The New YEAR 2022

Good Morning ALL! How are you this morning? Another dreary looking morning out there. We were outside a short while ago and it was nice but before that I could see my breath. We received a fair amount of rain yesterday and everything should get very much that beautiful green now. We will however need some sunshine and that according to the forecast is in short supply over the next week. We had a decent sleep last night. Lights out at 10:00, Alvin was next up at 4:18 and then 5:39 so all in all not bad. He seems to be doing better since I completely cut out human food a couple of days ago now. He has not been leaving behind a “lovely fragrance.” LOL.

If I strain hard enough I can almost see the sunrise.

I am slowly but surely getting the garage cleaned out and disposing of items. Another item was picked up last night. So exciting to meet new people and to have my garage almost bare. What a great feeling. Next to get through those containers in the basement. Actually that would be a great job for the evenings when the weather is not great for walking. Note to self.

I am so grateful for my life. There are moments of imperfection but so many more of utter perfection and delight.

Can you believe it is 63 days now until my 65th Birthday? WOW. Still shaking my head in disbelief, 65. Whoa.

This post will be short as I cannot bring any words of wisdom or funny stories quickly to mind and soon shall be time to start work. Yes and time to plug in the coffee.

I wish you a great day.

Happy Tuesday.

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

Always possibilities …….

Carol & Alvin

Living … One day at a time.

Hello,

It is the first full day of my 2019 VACATION.

I feel like jumping and down and screaming it to the world.

So happy.

Can you tell?

Yes, I am so excited to be on vacation.

I wanted to sleep in a bit.

Alvin was up at 3:28 a.m. so we moved from bedroom to living sofa where we remained until 6:53 a.m.

I was thinking “Really” this is my vacation …. I would like to sleep until 7:30 a.m. – so I did.

Then up threw a coat over my nightgown and out the door to go and look after Cinder and Humphrey.

When I had finished everything – I asked Humphrey if he wanted to come home with me and see Alvin.

He ran over to the steps going to their upstairs and waited for me to slightly bend over and scoop him up.

He perched himself on my shoulder and I am glad that I had my coat back on …. because he was holding on.

So locked the house and went back home.

At home the boys are like it has always been this situation.

They do well together.

As I have mentioned before Alvin has just a bit of uncertainty about Humphrey to make it a perfect relationship.

Hi Humphrey who has just joined us.

 

Last night after I arrived home from work, did the usual, let Alvin outside, got changed, we went for a walk, brought Alvin home and then went to pick up Humphrey.

He spent the evening with us.

Made a huge salad for supper and I must say that I love my thrown together homemade salad dressing.

No recipe that I can even share.

Just after I had eaten and finished the dishes the phone rang and I saw that it was my friend V from Saskatchewan.

She had left me a message on my cell but I was busy and had not noticed.

Instructions to go and pick up the mail …..

We all know what that means.

A parcel.

In this case …. an early Birthday parcel.

Grabbed my keys, locked the house so that the fur babies could not escape and ran to the mailboxes.

Okay, perhaps that was a stretch, no running but walking quickly.

Lots of flyers in the mailbox along with a key to the BIG BOX.

Quickly picked up the parcel locked the mail boxes and was on my way home.

Once inside the house – Mr. Alvin started to get excited.

He knows all about those boxes and very likely he could smell the contents.

So I quickly went about opening the box with Humphrey and Alvin standing by not so quietly, especially my boy.

First thing was to locate his special treat from our friend and then grab my phone to video him opening his present.

OMG, so cute.

Wishing that I could show you the video.

If you follow me on INSTAGRAM @  carolylewis

You can see the video with Alvin opening his treat.

After he was finished I gave him some of the treat and then proceeded to the rest of the box which was filled to the brim with all sorts of sweet homemade delectable treats.

Two kinds of cinnamon buns, cheese buns and regular buns, chocolate biscotti and some other bought sweet treats.

 

As I was opening my packages – Alvin had taken the box that I had set beside the pantry door on the floor and pulled it over to where the photos are which is a few feet.

He was looking for more treats.

I laughed so hard, what a boy.

Photos above are of my sweet treats.

What a decision to have to make?

It was lucky that I had a salad for supper.

So in the end I had a cinnamon bun and one chocolate biscotti.

Heaven …. truly.

 

The fragrance emmanting from these gorgeous lilies is intoxicating.

Humphrey and AL relaxing last night.

Pleasant surprise as the solar light inserted in one of my flower pots came alive last night.

The colours were glorious.

 

Well time to have breakfast and get these boys outside into the backyard to enjoy some fresh air.

Wishing my niece-in-law “S” a very Happy Birthday.

Wishing my friend “K” a very Happy Birthday.

So many August Birthdays.

Happy Birthday ….

 

If you spend each moment treating others with kindness and respect then you will be living your life with kindness and respect.

 

Always, Carol & ALvin and Humphrey.

 

Living … One day at a time.

Hello,

Sun rise beautiful and the skies are a mixture of clouds and light.

So we will take that…..

The heavens opened up while I was on the bus on my way home.

In fact, the rain started when I was about 10 minutes from my bus stop.

By the time, I got off the bus, the rain had slowed down.

Luckily for me and all my fellow bus riders.

I managed to be mostly dry upon reaching home.

Which was a good thing.

Alvin went outside to the back yard and did his business.

We decided as it was still raining to have supper first.

Ended up walking about 8:00 p.m. and it was wonderful.

The air was fragrant with fresh rain and roses.

I keep forgetting to mention the roses that line the entrance to the park by my house and in other spots throughout the park and other walkways.

The rain …. oh, they love the rain.

The fragrance …. I closed my eyes and stood still for a few moments breathing in the beautiful fragrance.

Even Alvin took a moment to take it all in …. he likes to get right in there.

I have warned him about the thorns but he is a dog and most times has to figure it out firsthand.

There is no fragrance on this earth like roses.

Seldom can man come close to this amazing smell.

I love roses.

Can you tell?

But these roses.

The “wild” roses not the ones that have been tampered with by man throughout the ages.

Just a plain rose …..

We met a new friend “Rickie” last night on our walk and stopped to see others as they were sitting in their garage.

It was a great walk.

Alvin was over the moon that he did not have to wear the dreaded red rain poncho.

I thought he looked handsome and debonair but he did not.

 

Sometimes you just get to bed later and then want to sleep more.

So am running a tad late here.

 

Wishing my darling cousin L, a very Happy Birthday …..

Wishing my best friend from early childhood and her twin sister a very Happy 62nd Birthday.

I am getting close to that special year as well.

 

Well time to fly here as Mr. Humphrey will be spending the day with Mr. Alvin.

He has a doggie friend at his house.

So as my Alvin and Humphrey get along so well ….

Humphrey will be coming over here.

First time ever.

One cat and one dog for the whole day with the Mama.

I am quite certain that they will be fine.

At least they have two floors in the house ….. space.

 

Happy Thursday.

 

Kind and Respectful.

Even with cats and dogs.

 

Always, Carol & Alvin

Thought for the day ….

Good Morning and Welcome to Saturday the 14th day of April, 2018.

The sun was shining brightly when we got up for the day.

Now it is slightly overcast.

They were forecasting a temperature of +8 celsius for us in Edmonton, today.

We shall see.

Anyway the snow melted considerably yesterday and soon we shall see blades of green grass coming up.

I love those first blades of green grass, so fresh and beautiful.

The buds on the trees are exquisite.

As a child, spring captured my heart and imagination.

The fields full of purple fuzzy flowers named crocuses.

The buds on the willow trees in and around the sloughs (ponds).

Rabbits at that in between shade between white and brown.

Birds returning home to nest.

My favourite being the Robins.

I love ROBINS.

Babies being born on the farm.

Calves were perhaps my favourite but the pigs were also very cute.

We temporarily had the runt of a litter come join us in our house.

That little pig.

I can still seeing him trying to run on my Mother’s waxed living room floor.

I am certain that we gave him a name but some 50 years later, I have forgotten the name.

As we get older it is more important to write the stories of our youth as we might remember the story – just not all of the details.

I also remember the snow melting and water running and the smell.

There was a definite fragrance to spring.

That has long since gone.

I am not certain if it was a farm thing or a young girl thing or a young girl’s imagination.

So on this Saturday at the mid point of April, I am just going to enjoy and appreciate this time, this spring.

 

Alvin has his regular “pedicure” appointment this morning.

He needs more food, imagine that.

Lots to do this Saturday.

Laundry, clean the house and just be ready.

 

Happy Saturday.

Special Hello to: my sister and brothers ….. thinking of the good old days.

Always, Carol & Alvin

 

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Friday the 16th day of June, 2017.

Woke up extra early this morning but not on my own with thank to Me Alvin.

So feeling a bit tired and have a headache.

Oh well, it is Friday after all.

The sun was shining earlier but now it has clouded over.

Rain is in the forecast.

We had a wonderful walk with our friends “S” and Presley last night.

 

The air was perfect …..

I keep forgetting to mention the ROSES ….. they are in bloom ……

The fragrance is amazing …….

I love the smell of roses in the early morning.

They line the a path that takes me part way to the bus.

It is like walking in heaven.

 

Well Mr. Alvin had his Momma up at 3:40 a.m. – yes …… you are correct.

So even though we hit the sofa for some zzz’s ….. I am a bit tired.

 

So time to go here.

Listening to Adele in the car with James Corden – Carpool Karaoke.

They are singing a Spice Girls song ……

Tell what you really really want ……

I do not want to leave but I have to run and catch the bus.

 

Thank you for Friday.

Special Hello to:  all those people who write all over the world ……

Always, Carol & Alvin

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Tuesday the 25th day of August, 2015.

Today was my Mom’s Birthday …… Happy Birthday Mom.

We miss you.

The sky is overcast this morning much the way it was yesterday morning.

The sun will come out.

Supposed to be 25.

What gorgeous weather.

Too bad we could not regulate our inside temperatures at work …. I froze yesterday.

Funny, because I am usually warm.

Oh well ….. what can you do.

Put on another layer.

I opted for long pants today instead of capris or a skirt.

I love my walk to the bus stop ….. it is quiet and I can just take in the view.

The roses are blooming again and the fragrance just makes my day.

There is nothing quite like the smell of roses in the morning….

Well here we go again ….. running a bit behind only because I could not get my “behind” out of bed earlier.

Should give me more incentive to get to bed earlier….. but there were things to do …..

I hope that you have an awesome day.

Remember to stop and “smell the roses” …….

I think that today is going to be your best one yet.

Special Hello to: my friend “V” who is so thoughtful and kind.

Always, Carol and Alvin

Thought for the day ……

Good Morning and Welcome to Wednesday the 29th day of July, 2015.

Third last day of July, 2015 ….. so excited for August.

The sun is shining so brightly ….. there is a breeze ….. it is wonderful.

I am so grateful to be here now.

I am in the perfect place at the perfect time.

Yesterday while I was at work one of my friends who was on her last day of vacation came to the house.

She gave Alvin a treat …. let him outside ….. then took him for a nice long walk.

We are so blessed to have “S” as our friend and neighbour.

We are surrounded by great people and I am eternally grateful.

Well it is almost time to get downstairs and grab my lunch and umbrella (just in case) and head to the bus.

I treasure these mornings as they are perfect weather wise.

The roses that line the walk way are perfection and the fragrance should be bottled.

Oh what a lucky lady / woman I am.

Only two more sleeps till the big SIBLING weekend ….

I wish you so much joy this day.

May your day be filled with laughter.

May your day be filled with love.

May you have the perfect day.

Special Hello to: all the siblings out there ….. get together ….. you are special to each other.

Always, Carol and Alvin

Thought for the day …….

Good Morning and Welcome to Thursday the 2nd day of July, 2015.

It is absolutely the most perfect morning here in Edmonton.

The sun is shining, there is a slight cool breeze which was perfect for our morning stroll.

I have a couple of days off from the office.  We were up to stay fairly early for a day off.

There were the roses that line our path at the entrance to the lake …. the fragrance was enchanting.

A robin hopped along not grabbing Mr. Alvin’s attention.

The grass glistened with dew looking as though there were diamonds sprinkled everywhere.

What an absolute perfect morning.

I wish every morning would be like this for us.

For now I will take these ones and treasure them.

Alvin just loves to sniff the grass as we walk along ….. not sure what he is finding.

Upon our arrival home and once Mr. Alvin had his harness removed; I grabbed the watering can so that I could give the front flower bed a quick drink. The back side of the bed rests against the house and does not get all of the rain.

My flowers are doing well and so are the little weeds that are trying desperately to find a home.

They are so nice and green.

But …….

We had a great Canada Day …… was just deciding about getting up when the phone rang (deciding factor).

It was our neighbour inviting us over for coffee.

So ate, dressed and went out …. what a great way to celebrate Canada Day….. good friend and coffee.

Mr. Alvin came with me ….. not fair to leave him at home.

Well I had better get on my way ….. breakfast …. make a couple of phone calls and this afternoon ….

I am going to bring out the beads and make some jewellery.

I miss making things …. so much fun and therapeutic.

I hope that you enjoy your day and have time to do something you love.

Happy July 2nd, 2015.

WOW ….. second day of July.

Special Hello to:  all those folks who are on vacation ….. enjoy.

Always, Carol and Alvin

Thought for the day……

Good Morning and Welcome to Tuesday the 27th day of January, 2015.

Four days left of what is normally our “coldest” month of winter.

We had a very “un” normal month of January.

With the last four days I hope that they continue being “different.”

Gotta love not being normal.

 

Well I think that celebrating people no matter their vocation is important.

Some of you felt the same.

So perhaps we start celebrating those closest to you ….. maybe you have a store that you revisit all of the time and you even know one of the associates by name.

How about next time you go to the store when you know she/he is working and drop off a coffee gift card.

Several years ago I did that with the girls at Shoppers in the “Glam” department ….. there were several that worked on a regular basis.

So I went to Starbucks and picked up a few gift cards.

The girls were so tickled …..

Good customer service should begin with each of us.

How about if the customers gave back.

Not a bad idea.

Not just retail but anyone that you do not normally give some type of gift to …. tip etc.

Well I hear my ride almost ready.

So time to fly.

I hope that you will give this a go.

Everything begins with each of us.

Have a wonderful day.

I appreciate each and every one of you.

Special Hello to: all those people who read my blog ….. thank you so much.

Always, Carol and Alvin

Thought for the day…..

Good Morning and Welcome to Friday the 27th day of June, 2014.

Bright, sunny with a bit of a breeze, the perfect morning.

Well I am on my way to the dentist for a checkup.

Reminder to all, do not put off going to the dentist because you are busy at work.

Your health is more important.

My daughter will come over in a little bit to pick up Mr. Alvin and he will spend the day and overnight with them.

He loves to visit.

We had a glorious walk last night …..

Oh my goodness …. the ROSES were so heavy on the branches ….. that they were leaning onto the ground.

So pretty ….. the pinks and the SMELL …… heavenly.

I wish that they could bottle that fragrance.

It would sell a billion bottles for sure.

Well time to get this show on the road.

With this being the long weekend – the roads will be busy.

So drive carefully.

Enjoy.

Catch up with you tomorrow.

Have a great Friday.

Special Hello to: my sister …… SKYPE this weekend?  I should be home all day tomorrow.

Always, Carol and Alvin