2021

Good Morning ALL. How are you today? I am sorry I missed writing this blog yesterday but I was “home” sick with a headache. All better today and back to it. I had a pretty decent sleep last night which I think was the problem in the first place. The weather forecast for today is +5-6 degrees celsius for Edmonton and area. So happy for that. We will enjoy our lunchtime walk.

I wrote this the other day and had meant to share and then forgot.

“Every day you wake up is an opportunity for change, to be better, to learn more, to take chances, to dream, to fulfill dreams, to LIVE.”

On this Wednesday January 6, 2021 – I am most grateful to be in good health, grateful that Mr. Alvin is in good health, grateful to be employed, grateful to be working for home, grateful to have this beautiful home, grateful to have good food in my belly, grateful for my family and friends and most of all, grateful to be alive.

Today is the 60th Birthday of one of my long time friends in Saskatchewan. Happy Birthday Linda. Alvin and I want to wish you all the best of health, love, laughter, joy and abundance.

This is a big month for Birthdays. I have several friends and family members and Mr. Alvin’s birthday is this month.

I hope that you all have a wonderful Wednesday.

Continue to live your life with kindness, respect and compassion as shall I.

Always, Carol & Alvin

It is a NEW YEAR.

Well can you believe it …. Wednesday June 17th, 2020.

I seem to remember last week it was June 1st.

Half way through 2020.

WOW, that is just crazy.

Totally a good reason to ensure that you live your best life every single day.

Every day is counted in the same manner.

24 hours.

60 minutes in an hour.

60 seconds in a minute.

So why does it sometimes feel as though a week or a month or six months can pass in the blink of an eye.

For me, it is because I have so many things that I would like to do and then the time has passed.

But we cannot give up.

Keep dreaming and making those lists.

 

I know that with working from home …. I am challenged with staying away from the job during off work times.

As I am keenly aware of how much work keeps coming in …. it is difficult to leave it alone.

I am stressed and anxious about the never ending “mail”  that keeps arriving in my inboxes.

Daily or at least weekly we receive additional direction and added responsibilities.

I do know that I am not alone.

 

There are so many folks out there working from home.

Depending on what your job is …. during this Pandemic …. you may be swamped.

The neverending INBOX, that dreaded email.

Our life line to the outside world.

 

We also realize that we are blessed and fortunate to have employment during this pandemic.

I am great appreciative to be employed.

Knowing that I can continue to be financially responsible for me and Alvin means the world to me.

However, that does not stop those moments of sheer anxiety of how am I ever going to get this all done.

Then I begin to second guess my skills, intelligence and even my memory.

 

Time affects us all.

Whether too much or not enough.

This pandemic affects us all whether directly or indirectly.

We, you and me are not alone.

 

Just because you are working and do not have the virus.

Does not mean to say that you cannot be anxious and scared and have feelings of loneliness and dread.

So we have to be aware.

Aware of everyone’s feelings and know that is is okay.

Okay to be nervous, anxious and fearful.

 

We will get through this pandemic.

When, I have no idea.

But we will.

The human race will endure.

Things will be different as they are already.

Will we ever go back to the way things were?

No, I do not believe so.

Why would we want to.

We have learned so much in these past few months.

Time to build upon that knowledge moving forward.

 

Well my work desk is calling my name.

It is inches away.

See what I mean.

My coffee is ready for me in a to go mug on my workstation.

 

I hope that you have an awesome day.

It is cloudy and raining here in Edmonton in my neighbourhood.

Wishing you a day and a life filled with kindness and respect.

 

Living this life, my life, every DAY with kindness and respect for all life.

I/We, shall remain,

As Always, Carol & Alvin

 

 

 

Thought for the day ….

Good Morning and Welcome to Saturday the 16th day of March, 2019.

Now officially more than halfway into the third month of 2019.

The sun is shining brightly to the east and soon it shall fill the entire sky.

Warm temperatures forecasted for the weekend.

I took Monday as a vacation day to have an extra long weekend.

Just sneezing and keeping positive thoughts of feeling well.

My neighbour is feeling so much better and I am grateful.

Last night I shovelled a path across the snowbank from my house to my neighbours.

The sidewalks are a mess of ice and water.

Alvin has his regular vet appointment this morning.

Thankfully we will have a ride this morning.

The streets and sidewalks are so full of icy ruts and in a few hours will be melting and mixed with water.

ARGH.

I love spring but could take less of the ice part.

I also am going to pick up some groceries after Alvin’s appointment.

Making a fruit pizza for my daughter’s birthday party tomorrow.

Love fruit pizza ….. not something one would make every weekend but it is a great treat.

 

A NEW DECADE …..

I was thinking over the past few days about what it has been like to be a single woman in her 60’s.

Crazy that I can say ’60’s” ….. when did that happen?

In August I will turn 62.

The years, the decades have blurred together to bring me to this place.

I am more than grateful to be in good health, to be surrounded by loving family and friends, to have my own home, to be employed.

I am grateful to be learning every day from Mr. Alvin who really has taught me so much.

I am grateful to live in a wonderful community filled with so many wonderful people of all ages.

There is something to be said about being in your sixties.

I have reached a point where I am comfortable in my own skin.

Now there are days when I look at my body and wish that a couple of things were different.

The tummy area for sure.

Those things can change with a bit more exercise.

I look in the mirror and I am happy with the face that smiles back at me.

There is no moaning and groaning about droopy eye lids or wrinkles.

Every decade things change.

Part of getting older is just that …. things change.

Your body changes.

Your mindset changes.

Your sense of worth and desires changes.

You just keep changing.

No longer do I worry on a moment to moment basis about what others think.

I of course, do care about what others think but it no longer defines me.

It no longer is the driving force in my thoughts and actions.

All in all, I love being in my sixties.

 

Well looks like I must hit the shower as Mr. Alvin has his appointment in a little while.

The blue sky and sunshine out of my window makes me happy.

Happy Saturday.

 

Special Hello to: all those folks out there who are in their sixties …. you rock.

Always, Carol & Alvin

 

 

 

 

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Monday the 31st day of December, 2018.

The last day of December and the last day of the year 2018.

 

WOW, what a year – 2018.

Right.

The world has struggled to come up with a game plan regarding the environment or at least one that ALL countries will join.

Wars, struggles and strife continue all over the world.

We have listened to the rants and raves of leaders.

Weather has been off the charts this past year between fires, floods, hurricanes and tsunamis.

Even at home there has been peaceful conflict between those who want the pipeline built and those who do not.

There have been advances and disadvantages.

We have lost dear ones.

Babies have been born.

 

For me, I continue to work, to be employed.

At a time where jobs are held dear.

I am most grateful to be employed.

I am grateful to have supportive family and friends.

I am grateful that despite the recent political atmosphere I/We live in a peaceful country.

I am grateful to have clean drinking water.

I am grateful that I can write and am not shut down for voicing my opinions.

I am grateful that Alvin and I are in good health.

I am grateful that I am able to live in a home/house that I can call my own.

I am grateful that I can see, hear, smell, taste and touch.

I am grateful for books, music and nature.

I am grateful that I can make a difference – should I choose.

I am grateful to be me.

I am grateful that during the last eleven days of this year that I was able to visit with my cousins and many friends.

To be surrounded by good people is the best feeling ever.

A great way to end the year.

 

For the New Year, I simply wish that all nations would come together peacefully to solve or at least begin to resolve the damage done to our beloved environment.

Let us hope that it is not too late.

Our environment is like our own personal good health; without it, we will perish or at least live very restricted lives.

 

I know that this sounds like a doom and gloom post but sometimes we have to dig our heads out of the sand and speak up.

There is a break in the clouds this morning.

The sky is no longer white.

The sky is filled with dark blue clouds which I can see clear blue sky.

There is hope that we will have sunshine today.

I wish HOPE for everyone – everywhere.

I wish SUNSHINE for everyone – everywhere.

 

Happy New Year.

Happy 2019.

 

Special Hello to: all of my family and friends, wishing you all a very Happy New Year.

 

 

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Friday the 20th day of January, 2017.

Another beautiful day on the way.

Alvin had a great Birthday and thank you to everyone for the thoughtful Birthday wishes.

Yay it is Friday ……. seemed like a long week.

Yet the days seem to fly by …. how exactly is that?

Well this morning has certainly flown by …..

Almost time to hit the road ….

 

Today is an important day for our neighbours to the south.

The Inauguration of their “45th” President.

I hope that all goes well.

 

Feeling pretty grateful today as I do most days.

To be surrounded by kind, loving and supportive family and friends.

To be in good health.

To be employed in this market.

To be sheltered by my own house.

To be here, now.

 

Time to go now.

Have a great day.

Most of us are so blessed and we do not even realize ….

Take advantage of life now.

Go out and have fun.

Be kind.

Live your life.

 

Special Hello to:   Happy Friday Everyone.

Always, Carol and Alvin

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Thursday the 10th day of March, 2016.

Looks like another beautiful “spring-like” day here in Edmonton.

I know March and it was plus 10 degrees celsius yesterday and for the next couple of days.

Most of the snow has melted with the exception of the north side of each street in the residential areas (like at my house).

There remains some ice on the streets and sidewalks in a few places.

But all in all it is drying up and that is a good thing.

It will be nice when we have spring showers to freshen everything up.

Soon there will be flowers budding and blooming.

The big box stores will have their garden centres open for business right around the corner.

All of the greenhouses will be open soon as well.

I guess it will be a bit but it seems sooner than later.

This Sunday we turn our clocks ahead by one hour here in Edmonton.

I have noticed in the mornings as I walk to the bus stop that the sun is starting to rise in the east.

I had wished yesterday that I had a phone with a camera as the sunrise was magnificent …. glowing like a big red ball.

The sky was amazing …..

Nature is preparing for spring …..

The bunnies have already begun to turn brown.

I have the urge to start purge and spring clean.

Already started by washing the blinds on my main floor …. now just upstairs.

Our walks at night are so much more enjoyable as we do not have to worry about falling on the ice.

Well here we are time to finish getting ready for work.

The time always flies for me in the morning.

But I am truly grateful for my life ….. my family and friends ….. that family includes Alvin, of course and my grand-puppies ….. my beautiful home ….. to be employed …… good health.

I hope that you are living your life to the fullest.

There will always be those days when you feel as though things are never going to get better but trust me they will …… stop …. take a deep breath …… make a change….. sometimes turning in the opposite direction is all you need to do to get back on the right track ….. something simple …… you may have misses something turning right all of the time ….. go left.

Gotta run … take care.

Special Hello to: my fellow bloggers …

Always, Carol and Alvin

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Monday the 5th day of October, 2015.

What a glorious weekend and Sunday.

Yesterday Alvin and I pulled and cleaned the flowers from the front flower bed, raked all of the leaves from the lawn, emptied the remaining flower pots, cut and raked the back lawn, trimmed one of my shrubs in the back, put away all of the furniture and ornaments from the deck and rearranged and cleaned the garage.  Took us just over 3 hours but it is done.  YAY us.

By the way, I did find that moving the river rock top bistro/steel table from one side of the deck and one of the big pots to the garage is getting to be a challenge.

I guess I had better start lifting weights …..

The remaining hours of the day were spent doing laundry, making invites for my upcoming Open House for Steeped Tea and a walk before supper.  We walked and delivered some invitations so double duty and were even invited in for a visit.  Alvin was spoiled ……

It is always amazing to me just how much Alvin gives to everyone by just being himself.

No words …. no amazing deeds ….. no gifts of perfume or ties …… no invitations for coffee or out for dinner …… he gives so much by just being himself.

A lesson for us all.

Our four-legged darlings ….. we love them and they love us.

This can be said for all of our babies ….. right ……

Mr. Cuteness ….. just by looking at someone gives so much.

I sure love him and even on the darkest of days he makes me feel special and needed, loved and appreciated.

Well it is almost time to head out the door for another day at the office.

I am grateful to have a beautiful home complete with Alvin, to be employed and have all of the things I think that I need and lots that I want.

On this Monday give your four-legged friend some positive and loving attention and maybe even a special treat.

Have a great day.

Special Hello: to my cousin “J”, once again thank you so much.

Always, Carol and Alvin

Thought for the day……

Good Morning and Welcome to Thursday the 2nd day of April, 2015.

Well that snow did eventually stick as it snowed all day long.

We now have snow covering the deck once again.

It is that heavy wet snow …. the kind that is hard to shovel.

Great for snowmen or snow people.

Once the sun stays out it will melt.

We always seem to have a snow storm at the end of March ….. beginning of April.

This is quite normal.

I am grateful for the moisture as the ground was dry.

Should help clean things as well.

Well tomorrow our office is closed for Good Friday and also on Easter Monday.

Tomorrow and Saturday will be my last two shifts at the store.

As much as I will miss all of my friends there – I am so looking forward to having a life once again.

By that I mean …. coming home every night ….. walking with Alvin on a regular basis …. every night.

Having the weekends at home to do whatever I wish.

Last night after work my daughter and I stopped at West Edmonton Mall.

She wanted to use the last of her gift card at a store named DeSerres ( art supplies and more ).

I ended up picking up some coloured “fineliner” pens and a mini sketch pad.

I plan on getting back into making my own cards and also doing some sketching.

We did also at the start stop at the TARGET store just to take a walk through.

There is barely anything left but we did find some make-up.

We were both appalled by the damage customers had done to what remained of the products.

Like the makeup …. packages opened ….. powders all over ….. dirty kleenex’s thrown in with the products in the bins …… just very dirty and messy.

I feel so much for the employees …. they did not deserve such disrespect.

For the most part any of the staff that I saw seemed to be putting on a brave face.

I hope that they all found employment.

We also had a nice dinner together at FRESHI’s ( my favourite place to eat ).

Followed by a trip to the SKETCHERS store (where we each bought a pair of shoes).

Quick trip to CHAPTERS but they did not have what my daughter wanted.

After a stressful day at the office it was just what the doctor ordered.

Well time to leave for work.

I hope that you have a great day.

Wherever you go and whatever you do …. please show respect for the folks around you.

Also if you happen upon our four-legged friends please be kind to them as well.

We share this planet.

Special Hello to: all those folks who read my blog …. thank you.

Always, Carol and Alvin

 

Thought for the day…..

Good Wednesday morning and welcome to February 13th, 2013.

One more sleep until Valentine’s Day.

This could be the start of something beautiful …. if you think about it.

Are you ready?

Do you have your smile on?

Do you have kind and loving words prepared to share with your loved ones?

Do you have love in your heart?

Are you grateful for every breath you take and every moment that you are on this earth?

Are you ready to begin a new chapter in your life?

One filled with love and kindness.

One filled with abundance and joy.

One filled with believing that your dreams can come true.

Sharing positive energy with all around you.

This is your time.

Let’s do it.

Feel it …. let us shine our lights for the world to see.

We can make this a better place not just for one or two days a year …. like Christmas and Valentine’s Day but for EVERYDAY.

I wish you the best that this world has to offer and may your dreams come true.

That is what I want to give you all for Valentine’s Day.

I must admit that I would love to receive a bouquet of roses or carnations or the like …

But as Mr. Alvin is not gainfully employed nor does he have savings to dip into …. I shall just visualize a beautiful bouquet sitting on my kitchen table.

You know that is just as good….

Take Care.

Special Hello to:  YOU and YOU and YOU …. to all my “followers” …. I appreciate you so much.

 

Always, Carol and Alvin