Second Half of the NEW YEAR.

Good Sunday Morning,

The sun is shining and the wind is blowing.

 

I just hopped out of the shower a few minutes ago.

How refreshing to have a morning shower.

Do you prefer before bed or in the morning?

I guess I like either one depends on the timing.

 

Alvin and I had a pretty quiet day yesterday.

I did laundry and cleaned out some drawers in the kitchen, dusted and cleaned.

We went for a nice walk.

The temperature warmed up over the course of the day, which was nice.

 

The air is definitely cooling down as the sun’s rays do not have the heat they had in July or near the beginning of August.

Fall is approaching.

As much as I love Summer for much different reasons; I love the Fall/Autumn.

The different coloured leaves on the trees.

The cool but comfortable temperatures still able to go in sleeves or a light sweater most days.

The smell of fall …. it is different.

Fall is a busy time prepping for the cold season.

Cleaning up the flower beds preparing the perennials for a winter’s sleep.

Eventually cleaning out the pots as the annuals pass their season.

After the frost and before the snow putting away all of the deck furniture.

One more swoosh in the garage (sweeping the floor) before putting away that furniture and odds and ends.

Making sure that the tree is trimmed ( I am going to do that this afternoon unless it rains ).

Washing windows one last time.

Sweeping the porch and the deck again.

I guess that I will add cleaning the blinds onto that list.

Most of the jobs are not huge for me as I live in half a duplex.

Lawn is half the size, front and back.

Which is manageable for one person.

 

Well it is getting time to go and have a quick breakfast before my friend Gillian comes for coffee.

Our other friend is visiting family in Manitoba.

 

Oh, I started another book last night.

“The House We Grew Up In” by Lisa Jewell.

This book goes back and forth between late 80’s and recent times.

So far I really am enjoying it.

 

Well time to go and have breakfast and start preparing for my company.

I just heard Humphrey and Bogart’s Mom talking to them outside.

She sounds anxious.

Looks like Bogart was where he should not have been.

He is quite the character.

Young and fast and curious.

 

We all have stories ….. even if we do not publish them for the world to read ….. we really should write things down ….

Stories to pass on …..

Start a blog ….. keep a journal.

Your children and future generations would be interested in your thoughts and your life.

Really they would.

Your words would be there to read, to inspire, to give retrospect  to future generations.

 

 

Okay time to fly.

Wishing you a wonderful Sunday.

 

Living my life with kindness and respect to all.

I/We shall remain,

As Always, Carol & Alvin

 

Books give me inspiration to write.

The green room, my office gives me inspiration to write.

 

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Sunday the 5th day of May, 2019.

Up to SUNSHINE ….. what a beautiful way to begin one’s day.

Of course when we were first up at 4:30 a.m. – Mr. Sun was not even thinking of rising to our sight as yet.

But the next time – he was up.

The air feels a bit warmer than the passed few mornings.

Second morning in a row we have woke up to NO SNOW.

YAY, perhaps we are on our way to double digit temperatures.

No socks in our shoes.

Short pants?

Shorts.

No jackets.

No sweaters.

Planting vegetables and flowers?

Spending more time outside.

Light colourful clothing, yes.

We are on our way.

 

When I was vacuuming yesterday upstairs the last bag filled.

So I was immediately done vacuuming.

ARGH.

Not something that one can pick up at my grocery store.

I am grateful that I have a broom and that most of my house is carpet free.

But the stairs and the landings going upstairs and downstairs will have to wait for a bit.

Crazy how one small thing can change everything.

Not horribly bad but a pain nonetheless.

I was happy to change some things around in my room so it feels “new.”

Went through draws and bathroom cabinets …..

The one thing that most people leave for a long time is cleaning their hair brushes.

Well I did that yesterday.

We did multiple loads of laundry.

Washed the floors upstairs.

Did our watering duty at my friend’s house and enjoyed our walk.

Cleaned the main floor.

Submitted a tea order to Steeped Tea.

Always good to do a little business.

Managed to trim Alvin’s hair from time to time.

Basically found a sharper pair of scissors and whenever he laid down and was sleeping; I snipped some of his hair on his paws.

His front paws are always the ones that never get a proper trimming.

 

Why is it that I am most inspired to write after I lay down to bed?

Likely because the day is done and more relaxed?

I had read for awhile and could barely keep my eyes open and the words just spilled all over my mind.

I should have got up and grabbed a notebook and pen (which I do have close by) but I told myself that I would remember the words come the morning.

Did I remember?

No, I did not.

Or at least not all of them.

The best ones, no.

Lesson learned ….. a write has to pen the words when they come to them.

 

Well today is going to be a quiet day.

We will continue watering duty, walking, make a large batch of oatmeal for the week, make lunch for tomorrow and trim Alvin’s paws whenever possible.

Wash the main floor and bring up the rest of the laundry that has been hanging to dry.

Lay out the clothes to wear tomorrow and perhaps for Tuesday checking the weather first.

Maybe do some writing if I am inclined to do so.

There has to be words …. there always has to be words….. the right ones.

 

Time to get this day going.

Definitely need coffee.

 

Happy Sunday.

Wishing you an awesome day.

 

Special Hello to: my sister …..

Always, Carol & Alvin

 

 

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to the 12th day of April, 2018.

No “white” surprises overnight but there is some of the white stuff in our weather forecast for today.

Although we are to be lucky as most of the snow is going to hit the southern part of Alberta.

I hope that they are incorrect with their forecast.

 

Last night I watched the Grammy Salute to Sir Elton John and Bernie Taupin.

I had recorded it from Tuesday night.

It was fantastic.

50 years together.

Not one fight said Elton.

So many awesome artists singing the songs of Elton John and  Bernie Taupin.

When I went to bed I was inspired and then could not sleep as I kept getting up to write.

I wrote and I wrote.

This has given me a new lease on writing.

You never know when inspiration will hit.

I have been hit.

 

Well I am running a tad bit late but am so grateful that I decided to watch the music last night instead of other recorded shows.

It was so wonderful.

Maybe today is the day that you will be inspired to create or do something that you have been thinking about but putting off.

Do it ….. I know you can.

 

Happy Thursday.

Special Hello to: Sir Elton John and Bernie Taupin, two of the best creative teams in the history of music.

Always, Carol & Alvin

Thought for the day ….

Good Morning and Welcome to Thursday the 8th day of February, 2018.

YAY, today is Thursday and I welcome it with OPEN arms.

 

Last night my daughter gave me a ride home after work.

So great chatting with her on the car ride home.

I do miss seeing her everyday.

She is the sunshine in my day and the moon and stars of my nights.

I am not forgetting me Alvin, he is constant companion and keeps good company for all the days.

Last night Alvin and I went for a walk, it was not a long one, but a great one all the same.

So good for us both to have a nice walk.

On the way home Alvin was showing signs of being too cold (lifting up his paws).

We hurried ….

 

I am working on some poetry as of late.

Usually when I write something and most especially a poem, I finish it all in one sitting but there are times when it requires a few sessions.

This is one of those times.

I am inspired by current circumstances and it has to be just right to capture the feelings.

 

Well it is almost time to hit the road.

Hit the road, Jack …… now I have that song in my head.

Cannot remember the title, though.

Perhaps it will ring a bell with you.

Please leave me a comment if you remember the title and artist.

 

Happy THURSDAY.

Special Hello to: You, on this Thursday.

Always, Carol & Alvin

 

Thought for the day ….

Good Morning and Welcome to Monday the 15th day of January, 2018.

I believe that another beautiful day is on the way, weather wise.

There is a wind but that is okay.

We had beautiful weather this weekend.

 

Wow, the middle of January already.

We are well into the New Year now.

Do you find that any New Year feels vastly different from the previous one?

Maybe that is a good sign or maybe not.

Does that mean that life for you or perhaps for me, stays relatively the same?

I guess if we are happy with the way things are – then it is okay.

What happens if you have been working tirelessly each year to make changes and nothing happens?

Likely time to change your approach.

Maybe speak to someone that can help you with your approach – with your changes.

It is always good to talk to others if you are finding yourself stuck in a gear.

Time is valuable and if we want to make the most of it, we must try.

 

I have a pretty good life.

Now not exactly what the original plan was but then again those plans change.

It is good for them to change.

What was important to you when you were ten, sixteen, twenty-five, thirty, forty or even fifty-fifty may be different.

That is just the way that things go.

Also carry some method of taking notes with you as you never know where or when inspiration will appear.

Take a chance.

You may be surprised.

 

Well here we are once again, time to leave for work.

The weekends seem to evaporate but I am grateful to have them.

Yesterday my daughter and grand pup, Milo came for a visit.

We had a great time.

I even was able to make the trip to the grocery store that had not worked out on Saturday.

All is well.

Good conversation and the fridge is full, again.

 

Special Hello to: those folks who are embarking on a new chapter in their life.

You never know where change will take you.

Always, Carol & Alvin

 

 

COUNTDOWN: 60 Days to 60

Well today is Sunday, June 11, 2017 and is the 60th day until my 60th Birthday.

I would say that this has been on my mind, as of late.

Not that I am stressing over this upcoming date.

Just pondering the path behind and the road ahead.

Over my lifetime to this point;  how I envisioned my life is not exactly how it has turned out.

In the early days I wanted the white picket fence, the house, the husband, the four children-two sons and two daughters, summer vacations and to be a nurse and writer.

However that is not exactly the course that my life has taken.

I do not have the white picket fence.

Fences are not all that necessary.

I finally got the house on my own just months before I turned 52.

I do have have a husband, and that is okay.

I was married and have been divorced for several decades.

I do not have four children.

I do however have ONE amazing, wonderful DAUGHTER and a great SON-IN-LAW and GRAND-PUPPIES.

I adopted my four-legged companion, Alvin in 2010.

He brings great joy to my days.

I am not able to take summer vacations.

I am not a nurse.

But I write ….. this I have done since I was 6 years old.

So life changes as the days and years pass.

Our dreams change over time.

I will say that I never thought that I would be single, take early retirement after 30 years with a company and then start another “career” and am now almost 6 years into it.

Time flies.

I kid with folks and say that I am “OLD” but truth is …. I feel young even though somedays my body reminds me otherwise.

I love to laugh and when I find that I am taking life too seriously I change directions and find the laughter once again.

 

I watched a video last night of James Corden doing an interview with Ed Sheeran in a car.

They were driving along ….. singing and talking ….. talking and singing.

Enjoying life.

I must say I love ED SHEERAN and pleasantly surprised by James Corden’s voice (he easily could have been a singer).

You may wonder what Ed and James have to do with 60 days to 60 but in actuality it is partly the choices we make about music and such that keeps us young.

Think young ….. act young ….. be young.

 

Well I guess if I am to write things for 60 days about turning 60, I should stop now.

Safe to say the next 59 days worth of posts will be shorter.

I hope that my journey to 60 will perhaps inspire you, make you laugh, maybe even bring a tear to your eye but most of all I hope that it brings some joy to your day(s).

Now yikes only 59 days till I turn 60……………

 

Always, Carol

 

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Sunday the 28th day of February, 2016.

Today is the second last day of February – remember this year we have an extra day.

It is a bright sunny morning – the dinner birthday party was a huge successful.

Something I do seldom I did – had a couple of drinks and well up a bit later than usual.

Guests brought some refreshments ….. oh, my.

( Do not worry I was up at 6:00 with Mr. Alvin – he did sleep in for him as we were up until midnight).

The Birthday Girl was happy and all my guests loved supper and the cake.

So sweet both the Birthday Girl and My Guest brought me flowers ….. am I not the luckiest girl, I think so.

So it was a success ….. Mr. Alvin had four-legged company which was great.

So I leave this with you …… on a day that fills me with inspiration .

 

 INSPIRING

Inspiration comes from the oddest of places, at the strangest of times.

Inspiration can arrive with a knock on your door, say around 4:00.

Inspiration can take you places that your heart has always wanted to go.

Inspiration can make the day so much more fun.

Inspiration can come from watching the neighbourhood children running down the sidewalk.

Inspiration can come from catching one’s smile in the bathroom mirror, at just the right time.

Inspiration just sometimes arrives.

Inspiration can come from watching your dog meet his first love.

I am inspired each and every day by something.

It can be a dragonfly flying in my back yard.

It can be the scent of the roses on a summer’s day.

Making me wish that I was a maker of perfume and could bottle that heavenly scent.

It can be from watching the clouds float on by.

It can be from life – such as it is – such as it will be.

Inspiration gives us wings – gives us wings to fly.

Be inspired.  Whether it by something big or something small or nothing at all.

Just be inspired.  Be inspiring.  It is inspiration after all.

To have uplifting influence on ….. I like this dictionary meaning.

 

Written by CYLewis on August 23rd, 2010 (inspired by my friend Carolyn, who I am always in awe of ……)

 

Have the most wonderful day …..

Take a walk …. help a friend ….. be kind to yourself.

Special Hello to: my sister ….

Always, Carol and Alvin

Thought for the day…..

Good Morning and Welcome to Friday the 8th day of May, 2015.

The sun is beginning to rise promising to be a great day.

Most of our snowfall melted with the warmth of the sun yesterday.

YAY …… on our way to a great weekend.

The snow helped cleaned up the dust and add some moisture to lessen the dryness.

Mr. Alvin is happy that it is the weekend.

His sister is coming for a visit on Sunday and he always loves when she arrives.

Penny and Elton are coming, too.

I know he misses their presence everyday.

Sometimes we forget to be grateful for our lives.

Today my thoughts go to gratitude.

I am grateful to be good health, to be surrounded by loving family and friends, for my companion Alvin, for my own house, my home, to have electricity and running water, to have books to read, food in my belly, sunshine to warm me, green grass to see, time to write, time to make jewellery, time to have fun and for inspiration. Thank you.

I hope that you have a wonderful Friday and have time to relax and enjoy.

Special Hello to: all the Mothers out there …. this is your special time.

Always, Carol and Alvin

Thought for the day…..

Good Morning and Welcome to Thursday the 11th day of September, 2014.

I think it is appropriate on this particular Thursday to be an inspiration to yourself and to others.

Recently my daughter posted a pearl of wisdom from a very famous American poet, Miss Maya Angelou.

It goes like this:

“TRY TO BE A RAINBOW IN SOMEONE’S CLOUD.

I think that today we should all try extra hard to be rainbows.

Shine brightly and show others that you care.

Most importantly be your own rainbow.

If you are not a rainbow in your own life ….. it is pretty hard to be one for someone else.

My motto for today and going forward will be “trying to be a rainbow in someone’s cloud.”

That would make a great tattoo or words of inspiration lettered out on your kitchen wall…..

Place that sticky note up to remind you.

So have a Happy Thursday.

To all my neighbours to the south on this day remember all of the great memories you had with your loved ones.

Take care.

We are thinking of you all.

Special Hello to: our neighbours to the south.

Always, Carol and Alvin

Thought for the day…..

Good Morning and Welcome to Friday the 5th day of September 2014.

Thoughts of Joan ..

Yesterday we lost one of our comedic legends and all time entrepreneurs.

There seemed to be nothing this woman could not do.

She was 81 and still going strong.

She made us laugh.

She made us cry.

She made us wish we could laugh or cry.

She gave us hope ….

She made us realize that no matter your lot in life you could do it all.

She did not have an easy life by any means but she lived I think a great life.

She designed beautiful jewellery for us to wear.

She was an inspiration when I decided to make jewellery.

She was an inspiration to women everywhere.

Every time she was on the Shopping Channel I would tape each airing so that I could watch them later.

I did not want to miss her jokes, her jewellery ….. that incredible wit and timing ….

I hold in my possession some of the watches and other jewellery she made; treasured reminders of a great lady.

She even designed stuff to make it appear you had more hair.

She most recently designed a clothing line.

Always crazy busy ….

This lady was on television and graced the stage.

She always had an opinion about who wore what and many other things.

But we loved her because she said what most would not.

We loved her because when most people were retiring or retired she was still full of energy and going strong.

She had that light ….. that star quality ….

I wished that her light could have burned a bit longer but she leaves behind a great legacy that we shall treasure and remember always.

I know that I will.

 

To her family and friends … she was the best.

You could just tell that her daughter Melissa and grandson Cooper were the bright lights of her life.

Joan Rivers now rests amongst the stars near our beloved Robin Williams.

The glow in the heavens is so bright ……

 

 

Always, Carol and Alvin