Last Half 2022 – September

Good Morning ALL! How are you this morning? We are doing okay. The sunrise is becoming later with each passing day. Oh, how I miss the sunshine at 6:00 a.m. Perhaps on my days at home now our walks will need to go back to noon and after work. The temperature is +8 degrees celsius this morning although when we were outside just after 6:00 a.m., it did not feel cold. There was a heavy dew this morning.

What are you thinking about this morning? I am thinking about a great many things but I am trying to keep my thoughts positive and on the important things. Sometimes we say things which as soon as they are out of our mouths, we regret. That mostly happens to me when I am taken by surprise. You know when you hear unpleasant news and you react by saying “…… bleep …….” and I normally do not swear. But sometimes I do. I feel awful after I do but that word sometimes slips out. I guess that I am human. At least I did not tell someone to “bleep bleep.” Oh life! Sometimes I wonder. It is way too short to let these situations take over your thoughts. I realize that I am being cryptic but it is necessary. I believe you get my drift? Done with that now.

Mr. Alvin is snoring. I hadn’t realized that was a thing. Much of the things that happen to them are the same with humans. I guess I did not think about it before……

Well this weekend we are over the halfway point for September so I had better finish off cleaning up my flowers and plants. Moving the ones inside that need to come in and thank the rest for a job well done and put them to rest. I have not quite decided what I will do with my geraniums and begonias. I don’t have enough space to keep them by windows so I will have to winterize the geraniums or some of them.

I also would like to finish trimming the tree out front. One of my friends has asked if they could borrow my long pole tree trimmer for their higher branches and of course, I will lend it. In turn, I asked if her husband could please help me with a few of the branches that are reaching out to the house and eavestroughs. There are only a few but the tree has grown so much. I am afraid if I do not get them trimmed soon, we will require a professional to come out with the motorized basket ladder to trim them and I can only imagine the cost of that.

Last night I watched as the casket carrying the body of our beloved Queen Elizabeth made its’ way to Buckingham Palace. I was so moved by Princess Anne as she stayed with her Mother, The Queen throughout her travel within Scotland and then to London.

Well it is getting more light outside, perhaps we can step out for a walk before I start work.

I hope that you have a great day.

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

Always, Carol & Alvin

It is a NEW YEAR.

Good Morning,

Funny how some mornings you wake up and are full of energy and ready to go and others not so much.

The sky is overcast this morning and this is a “not so much” kind of morning.

We were up earlier at 3:45 a.m. – well actually Alvin had me up at 3:45.

I gave him his glucosamine chew and then we hit the sofa for what seemed like 5 minutes before he was up and wanting to eat.

Guess what time that was?

It was 4:15 a.m.

So I fed the boy, then outside, and we hit the sofa again.

Then it was 7:19 a.m

Thoughts of “Oh do we have to get up crossed my mind.”

I decided might be nice to return upstairs and lay on our bed.

We were there for a few minutes when we hear a loud bang.

Alvin’s head bolted up.

Then shortly after the sounds of a hammer.

Then a electric saw.

ARGH.

So then at 8:15 a.m. which is not early and not late – we are up.

I checked out of the window to see where the noise was coming from and noticed that the neighbours across the street (not directly) were/are working on their fence.

Oh well, I have things to do.

Shower, breakfast, gather up all the laundry that is air drying in the basement, wash the floors, move my flower pots back to their original spots (looked like a big storm with possible hail and more

wind) and at some point walk and move some of the flowers in the front flower bed.

Oh, I have two tomato plants to transplant.

But they are not growing very quickly so I am hesitant to move them outside.

I would like to do some work-work (office).

Today is Sunday so not sure if I want to spend any more time “working” as I already did 3.45 hours yesterday.

We are just so busy that I find putting in extra time here and there helps my peace of mind.

Actually truth be told more than here and there.

I generally put in extra time everyday.

That varies from one hour to multiple hours.

I am quite certain that I am not alone.

Now that we are working from home it is not easy to ignore “work” during off hours.

As it is starring one right in the face.

I see my work computer as I write this post and think I should be working.

Also not just for me but for my clients.

Everyone is nervous, worried and also most people think everything nowadays should be completed in the blink of an eye.

Which is not so.

So many folks now working from home have found their work loads have increased many fold due to the COVID19 pandemic.

So what do we do?

Oh well, I will do as I always do.

Work extra when I can.

Try to relax when I can.

Life goes on.

I do not wish to complain as I know that I am blessed in so many ways.

I have a beautiful home, great family and friends, Alvin and we are in good health.

You know what – no noise now.

I guess that was my wake up call.

Time to get this day going.

The sky looks dark as though it could start to rain anytime.

The bind is blowing.

I hope that neighbour is able to complete everything he needs to do today before the rain.

 

Yesterday was my friend’s birthday.

I did not have an opportunity to see her but we did chat on the phone.

She had just spoke with two of her sister who live in England.

How lovely.

Her gift & card are ready for the next time we see each other.

 

Another friend down the street asked if she could take Alvin for some time on Friday as she has the day off.

She is the Mom to Alvin’s girlfriend Abi, who passed away in February.

I hope that Alvin will go with her as she really needs some company and is missing Abi terribly.

You know Mr. Alvin is such a Momma’s boy and does not like to leave my sight.

 

Well I guess time to hit the shower and get this day going.

A cup of coffee and GO.

Thank you for reading and listening.

I hope that you are doing well in the midst of this pandemic.

So much is happening in the world.

If we can just listen to each other, love and respect each other and treat each other with kindness – the world stands a chance.

Reach out with a phone call, video chat, email or text to a friend or loved one.

Help an elderly neighbour.

Visit with a neighbour over the fence or in the backyard.

Do some volunteer work (yes, there are things we can do even during this pandemic).

We are all HUMAN BEINGS.

 

Enjoy your Sunday.

Living with love, kindness and respect for all.

I/We shall remain,

As Always, Carol & Alvin

Remembering these cupcakes that I commissioned a coworker to bake for my birthday last year.

Looking forward to more this coming one.

They were so o pretty and oh so o yummy.

 

 

 

Thought for the day ….

Good Morning and Welcome to Sunday the 10th day of September, 2017.

What a glorious weekend we have had …..

The weather was warm but not hot ….

We had some rain to freshen things up just a bit ….

 

Seems like yesterday that it was the 1st day of September and wow, now it is the 10th day.

The time just seems to be chugging along in a most quick way.

That is life, I suppose.

Almost moving on …..

 

So on this Sunday we are just finishing up a few things on the list.

Lots of time to relax and prepare for the week ahead.

Alvin is loving the bit cooler weather for sure, as is his Momma.

 

We have found a new show on the television from BBC where folks looking for rural properties in England, Scotland and Ireland.

Just happened to see one about a couple looking for a property in Scotland.

Some of my ancestors came from Scotland, and I found the episode to be so interesting.

It has sparked a want in me to investigate that part of my ancestry.

Something new to learn is always a good thing.

 

Time to get a few items done including a nice walk with me Alvin.

Have a wonderful Sunday.

Perhaps there is a part of your ancestry that you may enjoy investigating.

Happy Sunday.

 

Special Hello to: all those folks from Scotland.

Always, Carol & Alvin

 

 

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Tuesday the 18th day of October, 2016.

Wow, today is Tuesday.

Isn’t that great?

I love Tuesdays.

Day after Monday.

How often do you wish today was tomorrow?

That it was Friday already?

We always are wanting the next day or the next thing.

Too busy rushing the time to live in the moment.

I sometimes do.

We all do.

But we must take a deep breath and live in this minute, this moment.

Right now my life is perfect.

I feel great.

Alvin is cuddling on the end of the bed on one of his many special blankets.

Once I am done my blog and go downstairs he will follow.

Then I will don my outerwear and be off to work.

Animals live in the moment.

No thoughts of the future.

I am pretty sure that Alvin does not lay on his chair while I am gone “thinking maybe next year I can retire” or “what do I want for Christmas.”

That is why they are so happy to see you when you get home from work.

Now granted they have to pee and are hungry but they are still happy to see you.

All creatures just want love and respect.

Whether two-legged or four.

So if we live in the moment – be that better person – that great human being.

If you live that minute to the best of your ability then you are in the moment.

We should not compare ourselves to others.

Each of us is special.

Each of us has the ability to be the best that we can be.

We are unique.

So in this moment we are all amazing … keep up the great work.

Well here we are once again …. time to sign off and finish getting ready for work.

Today two of my friends are off to England for two weeks.

How exciting.

I wish them safe travels and a great visit with family.

Special Hello to: my friends “P” and “A” who are travelling.

Always, Carol and Alvin

 

 

Thought for the day ……

Good Morning and Welcome to Thursday the 13th day of October, 2016.

Seems like night when I look out the window and see nothing but darkness.

Oh, I guess I can see the reflection of someone’s tail lights as they are “warming” up the truck.

Yesterday was so nice.

Alvin and I enjoyed our walk so much.

I recently found out that all of the fountains in our neighbour are still on and going strong.

We still have a bit of snow remaining on people’s lawns and rooftops.

Back to last night.

Got home from work, Alvin did his routine, I got changed and we went for a walk.

Dropped off a container at my friend’s house.

Came home returned a phone call and made another one.

Submitted a tea party on the computer and was just emailing a friend when the doorbell rang.

It was my friend “P” who has the most beautiful English garden.

Always thinking of Mr. Alvin – she had a couple of treats with her for him.

She is travelling with her husband next week back to England to see her family and was wondering if I had some jewellery.

It was so off guard ….. but I had some pieces for sale.

She purchased several necklaces and a couple of rings.

We had a nice visit while she was trying on necklaces.

After she left I had supper which was about 7:30 p.m. ( my baked potato was well done ).

Crazy busy night but full of great surprises.

I am very grateful for surprises.

So they are forecasting snow flurries for this afternoon.

I hope that Mother Nature finds it in her heart to keep those flurries down to a minimum.

We can only hope.

Much too early for winter …..

It would be nice for the weather to be good for Halloween.

Well almost time to get this trolley on the road.

Now I am referring to myself as a trolley …. okay truly am getting old.

Yikes.

I hope that you all have an awesome day chalked full of wonderful surprises.

Thank you Universe for sweet surprises.

Special Hello to: my sister …. soon, very soon.  Perhaps Sunday??

Always, Carol and Alvin

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Thursday the 8th day of September, 2016.

Well it clearly coming closer to that time of year once again.

It is almost 6:30 a.m. and just barely a sign of the sun rising.

Oh how I miss those mornings when the sun was so bright as you left home that sunglasses were a must.

But as is life there are seasons to everything.

I do love this time of year once I get past the sun coming up so much later.

It is a wide variety of colours on the trees as they beginning to ready for winter.

Some are yellow, different shades of green and some already red.

Love, love, love the colours.

Our flowers are still doing so well.

The colours all seem to intermingle so well.

I would love to see how it all looks from the air.

I would imagine utterly breathtaking.

Last night on our walk we found our friend “P” at home.

She is the lady from England (came over a long time ago) that has the most beautiful “English” garden.

Her flowers are so perfect.

She has started to ready her gardens for fall/winter.

There is pulling and trimming to do of course.

We had a wonderful visit and Alvin loves her yard.

He rolls around in the grass as though he had never seen it before …… so cute.

The grass is still the rich green colour.

We have had so much moisture and there remains rain in our forecast so it will likely stay for a while.

We enjoyed our time with our friend visiting and always learning.

I have learned so much from her …. she is a wonderful person.

 

This morning the kids are dropping off Elton to spend the day with Alvin so I can hop a ride with them to the office.

The bus is still working out the kinks or perhaps it is I who is doing that …..

The morning bus is good but at night “sucks.”

 

I do hope for one thing and that is that the evenings continue to stay so nice.

We have certainly enjoyed our walks.

I did notice last night as the sun was going down that the mosquitoes were coming out.

I had not noticed that before …..

Oh well.

 

I did not see many dragonflies this summer but perhaps because their food source was limited.

Mother Nature works her magic …..

 

Well time to fly and finish getting ready as my ride will soon be here.

I hope that you have a splendid day …. one more till the weekend.

That is always a good thing.

 

Special Hello to: all those who take the time to read my blog, thank you.

Always, Carol and Alvin

 

Thought for the day…..

Happy November 2nd, 2011 – Wednesday already.  Really, is it mid week already?

We are having such awesome fall weather.

On the way home from work yesterday I noticed several trees still had their autumn coloured leaves.

YAY.

I love the colours of autumn ….. all the golds, reds, oranges and yellows and everything in between.

I hope that this thought for the day ….. finds you FEELING GREAT.

I hope that you know that you can do anything.

You are the Master of Your Universe.

You are the KING of the World ….. okay perhaps some of us are the QUEEN OF THE WORLD.

But somehow doesn’t KING just have a certain ring to it.

To me ….. what differences does it make ….. KING OR QUEEN ….. just be the TOP OF YOUR WORLD.

The BEST YOU…..and I will be the BEST ME.

Have a great WEDNESDAY …….

Remember to stay aware and in the moment.

Special Hello to:  all the folks living in Sweden, Brazil, England, California, New York, Regina, Lumby & area, Edmonton……

Always, Carol

P.S.  I am going to post some photos soon……guess it has been awhile…..  🙂