The New YEAR 2022

Good Morning ALL! How are you this Monday morning? The sky is partially overcast but earlier the sun was shining brightly. My how fast things can change. Alvin and I are doing well. Busy day yesterday. As you know we were up and at it earlier than most Sundays. We even went for a walk in the morning. I worked for a few hours in the basement and then realized that this is going to take more than one afternoon. I managed to haul up the Christmas tree and a portable stand as I had planned to give them away on social media. I also decided to give away the Christmas tree that I have for outdoors. Just feeling like changing things up. I am going for a small tree. My 7.5 ft tree was just too much for me to set up and take down and then I do not need to ask for help, I can do a smaller tree on my own. Easy peasy. Anyway, I posted the items later in the afternoon and the metal stand has been picked up. YAY.

I separated all of the rubbermaid containers between Christmas decorations and my daughter’s childhood things and my things consisting mostly of papers, like cards etc. I am going to be very strict with myself and only keep a small amount of things. I found my journals so perhaps scanning them might be an option in the future. A lot of work but I will see. I have a lot of them but I do know that my daughter would be interested in them. Whether she wants to keep them all, that is for her to decide.

The second pantry (cabinet) did not get done but I figured that I could do it after work as it does not take much time. I think my “tupperware” drawers and cupboards need to be gone through again. I am not keeping what I do not use on a regular basis.

The office closet up here desperately needs to be gone through and that will take a few hours.

I have one month to get this done as we are having a garage sale in June. Although everything won’t go in the sale as I will post some things on social media, still want to get it done.

We collect so many little non-essential items – I see everywhere I look. I get the minimalist look, I get it. Just have what you use. Although I won’t likely take it that far, I am going to keep reducing my “material things.” No point in keeping so much especially if people will use them.

We did not get a second walk in because it rained. Moisture is good, cleans up the dirt and dust and helps our trees and perennials start to grow again.

Well time to head downstairs. Happy Monday ALL!

Just getting rid of that wood – still makes me feel lighter! Big weight off my shoulders as I had been concerned as to where I could take it and who could take it away.

Thank goodness for friends.

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

Always, Carol & Alvin

It is a NEW YEAR.

Good Monday Morning ALL.

The clouds are beginning to break and I can see clear blue patches of sky.

We definitely require some sunshine.

Appreciate the rain, the moisture but really, really, really need some sunny warm days.

May and June thus far have been on the cool wet side.

Keeping positive thoughts that we will have a nice warm sunny summer.

 

How was your Sunday?

Mine was good, quiet.

I did some odds and ends and spent about 3 hours in the afternoon working on work.

Just gives me peace of mind.

Also helps when Monday rolls around …. not quite so frantic.

Last night early evening I saw some movement across the street.

Here were these two young rabbits (definitely not fully grown) running.

They were chasing each other.

Full throttle.

So cute.

They were definitely playing you could see it plain as day.

Back and forth and forth and back on the stretch of lawn across the street.

Actually our lawns are perfect for rabbits and children.

With no fences they can run and play.

I wished that I had been able to catch a video of them but somehow I can happy that I captured the video with my own personal recorder.

Sometimes we need to drop the devices and capture life’s movies with our own built in video cameras.

Often times we miss the little things by always being behind the lens.

We do have the photos and videos for all time.

Mostly, we do not look back over them at a later date/time.

Although I will say that I do quite often look at the photos that I have taken over the years.

Sometimes when my sister comes to visit we drag out the photo boxes and take a journey down memory lane.

Laughing and crying.

My daughter is a photo nut as well so we often look over photos and share them as well.

 

Speaking of my daughter.

This past weekend the small City where she lives has a program they call “free-cycle.”

I do not remember how many times in the summer they hold it but more than once.

Folks put out on their driveways and lawns …. items they no longer want.

Free for the taking.

My daughter and son-in-law love to check out the treasures.

This weekend it has been raining but did not stop them or others.

I guess later yesterday people starting putting more things out for pickup.

Just received a text from my daughter telling me of the treasures they found yesterday.

Flower pots, some art, a few fans, another patio table and an amazing iron garden slide chair.

She said they had to drive down the street with her holding the chair halfway in the car.

They would like to give it to me.

Further details about the chair …. really heavy iron chair that rocks.

That would be cool.

I can not wait to see the photos and the real life items.

I can only imagine an iron rocking chair?

Never seen one in my life.

Never ever.

 

What a great idea for neighbourhoods to host!

A weekend when folks place items on their lawns or driveways for others to take for FREE.

Now they should be in good condition.

I don’t think this event is for folks to put out broken unfixable items.

Nor should it be.

But what a great way to give a new home, new purpose, a future, to some of those items that you no longer need or love.

Better than a garage sale.

You may not make a few dollars but you might just make some passerby very happy.

 

Well time to get this show on the road.

Coffee is ready.

Alvin is snuggling under a blanket on top of his little bed in my office.

It is chilly in the house this morning.

The last couple of mornings, I really should have turned on the thermostat but just could not bring myself to do so in JUNE.

Alvin has been cold with his new haircut from last weekend.

So he snuggles under a blanket.

 

I hope that you have an amazing Monday.

Living with kindness and respect forever.

I/We shall remain,

As Always, Carol & Alvin

 

 

 

Thought for the day ….

Good Morning and Welcome to Thursday the 31st day of May, 2018.

Wow, May is coming to a close.

Hard to believe it is the last day of this month.

Tomorrow is June.

How on earth did that happen?

Still overcast but has stopped raining.

It is cool outside.

Far cry from a few days ago.

Alvin and I are enjoying our walks.

The past couple of days we have walked before he even ate supper.

Guess he likes to eat a bit later.

 

Paw Patrol (pet sitting) is going well.

Humphrey is quite the Cat.

He makes me giggle.

We are having fun together.

Last night he was in the cuddling mood, so that we did.

 

We always try to do better, right?

Stop to thinking before speaking.

Listening to your inner voice and not letting it escape before it should.

Perhaps a bit of editing.

I am not saying that we should watch with delicate care as to every word that we say but far too often our inner voice in the heat of the moment is far too emotional to escape to the outside world.

Most times saying exactly what you think does not make you feel any better, certainly does not make the situation any better, so editing helps.

No need to fuel the situation.

Every day WORDS are spoken in the trillions and more …. far too many to actually count.

So why not make them as positive as possible.

Yes, sometimes criticism is necessary but not all of the time.

There are times that I want to scream but I take a deep breath and just say something to myself.

Because it is not actually necessary to speak to every conversation.

Sometimes SAYING NOTHING is far more powerful than speaking out.

Just some thoughts this morning.

 

Well almost time to leave for work here.

I hope that you have an awesome Thursday.

Wishing you to be surrounded by positiveness.

 

Special Hello to: my friends all over the world.

Always, Carol & Alvin

 

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Saturday the 6th day of May, 2017.

Another gorgeous morning here in Edmonton.

The sun is shining and the day has more than begun.

Feeling a bit lazy and wanted to stay in bed or actually I had been directed to the sofa BUT Mr. Alvin had something else in mind.

He let out little barks not even barks actually, until I got up.

Alvin will not let me stay in bed past a certain time.

Not sure why.

Well actually part of it is that he likes to lay down on the spot that I was on.

Crazy guy.

But thankfully I am up as I have LOTS to do.

When you are the only one in the household all the chores both inside and outside are yours to do.

Not complaining as it was my choice to buy a house (which I love).

There is always the first couple of weeks getting everything in order outside before it is just maintaining over the summer.

Soon the grass will need to be mowed.

The flower beds need to be watered.

I want to wash down the deck and then put out the furniture.

Wash down the house as well.

Then at some point closer to June purchase some flowers.

There is a small piece of siding at the back of the house that needs to be tacked back down.

Unfortunately it is on the second floor so I need a taller ladder so I will borrow one and get that done.

I have asked to borrow one so will do that over the next couple of weeks.

Just have to wait until I have someone to hold the ladder and to give instructions as I have not repaired siding.

So as a homeowner there is always lots to do.

But it is fun ….. at the end of the day.

It is like most things in life …. sometimes we grumble just a bit during the ride but we are happy when we have arrived.

Right….

Well I must get to it ….. Alvin certainly is not going to change the bedding or start the laundry.

He is good company as I go about my chores.

I hope that you have an awesome Saturday.

I am most grateful that I have a Saturday to have …..

It is a good day to be alive.

It is great to be here, now.

I am looking forward to having the deck covered in flowers.

Also my perennials in the front bed are coming up ….. there be green in that bed.

I am so excited for that …..

Okay, deep breath and get going.

Happy Saturday.

 

Smiling now…..

Special Hello to: my friend “V” back home ……

Always, Carol and Alvin

 

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Sunday the 26th day of June, 2016.

Wow only a handful of days left in the first half of the 2016.

Crazy hey.

It  has been a crazy first six months.

My neighbour since I moved to Edmonton in 2009 has moved out and shortly new ones will move in.

She married a couple of years after I moved in and now they have built a big new house.

I will miss her as she has become a good friend.

I know that we will see each other but it will not be the same.

We used to decorate our side of the duplex the same for the holidays and always received compliments and views from people passing by.

Well the garage sale was a huge success and we sold the majority of what we have for sale.

Still a few items so will post them on Kijiji or our Neighbourhood FB page.

Alvin enjoyed his visit at his sister’s house.

They are also sitting for a friend so he had “Betty Ann” to play with and a couple of times she got a bit carried away but they managed.

Alvin is pretty easy going but is a DIVA when it comes to having his ears cleaned and paws trimmed.

Oh, he is sporting a new hair cut and is oh so handsome.

Thank you to his sister and brother-in-law for giving him such a good hair cut.

Yesterday at the garage sale I even met several different people from Saskatchewan.

One lady was from by Swift Current I believe and knew one of the girls I knew from SGI (Saskatchewan Government Insurance).

It was a FUN FUN day.

Started raining and muggy and EARLY (some folks were at the garage sale down the street that started at 8:00 and had seen mine posted on line; they  caught me as I was going out the front door to go and post the sign by the park down the street).

My friend “S” and her daughter “M” always come and sit with and even buy stuff ….. they came once again.

I always appreciate her support.

Well time to get this show on the road.

I hope that you have an awesome day.

Special Hello to: my friend “M” – nice to see your sister yesterday when she came to pick up the tea.  Thanks Mo for your order.

Always, Carol and Alvin

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Wednesday the 1st day of June, 2016.

Can you believe it?

Today is June 1st, 2016.

Only a few weeks until the official first day of summer and the longest day of the year.

In the summer in Edmonton it is light until almost 11:00 p.m.

Somedays it is difficult to go to bed when the sun is still up.

But you get used to it.

 

Last night we had a wonderful walk.

We left the house at 5:20 and arrived home at 6:45 p.m.

Stopping to visit along the way.

So it was a later supper for me.

My friend “P” who has the beautiful English garden gave me more plants.

After we got home I ate quickly and went to digging.

I had to dig up some grass along the sidewalk out front of the house (not by the street but straight down from the steps).

I would like to make an unusual little garden out front ….

When I get a battery for my camera I will take some photos.

I have some more finishing work to do on it but it was getting late last night and I was tired.

 

Clear sunny skies on this first day of June.

YAY …..

Time to put the finishing touches on the readiness for work.

Yikes.

You know what I mean.

 

Well time to fly ….. I must work on keeping Alvin in bed and not getting up so early.

We hit the sofa and I think that is worse than staying up.

But somehow staying up at 4:40 a.m. – is not very appealing at that time of day.

 

Going now.

Have the most wonderful day.

I am grateful to live in this beautiful house, to have great family and friends, to have Alvin and to be me.

 

Special Hello to: family and friends

Always, Carol and Alvin

Thought for the day…..

Good Morning and Welcome to Monday the 29th day of June, 2015.

Second last day of June ….. we are into summer full swing.

Sun has been blocked by some rain clouds ….. aw just after I watered the flowers.

Up extra early to take Mr. Alvin for a walk just in case it is too hot to do so tonight.

Yesterday was one of the best days of the summer so far.

I got up early and took Mr. Alvin for a walk, watered and weeded by flowers.

Had coffee and got ready for our road trip.

My daughter picked me up and we were on our way.

My nephew has made huge progress and I am so proud of him.

He is a stubborn and very strong kid which has definitely helped him in his recovery.

He still has a way to go but he will make it.

His sense of humour ….. is showing once again.

He loves to tease and he teased his Aunt Carol yesterday.

Just a few minutes after our arrival the rest of the family arrived.

He was just into his wheelchair so we took him for a walk.

Just before it got too too hot.

He loved being outside.

Then we broke for lunch ….. he had his and we went out to a restaurant.

After lunch we went back for a few hours in the afternoon.

We took him into the courtyard and just enjoyed each other’s company and the beautiful day.

Thank goodness for shade and benches.

It was a great day.

Then I returned to me Alvin …… sure missed him.

My neighbour had popped in to check on him so that was very nice.

Well here it is almost time to leave again for work.

Wasn’t that yesterday?

Monday morning always comes quickly.

Oh well …… as long as I have to work.

Perhaps this Friday will be the day that I win the lottery ….. or actually we because my friend and I buy tickets together.

I hope that you had a great Sunday.

I thoroughly enjoyed it beginning, middle and end.

Happy Monday.

Special Hello to: my sister and brother …. always enjoy seeing my siblings….. wished you lived just down the street.

Perhaps when I win the lottery you can move to Edmonton …. then we could have coffee on my deck in the mornings while we decide where to volunteer that day.

Always, Carol and Alvin

Thought for the day…..

Good Morning and Welcome to Thursday the 5th day of June, 2014.

Here I almost went again …. started to key May instead of June.

I am not quite in the month of June yet.

Should be soon ……. laughing to myself.

The sky is overcast and it is has been raining here a lot over the past several days.

Last night Alvin and I managed to sneak in a lovely walk between downpours.

We have impeccable timing – I should say.

I sure wished that I knew what Alvin was thinking.

It would be so nice if he could talk.

Er, maybe most times, anyway.

He always seems to have a lot to say.

Sounds like there has been more crazy weather all over the world.

Our neighbours to the south have been plagued with fires and tornadoes.

Other neighbours on the planet – suffered from earthquakes.

I am not sure if there are more or if it is just that “social media” and regular media are quick on the bandwagon and you hear about things in real time.

Another reason that I do not regularly listen to the news.

They should have specific time for news that is “happy, good” …… we need to hear more good things over social media and regular media.

How can we see the silver lining in things if all we hear about is death and destruction, crime and injustice for victims?

Well here we go again …. almost time to leave for work.

The time flies in the morning.

I do so much enjoy this time laying out my thoughts and writing.

This is my life.

Today is my last work day for this week at the office and my second last Friday off before we switch back to no Fridays off.

I will miss them.

Great weekend coming up ….. lots of coffee dates (visits with my girl friends and neighbours) …. shopping for “beads” to make wedding jewellery for another custom order.

I hope that you have a great Thursday.

Let us try to always see the silver lining in whatever comes our way today and always.

Special Hello to: all my fellow bloggers ……

Always, Carol and Alvin

Thought for the day….

Good Morning and Welcome to Friday the 31st and last day of May 2013.

I love the month of May and although I am sad to see it go again – I know it will be back again next year.

Isn’t that great.

June is a great month and it is only a few hours away.

Well you would be proud of me ….. guess what?

Me and the Alvinmeister were out for another early morning walk.

I will admit that it takes a couple of minutes or at least until I am actually outside before I really enjoy it.

The air is so fresh.  The birds are up and enjoying the beautiful weather.

The grass is heavy with the recent rain.

It was overcast but oh my goodness it was wonderful.

I feel more energized.

So just a few more mornings and my body will have adapted to the shock of going out at 5:00 a.m.

So this is Friday ( I just realized that I typed Thursday at the top of this blog and went quickly to change it, LOL ).

So today I work at the office and then go to the store for a four hour shift.

Mr. Alvin goes to his sister’s for a sleep-over and all is well in the world.

I hope that today is even more great than yesterday.

Yesterday my good friend and neighbour “G” came over for a visit.

You see today is her “34th” birthday so I made cupcakes (Wednesday night) for our get together and COFFEE, of course.

Alvin wanted to give her a little something so we put together a little goodie bag.  He always has such great ideas.  That puppy dog of mine.

Anyway we laughed and drank coffee and ate cupcakes and had a great time.

So that was my Thursday night and I could learn to live with having nights like that all the time.

So Happy Birthday “G” and I hope that you have an awesome day with your hubby and boys (after work).

Well almost time to go to the office …… yes the office but not that office…… LOL.

I am definitely more energized and giddy this morning.

Must have been the blueberries …..

Have a great Friday.

Special Hello to: all those folks celebrating a birthday day, and to one of my friends who has passed away –  today was her birthday – happy day my angel ……

 

Always, Carol and Alvin

Thought for the day….

Good Morning as we welcome Friday, June 1st, 2012 ….. wow a brand new month.

I am reminded of yesterdays as I am sure we all have them….

Those yesterdays when our behaviour is less than exemplary.

I had some of those moments yesterday and it has stayed with me since that time.

It is easy to be “dragged” into that behaviour and I will admit I was a willing subject.

But I want to apologize to the Universe for that time and now let’s get on with this moment.

This time.

It is a gorgeous day …. sun shining and the SKY that BRILLIANT BEAUTIFUL GORGEOUS BLUE.

As I peek out my office window I can see some of the taller trees in the neighbourhood peeking out from behind houses and garages what a sight as they glisten and sway in the breeze.

My life, I think is pretty perfect.  I am in great health, I have a great companion in my dog Alvin, I have a wonderful daughter and son-in-law and grand-puppies, I am constantly surrounded my friends and family and meeting new people …. I have a beautiful home which I absolutely am gaga over ….. I am perhaps the luckiest gal in the world.

So on that note …. I wish you all the best of best days….. have a super great weekend.

I have so many things other than “housework” on the go tomorrow that I had to write them down with the times so that I am on time.

Special Hello to: all the people that I have met in my lifetime and to all those who I will meet everyday of my future life.

Have a great day.

Always, Carol and her Mr. Alvin