Second Half of the NEW YEAR.

Good Sunday Morning.

It is windy with the sun desperately trying to break through the cloud cover.

I was out a bit earlier with the boy and it is not cold so that it is a good thing.

Our late spring/early summer weather has been a mix of sun and rain with mostly being rain.

We have no choice in what the day brings and just have to roll with it.

When the sun shines we walk and work outside or simply sit on the deck and enjoy the sun’s rays.

With the rain, we stay inside.

I am not opposed to walking in the rain protected by an umbrella but doesn’t work so much for Mr. Alvin.

I would feel so guilty walking without him.

He does have a rain jacket but is not fond of it.

Perhaps if he wore it more than once he may grow to tolerate the covering.

But I doubt it.

He is a stubborn creature and when his mind is made up there is no changing it.

I know that first hand.

But that is okay.

 

I will say that I can be stubborn although I have learned to roll with change in my later years.

You do not always have control – okay we seldom have real control.

What is control anyway?

Does it really matter in the grand scheme of things?

We do not have control over the weather.

We have little control over anything in our lives, really.

Perhaps on what we have for dinner or when we take a shower.

Those things are dependent on how much money, time and what is in the pantry and fridge.

The shower well that depends on time and perhaps hot water supply.

But most things are set by a collective for which we are a part however; if that collective decides on something different from yourself, well you see what I mean.

Control is not what it is cracked up to be anyway.

If you lose what control you think that you had ….. you could spiral down.

The bottom is not a pretty place for sure.

So really …. control …… mmm.

I consulted my pocket Thesaurus to see what words are listed under control: if a verb here are some of the words: direct, lead, head, preside over, govern, rule, manage, supervise, oversee, 

if a noun, direction, leadership, command, rule, authority, charge, power, influence, mastery and so on.

 

By looking at the words that fall under the word “control” – perhaps control is more a wide brush stroke.

We can provide influence and direction over how we make meals, dress ourselves and maybe our family to some degree and so much more.

We can manage how we accomplish things in our daily lives.

 

But if you wake up in the morning and simply live your life.

Everyone has a schedule and some choices within.

If we work whether at home or away from home.

You have to get up, eat breakfast, have a shower, get dressed, look after your pets and your family and your transportation to the job.

There are things that we just have to do.

Control is just a word.

Some people spend way too much time worrying about things that are going to happen whether you are in control or not.

So I say …. live your life.

Do the best that you an within the framework of your life.

Words are words.

We spend far too much time worrying about words.

Actions speak louder than words.

If we live our best lives with kindness and respect, really most things will work out just the way that they should.

 

Are you confused?

Well perhaps it is too early in the day to provide an intelligent or wise view.

Food for thought, definitely.

Perhaps we all need to consult the Thesaurus once in awhile.

After all, they are only words.

Different meanings.

 

Well whether the sun shines today or not.

I am making pancakes for breakfast.

I am finishing the laundry.

I am making some notes on a story idea that came to me last night.

I will go for a walk with Mr. Alvin in between the showers.

I will do what I need to do.

 

Yesterday I/We had company.

My friend G in the morning and then my daughter stopped by for lunch.

We enjoyed our company so much.

There was laughter and almost a little smoke when we were making our grilled cheese sandwiches for lunch.

In our defensive, we thought that Mr. Alvin was choking on a carrot.

The sandwiches were delicious.

He is okay.

But that is life.

So much love, kindness and respect I have for these two wonderful women.

I am so blessed.

The sun shone and the day was great.

We walked.

Humphrey visited.

We visited Bogart the kitten.

My daughter met the new neighbour.

Life is good.

 

I/We, shall remain,

As Always, Carol & Alvin

 

 

 

Thought for the day ….

Good Morning and Welcome to Friday the 5th day of May, 2017.

A glorious morning here in Edmonton.

The sun is smiling as it rises in the East filling the sky with it’s magical beams.

So happy for the weekend.

I am grateful that I have the weekend off so to speak.

Anyone who works outside the home knows – we all have work to do when we get home.

 

On a more somber note and reminder to us all.

It is the time of year when forest and wild fires break out.

Be careful as the cost to lost lives whether animal or human is too high.

They may never be replaced.

Homes and businesses may be replaced.

Memory from one year ago today.

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

Good Morning and Welcome to Thursday the 5th day of May, 2016.

It is overcast here in Edmonton this morning.

The air is cool and there is a breeze.

Such a difference from the past couple of days.

I am actually cold this morning.

I only hope that it has cooled off up north where the wildfires are burning out of control.

They need a break.

RAIN and no lightning would be great.

Sounds like everyone was evacuated safely and that is great news.

My heart goes out to all of the animals in the forest surrounding Fort McMurray, Alberta.

I hope that all of the dogs and cats were rescued from the City.

We are so grateful to all those brave men and women whose job is to go into the inferno to fight the fires.

Whether paid or volunteers we thank you.

I hope they are all safe.

To all of the individuals out there who came together to offer up a place to sleep or to gather necessities for the evacuees, we thank you.

Well here it is time to leave for work once again.

The time always passes quickly in the morning.

So on this Thursday be safe.

Special Hello to: all the residents of Fort McMurray, Alberta and surrounding areas, we are grateful that you are safe and secure.

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 Tuesday the 26th day of January, 2016.

Well it is a fine morning here in Edmonton.

I imagine if there birds other than crows/magpies they would be singing a merry tune.

My experience from crows/magpies they sound like they are talking in a gruff tone not really singing a merry tune.

But they are all part of our ecosystem and I respect that.

 

January seems to be zipping along.

Did you make resolutions this New Year?

I did not …..

When I was much younger I used to get on that bandwagon and come up with a list usually small but one nonetheless.

Sometimes I was successful and sometimes not.

I have found it is much better to just resolve to live your life each day to the fullest and be your best.

Whether it is how you eat, sleep or exercise.

Or whether it is how you treat yourself and others.

Just do your best.

That is all any of us can do, really.

I have found in my going on 59 years on this planet that there are just some things that happen that you have no control over.

So you assess the situation and take it from there.

It is all in how you handle yourself and each situation that makes life great or not so great.

Better to go easier on yourself ….. be the best YOU.

 

Well almost time to get this show on the road.

I love Tuesdays ….. I love any day that I get out of bed, my feet touch the floor and I am ALIVE.

Now some of those days may turn out less than perfect but there again perfection is in the eye of the beholder.

My perfect is not your perfect.

Right.

So today I feel great, I think that I look pretty great and today is a great day.

 

Take care.

Have a wonderful Tuesday.

 

Special Hello to: my fellow human beings …… today is a great day.

Always, Carol and Alvin

 

 

Thought for the day ……

Good Morning and Welcome to Tuesday the 28th day of July, 2015.

It is a beautiful morning here in Edmonton …. sun coming up and casting those glorious beams everywhere.

Oh how lucky we are ….. there is a breeze to ensure a cool comfortable walk to the bus.

YAY …… for Tuesday.

Last night as I was eating supper and watching a morning show that I taped I came across some information that I did not know.

Did you know that “4 grams of sugar = 1 teaspoon of sugar?”

Let me tell you that gave me a whole new perspective on the grams of sugar on foodstuffs.

Now I try not to eat a lot of foods that have added sugar.

If the manufacturers would put the amount in teaspoons instead of grams ….. we likely would not eat as many of them.

It also gives you a better handle on portion size.

My Grandmother always used to say that you could eat anything as long as you exercise portion control.

This many years later she was so right.

Anyway just wanted to share that information.

If it makes a difference that is good.

I know it was a light bulb moment for me.

The portion size I know ….. I also have a healthy appetite ….. lots of times I eat too much …..

So going forward it will be doing the math on added sugar …. converting from grams to teaspoons and

now I will exercise better portion control.

Happy Tuesday.

I hope that you have a productive happy day.

Special hello to: my sister …. three sleeps now.  (Thanks S for the birthday wishes to “J” …. I will pass them on).

Always, Carol and Alvin