The Next Chapter

Good Morning ALL! Another beautiful sunny morning. Talk about warm yesterday. Looks like a bit cooler today. The sky is partially cloudy and it is windy. I forgot to put down the umbrella when I got home last night. I basically got home and double checked doors to ensure they were locked and came upstairs to prepare for bed. What a weekend I had! Two birthday parties. Talk about lucky and the cake so good. Yesterday was a quiet day for me as I did some cleaning and watched some television and then got dressed up for the birthday party. I had not thought about the temperature when I volunteered to pick up the birthday cake as I had planned to walk to Pauline’s house. In the end, Pauline texted and said that she would come and pick me up. The cake did not melt! Thank goodness. By chance the decorations and the cake matched with a butterfly theme running through both. I surprised Lucy when she came to Pauline’s house. She lives close to Pauline’s house so she walked over and I was hiding around the corner. I totally surprised her and she was so excited and happy to see me and for the party. She said that when she was a little girl they did not have birthday parties as they were poor. Lucy told us that this was the first real birthday party that she has ever had …… we were honoured to host her 65th Birthday celebration. We had decorations, we had gifts, we had good food, we had birthday cake and flowers but most of all the presence of friends. That truly is the most important thing. I was so honoured to celebrate friends this weekend. So grateful. I have a few photos that I will share and on my way home last night, I decided to walk and come through the park as it was still light out at almost 9:00 p.m. and had cooled down slightly. I will show you the photos to tell the story.

Ready for the party

Flowers & Decorations

Homemade

Ready for the party

The cake

I forgot that I took the picture from the opposite side of the table and the writing is upside down but you get the idea. It was so colourful and pretty. I think that yesterday I posted the card for my other friend’s birthday party, oh well. We had such a great time. Lucy is in the last photo behind the balloon. As I have not asked permission I did not wish to post photos of my friends. I guess I should be asking whenever I take photos. Anyway, it was so much fun and I am so blessed. I forgot to add some photos, I will put them in tomorrow’s post and you will see what I came across on my way home last night from Pauline’s……. sorry.

Time to head downstairs and make some coffee and go outside and turn down the umbrella and I want to water my flowers as well. So best be moving.

Have a wonderful day.

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

Always, Carol & My Forever Angel Mr. Alvin …… sweetness, my boy!

Last Half 2022 – November

Good Morning ALL! I hope that your Sunday is going well thus far. I am freshly showered and feeling GREAT and Mr. Alvin is resting on the rug outside the office, so I am going to go out on a limb and say that he is doing great as well. Sky is overcast and it is windy.

I would like to wish my nephew in Heaven a belated Happy Birthday and to a friend here on Earth, Kris, a very Happy Birthday.

Today is I am going to do some shopping. I am hoping to pick up any last minute gifts and most of the groceries that I will need for the next while including for the Christmas parties, baking and Christmas. There will be another trip to the store later for those items that were forgotten and fresh produce. I will also mail my Christmas cards inside and outside of Canada. Yesterday I wrote cards and letters most of the day in between doing laundry, going for a walk with Alvin and some cleaning. A very productive day.

They started out in order but somehow the tree photo with only the lights ended up last, lol. Anyway more Christmas decorations photos, my favourite time of year. The bannister turned out great.

Time to head downstairs and make some coffee, then have coffee and then go shopping.

Have a wonderful Sunday.

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

Always, Carol & Alvin

Last Half 2022 – September

Good Morning ALL! How are you this morning? We are doing well. After an early rise we laid back down and slept for 3.5 hours thus this late start this morning. We want to wish wo of our friends Cindy P. and Steven B. very Happy Birthdays. I forgot just how many birthdays there are in the month of September. When I look at my birthday calendar – I then realize how many people I am blessed to have or have had in my life. Truly grateful for each and every one. There are a few four-leggeds as well that hold a special place on that calendar. Some dates on the calendar are packed with names and the odd one is bare. Not many of the latter. My son-in-law’s birthday is fast approaching.

The sky was a brilliant blue as the son shone brightly in the morning sky. This short time later the sky is beginning to darken so that means one thing – that I have to hurry up and get some gardening done before it rains. I want to get a good part of it completed this weekend along with trimming the front tree, giving Mr. Alvin a haircut and bath. The list is so long but I will complete the tasks. I also took a vacation day for Monday as I want to get up at 3:00 a.m. and watch the funeral of Queen Elizabeth (live). Should not be an issue for me as I, we are usually up at that time anyway. I was thinking that perhaps we will just sleep on the sofa and that way – I do not have to go up and down the stairs with Alvin.

My friend from down the street Ali dropped off some tomatoes from her garden and from her Mum’s. I had some for supper last night and they were so yummy. She had one’s that were “chocolate tomatoes” and they were so nice and sweet. She was out for a walk with Bailey and her Dad was over and joining her. They had ordered pizza for supper (I was having leftover pizza) and were going to have a walk with Bailey before the pizza was delivered. A little while later my friend Pauline dropped off three plants for me to put in my back garden. Those are the ones that I want to get planted now. Looks like the sky is brightening up a bit but I do not want to take any chances. Just have coffee quick and then go out. I will have breakfast a bit later.

The trees are sparkling as the sun’s rays fall upon them and as they sway in the morning breeze. So beautiful. The grass was quite wet this morning. We are so close to the official day of fall. Just a few days away now. I wish for a long wonderful fall, warm and with beautiful coloured leaves on the trees.

Well all for now. I hope that you are doing great. You never know where life will take you. Keep on dreaming. Keep those thoughts filled with love and positive feelings. We will make our dreams come true.

Thank you so much for taking the time out of your busy schedules and days to read my posts on this blog. I am so grateful for each of you. Between Alvin and work and the house, I seldom have much time left over to reach out to each of you but please know that I do appreciate you all. Very much. Wishing you a wonderful weekend.

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

Always, Carol & Alvin

PS: my favourite pizza place in Edmonton is “Royal Pizza” which is just a few minutes south of where I live. Such great pizza and the delivery people are so nice.

Last Half 2022 – August

Good Morning ALL! What a great morning. The sun is coming up (starting to be later each morning). There is a bit of a breeze as I just saw the tips of the trees to the south of us, swaying a bit. YAY.

We will be heading out for another morning walk before the heat sets in. I cannot wait until we can walk at noon and after work.

Today, being August 25th, is a special date. Today marks the birthdate of my Mother who would have been 84. Happy Birthday Mom. We miss you.

My brother-in-law Todd celebrates his 54th Birthday today. We wish him a very Happy Birthday. There was an early birthday celebration here one week ago tomorrow. It was great seeing them.

Other friends celebrate today and we wish them a wonderful day as well.

August is a busy month for birthdays.

Photo by George Dolgikh on Pexels.com

Photo by Markus Spiske on Pexels.com

Photo by Dan Prado on Pexels.com

Well as the days roll by the sun is up later and sets earlier. We are fast approaching my favorite time of year which is fall or autumn. I love the slight coolness to the air and the warm feeling that I have and the colour of the leaves.

I am grateful for my life. I am happy when I can connect with a longtime friend (Carolyn). I am happen to meet new friends Jennie and Robyn. I am happy when Alvin is in good health. I am happy that I am in good health. I am happy to be surrounded by loving family and friends. I am happy for electricity (fans in this heat). I am happy that I can walk and enjoy these beautiful mornings.

Today is all about gratitude. Be happy.

Have an awesome day.

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

Always, Carol & Alvin

Last Half 2022

Good Morning ALL! It is a gorgeous morning. Another beautiful day, not too hot, just perfect. The sun is shining, there is a cool breeze and the Crows are cawing as they fly around the neighbourhood. My daughter and grand pup Milo are just waking up. My daughter did get up a bit ago to get some food for Milo. Alvin and I were up first about 4:40 and then just after 5:30 (he ate his breakfast then and had some meds). I am so over the moon happy to report that Mr. Alvin seems to have made a full recovery. Definitely close to 100% that is for sure. He has already finished two of the three medicines. Only the probiotics are left. He has a ten day supply of them and just finished day 5. I definitely have found that my thoughts are in fact my future, so I am, I have to change that. Keeping my thoughts focused on my dreams, the way that I want to live my life and away from the opposite. Oh, it is so very easy to say something negative about a situation or about someone but when you put the shoe on the other foot, it seems to be the opposite. Now shouldn’t it be much easier to say nice things, to act in a positive manner all of the time? One would think so, but I have found, not. But I no longer wish to keep dipping into that dark abyss where negativity is the norm. I want to get my JOY back, to speak only kind and happy words, to think only positive thoughts. So here we go. Training my brain to refocus. Please do not think that I have been thinking dark nasty thoughts and running around throwing things, that is not the case. I only want to keep those 60,000 some odd thoughts near to all being positive and good ones.

Today is the 40th birthday of one of my fellow coworkers, Happy Birthday Melanie. Happy Birthday to my great nephew Brandon who turns 18 years today. Wow, I can remember turning 18 and 40. I cannot believe that little boy has graduated High School and is 18 years old. Where does the time go? Happy Birthday to all those celebrating today. Best Wishes.

Last night we girls had a little late supper as Amanda went grocery shopping after work for us both with a quick stop at Value Village. We had black bean burgers on lettuce, oh my, how yummy! The lettuce was from my daughter’s garden which made it all the better. We made an apple crisp for dessert which we ate after 9:00 p.m. There was coffee on the deck in between and she cut my hair. Which I guess is a work in progress as she wants to do more this morning. I want to give Mr. Alvin a trim as now I have the new blade for his electric clipper. Part of my haircut last night was using the new blade, so nice to have a sharp one again. Makes life so much easier. My daughter also would like me to trim her hair in the amount of about two inches. We had so much fun last night with the hair cutting. I almost peed my pants, I laughed so hard. Alvin and Milo just say there – wondering what the heck was going on! It was late when we went to bed but that never stops Mr. Alvin from getting up early to eat. He has an alarm clock sitting in his belly, I think, lol.

I want to take Mr. Alvin for a walk before it gets too late. Temperatures are reasonable all day so I guess we could go later but there is something about the morning air. The smell and the coolness of the breeze. Maybe we will leave the sleepy heads and go ourselves. That would be okay, too. I also need that cup of coffee. I drank coffee minutes before bed and it certainly did not keep me awake.

Well I should get going. There be things to do. Empty the dishwasher. Do some laundry today. Walk. Coffee. Live our life. So happy that my daughter and grand pup are visiting and that they spent the night. I love having them with us.

Have an awesome Saturday.

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

Always coffee.

My favourite beverage.

Always, Carol & Alvin

PS: Now only 17 sleeps until my 65th Birthday. I wonder what that will be like? Great, I would think.

The New YEAR 2022

Good Morning ALL! Well it is Tuesday, June 28, 2022. We are almost halfway done 2022. I am not sure if that is really good or bad. I would like the time to slow down a bit. Especially when I made it to the top and am going down the other side. Yesterday Alvin and I enjoyed two walks. The lunch time one was considerably longer than after work but good to be outside in the fresh air. The temperature was perfect for walking. I noticed that most of my plants are still wet and we haven’t had any markable rain since last Friday. So we sure did receive a lot. I decided to do something different this morning.

This is one of the first posts that I wrote. I start this blog in April of 2010.

From June 22, 2010

“Thought for the day …… it all starts with m-a-n-n-e-r-s”

Why is it that people these days forget to say please, thank you and your welcome?

Perhaps it is because most people are too busy thinking of how things affect them to see what is going on around them.

Manners are so important.  Parents, please teach your children to say “PLEASE, THANK YOU and YOUR WELCOME”.

Something so seemingly small – can carry so much weight.

I must say that – that was one of the first things that I taught my daughter when she was a little girl.

Whenever she was away from home – people would always remark to me on how polite she was ….. that meant the world to me.  If you are going to teach your child anything – manners are the most important and will get them the furthest.  Not only the fact that they will get far with being polite, but it is the RIGHT THING TO DO.  Somewhere along the way – we got so hung up on ourselves that we forgot others.  Our communities are so important as is our sociability with others.

I am trying to teach my dog “Alvin” to have manners.  It might take me awhile but I am going to do it.  GOL (giggling out loud)

So that is my thought for the day, “it all starts with manners”.  Say “thank you” when someone opens the door for you.  Say “please” when you are asking for something.  Say “your welcome” when you are done.  So easy.  Give it a try.  Take the time to hold open a door for someone and say “Your Welcome” (even if they do not say thank you) and SMILE.  Believe me, people will start catching on.

HAVE A GREAT DAY.  Remember your manners and to smile.  We only have this one life so why not show everyone that it matters.  Believe you me …… it matters.

P.S. I saw that smile on your face,  and that twinkle in your eye…….  🙂

Oddly enough, I do think that this may have changed. Or at least the children that I know seem to be more polite.

I hope that you have a great day. Alvin to this day still uses the paw up to “ask nice.” He just had to have manners, I would not have it any other way!

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

Always, Carol & Mr. Alvin

PS: only 42 more sleeps / days until my 65th Birthday. I think that I am excited. Another milestone. Nothing wrong with that. I cannot wait until my 100th Birthday and I will be having a BIG PARTY! LOL.

The New YEAR 2022

Good Morning ALL! I hope this finds you all well. When we first got up at 4:30 and did our normal routine followed by laying down on the sofa – Mr. Alvin started to shake his head and rub his right ear. This went on for about thirty minutes while I tried everything to help him. Finally I decided to give him a tramadol to take the edge off. His last one. It worked and finally he settled down and had some sleep. I am not sure if the head shaking and rubbing ear was due to an ear infection or if his paws are bothering him as he was licking them as well. Poor little guy. I will monitor him this morning and if need be will call his Doctor and set up an appointment for this afternoon as I am at the office tomorrow and Wednesday. Perfect timing. So this post will be short. I am running a bit behind.

Yesterday I wrote about “spices” and for all you Chefs and folks who run food businesses, I was not speaking to you as of course, you need and use a great many spices. Spices are good for us. I was only speaking to those of us who buy more than we use and end up wasting and throwing them out. I am one of them. I love spices. I use spices all the time.

Well even though we turned our clocks one hour ahead, it looks dark. The sky is white. No sunrise in sight. More snow! I would like spring and flowers. With the price of produce I am considering planting some vegetables and herbs in pots or any place that I can make room.

Happy Birthday to Karen, we worked together for over 20 years at SGI. She is now retired and enjoying travelling and her grandchildren. Have a wonderful day my friend.

Time to have coffee and do some updates on my work computer. Just had to change the password.

Have a great day.

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

Always, Carol & Alvin

Please send good energy and thoughts for Mr. Alvin. Keeping him in good health.

The New YEAR 2022

Good Morning ALL! I hope this finds you well and having a great morning thus far. We are up and ready for this day. The sky is overcast but it is warm outside which is a plus. Looks like more snow on the way. I was pleasantly surprised yesterday when we did have some wonderful bright sunshine filling blue skies. So pretty. My daughter came for a visit while she was in the neighbourhood at the Dentist so I took a late lunch break so that we had some time together. Alvin was so happy to see her and very pleased when she sat down on his bed and gave him some rubs. It was great to catch up although we both had so much to say but then forgot at times just what we were going to say. Excitement. It was great spending time with her and I am always grateful for all the time we have with her. She is one of the best people I know.

Teddy did not end up coming for a sleepover so that was disappointing but his Mom said that he was clingy and she just felt that he needed to stay home. But she would bring him over for a visit again before they return to the farm. So that will be nice. I totally understood.

Last night I called one of my friends. We had a lovely chat and caught up on all our news. We miss our walks as usually we walk together over the summer, fall and after the sidewalks clear in the spring. Her husband is celebrating his 69th Birthday today. We wish him a wonderful day.

Yesterday I was watching one of my recorded “talk” shows and they gave some great ideas for trying to lessen the impact of the food ever increasing prices.

1. Buy staples such as: dried beans, lentils, pasta, rice and quinoa and canned goods. If there is a sale stock up. The shelf life is a long time and you do not have to worry about them going bad in two weeks.
2. Purchase frozen green vegetables in the winter time when they are not in season. Frozen vegetables are picked at the height of goodness and are flash frozen for maximum freshness.
3. Do not purchase berries in the winter time as they are not in season and are expensive and do not taste anything like summer berries. Instead purchase tropical fruit like bananas, oranges and pineapple. The oranges and pineapple may seem expensive but they go further than berries and last longer.
4. Cabbage is another vegetable that is usually cost effective and can be added to many dishes. Filled with Vitamin C.
5. If you are purchasing meat such as chicken, buy it whole. When it is cut up for convenience you pay so much more. A whole chicken depending on family size will do for at least two meals. You can always make soup out of the bones and little pieces and who doesn’t love chicken soup with vegetables, noodles or whatever you like.
6. Also if you purchase fresh herbs, clean them, chop in small pieces and freeze in small bags or containers and then you will have for later. Most people use them for one recipe and then into the bottom of the fridge they go never to see the light of day again until they are passed their goodness.

Those are my tips for today. I think if we all work together. We can make things just a bit easier. Maybe it is a time to go back. Less time using electricity. Turn off the lights. Do not leave the television on all day (I am turning mine off).

Have a wonderful Tuesday.

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

Always, Carol & Alvin

The New YEAR 2022

Good Morning ALL! How are you this morning? I hope that you were able to see a beautiful sunrise this morning. It is an odd morning sky. You can see very faint hues or orange and pinks to the east and then a grey blue sky to the south and to the west. It is pretty though. We had a bit of snow earlier but it does not appear to be snowing now. Not enough snow to cover the bare parts of the deck or sidewalks.

Today is the birthday of my second eldest nephew and one of my neighbours. Happy Birthday to Dale and to Norbert, wishing you both a fantastic day. Funny both live in Alberta.

Alvin and I had a great Sunday. We had a relaxing morning, followed by an early afternoon walk to the park and then several hours doing taxes. I was able to finish them and submit to Canada Revenue Agency. So another item off my list.

Today my daughter is popping by at lunchtime as she has a dental appointment in the neighbourhood. Teddy is coming for a sleepover and I am going to return a phone call to my friend who has the amazing yard, oh how I love her gardens in the summer. So busy day and of course, I am working.

This morning after rushing about somewhat, I have decided enough is enough and I need to get my butt up out of bed earlier in the morning. Set it for earlier and get up. Even if I could have stayed up when Alvin got up to eat at 5:00 a.m., I was fully awake. Can you imagine having a full three hours before starting work. Well times they are changing. Get this body going. It is enough to get into a rut especially when you have a choice.

Looks like we may clear skies after all as the oranges and pinks are starting to rise and fill more of the morning sky.

I am excited for another great day.

Wishing you an awesome day.

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

Sending continued good energy and love to the people of the Ukraine. I hope an end to this madness now.

Always, Carol & Alvin

P.S. needing the cup of coffee this morning for sure, lol.

The New YEAR 2022

Good Morning ALL! I hope that you are well and both Alvin and I are doing great. Today is Friday, January 28, 2022. Today is the birthday of a friend of mine from back home, Jeannette and my nephew Brandon. Happy Birthday to you both.

Yesterday it was not longer after I wrote this post that the sky went from pitch black to the most beautiful sunrise. So the days are finally getting longer or at least it is noticeable.

Well yesterday on my lunch break, I decided to take a chance and go for a walk with Mr. Alvin. The temperatures have been so warm that I did not want to miss another one. We needed to get outside and do something for fun. Not me out shovelling or chipping at the ice. So I put his sweater on and I got my coat and boots and away we went. It was incredibly slow going but we managed to get safely about halfway to the park and then turned around and came back on the other side of the street so that we could stop and pick up the mail. There was so much ice, very sad that our sidewalks are so bad for walking. We have all tried. When they scraped our streets a couple of days ago they left these incredibly high windrows or banks of ice and snow chunks along the edge of the sidewalk/street. So there is no place for the ice to go if it did start to melt. With us facing north those banks block the sun from melting that ice as well. So not the best of situations. The street is now good for driving but the sidewalks are hell for pedestrians. Oh well. Perhaps they will come and haul away that mess but I am not going to hold my breath – cause where would they take it. At the end of it all, we had a great little walk and will do the same today. When on ice, take little steps and slowly and keep your hands out of your pockets so that you have balance. Walk like a penguin.

Time to go. I kind of hit the snooze button after the alarm went off and had to have a shower this morning so it has put me behind a few minutes. Oh well. Thankfully it is Friday.

I hope that you have a great day. Enjoy the sunshine wherever you are and I hope that you have sunshine in your life whether shining down from above or surrounding you on this earth.

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

Always, Carol & Alvin

P.S. I am happy that the colour for 2022 is “Very Peri” which apparently is a dynamic periwinkle blue with a vivifying violet red undertone blends the faithfulness and constancy of blue with the energy and excitement of red. Now that is a mouth full. But oh so pretty. We all need a little “Very Peri” in our lives.