Last Half 2022 – September

Good Morning ALL! I hope that you are doing great on this Wednesday morning. We are doing very well. Both Alvin and I had a fairly good sleep. I do appreciate when he wakes up for the first time after 4:00 a.m.

Last night I was in a slight panic as I watched the weather forecast stating there could be frost in low lying areas. This was just before we were going to bed. In fact, we were going out for Alvin’s last pee before bedtime. I took all of the remaining flower pots with the exception of the large pot with the tomato plant and either carried the pots into the house or placed them in the garage. The pink flowered Impatiens came in from the front porch and are sitting just inside the door on the entranceway mat. The Calla Lily and the Oregano plants are sitting inside by the back door, not blocking but inside, warm and dry. All of the other plants including the Lavender pots, the Citronella plant, the plant for which I do not remember the name are all in the garage safe from frost. I will take them out at some point today. My house looks like a flower shop. I must admit I do love all of the flowers and greenery. Who am I fooling I have a bunch of flowers and plants already in the house, lol. Anyway, I do love flowers and plants. They make me happy and content (when I am not freaking about the possibility of frost).

Yesterday we had two lovely walks. One at my lunch break and the other after work. The leaves are beginning to turn to different shades of yellow and gold. I do love the colours of “fall” or “autumn.” The word autumn is much more pleasurable than fall. I get where “fall” came from but why! Note to self: must get the tree trimmed this weekend. Saturday, if the weather is nice will be a busy outside day. Finishing off the winterizing of plants, putting away the patio furniture, trimming the tree, washing down the deck, the windows etc. Lots to do.

The sunrise is pretty as it lights up the morning sky in a more subdued palette.

Mr. Alvin is snoring away just outside the office doorway.

I am so excited that the fall shows have started. I watch 9-1-1 last night. Such a good show. The NCIS series are back which is great. I wished that they would have had NCIS Los Angeles in the season opener. I guess I don’t know if they are back for sure but I would hope so. Would be nice to see all three together for an episode or two.

Well time to head downstairs and plug in the coffee. Check the temperature and perhaps move some of the plants back outside. Or they can wait until later when the sun is shining and a bit warmer. Might be a shock for them to go out now.

I hope that you have a great Wednesday.

Continuing to live this life with kindness, respect, compassion, patience, love, laughter, understanding, gratitude, focus, possibilities and coffee.

I am very grateful to be working for home on this day.

Thank you for joining me on this blog writing journey.

Always, Carol & Alvin

Second Half of the NEW YEAR.

Good Morning it is officially the second half of this NEW YEAR.

July 1st, 2020.

Happy Canada Day to all my Canadian friends and family.

Happy Canada Day to all Canadians.

Here is Edmonton it is raining and overcast and cool.

Not a great day for outdoor Canada Day celebrations.

As the pools of water are growing as is the mud where there is no pavement.

The grass cannot get any more green.

The trees have had as much water as they need.

The vegetable gardens and flower gardens are more than well watered.

We are reaching the point of too much.

Or at least it would seem that way.

Perhaps not quite that as yet but with the rain continuing to come down it certainly does feel that way.

 

My get and go got up and left.

Alvin is not having much fun in this cool damp weather.

I picked him up his pain meds on Monday and he is on his third one.

He can have one once every 24 hours.

I can tell he is not a happy boy.

We did not get out for a walk yesterday at all.

I think we both are missing our walks.

Also does not look like a walk is in the cards for today.

We have seen our friends and others out for walks but Mr. Alvin is prone to ear infections – yeast.

His ears cannot get wet.

So inside we shall stay until the sun shines.

We are hoping it is sooner than the weather forecast indicates.

 

I am also thinking of turning on the furnace as perhaps some warm air might help Mr.Alvin.

Somehow having the furnace running on July 1st – seems very wrong.

But I guess for a couple of days would be okay.

Perhaps it will give us both that bit of get up and go although Alvin doesn’t seem to have a problem with that.

His is physical whereas mine is mental.

So I will quickly hop in the shower and get clean, not really dirty.

From what?

Just freshen up and my hair …. it would love a shampoo for sure.

Then I will turn on the heat and we will get this day going.

Definitely off to a slow start.

But that is okay.

Nowhere to go and sometimes it is okay to just go slow.

Although last night I was thinking about all of the things I used to do and should be doing.

Making jewelry.

Working with my new watercolours.

Writing that book.

Going through my craft room and getting things in more order.

Figuring out what I really want to do with that space.

There are a million things that I should/would/could be doing.

But at this moment just hoping into the shower is enough.

One foot in front of the other and soon I will crossing the floor.

That is what I always tell Mr. Alvin when he hesitates at a doorway.

 

So Happy Canada Day.

I am grateful that we are in good health for the most part.

I am grateful that we have a home and are safe.

I am grateful that I have choices.

I am grateful for wonderful family and friends.

I am grateful to be employed.

I am grateful for this wonderful country I/We call home.

I am grateful for the trees and the mostly clean air.

I am grateful for bears and seals.

I am grateful for each coast and everything in between.

I am grateful for my fellow Canadians.

Thank you for this great life.

 

Heading for the shower.

Better get this day going.

 

Some flowers to celebrate Canada Day.

 

Living our lives daily and forever with kindness and respect.

I/We, shall remain,

Always, Carol & Alvin

 

Did anyone notice that I forgot to add my sign off yesterday?

Yikes, not good.

It is a NEW YEAR.

Good Monday Morning,

Happy Birthday to my friend who has always been like an older sister, L.

We are wishing you a day of full of sweet surprises and perhaps even a delectable birthday cake.

 

Well folks it is raining here in Edmonton.

The rain is washing the earth nicely.

Along with the earth, plants and trees; I noticed that the neighbours across the street are going to be needing to paint their fence, shortly.

Likely the paint was peeling but now it is noticeable.

It will be time to paint my fence but that will be next summer as this summer we are getting it fixed.

The fence that separates me and my neighbour in the duplex is leaning due to one of the posts.

Not the whole fence just a section.

But it gets a bit tricky as I have a deck on my side that is right up to and touching the fence and on the other side they have a raised garden up against the fence with

no retaining wall.

No one thought of it at the time.

The whole backyard is done in stone.

It really is beautiful.

So we have someone coming to check it out and give us an estimate.

It has to be fixed.

This young man is the grandson of my good friends down the street.

I will he will be honest and forthright.

He is popping by this afternoon to take a peek.

Hopefully it has stopped raining by then.

Oh, my backyard is nice and sopping wet.

Perhaps it is more wet under the grass that one may have first thought, meaning me.

 

Well we had a great weekend.

I chalked off everything on my list and it was a long one.

Thankfully everything outside got done and inside as well.

We had a great walk yesterday afternoon just as the rain began.

 

For some reason I could not shut off my thoughts last night so I tried to take as many extra zzz’s this morning as possible.

Running a bit late well not really late.

But I like to sign on to the work computer well before my actual start time.

I like to be early.

Just a thing about me.

 

I hope that you are doing well.

Doing the social distancing.

Not having massive crowds over for a visit.

Just having common sense so we get through this safe and to the other side.

Remember to rest and to hydrate.

Wash your hands often.

 

Have an awesome Monday.

Time for coffee.

Alvin is resting on his little bed.

 

With a deep respect and sending so much kindness your way,

I/We remain,

As always, Carol & Mr. Alvin

 

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Tuesday the 21st day of November, 2017.

Brr, it is so COLD outside this morning.

Me poor little Alvin had to make two attempts at leaving the house before he was successful.

Please make sure when you let you little pups outside in this COLD weather that you are watching them and make sure they do their business and get back inside.

Sometimes they will get sidetracked and get frost bite before realizing they are freezing.

Keep track of the time.

I stand by the back door and watch him.

They are precious our fur babies so please take good care of them.

They are the ones who can help keep us heart healthy and who love us unconditionally.

 

On these COLD mornings – I will say that I find it difficult to get my butt out of bed or off the sofa.

I set the timer twice this morning before getting off the sofa.

I was so comfy snuggled under our red warm blanket with me Alvin.

He even lays his head on the pillow beside me.

How would one ever want to get up to go outside.

ARGH.

 

Okay….time to get this show on the road.

Please if you are living where it is COLD, dress appropriately.

If you do not have a warm enough coat – dress in layers.

Layers are always good.

Couple layers of warm socks – make sure that they are not tight fitting – you always want to be able to wiggle your toes.

 

Time to fly.

Have a great Tuesday.

Special Hello to: my sister …..

Always, Carol & Alvin

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Saturday the 13th day of May, 2017.

The rain has definitely set in ….. no clear blue sky to be seen.

The sky is a light grey colour.

A bit on the windy side.

Perfect for our walk to the Vet this morning.

Mr. Alvin has his 6 week pedicure and bum squeeze (perhaps that is a bit personal, sorry Alvin).

We will don as close to rain gear as we have for our walk.

I am very grateful that Dr. K. is only a ten minute walk from our house.

 

Will enjoy a nice hot cup of coffee on the return home.

 

Looks like this is going to be an indoor kind of weekend.

Although I may just go out and clean up the walk way.

I was thoroughly disgusted last night as I walked through on my way home.

Even if I just clean that up I will feel better …. wet and heavy, I do not care.

Has to be done.

Just getting worse.

Perhaps if people see me out in the rain …… they might think twice.

Likely not but one has to remain positive, right.

 

I hope that you all have an awesome Saturday.

Whether wet or dry.

Be kind and generous and POLITE.

Please.

 

Time to go and capture Mr. Alvin to don his harness and jacket.

He is going to love that….. not really.

 

Happy Saturday.

Special Hello to: friends and family – family and friends all over the world.

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Wednesday the 4th day of November, 2015.

Well no additional moisture overnight …. that is a good thing.

We had the most glorious huge wet snowflakes yesterday …

I was standing right in the middle of them waiting to catch a bus to an appointment.

I wanted to stick out my tongue and let them land but decided against it.

You know people around …..

Almost one week into November, can you believe it?

In just a few shorts weeks it will be …… CHRISTMAS!

I just have to snag my neighbour so that we can decorate outside and a few finishing touches inside and I am finished with the decorations.

Next step: print our photos and start writing our Christmas letter and Christmas cards.

I like to have them mailed before December 1st, 2015.

Most especially the overseas ones ….. best to have them done by mid November.

Sounds like Alvin and I will be spending Christmas with the kids and grand-puppies at the new house.

Exciting.

I am so excited.

This weekend Amanda and I will be preparing for the craft sale at one of the hospitals here in Edmonton.

I guess they are always busy …. can only imagine the traffic at a hospital ….

It will be fun.

Lots of exciting … fun events coming up.

I am grateful to have fun things to do so that it offsets the not so pleasant things we all have to do.

Actually I am pretty blessed in my life and am grateful.

We all have speed bumps along the way ….. as long as we try to be kind and respectful and are grateful we will get through each one.

Well almost time to place the finishing touches on getting ready for work.

 

I hope that you all have the most wonderful day ever.

May laughter be the backdrop for your day.

May kindness and joy be the centre pieces.

Happy Wednesday All.

 

Special Hello to: You, you are so wonderful.

Always, Carol and Alvin

Thought for the day…..

Good Morning and Welcome to Monday the 30th of December and the second last day of 2013.

WOW, is it just me or that 2013 go by extra fast.

Always at the end of the year we made “resolutions” for weight loss, to spend less and to save more, and on and on.

I have not really made resolutions for the simple reason they mostly seem to be doomed from the start.

So instead I just decide to be a better person.

I always try to be better than the day before ….. more kind …. more patient….more grateful.

If you work on the inside the outside will follow.

You must love yourself before anything else will work.

So on this day ….. just be a good person.

Have to run …. time to go to work.

Have a great day.

Special Hello to YOU.

 

ALLways, Carol and Alvin