Last Half 2022 – September

Good Morning ALL! Today is the last day of September, 2022. Wow, how did that happen. We had a reasonably good sleep. Up late but Alvin slept till almost 4:30 and then up again at 6:30 and then a couple of hours later. The first time we were up we felt a few rain drops on our skin as we made our way back to the house and then at 6:30 the ground was wet. The sky remains overcast with the sun peeking through in spots.

Today is a day off from work as we remember and reconcile our Canadian history with our Indigenous peoples. A good place to start and build on a better future for all of our peoples. Each being is important and should be treated with respect and compassion. You never know what is going on with anyone until you walk a mile in their shoes or get to know and to understand them. We all have history.

Today is a day to reflect and of reflection.

Front Porch

Tree trimmed

View of tree from inside

The sky from our deck

a few days ago

I was able to upload a few photos. Unfortunately I forgot to take a photo of my fall wreath from the front door. This will be the weekend to finish off the fall cleanup. Our tree after my daughter and I trimmed it last Saturday, not even one week ago. This morning the tree is almost all yellow. Will have to have more photos. Mr. Alvin could not wait for me and came upstairs. I was not fast enough. Lately I have been trying to carry him up and down the stairs more often. The photos of the sky and the clouds were taken from our back deck in the morning, if I remember correctly sometime this last week.

Time to head downstairs and have another mug of coffee. Today will be a quiet one for us, perhaps a walk a bit later if it is not raining. I am so grateful to have my own home and to be with Mr. Alvin in his twilight years. We have been together since he was almost one year old. So much history.

Have a wonderful day.

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

Always, Carol & Alvin

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Saturday the 12th day of January, 2019.

The sun is beginning to rise in the east and I can see a beautiful array of oranges and pinks filling the horizon.

So excited to have a bright sunny day and warmer temperatures.

Up to stay for about 1/2 hour now and first up at 4:00 (give or take a few minutes before 4).

Oh my Mr. Alvin, what a guy.

We have a busy day ahead.

Master Teddy is coming at 9:00 a.m. to spend the day with us.

I always love having him as we brings more joy to our house.

If you were having a less than stellar day well Teddy would change your mood, definitely.

Alvin has his 2nd treatment this morning at the Vet.

So will have both the boys in tow on the walk over.

As I sit here the colours have expanded and there is so much colour on display.

So beautiful.

I can now see yellow in with the pinks and oranges.

It is going to be a beautiful day.

Beautiful, perfect.

 

I was listening to one of the morning shows that I record last night.

It is an American show and they were discussing a wide variety of topics.

SICK DAYS came up.

They were staying that there is talk of doing away with sick days.

Too many people have taken advantage.

Interesting and scary.

 

I wanted to mention this.

My daughter ordered something for me on AMAZON after Christmas.

The order was shipped out in several deliveries.

The first two arrived at my house while I was at home.

My daughter let me know that there had been a delivery only I did not receive that package.

I suppose someone decided that they needed that item more than me.

There are always comments and posts on Facebook and News Reports that packages delivered by Amazon and other on-line companies are stolen

I was grateful that my daughter contacted AMAZON and guess what – not only did they send a replacement but they placed it in CANADA POST.

This time I received the package.

Now I have the full order.

I had been worried and they have restored my faith in humankind.

Thank you Amazon.

Still kind of mad about the fool that stole the package from my front porch.

What kind of people do that?

If you needed the money, why did you not ask?

 

Well time to go and have a shower before Master Teddy arrives.

I am so excited to see him as is Mr. Alvin.

 

Have an awesome Saturday and if you are reading this while the sun is rising …. it is glorious.

As each minute passes it becomes more beautiful.

So beautiful.

 

Special Hello to: my friend V who is so helpful, thank you my friend.

Always, Carol & Alvin

 

 

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Tuesday the 6th day of December, 2016.

Happy Birthday Cousin “J” on this COLD December day.

Alvin and I wish you a wonderful day and the best year ahead.

 

Yes, it is true, winter arrived in Edmonton – in most part of Canada late on Sunday.

I knew that there was something about winter that I did not particularly enjoy.

It was these frigid temperatures.

My poor Alvin ….. no walks in the immediate future.

Just too cold, especially after I gave him a hair trim on Saturday.

Last night as I was out shovelling the driveway and deck, I had him in the house and he watched out of our bay window in the kitchen/dining room and was not really happy.

He likes to be where I am at all times when I am at home.

I let him out here and there but it was / it is just too cold for our fur babies to be outside for more than a few minutes.

I realize that some of the bigger dogs need to get old but watch the time.

Their poor paws will freeze quickly.

When I was shovelling at the front of the house with the exception of the porch area and front part of the sidewalk, I was in his visual range and he was okay.

Poor guy.

Sure is nice that he misses me.

 

I am so blessed to have a ride to work this morning.

Another tea order arrived yesterday and it all goes to my co-workers who support my tea business.

I am so grateful for them.

My neighbour that is giving me a ride ….. so grateful for her.

She has been here since I moved in and is a great friend and neighbour.

 

Really hard to concentrate on words when you are thinking about how cold it is outside.

Even the house seems a bit colder.

Our furnaces are truly getting a work-out in this weather.

 

Well time to go and finish getting ready.

I hope that you are safe and warm.

Do not head out on the roads if you do not need.

If you do go anywhere be prepared.

Blankets, flashlights, safety equipment, flares, water, gas can with gas, some chocolate and breakfast bars and make sure if you have a cell phone it is charged.

Safety first.

Always make sure someone knows where you are …. when you leave and your estimated arrival time.

 

Have a great Tuesday.

Special Hello: to my cousin “J” ….. who is one of the most intelligent, kind, witty human beings I know.  Happy Birthday Cousin.

Always, Carol and Alvin

Thought for the day ….

Good Morning and Welcome to Monday the 13th day of June, 2016.

It is a beautiful, bright, blue sky morning here in Edmonton.

On a sad note, my neighbours are moving into their new house today and I shall have new neighbours.

On a happy note, (I love to get the sad out of the way first) ….

On a happy note, yesterday I spoke to my friend “M” on the telephone, actually heard her voice.

Sounds just like she did over twenty years ago.

Elton is coming to spend the day with Alvin so that is nice.

He spent a few hours with us yesterday.

Last night it just happened that a few of us neighbours met up on the front porch to chat about our years together.

Funny how fast time passes.

I have lived here seven years ….. hard to believe.

It will be different without S & M next door …. they have been great neighbours and friends.

 

Funny that no matter where life takes you …. your friends, your true friends will always be there.

Sometimes you do not see each other for decades and then life brings you back together.

It is as though no time has elapsed.

I am grateful for that.

 

Well I had better get this show on the road.

My ride will be here early this morning.

I want to be ready to go.

 

Have an awesome day and you never know where the day will take you.

Surprise.

 

Special Hello to:  my friends “M” and “W” ….. one known since before my daughter was born and the other worked with for decades.

Always, Carol and Alvin

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Sunday the 5th day of June, 2016.

It is a glorious bright, sunny warm with a slight cool breeze.

Does not get more perfect than that.

 

Yesterday’s birthday party was amazing.

We laughed and cried, well I cried, I do that sometimes.

Things can get emotional.

My friend baked a red velvet cake for the birthday girl.

We also had muffins and watermelon to begin the party with …..

It was a great visit and party.

We all had fun.

 

I kept physically busy yesterday by cleaning up the front lawn after my little garden dig ….

Followed by laundry, washed down the house and deck and front porch.

Mowed the back lawn as my neighbour that I share the front lawn with had mowed the front, thank you “S.”

Vacuumed the main and upstairs floor followed by steam mopping them.

Of course, dusting and bathrooms….. cannot forget them.

I will say that hauling my Electrolux canister vacuum up and down is a work out in itself.

 

After all of my work and supper was done ….. and a MOVIE …. Alvin and I joined another neighbour for an extra long walk …. over one hour.

So nice.

It was perfect outside (that was about 8:50 p.m.).

 

Well today I am preparing to call and email customers to see if they would like to order some tea as we have one back in stock that was a huge favourite.

After that I am going to canvas for the Heart and Stroke Foundation.

I have two routes both in my immediate neighbourhood so that is great.

I figured that as I received the kits a few days ago that I had better get right on it as time seems to evaporate.

In February I helped canvas for the Heart Fund.

Nice to help out.

 

Update:  Alvin has definitely made a game out of pushing his chew treat off the sofa … off the front porch ….

Also yesterday when I was working out front … I had Alvin on the front porch with no leash.

Carefully keeping an eye on him and talking to him to remind him to stay.

He was doing good considering my neighbour’s sister was visiting and she was out front in her vehicle.

Anyway …. he decided to go and say hi …. so I walked over …. before I knew it he was doing 360’s on the front lawn.

He ran from one side to the other semi losing his balance and slipping but happily free and playing.

It was fun to watch.

When he was done I called him to the porch steps …. ( I was right there – watching him).

We can hear some dogs big and small barking outside and with the window open Alvin perked up to listen.

Now they have stopped.

You never know what goes on …. I just know that I love and respect my Alvin and I do the best to keep him safe, healthy and happy.

 

Well I had better get this show on the road.

Ended up really late last night and Alvin was up at 4:30 a.m. (per usual) ….. I thought going to bed after midnight might help him to sleep in but I was wrong.

So we hit the sofa for a few more zzzz’s ….. I needed it.

So lots to do.

I hope that you have an awesome day.

Happy Sunday to you.

 

Special Hello to:  my sister, looking forward to the SKYPE visit after supper – about 6:30 p.m. ???

Always, Carol and Alvin

Thought for the day ….

Good Morning and Welcome to Saturday the 29th day of August, 2015.

Wow, can you believe it …. only two days left till the end of August.

I do love the end of summer and the months that follow named “AUTUMN.”

The colours …. the air …. mmm.

Well I had an interesting day yesterday.

Mr. Alvin had some mysterious illness.

He wouldn’t even eat some banana in the morning …. his eyes were glazed.

Definitely not feeling good.

Just over one hour after we got up he tried to throw up but did not.

He yelped whenever he jumped off the sofa.

I booked an appointment with the vet and by the time we could get in he was almost back to himself.

It scares me when he is not feeling well ….. if he could talk ….

I didn’t want to leave him alone ….. after all he is my baby.

Later in the afternoon my daughter and grand-pups dropped by.

They had been to an appointment with the vet (we go to the same one).

Poor Penny did not have a great report.

Elton is doing good.

With our Miss P …. well I am certain that with medicine and perhaps change in diet she will be okay.

She is a strong girl.

I popped out for groceries … borrowed the car.

They stayed for supper ….

After supper my neighbours down the street popped by to drop off their shop vac so that I can finish cleaning the dust from the dry wall.  I already wiped the walls down but there is yet another coat of dust so will wipe down again and then use the shop vac.  Hopefully soon I will be able to move everything back into that room.

We also debated about my tree.

The roots have decided to come to the surface.

Now this did not happen over night.

Unfortunately for me, I did not realize what it was until this year.

I do remember bits of something hard coming to the surface and then breaking through.

But it never occurred to me that it was the roots of the tree until this summer.

Anyway my neighbour went back to his house and got his axe.

We had a good laugh about him carrying the axe down the street (he put it in a garbage bag for transport).

He joked about how strong my swing was …..

We chopped the roots that were closest to the sidewalk at the front porch and the one closest to the retaining wall at my flower bed.  Pulled them out.

I will probably have to cut the tree down in the spring and rip up the lawn to pull up the roots which are all over the place.

They really seemed to have grown this year.

I guess I will be landscaping in the spring.

After we chopped and pulled some roots we all went for a walk … Mr Alvin, too.

It was a perfect evening.

So what a day.

Well I am having company for coffee shortly so better go and have a shower.

Mr. Alvin gets a hair cut today and bath.

Lots to do.

The sky is hazy here with smoke.

Blocking out the brightness of the sun’s rays.

I am grateful at the end of the day that I have good friends and family.

I am grateful for this beautiful weather.

I am very grateful that Alvin is feeling better.

I am grateful that Miss Penny will be feeling better soon and that Elton is good.

My grand-pups…..

Enjoy your Saturday.

Keep your eyes open and question things that are out of the ordinary.

I wished that I would have mentioned those hard spots in the ground sooner.

Alas …. that is life.

Everything happens for a reason.

Special Hello to: all of my friends and family everywhere and thank you.

Always, Carol and Alvin

Thought for the day……

Good Morning and Welcome to Friday the 12th day of June, 2015.

It is a glorious morning here in Edmonton.

The sky is slightly overcast from our rain last night.

The sun is beginning to rise in the sky.

I am so grateful for the rain last night ….. actually gave the flowers and grass a nice boost.

They look so happy this morning.

Perfect timing last night the rain came down as I was eating supper and then while I was drinking my tea.

When we were ready to go for a walk …. the sun came out and the sky pretty much cleared.

How lucky were we ……

I am so grateful for vacation time.

Figuring after a long week it might be nice to have a Friday afternoon off …..

So excited …..

After work hit the grocery store, then throw on the laundry, sand down the front porch and then paint.

Followed by a nice long walk with me Alvin.

This morning for no reason at all he walked over to me, and put his paws on my lap, and gave me a big kiss.

Now what a great way to start the day.

RAIN AND KISSES.

I am one happy girl.

I hope that you all have an awesome Friday …..

This morning I am ready to go early …..

Now how is that for great.

Take care and enjoy a walk in a nearby park or even just down your street.

When the sun goes down and the night sky appears do some star gazing.

Kick off your shoes and walk on the grass.

Sip on a cup of tea on your deck or patio.

I was reminded by a story I read on FB that we should always be overjoyed when a loved one comes through the door.

How about we try that …..

The reminder was from a man and his dog.

Unfortunately his dog …. his friend, passed away.

But no matter how many times he came through the door … his friend was always overjoyed to see him.

I can tell you that is the case.

So often we forget how important being super excited over seeing a loved one is ….

Just think how happy you will make that person and how great you will feel.

Practice.

We can learn so much from our four-legged friends.

Alvin teaches me everyday …..

Happy Friday ….

Time to go to work.

Special Hello to: my sister and brothers ….. oh so far and yet so near.  I love you with all of my heart.

Always, Carol and Alvin

Thought for the day…..

Good Morning and Welcome to Tuesday the 9th day of June, 2015.

Well it is overcast and cooler out this morning.

Last night after work my daughter stopped by to drop off their sander so that I can sand and paint the front porch, and I in turn had her plants, and a couple of items packed and ready for her to take to their new home.

Alvin and I were so happy to see her ….. we miss them very much.

You should have seen Mr. Alvin ….. he didn’t know what to do.

He wagged his tail ….. grabbed a toy ….. ran almost sideways to her …..

He loves his big sister.

We had a brief visit as she had to get home.

With her husband’s recent injury he is unable to take the pups out to the bathroom.

Well for some reason this morning I feel tired.

Not sure why as I went to bed on time and I don’t remember being up during the night.

Well I guess if you count Alvin waking up just before 4:30 a.m. …. well maybe that is it.

He likes to get up early.

So on this Tuesday I am repeating the words “I am energized everyday.”

If this is you ….. like me …

That should do the trick …. and perhaps that first cup of coffee.

A great combination.

Happy Tuesday everyone ……..

Special Hello to: my friend “M” who makes the most beautiful hand-crafted treasures.

Always, Carol and Alvin

Thought for the day …….

Good Morning and Welcome to Saturday the 16th day of May, 2015.

It is overcast and very windy.

We did however receive some rain overnight which is great.

Perhaps it will rain over the course of the day and that would be wonderful as it is so needed.

Well I had the best start to the long weekend.

Yesterday started off with bootcamp.

This one was very engaging ….

Found out “all of the arms work” really engaging when I went to dry my hair after a nice warm shower.

I could barely lift my arms …… arg ….

This morning they feel great …. not tired ….. they feel strong.  YAY.

My friend “S” and I went shopping/ running errands after bootcamp.

First stop was the VET to pick up food for Alvin and some treats for him.

Our second stop was Home Depot to pick up some more flowers.

OMG, I could have bought every single flower there.

I picked up a ready made pot filled with pinks and white flowers.

Impatiens and I think begonias to plant for the front porch.

Petunias, and some others that I am not certain of their names.

Have to read the labels.

Also small basket of purple pansies.

So pretty.

I LOVE FLOWERS.

I LOVE LOVE FLOWERS.

They make me so happy.

The colours.

There was one tiny white flower that filled the air with the most amazing fragrance.

I made sure that I picked up some of them.

I decided to plant them (was hoping today) later.

Later might be tomorrow.

They are carefully sitting in the garage by the window.

Will check them later to see if they need a drink of water.

After our stop at Home Depot we went to Costco.

Now that store on a Friday was “busy” …..

People were doing silly driving parking things.

Well of course when you go to Costco …. do you ever stick to the list?  NOPE. Never.

After all doesn’t everyone need a ten pound bag of carrots ….

Apparently me and Alvin did …..

One last stop before home.

Save-On for the winning lotto tickets.

P.S. the one item that I really should have picked up was new house phones because apparently mine are not working …. just filled with static when someone calls ….. I did find out that they can hear me quite fine……..

It was wonderful to spend time with my friend “S” ….. we laughed and chatted and laughed.

Great time.

Now on this quiet Saturday ….

The only sounds in the house are the clock tick tock ing in the bathroom, the sound of the keys as I type these words and the wind as it blows through the upper vents.

Friday was great …… exercise, shopping, walk with Alvin and then being at home.

So on this quiet lovely Saturday morning I hope that you too are enjoying your day.

I love being in my home ….. just puttering …. doing laundry ….. sipping on a cup of coffee ….. just being.

I did think however after yet another bootcamp that I had better get out my yoga equipment and get stretching.

It is amazing as you get older how inflexible you become if you do not work at it.

So I am going to ……

I want to be the most healthy almost 58 year old woman…..

So time to go and get at it.

Remember to take time for yourself. ….

If you like flowers….. go to and pick up some to plant or a ready made pot.

If you do not have the extra money to buy flowers today then just go and spend some time at one of the retail garden stores.

Smell them and take in all of the amazing colours.

This experience will uplift and bring you to a great place.

Well I hear the laundry calling and another cup of coffee …. perhaps I will drink it while it is “hot.”

Have a wonderful Saturday …..

Special Hello to: my daughter and family …. we miss you guys.

Always, Carol and Alvin

Thought for the day……

Good Morning and Welcome to a Fantastic Sunny Friday 13th day of June, 2014.

WOW ….. I am totally doing the happy dance as I am so HAP HAP HAPPY that I have flowers.

I have a huge pot of impatiens on the front porch and another one that at this very moment cannot remember the name.

At the back on the deck I have 11 ….. yes eleven pots of varying sizes FILLED with YES, you guessed it “FLOWERS.”

Pinks and purples and blues are the colour pallet for this year.

OMG, they are so pretty.

I took some photos but did not download them to the computer but I will share very soon.

Also was up late planting and then walking with Alvin …..

So have to run ….. so grateful for all of my flowers.

I hope that you have a Great Friday ……

Special Hello to: my flower lovers ……

Always, Carol and Alvin