The Next Chapter

Good Morning. Went to bed with clear blue skies and warm temperatures and woke up to the smell of smoke earlier. I immediately closed my bedroom window. The skies are filled with smoke this morning. This is the first time that it has been really smoky here in my neighbourhood. There may have been other days with the wind that other parts of the City of Edmonton were smoky from the wildfires but this is the worse. The wind is so strong and is blowing the trees with their young leaves from side to side. To all my fellow Albertans, I wish you to be safe. I pray that all the wildlife and domestic animals are safe from the fires. My heart hurts as I know that there has been so much loss of life when it comes to animals, insects and birds. The loss of trees. We, humans have to be better. Stop being careless! Please.

So different between yesterday morning and this morning. One morning bright with blue skies and the next grey and the smell of smoke in the air burns my eyes and hurts my nose. The smoke from our wildfires as I have mentioned previously has been blown by strong spring winds to other parts of Canada and even into the U.S. I cannot imagine how hard it must be to breathe if you are surrounded by smoke.

This post is short. My mind is foggy with thoughts of smoke and fires. I am grateful that the temperature has decreased today and for a few days.

Please be safe and strong. Look after your animals and yourself.

Time for coffee and I should go and put the cushions from my patio furniture into the garage although they will smell like smoke now. Maybe I should just leave them. Not sure. I am grateful to be working from home.

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

Always, Carol & Alvin (My Forever Angel)

Photos of my flowers from last spring waiting to be planted. I cannot wait to pick up some this year.

Flowers to plant

A New YEAR 2023

Good Morning ALL! How are you this morning? I am great, today is Friday and the weekend is ahead of us. We had another choppy but yet not to bad sleep. I always figure if I can get anywhere between 3-4 hours of continuous sleep, I am doing great. So I am pretty great. Earlier we walked outside to a snow rain mix. They were showing on the news (just happened to be on that channel, I normally do not watch the news this early in the day) that the outside cameras were icing up. Do not think that is a great thing but I am hoping that the roads are good this morning.

I have been thinking as of late as I reread THE SECRET that I should just put this out to the world. Thoughts become Things after all! Okay, I am going to say it. Deep breath! Here it is:

I am retiring. This is the goal. When you write something down for others and yourself to see, it makes it feel much more real. So I have done this. My thoughts become things. I am retiring with more than enough money and no mortgage. How about we all do this? Whatever you are dreaming about? Say it aloud or put it in writing for yourself and the Universe to hear and see. Then go in that direction. I will say that is what I did when I retired the first time and moved to Alberta. I kept saying that I was going to buy my own house in Edmonton close to my daughter and son-in-law and I did just that. So it is possible. Everyday and every chance – get those thoughts out there.

Mr. Alvin is quietly waiting for me downstairs so I am going to say goodbye for this Friday. I hope that you have a wonderful day. Be safe. Dream.

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

Always, Carol & Alvin

Last Half 2022 – November

Good Morning ALL! How are you this morning? We are doing great. Up at 5:15, (well up at 3:00 as both of us had to “go”) for the day. Alvin has had his breakfast and I have made our bed and had a shower. Now time to be creative! I love having the opportunity to write this post every day or most days. This post, this blog is meant to be light and fun although there are days when it can be very dark. Everyone has days where it is difficult to keep that bright light and positive energy and mindset shining. Today is a bright light kind of day. I hope that it is for you as well. There is a full moon. I am not sure how many folks out there have the belief that a full moon can play with people’s behaviors but I tend to lend toward “yes.” When you work with the public – you can definitely see it. The sky was beautiful clear with the moon up front and centre and stars scattered about. Happy Wednesday!

Last night I made the “Hamburger Quiche” for supper minus the ground beef and using the YVES Mexican blend “meatless meat.” It was a nice reminder of home, I mean Regina. Edmonton is home but Saskatchewan will always be my “home, home.” I was born and raised there until my early teenage years and spent most of my adult life in Saskatchewan, so it is home. Back to supper. The Quiche was good and I had peas for a vegetable. I usually do not have ketchup in the house or even use it but I bought the smallest bottle that I could as you just have to have it with this dish. Not sure why.

I was nervous when I opened the front door last night and Alvin was not there. Two second later he bounded down the up stairs. My heart deflated as I realized that I had not put up the baby gate to keep him downstairs when I am not at home. I had forgot. I think that our bed is one of his happy places as he can look out of the window as he no longer can get up on the chairs in the living room. A few years ago I would not have thought twice about preventing him from going upstairs but now in his golden years, I do not want him to slip and or fall and injury himself. Whew. Thank goodness he is okay. I will remember today. I will.

We had a good evening after supper and dishes were done. It was close to 7:30 when I sat down with a cup of tea. That is one thing about working at the office – the commute. Honestly I do not like it. We lose two hours each day commuting. That is two hours that I missing with my Alvin. I do enjoy the conversation with Michelle, my coworker and carpool driver. But I would much rather be at home. I can tell you when we were outside at 3:00 a.m. and I went to take a breath of air and my lungs hurt from the extremely cold air this morning, I just wanted to go back into the house and curl up under the blanket with Alvin. Which we did because it was 3:00 a.m., lol. You know what I mean.

Today and tomorrow at the office and then the long weekend. Remembrance Day, November 11th.

Have a wonderful day everyone! I hope that you are able to “shine brightly” on this day!

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

Always, Carol & Alvin

PS: couple of things to do and we will even have some cuddle time before I leave at 7:00. We are leaving earlier because of the snow and ice on some of the streets.

The New YEAR 2022

Good Morning ALL! I hope this finds you doing GREAT on this Thursday, April 28, 2022. Almost the end of April and one more day closer to SUMMERTIME. Yesterday those grey clouds gave us rain which turned into snow. The snow actually stuck to the deck and to the grass until later in the afternoon when the sun came out off and on. Last night it froze but the ground is bare. Lots of moisture. The sky is a brilliant blue this morning with that old SUN shining brightly down upon us. As I glance out of my upstairs office window the trees appear to be still. Lately that it is rare. Weather, gotta love it or put up with it as there is no other choice.

With the snow and rain we did not get out for a walk until after work. We got almost half way round the park/pond by our house and then Mr. Alvin decided enough and headed for home. When he makes up his mind there is little changing it. So back home we went. Still was great to get a walk in no matter the length. All fresh air is good for the mind, body and soul.

After work today the plan is to go for a walk with our friend Pauline. She is recovering from some health issues (NOT COVID) and we look forward to seeing her and catching up.

I was thinking this morning of all the places that I travelled/lived over my almost 65 years on this planet. Perhaps not too many compared to others but enough all the same. So I am going to list a few of them before I sign off:

Corning area (farm), Windthorst, Saskatoon and Regina – Saskatchewan

Lumby, Vancouver, Victoria, – British Columbia

Vilna (farm) and Edmonton – Alberta

Toronto, Niagara Falls – Ontario

Montreal, Quebec City – Quebec

Winnipeg, Brandon – Manitoba

New York City

Las Vegas – Nevada

San Diego and Los Angeles – California

McAllen, Padre Island – Texas

Minot – North Dakota

Black Hills – South Dakota

Nebraska, Oklahoma, Arizona,

Mexico

There are so many others but here are a few.

Have an awesome day. Try and think of all the places you have visited or lived.

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

The New YEAR 2022

Good Morning ALL! Another Tuesday in the NEW YEAR. What a week this has been! Weatherwise, we went from mild plus temperatures to minus to rain to snow with howling winds and then overnight to minus 20 degrees celsius. I hope that everyone driving to and from work and school and appointments on this day reaches their destinations safe and sound. I am so grateful that I can work from home. I do worry about those who do not have this luxury. Please arrive safe in every direction you travel on this winter’s day and every day. This weather seems to be everywhere. Eastern Coast of United States, Eastern Canada, and Western Canada.

I can hear Mr. Alvin snoring from the hallway. What a guy! Tomorrow is his 13th Birthday. We are keeping it low key this year. I explained to him about “low key.” I will figure out a little celebration of sorts of him with just me. That will be just fine.

I am going to make this short this morning. I can smell the coffee brewing and sometimes my thought process gets stuck when it comes to this. No point in babbling about nothing much which perhaps some days I do at that.

One thing to mention, I made this yummy lentil stew/soup last night. Definitely something to consider if you have not as yet used lentils. So good.

I wish you a good day and be safe out there. Whether you are walking or driving, slow down and take your time. Not worth rushing. Leave early if you are driving in this weather. Make sure that you have an emergency kit in the car with a warm blanket, flashlight, chocolate, water and flares. Also have your phone charged.

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

Always, Carol & her Alvin

P.S. slow down …….

The New YEAR 2022

Good Morning ALL! How are you this morning? We are well. Ready, to begin a new week. The temperatures are warming up and that is so exciting. The possibility of walks at noon break and after work are making me feel wonderful. It has been weeks or likely over a month now since we went for a walk outside. Both Alvin and I are feeling the effects of not much exercise. So this will be good for the both of us, for our bodies and for our minds and souls. What do you do for exercise in the coldest months of the year? Perhaps you live in a place where the coldest months just mean switching sweatpants or some full length pant and a light jacket for going outside OR do you live somewhere with no changes in your weather or very little OR do you live in the Northern Hemisphere where we need to have several different types of outerwear. In Canada, in Western Canada where I live, we actually need multiple winter coats and even sometimes need to wear snowpants (lined outer pants that go on top of your regular pants). We need warm toques to cover our heads with a hood on our coats, warm scarves and warm mitts or gloves in addition to the coats and pants. During our winter months our temperatures can range from plus 10 celsius (not normal but happens) to minus 50 degrees celsius and then there can be the windchill factor. So sometimes the actual temperature outside is minus 20 celsius with the windchill it can feel like minus 30 celsius. We are going from minus 30 temperatures to minus 4 to plus 2-4 this week and into the next week. Now those figures may change. But you see the difference. So obviously you need different outerwear / apparel. I have found that it is a good idea to have your coat a size larger so that when it is so cold outside you can layer sweaters underneath. Not everyone in this country has the means to have so many different pieces of outside clothing so sometimes you have to use common sense or even your imagination. Also winter boots are very important. You have to keep your feet warm. Again, sometimes better that your boots are a little loose to add another layer or socks. Most people have a pair for those cold days and then another pair for those REALLY bitterly cold days. Everything should be waterproof if possible – especially your boots. I have several kinds of mitts and gloves. Another important part of the body to keep warm. The elements in Canada can be brutal in winter and it is easy to get frostbite if you are not careful. Listening to the weather reports before you go outside is also very important. I hope that this does not frighten those folks who read this and are not living in Canada. We have the best country on the planet. Of course, it is not perfect here but pretty darn close. One thing I heard on the weather channel last night that kind of did frighten me a bit was climate change and how much it is affecting Canada. They said two times more than any other country on the planet. I do believe that we are doing serious damage and perhaps even irreparable damage to our beautiful blue planet. On that note, I am going to sign off for today. Food for thought. Do what you can. It is time. If we all work together there is hope that we can save our home, our planet. It is worth the extra work, don’t you think?

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

Always, Carol & Alvin

2021

Good Morning All! How are you this morning? It is Thursday, December 9, 2021. There are 15 sleeps till Christmas Eve, 15 sleeps till Santa arrives. Are you excited? I am. I am a 6 year old girl locked up in the body of a 64 year old woman. I believe that says it all. When I was a little girl, I remember being so excited and wondering if Santa got my letter or was listening to me when I said aloud what treasures I would like under the tree. At my real age, I honestly do not remember specific gifts other than a watch which I was both excited and disappointed in receiving. I wanted something a bit more exciting and not so practical. I think that I was about 11, maybe 12. I remember my sister and I getting dolls. There was a horrible year when we girls received these toy machine guns complete with the rat-a-tat noise. I was mortified. We had three younger brothers and I do not remember what they received for Christmas that year but guns for girls. Can you imagine buying your young daughter a toy machine gun for Christmas. I am not sure what I told my friends when they asked what I received for Christmas. Why anyone would think that making toy guns for children was a good idea whether in the 1960’s or at any time is beyond me. But back then, it was as it is still today, all about the money, the sales. Whatever they can advertise whether it is good for children or not, they do. I will say that when I had my daughter, I made quite certain that she had age appropriate gifts and things that she actually wanted. But it was likely my Dad that bought the gifts and he did not think about what the girls would like or the boys but rather whatever he could easily find.

Thankfully yesterday, I was able to get some ice melt from my neighbour and I was able to clear most of the ice from my sidewalk and I also put some ice melt down for them and cleared some of the ice from their walk as well. It is still warm out but I am concerned that even though I scraped away the ice once it melted, the sidewalk was still wet and maybe have a very thin layer of ice on it this morning. I have a friend who is dropping off something this morning and I sure hope that the sidewalk is okay. I wished that I would have shovelled a path through the snow on our front lawn for people wanting to come up to the house. I will keep an eye out for her. What a crazy December. I guess we had thunder and lightning the other night before we had the rain. I can honestly say that I do not ever remember having thunder and lightning in December. But apparently it happened, I missed it. Oh darn, that would be one for the memory books. Anyway, be safe out there all you folks that have to drive to work or to school or for anything, really and on the sidewalks, put on those ice grips or something it is scary icy in places.

Well time to head on downstairs. Alvin did not go outside after his breakfast at 5:00 a.m. nor did he want to go out when I came upstairs. He must have to go.

Take care and be safe.

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

Always, Carol & Alvin

P.S. thank you Gillian for picking up a few things from Costco for me. I cannot wait to try the new bread and now we have popcorn for awhile. Nice treat to have with all of the sweets.

2021

Good Morning ALL! Well we had a pretty fair sleep. Went to bed about 9:20 upstairs, up at 2:00 and outside and then to the sofa and then up at 5:45. I could not believe my eyes and was blinking as though it were wrong. Despite the longer sleep, I did find it difficult to get up and get going. So I kept clicking on “SNOOZE” until finally it was after 7:00 and I knew that I had to get the old fanny farkle up off the sofa. Funny thing is I was not really tired, not sick, not achy, just simply wanted to remain on the sofa snuggled next to Alvin. Perhaps it was being toasty warm and comfy, I do not know but anyway here I am and it is after 7:30. I am washed and dressed and writing this post.

The sun is coming up and the southern sky boasts a lower white with hint of orange on the horizon while as you raise your eyes upward it becomes the most glorious blue with wisps of white clouds. So pretty. I am so grateful that we have such beautiful sunrises and sunsets. I do love seeing photos of them from all over the world because they are all amazing and unique. Considering it is the same sky! The trees are more colorful with each passing day.

Yesterday was a good productive day. In fact, the whole weekend was productive. I did not get anything done outside but inside, I rocked. The outside will be there next weekend.

We did not walk yesterday. We should have, I guess, I know. I finally took the hand held steamer that my kids gave me for Mother’s Day and was cleaning sinks and toilets with ease. I was upstairs cleaning when I heard a noise and turned around to see Alvin standing there and then realized when I carried the vacuum upstairs I had not completely blocked to upstairs. ARGH. He had climbed all the way up. I did not see him so have no idea if he struggled or not. He did not appear to be any worse for it but stairs and that many are not on his list. He can do a few and I let him do the ones outside but not in the house. I carried him upstairs to bed last night. I was so happy that he used the padded bench at the foot of our bed to get up and down plus I lifted him down once. Anyway, cannot beat myself up about it. He seemed to be happy as I think he is getting tired of being carried and lifted up and down from things. We both are actually “tired” of the whole thing and I am so grateful that he is doing so well. But in order to keep things going in that direction, I must be 100% diligent. The gate is up and he is downstairs. Not a peep. Sleeping?

This is going to be a strange week. Tomorrow I work the 11 a.m. – 7 p.m. shift (the last one before it is being cut from our schedule, thank goodness), Wednesday I took off as a vacation day as I am having the furnace and vents cleaned, Thursday we are off as it is the National Reconciliation Day and then I work on Friday. Kind of a nice work schedule this week.

I hope that you enjoyed the photos yesterday. Every time I look at my truck painting, I am feeling better about my artistic attempt. I suppose if I painted more often, I would get better. Likely, I suppose.

Well time to head back downstairs. Definitely need coffee this morning. I hope that you are doing great and that you had a productive, fun and relaxing weekend. Ours was wonderful. Even watched a couple of movies along the way. We walked as well.

Have a wonderful day.

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

Always, Carol & Alvin

2021

Good Morning ALL! How are you on this smoky cloudy morning? My thoughts are going to the people and all the animals living in the areas affected by the wildfires/fires. I cannot imagine. Here in Edmonton it is smoky and yesterday I had to close the windows as the smell of smoke was begin to affect my breathing. I am praying for rain for BC with no wind or lightning.

Does it not always seem to happen that when things all go wrong it is all at once.

My venting ….. as Alvin is barking downstairs and I decided to write this post on my computer upstairs just for a change to feel somewhat normal. Although our lives are not normal at the moment.

So yesterday I had been wearing two very delicate gold bracelets and noticed one was missing. I searched high and low but it is gone. Somewhere in the house or outside. I have a feeling it fell off outside and went down in between the cracks on the deck.

I ran to the mailbox to pick up the mail which I have not done in a long time. There was a package for me. I was so excited. When I opened the package, I found the earrings that I had ordered from Fifth Avenue that had been on backorder. I gingerly unwrapped them to find that the posts were bent on the ends and the backs were on so tight that I barely got one off. Definitely cannot wear them. Damaged before even the opportunity to wear them. Makes me so sad and a little mad.

Going back to the a/c servicing that was supposed to be on Wednesday that we had patiently waited for and then did not show up. When I called the company yesterday morning, I found out that the person I spoke with when they were late showing up – had cancelled the appointment and scheduled it for Saturday when they come to check out the hot water tank. The hot water tank was positioned in a way that blocks off access to the sump pump.

Alvin barking and whining downstairs.

It is not often if at all that I spend my whole post with negative thoughts. I apologize but I just had to get them out. Just seems that everything is going to hell in a handbasket.

Then Alvin has surgery next Friday.

Too much and I am feeling a bit frazzled.

Please forgive this venting as I am well aware in a better state of mind that I am very blessed. I live in a great house/home, I have a yard, I am employed, I am in good health, I have incredible family and friends and so much more. But sometimes life gets the better of us and I am afraid I am at that point. Deep breaths, I know.

I have a headache from the smoke and from someone’s barking. I know he just has anxiety from me not being in his sight but …… oh, I wish.

Okay, I have to go now.

I will be back tomorrow and I will be in a better frame of mind, I promise.

Trying to life with kindness, respect, compassion, patience, understanding, love and gratitude.

Always, Carol & Alvin

2021

Good Morning ALL! How are you this Saturday. Well I just had a shower in cold water and not be design. So I need to make this short and head to the basement and see what is going on. I googled and there could be a gas leak to the hot water heater or any number of reasons why there is no hot water. We have been busy trying to keep cool the past week and succeeded thus far.

I will keep you posted.

Need to keep safe here …… not quite sure who to call or what to do but I am sure that I will figure it out.

Have a great day and be safe, cool and in good health.

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

ALWAYS, Carol & Alvin