Second Half of the YEAR.

Good Morning,

Happy Birthday to my brother-in-law Todd and to our Mom, who is an Angel watching over us all.

Surrounded with family and friends.

Happy Birthday.

 

We had some serious rain last night and I was happy that we had our walks in the morning before work and at lunchtime.

I had planned for us to go this morning but it is wet with lapses of fog.

Yes, fog.

It rolls in and out.

Sun shines.

Then fog.

So I am glad that we stayed at home.

Forecast looks good for noon and after work.

I would like to get back to two walks each day again.

We had been walking twice a day for several weeks before Alvin had some health issues.

Now that we are back to normal, I want to take advantage of that time.

 

I thought it might be interesting as a Canadian to watch and listen to the United States Democratic and Republican Conventions.

Last week I listened to the Democrats and now this week the Republicans.

It has been interesting, I will say that for sure.

There have been some great speeches and some less than stellar ones, in my opinion.

I have only watched one night thus far of the Republican Convention.

 

I wonder why it is that some people find it better to “bad mouth” their opposition instead of outlining their platforms.

Digging up what they deem to be “dirt” so as to injure the chances of the opposition winning.

So?

What will they do differently?

What will they do to make the next four years better than the last four?

What will they change?

How will they make those changes?

After all isn’t government supposed to lead a country!

Some folks just seem to bask in drama, I get that.

But to lead a country, leaders need to lead.

Right?

 

Keeping their personal opinions on the back shelf and doing what is right for the people in their country.

Keeping those opinions out of the media.

But then again perhaps it is all about character.

The people want the best person for the job.

The person that will lead them into the next four years, the future.

The person that will not alienate their country’s neighbours and divide its’ citizens.

 

Politics, politics.

What can one say?

I wish the United States all the best in this upcoming election.

Remember to VOTE.

Voting is what gets you change.

Good Luck.

 

 

Well the fog has rolled in again.

Alvin is resting on his little bed that I made for him in the upstairs office.

Time once again to go and grab that first cup of coffee and get this work day going.

We have training later this morning and then more training this afternoon.

In between I have calls to return and mail to do.

Never a slow moment.

Especially after returning from vacation.

 

Living our lives with kindness and respect, always.

I/We shall remain,

Always, Carol & Alvin

 

 

 

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Tuesday the 12th day of February, 2019.

Well forecast for next week shows minus teen numbers for temperatures.

What a heat wave is on the way.

Without the WINDCHILL effect that would certainly feel like summer compared to what is going on now.

Time will tell.

 

I miss our walks and just feel it is too dangerous for us to be out there walking.

Mind you it is getting dangerous in the house as we are really needing some fresh air and exercise.

Now I am lucky as at least I walk to the car in the morning and at night.

So I get what 20 steps in the fresh air ( being sarcastic ).

Not complaining about getting a ride that is for sure.

I am  over the MOON grateful to be in a carpool who picks me up at the door and drops me off at the door and all over again each day.

I am grateful that my “carpool” had a great vacation in Mexico.

So grateful and feeling so blessed.

 

I am over the MOON grateful that Mr. Alvin is healing nicely and hoping stitches come out perhaps this Saturday.

We are grateful for the furnace that heats our home and keeps toasty warm 24/7.

We are grateful to have clean water at the turn of a tap.

We are grateful to have good food to eat.

We are grateful to have family and friends who love us.

We are grateful to be alive, to live in this city, in this country on this planet.

I want to fill my life with gratitude so that there is no room for anything else.

Only positive energy.

 

Well time to go and do a couple more things before leaving for work.

Thank you for reading this post and my blog.

I am so grateful to have people interesting in my writing.

Thank you.

 

Special Hello to: my friend “V” who is one of the hardest working people, women I know.

Always, Carol & Alvin

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Sunday the 8th day of April, 2018.

The sun is shining and I think that I heard a bird chirping earlier in the morning.

There is now a light blanket of snow covering everything.

Over the course of the morning thus far it has been snowing in between the sunshine breaks.

The house is not quiet as me Alvin is back home once again.

We went to bed a bit later than normal and I read for awhile.

He did not get up until 6:22 a.m. and then only wanted to go outside, not wishing to eat.

So we headed back to the sofa until just after 8:00 a.m.

It still took him several minutes to eat which was about 8:30 a.m.

He shows no signs of distress or anxiety.

 

I think of all the creatures big and small on this earth so may not be quite so fortunate.

They are living in constant danger and fear.

Anxiety is a way of life.

How sad is that.

I just do not believe that we as humans have continued through the ages to be such mean, horrible, vindictive creatures.

Why?

What is the purpose?

Is it all about power, greed and money?

At some point in the near future we have to step away from that and simply to the right thing.

What would be so wrong about that?

I know that it is not everyone.

I know that there are so many good people.

But even us good people live in denial.

We do not look after the environment nor each other.

Let us face it ….. most people live their lives in denial and with blinders on.

As long as it does not directly impact our lives, we just say “It is not my fault”  or “Let the government fix things.”

Well I am here to tell you ….. it is YOUR fault and MINE.

Why would we think that the government would fix things when we do not?

We elect them.

 

Food for thought.

Please it all starts with being good residents.

Good residents of your home, of your neighbourhood, of your city or town, of your country and of this planet.

We should care about the future generations, what kind of planet will they live on?

If you have any kind of imagination, it is most scary, to say the least.

Start by picking up the trash in and around your home.

Pack your garbage and recycling properly.

There are winds in every area of CANADA.

Make sure that you check with your municipality to make sure that you are placing the proper items in the blue bins or recycling bags.

If not, they cannot be recycled.

This costs each municipality MILLIONS of DOLLARS each year.

It is up to each and every one of us to make this right.

Not the government and not your neighbour, it all starts with YOU …..

 

I hope that you have a great Sunday.

Special Hello to: all those folks who strive each and every day to make this planet healthy and safe for every creature.

Always, Carol & Alvin

 

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Sunday the 8th day of October, 2017.

The morning is a cooler one with wind and deep blue clouds filling the sky.

Sunbeams no where to be seen.

 

I am so excited because today, Alvin and I have the pleasure to spend some time with our family …. my daughter, his sister, my son-in-law, his brother-in-law and the grand-pups Miss Aspen and Baby Milo.

We are always happy to spend time with this group of amazing beings.

I hope that wherever you are ….. whatever you are doing ….. that you are safe, warm, dry, that your belly is full of good food and you have access to clean drinking water.

May you always show your gratitude to those around you.

We need to be more grateful for others.

Grateful for the bus driver that drives you home from work, just doing their job.

Grateful for the cashier at the grocery store, standing all day, ringing through your items, just doing their job.

Grateful to all the truck drivers for spending hours and hours sitting driving all the things we need to the stores, just doing their job.

Grateful to all the rescue personnel for spending their days and nights keeping us safe, just doing their jobs.

Grateful to all the nurses and doctors for spending their days and nights tending to our wounds, just doing their jobs.

Grateful to have police officers for spending their days and nights keeping us safe, just doing their jobs.

Grateful for the city councillors out and about even on a long weekend, just doing their job.

Grateful for the men and women that keep the peace for our country and all around the world, just doing their job.

Grateful for all my neighbourhood children who think it was great fun to rake my leaves, no work at all, just being kids with no agenda.

Grateful for all of my FAMILY and FRIENDS, you are dear to me and Alvin.

Grateful for each and every one of you.

It is all of us that make this world.

Spread the gratitude and kindness.

Happy Thanksgiving.

 

Special Hello to: YOU, and YOU, and YOU ……

Always, Carol & Alvin

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Saturday. July 1st, 2017.

The sky is overcast on this 150th Birthday of this country known as Canada.

As with most countries on the planet our history has not been without bloodshed.

Our history has had the ENGLISH, FRENCH and SPANISH  coming over from across the ocean, and then laying claim to North America.

The U.S.A. and Canada share that part of history.

Over the past few hundred years people have left the United States and come to Canada.

People have also left Canada and moved to the United States.

There is so much we do not know and will never know.

It would be great on this 150th Birthday of CANADA that we could find a way to live together without debate or causing harm to one another.

We do live in relative peace, and I am so grateful that we do.

We need to find a way to move forward.

More and more people are leaving their homes all over the world for a multitude of reasons and coming to Canada.

It is so important that we find a way to live together in peace and harmony.

So on this 150th year …. this day that we celebrate Canada let us find a way to do the best for one another.

We all need to move on and make sure that all CANADIANS old and new are living good productive healthy lives.

We are all in this together.

We can do this …. we can.

Traditions over the last 150 years shows the peoples of this VAST country to be kind, generous, compassionate, and easy-going.

Please let us continue on this path and beyond.

Happy CANADA Day.

 

Special Hello: to my family and friends all over CANADA and the World.

Always, Carol & Alvin

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Friday the 11th day of November, 2016.

Special day for more than a couple of reasons.

First, Happy Birthday to my nephew “T” …. not by blood but is family.

He has been family to me since the second he came into this world.

I have known him since that day.

He has a warm heart and great smile.

Alvin and I want to wish you the best day ever.

We miss you and look forward to spending time with you again in the future.

Happy Birthday Buddy ….. have a great great day.

***********

Today is also the date that we remember those brave souls over all time who have

volunteered to leave their homes and families and what was

familiar to them to defend our country.

We say from the bottom of our hearts “Thank You.”

We appreciate your lives and service to our country.

May PEACE rule this Earth one day so that no blood is ever shed again.

Remember to live your life in Peacefulness.

Remember to Remember that all life is precious.

 

Special Hello to: all those brave souls who give up so much for us each day.

Always, Carol and Alvin

 

 

Thought for the day ….

Good Morning and Welcome to Thursday the 16th day of June, 2016.

It is a bright sunny morning here in Edmonton, a little crisp but beautiful.

Sometimes I like to check and see what was going on on this date a year ago or maybe the first year that I blogged, here is this date last year.

Funny the similarities ….. 

Good Morning and Welcome to Tuesday the 16th day of June, 2015.

Bright sunny morning here in Edmonton.

Spent the evening outside last night with Mr. Alvin ….. first we went for a walk ….. then we, well me … cut the front lawn and raked, pulled some dandelions, watered the flowers front and back, and lawn and visited with neighbours who happened by.

It was absolutely gorgeous out last night.

Unplanned evening but great.

I am so grateful to live in this house with me Alvin in this city and in this country.

We are so blessed.

Well this morning we were up ultra early and then hit the sofa for some zzz’s so the Momma is a bit on the tired side.

Almost time to hit the trail to catch the bus to go to work.

I hope that you all are having an amazing day thus far.

OMG, I almost jumped …. out of the blue … Alvin jumped up quick ….. it would seem that there is a fly in the house …. likely because I had the back door open most of the evening while we were outside.  In the beginning Alvin was in the back yard and I wanted him to be able to come in and see me out front.

Poor little fly does not stand a chance with Mr. Alvin on guard.

Take care ….. be kind to each other.

Have a great day.

Special Hello to: all those tea drinkers out there ….. I just tried the best tea ever …… Roobios (not sure of the spelling) but it had coffee in it …. from Steeped Tea,so yummy.

Always, Carol and Alvin

Thought for the day ….

Good Morning and Welcome to Friday the 22nd day of January, 2016.

It is a beautiful glorious morning here in Edmonton.

I turned on some music as I was getting ready and it has made me feel so wide awake and wonderful.

What a great way to start the day with some of your favourite songs playing in the background as you wash your face, comb your hair and slip into your clothes.

 

I have always loved a little bit of everything ….. a variety of music and artists.

Much the way I have lived my life with variety.

Always good to like a bit of everything.

 

I am 58 and I love the “boy band” – One Direction ….. most especially the song “The Story of My Life.”

I am 58 and I love “Disturbed’s” version of “The Sound of Silence.”

I am 58 and I love Andy Grammer’s, Honey I’m Good ….. makes me want to dance.

I am 58 and I love Meghan Trainor and John Legend.

I am 58 and I love Elvis and Gordon Lightfoot.

I am 58 and I love Tina Turner and Aerosmith.

I am 58 and I love Bing Crosby and Alicia Keys.

 

I am 58 and I love Elton John, Johnny Cash, Adele, Celine Dion, Blake Shelton, Christina Aguilera, Pharrell Williams, Lady Gaga, Pink, Taylor Swift, Neil Diamond, Rufus Wainwright, Kelly Clarkson, Imagine Dragons, Maroon 5, Ed Sheeran, David Bowie, Van Morrison, Vance Joy, Lorde, Sam Smith, Jordan Smith, Bon Jovi, Cher, Madonna and the list goes on.  I love new and old and everything in between.

Mix it up with your music, with your food, with your life.

Try something new and do not be afraid.

If you love Rock try Country.

If you love Pop try Rap.

If you love Rap try Pop.

If you love Alternative try Gospel.

New is good.

 

Well it is almost time to put the finishing touches on before heading out the door to work.

Just listening to Hello by Adele ….. who else…. she has the most amazing voice.

 

Have a great day filled with new things and great adventures.

Happy Friday.

 

Special Hello to: all my music lovers across the planet ….. you rock.

Always, Carol and Alvin

 

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Tuesday the 10th day of November, 2015.

Remembering my brother today on what would have been his 52nd Birthday.

Happy Birthday dear one……

 

Tomorrow is Remembrance Day ….. this week is all about remembering.

Memories of loved ones.

Many of whom passed way before they even had a chance to live.

 

I think of all those young men and women who entering the military thinking of adventure and of serving their country.

Likely they did both although I am certain the adventure part was not what they had in mind.

So this week you are all in my heart, thoughts and prayers.

To their families who miss them every day of every year, you are also in my heart, thoughts and prayers.

 

Thank you.  Thank you. Thank you.

 

Special Hello to: all those who gave their lives to keep us free.

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