Last Half 2022 – September

Good Morning ALL! Another hot one on the way. The sky has a smoky appearance to it as I key these words. I have not been keeping up with the weather except for the temperature so I would imagine that there are fires burning somewhere. There is enough wind lately that could blow the smoke from a distance into our overhead sky.

Thankfully it is Saturday. Alvin was up last night several times with diarrhea. Two of those times he was in a hurry to get outside. Nothing like stumbling around in the dark with your phone flashlight trying to pick it up before it hit the ground. Cleaning up diarrhea is not much fun. Sorry for the description but this is my life at the moment. “Shitty as it may be” and honestly it is shitty on so many levels. So another issue to add to the mix. Poor little guy. Today is the last day of the bland diet. I took a chance and gave him two tablespoons of pumpkin with hopes that it would help. Time will tell.

The girls were supposed to come for coffee this morning but I felt it better to cancel and keep Mr. Alvin calm as he gets so excited when there is company. I baked a Cinnamon Pumpkin Banana loaf last night in the heat (it wasn’t as bad as it has been). The loaf turned out to be very good as I tried a little piece last night.

So with the changes at work and with Alvin, I have to think about the future. I guess honestly I had the blinders on in several regards but the time has arrived to get my ducks in a row and figure out what to do. I know this sounds cryptic but I cannot be more specific other than I don’t know what is going to happen with Alvin. I hope that the ultrasound can shed some light. I am trying to remain positive. Also the going back to work. If I could remain working from home for now, it would help but it still would not change some things. Sometimes we just want to live so much in the moment that the future creeps up on us and then we have to make some hard choices/decisions. Life is not always a bowl of cherries. More often than not, it is full of incredible ups and downs. At least mine has been. So over the next couple of weeks, I will put on the thinking cap and get things sorted out and then get to work doing whatever it takes to live this life.

I am quite honestly exhausted and could really use a cup of coffee so I am going to sign off. I hope that you have a wonderful Saturday.

Earlier as I was changing the bedding etc. upstairs, I had gone to close the spare room window and blinds and noticed Bogart on top of the fence between his house and ours. His Mom was outside in the yard so I said hi. Alvin heard and so I scooped him up so that he could see what was going on. This is the life. Nothing fancy but it’s mine.

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

Take care.

Always, Carol & Alvin

The New YEAR 2022

Good Morning ALL! How are you on this rainy Saturday, July 2, 2022? Both Alvin and I are rested. You are likely wondering about that statement. So here is the story: last night we went to bed well after 10:00 closer to 10:30 and then I read for awhile. I do remember getting up once (me) to go to the bathroom and then back to bed, Mr. Alvin did not stir. The next time I looked at the time, it was 6:52 a.m., wow, can you believe it? I really had to look at the time more than once. It was not until I got up that the boy stirred. Up, he had his food and “medicine” and we went outside, gladly it was only raining lightly. Then back in the house. I was wondering how he managed to sleep for almost 8 hours in a row. Likely it was due to the walking and spending over 1.5 hours outside in Pauline’s garden and then a little while later having a haircut and bath. The haircut and bath are two of his least favorite things to being doing and he was clearly stressed, anxious about having it done. So he may have been exhausted. As of me, well I have not had 8 hours of continuous sleep in likely 8 years or more. Except for the few times that Alvin has slept over at his sister’s house. He doesn’t like car travel so does not happen often. He is quiet this morning but he is not usually loud anyway. It is raining outside now so I guess watering the flowers was not necessary but who knew, it would really rain. They needed a drink of water. Anyway, I did not over water them so all is well. I had watered my plants, too. Yes, I remembered to move the lavender plant so that she will not get even more wet. She is still drying out and I hope that her roots are not rotting from all of the water. The soil is slowly drying out. I guess time will tell. So that is the story. Oh, I remembered to take my phone and snap some photos of my friend’s beautiful flowers but alas I am experiencing technical difficulties and they are not uploading. But I will get them posted. You have to see her gardens, absolutely beautiful. I even snapped some photos of the roses at the entrance to the park. It was a great couple of hours that spent outside yesterday. On top of all of that, I managed to do several loads of laundry, clean out some kitchen drawer, made some small changes with a few pieces of furniture in the living room. I honestly only sat down for the time that I had late breakfast at like noon and then for supper so maybe 30 minutes and we were up at 7:00 so that would account for me being pooped. Even after supper I was running up and down the stairs with laundry. The stress of Alvin’s haircut goes onto me, as well. All in all, it was a wonderful day.

We are happy to live in this house, in this neighbourhood, in this city, in this province and this country. This whole world – every country has a story that they are not proud of and I would hope that in 2022 we are doing better at being kind and respectful to others, not just human beings but all living creatures and the environment but sadly that is not the case. Just remember this, it is not the actions or feelings of the average everyday citizens that are making these decisions it is the so called leaders. I am not the past leaders, political or religious and not the current ones. I am a good person, I treat everyone with respect and kindness. So when people make blanket comments about all of this, it hurts my heart. I try to do the best that I can in my world. My actions reflect who I am. I was not what I would deem to be privileged but perhaps that word is being used with a more broad meaning. I do not blame my upbringing nor do I blame certain people for my lot in life, I can make choices. It is my choices that have brought me to this place. I just wanted to say something and perhaps I am not the most eloquent “speaker” or “writer” in the world. Sorry for the severe change in topic. But yesterday and all the yesterdays for awhile, I have been thinking about Canada and her past. I love my country despite her past. If we gave up on “people” for their pasts, there would be nothing. I am disappointed that in 2022 there are still wars and that we are not working together for the common good.

I hope that you have a great Saturday. There is always food for thought. We can always do better. It is raining harder now. My coffee is ready and I need it this morning.

Photos to follow.

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

Always, Carol & Alvin

PS: only 38 days until my 65th Birthday.

Living … One day at a time.

Good Morning and we are cruising toward November 1, 2019.

Where did the time go?

I cannot believe it is less than two months until Christmas and then the New Year.

2020.

That freaks me out just a little bit.

When I was a child I actually thought of this year and 2025.

What would be going on in the world?

Where would my family be?

Wondering if I fulfilled my dreams of being a Registered Nurse and a Writer.

Where would I be living?

Would I be happy?

The house with the white picket fence was that in my future?

Four children ….. two girls and two boys, of course.

That was my perfection.

Grandchildren possibly.

One never knows where life will take you.

I am perfectly happy with the way that things turned out.

I am okay with the choices that I made.

Perhaps I could / should have done things differently but then I would not have and be where I am today.

It is a package deal.

You cannot have one person, one thing without the other.

So if I zigged instead of zagged …. I could have been living on a farm in southeastern Saskatchewan or perhaps in the big City of Regina or in London or New York.

I may have been married with more than one child.

I may have become a nurse.

Who knows?

But I know that the choices I made at the time were right for me at that time.

I have the most exquisite daughter.

I have my best buddy Mr. Alvin.

I have a job that sometimes drives me crazy.

I have a house which I bought on my own.

I am healthy.

Life is good.

I am surrounded by great friends.

I have the best sister and brothers on the planet.

So that is that.

I have never spent much time worrying or thinking about what may have been …..

I believe in living in the present …..

You cannot change the past but you can change the present which changes the futures.

Now that is a lot of change….

 

Just living my life trying to be kind and respectful.

 

Always, Carol & Alvin

 

 

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Monday the 6th day of August, 2018.

Gorgeous sunny morning although there are some dark clouds looming in the sky.

Alvin and I went for a walk about 8:30 a.m. as the forecast is to be hot.

Tomorrow is the BIG DAY.

My daughter and I are taking a two night – three day road trip.

I cannot wait.

I certainly will miss Mr. Alvin but he will be in great hands as he is staying with my son-in-law.

He will have company with Miss Aspen and Baby Milo.

 

The house is quiet now as all of our company left yesterday.

It was more than I could ever have imagined it would be.

Everyone had a great great time including and most especially me.

Alvin is resting and not even hungry.

Makes me think that he had too many TREATS.

 

My neighbour will look after the house and water our flowers.

Our flowers have been absolutely magnificent this summer.

The best ever, I would say.

The pots are overflowing with blossoms of pansies, petunias, daisies, lavender, snapdragons and a couple others that I do not recall their names.

There are purples, pinks, corals, yellows and some mixed with white.

Delicate and perfect.

Also my poor sunflowers took a beating the other night in the storm and are bending over.

So will find something to stake them, give them some support.

Perhaps now before it gets hot.

That flower bed should be a bit more dry now.

 

I am so blessed.

I am surrounded by wonderful, kind, generous and supportive family and friends.

I have Alvin as my companion.

I am able to live in this dream house with a yard and deck space for entertaining and for flowers.

I am in great health.

I am happy to be alive.

I live in a great neighbourhood and city.

I am learning something new everyday.

I can make my own choices and decisions.

It is good to be me.

It is great to be me.

Happy Day.

 

Well time to get some work done.

One more post before I go on a mini break with my daughter.

Have an awesome Monday.

 

Special Hello to: all those folks who read my blog; I am forever grateful.

 

 

 

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Friday the 10th day of March, 2017.

YAY, ’tis Friday ….. so happy about this.

Another COLD morning here in Edmonton but I hear that the temperatures are on the rise.

YAY, about that good news.

 

In keeping with the CHOICES theme of my last few blogs.

I was thinking this morning about something.

How many days do you get a thought in your head about someone or something that bugs you?

That ticks you in the wrong way?

So you just keeping thinking about it, and it seems to get worse and worse.

You just cannot get refocused and even go to bed thinking about the someone, something or situation.

 

Can you imagine what would happen if you placed a thought in your mind about something that you wanted?

Kept thinking about that one thing or perhaps it is a person or situation.

I would not begin to suggest that you think about it constantly but planting positive good thoughts is always a better approach.

 

For example: if you think as you get out of bed in the morning and perhaps repeat say ten times – “I am having a great day.”

Chances are you will have a pretty great day.

It is all about making the choice early on and staying focused.

If something or someone comes along and things begin to change ….. just close your eyes and repeat “I am having a great day.”

Does not hurt to try, right.

 

Well time to hit the snowy road to the bus stop.

I hope that you have an awesome Friday.

 

Special Hello to: all my fellow positive thinkers …..

Always, Carol and Alvin

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Thursday the 9th day of March, 2017.

Another COLD morning here in Edmonton with a light frosting of snow overnight.

Just cannot get away from shovelling ….. oh well, it is great exercise.

I know that there are other spots that received more snow than we.

 

Well this week my thoughts seem to all about “CHOICES.”

It affects our life in every aspect and all of the time.

Whether you make good ones or bad.

It is all about choices and living with the result.

Now that being said I believe that from all of our choices we learn.

We all make bad choices….

There is no one on this planet that can honestly say that they only made good choices along the way throughout their lifetime.

Just remember what is bad or good for one person can be totally different for others.

So when you make those choices every day – do what is right for you within the law and morally.

Because we all know those people who think that committing a crime is right for them at that moment.

Not so.

 

I hope that you have an awesome Thursday.

I guess the most important thing to remember as we make those choices through each day over the course of our lives …. is to think before making a choice.

Even if you think that there is no time ….. there is a few moments to really ponder before making a decision or choice.

 

Did you smile at everyone yesterday?

I was thinking as I was riding on the bus ….. that perhaps one of the people that you gave a smile to was having a rough time and that small gesture of kindness make them feel noticed.

So when you think that simply a smile cannot do good …. think again.

Sometimes you do not have to say a word ….. it is all in the smile …… between your eyes and your mouth.

 

Special Hello to: my kids ….. you are the best.

Always, Carol and Alvin

 

 

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Wednesday the 8th day of March, 2017.

Another brr COLD morning as was evident when I opened the back door to let Alvin outside.

Thank goodness he has a warm coat and boots so to speak.

Naturally of course.

When we walk at night – I add one of his jackets depending on the weather.

I would have tried booties with him but because of his “foot fetish” – likely not a great idea.

We enjoyed another brisk walk last night.

Which is good ….. short but fast.

I could feel my heart rate increasing.

 

This morning I have been thinking about the choices we make.

We make choices in every second of every day.

We decide whether to wear the black pants or the brown ones.

We decide whether to take an apple and peanut butter sandwich for lunch or to buy lunch.

We decide whether to send that email or not.

We decide whether we want to have a great day or not.

We decide whether to hold the door open for a senior.

We decide whether to write that story or not.

We decide whether to go for a walk or to vegetate on the sofa.

We decide so many things – coffee or tea.

 

Now some of these choices are not totally our own.

Some we make dependent on life or lifestyle.

Some people would prefer not to work but if you want a roof over your head and food in your belly – it is a must.

But you can certainly choose where you work.

For as many of the choices that we must make just to live our lives there are many more that we have more control over ….

So when you think that life is getting you down and that you have no choices.

Trust me you have plenty.

Start making the ones that will bring joy to your heart and a smile to your face.

 

Have an awesome Wednesday.

Make a choice today to smile at every person you encounter.

That will for sure bring some good energy your way.

Who knows maybe even that person you have been dreaming about …..

Just smile…

 

Time to get going …… the bus you know.

Public transportation.

 

Special Hello to: my family and friends ……

Always, Carol and Alvin

 

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Friday, July 1st, 2016.

Happy Canada Day.

This morning the sun is shining brightly and there is a coolness to the breeze that is blowing in through the office window.

Canada Day is on a Friday this year which makes for a nice long weekend.

Me and Alvin are just going to lounge and enjoy the day and evening.

I might do a few things around the house but today will be a fun day.

After all we are celebrating CANADA on this day.

Memories linger in my mind of all the places that I have visited in Canada and to all of the others places I wish to visit someday.

We truly have a beautiful place on this planet.

I was curious what Canada Day was like last year and here is my post from last Canada Day.

*****************************************************************************************

Good Morning and Welcome to Wednesday the 1st day of July, 2015.

Today also is the day that we Canadians celebrate “CANADA” …..

Happy Canada Day to all my fellow Canadians.

I am so grateful to live in such a beautiful, wondrous country.

From coast to coast …. the prairies and the mountains and all in between.

I see new photos everyday that remind me of the beauty.

I am grateful to live in a country that is free.

I am grateful that I have choices, and can make my own decisions.

Just on my way out the door to go, and have coffee with my neighbour.

I hope that you have a great day.

It is overcast and raining off and on here in Edmonton but we need the rain, so no complaints.

Happy Canada Day…..

**********************************************************************************************

I smell coffee in my near future.

Time to turn it on ….. relax on the deck and drink in the sunshine.

Special Hello to: all of my family and friends.

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Tuesday the 14th day of July, 2015.

The sky is a clear blue and the sun is shining brightly.

It is a glorious morning here in Edmonton.

I am feeling over the moon filled with gratitude.

I am grateful to live in a peaceful country.

I am grateful to have my own house.

I am grateful that I can make my own choices.

I am grateful to be surrounded by loving and most importantly “supportive” family and friends.

I am just plain brimming with gratitude on this Tuesday morning.

I hope that you are as fortunate as I.

We all too often forget about the important things like being able to walk down the street during the day with no fear of being bombed or attacked.

We forget that we are able to make our own choices …. so very important.

Just the simple day to day life things that we take for granted … clean water …. good food.

So when you are feeling low because you do not have the latest iPhone …… remember……

Well time for me to go to work ….. am running late.

Have a great day.

Special Hello to: people all over the world ……

Always, Carol and Alvin

Thought for the day…..

Good Morning and Welcome to Wednesday the 1st day of July, 2015.

Today also is the day that we Canadians celebrate “CANADA” …..

Happy Canada Day to all my fellow Canadians.

I am so grateful to live in such a beautiful, wondrous country.

From coast to coast …. the prairies and the mountains and all in between.

I see new photos everyday that remind me of the beauty.

I am grateful to live in a country that is free.

I am grateful that I have choices, and can make my own decisions.

Just on my way out the door to go, and have coffee with my neighbour.

I hope that you have a great day.

It is overcast and raining off and on here in Edmonton but we need the rain, so no complaints.

Happy Canada Day…..

Special Hello to: all of my family and friends.