Second Half of the NEW YEAR.

YAY, it is Saturday and the sky is a beautiful blue and the sun is shining every so brightly.

There is a breeze.

Last night was only my second time away from Alvin since March 19, 2020.

The first time was last weekend when I had morning coffee with one of the girls.

Last night first evening time away and for about four hours.

I had such a great time.

There were four of us.

The fourth girl/woman was a lifelong friend of the friend who hosted the “Diamond Painting Party.”

We had pictures with beach motif, lovers walking down a tree lined lane, a red truck filled with pumpkins and a colorful tree.

We all took appetizers to have for the best kind of supper.

There was so much food ….

My peanut butter chocolate chip cookies and coffee cake with a thick fruit sauce were a hit.

We ate, laughed, ate some more, shared stories, opinions, had some drinks.

Enjoyed the evening.

After supper we did the Diamond Painting.

Best night ever.

When I came home to Mr. Alvin he was so happy to see me.

After the initial hello – he did let me know in his own unique way that now that I am home, pay attention to him.

 

So it is Saturday.

We were up early but not too early and then hit the sofa once again which seems to be our routine.

I am so happy that I had a great Friday night with friends and now Mr. Alvin is feeling like his old self, a great Saturday and Sunday to follow.

We might be finally able to meet the new puppy Bailey down the street.

I have to get in touch with Bailey’s Mom to see what time will work for us all.

I have laundry and cleaning to do.

Some yard work along the way to do.

Bit of weeding if the flower beds dry out.

Even if they do out …. I will wear my DAWGS or CROCS whichever they are ….. I know they are different companies.

Perfect little sandals for working outside.

 

Feeling pretty happy this morning.

Thinking wouldn’t it be wonderful if a close family member or friend won the $60 million Lotto MAX draw last night.

Someone who loved me so much that would love to share a bit with me.

That would be amazing.

 

Okay time to make coffee, drag the laundry down to the basement and have some breakfast.

Let’s get this day going.

Well actually I have changed the bedding and put out fresh towels in the upstairs bathrooms and am doing this post.

So I guess this day is already going.

 

Have the best day my friends.

Living our lives with kindness and respect.

I/We, shall remain

As Always, Carol & Alvin

 

 

Living … One day at a time.

Hello,

Sky grey this morning, I cannot even say that it is blue as it is definitely grey.

The wind is getting up.

Looks like another rainy day in paradise.

Yesterday the sun shone for a good portion of the day.

You could just see the change in mood across the folks that I came across yesterday.

People were smiling and out walking.

WOW, the numbers were staggering.

People …. families ….. single persons ….. couples …. walking with dogs.

The geese …. the babies are all grown up.

I even came across folks carrying a special water bottle for their dog whose name was Gary.

Oh, Gary and Alvin.

They enjoyed each other’s company.

We saw them twice during our walk ..

I was going to wear just a sweater today but perhaps will wear a light jacket.

Umbrella, of course.

That is been a main staple the past few weeks.

I hear that sunshine is coming.

One friend told me that we have had according to metrologist that a cold front that has been here for over a month is now on the way out.

YAY, well that is good, no great news.

Needless to say that last night Alvin and I enjoyed our walk tremendously.

He is on his blue blanket beside me, as usual.

Funny how this weather has been in the front part of our minds.

Whether we are getting dressed for work or just going outdoors.

Whether we are doing yard work or going for a walk.

Everything this time of year ….

I guess living in Canada …. everything outside is dependant on the weather.

Yup, that is correct.

 

Well I must fly.

I have a couple of things to tend to before leaving for work.

I hope that you have a great day.

Perhaps the sun is shining where you are ….

If not, just keep rolling with your sunny disposition.

What else can you do?

Glum is not an option.

 

Adding to our mantra of kindness and respect …. smiles!

 

Always, Carol & Alvin

Thought for the day ……

Good Morning and Welcome to Sunday the 28th day of May, 2017.

A bright gorgeous morning here in Edmonton.

A slight cool breeze at this time making it absolute perfection.

I love these kind of mornings.

My neighbour is out trimming the lawn.

Her battery would not charge on her lawn mower and my push mower is too small to cut the grass which has grown at lightning speed over the past week and a bit.

We tried to start my son-in-law’s mower which I still have but to no avail.

My neighbour’s father is coming over so he will see if he can figure it out.

Off to a start.

Soon I will be out mowing the back yard again ….. I mowed it last weekend and it has grown lots.

After the grass gets cut it will be giving Mr. Alvin a hair cut and bath.

Followed by a walk and perhaps some more laundry and few small chores around the house.

 

Yesterday was fantastic.

Started out with the birthday party of my friend “G” …… we did a good job hosting.

The decorations looked good, the cake turned out to be yummy and she loved her gift.

We had good conversation and even the odd laugh.

Afterward Alvin and I went for a short walk.

Our friends were busy and could not make it but we are going today.

THE ZOO.

OH my gosh.

I had the best 10 minutes of my life on the PADDLE BOATS.

My daughter accompanied me on the Office Event.

We had a barbecue supper, salads and dessert.

Then everyone went checking out the Zoo.

One of the first things we did was go on the paddle boats.

Neither of us had ever done that and it was great fun.

There was a narrow passage way around some trees and we did not make it through either time.

The boat got turned sideways and we had to back it up and up to get turned around to get out.

We laughed so hard – I almost peed my pants.

So much fun.

The Zoo staff did remark that the boats were hard to steer.

Best time ever.

We spent the rest of the evening walking around checking out the animals which including SEALS, OTTERS, ARTIC WOLF, VARIOUS MONKEYS, CALVES, SHEEP, GOAT, LAMA, OWL, and so many more.

ZEBRAS …… so beautiful.

Did not see tigers or Lucy, the Elephant.

Some of the little creatures were sleeping ……

We even rode on a small train that took us for a little ride.

As we walked around the zoo we laughed about how much fun we had on the paddle boats.

If I could have a small body of water on my property I would totally have a paddle boats.

Best fun …..

NOTE:  usually I do not post photos of people but decided sometimes you just have to and I know that they would be okay with that……

The tulip garden celebrating Canada’s 150 Birthday this year was beautiful.

Tulips are my daughter’s favourite flower.

The grounds are beautiful…..

Some breath-taking trees.

Perfect ending to a perfect day.

Surrounded by friends in the morning and my daughter for the evening (and of course, fellow co-workers).

GREAT DAY.

 

Now time to get back outside and finish the yard work.

My neighbour just finished mowing the front lawn.

We managed to get my son-in-law’s lawn mower going with her Dad’s help.

I have mowed the back and hand trimmed the edges.

Going to rake now.

Decided that Alvin can wait till next weekend for a hair cut.

I may even take next Friday afternoon off and do it then ……

Have an awesome Sunday …..

 

Special Hello to: my daughter, thank you for a great evening.

Always, Carol & Alvin

 

 

 

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Monday the 22nd day of May, 2017.

The sky is partially overcast but it remains somewhat sunny.

I do not think there was rain the forecast but then again I have not check the past couple of days.

We have had a mixed weekend with emotions running from happy to extremely sad.

I was pleased to get some big jobs done over the weekend and to attend a barbecue late yesterday afternoon at one of my friend & neighbour’s.

Yesterday earlier in the afternoon there was an unexpected knock at the door.

Both Alvin and I went to the door to find our friend and neighbour “S” from down the street.

She was clearly upset ….. tear stained eyes.

She wanted to tell me that the afternoon before being Saturday about 3:00 p.m. – their beloved Lola was killed by an unleashed dog – a Pit Bull.

I felt as though someone had punched me at the knees.

Lola was a five year old Chihuahua.

My friend had been out walking at the park where we always walk.

We always obey the rules and have our pups on leashes.

It is seconds near their home and we pass by their house at the outer rim of the park.

She had been walking with their 12 year old son and their two doggies Lola and Presley.

Presley received serious injuries and under went surgery that day.

He was doing okay and was resting at home.

Not comfortably as she said he was clearly traumatized by this event.

Not to imagine what their son is going through.

The owner of the Pit Bull did not even realize until my friend began to scream that anything was wrong.

He had been playing ball with friends and was clearly not paying attention to his dog.

Our park is a family park and is NOT an off leash park.

I will say I am a little concerned about walking there now.

I will stay on the sidewalks and not walk around the lakes on the grass.

I will always take something in my hand that I could throw …. Alvin’s water bottle.

My heart goes out to this family …… Lola was their baby girl and now she is gone.

 

I do not know why some people feel like they can disobey the rules.

They are there for a reason.

We do not even know if he lives in the neighbourhood.

 

My thoughts and prayers are with the family on this day and all the days to follow.

Our four-legged babies are our family.

When they leave us it feels the same as losing a two-legged family member.

They are just as important.

 

So I will be on guard on our walks and pay close attention.

I usually do but now there will be no drifting off or zoning out for even a second.

 

Please make sure that if you have a large dog and most especially a Pit Bull that you have him or her leashed when in a public place.

They may be the most gentle animal that you have ever known but one split second can change the lives of a family of a neighbourhood.

Please think twice.

Be good citizens.

Be compassionate and responsible.

 

Okay time to go on our walk.

Have a great day.

Today is a holiday in Canada – Victoria Day ( for long since past Queen Victoria of England ).

 

Special Hello to: all those folks who lost their four-legged babies … my heart goes out to you all.

Always, Carol & Alvin.

 

 

 

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Sunday the 30th day of April, 2017.

Well here we are just a few hours away from the end of the first quarter of 2017.

Three years away from 2020.

Does that not sound futuristic?

Yikes ….. perhaps in a few short years we will be more “space age.”

Who knows.

 

This morning the sun is shining.

We did receive some rain overnight but it has dried now.

YAY ……

 

This morning Mr. Alvin surprised me ….

Last night by the time I went to bed it was almost 11:00 p.m.

Once again Alvin was ready to rise at 4:00 a.m.

ARGH.

So as per usual, I sleepily get up and go downstairs.

He has his breakfast and goes outside.

This time …… GUESS WHAT.

We came upstairs to bed after his EARLY breakfast.

When I woke up it was almost 8:00 a.m.

Unless I did not hear him he did not wake up in between.

FIRST TIME EVER.

Cannot believe it.

Perhaps we should always come back upstairs.

Although it did not work yesterday.

I guess his hair cut and bath really caused anxiety and our back to normal walk really tired him out.

He looks really cute ….. my little black&white guy….

Anyway good news.

I at least got two chunks of sleep four hours each.

YAY …..

 

Well time to finish the laundry.

Get ready for tomorrow.

You know prepping the oatmeal for breakfast for the next three days.

Deciding on what to wear?

Lunch.

RELAX as we worked …. er, I mean I worked all day getting things done so that today could be a relatively quiet day today.

Might do some more yard work (might), as it is still a bit wet.

After supper we will SKYPE with my sister and hear all about her trip to PERU and VEGAS.

 

I hope that you all have a wonderful day.

Be KIND and have FUN.

 

Happy Happy Sunday.

Special Hello to: YOU, thank you.

Always, Carol & Alvin

 

 

 

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Monday the 15th day of August, 2016.

South view from my house there are rain clouds.

North view from my house the sky is somewhat clear as the sun begins to rise in the east.

Funny how different the weather can be from one end of the house to the other.

Well it looks like my vacation is over.

Where did almost two weeks go?

I kicked around home for the most part.

But did go to dinner and a movie with my daughter, lunch with my Steeped Tea leader and friend, had coffee with friends and lots of walks with Alvin.

Talked on the phone with friends from far away.

I purged things around the house so that is always good.

Starting to read again.

Worked on tea sales.

Did some yard work.

Snuggled more with Alvin.

Played with Alvin.

It was a good two weeks and I am grateful for the time off being at home with Alvin.

 

Lots of changes at the office and more to come next week so I guess that is good.

Change is good, right.

As good as a rest!

Then I should be conquering the world at that rate.

 

Well I thank you all for reading my blog.

I love to write about the things around me.

Love, life and Memories.

 

Have an awesome Monday.

Hold loved ones dear and always, always tell the people that you care about that you love them.

Time has a way of passing quickly.

You can put off dusting the living room until tomorrow.

You can put off cleaning out your hall closet until a week from now.

But always tell those people important to you that you care when you have the opportunity.

For that you cannot put off.

 

Special Hello to: my family, friends and new friends – thank you for sharing in my life.

Always, Carol and Alvin

Just a shot of me Alvin ……

 

Thought for the day…..

Hi There …… I got so busy doing yard work and things around the house yesterday that I forgot to write my thought for the day.  So I guess this one is going to be doing double duty.  I think the number one thought that I have is: I am so grateful for everything that I have and am.

Just the other day I was saying that I would love to go to a movie, and today when I picked up the mail there was a thank you gift of two free movie passes.  I could not believe my eyes.  It was not expected.  I am so very grateful and thankful for the very thoughtful gift.

So every day I am grateful ……

Have a grand rest of your Sunday….

Always, Carol

Trip to Regina

On Canada Day this year, I flew with my daughter to Regina, Saskatchewan to see family and friends.  I left my little dog Alvin in the more than capable hands of my son-in-law ( I know he loves him as much as I do).  This was the first time that I have left Alvin for more than one day.  So it was hard but a good thing for us both.  I must tell you all, really having Alvin is like having a little child once again.  You want to leave them and you do not want to leave them.  What a quandary! Alvin had his “cousins” or “niece and nephew” ??? to play with ….. that is Elton and Penny.  I cannot think of what they are to each other but I do know they are friends.  Back to the trip.  We left Edmonton pretty much on time.  Which is a good thing.  I was happy to see that we didn’t have to remove our footwear and put on those “blue hospital slipper things” ……   My best friend Linda picked us up at the airport.  When we opened the door to leave the airport in Regina we were hit by the hot humid air.  WOW.  We went back to Linda’s house and relaxed.  After supper that night Amanda went to visit some of her friends.  It was a quick trip so we did not have time to see everyone and for that I apologize.  Next trip.  Linda and I went for a walk to a nearby Second Cup Coffee Shop to have coffee and found it closed.  I guess we should not have been surprised as it was Canada Day after all.  But we had a wonderful walk taking in my old neighbourhood and getting some exercise so that was great.  Later that evening, the wind got up, lightning bolts bombarded the air and the thunder roared and it RAINED.  There were tornado watches or warnings out (I do not remember which means what, possibly you might blow away or run for cover).  We survived the night, thank goodness.

On our second day, Amanda and I walked to my nephew Troy’s house.  When I lived in Regina it was about a ten minute walk so tack on a couple of minutes extra from Linda’s house.  We were excited to walk by our old apartment building and the lake across the street.  About five minutes away from Linda’s we realized that perhaps we should have called Troy to come, and get us as it was HOT AND HUMID.  But of course, as strong and determined and STUBBORN women we didn’t call we just kept going.  I guess if Amanda wasn’t carrying her backpack with her camera & equipment and purse and I wasn’t carrying my purse and extra bag with presents for the kids, it might have been cooler.  Oh well.  A bit of sweating, er I mean perspiring (LOL) never hurt anyone.  We arrived.  So happy to see see Troy, his wife Sara and the little ones, almost five year old Azlin and baby Zane (8 months).  Oh my gosh, you could just eat those boys with a spoon.  So cute and so much fun.  I threatened to take the boys home to Edmonton with me.  We had a fun day with them.  Started with coffee and visit, then went for lunch and then drove to check out some properties outside of town.  Oh my, some of the yards so beautiful.  When we got back to their house – Troy found out that he had to leave for work (a day earlier than he expected).  A last minute decision found Amanda and I at the theatre with Azlin watching “Toy Story 3” ….. it was such a great movie.  I was in tears.  If you haven’t seen it – take your family to see it.  It has something for every age.  Very well done.  Sara and baby Zane picked us up at the theatre and then took us back to Linda’s.  There appeared to be a storm brewing. Winds got up but luckily never amounted to anything.  We had such a wonderful time.  I even managed to get a short play in with Azlin.  I miss our time together.

On Saturday, the temperature was a bit cooler so that was a good start.  My sister Cindy picked us up from Linda’s and we went to her house.  Joined by my niece Dara, her “hubby” Geoff and daughter Selena.  We had coffee (a must).  We girls hit the playground which is across the street to do some swinging and take some photos.  Such a nice day.  We had a great visit.  Supper was a barbecue (Geoff made us veggie burgers on the grill) and it was so yummy.  Enjoyed by one and all. Cindy has been doing some stuff around the yard, too.  They took out a tree.  It wasn’t your average tree, either.  It was HUGE.   In the middle of painting the garage.  Looks great.  Also Cindy has some beautiful flowers.  Later that evening Sara and the boys came over.  We played some games and visited.  It was close to midnight when we returned to Linda’s.  Tired but happy.

Then it was Sunday and we were leaving to go back to Edmonton.  Linda made breakfast and her daughters Kadie & Melissa and grand-daughter Abi joined us.  We had a great visit.  It was a warm morning as we had coffee on the deck.  Linda dropped us off at Cindy’s on their way to the RCMP Open House.  We had a nice lunch and then back to the airport.  A whirlwind weekend but a great time.  So many wonderful memories.

No matter how many days you have with family and friends it always seems too short.  Both Amanda and I are grateful for the time that we did get to spend with them.  The little kids were glorious.  All so cute and awesome.  I miss my dear friend Linda, my sister Cindy and all of the family (you know who you are).

Hard to believe that we have been home one week tomorrow already.  Where does the time go?

Thank you to everyone for making our stay in Regina so awesome.  We love you guys……..