2021

Good Morning ALL! Well here we are, Saturday morning. What are your plans for this weekend? Maybe you are raking your yard for the last time before winter? Maybe you do not get snow and are just changing up the outside ornaments with Christmas fast approaching? Are you putting up your Christmas Tree yet? When do you put it up? I like to put it up early and enjoy it for as long as possible. Christmas brings me joy. I love the tree, the decorations, the colours of Christmas (the ones we have come to realize as “traditional” ….. the red, the greens, silver and white. I love RED. I do love the overall feelings of love and giving during the holiday season. Some people like to show this with an abundance of gifts. We all do things a bit differently. I think if we are all doing what makes up happy, that no one is being disrespected in the scheme of things and not being hurt or anything of that nature ….. then why not. Although I will say that these days with the state of the “climate” and the overwhelming amount of items that are in our landfills, on the ground, in our oceans and forests and ditches and everywhere ….. that perhaps we need to cut back. Really at the end of the day, most people are happy to be in each other’s company and have a good meal. Splurge on the meal. I know with COVID that we are still not able to have massive amounts of people on our homes during the holidays but celebrate it well with the people that are in our household. Play games, sing, watch your favourite Christmas movies and just talk and of course eat. We all are taken in by the advertisements on television, popping up on social media, in our news feeds and in our emails and in flyers. The thing is most of the advertising is done by the big box stores because they can afford to advertise and the “mom and pop stores or small businesses” cannot so they spread the word mainly by word of mouth. I have for many years either made some of my gifts to others, bought locally from friends and neighbours that have made things or supported their direct sales businesses. I have also cut back the amount of gifts that I give. These days the vast majority of gifts I give to friends and neighbours is homemade boxes/tins of baking. Everyone loves to have a sweet treat and not everyone has the time, the money or likes to do it. I like to do it. As you know my daughter helped me erect the Christmas tree on Thursday after work. Last night I spent a considerable amount of time stringing the lights onto the tree. I will say that is the most “unfun” thing about Christmas for me. I harken back to a time when I bought the tree and it was prelit. Oh, how I miss those years. Just take the tree out of the box, set it up and fluff it. Then decorate. So easy and way more fun. Oh well. Everything cannot be dancing around the room fun, I suppose. Mr. Alvin had me up extra early for a Saturday which is not bad. I have already stripped my bed and gathered all of the laundry. So I am off to a great start. The sun is rising and the sky looks so pretty.

Yesterday was absolutely gorgeous. At lunch break I walked over to the Vet to pick up food for Mr. Alvin. Good thing I did not leave for this morning and they are closed on Saturdays once again due to staffing shortages. After work Alvin and I went for a walk. We got just into the park and he turned to go home. I tried to coax him to keep going and a few times it was back and forth but eventually I lost the “battle” so back home we went. It was so gorgeous outside that I just wanted to walk but he did not. Alvin is the boss when we are walking. I cannot tell if something is bothering him with his leg or paws or something else so he drives the distance always.

Well I suppose it is time to get this show on the road. Get dressed and get that coffee brewing. I am grateful that I hauled up all of the storage containers with the Christmas decorations last night and took downstairs the remaining “non Christmas” ornaments and decorations from the main floor. Up and down those basement stairs what a work out. There is laundry to do in between the decorating today and we will go for a nice walk. Hopefully we will have another beautiful day weatherwise and that Mr. Alvin is in the mood for a nice long walk.

Enjoy your Saturday!

Continuing to live with respect, kindness, compassion, patience, understanding, love, laughter and gratitude.

Always, Carol & Alvin

Second Half of the NEW YEAR

Good Morning All,

Another gorgeous fall day on the way.

The mornings are usually on the cool side but by noon the temperature is warm.

I went for a walk yesterday at noon.

Figuring it was the first walk by myself in close to a decade.

Usually I walk with Alvin or I am walking with someone or to somewhere.

This time totally on my own ….. just enjoying the beautiful fall day.

I saw a few folks that we know and first thing everyone said was “Where’s Alvin?”

He is definitely known and loved.

The leaves on the trees are the most colourful hues of yellow and reds.

Not too many green leaves left at this point.

Despite the many attempts at the wind to blow off the leaves they are hanging on.

There is something about the smell of the air in the fall.

Perhaps my imagination ….. goodness though …..

Even the wild roses at the entrance to our park are still blooming.

I love their fragrance.

 

Last night I had a good sleep …… even though we both get up during the night and Alvin gets up early …. I sleep better with him than without.

My boy, my boy.

I know that he is well cared for and hopefully enjoying his time at his sister’s house.

He is such a homebody …… always takes him a few days to acclimatize to new surroundings.

But on the other hand he does seldom leaves home so it is a big deal when he does.

 

I will say that it takes me a while to get used to the dark mornings.

In the summer it is light at this time …. bright sunshine…..now not.

Although it does look like rain ….

I will start to clean up some of the garden that is starting to go.

Always amazing how long some of the flowers and plants last as the temperatures fall.

 

Oh, last night I was watching “THE MASKED SINGER.”

WOW, I love that show.

Not sure why I haven’t been watching it but it is great.

Okay sometimes I am slow to the table ….. they are starting their 4th Season.

Incredible costumes and talent.

The only downside is all the costumes ….. what happens to all of them.

More items for the landfill.

Okay, perhaps should not go there.

Sometimes hard to think any differently.

 

Well I guess it is starting to get closer to work time.

It always seems to creep up faster every morning.

Likely in my head ….. I know.

 

I hope that wherever you are …. that you are safe and in good health.

Wishing you much kindness and respect.

From here in Alberta, Canada.

Living with kindness and respect,

I/We shall remain,

Always, Carol & Alvin

Thought for the day…..

Good Morning and Welcome to Saturday the 28th day of March, 2015.

Well it is overcast in Edmonton but the temperatures remain warm.

The snow is melting as I can hear and see the water running.

But alas the weather report calls for snow showers today.

Oh my what a “sense of humour” – Mother Nature.

Is it perhaps because we are not doing our part with the environment.

Maybe a reminder to us that when we want something like spring/summer instead of winter ….. that she holds off just a bit longer.

Hoping ….. maybe we will wake up, and smell the coffee.

 

Plants, animals and trees.

The air and the land.

The OCEANS.

We have swiped our “hand” and done more damage in the last 100 years than all of the years combined on this planet.

I think, anyway.

I am calling upon all of my fellow inhabitants of this beautiful emerald gem to please, do your part.

Pick up the trash.

Be kind to the environment.

Be kind to the plant and ANIMAL life.

 

Don’t buy some many throw away items that continue to fill our landfills.

All of those plastic bits end up in the ocean floating or in the belly of some poor unsuspecting creature … some land … some marine.

Reduce….

Reuse …..

Recycle ……

Just because you think you need something …. does not mean you really do.

Learn to live within your means.

Volunteer your time to neighbourhood clean-up groups.

Simply pick up the trash from in front of your house.

You know the blue bins that people place mainly paper and plastic cartons in …… well I have noticed that lots of people just set them out by the bags of trash.

Now one small wind and all of that paper is blowing into the nearby parks and neighbour yards.

 

Not sure where that came from other than the fact that I am pumped to now have the extra time once again to get out and pick up the trash from my neighbourhood.

Working six and days per week does not allow much time for extracurricular activities.

I am going to organize another clean-up for the neighbour this spring …. in May.

 

Well I hope that you have a great day.

Have fun looking after your part of the planet.

If we learn to treat the land and water and air and all living beings on this planet (including one another) with kindness and respect …

We shall have this planet around forever …. I hope.

Time to finish laundry and then in a bit get ready to work one of my last shifts at the store.

It will feel strange to be home Friday nights and weekends…..

 

Special Hello to: my fellow volunteers …. you rock and thank you for your time and energy.

Always, Carol and Alvin

 

 

Thought for the day….

Good Morning and Welcome to Thursday the 21st day of November, 2013.

It is fast approaching the crazy time of year when people feel the urge to buy everything in sight.

Most people spend way beyond their means.

I learned that lesson all too well.

For the past few years I have made the holidays about those people that I love, and not about buying the perfect gift that I thought they would want.

I made special gifts, took advantage of free items, refurbished items, gave my time.

Essentially, I gave from my heart not my pocketbook.  The first Christmas that I did this I spent $5.00 and that was on doggie treats.

With all the commercials, flyers and such it is almost impossible for people not to feel that they need to shop.

We should pay attention.

Take a look around the trash on December 26th.

How many things are tossed away because people did not like them or want them.

Selfish, perhaps.

But we have gone way too far.

Simplify.

Take the time to find out what a loved one might really want …. that might be a home cooked meal or someone to watch a child or a pet while they go out for an evening.

AGAIN FIND OUT WHAT PEOPLE REALLY LIKE AND NEED – NOT JUST SOME HIGH TECH GADGETS TO BE LIKE THE JONES.

Give your time to a local hospital or senior’s home or animal shelter.

Perhaps it might be a small basket of items that your sister might love – like her favourite shampoo, soap, socks or lipstick.

Make a hand-made book of coupons for different things using your time.

Simplify.

Our landfills are an indication of how commercial we have become.

Anyway …. my point is this.

Just give from the heart not from your pocketbook.

Have a great day and don’t stress about the holidays.

Give your time …. it is invaluable.

I think this Christmas we should all make something for loved ones or give the gift of your time.

Spend less …. less stress.

Give yourself a challenge to see just how little you can spend on Christmas but giving at the same time.

You will be pleasantly surprised.

Special Hello to: ALL THOSE FOLKS WHO GIVE WITH THEIR HEARTS …

Always, Carol and  Alvin

Cleaning the office…..

Last week I spent a few days going through my office.   It is the room that houses my book collection, my computer, boxes of photographs, magazines, some craft supplies, collection of cards that I have received over the years, my daughter’s high school report cards, year books, and other “important stuff”.   There were several storage containers in the closet that needed to be reorganized as well as the book cases.   Usually twice a year, I go through each room and re-organize and re-vamp.  It always surprises me how many things I end up tossing (usually paper products), recycling or donating.  I am not surprised by TLC’s show about hoarding.  We  human beings tend to accumulate stuff.  Of course, some of us collect more stuff than others.  I was pleasantly surprised when Kelly Ripa of Live With Regis & Kelly told the audience that her husband likes to go through their “things” on a regular basis, and with a giggle almost threw out “their marriage certificate”.  But I think that he is more the exception than the norm.  People just like stuff.  I mean really, you can go into all these stores and buy little “doodads” and “gadgets” that really do little for anyone’s well being, and at the end of the day usually end up in the nearby landfill.  We are filling not only our homes with “stuff” but landfills and the oceans.  2011, is the year that I am going to watch more closely the things that I purchase.  It is not only the money aspect but I want to be a more responsible citizen of this planet.  When my grandchildren arrive and as they grow along with my great nieces and nephews, I want them to inherit the beautiful planet that I remember from my childhood.  I am not sure if this is realistic but I really pray, and wish that all the residents of this planet would take more care in what they bring into their homes because inevitably it will end up elsewhere.

So you keep your treasures;  Grandma’s china, Mom’s jewelry box, your Grandpa’s pocket watch and your nephew’s artwork (or at least some of it).  Perhaps you have a relative or friend that would love to have some of your Grandmother’s china or some other ornament.  Keepsakes are a good thing.  As you get older, as I have found, I have instructed family and friends to “cut out” the ornaments for birthdays and Christmas.  I really have no need for more ornaments.  Giving gifts of movie passes, dinner theatre tickets, spa treatment, babysitting services, and the list goes on and on.  Those are the things that we should give each other …. I mean for the adults.  Unless you have a real need for something …… keep this rule in-force DO NOT BUY.

I guess that I have gone off the topic somewhat here.  But that is okay, this is my blog and I can do that…… (please keep reading)…..(thank you).

Alvin was bugging me for his supper (earlier than usual) so I just took a bit of a break to feed him.  Back to cleaning the office.  I am a lover of moving the furniture around ….. this makes me feel like I have a new room.  Feels great and is easy to do.  What an easy makeover and economical, to boot.

As I am a sentimental being, I try to be realistic when I am spring or fall cleaning a room.  The rooms that are most demanding are the office, kitchen and my bedroom.  So when I am cleaning, I really think about each item.  Do I really need this?  Does it function or make my life better?  Will future generations be in awe when they come across it in Grandma’s trunk?  Better yet, could this item help someone else?

At the end of the day, my office is a couple of garbage bags cleaner and more organized and efficient.  At least until next time I perform a miracle.  Yes, I am GOD…..or at least I think so.  LOL.

Here are some photos of before and after.  You be the judge or perhaps not…… I feel better about the room and that is truly what is important.  Alvin likes it, too.  Good luck to you all in your cleaning endeavours.  May the force be with you.

Office before the Clean Sweep

Another before photo

Closet after clean sweep.....

Taken today after clean sweep but working so desk not perfect

Switched bookcases around

Other side of the office - broke up the bookcases

The other wall......