2021

Good Morning ALL! How are you this Tuesday morning? Alvin and I are well. We had a pretty good sleep from about 9:30 – 4:00 and then it was up a few times before I actually hauled my bottom off the sofa a few minutes ago. Today, I work the late shift so start work at 11:00 a.m. and work until 7:00 p.m. The best part of this shift is starting late and taking my 45 minute break at 3:00 p.m. as the temperature is usually perfect mid afternoon. It is a very broken up shift and I spend from 4-7 p.m. on the phone, ugh. Oh well. It is an gorgeous morning. The sun is now up and shining every so brightly in the most glorious bright blue morning sky. Guess what? The tea order arrived yesterday afternoon – one day early. I was pleasantly and happily surprised.

Alvin was trying for at least a hour or so to get me up and I just wanted to lay there snuggled under the blanket on the sofa. I love just laying still with my thoughts wandering here and there and then sometimes dozing off and waking up mid dream or mid thought. What a great way to begin a day. Gently with no mad rush to begin the day. He is giving me some kind of look from the hallway. Not quite sure what the look means but he is giving me a stare. Oh my boy, I love you.

I was thinking about planting flowers. The tulip bulbs went in on the weekend and I wonder how long before they break through the earth? Or will they? Hard to know. The bulbs seemed to be okay but honestly I know nothing about tulips except they are my daughter’s favourite flower and I love them, too. Oh well, time will tell. In a month or so, the weather should be settled and past the threat of freezing temperatures overnight so that I can put my geranium plants outside along with the lily who has spent the winter in our basement. My friend Pauline gave me a starter plant to add to the lily pot as it will climb over the edge framing the beautiful lily. I think it may be warm enough today to bring up the lily and let her have some time in the warm rays of the sunshine. I am shocked at the size of the lily …. I did not think that it would grow over the winter but it did. I am grateful. Before I start work I am going to bring up the lily and place her on the deck in the sunshine. Also Pauline mentioned about planting her in a deeper pot so I will have to check out my pots and see. I am concerned about moving her as whatever my friend had in the soil surely suited the lily. Food for thought, I guess.

Well I suppose I should head into the bedroom and go and have a refreshing shower. It is time. I need to empty the dishwasher, grind some coffee, pick up early morning poop from backyard, and do a few other things plus have breakfast before starting work at 11:00 a.m. (lots of time).

I, We wish you a wonderful April 20th, 2021.

I cannot wait to have flowers planted and on the deck and the furniture out. First have to pressure wash the deck and I want to wait until this last threat of winter has passed. So a week or two. Also I am excited to get the fence painted this summer ….. it certainly needs some love and attention.

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  My Flowers

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Continuing to live with Kindness, Respect, Compassion and Patience.

Always, Love Carol & Alvin

2021

Good Morning ALL! How are you this Saturday. We are happy that today is Saturday and the weekend. We had a good sleep last night and in less than two hours we are going to have company for coffee/tea on the deck. I am so excited to spend precious wonderful time with two of my dear friends. Today is supposed to be 18+ celsius so hopefully by the time they arrive the temperature is warm enough to sit on the deck. It should be as it was a few weeks back on a sunny winter/early spring day we say outside on the deck in the morning sipping on our coffee and even had to take off our coats. The sun is not shining but appears to be slightly overcast. There was no mention of rain in the forecast. The sun will be shining by 10:00 a.m. – yes it will. Positive thinking. Thoughts become things.

Yesterday as you know my daughter was picking me up to take me to the office for the day. While it was great to see the handful of folks that were working on the floor – in the area where I was stationed; I truly missed the comfort of my home. My beautiful plants that line my workspace. I missed Mr. Alvin. I missed our walk at lunchtime. Our workspaces are small with barely enough room to turn around so having my space at home is wonderful. I am grateful that I am able to work remotely from home and am wishing with my whole heart that I am able to continue this. Alvin was more than excited to see me and although our neighbour had come over and spent time with him, took him out for a pee and gave him some treats – he still had to spend time alone. He is 12 years old now, a senior. Well I am so relieved that I had someone able to come in and look after him for a bit. I do have the absolute best neighbours. My daughter brought me home with a quick stop at the grocery store. Thankfully we were home by 4:30 p.m. First thing I did was to let Mr. Alvin outside after his quick hello and mad dash to the back door. We had a visit with my daughter before she left for home. As I had already fed the boy after my daughter left for home, we got ready to head out for a walk. OH my gosh, it was so lovely. The sun was shining down on our neighborhood so gloriously. I had changed into some capri type sweats, tank top and light sweater pushing up the sleeves and some light shoes with no socks, harness on Alvin (after spending a few moments trying to catch up to him as he ran back and forth under the table before he finally ran to the back door, where I was able to put on the harness) and then we were on our way. Yes, I had some poop bags in my pocket, along with the house keys and I put on my sunglass clips. We decided to walk around the ponds by our house. Life is beginning to stir around the ponds. I noticed a few days ago that two geese are strutting around the grassy area by the ponds (park area). Likely Mr. and Mrs. and perhaps they have already laid their eggs. I cannot wait for the goslings to be born. Soon there will be buds and leaves on the trees. The grass is beginning to turn green in spots. We walked by our friend Pauline’s house but she was not outside. I love our visits in her backyard or over the fence when we are out for walks. We continued on our way until we were coming up on Alvin’s BF’s house; at the neighbours they were having some roof work done (fixing and replacing shingles) and there was a huge truck parked partway in the street and covering the sidewalk so we had to cross the street before Teddy’s house. Alvin kept pulling like mad as if to say “why are we going away from his house.” When it was safe to cross, he pulled with such great force, he almost pulled me over. He pulled like mad to go to Teddy’s house so we went and as it was late, I thought we would catch them in the middle of supper. I was fully prepared and when Teddy’s Mom answered the door, the first words out of my mouth were “I am sorry, Alvin just had to come in.” We both giggled as Iris said “I had just called you to see if you guys were up for a walk.” I then said Alvin must have extra good intuition. So we went for a walk. Three pups and two humans. Alvin and I made up for missing our lunchtime walk. It was nice to catch up with her. Once back home, I made my supper and by this time it was after 6:00 p.m. so needless to say it was late when I had supper. But by just after 9:00 p.m., I was ready for bed. Pooped, one may say! What a busy day.

Well the time is passing and the girls will be here in just over one hour and I need to hit the shower. I found after being in the office and surrounded by paper (as I was doing a massive mail out), I just felt grungy. Fresh hair will feel good.

The other night when I was cleaning out one of my pantries, I found a box of bulbs that Teddy’s Mom gave me in the winter time or maybe it was last fall. Anyway they should have been planted by now so will plant them and hopefully they will grow and bloom, even if it is late.

Wishing you a great Saturday.

Remembering to live with kindness, respect, compassion and patience. It is easy to “fall off the truck” so to speak as we are human but what makes us better is that we get right back up and do better. When you have a moment like I do, like we all do. Own it, say it and just get back to living with kindness, respect, compassion and patience.

Always, Love Carol & Alvin

Future flowers – once plant bulbs

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  Photo by Sora Shimazaki on Pexels.com

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Saturday the 7th day of May, 2016.

The sun is shining and the sky is blue.

You can smell smoke in the air which keeps us in constant thought of our neighbours to the north.

This is my story.

 

THE CAKE

This past Thursday night as Alvin and I were out on our nightly walk we happened to see our friend “P” outside in her backyard.

Alvin loves her and begged to come into the yard.

We immediately began to chat about the fires burning up north in Fort McMurray.

She told me that she had family living up there and how they had been evacuated and how her niece rescued neighbours beloved pets and others along the way.

My heart soared as she told me their story.

My friend also said that they are on their way to stay with them while things get sorted out.

As she was speaking my mind raced to “what can I do” mode.

I knew that the foodstuffs and extra bits of things in my pantry were at an all time low so I did not readily volunteer to cook something.

With no money until payday to start refilling the shelves.

There had to be something else.

Now I am not saying that I do not have anything to eat …. I am okay.

But to make something worthy of these folks it had to be special and that,I could not do at this time.

So I did volunteer my spare bedroom and my air mattress but my friend said they should be okay (they have a HUGE house).

On our way out of the yard we chatted about her flowers which by the way are amazing.

She is English, and truly has an English garden, no matter the time of year, so beautiful.

P offered me a fern as she has many ….. I accepted but we decided to dig it out on the weekend.

She gave me some bulbs last fall and I am proud to say that they are growing.

On our way home I was thinking that I did have a cake mix, yes a store bought one in my cupboard.

Usually I make from scratch but always good to have one on hand.

I knew that I had plenty of eggs and just enough vegetable oil and of course, lots of water.

So I knew that I could bake a cake and take it over on the weekend.

The only fly in my ointment was the “icing.”

I had only a small amount of icing sugar (clearly not enough to cover a 9×13 cake).

No vanilla, lots of butter, no canned milk and some condensed milk.

What to do?

I needed to borrow some type of milk.

So I went to one of my neighbours and borrowed a can of coconut milk.

That was all she had.

It would work I thought …. would not be quite the same, but okay.

So I baked the cake which turned out proper.

Then I went to work on the icing …..

Earlier I had taken the butter out of the fridge so it could soften before I made the icing.

I placed the icing sugar into my mixer bowl, followed by some cocoa, and butter which was not clearly soft enough but in my need to get this done, I went ahead.

I added some condensed milk and some of the coconut milk.

Started to blend.

The butter was not mixing so I turn off the mixer and went about some other business.

Returning a while later …. mixed some more.

Still not perfect.

Returned a while later.

This went on for over three hours …… that butter just did not want to break down.

Finally I mixed and squashed the butter by hand.

The consistency is not the same as usual as there was not enough icing sugar, no vanilla and no canned milk.

But it tastes good …. so just after 11:30 last night I put the icing on the cake.

It spread well as it was not thick.

I covered it with some sprinkles of coconut as I thought with the coconut milk it might add to it.

Also threw on some of our Steeped Tea raspberry sugar …..

The point of this story is not really about the cake but to my need to immediately help out.

I have learned that it is better to wait for some time than to rush in and not be prepared.

The cake is baked and I had my neighbour check out the icing and she said thumbs up.

So I am relieved.

Later today I will take over the cake for the heroes visiting our city.

It is not much but it is from my heart and that is what truly counts.

I have heard of so many stories of how people have given so much when they have little themselves.

It is “our way” ….. to reach out and help those in need.

We have an office up north that my place of employment is affiliated with that was destroyed in the fires.

Some of the employees at that office have lost their homes as well.

I volunteered to go up if they need a hand knowing that Alvin can easily go and stay with my daughter and son-in-law.

We continue to hear stories of bravery and heroism and they will continue for a long time to come.

We all want to help.

No matter what you give as long as you give it from your heart – it is enough.

Time to go and give Mr. Alvin a much needed hair cut.

I am thinking that I could foster a doggie if needed.

Special Hello to: all those people from Fort McMurray you are in our thoughts and prayers.

Always, Carol and Alvin

Thought for the day ….

Good Morning and Welcome to Sunday the 3rd day of April, 2016.

I like how April just rolls off the tongue.

I love the sound of the word April.

I love that spring is in full swing and summer is just around the corner.

I look each day to see if the bulbs I planted last fall are starting to grow.

I love that most of the snow has melted … what would be left after a plus 22 degree day here in Edmonton.

I love that Alvin always has an eye on me.

I love that wherever I go he is sure to follow.

I love that I have my own house, a forever dream.

I love that I have a wonderful daughter.

I love that I have a great son-in-law.

I love that I have Elton, my awesome grand-puppy.

I love that we have so many angels around us.

I love every waking moment.

I love the sunshine.

I love so much “laughter.”

I love my family and friends.

Is it not funny how I went from saying how much I loved the sound of the word April to some of the things that I love.

One thing leads to another.

 

I hope that you have an awesome Sunday.

I hope that wherever you are that the sun is shining.

I hope that you are warm and happy.

I hope that you are surround by laughter.

I hope that you are safe with a full belly.

 

Happy Sunday.

Special Hello to: my sister and her fellow ….. have fun.

Always, Carol and Alvin

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Friday the 9th day of October, 2015.

What a beautiful bright sunny morning here in Edmonton.

I am so excited to have today off as a vacation day.

Went to bed a bit later, read for awhile, slept in …. lazy.

Lots to do on this long weekend.

Some work but always tempered with some FUN.

One must always have FUN.

All work and no play …. you know how that old saying goes….

The coffee is brewing while I write ….

I love the smell of coffee percolating ….

 

Last night while Alvin and I were out for our nightly walk …. at 7 p.m. which was already starting to get dark.

After planting the bulbs that my friend gave me on Wednesday night.

We proceeded on our walk when we were almost half way around the lakes we came across this woman and her dog, a large collie.

Alvin walked to them and I followed.

We sensed that they were friendly ( sometimes Alvin is cautious around larger dogs and me, too ).

Alvin did his sniffing and so did the collie ….

We introduced our dogs “Lady ” to “Alvin.”

We had a lovely conversation about so many things.

A new friend.

Her name was “D” and I told her mine, Carol.

I was holding a “bag” from a few minutes earlier so we parted and we walked to the garbage and made a deposit.

I decided because it was already dark ( I did have my little flashlight and my whistle from the police ) that we would just turn around and go back home.

We then caught up with Lady and “D.”

The conversation just flowed.

It was funny when I got to the entrance and we went to part ways ….she asked me again what my name was and I said “Carol”  and I said yours is “D” correct?

She said “yes” and “that she had a brain injury so sometimes she forgets names”

I said “I just forget names …. never forget a face but names sometimes struggle with.”

We had a giggle and said good night and see you again, sometime.  Nice lady.

I am so grateful to have met “D” and Lady, the Collie..

It was a great night ….. planted some flowers and met a new friend and got some exercise ….

You never know when you will meet someone who you just have a connection with …… could be out walking or one the bus.

By the way, I have met so many wonderful people on the bus.

Mainly women but some men.

Looks like time to go and grab that coffee ….

The smell is drifting to my nose and my mouth can taste the glorious of the beans.

I hope that you have a grand Friday.

 

Be kind and respectful of all creatures.

That is something that we all must work on ….

What an amazing planet this would be, if we were all respectful and compassionate of all creatures, big and small.

 

Special Hello to: my sister …. SKYPE this weekend?

Always, Carol and Alvin

 

 

Thought for the day ……

Good Morning and Welcome to Thursday the 8th day of October, 2015.

One week into October.

The days and evenings have been beautiful.

Alvin and I are thoroughly enjoying our walks.

Last night we stopped at my friend “P’s” house as she wanted to give me some flower bulbs to plant.

Alvin loves running and snooping around her yard.

He managed to upset a pot, thankfully it was empty and did not damage anything.

He was like a bull in a china shop.

Running here …. running there.

Just as far as the leash would allow.

I am excited to plant these bulbs ….. there are pink lilies and two others.

It was so nice out last night.

Ah but …. gotta love those ah buts…. it got dark so quickly ….. we arrived home just before 8 p.m. and it was already dark.

By December we will be going to work in the dark and coming home in the dark.

I wonder how the folks do that live way up north.

Part of the year they do not see any sun light.

Well I am excited today is my last day to work this week.

I took a vacation day to have an extra long weekend.

Lots to do.

Errands on Friday and start the fall cleaning … purging inside the house and preparing to decorate for Christmas (November 1st).

Saturday, I am attending a “Scentsy Party” at a neighbours and cleaning in between.

Sunday, coffee morning with friends and laundry and the cleaning thing.

Monday ….. baking chocolate chip cookies for my Open House and relaxing before back to the office on Tuesday.

Lots to do but enough breaks to make it fun.

Oh, Mr. Alvin is having a bath on Saturday …….  poor little guy looks like he needs another hair cut …..

Perhaps when he goes to his sister’s house next weekend they will be able to give him a bit of a trim.

His hair just grows so fast.

Well here we go again almost time to leave to catch the bus.

I hope that you have an amazing Thursday …..

Special Hello to: all those folks who share ….. it is always the right thing to do.  We have so much …. spread the wealth.  Really, most people do.

Always, Carol and Alvin