Welcome to Christmas 2020

Good Morning ALL. Merry Christmas Eve. We made it. So excited to see my family later today. Alvin and I were blessed to have his buddies Teddy and Kobi over for a visit yesterday. They kept him company while I worked. It was a win/win. They are so cute and we love them very much. Miss Kobi follows Alvin everywhere he goes whether inside the house or outside. Teddy and Alvin are happy to see each other and just be in the same space with no need to be close. They have a great relationship. Life is about relationships and friends for sure. Both Alvin and I are so blessed to have so many dear and wonderful friends. Friends are family and family are friends. We are blessed all the way round.

I just want to wish each and every one of you, the most special Christmas.

I hope that you are safe and in good health.

Alvin would like to thank you for taking the time out of your busy lives to read his Momma’s stories.

I totally agree with that statement, thank you from the bottom of my heart.

I hope this day brings you joy and comfort.

I hope that you are able to enjoy each and every moment.

Continuing to live each day with kindness, respect and compassion.

Merry Christmas.

I am so excited for this Christmas!

Always, Carol & Alvin

Welcome to December, 2020

Good Morning ALL. How are you doing this Thursday morning? I am great. We are in serious countdown mode to Christmas. As one week today is CHRISTMAS EVE. Sometimes I forget that I am 63 and think that I am 8. Waiting for Santa to arrive. Believing that good will prevail is what always gets me through each day. Positive thinking – faith – believing that I can force change. We all can. So back to Christmas. Are you watching your favourite Christmas programs and movies? I am over the moon happy to have this 58 inch television hanging on my living room wall. So grateful to my kids for giving it to me as they have a new one. I thought that my other t.v. was great, the colour was great, picture was sharp or so I thought. But I have noticed things on the bigger screen that I never saw before …. it has been wonderful. Definitely going to be spending some time watching more movies over the Christmas break.

Our City has serious restriction protocols in place at this time until into January so we cannot have company other than the people in your “bubble” and my bubble is two extra people other than myself. So my kids are my “pod” for this time. There are so many new words or old words have new meaning in this pandemic. Like pod and bubble to name just a couple. But at the end of the day I am grateful that our government and leadership are listening to the scientists and medical professionals and clamping down. It is not ideal at this time of year for sure but it is for the best, so that we do not have spikes and lose even more dear souls. We also have to remember to reach out to those folks who are struggling. If you have a neighbour who is alone, seniors who live down the street or you know someone who needs help, please reach out. Even if you do not have the financial resources to help, perhaps you can give them information that can help or even just to listen. Now I know we cannot go into houses to help but you can talk from the sidewalk or facetime or phone. We still have phones you know. Please make this Christmas about more than you and your family. Make it about helping someone who is struggling …. you never know what a phone call can do to lift someone’s spirits, to give them hope. Besides I truly believe that we are all here to help one another. If we were meant to be alone …. there would not be 8 billion or so people on this planet. Reach out. Please. Let this be the part of 2020 that brings lightness to what has been a dark year for so many. We can do this.

With kindness, respect and compassion we will get through this pandemic.

Always, Carol & Alvin

Second Half of the NEW YEAR.

Good Morning ALL,

TGIF.

I never really used that “term” when it was all the rage back in the day.

I do not even remember what decade it was ….. 80’s maybe??

Anyway in this decade it seems as though the younger ones are all about using abbreviations for everything.

Yes, I know they do not refer to the shortened versions of words as abbreviations, there are all sorts of words to describe.

Also in this decade it is all about the memes and emojis, words that are new to us older folk.

Always something …. what will be next, I wonder?

Food for thought.

 

After work last night Alvin and I enjoyed a nice walk.

The air was warm and no gale force wind or bugs.

Just gorgeous.

Today they said 24 degrees celsius.

That would be considered a warm summer’s day.

 

There is a breeze out there this morning.

But it was warm when I was out earlier picking up the little treasures Alvin leaves for me on the grass.

I love the little guy.

Never would have thought that I would have a doggie and be picking up poop from my backyard.

Actually I dreamed of having my own backyard and it wasn’t until several months before it happened that I started to think that I could have one.

I likely kept the house out of my life all those years when I was a single Mom.

Perhaps if I had changed my train of thought and had been thinking “anything is possible and I can have a house” ….. it may have happened much sooner.

Oh well, I am happy that I have one now and my daughter well she has a beautiful one …..

Sometimes you have to work your way up.

 

Mr. Alvin was up just after 3:00 a.m. as his paws were bothering him, he also had to pee and poop.

Too much information, sorry.

So up we went.

I gave him his glucosamine chew and also a pain pill.

Outside to do his thing and then back to the sofa.

I wanted to get up at 6:15 and we had woke up but I was tired and thought it was earlier than it was ….

Next time it was 6:38 a.m.

So had to put the pedal to the metal this morning.

Thankfully I still had time to have a shower and do what I needed to do.

 

Well time to go and I definitely need that cup of coffee this morning.

I hope that you have the best Friday ever.

I wish you love and support, compassion and care, kindness and respect.

 

Living my life with kindness and respect

I/We shall remain,

As Always, Carol & Alvin

 

Was taken a bit ago but I love these flowers …. so pretty.

We all need a bit of pretty in our lives……..

Thought for the day …

Good Morning and Welcome to Thursday the 14th day of February, 2019.

A cold morning once again.

But guess what?

Last night it was minus 20 with the windchill so Alvin and I put on our winter gear and headed out for a walk.

It was our first actual walk in about two weeks.

It felt so good and a bit cold.

We only went as far as the park as it was getting cold for Alvin’s paws.

But it was most enjoyable.

I feel lighter this morning.

 

Happy Valentine’s Day to those who celebrate what we now refer to as Hearts Day.

A day to show love and affection with respect.

We are celebrating in our group at work.

Each of us decorated a paper bag much like some of us when we were children.

So much fun.

All week people have been dropping cards and goodies off into our bags.

Today the rest will deposit their treats and cards into our bags.

It was a good idea …. something fun amongst all of the work and “stuff.”

A rose for you

 

Happy Valentine’s Day to You and You and You.

May you be surrounded with love, respect and affection.

May I give you a little hug.

Happy Valentine’s Day.

Take this day to show your “respect” to your class-mates, co-workers, family and friends.

We all need to be a little nicer, more compassionate and definitely show respect to each other.

Not only to our human counterparts but to all the creatures that roam this earth whether on land, sea or air.

Happy Valentine’s Day.

 

Time to don the winter garb and then on my way to work.

But have time for snuggles with my boy.

Thank you Mr. Alvin for being my wonderful, sweet, awesome companion.

Special Hello to: all my family and friends, Happy Valentine’s Day.

Always, Carol & Alvin

 

 

 

Thought for the day ….

Good Morning and Welcome to Friday the 23rd day of March, 2018.

Well the storm hit sometime between 9:30 last night and 4:15 this morning.

There is a new blanket of snow on the deck and on the ground.

The biggest thing is the WIND.

Very strong wind this morning.

Not good coupled with snow.

Most especially for those living in the rural areas and driving on the highway.

Great way to begin the weekend.

 

HOWEVER this blustery, stormy day has a HUGE RAY of SUNSHINE.

That would be MICHELLE OBAMA.

Yes, she is here in our city.

Michelle Obama, former First Lady of the United States is speaking at ROGERS PLACE today.

I am so blessed to have won a ticket to go and listen to her speak.

SO excited.

No words.

It was a huge surprise yesterday.

I think that I am still in shock.

I remember watching her on television when her husband was running for President.

She has a manner about her ….

She is elegant and gracious.

She is intelligent and compassionate.

She is a great speaker.

I cannot wait to listen to her speak and see her in person.

 

Well time to get going here.

I hope that you all have an awesome Friday.

Still in shock …. cannot believe that I am going to see Michelle Obama.

 

Special Hello to: all my family and friends.

Always, Carol & Alvin

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Thursday the 24th day of August, 2017.

To be another hot day and possible thunderstorms.

Is this the end of August weather?

As August winds down, I am happy in the fact that I spent time with so many of the people that I adore this month.

Some from a distance and others from around the corner.

I write on paper every morning and say to myself multiple times each day of how blessed and fortunate I am.

To be surrounded by the most kind, thoughtful, compassionate, generous, funny and intelligent people.

Some of them are young ones and others in between and some older.

I have always believed that your friend base should be broad and of every age category / group.

This has kept me young and alive.

I will never forget the time that I spent with my sister this August.

The most time we have spent together in years.

It was wonderful and amazing.

She always makes me laugh and even sometimes provokes those conversations and feelings that get you going.

That is a good thing.

Learn and grow.

She is a smart lady and I love her very much.

Also this August I spent lots of time with my girl, my daughter.

She is simply the best person on the planet.

Her kindness, generosity and compassion are surpassed by no other.

Love you my darling.

Also my friend “V” from back in my other home ……

This woman is the best friend one could ever ask for ….

She is funny, intelligent, thoughtful, kind, generous and the BEST COOK on the planet.

I treasure our conversations whether on-line or on the phone.

I am hoping that we can visit before the year ends.

She also introduced me to a friend of hers named “J” and she is this incredible funny and wonderful lady.

Never met her but I feel like I have known her for years.

My friends in Edmonton ….. treat me like a Queen.

They are supportive, great conversationalists, thoughtful and kind and SMART.

How could one go wrong being surrounded by all these great WOMEN.

Now the men are another story.

I have some men friends and of course they have all of the above traits.

Including me Alvin.

Well almost time to leave for work.

I hope that you all have a wonderful day and that you are as blessed as I.

Special Hello to:  friends and family ….. you rock.

Always, Carol & Alvin

 

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Monday the 6th day of June, 2016.

Another gorgeous morning …. I love the stillness of the early morning.

The sun has risen.

The sky is blue.

There is a slight coolness to the air.

It will be a hot one.

 

Last night I had the good fortune to SKYPE with my sister, my great-niece and my niece.

My niece just graduated as a Registered Nurse having completed the four year nursing program.

She will make a great nurse.

For two reasons:  compassion and intelligence.

She has both.

Congratulations my darling, and all the best in your nursing career.

 

Well it would not be a Monday morning if someone was not running a tad late.

I guess not really I have time but it feels like time is short.

So I will wrap this up.

 

Yesterday I had a successful canvassing time.

Oh, canvassing for the Heart & Stroke.

It was cool to canvas on my own street.

Almost everyone who answered the door – I knew.

 

I hope that you have an awesome Monday.

 

Special Hello: to all those people graduating from post secondary school, congratulations and all the best.

Always, Carol and Alvin

Thought for the day ……

Good Morning and Welcome to Monday the 12th day of October, 2015.

Happy Thanksgiving Canada …..

Happy Thanksgiving to every living creature in this great country.

Today we celebrate peace, kindness, generosity and compassion.

Take the time to show your peaceful, kind, generous and compassionate self to someone.

Invite someone over for a meal.

Perhaps someone needs a ride to the store or to the hospital.

Let’s show everyone who we truly are ……

Just plain good people.

Not taken in by malicious television ads, news reports or social media.

Happy Thanksgiving.

 

I am grateful for my dear family, grand-pups, Alvin and all of my friends.

I am grateful to be in great health.

I am grateful to have my very own house …… my home.

I am grateful to be alive.

I am grateful to have my own mind.

 

Gratitude will light the way.

 

Special Hello to: EVERYONE …. Happy Monday.

Always, Carol and Alvin

 

Thought for the day…..

Good Morning and Welcome to Wednesday the 9th day of July, 2014.

I hope this morning greets you with great joy and happiness.

May you feel full of love and compassion.

May you always be surrounded by laughter and kindness.

May you always show love, compassion and kindness to all you meet.

Let us practice simple kindness today.

Make this “KIND WEDNESDAY” ……

The beginning of something extra special.

I wish kindness would take over the world.

The sun is shining here in Edmonton and there is a nice cool breeze.

Another hot day is in our forecast.

Alvin and I waited until late last night to go for a walk.

It was after 9:00 (late for those of us who go to bed usually just about that time).

Anyway there was a bit of a breeze so made our walk comfortable.

My friend “P” was in her yard watering flowers when we came around her side of the lake.

We stopped to visit.

She has a gorgeous yard …… every year it grows more beautiful.

Well comes the time to prepare for the puppies arrival.

Too hot for them to be without air conditioning.

So my grand-puppies are on their way over to spend the day with Alvin.

Good company.

Soon they shall be here everyday.

That will be extra lovely.

Have a kind Wednesday everyone.

Peace to you all.

Special Hello to: all those folks who practice kindness on a regular basis.  Thank you.

Always, Carol and Alvin

Recipe for Life

Take one part laughter, give it a stir.

Then add two parts love and compassion.

Stir it some more.

Then maybe add some chocolate chips, mm would have to be carob or else dark chocolate.

Stir it some more.

Remember that you really are a compassionate soul.

It is okay to have some chocolate – as you know that you really love it.

Six months from now when you notice that you gained a couple of pounds, remember to laugh.

Laugh and maybe get out and go for a walk.  (I will be with you, believe me)..

That’s my recipe for life and I am grateful for it.

P.S.   cannot live with chocolate……  🙂

Always, Carol