2021

Good Morning ALL. How are you today? Alvin and I are doing well. I am in the mood for composing a poem just for you. Here goes.

WINTER

The sky blending into the white topped garage roofs fills my sight.

On this weekend morning as I write.

There is no denying it.

Winter is upon us.

From morning until night.

The lawns are covered with snow, the streets and the decks.

No pavement or wood is showing.

Frigid temperatures take away our daily walks.

Stories of cold in years gone by, fill our talks.

When we do creep out of our home to shovel the snow from the sidewalks.

The warmest of coats, boots, mitts and scarves cover our bodies.

Our natural inclination, our feeling is the longing to snuggle on the sofa.

With the heat turned up.

With a toasty warm blanket and sip on a warm beverage, perhaps hot chocolate.

And mindlessly watch a favourite movie.

We don our warmest sweaters, sometimes even “long underwear” beneath our pants.

Thick, warm socks cover our feet.

Our energy level is low.

To get our chores done is slow.

This I know.

Our life is simple during this time.

We do what we need to do.

Usually nothing more.

Except for those who do not seem to be affected.

By these more than deep freezer temperatures.

We call winter in Canada.

Written by CY Lewis, February 6, 2021

Wishing you a great day. No matter the temperature, be safe, take care.

Continuing to live with kindness, respect, compassion and patience.

Always, Carol & Alvin

Second Half of the NEW YEAR …. final quarter

Good Morning All. Some of us set our clocks back one hour last night or this morning. When Alvin woke up several hours ago I looked at my phone that I had charging in the bedroom and it said 1:14 a.m. Alvin is not unlike me and has to go pee in the middle of the night so up we got and outside he went. I watched. He did his business and came into the house and then we hit the sofa for more sleep. I noticed that the clocks on the stove and microwave had said 2:16 when we went downstairs. My phone automatically updated to the correct time. I am always confused for the first few days. Reminding myself to change all of the clocks. Anyway the next time we got up my phone said 6:44 and the stove/microwave said 7:44 a.m. and it feels later not earlier. So up we have stayed at the revised time of 6:44 a.m. Alvin had his breakfast. For the second day I have noted that he has not eaten all of his food. Yesterday he ate his biscuits treats, banana and carrots and his supper with no issues. So perhaps he is beginning to get full on less in the morning. I guess we have been eating at different times lately. So important to get back on a schedule for both of us. Eating at same times at good for us and for digestion.

The sky is begin to lighten as the sun starts to rise in the morning sky. Did you bask in the glory of that Halloween Full Moon last night? How / what did you and your family do? Did the kids go treating? Did you hand out candy? I felt guilty as I did not hand out treats however I did pack up large treat bags and personally delivered them to all of the children that I know well in the neighbourhood. We had little visits with everyone and they showed off their costumes and candy delivery systems. I think that I had almost as much fun as other years. Almost. I kept peaking through the blinds to see if there were kids out and about. I only saw three or four total. Some of my friends reported having about 50 which is about half of normal amount of treaters. These friends said their children received huge amounts of treats as a result. I am happy to see that people took precautions for the safety of the children. Warms my heart that people were smart about Halloween in my neighbourhood. I can not speak for other areas but am happy that we did the right thing. In a little while once I am finished writing and dressed and had a cup of coffee, it will be time to go into the basement and start hauling up the CHRISTMAS decorations. Firstly, I will have to take down all of my Halloween decorations and pack them away. Down and then up. My daughter will come around noon and help put up the tree and I hope that by then, I will have most of the main floor decorated and furniture moved about ready for the tree.

I also entered but not submitted tea orders last night. I am so excited to get some HOT CHOCOLATE. The order will be submitted tonight as advised. Just waiting for a few more orders.

Also am excited that I booked tomorrow off as a vacation day. The temperatures for today and the following three days are to be double digits with warmest day being 15-16 degrees celsius which is very warm for this time of year. Must remember to change the calendar as well. Tomorrow will be a good time to give Mr.Alvin a bath and possible little trim.

Walking with Alvin will mean no sweater in these temperatures and light jacket or sweater for me.

Happy November 1st, 2020.

Well time to get this day going …. lots to do.

Living life with kindness and respect and happy to do so.

I/We shall remain, as Always, Carol & Alvin

Living … One day at a time.

Hello,

What a windy, rainy Thursday morning.

The rain appears to have set in for some time.

There is absolutely no sign of Mr. Sunshine anywhere.

No crack, no peep, no nothing.

Only grey ….. only grey….. as far as one can see.

It feels like a day when one should be curled up on the sofa under one’s most favourite blanket next to one’s favourite four-legged buddy.

Mr. Alvin, in my case.

Perhaps sipping on a mug of coffee or hot chocolate.

Maybe reading a nice book.

An actual book.

Just relaxing, enjoying life.

JOLT …. shaking head ….. blinking quickly ….. ARGH ….

 

Reality sits in and now I am dressed for work ….

No coffee, no blanket, no curling up with me Alvin.

Just doing the things that I always do on those mornings where I go to work.

Which seems like always.

Oh well ….

Ride will be here in a few minutes.

 

So grateful that we managed to get our walk in last night before the storm.

 

I am grateful to have a job – do not get me wrong.

The job …. the getting up in the morning …. allows me the luxury of having this house.

Our beautiful home.

Next to family and friends including all of our four-legged family and friends …. my house brings me so much joy.

I am most grateful…..

Even cleaning three bathrooms ….. is wonderful.

 

Well almost time to head downstairs one last time for this morning.

See if Mr. would like to go outside one last time before I leave.

It is raining …. so likely not.

Note to self …. fill Alvin’s water dish with fresh water (downstairs one).

 

I love my life.

My family

My friends.

My grand-pups, all of our fur friends.

Me Alvin.

My home.

My yard.

My life.

My job.

I am so blessed.

Thank you.

 

Kindness and Respect are always the way to go.

Sometimes I know you may think being kind and respectful is too much work or not worth it.

But trust me …

Always better to kind with respect.

Always.

Yes, Always.

 

Happy, Happy Thursday.

I guess I will be going out in the rain, too.

So grateful to have a ride and from work.

 

Always, Carol & Alvin

 

 

 

Thought for the day ….

Good Morning and Welcome to Sunday the 25th day of November, 2018.

The sunrise is absolutely gorgeous this morning.

There is a almost fan-like array of pinks and oranges filling a corner of the sky visible to the sound around the rooftops of my neighbours.

So pretty.

A deep blue cloud bank fills the bottom portion of the sky to the east.

These are my sights out of the office window.

A lighter blue fills the remainder of the sky with dots and dashes of white clouds.

Almost alive sky this morning.

A magpie just flew by …. love their coloration.

 

Today will be spent cleaning upstairs, one more load of laundry, writing more Christmas cards, feeding my friend’s fish, and going for a walk with Mr. Alvin.

Also I want to send some photos electronically to COSTCO to be printed to add to my Christmas cards.

I have a couple of emails to attend to.

Get ready for the work week.

A full day.

 

I can smell the coffee as it perks along almost ready for my taste buds.

Today is also the GREY CUP as Edmonton is hosting this year.

FOOTBALL, North American style.

Two different sets of rules between the styles played in Canada and the United States.

They are not playing but the game is here.

I hope that it will be a nice day and not too cold.

Bundling up is a must …. lots of hot chocolate and coffee?

 

Well time to get this show on the road.

Lots to do.

I hope that you have an enjoyable day.

Be kind to yourself …. take some time.

In between the noise and chaos that is our lives.

 

Special Hello to: all of my family and friends, thank you for being loving and supportive.  I could not do it without you.

Always, Carol & Alvin

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Friday the 21st day of October, 2016.

Supposed to be plus 10+ degrees celsius here in Edmonton today.

Yesterday was only supposed to be 9+ and ended up being +12.

Something to celebrate for sure.

Perhaps there is a chance that we have still have our family photos done outside.

Me and Alvin.

We have had our photos done every fall since I adopted him.

Cannot miss this one.

I appear to be getting older and Mr. Alvin well he looks pretty much the same.

Some years he might be in between hair cuts but he still looks his old handsome self.

I am so excited for it to be Friday.

Get lots of work done today.

Busy weekend …. I have lots of things I want to do.

This weekend is forecasted to be mild as well so it will be a good opportunity to clean the neighbourhood one last time before winter.

Every day I walk on a certain walkway and see all of the trash I want to cry, scream and pick it up.

But unfortunately I do not carry garbage bags and disposable gloves with me, perhaps I should.

Note to self.

I took some photos of my Halloween decorations but forgot to take some of the ones outside so will do that tonight and post them soon.

Only 15 sleeps I believe until I can put my Christmas Tree up and cover the house in decorations.

At least I can decorate outside after Halloween.

With the 1st falling on Tuesday it means I must wait until that Friday night or Saturday to put up the tree.

My tree is huge and although I can do it myself it is much easier with help.

Besides more fun with help.

It is got to be a thing that my daughter and I do together, something to share.

Our love of decorating the Christmas Tree.

Maybe more mine than hers but she enjoys it all the same.

Hot chocolate …… a treat ……. Christmas movie playing in the background.

Good times.

Well here we go again time to head out of the door.

Put on the finishing touches ….. grab lunch ….. a coat …. shoes …..scarf and mini gloves.

With it being so warm later only need a fall coat today.

Have an awesome Friday all.

Special Hello to:  YOU ALL…..

Always, Carol and Alvin

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Sunday the 20th day of December, 2015.

Only 4 days until Christmas Eve.

The party was great …. we drank coffee/tea …. we nibbled on sweets ….. we laughed ….. we exchanged gifts ….. we laughed some more.

Isn’t that what getting together over the holidays is all about?

Enjoying the company of friends and loved ones.

The sun is bright this morning and the sky is clear posing to be a great day.

Today will be one of those easy …. tidy up …. finish laundry kind of days.

I am still sitting in my pyjamas sipping on the first cup of coffee …. freshly perked.

 

Isn’t it crazy to know that today is December 20th and almost the New Year?

Each and every year seems to pass more quickly than the one before, not sure why.

I do try and fill each day of each year with so many good moments with lots of good thoughts.

I guess that is all that one can do.

One thing for sure when I compose my annual Christmas letter I always forget things that have happened throughout the year.

Not because they were any less important but mainly I think due to time passing so quickly.

Sometimes I forget that it was just a few months ago…

Time for reflection that is for sure.

 

Well on this last Sunday before Christmas … I hope that you are safe, warm and content.

Safe from any harm that life could bring your way.

Warm being comfortable with a roof over your head, food in your belly and with the bills all paid.

Content in knowing that you have done the very best that you could possibly do in any moment.

Have a great Sunday.

Enjoy a mug of hot chocolate or if you are in a warm place perhaps a fruity beverage.

Take care.

 

Special Hello to: my sisters and brothers all over this beautiful planet …. take care.

Always, Carol and Alvin

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Sunday the 1st of November, 2015.

We had a great Halloween.

85 children came to our door.

There were gypsies, Luigi and Mario, princesses, puppies, ghosts, cats and so many more.

Really great costumes.

Alvin was so good.

I had him on his red leash which is shorter, and he was so excited to see some of our neighbours and, of course some new people.

Near the end of the evening …. he was laying on the sofa and when the door bell rang and I said “stay” …. he actually stayed.

Totally surprised me.

Just looked at the kids from the sofa.

I believe he truly was pooped.

He was happy to see so many of our friends.

The costumes did not freak him out at all.

Well in a few minutes after I finish here …. it will be outside to take down the Halloween decorations and place them into the garage.

Then take down in the house and start bringing up the Christmas stuff from the basement.

I am so excited. ….. in fact when Alvin got up (which he thought 3 was 4 …. which is odd because he has been waking up a hour early for the past week) I wanted to stay up and start the process.

My daughter is coming over to help with the Christmas Tree ……. we will have hot chocolate and a special treat …. watch a Christmas movie …… so much fun.

The sky is overcast (it rained last night from about 7:30 onward) …..

Some of the kids managed to get out before it started ….

I guess it did not pour just drizzling.

Okay I am so excited …. please excuse me I have to go and get the Halloween stuff down so that I can bring up the Christmas stuff.

OMG ….. so excited.

I will be able to sit on my sofa this evening with the tree lights on ……

My favourite thing.

Have an awesome day.

Special Hello to: all my friends out there who like to put up their Christmas trees on November 1st ……

Always, Carol and Alvin

 

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Wednesday the 28th day of October, 2015.

Dark crisp morning here in Edmonton.

On my way home from work last night, I ran into one of our friends “A” and her dog Abi (Alvin’s girlfriend).

They were just going out for a walk.

Abi was so excited to see me that I thought perhaps they should come in and after I fed Alvin we could join them for a walk.

Alvin at first was more excited to see me because he had to go outside and then he foodie that he is …. had to eat.

They had their time and then we went for a great walk together.

Alvin and Abi …. so cute together.

 

Four sleeps until the big day.

I can hardly wait.

On Sunday the 1st day of November my Christmas Tree is going up.

So excited.

I am grateful that I can put it up on my schedule ….. previously I was working at the store most Sundays.

Please do not get me wrong I am grateful to the “STORE” for hiring me when I needed a job ….

Not everyone is willing to take a chance on an employee that is over 50.

Funny thing you would think it would be the other way round …. more experience and all that stuff.

Anyway ….

Back to the TREE.

Sunday morning the Halloween decorations will come down as well as all of my other ornaments ….

Only Christmas things will be displayed.

I have so many beautiful items that I want them to be out front … and not in between a vase that doesn’t really match the Christmas theme.

I am going to check to see if my daughter will be joining me for the big event.

Hot chocolate and a Christmas movie playing in the background.

There is no better way to spend a Sunday ……

Exciting and relaxing all rolled up into one.

Just a few days until my favourite time of year.

Tree goes up.

House gets decorated inside and out.

Pull out my Christmas cards and start writing them so that they can be mailed before the end of November.

Decide on which photo of me and Alvin to get printed from our annual photo shoot.

I always send a photo with the card.

Each year the amount of cards I receive gets less and less.

I love writing each card to friends and family.

Sending a letter about our year and also a photo.

I think it is a way of people catching up with you when perhaps that is the only time of year that you communicate.

Not because you do not wish to but simply because life has a way of passing and there is no time.

Well almost time to get going to catch the bus.

Last night I brought my winter coats/jackets up from the closet in the basement.

Too cool in the morning for my light spring/summer jacket.

I hope that you have an amazing Wednesday.

Special Hello to: all you folks out there who will be putting their Christmas Trees up this weekend.

Always, Carol and Alvin

 

Thought for the day ….

Good Morning and Welcome to Friday the 23rd day of October, 2015.

YAY, today is Friday ….

The weather has been great this week and we have enjoyed our evening walks (me and Alvin).

Slowly but surely the last of the leaves have made their way to the ground.

Some still covering the ground making a multi-coloured blanket.

Others raked up right away.

Kind of sad but not the turn of the seasons.

I am so excited for the next week ….. both of my favourite times to decorate the house.

Halloween and Christmas.

Christmas you might say!

NOW …

Well next Sunday the 1st of November is the day that I take down the Halloween stuff and put up my CHRISTMAS TREE.

Hands down one of my favourite days of the years.

Since I moved to Edmonton, it has been a Mother and Daughter time sharing a mug of hot chocolate with one of our favourite Christmas movies playing in the background, as we haul up the decorations and the tree from the basement and begin the holiday preparations.

I love the lights and looking at all of my ornaments, some new others I have had for many years.  All have meaning and all are treasured.

The decorating of the tree marks the beginning of preparing the house for the season.  Usually it takes a couple or three days to get all of my inside the house decorations and ornaments up.

I take down virtually every ornament from inside the house and pack them in the Christmas containers.

This way the house does not have that “cluttered” feeling.

This takes more than an afternoon/evening.

Also my neighbour and I decorate our halves of the duplex with the same decorations and usually we do that in early November while the weather is still relatively warm.

One week from Sunday …… so excited.

Well before that excitement begins I have a weekend and a week of work.

I hope that you have an awesome Friday.

Almost time to fly once again.

Special Hello to: all those folks out there who put their tree up early to enjoy …..

Always, Carol and Alvin

 

 

Thought for the day……it’s Christmas.

It’s CHRISTMAS TIME !!!

Wishing everyone a safe and fun Holiday Season.

May you be surrounded by love and laughter.

May hot chocolate warm your tummy ……

Pull out that old board game and play with your kids.

Fill a tin or other container full of your holiday baking

Take it to a neighbour, friend or give it to someone you meet just walking down the street.

Grab some friends and family and go sing Christmas Carols at a Seniors Home or in your Neighbourhood.

Put a Christmas movie in the DVD player, and call the neighbourhood children to come in and watch.

Take a morning or afternoon and surprise someone by cleaning their house.

P.S. make sure that you have a key !!!

Shovel someone’s walk.

Put a holiday CD in the player and crank it up and dance around the house …..

Give your doggie a bath (if you have one) …… Merry Christmas…

Take the time to do something special for a family member or friend or a neighbour.

Go to a coffee place and purchase several coffee cards with a free cup of coffee or hot chocolate on each one …

Then go out in the world and hand them out ….. Merry Christmas.

You can also take them to your neighbourhood shops ….. give them to all those special people that work so hard in retail….

We all have an extra pair of mittens, scarf, toque or coat that we could donate to someone in need.

Drop off some canned goods at your local food bank.

I guess at the end of the day …… just go out and spread LOVE to the World.

We have so much – please share.

Remember to smile at everyone you meet all day long…..

Let’s make this the most wonderful Christmas ever !!!

Merry Christmas Everyone…..

Always, Carol