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! Happy Friday! Happy April Fools Day! How are you this morning? I am a bit sleepy as I could not get those 60,000 thoughts to stop cropping up in my mind. Anyway, with four “clicks on the snooze button” on my phone, I am up, showered and almost ready to work.

This post will be short but I wanted to share a cute story and some interesting information with you.

Cute Story

I heard on a morning talk show that I was listening to on my coffee break the following: a man from Florida had three pet bunnies. He loved his bunnies and wanted to let them outside in the backyard to enjoy the day. So he lets them out into the backyard. Not sure how much time elapsed before he went to check on them but when he went out they were gone. The three bunnies had escaped. He looked everywhere. No bunnies. Man was sad as he loves his cute pet bunnies. One day three months later he happened to look out the window into the backyard and what did he see: bunnies, bunnies and more bunnies, 80 to be exact. How could this happen you say? Well females can get pregnant the same day they give birth. The gestation period of a bunny is 28-35 days. Females can give birth at 10-12 weeks old. Yikes. Truly babies having babies. The part that was interesting to me was not really the number as everyone knows bunnies can multiply quickly (I did not know the exact stats) but the fact that the three bunnies brought their children, their children’s children and so on, back home. How did they know home? Food for thought. True Story.

Information

I was watching the Ellen show yesterday and Brene Brown was on. Such an interesting person. I have heard the name but did not know much about her. She has studied human behavior for over two decades.

There is neuroscience behind: Emotional pain lights up the same area of the brain as the physical pain. Isn’t that interesting. Heart break, loss, shame and so much more can feel as badly as a burn for example.

She said that we want so hard to believe that we are cognitive thinking beings that on occasion get inconvenienced by emotion.

But in truth: we are EMOTIONAL BEINGS who on occasion think.

We are emotional beings that have thoughts.

Food for thought. Explains so much. I felt so much better about being emotional. I guess we are hardwired that way.

Gotta go.

Have a great day. Be safe and don’t worry if you are emotional! You are not alone.

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

Always, Carol & Alvin

PS: My daughter comes for supper tonight, yay AND the sun was pretty, the sky is pretty much clear. It is a great day!

2021

Good Morning ALL. How are you today? We are doing well and still adjusting to the time change. Spring forward takes a bit more getting used to, for sure. But we will adjust in time (before the next change in late fall, lol). Last night it was after 7:30 p.m. and still light outside which was great. I cannot wait until the sun is already up at this time of morning. It is always easier for me to get up when it is light outside. How about you?

Yesterday at lunch we met up with friends Ali and Bailey from down the street and adorned with sweaters on the pups as it was cool at noon, masks on we girls and our lighter winter apparel we headed out for a 40 minute or so walk. We would come across folks with dogs or the pups especially Bailey were sniffing lots so did take all of 40 minutes. It was so nice to have a walking companion and we chatted the whole walk. I will say that walking and talking with a mask on is not the most comfortable thing in the world but I certainly am not going to complain as some folks have had to wear masks and work 12 hour shifts for days on end. I am grateful my mask wearing is not often as I do not go anywhere or see anyone. I have several masks on hand for those times when I must wear a mask and I will always wear one as instructed by our Health Care Professionals. Back to Bailey I cannot believe how long and gangly she is ….. he has such long legs even though she will not get much bigger and eventually will fill in, I would think. Again, nice to have a friend to walk with …. another human being. It was great.

Teddy and Kobi will be coming over at noon for the rest of the day while their parents go out to the farm to tend to some business.

I was wondering about some things. I will be 64 this summer and how I view the world is likely much different than an 18 year old or even a 30 year old. Do you ask yourself questions all day long? What kind of questions? Maybe we all ask this question “When is this going to end?” OR “Is this virus going to ever go away?” I often ask myself or tell myself “Why did you say that?” I have lots of questions swirling through my mind at any given time. Sometimes it is quiet but not often. Most times I cannot even stop the noise when I go to bed. I used to meditate and perhaps that is something that I should get into once again. I wouldn’t say that I am particularly worried or concerned most days ….. just have a busy mind. They say we have 60,000 thoughts each day. That is a lot. I was wondering how everyone feels about all of the social media platforms? How many YouTube Videos are there? How many singers have become world famous during the pandemic bia YouTube? How many organizers and designers? How many cooks? How many makeup artists? The list goes on and on. Now there is Tic Tok (not sure of the spelling as I have not been on there). Instagram and FaceBook and so many more. Food for thought. Maybe it is time to do a video? What do you think? I wonder if the Internet will ever crash? Sometimes it goes down but they always get it going again.

Anyway that is it for this morning. I need some coffee.

Wishing you a wonderful day. In Edmonton for the rest of the week supposed to have temperatures of +9-13 degrees celsius which is a far cry from yesterday’s +2. YAY, perhaps spring is really here. Hope so. Not a long winter but I really want spring and then summer.

Living with kindness, respect, compassion and patience (always working on patience and yesterday was one of those days for sure).

Always, Carol & Al

P.S. last night gave Mr. Alvin some of his new food. We have to, I have to introduce it gradually over two weeks. Now there is measuring 1/2 wet and 1/2 dry but ratio of 3/4 old to 1/4 new for first few days, then half and half and then 3/4 new to 1/4 new. Sure wished that I was better at math, lol.

Sun coming up. Hip Hip Hooray.

Second Half of the NEW YEAR

Good Morning,

As we slowly but surely but very quickly approach the end of summer, the days will begin to shorten.

The air will cool, the trees will change colour.

Some of the birds will begin to migrate to the south.

But for us working at home now, we will be able to enjoy up close and personal the changes in seasons.

Just like we did from winter to spring and spring to summer although I think that not many of us were thinking of the changes in seasons over those months.

Now that we have settled into working from home – that is the ones that continue to work from home.

We can truly appreciate the changes in seasons.

I am grateful to all those folks who do leave their homes to go to their places of employment, thank you.

We all do a job that makes us all important in the grand scheme of things.

Does not matter if you work from home, leave your home to work each day or if you go to school or are retired.

We all are important.

We should all appreciate each other and ourselves.

So on this 20th day of August, 2020 – I appreciate what I do and all the things that you do.

We all directly or indirectly impact each other’s lives.

In ways we do not think about.

I know that I am most grateful to my employer for deciding that it would better suit the business and the employees if we continue to work remotely.

Now some staff are required to work from the office and we all really appreciate them doing so.

Some staff go to the office a few days per month.

But the majority of staff work remotely from home.

I am hoping that we will be able to continue this in the future.

Makes sense to me.

 

On another note, last night I could not sleep.

Not quite sure why.

My thoughts rolled in with the intensity of a summer storm.

My mind went from one thing to another but by far the most consuming thoughts for the night were of my friend Les.

Les passed away on August 18, 2019.

Just over one year ago.

He was a great friend to me for more than thirty years.

I miss him and think of him often.

He was in my brain like a firecracker directing me on something very important to me.

I have always wanted to write a book.

In fact, I have been talking about it and telling people about my plans for years and years.

But there was something about last night that made me realize that I need to start it now.

So in my no sleeping hours of the night I thought of the book.

I thought of the dedication.

It has to be to my friend Les.

Who even in passing – gives me support and love and even laughter.

I am most grateful that we collided in this lifetime.

I am most grateful that I was able to call him friend.

Les, I am doing it.

I have the title, the dedication and the first chapter.

I am grateful that you gave me that little push, well actually a big push.

I am eternally grateful for you and your friendship.

Take care, my dear friend.

 

Well before I work on the book I have to put in 7.25 hours of work.

That is important as well.

 

I hope that you all have a great day.

Perhaps you will have a sleepless night that will begin to make your dreams come true.

A light bulb moment, aha.

 

Thank you for reading my posts ….. I appreciate your time and you for doing so.

I love reading your comments when you are able.

 

Have an awesome day.

Filled with the kindness and respect that we all deserve.

Living my life with kindness and respect.

I/We shall remain,

Always, Carol & Alvin

Thought for the day ….

Good Morning and Welcome to Sunday the 7th day of April, 2019.

A glorious bright sunny morning has arrived.

The sky is so beautiful and blue.

There is frost on the cars that I can see from our windows.

Most of the snow has melted at the front and rear of our house.

We are grateful for that.

I just saw some water dripping down at the back of the house.

Our temperature is to be double digits today.

About 13 degrees celsius.

Which is absolutely glorious.

 

Well Teddy went home yesterday late afternoon.

Here are three photos from the sleepover.

Those boys are sure cute.

I could take photos of them all day long.

Too bad that I missed the shot with both boys having the chew treat in their mouth.

It was cute.

Well as I had a sort of lazy Saturday time to get the “boots” on and get to work.

Laundry is done …. thankfully.

Some to bring up from the basement and put away.

Will rake the back again once the snow is gone.

I did rake the back yesterday.

Going to bake some Raisin Chocolate-Chip Cookies today.

Wash the main floor (trace of paw prints showing).

Go for a walk this afternoon as it warms up.

Get ready for the work week.

Enter/submit a NORWEX order.

Likely forgetting something but it will get done.

 

I hope that you all have an awesome Sunday.

If you live in Alberta – thoughts of the upcoming election are likely flitting around your brain.

Who to vote for?

It becomes increasingly more difficult with every election.

Why is that?

Why is it so hard to find someone who truly wants to do good by all people?

Why is it so hard?

I do not know.

I do not know.

 

Well for today no thoughts of the election – just thoughts of spring and enjoying this day.

Special Hello to: my friends all over the world…..

Always, Carol & Alvin

 

 

Thought for the day ….

Good Morning and Welcome to Thursday the 27th day of September, 2018.

Dark outside as fall continues.

We had a rainy Wednesday but does not appear to have rained overnight or at least the front sidewalk does not show any additional moisture.

So that rain kept us from our walk.

 

How are you this day?

Did you have a good Wednesday?

I have to apologize to my son-in-law as I sent on-line Birthday Wishes but I neglected to call him on the phone and wish him a Happy Birthday.

I will see him on Saturday and can apologize in person.

It is strange how we can get so wrapped up in “our little piece of the world” that we forget to do things OR perhaps it is a sign that I am aging.

ARGH.

I am reading and doing puzzles and working with the hopes to stave off the forgetfulness aspect of aging that comes with many years.

They say to exercise your brain.

I would say that I exercise my brain every day at work.

There is always something new and always different information to analyze.

 

Mr. Alvin had me up at 3:00 for now apparent reason.

OR perhaps it was because we went to bed earlier than usual.

I don’t know but those early morning wakening play havoc with my brain.

Then we were up at 4:00 and then up to say up at 5:10 a.m.

Perhaps it is only because he had to pee.

Now I can relate to that …..

Age what a wonderful thing.

 

Well time to get this show on the road.

I hope that you have an awesome day.

Remember whatever your age – exercise your BRAIN.

Learn something ….. do a puzzle …. do something.

So important.

 

Special Hello to: my sister …..

Always, Carol & Alvin

Thought for the day ….

Good Morning and Welcome to Wednesday the 16th day of May, 2018.

Today will be somewhat cooler than the past couple of days.

AT this moment the sky is overcast and there is rain in the forecast.

We certainly could use a good soaking …

Decided to check on the day from last year and this is what was happening weather wise:

 

Good Morning and Welcome to Tuesday the 16th day of May, 2017.

The SUN is SHINING and the sky is a pretty much that gorgeous powder blue with a hint of pink.

There appears to be a bit of a breeze.

With hope of a beautiful day.

We needed the rain but now we could use the sunshine and some warmth.

I have held on and have not turned the heat on in the house.

This morning it was 60 degrees F ……

Not sure how Alvin feels about the coolness but if he did not have a toasty warm fur coat on – I would not have put him through this….

I will say one thing both of us are sleeping better.

Alvin has been sleeping past his usual 3:00-3:30 a.m.

So perhaps it is hypothermia …. not really …..

But definitely the cool temperature is good for sleeping.

 

Good Morning and Welcome to Monday the 16th day of May, 2016.

Another gorgeous morning, sun shining and blue sky.

There has been smoke in the air due to all of the forest fires in the province.

 

Good Morning and Welcome to Saturday the 16th day of May, 2015.

It is overcast and very windy.

We did however receive some rain overnight which is great.

Perhaps it will rain over the course of the day and that would be wonderful as it is so needed.

 

Good Morning and Welcome to Friday the 16th day of May, 2014.

Well as I look write this blog it is raining here at my house.

So I was thinking that I need to think of something cheery to bright my moment.

 

**********************************

Sometimes it is nice to look back and see what the weather was like one year ago, two years ago or maybe five years ago.

It is so wonderful have this daily post to check in on my life last year or six years ago.

Some reminders that I have grown and some reminders that I need to step things up.

We learn in all sorts of ways.

Looking back by brain memory or a diary or an on-line blog are ways to do so.

I know what I was doing and feeling yesterday and five months ago and six years ago.

 

Well here we are once again, time to leave for work.

I hope that you have a great Wednesday.

Maybe think back on what you were doing this time last year.

Are you where you would like to be?

Are you happy?

Are you making progress or spinning your wheels.

Food for thought.

 

Special Hello to: You, today …. it is all about you.

Always, Carol & Alvin

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thought for the day ….

Good Morning and Welcome to Wednesday the 7th day of February, 2018.

One week from today is Valentine’s Day.

WOW, spring is on the way.

It is snowing very lightly this morning and feels warmer than it has been.

Perhaps it is the positive energy in me that gives me that feeling, who knows?

I do know one thing for sure …. at some point in some amount of days …. weeks …. months, we shall have spring.

I love spring.

The colours ….. the energy …… the flowers ….. TULIPS.

Tulips are my daughter’s favourite flowers.

I would like to surprise her and plant some bulbs so that perhaps next spring she could awake one morning and find tulips blooming in her back yard.

That would be nice.

 

Last night my special nephew “T” called me.

His Grandmother recently passed away.

They were very close and I hold him just a bit closer during his time of loss.

Grandparents are so very important and when you grow up having them there at every stage of your life ….. they are greatly missed when they pass.

Hugs buddy, hugs and much love.

 

Yesterday was one of those days that I really thought I was losing my mind.

I could not keep negative crap out of my head.

Between work and the bus ride home ….. well ….

Today is a new day.

I am grateful to my “T” for without knowing it and without wanting to make the conversation about me, he brought me back.

Thanks again, buddy.

 

Well here we go almost time to leave for work.

I hope that we all have a great Wednesday.

I must remember to breathe and when those thoughts creep into my brain, I must move away from my desk and find a quiet spot to bring happy thoughts back to me.

Exercise …… we are missing our walks.

Hopefully this cold weather is almost over.

Regardless tonight we are going for even a 5 minute walk.

Both of us, NEED the fresh air and exercise.

Perhaps that is what is missing.

 

Happy Wednesday.

Special Hello to: all the dreamers out there ….. it is never too late and I am reminding myself of that at this time.

Always, Carol & Alvin

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Wednesday the 23rd day of August, 2017.

The air is cool this morning and Alvin was enjoying some extra time on the deck earlier.

Inside the house is a bit warm but with the furnace fan and the table top fan going it is bearable.

Temperatures to be plus 26 today and it was at least that yesterday.

 

Well back to work yesterday was what I expected.

I had hoped it might be different but perhaps I kept those other thoughts too much in my mind.

You can only do what you can do.

I would like to think that I am superwoman but I am not.

Just have to retrain the brain again.

 

If you ever have problems keeping your mind to positive thoughts and your retaining positive energy ….

Just surround yourself with positive influences.

I am so blessed to have many positive minded friends and that helps on those days like yesterday when you are not where you need or want to be.

Today even though I could not shut my brain down and likely only had a couple of hours sleeps and 45 minutes of that was on the sofa after getting up to feed Mr. Alvin ….

I have to remember that not everyone thinks the way I do and I should know that by now after reaching 60 years.

People are more concerned to have things their way and do not think of others.

For my friends and family who are reading this ….. does not apply to you …. work wise.

So patience is what I am concentrating on this day.

It is likely the hardest thing to do but the most rewarding.

 

You know you have a great friend when you have to change plans due to unexpected company and said friend, says not to worry as that day is better

for the family to celebrate her Father’s Birthday.  She would have spent time with me and changed the party date.

I am so blessed to have such an understanding friend, thanks “K.”

 

Well almost time to hit the road.

Remember patience.

Remember patience.

Perhaps if I make this my mantra today, it will help.

Patience is a virtue.

Patience is good.

Patience makes you feel better…..

 

Have an awesome Wednesday.

Special Hello to: all those folks who struggle to be patient, I hear you.

Always, Carol & Alvin

 

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Saturday the 25th day of July, 2015.

It is a beautiful morning here in Edmonton with the sun shining brightly and a cool delicious breeze.

I have the windows open and the coolness gives me goosebumps.

What a wonderful sensation …. to be warm and cool at the same time.

Okay just disappeared into la-la land here.

I am back.

Time for a sip of the nectar meant for the soul …. COFFEE.

There is just something about a good cup of coffee that takes me to another place.

It teases my brain and settles my mind and sets me on a journey.

Really, coffee does all that?

Yes, it does ….

I am a coffee girl and although I love my tea in the evenings and I mean love there is just something about that cup of coffee especially on the weekends that sets the tone to my day.

Without it Saturday is just another day ….. Sunday follows Saturday.

I love the smell of coffee as it brews in my percolator.

I adore the feeling of the warm brew as it dances around in my mouth and disappears down, down, down.

I love a great cup of coffee.

There is no way of knowing just how many cups of coffee I have drank but it would likely be in the thousands.

Just happened to glance out the office window and oh my gosh the roof is now on the garage behind us.

He is a contractor who is building his own HUGE garage.

I swear the roof looks almost as high as the pitch on their house.

By the time it is built and the other neighbour across from them builds theirs we will feel like we are in a cocoon.

Nice and cozy.

I am so grateful for the parks/lakes close by.

At least when a person starts to feel closed in …. you can just go for a walk.

Well I guess it is time to get dressed and get going on this day.

I have relaxed long enough.

The laundry won’t get washed and dried and the tree will not get trimmed if I am sitting here on my “laurels”.

I wish you the best Saturday.

May it be filled with both work and play.

May you be surrounded by love and laughter.

Happy Saturday Everyone.

Special Hello to: all the writers out there ….. it is so wonderful to capture your life and thoughts on-line or on paper.

Always, Carol and Alvin