Last Half 2022 – August

Good Morning ALL! What a wonderfully cool Monday morning this is. The sun is starting to rise, the sky is a pale blue as the night leaves for morning with pale orange hue on the horizon away from the sun. Beautiful. The house is cool this morning and I even forgot to open our bedroom window last night. How did that happen? I even got up just before I turned the lights out to turn off the fan which I had briefly turned on at the lowest setting. I have closed the bedroom windows and blinds except for the office one for now. I will close them once I am done writing this post. Monday morning here we come. I am so happy that Mr. Alvin slept until almost 4:30 and then he woke up at 5:57 (still beat the alarm). So we have been up for a few extra minutes. Today is shower so I need a bit more time and we are still walking in the mornings due to the heat at lunch time and after work. Yesterday when we went for a walk in the mid morning, it was so beautiful out that we just kept walking and before I knew it we had walked our whole “old” route. This time it took us 45 minutes. Alvin is slowing down. We used to do it in 25-30 minutes. But I figure 45 minutes of fresh air, sniffing in that beautiful air, checking out the grass, the trees, the flowers and just being together is great. I am happy that he is still able to walk. I am so proud of Mr. Alvin. We bumped into an older gentleman with his dog, a girl, I do not remember her name now but Alvin liked her. She was 9 years old, I think the man said. Anyway, Alvin took a shine to her and she was timid but did not seem to mind the attention. The love fest carried on for a few minutes before we both went on our way. So nice. Whoa, the sun is coming up and reflecting off of the neighbours garage, looking oh so pretty. I am glad that we are up and getting things done.

A good weekend and I am so grateful that the temperatures were less hot. Way less hot. Yesterday I spent some time cleaning out some of the flower pots where most of the flowers had already passed on. I also did some rearranging and cleaning of the garage preparing for putting the patio/deck furniture away. Won’t be for a bit but not too far off, I would think. I have already prepared the front flower bed except to trim back the perennials that remain. There are three of them. I was going to clean the blinds on the main floor and that did not happen. Just putzed. It was a wonderful day.

Off the subject, I have had this computer (new) in 2009. It is a 2009 model. So it has served me well. The computer can no longer accept updates so it remains behind. I have an Apple iMac. I have been researching to find out which would be the best one to get and am shocked by the results of my searches. I found that the Shopping Channel had some on sale and you can pay for them by interest free monthly payment which would be ideal for me. Upon some research between myself and my daughter (whom I could not do anything technical without), found that the newer Catalina operating system will not be supported after this year. So I do not know if this means that there would be no more updates. Who wants to buy a computer that is basically obsolete before you even pay for it? The new ones that were made in 2022 are thousands of dollars. I love Apple products but seriously do we need to charge so much. Aren’t the Apple people rich enough. How about making things a bit more affordable. You have the “customer base.” Anyway, I have some serious thinking to do before I spend any money. More research and time. I hope this old gal can work for some more time. She has done pretty darn good. Fingers crossed.

Well time to head back downstairs and go for a walk with the boy. Alvin is resting on his bed in the office here beside me.

I hope that you have an awesome day. Cannot believe that the long weekend in September is only a few days away. September, FALL ……. I love fall.

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

Always, Carol & Alvin

PS: I am so grateful to be working from home ….. I love that we can go for a walk and come home and then I can plug in the coffee pot and then start work. I love that I can drink home brewed coffee all morning long if I chose.

2021

Good Morning ALL! How are you doing this Thursday morning? Alvin and I are well. We had a good sleep. Aiming for another early morning walk right after I have finished this post. YAY. Two for two as it were, as it is. The sky is overcast but the sun was shining earlier. So grateful for some cool air this morning. Our walk will be divine. I just heard some noise and noticed that Humphrey is out in his backyard enjoying the cool morning air. Life is good. Can you believe that were are in the month of June already? Where does time go? We put the measurements on time. That is a whole other conversation. Always food for thought. I had read something about time and Einstein’s theories. All so interesting.

Earlier when Alvin was outside the air was filled with birds singing. Now I can hear dogs barking. Are they speaking to each other or simply barking to be allowed into the house? Alvin is quiet sitting on his bed in the office with me. He has his own little bed to lay on when he is in this room as the floor is laminate. I suppose it is likely more cool at the moment than the bed but he is okay. He has water on each level and even out on the deck. Lots of dishes to check and keep full. But hydration is just as important for him as it is for me. Most creatures require hydration, in fact I do not know of any off the top of my head that do not require hydration. There may be some but I don’t know. Anyway by in large, we all need hydration. So please remember during the hot summer months when you are outside with your pets, with your children and for yourself to have water. I always carry water with us – mainly for Alvin but if I needed a sip I have it with us. I have recently changed back to my tupperware water bottle that I used to have at the office and I have found that I am drinking more than with my other glass. Bonus for me.

Life is good. I am so grateful that we are able to work from home. I love working from home. Works for both me and Alvin. He needs me to be here for him especially now that he is older and since his surgery. He needs to drink lots of water and he would not do that if I were working from the office. So I am grateful to be at home. Oh, I just felt a wee bit of cool air flutter in through the open window.

Well time to hit the trail. Get some exercise and enjoy the cool morning air before it gets hot.

We wish you a great day. May you be surrounded by love and laughter. May you be in good health and have abundance. Take Care.

Continuing to live this life with kindness, respect, compassion, patience, love and gratitude.

Always, Love Carol & Alvin

2021

Good Morning ALL! How are you doing this beautiful sunny Wednesday morning? Alvin and I are doing great and we had a wonderful sleep. Great way to begin any day for sure. There is a breeze but the sun is shining. There are some dark clouds to the south of my house but to the north it is all bright blue sky. I love how it seems like I can have two kinds of weather from one end of my house to the other. Wednesday, how wonderful. Mid week and yesterday was the start of the work week. Nice have a short work week.

We walked at noon yesterday. It was almost too warm for a light jacket or sweater at one point and the rest of the time you definitely needed something covering your arms. Makes a difference if the sun goes under some clouds with the wind blowing. I am surprised at how cold the wind has been as of late. But we enjoyed the walk all the same …. checking out for the goslings who were nowhere in sight. I love seeing the spring babies.

Last night I came across two packets of flower seeds that my friend P have given me and decided that I had better get them planted. I usually don’t plant much from seed but this time I thought why not. I had room in my front flower bed and one extra pot and dirt in the garage to make another pot on the deck. The pepper plant is growing fast. I love looking out my kitchen window while I work to see all of my beautiful flowers and then when I am in the living room, I can take in my front flower bed. Flowers make me smile.

Last night I had thought of something that I should write about and now this morning I have forgotten. Note to self: pick up the phone and make a note!

Well I did sleep in a bit later cause it is cool in the house and I love to snuggle with Mr. Alvin. It is time to run downstairs, put on the coffee and get the work day started.

I hope that you have a wonderful Wednesday.

Remember it is okay to take notes. There is way too much to remember all of the time.

Continuing to live this life with kindness, respect, compassion, patience, love, gratitude and “understanding.”

Always, Love Carol & Alvin

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Monday the 13th day of August, 2018.

Woke up to some very dense FOG this morning.

Barely able to see across the street.

We went from 32 degrees celsius (HOT) on Friday to 17 degrees celsius on Saturday and cooler with RAIN on Sunday.

Not complaining about the rain, we did need the moisture.

I am hoping that the moisture will make its’ way to the drought stricken places around the country and the world.

Well yesterday ended up being a lazy day for me and Alvin.

It was raining pretty much all day and I did not have any get up and go.

You could say that my “get up and go got up and went away.”

Anyway, it was so nice to have some downtime after a hectic week and a bit of vacation.

 

GUESS WHAT?

My neighbour cut my hair yesterday.

Oh, how I wished that it had been short during our 30+ days but I am loving it all the same.

Nothing like having a hair stylist living across the street that comes to your home.

Photo of my BIRTHDAY FLOWERS.

 

Well Mr. Alvin has been very patient as I have been very lazy.

We have a few errands to do today.

Alvin needs food and some glucosamine.

I have a parcel to mail and also need to pick up a few food items at the grocery store.

Looks like it may rain so we had better get this show on the road.

 

Tomorrow is back to work.

Sure has been great having this time off.

 

Special Hello to: all those friends and family who spent time with me either in person, on the phone, on social media for my birthday “week.”

Always, Carol & Alvin

Thought for the day ….

Good Morning and Welcome to Friday the 6th day of July, 2018.

The sky is partially overcast at this time of the day.

Another HOT one is on the way.

I have windows OPEN at this moment at each end of the house so that the breeze can come into our house and cool the air.

So far so good.

The air feels cooler.

The furnace FAN is on and an electric fan all working together to cool the house for Mr. Alvin.

With the office window open I can hear the humming of the cars and trucks on the nearby highway that encircles our city.

Today is Friday.

Thank goodness for the weekends.

Just seeing the sun making its’ way higher in the morning sky.

 

I am reminded by just how important it is to be surrounded by positive energy.

Work is one of those places that can be negative.

At work I sit and work, I seldom participate in any conversations.

Somedays the negativity washes over me like a COLD shower leaving me feel drained and blue.

If only people would think about what comes out of their mouths, if only.

I am far from perfect and have from time to time SAID the wrong words.

If you work with people please be aware of others.

Be kind and recognize that perhaps others are in the same position as you are OR perhaps worse.

 

I am so grateful that I have a quiet home with Alvin.

He greets me every night and from time to time gets vocal.

But that is okay.

We all have to something to say.

 

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

Grateful today is Friday.

Grateful that the house is cool for Mr. Alvin.

Grateful that I prepared the bags of clothing and odds and ends for DIABETES to pick up today.

Always good to donate.

 

Special Hello to: my sister ….. have a wonderful day.

Always, Carol & Alvin

Thought for the day ….

Good Morning and Welcome to Tuesday the 26th day of June, 2018.

The sky is overcast with “rain” clouds and the air is considerably cooler than the past week or so.

The house has COOLED to a comfortable temperature, thankfully for Alvin.

We did not even have to run a FAN last night.

Such a good sleep we had.

We opted not or rather I opted not to go with Alvin for a walk this morning.

We walked last night and it was great having two walks in one day.

Tomorrow will be a two walk day.

I do like going in the mornings.

The peace that fills the air.

Birds conversing as only birds can do.

I have the office window open just to provide some extra coolness to the room and can hear the squawking of crows in the near distance along with the hum of traffic

from the road that wraps around the city.

Otherwise it is quiet, no voices, no sirens, now an airplane, now a truck just started.

That has always amazed me at how many people auto start their cars in the morning and let them run for several minutes.  Why?

I understand in the winter but in the SUMMER.

People.

The sky is being to clear from the south.

A gust of wind just caused the trees to flutter.

Almost time to leave for work.

The carpool is back in action this week.

So many colds and allergies rearing up this season.

 

I hope that wherever you are and whatever you are doing that you use good judgment, common sense and KINDNESS.

Can you imagine what this world would be like?

 

Have a great Tuesday.

Special Hello to: all those folks who read books

Always, Carol & Alvin

Thought for the day ….

Good Morning and Welcome to Monday the 25th day of June, 2018.

There is a delightful breeze blowing through the open window in the office as I key/type these words.

The house is/was pretty warm this morning.

We enjoyed our walk at 5:00 a.m. with the COOL breeze blowing on us as we walked along.

There were a few mosquitos but the breeze kept them blowing by us.

This is the last day of this heat wave according to the long range forecast.

A few days in the low 20’s would be refreshing and welcome at this point.

I love summer but the heat is hard on most of us and animals.

The birds were singing their songs this morning as we walked through the neighbourhood park.

We have three ponds in the park so it attracts all sorts of birds.

I enjoy listening to them as we walked along.

We, well actually I saw a couple of rabbits out playing in the grass as we were on our walk.

Alvin was busy sniffing in the grass and did not see them in the distance.

I love watching him happily walking about sniffing away.

He is so cute.

Grateful that we got his hair trimmed and bath on the weekend.

Certainly helps him with the heat.

 

Yesterday morning I enjoyed coffee with my girls.

We laughed and told what was new with us.

The girls always have work stories.

I guess we all do.

They asked me if I like the movie “HALLOWEEN” and I said “not really, why?”

Apparently there is a new one coming out and they are going.

Nope not my thing.

The 50 Shades were not really my thing but I went to the last one with them as I wanted to spend time with my friends.

That is what you do.

Big difference between the 50 Shades movie and HALLOWEEN.

For me, anyway.

So after some discussion we found something that all three of us wanted to do.

Da da …..

PAINTING.

We are going to a paint night this Thursday evening.

I am so excited.

Our picture is of a sandy beach with the word “DREAM” in the forefront in the sand.

Will be so much fun.

I had booked this Friday off as a vacation day so then I do not feel quite so bad leaving Alvin home in the evening.

We will be walking in the morning for sure on Thursday.

 

Well almost time to go.

Gather things up.

Close windows.

Wish the breeze would be cool all day long.

 

My friend “P” is having hip surgery today.

So our thoughts are with her.

I know that she will do great.

 

Have an awesome Monday.

Be kind to yourself and to others.

I hope that you are safe and cool today.

 

Special Hello:  all of my friends ….

Always, Carol & Alvin

 

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Saturday the 23rd day of December, 2017.

Tomorrow is Christmas Eve and then Christmas Day.

Wow, that came upon us quickly.

Seems like it was yesterday that it was December 1st.

Almost Christmas and almost the end of another year.

This has been a great year up until my “fall” off the bus back on December 7th.

I cannot believe that it has been just over two weeks since it happened.

 

This morning is overcast and it has been snowing ever so slightly.

The air is cool but not bitterly cold.

I received a couple of voice messages that my glasses are ready to be picked up so will go pick them up today.

Yesterday was productive.

This morning two of my girl friends are coming for coffee and tea.

Followed by preparing our dessert for Christmas Day.

I am making chocolate chip cookie ice cream sandwiches and OREO mini cheesecakes.

Something different.

Anything goes with turkey.

Turkey back on the menu.

 

Well I guess it is time once again to fly …… get things ready for my company.

I hope that all is well in your house.

I hope that you are settling into some days off.

If you have to work today …. I wish that you are able to take a quiet break and breathe.

 

May your days be MERRY and BRIGHT and

May all your Christmases be light …… enjoy this time.

 

Special Hello to: EVERYONE ….. Happy December 23, 2017.

Always, Carol & Alvin

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Sunday the 17th day of September, 2017.

Today is the birthday of my Steeped Tea Leader, Happy Birthday “C.”

She is a sweet, kind and wonderful gal.

 

The sun is shining this morning.

The house does not seem as cold as it has the past few mornings.

I am steadfast in my decision not to turn on the furnace at this time.

Obviously if the temperature dips below ZERO degrees, it will have to go on as I do not wish the pipes to freeze.

Will have to watch my plants as the colder it gets at night the harder it is to pull them out (these are annuals in pots).

My tomato plant was DONE yesterday so I pulled it.

My first one and I even had tomatoes, so happy about that.

 

Yesterday with the new blade for Mr. Alvin’s electric clippers I gave him a great hair cut EXCEPT …..

I noticed later last night that I missed a bit on his one side.

How could I have missed that spot is beyond me but I did ….. glory me.

Oh well at some point I will grab him (he does not like having his hair cut) and trim that up.

He does look back to his most handsomest self, I must say.

After his oatmeal and aloe shampoo/conditioner with bath after the cut he is so SOFT.

 

Well I guess time to get this day going.

Oh, the grand-pups stopped by for a nice visit yesterday.

At one point all three were laying in different areas chewing on a chew treat.

Alvin on the sofa, Baby Milo on Alvin’s chair by the window and Miss Aspen on the floor.

Did not have time to grab a video as it would have been PRICELESS but I have the image engrained in my memory banks for all time.

So we had a great Saturday.

Along with cleaning up some things outside and mowing the back patch of grass, we did laundry, okay I did laundry, baked a ginger chocolate loaf (Steeped Tea), Alvin’s hair cut, made a huge supper

so will have leftovers for a few days and VACUUMED.

So will have a more quiet day which is nice.

Happy Sunday everyone.

 

As much as I love the fall ……. oh, the leaves are falling and that is a sign that the other is not far behind.

It would be so nice to have a nice long warm fall (about 17-21 degrees celsius).

 

Oh, I forgot and I do not know how I managed not to hear about this but there is a new STAR TREK television series starting on September 24, 2017.

Next Sunday.

I had one of the new STAR TREK movies on the television when the kids picked up the pups and my son-on-law asked me if I was excited about the new show.

I saw “what.”

I am so excited that it will be on CTV and not just SPACE as I do not have the SPACE channel.

So lucky me do not even have to add another channel to my cable package.

No extra money.

So excited ….. STAR TREK DISCOVERY.

No. 1 on my fall line-up.

 

Have an awesome Sunday.

I am going now.

Special Hello to: all those STAR TREK fans …. yay a new television series.

Always, Carol & Alvin

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Thursday the 7th day of September, 2017.

Dark still and the air is cool which is wonderful as it is to be plus 31 degrees celsius today.

Wow and it is September 7th …..

Funny how it cools down at night and can be so warm during the day.

 

Last night my daughter picked me up after work and we went straight to COSTCO.

Picked up some items and then off to our VET to pick up food, glucosamine and treats for Mr. Alvin

Then home to a happy boy.

My daughter stayed for supper and was happy to share the fruit crisp that I had made on the weekend.

I made it with fresh apples, rhubarb and cherries – all of which were grown local in Edmonton.

It was super delicious.

After supper we visited before she gathered her fridge food items from COSTCO and was on her way.

I always enjoy our rides as we have some of our best conversations in the car.

Thank you once again my darling for a perfect visit.

We always love having you here.

 

Dreams ….. do you dream?

I dream lots usually.

Sometimes I can remember a flicker of what I dreamed and other times I wake feeling sad, anxious or super recharged and over the moon.

Speaking of moon …… I noticed a FULL MOON last night.

That would count for some things.

 

Well almost time to head out the door.

I hope that you have an amazing day.

Remember (reminder to me, too) to be KIND and LIVE EACH MOMENT WITH CARE AND INTENTION.

Once those moments have gone – they have gone.

No turning back.

We want to live with no regrets.

 

Special Hello to: my sister ….. Happy September ….. when is G’s birthday?

Always, Carol & Alvin