on of those that are out everyday no matter what. Also to all of the small businesses who have either had to close their doors or somehow have managed to keep afloat. Everyone, everyday has had to have patience. Whether you are at home or at work …. we all need patience. I tell myself (quite often, actually) and others to stop, take a deep breath and then go forward. We can do this. Patience will always serve us well in every situation for the present and into the future. Some things are beyond our control but patience is something we can control if we work on it. I know that for sure. Deep breath, patience all. We got this. We have learned valuable lessons as human beings or at least I hope so and although there may be many days that are marred with doubt and despair we will get to the other side. It will be different. I do not believe that things will ever go back to the way they were or at least some part of me, hopes that is the case. We hopefully will have learned for the future, for our children’s futures and their children.

So time to go and put the finishing touches on this birthday party. Mr. Alvin looks like me may have to go outside as it look like his eyes are watering …. he is fussing. He even asked me nice. How can you ignore that.

Be well, take cake. Breath and have patience.

Oh, I get to pick up my new glasses today, so excited. We might also get a walk in later this afternoon.

Life is good.

Continuing to live with kindness, respect, compassion and learning patience, always.

Always, Carol & Alvin

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Tuesday the 18th day of April, 2017.

Well I saw a few mini snowballs escaping from the sky and coming down to earth.

It is dark with the overcast sky.

They are forecasting more snow ….. ARGH.

All I can think of is the poor little ROBINS in all this snow and colder temperatures.

I hope that they will be okay.

 

Well did you all have a wonderful weekend?

Mine was very nice …… mostly just hanging out with me Alvin.

Nothing wrong with that …..

To be honest I could have done things around the house but I chose to just do the necessities and to just relax.

It was great to have HODA KOTB back to the Today Morning Show with Kathie Lee Gifford.

She is one happy Momma.

So happy for her and Joel.

 

So back to work this morning.

Back to our routine.

Nothing like a routine.

 

Well it is almost time to leave for work.

I will be wearing my winter boots and coat (be prepared, I always say).

There is the potential for lots of snow and I do not wish to ruin my shoes.

 

Happy Tuesday ……

Special Hello to: my family and friends all over the world.

Always, Carol & Alvin

 

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Monday the 6th day of February, 2017.

It is COLD, COLD out there this morning in Edmonton.

Double digits below – 26 degrees celsius.

Poor Mr. Alvin had to take two runs at it to get outside.

He did his business very quickly.

Poor little guy.

I am grateful to have a warm coat, mitts, scarf and boots for the cold walk to the bus.

 

What a great weekend.

Yesterday we just spent inside except for some shovelling and I had to watch Alvin as it was so cold and he could only be outside for a minute or so.

Did some cleaning and watched a couple of movies.

I watched “Mother’s Day” with Julia Roberts, Jennifer Anniston, Kate Hudson and so many great actors.

I laughed and I cried.

It was a good movie.

Perfect for a Sunday afternoon.

 

Well it is almost time to hit the road ….. the cold ….. argh.

There are times these these when I wished that I was retired.

Oh well, it is all good.

 

Thank you Universe for a great weekend.

I had time with my girl, an outing, time with my boy, did some cleaning and laundry and made some jewellery and I RELAXED.

Perfect.

 

Have a great Monday.

Special Hello to: my sister ….. shall we SKYPE soon …..

Always, Carol and Alvin

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Tuesday the 3rd day of January, 2017.

We are back in a deep freeze here in Edmonton.

Dropped to minus 25 degrees celsius overnight.

Oh joy …… at least no moisture, er snow.

Back to work today.

I had the most wonderful Christmas break with my family and friends.

Alvin and I enjoyed extra long walks on the nice days.

Thank goodness cause this is way too cold for me Alvin to be outside longer than to do his “needs be.”

January is off to a great start.

Had visits with one of my girl friends yesterday and my daughter the previous day.

2017 is a year of patience, more kindness, patience and laughter.

I mentioned patience twice because quite often it is the lack of or not enough of patience that drags us to a bad place.

If we had the patience then the rest might fall easier into place.

For me patience is a big thing …. keeps me in a better place.

So in a few minutes I will be donning the longest winter coat, big scarf, mitts and tall boots.

You need to be covered in good layers on a day like today.

 

I sure hope that the first few days of this New Year find you well and ready to have the best year of your life.

We have to at least start in that great place and hopefully this will be the one that goes as smoothly as life can.

To good health, great joy and an abundant 2017.

 

Special Hello to:  my Family …… this is our year.

Always, Carol and Alvin

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Monday the 5th day of December, 2016.

Well I can safely say that Edmonton now has winter.

It snowed like there was no tomorrow late yesterday afternoon early evening.

Looked like a giant snow globe had been placed over my neighbourhood.

By about 8:00 p.m. it slowed down but in its’ wake we got about six inches or so.

Hard to tell.

I did shovel once in the middle of it all and now I could shovel again.

It was wonderfully light and fluffy snow.

The kind that makes shovelling quick work.

It is minus 16 degrees celsius or so at this time.

The wind is howling so I will make certain to wear my longest winter coat, put up my hood and wear my scarf.

 

Yesterday I finally was able to complete my Tribute to our Beloved Elton.

As is all things after it was done and published on this site; I thought of so much more that I could have said and should have said.

Like this guy absolutely loved car rides and would sit proudly on his car seat looking out of the window.

Always sitting proper and not fussing about.

When Elton walked …. so cute…. he had this swagger ….. like he was the King of the World.

I loved to watch him walk as we would go for walks together.

Sometimes me, Elton, Penny and Alvin would go together.

The trio made for some fun walks.

One wanting to go each different way.

But I miss those times with all my heart.

There is nothing like the unconditional love of a “dog” …. they are truly our family.

Rest in Peace our wonderful fur babies.

 

So on this Monday ….. brrr cold.

I have fond memories to keep me warm.

 

Have a wonderful day.

I did manage to write cards and notes to family and friends at a distance.

More to do …… some every night.

 

Special Hello to: Family and Friends, Merry Christmas ….

Always, Carol and Alvin

 

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Monday the 17th day of October, 2016.

Well no moisture overnight.

The sidewalks are dry.

Do I risk it and wear shoes?

Who knows.

That is Edmonton, one never knows what to wear.

I know that there are many other places that are the same.

You can go to work with snow in the morning and freezing temperatures and by early afternoon it is sunny and plus 15 degrees celsius.

That would be Calgary.

Weather is an interesting item for sure.

I always check the weather channel for hints about the upcoming day(s).

One that that I will  mention about the weather channel is the new format they are using – is not user friendly.

Not liking it.

I suppose I should let them know.

Not that it would be changed for me but perhaps there are others that are not fond of it either.

They are trying to put way too much information on the television screen and it becomes “white noise” so to speak.

Weather.

I did see on the long range forecast that it is supposed to be plus 10 on Friday.

That would be crazy.

Perhaps the remaining snow would melt and we could have fall back minus the coloured leaves.

Oh well.

A girl can dream.

It did not feel as though we had fall long enough.

One day the leaves were green, the next they were yellow and orange and the next they were gone from the weight of the snow.

I hope that you had a relaxing enjoyable weekend.

Mine was good.

Able to relax and enjoy some walks without trudging through snowbanks.

Always a good thing.

Well almost time to start getting all of the items on for my walk to the bus and then from the bus to the office.

The lighter winter coat, scarf, mitts and perhaps the boots.

I have not made up my mind as yet.

I will wait until the last minute and see what my gut tells me to do.

Have an awesome Monday.

Special Hello to:  all those folks who take their precious time to read this girl’s blog.  Thank you.

Always, Carol and Alvin

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Tuesday the 5th day of April, 2016.

Wow, we woke up to snow.

Just a coverlet of the white stuff covering the deck.

Just enough to throw Alvin out of his routine.

He did not want to walk on the deck.

He stepped out so gingerly …. lifting each paw gently as he made his way across the deck and down the steps to his green patch.

Well not so green at the moment.

He is so darn cute.

I guess after all it is Spring and anything can happen.

After 22 degrees on Saturday to snow on Tuesday.

I am pleased that I left my snow boots and winter jacket in the closet by the front door.

It is not cold out but I have been cold on the bus so I will pop it on.

The temperature is not to be super warm today anyway.

Boots or shoes, that is the question.

There isn’t much now but there could be.

I brought my shoes home from work so would have to carry a pair to work.

Oh well I have 10 minutes or so to make that HUGE decision.

I am smiling ….. as it is not such a big decision.

But always good to have a giggle at this time of day.

I am happy or not but we had 30 minutes on the sofa this morning to rest.

I have been dreaming and not able to settle down at night so that helped me feel a bit rested.

Well I hope that wherever you go today, and whatever you may be doing that the NEWS is all good.

You deserve good news and today is the day.

Me and Alvin – Alvin and I wish you good health and love on this Tuesday.

Throw in a pinch of laughter and life is perfect.

Happy Tuesday Everyone.

 

Special Hello to: everyone out there who has an appointment today – good news – good news, it will be good news.

Always, Carol and Alvin

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Wednesday the 28th day of October, 2015.

Dark crisp morning here in Edmonton.

On my way home from work last night, I ran into one of our friends “A” and her dog Abi (Alvin’s girlfriend).

They were just going out for a walk.

Abi was so excited to see me that I thought perhaps they should come in and after I fed Alvin we could join them for a walk.

Alvin at first was more excited to see me because he had to go outside and then he foodie that he is …. had to eat.

They had their time and then we went for a great walk together.

Alvin and Abi …. so cute together.

 

Four sleeps until the big day.

I can hardly wait.

On Sunday the 1st day of November my Christmas Tree is going up.

So excited.

I am grateful that I can put it up on my schedule ….. previously I was working at the store most Sundays.

Please do not get me wrong I am grateful to the “STORE” for hiring me when I needed a job ….

Not everyone is willing to take a chance on an employee that is over 50.

Funny thing you would think it would be the other way round …. more experience and all that stuff.

Anyway ….

Back to the TREE.

Sunday morning the Halloween decorations will come down as well as all of my other ornaments ….

Only Christmas things will be displayed.

I have so many beautiful items that I want them to be out front … and not in between a vase that doesn’t really match the Christmas theme.

I am going to check to see if my daughter will be joining me for the big event.

Hot chocolate and a Christmas movie playing in the background.

There is no better way to spend a Sunday ……

Exciting and relaxing all rolled up into one.

Just a few days until my favourite time of year.

Tree goes up.

House gets decorated inside and out.

Pull out my Christmas cards and start writing them so that they can be mailed before the end of November.

Decide on which photo of me and Alvin to get printed from our annual photo shoot.

I always send a photo with the card.

Each year the amount of cards I receive gets less and less.

I love writing each card to friends and family.

Sending a letter about our year and also a photo.

I think it is a way of people catching up with you when perhaps that is the only time of year that you communicate.

Not because you do not wish to but simply because life has a way of passing and there is no time.

Well almost time to get going to catch the bus.

Last night I brought my winter coats/jackets up from the closet in the basement.

Too cool in the morning for my light spring/summer jacket.

I hope that you have an amazing Wednesday.

Special Hello to: all you folks out there who will be putting their Christmas Trees up this weekend.

Always, Carol and Alvin