A New YEAR 2023

Good Morning ALL! How are you this morning? Well we are doing okay here in Edmonton at this house. I had four hours straight sleep last night and it has made all the difference in the world. Alvin well he is getting better, I think. I have to keep that outlook on the positive side. Somedays, like yesterday, I admit, not so easy. I appreciate all the love and support that I have in this world. We all know that sometimes you just need to vent. When you live by yourself, that venting or speaking aloud manifests with talking to oneself or perhaps writing on paper or on a blog if you happen to have one. Anyway that you can put your thoughts out to the Universe is a good thing. Keeping them all inside is definitely not a great idea. I suppose that I never thought in a million years that at age 65, I would be in the situation. I always dreamed of having my own house and from a young age thought it would be filled with the perfect partner and children and grandchildren. Likely a pup or two or maybe a cat. Like most people thinking by age 65, I would be retired and living that dream. Well things do not always work out that way. I made some unusual choices later and perhaps even earlier in my life and I suppose they brought me to this place. Am I bitter and sorry, hell no. Am I perhaps a bit nervous about how to start this next chapter, absolutely. But you have to be brave and pick yourself up and figure it out. No one can help you make your choices. Of course, people can pose ideas and perhaps offer advice but at the end of the day it is up to you and should be up to you.

It is snowing outside this morning. My Alvin, my buddy. I sure hope that he gets well soon. I would jump in a snowbank to have him back the way he was before all of this …… really.

It is almost time to head downstairs so that we can go outside before I leave for work. Yes, today is a go to the office day. Not sure why but the higher ups insist upon it.

Have an awesome Wednesday.

For some reason near the end of the day, I figured that baking some chocolate chip cookies was a good thing and would be a happy distraction from my world. I guess I would say it worked. I took a few over for Sonja & Steve and have a container to take to work and have some for treats at home.

Continuing to live this life with kindness, respect, compassion, patience, love, laughter, understanding, gratitude, focus, possibilities and coffee. Cause a world without coffee is not tasty.

Always, Carol & Alvin

Grateful to have good health, a beautiful home, income to live our lives, a ride to work and wonderful and supportive family and friends.

2021

Good Morning ALL! We hope that you are doing great on this Tuesday, June 15, 2021. Mid June. I am not sure if the weather has been playing havoc with Mr. Alvin but he did not sleep well last night and therefore Momma did not either. I am hoping that today will be quiet. The air is cool this morning which is refreshing from the hot muggy air of yesterday. The house is still hot but with the windows open it is cooling down. We slept with fans going all night. The lightning flashed and the thunder roared. At points in time when we were outside, I could see the stars. So there were clear times. Tis the season for summer rain storms. Yesterday near the end of my lunch break I hauled EVERY single one of my flowers pots into the garage. It took me a few minutes, actually over 10 minutes to put them in the safety of the garage. I always panic with respect to my flowers and plants when the forecast says “storm watch” with possible high winds and hail. So now I will have to bring them all out. It is windy and there are clouds but it has cooled down so they/we should be okay if they come out. I just think if I take all the time and money to plant them, I should look after them. Some of those pots are very heavy. The three larger black pots that were on the top deck closest to the garage door, I was able to slide them and then lift them over the door frame and into the garage. But the rest I had to lift so had to be careful. Perhaps getting some cool air will be good for us.

Yesterday it was too hot at noon for a walk so after work it had cooled down somewhat when there were clouds over head so we headed out for a walk. We did not get too far but did manage to get in a bit of a walk. Alvin drank his whole bottle of water on the walk which was about 1/2 of our regular one or close to it.

I am sorry but I am experiencing a bit of writer’s block due to being up and down all night. So I am going to sign off for today. We hope that you have a fantastic day. Hopefully you were able to sleep.

Continuing this journey called life with kindness, respect, compassion, passion, love and gratitude.

Always, Carol & Alvin

Thought I would add this ……. “hope”

• 

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Monday the 31st day of December, 2018.

The last day of December and the last day of the year 2018.

 

WOW, what a year – 2018.

Right.

The world has struggled to come up with a game plan regarding the environment or at least one that ALL countries will join.

Wars, struggles and strife continue all over the world.

We have listened to the rants and raves of leaders.

Weather has been off the charts this past year between fires, floods, hurricanes and tsunamis.

Even at home there has been peaceful conflict between those who want the pipeline built and those who do not.

There have been advances and disadvantages.

We have lost dear ones.

Babies have been born.

 

For me, I continue to work, to be employed.

At a time where jobs are held dear.

I am most grateful to be employed.

I am grateful to have supportive family and friends.

I am grateful that despite the recent political atmosphere I/We live in a peaceful country.

I am grateful to have clean drinking water.

I am grateful that I can write and am not shut down for voicing my opinions.

I am grateful that Alvin and I are in good health.

I am grateful that I am able to live in a home/house that I can call my own.

I am grateful that I can see, hear, smell, taste and touch.

I am grateful for books, music and nature.

I am grateful that I can make a difference – should I choose.

I am grateful to be me.

I am grateful that during the last eleven days of this year that I was able to visit with my cousins and many friends.

To be surrounded by good people is the best feeling ever.

A great way to end the year.

 

For the New Year, I simply wish that all nations would come together peacefully to solve or at least begin to resolve the damage done to our beloved environment.

Let us hope that it is not too late.

Our environment is like our own personal good health; without it, we will perish or at least live very restricted lives.

 

I know that this sounds like a doom and gloom post but sometimes we have to dig our heads out of the sand and speak up.

There is a break in the clouds this morning.

The sky is no longer white.

The sky is filled with dark blue clouds which I can see clear blue sky.

There is hope that we will have sunshine today.

I wish HOPE for everyone – everywhere.

I wish SUNSHINE for everyone – everywhere.

 

Happy New Year.

Happy 2019.

 

Special Hello to: all of my family and friends, wishing you all a very Happy New Year.

 

 

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Thursday the 10th day of November, 2016.

Happy Birthday to my brother who rests with the angels, he would have been 53 today.

Gone but not forgotten.

 

The mornings are now dark until I am at work.

It is dark now as I walk home from the bus after work.

Up in the dark and down in the dark.

It is that time of year.

Our walk last night was so beautiful.

I wore a long sleeved t-shirt and a vest instead of a jacket and was plenty warm.

 

Perhaps you are feeling a little blah today with everything that is going on around the world and in your life.

Here is something to think about or ponder.

Hope is what separates us from every other living creature on this planet, and our ability to accessorize.

Perhaps we are not the most intelligent creatures on the planet but we are hopeful.

( I used “ability to accessorize” from part of a line from one of my all-time favourite movies “Steel Magnolias” ).

So no matter what is going on around you just remember there is always hope, always.

As long as human beings inhabit this planet there will always be hope.

It is what gets us out of bed in the morning.

It is what gives us the drive to do better.

It is what gives us a reason to live.

 

Have a great Thursday.

Special Hello to: my friends back home.

Always, Carol and Alvin

P.S. so excited for Saturday as my daughter and I are taking our Dear Stella Jewellery inventory to a craft sale.

 

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Saturday the 23rd day of April, 2016.

It is cool overcast and calm at this moment here in Edmonton.

Forecast is for cooler temperatures over the next few days and RAIN.

We do need the moisture so very badly so I WISH it happens.

A nice steady rain for a couple of days will do wonders.

 

This past month or so has been filled with so many ups and downs.

More downs than ups for sure.

I am trying to wrap my head around and bring myself back to the positive place I usually reside.

But it is difficult.

It seems that tragedy happens in bulk form.

Not bad enough that something terrible happens to someone but does it have to happen more than once in  such a short time?

We hope …… We WISH ….. We Pray.

I know that when you are in that place and cannot bring yourself up into the light that sometimes the darkness takes over.

Now I am not saying that my life is ridden deep in misery because it is not.

I really have a good life …..

Sometimes I could throw the financial aspect of my life at the door if that was possible ….

Sometimes I feel as though I went through the wrong door…. and yet..

Sometimes I just feel drained …..

But mostly I am good.

I have wonderful family and great friends.

I have Mr. Alvin ….. one of the loves of my life.

So I am going to think good thoughts and breathe.

Bring myself to the light and know that things will again work out.

Darkness always brings opportunity for light.

I will stick to that thought ….

Oh life ……

Today I send good energy and love to my grand-puppy “Elton” and to two of my friends “I” and “S” …..

Heal them and make them well again.

Time for a nice hot shower to rid me of this “feeling” …..

Take care everyone.

Things will always get better ….

We have to go there …. we must.

 

I hope that your life is good.

Have a great day and surround yourself with love, joy and laughter.

Also take photos either with a camera, your phone or your EYES ….

Photos are good to have remind us of those joyous times.

Because sometimes it is hard to bring those thoughts without the images.

 

Special Hello to: my family and my friends ……

Always, Carol and Alvin

 

 

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Saturday the 21st day of November, 2015.

So quiet this Saturday morning …. not many lights on as I gaze out of the office window.

It is about 7:45 a.m.

I love the stillness.

When Alvin and I were up earlier at 5:30 ( I managed to keep him in bed until then, then up, he had breakfast, and outside. ).

I have been putting on my coat and boots and going outside as well.

Good way to let me know what kind of weather I will be going out into later.

It is actually beautiful outside.

So we will have good weather for our day trip to Ponoka.

Alvin will be home and my neighbour will be with him.

Still no sign of the rogue you know who.

I have to check the basement …. I forget last night.

I spent over one hour going through photos picking out some to take to my nephew as I have heard that he loves his photos albums.

He has two soon to be three.

I spoke to his brother last night …. seems our boy is at a crossroads.

His mind is telling him he is better and he wants to go home but he is not ready.

The short term memory is playing havoc with his therapy.

He is doing exceptionally well considering the place from which he came but my no means is he ready to strike out on his own.

Last year for his birthday my daughter and I took him a birthday cake.

We are doing the same this year.

Last year he was in a coma and this year he is awake.

Progress for sure.

Well I should get this show on the road.

Have to get ready and have breakfast and finish putting the photos into the album, my poor fingers were so cracked from the dry air that I had to stop.

Have an awesome Saturday.

One thing to remember .. NEVER GIVE UP.

As long as your mind realizes there is hope …. there always will be.

Special Hello to: my sister, I will give him hugs and kisses from you …. talk to you later.

Always, Carol and Alvin

 

Thought for the day….

Good Morning and Welcome to Tuesday the 17th day of December, 2013.

One more day closer to the big one.

Can you stand it?

Are you getting excited?

I still get excited after 56 years.

I still believe that Santa will put something under the tree especially for me.

I believe that we will all have a wonderful day.

Watch a Christmas movie or play a board game or perhaps even both.

I know that we will eat well and say afterwards “I wish that I would have stopped at one helping.”

I know that there will be dishes to be washed.

I know that there will be a floor to sweep.

Wrapping paper to be recycled.

Phone calls to make.

It will be a great day ….. my day.

I love Christmas.

It brings me hope ….

I hope that it brings hope to you and your family.

Hope keeps us living…..

BELIEVE.

If given the opportunity spread your wealth …. no matter the size.

Maybe you can see a Mom in the grocery store and you can tell she doesn’t have enough money to buy the food they would like to buy …..

You could pay for the groceries or maybe buy them a turkey or even a chicken.

Maybe there is a elderly person living down the block and you know they will be alone this Christmas.

You could invite them over for Christmas dinner.

There is always a way to make Christmas special and filled with hope.

To surprise a stranger is the best gift of all.

Show love and your generosity will be rewarded.

I firmly believe that what you give you will receive.

Have a great Tuesday …..

Special Hello to: all those lovely folks who read my blog …. I so appreciate it …. Happy Holidays to You and Your Family.

Always, Carol and Alvin