The New YEAR 2022

Good Morning All! How are you this morning? I am writing this with one finger while lying down on my sofa at 530 on this Saturday morning.

We were to bed later and happily up at 5 this morning. I always open one set of blinds in the livIng room.

@&!:()), pretty much my thoughts, see photos😂

Back yard and front. I am thinking that Mother Nature looked down and saw that Alvin’s loo on the deck was fast disappearing and decided to help OR she has a dark sense of humour.

i had to go out with Alvin so put on my coat and shoes and armed with a poop bag opened the back door grabbed the shovel.

So what do you do at 5 am when you are wide awake?

Most of the time turn over and go back to sleep, not today. Shovelled and picked up poop.

We had almost no snow left. I am wondering if Mother Nature heard me say that Al’s bathroom was disappearing! Not sure.

Oh well, on the plus side it feels warmer out now than when we went to bed.

i texted photos earlier to my friend Val in Regina, my daughter and my friends Gillian & Signe who live nearby with the caption ”Up at 5, wide awake and nothing better to do” with enough exciTement for one morning and back to bed. Trouble was/is, I’m not sleepy.

So maybe now that i have written this post, I can lay back down because apparently I was dreaming and thought it was spring and most of the snow had melted. 😂

Trying to understand, be patient, be kind in thoughts, respect that it is March, have compassion with Mother Nature, remembering that I love snow, laugh that Alvin is sleeping while I am writing this post, grateful it is the weeKend while focusing on completing this post with the possibility of falling to sleep and waking up to bare ground!

Always, Carol&Alvin

PS Al got up, did some sniffing and back laying down. I have confused him😂

It is a NEW YEAR.

Good Morning All,

Welcome to a bright, blue sky, breezy morning here in Edmonton.

We seem to having a lot more wind here than we did when I moved here over ten years ago.

The garbage truck just went by ….. stopping and starting as they do along their route.

Geese honking and other birds chirping away.

Our window is open in the office so we are hearing all of the sounds that our neighbourhood is making as it slowly comes to life.

Not many people up and out.

So many of our neighbours are working from home.

I do know some of my neighbours that are slowly beginning to go back to their places of employment.

I love this time of day.

Perfection.

If I had my poop in a group or ducks in a row, I would have been organized earlier and sat out on the deck and drank a cup of coffee all the time enjoying the morning.

But alas did not happen.

Oh well, next best thing, window open, coffee in a travel mug and will enjoy as I start to work.

I have my coffee up here and ready to go.

I have been dragging my keister the past few mornings likely due to my watching how much I stand and such.

But anyway that is okay.

Perhaps on Saturday morning …… read my book on the deck and drink some coffee.

Alvin loves to lie on the deck and enjoy the sun until it gets too hot.

 

Did you plant flowers this year?

What kinds?

Are they doing okay?

Flowering?

 

Thanks to my darling daughter I have impatiens, petunias and marigolds.

Most of my perennials are up and some are even flowering.

I cannot believe that one day my ferns in the front flower bed were barely a spot of green and already they are several inches tall.

Before I know it they will be reaching for the sky …… over two feet tall.

They grow so fast.

The irises and others are up.

Unfortunately I don’t remember all the names of the shrubs and plants I have in the back and front gardens.

Oh and lilies.

Love the lilies.

The recent rain has definitely helped plants and the grass and trees grow, bud and bloom.

The grass is this most beautiful green, I guess kelly green.

So, so pretty.

The dandelions dot most lawns and they were in full glory a week or so ago.

Then they go to seed.

I hope that the bees got to them before they were sprayed or went to seed.

I feel so bad for Mother Nature and then Man happens.

 

Well time for coffee and get signed onto work computer.

 

Wishing you the most grand of Tuesdays.

Filled with some laughter, even on a Tuesday you must have a giggle or three, oh come maybe four giggles.

Our life is way to serious.

We must laugh along the way.

If we all live in kindness and with respect.

Even if we slip or have a moment, we all do.

Climb back up and live again in kindness and with respect.

 

Happy Tuesday.

With kindness and respect.

I/We shall remain,

As Always, Carol & Alvin

It is a NEW YEAR.

Good Morning and Holy Smoke, it is Saturday, May 2nd, 2020.

The sun is shining and the geese were flying over honking away.

We were up at 5:30 a.m.

Alvin had his breakfast and backyard break.

Then as I just could not stay up at 5:30 we hit the sofa for some extra zzzz’s.

Next thing I know the I look out the window (view from the sofa) to see BRIGHT sunlight coming back at me.

Both Alvin and I got up right away.

I checked out the clock on the microwave and it was 8:09 a.m.

ARGH,  the plan was to get up at 7:00 a.m.

Oh well, I guess that is how much sleep I required.

It seems like around 8:00 is when my body naturally wants to get up these days.

If given the opportunity.

So I have an extra long list today.

How is your Saturday/Sunday list?

Do you like to keep Sundays quiet?

I sure do, if possible.

 

List for Saturday:

Laundry

Hook up the garden hose and wash down the deck.

Clean the bathroom fans (yup, I was going to do that already and did not)

Change the lightbulb in the upstairs hallway (need ladder to do that, that is why I left until the weekend)

Walking of course

Cleaning the bathrooms

Some budget work (check out the TELUS bill as it seemed a bit high even with the movie or two that I rented)

Steam clean the floors

Change bedding

Bring out the deck furniture

Dusting of course

Make energy bites (might need them).

 

I think that may be all.

Some can wait until tomorrow but I think that Teddy may be over for a visit tomorrow.

The outdoor stuff will be done today as it is supposed to be 20 degrees celsius, the warmest day thus far.

Of course, something else may pop up.

I was thinking if I have the time to do some work, work.

I know that I should not but sometimes that extra time can save you from added work week stress/anxiety.

 

Anyway, we had a couple of wonderful walks yesterday.

We saw our friend P on our noon walk.

 

Have you checked our Pluto Living?

Our new Canadian treasure.

Pluto and her Mom are great.

Pluto gives out the perspectives from the four-legged to we, two-leggeds during this time of crisis, this pandemic.

I could listen to Pluto talk all day long.

She has good advice and makes us smile and laugh.

You can find her on Facebook, YouTube and  Instagram.

 

I know during this time when we many of us are away from our regular routines that it has been stressful.

But at the same time it has been amazing.

For me, I no longer have a commute to work.

I am home with Alvin and this extra time with him has been a godsend.

I can “leave work” at my regular time off and we on our way walking within a few minutes.

Depends if Alvin gets under the kitchen table before I can get his harness on.

That is a whole other story.

Work has been up and down for me.

I feel that I really should not complain.

I have my job, I am safe at home with Alvin.

I have friends and family who bring me food and necessities.

 

For singles working from home with no smaller humans to distract them, it is quiet.

Those single moms and dads with small children who can no longer go to daycare.

Those single moms and dads with school age children, now having to teach them and work from the same space.

To those moms and dads who are both working from home and teaching their children.

Or those where one spouse is working from home and the other is not, financial stress is a real big deal.

Add to that possibly teaching children.

Even going to the grocery store is not a pleasant experience.

 

For all those folks who remain working whether you are “frontline” or deemed to be an essential services who now have children at home.

How do you look after them, teach them?

Coming home after an extra long shift?

So tired.

Dealing with the fear of the virus.

Dealing with being away from their families in some cases.

 

On the other side.

For those families at home together.

More breakfasts, lunches and dinners together.

There have been more board games together.

More movies watched.

More popcorn popped.

That time together is precious.

 

There are so many variations of circumstances to who/what is affected by this pandemic.

I hope that you and your family are safe.

I am grateful to those who must work outside their home.

Be safe and we appreciate what you do.

 

We will get through this someday and get to the other side.

What that other side may look like, who knows.

Life may change somewhat but that is not a bad thing.

Embrace change that is what I am always told.

Change = Growth?

 

Wishing you all a great Saturday.

I guess my list is not going away anytime soon.

Get out of these p.j.’s and finish changing our bedding.

Sign off from this post.

Get the first load of laundry on.

I will say that having the choice completely as to what to wear when working has been wonderful.

Unfortunately wearing anything that buttons up, well I will need to start trying on some things.

To see how much damage has been done.

We are walking twice a day but ….

Okay am I stalling?

Nope.

 

With kindness and a deep respect for all …

I/We remain,

As Always, Carol & Mr. Alvin (who is napping on his little bed beside me, cute).

 

P.S. need to get that coffee perking, SOON.

 

 

 

 

 

 

It is a NEW YEAR.

Good Morning Everyone!

Well it is a bright, sunny and beginning to warm morning here in Edmonton.

I can hear the geese honking in the distance.

Last night after work we took our second walk of the day.

Followed by the start of laundry and then the raking of the front lawn.

The neighbour that shares the front lawn with me did her own raking.

She has been feeding the bunnies which we have many all winter long.

So lots of bunny parcels mainly on her half but some transferred to mine.

We cleaned up most of it but I am sure that a little poop left behind would be great fertilizer.

At least it is natural.

 

I had been pondering the thought of having one of those landscaping / lawn companies, you know the ones, like GREEN DROP stop by.

Perhaps give the lawn a well deserved boost.

My neighbour gave her half some extra help and her lawn was so much healthier looking than mine.

I even watered mine some.

But after listening to Dr. Jane Goodall speak on Jimmy Fallon the other night and reading about bees and dandelions (which I usually have a few for sure).

I have decided to take the natural approach.

I will ensure that the lawn is properly hydrated (if no rain, then I will water).

I will leave the dandelions for the bees.

I will not put down any kind of “chemical” fertilizer on the lawn.

This is my pledge.

Now of course, it may be for naught if my neighbours surrounding me fertilize but I will do my best.

I am also planning a “trash/garbage” pick up day in the next couple of weeks.

This is where I take a day of vacation from work OR spend a good part of a Saturday or Sunday out in my neighbourhood picking up the trash.

Right now it is absolutely disgusting.

Might be sooner than later.

I use my own garbage bags (which reminds me I am almost out of the big ones that I usually purchase from COSTCO) and I have the garbage picker tools and disposable gloves.

So all of the necessary and safe equipment for the job.

I do this for my neighbours, for my neighbourhood, for my community and for the natural community most of all.

I constantly worry about birds and animals eating elastic bands that folks drop on the ground by the mailboxes.

I constantly worry about all the crap that people do not pick up.

So with the birds, animals and environment in mind, in my heart, I do this.

Unfortunately I do not go out as often as I used to.

Once upon a time I went out once a week now it is once or twice a season.

This is the time where it is the worst.

I would remind all of my humans out there, please pick up the trash when you see it on the ground.

You are out walking so much more now, why not slip a bag and gloves in your pocket.

Pick up that trash when you are out and about.

Why not?

Why is it that the majority of people just walk on by?

Please I am asking you.

Next time please pick up the trash no matter the size.

When you are packing up your trash to go out for pick up.

Be careful of how you pack it.

DO NOT THROW LOOSE PAPERS, CONTAINER in a BLUE BOX OR

WORSE leave BOXES stacked willy nilly to blow about.

Those are the boxes and styrofoam packing materials that I find on the street all of the time.

The styrofoam breaks down as it hits the curb and corners of the sidewalk breaking into much smaller pieces so of which are digested by birds and smaller animals.

These smaller pieces also end up going into the storm drains.

Easy to to.

PICK UP the trash.

Please.

 

I do apologize if this sounds like a rant as I would rather it sound like a public service announcement.

We all have to work together to make this planet a better place for all of the inhabitants.

We rely on the NATURAL WORLD.

Slowly and now so slowly we are disturbing, changing and destroying the natural world.

Let us come together and do some good.

There is good coming out of this pandemic.

The good is helping the natural world.

Marine life is returning in areas, the sky is clear from smog and pollution as people are staying home and some factories are closed.

This should tell us something.

It is a good reminder.

We have to stop and get things straightened out.

The next time we have a pandemic we may not be so lucky.

I am not taking away from the loss of life globally from this horrible virus.

 

Please have a good safe and happy Saturday.

Given the chance to do something great for the environment in your neighbourhood, please do so.

Do not leave what you can do, for others to do.

 

With kindness and a deep respect for our planet.

I/We remain,

As Always,

Carol & Alvin

 

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Saturday the 18th day of October, 2014.

WOW, it is simply the most gorgeous morning.

There is a slight coolness to the air with the sun shining brightly.

It is Saturday ……

Alvin is standing on the bed looking out of the window taking in all that he can.

He hears the geese honking as they fly overhead.

He seems to be watching for Aussie the neighbour’s cat as he loves to watch her when she is in the back yard.

He will stand on his hind legs and just gaze out of the window for several minutes at one time.

So cute.

Ah, to have a simple life.

This past couple of weeks have been filled with incredible highs and lows.

I am reminded that sometimes we need to push through the clouds to see the rainbows.

So that is my thought for this Saturday ….. just push through those clouds and find your rainbow.

There are many days that challenge us, and even though in my head I want only easy days.

I know that easy is not always better.

Growth takes place in a sea of challenges.

If we simply take one moment at a time it will not feel like the roof is falling down upon us.

Relax and breathe.

It will work out for the best ….. it almost always does.

I hope that you have a great Saturday, and that you see past the clouds and find your rainbow.

Maybe today it will be a double one ……

Happy Saturday Everyone.

Special Hello to: all those people who have sent their positive energy to our family.

Always, Carol and Alvin

 

 

 

Thought for the day……

Good Morning and Welcome to Sunday the 14th day of September, 2014.

Oh, what a gloriously beautiful sunny warm morning.

It feels like summer again but with a hint of coolness to the air.

You know the feel that you have in early fall.

It is so nice outside.

I spent a couple of hours outside yesterday (it was beautiful, too) mowing grass, pulling weeds, trimming back my roses (which I am going to pull as they just are not doing well), emptying most of my plant pots (a few were not affected by the recent frost) and just general tidying up.  It was glorious.

This is truly my favourite time of year.

Oh, I hear the geese honking up a storm as they are preparing for “winter” or travelling south.

Some stay for the winter ….. others do not  ….. I should google to see why.

Anyway …. they were flying by and saying hello.

I certainly have enjoyed this weekend.

How much better than this does it get:

-started Saturday morning off with coffee at my friend “G’s” house.

-then home and Penny had gone to the Vet with her Momma & Dad so decided that me and the boys should go for walk.

-we did, it was so nice out.

-then home mowed grass and did yard work ….

-laundry and some cleaning.

-made supper.

-went for groceries after supper.

-then had tea and watched a Star Trek movie or at least part of one. (I have already seen them all a million times, so I know how they end).

-then to bed …. snuggles with Mr. Alvin ….

PERFECTION.

I hope that you had a perfect weekend thus far.

Today I am off to work at the store.

Just enjoying a cup of coffee and some quiet time before I leave.

Have a great Sunday.

Do something fun today.

If you have sunshine ….. go outside and enjoy ….. no boots or heavy jackets …….

Special Hello to: my sister back in Regina ……. HELLO ……

Always, Carol and Alvin