2021

Good Morning ALL! How are you on the second day of December 2021? When we went to bed the sky was clear and I could see the stars. At 3:00 a.m., stars, at 4:30 a.m., overcast and now at 6:30 a.m. it is snowing. That wet sticky stuff. At least it does not appear that we had freezing rain – so hopefully the roads are okay for everyone when they are out and about this morning. It is still dark outside as the days quickly approach the shortest day of the year and then like magic they will start to lengthen. Alvin is patiently waiting for me outside the office door. Yesterday we thoroughly enjoyed a couple of walks to the park. I long for our walks around the neighbourhood but if Alvin can or only wants to walk to the park and home that will have to suffice. He does not appear to be in pain. This afternoon he has his regular vet appointment and will have his long nail trimmed.

Today is payday so I was up a bit early to pay bills and as I was on the computer anyway, thought that I would do my post before heading into the shower. So grateful for three pays this month. It is nice to have when it is a more expensive than usual month.

This afternoon I am borrowing my neighbour’s car so that I can pick up Alvin’s food, mail my Christmas cards and get groceries. We can walk to his appointment later but so nice not to have to worry about carrying things or catching a cab. Not sure that I am ready to catch a cab just yet. Today is a busy day for sure. Lots to do. I hope that I can find everything on my list.

Do you think about how all the flooding and fires will affect the food chain? When crops fail inevitably prices increase and also some things may temporarily be off the shelves. How does it affect the economy, the money that people have to spend. How do the farmers manage? Pretty intense thoughts for this early in the morning but that is where my brain went. I think of all the farmers in British Columbia who have had not only their lives and that of the animals threatened or harmed but of their livelihood threatened or destroyed. I always marvel at how farmers seem to carry on despite so much uncertainty. This morning I am thinking of the farmers in British Columbia and everywhere. Thank you for all that you do. We appreciate you. I hope that you and your families and the animals are safe and well.

On this Thursday, be safe and well.

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

Always, Carol & Alvin

Just a random beautiful photo of farm land. Not sure where it is but is very beautiful.

Photo by Jeswin Thomas on Pexels.com

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Monday the 14th day of November, 2016.

So dark out at 6:00 a.m. – easy to tell the season.

Beautiful day yesterday.

Alvin and I enjoyed a morning walk visiting with neighbours along the way.

Our weather has been absolutely incredible for this time of year.

We had rain Saturday and even into the night.

The grass is green.

On our walk yesterday I noted that the water on our lakes is still flowing no frost in sight.

On the lake were some ducks.

I guess they did not get the memo.

I am pretty certain they normally do not hang around here for the winter.

But Mother Nature has been temporarily tricked.

I hope that they will be safe and “warm.”

Alvin and I had a good weekend.

I spent several hours over Friday and Saturday with my daughter preparing for and then entered in a craft sale.

It was disappointing but at the end of the day it was great to spend the time with my daughter.

I guess we have to determine where and when we want to spend our time.

Our time is more valuable than money.

That goes without saying.

Even though I will be the first to say that without money it is difficult to have stress-free time.

If you cannot pay your bills or buy food – not good.

Sometimes we get in over our heads just to have some of the things that we think we want or need.

That is not good.

But human nature is always wanting.

Thinking we need when it is more like we want.

Well here it is almost time to leave the house for another Monday morning.

I wish you all a wonderful, stress-free, productive Monday.

Think about what it is that you really need and focus on that instead of all the things that you want.

 

Special Hello to:  my friend “V” who always makes me feel better than I am.

Always, Carol and Alvin

 

 

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Thursday the 15th day of September, 2016.

YAY, today is payday.

Paid some bills already this morning.

Nice to have them paid.

All I can see if darkness from my window.

But by the time I am on the bus for a few minutes the sun will be rising.

It is a glorious sight.

By the time I am at work it will be LIGHT outside.

Wow, middle of September already.

Fast approaching two / three of my favourite times of year.

Autumn, Halloween and Christmas.

I do not want to get to the third one just yet as it will come soon enough.

The flowers are still blooming which is so nice.

My grass in the backyard is doing so well, I believe I might have mentioned this before but it is doing the best now.

Alvin is comfy cozy on his blanket on our bed.

He will come downstairs when I go.

He is quite the character.

This morning he wanted to come back into the house.

I opened the door and said “Come on in, Mr. Alvin.”

He sat there and waited and waited until I said the magic word “Please.”

So just goes to show that if I expect manners from him …. it must also be returned.

Like I said he is quite the character.

Oh well.

Here we go again.

Another work day.

I have decided not to wear my jacket this morning as by the end of the day it is so warm that you end up carrying the jacket.

Besides yesterday morning on the way to the bus I was quite surprised by how warm it was.

The furnace has not cut in this morning yet so it must be warm out.

Well time to go.

This time always passes quickly.

I must start staying up instead of hitting the sofa for those extra cuddles and snoozes with Alvin.

Have a great day.

Special Hello to: my friends and family.

Always, Carol and Alvin

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Tuesday the 5th day of July, 2016.

Overcast and cooler this morning and forecast for not so hot of a day.

 

I was just thinking about why are we here?

Should we not be here to be great?

We are all great in our own way, right?

Why is it then, that we cannot seem to get by the outside factors, such as: financial difficulties and bad relationships?

For some reason we cannot see outside our immediate “boundaries.”

I call them boundaries because they seem to lock us into the immediate and do not let us see beyond.

They are like a door that we just cannot open.

I guess something to ponder on this Tuesday.

If we could all just see how wonderfully fantastic and great we are ….. what a wonderful world this would be.

We are all great in our own way.

 

Well I guess it is that time once again.

Some mornings the time just seems to zip on by and that is one of them.

I hope that you have a wonderful day.

 

Just remember even when you are stressed about how much money you have in the bank and whether or not you can pay that next bill – that is not what defines you.

When you are in a bad relationship and cannot see the light for the madness – that is not what defines you.

You define you.

 

Special Hello to:  all my fellow human beings …. today do the right thing.

Always, Carol and Alvin

Thought for the day…..

Good Morning and Welcome to Wednesday the 29th day of October, 2014.

Wow another glorious fall / autumn day.

Only two more sleeps until Halloween.

Still haven’t decided what to wear ….. I will dress up for the office and then change before heading to the store.

Always fun …..  any ideas???

Last night I had an update on my nephew, and he seems to be making some progress although still not out of coma.

My daughter and I are going up to the hospital this evening after work.

When I write on my blog in the mornings it is with careful eyes watching me, “ALVIN’S, of course.”

He always makes certain that he can see me …. when I am at home seldom am I out of his sight.

Even as human beings we like to have our space from our loved ones.

It appears not to be the case with this puppy “dog.”

He is definitely a “Momma’s Boy” and at home he goes from room to room with me.

There is a bond between me and Alvin that is strong as iron ….. I do not remember nor do I wish to remember what life was like before he entered my life.

I am so grateful for being in great health, for having employment, to have my bills paid every month, to have lots of food in the house, to be surrounded by loving family and friends, for telephones ( the ones that are portable but do not fit into your pocket), for time and energy.

So on this day I wish you grace and purpose, joy,abundance and love.

Keep dreaming and bring your dreams one step closer to fruition.

Special Hello to: family and friends

Always, Carol and Alvin

Thought for the day…..

Good Morning and Welcome to Thursday the 2nd day of October, 2014.

We are in the countdown to Halloween.

Last night with mention of you know what, I decided to quickly move the patio furniture into the garage and to clean out the remaining flower pots.

My son-in-law came out and helped lift the bigger stuff into the garage.

It was cool last night and the wind was blowing so I half expected to see some of the white stuff when I got up this morning.

But alas, Mother Nature decided to give us another reprieve.

Thank goodness.

I would love to have a long warm fall.

Where the white stuff did not arrive until say “Christmas morning.”

It has happened.

Perhaps this will be that year when it will happen again.

We can only hope and maybe dream.

Perhaps I should start visualizing a brown Christmas Eve.

I am excited on Saturday to start decorating for Halloween.

As I mentioned my kids have some great decorations …. now just to find them…..

Yikes, Mr. Alvin ….. we need your nose ….. that wonderful nose.

He is a hunter for sure.

Kind of gave me a scare this morning when we were doing our usual nap on the sofa when he stood on the arm of the sofa looking to the back door.

Very intently, I might add.

I hopped up and turned on the kitchen light from the sofa.

He kept looking and then got up and was sniffing by the back cupboard and also by the stove.

Paw up …. like the hunter he is.

My gosh, this had better not be another you know what ……

We will be keeping a close eye on this things.

We did check the outside of the house and did not find anywhere …

I cannot even fathom saying their name …. no, I cannot.

Well enough of that …..

He could have heard anything or smelled anything, right?

I hope that you have a great Thursday.

Always better when it is a payday.

YAY, now to pay the bills.

Thank you payday.

Special Hello to: all those folks who are preparing their homes for Halloween ….. have fun.

Always, Carol and Alvin

Thought for the day……

Good Morning and Welcome to Thursday the 23rd day of January, 2014.

How many folks visualize the future?

How many folks visualize their favourite dessert?

How many folks visualize company coming?

How many folks visualize their upcoming tropical vacation?

How many folks visualize flowers blooming in their garden?

How many folks visualize a new dress or new suit?

How many folks visualize cheques arriving in the mail?

How many folks visualize extra money in the bank?

How many folks visualize their bills being paid?

How many folks visualize a shopping trip to the mall?

How many folks visualize their next meal?

How many folks visualize clean water?

How many folks visualize a comfy bed?

How many folks visualize peace?

How many folks visualize happiness?

For all of us all around the world ….. visualizing can very different and yet the same.

But in the end all we really want is to be safe, warm and happy.

 

Special Hello to: my family all over the world…..you are all my family.

Always, Carol and Alvin

Thought for the day….

Good Morning and Welcome to Thursday the 12th day of September, 2013.

Another gorgeous morning albeit it is only beginning to get light and it is 6:40 a.m.  🙂

That’s okay we are entering my most favourite season of all – FALL.

Now on another unrelated topic……. ( I am over 50 and it is okay for me to veer like this, LOL)

Wow, it is so funny how one can get caught up in the moment and forget that at that moment everything does not revolve about you.

Yes, I know it’s true.

Even though most days I think that it does (LOL, really laughing out loud).

Sometimes,  I get caught in a moment of frustration or something and momentarily lose my “positive energy.”

Now usually I do not let this reflect on “whomever” is around me but then I might retell the story later and that is not good.

I do try and put a positive “fun” spin on it and usually at my expense.

But I do try and keep my days and nights – well you know the waking time fun and positive.

I like most people have my moments of self-doubt and frustration over things …. usually it is money.

They say it cannot bring you happiness but on the other hand without it sometimes it is hard to be happy, too.

I should perhaps explain this a bit further.

Making sure that the bills are paid on time doesn’t necessarily define or not one’s happiness level but it is the stress that can disturb your positive energy flow.

Don’t you think that as long as you can bring the flow of money into your life and that you are healthy and can pay your bills in full and on time and … and perhaps have a bit to play with ….. that is good.

I hope that this is making some sense.

I will admit that most of my life no matter how things were  (health or finances or relationships), I always found the silver lining …. so basically I am a happy person.

I have always been grateful for what I have …. a roof over my head and food in my belly….

I was always grateful to go to school when I was a kid.

Anyway on this topic I could go on and on.

I guess at the end of it all ….. I would say:

I am a single over fifty lady who lives with her BF Alvin ( I do have human friends, LOL), I work two jobs, I have my own home and mortgage, I am in good health, I have great family and friends, I like to think that I am creative, I love to write and am working on a story and make jewellery with my daughter, love to have a cup of coffee with my friends,  and I love to live my life.  Somedays I falter slightly when things go awry but for the most part I am one happy lady.

So if any of this makes sense and hits home and helps I am grateful.

I hope that you have a great great Thursday….

Special Hello to: all those pet owners out there ….. HELLO

Always, Carol and Alvin

Sometimes there are rainbows hidden in the most “un” obvious places.

Roses are my rainbow.

Grandma Stella these are for you … from my garden.