2021

Good Morning ALL! How are you doing this Thursday morning? Well our weather can certainly change from one day to the next. Yesterday people were out in short-sleeves and capris and today we need long pants and a warm jacket, perhaps even a lighter winter coat. ARGH. Just so that you have some context weather wise. Our temperatures yesterday in Edmonton were +18 degrees celsius which is close to 65 degrees fahrenheit. Today at the warmest will be +3 celsius, which you can see is clearly much different. Right now our temperatures are in the minus single digits. But this is April and really anything can happen. We could have +25 temperatures or minus temperatures. I do not recall having double digit minus temperatures in April but could have happened in the past. Anyway it is Thursday. Just going back to Wednesday for a bit. Alvin and I had a wonderful walk at noon and even had a quick chat with our friend Pauline who mentioned that perhaps we could walk together later. After I was finished work which was about 4:15 p.m., Alvin and I headed out. Oh, I almost forgot to mention about Micah’s birthday lawn decorations. His parents had rented lawn birthday decorations for his 11th birthday. It was pretty cool for sure. There was a Happy Birthday Micah spelled out. A birthday cake blow up with candles and what appeared to be a cell phone? Not sure and I forgot to ask. We saw all three boys including the birthday boy and his Mom outside when we were starting our walk at noon. It was nice to have a visit with them. The boys are always so excited to see Mr.Alvin and him, them. Back to after work. We swung by and picked up Pauline. We cut across the lawn leading up from the public sidewalk in the park to their yard (Alvin always leads the way). He was so excited. We stood at their back gate for a few moments before I called out to Pauline. There was no response. So I thought we would just wait for a few minutes before carrying when Mr. Alvin started to bark and I swear that he was calling out Pauline, Pauline where are you? Wanna walk? A couple of minutes later, she came out on their balcony and said can you wait a minute as she was talking with one of her children. Of course, we waited. I opened the gate and we waited in the backyard. Alvin of course, kept going up to the back door and looking for our friend. We had a wonderful walk chatting and each taking a turn “venting.” Always good to get things off one’s chest. I had mentioned before I was feeling a bit out of sorts about a recent situation but decided to put a positive spin on things and now things are better. So much better. Really if something is eating at you, just make the decision to look at it differently, in a positive way. Life is way too short to be upset or wasting valuable time sweating over non-life threatening situations, really it is. After I changed my mindset, I have been feeling really happy with no anxiety. It is all about the choices we make. How we react to something can make or break you, honestly.

Also yesterday, someone near and dear to my heart is Queen Elizabeth. No, I have never met her and no, I am not related but I wanted to wish her a Happy 95th Birthday yesterday in my post and I clear forgot. Lots of birthdays lately. I am sending belated Birthday Wishes to her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II on her 95th Birthday. She has always been a beacon of grace and leadership to a great many people. I admire her for her quiet and elegant way. I cannot imagine how she must be feeling with the recent loss of her beloved husband and best friend of over 73 years. I imagine that she will continue as she always has ….. Happy Birthday Queen Elizabeth. Wishing you a great many more healthy years ahead. I hope that you have some days of laughter, soon. Take Care.

Wishing you all a wonderful Thursday.

Continuing to live this life in kindness, respect, compassion and patience.

Always, Love Carol & Alvin

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Tuesday the 13th day of February, 2018.

Well it is actually warm outside this morning – hovering around the minus 3 degrees celsius.

Forecast for this afternoon plus 3 degrees celsius.

We are having a heat wave – a tropical heat wave.

YAY, we are excited, I am excited.

Can you tell?

Doing a little happy dance while sitting down at the computer.

 

Last night my daughter picked me up from work and we went to COSTCO.

YIKES, that is always an experience.

So many people …. some actually surprised me with manners …. which is always nice.

I love our rides together as we have some of our best conversations travelling together.

 

I have noticed with myself and with others that it seems to be getting more difficult to maintain, retain, be positive and happy.

Between social media and regular news and the interactions with others in general.

Well it is no wonder that people are suffering from increased mental illnesses.

The anguish, the depression.

We are constantly bombarded with a huge amount of negativity.

I understand how people feel the need on social media to state their thoughts and feelings.

But sometimes it is too much.

Actually there have been many times that I strongly consider not going on FB.

I mainly use it to keep in touch with my friends and family and for my Steeped Tea business.

We have to find a way to be more positive and kind.

 

Well it is time for me to finish getting ready to leave for work.

I am excited for our walk tonight.

I am certain that Mr. Alvin is as well but I cannot tell him now.

Have an awesome Tuesday.

 

Special Hello to: all those folks who are trying …..

Always, Carol & Alvin

 

Thought for the day ……

Good Morning and Welcome to Tuesday the 19th day of December, 2017.

Our weather is beginning to change and start to look more like December.

The temperatures coming up are in the double digit minus celsius range.

Oh, fun.

We will have to once again wear the warmer coats, hats, bigger scarves, bigger mitts and the works.

Oh well, thankfully we have those items to wear.

I sure hope that all Canadians have warms items to wear at this time of year.

If you know someone who is in need or if you have items that you do not require, perhaps you would like to contact one of the agencies like Salvation Army and make a donation.

It is the season for giving.

I hope that you all are doing well.

My hand is sore this morning and that could be due in part to the drop in temperature.

Well folks time to fly ….. decided that I needed a few more minutes of sleep this morning.

I know better …… do you guys lay back down and then at some point end up running a bit late?

I do and most especially at this time of year.

Well time to fly.

Have an awesome Tuesday.

Remember to always take the time for you.

To be still, quiet and just breathe.

We all need to take time to be quiet.

No multi-tasking.

No answering your phone, no texting.

No conversations.

Just be still.

It is just as important to be still.

 

Happy Tuesday.

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

Always, Carol & Alvin

Thought for the day ……

Good Morning and Welcome to Sunday the 5th day of July, 2015.

Wow almost one week into July of 2015.

Summer is zipping along.

Today is overcast and COLD ….. yes, I am saying COLD.

The high for today is about 20 degrees celsius compared to the 30 degree weather of last week and Friday …. feels cool.

I will be putting on a sweater in the house.

I do hope that it rains as we could use some moisture.

Nice change to be on the cool side, though.

Yesterday my daughter picked us up (me and Mr. Alvin) and we travelled to their house.

They live about 15 minutes away by car.

Just a short drive.

Mr. Alvin does not appreciate a car ride.

I love their new house ….. the smell of a new house ….

But he made it there and back.

My daughter took me to some of the places that they have discovered since moving to their new home.

This indoor market that has a cool cafeteria style restaurant ( we stopped for lunch, yummy ).

The big deal for us was to explore a couple of antique stores ….. we spent a few hours just looking at all of the dishes, jewellery, cans, furniture, small household gadgets.  So much.

I found a couple of items.

One was a twisted copper wire wreath.

It fits in my main bathroom which has copper coloured accessories.

The other was a hand painted box with a drawer (could be used for almost anything …. jewellery….. office supplies…..teas.

Good prices on my items.

The other big find for me wasn’t at an antique store but at the local Winners store ….

Alvin has short legs and I wanted to replace the IKEA ottoman that I had with something a bit bigger.

I found a long ottoman which had a big label “MADE IN THE USA” …… so that was a bonus.

Like to use and buy items made in Canada or the USA.

The ottoman matches my current bedroom colours which was nice.

Unfortunately it is taking Mr. Alvin some time to get used to it.

He did use the ottoman twice, but this morning after jumping up onto the bed using it, he jumped over it coming off the bed.

Oh my Mr. Alvin ….. hopefully he will warm up to the new piece of furniture which was bought just for him ….

Well time to go and have a late breakfast ….

Mr. Alvin and I thoroughly enjoyed the time with our family.

Mr son-in-law is healing nicely from his fall down the stairs ( remember do not text and go down stairs).

I had the best five days off (including this weekend) from work.

WE are going to enjoy this last day before back to the regular routine.

Have a happy Sunday.

Perfect day for walking …. not warm.

It is windy though.

Special Hello to: my friends all over the planet ….. hi everyone.

Always, Carol and Alvin

P.S. I started a new necklace …… lots of small seed beads so it is going to take a while to complete.  Am excited.

Thought for the day….

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

WOW, another number higher ….. isn’t that crazy?

2-0-1-5

Still not used to the new year.

Back to work …. doesn’t take long …. approximately 99.5 seconds and one is back into the routine.

Funny how that works.

We are implementing a new computer system at the office so we are all learning new things …..

It is always good to learn new things, I remind myself even when you are over 50, most especially when you are over 50.

Yikes, I can say over 55 ….. when did that happen.

Me Alvin is laying on the bed curled up with his face in my direction.

Whenever I am at home he is always nearby.

I love his attention ……

Our temperatures are warming up somewhat which is good.

No longer minus upwards of 35 with the windchill.

That is sometimes hard to fathom.

Especially for those folks who are living in climates where the temperatures are the reverse in celsius of course.

We are so lucky to have different seasons.

I would not change it for the world.

Well here it is almost time to leave for the office and then to the store after that ….. things to learn and people to meet.

That will be my day and evening.

Not a bad combination ….. hey!

Happy Friday.

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

Always, Carol and Alvin