Living … One day at a time.

Good Morning and today would be Thursday.

November 21st, 2019.

Can you believe it?

I am trying to make the best use of my time but I will admit that some days it just gets by me.

I guess we all have those days.

I felt like a bad Mom as Alvin missed walks two days in a row.

Tuesday there wasn’t enough time before the Snowflake Tea and Cookie Sale and it was raining/snowing.

Oh, my daughter picked me up from work.

I love our rides and time together.

We have the best conversations.

COSTCO wasn’t too busy.

Last night by the time we got home from Costco and I had supper it was too late and Humphrey was over.

I did not want to leave him shortly after he arrived for the evening.

Oh well, we will be going this evening.

He did spend a lot of time outside last night so am thinking that Alvin is trying to tell me something.

I do get it.

 

Again I tried to download the photos from Tuesday but for some reason I am running into technical difficulties.

Always tomorrow.

ARGH.

What is it with me and technology.

Some things work all of the time and others it seems to be hit and miss.

Oh well.

LIFE, right?

 

Well here it is time to head back downstairs.

No pearls of wisdom today.

No great stories.

Just a 62 year old woman trying to make the best of each day and sometimes failing miserably.

Just me and my Alvin ….

Please don’t get me wrong …. I do have a pretty great life all things considered.

There are just moments within some days that I would like to crawl under a rock until I can breathe again.

Okay enough with the self pity, here.

 

Happy Thursday.

I am happy today is Thursday.

 

I will live my life with kindness and respect.

 

Always, Carol & Alvin

 

Living … One day at a time.

Good Morning and Welcome to A Wintery Morning.

Meaning we have SNOW.

Well yesterday throughout the daytime it was raining and gradually throughout the late afternoon and early evening it turned to wet snow.

The sticky stuff and it has not melted.

We are covered with a thick blanket of snow once again.

The trees look so pretty painted with snow.

It looks like someone took a paint brush and painted the top of the branches with a white fluffy paint.

The last bunny that I saw was almost white.

 

Last night was the GIRL GUIDE SNOWFLAKE TEA/COOKIE SALE.

They changed the location after like forever.

To some HIGH SCHOOL about 1/2 hour away from us.

The roads luckily were okay there and back.

 

The setup was much different than previous years due to the location, of course.

But worked out perfectly.

I purchased 4 dozen cookies and squares.

My favourite purchase was “puffed wheat cake.”

They had them individually wrapped.

We enjoyed a visit along with a cupcake and drink, I had coffee.

I also picked up some Christmas coasters made by one of the older GUIDES.

They were made of ceramic tiles, cannot wait to undo the ribbon and view the other three.

 

 

Alvin was so happy to see me when I arrived home.

 

Well I guess we will not have photos this morning.

I ran into technical difficulties or rather human something or other.

I am quite certain that your vivid imagination can picture the snow covered branches of the trees.

 

Perhaps they will end up here tomorrow.

As if by magic.

 

Have an awesome Wednesday.

Time to finish getting ready.

Perhaps shovel a bit of snow on the deck.

The rest will be tonight.

 

Travel throughout your days with kindness and respect.

 

Always, Carol & Alvin

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thought for the day ….

Good Morning and Welcome to Tuesday the 20th day of November, 2018.

Feels not too bad outside this morning.

I can always tell by the way that Mr. Alvin reacts to going outside.

If he hesitates for too long ….. then it is cold.

Our walk last night was not even half of our regular walk due to the ice.

As it was almost dark when we left home – taking a chance and slipping, no.

Happy that we were able to get out for some fresh air and exercise.

Especially for Mr. Alvin as he is stuck in the house all day long.

I was lucky that I had a nice walk at lunch break.

 

Can you believe it?

The 20th day of November already.

U.S. Thanksgiving almost here – Thursday, November 22nd, 2018.

Canadian Grey Cup – the 106th game is this Sunday, November 25th, 2018 here in Edmonton.

Lots going on this week.

Alvin has his regular pedicure and “stuff” this Saturday morning.

Although it does not rank up with Thanksgiving and the Grey Cup – it is VERY important to Alvin and to me.

 

How about Christmas?

The 5th Monday from today is Christmas Eve, December 24th.

YIKES.

ARGH.

OMG.

Perhaps I did not count correctly.

Double checked, no I am right.

Where did the time go?

Sure wished that I could bottle “TIME.”

Guess I would have “Time in a bottle.”

I am grateful that Christmas is pretty low key in our family.

My biggest jobs are baking and Christmas cards.

But both take some time, quite a lot actually.

I mail about 75 cards and then hand deliver another 50 cards.

All of the cards that I mail have a handwritten note/letter.

Most of the cards have a photo or two.

This takes time.

I have the cards already bought.

My daughter has taken the photos and edited them.

I just have to send them to be printed.

Then pick up stamps and then of course, mail them.

The baking I make 4 or so different items.

I end up with about 500 individual pieces.

These are packaged up and mostly given away to friends and family.

I make up individual packages and take to my immediate co-workers at the office.

So this is where most of my time is spent.

Decorating takes me some time but I have that all done.

Sometimes it pays to do things early.

My daughter and son-in-law have a pact that this year we are breaking for the first time in years.

We had been either making each other’s gift(s) or it had to be something from your house.

Something gently used and an item that you knew that person would like.

We are still doing part of that but we can spend a bit of money this year.

 

Tomorrow night, I am attending a GUIDE COOKIE SALE with my friend and her daughter.

I think that I will just give away the cookies that I purchase.

Or at least most of them.

I am always amazed by the number of different cookies at this sale.

They have tables and tables filled with cookies.

Hard to make a decision.

 

Well here we go again.

Time to go back downstairs and put the finishing touches on getting ready before heading out the door.

Alvin is resting on his blue blanket.

I love listening to him breathe.

I could snuggle next to him all day long if I had the time.

Such a good guy.

 

Okay, time to fly.

Have an awesome Tuesday.

I hope that you have a great day.

Remember if you have lots to do to prepare for Christmas.

Start early.

Do one thing at a time.

Break it down.

 

Special Hello to: my friend “V” …. hello …. have a great day.

Always, Carol & Alvlin

 

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Wednesday the 22nd day of November, 2017.

Woke up to a fresh thick blanket of snow ….. temperatures warming up.

To be plus 5 degrees celsius tomorrow.

One day minus 20 something the next plus.

Go figure.

 

Last night I attended a “Snowflake Tea” hosted by the Girl Guide Troops in our area.

The daughter of one of my friends is in Guide ….. cannot remember which level.

They had a cookie sale.

It was held in the basement of a church and so many people and so hot.

Lots of yummy things to purchase – was hard to make a decision.

When we three friends sat down to have a cold drink from a variety of cold juices we compared our hauls.

Everyone found something different.

Imagine that.

I missed out on the fudge ….. missed my radar… will have to work on that…..

There was fudge somewhere, sugar cookies of all sizes, shapes and decorations, ginger cookies and gingerbread men, slices and squares and so many different kinds of cookies.

It was a nice outing.

Sorry to have to leave Alvin at home but that would not have been a good place for him.

I seldom go out during the week but this was for such a good cause – fundraiser for the Girl Guides.

 

Footnote:  I had decided not to make “my” Sugar Cookies this Christmas and try something else.

When we were talking about baking and I mentioned that I was not making sugar cookies this Christmas my girls were both outraged at the possibility.

What, a Christmas without Carol’s Sugar Cookies.

No, they said …. You have to make them.

They sent bribes and “crocodile tears” my way and twisted my “rubber arm” …..

Sugar Cookies are once again back on the baking list.

Oh, well…..what can you do?

 

Time to get this show on the road.

Have a wonderful Wednesday.

Special Hello to: my sister, we are doing great.

Always, Carol & Alvin

Thought for the Day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Tuesday the 17th day of November, 2015.

It is beautiful out this morning with a high of plus 5 degrees celsius which is great for past mid November.

How blessed are we?

So much.

Well update on the little creature …. so sight since Wednesday at 5:00 p.m.

Almost one week.

Alvin has given no indication that it is here.

He has not left my side since this happened.

How lucky am I?

Very.

Traps set …. empty.

Perhaps now with the plug ins properly set up, nothing blocking the sound waves, they are working correctly.

Whatever it is I am happy.

Still wearing my indoor running shoes.

I have come so far just not quite there.

Not sure if I will ever be there but no matter close enough.

 

Tonight I am going with my neighbour and friend and her daughter to the Brownie’s “Cookie Sale.”

Works very well …. $1.00 admission ….. $4.00 for one dozen cookies (of your choice, I believe you can do them individually) and bring your own container.

They will have containers for $1.00 if you need one.

So excited to go out …

Normally I do not go far on a week night but this is a special occasion.

For a great cause.

It is a fundraiser for the Brownie’s.

 

Last night when I was getting ready for bed.

I noticed a notebook tucked in the bottom of my nightstand.

It has a cool cover covered in a border of pretty flowers it states in bold letters:  THINK HAPPY BE HAPPY

How great is that.

In order to be Happy first we have to think Happy.

So that is my task if you will for today ….. think Happy thoughts.

Usually I do but it does not hurt to specifically think on Happy thoughts …. think happy be happy ….

I wish this for the world.

How wonderful would it be if we thought 98% of the time Happy thoughts …..

We would then be Happy.

Whenever you find yourself going down that Unhappy road …. think of something or someone that truly makes you happy …. makes you smile.

It could be anything ….. some place that you visited …… a new baby …… your puppy ….. whatever makes you grin from ear to ear.

I have an easy one ….. me Alvin.

Just thinking of him as I rub his belly makes me grin from ear to ear.

Thinking of time spent with my daughter makes me grin from ear to ear.

Thinking of SKYPING with my sister and my great niece makes me grin from ear to ear.

It is easy.

There is always someone or something to make you smile and feel happy.

Let us make happiness reign supreme.

Happy Tuesday everyone.

Are you smiling yet?

I am…..

Keep on practising…

We will get it right.

 

Special Hello to: my friend “M” back in Saskatchewan who reads my blog and is so supportive.  She is kind and a wonderful person.

Always, Carol and Alvin

 

 

Thought for the Day ……

Good Morning and Welcome to Monday the 16th day of November, 2015.

Wow, is it really the 16th of November.

The wind is really howling this morning.

The vents are just a flapping.

Pretty noisy inside the house.

I had a really good weekend despite the creature who seems to have eluded us.

One sighting last Wednesday, Remembrance Day at 5:00 p.m.

Nothing that would indicate it is in the house.

Oh how I wish that it were so.

That perhaps it decided with all of the screaming, lights and action that perhaps it would move on.

I am trying to erase the stories that have settled into my brain.

I did move the chair from near the bay window in the kitchen back into the living room so that it no longer blocks the “plug in that emits sound.”

Traps set one in the basement and one in the pantry.

I am so proud of myself …. I have managed to check them both.

Mind you I do not have to get close.

Okay enough about this ……

 

Alvin kept me company yesterday while I logged each piece of jewellery that we are taking to the craft show.

I still have a few of the newer necklaces that I made to price.

There is a list of things that need to be packed other than jewellery so I will work on that box this week.

I am excited for the craft sale to see what others are making – only one other jewellery table that day.

Should be fun.

Any opportunity I have to spend precious time with my daughter I am all in.

 

Another Monday, I am excited.

Always good to be alive and celebrate another day.

Mondays are good as is each and every day of the week.

Start fresh …. first day of my work week.

 

Tomorrow night I am attending a Brownie Cookie Sale with my friend “S” and her daughter “M.”

It costs $1.00 for admission and then $4.00 for one dozen cookies.

You take a container or can purchase one there for $1.00 and then pick out your cookies.

I believe you can pick them one by one.

They also serve coffee and tea …. how fun is that.

I am very excited for the outing.

My only thing is coming home and leaving Alvin shortly afterward.

I guess it is not that I do this very often …. not at all.

So he will be okay.

 

Well time to get this show on the road.

Happy Monday to you all.

Special Hello to: all of the Mothers who have daughters in Brownie’s …. very cool.

Always, Carol and Alvin