2021

Good Morning ALL! How are you on this smoky cloudy morning? My thoughts are going to the people and all the animals living in the areas affected by the wildfires/fires. I cannot imagine. Here in Edmonton it is smoky and yesterday I had to close the windows as the smell of smoke was begin to affect my breathing. I am praying for rain for BC with no wind or lightning.

Does it not always seem to happen that when things all go wrong it is all at once.

My venting ….. as Alvin is barking downstairs and I decided to write this post on my computer upstairs just for a change to feel somewhat normal. Although our lives are not normal at the moment.

So yesterday I had been wearing two very delicate gold bracelets and noticed one was missing. I searched high and low but it is gone. Somewhere in the house or outside. I have a feeling it fell off outside and went down in between the cracks on the deck.

I ran to the mailbox to pick up the mail which I have not done in a long time. There was a package for me. I was so excited. When I opened the package, I found the earrings that I had ordered from Fifth Avenue that had been on backorder. I gingerly unwrapped them to find that the posts were bent on the ends and the backs were on so tight that I barely got one off. Definitely cannot wear them. Damaged before even the opportunity to wear them. Makes me so sad and a little mad.

Going back to the a/c servicing that was supposed to be on Wednesday that we had patiently waited for and then did not show up. When I called the company yesterday morning, I found out that the person I spoke with when they were late showing up – had cancelled the appointment and scheduled it for Saturday when they come to check out the hot water tank. The hot water tank was positioned in a way that blocks off access to the sump pump.

Alvin barking and whining downstairs.

It is not often if at all that I spend my whole post with negative thoughts. I apologize but I just had to get them out. Just seems that everything is going to hell in a handbasket.

Then Alvin has surgery next Friday.

Too much and I am feeling a bit frazzled.

Please forgive this venting as I am well aware in a better state of mind that I am very blessed. I live in a great house/home, I have a yard, I am employed, I am in good health, I have incredible family and friends and so much more. But sometimes life gets the better of us and I am afraid I am at that point. Deep breaths, I know.

I have a headache from the smoke and from someone’s barking. I know he just has anxiety from me not being in his sight but …… oh, I wish.

Okay, I have to go now.

I will be back tomorrow and I will be in a better frame of mind, I promise.

Trying to life with kindness, respect, compassion, patience, understanding, love and gratitude.

Always, Carol & Alvin

Living … One day at a time.

Hello,

Another smoky day here in Edmonton.

I can only imagine what the air is like closer to the fires.

Yesterday the upper atmosphere was filled with smoke covering the SUN with a veil turning it a red colour.

Throughout the day the smoke slowly fell closer to the ground.

Many folks were saying “it looked like the zombie apocalypse.”

The smell of smoke covering everything it touched.

The smoke making it hard to breathe for those with respiratory issues.

Our thoughts are daily with all of the folks, animals, first responders and firefighters that are right in the middle of it all.

I cannot imagine.

I am grateful that the temperature has come down ….

 

Alvin and I did manage to go for a short walk.

We walked to our friend’s house by the lake.

Stopped in for a short visit.

We missed the previous two nights due to the high temperatures.

 

I guess with all that is going on in the world and at home.

Always gives pause for thought.

But I always remind myself to be present, listen to myself and to others.

 

 

Well we were dilly dallying a bit too long this morning.

Now almost time to leave for work.

Looking forward to the week.

Humphrey is coming for a visit over the weekend.

That will be lovely.

 

If we are all kind to ourselves and to others.

What a wonderful world this would be …..

Keep on Living … One day at a time.

 

Always, Carol & Alvin

 

Thought for the day ….

Good Morning and Welcome to Tuesday the 20th day of November, 2018.

Feels not too bad outside this morning.

I can always tell by the way that Mr. Alvin reacts to going outside.

If he hesitates for too long ….. then it is cold.

Our walk last night was not even half of our regular walk due to the ice.

As it was almost dark when we left home – taking a chance and slipping, no.

Happy that we were able to get out for some fresh air and exercise.

Especially for Mr. Alvin as he is stuck in the house all day long.

I was lucky that I had a nice walk at lunch break.

 

Can you believe it?

The 20th day of November already.

U.S. Thanksgiving almost here – Thursday, November 22nd, 2018.

Canadian Grey Cup – the 106th game is this Sunday, November 25th, 2018 here in Edmonton.

Lots going on this week.

Alvin has his regular pedicure and “stuff” this Saturday morning.

Although it does not rank up with Thanksgiving and the Grey Cup – it is VERY important to Alvin and to me.

 

How about Christmas?

The 5th Monday from today is Christmas Eve, December 24th.

YIKES.

ARGH.

OMG.

Perhaps I did not count correctly.

Double checked, no I am right.

Where did the time go?

Sure wished that I could bottle “TIME.”

Guess I would have “Time in a bottle.”

I am grateful that Christmas is pretty low key in our family.

My biggest jobs are baking and Christmas cards.

But both take some time, quite a lot actually.

I mail about 75 cards and then hand deliver another 50 cards.

All of the cards that I mail have a handwritten note/letter.

Most of the cards have a photo or two.

This takes time.

I have the cards already bought.

My daughter has taken the photos and edited them.

I just have to send them to be printed.

Then pick up stamps and then of course, mail them.

The baking I make 4 or so different items.

I end up with about 500 individual pieces.

These are packaged up and mostly given away to friends and family.

I make up individual packages and take to my immediate co-workers at the office.

So this is where most of my time is spent.

Decorating takes me some time but I have that all done.

Sometimes it pays to do things early.

My daughter and son-in-law have a pact that this year we are breaking for the first time in years.

We had been either making each other’s gift(s) or it had to be something from your house.

Something gently used and an item that you knew that person would like.

We are still doing part of that but we can spend a bit of money this year.

 

Tomorrow night, I am attending a GUIDE COOKIE SALE with my friend and her daughter.

I think that I will just give away the cookies that I purchase.

Or at least most of them.

I am always amazed by the number of different cookies at this sale.

They have tables and tables filled with cookies.

Hard to make a decision.

 

Well here we go again.

Time to go back downstairs and put the finishing touches on getting ready before heading out the door.

Alvin is resting on his blue blanket.

I love listening to him breathe.

I could snuggle next to him all day long if I had the time.

Such a good guy.

 

Okay, time to fly.

Have an awesome Tuesday.

I hope that you have a great day.

Remember if you have lots to do to prepare for Christmas.

Start early.

Do one thing at a time.

Break it down.

 

Special Hello to: my friend “V” …. hello …. have a great day.

Always, Carol & Alvlin

 

Thought for the day…..

Good Morning and Welcome to Wednesday the 2nd day of April, 2014.

How are you this morning?

I am doing pretty GOOD.

I think.

Although Alvin has been sniffing again …… oh, please …..

I wish with all my heart and soul that the only living breathing beings in my house are me and Alvin.

I am listening to the song from the movie FROZEN ….. “Let it GO” …..

It is a reminder to let it go …….

Only keep what you need and want …..

Let the rest of the stuff go.

I know it is not always easy.

I can tell you from my heart …..

It is not always easy but you have to let it go.

Keep the good stuff.

When Alvin does his thing ….. or else I hear a noise that I am unsure of ….. my mind wanders to that bad place…. you know …

I would love to shut down all those silly voices ….. throw away those thoughts …..

Each day I work on ME.

That is all you can do after all.

On the UP side last night Alvin were out for a walk after supper and while out met a nice couple from the United Kingdom (England).

We chatted for a long while ….. they are moving to Canada for work.

Now listening to “HAPPY” by Pharrell Williams.

Good song to listen to ……. I like the line “if you feel like a room without a roof” …… if you feel like happiness is the truth …..

Listen to your favourite song or perhaps a new one.

Always good to expand.

Have a wonderful day.

Special Hello to: my friend “P” from back in Regina …… I didn’t forget your birthday …. Happy Birthday…

Always, Carol and Alvin