2021

Good Morning ALL! How are you this Friday morning? We are doing great. Had a good sleep and Alvin slept through until 4:35 a.m. which was wonderful. This is the last day of the work week for me and a long weekend to boot. Happy Victoria Day Long Weekend to us. The sky is clear and the sunrise was beautiful this morning. There was frost on the cars so I am glad that I covered my front flower bed with some old sheets and left the flower pots in the garage. Looks like will be covering again tonight and then tomorrow after early morning we should be good. Then the pots can come out of the garage and get some sun. I am so grateful that my flowers in the front flower bed appear to be okay. Hardy bunch of little ones. Appears to be no wind for a change and that is nice. It was calm overnight which was nice, no chance then of the sheets becoming airborne. Any plans for the long weekend? I am finishing the closet clean, spending time outside as the forecast is for warmer temperatures, going for walks, washing the remainder of my daughter’s baby things and then packing them away properly. I guess some cleaning and writing. I want to write more and I have been doing some here and there. I love to write poetry so will concentrate a bit more on that aspect of writing. So happy to look out the window and see blue sky and sun. Makes me want to get up and dance. I can do a chair dance now, I am bopping to the music in my head. Smiling as I do this little dance. Alvin is laying on the floor in the hallway. Oh, news! Yesterday afternoon our new neighbours moved in across the street – appears to be a family with three children. They have a trampoline and I could hear them screaming with delight, as they jumped up and down. I also had to run over after work and pick up another bag of food for Alvin, he seems to go through the hard food quickly. The bag is small so that will happen, lol.

I hope that you are enjoying this morning thus far. Perhaps you are sipping on that mug of hot coffee on your deck or maybe you are meditating or doing some yoga or exercising or maybe out for a walk with your pup. I love early morning walks with Alvin. We will be doing those soon as the weather warms up and is too hot to walk after work and even sometimes at noon.

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Visions of a quiet Friday morning as you start your day. I guess I missed the walking/exercising/yoga stuff. I think that a mug of coffee, tea or hot chocolate is the perfect way to start the day. A little writing in your gratitude journal or perhaps even reading a chapter or two in your favorite book. Happy Friday.

Living this life with kindness, respect, compassion, patience and gratitude. Always with Gratitude.

Always, Love Carol & Alvin

2021

Good Morning ALL! How are you doing this “bright and sunny” Thursday morning? I am so grateful that the skies are pretty clear and that the sun is shining after a few days of clouds, rain and snow. It did freeze hard over night as I noticed the water that I have out for the bees froze over and there is frost on the cars. Most of the snow has melted now and the grass and trees appear to be renewed, is that possible? Of course, they gratefully soaked up the moisture in both forms. My lawn has not looked this good in years. Between the fertilizer that our neighbours threw on a few days ago and the extra moisture ….. well it looks like a lawn again. I was thinking that we may have to replant which I suppose throwing on some extra seed would not have hurt. If I would have had some grass seed in my garage I would have done so, at the beginning of the rain. Food for thought. I am going to pick up some seed to have on hand. Even our back patch of grass is coming back. Yesterday and earlier this morning there were a bunch of little birds flying about our backyard near the bird house. There was also a Magpie that was swooping in and about every once in awhile. They are pretty but not good for the little birds. Anyway, I am certain that by noon, or perhaps before I can remove the cover that is protecting the flowers in the front flower bed. Did I forget to mention? Yes, I did, that I pulled the cover back and checked some of the flowers and they are okay. If they survived last night, we all should be good. I also shook and dipped with a measuring cup all of the excess water off of the handmade tarp so that it would not crush them and not freeze. Fingers crossed.

I am looking forward to a walk with Mr. Alvin at noon. He needs to get out as I think he has a bit of cabin fever or at least he has been more anxious that usual. He barked short piercing barks the whole time I was in the shower. I kept calling out to him and hoping to calm him down but it did not work. I even tried singing my “put one paw in front of the other” song but to no avail. Luckily, he is okay now. What a guy. I tried to explain about how lucky that he is as I have noticed this poor little orange cat running on the front sidewalk and across the street. Poor cat looked like he or she had not had a good meal in a long time. So many cats on the loose in our area. Very dangerous as we have had coyotes in the nearby parks. Plus there are hawks and other birds of prey that can swoop down and take away little cats. I hope that he finds a home, soon.

Well time to head on downstairs and put on the coffee, need to smell that delectable aroma and drink some of that pure joy liquid before I start work. I am grateful that all my flowers survived this late spring snowfall and the wind. Thank goodness for a garage. I don’t have a car but man on man, that building has come in handy for storing and housing the vehicles of company.

I hope that you have a wonderful Thursday. May you laugh and smile and be surrounded with kindness and joy.

Continuing to live this life with kindness, respect, compassion and patience. Always working on patience I am patient. I am patient. I am patient.

ALLways, Love Carol & Alvin

Second Half of the NEW YEAR – last quarter

Good Morning All,

Well our company went home last night about 6:30 p.m. It is quiet in the house this morning. Miss Kobie, who is just over a year old, has so much energy and she can zip from one end of the house to the other in about five seconds. Alvin just watches in amazement. Teddy who is a few years old and about halfway between his sister and Alvin, still has the get and go to play with her and keep up for a time. I am always amazed by the dynamics of the three of them. Sometimes Alvin would get mad at Kobie and it was not pretty. I kept close eye on him as he has never “bit” anyone but as dogs get older sometimes their patience is not great – I can identify with that and although I don’t think he would – always better to make sure. Teddy wanted to sit on my lap off and on yesterday when I was working. I had him sitting on my lap on Wednesday afternoon when they first arrived. He loves to sit and cuddle. Anytime I hit the sofa – he was up and snuggling. So cute. Alvin and Teddy are cool. Alvin lost that “jealousy” with Teddy likely due in part to him visiting quite a lot which was good. Teddy would stay with us when his parents travelled so sometimes a couple of weeks at a time. Makes a difference. Now the longest Kobie has stayed with us was one week and that was this last winter when she really was a little furball of a pup. So I am sure in time – he will be more calm around her. Anyway it was fun but I do love the quiet of just me and Alvin. Company is always great. Oh and Kobie and looking out the window. She loves to stand on her hind legs and look out of the windows. As I worked yesterday with my “office set up at the kitchen table” she would walk around the wall unit topped with plants and look out of the window into the backyard. She is quite the character. Also she did stand up to Mr. Grumpy Pants (Alvin) when he was giving her what for and that is likely why he was so growly.

Well it is almost the weekend. Snow is in the forecast. I guess time to put the sandals and light jackets down into the basement and bring up winter boots, coats, scarves and mitts. Will do some laundry to freshen up the coats and such. Time to switch summer closet to winter closet. I am so grateful that I won’t have to go to work everyday. Also it will be nice to be at home and shovel as the snow comes down instead of after work when there is a pile. 15 sleeps until Halloween and 16 sleeps until our Christmas Tree goes up and the house gets decorated. I am going to love being home with the house decorated and to see my tree all day long.

Well looks like Mr. Alvin wants to go downstairs, likely outside. Still dark here at 7:35 p.m. No snow this morning but it is in the forecast and there is frost on the vehicles.

I hope that you all have a wonderful Friday. Remember to laugh from time to time. Makes life so much easier when you can smile and laugh.

Continuing to live with love, kindness and respect for all.

I/We shall remain,

As Always, Carol & Alvin

Second Half of the NEW YEAR – last quarter

Good Morning All,

We have houseguests. Alvin’s BF Teddy and his little sister Kobie. We had an interesting night and needless to say I did not have much sleep. I had to sleep a bit later this morning and am running late. So this will be short. We are doing okay.

I can hear some birds chirping outside, must be magpies, they are quite loud.

No snow but we did have frost last night.

I truly need coffee this morning and I can smell that delectable aroma as I type these words.

Now the dogs are barking so better go.

Living with kindness and respect.

I/We remain,

As Always, Carol & Alvin

Second Half of the NEW YEAR – last quarter

Good Morning All.

Earlier this morning when I was outside with Mr. Alvin – I could see my breath. That means only one thing? Temperature dipped to below freezing last night. Surprisingly enough my last two pots of petunias are still blooming. I think they usually make it past below freezing temperatures. Today is the last day of the long weekend for me so I am going to put away my patio / deck furniture. I have the bistro table that is made out of steel/iron with a river rock table top ….. this baby is heavy. I used to be able to move it across the deck, which I still can but it is carrying it up the three steps and into the garage that might be tricky. I may have to enlist some muscle along the way. Anyway the wind has decreased from the gale force that we have had for the last day or so. Thank goodness. Oh, I spoke to soon, the trees that I can see from my office window are swaying in the wind. Looks like raking may be out of the picture for now. This year I decided to leave the leaves on the ground until the trees were bare. Humphrey and Bogart’s Mom and I share the front lawn. Her tree still has a lot of leaves and mine has three or close it. Actually a few more than that.

How was your Thanksgiving thus far? My daughter and son-in-law and grand pups “Aspen” and “Milo” came for supper. We were going to eat at 5:30, then pushed it to 5:00 and then to 4:00 p.m. My daughter remarked about eating at 3:00 next year and that we are getting older. Yes, we are. I came back with how about lunch and we had a good giggle. We had a great time. Supper turned out great. When we were finished eating instead of trying to stuff down fruit pizza and pumpkin pie for dessert we decided to play a game of “Trivia Pursuit.” I made some coffee. There were a lot of laughs during that game. My son-in-law won by a hair. We only played until three wedges. The fruit pizza was a hit. My daughter had suggested a television show that is on NETFLIX called the “DERRY GIRLS.” It is a British sitcom set in Derry, Northern Ireland, in the 1990’s. The first season was broadcast in early winter of 2018, followed by second series in spring of 2019 and now a third series has been commissioned for 2020. It is both funny, the kind of funny that almost makes one “pee their underpants” and series and sad. They have watched this series a few times as they love it so much. We watched the first season, first episode together and then they packed up to go home. I still had their COSTCO order from Friday night and leftovers from supper. I do want to mention something about ordering groceries to be delivered. Watch the prices. Not only is there a charge for the service but the prices are jacked up as well. After we got the family safely packed up and on their way, me and Alvin went back into the house where I ran the water to do the last few items that would not fit into the dishwasher and turned the television to the second episode of DERRY GIRLS. Certainly not a bad way to be entertained while doing dishes. After the dishes were done, I sat down and watched the rest of the first season, first series and then the next couple of episodes from the second season, or series. Of course, we did have a couple of interruptions as Mr. Alvin had to go outside and do some business. We had a wonderful Thanksgiving. I had so grateful that my kids were able to join me and Alvin. It would not have been the same without them. Plus how could I have ever eaten all that food, I would have had leftovers long after they were proper to eat.

Well what is up for you on this Monday, October 12, 2020. WOW, almost halfway through October, 2020. Oh, I must count how many sleeps until Halloween and putting up the Christmas Tree and decorating the house. 19 sleeps until Halloween and 20 till the TREE goes. I am excited to be at home for both without having to go into the office everyday. Of course, I will have to go in perhaps on or two days every month for now. That is totally okay with me. I am keeping my fingers crossed that I will be able to continue to work from home. How about you? Are you working from home? Do you like being at home? It is different that is for sure but once you get settled in, it really is quite nice. No commute. Gotta love that. When you are off at 4:00 you are off at 4:00 (if you stop working at 4:00) and starting at 8:00, no more getting up at 5:00 or sometimes earlier. I am so grateful that I am able to work from home. This has been one of the best things to happen in 2020.

The sun is shining and I had better get moving here. Get dressed, have coffee and some toast and then get out and start putting the furniture into the garage. I also have to break down some cardboard boxes for the garbage. Also I like to go through the garage and reorganize so that is the plan for today. Outside. If the weather permits and no gale force winds we shall go for a walk this afternoon.

Thank you for reading this post. I have to get working on my book. I am only about two chapters in but actually have the material written it is fine tuning it and putting things in proper order. Sometimes I think that is more difficult than putting the words on paper so to speak. Anyway, I am writing each and everyday about this life of mine. A bit of this and a bit of that. Sometimes I read an old post and think “oh, that was silly” and the next time “oh, that was smart, witty and charming.” I will say that when I write this daily post, I do usually plan what I am going to write ahead of time. It is whatever comes to mind and I run with it. Sometimes it is funny, sometimes sad and sometimes a mix. At the end of the day my main goal is twofold. To write daily and to make people pause, think and perhaps even laugh. Is that twofold or fourfold. LOL. Anyway, you know what I mean. I love to write and if people like to read my words then I am even more happy.

On this Monday, October 12, 2020 – I wish you good health, love, joy, much laughter and abundance. May the sun shine down on you and your family and bring lightness to your day. Happy Monday.

Well time to get this load moving. I feel like a load this morning. Definitely ate way too much.

Living my life with love, kindness and respect.

I/We shall remain,

As always, Carol & Alvin

Second Half of the NEW YEAR.

Good Morning and Welcome to Thursday, September 17, 2020.

Over half way through September and fast approaching the first day of fall.

Just googled to see what day that is …. the winner is:  Tuesday, September 22, 2020.

I love FALL.

We certainly are seeing the beginning of fall already here where I live.

The trees are beginning to change colour and drop their leaves.

Even though we have not had frost most of the flowers are beginning to say “goodbye.”

I have already trimmed my front flower bed as the plants / flowers really did not do well this year.

I am not quite sure why.

Most of my flowers in pots on the deck are still doing okay.

I will leave them as long as possible.

Usually I am chipping away at the plants as they are still looking good till the frost.

Time will tell.

The weather forecast is good for the next while.

The sky is clear this morning.

Life is good.

Mr. Alvin was sitting in the hallway “whining.”

For what reason, I am not sure.

So I will make this short.

 

We did enjoy a visit with our friend Pauline last night after work.

As we were walking by we noticed her working in the yard.

Her yard is our sanctuary and it is so relaxing and peaceful.

We love to see her and be in their yard surrounded by flowers.

 

I am most grateful for this day and every day.

I think and pray and feel for our neighbours to the south.

I wish the fires would just go out.

Keep them in our thoughts and prayers.

 

I wish you the most exquisite day.

May you enjoy some time outside in nature.

Go for a walk.

Take Care and Be Safe.

 

Living with Kindness and Respect for ALL,

I/We shall remain,

As Always, Carol & Alvin

 

P.S. have you ever clicked OK to some changes to agreement for something on the computer?  Yup, I did in my haste. Just on WORD.PRESS so hopefully all is well and I didn’t agree to pay them a million dollars or something crazy like that….. be careful.

Second Half of the NEW YEAR.

Good Morning,

The sky is overcast.

Some of my flowers closest to the house are still draped with sheets.

I covered them just in case of frost as it was only to be +1 celsius last night.

There was dew on the grass this morning so luckily no frost.

I removed the sheets from the flowers on the upper deck by the garage and also took the tomato pot and other flowers out of the garage.

The sky looks like rain so I will have to pull of the sheets and rearrange them shortly.

I am happy no frost.

I have been texting my siblings in the mornings to say hi and a quick update on things.

My brother that lives in the countryside about 2 hours from Edmonton says it is -3 celsius there now.

There would be frost.

The next couple of weeks show beautiful weather in the forecast.

One day even +24 which is crazy beautiful for this time of year.

I would take 18-21 until end of November.

That would be delightful.

The chances of that happening …. not sure.

But not likely.

But with Climate Change ….. nothing is impossible.

 

My heart goes out to our neighbours in the south.

The loss of human life, animal life, birds, insect life, plant life, trees, businesses and homes is staggering.

I worry about the animals, those creatures who are not able to escape the fiery infernos.

There is no way to get out and my heart screams in pain for them.

The smoke in Vancouver, Canada which is north of the fires looks like the fires are there.

With the winds the smoke is travelling hundreds of miles.

Causing havoc in its’ wake.

The devastation is off the charts.

I wish, I hope and I pray for the fires to be extinguished immediately.

I thank each and every person who walks out the door in the morning into the fires to extinguish them for others.

 

On this day as I sit on a chair keying these words, I am so grateful for my life.

We are blessed to live where we do.

I am grateful for the rain.

I am grateful to be safe and alive.

I am grateful for my own house.

I am grateful to always have more than enough food for me and my dog Alvin.

I am grateful that we are both in GOOD health.

I am grateful to be surrounded by loving and supportive family and friends.

I am grateful to laugh each and everyday.

I am grateful for this moment and every one to follow on this day.

I am grateful to be employed.

I am grateful that I am able to work from my home.

I am grateful for everything.

 

On this day and everyday we must not fret over small things.

Don’t worry about things you cannot control.

Be grateful and show that gratitude.

Be kind and respectful.

 

Have an awesome day.

Living with kindness and respect.

I/We shall remain,

As Always, Carol & Alvin

 

 

Living … One day at a time.

Hello, Morning….

The sky has cleared and there is a beautiful sunrise.

The horizon from outside my office window shows a warm palette of orange and pinks and then blue upward filling the morning sky.

We had FROST last night / this morning.

The grass is crisp, the rooftops are covered in a white covering.

Surprisingly enough the leaves remain on the trees.

A wind might take them away.

Time will tell.

 

Alvin and I enjoyed our walk last night.

It was quiet with just the two of us but great all the same.

 

After our walk Humphrey joined us for the evening.

I always get such joy out of watching the dynamics between Alvin and Humphrey.

Watching Humphrey sit in Alvin’s “favourite” chair and Alvin being okay on the sofa beside me.

But then when Humphrey leaves said chair, well you guessed it, the boy was right up there in his fav chair.

Truly they are like us, animals in some aspects.

I would said the boys are like children but that is not exactly true as we all can act like that from time to time.

 

Well I am home at the home as I have a medical appointment.

The check up.

Almost time to go and have a shower so that I am on time for my appointment.

There certainly will be the regular lab tests.

I am prepared to do it all today.

I decided better to FAST this morning.

So no breakfast – which as I told the receptionist from the Doctor office when I returned their call last night ….

Better to fast …. just in case.

Besides it is not the food that I miss it is the COFFEE.

That has to wait.

Could be a long day.

At least I can drink water.

Keep hydrated.

 

Happy Tuesday.

October 1st today.

Can you believe it?

Time flies.

 

 

Always, Carol & Alvin

 

 

 

 

Thought for the day ….

Good Morning and Welcome to Sunday the 14th day of October, 2018

 

Darkness filled the air earlier this morning when we first arose.

Alvin always the early bird.

When we arose to start the day the sun shone brightly through light cloud cover.

The frost was hard as the grass crunched under my feet and appeared black to the naked eye.

The solar lights that are standing in a flower pot have a thick coating of frost upon them.

The Snapdragons are blooming remaining alive despite a coat of frost.

All things are covered with a covering of frost this morning.

 

With the sun shining the frost will melt.

The grass will return to green.

The Snapdragons will perk up with the heat of the sun.

The solar lights will shine in the sunlight

The frost will disappear from the rooftops and car windows.

 

Oh Sunday morning.

Time to get dressed and start the day.

Thank you Mother Nature for your beauty and charm.

 

Happy Sunday.

 

Special Hello to: my sister on this day.

Always, Carol & Alvin

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Sunday the 9th day of Sunday, 2018.

The sky is blue with nice white clouds and the SUN is shining.

It is a bit later than yesterday as we were up earlier and then elected to hit the sofa for some extra zzz’s.

There is a breeze.

Today with some reluctance I will pull my flowers and prepare for winter.

Not all of the flowers but most of them.

The snapdragons are just starting to get nice so I will leave them and try to protect them from incoming frost.

I also want to research how to preserve the LAVENDER plant that I have and how to make little Lavender packets or bouquets.

Last night was beautiful.

Teddy went home just after 6:00 p.m. after a great day with the little guy.

The boys played but mostly just hung out.

Teddy accompanied us to Alvin’s regular appointment to have his pedicure and stuff.

Alvin and I went for a lovely walk after supper.

 

We, I just had an easy day.

Cleaned out the pantry and shelving by the back door – nice to have restored some kind of order.

The tea cupboard has also been cleaned out.

Laundry or some of it done.

 

AND I set up the JENGA game on the counter and then on the table …..

In between I played JENGA.

Oh, how I love that game.

One of the few games that one can play by themselves.

I could play it all of the time.

One of my co-workers, actually one of the managers gave me the game as a “late birthday gift” as she knew how much I loved it.

Also I never seem to get to a place that would sell games.

So grateful to her and know that I am truly blessed for such generosity.

I find it relaxing and truly FUN.

If you are living by yourself – it is a great game to have set up.

You can play it over the course of the day.

Or you can sit down and play.

If you have someone at home to play with you, that is great as well.

 

Well there is a list of things to do and I see that the sky is beginning to cloud over.

I know that the forecast calls for clouds but I was hoping that the sunshine would have stayed longer.

Guess I had better get dressed, eat and make coffee and then get to the yard work.

ARGH, I wanted the sunshine to be around for today.

Perhaps it will come back.

I hope so.

 

Have an awesome Sunday.

 

Special Hello to: my sister (I had a great Friday and weekend).

Always, Carol & Alvin