2021

Good Morning ALL. How are you doing today? Alvin and I are well. He has a regular Vet appointment this afternoon. He is waiting patiently outside the office for me to finish ( I just started ). I should not “say” that he is patient as his patience is much less than mine most days. So Tuesday morning. At one point yesterday I made a comment in our TEAMS CHAT that would make one think that yesterday was further in the week, not a great way to start. Oh well, the phones were busy for the first hour or so and then lessened so I was able to get some mail done which was great. The mail is “stacking” up so to speak. Our walk at noon was great. Another gorgeous day. We have been so lucky. One thing though we do not have much snow left. The deck is getting more and more bare.

I was wondering if the African Violet originated from Africa? The blooms are ever so delicate and the leaves remind me of a rounded spade in shape. So pretty. Actually I have determined in the last almost year that I have been working from home that I may actually have a green thumb due in large part to most of my plants having a home in a south facing window. I have a bay window in the kitchen and the plants are thriving there. This is near my workspace and it has been great being close to beautiful plants as I work. Some of my Geraniums have beautiful pink flowers at this time, the red leaves of the Poinsettias are gorgeous and I have several other plants including a Spider plant which I moved just recently to the dividing half way between the kitchen and the living room. I hope that it will have enough light in that spot. I have so many plants that they are getting kind of crowded. I enjoy having a “green” workspace.

Well I am at a loss as what to share this more. Writer’s block, perhaps.

I hope that you are doing well, that you are in good health and remembering to take some time for yourself. Self care is very important and something to remember especially at this time.

With that, I remain living my life with kindness, respect and compassion.

Take Care.

Always, Carol & Alvin

P.S. I am planning Mr. Alvin’s 12th Birthday party for Sunday, January 24th, 2020.

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Saturday the 4th day of May, 2019.

Happy Birthday to a gal who has been family since I was a teenager.

Happy Birthday to L back home ….. have a great day.

 

The sky is partially overcast but I can see the sun rising with promises of perhaps a beautiful day.

Our sky tells us a story every day of what it will be like outdoors or even how we may be feeling at that moment.

There are times like this past week or two where it has been changing from minute to minute and hour to hour.

The rooftops, decks and lawns are all covered with what looks like a heavy frost but in fact is a frosting of sticky snow.

When we went to bed the rooftops, decks and lawns that we can see where all clear but not this morning.

Summer will be here soon and then it will be time to start thinking about where and what to plant.

My friend P who has the most gorgeous flowers and garden …. has a walkout (basement) full of flowers that she has already started.

They are away to Mexico for a few days so Mr. Alvin and I are on watering duty.

Every day they are getting bigger and bigger.

Once again she will win “my prize” for the most beautiful garden.

She has pansies and crocuses and others that are already blooming and lots of green in her garden.

My front flower patch still looks “not alive” but I am hoping that something will break through as I have many perennials planted there.

Time will tell.

She definitely has a green thumb.

Their home is filled with a wide variety of plants and small trees.

I look forward to watering duty today.

Lucky Mr. Alvin, as she left him a bag of treats so that he could have one or two while I was busy watering and checking the plants.

He knows they are there and gets so excited when we enter the house.

 

Well today on this Saturday.

Sticking close to home.

Always happy to hear some good news.

Right?

 

I have some tea orders to submit later today.

Summer Berry Sangria and Ginger Ale my favourite summer drink.

 

Well the laundry will not wash itself.

Kind of happy to be putzing around the house and getting things done.

I must have had a bug but am starting to feel my own self once again.

Perhaps in part to this weather.

No sun for me is the worse.

I need the sun even though I am not a fan these days of being out in the hot sun for extended periods of time.

Short times are perfect.

Maybe a couple of hours or so working in the yard.

But taking a break is good.

When I was young …… outside all day …..

 

Have an awesome Saturday.

 

Special Hello to: all those people who have a green thumb, my Grandma Stella was one of them during her life on this earth.  Missing her.

Always, Carol & Alvin

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Tuesday the 30th day of April, 2019.

The last day of April, 2019.

Well this morning there is no sunrise to be seen.

The sky is overcast.

White and grey no beautiful bright yellows and pinks to be found.

ARGH.

Oh well, this is the end of April and we cannot be surprised or disappointed with this weather.

It is what it is after all.

I snapped some photos to show you what we woke up to this morning.

Thankfully only a light cover.

But it is still snowing.

All the photos were taken from either the office bedroom which faces the backyard or our bedroom which faces the front of our house.

The tree is in the front.

Deck at the back.

So pretty with a light frosting of snow this morning.

The flash is on in the second and third photos giving the shingles and the lawn/tree a mystical appearance.

At the end of the day – am grateful for the moisture.

 

Last night we walked to our friend P’s house to check our her plants that she is starting in her house.

They are doing so great.

She truly has a green, green thumb.

In her outside garden there were pansies and crocuses blooming.

They did not seem to be bothered by the recent colder weather and snow.

So pretty …. and so delicate but oh so tough.

After taking in all the “greenery” we headed out for a nice long walk.

 

Humphrey joined us for a bit last night.

He just wanted to be outside.

The boys spent some time together in the backyard.

Content just to be.

 

Still snowing.

The street is wet but no snow accumulating however; in the backyard, a different story.

 

Spring in Western Canada or in Canada for that matter.

Snowing quite heavily now.

 

I guess that I had better head downstairs to ensure I am ready when my ride arrives.

Happy Tuesday.

 

Enjoy your day.

Be kind.

Live in the moment.

Breathe, just breathe.

 

Special Hello:  all those folks who are gardeners out here – you rock.

Always, Carol & Alvin

 

P.S.  the patio/deck furniture including the umbrellas look just a tad out of place sitting there covered in snow.

Thought for the day ….

Good Morning and Welcome to Thursday the 14th day of June, 2018.

Started to rain just as we were going to bed last night.

But does not appear to have rained for any great length of time.

We watered our friend’s flowers and plants last night.

The north side of her house the flowers were still wet but on the south side they needed a drink.

North side does not get the hot afternoon sun but the south side, well yes it does.

All of our flowers are doing great.

She has some awesome looking tomato plants.

They are huge …. look like small trees.

I have a tomato plant and it is doing well….

My friend has this green thumb …. me, well I do love it and give it my best effort.

Looks like the clouds are blocking the sun or at least on the south side of our house … from our office view.

Now just a second ago at the north side … our bedroom side ….. there was bright sunshine.

 

I forgot to tell you all guess what Mr. Alvin and I saw the other night while out for a walk?

A goose and a biz-llion goslings.

OMG, they were so cute.

I just wanted to go and hug them.

Alvin used to be so taken with them when he was a pup.

We would spend hours watching them at the lake.

Now he just takes a look and is on his way.

Oh, Mr. Alvin.

 

Friends.

Do you have a special friend?

A best friend?

Perhaps you have several friends.

Just acquaintances!

Or maybe 20 dear friends.

Some of us are so blessed to have a great many friends in our lives.

Whether they are what people deem to be “best friend” or your “BF,” it really does not matter.

We all need someone to chat with, to confide in, to listen to, to just be near ….

We are social creatures, after all.

We have to remember the health benefits to having a friend or friends in your life.

So take the time …. today ….. call a friend.

Connect …. maybe go for coffee …. or just chat on the phone or SKYPE.

 

Well almost time to hit the road once again.

Have an awesome day.

Do not forget to call a friend today.

They really are your life line.

 

Special Hello to: all my friends and family all over the world, thank you.

Always, Carol & Alvlin

Thought for the day ….

Good Morning and Welcome to Thursday the 24th day of May, 2018.

Another beautiful day on the way and perhaps just a little bit cooler.

Even rain showers in the forecast which would be wonderful.

We enjoyed a walk last night with our friends.

Always nice when Alvin can walk with Presley and Vader, his doggie pals.

 

It would seem like this spring (not officially summer yet) that so many folks are suffering from allergies.

I count myself among them.

My tree out front has little white flowers.

I do not remember our tree to have flowers like that ….. is it possible after over 10 years that a tree starts to flower.

I suspect that other years they were smaller and not so notable.

Anyway my eyes have been burning, congested, ears plug and sometimes feel like I cannot breathe.

Crazy what “green” can do.

It looks really pretty though.

I took some photos so I will post them over the next few days.

Perhaps someone with a “real” green thumb could tell me what kind of tree, I have.

 

Well here it is almost time to leave for work.

What a wonderfully short work week this has been.

I could get used to short work weeks but same pay, of course (and benefits).

Oh well.

 

So on this Thursday …. I wish that you are in good health.

Doing what you love and love what you are doing.

Happy Thursday.

 

Mr. Alvin is on his blanket …. he is so cute.

Love that little guy.

Although both his Momma and Mr. Alvin have put on weight, argh.

Lots of walks.

We have to remember to cut back on portions as we are not teenagers any longer.

Probably a good thing for most of us to remember.

Portion control.

 

Special Hello to: my friend “V” who is one of the hardest working, most kind souls that I have encounter in my travels on this Earth.

Always, Carol & Alvlin

 

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Tuesday the 18th day of July, 2017.

I am so excited.

After work when I was watering and checking out my flowers and tomato/pea plants.

I made an exciting discovery.

There were two small tomatoes.

I have baby tomatoes.

OH, yes I do.

Feels incredible to have grown tomatoes.

It has been a long time since I have grown a food source.

Makes me so PROUD.

This tomato plant is huge.

Lots of flowers with the promise of a million tomatoes.

Would that not be the best thing almost ever?

I think so.

While sharing my new up and coming food source, thought I would throw in some flower photos.

These are the ones that I missed taking photos of ….. above and the next one below.

Snapdragons, anyone !!

Each day this pot gets  more full and a different flower pops up.

It is a miracle.

Starting to believe that I have a green thumb.

What a wonderful evening we had …… admiring the tomato plant, the peas and the flowers and we walked in there as well.

Perfection.

Special Hello to:  thank you all.

Always, Carol & Alvin

 

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Wednesday the 5th day of July, 2017.

Well today’s post did not make it out bright and early as my usual weekday ones as I had no INTERNET this morning.

It was a good thing that I accidentally PUBLISHED my COUNTDOWN post as it would have waited until now, as well.

It was another gorgeous day.

Getting hotter as the week goes on.

 

Learned something from two friends yesterday as my air conditioning needs servicing and I have to wait to get it done.

Suggestions to turn on the furnace fan (not a/c), just the fan.

Between the blinds closed all day, and then turning on the fan and now with the breeze our home is COOL.

Thank you friends.

 

Did anyone notice that I accidentally PUBLISHED my COUNTDOWN post last night and not this morning?

I was getting a head start so that I do not have to try and be semi intelligent and composed in the wee hours of the morning ….

What did I do but ACCIDENTALLY clicked on the published button instead of SAVE DRAFT.

You caught me….

 

Well I hope that you had an awesome day.

So excited that I have a tomato plant flowering and some pea plants actually coming up.

Who knew that I had a green thumb?

Not me.

 

Time for bed.

 

Thanks for sharing your time with me, I appreciate it.

 

Special Hello to: my sister …. getting closer.

Always, Carol & Alvin

 

 

 

Thought for the day…..

Good Morning and Welcome to Tuesday, the 13th day of August 2013.

Today is my last day off before heading back to work.

I have had a wonderful few days away from the office.

Started by celebrating my 56th birthday which was last Friday.

On Sunday my daughter and I drove to see the oldest of my brothers who is younger than me.

We had a great visit.  I only wished that I would see him more often.

It has always seemed to be that way with my family.

We truly love each other but for the  most of our lives we have lived several hours apart.

With children and jobs and sometimes not much money those trips to see one another just did not happen.

I want to make the best effort I can in the last half century of my life to see my remaining siblings as often as I can.

Family is important.

So on this last day of my mini vacation I must get the things completed that I had planned to do when I booked these days off.

“THE OFFICE” …… here it is the last day and I have not started in here.

Oh well, I did have the most lovely visit with my brother and the road trip with my daughter that we had wanted to have….

We did have an interesting trip to see him.

On the way down part-way there it poured and poured and even some hail.

We had to pull over to the side of the road three times before reaching his acreage.

But we did arrive safe and sound in the pouring rain about 40 minutes later than we had planned.

On the way home the sun was shining and it was a beautiful evening.

We decided to stop at a small town and have supper …. over one hour later we were on the road again.

We hit rain just about at Edmonton and then in the City it hadn’t rained.

We stopped at her house to pick up Alvin and then just a few minutes after getting everything in the house and moving my flowers.

The heavens opened and it poured.  Lots of thunder and lightning.

I am thankful to my brother for his hospitality and all of the vegetables from his garden.

My brother has a green thumb.

His garden is amazing.

He is just a great guy.  Warm-hearted and generous.

I am so grateful that I had an opportunity to spend time with him.

Well time to go and pick up some food for Mr. Alvin ….. he did love the peas I brought home.

The sky is overcast.  A bit cooler but still a lovely day.

Thank you for reading my blog and today I plan to read more of yours.

Special Hello: to all those August birthdays …..

 

Always, Carol and Alvin