Last Half 2022 – October

Good Morning ALL! How are you this Wednesday morning? Alvin and I are doing very well. We had a great sleep for us. Lights out at 10:00 p.m. and first time up at 4:00 a.m. and then up to stay up at 5:40. No complaints. Today is my last day at the office for the week and that makes me happy. I am doing a little dance while sitting on my chair typing/keying this post. YAY.

The traffic seems to change from day to day. Sometimes I get dropped off at 4:30 and others about 4:45 or so. Life in the fast lane.

There is not too much new in my live at the moment so that is good.

I am thinking ahead to next weekend which will be the first weekend in November and time for me to start decorating for Christmas. With Halloween being on Monday and working at the office from Tuesday to Thursday, I thought better to wait until the weekend.

Looking at the plants that I have in the office, I noticed that my African Violet is blooming. Beautiful deep, rich purple flowers. She is amazing. The Spider Plant is enjoying more sunshine in the office than in our bedroom and the third plant which I am not quite certain its’ name, is green and beautiful. I am so grateful to be surrounded by so many healthy, pretty plants. Looks like they may need a drink so I shall do that before I go back downstairs. One more time outside for Mr. Alvin before I leave for work. Our friend is only able to come over at noon today so I want to make sure that he has that last pee and possibly another poop and drinks some water (not necessarily in that order). Better to drink the water first and then go outside. Hopefully he will.

There was frost on the ground again. I noticed that the weather channel has single digit temperature for today but warming up for the next few days. I hope that they are correct. We can enjoy more warm walks. Perhaps Alvin won’t need his sweater. I think that I gave Alvin’s winter coat away, the big one as it was a bit too big on him anyway although with his recent weight gain, that may have changed. Will have to check things out.

I hope that you have an awesome day. May you be surrounded by the beauty of nature. Most of the leaves have fallen from the trees although there are a few left and I treasure each moment with them on the trees. Looks like I may have some raking in my future although some leaves on the ground does help protect the grass and fertilizes it for spring.

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

Always, Carol & Alvin

PS: oooooo, coffee!

2021

Good Morning ALL. How are you doing today? I am/we are well. Last night or rather this morning, first time up and downstairs was at 4:08 a.m., yay Mr. Alvin. Next time up when I set the alarm. Feels like I had a good sleep. I am most grateful. The night sky is just starting to show the morning sunrise as it begins to lighten on the horizon. My view from the office window facing southward.

News on the block. My kids bought a new car. So exciting for them. They brought it to show me on their way home from the dealership last night. It is a beauty.

Today is the 44th birthday of my eldest nephew. One of my high school classmates turns 64 today as well. It is a reminder that this is the year me and my graduating class turn 64. I cannot believe it. Does not seem real but then again on the other hand – my nephew just turned 44, so it does. Happy Birthday Nephew – Wishing you a wonderful day. He is away working up north and it has been minus 50 celsius. Now that’s cold. Sending you good wishes and warmth. Take care and be safe. To my friend Barb, Happy 64th Birthday. Wishing you a wonderful day.

As I look about my office, I see that my African Violet has a great many purple flowers. She is most beautiful with her deep purple blooms and rich green leaves. The smaller Spider Plants that I have brought up stairs are doing well. They seem to grow like nobody’s business no matter where they are placed. Easy peasy. My Geraniums downstairs are blooming with bright pink flowers. Love them. Poinsettias are doing well. The one from last year has some leaves that are turning red. So pretty with green and red leaves. I would say that my little garden in the kitchen and in office are bright and cheery and bring joy to my days. Always good to be surrounded by greenery with a pop of colour. Good for the air as well.

I can see the sky starting to turn oranges and pinks on the horizon and soon the sun shall be up and shining every so brightly.

Another cold day but by Friday it will be warming up. Which is a good thing as I have to make a run to the vet for supplies for the boy.

Well time to head on downstairs. The boy is standing staring at me from the hallway. He has a piercing look when he wants something.

I wish you a great Tuesday, be safe and warm and take care.

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

Always, Carol & Alvin

2021

Good Morning ALL. How are you? I am well and happily settling into my new bras. Happy Woman here. Well last night ….. earlier, much earlier this morning up and down as per our normal routine. It would seem that whenever we go to bed whether early or a bit later we are always up six hours later. That six hour mark could be at 3 a.m. or 4 a.m. or anything in between. Depending on the time I either give Mr. Alvin his glucosamine chew OR the chew and breakfast. I don’t want him to have breakfast before 4:00 a.m. Too early. Then we head to the sofa for a few more zzz’s and when we get up depends on whether or not it is during the week or the weekend. What a life! This morning I am going to have a “coffee visit” with my friends Gillian and Signe on TEAMS. So excited to see them and catch up.

I also had a pretty nice surprise when I went into my office (where I am now) to turn on the computer …. I found that my African Violet had some pretty purple flowers. She did not have them yesterday and there are several buds as well. A very deep rich vibrant purple. A royal purple if you will. I cannot remember how long I have had this plant and she has never bloomed but I think that she does like being in the office on my desk. I have placed two smaller Spider plants on the desk beside her for company. Even plants need company. They were babies when I moved them into the office and she was older so a good match, I thought. Miss Violet’s leaves are finally becoming larger and stronger looking. I am so over the moon happy about this plant and all of my plants as they are all doing so well. My Geraniums are blooming …. beautiful pink flowers. Three other plants that I have are also blooming and I am not quite sure what there names are … Since I am home all of the time now, I give them a lot more TLC and they appear to be liking the extra attention. Yesterday morning I spent about one hour fixing them up and moving them about. They do all seem to love the southern exposure whether in my kitchen or in the office. Although yesterday I tried something by moving my large Spider plant to the 1/2 wall that divides the kitchen and living room. I moved Spidy because my plant area is getting so crowded with plants. I will see how Spidy does and if shows signs of stress I will move him back to the window area or perhaps even upstairs to the office where there is more room. My daughter brought me a Poinsettia from her office on Friday thus overfilling the space. So I will keep an eye on them. Plants are so good to have around. I am grateful that several of them seem to bloom all year round. Now I have my beautiful Violet plant blooming. So grateful. Also I have two geraniums that my friend Pauline gave me last fall which are becoming massive in their small pots and need to be transplanted. So I will have to put out a call for someone to pick me up some potting soil and two medium sized pots.

Last night I spent the evening speaking to my friend Linda who lives back home. We worked together, were neighbours and are friends. She recently celebrated a birthday. We chatted about our lives, the world and the pandemic for close to three hours. What a great way to spend a Saturday night. Perfection.

Now this morning I get to chat with two of my girl friends. YAY.

Well time to get dressed and put on the coffee and have breakfast before our get together.

The sky is partially overcast this morning as the sunrises. I love the colours of the morning sky as the sun begins to rise in the sky.

This has been a great weekend thus far. Alvin and I also had the best walk yesterday afternoon. The air was so warm and there was no wind. I could have walked forever. Who would have thought it was almost mid January.

Wishing you a great Sunday.

Continuing to live with kindness, respect and compassion for all.

Always, Carol & Alvin

Thought for the day …..

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

It is raining outside this morning.

It started just before we went to bed and continued off and on throughout the night.

Seems funny hearing the rain coming down and even more funny watching it take away the remaining snow.

There be green grass once again.

How about that?

Guess what?

Guess what?

My SNAPDRAGONS are still blooming and looking so pretty.

Hard to believe that they survived minus temperatures and two heavy snowfalls.

They sure are hardy little troopers.

WOW.

 

Last night after work we went for an one hour walk with our friend “P.”

I love our walks and our conversations.

We learn more about each other every time that we are together.

She is such an amazing friend to me and Alvin.

He loves our walks with her, too.

 

Well today is Friday ….. so excited for the weekend.

No big plans but lots of little things that I would like to get accomplished.

I think that Alvin has his regular appointment tomorrow morning (they always call the day before to confirm/remind).

We appreciate that.

Often times we book it and of course, it is 5 weeks into the future.

Sometimes I don’t remember …. but they always call.

 

Alvin laying on his blue blanket – what a guy.

I love listening him to sleep.

His breathing.

 

Just so grateful to be surrounded by loving, compassionate, thoughtful, caring, supportive souls.

Thoughts out to someone who has an appointment today …. only good news.

 

Wow, it is really coming down.

Thinking I may have to pull out the umbrella …. thankfully I left the rain spout down …..

 

Happy Friday.

How about we start this day and every day by doing something thoughtful for someone.

Does not have to cost money or take a lot of time.

Just do something that would help someone else.

How about for a stranger?

We have to be more kind and generous to ALL others.

We are all the same after all.

Look at us.

A head, body, arms and legs.

We are the same.

The only differences are the ones that we make.

Really we are ALL the same.

Treat each other with kindness and respect.

Life can be short or it can be long.

Make your life and that of all others around you …. joyful and abundant.

 

Special Hello:  YOU …. thank you for reading this post and for being a good human being.

Always, Carol & Alvin

Thought for the day ….

Good Morning and Welcome to Wednesday the 26th day of September, 2018.

Today is the birthday of my favourite son-in-law.

Okay, I know he is my only son-in-law but he is still my favourite.

Alvin and I want to WISH him the best day.

We are looking forward to seeing him on Saturday for a party.

YAY.

Alvin has done all of the planning and he is so proud.

So excited.

 

Last night it was absolute perfection.

I got out my capri “sweats” and wore only a long sleeved denim shirt (no JACKET) and sandals.

YAY, so nice.

The air was warm, the birds were hanging out, folks were out walking with their pups, the leaves were so happy for the warmth that they were proudly displaying their greens.

The fountain was still flowing in our neighbourhood pond/lake.

Love the sound of water, like that.

I remarked to Mr. Alvin about the colour of one of the bushes by the lake it was a delectable green with pink coloured berries.

So so pretty.

There are some yellow, orange and red leaves for sure.

It was a perfect evening.

We so enjoyed our walk.

Our friends were out in the back yard preparing for the next season.

Even in FALL their yard is beautiful …. still some flowers blooming.

We stopped and had a nice visit.

 

Well almost time to put the finishing touches on before heading out to work.

Alvin is once again tucked up by my legs  ….. he does love his Momma.

So cute.

 

Have an awesome day.

No matter what lies ahead of you.

Just take it one step, one file, one job, one chore, one thing at a time.

That is all we can do.

It sometimes can feel daunting and overwhelming but in the immortal words of a wee character from one of my favourite Christmas (animated) movies: put one foot in front of the other and soon

you’ll be walking out the door…

 

Words to live by.

Special Hello to: my son-in-law …. Happy Birthday.

Always, Carol & Alvin

 

 

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Tuesday the 17th day of July, 2018.

What a gorgeous morning, clear blue skies.

This morning when Al and I went for a walk at 5:15 a.m. – there was quite a lot of activity at our lakes/park.

The birds everything from ducks, geese, robins and more where chirping, quacking, singing and communicating.

There were frogs and crickets.

The ponds (not actually lakes) were alive with all sorts of wild and wonderful creatures.

It was glorious to listen to it all as we made our way through the park.

 

Another HOT HOT one on the way.

OMG, yesterday was so hot.

The fans and air conditioning barely keeping things cool.

 

Somedays you just need to share some photos.

Here are some photos from my “61” BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION.

The partying beings ….. a tad early but who am I to rain on my parade.

Why not celebrate for a month?

Right.

Party complete with Birthday Banner and Balloons.

Nothing like FRESH GLORIOUS FRUIT

Homemade CARROT CAKE to die for ….

The Birthday Girl hiding behind your PRESENTS.

Oh, I love presents.

So blessed …. received yoga pants & top and sweater and long no-sleeved fancy tank top.

I had so much fun with my girl friends …. we laughed and laughed.

 

AFTER the birthday party my daughter and grand-pups came for the afternoon & stayed for supper.

Both Aspen and Milo looked out the window pretty much the whole time that my daughter was out.

She slipped out for a few minutes.

Oh the babies.

My LILIES be blooming.

They are the most gorgeous shade of red, the ferns are taking over the front flower bed.

Who does not like impatiens?  I kind of missed most of the flowers.

They are filling up two pots on the front step.

What a glorious Sunday I had.

Absolute perfection.

 

Well here we are at Tuesday.

Will be trying to keep cool.

Thank goodness it is cool at 5:15 am when we go for a walk.

 

Special Hello to:  YOU, thank you for reading my blog.

Always, Carol & Alvin

 

 

 

 

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Wednesday the 20th day of September, 2017.

Well another rainy dark morning here in Edmonton.

I caved after work and turned on the HEAT.

After hearing that during the day we had a SNOW RAIN mix (it did not stay), I felt so sorry for Mr. Alvin.

Home in the dark with no heat.

I know that he has a fur coat but just the same ….. he needed some heat.

So it is the first warm morning in the house for awhile.

Sure was nice having a shower without freezing before the warm hit me body.

Too much information …… sorry.

 

According to the weather channel this is our reality for a few days.

Rain and more rain.

Low temperatures.

Hopefully I will be able to dig out the flowers once the sun comes out.

If it freezes it will make it almost impossible until spring.

Oh well.

I guess I should have paid closer attention to the forecast.

I just could not bear to clean out the pots when the flowers were still somewhat green and the flowers were blooming.

Some of the snapdragons were so pretty that I picked them Monday night and am glad that I did.

Perhaps once this wet cool snap passes we shall have a nice long warm fall.

That would be nice.

Well almost time to hit the road.

Extra layers and shoes that lace up.

Umbrella, of course.

Cannot leave home without it.

 

Have an awesome Wednesday.

Special Hello to: my sister ……

Always, Carol & Alvin

Thought for the day ……

Good Morning and Welcome to the 20th day of March, 2017.

YAY, today is the first official day of SPRING.

Are we excited?

Yes.

It did snow last night and the wind did blow.

Much the same as Saturday night but without the rain (or at least I did not hear or see signs of rain).

Back to work after a great weekend.

Yesterday, I had coffee with two of my girl friends followed by a nice walk with Mr. Alvin.

We finished the laundry, baked some banana muffins and a banana loaf.

My daughter had given me some rhubarb/strawberry dried fruit so I added some to the mixes.

I submitted my tea party orders and made my lunch and then made oatmeal for three breakfasts.

Followed by tea and watched TRANSFORMERS, Age of Extinction (the newest one).

I have seen them all and for some reason I love them and have watched them numerous times.

Last night after supper I SKYPED with my sister.

We caught up on all the news and had a couple of laughs along the way.

Well over one hour later we said “good-bye”  …… you know the 1-2-3 and then hung up.

The time always flies by when we chat.

I am looking forward to this summer as she plans to come for a visit.

So on this first day of spring, I am at a loss as to what to wear for a coat.

Will have to check the temperature on the weather channel before donning my outer clothing.

I hope that you had an amazing weekend.

Wishing you a Happy First Day of Spring …..

Perhaps wherever you are …. the flowers are blooming.

Ah, so cute …. Mr. Alvin is laying under the computer desk on the wee piece of rug …… all curled up.

Usually he stays in the hallway but today he wants to be right beside me.

I sure love the little guy ……

Well time to get going …. gotta check the weather.

Hopefully it melts the bit of snow that fell through the night so that I do not have to shovel.

I keep chipping away at the ice out front.

Until the snow melts from my lawn and the neighbours – there will be chipping and removing ice and water from the front.

Have a great Monday.

Special Hello to:  my sister, thank you for the chat.  Have an awesome day.

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 Thursday the 17th day of September, 2015.

Another glorious morning ….. no rain overnight or frost.

So we are good on all fronts.

I was going to put all my flower pots into the garage just in case of frost and then saw that it was to be 5 degrees overnight so decided to take a chance.

This has been a long season for them to this point.

Pretty much all of my flowers and the ones in the neighbourhood are still blooming like crazy.

Especially with the rain over the past few days.

Now sunshine and we will be good for another few days or maybe even weeks.

This morning me Alvin decided that he wanted to be a “LAP DOG” …

Usually when I am writing in my gratitude journal he is laying on the sofa in the spot that I was on just a few minutes prior.

We still find time for a few minutes on the sofa before getting up to stay.

Anyway …. he was standing by the chair beside mine and looking up ….

I asked him “would you like up?”

He backs away ….

So I lean over and ask him once again.

Finally he walks over to me so that I can pick him up.

OO methinks that Mr. Alvin needs to cut back on the treats or more walks … yikes.

Footnote to his Momma …. you both need to start yoga ….. “downward dog” …… our cores need help.

As soon as I have him in my lap I place my legs on the other chair so that he has room to move.

With one arm around me Alvin the other one grabs the pen and begins to write.

Meanwhile Mr. Alvin does his “little 360” on my lap so cute.

He then ends up facing the other way with his head facing outward resting on my arm.

I always say to me Alvin and it is my favourite thing to say “cuteness alert” …..

He is pretty cute.

Mr. Alvin goes wherever I go.

He is attached to my hip.

I only hope that he is not too lonely when I am at work.

Hopefully he sleeps and keeps entertained with all that goes on in the neighbourhood during the day.

Anyway …. one more day this week … Friday…. once I start a day …..I am up so it doesn’t count.

I am taking different scheduled buses to find the best one for me to take.

Yesterday the bus got me to work at 7:25 and I start at 8:00 ….

Today I am hoping it works out to be at work by 7:40-45.

I wish you all the best day.

Also today marks the Happy Birthday of my Steeped Tea Leader “C” …. Happy Birthday.

She is an awesome person and I am glad to know her.

Special Hello to: my Steeped Tea Leader “C” …..

Always, Carol and Alvin