Thought for the day ….

Good Morning and Welcome to Saturday the 20th day of October, 2018.

The sun is shining but not full on bright as of yet.

With promises to do so.

Most of the leaves have fallen now.

I can only see bare branches on the trees from my office window.

Out front is a different story.

My tree dropped her leaves a few weeks ago and I raked them.

Now leaves from neighbours have covered the lawn once again.

Perhaps it will be a good day to rake them.

Raking is good exercise.

 

This morning Alvin has his regular vet appointment.

Although this one is a couple of weeks later than usual due to Thanksgiving and the vet being away.

But he is okay.

Just nails and bum squeeze, the usual.

 

Last night the 10 year-old daughter of a friend spent the evening with Alvin and I.

I stopped on the way home and picked up groceries and caught a taxi home.

Yes, I did.

No longer am I going to stress myself out carrying heavy bags home.

It was great.

Anyway back to the story.

Sidetracked.

Sorry.

After I put away the groceries and got changed, our little friend came over.

Her Mom brought along “treats” of chips (my favourite and I don’t eat them much), popcorn and cinnamon buns (the good ones).

Yum but not yum.

After we said our good-byes we snagged Alvin got his harness and leash on and were on our way.

It was beautiful night but a little cool but comfortable.

She wanted to go to her school park and show me her “gymnastic routine.”

So off we went.

M wanted to hold Alvin’s leash and that she did.

She did really good.

We came across a few big dogs and some stayed at a distance and one we were up close and Alvin was okay.

He is still a bit nervous around larger dogs since the St. Bernard decided to join our garage sale when he was a puppy, a whole different story.

I watched her do her routine and play on the equipment.

Which was impressive.

I remember we had swings and a teeter totter.

It was almost dark by the time we got home and I was HUNGRY as I had not eaten much all day.

We filled our evening with a serious breath taking game of JENGA (she loves it, too).

I won.

Watched the movie ANT MAN.

Yes, ANT MAN, it would seem like I have lots in common with this 10 year old.

We were going to play CONNECT FOUR but her Mom got back before the movie ended.

It was so much fun.

I had forgotten.

Not too often it is me and a young one.

Alvin had his moments as even though he knows her and likes her – I think he misses having me all to himself.

Although M gave him lots of attention.

So that was our night.

 

Saturday, it is and I had better get this show on the road.

I do say that a lot, don’t I?

Oh well.

 

Have an awesome Saturday.

Time to go and finish getting laundry from upstairs (changed bedding already), get dressed and eat breakfast.

It will be time to leave for Al’s vet appointment.

I am grateful for the weekends.

 

Special Hello to:  all those folks who love weekends which would be ALL of us.

Always, Carol & Alvin

Thought for the day ….

Good Morning and Welcome to Friday the 31st day of August, 2018.

Alas, the last day of August of 2018.

It has been a wonderful month filled with visits from family, road trip with my daughter, shopping at unique places and more, walks, time with me Alvin, awesome Birthday carrot cake, thoughtful gifts,

cooking, celebrations and so much more.

I have a great life.

The sky is clearing as the sun makes its’ way up in the morning sky.

Hard to believe today is the end of August.

WOW.

Ending on a strange note.

Just goes to show you that you never know what can happen.

Yesterday at noon.

Our company had a “hot dog vender” stopped by and feed us lunch.

I was not going to go down as I am not a major meat person and the veggie dogs are not really that good, in my opinion.

So I was just going to eat my lunch.

A couple staff convinced me that I should go and have a hot dog and that there were turkeys ones that were quite good.

So I went with a couple of people.

I ordered the “turkey dog” and it was already gone.

So I placed my order.

We placed our orders and stepped aside to wait.

While standing around and chatting one of the girls pointed out that there was a wasp on my arms (which were folded at the time).

Just as I went to unfold them – the WASP bit me.

The last time that I was bit by a wasp was back when I was a young teenager and I had a reaction – swelling.

I was stung on my foot and there was major swelling.

I did not have any issues breathing to my knowledge.

But because of the time lapse and the fact that I had not been stung in all those years in between – I ran back into the office to the washroom.

Told them on the way that I did have an allergy to the bites.

In the washroom I ran cold tap water over the bite.

There was not much swelling, thankfully.

My manager was in the washroom and said that she would stay with me, just in case.

Another co-worker came in and then ran and got me an “ice pack.”

It seemed like a fleury of activity over the next while with people checking on me.

My Manager went back and got my hot dog that was waiting for me (that was thoughtful of her).

Another staff had to go out of the office and would be close to home and said he had some stuff for bites.

The Director gave me a bite pad.

Another brought me a cold gel pack from the fridge freezer (which ended up being better than the ice cubes).

I had all sorts of attention.

Another drew a circle with a marker around the bite so that I would know if the bite started to swell.So grateful to all these folks.

They even sent me home in a taxi (I did wait until the end of my shift, did not leave early).

It was crazy.

Just goes to show that you never know what will happen in the course of a day.

I phoned my Manager when I got home from work to let her know that I was okay.

Footnote:  I was supposed to take the bus home as the carpool had an appointment to attend – almost looks like I would do anything to get out of taking the bus.

Not really but sounded good when I relayed the story to my carpool later upon arriving home.

 

We also went for a walk with my friend who has the amazing garden.

What a great day.

 

Well have an awesome Friday.

Long weekend for some folks.

Happy Friday.

 

Special Hello to: all those folks who showed genuine concern and provided care for me during my episode with the wasp yesterday. Feeling special.

Always, Carol & Alvin

Thought for the day ….

Good Morning and Welcome to Wednesday the 11th day of April, 2018.

Guess what?

You are never going to guess?

We got a present from Mother Nature during the night.

It is sticky.

It is white.

Yes, we received a nice layer of the white stuff.

I guess the memo did not reach Mother Nature.

I wrote her and pleaded with her to “please stop with the white stuff.”

I added that I wanted the part of spring where the ice was not covering the nearby ponds, the spring flowers were blooming and the buds were on the trees.

Oh well, I guess she has a sense of humour and clearly mine is wearing thin.

Enough ice and snow.

Sorry, Mother Nature, I know that you have a tough job, most especially with us “humans.”

 

Now that I have vented about the snow on to happier things.

Last night when Alvin and I were out for our walk, we came across friends.

Dad and his small daughter.

She had learned on April 1st to ride a bike with no training wheels and they were out practising.

“L” was doing great.

She loves Alvin so we stopped for a few minutes going and coming home.

I guess that is a sign that summer is not too far off.

Officially not too close but not too far.

 

Alvin is sitting on his blue blanket beside me in the office.

Almost time for me to go and don the boots and coat.

I was thinking that I would wear shoes today, guess not.

Oh well.

 

We will stop, perhaps vent about the snow, then giggle as we are being silly and carry on.

Have an awesome Wednesday.

Special Hello to:  all those folks who live where it snows.  “Merry Christmas”

Always, Carol & Alvin

 

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Saturday the 27th day of January, 2018.

The SUN is shining this morning.

The sky is beautiful with a mixture of colour and clouds.

The thin dark clouds appear to be dissipating and the sun shining more brightly.

What a lovely break after the overcast snowy past couple of days.

Shovelling, argh there was shovelling.

I did all but the driveway last night and will have to do that today.

We have banks of snow on the deck and on the front lawn from me throwing the snow to the side.

I will say this on my walk to the bus yesterday morning the snow shone like a billion diamonds in the street lights.

So beautiful.

 

YAY, it is the weekend.

I must make a TO DO LIST as I have so much that I would like to accomplish this weekend.

So many chores and such running through my head.

Stuff to do.

We all have stuff to do on the weekend.

I sort through the needs to be done stuff first ….

Now Alvin really could use a hair cut and bath.

It is COLD outside.

So the hair cut will be a trim and the bath will be a bath but I will ensure he is dry before he goes outside.

I also have to measure his food as it is getting low.

I was going to get off the bus and go pick it up this week but four out of the five days I got a ride home and one I got off at the grocery store.

The vet is on the other side of home.

Last night it was snowing, the traffic was well crazy and I did not reach the house until 6:00 p.m.

Usually I get home while taking the bus about 5:15 p.m. and with rides it was 4:45 or earlier.

Monday is supposed to be warmer.

A temporary reprieve.

So if there is enough food for Alvin I will get off the bus Monday after work and pick him up a bag.

If there is not enough – well I will bundle up and go.

I think it is too cold for the boy to be out.

I especially think of his poor little paws.

Always laundry, clean the office (put the smaller Christmas tree away to the basement), vacuum, wash floors.

Prepare my friend’s 40th birthday gift and card for next Friday.

I know there are more things to do and that is why I shall sit down and make a list so that nothing gets missed.

I have two days so no need to worry.

Alvin will help where he can.  LOL.

Well I suppose that I should not put off the inevitable any longer as I need to get changed and get this day going.

It was and is always Alvin that makes me get up and get going on the weekend.

I would love to dilly dally longer but he is the BOSS …. get up and get going.

No laying around for long with him.

He first was up this morning at before 4:00 am and I managed to have him stay in bed until a few minutes later.

Oh, I have not been up since then – I am not that silly.

I do have a great life and am grateful that I can do what needs to be done virtually on my schedule.

That would be on the weekends only.

WORK, is another story.

Nothing seems to go according to plan.

But that is okay.

If everything was scheduled that may eventually be boring.

Okay, I am going now.

Have a wonderful day.

Enjoy the weekend and I hope that you are able to have some down time for yourself.

Even though Alvin sometimes cracks the whip, I manage to have some downtime …..

 

Special Hello to: all those folks out there who have a dog in their household, enjoy.

Always, Carol & Alvin

 

 

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Thursday the 11th day of January, 2018.

Another cold BLAST today and tomorrow and warming up on the weekend.

Yesterday while I was waiting for the bus another bus stopped.

Someone on the bus was waving madly at me.

I could not see the person at first as my glasses were frosted over.

Then I saw her, it was my friend who previously had stopped in her car at the stop or close by and given me a ride home.

She parks away from downtown so catches the bus to her car.

So I was lucky and received a ride home.

Much appreciate in this weather.

We even stopped at the grocery store – we were out of bananas and that is almost a tragedy for this household.

I am most grateful for the ride home from my friend.

The night before I waited in the minus thirty temperatures for just over 15 minutes for the bus.

 

Last night I was thinking after I laid down for bed about my day.

This is when I take a look at my day and if I did well, I am pleased with myself and if not, then there is always room to correct the behaviour.

Sometimes in the moment we are quick to judge.

I have found that life is more grey than black & white.

This is something that I am always working on, and that is not to be too quick to judge.

Not that I judge every single soul that I come across in the course of a day, I am not saying that.

But we all have ideas, preconceived notions in our heads that stay with us.

I am working on those.

Some need working on and others are fine the way that they are ….

 

So that is today.

Be easy on ourselves and be easy on others.

We never know what their last conversation was or last thought before our encounter.

So think hard, long and softly before speaking too quickly.

 

Time to leave to catch the bus.

Time to don the layers.

Have to be warm.

Minus 30 something with the windchill.

 

Special Hello to: my friends

Always, Carol & Alvin

 

 

Thought for the day ….

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

Well I am in the proverbial “dog house” although Alvin lives in my house, so I guess that really does not work.

Anyway yesterday was the 9th Wedding Anniversary of my kids.

My beloved daughter and son-in-law.

How could I have been so wrapped up in my “great Wednesday” that I forgot their special day.

My daughter said graciously “not to worry” and I know that she sincerely means it but still I feel like “BAD MOMMA.”

Cannot imagine if I had more than one child.

Odd thing is that I remembered on Monday (guess I should have made a sticky note) or PERHAPS looked to the right of my computer screen to the BIRTHDAY/ANNIVERSARY calendar hanging there.

I would have seen it …..

But no, I did not.

 

Happy Belated 9th Anniversary to the best Daughter and Son-in-law, a Momma could ever have ….

They make me so proud.

Good and kind and compassionate people, they are.

I am so happy that “S” joined our family 17 years ago, he is a great addition.

Thank you for joining this rag tag group of people.

Both Alvin and I send hugs and kisses to you both.

 

Well here we go again, time to leave to catch that bus.

Better run …. er, walk real fast.

 

Special Hello to: all those folks who are celebrating time together ….. Congratulations.

Always, Carol & Alvin

 

 

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Tuesday the 25th day of July, 2017.

Yay, we are back to sunshine but am grateful for the rain.

Well the rainy day of Monday is over and all the trees, grass and plants got some much needed moisture.

I only hope that all the areas affected by fires get some RAIN.

 

So many birthdays this month and next …..

I missed one of my first cousins yesterday …. Happy Birthday “L.”

I am countdown mode to my birthday which happens to include a 10 day …. yes, TEN DAY visit from my sister and SEVERAL day visit from my youngest brother.

Best Birthday EVER, I am thinking.

To add to this I am on vacation for a couple of weeks.

So excited to spend time with all of my siblings.

 

I was shocked at how fast the house cooled down.

It was 69 degrees celsius in the house when I got home from work last night and 68 this morning.

Poor Alvin was thanking his Momma for not giving him a hair cut last weekend (post phoned it until this Friday night).

 

Well time to get this show on the road.

Just feeling so grateful at this time.

 

Special Hello to: all those folks celebrating a birthday in July.

Always, Carol & Alvin

 

 

 

 

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Wednesday the 24th day of May, 2017.

Well quite the difference this morning.

Yesterday was sunny and HOT – 28 degrees celsius.

This morning WINDY and raining and has cooled off.

Last night when I arrived home from work I found the house quite warm so I turned on the A/C.

Poor little Alvin.

We even put off our walk until later in the evening.

 

On the way to the park we stopped at our friends house to see how Presley was doing and of course, the family.

They lost their beloved Lola this passed Saturday to an unleashed dog.

Please be responsible and if taking your pup for a walk – put a leash on him or her.

No reason to be out and about and not paying attention to your doggie.

If you have them outside for a walk and fresh air in a public place – on a leash and actually spend time with them.

Now due to this irresponsible person this pit bull will either have a very poor qualify of life due to the restraints placed on him or may have no life at all.

Breaks my heart.

Such unnecessary damage done ….

I want to add one more note here ….. I notice so many folks out walking with their dogs with their heads bent down gazing at that rectangular screen.

They have no idea who is coming or going.

They have no idea if their doggie eats something they should not.

Pay attention.

 

Well time to leave for work.

I will  be taking my umbrella but with this wind not sure if it will do much good.

Thankfully it is not raining at this moment.

Perhaps I will make it to the bus stop without having to use the umbrellie.

 

Have an awesome Wednesday.

Be kind and responsible.

 

Special Hello to: You.

Always, Carol & Alvin

 

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Wednesday the 25th day of April, 2017.

Well there be clouds in the sky but we did not receive any moisture overnight or this morning thus far.

I know why I have been feeling less than stellar the past few days.

No SUNSHINE.

There is forecast for partial cloudy skies for the next few days and you know what that means ….

Partial means.

There will be some SUNLIGHT.

Thank goodness.

I thought that I was going to shrivel up …..

Love the rain but NEED the sunshine.

Both Alvin and I are sunshine kind of creatures.

We will welcome the light …..

By the weekend it is to be sunny and warm.

So excited to have a nice weekend.

One where we can get outside.

TWIST, TWIST ……

I cannot get one of the songs from the Flintstones out of my head.

“There’s a place we know … where the kids all go called Bedrock …. twist ….. twist …

I am not sure if I have remembered those words correctly or not but I can hear the music in my head.

Loved that show.

Fred and Barney.

That is me and Alvin.

He is Fred and I am Barney.

Or maybe it is the other way round.

Well here it is once again time to leave for work.

Sure seems like that comes up quickly.

I guess because I spend most of my waking hours at the office as do most folks.

On this Wonderful Wednesday …. I wish you a safe, productive day.

Special Hello to: all those folks who foster animals … thank you.

Always, Carol & Alvin

P.S. just to add that my daughter is giving me a ride home after work, stopping at Costco.  I love our car ride visits.

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Monday the 17th day of October, 2016.

Well no moisture overnight.

The sidewalks are dry.

Do I risk it and wear shoes?

Who knows.

That is Edmonton, one never knows what to wear.

I know that there are many other places that are the same.

You can go to work with snow in the morning and freezing temperatures and by early afternoon it is sunny and plus 15 degrees celsius.

That would be Calgary.

Weather is an interesting item for sure.

I always check the weather channel for hints about the upcoming day(s).

One that that I will  mention about the weather channel is the new format they are using – is not user friendly.

Not liking it.

I suppose I should let them know.

Not that it would be changed for me but perhaps there are others that are not fond of it either.

They are trying to put way too much information on the television screen and it becomes “white noise” so to speak.

Weather.

I did see on the long range forecast that it is supposed to be plus 10 on Friday.

That would be crazy.

Perhaps the remaining snow would melt and we could have fall back minus the coloured leaves.

Oh well.

A girl can dream.

It did not feel as though we had fall long enough.

One day the leaves were green, the next they were yellow and orange and the next they were gone from the weight of the snow.

I hope that you had a relaxing enjoyable weekend.

Mine was good.

Able to relax and enjoy some walks without trudging through snowbanks.

Always a good thing.

Well almost time to start getting all of the items on for my walk to the bus and then from the bus to the office.

The lighter winter coat, scarf, mitts and perhaps the boots.

I have not made up my mind as yet.

I will wait until the last minute and see what my gut tells me to do.

Have an awesome Monday.

Special Hello to:  all those folks who take their precious time to read this girl’s blog.  Thank you.

Always, Carol and Alvin