Welcome to December, 2020

Good Morning ALL. How are you doing this Thursday morning? I am great. We are in serious countdown mode to Christmas. As one week today is CHRISTMAS EVE. Sometimes I forget that I am 63 and think that I am 8. Waiting for Santa to arrive. Believing that good will prevail is what always gets me through each day. Positive thinking – faith – believing that I can force change. We all can. So back to Christmas. Are you watching your favourite Christmas programs and movies? I am over the moon happy to have this 58 inch television hanging on my living room wall. So grateful to my kids for giving it to me as they have a new one. I thought that my other t.v. was great, the colour was great, picture was sharp or so I thought. But I have noticed things on the bigger screen that I never saw before …. it has been wonderful. Definitely going to be spending some time watching more movies over the Christmas break.

Our City has serious restriction protocols in place at this time until into January so we cannot have company other than the people in your “bubble” and my bubble is two extra people other than myself. So my kids are my “pod” for this time. There are so many new words or old words have new meaning in this pandemic. Like pod and bubble to name just a couple. But at the end of the day I am grateful that our government and leadership are listening to the scientists and medical professionals and clamping down. It is not ideal at this time of year for sure but it is for the best, so that we do not have spikes and lose even more dear souls. We also have to remember to reach out to those folks who are struggling. If you have a neighbour who is alone, seniors who live down the street or you know someone who needs help, please reach out. Even if you do not have the financial resources to help, perhaps you can give them information that can help or even just to listen. Now I know we cannot go into houses to help but you can talk from the sidewalk or facetime or phone. We still have phones you know. Please make this Christmas about more than you and your family. Make it about helping someone who is struggling …. you never know what a phone call can do to lift someone’s spirits, to give them hope. Besides I truly believe that we are all here to help one another. If we were meant to be alone …. there would not be 8 billion or so people on this planet. Reach out. Please. Let this be the part of 2020 that brings lightness to what has been a dark year for so many. We can do this.

With kindness, respect and compassion we will get through this pandemic.

Always, Carol & Alvin

Welcome December 2020

Good Morning ALL. Welcome to Tuesday, December 1, 2020. December has arrived in my neighborhood with almost gale force winds or at least it feels that way. It is garbage day today and so there have been boxes from recycling blowing down the street last night and today in a steady flow. My decorative Christmas Tree on the front porch has blown over but I have decided to leave it for now as it will likely blow over again.

I am so excited for December, 2020. A time to perhaps take our minds off what is going on in the world for just a moment. Some happiness perhaps. Not to dwell on what we cannot have or do but what we have and can do.

This post is going to be very short as I had to do some other things this morning and the time got away on me, I am sorry for that.

Wishing you a great start to December.

Remember if you are purchasing gifts – support local. Buy from a friend who is selling jewelry made in Canada (Fifth Avenue Collection) or maybe some hand made items from a friend down the street. Support local as much as possible.

Living my life with kindness and respect and compassion for all.

Always, Carol & Alvin

Second Half of the NEW YEAR – last quarter.

Good Morning ALL. How are you doing today? Well here we are at another Sunday. The 15th of November, 2020. One of my nephews celebrates a birthday today. Happy Birthday J, we wish you a great day. The sun sunrise is subtle today as it clears the darkness of the night sky. I can see those beautiful hues of oranges and pinks filling the horizon and perhaps the sun will shine today. We were outside a few minutes ago and it is a bit cooler than yesterday but still not too bad. Definitely not bitterly cold. How was your Saturday? Did you do what you planned to do? Do you care if you did not? Does it matter in the grand scheme of things? Well I strayed from my original plan and instead of cleaning bathrooms I cleaned out the corner cupboard in the kitchen and two of the vertical draws that house “tupperware and such” and “baking utensils and odds and ends.” When I get to a point where I cannot easily find something – it is time to clean and rearrange those spaces. It felt like the right time so I had a change of plans. A job still was tackled just not the ones that I had originally planned. The front entrance way closet got a cleaning and rearranging. The countertops needed some rearranging as well, so that was done. I also did laundry and wrote up Christmas cards for my coworkers. As I am going to the office tomorrow it is the only opportunity that I will have before Christmas to drop them off. I also did some rearranging in the basement as I was looking for some specific items but did not find them. The hunt continues. Next weekend or maybe one night this week. Alvin and I went for a walk about mid afternoon. On our way home we “bumped into” across the street one of our neighbours who was out for a walk. Her husband was back at home setting up the Christmas lights on timers. Their outside is gorgeous for the holidays as is the inside of their home. We visited outside for several minutes with each one and then both as Irene got home from her walk – we were still chatting with her husband. We always have such nice visits. I made a new dish for supper and it was yummy. Likely I should be writing down all of my inventions but that’s not how I roll. I just use what I have to make a meal and most times I am inventing something new to me but may be not new to others. Perhaps I should roll differently as often times people ask for recipes. Perhaps.

Well it is time to head to the shower as I have a coffee date with the girls this morning. I am so excited to see them. Just the three of us. Some coffee and muffins and GREAT CONVERSATION and LAUGHTER. Laughter after all, is the best medicine.

Mr. Alvin actually slept until almost 6:30 this morning but then again we went to bed later than usual. He did not eat all of his breakfast which he has been doing for the past couple of days or so. Alvin does not appear to be feeling ill other than his paws have been bothering him, thank goodness he has some pain meds. I will say he does gobble down all of his supper. Might be that he has a combo of wet and dry for supper and only dry for breakfast. I should perhaps try some wet with his breakfast. But some days I don’t want to eat much other either. I am wondering if I should go back to eating breakfast earlier in the morning? Not sure. I don’t know if I am noticing anything much different anymore or not. Perhaps it is always good to change things up a bit.

Well I should go.

Wishing you a wonderful Sunday. Maybe clean those bathroom if you did not do them yesterday like me (I am doing mine later). Have some fun not all work. If we continue to live with kindness and respect for all – we will be living a great life.

As Always, Carol & Alvin

P.S. I did so much “cleaning” and “rearranging” that I likely forgot to mention something ….. oh well!

Second Half of the NEW YEAR – last quarter.

Good Morning All. Last night on November 5th, 2020 we had rain and once the sun went down and the temperature dipped the rain froze making decks, sidewalks and streets icy. I found this out when I went outside to the deck with Alvin before bed. Thankfully I did not fall but it sure was slippery.

I am nervous to check the news to see if there was any change overnight. Likely not as most of the media outlets said it would be later Friday. I can only imagine what the Americans are thinking and feeling at this moment.

Well so happy that today is Friday. I slept in and am rushing about to be ready to start work on time. I had the most unusual dream last night. For some reason I was still living in my apartment back in Regina. A family member had been sick so I had gone to stay with them and while I was gone some other “family” and friends moved into my apartment. I am not sure how long I was away but I remember coming home to my apartment with everything changed. Nothing was the same. In fact, after a short time I realized that they had thrown out all of my personal effects, every photo, every letter, every book, every piece of everything that was once mine. With not thought to ask me. I was livid to say the least. It did not end well for the squatters. Funny because I do remember that two people had permission to stay there while I was gone but there were more than two people upon my return. Food for thought.

I have to run as I need to plug in my coffee as I desperately need it this morning. I will be thinking about this dream for awhile and the possible meaning behind it. Hoping for some more details.

Wishing you the best Friday. Remember, we must continue to live our life with kindness and respect and love. We will have those moments that are less than perfect but we have the power to change those moment, to react in a positive manner. To always do better.

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

Second Half of the NEW YEAR.

Good Morning,

Another gorgeous morning.

The first full day of FALL.

The sun is shining and the sky is clear.

I was even out in my pj’s earlier and it was warm not cold.

No frost last night so am grateful for that.

Good combining weather.

I hope that the weather holds so that the harvest can get off.

 

As I am not currently able to show off some beautiful FALL photos from this year, I will share some old ones.

It feels like a photo day.

I love looking at photos.

I see a lot of photos in my future as everyday I go through the photos on my phone and computer.

 

These were taken a few years ago when my daughter did a photo shoot for friends.

The weather was gorgeous.

I think they were taken in September.

Just outside Edmonton at public gardens.

 

Leaves on my lawn ….. beautiful and crunchy to the touch

My tree

 

On one of our adventures in a park north of our home

Some of the beautiful colours of fall.

Well it is time for me to fly.

I apologize for the short post.

 

Wishing you all kindness and respect on this Wednesday and always.

Have an awesome day.

Take time to enjoy the “view.”

 

Living with kindness and respect.

I/We shall remain,

Always, Carol & MR. Alvin

Second Half of the NEW YEAR.

Good Morning ALL,

TGIF.

I never really used that “term” when it was all the rage back in the day.

I do not even remember what decade it was ….. 80’s maybe??

Anyway in this decade it seems as though the younger ones are all about using abbreviations for everything.

Yes, I know they do not refer to the shortened versions of words as abbreviations, there are all sorts of words to describe.

Also in this decade it is all about the memes and emojis, words that are new to us older folk.

Always something …. what will be next, I wonder?

Food for thought.

 

After work last night Alvin and I enjoyed a nice walk.

The air was warm and no gale force wind or bugs.

Just gorgeous.

Today they said 24 degrees celsius.

That would be considered a warm summer’s day.

 

There is a breeze out there this morning.

But it was warm when I was out earlier picking up the little treasures Alvin leaves for me on the grass.

I love the little guy.

Never would have thought that I would have a doggie and be picking up poop from my backyard.

Actually I dreamed of having my own backyard and it wasn’t until several months before it happened that I started to think that I could have one.

I likely kept the house out of my life all those years when I was a single Mom.

Perhaps if I had changed my train of thought and had been thinking “anything is possible and I can have a house” ….. it may have happened much sooner.

Oh well, I am happy that I have one now and my daughter well she has a beautiful one …..

Sometimes you have to work your way up.

 

Mr. Alvin was up just after 3:00 a.m. as his paws were bothering him, he also had to pee and poop.

Too much information, sorry.

So up we went.

I gave him his glucosamine chew and also a pain pill.

Outside to do his thing and then back to the sofa.

I wanted to get up at 6:15 and we had woke up but I was tired and thought it was earlier than it was ….

Next time it was 6:38 a.m.

So had to put the pedal to the metal this morning.

Thankfully I still had time to have a shower and do what I needed to do.

 

Well time to go and I definitely need that cup of coffee this morning.

I hope that you have the best Friday ever.

I wish you love and support, compassion and care, kindness and respect.

 

Living my life with kindness and respect

I/We shall remain,

As Always, Carol & Alvin

 

Was taken a bit ago but I love these flowers …. so pretty.

We all need a bit of pretty in our lives……..

Second Half of the NEW YEAR

Good Morning ALL,

The sky is a brilliant blue and the sun is shining brightly.

I just looked out my bedroom window to see three children likely on their way to school.

They had winter jackets on with their hoods up…..

Wait till winter hits …..

I was outside in the backyard a little bit ago in my pj’s with Alvin.

I thought it was beautiful.

Just day before yesterday I turned on the heat.

Yesterday I turned off the heat.

That time of year.

Now for the next three days we are to have warm temperatures.

I think that today is to be 25 degrees celsius.

 

You are likely wondering why I am writing so late …. when I should be at work.

Well today is one of the two times per month that I am required to work the late shift.

We work from 11 am to 7 pm and then from 4 pm to 7 pm we work the after hours phone line.

I am not sure that it is necessary but the higher ups do and they make the decisions.

For me and my coworkers it just takes us away from our already busy jobs.

We are down two staff now so that work is divided between us.

Never a dull moment for sure.

I like to be busy that most times this job is insanely busy.

But I do not want to complain as I am most grateful to be employed, most especially now.

Also working from home has truly been a blessing.

I am sure that things will work themselves out.

Just have to take a breath and take one day at a time.

 

Alvin’s food was getting low so I thought that I would run over to the vet and pick up food this morning.

Then I thought no, he has enough and I can run over their tomorrow at lunchtime.

Instead of going this morning – we can go for a walk.

Tomorrow at noon might be too warm for us to walk anyway.

It will work out.

 

I can hear the hum of the traffic on the highway that surrounds the city.

So loud with the window open.

I was thinking that might as well have some cool fresh air coming into the house before it gets warm.

I put the fans in the basement and might have to bring them back upstairs.

Which reminds me that I must clean and return the fan to my friend down the street as I no longer am in need of it.

I am grateful to have such great neighbours.

 

Well time to get dressed.

I think go for a walk and then have bite to eat and coffee.

 

Oh, I even deleted “emails” yesterday …..

Trying to keep on top of things.

How are you doing?

 

Wishing you a great day.

Living with Kindness and Respect,

I/We shall remain,

As Always, Carol & Alvin

 

Lilies in the back garden are continuing to bloom.

 

Second Half of the NEW YEAR

Good Morning and Welcome to Wednesday, September 2, 2020.

Raining through the night and earlier this morning but has stopped now.

Funny how that happens.

I missed watering my flowers on Monday night and then gave them a good drink last night.

Well they are well watered now.

Some of my flowers and plants are beginning to fade.

The nights are beginning to cool now.

I suppose it won’t be too long before I need to prepare for the next season.

Will check the long range forecast for frost.

I will leave everything as long as possible.

As long as the flowers are blooming I like to leave them and sometimes near the end they are beginning to look a bit less than perfection.

 

W for Wind.

Man oh man, have we been experiencing a lot of wind these days.

Seems like every year Edmonton gets more and more wind.

A nice breeze is fine but gale force is not.

Alvin and I have almost blown away on some of our walks and then sometimes we just stay home.

 

This is one of those mornings where for some reason I do not have a lot to say.

Fancy that.

Usually I start and don’t have time to write everything that I am thinking.

I almost never plan what I am going to write ahead of time.

Just sit down and start typing the things that come to my mind.

Sometimes they are silly and sometimes very serious.

 

I want to extend our sympathies to our neighbours on the passing of their beloved fur baby “Capone.”

He was a big guy and so sweet.

I remember when he was a puppy.

My how time flies.

We have lost so many of our fur baby friends and family this year.

Abi (Alvin’s girlfriend), Casey (long time family friend), and now Capone and our Mabel who was my brother and family’s girl.

Rest in Peace my darlings.

We shall miss you forever and keep you forever in our hearts and minds.

 

With kindness and respect for all,

I/We shall remain,

As Always, Carol & Alvin

 

 

 

Second Half of the NEW YEAR.

OH MY GOSH, the sun is shining and the sky is the most beautiful light blue.

This is the first morning with sunshine in several days and feels like almost forever.

Alvin and I are grateful for the sunshine.

There was a rain shower last night as the deck was wet this morning.

Our grass will need to be cut again as soon as it dries.

It seems like the grass has been cut more often than usual although I do seem to remember that we had lots of rain last summer as well.

The month of August was the hot one for us.

We managed to get a walk in yesterday after supper which was late afternoon.

 

I don’t know about any of you but has anyone found that they have been dreaming lots as of late?

OMG, I wake up or rather bolt up in some cases.

Sometimes happy and other times really worried.

I have not been remembering much of the dream so cannot even try to figure them out.

Perhaps I will remember the next one.

 

Well after getting up twice for me during the night and then at 4:22 a.m. – I just needed to hit the sofa for some extra zzz’s.

So then in turn I am running a bit late.

Coffee is calling me.

Thankfully today is Thursday.

 

I hope that you and your family are in good health.

Managing to live your life in this atmosphere of uncertainty.

We have to make the most of this time and do the best that we can.

Perhaps we humans have learned a thing or two during the past months.

I hope so.

 

Enjoying the sunshine ….. windows open.

Have an awesome day.

One thing for sure the grass has never been more green.

The flowers never so brilliant.

Everything is growing so much.

Now for the sunshine.

 

With kindness and respect,

I/We remain,

As Always, Carol & Alvin

 

Second Half of the NEW YEAR.

Good Morning and Welcome to a now rainy Thursday, July 2nd, 2020.

I booked today and tomorrow off as vacation so that I would have an extra long long weekend.

Last night we went to bed at our regular time or close.

I read my book, I am really enjoying this book.

“The DEATH of Mrs. WESTAWAY” by Ruth Ware.

This book is difficult to put down and last night knowing that I did not have to get up early – well I read late.

As I read the Canada Day fireworks were going off in the near distance.

They seem to go off for hours and I felt like I read for hours.

After I turned off the lights to go to sleep, I could not settle down.

When Alvin woke up at 4:30 – it felt so early.

Up we got and he had his glucosamine chew followed by breakfast.

Outside.

Then back to the sofa.

I/We were up about 6:30 a.m. and back outside.

No rain at that time.

Back in the house the sofa was calling my name and I just could not resist.

So back to the sofa.

I woke up at 7:30 and should have stayed up and was thinking “it is not raining – we should walk.”

But the sofa kept calling my name.

So I played this back and forth game until 8:35 a.m. – how horrible.

Now it is raining and we missed our opportunity to go for a walk.

The forecast is for some sunshine this afternoon so we will make sure that we go then.

I can only blame that sofa for calling out my name, NOT.

Oh well, I guess it is a day off and all is well.

Not worth whining about it as it is what it is.

Somedays you just have to have some extra sleep, right!

 

Perhaps some sunshine will perk me up and fill me with some energy.

Hopefully the sun will shine this afternoon.

 

Yesterday the sun did come out from behind those rain clouds.

The sky was amazing.

Huge dark blue rain clouds in parts of the sky and closer to us there were these white clouds that seemed to part to display pure blue bright sky.

Like a gate opening.

I could literally watch the sky for hours.

The way the clouds move and stay still.

Movement and stillness.

The colours.

So beautiful.

 

I found the start of a story that I had written almost ten years ago on my 53rd birthday.

The story is about Alvin and how my road led to him.

I cannot believe that I am going to be 63 next month.

Ten years has passed in the blink of an eye.

Life always seems to get in the way.

Seriously, I need to finish this ……

So I am going to transfer what I have written into the computer as it is way easier to type than to write for hours.

After a few minutes my writing / printing is not legible so typing is the best way to go.

 

Well I guess it is almost 9:30 a.m. and I don’t wish to be drinking coffee too far into the afternoon.

Time to get this day going.

Coffee and some breakfast.

Some writing (typing) today and walking and exercise.

I need to listen to Alvin more ……

I was thinking we could have had an nice early morning walk in ….. argh, okay, enough.

Okay this might be an interesting day.

 

Living with kindness and respect starts with oneself.

I/We, shall remain

Always, Carol & Alvin