The Next Chapter

Good Morning. Oh, the font has changed this morning. Cool. The sky is clear blue and I can see the sunrise reflecting off the buildings and trees out of my office window. Last night after work I went for a walk with my friends Jeanette, Alejandro and Eddie & Bruno. I brought out some treats (freeze dried liver) for them. They both gobbled them up and I was most pleased that Bruno was happy with the treat. He is not doing great but some days better than others. Last night was a good night. It was almost two hours from the time that I left my house to the time I returned for the night. Now part of that time was spent visiting outside with a neighbour who had been out mowing her lawn. I also came to realize just how loose my glasses are as when I bent over to give the boys their treats, they slid off my face. They are so much heavier with the sunglass clips. Perhaps I should have gone with transition lenses. If I put my head down they slide down. Not sure if going to the Optometrist to have fit better will help or not but I guess I need to try. I usually look down watching the sidewalk a fair amount or at least half of the time. I like to keep my head on a swivel. In this day and age, you have to be super aware of your surroundings. After the long weekend at our work site, more than ever this is important. Back to the walk. When we first left the sky was dark with big rain clouds and I thought that for sure we were going to get wet but after a few minutes into our walk the sky is cleared and we had the most beautiful evening. From time to time the wind would start to blow and the temperature would dip and then it would pass and life was good. I so enjoyed our walk last night. The grass had been freshly cut from the previous day. Most of the trees are almost fully out in leaves. We had a great walk including seeing some Robins. I love those birds. Little Robin Red Breast.

The time was almost 8 p.m. when I walked into the house after the walk and the visit but I felt like a million dollars. Nothing like spending time with friends and being outside in the fresh air and sunlight. After what feels like weeks of days filled with smoky skies – the clear blue sky was a gift. One that was so appreciated. I could have walked all night long or at least been outside till dark.

I snapped a few photos of the blue sky from my porch last night. Perhaps I should have walked about with my phone and taken some better ones but you will see the brightness. It is hard to take photos from your porch without getting cars and houses in the shots. Oh well. I also noticed just how dusty my front room blinds are at this time. Remember I was sidetracked from my spring cleaning! I will be washing the blinds this weekend for sure. YIKES. No one wants to see dusty blinds in a photo. Not me!

Photos and then time to head downstairs as I am catching the bus this morning to work.

That fresh blue sky and the sun! Great end to a wonderful evening.

Try not to inspect the photos of the blinds to hard although I can see the dust on the last photo, argh. Oh well. I am human.

Have a wonderful day! Be safe and aware and enjoy and remember to laugh.

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

Always, Carol & Alvin, My Forever Angel

Thought for the day ….

Good Morning and Welcome to Friday the 6th day of July, 2018.

The sky is partially overcast at this time of the day.

Another HOT one is on the way.

I have windows OPEN at this moment at each end of the house so that the breeze can come into our house and cool the air.

So far so good.

The air feels cooler.

The furnace FAN is on and an electric fan all working together to cool the house for Mr. Alvin.

With the office window open I can hear the humming of the cars and trucks on the nearby highway that encircles our city.

Today is Friday.

Thank goodness for the weekends.

Just seeing the sun making its’ way higher in the morning sky.

 

I am reminded by just how important it is to be surrounded by positive energy.

Work is one of those places that can be negative.

At work I sit and work, I seldom participate in any conversations.

Somedays the negativity washes over me like a COLD shower leaving me feel drained and blue.

If only people would think about what comes out of their mouths, if only.

I am far from perfect and have from time to time SAID the wrong words.

If you work with people please be aware of others.

Be kind and recognize that perhaps others are in the same position as you are OR perhaps worse.

 

I am so grateful that I have a quiet home with Alvin.

He greets me every night and from time to time gets vocal.

But that is okay.

We all have to something to say.

 

Well here it is almost time to leave for work once again.

Grateful today is Friday.

Grateful that the house is cool for Mr. Alvin.

Grateful that I prepared the bags of clothing and odds and ends for DIABETES to pick up today.

Always good to donate.

 

Special Hello to: my sister ….. have a wonderful day.

Always, Carol & Alvin

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Tuesday the 5th day of September, 2017.

The sun is just starting to rise at about 6:20 a.m.

What a difference from a few weeks ago when it was light before 5:00 a.m.

The days are noticeably shorter now as we ease into autumn or fall, the last quarter of the year 2017.

The air is much cooler in the morning and cools off in the evening as well.

Although this week is to be in the mid to high 20’s …… on the warm side.

Last night was perfect when Alvin and I went for a walk and to water our friend’s flowers.

I am wishing/hoping/praying that her flowers remain as beautiful this Friday as they were last night.

I love flowers and spending the time in her yard with Alvin ….. is priceless.

AS I gaze out of my office window I am in awe of the skyline.

The trees reach up in line against the pale orange and blues of the sunrise.

What a gorgeous time of day.

I shall definitely enjoy my walk to the bus this morning.

Back to work ….. we had a wonderful weekend.

We walked, cleaned and watered.

I hope that you all enjoyed your weekend as well.

 

Happy Tuesday Everyone.

 

Special Hello to: To all the folks in the southern United States as you come out of the other side of Hurricane Harvey ….. you are in our thoughts and prayers.

Keep safe, warm and strong.

Always, Carol & Alvin

 

 

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Friday the 1st day of September, 2017.

Welcome September.

Gorgeous sunrise.

The sky is this incredible pink with hues of blue and purple.

So pretty.

 

So on this Friday.

I am going to take myself just a little less seriously.

Take a “laugh break” throughout the day.

Be kind to others and to myself – always.

Be in the moment.

This is my Friday mantra.

 

Happy Friday Everyone.

Special Hello to: all those folks starting the month with a birthday, Happy Birthday.

Always, Carol & Alvin

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Thursday the 28th day of July, 2016.

It is a gorgeous morning here in Edmonton.

The sunrise is the most brilliant delicious red with orange and yellow hues.

In contrast to the south there are deep blue rain clouds filling the sky.

Earlier I saw a bolt of lightning light up the early morning sky.

I quickly grabbed my tablet to get a couple of photos of this amazing morning sky.

It has been hot with temperatures of high 20’s celsius but the ringer is the humidity ….

With the humidity it feels like in the 30’s …. hot and muggy.

Along with the weather of course we have had many a thunderstorm filled with manic rain showers, thunder and lightning.

Yesterday afternoon at work about 2:00 p.m. it was raining in buckets.

I was hoping it would stop before I was off work as getting soaked on your walk to the bus is only a bit fun.

Yes, I said it …. the child in me, does not mind.

After work is okay to be wet ….

I carry an umbrella with me but sometimes it does not matter.

I remember years ago on my way to work I did not have an umbrella and was soaked completely through and with the air conditioning in the building it literally took me all day to dry out.

Not a comfortable way to spend the day.

The sun is shining so brilliantly now that the blue sky to the south is almost sparkling and with another bolt of lightning.

What a beautiful sky this morning.

Well time once again to leave for work.

I wish that I had the time to show my photos but they do not capture the true beauty of this morning’s sky.

Close your eyes and use your imagination and you will see what I see.

Have a wonderful day.

Happy Weather er, I mean Thursday.

Special Hello to: all those folks who love weather.

Always, Carol and Alvin

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Saturday the 16th day of July, 2016.

BRIGHT AND SUNNY.

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One of my most favourite things on the planet is FLOWERS.

I love them.

The different palette of colours.

How each petal is different .

How the scents just carry you away to the best places.

Here are some of my flowers over the years since I have moved to Edmonton.

I must download this year’s flowers from my tablet to the computer.

I have some lilies that are burgundy and so pretty.

My front flower bed is do well despite some hard rainfall and hail.

So today I just want to make you smile.

Perhaps you will go for a walk and check out the flowers in your neighbourhood …. that is if you do not have any at your home.

Happy Saturday.

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Flowers

Flowers

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AND Dragonflies, I love them.

Each one is different and so beautiful.

FLOWERS FOR FRIENDS

FLOWERS FOR FRIENDS

Summer of 2009, my first summer here in Edmonton

Summer of 2009, my first summer here in Edmonton

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“Someone else loves flowers, too.”

Flowers for Easter ..... Happy Spring.

Flowers for Easter ….. Happy Spring.

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Wishing you the best day.

Now back to work.

My friend is coming for a visit and things have to be just SO.

Special Hello to: my friend “V” ….. only three sleeps now.

Always, Carol and Alvin

 

P.S. Alvin is excited for the new company.

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Saturday the 14th day of May, 2016.

A sunny Saturday.

The sky is blue and the sun is shining brightly.

Great way to start the weekend.

Actually last night was so gorgeous ….. absolute perfection.

Temperature right.

No breeze.

Enjoyed some time visiting out front with my neighbour.

Soon they will be moving into their new house and a new chapter will begin for each of us.

I/We, me and Alvin will miss them.

But as I have found nothing lasts forever.

They are not moving far away so we will keep in contact but it will not be the same as living next door to each other.

I truly have been blessed on the neighbour end of things.

Always had awesome people surrounding me wherever I have lived.

How about you?

Do you get to know them?

Do you socialize with them?

Do you like them?

 

Two of the gals in my neighbourhood that I have become good friends with over the years are coming for coffee and a visit this morning.

They are super nice.

With them being younger and having smaller children it has kept me feeling younger.

Surrounding yourself with the younger generations is great.

Almost all of my friends are about my daughter’s age.

I have two friends closer to my age and then two friends older than me.

The rest are younger.

But no matter.

Always good to surround yourself with different perspectives.

 

Well time to go and get the laundry started as Mr. Alvin has his 4-6 week pedicure and “stuff” at the Vet.

His favourite thing to do.

I have a garage sale to plan and get ready, tea sales to obtain, housework to do and the list goes on.

It would be nice to have a personal assistant or someone.

I was chatting last night on the bus with a lady that I have got to know and we are both single.

Although I do not mind living on my own there are times that having someone would be a great help.

 

Okay time to go.

It appears that I have more to say but that will have to be for another day.

Sorry for the jumble jumble.

 

One more thing …. Elton is doing so much better and sounds like they are coming for a visit tomorrow.

So excited to see our boy.  Have not seen him since before his surgery.

 

Have an awesome Saturday.

I am going to enjoy the visit with my “peeps.”

 

Special Hello to: all those single people out there doing their thing alone.

Always, Carol and Alvin

 

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Sunday the 24th day of January, 2016.

Another odd looking sky this morning however this one is blue but not the kind synonymous with sunny skies …. but blue all the same.

Both Alvin and I are super happy because my daughter, his sister is coming for a visit today.

I am pancakes for us …… so will have to get on that right away ….

I like to have them made and in the oven keeping warm when she arrives.

 

The weekend seems to be zipping along as per usual UNTIL ……

Another speed bump in the flow of our lives …..

Yesterday  I noticed when I was drying a load of clothes that the inside of the dryer window was fogging over and then I could smell something burning.

So I quickly turned off the dryer and unplugged it.

I googled it to see if it was something that perhaps I could fix.

But it is likely better that I call in something familiar with dryers.

Could be lint or could be the motor.

Hopefully it is something that can be fixed and doesn’t cost a truck load of money.

Somedays it would be nice to be married to an electrician or someone handy with things.

Somedays I think I should go back to school.

If truly things happen in threes …. I am done.

 

On the up side, I won $5.00 on the lottery.

At least some extra money coming in …..

Guess I will have to get selling lots of tea ….. likely good incentive …. right.

 

Well enough woe is me …. I apologize …. just had to vent.

I do not wish my daughter to come into the house and first thing out of my mouth is the dryer …..

Thank you so much for listening – I appreciate it.

 

Have a great Sunday.

I am going to enjoy my day ……

Things will and always do at some point get better …..

I will always look to the positive.

Sometimes I have to take the time to mourn the negative and get it out of my system.

 

Special Hello to: my friends and family all over the world.

Always, Carol and Alvin

 

P.S. I did manage to give Alvin quite a lovely hair cut and followed by a bath.  I noticed of course well into the evening that I missed a small patch on his one side … about 1 by 1 inch ….. otherwise his hair cut was a success.  I even managed to get his paws trimmed quite well.  All in my life ….. of course.

 

Thought for the day…..

Good Morning and Welcome to Tuesday the 16th day of June, 2015.

Bright sunny morning here in Edmonton.

Spent the evening outside last night with Mr. Alvin ….. first we went for a walk ….. then we, well me … cut the front lawn and raked, pulled some dandelions, watered the flowers front and back, and lawn and visited with neighbours who happened by.

It was absolutely gorgeous out last night.

Unplanned evening but great.

I am so grateful to live in this house with me Alvin in this city and in this country.

We are so blessed.

Well this morning we were up ultra early and then hit the sofa for some zzz’s so the Momma is a bit on the tired side.

Almost time to hit the trail to catch the bus to go to work.

I hope that you all are having an amazing day thus far.

OMG, I almost jumped …. out of the blue … Alvin jumped up quick ….. it would seem that there is a fly in the house …. likely because I had the back door open most of the evening while we were outside.  In the beginning Alvin was in the back yard and I wanted him to be able to come in and see me out front.

Poor little fly does not stand a chance with Mr. Alvin on guard.

Take care ….. be kind to each other.

Have a great day.

Special Hello to: all those tea drinkers out there ….. I just tried the best tea ever …… Roobios (not sure of the spelling) but it had coffee in it …. from Steeped Tea,so yummy.

Always, Carol and Alvin

Thought for the day ……

I am reminded on this rainy morning to remain “positive”, “happy” and “AWAKE”.

Sometimes when it is raining we become blue, a bit sad and want to sleep.

But get yourself up,  put on some happy music, make some muffins or take a walk in the rain.

Even those rainy mornings can be uplifting.

Enjoy your day, wherever life may take you.

Always, Carol

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