2021

Good Morning ALL. How are you today? Sun is starting to rise in the morning sky. Just out of a most refreshing morning shower. Al is waiting patiently in the hallway for me to finish this post. Yesterday was another gorgeous day and the forecast for today is even better. I hope that we can safely say this is SPRING. The ice is starting to clear in front of our house. I go out everyday after work and chip away at the ice on the sidewalk to ensure that the water finds it way down the drain as it melts. It feels like I am making tiny river beds for the water to follow as it melts. It is all good until someone drives over them and then I start again. But it is clearing and hopefully this will be the last of the thick ice that needs to be cleared.

How many folks out there are ordering from places like Good Food, Hello Fresh and Chef’s Plate? I have tried all three. Last weekend I went and SKIPPED weeks so that they would not automatically send me an order that I did not want. Guess what? Somehow or other, I missed this week? Not sure how I did that but I guess I did. My word against theirs. They have already billed the credit card so no going back now. The three meals were not even what I would have chosen. One is red meat which I do not eat. How is that for wonderful? Makes me mad but I guess it was my fault. I was so certain that I had skipped the dates for way into the future. I think that it should be the other way around ….. if you want to order you make the selections and if you do not make selections then an order does not arrive. But I guess they likely get more business with this automatic ordering process. I am not a fan will just say that. Luckily for me, my kids ordered this week and we can switch a meal and I will give them the “red meat” meal that I will not eat. I sent an email to the company and they sent me a response in French stating that the English email would arrive shortly. Well that is great customer service, why would you send a French email first to a English speaking client. Why bother sending the French one? Perhaps this automatic food delivery is not for me. I do love eating things that I would normally not cook but the ordering process, I could live without. Okay, I usually do not rant but it is good to get it out of one’s system and besides perhaps you were pondering the thought about trying one of these companies. Buyer beware. If you forget to skip you are on the hook. That is why they get your credit card. Easy for them. Anyway, that is done.

Mr. Alvin is still waiting patiently for me.

I am grateful that he has recovered from his surgery in fine fashion. He seems to be having no issues with the new food as I am gradually introducing it to him. So that is a relief.

I am grateful that my daughter will be popping by after work to drop off the food order and I will give her the one that comes today in return.

I am grateful to see my daughter not just about the food order. Any chance that I have to see her is the best.

I am grateful to be employed and earn a decent living.

I am grateful that the weather is good for walking.

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

Always, Carol & Alvin

Living … One day at a time.

Hello, good morning and welcome to Monday morning.

We managed to make it through another weekend with none of the white stuff.

Unfortunately many of my friends and family were not so fortunate.

I managed to get the deck mostly cleared of furniture …. just the bistro table and chairs.

That table is made of steel and river rock and is getting too heavy for me to move.

I sometimes know my limits.

Then three heavier planters and two light stacking chairs.

Da, da ….. glad to have that done.

 

Yesterday morning we received a phone call from our English Garden FRIEND asking if we would like to go for a walk with her and George, her grand pup.

I said of course so about 10:30 we were already out walking.

We were also joined by another neighbour and friend (she lives closer to George’s Gran).

Both of these friends chose to move to Canada.

One from England and the other from China.

Our Chinese friend taught me the importance of stretching and gave we girls some lessons along the way.

We even stopped by a park bench and did some exercises.

She used the the base of the park lights to stretch.

Unbelieve, she can stretch her leg almost straight up.

I am not quite certain her age but somewhere in her 50’s I would say.

She is so flexible – put us to shame.

I learned some exercises to help with a small lower back pain that I have gained along the way.

I too believe that it is all about KEEPING MOVING.

Stretch and move …..

She told us that “she doesn’t like to be still.”

That is the secret.

Very fit this friend.

We chatted along the way in between walking and stretching.

The dogs were likely thinking “what the heck is going on.”

It was a great walk.

 

Another friend, this being Teddy’s Mom is an ENERGY HEALER.”

We have started to go for groceries together on Sunday afternoons.

We thought it might be nice for the boys to spend that hour or so together.

We were just relaxing after I had been up trying to clean the eavestrough (got help), the yard, the garden and the GARAGE.

Rearranging the garage and going through everything.

Anyway I had given Alvin a few blueberries earlier and just before Teddy and his Mom arrived.

He started to heave and threw up a blueberry.

So not sure if he ate something that I missed seeing on our walk or if blueberries did not agree with him.

When she arrived …. he actually just sat and let her heal him.

He was back to his old self in no time at all.

 

It was a great day.

Well I see that it is past 6:30 and I should be downstairs already.

Have an awesome Monday.

 

NOTE:  we can learn something new everyday.

 

Always, Carol & Alvin

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Thursday the 7th day of June, 2018.

One week into June.

Another gorgeous day on the way.

Sunshine with a bit of coolness to begin the day.

 

Last night while on our walk we bumped into friends.

Two were chatting at the back fence of another admiring the garden of the one.

Our friend “L” has this amazing vegetable garden every year.

Our other friend “P” and “A” who live two doors down from her, were returning from a walk.

Our vegetable garden Queen did not plant “lettuce” this year because it did not grow last year so she has moved on.

She is so funny.

Our other friends got treats for Alvin …. we have to seriously start decreasing the treats.

For both of us… really.

Walking helps but it is not getting the belly down.

Yikes.

My friend “P” of above gave me three sunflower plants and some snapdragons as she did not have any more room in her garden for them.

She has the most beautiful “English Garden” ….. we call it that as she is from England.

The garden is so pretty …. even now at the beginning.

 

Well I have to catch the bus this morning.

Back to public transportation for a few days.

ARGH.

Not that bad other than time but that is okay.

The house is cool this morning and the blinds are all closed except for two so that Alvin can look out of those windows.

The window by his favourite chair in the living room and the one at the end of our bed.

Both face north so does not get too terribly hot.

 

I hope that you are enjoying life.

Some days may be not be perfect but pick the moments that are and savour them.

 

Special Hello to: all my friends in Edmonton ….

Always, Carol & Alvin

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Sunday the 18th day of February, 2018.

It is slightly overcast and does not feel bitterly cold so that is a good thing as I am going to venture out and canvas for the Heart & Stroke Fund.

I think this is about the 7th year that I have canvassed since moving to Edmonton.

Back in Regina over the years I canvassed for the Heart & Stroke, Cancer and United Way to name a few.

I have about three blocks to do and figured this is a good time before our company arrives this afternoon.

Our friends Teddy and his Aunt J are coming about mid afternoon and then will stay for supper.

We are both excited.

Yesterday I was so proud of myself as I took on a couple of minor household repairs.

The wooden trim around the ceramic tiles at the base of my fireplace had come loose and was always in the way.

Finally I got out my super duper GORILLA glue and did the repair.

The only thing was it is a long strip and typically you should have some kind of clamps to hold it tightly, well I did not.

So my hands were the clamps as I sat cross legged with arms stretched out to the side holding each corner.

Good stretching, anyway.

Seems to be okay this morning.

I also had purchased many years ago a utensil container from IKEA, I believe.

Well the glue that was holding each separation in place came loose after years of placing knives, forks and spoons in each compartment.

I FIXED it, too.

Feeling mighty proud of myself.

YAY, Carol ……

In between all of the glueing, I vacuumed up down and all around, washed the main floor,  lots of laundry, changed bedding, cleaned out “tupperware drawer.”

Managed to get some chores accomplished and even slept in.

Sometimes you just have to “stretch yourself” …… are you laughing, my sister.

Well I guess it is time to get this show on the road.

Quick shower and have a coffee or two before going to canvas for the Heart and Stroke.

Typically my daughter and I donate more than I actually collect but that is okay.

Most people do not answer the door and the ones that do some say they have already donated and others do not understand English or the homeowner is not at home.

But that is okay.

I will do what I promised to do and that is to visit each door on my list.

Happy Sunday Everyone.

I, we are enjoying the awesome treats from our friend “V.”

 

Special Hello to: all those single people out there who think they are not “handy” ….. you may surprise yourself if you just try.

After all you can check on-line and find video instructions for almost anything these days.

Always, Carol

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 Thursday the 15th day of June, 2017.

We had a rainy Wednesday and the SKIES have cleared and the SUN is SHINING BRIGHTLY.

It is Thursday …..

The rain was nice for the crops, plants, trees, grass and my flowers.

Well for everyone’s flowers not just mine.

Alvin and I enjoyed a lovely walk last night.

We really did.

I also have been enjoying watching “JAMES CORDEN’s CARPOOL KARAOKE” …… OMG.

I am a happy girl.

Just keeping listening to them over and over and seeing new ones.

Just listened to SIA and James and now Sir Elton John replay (listened to it last night).

I could just listen and listen to the music.

So happy that someone shared James and Ed Sheeran on FB.

Now ….. Crocodile Rock …… Sir Elton and James and Carol……just rocking it with Me Alvin patiently waiting to go to bed.

Thank you WORLD for MUSIC.

 

Oh, I just want to say to all my family and friends that I am not the only one on this planet that do not have cell phones:  Sir Elton John and Ed Sheeran do not have them.

I would say that I am in the best company of non conformists.

 

Special Hello: Every person on the planet.

Always, Carol & Alvin

 

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Saturday the 16th day of April, 2016.

YAY, happy that it is now the weekend.

Last night after work Alvin and I set out on our routine “early evening” walk.

It was about 5:30 p.m.

We were walked to the park and were about halfway round when I heard my name being called.

I looked away from Alvin to see our friends “P and A” sitting on their patio sipping on drinks.

So we toddled on over to say hello.

Alvin was desperately trying to get in through the gate.

They have the one that is steel/iron or the like and he can get his nose in ……

He wanted the door to be opened so that he could say hello.

We quite often see our friends in the summer.

P is an avid gardener and has one of the prettiest ones in the area.

She is English and her garden lives up to the “English Garden” reputation.

Anyway …… they invited us in.

Mr. Alvin was so excited.

They said gates were closed and nothing he could get into so off came the leash.

Now they live off the park that surrounds our man-made lakes and they have a BIG backyard.

They had crocuses blooming and at the moment some yellow daffodils.

I remember crocuses on the farm when I was a young girl.

Fields of purple….. so lovely.

He ran and ran and rolled and rolled.

He loves their backyard.

They asked if I would like a glass of wine …. now I am not much of a drinker period and wine is not really my forte but I decided to throw caution to the wind (and it was windy) and have a glass.  Whew, long sentence, I know.  I was thinking it all in one breath.

So out came the extra chair and a glass of white wine.

It was actually yummy and we visited and I sipped on the glass.

There was a cool wind blowing so eventually we took the “party” inside.

I joked about not eating and was feeling tipsy after half a glass.

Oh my …..

Alvin was treated to some yummy stuff and they from time to time look after their “grand-puppy (an actual puppy) …. wait for it “GEORGE.”

The cutest bundle of brown joy if there ever was …..

He was not there but Alvin enjoyed some of his treats.

We visited and had a great time.

They are such a wonderful couple.

Two hours later Alvin and I walked into our house.

First thing on the agenda … supper.

A quick bowl of soup and I felt much better.

I will say that this morning I had a bit of a headache – ARGH a hangover ….. at my age.

Oh well, it was so much fun.

They invited us to come over when they have a fire … they have an iron fire pit (so it is contained).

We will have a party with hot dogs and marshmallows and maybe even a glass of wine.

Food first …… definitely.

Well I am now getting ready to go and spend a couple of hours with my friend “J” whose grandson is in the Stollery Hospital here in Edmonton.

The family (Mom, Dad and big brother) are stay at Ronald McDonald House.

So my friend thought it would be nice for me to take a tour and to meet her elder grandson who is 2.

They live in Regina / Moose Jaw.

Tomorrow is my training party for my new consultant to Steeped Tea.

I guess I have a team …..

So a busy weekend and I am also meeting the girls for coffee tomorrow morning.

Usually I am at home except for a stop to the grocery store.

I am sure that Alvin would be okay …. I just feel badly to leave him alone.

Gotta run and eat and have some COFFEE.

Have an awesome Saturday.

Hang out with some friends …..

Special Hello to: all of my friends … I am truly so blessed.

Always, Carol and Alvin

 

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Wednesday the 2nd day of September, 2015.

It rained a wee bit overnight as the deck has wet splotches here and there.

You can begin to feel the difference in the air that September brings.

It is not so much cold as cool and crisp.

It smells fresh.

You definitely need a wee jacket in the morning while waiting for the bus.

Most especially if there be wind.

I feel the Scots part of me coming out this morning.

Likely soon to be followed by the Irish and English.

What a lovely combination.

Well here it is mid week.

Work has been going well …. busy but that is nothing new.

Somedays I wish that I could be completely caught up when I leave at night.

But alas not likely ….. nature of the beast so to speak.

I am excited we are down to three sleeps before my girl friend arrives from Regina.

I have been patiently waiting since she confirmed her plane ticket.

It will be nice to sip coffee and catch up.

I am also excited to see the photos of her newest grand-baby.

YAY ….. baby photos ……

I wished that they could bottle the smell of a newborn baby.

Well what is on your plate for this fine morning/day?

Going to work?

Staying at home?

Cleaning the house?

Filing papers?

Going for a walk?

Volunteering some time at a local senior’s home or animal shelter?

Cleaning out your closet and bringing your fall/winter clothes to the front?

Lots to do.

Cleaning the yard?

There is always something to do if you wish to do it.

Always start with a list ….. makes life so much easier.

Write down what you have to do ….. even a bit of a timeline if you wish….

Check items off as they are completed.

Trust me you will have such satisfaction when you check an item as done.

YAY ……

I do it all of the time.

Plus, you do not forget anything.

Well here it is time to leave once again.

Happy Wednesday folks.

ENjoy.

Special Hello to: my friend “P” see you soon….

Always, Carol and Alvin