Second Half of the NEW YEAR – last quarter.

Good Morning All. My long weekend is over but I am working the late shift today so start work at 11:00 a.m. (which worked out pretty good, I would say). The sun is coming up with hopes of yet another beautifully warm day. Yesterday was warm but overcast the majority of the day. I had a super productive day and accomplished everything on my to do list including multi-tasking walking with Mr. Alvin and picking up trash as we went. I have this tong like hand held tool and then of course a garbage bag. Worked pretty good. Not the most ideal thing walking with a dog and picking up trash but we managed and I was happy to get the trash picked up as it had been annoying me for awhile. I do not understand how people can walk over, around or whatever trash in front of their homes and cars. Anyway, it is done. I raked my lawn and Humphrey’s Mom’s as we are joined and bagged the leaves (1.5 bags) and then raked the backyard. I did the raking first and then did the trash and walking. Finished decorating for Christmas in the morning. Did some laundry throughout the day. Wrote up some Christmas cards and letters. It was a GREAT DAY. Question: do you think that perhaps Christmas Cards will make a come back as people won’t be travelling as much this holiday season?

This morning Humphrey’s Mom is bringing Bogart over to stay with us while she takes her car into the shop. Bogart had some surgery yesterday. He is wearing a cone which he does not like. Thankfully he has a great Momma who had found these soft material cones for cats. So Bogart like Humphrey will not ever have to wear those hard plastic ones.

I guess today is the election for our neighbours to the south. Wonder what will happen. I read about their election and about the electoral college and all. Too much room for people to play with the results. I don’t think that the drama is over just yet. Their President seems to enjoy “drama.” Good luck United States, I hope you make the better choice.

Well I will say this again and again, I am grateful to live in this country and to be a Canadian. I am grateful to be working from home. I am grateful that our leaders both politically and medically are doing the best for us, all.

Time to head to the shower. Just going to have a lazy dazy morning until Bogart arrives and I have to work at 11:00 a.m.

Wishing you a great Tuesday. May you be safe and in good health. May you spread kindness and respect to every living creature you meet. Take care.

Living with kindness and respect, I/We shall remain, As Always, Carol & Alvin

Thought for the day ….

Good Morning and Welcome to Tuesday the 21st day of February, 2017.

Today was my paternal Grandmother’s Birthday.

She was born this day 116 years ago.

Her legacy lives on in her daughter and grand-children and great-children.

My daughter and I named our jewellery line/business after my Grandma Stella.

She was always full of surprises.

 

Yesterday was a quiet day.

I had coffee in the morning and a visit with my neighbour.

Alvin loved the attention and took advantage to say the least.

 

Well here we are back to work again.

The days off always seem to fly by but then again so do the workdays.

In approximately three weeks we will be moving our clocks ahead by one hour.

I do like moving ahead because it means less getting ready in the darkness ….

 

Food for thought.

Do you have something or someone in your life that makes you crazy?

In your thoughts all of the time?

Not in a good way.

Does this something or someone lead you to cry yourself to sleep some/most nights?

My advice:  if you have tried approaching the situation head on, and nothing changes.

Simple walk away.

Life is too short to be miserable some or most of the time.

 

Just my approach to life in my “golden” years.

Always surround yourself with love and light.

No drama.

Who needs it.

 

Have a great day.

I hope that you all enjoyed Family Day yesterday.

 

Special Hello to: You ….

Always, Carol and Alvin

 

 

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Tuesday the 19th day of April, 2016.

Sometimes I think it is good to touch back and see what you were on the same date one year ago.

Funny last year the 19th was on a Sunday …. oh, thank you leap year.

Interesting …..

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Good Morning and Welcome to Sunday the 19th day of April, 2015.

The sun is up and shining.

The wind is still blowing.

It is quiet in the house except for the tapping as I hit each key to form these words.

I could even hear Alvin’s little feet as they softly walked across the hallway rug.

We both feel it …. the stillness…..

Do you or have you ever had time completely and utterly by yourself?

In a room or in a house?

No fans, no furnace blowing warm air into each room, no dogs barking or babies crying?

No laughter, no voices.

Just the sound of your heart beating.

I think it is a good thing once in awhile.

Time to reflect and think.

To get yourself in order.

I have done a lot of thinking the past couple of days ……

It is good for the body and mind.

Good for your inner being.

I feel very relaxed and calm.

Alvin, I am not completely sure how he is feeling.

Lonely ….. we both are for sure.

But tomorrow will bring routine.

Back to work.

Back to the office.

Back to the drama …..

The drama that is life.

Well I hope that you are having a great Sunday.

Finding time to reflect on the past days and your life.

Waking those dreams within you.

As have I …….

Happy Sunday.

Special Hello to: empty nesters …… it will be okay.

Always, Carol and Alvin

Thought for the day ……

Good Morning and Welcome to Friday the 10th day of July, 2015.

It is a bright sunny morning here in Edmonton.

The air still has a hint of coolness but before long it will be hot, hot, hot.

The past few days have been in the 30’s ……

Oh, those summer days ……..

I WISH you a Happy Happy Happy Friday.

May you be surrounded by love and laughter.

No drama …. just sweet calmness.

Well somehow the morning has run away on me ….

Time to leave for work.

Happy Friday …..

Special Hello to: YOU

Always, Carol and Alvin

Story Line by line – August 20, 2013

FIRST LINE …..July 25, 2013

As we walk along the water’s edge the coolness leaves my skin with goose bumps and prickles, as if there is someone behind me.

July 26, 2013

Alvin pulls on his leash and brings me back, the fragrance of freshly cut grass fills my nostrils; my heart beat quickens, and I am unable to shake the feeling.

July 28, 2013

The sky is overcast with a hint of sunrise peeking through and the leaves of the trees rustle in the breeze, and I think how did I get here? 

July 29, 2013

What does that mean, and what is making me think these thoughts?

July 30, 2013

All of a sudden the leash tightens as Alvin pulls me forward.

July 31, 2013

My body lurches forward as I fight to keep my balance, what is going on …. “Alvin,” I cry as things appear to be happening in slow motion.

August 1, 2013

Alvin turns his head and with eyes as big as saucers; I suddenly realize what is going to happen.

August 2, 2013

I had no control, and could feel my breath slowly leaving my body as it was happening.

August 5, 2013

As the fog lifts from my brain and I come round; I realize that quite some time has passed as dusk has fallen, and then the horrifying thought comes to my mind where is my Alvin?

August 6, 2013

My thoughts turn immediately to the searing pain in my head as I try to stand the pain is impossible but I must ….. try to….

August 7, 2013

I do not understand what happened;  partially putting things together, realizing my thoughts turn to my beloved Alvin ….. as I try to call out his name…. I feel something warm against my body.

August 8, 2013

Suddenly I hear voices off in the distance calling my name.

August 9th, 2013

As I start to focus on my surroundings, I realize that I am not where I was and things do not look familiar.

August 10th, 2013

I want to cry out but I am frightened, and I do not quite know why.

August 13, 2013

My mind is racing, please let it slow down so that I can concentrate on what I need to do, please.

August 14, 2013

Okay, I will open my eyes again and try to focus on what is around me, and all I see is nothingness, there is absolutely nothing, how can that be?  and where is my Alvin?

August 15, 2013

“This does not feel right” as I manage to pull myself up off the ground and slowly regain my senses realizing that the only thing the same is the coolness to the air.

August 16, 2013

This is absolutely crazy as I look around only to see; it is as if I have been plucked away by someone or something and placed in this spot surrounded by a deep engulfing fog; it seems like there is nothing else here but it, and I feel so alone.

August 17, 2013

As the veil of fog begins to lift from my brain a million questions flood my thoughts, and then it hits me!

August 18, 2013

I am not where I began, and where is Alvin, my dog, he was my dog wasn’t he …. my memories are a blur as I try to piece it altogether.

 August 19, 2013

Okay, as I take a deep breath; wherever I am, I appear to be alone….. one step at a time….. I will find him.

August 20, 2013

I have never been so afraid or so alone in my whole life, I have no idea where I am or how I got here but as I slowly take those first steps I quickly realize my senses are in tune with my surroundings; how strange.

Thought for the day…..

Good Tuesday Morning – it’s February 7th today.

Earlier this morning about 3:30, I awoke to Alvin heaving …..and then throwing up.

So after cleaning everything up ….. and getting back to bed …… about 4:00 he jumped off the bed and started throwing up …… on his second go …. he brought up a medium size BONE.

I was horrified ……. okay (too much drama) but nevertheless it was a bone about the size of a milk bone dog treat.  Cleaned again and back to snuggle in bed.

I was pleased when 5:00 a.m. and he was back to “HIMSELF” ……. after going outside … he was ready for breakfast.

Trying to keep him to eat a bit more slowly but I guess they have stronger tummies than we humans do.

So we are back on schedule and I am a wee bit tired but will catch up on the ride to work.

My poor boy …… thank goodness he is better now.

Lesson learned.  I always try to keep an eagle eye on him while we are out for our nightly strolls as he always has his nose to the ground …… sniffing and sniffing away.

Sometimes he gets to something before I can react (he is fast) but usually if he does I can manage to get it out of his mouth …. unless it is a “cherry” or “rabbit poop” …… ugh.   LOL.

Anyway ….. all in the life of a dog owner ……. I am sure you will all agree.

They are like our babies ….. our children …..

At this very moment, Mr. Alvin is laying on the hallway floor starring at me and making little noises ….. kind of like ….. “Oh, Mom hurry up” …….

Well that’s the thought for today.

We look after our pets and our children ….. sometimes they just “throw up”……  oh, heavy sighs from me Alvin…

Have a wonderful day.

 

Special Hello to:   all the Moms everywhere who look after the babies ….. whether two or four legged …… or perhaps even “eight” ……..  🙂

 

Always, Carol and Mr. Alvin …