The NEW Year 2022

Good Morning ALL! How are you this morning? Alvin and I are doing great. We were in bed last night before 9:30 and I read for a bit, Alvin woke up at 4:00, we went downstairs for the usual and then to sofa until, wait for it ……. wait for it ……. 6:30 a.m. …… Can you believe it? I could not believe the clock. Of course, I did not add the 2:00 a.m. up for me to run to the bathroom. But all in all we had a great sleep. So grateful.

The wind is howling madly. I can see the orange horizon to the east, which is to my left, and darkness to my right. It won’t take long and the sky will clear of the dark. Even as I type these words the sky is becoming more light. So beautiful. I love the contrast between sunrise and night. I noticed that the water outside did not freeze overnight as I can see the puddles rippling with the wind. I guess this will help melt the snow once the sun begins to shine.

Mr. Alvin is making an odd whining sound as he looks to his water dish from his bed. Is he thirsty? Likely. Not sure why he does not just get up. Now he has stopped.

Most of the snow has melted on the deck and it is so dirty (not sure why) and I will be able to shovel the remaining snow from the grassy area so that he can do his business down there. That is Saturday chore.

I am off from work this afternoon as I am taking Mr. Alvin to the Vet for his appointment. Thankfully I can borrow Sonja’s car so we do not have to walk in these conditions.

I guess he wants his water and of course, he needs me to be right beside him.

Okay, back now.

Last night we played with one of his favourite toys. I threw it and he ran like the wind and grabbed it and brought it back to me so that we could play tug of war. So cute. It was funny after we had been playing for several minutes, I decided to grab my phone and take a video. He immediately stopped and then played a bit so I was able to grab a bit of video and it was not until I put down my phone and stopped recording that he was right back into the action. He knows that he does not get 100% attention when I have that thing in my hand. Smart cookie.

Well time to go. I hope that you have a wonderful day. Almost light now.

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

Oh, one more quick story. Yesterday near the end of my work day, I called the client who had sent me the most thoughtful Thank You card to thank her. Well actually I called her earlier and had to leave a message, she called me back and then I returned her call. YIKES. Anyway, we had a lovely chat. She said that her son helped her pick out the card for me. I loved that she thought that I should be getting a raise for all the hard work that I do and that she was grateful to be living in our housing and have affordable rent. She was so sweet. We had the nicest chat and then it was well past my stopping time.

Always, Carol & Alvin

Living … One day at a time.

Hello,

We had some wonderful rain yesterday throughout the day and into the night.

Alvin and I had a wonderful walk with our friend P.

At the beginning of our walk we all saw the geese and goslings.

To our I will say almost horror we saw this family as follows:

1. Father holding a large dog on a leash just a few feet from the geese and their families.
2. Mother holding a bread bag.
3. Two children and one of them with a piece of bread in his hand reaching out to feed one of the geese while the babies were nearby.

Some things really wrong with this picture.

Why would you stand there beside the geese with this big dog that could have easily gotten away and killed the goslings or geese for that matter?

Bread, feeding them bread?

Have they not heard that bread is not good for the geese – they are unable to digest it properly.

Children with hands outstretched.

I was happy to see one of the geese that was being fed – hiss and snapped at the child.

You would think that would be a sign for them to leave.

No, they stayed …..

I know that they are cute but why oh why could they not watch them from a distance.

Putting up a sign NOT TO FEED THE BIRDS …

Well people ignore the signage.

The same way that people do with the KEEP DOGS ON LEASH signs.

Anyway I had to walk away.

The geese are beginning to become used to being fed and that type of scenario.

That familiarity will not suit them well, I do fear.

At the end we were pleased to see the goslings and how big they are becoming.

I hope that they are able to grow to adulthood.

 

Our walk was good …. we chatted ….. felt the raindrops as it started to rain on the homeward stretch.

We had a good conversation/chat and long walk.

It felt good.

Alvin …. enjoyed the walk.

 

I will say the best part of my day is the time that I spend with me Alvin.

Snuggling or playing with him.

Or walking together.

 

I hope that you all have a great Thursday.

Remember we should respect NATURE.

 

Always, Carol & Alvin

 

Thought for the day ….

Good Morning and Welcome to Thursday the 14th day of June, 2018.

Started to rain just as we were going to bed last night.

But does not appear to have rained for any great length of time.

We watered our friend’s flowers and plants last night.

The north side of her house the flowers were still wet but on the south side they needed a drink.

North side does not get the hot afternoon sun but the south side, well yes it does.

All of our flowers are doing great.

She has some awesome looking tomato plants.

They are huge …. look like small trees.

I have a tomato plant and it is doing well….

My friend has this green thumb …. me, well I do love it and give it my best effort.

Looks like the clouds are blocking the sun or at least on the south side of our house … from our office view.

Now just a second ago at the north side … our bedroom side ….. there was bright sunshine.

 

I forgot to tell you all guess what Mr. Alvin and I saw the other night while out for a walk?

A goose and a biz-llion goslings.

OMG, they were so cute.

I just wanted to go and hug them.

Alvin used to be so taken with them when he was a pup.

We would spend hours watching them at the lake.

Now he just takes a look and is on his way.

Oh, Mr. Alvin.

 

Friends.

Do you have a special friend?

A best friend?

Perhaps you have several friends.

Just acquaintances!

Or maybe 20 dear friends.

Some of us are so blessed to have a great many friends in our lives.

Whether they are what people deem to be “best friend” or your “BF,” it really does not matter.

We all need someone to chat with, to confide in, to listen to, to just be near ….

We are social creatures, after all.

We have to remember the health benefits to having a friend or friends in your life.

So take the time …. today ….. call a friend.

Connect …. maybe go for coffee …. or just chat on the phone or SKYPE.

 

Well almost time to hit the road once again.

Have an awesome day.

Do not forget to call a friend today.

They really are your life line.

 

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

Always, Carol & Alvlin

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Tuesday the 9th day of January, 2018.

At 4:00 a.m. it was starting to snow, every so gently, a few small round flakes.

Not much has accumulated as yet but it is in the forecast.

Temperatures being to drop over the day and colder for the next few.

I am so grateful that we had some perfect days for walking and that we were able to walk last night.

Alvin did not wish to go far but we still got a walk in and that is what is most important.

Most especially for Mr. Alvin as he is cooped up in the house all day.

Fresh air is good for him and good for me.

Good for mind, body and soul.

 

Well short post today as I am running late.

Now how did that happen, I wonder?

One minute I had 30 minutes and the next 5.

 

I wish for 2018 that we all find a way to live our lives with kindness and respect to all living creatures.

Can you imagine?

I can.

What a wonderful world it would be.

 

Special Hello to: my sister, thank you for the chat on Sunday night.  You always make me smile.  Have an awesome day.

Always, Carol & Alvin

 

Thought for the day ……

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

YAY, today is the first official day of SPRING.

Are we excited?

Yes.

It did snow last night and the wind did blow.

Much the same as Saturday night but without the rain (or at least I did not hear or see signs of rain).

Back to work after a great weekend.

Yesterday, I had coffee with two of my girl friends followed by a nice walk with Mr. Alvin.

We finished the laundry, baked some banana muffins and a banana loaf.

My daughter had given me some rhubarb/strawberry dried fruit so I added some to the mixes.

I submitted my tea party orders and made my lunch and then made oatmeal for three breakfasts.

Followed by tea and watched TRANSFORMERS, Age of Extinction (the newest one).

I have seen them all and for some reason I love them and have watched them numerous times.

Last night after supper I SKYPED with my sister.

We caught up on all the news and had a couple of laughs along the way.

Well over one hour later we said “good-bye”  …… you know the 1-2-3 and then hung up.

The time always flies by when we chat.

I am looking forward to this summer as she plans to come for a visit.

So on this first day of spring, I am at a loss as to what to wear for a coat.

Will have to check the temperature on the weather channel before donning my outer clothing.

I hope that you had an amazing weekend.

Wishing you a Happy First Day of Spring …..

Perhaps wherever you are …. the flowers are blooming.

Ah, so cute …. Mr. Alvin is laying under the computer desk on the wee piece of rug …… all curled up.

Usually he stays in the hallway but today he wants to be right beside me.

I sure love the little guy ……

Well time to get going …. gotta check the weather.

Hopefully it melts the bit of snow that fell through the night so that I do not have to shovel.

I keep chipping away at the ice out front.

Until the snow melts from my lawn and the neighbours – there will be chipping and removing ice and water from the front.

Have a great Monday.

Special Hello to:  my sister, thank you for the chat.  Have an awesome day.

Always, Carol and Alvin

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Thursday the 16th day of March, 2017.

WOW MID MARCH …… you know what that means??

Well it means that spring is just that much closer.

Not to rush things …. not at all.

Our weather has been very nice the past few days and is supposed to remain as such for the remainder of this week and next.

The staff meeting went well.

The hotel always does a great job with the food ….. yummy.

When were sitting down, and enjoying a cup of coffee before the meeting started; I obtained a couple of tea orders.

WOW, that was nice.

I have supportive co-workers.

I really enjoyed the afternoon speaker.

 

Well here we go Thursday.

Started extra early as Alvin needed to go outside about 3:30 a.m.

Sure makes for a break in the sleep.

I had some MATCHA for breakfast in my oatmeal and hopefully it will help with the lack of sleep.

Not sure what happened to him.

After sitting and walking around he went to the “bathroom” and then we went back to bed.

He is a funny guy.

Could be the full moon.

It does things to all living creatures in some way, shape or form ( I think ).

 

I hope to have a quiet day at the office so that I can get through lots of mail.

I hope that the nice weather continues and the streets and sidewalks stay clear of ice and snow.

 

Well almost time to get this show on the road.

Another day to work.

Payday which is nice.

Get those bills paid, of course.

 

Have a wonderful Thursday.

Whether at work or at play …. enjoy.

Spread kindness with respect as you go about your day.

 

Special Hello: to my sister, looking forward to SKYPE chat on Sunday.

Always, Carol and Alvin

Thought for the day ……

Good Morning and Welcome to Tuesday, the 2nd day of August, 2016.

Special Happy Anniversary to my nephew “T” and his wife “S” ….. 8 years already married.

Wishing you both a great day and many many more wonderful years together.

It is bright and sunny with a nice breeze.

Perfect for a walk to pick up food for Mr. Alvin.

He is out and we will go for a nice walk there for starters.

Boo hoo, I had planned to get up earlier and go for a 7:00 a.m. walk but I read too late and then feel back asleep on the sofa and had these bizarre dreams.

The kind of dreams that you have after you have eaten too much, you know those ones.

Alvin and I were living with a nice family ….. cannot remember who.

We had decided to move out not sure why.

I got us an apartment and it was downtown. Not sure why.

Then when it was almost time to move, I could not find the address and did not know what the apartment looked like.

But we had to move because I made the rent already.

It was really strange.

It was weird that I would not know where the apartment was or what it looked like ……

All the time was thinking we can always move back.

The stories that our subconscious mind come up with.

Kind of freaky for sure.

Oh well …. it is over now and I do not remember anymore.

This cutie pie is patiently waiting for his Momma.

He is not outside but waiting outside the office door.

I just love this photo.

He loves to sit on the patio furniture and  most especially when I am right beside him.

Yesterday my daughter and Elton came for a visit ….. no hot water at their house so she had a refreshing shower here.

Later in the day I did the SKYPE thing with my sister and great niece.

A lovely day all around.

Okay time to shower quick and get this show on the road.

I hope that you have an amazing day.

Happy vacation to me and perhaps to others at this time.

Maybe you are just finished your vacation.

I hope that you are all having the most amazing summer ever.

Happy Tuesday.

Special Hello to:  my sister …. thanks for the chat last night.

Always, Carol

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Monday the 29th day of February, 2016.

WOW …. the last day of February 2016.

Yesterday was the birthday of one of my nephew’s “D” …… not sure how I could have forgotten your birthday but I did.

Happy Birthday ……

Also found out that yesterday is also the birthday of one of my neighbour’s ….. another guy.

Alvin and I were out for a walk in the afternoon and they called us over to their house to chat.

It was then I found out it was his birthday and her birthday is a few days before my daughter’s.

Lots of birthdays.

 

Well we woke up to a fresh blanket of the white stuff.

Spring is definitely here as we usually get some snow about that time.

Mother Nature likes to keep us guessing.

On the plus side ….. temperatures are going up after today ….. so it will melt quickly.

It was almost gone ….. had more ice left than snow.

We just keep chipping away.

 

Did anyone watch the OSCARS last night?

I watch until just after Lady Gaga sang one of the nominated songs.

By the way, I will say this again ….. that girl can SING.

This year was one of those years that I did not see many movies ….

I did see “The Martian” and before I went to bed, it had not won one of the big categories.

Kind of disappointing as I did think it was very good.

Too bad about the controversy ……

I will say this.

I go to a  movie or rent a movie for this reason:  IT HAS A GOOD STORY.

It does not matter if Leo, Denzel, George, Halle, Bruce, or Anne had a starring role ……. I go to the movies for the story.

I have not seen every movie that Leo has been nor have I seen every movie Halle has been in either.

In fact most of the movies I see are not the ones that are up for the big awards.

So whether they got the gold statue is mute.

Anyway just my thoughts.

 

I hope that you have an awesome day.

Special Hello to: all of the actors on the planet Earth ….. great job.

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Monday the 7th day of September, 2015.

The last day of the long weekend ….. the sky appears to be clearing up and the rain has stopped.

It started to rain Saturday evening and stopped overnight.

Safe to say things are green ….. my flowers are a bit droopy with all of the rain.

What a grand weekend I am having.

My friend from Regina went home yesterday ….. her flight left Edmonton about 5:15 p.m.

We had a great time …… just kicking back and chatting.

Alvin really liked her and often times I found him laying in between us as we sat on the sofa.

Now today time to finish the laundry and prepare for my first solo Steeped Tea party next weekend.

I want to prepare my script so that I say all of the things that I want / need to …..

It is exciting …..

I have a few questions for my leader so will chat with her later.

Hopefully the sun does shine this afternoon so that it shines on me and Alvin as we go for a walk.

I hope that you had an awesome weekend.

Surrounded by friends and family.

Perhaps you travelled for a weekend getaway which is always nice.

Well I should be getting along ….. get dressed and start that laundry.

I do want to clean up this blog ….. some of the categories got messed up one day and as I am “slightly technology challenged” I did not fix then….. well I was going to have my daughter help me but perhaps I can figure it out on my own.

Special Hello to: all those friends visiting/visited this long weekend, I hope that you will always have sweet memories to keep you entertained on long winter nights or raining days.

Always, Carol and Alvin

Thought for the day….

Good Morning and Welcome to Tuesday the 10th day of December, 2013.

Almost time to do the official countdown ….

Still a few sleeps before that ….

We started to ponder the Christmas Eve and Christmas Day Menus.

We change it up for year to year ….. but always have our old favourites in some shape or form.

Last night I had a chat with my beloved sister …

Man, how I miss her ….

She is one of the few people on this earth who have been with me since birth …. and I with her.

We have our moments and then we have our MOMENTS.

No matter what though at the end of the day WE LOVE EACH OTHER UNCONDITIONALLY.

Isn’t that what it is all about …..

She is a wonderful human being and I am so blessed to have her as my sister.

One of my favourite photos of me and my sister “Cindy” ….. she is the cuteness on the left, and me, same hair cute just a couple of years older.

I am blessed when it comes to the people in my life.

I am always surrounded by interesting and loving folks.

Who challenge me.

Who keep me grounded.

Who love me.

That’s my life.

Crazy good, I believe.

Snowing again …… WINTER ….

Fa la la ….. la la ….. la la la la ….

Special Hello to: the people in your life.

Always, Carol and Alvin