The Next Chapter

Good Morning! The night sky is dissipating but appears to have “rain clouds” so perhaps the forecast for today will be correct. Yesterday was absolutely gorgeous. I spent 2 hours and 40 minutes cleaning up my neighbourhood filling two large black garbage bags (the ones that expand). They were heavy carrying around as I did not have a half way point to drop one off. I also found on the walkway to 62nd Avenue a “dead Christmas Tree.” I thought something was off when I was picking up the trash, so I dragged it over closer to the street with hopes that maybe the garbage collectors will see it and someone will pick it up. Likely not. I guess I could report it to our City Info Line. Perhaps that is what I will do on my lunch break. We pass by the spot on our way to work this morning. Hopefully kids did not move it. I wonder if the people living on the other side of the fence, threw over their tree? Perhaps that is too obvious. I wore short sleeves (which was good as it was warm) and my “Capital City CleanUp vest” and most people I passed did not want to make eye contact but one person shortly after I left home, actually engaged me and said “thank you.” He was walking his dog and mentioned that he was going to be cleaning up downtown this Friday (from work). So that was great to hear. I was happy to get back home. The bags were heavy and my back was and is still sore from lifting them. I have been cleaning up this neighbourhood since I moved her back at the end of March 2009.

I actually fulfilled my TO DO LIST from yesterday by finishing the laundry and doing the garbage pickup and washing the main floor. A good productive weekend.

As I had really enjoyed watching the TOP GUN “Maverick” movie, I rewatched it another time and I also rented the original one as I wanted to check out a few things. Kind of disappointed that a movie from 1986 is being charged at $5.00 compared to the $7.00 for the new releases. Very poor Telus. They could still make money at $1.00 or $2.00. It was not because it was the original as most of the other movies that were listed were charged at $5.00. I don’t rent movies too often but I guess still is cheaper than going to the theatre and the old ones there is no other way to watch them. So yes, I spent $19.00 on movie rentals this weekend. My entertainment budget.

Last night after supper one of my friends and her daughter came over to choose some books from the over 100 titles that I am giving away. They chose three bags full. This will reduce the amount that I have to take to the Library or somewhere to dispose.

Have an awesome day. Cookie comes this Thursday to stay with me.

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

Oh, I was thinking of Mr. Alvin yesterday during my time outside. He used to “patiently” wait for me to return and then we would go for a walk OR sometimes I would go for a walk with him first. He would have loved the beautiful day whether walking or sitting out on our deck.

Always, Carol & Alvin (My Forever Angel)

The New YEAR 2022

Good Morning ALL! How are you this Monday morning? The sky is partially overcast but earlier the sun was shining brightly. My how fast things can change. Alvin and I are doing well. Busy day yesterday. As you know we were up and at it earlier than most Sundays. We even went for a walk in the morning. I worked for a few hours in the basement and then realized that this is going to take more than one afternoon. I managed to haul up the Christmas tree and a portable stand as I had planned to give them away on social media. I also decided to give away the Christmas tree that I have for outdoors. Just feeling like changing things up. I am going for a small tree. My 7.5 ft tree was just too much for me to set up and take down and then I do not need to ask for help, I can do a smaller tree on my own. Easy peasy. Anyway, I posted the items later in the afternoon and the metal stand has been picked up. YAY.

I separated all of the rubbermaid containers between Christmas decorations and my daughter’s childhood things and my things consisting mostly of papers, like cards etc. I am going to be very strict with myself and only keep a small amount of things. I found my journals so perhaps scanning them might be an option in the future. A lot of work but I will see. I have a lot of them but I do know that my daughter would be interested in them. Whether she wants to keep them all, that is for her to decide.

The second pantry (cabinet) did not get done but I figured that I could do it after work as it does not take much time. I think my “tupperware” drawers and cupboards need to be gone through again. I am not keeping what I do not use on a regular basis.

The office closet up here desperately needs to be gone through and that will take a few hours.

I have one month to get this done as we are having a garage sale in June. Although everything won’t go in the sale as I will post some things on social media, still want to get it done.

We collect so many little non-essential items – I see everywhere I look. I get the minimalist look, I get it. Just have what you use. Although I won’t likely take it that far, I am going to keep reducing my “material things.” No point in keeping so much especially if people will use them.

We did not get a second walk in because it rained. Moisture is good, cleans up the dirt and dust and helps our trees and perennials start to grow again.

Well time to head downstairs. Happy Monday ALL!

Just getting rid of that wood – still makes me feel lighter! Big weight off my shoulders as I had been concerned as to where I could take it and who could take it away.

Thank goodness for friends.

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

Always, Carol & Alvin

The New YEAR 2022

Good Morning ALL! How are you this morning? Well, I hope and trust. Me, well I hit that darn SNOOZE button on my phone more than once this morning and now I am racing to get things done. My fault. I am not sure why as I was awake, just finding it difficult to get out from underneath that red cozy blanket snuggled beside the Alvin while listening to the wind howling. For some reason the wind does not give me incentive to get my butt moving in the morning. Unfortunately for me, there has been a lot of wind howling going on here in the past few days and even weeks. Thankfully not everyday until recently. I will say it is nice to be looking out of my office window and seeing the sunrise. It is so pretty. Makes me smile and feel good. I can smell my coffee waiting for me to drink. Thank goodness today is Friday. We made it to yet another weekend.

Alvin had a good vet appointment yesterday. No ear infection. He got an oral vaccine for a word that starts with a b and I cannot remember how to spell it at this moment. Too much of a hurry to stop and figure it out. Not important. He does need to have his teeth cleaned sometime in the coming months. Which I was not surprised by. So do I. It is funny that the best things in life are free like snuggling with Alvin and walking but to keep him alive and healthy COSTS so much money. Same thing applies to us. We in ourselves are free but everything to stay alive and well costs money. Isn’t life so much fun, lol.

I was so grateful to have my neighbours car to drive to the vet. She is parking in our garage for the time being as parking is little or none and when her guy is home, well, not enough room for them both in her garage. Anyway, it was great not to have to worry about walking over the ice and water to the vet. Dangerous even. We had a little situation as we were leaving but thankfully my neighbour was able to come over right away and help me. Ended well.

Anyway, I was so happy when they announced the total of my vet bill yesterday as it was much less than originally quoted which leaves me money for groceries. Oh, I am not starving as I have my pantry and freezer with food. But never good to be completely without funds. I also picked up his food, toothpaste, movoflex so he is also good to go. Thank heavens for that.

Well I have to sign off. Sorry for the short post. I think we can all agree that we have been there – hitting that darn snooze button in the morning.

I hope that you have an awesome Friday. Be safe and take careful.

So light out now. YAY. Spring is close.

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

Always, Carol & Alvin

It is a NEW YEAR.

Good Monday Morning ALL.

The clouds are beginning to break and I can see clear blue patches of sky.

We definitely require some sunshine.

Appreciate the rain, the moisture but really, really, really need some sunny warm days.

May and June thus far have been on the cool wet side.

Keeping positive thoughts that we will have a nice warm sunny summer.

 

How was your Sunday?

Mine was good, quiet.

I did some odds and ends and spent about 3 hours in the afternoon working on work.

Just gives me peace of mind.

Also helps when Monday rolls around …. not quite so frantic.

Last night early evening I saw some movement across the street.

Here were these two young rabbits (definitely not fully grown) running.

They were chasing each other.

Full throttle.

So cute.

They were definitely playing you could see it plain as day.

Back and forth and forth and back on the stretch of lawn across the street.

Actually our lawns are perfect for rabbits and children.

With no fences they can run and play.

I wished that I had been able to catch a video of them but somehow I can happy that I captured the video with my own personal recorder.

Sometimes we need to drop the devices and capture life’s movies with our own built in video cameras.

Often times we miss the little things by always being behind the lens.

We do have the photos and videos for all time.

Mostly, we do not look back over them at a later date/time.

Although I will say that I do quite often look at the photos that I have taken over the years.

Sometimes when my sister comes to visit we drag out the photo boxes and take a journey down memory lane.

Laughing and crying.

My daughter is a photo nut as well so we often look over photos and share them as well.

 

Speaking of my daughter.

This past weekend the small City where she lives has a program they call “free-cycle.”

I do not remember how many times in the summer they hold it but more than once.

Folks put out on their driveways and lawns …. items they no longer want.

Free for the taking.

My daughter and son-in-law love to check out the treasures.

This weekend it has been raining but did not stop them or others.

I guess later yesterday people starting putting more things out for pickup.

Just received a text from my daughter telling me of the treasures they found yesterday.

Flower pots, some art, a few fans, another patio table and an amazing iron garden slide chair.

She said they had to drive down the street with her holding the chair halfway in the car.

They would like to give it to me.

Further details about the chair …. really heavy iron chair that rocks.

That would be cool.

I can not wait to see the photos and the real life items.

I can only imagine an iron rocking chair?

Never seen one in my life.

Never ever.

 

What a great idea for neighbourhoods to host!

A weekend when folks place items on their lawns or driveways for others to take for FREE.

Now they should be in good condition.

I don’t think this event is for folks to put out broken unfixable items.

Nor should it be.

But what a great way to give a new home, new purpose, a future, to some of those items that you no longer need or love.

Better than a garage sale.

You may not make a few dollars but you might just make some passerby very happy.

 

Well time to get this show on the road.

Coffee is ready.

Alvin is snuggling under a blanket on top of his little bed in my office.

It is chilly in the house this morning.

The last couple of mornings, I really should have turned on the thermostat but just could not bring myself to do so in JUNE.

Alvin has been cold with his new haircut from last weekend.

So he snuggles under a blanket.

 

I hope that you have an amazing Monday.

Living with kindness and respect forever.

I/We shall remain,

As Always, Carol & Alvin

 

 

 

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Friday, July 1st, 2016.

Happy Canada Day.

This morning the sun is shining brightly and there is a coolness to the breeze that is blowing in through the office window.

Canada Day is on a Friday this year which makes for a nice long weekend.

Me and Alvin are just going to lounge and enjoy the day and evening.

I might do a few things around the house but today will be a fun day.

After all we are celebrating CANADA on this day.

Memories linger in my mind of all the places that I have visited in Canada and to all of the others places I wish to visit someday.

We truly have a beautiful place on this planet.

I was curious what Canada Day was like last year and here is my post from last Canada Day.

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Good Morning and Welcome to Wednesday the 1st day of July, 2015.

Today also is the day that we Canadians celebrate “CANADA” …..

Happy Canada Day to all my fellow Canadians.

I am so grateful to live in such a beautiful, wondrous country.

From coast to coast …. the prairies and the mountains and all in between.

I see new photos everyday that remind me of the beauty.

I am grateful to live in a country that is free.

I am grateful that I have choices, and can make my own decisions.

Just on my way out the door to go, and have coffee with my neighbour.

I hope that you have a great day.

It is overcast and raining off and on here in Edmonton but we need the rain, so no complaints.

Happy Canada Day…..

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I smell coffee in my near future.

Time to turn it on ….. relax on the deck and drink in the sunshine.

Special Hello to: all of my family and friends.