2021

Good Morning ALL! How are you doing this last day of March 2021? We are doing well. Today is my late start / late shift day. I will say that I am not terribly excited about having to work these shifts every month but it is what our employer asks of us so what can you do? The sky is overcast and there appears to be little wind this morning. YAY. Happy about that. Today and tomorrow are supposed to be double digit plus temperatures here in Edmonton and that is great news. The Easter weekend, the long weekend will be much cooler with plus single digit temperatures. Now as long as our day time highs are plus temperatures not much to complain about from me, anyway.

Alvin and I had a nice walk yesterday at lunchtime. Walking into the wind was a bit on the cold side but definitely not winter like conditions and our walk was most enjoyable. I have noticed that the past couple of weeks Alvin has been jumping up onto his chair by the window a bit more often. He used to sit in that chair and look out of the window for hours during the start of my time at home but gradually starting spending more time on the sofa or on his bed in the kitchen close to me. I am happy to see him enjoying looking out of the window. I wonder when I was working away from home just how long he actually stayed in the chair? Or did he go upstairs and lay on the bed? Perhaps he ran around the house. I will never know. Some days upon my return from work he would be sitting in the chair looking out the living room window …. he would see the vehicle and jump up onto his back legs and take a really good look before jumping down and running to the door. Always happy to see me and to go outside. It was an awful long time to hold his pee and I always felt guilt and wished that I had trained him early on to go on pads. There were also times when he would not be at the window looking out and as I opened the door I could hear him jumping off the bed and then see him come bounding down the stairs to greet me. Our four legged companions. They treat us like royalty with their unconditional love and gratitude. Even though sometimes we get on each other’s “nerves” so to speak we are pals and I will always do whatever is earthly possible to ensure that he is happy, healthy, comfortable and surrounded by love. After all, he is my boy and has been from the beginning. We are both working on patience.

Almost time for me to head to the shower and get freshened up.

Oh, no …. how could I possible forget the birthday of one of my dearest and long time friends who celebrates her birthday today. Happy Birthday P, wishing you a wonderful day. May you be surrounded by family, love and laughter on this special day. WIshing you good health and abundance. Thank goodness for that birthday calendar.

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

Always, Carol & Alvin

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  My Flowers

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Second Half of the NEW YEAR.

Good Thursday morning and welcome to September 3, 2020.

Well we were up at 3:30 because that is how we roll.

Alvin had his glucosamine chew and outside for a pee and then we hit the sofa.

I had planned to get up at 6:00 but not because I had to be up at that particular time.

6:00 rolled around and I set the timer on the microwave for 6:40.

6:40 came and then again stopped and reset until 7:00.

Why do we do this?

Surprisingly enough I am almost ready and it is just 7:30.

I start work at 8:00 so there is lots of time to write this post, grab my coffee and take the boy out for a poop.

Not sure why some days but perhaps it was the extra early start.

I am very lucky that I can go back to sleep right away.

 

Yesterday I was checking my email and found one from Good Food.

I have ordered from them a few times and then you have to remember to check the calendar and SKIP deliveries or else they automatically are sent out.

I was surprised to see a delivery was scheduled for today.

I had skipped ahead but that was from June …. my how time flies.

So today I have a food order coming.

I guess I know what my meals will be for the next week.

I did go into my account and skipped the meals until December 3, 2020.

The calendar on my fridge has been marked so I know in advance next time.

Now you can always check to see what the meals are at any time and order if you like.

You can always change to order by a certain date.

I was kind of mad at myself for then you have no choice in the meals.

Luckily only one is perhaps not something that I would have ordered.

It will likely be okay and now I won’t need groceries, so that is good.

 

Well it is getting on and time to head back downstairs.

Definitely needing that coffee this morning.

 

The sun is shining and there is a bit of a breeze.

No gale force winds at this time.

Quickly have to tell you.

Yesterday at lunch time we were out for a walk.

There were some pretty fierce looking rain clouds out there but I thought let’s go.

The sun was shining and the clouds appeared to be to the south and not close enough for a rain shower.

We were about half way when out of the blue there was a large boom of thunder.

I said to Alvin, “Okay, that is a sign to head home.”

We did.

Luckily the rain only started near to home.

We did not get very wet.

There is always a sign ….. you just have to pay attention…. and listen.

 

Living with kindness and respect.

Grateful for each day.

I/We shall remain,

As Always, Carol & Mr. Alvin

 

 

Second Half of the YEAR

Good Morning and Welcome to a raining Saturday morning here in Edmonton.

Just a couple of minutes ago Alvin and I were standing outside on the deck in the rain.

It was lightly raining and actually it was kind of nice.

Refreshing and calming.

Now since we came upstairs to really get this day going – it has started to really come down.

So luckily we are in the house and not soaked.

To the east I could see clear sky and now it is grey.

Perhaps this is going to be a raining kind of day.

That is the day that makes me feel lazy.

At least at the start.

I am so grateful that last night – Alvin and I were outside doing yard work.

I mowed the grass, pulled weeds, swept out the garage and some other miscellaneous tasks.

Well this will be a great day to do laundry, some cleaning and some writing.

Yes, writing.

I have finally started the first book.

I believe that I may have mentioned that fact.

If we continue to talk about something it helps us to continue to bring it to fruition.

I have the outline in my head of the first chapter and will write that this weekend.

Starting today.

Perfect time when it is raining to do things in the house.

 

How are you doing today?

Is it raining where you are?

Do you have something that you have been wanting to get done for a long time?

No worries, procrastination seems to be a human condition.

We all procrastinate from time to time.

For a multitude of different reasons.

Sometimes we are fearful.

Fearful that we don’t know enough to do the task.

Fearful that we are not good enough.

Fearful that it won’t be great.

Fear often times stops from doing so many things.

Why is that?

We see some people who appear to be “floating” through life.

They have an idea let’s say for a book.

Then the book becomes a bestseller, it is well written and they make lots of money and become famous.

I would say that no one floats or has it easy.

Not really.

Even though there is the appearance that things have come easy for them – that is likely not the truth.

Looking from the outside – can give a false view of the actual story.

Things may not be as they seem.

We have to stop making judgments without knowing the whole story.

I make judgments, we all do.

 

You know that even those folks that are born with the “silver spoon in their mouth” do not necessarily have it really easy.

Having it easy can also mean different things to different people, as well.

All food for thought.

We throughout our lives all put things off.

Could be a time factor.

Maybe you are a single mother with children.

There are not enough hours in the day.

Not enough hours to work, keep the house and look after the children.

Not enough hours to do what needs to be done much less do something for yourself.

 

But I am here to say that we are wrong.

There is time if we make time.

We just have to do things.

Let go of the fear.

I am not saying that it is easy.

But we must.

Do things when you have the opportunity.

When you get an idea to do something that makes you happy – go for it.

Not saying that it will be easy or that things happen overnight.

But at least starting and working on it everyday or as often as possible …. will bring it to see the light of day.

 

So whether you want to make jewelry, write a book, start your own business or whatever your dreams or ideas may be …. just go for it.

Life is so much better when we do.

 

I hope that maybe this post will help inspire someone out there or give someone out there the thought that anything is possible.

There is hope.

You can do whatever you dream of doing ….. all you have to do is start.

Give up the fear.

Write down your ideas.

Research.

Do the work.

It will happen.

Not likely overnight but with time and work, it will come to be.

 

Well I know that my partially stripped bed is not going to get done unless I get back into the bedroom and do it.

So I am going to get the bed made, get dressed, start the laundry, make some coffee and have breakfast.

Do some cleaning and then this afternoon I am going to write.

Also it may be a good idea to set aside some time to do whatever it is you have an idea for …. put it on your calendar.

By writing things down …. it helps.

Make a list of your ideas and as they are completed, cross them off the list.

Together we will forge ahead and make our dreams come true.

We can do it.

I know that in my heart.

 

Okay, time to do.

Alvin is beginning to get restless.

He knows what needs to be done.

Often times before I do.

 

Be kind and respectful of yourself and of all others.

I/We shall remain,

As Always, Carol & her Alvin.

This KISS, this KISS (please stop, Mom you are embarrassing me!!)

Old photo from fall of 2010.

Living … One day at a time.

Good Morning and today is Wednesday.

How many sleeps till Christmas Eve?

Did you check the calendar?

One day less than yesterday.

Right answer.

Last night after our walk which was another short one.

I cannot blame Mr. Alvin as it was kind of ugly outside.

Blowing snow and all that.

Once home I got him out of his jacket and harness and all warm inside the house before going to shovel.

I shovelled both neighbours on either side of us.

A short time later it looked like I had not shovelled.

It just kept snowing.

Thankfully not so much.

 

One of my friends from the down the street stopped by and had tea and a visit with us.

So a nice quiet evening.

 

This post is going to be a short / a small one due to me having some toilet issues.

The on-suite toilet needed some help.

So in with a plunger.

ARGH.

Hopefully that fixed things.

Always have to watch just how much paper one uses.

I am guilty of using too much, I think.

Perhaps this is just a tad personal but sometimes it is worth sharing so that others may learn from your experience.

Well from one poop story to the next.

Time to go downstairs and pick up the poop from earlier this morning.

Sorry ….

 

I hope that you all have a wonderful day.

Filled with kindness and respect.

 

Always, Carol & Alvin

Thought for the day ….

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

Well I am in the proverbial “dog house” although Alvin lives in my house, so I guess that really does not work.

Anyway yesterday was the 9th Wedding Anniversary of my kids.

My beloved daughter and son-in-law.

How could I have been so wrapped up in my “great Wednesday” that I forgot their special day.

My daughter said graciously “not to worry” and I know that she sincerely means it but still I feel like “BAD MOMMA.”

Cannot imagine if I had more than one child.

Odd thing is that I remembered on Monday (guess I should have made a sticky note) or PERHAPS looked to the right of my computer screen to the BIRTHDAY/ANNIVERSARY calendar hanging there.

I would have seen it …..

But no, I did not.

 

Happy Belated 9th Anniversary to the best Daughter and Son-in-law, a Momma could ever have ….

They make me so proud.

Good and kind and compassionate people, they are.

I am so happy that “S” joined our family 17 years ago, he is a great addition.

Thank you for joining this rag tag group of people.

Both Alvin and I send hugs and kisses to you both.

 

Well here we go again, time to leave to catch that bus.

Better run …. er, walk real fast.

 

Special Hello to: all those folks who are celebrating time together ….. Congratulations.

Always, Carol & Alvin

 

 

Thought for the day ….

Good Morning and Welcome to Sunday the 27th day of December, 2015.

I had to check the calendar for the actual day of the week.

My computer shows the calendar date on the bottom so I knew it was the 27th before I knew it was Sunday.

Where has the time gone?

We always seems to ask that question.

I think it is likely the most asked question of all time?

Here we are Christmas for most folks is done.

There are some folks who celebrate Christmas in January.

There are others who celebrate the holidays several times due to family being in different places.

But for me and mine it is over.

The preparations, the excitement and the final act are all done.

It was a great one.

One of my gifts was an “Adult Colouring Book” and Crayola pencil crayons …. I have always loved to colour.

Honestly other than colouring in one of the children’s books and with the wax crayons that I have in the house, I never thought there would be such a thing as an Adult Colouring Book.

There are 60 pencil crayons ….. man would have been great to have had that many as a child.

There are colours that I have not seen before …. so happy to colour the DRAGONFLY and the OWL in my Enchanted Colouring BOOK.

I had been saying that I had wished it had been my idea …. this new old craze.

The first Christmas since moving to Edmonton where we held the celebration somewhere other than at my house.

I truly enjoyed being pampered at my daughter and son-in-law’s new house/home.

We all thought that having the Christmas meal catered was the best thing since “sliced bread.”

At first we debated about the amount as it sat in the small boxed containers but as we started to dish it found it was more than enough.

Perhaps I should reword that …. there was enough of everything but POTATOES, we are used to having about 10 pounds of them…. I think there was about 1 pound mashed.

It was funny…..

Alvin …. well he did start venturing up and down the stairs without being coaxed.

Will have to work on the sleeping thing.

Yesterday I called my siblings and spoke to each one of them.

They all celebrated with family and friends.

It is a good thing that there remain a few days in December.

Just five days until we bring in the New Year.

Five days to think about the past year.

Five days.

Well I hear the shower calling me… for some reason this morning my muscles feel sore.

The shower will loosen them up.

I hope that you have a great Sunday December 27th, 2015.

Can you believe that we are only a few days over four years away from the year 2020 ….

Blows my mind.

So cool…..

Sounds space age …..

Hopefully the human race will work out some things over the next four years, and we will be better caretakers of this oasis we call “Earth.”

Happy Sunday.

See you tomorrow.

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

Always, Carol and Alvin

Thought for the day….

Good Morning and Welcome to Sunday the 25th day of January, 2015.

It is a good thing that my computer has a computer on the toolbar on the bottom of the screen otherwise I would have thought it was the 24th or 23rd.

Time just has a way of passing without great fanfare or drumroll.

The days just seem to roll up into one and before you know it a month has passed and then two and then a year.

My life is pretty great ….. I really cannot complain.

I have a beautiful house that I can call my own.

I share my home with the best “puppy” dog ( I like saying puppy dog) on the planet.

I have money to pay my bills, buy good food and to buy things when needed and sometimes just because I want them.

I am surrounded my love and support, kindness and understanding, laughter and sunshine.

Just sipping on a cup of coffee before I head out to work at the store where I will see new faces dispersed with the odd old one.

Most days I see only people that I have never met but every so often there are people that I have met before …. and people that have worked at the store but gone on to other things.

Well time to go and indulge in more coffee and breathe before turning up the energy.

It is good to be me.

I cannot say that my life is perfect but it is my perfection.

There will always be situations that arise that could be met with anger and disappointment, sadness and grief but amidst it all I see sunshine, love and laughter and it helps me get through.

You just have to know things will always be better.

This is my perfect …. my life.

Have the best Sunday.

Special Hello to: all my friends, new and old …… Happy Sunday.

Always, Carol and Alvin

Thought for the day….

Wow, I blinked and woke up this morning to THURSDAY, March 22nd, 2012.

How did that happen?

I am always in a state of AWE when I look at the calendar ….

For the most part I try to keep focused just on the day at hand and not lean into the “where has the time gone, OMG it’s what !, time flies as you get older and so on.”

So with all of that in mind …… I focus and keep my mindset on doing the best that I can in that moment ….. being aware of the task at hand ….. unless I am sleeping, and then I hope that I gave good instructions to my subconscious mind before slipping into the sleep state.  What do you think about before you go to sleep?

I must admit that I am a work in progress.

Sometimes it takes awhile to change “habits” ….

For me, when I lay me down to sleep (part of a childhood prayer) ….. I give thanks for all that I have and then give thanks for tomorrow and try to set up positive attentions.

It does help …. I have found that when I wake up I feel more energized.

Also it draws your attention away from ….. man, I have all of that work to do …. ah, am I ever going to catch up or on……and the like….. not really positive thoughts…

So anyway, I believe that you understand.

It is time for me to sign off and finish getting ready to go to work.

I hope that you have the best day ever…… start dreaming …… attract that dream life ….. that dream mate….. that dream job or house…. whatever it might be.

It might …. be a great cup of coffee every morning for the rest of your life……

Special Hello: to all my fellow coffee drinkers ….. HELLO …..

Always, Carol and Alvin ….