The New YEAR 2022

Good Morning ALL! How are you this morning? We are doing okay. So happy that we are on the brink of another weekend. There are what appears to be rain clouds in the sky. I do not remember a forecast for rain. We are supposed to have +20 degrees today. But a bit of rain would be okay, to clean and freshen things up.

I am excited as tomorrow morning I am getting together with my friends for coffee in the morning and also received an dinner invitation from another friend for Easter. Spring is definitely a time of “renewal” and maybe this spring more than ever in many millenia.

Even craning my head as far to the east at my office window, I do not see the beautiful morning sunrise. It has to be there somewhere. Where or where are you Mr. Sun? Please come out today.

The past couple of days have truly been filled with incredibly ups and downs. We, I should take this day and hopefully all of the days to come to realize that we are “emotional beings” and it is okay if we have an emotional outburst anywhere including work. After all, we are human and we humans are emotional beings. How are we expected not to be emotional sometimes in certain situations. The word “professional” has perhaps been taken out of context and taken too far. Food for thought. Sometimes you have to cry and tears are not a bad thing. In this world of incredible highs and lows and up and downs, sometimes those tears are the best release for our souls, for our bodies, for our minds. I think so anyway. I am not a doctor or a licensed anything other than a “caring, compassionate, loving human being.

Well I need some coffee this morning and I can smell that amazing aroma wafting up the stairs to my nose.

I hope that you have an awesome Friday. Remember we are emotional beings. We are – there is no getting away from that thought or statement or fact.

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

Always, Carol & Alvin

PS: I had a wonderful visit with my daughter as she stopped to bring Alvin’s supplies and pick up a delivery from us. Love my girl, to the moon and beyond.

2021

Good Morning ALL! How are you this Tuesday morning? Alvin and I are well. We had a pretty good sleep from about 9:30 – 4:00 and then it was up a few times before I actually hauled my bottom off the sofa a few minutes ago. Today, I work the late shift so start work at 11:00 a.m. and work until 7:00 p.m. The best part of this shift is starting late and taking my 45 minute break at 3:00 p.m. as the temperature is usually perfect mid afternoon. It is a very broken up shift and I spend from 4-7 p.m. on the phone, ugh. Oh well. It is an gorgeous morning. The sun is now up and shining every so brightly in the most glorious bright blue morning sky. Guess what? The tea order arrived yesterday afternoon – one day early. I was pleasantly and happily surprised.

Alvin was trying for at least a hour or so to get me up and I just wanted to lay there snuggled under the blanket on the sofa. I love just laying still with my thoughts wandering here and there and then sometimes dozing off and waking up mid dream or mid thought. What a great way to begin a day. Gently with no mad rush to begin the day. He is giving me some kind of look from the hallway. Not quite sure what the look means but he is giving me a stare. Oh my boy, I love you.

I was thinking about planting flowers. The tulip bulbs went in on the weekend and I wonder how long before they break through the earth? Or will they? Hard to know. The bulbs seemed to be okay but honestly I know nothing about tulips except they are my daughter’s favourite flower and I love them, too. Oh well, time will tell. In a month or so, the weather should be settled and past the threat of freezing temperatures overnight so that I can put my geranium plants outside along with the lily who has spent the winter in our basement. My friend Pauline gave me a starter plant to add to the lily pot as it will climb over the edge framing the beautiful lily. I think it may be warm enough today to bring up the lily and let her have some time in the warm rays of the sunshine. I am shocked at the size of the lily …. I did not think that it would grow over the winter but it did. I am grateful. Before I start work I am going to bring up the lily and place her on the deck in the sunshine. Also Pauline mentioned about planting her in a deeper pot so I will have to check out my pots and see. I am concerned about moving her as whatever my friend had in the soil surely suited the lily. Food for thought, I guess.

Well I suppose I should head into the bedroom and go and have a refreshing shower. It is time. I need to empty the dishwasher, grind some coffee, pick up early morning poop from backyard, and do a few other things plus have breakfast before starting work at 11:00 a.m. (lots of time).

I, We wish you a wonderful April 20th, 2021.

I cannot wait to have flowers planted and on the deck and the furniture out. First have to pressure wash the deck and I want to wait until this last threat of winter has passed. So a week or two. Also I am excited to get the fence painted this summer ….. it certainly needs some love and attention.

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  My Flowers

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Continuing to live with Kindness, Respect, Compassion and Patience.

Always, Love Carol & Alvin

Second Half of the NEW YEAR – last quarter.

Good Morning All. Thankfully the snow has stopped. We did have a little bit yesterday. This morning it is cold. Temperature is minus 14 degrees celsius not including the windchill. As I gaze out of the office window the air almost has the appearance of FOG as the sun begins to rise in the east. Looks like a painting but it is Mother Nature doing her thing. She has a great imagination. I like to think so.

So Monday morning, here we go. It is almost 7:30 as I type this post. Alvin just stretched and sighed / groaned by the office entranceway. He has absolutely no patience these days. I guess I can relate. As I get older my patience level is not great. Although it depends on the situation for sure.

I worked on my Christmas cards on Saturday and yesterday and they are almost finished. I want to get them in the mail as soon as possible. This year the mail may be more unpredictable than past years. No idea. I have the parcel and one card for overseas all ready to be mailed. They will go shortly.

The big storm that we had on Saturday has now gone to our neighbours to the east and my sister reports that not a lot of snow but lots of freezing rain and snow pellets. I think that is worse than lots of snow. Icy sidewalks, streets and roads are dangerous. Keep safe out there everyone. If you can stay home – it is a good idea to do so.

Alvin definitely has to go downstairs so I had better cut this short.

Food for thought. Our thoughts do become things. What have you brought to fruition as of late? Sounds like a lot of food is on my mind but not really.

Happy Monday.

Stay safe and keep in good health.

We will continue to show the world love, respect and kindness.

I/We shall remain,

As Always, Carol & Alvin

Second Half of the NEW YEAR – last quarter.

Good Morning All. Last night on November 5th, 2020 we had rain and once the sun went down and the temperature dipped the rain froze making decks, sidewalks and streets icy. I found this out when I went outside to the deck with Alvin before bed. Thankfully I did not fall but it sure was slippery.

I am nervous to check the news to see if there was any change overnight. Likely not as most of the media outlets said it would be later Friday. I can only imagine what the Americans are thinking and feeling at this moment.

Well so happy that today is Friday. I slept in and am rushing about to be ready to start work on time. I had the most unusual dream last night. For some reason I was still living in my apartment back in Regina. A family member had been sick so I had gone to stay with them and while I was gone some other “family” and friends moved into my apartment. I am not sure how long I was away but I remember coming home to my apartment with everything changed. Nothing was the same. In fact, after a short time I realized that they had thrown out all of my personal effects, every photo, every letter, every book, every piece of everything that was once mine. With not thought to ask me. I was livid to say the least. It did not end well for the squatters. Funny because I do remember that two people had permission to stay there while I was gone but there were more than two people upon my return. Food for thought.

I have to run as I need to plug in my coffee as I desperately need it this morning. I will be thinking about this dream for awhile and the possible meaning behind it. Hoping for some more details.

Wishing you the best Friday. Remember, we must continue to live our life with kindness and respect and love. We will have those moments that are less than perfect but we have the power to change those moment, to react in a positive manner. To always do better.

I/We shall remain, As Always, Carol & Alvin

It is a NEW YEAR.

Good Morning and Welcome to Friday, May 1st, 2020.

A bright and sunny one with a bit of a breeze happening.

 

Did you ever think in a million years that you would be working from home?

Did you ever think in a million years that you would be laid off from your job because of a VIRUS?

Did you ever think in a million years that your children that school would be cancelled for basically six months?

Did you ever think in a million years that one VIRUS could basically shut down the planet?

Did you ever think in a million years that the skies would be more clear?

Did you ever think that major car manufacturers would shut down?

Did you ever think and this is a big one that we would be told to “stay at home.”

Well there are likely a lot more questions that are floating through our minds at this time.

I never thought with my job that I would be working from home.

Surprisingly the majority of my job can be done from home.

I wonder as result of this virus how many offices will give their employees the choice to work from home?

Perhaps some will return for only one or two days a week and the rest of the time work from home.

For some employers this may cut down on their overhead and be more profitable.

Not everyone can easily work from home.

Now if you have small children at this time it is difficult.

Or any children as they are all at home now.

For some parents they are trying to both work and teach school to their children.

Online schooling only works for those who have computers.

Unfortunately as much as we would like to think that everyone has one, everyone does not.

Most folks no matter their lot in life – has a cell phone.

You see that all of the time.

 

So on the first day of May, this all has me thinking.

For me, this has turned out to be a blessing in many ways.

No commute and this saves me anywhere from  1.25 hour to 2.5 hours.

That was all dependant on whether I was carpooling or catching the bus.

So much more time at home.

I can start my evenings at 4:00 instead of 4:45 (car) or 5:30 (bus).

That has been wonderful.

The most important blessing is that I have so much more time with Alvin.

His waistline does not think so.

We have been walking twice daily.

With Alvin getting older I really appreciate this time with him.

He has my new schedule down pat and when I am running late he just stands in the doorway and stares at me.

Telling me, you are done ….. shut off the computer or get off the phone.

It is my time now.

Despite the many blessings the downfall has been not seeing family and friends more regularly and going out.

I have not left my immediate neighbourhood except for walking since the early part of March.

No shopping have I done.

We are figuring out how to visit with keeping within the social distancing parameters.

Last Sunday was our first coffee date.  Me and my two young girl friends.

That was amazing.

We will have to do that again very soon.

My daughter came over on Wednesday and we worked through that visit as well.

Now that our friend P is out working in her garden, we can stop for a visit on our walk.

So it is getting easier with this warmer weather.

 

Well time to grab coffee and pick up the poop.

I have so  much work to do and need to get a bit of an early start.

Grateful for a nice bright sunny morning.

 

I wish you a wonderful Friday, May 1st.

May you be surrounded by love and support.

May you spread the kindness and respect to all.

 

Happy Friday.

 

I/We Remain,

As Always, Carol & Alvin

I cannot get enough of this photo.

Taken only a few weeks ago, I think.

Days running together.

He looks like a puppy not an 11 year old.

Love Me Alvin ……

 

Living … One day at a time.

Hello,

Well what is there to say about the weather.

Really it has been sunshine then overcast ….. overcast then break with bit of sunshine.

Repeat …. repeat and repeat.

On the upside ALL is green but now we do require some of that bright lovely sunshine.

Alvin and I had a glorious long weekend.

Most of it was spent with each other however there was a sprinkling of family and friends at times.

Despite Mother Nature’s many attempts we did manage to walk at least once each day.

 

I must admit that I spent quite a lot of time this weekend thinking about life.

Thinking about where I am at this point in time.

So where is that exactly?

Well I am good in my own skin so to speak.

Comfortable with the day to day decisions.

Comfortable with my voice.

Comfortable knowing that I do the best that I can most days.

 

I feel relatively good.

Sometimes with all of the rain, I feel a bit drained not as energetic.

 

I work full-time.

I write part-time.

I am surrounded by great people.

 

But somehow there seems to be something missing.

Something is not quite right.

Quickly approaching 62, next month.

 

I remind myself not to compare myself to others my age.

Because we do not all have the same stepping off place.

Life is not the same for us all.

Food for thought.

 

So where do I want to be?

What do I want to be doing?

Good, no great questions.

Definitely I need to be doing some hard thinking to uncover that piece of something in my life that seems to be missing.

 

I shall do just that.

 

Well my carpool is on vacation so will be catching the bus today.

As it is cooler, I am wearing long pants, shoes and socks.

Yes and a top, you silly.

Coat and carrying an umbrella.

The house is cool this morning so I feel the need to bundle up.

Temperature to be only 17 degrees today.

 

Happy Tuesday.

I hope that wherever you are and whatever you are doing that you know what you want at this stage of your life.

Life is complicated …

Better to simplify.

That is for sure.

 

I love this planter from outside my office.

Sometimes you just need to see something beautiful…….

 

 

 

Always, Carol & Alvin

 

Thought for the day ….

Good Morning and Welcome to Monday the 10th day of September, 2018.

We did not receive any RAIN overnight and it was dry when we first were up at 4:45 AM.

When we arose from the sofa at 5:25 a.m. it was wet outside.

It is dark and raining.

What a great way to begin the work week.

I am glad that I started to do the fall cleanup yesterday.

Alvin enjoyed a nice long massage this morning.

This is begin to be a “thing.”

Something that we do almost each and every morning.

 

How was your weekend?

Did you have time to relax?

Did you go out?

Did you walk?

Did you cook?

Did you spend time with your loved ones?

 

My weekend was GREAT.

Yes, I snuggled with Alvin and Teddy on Saturday and played JENGA with myself.

I went outside.

Yes, we walked everyday.

Yes, I did.

Yes, I spent the weekend with Mr. Alvin and saw my neighbour S, and friends Teddy, his Momma and his Papa.

 

So happy this Monday as my carpool is back to work from vacation.

I enjoyed our conversations and her company.

Nice not to have to catch the bus.

 

I guess you could say life is pretty good.

No complaints.

 

Mr. Alvin is snoring on this blue blanket.

Fifteen minutes until I leave for work.

Mr. Alvin is up.

 

Well it is a Monday.

First day of my work week.

 

I hope that you had a great weekend.

That you did have fun, relaxed and all of that.

Enjoy this day as September 10, 2018 will not come this way again …. unless we get caught up in a time loop.

Well that would be scary.

Perhaps we are in a time loop.

Maybe that is why every so often things just feel the same.

Food for thought.

Enjoy.

 

Special Hello to: my son-in-law …. have a great day.

Always, Carol & Alvin

 

PS:  Hello Daughter …… Miss Aspen and Baby Milo…..

 

 

Thought for the day ….

Good Morning and Welcome to Friday the 5th day of January, 2018.

YAY, it is the last day of the work week and then the weekend begins.

So excited for the weekend.

We are expecting a beautiful weekend weather wise so that means good for our walks.

Nice to be able to go out during the day light hours.

Perhaps Alvin won’t have such aversion to walking.

Who knows.

 

Do you ever dream about people from your past but in different circumstances?

Odd circumstances.

Very odd.

Anyway that was last night’s dreams.

Cool but strange, very strange.

Cannot mention names to protect the innocent, of course.

Just food for thought, dreaming??

 

My favourite part of our morning routine is our snuggling on the sofa.

Most comfortable place to “s nap”  (snuggling while napping).

I love it when Alvin stands up and then moves to the pillow and then drops his body with his head landing on the pillow right beside mine.

He never misses.

He is good at cuddling.

 

Well here we go.

Time to leave again.

I wish you a wonderful day filled with kindness and respect.

 

Special Hello to: my friend “I” who lives in Sweden.

Always, Carol & Alvin

Thought for the day….

Good Morning and Welcome to Thursday the 10th day of April, 2014.

How are you this fine morning?

I am doing great.

Alvin even sat on my lap as I wrote in my “gratitude” journal.

He hasn’t done that in awhile.

Was nice.

How did you do yesterday at remaining positive and upbeat?

Did you take a misstep?

I did …. and I apologized.

Was a bit stressed and didn’t take into account that my co-worker might have been too.

Wasn’t serious but I felt bad.

Always learning.

Every word that comes out of your mouth you have to take responsibility.

Every thought that comes into your mind you have to take responsibility.

It would seem that if we all took more responsibility for our words and actions that perhaps the earth would be a much better place to live.

A place we would be proud to leave to the next generations.

A place we would proudly call “Planet Earth, Our Home.”

Just thinking ….. you know ….. on a Thursday morning.

I just want to be a better person.

Not just for others but for me.

If I am that better person then I will give that to others.

They will see that and perhaps it will give them the push they need to be better people.

Just thoughts on a Thursday morning.

It is all you can do and all you should do.

To strive to be better in that moment.

This moment.

To live in the Now ….. not behind or ahead.

Food for thought.

I hope that you are energized and have the most spectacular day.

Thank you for reading.

Special Hello to: my fellow inhabitants of planet Earth …..

Always, Carol and Alvin

 

 

Thought for the day…..

Good Morning and Welcome to Friday the 10th day of January, 2014.

YAY, another gorgeous morning ….. we are so lucky ….. so blessed.

Alvin and I have been enjoying walks every night ….. so great.

“FOOD FOR THOUGHT”- FRIENDS

How are you on the friends front?

What kind of friends do you have?

What kind of friend are you?

Do you listen?

Are you needy?

It makes a difference.

Do you talk to your friend(s) every day?

Do you see them on a regular basis?

Do they live close to you?

Just remember always to “give” and you will receive back.

We the best friend you can possibly be.

Friends are a true blessing.

I hope that you and your friends are doing great.

Take the time to see a special friend today, if possible.

Special Hello to: my sister ….. SKYPE this weekend?

Always, Carol and Alvin