Last Half 2022 – August

Good Morning ALL! How are you this morning. We are well. Up at 3:00 to go outside for a bathroom break – not me, you silly, Mr. Alvin. My funny for the moment. I could see the stars or at least a few along with some satellites. The air was cool which was refreshing. I was shocked to see the temperature on the main floor was “69” degrees fahrenheit. Upstairs not sure. We then hit the sofa for a few more hours and were up shortly after 6:00 (yes, I hit the snooze button, but only once). Then up and gave Mr. Alvin his breakfast. I am so happy that he loves his new wet food. He has always been a foodie and will pretty much eat anything you put in front of him so one has to be careful. At the end of the day, I am very grateful that he did not turn his nose up at the new food. Not sure what I would have done. Then the usual things readied the coffee pot, made our bed including putting the decorator pillows back on and our few special stuffies (previously were Amanda’s) and I had a shower. Now I don’t have a shower everyday. Really unless you have been outside rolling around in the dirt, or covered in bug spray or sweating from working outside then every second day or so, works fine. I usually use my hair as an indicator. Now I am here writing/typing/keying these words.

I can hear the loud hum of cars, trucks and other motor vehicles on the highway which surrounds the City of Edmonton. People going somewhere. The breeze wafting in through my open office window is delectable. Also I have learned over this heat wave and since the temperatures have dropped so much during the evening as of late, that if I leave the main floor windows open, the main floor cools off and then I leave all the windows upstairs open as well. We have not had rain in the forecast for a few days.

We are going to go for a walk this morning. Yesterday morning we were really late leaving the house but had time for a good walk, not the full one we have been doing but I figured if we are out and about breathing in that fresh morning air, then the length is immaterial. After all, it is Mr. Alvin sniffing every secret “fragrance” along the way that is truly what is important. As he ages, he has definitely slowed down and truly “smells the roses.” No longer does he rush ahead of me to see what is ahead, he stays close by and smells everything. He does love the rose bushes by the park. He makes me happy. What a guy!

We certainly can learn a thing or two from our four-legged buddies.

Well today after work someone is coming to pick up the scrapbooking and craft items that I sold to her. It is time to keep only what I am going to use and not everything that I am not. I am excited for someone to have them.

Over the summer, I have been selling and giving away items and even trading some items to just simplify my life. Less is more. Honestly western society, most especially North America has been smitten over the last many decades with materialism. The more stuff the better. Well it is that stuff that is clogging our lakes, rivers and filling the oceans. Time to stop. We do not need all these things. After all, you cannot take it with you. Food for thought.

I hope that you have an awesome day.

Time for a walk. Reflection and fresh air.

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

Always, Carol & Alvin

PS: thank you for your time and I appreciate you reading these posts.

Last Half 2022

Good Morning ALL! I hope that you are well. We are doing well. We were to bed later than usual as we were over visiting at Cookie’s home, the visit lasted over 4 hours and we had the best time. We laughed so hard. Mr. Alvin spent quite a bit of time sniffing about the main floor learning about every nook and cranny and also, I am quite certain looking for food. He is always looking for food. No, he is anything but starving. What a guy? I have known these neighbours for several years and even worked with the Dad for a few years although not in the same department. We became closer friends after looking after Cookie at Christmas time. They are such a lovely family. I always love learning about people. They had so many yummy treats, I felt extra special. We chatted about everything from government to work to family to different cultures as they are originally from Iraq and came to Canada thirteen years ago via Saudi Arabia. Perhaps I will even be able to learn some Arabic. That would be most interesting. It was a great night. Alvin took some time to get used to being in a different house – not his own. He does not visit many other houses except for his best friend Teddy so this was a big deal for him. They love Alvin and were very attentive to him. I am so blessed to have so many wonderful neighbours. Cookie’s Dad has a different job now so I don’t see him at work but then again, I am working from home so I am not seeing work people on a regular basis. I love working from home. I love working from home. I love working from home. Did I say that I love working from home. It is great. More “family” time and I get way more accomplished at home for my job than when I was in the office. Less distractions.

We also watched the weather change from a few clouds with sunny breaks last night to these big bad very eerie clouds. I knew something was coming. We had strong winds and the rain was being blown in sheets temporarily flooding the street. It was incredible to watch but scary to think of what damage it may have caused. I was thankful that I had closed all of our windows before leaving the house. Oh, now with all of the rain, I am being attacked by mosquitos. Yup, they are back. Surprised they have not shown up sooner. I was very happy to arrive back home from our visit to find most of my flowers intact. I had much concern about the ones at the front of the house as the wind and rain were coming in from the north west. Just a few petals were laying on the porch. Same in the back. So they survived. Hardy little things. WE just need some sunshine. I am asking for sunshine and the long range forecast is for 30’s next week or at least for a few days and that may not be the most forecast.

Well it is time to go and plug in the coffee and get to work. I have lots to get done today. That is the one thing about deadlines. So much of my job is about deadlines and timelines that are very tight. Oh well, I can do this and it is Friday. The sun is shining at this moment and the sky is light blue. We are good.

Have a great Friday.

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

Always, Carol & Alvin

PS: 32 days till 65.

2021

Good Morning ALL! How are you doing on this Wednesday morning? We are doing well. The sun is rising earlier each morning and although it normally gives me that extra boost to get up and go, not so much the past few mornings. Last night we were in bed a bit later about 10 p.m. and Alvin basically slept until 4:30 a.m. which was great. He did try to get up earlier but I instructed him to go back to bed and he actually did. So I did get a good amount of sleep this morning. There is something about just snuggling under the blanket that keeps me from getting up and going some mornings. Oh well, we up and after this post ready to get to work for the day.

I was wondering who do you admire? Who were your childhood heroes? Did you have any? What did you learn from them? Are you continuing to learn from those people? Perhaps they have passed. Did you learn life lessons? Did they make an impression on your life? on your future? on your personality? on what you chose as a career? So many questions.

The above questions were asked yesterday. Did you ponder them? Maybe you even made some notes. I was thinking since yesterday that I will just start with the first question.

Who do I admire? I admire a great many people. Topping the list are my daughter and son-in-law, my sister, my brothers, my cousin LL, my friend since we were toddlers Deanna, a dear friend Val, I call them my young friends G & S, teachers and another longtime friend LH. Really when I think about it there are way too many to write. I admire a great many people and definitely so many over my almost 64 years. There are also people that I do not personally know that I admire from afar. Also some folks that I worked with in Regina for many years GM, RH, RB, LE, and KS. So many more …… I admire them all for different reasons but mainly for being in my life and teaching me so much about the world and myself.

Who were my childhood heroes? I would say my grandparents topped the list for sure. They were the ones that were always there. My mother and father but for different reasons and people that know me will understand this. My best friend’s Mom who happened to teach me in grade 5/6. I would say Walt Disney from a distance for his vision and for creating the Walt Disney Show. Also I had some wonderful Aunts and Uncles and I treasure their presence in my life for all time.

Are you continuing to learn from these people? Absolutely. Life lessons all round. I have learned something from every single person that has entered my life and that includes my four legged friends.

Did you learn life lessons? I guess that I answered that above, yes, very definitely.

Did they make an impression on your life? on your future? on your personality? on what you chose as a career? Absolutely. I believe, well actually I know that every single life force that has entered my life has made an impression, some positive and some negative. But that is how you grow. The information, the knowledge, the incredible impressions, so much brought me to this place. On my personality, for sure. How can every person that you meet not help to form who you are, who you will be and what you will do in your life. It takes a village, right! I have found that certainly to be true.

There are so many folks that have help formed who I am today. I am grateful for each and everyone of you. If you read this post and were not mentioned it is not because I did not value you in my life it is because there simply is not enough room to write everyone’s name. I value everyone and for a multitude of reasons.

Well time to head downstairs and get this day going. I can almost smell the coffee perking (I have to turn it on, of course). Today we are celebrating our new company name, yes there was a name change. Shorter and that is good. Sometimes change is good. This is good.

Continuing to life my life with kindness, respect, compassion and patience.

Always, Love Carol & Alvin

It is a rainbow kind of day …… bright …… positive …. time to celebrate!

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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

 

It is a NEW YEAR.

Welcome back.

Good Friday Morning to You ALL.

The sky is beginning to lighten earlier with each passing day.

Some of my neighbours are still required to go to work.

Both of them work in the Health Field in different professions and are not nurses or doctors.

I am happy that we made it through another week.

It kind of was a long week in many regards but today is the day before the weekend.

We can let our hair down.

We can do some laundry and some cleaning.

Maybe get out for walks if you have been unable to during the week.

 

I was listening to a Doctor speak on a NEWS SPECIAL last night.

He made some good points:

Get plenty of sleep.

Exercise,

Eat healthy,

Hydrate (drink lots of water),

Try to lessen or reduce the amount of stress with perhaps the help of music and meditation.

Stay at home as much as possible.

Important to not touch your eyes and face.

Keep your hands clean.

Clean the door knobs, window and kitchen cupboard handles and bathroom taps at least once daily.

These are all common sense, everyday things we should all be doing most of the time, anyway.

Keep in mind, this will pass.

It may take some time but I believe it will leave.

 

In our modern age we have not had such a “well broadcasted” virus hitting virtually every country on this planet.

So we should learn from one and another.

Incorporate those measures that have been tried before us and work.

It will be a long haul and we could potentially lose a great many souls if we do not learn from each other.

I wish that the LEADERS of country would listen to each other.

Listening has and will always remain the best weapon we have against any “enemy.”

I do not like to use those words but at this point it is appropriate.

 

Well time to go and grab and mug of coffee and get this work day going.

I want to start a bit early with hopes of getting caught up before the end of this work day.

Unfortunately as time goes on here, I think we will become more busy.

 

Take care of yourselves.

Don’t forget those who need our help.

A Senior, someone with mobility issues, a family who struggles in the best of times……

We can always help.

 

You could place a couple of cans of soup in a bag with a note.

The note could read “Is there anything that you need or that I can help you with.”

Please sign the note and maybe give your phone number if you feel comfortable (if you don’t know them well).

Knock and leave the bag on the porch or on the door knob (if there is one).

There are so many ways we can help each other.

 

I appreciate your help in these unknown times.

 

Wishing you a wonderful day.

I will be back tomorrow.

Remember “kindness and respect.”

 

Always, Carol & Alvin

 

P.S. I counted the steps from my bed to my office.

“TEN.”

What a long commute, I have these days.

Laughing …. please laugh.

Living … One day at a time.

Hello, good morning and welcome to Monday morning.

We managed to make it through another weekend with none of the white stuff.

Unfortunately many of my friends and family were not so fortunate.

I managed to get the deck mostly cleared of furniture …. just the bistro table and chairs.

That table is made of steel and river rock and is getting too heavy for me to move.

I sometimes know my limits.

Then three heavier planters and two light stacking chairs.

Da, da ….. glad to have that done.

 

Yesterday morning we received a phone call from our English Garden FRIEND asking if we would like to go for a walk with her and George, her grand pup.

I said of course so about 10:30 we were already out walking.

We were also joined by another neighbour and friend (she lives closer to George’s Gran).

Both of these friends chose to move to Canada.

One from England and the other from China.

Our Chinese friend taught me the importance of stretching and gave we girls some lessons along the way.

We even stopped by a park bench and did some exercises.

She used the the base of the park lights to stretch.

Unbelieve, she can stretch her leg almost straight up.

I am not quite certain her age but somewhere in her 50’s I would say.

She is so flexible – put us to shame.

I learned some exercises to help with a small lower back pain that I have gained along the way.

I too believe that it is all about KEEPING MOVING.

Stretch and move …..

She told us that “she doesn’t like to be still.”

That is the secret.

Very fit this friend.

We chatted along the way in between walking and stretching.

The dogs were likely thinking “what the heck is going on.”

It was a great walk.

 

Another friend, this being Teddy’s Mom is an ENERGY HEALER.”

We have started to go for groceries together on Sunday afternoons.

We thought it might be nice for the boys to spend that hour or so together.

We were just relaxing after I had been up trying to clean the eavestrough (got help), the yard, the garden and the GARAGE.

Rearranging the garage and going through everything.

Anyway I had given Alvin a few blueberries earlier and just before Teddy and his Mom arrived.

He started to heave and threw up a blueberry.

So not sure if he ate something that I missed seeing on our walk or if blueberries did not agree with him.

When she arrived …. he actually just sat and let her heal him.

He was back to his old self in no time at all.

 

It was a great day.

Well I see that it is past 6:30 and I should be downstairs already.

Have an awesome Monday.

 

NOTE:  we can learn something new everyday.

 

Always, Carol & Alvin

Thought for the day ….

Good Morning and Welcome to Sunday the 10th day of September, 2017.

What a glorious weekend we have had …..

The weather was warm but not hot ….

We had some rain to freshen things up just a bit ….

 

Seems like yesterday that it was the 1st day of September and wow, now it is the 10th day.

The time just seems to be chugging along in a most quick way.

That is life, I suppose.

Almost moving on …..

 

So on this Sunday we are just finishing up a few things on the list.

Lots of time to relax and prepare for the week ahead.

Alvin is loving the bit cooler weather for sure, as is his Momma.

 

We have found a new show on the television from BBC where folks looking for rural properties in England, Scotland and Ireland.

Just happened to see one about a couple looking for a property in Scotland.

Some of my ancestors came from Scotland, and I found the episode to be so interesting.

It has sparked a want in me to investigate that part of my ancestry.

Something new to learn is always a good thing.

 

Time to get a few items done including a nice walk with me Alvin.

Have a wonderful Sunday.

Perhaps there is a part of your ancestry that you may enjoy investigating.

Happy Sunday.

 

Special Hello to: all those folks from Scotland.

Always, Carol & Alvin

 

 

Thought for the day ……

Good Morning and Welcome to Thursday the 17th of November, 2016.

Dark outside but no added snow overnight which is good.

Yesterday was about +2 degrees celsius.

We are enjoying this weather before winter hits/arrives.

Even the bunnies are white.

So it goes without saying that it is not the snow that drives the turning of their coats from brown to white.

The man-made lakes/ponds in our nearby parks have started to freeze over.

There was still some “running” water last night.

 

I was reminded yesterday at our staff meeting which was off-site of the reasons I journal and write this blog.

Mainly it is because it is something that I love to do and the other reason is it helps me to destress.

Most of my life I have tried to see the silver lining in every situation.

Now sometimes it may take me a bit of time to reach that positive end but eventually I do.

It is like most things in life if you find the pot of gold too early then you missed the journey learning along the way.

Does that make sense?

In every moment there is something to learn giving us cause to grow.

Being positive does not mean being “happy” in every second of every day but it does mean that you are on the plus side more often

than not.

Makes sense?

There are days when getting my “tongue” wrapped around what I am thinking in my mind are two different things.

It is so funny that what I am thinking sounds so intelligent and meaningful but by the time it reaches my tongue or fingertips it has been transposed to

some degree.

 

Well on this note it is almost time to finish getting ready and head out for the bus.

I will get Alvin’s results tonight at the Vet (from his laser light therapy) as I need to stop and pick up food and toothpaste for him.

His ride said that he was nervous and had anxiety.

Will be interesting to get the results tonight.

I will share tomorrow.

 

Happy Thursday Everyone.

Try to find the silver lining in your day.

Keep a journal, writing down what you are grateful for is so beneficial.

 

Special Hello to: EVERYONE

Always, Carol and Alvin

 

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Monday the 26th day of October, 2015.

Hard outside so hard to tell what it is actually like …. not wet so that is a good sign.

Just a few more sleeps until Halloween.

I am happy that it falls on a Saturday.

Hoping that the weather holds out so that the kids and parents can have a fun night without having to bundle up in winter coats and boots.

We had a great Sunday.

One of my friends that lives a few blocks away came over for coffee and a visit.

Another far away friend left me a beautiful voicemail message.

My daughter called and sent the finished photos that she took of me and Alvin for our annual photo shoot.

Feeling loved ….

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

Monday always seems to show up quickly.

I know it doesn’t but isn’t it funny how quick time goes when you are having fun.

Mind you I am so busy at work that time passes quickly as well …..

I guess no matter what is happening as you get older the days just seem to pass more quickly.

No matter.

We will enjoy each one as they come.

Should be another nice walk for us this evening.

Last night was beautiful.

Note: when you have to perform a new task whether at work or in your personal life “be prepared” and take deep breaths.

There will always be new things along the way.

That is life.

That is learning.

I have something new to do at work today, and thought about it all weekend.  I am prepared but still nervous.

It will be fine, I do know that.

Well time to get going here.

Special Hello: to all friends and family …. thank you for the support.

Always, Carol and Alvin

 

Thought for the day ……

Good Morning and Welcome to Sunday the 16th day of August, 2015.

It is a glorious overcast cooler morning here in Edmonton.

Yesterday we had a bit of rain but for the most part it was just overcast and cooler.

Quite the change from the 30 degree temperatures we had during the week.

Looks like the sun is going to shine today so that is awesome.

I had a great Saturday ….. my daughter was here in the morning for a bit before they left for home.

Always great having a sleepover with my favourite girl and grand-puppies.

Even got to see my son-in-law as he came and picked them up.

Followed by a most successful Steeped Tea Party …. my coming out party so to speak.

Lots of food and the Marguarita theme was awesome…. too much food ….. leftovers.

It was fun and I continue to learn lots.

I love the tea and the products.

Well my neighbour is having a garage sale (actually front lawn sale) today … and I promised to lend a clothes rack and a table or two so I have to go and get them up and out.

Today is just a quiet day …. relaxing …. maybe a bit of work but I am going to relax.

Time …. we all need to take a bit of time.

To kick back and read or just sit in mindless joy.

I am enjoying a cup of coffee which is my favourite morning “thing to do” …..

What do you like to do in the mornings on your day(s) off from work?

Wish me luck in my new venture …. selling Steeped Tea …..

I am so excited.

Have a great great Sunday everyone.

I am so grateful to have the internet and cable back on …..

Special Hello to: my sister …. miss you already ….and the boys, too.

Always, Carol and Alvin