The New YEAR 2022

Good Morning ALL! How are you this morning? I am doing well, we are doing well. Up a bit earlier than I would have like originally but what can you do. Mr. Alvin had to go outside and when you have to go – you have to go. LOL. Anyway, I need to get past this clicking on the SNOOZE button in the morning. Just get up and stay up even if it is 5:00 a.m. Have to try.

I was thinking as the time rolls along that we should have stayed up at 6:00 and gone for a walk. The sky is that perfection of blue or at least appears to be to the naked human eye. There is a slight breeze and the SUN well shining would be an understatement – it is gloriously sending those rays down upon us. I am a happy person this morning – starting your day with sunshine always makes me happy. Tomorrow morning we will endeavour to get up and stay up at 6:00 and then go for a walk. I can then get more time with the roses at the entrance to the park. OMG, they smell so divine. There are no words for that fragrance. It is definitely one of my favourites. If it were possible to bottle it, I would. I could lay down on a blanket by the roses and stay there forever or until I had to go “pee.” That will always get me up for sure. Anyway, needless to say it is beautiful outside and the roses are the best.

Last night we went over another walk over to our friend Pauline’s house and hung out in their yard. Her flowers are so beautiful. She has the most exquisite delightful yard. In the corner, by a flowering tree there are ferns, irises, and hostas and more. She always put a fire pit that was not good for fires any longer in this area and filled it with pansies and violas. The colour is amazing. Another area where I could just sit or lay down on a blanket and just be. It is my happy place. She has so many different types of flowers and they grow for her, she has a “green thumb.”

Well folks I need coffee. Have to plug it in and then before I know it will be time for work. We have a meeting in our group over TEAMS this morning. Gotta love meetings. I am not a meeting person but what can you do. I am so grateful to be working from home. I will gladly go to the odd virtual meeting.

I hope that you are enjoying the morning wherever you are. I hope that you are well and that there are sunny skies with a beautiful space filled with flowers and trees near you and grass.

Continuing to live this life with kindness, respect, compassion, patience, love, laughter, understanding, gratitude, focus and possibilities. Don’t forget the COFFEE.

Always, Carol & Alvin

PS: 41 days till my 65th birthday. I hope that gravity takes hold and bring my ears back to their original place and something else, I will leave that to your imagination. Gotta love getting older. I do actually.

The New YEAR 2022

Good Morning ALL! What a beautiful morning. We slept until 4:15 and then back to sleep until 6:07 and then well, I fell into a sleep where I was dreaming all sorts of things until 8:30 a.m. I guess I needed the sleep. I have an exciting day ahead. So excited. But first back to yesterday. So it was a warm sunny day. Alvin and I went for a walk at noon. We have started walking to our friend’s house which is about halfway and then turning around and heading home. It takes us about the same amount of time. Mr. Alvin seems to be slowing down and truly smelling the “roses” or in his case each “blade of grass.” He is definitely in the moment and does not want to be rushed. So in order not to be rushed and worry about getting back to work late, we only walk part way. I have found that I am enjoying the walk more this way. We saw the geese in the distance yesterday with their “babies” who by the way are no longer babies. They are getting so big. Sooo cute. The trees and grass are so green. The dandelions have made a yellow blanket across most of the grass near the water and trees in our park. The houses with yards that back onto the park are trying desperately to keep the grass near their homes and their lawns free of the little yellow flowers. If the dandelions stayed in flower and did not go to seed so quickly it may be a different story but alas they do not and people are not happy. I love the little yellow flowers but not so much when they are ready to sail away and seed the world. I had a productive day at work. When it was almost 4:00 p.m. – I received a phone call from my neighbour – advising that she was not going to need her car after all – I could borrow it if I wanted to. So I changed my grocery shopping back to Thursday after work. Once I was finished work which was a few minutes after 4:00 p.m., I made sure that Alvin had a drink of water and went “pee.” Gathered my list and bags and purse, of course and was on my way. The store was definitely more busy than I thought but everything seemed to go quickly. When I was finished picking up and paying for my groceries, I noticed that the Lotto Max Jackpot was up to $70 million again so I decided to pick up a ticket. I waited for a Cashier as they were all busy at the grocery tills. It was only a few minutes before I had the nicest young person. She was so polite and friendly. While she was getting my tickets and I was paying she told me that recently she had two men who had won some money. One had one $800 and one $25,000 – both had said if they won they would be back. Well they came back to “collect” and were kind of rude to her. She said that maybe she had brought them luck and one said no, he bought the ticket? the other said he bought a car. I told her I will be back and I will give her something. I understand the $800 winner but the $25,000? Why could they have not bought her a coffee at the very least. Would have been kind. Oh well, I don’t know their situations and perhaps they could not or even maybe did not want to share their winnings.

Well I have to get the show on the road. My friend Pauline is picking me up at 12:30. We are heading the Bird sanctuary which is across the road from the Botanical gardens where we hope to see a garden filled with lilacs. The scent is supposed to be enchanting. I cannot wait. This will be my first time to the Bird sanctuary and third or so to the Botanical gardens. Cannot think of a better way to spend an afternoon.

In the meantime, I need to get my photos downloaded from my phone to the computer and that could take a bit of time and then delete more from my phone so that I do not run out of memory when I am snapping photos and make sure my phone is 100% charged. Also the shower and get ready time.

Last night at the store I picked up three wave petunias and planted them last night. I cannot wait for them to be grow and bloom. So pretty.

I hope that you have a great Friday. Enjoy the weather.

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

Always, Carol & Alvin

P.S. I am so grateful for wonderful friends and neighbours. I helped Sonja with an unwanted house guest last night. A wasp had come into her house. She is terrified of them. I am not. I am however allergic to their sting as I had a bad experience as a teenager and have tried to keep my distance since I was stung. Anyway, I sprayed some water on it to confuse it before I apologized for having to take its’ life and then swept it up in a paper towel. I do not have to tell you the rest. I do not like taking a life even a bug.

The New YEAR 2022

Good Morning ALL! How are you this morning? I am great now. Just had a refreshing shower and it always amazes me on what a difference water hitting your skin can make. I was debating taking the day off as I had a bit of a headache and just feeling not so, no so. Mainly because of the getting up and down multiple times during the night with a little four-legged guy who shall remain nameless, lol. Anyway I feel much better now. The sky is that brilliant blue and the sun is now shining. We had a great walk at noon with partially cloudy skies. By the time that I was finished work for the day, the sky had really clouded over. There was an in between time after supper where the sky cleared. Later in the evening the sky filled with these scary black clouds with orange in them. Likely due to the sun going down around the same time. I feared that we were going to get a terrible storm but luckily just a light show with sound and some rain. The grass is a more brilliant kelly green this morning. I love GREEN. Did I say that, yes I do. My favourite colour. The colour of life, I would say. I am grateful that neither Alvin or I are afraid of storms. He is such a trooper. In fact, when we were going out for his last pee before bed, he wanted to stay out and sniff about in the backyard despite the roaring thunder and lightning in the distance.

So today is Thursday. Oh, after work, I had planned to walk to the store. Just as I was getting ready, I noticed Alvin walked to the living window and was looking out. I saw why, Sonja had just got home from work. I saw here taking some items into the house and decided to ask if she was just going out to golf and if so, could she drop me at the grocery store as I wasn’t sure if I could get there and home without being rained on. Not that I mind getting wet. What a day. One minute clear blue skies and the next minute deep rain clouds. Anyway, Sonja loaned me her car so that I could run to the grocery store for a few items. I think I made it home in under 30 minutes. I did not need much and there were not many people in the store. Nice to get out on my own for a few minutes.

Not an exciting Wednesday night but it was a good evening.

After 19 seasons ELLEN is saying goodbye and hanging up her talk show cap. I love watching her show. I did not see every episode but I have watched a great many of them over the years. She can make you laugh right down to the core. Has the biggest heart and just a good all round person. Alvin and I want to wish her all the best in her next chapter. She will go on to do great things. I cannot wait to see and hear about what she does. This has been a heartfelt week of shows.

Okay, time to head downstairs and plug in the coffee. I am going to try a new blend. I bought from a co-worker doing a fundraiser for one of her children. I will let you know the name and how it taste tomorrow.

Have an awesome Thursday.

Enjoy …..

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

Always, Carol & Alvin

P.S. I just thought of something – a thunderstorm with lightning and rain – is Mother Nature’s “Concert”. Is she ever talented.

The New YEAR 2022

Good Morning ALL! How are you this morning? The sun is shining this morning so we are off to a great start. Today is Wednesday. Another great thing about having a long weekend. Short work week. The sky is a glorious powder blue. I could see my breath outside earlier this morning which is not great for the plants. My geraniums are not doing great. I should have taken them in and out for a few days. But who knows, maybe they will make a come back. I hope so. I have had those plants for over two years now. They have brought me great joy with their beautiful green leaves and pretty pink flowers. Fingers crossed. Most of the other plants look to be doing okay. I hope that we are in for some nice low 20’s celsius temperatures from now on. Perfection.

Mr. Alvin. He always seems to have it the worse at night. I think he is tired now, too. He can doze on his bed but I have to work. Which is sooner than later. I slept in. The SNOOZE BUTTON is way too easy. Not a good thing either. But anyway, I am grateful that we are both breathing and are here for another day on this beautiful planet. We did get out for a walk yesterday. The whole route. I was a bit apprehensive because of his recent issue with his front paws. I cleaned them immediately upon our return home. I cannot see anything “pink or red” so hopefully all is well. If he licks his paws or is out of sorts today, I will call the vet right away. We should get a “family discount.”

Not much new in this house. I am happy it is Wednesday and that I have ground coffee beans to make myself a wonderful cup of perked coffee. The best coffee ever.

I hope that you have a wonderful day. Perhaps you planted your garden and flowers on the weekend or maybe you are waiting until the beginning of June. Our growing season is so short here in Western Canada that as soon as we can – we plant.

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! Thank goodness it is Friday! I hope this finds you well. We had an ugly sleep and by that I mean, Mr. Alvin was up at 11:24, 12:24, 1:24, 4:15, 5:00, and so on until I got up at 7:00. I have no idea what I am typing as I am soooooo tired. He does not appear to be in pain but I have no idea. Perhaps just an off night but unfortunately for me, I cannot sleep during the day as he can. I will be envious of him napping on his bed when I am working. Definitely will be an early to bed night, tonight. Oh well, life in the fast lane.

On the bright side, the sky is that glorious powder blue colour and the sun is shining so brightly. At this moment there does not appear to be a breeze or wind. YAY.

The weather is to be nice this weekend and even better this next week temperature wise.

Last night after work, I called my friend Pauline to check and see if we were still on for a walk. YAY, she was. We had a nice walk and even Alvin didn’t turn around early and head for home. It was so great to catch up with her. She had a long haul with her illness, not my place to say what it is but I am so very grateful that she is on the mend, well actually recovered. We even stopped on the way back at her home and took in her garden where the crocuses are up and oh, so beautiful. She invited us in to see the plants that she has started in her walkout space and we commented on her Canna Lilies and mine. They are so pretty and I cannot wait to get my flowers and plants outside. We talked about gardening and what to plant. So exciting. In the end, we went upstairs to say hello to her husband Al and have a visit. Then we were on our way back home for Alvin to have supper. He sure enjoyed sniffing about her main floor. I think he was looking for food, lol. Pauline did give him a couple of little treats. Lucky guy.

Back home, Alvin had supper and followed by me. I had leftover pasta which was good. Then after cleanup I spent the evening catching up on watching my shows. Just a nice quiet evening. I had no idea of what was to come. Oh well, thankfully it is Friday.

Well time to head back downstairs and have a large mug of coffee. I definitely need caffeine this morning.

Have an awesome day. Enjoy the weather and I do hope that wherever you are it is warm and sunny.

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

Always, Carol & Alvin

P.S. Pauline and Al celebrated 45 years married recently. How great is that! We also talked about birthdays as she will be 69 in June and I will be 65 in August. I am catching up!

Second Half of the NEW YEAR.

Good Morning it is officially the second half of this NEW YEAR.

July 1st, 2020.

Happy Canada Day to all my Canadian friends and family.

Happy Canada Day to all Canadians.

Here is Edmonton it is raining and overcast and cool.

Not a great day for outdoor Canada Day celebrations.

As the pools of water are growing as is the mud where there is no pavement.

The grass cannot get any more green.

The trees have had as much water as they need.

The vegetable gardens and flower gardens are more than well watered.

We are reaching the point of too much.

Or at least it would seem that way.

Perhaps not quite that as yet but with the rain continuing to come down it certainly does feel that way.

 

My get and go got up and left.

Alvin is not having much fun in this cool damp weather.

I picked him up his pain meds on Monday and he is on his third one.

He can have one once every 24 hours.

I can tell he is not a happy boy.

We did not get out for a walk yesterday at all.

I think we both are missing our walks.

Also does not look like a walk is in the cards for today.

We have seen our friends and others out for walks but Mr. Alvin is prone to ear infections – yeast.

His ears cannot get wet.

So inside we shall stay until the sun shines.

We are hoping it is sooner than the weather forecast indicates.

 

I am also thinking of turning on the furnace as perhaps some warm air might help Mr.Alvin.

Somehow having the furnace running on July 1st – seems very wrong.

But I guess for a couple of days would be okay.

Perhaps it will give us both that bit of get up and go although Alvin doesn’t seem to have a problem with that.

His is physical whereas mine is mental.

So I will quickly hop in the shower and get clean, not really dirty.

From what?

Just freshen up and my hair …. it would love a shampoo for sure.

Then I will turn on the heat and we will get this day going.

Definitely off to a slow start.

But that is okay.

Nowhere to go and sometimes it is okay to just go slow.

Although last night I was thinking about all of the things I used to do and should be doing.

Making jewelry.

Working with my new watercolours.

Writing that book.

Going through my craft room and getting things in more order.

Figuring out what I really want to do with that space.

There are a million things that I should/would/could be doing.

But at this moment just hoping into the shower is enough.

One foot in front of the other and soon I will crossing the floor.

That is what I always tell Mr. Alvin when he hesitates at a doorway.

 

So Happy Canada Day.

I am grateful that we are in good health for the most part.

I am grateful that we have a home and are safe.

I am grateful that I have choices.

I am grateful for wonderful family and friends.

I am grateful to be employed.

I am grateful for this wonderful country I/We call home.

I am grateful for the trees and the mostly clean air.

I am grateful for bears and seals.

I am grateful for each coast and everything in between.

I am grateful for my fellow Canadians.

Thank you for this great life.

 

Heading for the shower.

Better get this day going.

 

Some flowers to celebrate Canada Day.

 

Living our lives daily and forever with kindness and respect.

I/We, shall remain,

Always, Carol & Alvin

 

Did anyone notice that I forgot to add my sign off yesterday?

Yikes, not good.

It is a NEW YEAR.

Good Saturday Morning,

Wow, this year so far has been filled with incredible highs and incredible lows.

This past week I would say has had some incredible lows.

Three nights this week of virtually no sleep countered with last night with first time up at 3:30 a.m. has made for a very long week.

One great thing to happen is my daughter is coming to visit today and I shall whip up some pancakes.

I don’t have my usual ingredients but that has never stopped me from making something.

I have found in life you have to be able to use what you have and go from there.

 

Just like this fence adventure and I shall call it that ….. I finally got things sorted out and just have to chat with my neighbours about the final tally.

I researched and spoke to people and then negotiated.

Negotiation is not something that I find easy to do ….. selling is more my thing.

That being said I guess negotiating is part of selling.

Now working for someone else and selling is one thing …. like retail.

I love that …. and I am good, no very good at selling things.

Anyway, I am more than happy with the final result in this case.

 

Perhaps after having a shower will perk me up and that is next on my list to do.

Last night I did some laundry so that reduced the number of loads for today.

I will say that with not having to go to the office, my laundry is considerably less.

Now basically one outfit for the day not two or even three.

I think that perhaps Alvin may need to go outside before I slip into the shower.

Will check with him first for sure.

 

The rain has stopped and it is very windy.

Clouds still fill most of the sky although it does appear to be brighter in the distances.

Tomorrow is supposed to be sunny and 20 degrees celsius.

Now that would be nice.

Something to note that yesterday afternoon it was snowing, yup it was.

Mostly it was wet snow and melted as it touched the ground.

The point is on May 22, 2020 it was snowing.

 

At this moment both of us long to go walking but until he is back to normal, not taking any chances.

Not a pretty sight to have diarrhea on a walk, the clean up is a nightmare.

 

Well my daughter will be here in approximately two hours and I have things to do in preparation of her arrival.

I hope that you are having an incredibly “high” kind of day filled with all good things.

 

This life of ours now is unique for our time for most of us.

I hope that we are able to figure out a “new norm” and that it is one that is good for everyone including animals and all creatures including the environment.

We need to be more kind and respectful in all areas.

Take our new norm, go forth and spread that kindness and respect into your daily life.

This is a good thing for sure.

 

Well I better get this boat on the water …..

Wishing you a wonderful day filled with all sorts of goodness.

You deserve this most definitely as do we all.

Take care and be of good health.

 

With kindness and respect,

I/We shall remain,

Always, Carol & Alvin

 

Sometimes we just need some photos of cuteness and the beauty of nature.

My grand pups Milo and Aspen

My beautiful geranium waiting to be transplanted outside.

My little cuteness,  my boy, Alvin

It is a NEW YEAR.

Good Monday Morning.

The sky is filled with deep blue rain clouds and there is quite the breeze.

Every so often the clouds part and the sun shines.

We are a bit late with things this morning as Mr. Alvin had me up throughout the night.

He still is having issues in the bottom end but I am happy to report that a few hours ago, the poop actually was starting to firm.

Always a good sight even early in the morning.

I can tell he is not quite his old self but then he is going in the right direction.

So hopefully today will be just that, a continuance.

What a weekend, what a long weekend.

I happy that it has been raining off and on since earlier this morning.

We were up before it actually started to rain.

The time, well I don’t exactly remember.

Rain is good for our plants, grass and trees.

Anyone that planted their gardens will be happy to have a nice shower from Mother Nature.

I was going to take Alvin for a walk in between showers as it has been a couple of days since we last went for a walk.

Perhaps more fresh air and exercise would be good for Alvin, as well.

We have spent time outside in the backyard but when the sun shines it is pretty warm back there as we have southern exposure.

 

I wanted to mention that I have been trying the food boxes that one can have delivered to your door.

The first one was a gift from my kids ….. Hello Fresh …… the food was good.

I am going to make the third dish from Good Food tonight for supper.

They all are really good.

Dishes that I would not have made mainly because I tend to cook simply with not a ton of ingredients.

I do use spices and lots of veggies.

These recipes, these dishes gave me ideas on future dishes.

Things that I can do to the meals that I make to “spice” them up so to speak.

Perhaps starting to use some different ingredients or same ingredients in different manner.

 

Well appear that Mr. Alvin needs to go downstairs.

I don’t like to keep him waiting.

I hope that you have an awesome day.

 

WIth kindness and respect,

I/We remain,

AS Always, Carol & Alvin

It is a NEW YEAR.

Good Morning,

As we now settle into the month of May, 2020.

Fast approaching the Victoria Day long weekend here in Canada.

The sun is shining here in Edmonton.

After a couple of overcast days with a bit of “snow” and “rain.”

Back to sunny days, fingers crossed.

 

Usually it is on the long weekend that most folks plant their gardens and flowers.

I have one plant at this time to transplant, the beautiful geranium.

It has wintered so well filling my bay window in the kitchen with gorgeous pink flowers.

I think I will wait a bit longer before putting it outside.

Still a good chance of frost and if I place it in my biggest pot, I cannot lift it into the garage every night, too heavy.

So perhaps end of May or start of June depending on the weather.

 

Most of the trees are beginning to bud and a great many are filled with baby leaves.

As I glance out of my office window I can see a tree to the south filled with a million little green leaves, baby leaves, I should say.

The promise of birth and renewal, is spring.

New babies being born across the many kingdoms of living beings that inhabit this planet.

Life.

 

Well I am running a tad behind this morning not sure how that happened but it did.

I can smell the warm, earthy aroma of my coffee perking.

The smell of the spring air as it filters through my office window.

Life is good.

Alvin is laying on his little bed between my workspaces.

Personal and Office.

I never in my wildest dreams ever think that I would be doing this job from the comfort of my home, in my office.

We are settling into this routine.

I love being home with my home and would welcome having the summer home with him.

Time will tell.

No one knows how things will go.

Just putting it out to the Universe that I LOVE WORKING FROM HOME.

 

Have an awesome Tuesday.

 

Remember in between the teaching of your children, working from home, standing in line at the grocery store, being alone with yourself, or whatever your situation

may be ….. that this life, this life that we have, is always going to be full of change.

We grow from change.

We learn from change.

We survive change.

Be well and take care and be safe.

 

With kindness and so much respect for all of you,

I/We, remain

Always, Carol & Alvin

 

 

 

Thought for the day ….

Good Morning and Welcome to Tuesday the 14th day of August, 2018.

Well today is a very special day – today is the 13th birthday of my special great nephew “A.”

He has been my buddy since he was in his Momma’s tummy.

We have played together, cried together, laughed together, gone on adventures together.

Happy Birthday “A,” WISHING you a great day.

Sure is hard to believe.

 

Well the sky is an odd white blue colour.

Does not smell like smoke although my sense of smell is slightly off these days.

One ear was plugged but unplugged in the shower, thank goodness.

My carpool is not in today as her building is still not accessible (after the water main break back before my vacation started).

So I am catching the bus.

Running a little late now how did that happen.

 

We had a great day yesterday; me and Alvin.

Walked to the Vet in the morning to pick up more food for him and such.

Then I walked to our neighbourhood little mall, mailed a parcel to my friend back in Regina.

Her birthday is on Thursday.

Picked up some groceries and then home.

When I arrived at the Post Office which is located in Shoppers Drugmart the clerk informed me that their system had crashed and she had rebooted it.

Guess we are not the only ones.

She thought it would take about 15 minutes.

I walked around the store and saw one of the staff that I know so we had a chat while she unpacked some crates of product.

Then it was home and did some laundry, cleaning and later mowed the grass and went for a walk with Alvin.

We saw our friend “P” who has one of the most beautiful gardens, we stopped for a visit.

A good last day of vacation.

 

Well time to get this show on the road.

I hope that you have an awesome day.

My first day back to work after 1.5 weeks – seems strange.

My body just wanted to go back to bed.

Ah, poor body.

Spoiled.

 

Special Hello to: the birthday boy.

Always, Carol & Alvin