2021

Good Morning ALL! How are you doing this morning? We are doing great. Bed about 10:00 p.m., first time up at 4:00 a.m. and then again at almost 6:00 a.m. – feeling rested this morning. I hope that you had a good sleep as well. The sun is shining brightly this morning and I feel that it is going to be an awesome day. Today we get an estimate to replace our shingles. It will be a relief to have them replaced as they are in poor condition despite the age of them. They were not a good quality and were not properly affixed to the roof. Most of the folks in our neighbourhood have or are replacing them. Yesterday my kids changed their cell phone provider, one of those “visits” to the door kind of thing and then because something had to be done with my phone in person, my kids had to make an “emergency” trip to my house. They brought the pups. It was great to see them all. What a whirlwind of an evening. After supper I went for groceries as well. All is fixed now and the fridge is full once again. Wow, fruits and vegetables are sure expensive these days. Also a gal from work who placed a tea order a while back is coming for an outside visit and to pick up her tea. We will be walking after work as the shingle estimator is coming at noon. I am so happy to see the sun shining so brightly. My flowers are looking so pretty this morning. A warm day on the way, about +24 degrees celsius.

Now that was a paragraph jammed packed full of a mix of things. No rhyme or reason, just the way things spill out of my brain.

We are watching Cynder, Humphrey and Bogart this weekend while their Momma is taking a weekend trip. She deserves a break as she has been working so hard. I am excited to spend time with them. Might even bring the cats to our house.

Also before I forget. The night before last, I was having a craving for something sweet. So what happened next? I baked some cookies. No chocolate chips? Nope. I made using my base chocolate chip cookie recipe a new cookie blend. I made the most delectable cookies with “raisins and coconut.” Just happen to have lots of those sweet items on hand so that is what I used. The different chew between the raisins and the coconut” made them ultra chewy and mmmm good.

Time to get this show on the road. Get the coffee brewing (premade earlier this morning).

Wishing you a wonderful day. May you laugh and have so much joy this Thursday.

Continuing to live with kindness, respect, compassion, patience, love, gratitude always.

Always, Love 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 Sunday the 14th day of April, 2019.

The sky is partially covered with clouds.

I am planing to go and pick up the trash in our neighbourhood as this week the street cleaners are coming.

I like to have the garbage picked up at least once before they arrive.

Then they can get the leaves, sand and dirt when they give it the spring cleaning.

My daughter mentioned she might be coming for a visit.

I have the ingredients for pancakes so I will go and prepare them in a few minutes.

Another busy day on the way.

I took Humphrey back home while Alvin and I went to his regular five week appointment at his Veterinarian.

He had his pedicure done and his ears checked and “stuff.”

Once back home, I went and picked up Humphrey and brought him back to our house.

Then put on the coffee and called the girls to come on over.

At one point Mr. Humphrey was trying to make a getaway as he started to move the rocks from beside the back gate.

I caught him in the nick of time and put the rocks back in place.

What a guy.

Now have to keep an eagle eye on him.

Had a great visit with the girls.

One of the girls surprised us with an Easter Treat.

Chocolate of course.

I am going to save mine for a bit.

After our visit with the girls; carried on with the laundry.

Raked the back yard once again and swept the deck.

Over the course of the day went for a walk with Alvin; our neighbour and the doggie that she was away looking after, Luna.

As she had come back home to spend the night.

Luna is a big LAB and is full of energy.

We only walked our new route before returning home and they continued.

Once back home I raked the front lawn and made a big pot of chilli.

After supper and the final loads of laundry.

Went to the grocery store with my neighbour.

I drove her car on her insistence.

Seemed strange but always good to keep up your driving skills.

Then back home.

We had a quiet evening.

Watching a bit of television before heading off to bed.

That is our life.

Pretty low key but I love it.

One of my favourite parts of the weekend thus far was Humphrey the Cat digging the rocks out by the fence.

He has done that at his home.

Well I guess time to get dressed and get the pancake batter made.

Ready for company?

Yes, we are.

Always.

 

I hope that you are having an exceptional weekend.

Maybe a nice relaxing mug of coffee on the deck.

A walk to your nearest park.

Snuggles with your puppy.

How about giving your puppy a massage (Alvin likes his neck and upper back massaged).

Maybe you raked your lawn.

Finished all the laundry yesterday so that you can walk today.

Reach out to a friend or loved one.

Reading your favourite book.

Cleaning out your closets and preparing bags for charity.

Happy Sunday.

Have an awesome day.

 

Special Hello to: all the women in my life ….. my daughter, my sister, my aunt, cousins and friends and co-workers.

Always, Carol & Alvin

Thought for the day ….

Good Morning and Welcome to Friday the 21st day of December, 2018.

Woke up to tiny white snow balls covering the ground with more following.

The crunchy ones.

At least it will cover the ice and give us some traction when walking.

We will finally be able to go for walks with no worries of salt or falling on the ice.

YAY, so happy for that.

 

Our move into our new work space went well.

I am unpacked and received my first phone call at 9:20 a.m. yesterday.

We only work until noon today and then the office is closed to the public until January 3, 2019 (staff goes back on January 2, 2019).

After the office is closed we will have a catered Christmas lunch and then we go home.

I was so pleased to hear that I scored two storage cabinets from our old office.

We had a cherry wood furniture and it will not be used once the building has been renovated so we had an opportunity to bid on pieces that we wanted.

We had these stand up storage cabinets with doors (like an armoire) and five shelves.

Very solidly built.

I got them for a very good price and one of my co-workers is going to bring them home with me after work today.

So grateful for him.

He is one of those guys that gives 365 days a year.

He is kind and funny.

J, picked up one for his wife for their kitchen as well.

Last night I cleaned off the IKEA shelving unit that I had by the back door to ready for the new one.

It will be wonderful to have storage with doors.

Keep dust away.

The IKEA one is in the kitchen.

It works.

The second one will eventually make it from the garage to the basement where it will house all of the jewellery supplies and perhaps some crafting items.

So, so excited for these.

 

Tonight is going to be a busy night with final preparations for the Christmas party at my house tomorrow night.

Another batch of fudge for the party.

Some laundry.

Charging camera and tablet batteries.

I think we may even squeeze in a walk this evening.

We can always stay up late.

After work and the cabinet is placed – will head to the grocery store for final items.

 

I am so excited to have the next 11 days off.

Time to relax, have fun, rejuvenate and enjoy.

 

Well almost time to leave for work.

Grateful to have another ride today and grateful to be employed.

I am grateful for this life, I call “mine.”

Grateful for all of the people who have entered and exited my life.

Grateful for the kind words and for the lesser ones.

Grateful for the wind and the rain.

Grateful for the sun and the snow.

Grateful for all the creatures that have crossed my path.

Grateful for me, Alvin.

So grateful for YOU.

Day of a gratitude.

Thank you.

 

Special Hello to: all those folks who take the time out of their busy schedules to read my blog, means a lot to me.

Wishing you all a wonderful day.

Always, Carol & Alvin

 

Thought for the day ….

Good Morning and Welcome to Friday the 2nd day of November, 2018.

Did you flip your calendar?

Doesn’t it seem like October?

Where did it go?

The months seem to be passing in supersonic mode.

Anyway Welcome November ….

We woke up to SNOW this morning.

A beautiful fresh blanket.

Not the wet stuff …. but a nice blanket of light snow that is easy to shovel.

I already shovelled a bit of snow off the deck.

Last night we enjoyed our walk.

Just as we neared Teddy’s house, Alvin spotted the garage door open.

Made a beeline for the house.

Teddy’s Dad invited us in to say Hello.

In we went.

You cannot turn down a nice invitation like that ….

They are such awesome people.

Teddy’s parents.

Teddy will be coming for a visit for 12 days or so starting next Tuesday night.

I know that Alvin is excited.

He will have a “brother” for near a couple of weeks.

Good for him to have some company.

He is getting a bit better at sharing although he does have a long way to go.

Well it is 6:30 a.m.

Where did the time go.

Of course, Mr. Alvin has been having been up at 3:30 the past few mornings.

ARGH.

But we do have a bit of extra sleep on the sofa after he has done what he needed to do.

So that helps.

I guess we change our time this Sunday.

One hour back.

Not sure if that is good or not.

Any and all time changes take a certain amount of adjustment.

That is for sure.

Thankfully it happens on the weekend.

Well nice to just slip on blue jeans this morning for work.

I so appreciate our casual Fridays.

Also last night I took down the few outdoor Halloween/Fall decorations that I had put up.

As well as the indoor ones.

Which was good now with the snow.

I am going to put away the FALL wreath before I leave for work as well.

TONIGHT …. oh, tonight.

My daughter is picking me up from work.

With a couple of quick stops at grocery store and vet – food for all of us …. we will head home.

Home where I shall make a stir-fry for supper.

One of my daughter’s fav meals.

Then after supper ….. the TREE will go up.

Followed by decorating the house all weekend.

My daughter is spending the night.

I am not physically able to put up the tree.

Although if I was pushed perhaps I could.

Nothing is impossible.

Just the tree is 7.5 and heavy to assemble by oneself.

Well time to fly.

Likely more like sledding …. snow …. smiling.

Boots and winter coat for sure this morning….

 

Happy Friday.

So excited.

Happy Dancing.

 

Special Hello to: my sister ….. love you, my darling.

Always, Carol & Alvin

Thought for the day ….

Good Morning and Welcome to the 22nd day of September, 2018.

Today is officially the FIRST day of FALL.

My favourite time of year.

The air is a bit cooler, the leaves are hues of yellows and oranges and reds.

Fall always feels a slower time of year.

Birds are beginning to fly south.

The grass no longer needs to be trimmed each week.

We start or have started to put away our summer things.

Cleaning out flower pots and garden areas.

We put out our fall wreaths and items.

This is what the first day of FALL looks like out my back door and windows:

Methinks it looks more like the next season, Winter.

But alas it is not to be here for too long or so the weather people report.

My poor sunflowers are drooping so low they are almost touching the ground.

I feel so guilty that I did not trim them before the snow.

The impatiens flowers appear to be okay except the poor little flowers are covered in snow.

The only items that reminds me of FALL on the deck are the ornaments of a scarecrow and pumpkin in one of the tall flower pots.

But in Canada, in Alberta – the weather can change in a heartbeat.

In parts of Eastern Canada they are having a “heat wave” extending the summer and out WEST, well here we are.

Do not get me wrong, I am not complaining.

A bit of snow does not get me down.

Only the farmers and construction workers are left waiting to see what happens.

Fall or no FALL.

Dry again or not dry again.

 

Mr. Alvin was up off and on since 3:00 a.m. today and so I am feeling a bit out of sorts.

Not bad though.

Once I have had my morning coffee I will be off to the races.

Lots to do.

I took a vacation day on Monday to have a nice extra long weekend.

Plans to reorganize my office, clean out my clothes closets and go through photos on the computer and clean out emails.

Perhaps that will be a lot for three days but time will tell.

Always laundry and some cleaning to do and walks with Alvin.

Walks in the snow with Alvin.

That will be fun.

Remember to put towels by the front door.

Noting that to myself.

 

Time to fly.

Happy first day of FALL.

Perhaps the seasons will reverse and we will have winter until December and then fall for December through till April.

That might be nice.

Although brown at Christmas time – just does not feel quite right.

 

Oh, my I forgot to mention that my daughter picked me up from work yesterday.

We stopped by the grocery store and vet.

She stayed for supper and a visit.

She brought me some clothes from a clothing swap.

Oh, I am a lucky woman.

New pants, jeans and a beautiful purple sweater.

I am so lucky.

 

Special Hello: to my sister …. Merry Christmas …. time to put up your tree…… just kidding and I hope that you are smiling now.

Always, Carol & Alvin

Thought for the day ….

Good Morning and Welcome to Friday the 21st day of September, 2018.

This morning Mr. Alvin decided that we needed to be up at just after 3:30 a.m.

It was raining at the time and within minutes the rain turned to snow.

Now the snow is sticking on the deck and the grass.

The front sidewalks and street are wet only.

This morning I am catching the old bus as my carpool is taking a mini vacation.

I grabbed my boots from the closet in the basement last night thinking that I would be prepared just in case.

We all know that if you have your boots in the closet and ready that you would not need them.

So now I sway between wearing them or not.

Boots or no boots.

I don’t need them because of the snow accumulation on the sidewalk but do I want to wear my shoes in this.

Perhaps not.

I will wear my boots and carry my shoes.

Done.

Decision made.

Pretty good for not even 6.15 am. on a Friday.

Tonight after work my darling daughter is picking me up and will come for supper.

We have to stop at the Vet and pick up food and stuff for Mr. Alvin and then a quick trip to the grocery store.

Then home ….. to enjoy a visit and supper with my girl.

Perhaps I should go now and catch the earlier bus.

I am almost ready …..

I guess you will not mind if I cut this short?

Thank you.

 

If it is snowing or raining or both where you are …. drive and walk carefully.

Take extra time to get wherever you are going.

Likely bridges with an incline will be a bit slick.

Happy Friday everyone.

Take care.

 

Mr. Alvin and his massages ….. he does love them.

I guess our muscles need a gentle massage after a certain age.

 

Special Hello to: my friend V, who is one of the busiest, kindest women I know.  Have an awesome day.  V, remember to take some time for you.

Always, Carol & Alvin

 

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Monday the 13th day of August, 2018.

Woke up to some very dense FOG this morning.

Barely able to see across the street.

We went from 32 degrees celsius (HOT) on Friday to 17 degrees celsius on Saturday and cooler with RAIN on Sunday.

Not complaining about the rain, we did need the moisture.

I am hoping that the moisture will make its’ way to the drought stricken places around the country and the world.

Well yesterday ended up being a lazy day for me and Alvin.

It was raining pretty much all day and I did not have any get up and go.

You could say that my “get up and go got up and went away.”

Anyway, it was so nice to have some downtime after a hectic week and a bit of vacation.

 

GUESS WHAT?

My neighbour cut my hair yesterday.

Oh, how I wished that it had been short during our 30+ days but I am loving it all the same.

Nothing like having a hair stylist living across the street that comes to your home.

Photo of my BIRTHDAY FLOWERS.

 

Well Mr. Alvin has been very patient as I have been very lazy.

We have a few errands to do today.

Alvin needs food and some glucosamine.

I have a parcel to mail and also need to pick up a few food items at the grocery store.

Looks like it may rain so we had better get this show on the road.

 

Tomorrow is back to work.

Sure has been great having this time off.

 

Special Hello to: all those friends and family who spent time with me either in person, on the phone, on social media for my birthday “week.”

Always, Carol & Alvin

Thought for the day ….

Good Morning and Welcome to Monday the 30th day of April, 2018.

WOW, the last day of April.

First quarter of the year now on the books.

The sun is rising brightly in the morning sky.

Everyone is hoping for a much warmer day than yesterday.

Yesterday it was cold, windy and overcast for most of the day.

No rain, though.

We could use a nice rain to give everything a nice fresh drink.

I did not make it out to clean up the trash in the neighbourhood yesterday.

Just not easy to do when the WIND is blowing everything around and back.

I noticed that with the wind some trash has blown in the gutter in front of my house and there is trash lying about.

So will get that all picked up.

 

Update on Mr. Alvin.

I have decided to just wet/soften his food for him.

Although that is likely not good for his teeth.

Will keep an eye on him and if need be take him to see his Doctor.

 

We had a nice quiet day inside other than my trip to the grocery store.

My neighbour lent me her car.

Always a nice treat to drive.

Keeping up my skills as well.

It was nice just snuggling with the boy while the wind howled outside.

 

Well almost time to leave for work.

It is nice being in a carpool and just taking the bus from time to time.

Some of our vacation time is the same so that worked out nicely.

Otherwise just will pick up more bus tickets.

I am / we are enjoyed the extra time in the morning and at night.

 

I hope that you all have a bright, sunny, warm and wonderful day.

Special Hello to: my sister……

Always, Carol & Alvin

 

 

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Saturday the 28th day of April, 2018.

The sun is shining brightly as it is almost 7:30 a.m.

Alvin and I have been up for awhile now.

I switched my winter clothes with my summer clothes – one closet to the other.

DONE.

I had the most productive evening last night after work:  Alvin had his supper, raked the back yard, spray washed the deck, washed two loads of laundry, moved my winter coats and boots to the basement

and moved summer jackets to the front closet, brought out most of the patio/deck furniture, made coffee for me and my neighbour, supper, submitted a tea order, did dishes by hand, cleaned the house a bit and was

in bed by 10:10 p.m.

With the cleaning of the deck last night – managed to spray wash myself.

The end on the garden hose is slightly cracked making it impossible to connect the sprayer properly.

So I got wet along with my neighbour who was in her yard.

She came over to help me and I ended up using her hose to clean the deck.

What a night …. thankfully it was really warm so after the initial blast of cold water, I was fine and dried quickly.

 

This morning our little friend TEDDY is coming to spend the day with us as his parents travel outside the City of Edmonton to their farm.

I wanted to have most of my chores completed so that I had time to spend quality time with Alvin and Teddy.

The deck and back yard are all cleaned up so they can play before it gets to hot.

Supposed to be +27 degrees celsius today.

My neighbour is going to help me put out the base for the one patio table and lift the other table down to the deck area closest to the house.

Then we will be ready for sitting outside.

I have an idea for a short story so am making notes.

Time to have breakfast before our company arrives.

Tomorrow I am going to clean up the trash in the neighbourhood and pick up a few things at the grocery store.

Also rake the front lawn.

Always lots to do.

Soon the perennials will begin to grow, I sure hope so, anyway.

Looking forward to the buds on the trees.

 

I am inspired by the sunlight and Teddy’s arrival.

He is a little bundle of energy that makes you want to get up and go.

 

I hope that you all have an awesome weekend.

May the “sunlight” be with you.

Happy Saturday.

 

Special Hello to: my family and friends, who are my “sunlight.”
Always, Carol & Alvin