Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Sunday the 18th day of February, 2018.

It is slightly overcast and does not feel bitterly cold so that is a good thing as I am going to venture out and canvas for the Heart & Stroke Fund.

I think this is about the 7th year that I have canvassed since moving to Edmonton.

Back in Regina over the years I canvassed for the Heart & Stroke, Cancer and United Way to name a few.

I have about three blocks to do and figured this is a good time before our company arrives this afternoon.

Our friends Teddy and his Aunt J are coming about mid afternoon and then will stay for supper.

We are both excited.

Yesterday I was so proud of myself as I took on a couple of minor household repairs.

The wooden trim around the ceramic tiles at the base of my fireplace had come loose and was always in the way.

Finally I got out my super duper GORILLA glue and did the repair.

The only thing was it is a long strip and typically you should have some kind of clamps to hold it tightly, well I did not.

So my hands were the clamps as I sat cross legged with arms stretched out to the side holding each corner.

Good stretching, anyway.

Seems to be okay this morning.

I also had purchased many years ago a utensil container from IKEA, I believe.

Well the glue that was holding each separation in place came loose after years of placing knives, forks and spoons in each compartment.

I FIXED it, too.

Feeling mighty proud of myself.

YAY, Carol ……

In between all of the glueing, I vacuumed up down and all around, washed the main floor,  lots of laundry, changed bedding, cleaned out “tupperware drawer.”

Managed to get some chores accomplished and even slept in.

Sometimes you just have to “stretch yourself” …… are you laughing, my sister.

Well I guess it is time to get this show on the road.

Quick shower and have a coffee or two before going to canvas for the Heart and Stroke.

Typically my daughter and I donate more than I actually collect but that is okay.

Most people do not answer the door and the ones that do some say they have already donated and others do not understand English or the homeowner is not at home.

But that is okay.

I will do what I promised to do and that is to visit each door on my list.

Happy Sunday Everyone.

I, we are enjoying the awesome treats from our friend “V.”

 

Special Hello to: all those single people out there who think they are not “handy” ….. you may surprise yourself if you just try.

After all you can check on-line and find video instructions for almost anything these days.

Always, Carol

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Saturday the 25th day of February, 2017.

It is a lovely morning here in Edmonton with the sun shining.

The temperature is a bit cooler than it has been, but that is okay.

Just finishing up a couple of things before jumping into the shower and then we are off to Alvin’s regular Vet appointment.

He has a pedicure and “bum glands” squeezed (sounds terrible but not so bad), will check his ears and pick him up some of his “Thera-Bites.”

Thera-Bites are glucosamine which he needs for his arthritis or for the on-start at least.

I think we should have time to take the long way around and that would give us a good walk.

I also would like to finish up canvassing for the Heart & Stroke today.

Lots of errands to squeeze in as well like picking up a March Bus Pass and a few things from the grocery store.

There seems like there is always lots to do on the weekend.

I do miss having every second Friday off ….. it was a good day to get outside errands and running around completed giving more time at home.

Years ago there was talk of shortening the work week ….. has not happened here.

I can see from my upstairs office window the smoke from a neighbour’s chimney dancing around in the air ….. must be a bit cold.

With the sunshine it will feel warmer so that is good.

Mr. Alvin is excited to see the girls at the Vet Clinic.

He loves the 2 “Jens”, the Doctor and all of the staff.

Well I guess it is time to hit the shower …. yikes er, not HIT the shower as such.

I will walk carefully to my bedroom and go into the shower.

Sometimes by writing words they will take on a life of their own ….. you know.

Have an awesome Saturday.

I hope that you have some time to relax by yourself and have time with your family and friends.

Happy Saturday.

Special Hello to: The World.

Always, Carol and Alvin

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Friday the 24th day of February, 2017.

It is snowing lightly those every so tiny small balls ….

I noticed that the temperature dropped last night.

Still well within the parameters of a Western Canada Winter.

Spring is on the way and that is good.

With every passing day it brings us one day closer.

With all of the beautiful weather caught in between the normal coldness of our winter it has shorten the time.

Today is the last work day for me this week.

I am excited for another weekend.

Alvin has his regular Vet visit …. pedicure and stuff.

Also I will be finishing my canvassing for the Heart & Stroke Fund this weekend.

In between groceries, cleaning the house and laundry.

If it snows more then there will be shovelling.

Just a regular weekend ….

 

If we work on spreading the kindness the result will be more love and joy.

Sneak in some laughter along the way and you have the perfect recipe for a good life.

 

Happy Friday.

Special Hello to: YOU, my friend.

Always, Carol and Alvin

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Sunday the 12th day of February, 2017.

It is a bright and sunny morning here in Edmonton with promises of warmer temperatures.

Yesterday was beautiful with a slight cool wind but nothing near the minus 30 temperatures in the days before ….

We also had a massive change of plans yesterday.

We left the house for our walk just after the strike of noon and arrived home just before 5 p.m….

We were on our way to the big lake to have a nice leisurely walk when Alvin spotted a neighbour out on her deck and the rest we shall say is history.

We were about ten minutes into the walk, if that, we can never say no to her as she is an older dear living by herself and she loves Alvin so much.

He would not have gone anywhere else after seeing her …. we had to go into the house.

She ended up over the course of the afternoon with a house full so it was lovely.

I had met her son, grandson and his girl friend a couple of years ago on New Year’s Eve.

Just before we were about to leave (then another hour later) one of my neighbours and also a friend and her Jazmine (dog) stopped by.

So instead of having a long walk, finishing laundry before supper and doing some dusting etc.  ….. we spent the afternoon visiting.

Today is almost another version of yesterday.

Starting with coffee at my friend G’s house celebrating another friend’s birthday.

Followed by tea tasting at my neighbour and fellow Steeped Tea Consultant’s house.

Then I shall canvas for the Heart & Stroke followed by walk with Alvin (in a different direction), supper and at 6:00 p.m. it is SKYPE with my sister.

Busy day.

Well time to get going to have some snuggles with Alvin before shower time and leave for the birthday party.

I hope that you have a fantastic Sunday.

Perhaps you will have a change of plans resulting in a wonderful morning/afternoon.

Happy Sunday.

Special Hello to: my friends and family.

Always, Carol and Alvin

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Saturday the 11th day of June, 2016.

What a beautiful day …… overcast and raining ….. although a few minutes ago the sun appeared to be breaking through the cloud cover.

Oh well, we do need the moisture.

Yesterday was gorgeous.

Another windy day …… seems to be one of those windy spring/summers.

 

Poor Alvin has been waiting patiently ….

We were up at 5:00 so he could eat and go outside.

Then our usual hit the sofa until later than usual time.

Upstairs showered, gathered up towels and changed the bedding …. now writing and then downstairs to really begin the day.

I was planning to go and pick up the trash on the nearby walkway but picking up wet paper is not fun (or carrying it for that matter).

I was thinking of going out for round two of canvassing for the Heart & Stroke early afternoon (still might be possible).

All of my indoors chores are doable and no excuses.

Isn’t that the way we sometimes do things ….. write the list …. go down the list and put off what we do not want to do at this moment.

I have never minded working hard but somedays just beginning is challenging.

Oh well …… it will get done …. always does.

The canvassing I still have almost three weeks for 2nd and 3rd rounds.

I do wish to mix it up and go out on different days each time.

 

Well I guess I am procrastinating at the moment …. although toast and honey sounds good about now.

I hope that you have an awesome Saturday.

Just remember do not be too hard on yourself.

Sometimes you can go a thousand miles per hour and the sometimes you cannot.

You have permission …..

 

Special Hello to: all those folks who volunteer for different organizations, thank you.

Always, Carol and Alvin

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Sunday the 15th day of February, 2016.

Today is “Family Day” in Canada.

Our province Alberta observes this holiday so I have the day off from work.

On the weather front ….. quite mild for this time of year.

Although can we still say that …..

With all of the changes to the environment I am not certain we can keep comparing from years ago.

Anyway weather has been nice.

Our neighbourhood is a big ice patch with a few clear dry spots from where some of us have worked on chipping and scooping away the ice.

Unfortunately or fortunately for me ….. it works both ways ….. the storm drain is right in front of my house …. so it is lower.

All of the snow and ice melts to the low spot in front of my house…..

I do work at keeping a line to the drain but people park in front and it can go from clear to six inches overnight making it difficult for me.

Oh well …. spring is on the way and soon the ice and snow will be gone, melted for another season.

I hope that you all had an awesome Valentine’s Day ….

I had a great one …… starting with that awesome package Friday night.

Yesterday an old friend, yes a man …. called to wish me a Happy Valentine’s Day which was very thoughtful.

Alvin and I enjoyed a walk.

I had a coffee in the morning with one of my girl friends.

Finished my route canvassing for the Heart and Stroke Fund.

Finished the 12 loads of laundry that I had started the day before ….. I had forgotten that I had so many towels.

Made a big supper with a big salad and huge pasta dish.

There will be leftovers for a week ….. just the way I like it ….. laughing out loud.

Nice to have enough for several days for sure.

To end the weekend my daughter is coming for coffee this morning.

Perfect way to end a perfect weekend.

So I had better get this show on the road.

Time to drain that pond from in front of the house once again….. yesterday afternoon I spent some time with my ice chipper (long handle with a blade of sorts)…. we have become great friends.

Makes me feel strong and mighty wielding that wood and iron/metal.

I broke up the ice and carried both the water and ice to the drain as my neighbour’s truck was over the drain so I could not make a small canal to get the water over there.

Life in the hood.

Happy Family Day whether you are here or there …..

Enjoy your time with your family whether two-legged or four.

I will have both of my babies here today and possibly my grand-puppies …..

Have a great day ….

Special Hello to: my friend “V” …. I just reread your lovely letter ….. wow your daughter and son-in-law are busy busy.

Always, Carol and Alvin

 

Thought for the day ….

Good Morning and Welcome to Saturday the 13th day of February, 2016.

One day before Valentine’s Day.

I am going to start this blog by sharing a great little story from yesterday.

Sometimes you have a day that is well not exactly what you had in mind ….. less than perfect.

Perhaps part of it …. began with me going to empty a glass of water into the sink but instead literally tossed it the opposite direction and onto the countertop.

The countertop that help my electric percolator and electric mix stand, and other stuff ……

But as the water travelled in slow motion through the air …. I realized what I had done. 

I never moved so fast ….. where was my brain at that moment …

During the day I struggled to accomplish what I had planned because I had several unexpected interruptions.

Now I did get several things done but not everything ….. oh well …. before I knew it I was on the bus heading home.

As I unlocked the door my friend “S” was just driving by and stopped for a moment to see how things were and to see if I would be making coffee later and I said “of course, I can.”

She had to carry on as someone drove up behind her ….

When I entered the house  Mr. Alvin was happy as ever to see me, and to go outside to relieve himself …. oh what the hay to go “pee” ….. much better word.

I decided to go straight outside and clean up after him ….. and also finished my conversation with the neighbour who had by now parked her car and was going into her house.

The plan was to feed Alvin, have supper and then make us a cup of coffee.

Originally I had planned to finish up canvassing for the Heart and Stroke Fund but it was snowing and blowing pretty hard making it hard to keep paper dry etc.

So another change in plans.

Oh well.

After I had given Mr. Alvin his supper …. I decided to go upstairs and onto the computer to send a FB message to a friend and to my surprise I had a message from another friend.

It read “GO CHECK YOUR MAILBOX.”

I blinked a few thousand times in utter excitement because when this friend says go check your mailbox …. you just know it is going to be GOOD … no I mean,  GREAT.

So I literally RAN down the stairs …. grabbed my boots and coat from the closet, a bag to put the mail in …. grabbed keys …. locked the house on my way out and carefully WALKED fast to the mailbox.

When I opened the mailbox door I saw the RED tag of the key for one of the PARCEL boxes and lots of flyers.

HEAVEN ….. I knew that I had a parcel ….

I threw the flyers and odd piece of mail into the bag…..

Holding my breath I opened the mailbox with the parcel inside ….

There was a huge box with my NAME and ADDRESS printed on it …..

The return address ….. yes it was from my friend “V” in Regina …..

I quickly closed the door and put the key into the letter slot and was on my way home.

I yelped with excitement and decided to stop and see my neighbour “S” ….. she was the one that I had seen just as I was arriving home.

She came to the door …. I was so excited …… quickly explaining that  there would be some good treats inside for sure.

I told her of the chocolate covered biscotti that this friend had sent me a couple of years ago AND said that we would have a treat with our coffee later.

Then she told me “thank you and to be careful walking down the sidewalk and home.”

I abided by her and in a couple of minutes was safely back home.

Parcel in my hot little hands.

OMG …. I do love receiving packages …..

Alvin was not sure what happened to his Momma.

So I grabbed the letter opener and some scissors and ran upstairs as my computer was on and my camera was upstairs as well.

I placed the parcel on my desk …..

THE PARCEL

THIS IS WHAT GREETED ME WHEN I OPENED THE BOX

THERE WERE DIFFERENT KINDS OF BUNS …. CINNAMON ….. CHEESE AND PLAIN AND THIS HUGE WHAT I THOUGHT WAS A COOKIE BUT TURNED OUT TO BE THE BEST BROWNIE EVER MADE.

The Brownie was/is heart-shaped and decorated with perfection.

I was totally overwhelmed ……

How extraordinarily kind, wonderful and thoughtful is my friend “V”.

My day went from being kind of a disappointment in some ways to being so WONDERFUL …. it felt like winning the lottery.

I had this overwhelming feeling that I was so extra special.

Alvin as I mentioned was not certain was had happened but he knew it all smelled great.

The next thing I did after snapping photos was to post my surprise to Facebook, thanking my friend.

Not only did she send all of the sweet treats but she wrote me a special letter, gave me a Valentine’s card, she put in some napkins with pink hearts and forgot to mention …. she had filled the card full of tiny red hearts that flew all over my desk and the floor when I opened the card.

I know that I am babbling and not using proper punctuation and all of that ….. but this is straight from the heart.

This gal knows that she is very blessed to be surrounded by the most wonderful people on the planet.

I do not take any of them for granted.

This morning I want to thank each and every one of my friends for choosing me to be a part of your life.

I know that without your love and support I would just be Carol.

This morning I want to send a special thank you to my friend “V” back in Regina ….

************

You are so kind and thoughtful.

You lightened my dreary day.

You made me scream with delight.

You made me feel special.

You filled my tummy with the most exquisite treat.

You are talented beyond words.

You are the best …..

Thank you.

*************

So now I had better get this day going …. I have massive amounts of towels and bedding to launder as now my dryer is fixed thanks to other friends.

On this Saturday morning I am feeling so blessed to be surrounded by good, honest and caring people.

My friend and my family are the most incredible beings and I am so grateful to have them all in my life.

Thank you

 

Special Hello to:  “V” in Regina …… there are no words ……

Always, Carol and Alvin

 

P.S. ….. “V” …. my neighbour loved the brownie, too.