Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Sunday the 24th day of December, 2017.

Christmas Eve has arrived.

It has arrived with a subtleness that can only be this day.

I love Christmas Eve ….. the final preparations are made in anticipation of the BIG day.

We now have quite the blanket of snow so it will definitely be a WHITE CHRISTMAS.

Also means shovelling for millions of us.

Likely a bit of exercise is good before we start to consume HUGE amounts of foods.

It is always the SWEETS that get me this time of year.

There have been years where I was strict with myself and did not OVERDO the amazing sweets that surround us this time of year.

But that is Christmas.

Alvin and I are pretty much ready for Christmas.

My kids are sleeping over this evening so they will have the master bedroom and we will go to the guest room.

So I will just move my clothes and bathroom stuff over.

Changed the bedding a few minutes ago.

One quick dust, vacuum, and that is done.

Just that last minute make sure everything is perfect for company.

As I was writing this blog, I could hear a noise and ran to my bedroom to see my neighbour out shovelling our walks out front.

We share shovelling in the winter and mowing grass in the summer.

She is a great young woman who could be my daughter.

I love her as if she were my own.

My daughter is fond of her as well.

Me and Alvin and fortunate to have her as a neighbour.

She has lived next door (not in the other half of the duplex) since I moved to Edmonton in 2009.

I am grateful for the less snow to shovel as my hand is not really up for lots of shovelling.

I did move some of the snow around on the deck last night and it is light and fluffy which makes it a whole bunch easier.

Well I should go as I am hosting coffee for my hard working neighbour in a few minutes.

 

I want to wish you and your family the most glorious Christmas of all.

May you be surrounded by never ending love and laughter.

May your health be perfect now and forever.

May you keep an extra plate on your table as a reminder of those in need and spend the rest of the year helping those in need.

Give kindness and compassion now and all the days of your life.

It seems as we continue to occupy this planet that there are more folks in need of clean water, food and a safe place to live.

Let us make 2018 the year that we ALL come together and help each other with no blame, ignorance or hate.

 

Merry Christmas from our Home to Yours.

Special Hello to: all my family, friends and fellow bloggers.

Always, Carol & Alvin

 

Just a couple of my favourite photos – not recent.

 

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Thursday the 29th day of December, 2016.

It is almost 8:00 a.m. and I can just see to the far southeast the sunrise.

Really looks cool as the rest of the sky is dark blue, looking like rain clouds.

Turning my head and trying to see to the east I see more of the sunrise.

I look forward to the time when the sunrise earlier.

Somedays it is difficult to get yourself up and about when it is dark outside.

Always different when you have to go to work but when you are on vacation, man it is hard.

I guess it doesn’t matter as I do not have things planned but then a pang of guilt washes over me thinking that I could have done / should have done more.

Oh well.

Today the Christmas Tree and Decorations come down.

Big job ….. it is time.

I enjoyed the tree and the lights one last time for 2016 last night.

I love starring into the tree catching the reflection of the lights on the ornaments.

As 2016 winds down I can only imagine what 2017 will bring.

I wish only good health, much joy and abundance for all.

The perfect year.

I think that is what 2017 will be …. the perfect year.

Time to reflect over a year almost over.

I hope that you have a great Thursday.

Special Hello to: all my fellow bloggers …..

Always, Carol and Alvin

Thought for the day ….

Good Morning and Welcome to Saturday the 24th day of September, 2016.

Well we had rain overnight and it was raining at 5:30 a.m. when Alvin and I first were up and about.

Later being now 9:00 a.m., the skies have cleared and the sun is shining.

We are just getting ready to leave for our regular six week pedicure and “anal gland squeeze” for Mr. Alvin.

Oddly enough the bum thing does not bother him but his nails being trimmed does.

Now I do get it as a couple of times they have nicked the quick (passed the nail).

His “quicks” are longer than usual.

But I think it startles him more than actually hurts too much.

They are so good at our Vet and treat us, him like family.

He is good for his shots and the bum thing but just does not care too much for getting his nails done.

Funny thing too …. at the Doctor’s they clean and check his ears and he does not fuss too much but at home YIKES.

Later this morning Elton is coming to spend part of the day with me and Alvin as his parents are taking a nephew mini golfing.

Nephew’s birthday was beginning of September but it is sometimes hard to schedule with kids these days.

They are so busy with all of their different activities and their friends.

I am happy that it is the weekend.

Pleased that the sun is going to shine as I must start preparing things for the next season.

I do not wish to trim and pull flowers and bushes because they are looking so good as yet.

With all this moisture they are lasting longer.

As I was reminded by one of my gardener friends …. most years we stop watering once the temperature starts to cool off and that is one of the main

reasons they are finished.

I must trim my big tree out front.

Last year I did it a couple of times by now and this year with all of the rain I have not.

Well it is almost time to leave for the Vet.

I hope that you all have an amazing Saturday.

Happy Saturday.

Special Hello to: my fellow bloggers …. keep writing.

Always, Carol and Alvin

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Thursday August 18th, 2016.

It feels like fall in the mornings now as it drastically cools off at night.

Feels refreshing and is pleasant to sleep.

Alvin likes to sit on the deck for a few minutes until I call him into the house so that I can get ready for work.

We are fast approaching my favourite time of year.

The temperatures are most comfortable at this time of year on the prairies.

Which is nice for all creatures.

I see many posts from family and friends who are busy canning and putting away their garden crops.

I think most gardens seem to have done very well with the moisture and sunshine.

Some were damaged beyond repair in the summer storms that we had quite often.

 

Well here we are at Thursday already.

The 18th of August …..

I am grateful this day to be loved, appreciated, supported in whatever venture I take on, to be employed, and most of all to be surrounded by the dearest people on this planet.

I am truly blessed.

Family – Friends, they surround me.

Well I kind of slept in this morning – I think my body thinks I should be hibernating or at least preparing.

No actually it was likely the cup of coffee that I decided to have after I got home from work.

Or maybe it was because I just kept thinking of life and dreaming and waking up.

Whatever the reason, morning is here and I must get off to work.

Wishing you a splendid day …

Remember to keep it simple …… love your life and live your life……

Happy Thursday.

 

Special Hello to: all my fellow bloggers ….. great job everyone!

Always, Carol and Alvin

Thought for the day ….

Good Morning and Welcome to Wednesday the 20th day of April, 2016.

It is overcast but not with rain clouds this morning.

We have wildfires burning to the north and west of our location.

We are in the “area” that could be affected should they not contain them.

Unfortunately with not much snow this winter and although we enjoyed not having to shovel everyday and plough through snow walking and driving …. we pay the price come spring.

It is so dry.

I have started watering my front flower bed that has perennials.

There are a few green leaves on them but I am not sure that they made the winter.

I transplanted them last fall.

I hope so but time will tell.

The lawns are a mixture of brown and green.

I am afraid that without spring showers and summer rains brown will be our reality as it will be too much water to keep them green.

Just a friendly reminder for everyone on the planet ….. please be careful.

Do not throw away that cigarette butt or set off fireworks just because they are pretty.

You might find yourself in the midst of a raging fire.

Let us be careful this spring / summer.

Do your part, please be a good citizen of your neighbourhood and of this planet.

Pick up the trash …… don’t be a misguided inhabitant.

Well it is time to leave for work.

Our office has been cool so it is sweater weather.

Somedays it is warmer outside than in the office.

But on the other hand ….. I would rather don a sweater than the alternative.

Cannot take off clothes.

Have a wonderful day everyone.

Special Hello to: my fellow bloggers …..

Always, Carol and Alvin

 

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Friday the 1st day of April, 2016.

Another beautiful spring day on the way.

Tomorrow is to be 20 degrees celsius – summer?

It will be a good day to pick up the trash from around the neighbourhood.

I noticed so much on our walk last night.

Sad as I have already been out once near the end of winter – beginning of spring.

Oh well, it is my contribution to our neighbourhood, and I love our area looking beautiful.

Also is great exercise.

 

As it is Friday, I thought that I would share another poem with you.

I wrote this one on Earth Day in 2011.

THAT GIRL – JUST A GIRL

I am that girl

The girl who smiles everyday

The girl who passes your way

The girl who has a dog

The girl who writes on her blog

The girl who loves life

The girl someday a wife

The girl next door

The girl never a bore

The girl who loves boys

The girl playing with the kids and their toys

The girl who loves flowers

The girl finding her inner power

I am just a girl who loves to dance

I am just a girl starting to take a chance

I am just a girl who loves her dog

I am just a girl reaching out of the fog

I am just a girl with a pure heart

I am just a girl whose smart

I am just a girl who loves to share

I am just a girl who even takes a dare

I am just a girl who loves to shop

I am just a girl loving a new top

I am just a girl who loves starry nights

I am just a girl who believes in what is right

I am just a girl who has a song in her heart

I am just a girl eager to bake that tart

I am just a girl trying to make this poem rhyme

I am just a girl living her life …. this time

I am just a girl who loves to write

I am just a girl who even just might

I am just a girl who thinks so much more

I am just a girl not afraid of a chore

I am just a girl whose funny

I am just a girl loving a bunny

I am just a girl taking the time

I am just a girl a song out of rhyme

I am just a girl

I am that girl….

Written by Carol Yvonne Lewis

Earth Day, April 22nd, 2011 in Edmonton, Alberta.

 

Special Hello to: my fellow bloggers …… thank you.

Always, Carol and Alvin

No reason other than I love the way the moon is sitting above our rooftops and the street light.

It was just after sunset.

 

Thought for the day…..

Good Morning and Welcome to Friday the 3rd day of July, 2015.

Another hot today ….. methinks.

Alvin and I were up to stay at 6:00 a.m.

Had a nice walk and there was a bit of a cool breeze.

The clouds keep rolling in and then the sun shines.

We might have a shower at some point.

Well I am just about ready to leave the house for an appointment.

Sure hope to get home before it gets too hot ….. riding the bus when it is hot can sometimes be HOT.

I hope that you have an awesome 3rd day of July.

Mr. Alvin is enjoying the cool air in our house.

We are blessed.

Well I had better get going ….. have to transfer and don’t want to miss my bus.

Happy Friday.

Special Hello to:  all my fellow bloggers ….. keep up the good work.

Always, Carol and Alvin

Thought for the day…..

Good Morning and Welcome to Wednesday the 13th day of May, 2015.

The sun is coming up with promises of a lovely day.

Well last night was “bootcamp”  …… my mind keeps saying you are young and “can do this” and my body says “wait a minute.”

We did circuits ….. OMG.

Oh the YING and YANG of it.

But I survived and I will admit, yes being honest here.

There were a couple of exercises okay maybe three that I modified as I did not feel that I could pull them off just yet.

But the thing is …. I am trying.

I want to get back into shape ….. have a toned tummy.

I want to know that I have a core and it is doing what it is supposed to do.

Not to find out after doing a class filled with exercises for the core that I pulled a stomach muscle(s) and had a hard time getting in and out of bed.

So lesson learned I do the class at my pace but building it up every time I go.

One of these days I will be able to do what the 30 somethings are doing.

I will continue to walk every night with Alvin and on the weekends double time.

I am going to start doing yoga on a regular basis as I have found that I am not very flexible.

Well it is time to finish getting ready for work but I just wanted to let you know that it is never too late to get your body into shape.

It will take time and patience and hard work but we can do it.

I want to have a flater tummy …… bye bye love handles.

They are not very “lovely” to me.

Time to fly.

Have a great day.

Remember walk when you can ….. do some squats ….. something but get moving.

We sit way too much ….. I know that I do.

Special Hello to: my fellow bloggers ….. you rock.

Always, Carol and Alvin

Thought for the day….

Good Morning and Welcome to Wednesday the 11th day of March, 2015.

How are you this fine morning?

I am doing well.

I believe that there are major changes on my horizon and I think that I am ready.

Sometimes you just get a feeling that things are going to change.

Most times things just happen.

They feel like out of the blue.

But not really.

I am in a good place.

Ready for whatever comes my way.

Some changes I may seek others will joyously seek me.

How lovely of a thought.

I hope that you are having a great day.

May you seek change and may change joyously seek you.

All good things, right.

Take care.

Try something new today.

Always a good place to start.

Always be willing ……

Get out of that rut.

I am ready …… I am ready.

Ready for the changes coming my way.

Special Hello to: fellow bloggers …. love what you do.

Always, Carol and Alvin

Thought for the day…..

Good Morning and Welcome to Saturday the 7th day of March, 2015.

How are you doing this morning?

I am doing well.

The sun is shining and I can see the neighbouring trees blowing in the wind.

Thank goodness for the wind ….. it will help dry up the water/ice.

It was so icy on the way home from the bus last night.

I literally took careful and deliberate steps all of the way home.

This is my last Saturday off for a bit so I have a few chores to do.

I was thinking that I need a boost so I will colour my hair.

Mr. Alvin, I think it is bath time and perhaps a slight hair trim.

The house is quiet as the kids were out late at my son-in-law’s brother’s 50th birthday celebration.

I worked until well after 10:00 p.m. so was home after 11:00 p.m.

I love when Alvin sits on the bed and looks intently out of the window.

He zeros in on something ….. could be a cat ….. could be a wild “bag” that is flying around the ‘hood.

My darling.

I look forward to the time when I can spend more of my time at home with him.

How lovely to once again go on two walks everyday.

Especially in the summer/fall.

Well time to get this day in motion.

I am dressed – check

Bed made – check

Glasses on – check (just being silly because sometimes you just have to be)

Blog written – check

Time for coffee – check (have to made said coffee)

Time to start laundry – check

Have a great day – check

Special Hello to: all my fellow bloggers …. what a cool way to get to know the world.

Always, Carol and Alvin