Last Half 2022 – July

Good Morning ALL! Well it is gearing up to be another hot one here in Edmonton. I know that according to the weather channel we are by no means the hot spots in Canada or even in Alberta. I am so grateful that it is only as hot as it is. This morning it was 80 in the house, by opening the main floor windows (as did not wish to leave them open all night) and turning on the fans, the temperature is now 77. That is three whole degrees lower, which is a godsend at this point. I am doing okay but I worry about Mr. Alvin but I think between the fans and the cool wet towels he is okay. It is beautiful outside right now and he sure wanted to stay out in the backyard sniffing away. But I needed to get dressed and write this post. I told him we are going as soon as I am done with my blog. He thought that was okay. Yes, he did.

Last night I broke down and ordered pizza. Just did not know what to make and it was so hot. So pizza and some carrots and celery (raw) was the menu for supper. Not many dishes and no work in this heat. I could have make something else, I am sure but let me tell you when you are cooking for one, sometimes it is difficult. What to make? Sometimes you just do not want to cook. Pizza got ordered. I was able to get the call in before they could not hear me due to the dead zones in my house. I guess I will be contacting TELUS via computer this weekend as cannot call on the phone or they won’t hear me or maybe I should. I hope that there calls are at a minimum, maybe summer is a better time to contact them. Time will tell. Also this weekend I want to give Mr. Alvin haircut and bath. He will feel so much better.

I am sure all the wildlife is enjoying the coolness of the morning air. Forecast said 21 degrees celsius by 9 a.m., that is warm for that time of time. We have many days where the daytime high is only that, lol.

Well I had better run. I am sorry to make this so short. Oh, good news for Alvin and for me. Teddy’s Mom called last night they are in town and wanted to set up a visit. Tonight’s the night. Alvin is going to be so happy to be see his BFF and his little sister Kobi. I am excited, too. We miss them.

Have a wonderful Thursday.

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

It is a great day!

Always, Carol & Alvin

PS: 12 days till 65. Panic time, lol.

2021

Good Morning ALL! Welcome to the 2nd day of July 2021. We were up at 4:30, Alvin had his breakfast and then we headed back to the sofa. Next thing I know it is 6:30, so I jumped up off the sofa and upstairs to get dressed so that we could go for a walk. No one wants to see an almost 64 year old woman in her summer nightgown, lol. Off we went. Perhaps there was a reason that we went one hour later than the rest of the week. A strong gust of cool wind hit us as we descended from the front porch steps and onto the sidewalk. It was glorious. Honestly, I could have stood for for all of time or at least until I had to pee. The sun was shining but from time to time cloud cover took hold and it was just devine. There is a 50 percent chance of rain in the forecast but I am hoping for rain. The grass and trees and everything and everyone needs some moisture. I think after this post that I am going to take the hose and give my flowers in the flower beds some water. I only gave the front bed a bit of water last night. Of course, I thought that I would have been up at 5:30 not 6:30. OH WELL. Alvin is panting as it is hot upstairs. Even with a fan. So this will be short. We are grateful that the temperatures here are decreasing. Thank goodness. I sure hope that this is the case everywhere else as well. Low to mid 20 celsius temperatures is warm enough. High 30’s is too much. We spent most of yesterday in the basement. I was arranging and rearranging and purging and stuff. Six garbage bags later and a huge box of stuff that I do not need or want and it is looking better. At least it looks like a family room. We had fans going down there as well and actually at times had to put on a light sweater. Alvin enjoyed it. When we had to come back upstairs for water and bathroom breaks it was difficult. For supper I had apple pie and chocolate ice cream. I figure that I had fruit and some calcium. We watched movies all night long.

Time to head downstairs. Alvin is warm. Fur coat and all. He drinks nearly a whole bottle of water when we walk and I am grateful that I have that travel water dish for him.

Keep safe and cool.

Have a wonderful Friday. I am off work today. So a four day weekend for me counting yesterday.

Continuing to live with kindness, respect, compassion, patience, understanding, love and gratitude.

Always, Carol & Alvin

2021

Good Morning ALL! How are you this beautiful bright sunny Wednesday morning? I hope that it is sunny and gorgeous wherever you are at this moment. After this post, Alvin and I are heading out for a walk. There is a heat warning out for the City of Edmonton for today so I want to ensure that we get a walk in now as we will not be able to walk later. Just out of the shower and feeling refreshed so perfect time to go. So grateful that I gave Mr. Alvin a haircut and bath on the weekend. We will take water as per usual on our walk. Yesterday we borrowed my neighbour’s car to go to Alvin’s vet appointment so I was able to pick up his food as well. Saved me an extra trip. His ears are back to normal, yay.

I cannot believe that it is +18 degrees celsius already so it will be warm. I opened the windows to let in any cool air there is at this time and then will close them and the blinds. I am grateful to have some very good fans to help cool us down. It is at these times that I “almost” wished that I had the a/c serviced but that will happen in time. We are also getting the shingles done and am just waiting for the company owner to get back to us with the schedule.

Wishing that everyone is safe and doing well. I am grateful each and every day for all of the many blessings that the Universe has bestowed upon me. So grateful. I hear someone whistling. Sounds like Sonja whistling at the cats who are likely outside enjoying the morning.

We will continue to live this life with kindness, respect, compassion, patience, love and gratitude for each other and for every living being we encounter this day and each day.

Thank you for reading this post. You make my heart sing. Have an awesome day. Time to get out for that walk.

Always, Love Carol & Alvin

• 

It is a NEW YEAR.

Good Tuesday Morning.

The sky is odd this morning with a mix of shine and cloud.

It is warm already in the house OR perhaps it never really cooled down.

We have a few really good fans that kept us cool during the night so that we could sleep.

It is another reminder to get the Central Air Conditioning serviced.

I have to make that call.

But for now we are comfortable with the fans.

Yesterday we squeaked in a walk before the temperature was too warm.

By after work it was too warm for us to go.

We decided to work in the backyard for our exercise and additional fresh air.

Alvin loves to sit outside.

In fact, earlier this morning he just sat outside for a few minutes before we had to return upstairs for his Momma to get ready for work.

Wow, that was a mouth full.

Anyway, he does loves to relax on the deck.

*********

How are you doing today?

I hope that you are well.

Question for you?

Do you choose your outfit the night before bed for the next day?

Or are you a let’s see what strikes me kind of person in the morning?

Well generally I am the first.

I like to be organized.

In the morning our routine was pretty much set before COVID19 hit.

Since being home it has changed somewhat but I still choose my clothing right down to the underwear the night before bed.

Okay, when you get dressed ….

Is there sometimes and I have found now that I am home that I just cannot make a decision?

Nothing seems to fit right?

Nothing seems comfortable?

Nothing works?

I know that I have put on some weight.

Yup, another thing we can blame on COVID19 which is a lot easier than blaming oneself.

Okay, I know it is not COVID19’s fault (and here I am speaking about it as if it is a person, oh my goodness sake).

But then the sun comes out and you put on something that makes you feel like a million dollars even with the extra weight.

The colour suits you and the cut is amazing.

It is that little top in your closet or perhaps a pair of pants.

That you always feel good wearing.

For some reason it does not hit the top of the list often enough.

I have that top on this morning.

The colour is good on me.

Turquoise blue.

It has an embossed dragonfly with some gold sequins and other coloured ones.

The cut is good.

My buddha belly is semi disguised although not entirely.

It is just a top that was well made.

Short sleeves.

Has the right amount of stretch to be flattering.

I love this top.

I was just thinking that it would be fantastic to have more of this top.

But alas it was a hand me down and I have no idea of where it came from and most likely they don’t make this anymore.

But for this moment, for this day, I shall run with the feeling of a $million dollars$$.

 

Mr. Alvin has a vet appointment at lunchtime to check his ears.

I believe that he has an infection in his left one.

Better to be safe than sorry.

He has been uncomfortable the past couple of days and I surely do not wish him to suffer.

 

Okay, time to start drinking that “to go” mug of coffee.

Have an awesome day.

I hope that you have that “turquoise top with the dragonflies.”

Something that makes you feel special.

Cause you are, you know.

 

Living my life with kindness and respect and of course a tinch of fun.

I/We, shall remain,

Always, Carol & Alvin

 

Thought for the day ….

Good Morning and Welcome to Friday the 3rd day of August, 2018.

Well it is a much cooler morning and it is RAINING.

Our house is cooler and more comfortable.

No need to run fans or have windows open.

Nice break from the heat.

 

Last night / late afternoon, my sister, Alvin and I went for a nice walk.

It was raining just slightly when we started our walk.

But it was so refreshing.

 

My sister and I are getting ready as at some point we are going to West Edmonton Mall with her grandson/my great nephew to do some shopping.

He would like to look around as he has not been there lately.

Our ride will arrive sometime during the next hour or so.

 

Last night I made a rhubarb crisp from the rhubarb that one of my coworkers gave me.

OMG, so good.

Nothing like fresh from the garden.

 

Well this will be short.

Life is good.

Keeping busy with company and trying to keep cool (loving it today).

 

Happy Vacation.

 

I hope that you all have a great day.

Special Hello to: my friends near and far.

Always, Carol & Alvin

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Tuesday the 17th day of July, 2018.

What a gorgeous morning, clear blue skies.

This morning when Al and I went for a walk at 5:15 a.m. – there was quite a lot of activity at our lakes/park.

The birds everything from ducks, geese, robins and more where chirping, quacking, singing and communicating.

There were frogs and crickets.

The ponds (not actually lakes) were alive with all sorts of wild and wonderful creatures.

It was glorious to listen to it all as we made our way through the park.

 

Another HOT HOT one on the way.

OMG, yesterday was so hot.

The fans and air conditioning barely keeping things cool.

 

Somedays you just need to share some photos.

Here are some photos from my “61” BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION.

The partying beings ….. a tad early but who am I to rain on my parade.

Why not celebrate for a month?

Right.

Party complete with Birthday Banner and Balloons.

Nothing like FRESH GLORIOUS FRUIT

Homemade CARROT CAKE to die for ….

The Birthday Girl hiding behind your PRESENTS.

Oh, I love presents.

So blessed …. received yoga pants & top and sweater and long no-sleeved fancy tank top.

I had so much fun with my girl friends …. we laughed and laughed.

 

AFTER the birthday party my daughter and grand-pups came for the afternoon & stayed for supper.

Both Aspen and Milo looked out the window pretty much the whole time that my daughter was out.

She slipped out for a few minutes.

Oh the babies.

My LILIES be blooming.

They are the most gorgeous shade of red, the ferns are taking over the front flower bed.

Who does not like impatiens?  I kind of missed most of the flowers.

They are filling up two pots on the front step.

What a glorious Sunday I had.

Absolute perfection.

 

Well here we are at Tuesday.

Will be trying to keep cool.

Thank goodness it is cool at 5:15 am when we go for a walk.

 

Special Hello to:  YOU, thank you for reading my blog.

Always, Carol & Alvin

 

 

 

 

Thought for the day….

Good Morning and Welcome to Monday the 25th day of November, 2013.

Two things to celebrate on this beautiful Monday.

One being the 29th Birthday of my niece “D” and the other being the WIN for the SASKATCHEWAN ROUGHRIDERS … THEY WON THE GREY CUP.

How exciting on both counts.

So on this day, I am grateful that the Riders won and that my beautiful niece was born this day 29 years ago.

Jumping for joy.

I feel so awesome.

Today is going to be the best day ever.

Special Hello: to  my niece ….. wishing you the best day …..

Always, Carol and Alvin

Thought for the day…..

I believe that everyone on the planet should receive an unexpected wonderful warm HUG every single day of their life.

Can you imagine how much better our world would be?

I have to tell you a little story.

Over the past few days I have been working at my job at the mall.

For a little background.

The multi-talented young megastar Taylor Swift was in town for two sold-out concerts (one Thursday night and one Friday night).

So our store was visited by many of her fans who stopped by with their Grandmas, Mothers, and Fathers for some soaps and stuff.

There was one particular young lady who stood out.  She asked me if we sold shampoo for children.

I told her that we sold shampoo & conditioner although not specially made for children; it was great and that I used it.

So while we were discussing shampoo – I noticed that she was wearing a Taylor Swift t-shirt and asked her about the concert.

She told me about all the set changes and all the different instruments Taylor played and that she was amazing.

We chatted about school and she told me she was going into Grade 5.  We formally introduced ourselves and she told me where she was from …..

Then out of the blue …… she reached over and gave me a big hug around the waist because that is where her arms reached.

How incredibly generous.  Especially these days.

I was so taken aback but so grateful for the hug.

We chatted for a few more seconds before she was on her way.

In a world that is so full of mistrust and malice it was wonderful to find such a warm hearted soul in one so young.

I had a strange but wonderful feeling envelope me.    A feeling that I had come across a very special human being.

It seemed like for the rest of the day everyone in our store (all the staff) were in the hugging mood.

How great is that?

Each hug feels like a million dollars and by the end of the day ….. I had about 40 million of them.

How blessed am I?  Very.

Thought for this day …… pass out HUGS.

They are FREE ….. give your each member of your family a big HUG.

See the smiles on their faces.

Thank you for all of the hugs.

I am eternally grateful for the little girl who brought warmth into my life in a quick minute, and then was gone.

Happy Saturday everyone.

Today,  I am surrounded by puppies.  Elton laying on the hall floor, Penny on one side of me and Alvin on the other.

(they are pooped out because we just came back from a morning walk and it is already beginning to get hot, supposed to be 30 today)

Truly I feel like the luckiest human being on the planet.

To be surrounded by so much love on a daily basis.

Always, Carol