The New YEAR 2022

Good Morning ALL! I hope that you are doing well. Looks like a beautiful day ahead. Feeling a bit lazy and Alvin had to “make” me get up and going. I was just thinking that perhaps my iron levels are low and maybe that is why I have been feeling a bit “low energy” the past little while. Could also be due to weather and other things as well but could be iron, too. I have to watch what I eat and ensure that I am eating lots of nutrient filled foods. Which honestly I do but lately perhaps been on the lower scale of what should be eating. Sounds cryptic. Must eat better. I think that sleeping in chopped sections does not help either. For years I have been getting up with Alvin about 3-4 a.m. everyday, I suppose it has to eventually catch up with me. Anyway, I am okay. Just a bit tired. Sometimes a person’s get up and goes seems to have got up and gone. LOL.

Last night Alvin was up at midnight thrashing his ears. Which likely means an ear infection but strange nothing since then. I will keep an eye on him. He is due for his regular appointment at the vet which I should make this week for him. I work at the office on Tuesday so will call today and see if can make for Monday.

So it is the weekend. I believe we are supposed to have double digit temperatures today, which will make walking great. Yesterday we went for two walks and both times, I wore a light sweater and was not cold. I started to take the water bottle with us as well and Mr. Alvin has been drinking the water, so that is good.

I did some laundry later in the week while I was on vacation so I don’t have a day filled with laundry which is nice. I have to get going on cleaning out closets. I think it may now be safe to take the winter stuff and put in the basement closet. Recently I purchased some new spice containers (tupperware) from my friend Val so I will need to go through my pantry and reorganize. I will say that I do clean out my pantries and reorganize fairly regularly. I am one of those people who likes things neat and in order. When things are messy – I feel stressed. With May right around the corner and a garage sale coming up in June, I need to make a plan and get going on it. Do you find that once you get going on a task – it becomes easier? Sometimes you just have to start?

I suppose I am feeling the same way that most people are these days. In a rut? A bit low energy? Unsure of things. What to do? Where to go?

Well this has certainly been a heavy post this morning. I am sorry about that. Also I forgot that yesterday was Earth Day. There certainly wasn’t much mentioned. I know why I was confused thinking that we already had Earth Day and that was because of Earth Hour which was in March. One thing that I do want to do today is to go out and pick up trash. I have been picking up pieces since the snow melted but there is so much. My big wish is that people would keep the trash picked up from around and in front of their property. If that happened, would be so good. I noticed a lot of cigarette butts on the ground which makes me furious. I do not care if you smoke, cause I used to smoke and even on the odd occasion still have the odd puff but I never throw the butt on the ground. Did you know that scientists actually do not know how long cigarette butts/filters take to decompose? Some think could be 500-1000 years and of course there is not sufficient data to support this or deny this thinking. At the end of the day – if you smoke please do not throw your butt on the ground. Animals and birds may think it is food and eat them causing all sorts of issues and eventually even death. Nicotine is not good for animals and the materials in the filter can pierce the organs of an animal causing death.

Okay, I better go as I am clearly walking down a darker path and need to see the light. Have a shower and then some coffee and get this day going. A walk with Alvin. Clean up the “hood.” Today is a good day. I guess you have to walk through the darkness to get to the light. LOL. Sorry. I am in a strange frame of mind. Not bad, don’t worry. I am good.

Alvin is patiently waiting for me.

I hope that the light is shining brightly for you on this day. Have a great Saturday.

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

Always, Carol & Alvin

P.S. working on patience and laughter, today.

The New YEAR 2022

Good Morning ALL! How are you this Sunday morning? We are doing great. I totally forgot when I wrote the post yesterday morning that last night was EARTH DAY. How could I forget that? But yet I did. Last night at 8:30 p.m. – I was watching a movie with one light on. I guess I had it to a minimum but I could have been snuggling in the dark with Alvin and I did not. We were on the sofa, though. Alvin snoozing on his favourite place and me on mine (close beside each other).

Well of course, I was reading until late and even though we were up at 5:00, we did not stay up and yes, again, Alvin was up at 7:30 to go outside, but again we headed to the sofa. I had been dreaming and it was good, I wanted to go back. Not sure if it was the same dream but it was good. Then it was late, I won’t say what time when we finally got up. Wishing that I had stayed up because there was a beautiful sunrise and clear blue skies, not at 9:30 (ish) the clouds are rolling in and the sky is “white.”

I am on my way for coffee with the girls. I baked a coffee cake yesterday morning so will take some along with some of the energy bites I made last Sunday. So lots of goodies.

Last night one of my friends popped by a quick doorstep visit to let us know that they adopted a brother for her pup Carter. Now Carter has a brother, a companion. She was concerned about him as she has had to go to the meetings multiple days for meetings. We work for the same company. She has a different position where she has lots of meetings and such. I keep saying “how grateful I am to be working for home for both me and Alvin.” He would be lost and I just do not want to do that long commute everyday. I could not bear to leave him alone.

Tonight is the OSCARS. I watched “Spencer” last night. The movie was okay but I am not sure if I believe it is Oscar worthy or not. But that decision is not up to me. I have not seen but clips and trailers of some of the others but I think Jessica Chastain would be my choice for best actress in a lead role. Everyone is entitled to an opinion. Time will tell. I remember when my daughter was young and at home, we would have a special supper and watch from the Red Carpet to the end of the awards. We would print off the list of nominees and each vote ahead of time to see who guessed the most right. It was a good memory and a fun time for us. That time seems like a million years ago.

Well I should high tail it as Alvin needs to go outside before I leave and I have to grab the treats and stuff before heading out. Thankfully the walk is less than 5 so I will not be late.

I hope that you have a great Sunday. I plan to.

Alvin and I will head out for a walk after my coffee visit with the girls. Yesterday we had a nice walk to the park and home. Most of the sidewalks were good. Thankfully.

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

Always, Carol & Alvin

P.S. thank you for reading this post.

2021 – Day after EARTH DAY

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Good Morning ALL! Happy Friday to each and everyone. I hope that you are doing well. We had another sleep deprived night but Alvin seems to be okay so not exactly sure what is wrong if anything. I did clean his ears at 3:30 or so as he was shaking them about. I had checked them earlier and they did not look dirty but there may have been something irritating him that I could not see so the cleanser from the vet is good so I put some in both ears and using the medical gauze squares (not cotton balls) I gave him a little swish about. Nothing was on the square. Anyway clearly something was bothering him as basically we were up from 2:20 till about 5:30, when I must have dozed off and realized that he was not on the sofa so I got up and could not find him on the main floor. So I ran upstairs to find him in the hallway. We went back to bed and slept until the alarm went off at 6:45 a.m. I hopped into the shower and feeling refreshed I should be okay for the day along with some caffeine. Poor guy.

We did have a walk at noon yesterday despite the cold wind and that it was snowing. Yes, it was. Bright sunshiny morning for this Friday. YAY.

I cannot believe that I forgot yesterday was EARTH DAY. Then I got to thinking and thought shouldn’t every day be EARTH DAY? Perhaps reminding everyone the day after the OFFICIAL DAY is even more important. So here are some everyday tips to help the environment – Mother Nature – our EARTH:

1. Pick up the trash from your property.
2. When you are out for a walk pick up trash that you see
3. Organize a garbage/trash pickup in your community
4. Stop using single use plastics (or at least cut down)
5. Stop using the to go coffee cups from your local coffee place, take your own. Everyone has a mug or fifty.
6. Start shopping at Thrift Stores/Garage Sales and the like for clothing and other items for items you need.
7. Use the “Marie Konda” method of organizing in your shopping practices. Make sure you REALLY LOVE the item.
8. Clean out your closets and perhaps swap with friends and family.
9. Check with local animal shelters to see if they need any towels and blankets (if you are cleaning out your linen closet)
10. Old suitcases – contact Foster Homes
11. Be mindful of what you buy (yes, I am repeating myself).
12. We in this country and in the United States – simply buy more than we need. Way more.
13. Live more simply.
14. Only keep what you use.
15. Let us each make a difference.
16. Make sure that you pack your garbage for pickup properly. If you live in a windy location or where there are a lot of birds, ie: magpies and crows – you may wish to use a closed container instead of just putting put a bag. Maybe your municipality is changing to covered bins like ours.
17. Please do not put your loose papers and egg cartons on top of a “blue bin.” They will blow to my house and I will end up putting them into the garbage.
18. Check with your local municipality about what can be recycled
19. Stop using balloons (they are killing our wildlife and birds).

Well it is time for me to sign off and get the coffee on and go to work.

I wish you a wonderful Friday.

Remember each one of us can make a difference. It is each one’s responsibility. This does not just lie with government.

Continuing to live with kindness, respect, compassion and patience.

Always, Love Carol & Alvin

It is a NEW YEAR.

Well today would be Wednesday, April 22, 2020.

Today is EARTH DAY.

It is overcast here in Edmonton.

Yesterday started out gloomy but ended up bright, sunny and +18 degrees celsius.

I am starting work a bit later today as I was requested to attend a meeting before my later shift schedule began.

So we slept in.

Actually surprise to end all surprises, Mr. Alvin slept in until 6:23 a.m.

I think that may have been the latest in years.

Usually he is up anywhere between 3:30 and 4:45 a.m.

It was nice.

 

I have been thinking about this EARTH DAY.

Listening to the reports on the weather channel of how different the environment whether on land or water is reacting to the COVID-19.

Meaning that with no humans on the beaches and in areas where they normally snorquel by the thousands daily, marine life has returned.

They even found algae where there has been none for decades.

You hear of clear skies in other countries where there is massive manufacturing done when those factories were closed due to the virus.

Just so many wonderful stories.

 

I am sad and disappointed that we have to have a worldwide pandemic in order for the environment to do better and in some cases thrive.

Tells us something.

I guess it will be up to us to listen and to take action.

Definitely less manufacturing.

Perhaps this is the time we need to think about all those trinkets and baubles and such.

Are these things that we actually need to live our lives?

No.

Most of us have houses filled with things that we do not use in our daily lives.

They are ornamental.

There to look good.

Not in our homes and lives to ensure that we live a happy, healthy life.

Not necessary.

With the ever increasing population on this planet, it is something we definitely should think about.

There needs to be less manufacturing.

Food for thought.

 

On this Earth Day, well actually yesterday, I turned off the heat in my house.

It was quite cool in here this morning but I just put on socks and long sleeves and long pants.

There is always a sweater should I need another layer.

The snow has almost melted in the front and back yards.

I have some plants in my back raised flower/shrub bed that are green.

There are blades of green grass in our yards.

On this Earth Day it takes on a whole new meaning.

See what happens when we step back and stay home.

I know that we cannot all continue this indefinitely but we have helped the environment in ways that we do not even realize.

Please ensure that you turn off lights when you are not in the room.

If you do not need the heat, turn off the heat at the thermostat (not the furnace – because that is a whole other story).

Walk more and drive your car less.

Use glass instead of plastic.

We can do this …..

 

I hope that you are all safe, healthy and enjoying some laughter along the way.

Be kind and respectful to all including yourself.

Have an awesome EARTH DAY.

 

Living with kindness and respect,

I/We remain,

As Always, Carol & Alvin

 

P.S. my Hello Fresh BOX arrived yesterday and I am excited to try my first meal tonight.

I will keep you posted as to the quality of the ingredients etc.

Still waiting for my STEEPED TEA order to arrive.  Says in TRANSIT and was supposed to be delivered Monday, then yesterday.

 

 

 

Thought for the day ….

Good Morning and Welcome to Monday the 22nd day of April, 2019.

The sky is slightly overcast this morning as the sun rises in the sky.

Forecast is for above 17 degrees celsius today.

Yesterday was glorious.

We were up in good time yesterday morning and spoke to my daughter via the telephone followed by a call from my friend P to go for a walk with her and her grand pup Georgie.

Just when I was sipping my coffee we received another phone call from our friend V in Regina, Saskatchewan.

The phone rang off the “wall” so to speak yesterday morning.

So great to chat to the girls.

Alvin and I met P and Georgie at the entrance to the nearby park and then continued for a nice long walk.

Just a few minutes into the walk we noticed a bright white flock above us filling the sky.

I was distracted by a larger dog and was paying more attention to Alvin and the dog than the birds.

P told me quick look it is a flock of SWANS.

She had heard on a news report that there were swans in our area.

This is not their normal flight route.

A historical flight change for sure.

The sky was white with the huge number of swans.

In all my years I have never seen a swan flying overhead.

How cool is that?

We continues about our walk and enjoyed everything that nature had to offer us.

Everyone was out walking their pups yesterday.

One hour later we returned home.

We, well I spent the day taking apart the office.

Everything down from the walls, packed up the closet and filled two garbage bags.

There are still a number of items and boxes to take to the basement for storage.

Once the room is clean except for the computer desk and chair; I will begin to prepare for painting.

Then at some point – there will be new paint in my office and I will finally hang my bulletin boards that my daughter made me for Christmas a few years ago (3 actually).

Sometimes it takes a while to get things done.

ARGH.

I also pressure washed the deck yesterday early afternoon.

Alvin and I even went for another walk late afternoon – early evening – 30 minutes.

Lots of exercise for us.

Was so great to get it all cleaned and now ready to put out the patio/deck furniture.

I might just put out a few things for now.

Another successful day.

Today will be shower for me after this post, then make pancakes, put on another load of laundry, COFFEE, take boxes and items to the basement and give Mr. Alvin a bath.

I am hoping to trim his front paws and legs a bit more before the bath.

I am excited to have today plus tomorrow off from work.

Feeling like I am accomplishing so much this weekend.

The weather has been great for walks.

Perhaps our daughter/sister might pop by today for a visit.

I will make pancakes and perhaps that will bring her here this morning.

Well time to hop into the shower.

Already changed our bedding.

All fresh for clean human and dog tonight.

We will be freshly clean as well.

 

I am so grateful to have this beautiful house.

I am so grateful for my daughter and her family.

I am so grateful for my sister and brothers.

I am so grateful for all our family.

Young and old.

I am grateful to have had this extra long weekend to get some tasks/chores accomplished; to have had extra walks and to have had some wonderful relaxation time.

Feeling pretty great.

 

Big celebration today is EARTH DAY.

Please be kind to our Earth this day and everyday.

Pick up trash.

Don’t destroy our Environment.

Turn off unnecessary lights.

Plant a tree.

We can all work together and make a difference.

Celebrate this beautiful planet we call EARTH.

Happy Earth Day.

Be kind to our precious EARTH.

Happy Earth Day.

 

 

Have an awesome Monday.

So much to celebrate today.

 

Special Hello to: my family and friends.

Always, Carol & Alvin

 

 

 

Thought for the day ….

Good Morning and Welcome to Tuesday the 24th day of April, 2018.

The sun is beginning to rise in the morning sky.

The air inside the house is on the “cool” side as I turned the thermostat downwards, not off, just down.

Today is to be +20 degrees celsius.

 

Last night Alvin and I thoroughly enjoyed our walk together after work.

Most of the snow / ice has melted.

There was a fairly large patch of water covering the sidewalk but we walked around it the best we could.

My shoes and Alvin’s paws managed to get wet.

Although I was not deliberately trying to get mine wet.

What a guy!

We picked up some trash along the way.

As there always seems to be some laying about.

Next weekend will be my big trash pickup.

 

So happy for this weather.

Finally, I believe that I can put our winter clothing away.

Alvin will no longer require his winter coats.

That will be my Saturday project.

 

I do love going through my closets and containers.

Checking on what needs to find a new home and what to keep and wear for the summer months.

I do need to bring my shoes upstairs and see what I have.

 

Alvin just popped into the office.

He was sniffing about as dogs will do.

I have a little blue blanket in the office which usually is draped over the arm of my chair.

I placed it on the floor, he gave it a couple of kicks and then has curled up.

He almost never curls up on the blanket.

Usually just sits or lays down.

So cute.

 

Well almost time to put the finishing touches on getting ready for work.

I wish you all a Happy Day and as I was reminded that everyday is EARTH DAY.

I love that.

It certainly is …. everyday I do my best to help our environment and I hope that you do, as well.

Have an awesome EARTH DAY.

 

Special Hello to: all those folks who love to read.

Always, Carol & Alvin

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Monday the 23rd day of April, 2018.

The sun is rising and the sky is that beautiful blue, no rain clouds.

It appears so quiet when looking out of the office window.

I did not realize that it was EARTH DAY yesterday until into the afternoon.

Looking out the front window; I saw someone across the street walking their dog and carrying a large black garbage bag.

Picking up garbage as they  went along.

Usually that person is me.

My plan is to go out next weekend.

Two people cleaning certainly cannot hurt, that is for sure.

So grateful for that person.

Alvin had his regular hair cut and bath.

He looks so handsome.

Only wished that he would stay still for his front paws.

Perhaps next time he will have anxiety.

Poor little guy.

He did well.

 

Speaking of Earth Day, everyday should be EARTH DAY.

We can all make everyday EARTH DAY.

Pick up trash.

Recycle and Reuse.

The wind blew a plastic container in front of my neighbour’s house.

It has been there all weekend.

I guess no one is going to pick it up.

I will before my carpool arrives.

 

Well time to go and put the finishing touches on.

I hope that you have an awesome day.

Special Hello to:  my daughter who REUSES.

Always, Carol & Alvin

Thought for the day ……

Good Morning and Welcome to Thursday the 23rd day of April, 2015.

Yikes, bad me ….. I forgot in my blog yesterday to mention “Earth Day.”

I think it is an important day and that we should all be doing our upmost best to look after this planet, we call home.

We truly live in an incredible environment when you really think about it.

Sometimes makes me think that someone created this just for us.

It is absolute perfection.

It depends on your beliefs whether scientific or religious.

That is about the creation aspect.

But …..

How important is it to show our appreciation to our planet by being great caretakers!

There are so many ways each of us can participate.

One simple way is to make sure all of your garbage goes into a garbage can …. not thrown to the side on the ground.

Another is to cut down on consumer spending …. meaning do not buy things unless you absolutely need them.

Recycle….. please

There are so many ways.

Let us continue to celebrate “Earth Day” …..

We only have one and that is all.

So please help me help our Earth be here for generations and generations to come.

Well time to go to work.

I hope that you all have a great day.

Remember one Earth …. our Earth …..

Special Hello to: my daughter, I miss you honey.

Always, Carol and Alvin

Thought for the day……

Good Tuesday Morning and Welcome to the 23rd day of April 2013.

Did you remember that yesterday was “EARTH DAY?”

I must admit that when I was writing my blog yesterday morning, I forgot.

But I did do my part.

After work and later when I would usually turn on the lights, I kept them off.

I always try to only keep on the lights that I absolutely need to see.

If I am out of the room … the lights are off.

How did you do?

Did you turn the lights off and go for a walk?

Alvin and I had a delightful walk last night.

Most of the sidewalks were dry so that was great (meant I did not have to give Alvin a bath when we got home from our walk, yay).

It was so warm that I only wore a “bunny hug” (yes, I am from Saskatchewan, Canada) or perhaps you know it better by hoodie and a vest.

The vest was more for keeping my keys and poop bags in the pockets.

It was great.

Well I should run and I hope that you all have an amazing day.

The sky is starting to clear as it was overcast for awhile earlier.

Looks like another beautiful day.

I hope that the sun is shining wherever you are and that you are having an awesome day.

Take care.

Breathe, smile and things will be okay.

Take the time today to do something for someone without wanting anything in return.

Special Hello: to all my nieces and nephews ….. Auntie/Anta misses you.

 

Always, Carol and Alvin