2021

Good Morning ALL! I hope that you are well this beautiful Friday morning. The sky is clear and blue and the sun is shining ever so brightly. See what happens when the Momma gets a decent night sleep. I just had a shower and am feeling on top of the world. Mr. Alvin is waiting patiently downstairs for me.

I wanted to mention a topic that seems to have been gaining momentum as of late and that is the number of times one showers/baths. The “stars” are talking about it and I think it may have started with Ashton Kutcher and his wife Mila Kunis and the bathing of their children. Honestly, in North America we OVER USE everything and most especially water. There really is no need to most of us to shower or bath everyday. It has become the norm to do so because of the availability and convenience of water. But you know what that is becoming less and less the case as water is disappearing around the globe. Most especially in North America and mostly at this time in the United States. Now that being said we here in Alberta are facing a water crisis when it comes to watering livestock due to the heat wave and the drying up of natural watering places such as sloughs and streams. But think about it for most of us we do not require or need to bath or shower on a daily basis. When I was a child we had a bath once a week on Sundays. If you got dirty in between you simply washed those dirty parts in a small basin of water. We did not waste much when I was growing up but now, totally different story. Something to think about and do it now. I have a feeling that due to climate change our water in Canada is going to become less and less. We must think about the waste, how much we use and when we need to use it. This is going to become a crisis situation in a short period of time. I have started some time ago showering every few days and usually stretch that to four or five depending on how “dirty” I am which really I am never dirty – perhaps sweaty but never dirty. The only things that get dirty on me are my hands from gardening and my feet from walking with no shoes on. Please take the time and think about how you are using this very valuable natural resource as it may not last forever, most especially in the abundance of the recent past.

Okay Mr. Alvin is now awake, he was sleeping when I came upstairs and woke up after I was using the electric toothbrush not sure if he heard it or not. Anyway he is barking now. I do not wish to disturb the neighbours or keep in an anxious mood.

I hope that you have a great day. I am once again so grateful for the good sleep last night.

Stay cool and be safe.

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

Always, Carol & Alvin

2021

Good Morning ALL! How are you this morning? Well other than not falling asleep quickly we had a great night sleep. Alvin woke up at 4:00 and then we were up to stay at 6:22 a.m., now does not get more perfect than that. YAY Mr. Alvin and yay Momma. The wind was cold last night and I was worried for my flowers but looking at them earlier they appear to be okay. We do have some cold weather coming this week with even possible “snow” flurries, I sure hope that the sun shines and the only moisture we receive is rain. Some of the overnight temperatures are in the single minus number range and that means covering the plant pots that I cannot move. There are three that I struggled to get to the lower deck from the garage and there is no way that I can easily move them into the garage and out for the daytime. So covering is the only option. I finally was able to download my photos and I now have figured out why everytime I download photos from my phone to the computer ….. that I get a message stating a number of files did not download and that is because they were LIVE shots. Gotta love technology. So yesterday when after two years with this phone (should have asked my daughter) the light bulb came on and I made the realization. So I spent over an hour deleting live shots from my phone. Luckily I had some portrait mode ones that I could download. I reshot the flower photos last night. The jewelry party was a success, I have no idea the sales but there were more people attending and watching the replays than ever before and I am grateful for that.

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This is my back deck area. Lots of flowers and different than I usually plant. Of course, there are some of the usual. I did forget to pick up marigolds so will have to grab a couple of those at some point during the next couple of weeks. Marigolds help keep mosquitoes and wasps away.

I hope that you all have a wonderful day and that your weekend was great.

Continuing to live this life with kindness, respect, compassion and patience.

Always, Love Carol & Alvin

Second Half of the NEW YEAR

Good Morning Everyone!

What a gorgeous morning here in Edmonton.

The sky is clear after an evening of rain.

The grass is even more green (did not think was possible).

The flowers and trees and plants had a nice drink of water direct from Mother Nature.

Alvin is sitting facing the doorway as he sometimes does.

Not sure if that is his getting ready to run pose or what exactly he is thinking.

What a guy.

 

Yesterday my daughter took a shopping trip to The COSTCO, yup an adventure, always.

She picked up a few items that I figured I needed ( actually I did ).

But somehow I always manage to miss asking for something and this time it was dishwashing tablets.

Lucky for me that I only run the dishwasher once or twice a week so I am good for two or three more weeks.

Will pick them up next time.

The most exciting item that I got other than pea pods and oranges was a new PILLOW for sleeping.

I was thrilled when it came time for bed to try it out.

So the pillow obviously from Costco.

It is called “novaform” by Innocor Comfort.

First time that I have had a memory foam pillow.

I will say that I had the best sleep in likely years or perhaps ever.

The memory foam supported my head and neck perfectly.

I am so happy that I had this last minute idea and asked my daughter to grab me a pillow.

She picked out just the most perfect one for me.

I guess next time will get one for Alvin for those times where actually lays on the pillow.

Guess what there is even a FIVE YEAR Warranty on the pillow.

I have never heard of that before and that makes me happy.

When you have a good sleep – somehow you feel as though you can achieve anything.

Also very thankful today is Friday after my first week back to work.

I can hear the kitten Bogart meowing outside next door likely playing with his big brother Humphrey.

 

Well time to get this show on the road.

A mug of freshly brewed coffee.

Just had a refreshing shower, even dressed up and put on makeup.

I am expecting GREAT things today.

Perhaps an unexpected visitor?

Who knows but today is going to be spectacular, fantastic and the beginning of something more than I could have ever dreamed.

That is going to be today, Friday, August 21, 2020.

 

Have an awesome day.

Filled with kindness and respect for all.

Light up the world with your good energy.

Be safe.

 

I/We shall remain,

As Always, Carol & Mr. Alvin

 

P.S. I wrote the dedication to my first book last night and have a title and the cover.  On my way.

 

It is a NEW YEAR.

Good Morning and Welcome to Sunday.

The sky is overcast with slight cracks of sunlight peering through.

We had a good night sleep last night.

Alvin did not stir until 4:30 a.m. and we went to bed at 9:30 p.m.

I give Teddy much of the credit for this.

We enjoyed a walk yesterday.

Part of the day I was doing laundry and working on my photo project.

It takes a long time to go through pictures/photos.

Deleting/throwing away multiples or out of focus shots.

Sometimes the out of focus shot may be the only one that you have and you just cannot bear to part with it.

It might have been the only photo of a special person or place.

The project is massive but if I keep with it I will get it done in this lifetime.

 

I just had a refreshing shower.

Nothing like a shower to start your day.

The boys were good as they waited for me.

 

Another part of my photo project is to scan photos to the computer.

Just the single shots.

So that I have them all on my computer.

I figure by deleting the multiple shots from the computer and the out of focus or just plain bad shots, I will have room for the scanned photos.

I have wanted them in the same place for a long time.

Easier to work with and to view.

In my heart there is nothing better than to spend hours going through photos boxes.

 

Well I should get this day on the way.

Lots to do and in the afternoon we shall go for a walk.

Me and the pups.

 

I wish you a great Sunday.

Filled with kindness and respect.

 

Always, Carol & Alvin and Teddy.

Living … One day at a time.

Hello and it is a misty rainy kind of Tuesday morning.

Well finally after over one week the “Poopy Saga” or “The Poop Report” as my sister would say; is nearing an end.

I would say in the last chapter.

Yesterday I stayed home with Mr. Alvin as he was up and down all Sunday night.

After much debate and advice I started Mr. Alvin on 1/3 cup of each his wet food, chicken and white rice.

Happy to report that in the afternoon the poop is beginning to return to normal.

Still a bit away but well going in the right direction.

 

There is also some reason that Mr. Alvin does not want to do the second part of his business in the backyard.

Not sure why.

He always has up until the last few days.

So after watching him in the backyard to see if he was …. he was not.

After our breakfast and I wrote in my gratitude journal …. I donned a coat and got him ready to head outside.

We just went across the street as it is a corner lot and there is a long strip of grass that is not “directly in someone’s yard.”

Walked back and forth up and down the sidewalk for about ten minutes.

Nothing.

It is misting outside …. yup not really rain but a fine mist.

Did not feel cold out.

Back into the house and I had to have a shower and get ready for my return to work.

Yikes, I have spent more time in the last more than six weeks away from work than at work.

Between vacation and then time at home with Mr.Alvin.

Oh well, I will be busy but that is okay.

 

Last night we slept until about 12:30 and then he wanted to go outside.

So out we went.

After that we hit the sofa for the remainder of the night.

He did try his best to have me up and down but I knew he really did not need to go out.

Just a habit …. after being sick and getting used to me being at his every call.

We had a good night sleep.

Thankfully.

 

Well back to the office.

That is a whole nother story.

Some normal will be nice.

Our normals are all very much different.

 

I hope that Mr. Alvin has a great day.

I hope that I do, as well.

I wish you a great day.

 

Spreading kindness with respect is the only way to live your life.

 

Always, Carol & Alvin

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Friday the 23rd day of June, 2o17.

Last night we had another lovely walk with our friends Sara and Presley.

Tonight my girl is picking me up from work and coming over for supper and a visit.

Excitement ensues.

Life is great.

Alvin will be happy to see his sister.

Looks like great weather for the weekend.

This morning is bright and sunny ….. YAY.

Well running a tad late …. just had to have those extra few minutes on the sofa snuggling with me Alvin.

The real reason we were up at 4:00 a.m. – right in the middle of some good sleep.

ARGH.

Oh well it is Friday.

Happy Friday.

Keep the faith ….. be cool but not COLD …… BE KIND and RESPECTFUL OF YOURSELF AND OF OTHERS.

Have an awesome Friday.

 

Special Hello to: YOU, remember you are so special.  Give yourself a hug from me.  You are the best.  Enjoy your Friday.  Do something just for you.

Always, Carol & Alvin