Second Half of the NEW YEAR.

August 2nd, 2020 and a beautiful morning.

We were first up at 5:00 and Alvin had his breakfast.

Then back to the sofa for some extra zzz’s.

It was so hot in the house yesterday that I was really wishing that I had the A/C working.

But we made it through with the help of some electric fans.

I had the windows open with a breeze coming in earlier and have already started the fans.

I can only imagine what our electric bill will be next time.

We slept until 7:00 and then were up and got ready to go for our first walk in over a week.

 

One of neighbour’s down the street, Norbert was already out trimming his hedge that lines the sidewalk before their fence wraps around the yard.

They are on the corner lot and have a huge yard.

All of the neighbours are envious of their beautiful yard and flowers and the trees.

They truly have one of the most glorious yards.

We stopped and chatted of course and when I said that Alvin has a pulled muscle in his neck, he thought something must be wrong as they had not seen us out walking.

We walk like clock work unless one of us cannot.

After catching up we were on our way.

One of the people down the street from us had not cut his grass at all this summer.

I was surprised to see it finally cut.

Norbert said he had three people out cutting the grass.

Now that person is in half of a duplex so the front yard is not huge and likely the back was in as bad shape as the front.

So I could see multiple people.

It looks like a real bad haircut.

On the upside, the weeds are cut down.

Hopefully he keeps it cut.

Another neighbour, in fact, a young woman had some work done in the front yard.

She added some shrubs and some beautiful little solar lights and wood chips in the front lining the sidewalk from her house to the street.

Looks so good.

Man, so many changes since we were out last walking.

I miss seeing everyone’s flowers and chatting with folks.

We saw a couple sitting on their front porch enjoying “breakfast,” I would assume.

Although this morning Norbert was the only person we knew out.

There were a couple out for a morning run and then on the way home, a lady was out for a morning stroll.

Funny story, while we were out, we or actually I noticed this squirrel with a white belly on these huge rocks in the front yard of a neighbours a few blocks away from our house.

The squirrel was sitting and then would run a bit and then stop and then I noticed there were two black cats watching him with anticipation of what …. well who knows.

Likely not good.

They were on long leashes out enjoying the cool morning air.

So no immediate danger to the squirrel.

But I noticed the squirrel and the cats noticed the squirrel but not Mr. Alvin.

He was just sniffing away.

 

We had the best walk.

Enjoying the sights and smells of the flowers along the way.

 

Well I am going to make pancakes for breakfast before the heat really sets in for the day.

I guess this is going to be an easy not much going on kind on day.

But later our friend Alison is dropping off puppy Bailey for a couple of hours as she has an outing.

Bailey is busy so I will be busy.

 

I have some craft projects that I am working on so that will keep me busy for the day.

Something not requiring a lot of running about.

 

Well time to get this day underway ….. well to have coffee and breakfast.

I hope that you are keeping cool and enjoying your weekend.

We are so grateful to be feeling well and for the walk, it was absolutely glorious.

Another hot one on the way, 30 degrees celsius.

Then tomorrow 23 or 24 degrees celsius.

That will feel cold, wild laughter !!

 

Living my life with kindness and respect for all.

I/We shall remain,

As Always, Mr. Alvin and Carol

 

 

Thought for the day ….

Good Morning and Welcome to Monday the 29th day pf April, 2019.

Wow, second last day of April 2019.

This morning the sunrise is crazy beautiful as it rises there are some puffy dark blue clouds that appear to be suspended from the clear blue sky above.

Looks like someone just added them with a paint brush.

Oh so pretty.

 

I was thinking this morning as I was getting ready for the day about how much we all take for granted our lives.

We take for granted our health, our family and friends.

Our jobs and our homes.

Usually it is not until we lose something or someone, that we realize this.

How precious every aspect of our lives is …..

When you can swing your legs off the bed and touch the floor and stand up.

Be grateful.

When you can turn on the tap and have clean healthy water to drink and use.

Be grateful.

When you can walk for exercise and enjoyment.

Be grateful.

Every time you make a mortgage payment on your home.

Be grateful.

Every time you pay your taxes be grateful as that money goes for health care, roads and more.

Every moment of every day is a blessing.

A blessing that we can breathe clean air.

A blessing that we are surrounded by family and friends.

A blessing that we have homes and a bed to sleep in at night.

A blessing that we have jobs to make that mortgage payment and to buy food.

A blessing that we are alive.

So on those days when you are feeling woe is me; remember.

Life is a blessing.

Be grateful.

Yes, I know perhaps there will be days that are less than perfection.

But at least we have those days.

Please do not spend your precious moments walling in self pity or complaining about someone or something.

Spend your time being grateful.

Life will always be better if you spend it in a state of gratitude.

 

Have an awesome Monday.

The sky is blue.

The clouds are delightful.

I am alive.

I have my buddy Alvin at my side.

Thank you.

I am most gratefully for all that I have and that I saw my kids yesterday afternoon.

Thank you.

 

Special Hello to: you and you and you.

Always, Carol & Alvin

 

Thought for the day ….

Good Morning and Welcome to Friday the 31st day of August, 2018.

Alas, the last day of August of 2018.

It has been a wonderful month filled with visits from family, road trip with my daughter, shopping at unique places and more, walks, time with me Alvin, awesome Birthday carrot cake, thoughtful gifts,

cooking, celebrations and so much more.

I have a great life.

The sky is clearing as the sun makes its’ way up in the morning sky.

Hard to believe today is the end of August.

WOW.

Ending on a strange note.

Just goes to show you that you never know what can happen.

Yesterday at noon.

Our company had a “hot dog vender” stopped by and feed us lunch.

I was not going to go down as I am not a major meat person and the veggie dogs are not really that good, in my opinion.

So I was just going to eat my lunch.

A couple staff convinced me that I should go and have a hot dog and that there were turkeys ones that were quite good.

So I went with a couple of people.

I ordered the “turkey dog” and it was already gone.

So I placed my order.

We placed our orders and stepped aside to wait.

While standing around and chatting one of the girls pointed out that there was a wasp on my arms (which were folded at the time).

Just as I went to unfold them – the WASP bit me.

The last time that I was bit by a wasp was back when I was a young teenager and I had a reaction – swelling.

I was stung on my foot and there was major swelling.

I did not have any issues breathing to my knowledge.

But because of the time lapse and the fact that I had not been stung in all those years in between – I ran back into the office to the washroom.

Told them on the way that I did have an allergy to the bites.

In the washroom I ran cold tap water over the bite.

There was not much swelling, thankfully.

My manager was in the washroom and said that she would stay with me, just in case.

Another co-worker came in and then ran and got me an “ice pack.”

It seemed like a fleury of activity over the next while with people checking on me.

My Manager went back and got my hot dog that was waiting for me (that was thoughtful of her).

Another staff had to go out of the office and would be close to home and said he had some stuff for bites.

The Director gave me a bite pad.

Another brought me a cold gel pack from the fridge freezer (which ended up being better than the ice cubes).

I had all sorts of attention.

Another drew a circle with a marker around the bite so that I would know if the bite started to swell.So grateful to all these folks.

They even sent me home in a taxi (I did wait until the end of my shift, did not leave early).

It was crazy.

Just goes to show that you never know what will happen in the course of a day.

I phoned my Manager when I got home from work to let her know that I was okay.

Footnote:  I was supposed to take the bus home as the carpool had an appointment to attend – almost looks like I would do anything to get out of taking the bus.

Not really but sounded good when I relayed the story to my carpool later upon arriving home.

 

We also went for a walk with my friend who has the amazing garden.

What a great day.

 

Well have an awesome Friday.

Long weekend for some folks.

Happy Friday.

 

Special Hello to: all those folks who showed genuine concern and provided care for me during my episode with the wasp yesterday. Feeling special.

Always, Carol & Alvin

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Thursday the 7th day of December, 2017.

Another gorgeous day on the way.

To be 7 degrees celsius.

Soon there will be no snow but there remains ICE.

 

Just thinking this morning about how grateful I am to be surrounded by wonderful people.

Just thinking this morning about how grateful I am to have found my companion, Alvin.

Just thinking this morning about how grateful I am that I have choices.

Just thinking this morning about how grateful I am that I can choose to be kind and loving.

 

Happy Thursday.

Feeling blessed.

 

Special Hello to: you, today.  You are awesome and do not forget it.

Always, Carol & Alvin

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Thursday the 26th day of October, 2017.

Last night the wind HOWLED and BLEW and HOWLED and BLEW.

We decided, well I decided not to walk as I feared we might blow away or worse be hit with flying garbage of some sort.

Better to stay at home and be safe.

We enjoyed our time together …. me and Alvin ….. snuggling on the sofa.

Relaxing.

I am so grateful to have this blog – an on-line diary if you will.

Always nice to look at and see what was going on …..

This DATE last year:

Good Morning and Welcome to Wednesday the 26th day of October, 2016.

Another one of many dark mornings to come.

Appears to have been raining overnight.

Still mild so sidewalks and streets should be ice free.

Please be careful …..

Wow only a handful of days left until Halloween and then my time.

My time to put up the tree.

My time to decorate the house inside and out.

My time to send Christmas cards, letters and current photo of me and Alvin.

My time to BAKE.

Our time to appreciate all that we have.

I am so grateful that I can make my own choices when it comes to the above.

I am so grateful for all those who watch over and look after us all.

I am so grateful for my family and friends.

It was a late night and early morning.

I honestly slept in a bit so have to cut this short.

So much running through my head.

One thing:  can I really leave the house with my hair like this?

Yes, I can because I have no time.

It is clean but a little wild.

Will blame it on “being older.”

It could work.

Maybe.

Good for a giggle.

Honestly it is not that bad.

Really.

Am I trying to convince myself?

Yes.

Time to go.

Have a wonderful Wednesday.

Live in the moment and be mindful.

 

Special Hello to: my friends and family.

Always, Carol and Alvin

 

P.S. this year – my hair is good.  Had a shower so freshly washed.  Laughing Aloud……

 

 

COUNTDOWN: 60 Days to 60

Today is Friday, June 30, 2017 and it is the 41st day until my 60th Birthday.

 

Brief this morning:  Fire at a neighbours last night.

With all the fire trucks and other crews coming after the fire it was a late night.

Everyone is okay.

I am very grateful that we all get to see another day.

Cooler and raining this morning.

 

Always, Carol

 

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Friday the 20th day of January, 2017.

Another beautiful day on the way.

Alvin had a great Birthday and thank you to everyone for the thoughtful Birthday wishes.

Yay it is Friday ……. seemed like a long week.

Yet the days seem to fly by …. how exactly is that?

Well this morning has certainly flown by …..

Almost time to hit the road ….

 

Today is an important day for our neighbours to the south.

The Inauguration of their “45th” President.

I hope that all goes well.

 

Feeling pretty grateful today as I do most days.

To be surrounded by kind, loving and supportive family and friends.

To be in good health.

To be employed in this market.

To be sheltered by my own house.

To be here, now.

 

Time to go now.

Have a great day.

Most of us are so blessed and we do not even realize ….

Take advantage of life now.

Go out and have fun.

Be kind.

Live your life.

 

Special Hello to:   Happy Friday Everyone.

Always, Carol and Alvin

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Wednesday the 20th day of July, 2016.

It is overcast which is an understatement because there be RAIN CLOUDS bringing us moisture as I type these words.

Despite not going to bed until after 11:00 p.m. last night and listening to the thunder roar and the lightning flashing I feel pretty awake.

My daughter picked me up from work yesterday afternoon and was able to stop and pick up my friend along the way.

So it worked out perfectly.

I love company.

She came bearing gifts of some extra special treats some edible and some not.

So I feel very special and so grateful at this moment.

We had a nice supper last night and visited.

We went for a walk with Alvin and visited.

We sat out on the deck and visited.

Such an awesome Tuesday evening.

This morning my kids are picking me up and Elton will be spending the day with Alvin.

So everyone has company.

So hot and humid last night and also this morning.

Funny how that whole humidity and temperature thing works.

I feel a bit warm at the moment.

The air conditioner ran most of last night to catch up to the change in the temperature as I had to turn it down (too hot in here).

Well the kids will be here shortly and I have to put the finishing touches on getting ready.

So excited to have some company for the next few days.

She will visit with her family during the day and then with me at night.

So perfect.

I hope that wherever you are and whatever you are doing that sunshine and rainbows follow you.

Have a wonderful Wednesday.

Special Hello to: my friends and family all over the world.  Thanks sis, we will.

Always, Carol and Alvin

 

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Monday the 30th day of May, 2016.

Overcast and dreary looking outside.

Just what one would envision a Monday morning.

Not always I guess.

 

Well the garage sale ended up being a great success.

Lots of people came out and although everything did not sell – we did well.

Most people were nice.

Some wanted to haggle the price from more than reasonable to almost nothing.

Two people said they would buy something so I put the items to the side and they never came back.

Why do people do that?

Everyone made some money and I made what I needed to…

It was a gorgeous day and I was so grateful.

One thing I will note is that I do not have a car and mostly everyone drove up in big fancy vehicles?

Those are the ones that always want something for nothing?

Just an observation.

 

 

Alvin came home later in the afternoon and it was just like in the movies.

He came running to the door but his leash got him only until the top step…. until his sister caught up.

Once in the house he ran to the back door and then back to me ….. gave me a kiss and then back and forth.

He was so happy to be home.

I know that he had a great time with his sister and family.

My son-in-law took him on a nice long walk.

I even managed after a seven hour garage sale day to go to the bank, get groceries and my bus pass.

DONE.

We had a nice quiet evening.

Supper was later than usual but enjoyable.

 

Well here we go again time to leave for work.

Where did the night go?

Where did the weekend go?

 

Happy Monday.

Special Hello to: my sister – sorry I completely forgot about SKYPE.  How about next Sunday?

 

Always, Carol and Alvin

 

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Friday the 18th day of September, 2015.

Well I was mistaken yesterday about the frost.

Jack hit ….

On my way to the bus I saw the frost on the lawns and vehicles.

During the ride to work there was fog in low lying areas and frost.

Luckily my flowers survived uncovered and I am grateful.

A few more days is wonderful especially when the weekend is supposed to be 20 degrees celsius.

It was absolutely gorgeous outside last night when Alvin and I went for our walk.

The air was warm, no breeze and the roses are still fragrant.

Well almost time to leave for work.

I am grateful that today is Friday.

Lots of things on my LIST for the weekend.

Outside chores ….. lawn needs to be cut ….. check out the shrubs I guess they should be trimmed before it get to cold.

Start putting things away.

Inside …. the regular laundry …. cleaning ….. preparing for next Saturday’s Steeped Tea party ….. what to pack my things in… you know stuff like that.

Well I am catching an earlier bus these days.

Time to get going …..

I hope that you have an awesome Friday …..

Special Hello to:  to all those folks who are prepared ……

Always, Carol and Alvin