2021

Good Morning ALL! How are you doing this morning? Yesterday the weather was so perfect that not only did we walk at lunchtime but we also went for a walk after work. We took a different route after work which was actually our old norm route which took us to pass right by Alvin’s best friend Teddy’s house. He could not help but to turn in and although I tried to sway him, we ended up on their doorstep with me ringing the doorbell. Kobi had hopped onto a bench by the window near the door looking so excited to see us. How can you say no to them? Obviously we can’t, well at least I cannot. Shortly thereafter we were sitting on the deck drinking tea. During our conversation, I mentioned to Teddy’s Mom that he should come for a sleepover sometime this weekend and how about Saturday? She checked with Teddy’s Dad and it was a date. Over the next few minutes it appeared that Teddy wanted to come home with us now. So we changed the sleepover to last night. We had a great night. Teddy is way more laid back than Mr. Alvin so I guess that, is why they are besties. Opposites attract. We were late for Alvin’s supper by the time we got home so that was the first thing on the agenda “feed Alvin,” and of course see if Teddy would eat a bit more, which he did not. He is not a huge eater. So unlike Alvin. Once they were tended to, I started my supper which was a pot of chili. It turned out to be one of the best pots of chili that I have ever made. So yummy. It was very late for me with supper. After the dishes were done and clean up, we just had a quiet evening snuggling on the sofa. This morning. Last night Alvin was up about 3:00 and then tried to get me up as soon as possible for his breakfast but I managed to hold him off until 5:00 a.m. …… Teddy could have cared less about eating so will try him again and again. Which I did when we got up at 7:00. They are so different but really get along so well.

Alvin is upstairs waiting “patiently” for me to be done and Teddy is snoozing on the sofa in the living room.

The skies are overcast and it was light outside about the time we got up. Well today is the start of my cleaning and reorganizing and sending out notes for an upcoming tea order that I will submit next weekend.

BEST FRIENDS

Everyone needs to have a best friend.

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  Teddy

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  BF Teddy

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  Alvin & his BF Teddy

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Wishing you a wonderful Good Friday.

May you be surrounded by love and joy.

Be safe in all that you do.

Soon you will be surrounded by all your friends and family.

That you miss so much as they do you.

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

Always, Carol & Alvin

It is a NEW YEAR.

Good Morning,

As we now settle into the month of May, 2020.

Fast approaching the Victoria Day long weekend here in Canada.

The sun is shining here in Edmonton.

After a couple of overcast days with a bit of “snow” and “rain.”

Back to sunny days, fingers crossed.

 

Usually it is on the long weekend that most folks plant their gardens and flowers.

I have one plant at this time to transplant, the beautiful geranium.

It has wintered so well filling my bay window in the kitchen with gorgeous pink flowers.

I think I will wait a bit longer before putting it outside.

Still a good chance of frost and if I place it in my biggest pot, I cannot lift it into the garage every night, too heavy.

So perhaps end of May or start of June depending on the weather.

 

Most of the trees are beginning to bud and a great many are filled with baby leaves.

As I glance out of my office window I can see a tree to the south filled with a million little green leaves, baby leaves, I should say.

The promise of birth and renewal, is spring.

New babies being born across the many kingdoms of living beings that inhabit this planet.

Life.

 

Well I am running a tad behind this morning not sure how that happened but it did.

I can smell the warm, earthy aroma of my coffee perking.

The smell of the spring air as it filters through my office window.

Life is good.

Alvin is laying on his little bed between my workspaces.

Personal and Office.

I never in my wildest dreams ever think that I would be doing this job from the comfort of my home, in my office.

We are settling into this routine.

I love being home with my home and would welcome having the summer home with him.

Time will tell.

No one knows how things will go.

Just putting it out to the Universe that I LOVE WORKING FROM HOME.

 

Have an awesome Tuesday.

 

Remember in between the teaching of your children, working from home, standing in line at the grocery store, being alone with yourself, or whatever your situation

may be ….. that this life, this life that we have, is always going to be full of change.

We grow from change.

We learn from change.

We survive change.

Be well and take care and be safe.

 

With kindness and so much respect for all of you,

I/We, remain

Always, Carol & Alvin

 

 

 

It is a NEW YEAR.

Well today would be Wednesday, April 22, 2020.

Today is EARTH DAY.

It is overcast here in Edmonton.

Yesterday started out gloomy but ended up bright, sunny and +18 degrees celsius.

I am starting work a bit later today as I was requested to attend a meeting before my later shift schedule began.

So we slept in.

Actually surprise to end all surprises, Mr. Alvin slept in until 6:23 a.m.

I think that may have been the latest in years.

Usually he is up anywhere between 3:30 and 4:45 a.m.

It was nice.

 

I have been thinking about this EARTH DAY.

Listening to the reports on the weather channel of how different the environment whether on land or water is reacting to the COVID-19.

Meaning that with no humans on the beaches and in areas where they normally snorquel by the thousands daily, marine life has returned.

They even found algae where there has been none for decades.

You hear of clear skies in other countries where there is massive manufacturing done when those factories were closed due to the virus.

Just so many wonderful stories.

 

I am sad and disappointed that we have to have a worldwide pandemic in order for the environment to do better and in some cases thrive.

Tells us something.

I guess it will be up to us to listen and to take action.

Definitely less manufacturing.

Perhaps this is the time we need to think about all those trinkets and baubles and such.

Are these things that we actually need to live our lives?

No.

Most of us have houses filled with things that we do not use in our daily lives.

They are ornamental.

There to look good.

Not in our homes and lives to ensure that we live a happy, healthy life.

Not necessary.

With the ever increasing population on this planet, it is something we definitely should think about.

There needs to be less manufacturing.

Food for thought.

 

On this Earth Day, well actually yesterday, I turned off the heat in my house.

It was quite cool in here this morning but I just put on socks and long sleeves and long pants.

There is always a sweater should I need another layer.

The snow has almost melted in the front and back yards.

I have some plants in my back raised flower/shrub bed that are green.

There are blades of green grass in our yards.

On this Earth Day it takes on a whole new meaning.

See what happens when we step back and stay home.

I know that we cannot all continue this indefinitely but we have helped the environment in ways that we do not even realize.

Please ensure that you turn off lights when you are not in the room.

If you do not need the heat, turn off the heat at the thermostat (not the furnace – because that is a whole other story).

Walk more and drive your car less.

Use glass instead of plastic.

We can do this …..

 

I hope that you are all safe, healthy and enjoying some laughter along the way.

Be kind and respectful to all including yourself.

Have an awesome EARTH DAY.

 

Living with kindness and respect,

I/We remain,

As Always, Carol & Alvin

 

P.S. my Hello Fresh BOX arrived yesterday and I am excited to try my first meal tonight.

I will keep you posted as to the quality of the ingredients etc.

Still waiting for my STEEPED TEA order to arrive.  Says in TRANSIT and was supposed to be delivered Monday, then yesterday.

 

 

 

Thought for the day…..

Good Morning and Welcome to Friday the 28th day of November, 2014.

Today is the day deemed “BLACK FRIDAY” by the retail world.

It actually has morphed into Black Friday week and in some cases weekend.

For my store it began yesterday and goes to Sunday.

It will be interesting to see what the numbers are for early shoppers are this morning as we got a lot and I mean a lot of snow between Wednesday night and this morning.

Buses were slow …. cars got stuck ….. people late.

I worked at the mall last night and it was quite slow.

For those shoppers who were out last night some of you got the benefit of Black Friday without the pain of standing in line and the crowds.

Well we have to leave in a couple of minutes ….

I am sure that the roads will slow us down somewhat this morning …..

Just to be safe.

Have a great day and remember stay safe.

Special Hello to: Black Friday Shoppers

Always, Carol and Alvin

Thought for the day….

WELCOME TO MONDAY, DECEMBER 31st, 2012 …… the last day of 2012 …. NEW YEAR’s EVE.

WOW, truly this year has flown by.

It has been a great year for me and Alvin.

We are healthy, live in a beautiful house and have great family and friends.

We have the perfect life, and each day I am grateful for all that we are and all that we have.

I hope that as the year ends for you that you can reflect with a smile on your face and joy in your heart.

There will always be things that happen during each year that truly are not wonderful whether it is a passing of a family member or a dear friend …. the memories keep them alive in your heart and mind.

I lost some dear friends and family this year and although life will not be the same without them, it was my very great pleasure to have known them, and they made my life all the richer and complete.

We are so blessed to live in a country where peace reigns supreme.

Where for the most part we can walk down our streets undisturbed.

Where we can speak our minds without personal danger or imprisonment.

I hope that on this New Year’s Eve that you stay safe.

If you go out celebrating, please make certain that someone who is not “drinking” drives the car or better yet catch a bus or take a taxi.

BE SAFE and keep those safe around you.

Have fun wherever you go.

Alvin and I will be at home …. curled up on the sofa….. enjoying each other’s company and a movie.

So from our home to yours ….. have the best last day of 2012.

May 2013 be your best year ever and I wish that all of your dreams would come true.

May perfect health, love and laughter, great joy, abundance and wealth surround and keep you in the New Year.

HAPPY NEW YEAR !!

Always, Carol and Mr. Alvin ……..