Second Half of the NEW YEAR – last quarter

Good Morning All. We now have snow. Last night I shovelled our deck between the house and the garage. This morning after this post I will go out and quickly shovel the front sidewalks. Looks like we have winter. I am happy that we were able to get out for a walk at noon yesterday. The wind was brutal but we managed. We were both bundled up and when not walking into the wind it wasn’t too bad. Our CEO sent the employees an email stating that due to the spike in cases there will be no in person meetings at the office. So we only go to do a specific job, mask up as per usual and social distance while in the office. I am relieved to say the least. Not much new other than the snow.

Life seems to be as out of balance as it was in March. But on the upside soon it will be Halloween and then time to put up the Christmas Tree and decorate the house. I don’t remember if I mentioned this but I have decided to do up special bags for the children that I know in our neighbourhood and deliver them earlier on Halloween Day. I will text and message and call the parents to let them know beforehand. I think it would be better for both me and Alvin to just stay in the house with the door closed. Halloween is a special night for me as I love to see the costumes and to say hello. But one out of many is okay to miss. It will be interesting to see what happens on Halloween? 11 sleeps till Halloween and 12 till the TREE goes up. OH my gosh, not even two weeks, how did that happen? This last quarter is certainly zipping on by.

What is new with you? I hope that you are all safe and in good health. Even though we are home most of the time now, it seems that we stall when it comes to do certain things. Like the changing of the closets. I just did mine on the fly last weekend. Looks like that last round of raking will not get done now with the snow. I will say that I have read more books now than in many years. Not having to commute has been wonderful. Nice to not have to get up at 4:30 – 5:00 to stay up. Although we are usually up early just because both Alvin and I are older and that is how we roll.

Well time to go and shovel. I cleaned Mr. Alvin’s ears. Turn on the coffee and get on my coat and boots.

Be safe and take care. Living with love, kindness and respect is how WE ROLL !!

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

Second Half of the NEW YEAR – last quarter

Good Morning All. I say “Good” with some hesitation as when Mr. Alvin and I were first up and about about 4:30 a.m. this morning there was no sign of frost and the air felt warm as it touched my face. Today is my late start so the next time we were up was 7:00 and I looked out the front window to see something covering the top of the cars parked out front on the street. Some stuff indeed, it was the dreaded white stuff we call SNOW. No, I thought as I brushed my eyes with my hand, it cannot be. I made a TO DO LIST just last night before going to bed based on the weather forecast which did not call for snow until Friday. I have two potted plants which are still blooming and will need to be pulled and the pots put away (not a huge job, perhaps 10 minutes) AND to rake the front lawn which will take slightly more than ten minutes but longer to put the leaves into a garbage bag. It has been so windy that I have procrastinated the raking. Most times I have already raked the front lawn about 5 or 6 times but this year I thought why bother. I am always raking everyone else’s leaves at some point. So I guess I am the bad neighbour this time around. Also I have Alvin’s little patch of green in the backyard to rake which will take about 5 minutes. Oh well, it does appear to have stopped although the sky is overcast so it could mean more to come today. This day is also my late start. I start work at 11:00 a.m. and work until 7:00 p.m. On this shift we are on the after hours phone lines taking calls that come in from our clients/customers. I will say after being on the phones the rest of the time on my regular shift, this is not my favourite thing to do. Never been much of a phone person. Well there I have vented about the white stuff and phones.

Mr. Alvin is sitting whining at the doorway so I guess he needs something. I also have to run to the vet and pick up some food for him and a small bag of treats. I am going to pick up a lottery ticket because without one there is zero chance to win.

Yesterday was Tuesday and the first day of the work week for most of us “office” types and it felt just like a Monday. Alvin and I did enjoy a nice walk at lunchtime. Also we had a request for Alvin’s bestie Teddy and his little sister to come over this afternoon and spend the night to go home by Thursday night. Their parents are going to the farm to winterize their RV and it would be easier if they were in the city with us. So why not, I thought. Hopefully everyone is quiet while I am on the phones or not.

Time to go and I hope that you enjoyed my little stab at humour even though it really did sound serious …. I was joking about the snow. I actually like snow. Perhaps the arrival could have been a few weeks in the future but still I do love snow.

Please enjoy your Wednesday. I am coming Mr. Alvin.

Live with kindness and respect and love.

I/We shall remain,

As Always, Carol & Alvin

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Saturday the 21st day of October, 2017.

What a glorious morning!

Bright and Sunny.

There is a coolness to the air but throughout the day temperatures are to rise.

We are having a beautiful FALL season.

 

Yesterday my friend once again gave me a ride home and the day before it was my daughter.

So for the last two weeks I have been totally spoiled with rides home from work.

Reality next week will set in but it was a great ride for the last two weeks.

Feeling so special and grateful.

 

So as I look around my house I realize that I have not been doing much “cleaning” and it is time to get down to it.

Now my house is not FILTY or even really dirty but by my standards it needs that extra TLC.

This is the day ….. I feel like cleaning and that is when you accomplish the most.

So laundry, vacuum, bathrooms, floors, and all that inside side.

Also time to go through the closets and put away the summery items.

I have a tub of clothing that was given to me from a friend and I need to try things on to see what I will keep.

Drawers needs to be cleaned.

Lots to do.

 

Outside the leaves in the backyard need to be raked.

Over the past week or so it would see that all of the neighbourhood trees just shook their colours onto my tiny patch of grass.

Honestly you cannot see the grass for the leaves.

I do not have a tree in the backyard so it was not all me.

The leaves are all colours and my leaves were yellow from the front tree.

So we will do a careful raking of the leaves.

I say careful, just in case I missed some “poop” in amongst all of the leaves.

It does look so pretty …… a blanket of reds, oranges, yellows and even greens.

 

Lots to do but I am looking forward to getting busy.

 

Have an awesome Saturday.

Special Hello to:  my sister ….. promise SKYPE soon.  Let me know what works for you.

Always, Carol & Alvin

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Sunday the 19th day of February, 2017.

Well after some snow last night, I see shovelling in my immediate future.

Front sidewalks, deck and driveway at the back.

I just have to recant a cute story from actually just a few minutes ago.

Alvin wanted to go outside.

He took with him one of his chew treats.

Just as he went out – we both noticed a Magpie sitting on top of the fence with one of Alvin’s chew treats in his/her beak.

Well, I chuckled out loud while Alvin jumped up to try and retrieve the chew treat but the Magpie was too quick and flew away.

It was one of the cutest things that I have ever seen but happened so quickly that I had no chance to grab my camera.

Note: to Alvin, do not leave your chew treats on the deck.

I would have loved to have seen the Magpie picking it out of the snow.

Time to go and shovel.

My daughter and grand-puppies are coming for a visit this morning.

I guess that will depend on the highway.

I would not blame her if she passed …..

The plan is to have pancakes with a surprise ingredient.

I will not say as she usually reads my blog.

So if you have snow or even if you do not …..

Somedays you just need some beautiful flowers.

Okay, perhaps a lot of pretty flowers.

After you glimpse these beautiful flowers – simple close your eyes and imagine the most glorious fragrances.

Now what a great way to start your Sunday.

Summer of 2009, my first summer here in Edmonton

More pretty flowers……from my first summer in Edmonton

FLOWERS FOR FRIENDS

Happy Valentine’s Day

Finding a place to showcase this piece…

Beautiful roses,
Not long away,
My gift to you,
Happy Easter …..

Flowers for Easter ….. Happy Spring.

Flowers in the garage ready to be planted.

 F

More flowers

My flowers …. so proud

Flowers still blooming late in the season

The flowers are from over the past few years. Some from my garden, others from Devonian Gardens near Edmonton, a painting, special occasions and more

Have a wonderful Sunday.

Special Hello to: my friends back in Regina……

Always, Carol and Alvin

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Wednesday the 2nd day of September, 2015.

It rained a wee bit overnight as the deck has wet splotches here and there.

You can begin to feel the difference in the air that September brings.

It is not so much cold as cool and crisp.

It smells fresh.

You definitely need a wee jacket in the morning while waiting for the bus.

Most especially if there be wind.

I feel the Scots part of me coming out this morning.

Likely soon to be followed by the Irish and English.

What a lovely combination.

Well here it is mid week.

Work has been going well …. busy but that is nothing new.

Somedays I wish that I could be completely caught up when I leave at night.

But alas not likely ….. nature of the beast so to speak.

I am excited we are down to three sleeps before my girl friend arrives from Regina.

I have been patiently waiting since she confirmed her plane ticket.

It will be nice to sip coffee and catch up.

I am also excited to see the photos of her newest grand-baby.

YAY ….. baby photos ……

I wished that they could bottle the smell of a newborn baby.

Well what is on your plate for this fine morning/day?

Going to work?

Staying at home?

Cleaning the house?

Filing papers?

Going for a walk?

Volunteering some time at a local senior’s home or animal shelter?

Cleaning out your closet and bringing your fall/winter clothes to the front?

Lots to do.

Cleaning the yard?

There is always something to do if you wish to do it.

Always start with a list ….. makes life so much easier.

Write down what you have to do ….. even a bit of a timeline if you wish….

Check items off as they are completed.

Trust me you will have such satisfaction when you check an item as done.

YAY ……

I do it all of the time.

Plus, you do not forget anything.

Well here it is time to leave once again.

Happy Wednesday folks.

ENjoy.

Special Hello to: my friend “P” see you soon….

Always, Carol and Alvin