Good Morning ALL! How are you doing this Monday morning? Looks like a very hot week ahead of us here in Edmonton. Beautiful bright sunny sky with a cool wind. We are heading out for our first walk of the day due to the higher temperatures of this afternoon and should be able to get a second one in at my lunch break. Sunday morning I shot some photos of the sky from the early morning (yup first ones taken at 5:00 a.m.) and the sky was glorious. I wanted to share them with you but as I wanted to honour my friend Martin, I decided not to post the photos, not to wish all the DADS out there a Happy Father’s Day or to acknowledge the first official day of summer. So I am doing all of that today.
The changes in the sky all took place in just over an hour’s time. The sky was incredible. I wished that I was a great photographer. I was in awe of the early morning sky.
Mother Nature in all her glory.
Yesterday was a good first day of summer and Father’s Day was mixed for a lot of people.
Wishing you an awesome Monday.
Continuing to live this life with kindness, respect, compassion, patience, love, understanding and gratitude.
Yesterday evening, minutes before I was going to attend a Facebook LIVE Fifth Avenue Collection jewelry party, I learned of the passing of a dear friend of mine.
I first met Martin in my twenties as we worked for the same employer. So I have known him for most of my life. He was one of the most sincere, gentle, loving, kind, compassionate, funny, hard-working, human beings that I have ever had the great pleasure to call my friend. He treated each and every person he met with kindness, understanding and compassion. Martin loved to help out in his community and that was evident by the great work that he did for Heritage United Church and with The Downtowners Optimist Club. He never said NO and always found a way to help.
We worked for the same company and over the years were on the company Social Club together in various roles, Children’s Christmas parties, played slow-pitch on the same team, there were Curling competitions (rather parties with the odd curling game in between), the road trips were the best to sporting events were thes best, we both belonged to the Downtowners Optimist Club and worked on some of the same projects, took a road trip together to the States to meet with various Optimist Clubs, our daughters were friends so we attended various birthday parties when the children were young, and even worked in the same department for over a decade. Our children went to the same school. We also carpooled together with some other friends/coworkers for years. There were parties and get togethers. He was definitely a social, active person and that was clear by the life that he led.
His family were the world to him. Grandpa was a handle he treasured and was over the moon proud of his grandson. He loved to share photos and stories.
Martin loved MUSIC. Barb and Martin travelled extensively over the years to various concerts. We were always just a bit envious of his travels.
I am not sure if he ever missed a football game. That would be for the Saskatchewan Roughriders. He loved to go to the games with his family.
Although we haven’t seen each other since I moved to Edmonton over a decade ago, we did keep in touch. There were emails and Christmas cards with a letter.
To Barb and family, please accept my deepest sympathies.
He truly was one of a kind. The earth is a much better place for his time here and he will be greatly missed.
I can see his face in my mind and can only think of all the times we all spent together working on projects or just laughing about something at work.
Good Morning ALL! How are you doing this GREAT Saturday morning? Alvin and I are well. Going to head out for a walk after I write this post. Now I am wishing when we were up earlier that I had actually got my butt up off the sofa but sometimes you just want to snuggle under a warm blanket especially when you know that you do not have to be at work just a few steps away, lol. Anyway, no matter, a decision was made actually several times as we were up and down since about 4:35 a.m. That is the state of our household. A hot mess, most mornings. We manage to get through it and each day. The sun is shining and has been since earlier. There is a breeze but thankfully not gale force winds. So grateful for that. Getting bad when the wind blows over your flowers pots on the deck, okay only one but it was not light. I love looking at the sky. There are clouds which appear to be forming on the southern horizon and actually are taking the shape of mountains, how cool is that? Absolutely beautiful. I believe that the forecast is for 22 degrees celsius today with cloudy periods. So perhaps now would be a good time to go for a walk. The laundry and house cleaning can wait. Yesterday we walked twice which was great. We spotted the families of geese in the park snacking on grass by the trees close to the water. The goslings are no longer little fluff balls but are beginning to get their feathers. I am quite sure that I heard or read somewhere that young geese / goslings are not able to fly until they get their “flight feathers.” No wonder the adults stay close by.
There are 997 lovely souls that are now following this blog. WOW, I cannot believe it. The number has grown so much in the past year and I am grateful to each and every one of you for taking the time out of your busy lives to read my posts. It brings me immense joy. I wish you great joy, much love and laughter and abundance. Thank you.
Well tomorrow is Father’s Day and the official First Day of Summer in the Northern Hemisphere. Two huge events.
I am going to sign off for now. Get out there and get one or two with nature and get some exercise. Getting older has done nothing for my waistline, lol.
Have a wonderful Saturday. Enjoy the day.
Continuing to live this life with kindness, respect, compassion, patience, love and gratitude.
Always, With much thanks and gratitude, Carol & Alvin
Good Morning ALL! How are you doing this Friday? YAY, we made it to another weekend. Alvin and I are well. He slept good so I slept good HOWEVER, since we came back upstairs for me to shower and get dressed, he has been a whiny pants. There is something about the placement of his water dish in our bedroom that now the past couple of days is suddenly freaking him out. He whines and paws and paws and whines when he tries to get a drink. Now if I was not in the shower it would not have been a big deal but of course, he is barking away when I am in the shower. Not just a matter of jumping out and back in. So I try to talk him down “off his ledge” from the shower. Did not work. He barked the whole time that I was in the shower. I sure hope that our neighbours did not hear him or me. Oh, please. Once I was out he stopped and I coaxed him to drink. I moved the dish over a bit but not sure if that will work or not. As the days, months and years pass, I have noticed that he has more anxiety. He used be anxious but that has climbed. I try to retain my patience and manage other than occasionally raising my voice which I know never helps any situation but when it is you are alone in the house except for an anxious dog …. HELP. Perhaps I should have taken him to see someone when he was younger but I did not. Now we just try to get through one day at a time. If anyone thinks that only humans suffer from anxiety – think again. I was thinking how great it has been for him to have me home for the last more than a year but I do not know anymore. I think that Alvin was sent to me to give me more patience. I would say that patience is definitely not a virtue for me. So I will continue to work on it and he will keep testing my patience to see if I am resolved my issues. What can you do?
I do not wish to complain ever as I have a GREAT life. We live in a beautiful home, have lots of good food to eat, I have a job, I am surrounded by loving, supportive, caring family and friends, we have good health, and we are able to walk everyday and I can do some of the things that I love to do such as writing. So I will plod on ….. plod on.
Well speaking of plodding – I had better get this train back on the tracks. One really has nothing to do with the other, lol. Really need that coffee ….
Please have a wonderful Friday. The weekend is just a few hours away …. some time perhaps to do something special for you.
Continuing to live this life with respect, kindness, compassion, PATIENCE, love and gratitude.
Always, Carol & Alvin
P.S. it may not sound like it but I love the little guy with my whole heart …. just sometimes the barking is not easy to handle. …… but we will get through it …. one moment …. one day at a time.
Good Morning ALL! How are you this great Thursday morning? Alvin and I are doing great after a FANTASTIC night sleep. The sky is overcast and it is windy. The wind seems as though it is here to stay.
I finally downloaded my photos from Tuesday night. The flower shots were all taken during a crazy strong wind. Some photos were so blurry that I had to delete them and reshoot them. I love the vibrancy of my beautiful flowers and the green plant at the end of the first row is a PEPPER PLANT. I can hardly wait to see peppers forming. It will be a surprise as to what colour they will be. How exciting. I also threw in some photos of a couple of selfies that I was trying to take for a Fifth Avenue Jewelry Jewelry post and well, the most important subjects were Alvin and the necklace. I took those photos Wednesday late afternoon and the ones of Mr. Alvin laying on his bed were taken Wednesday morning after he wanted to play with his Teddy Bear. Which we did. So cute.
We had two lovely walks yesterday. At lunch time we met a dog named Wilson. I love that name for a doggie. Not much is new with me and Alvin. Father’s Day is coming up for all those Dads out there.
I hope that you enjoy the photos as much as I love the subjects of the photos. Flowers are a passion for me. I love their beauty, various colours and shapes and scents. They just make me feel like a billion dollars. Another passion in my life is my four-legged buddy. I will admit that sometimes I do have less patience than I should but I do try as we continue to muddle through this life of ours together.
Wishing you a wonderful Thursday. Maybe you are doing something special today? Just for you! I hope so. You deserve to take some time and do something just for YOU. You, rock. Remember that! We take ourselves for granted sometimes.
Continuing to go through this life with kindness, respect, compassion, patience, love and gratitude and thoughtfulness.
Good Morning ALL! What a whirlwind of previous days we have had here in Edmonton, weatherwise. The wind has howled. The clouds have rolled in and I mean rolled in. I am not sure if I have seen clouds motoring that quickly ever or at the very least in a very long time. One minute the sun would be shining and the sky would be blue as I looked out of my kitchen window and then I turned and looked out of the living room window only to see darkness. I would run to the living room (which is not far) to see these huge dark looming clouds preparing to pour some moisture down upon us along with wind. I moved my flowers back onto the deck from the garage in the morning before I started work. When the winds got up throughout the day, I moved some of my pots to the shelter of the house. I snapped some close ups of my beautiful plants and will download them from my phone to the computer later on. The sun is shining brilliantly this morning and there is a breeze. I will say after being such a hot Monday, then hot and humid Tuesday today is a welcome relief. Luckily for us last night it did cool down. Oh Summer Weather. Now for some reason I have one of the songs from GREASE stuck in my head. “Summer Nights,” I think it was called. Anyway, worse things could be stuck in my head.
Yesterday after work we headed out for our walk. We missed the one at noon because I wasn’t sure if it was going to pour on us or not. So we stayed home. After work we got ready quickly and headed out the door. Alvin was pretty much leading the way as always to the park. When we arrived at the park, we usually turn and go into the park but no he had other ideas. He pulled with all his might as he kept on going. I knew where he was going. As he was a guy with a mission, I just let him go. Alvin was firm in his plan and would not give an inch that was for certain. He did stop at one point to pee. Not surprised. All dogs have to do that at least once on a walk. As we got closer and closer to Teddy’s house he ran faster and when it came to the street to turn down, he knew exactly where he was going. Up their driveway ahead of me and then up to the door. I ran the doorbell and I could hear Iris say, just give me a minute and then her husband opened the door. I apologized for just showing up as I always do and he said as they always do “we love to have you, don’t apologize.” In fact, a few minutes after our arrival as Iris had been upstairs she remarked “you know if the pups were kids, they would all be at your house or here” and that could not be a more true statement. I said that I would try to not apologize when we arrive unannounced as if it was not a good time, I know they would kindly let us know. We went in and then out onto the deck where we enjoyed a cool drink. I had can of ginger ale. Not much for pop, but I do enjoy ginger ale occasionally. Alvin was quite vocal for a time on the deck and we were not quite sure what he was trying to say and then he calmed down. We had a great visit and then we were off home. Home to have supper for both of us.
We spent the evening quietly. Just putzing and watching recorded episodes of “BEAT BOBBY FLAY” and I really enjoy them as they are 30 minutes long and go quickly and I learn a lot from these cooks and chefs. I love seeing his guests interacting with him. Plus it is funny.
Well looks like the time has really passed quickly and I had better head on downstairs and get signed onto the computer and plug in my coffee. Good thing that I prepared it before coming upstairs.
Have an awesome Wednesday.
Remembering to live each and every day and moment as full of kindness, respect, compassion, patience, love and gratitude and adding thoughtfulness and listening. I have to work on listening.
Good Morning ALL! We hope that you are doing great on this Tuesday, June 15, 2021. Mid June. I am not sure if the weather has been playing havoc with Mr. Alvin but he did not sleep well last night and therefore Momma did not either. I am hoping that today will be quiet. The air is cool this morning which is refreshing from the hot muggy air of yesterday. The house is still hot but with the windows open it is cooling down. We slept with fans going all night. The lightning flashed and the thunder roared. At points in time when we were outside, I could see the stars. So there were clear times. Tis the season for summer rain storms. Yesterday near the end of my lunch break I hauled EVERY single one of my flowers pots into the garage. It took me a few minutes, actually over 10 minutes to put them in the safety of the garage. I always panic with respect to my flowers and plants when the forecast says “storm watch” with possible high winds and hail. So now I will have to bring them all out. It is windy and there are clouds but it has cooled down so they/we should be okay if they come out. I just think if I take all the time and money to plant them, I should look after them. Some of those pots are very heavy. The three larger black pots that were on the top deck closest to the garage door, I was able to slide them and then lift them over the door frame and into the garage. But the rest I had to lift so had to be careful. Perhaps getting some cool air will be good for us.
Yesterday it was too hot at noon for a walk so after work it had cooled down somewhat when there were clouds over head so we headed out for a walk. We did not get too far but did manage to get in a bit of a walk. Alvin drank his whole bottle of water on the walk which was about 1/2 of our regular one or close to it.
I am sorry but I am experiencing a bit of writer’s block due to being up and down all night. So I am going to sign off for today. We hope that you have a fantastic day. Hopefully you were able to sleep.
Continuing this journey called life with kindness, respect, compassion, passion, love and gratitude.
Good Morning ALL! How are you this Monday morning? When Al and I were first up at 3:30 a.m. – it was dry, next time we were up at 5:30 it was overcast and the deck was wet and it was lightly raining and it continued. Until a few minutes ago the sky was grey with rain clouds but now the clouds are breaking up and I can see clear blue sky to the south. I cannot believe that the forecast had the rain starting and ending down to the hour and were correct. How is that even possible? Luck? Perhaps. It is windy. The temperature was to be 30 today but has been reduced to 29 but what is the difference of one degree? Likely won’t feel any differently.
Yesterday was a FANTASTIC day. We were up in good time. I wrote my blog, had a shower and went for a walk before my friend, S came over for a visit on the deck. We had a great visit in the sunshine. Mr. Alvin was barking and was getting warm so we moved from one side of the deck to the sofa. He laid down and I sat next to him. He settled right down. We, girls continued our visit. My friend still had some sunshine. I love my talks with my friends, I get caught up on all things children and with them. I learned so much yesterday morning. Also another thing that happened after our walk. I checked my phone to find two missed calls from our friend G, who usually comes with S for coffee and visits. Quickly called her back to find out that the “upright freezer” that I had been eyeing up at the COSTCO store where her husband works was on sale. He had not noticed and yesterday was the last day of the sale. It was a huge $60 off so I could not refuse. Lucky for me, they have a truck and could load up and bring it over to me after he was done work and that is exactly what happened. I am so grateful to have an upright freezer. Now there is no chance of me falling in and not being able to get out. For some reason I had that in my head and what would Mr. Alvin do? Would be funny for sure! Also for a second time I had groceries delivered to me. This time from Save-On Foods. They were a few minutes with their delivery but the driver called me to let me know he would be late and to make sure that okay to leave on the steps. I advised him that I would be at home and it was okay. Poor guy. Last night we watered the flowers and plants after a hot day. Yup, watered everything and everything had another good drink this morning. Thankfully it has stopped raining.
Sometimes you just never know what can happen during the course of a day.
What a day we had. Good on all fronts. I am so grateful to have such wonderful friends and family. Thank you to my daughter for ordering the groceries from Save-On to have them delivered. I tried to use the APP and had nothing but problems. My daughter to the rescue as always. So grateful to have her ….. she is good to her Momma. Sometimes technology drives me crazy.
Well looks like it is almost time to head on downstairs and put on the coffee, turn on some music, and grab Mr. Alvin’s bed from the living room and set it up in the kitchen so he can lay down there when he chooses. Usually he flip flops between the kitchen and sofa in the living room.
Too bad we could not get out for an early morning walk but to walk in the rain is not a great idea especially when there was thunder and lightning. Better to be safe. Hopefully the temperature will allow us to walk at noon. Most days we get in two walks so I guess if we miss one here and there we will be okay.
I am continuing to write the story that I started Saturday night ….. another chapter …..making more notes. Going in the right direction. So grateful for that ah ah moment.
I wish you a wonderful Monday.
Continuing to live this life with kindness, respect, compassion, patience, love and gratitude.
Good Morning ALL! Welcome to Sunday, June 13th, 2021. How are you this morning? We are well. Alvin has his own clock and of course it almost never lines up with mine, you would think it may after this many years together but it has not. Oh well, what can you do? Not much. Today is the birthday of a friend of mine who lives in our neighbourhood. I talk of her often as she has the most beautiful garden and Alvin always stops when we are walking and looks into her yard from the public sidewalk to see if she is outside. If she is outside, he pulls me toward her and there is no stopping him until we get to her yard. Happy Birthday our friend, we hope that you have an awesome day. It is the perfect blue sky and sunny morning for her birthday. There are birds chirping happily outside somewhere. We are up and at it quite early. I can feel a bit of coolness coming in through the open window in my office as it dances upon my skin. The forecast for the next few days is to be warm. One of my “younger” girlfriends in the neighbourhood is coming for tea/coffee and a visit this morning. “G” is unable to attend as she has other commitments. We are excited to have company. The flowers are looking beautiful and the backyard lawn has been mowed and is looking good.
It is true that we are inspired at the most unusual of times. For me, when I get an idea for a story it comes after I climb into bed and am comfortable. Sometimes I tell myself – oh you will remember in the morning and can write it down and then come the morning, I have forgotten. So last night, I got up twice and wrote in my notes on my iPhone the story line as it tumbled into my brain. Yay, me, I have a good part of a children’s story written. Honestly not much left to do but to elicit an illustrator. Lucky for me, I happy to have close family and friends that are good at drawing. I am feeling really good about this story. Very good. Excited in fact. Sometimes you just know when you have an idea that it is the one. The one that is going to do it. YAY, me.
I absolutely love the cool air as it drifts through the house landing and cooling everything it touches. The amount of wind in Edmonton seems to have increased over the years since I moved here.
Well I am ready to head into the shower and then have breakfast before our company arrives. The laundry should be dried in the basement so I will bring that up and I have one more load to wash or maybe two and then done.
I hope that you are inspired to go outside your comfort zone today. Take a chance and go for it. Do it today. In this moment if you have an idea for a book or a podcast or a business or a new recipe or whatever it may be – go for it. Take that first step. I know that you can do it ….. I feel it in my core. You have what it takes. After all, don’t we all. If we just lift that veil of “uncertainty” and literally take that first step. Pushing down barriers and fears and negative thoughts we can make our dreams come true. Hey, I am with you. I am the first person who has great ideas and then pushes them aside or ignores them due to FEAR. Fear of not knowing what to do next. Fear of what is ahead. Fear of it all, really. But together we are going to do this. I know that we can. As I always tell Alvin when he is afraid to cross from the area rug in our bedroom to the bathroom floor …. “put one paw (foot) in front of the other and soon you will be walking across the floor.” He eventually calms and makes the journey. You got this. We got this. I got this.
Time to hit the shower. I wish you the best day ever.
Continuing to live each and every day with kindness, respect, compassion, patience, love and gratitude and to be fearless in the journey ahead.
Good Morning ALL! How are you doing this slightly cloudy with a breeze Saturday morning? We are doing great. Off to a bit of a late start for us but it is all good. Work was a “hectic” so to sleep in for about one hour was welcome. We are just going to have a day where we do some cleaning, get a walk or two in, doing some research on roofing companies complete with list of companies to contact and questions to ask, laundry (always), cooking supper and some playing. I am sure that there were be a other things that will require our/my attention today and I will deal with those things as they arise. It is the weekend and I happy for it. I finally was able to upload/download my photos from the phone to the computer. I do not know why my computer no longer asks me if I would like to download duplicates or not but it no longer do I get that message. But I was able to get them onto the computer so then I can delete them from my phone and make sure that I only keep on the computer the ones that I need. We really do not need ten shots of the same thing, right?
Here are some photos:
The photos of our backyard and front flower bed were taken about one hour or so ago. In hindsight I should have taken some close up shots to show just how beautiful the flowers are but I did not. The photos of Alvin and his best friend Teddy were taken this past Tuesday when he came to spend the day with us.
Took a bit of time to get photos down and a unexpected download to do but finally I can share some photos. I hope that you have an awesome day. Tomorrow begins some warmer weather and I have a friend come for coffee in the morning for a deck visit. Also tomorrow is the birthday of a dear friend whom I met since arriving in Edmonton. I also might try again to set up for home delivery of groceries. I spent over an hour last night after my daughter sent me the Save-On Foods app to my phone with the thought of having groceries delivered maybe today. Well that did not happen as for some reason technology does not seem to like me, lol. I will try again today.
Continuing to live this life, each and everyday with kindness, respect, compassion, patience, love and gratitude.
