The New YEAR 2022

Good Morning ALL! How are you this morning? We are doing great. As it turns out Mr. Alvin did not shake his head or rub his ears all day after the morning so I am just keeping an eye on him. If this changes, of course, I will get the boy in right away.

This is an odd morning. It froze overnight (that is not odd). There is fog in the air. Fog does not happen a lot here in Edmonton and when it does, it feels odd to me. I cannot see the sunrise and not sure if the sky is blue or grey beyond the fog. I hope it lifts soon. I hope that everyone that drives has a safe drive to work. I am thinking of my daughter driving in from the countryside. Also my neighbour just left for the office as well. So grateful to be working from home and not having to worry about walking to the bus on the icy sidewalks.

We went to bed a bit later last night as I try to figure out the best time for that to happen. I know how important sleep is to us all. I turned the lights out after reading for a few minutes after going to bed at 10:00 pm. It was 4:00 am, when Alvin got up to go outside and then almost 6:00 am, when he got up for breakfast and then we laid on the sofa till 6:45 am. What is wrong with this picture? I would like to have a routine where we get up and stay up at like 6:00 am, I just find it difficult as the years go by to get up early and stay up. Have to break that habit. I am proud of Mr. Alvin he did good.

Yesterday it was a snow/rain mix for most of the day with heavy and light periods. Most of the snow that fell on the sidewalks and streets melted but the snow on the lawns stuck. Yes, stuck. I am feeling like I will never see the grassy area in our backyard. All of the snow that I shovelled and moved about back there is back. More exercise I see. But I most certainly am not going to complain about a bit of snow and ice as it is almost April and it will be gone for another season in a few weeks. Patience is a virtue so that say and I work on that virtue daily.

I am so grateful to my friend Signe who picked up some canned pumpkin for Mr. Alvin. For some reason I had forgot when she picked me up some groceries on the weekend. She found a sale so we are good for awhile. YAY.

I am so blessed and feel so grateful to have such thoughtful and considerate friends. Saves me from slipping about on the sidewalks going to and from the stores OR catching a taxi.

When we were outside walking on Sunday, I heard some geese honking and some other birds that I did not recognize their song. Just heard a goose honking as I typed the words. Fantastic.

Well time to go and have some coffee. Time to get things set up – turned on for work. I hope that you have a wonderful Tuesday.

Happy Spring!

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

Always, Carol & Alvin

PS: I have an African Violet in my office with the most vibrant deep purple flowers and I love it.

It is a NEW YEAR.

Good Morning and Welcome to Monday the 23rd of March, 2020.

We had a great weekend.

No cell, no FACEBOOK, no other social media, no internet except for writing this post.

It definitely took my anxiety down several notches to almost nil, I would say.

I started to put together a little mantra to repeat throughout the day.

Hopefully it will help keep me settled down.

It all comes back to bringing work home.

I like my job but home is home.

I understand these times and I am grateful that I have a job and am able to work from home.

But it does not change the facts that I am invading my home with work.

Something that I will have to work on …. through this time.

 

I love being home with Alvin.

Yesterday I gave him his regular haircut followed by a bath.

As always, he cringed and balked at having his paws trimmed.

I somehow managed to get them trimmed.

Back ones always look better than the front.

I have started to keep the scissors close by at bedtime.

When he has settled down and just before I brush his teeth, I give a couple quick snips.

It helps.

The sun is beginning to rise as I can see the beginnings of beautiful colours to the east.

Those colours make me happy …..

We had a nice walk yesterday.

Changed up our route once again.

Mainly due to the ice on the sidewalks.

 

I love the morning sky.

Back to the sunrise.

It is 7:09 a.m. and the sky is beginning to grow light as the darkness dissipates into the day.

I love the whispers of pink, oranges and blues as they fill the morning sky.

The colour pallette brings joy to my heart and a calmness to my mind.

Both great things for sure.

 

I hope that you had a wonderful weekend.

I wish you a day filled with kindness and respect.

If you are feeling anxious …. try to step away from that which is making you feel that way.

I hope that you are able to do so.

If not, write down a simple mantra.

Words that bring you to a state of gratitude and joy.

Words that will reduce your anxiety.

This is one of my mantras.

 

“I am grateful to have more time with my Alvin.”

“I am grateful to have a beautiful home.”

“I am grateful to be surrounded by considerate and supportive people.”

“I am grateful to have freshly perked coffee each morning made in my kitchen.”

 

Take care out of your day for yourself.

It is the little things that will get us all through these days.

Go for a walk.

Get away from where you are whether you are at home or at work.

Being outside makes a huge difference.

Try to go near some water and trees, nature is a wonderful healing force.

 

With heartfelt feelings of kindness and respect to everyone including myself,

and to Alvin,

 

We remain, Always,

Carol & Alvin

My geranium is blooming, I cannot wait to transplant it outside.

 

 

 

 

It is a NEW YEAR.

Good Morning and Welcome to Saturday the 25th day of January, 2020.

Last night my daughter gave me a ride home from work.

I always enjoy our rides and visits, catching up.

Cannot believe that we have already been in the newly renovated old office for one full work week.

 

Today, this morning, in about two hours; the pups Teddy (Alvin’s BF) and Kobi (his little sister) are coming to stay with us for one week.

Mom & Dad are going to Mexico for a vacation.

We are excited to have them stay with us and I am a little afraid of the unknown, like our first night together.

Kobi sleeps in her own “condo” at home which is basically their front entranceway.

Their front entranceway is like a room with a door so it is easy to block it off.

I borrowed a metal enclosure so that I could set it up and put her bed and things inside.

It will go in the kitchen which is the biggest area on the main floor.

I will set it up after supper tonight.

Apparently she chews baseboards and stuff.

The stuff I know as she took my shoes from the back door and was going to chew on them.

Alvin never did that although I will say that when I adopted him he was closer to a year old.

But he did always have hold of my pant leg.

Perhaps it was for fear that I would leave or just anxiety.

Puppy power.

So many things we never think of but Kobi’s new parents are learning with each passing day.

Last time she was here, there were three pooping accidents, so eyes need to be open and paying attention.

Which I did think we were but apparently not.

My hope that is Mr. Alvin sleeps through the night otherwise it could be several early mornings.

Tonight will be the test.

I surely hope it goes smoothly.

I love these little guys but need to have sleep.

So please Mr. Alvin no repeat of last night, er, this morning.

Looks like a nap later this morning.

Well life is full of lessons and learning.

I am excited to have that little bundle of fur spending time with us.

She is so full of energy and happy.

There will be three juggling for a spot beside me.

Good thing that Kobi will be sleeping downstairs (she has been used to that since the first weeks she came to live with Teddy and his family).

She likes having her own condo, her own space.

Teddy and Alvin like to sleep with me.

So that all works out, just fine.

 

Well time to go and change bedding, get dressed, gather towels and get that laundry going.

Today will be quiet.

We have spent a day together so this is not new.

 

Our friend, Alvin’s girlfriend’s Mom is going this afternoon for a visit.

Feel so sad about losing Miss Abby.

I am now spelling her name correctly.

I apologize for the wrong spelling in prior posts.

Past coworkers and friends are coming to visit tomorrow afternoon.

We are going to visit and have a round or two of JENGA.

So excited to see them.

Time for some puppy love.

One person for each pup.

That works out well.

 

Well I hope that all is well.

If I have a day that I cannot get to the post, please forgive me.

I will do my best.

 

Have an awesome day.

So happy this weather is mild.

The pups can be in the backyard for a bit.

We can go for walks.

 

Happy Saturday.

Fill it with kindness and respect.

 

Always, Carol & Alvin

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to the 12th day of April, 2018.

No “white” surprises overnight but there is some of the white stuff in our weather forecast for today.

Although we are to be lucky as most of the snow is going to hit the southern part of Alberta.

I hope that they are incorrect with their forecast.

 

Last night I watched the Grammy Salute to Sir Elton John and Bernie Taupin.

I had recorded it from Tuesday night.

It was fantastic.

50 years together.

Not one fight said Elton.

So many awesome artists singing the songs of Elton John and  Bernie Taupin.

When I went to bed I was inspired and then could not sleep as I kept getting up to write.

I wrote and I wrote.

This has given me a new lease on writing.

You never know when inspiration will hit.

I have been hit.

 

Well I am running a tad bit late but am so grateful that I decided to watch the music last night instead of other recorded shows.

It was so wonderful.

Maybe today is the day that you will be inspired to create or do something that you have been thinking about but putting off.

Do it ….. I know you can.

 

Happy Thursday.

Special Hello to: Sir Elton John and Bernie Taupin, two of the best creative teams in the history of music.

Always, Carol & Alvin

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Saturday the 9th day of September, 2017.

Up later this morning due to part to being “pooped” and Alvin up earlier.

Somedays you just need to stay in bed a little longer than others.

I know they always say to keep your weekday bedtime/rising routine the same on the weekends but honestly that is a little difficult.

So we have been up for a while now …… did a few chores …… made coffee for me and the neighbour and her new room-mate her University bound cousin.

Lots to do ….. you know laundry ….. cleaning ….. laundry ….. more cleaning and throw in a few walks and some television and you have a weekend.

Oh and submitting a tea order (always a good thing to do).

Also reorganizing the garage with my neighbour as she had been storing some items with me since her Dad moved and downsized.

They will do hers today and take his items that he is keeping out of mine.

That will be tomorrow …. likely.

This morning Alvin and I had a dance to a song from SHREK ….. I can hear the words “It was you that I have loved all along” ….. cannot remember the title of the song.

Poor Alvin …. wants to enjoy it but at the end of the day ….. he is not much for dancing with his Momma or likely anyone ….. unless it is on the ground …. then perhaps.

There was rain in the forecast and about 4:00 a.m. this morning we got about 569 drops …. I counted them on the deck.

The air was cool and feels like it is warming up …..

Oh, I need a shower ….. feeling warm…….

I hope that you have a great Saturday ….. maybe have a giggle or three …..

 

Special Hello to:  my friends “V” and “J” back in Regina …… two of the best ladies on the planet.

Always, Carol & Alvin

 

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Tuesday the 30th day of August, 2016.

Can you believe it?

Two days left in August.

I believe that we went through this last month, the month before that and the months before that even.

What happens to the time?

It just seems to always go by at lightning speed.

The evenings for example by the time that I actually got to sit other than the 10 tens to eat, it was bedtime.

Task here and a task there.

Couple of phone calls.

Walking with Alvin.

Conversation with a neighbour on our way home – seems like our neighbourhood has been hit the summer with so much vandalism.

What is wrong with people?

Destroy your own things if you will but leave others alone.

Favour for a friend.

A visitor.

Some time on the computer.

Empty the garbage.

Mow the lawn.

The evening was gone.

Well at least I did get everything done that I had planned and not planned.

The sky is clear and that is nice.

Able to wear a skirt today instead of long pants, socks and shoes.

Nice change.

It has been cool here for the past couple of days.

Well almost time to hit the road.

Bit later as I have an appointment this morning outside of work.

Figured that as I did not sleep that I would just go from home.

Not fun when you cannot sleep.

Waking up each hour.

Dreaming in between.

What a strange night.

I hope that you have an awesome Tuesday.

Special Hello to: Everyone …..

Always, Carol and Alvin

 

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Wednesday the 29th day of June, 2016.

Only one more day left in June, 2016.

This morning I am leaving the house 15 minutes earlier than usual due to the interruption in bus service.

Meaning that they removed my bus from the regular schedule.

Hopefully it is only for the summer months.

If I leave at my normal time I wait for 20 minutes at the bus stop and then arrive at work just in time, not late but not early.

I am old school and need to arrive early ….

So with extra time this morning I will stop at the Save-On by work and pick up bananas which we are out of ……

 

I was thinking while in the shower about what I would write on my blog this morning.

My mind went to Alvin.

How our beloved dogs and cats make us feel like a million dollars.

They warm our hearts.

They are food for our soul.

Comforting and loving.

My most favourite times with Alvin are sitting on the patio sofa and he jumps up and lays down beside me and we just sit there.

No expectations.  Nothing to do.  Just be.  Just starring into the air.  Sometimes he is sniffing …. catching the scent of whatever passes his nose.

The other is at bedtime …. he takes a few minutes to get settled.

Always at the end of it all …. he lays down at my side and nestles close.

He always makes me feel loved, wanted and needed.

He brings me joy and contentment.

So much for a little guy.

Well time to fly ….. gotta leave extra early.

I did not quite articulate what I was thinking earlier but I think you get the idea.

Always …. he is at the door to greet me after a long day.

Thank you me Alvin.

 

Special Hello to: all the pups and kitties out there, thank you.

Always, Carol and Alvin

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Sunday the 11th day of October, 2015.

The wind has been howling since the wee hours of the morning (all night) along with some rain.

I always find it scary/interesting when it appears that the clouds are moving over head.

I am just on my way to have coffee with one of my girl friends.

YAY ….

I will admit (but not to everyone) that now being at the halfway point of my four days off that I have not accomplished anywhere near what was on my list.

In fact, I did tear up the list and write another one.

There has been time spent with Alvin ….. we went on a nice long walk yesterday after the Scentsy party …. it was gorgeous …. over 25 degrees Celsius …. SO NICE.

So decision has been made ….. have the list and do what you can …. plus take time to play with Alvin and also time to relax.

One important item for today after the coffee date I am going to go through my upstairs office and get this room back in order.

That is a for sure item.

We can crank up the music and just go at it …… toss what we do not need.

I must admit I had not been to a Scentsy party and I really enjoyed the scents.

Almost felt like I was cheating on Bath & Body Works …..

Is that not sad.

There has to be a good mix for everyone, right.

I did have a great Saturday ….. after our walk ….. Mr. Alvin had a bath …. now he is looking extra cute.

 

At bedtime I have been reading “How to See YOURSELF as You Really Are” by His Holiness the Dalai Lama.  

These few lines I thought were important to share to everyone at this time:

“Each religion works to lessen suffering and contribute to the world; conversion is not the point.  I do not think about converting others to Buddhism or merely furthering the Buddhist cause.  Instead, I try to think of how I as a Buddhist can contribute to the happiness of all living beings.”

This really does say it all …… no matter what your religion, trying to convert others to it, is not the point, all that truly matters is that we all contribute in our own way

to the happiness of all living beings. (not just humans).

Perhaps if we spent less time trying to make each other like ourselves and more time working on happiness we would be in a better place.

Just wanted to share on this Thanksgiving weekend.

 

Have a great Sunday.

I am off to have a cup of coffee and share in conversation and laughter as we do.

Special Hello to: my sister and her family, to my brother and his friends, to my brother and his family and to YOU ….. Happy Sunday.

Always, Carol and Alvin

Thought for the day ……

Good Morning and Welcome to Tuesday the 18th day of August, 2015.

Wow, it was raining overnight ….. deck still wet.

I thought that I heard the pitter patter of raindrops through the night.

Now the sky is beginning to clear and soon the sun shall be shining.

YAY …. beautiful day here in Edmonton.

Last night Alvin and I went for our walk earlier than our usual after supper/between bedtime.

It was so nice …. not hot and it was quiet.

I would suspect that most people were either on their way home from work or eating supper.

He sniffed along the way as he does.

He is so cute …. my puppy dog.

Tonight my group leader is coming over to assist me with my submitting my first order.

How exciting …. Steeped Tea here I come.

It seems like every few months I decide to change things up or sometimes life just changes things.

I guess change is good ….. sometimes perhaps a bit tiring ….. we find that as we get older.

Somedays you just want to roll out of bed as you naturally wake up ….

Maybe take a stroll in the morning about 7:00 a.m. …..

Maybe after lunch … say mid afternoon ….. curl up on the sofa for a nap.

Well I keep telling myself change is good ….. it keeps me learning …. keeps me going.

Going where …. sometimes not so sure …. but that is okay.

Well almost time to hit the trail to the bus ….. the trail is lined with sidewalk and roses …. how blessed am I.

I hope that you have an amazing Tuesday and wherever life finds and take you that you enjoy it.

Our lives are usually much too short so hop on the change bus and go.

We can do it together.

We gather strength and energy from each other.

Today I give you mine ….. just in case you are feeling a bit low on strength and energy.

Take care.

Special Hello to: all those folks who find something new each day to learn and gather strength and energy from …..

Always, Carol and Alvin

Thought for the day….

Good Morning and Welcome to Tuesday the 25th day of March, 2014.

I think that I am slowly going insane….. ( okay, perhaps that is a bit of an overstatement ) ….. but perhaps just a tad.

Ever since that first encounter with the “you know what.” ….. I have been so cautious about every move that I make within my house.

Actually most especially on the main floor and in the basement.

Laundry is getting to be a regular “dance routine” and I always have to have Mr. Alvin by my side.

Sometimes he is not thrilled about coming downstairs but in the end I manage to con him into it.

It is amazing how something so small can totally reave havoc on one’s life.

Normally my home is my sanctuary so the past few weeks have been almost unbearable.

I have got better but still not comfortable with the whole thing.

Last night when I was trying to relax, watch some television and enjoy a cup of tea …. every sound sounded like something.

Am I going bonkers.

Even Alvin was wondering.  H-mmmm.

He seemed for the most part not to be alerted to anything.

Although a couple of times he perked up standing on the arm of the sofa and starring into the kitchen.

I just don’t know.

Anyway ….. at some point it will be time to call in the big guns or at least someone who can check for entry points.

Entry points, man oh man, this is starting to sound like a navy seal strike team .

Oh well, what can you do.

Just keep your eyes open.

At least this morning ….. he didn’t do the intense sniffing in one spot ….. just a general ….. like he was checking out each spot where they have been …..

So far so good …..

Okay on to better and better things.

I am so happy it is spring …… last night when Alvin and I were out walking it was after 8 p.m. and it was still light.

Crazy to go from being dark at 4:00 to light at almost bedtime.

Gotta love spring.

I was listening to a bit of news from one of the morning shows that I record and they were mentioning about on the other side of the world they are preparing for winter.

I forgot about them being opposite.

So when we have summer they have winter.

We sure do have an amazingly diverse planet.

I am happy to be living here.

Special Hello to: my youngest brother who is a “grandfather” for the second time recently.

Always, Carol and Alvin