Last Half 2022 – November

Good Morning ALL! I hope that this finds you doing very well. Both Alvin and I are doing great. I happy over the moon excited for this weekend. I will be writing up Christmas cards and letters. Laundry as always. Must remember to pop Mr. Alvin’s sweater into the laundry. Maybe he needs another one! Christmas present idea, lol. The sun is shining but there are a few clouds. No wind. I think it might be worth going for a walk this morning. The sidewalks out front look dry. I need to go and remove the snow that I tossed onto my sidewalk from the grass back onto the grass. There was a need a few days ago to have a safe place to walk for both me and Mr. Alvin. Now that time has passed so remove the snow so it will dry off. I placed a Mary Kay order last night as I had a few people wanting a few items for themselves and for Christmas gifts. I have other things on my list. The main focus is the Christmas cards as I would really like to get all the ones that need to be mailed outside of Canada and outside my realm of hand delivery posted right away. I have the cards and stamps so I just need to address them and write some notes/letters. My favourite part is writing the letters. I love to receive cards and letters although it seems to be going in the direction of the dinosaurs. Too bad! I will continue until I am not physically able to write / print. It is a tradition that I love so much.

I should also post some photos of my redecorated tree. Yes, I will. Hopefully sooner than later.

Last night after work I came home with my carpool as we agreed, my daughter and I that is that perhaps a visit was not in the cards last night. She had things to do and the weather was not looking great but ended up okay. Alvin and I were going to head out for a walk when I saw a text from Cookie’s Dad asking if she could come and spend a few hours with us. Of course, I said “YES.” I am so grateful to them for taking such great care of Mr. Alvin since I have returned to work three days per week. My fingers are crossed that perhaps that will be reduced to two days each week or even one. Our moral at work between the return to work and changes (always changes) is at an all time low. Very sad. Anyway, we had a great time with Cookie who for the most part watched out the living room window from the arm of the big chair. I guess watching for her family. Perhaps she was thinking of last year when she ended up with us for two weeks while her family went to Disneyland. Poor little girl. She did run around the house stopping to give me some love. She is so adorable. She likes to get Alvin going which is not necessarily a bad thing. They do well together. I have decided it may be a good idea for Alvin to spend some time with his sister, brother-in-law, Aspen and Milo when I have the office Christmas party. It may be too much for him. If it were one or two or even three people that is one thing but looks like will be over 10. Plus I will be able to concentrate on the company and having a good time without having to worry and care for him. Win, win. He needs some time with them for sure. They love him so much and as he is getting older, I am not sure how many more road trips he will be able to tolerate. He doesn’t like car rides as it is.

Time to fly. Lots to do. I need COFFEE, too.

Have a awesome Saturday.

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

Always, Carol & Alvin

PS: another item on the list is to wrap gifts. Oh, I cannot wait until I am able to get the new computer. Hopefully soon.

2021

Good Morning ALL! We made it to another Friday and another weekend. How wonderful is that? Pretty great, I think. My trusty sidekick is resting on his tummy just outside the office door. He likes laying on the carpet although he has a nice soft bed in my office, he seems to prefer to be there. Yesterday afternoon was great. I was able to drive and pick up Alvin’s food both hard and soft which means a bag and cans and also another container of his glucosamine chews followed by a trip to the post office at the local Shoppers Drug Mart where I mailed my Christmas cards and letters. I will say that I was a little shocked that several cards needed more postage but oh well. Glad to have that done and hope that they arrive on time to their destinations. While in the drugstore I picked up a few things that I needed before leaving for Save-On Foods. The store was not too busy and everything that I needed was there. There were not multiple bare shelves but the prices definitely have increased since the last time that I was shopping which was a bit ago. Some products on sale were sold out so I had to chose something else but that happens all of the time. It was so great to have some time to myself even though I was busy and like Cinderella I had a deadline, she had midnight and I had 3:00 p.m. but I made it back with plenty of time to spare. The residential streets or at least the ones in my neighbourhood were very icy. On my way to the Vet which was my first stop, some human being in their infinite wisdom was tailgating me, I thought to myself, sorry but I am not speeding down these icy streets. Perhaps I was driving a bit more slowly than required but not only was I being cautious, I was not driving my own vehicle and I was not about to get into an accident because was not patient. The roads were glare ice so I think I was doing the right thing. I was driving a reasonable speed for the conditions of the road. I was happy when they did not follow me into the Vet parking lot. I also dropped off the Christmas card for Dr. Karen and her staff along with photos of me and Alvin. They love receiving photos of their clients at Christmas time. I also mentioned that some Christmas Cookies would arrive sometime over the next couple of weeks and that I was baking this weekend. They were excited and said that they loved my baking. How kind. I decided to drive back the way that I came and go through my neighbourhood instead of taking the busier street which at that main intersection seems to have a great many accidents. Not taking unnecessary chances when there are icy roads. So obviously I made it home safe and sound and grateful for it. I had time to unload the car and put most things away before Alvin and I set out for his appointment. The sidewalks were okay as there was still crunchy snow covering them and only the driveways were icy.

Well time to head downstairs. Tonight is the first LIVE of my Fifth Avenue Collection Jewelry party. It is a mega party meaning there are multiple hostesses which is great. Good for the Jeweler.

I wish you a great Friday.

Tomorrow starts Christmas baking weekend.

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

Always, Carol & Alvin

2021

Good Morning ALL! How are you this Monday morning? Hard to believe the weekend is over already. Where does the time go? Alvin is patiently waiting in the hallway for me. He is laying on his tummy. I finished the Christmas cards and letters to be mailed yesterday. So once the photos arrive and are placed in with the cards and are sealed – they will be ready to be mailed. The mail to date is for December 2, 2021. I think that I read somewhere that our postage is increasing in the new year. Isn’t everything? It is pretty scary to think that there may be some shelves at the grocery store empty over the next days, weeks and months ahead. Items that are stuck in transit or just are beyond the reach of the grocers. I see very likely that our diets will change accordingly. With the recent events (flooding) in the Fraser Valley – the farm area – it will definity affect all of us. The farmers will be reeling from the loss and it will then turn to the consumer. Then there are the storage containers stuck in port in both Canada and the U.S. We may be reaching the end of the Pandemic or are we? I have not looked at the number lately but I have hope that people will get vaccinated and slow down the variants. Who would have thought that all this would happen? It sounds like a movie. I just take one day at a time. Keeping all those affected one way or the other in my thoughts and heart. It is surely getting crowded in there but you know I am feeling a lot of gratitude for my life. I have a nice home, Alvin and I are in good health, I am employed and able to work from home, I am able to plan my meals around what is accessible, I have clean drinking water, I have heat in my home, I am surrounded by good neighbours, I have a wonderful family and so much more. So everyday I am grateful. It is gratitude for my life and all those in it that get me through each and every day. No matter what has happened or will happen, I am grateful. Grateful that the sun rises each and every morning. Grateful that when Alvin wakes up – I can get up with him. Grateful that I wake up each and every morning. Grateful when I sit up and swing my legs over to the floor that my legs and feet will carry me whenever I need to go. There may be some moments when I am scared or nervous or stressed but I try very hard to keep those moments to just moments. Changing your thoughts to those of gratitude can certainly make a huge difference in one’s life. Life is seldom 100% silk and satin. There is always roughness along the way. The way we think and feel determines the difference between silk & satin and roughness. Feeling grateful for all that we have smooths away the roughness leaving the softness of silk and satin. I hope that you have more silk & satin in your life than roughness. Remember the mindset …… GRATITUDE. Truly it makes all of the difference.

Well time to go and put on the coffee pot. Work in a little bit. Still dark outside. Sunrise in a bit. Have the strength to have the gratitude for your life.

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

Always, Carol & Alvin

P.S. I baked some yummy cookies as I needed some sweet treats. Chocolate chip with some Halloween treats – smarties, cut up twix bars, and M&M’s. So yummy. That is what I did yesterday afternoon after our walk.

Living … One day at a time.

Good Morning and welcome to a clear sky Saturday morning.

Yay it is the weekend.

My friend dropped by last night with the new Christmas Wreath that I purchased from her craft sale.

It is absolutely beautiful.

I am so in love with this little owl.

My Mom passed many years ago and she had a passion for Owls.

She collected all sorts of ornamental owls.

 

Well we just had a phone call from Humphrey’s Mom.

Humphrey is here and will be spending the day with us.

It is almost 9:00 a.m. – how did that happen.

Time to get going.

Coffee.

Laundry.

Cleaning.

All the fun stuff.

 

Fun stuff for later …. Christmas cards.

Does anyone still write letters and send Christmas cards?

 

Alvin is on his blanket watching the office door which makes me think that Humphrey is in the hallway.

I just saw a shadow so he is now upstairs.

They will have company for the day which is nice.

I will be bathing Alvin later and taking him for a walk.

Walk first and bath second, of course.

I think he is okay in the hair cut department.

That will wait and perhaps just before Christmas – give him a trim.

 

No grand pearls of wisdom at this moment.

Just grateful to have the weekends off and to be at home.

I am grateful to be surrounded by great friends and family.

So happy to see the sun shining which will hopefully dry things up.

Not much snow left now.

 

Well I hope that you all have an awesome Saturday.

 

Happy Day.

Always, Carol, Alvin and Humphrey

 

 

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Tuesday the 29th day of November, 2016.

Crazy with the fog as of late.

Yesterday morning there were “fog advisors” in our area.

Now this morning there is fog again.

If the tales and perhaps the science is correct there will be lots of moisture in a few months.

Snow or rain that is the question?

So far this has been a crazy abnormal winter although it has not formally arrived for we, Western Canadians, and in Canada overall, November is Winter.

I am enjoying wearing my shoes to work and not having to carry or leave them at work.

We did have a bit of time that the boots were our choice of footwear but not as of now.

Likely December there will be snow.

 

We had a good sleep however in the morning I would also prefer to stay snuggled up to me Alvin than to get out of bed.

But I guess we have to make a living and part of that at this point in time has me leaving the house to go to the office.

I often think of those lucky folks who can work from home.

I do know that there are ups and downs, pros and cons to working from home but somedays and most especially this time of year – it would be nice.

Can you imagine?  No walk to the bus.  No waiting for said bus in snowstorms both in the morning and at night.

Oh well, where is the fun in that …. I guess.

 

Well after me “belly aching” about winter, buses, and snuggling in bed …. it is time for me to go and catch said bus.

I hope that you are doing well and that you have the most wonderful day.

Thank you.

 

On the upside I am working on Christmas Cards and letters.

Some are mailed and some are hand-delivered.

 

Special Hello to:  YOU.  Cannot imagine my life without you.

Always, Carol and Alvin

Thought for the day ……

Good Morning and Welcome to Wednesday the 16th day of December, 2015.

Not sure if I was not counting right but this morning when I checked the calendar including day and not including Christmas Day there are “EIGHT” days …..

Really I thought there were like nine or ten….. with Christmas Eve or without …..

I think I lost a day somewhere ….

Oh well …… will have to practice my numbers ….. one, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten ….. so far so good.

I guess one just has to have a sense of humour and not be afraid to get the facts/details not quite right.

Sometimes people get so hung up on the facts/details … which I do know are so  important.

But losing sight of what is truly important ….

Why debate with someone over a detail that will not end the world.

Why not let it go …. just move on.

I am a detail person but have found that over the recent years I am slowly letting things go ….

Not getting so hung up that my feelings are hurt if I have to let someone be right even though I know that I am right.

Really what difference does it make.

Something like losing a day when counting.

The fact that it did not snow on this day last year.

Or that Aunt Liz was an avid reader and your cousin thought she was into crafts.

At the end of the day ….. it really is not that important (other than being metrologist and you are really keeping track for historical purposes about the snowfall that is).

I am not sure why … now I remember … I lost count in the days leading up to Christmas.

See 277 words to explain ….

 

Wow, Alvin was just laying down and jumped up and is looking about ….. wonder what that is all about.

I want to keep my house with the only living creatures being Alvin and myself.

 

Well here it is mid week ….

I am always so excited to check the mailbox this time of year to see if I have received any Christmas cards.

I love to receive cards and letters.

Nice to reconnect with family and friends.

Catch up ….. love those letters.

 

Well almost time to get into the bedroom and start to get the “face” on (which is considerably less than in my youth), and dressed for work.

Thank you for reading my blog …. it truly means the world to me.

To be able to connect literally with folks such as yourself from every corner of this planet.

Have a wonderful day.

 

Special Hello to: my friends who always will be my friends….near or far.

Always, Carol and Alvin

Thought for the day…..

Good Morning and Welcome to Monday the 24th day of November, 2014.

One month until Christmas Eve.

I can hardly believe it.

Where has the year gone?

I sure hope that you have had a great year.

Now, most of us have had some bit of bad news or perhaps more than a bit.

But it is up to each of us how the rest of our time is affected by the news.

Some days rising above a hard phone call or remaining positive after being yelled at is not easy to do but that is exactly what you need to do.

We all have those phone calls when the news isn’t great.

We all have those people who just like to threaten.

There are always those who believe they are better than the rest of us.

There are always those people.

But I hope that for the most of this past year that you have had peace and joy in your lives.

So on this Monday let us not be those people ….. be kind …. be respectful and be loving.

Everyone deserve to be treated with respect, kindness and love.

Doesn’t matter if they are family, friends or strangers and this includes every living being ….. our pets …… the birds in the air and the deer in the fields.

Happy Monday Everyone.

Now I am off to work.

Special Hello to: all those folks who still write letters and send Christmas cards, me too.

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 Saturday the 21st day of December, 2013.

The only sounds that I can hear at this very moment are those of my fingers hitting the keyboard.

It seems so eerie ….

The sky is a pale blue as the sun begins to rise.

I can see out of my office window smoke rising from neighbouring chimneys.

Alvin slept over at his sister’s house so it is just me and it is so QUIET.

Do you ever have moments like these where it is so quiet you can hear your own breathing?

If I close my eyes I feel that peaceful solitude that comes with meditation.

Feels so good.

Furnace just cut in ….. (that is a good thing).

So on this last Saturday before Christmas ….. before all the excitement becomes so loud that you cannot think much less hear yourself breathe ….. take a few moments.

When you are in those moments ….. just sit in a comfy position, anywhere.

Close your eyes ….

Smile ….

Just breathe …. deeply …… deeply …..

Only concentrate of breathing ….. not of your TO DO list or how busy the mall is going to be.

I guarantee that the rest of the loud, crazy day will be so much easier to handle ……

I hope that you have an amazing Saturday.

WOW, it is so close now…….

YAY ……..

Special Hello to: my friend Linda …… thank you for the most beautiful card and we shall talk soon, I promise.

Always, Carol and Alvin

 

Thought for the day…..

Good Morning and Welcome to Monday the 9th day of December, 2013.

This is my “777th” THOUGHT FOR THE DAY and my LUCKY NUMBER SEQUENCE.

Wow, 16 sleeps till Christmas.

The mall was so busy yesterday …… I cannot believe how many people are out and about.

Just wondering if anyone makes anything anymore or just does something nice for someone.

Like cooking them a nice supper or perhaps offering to shovel their sidewalks for the winter.

So many wonderful things you can do for someone other than buying the stores out.

I think it is nice to buy something that someone would like but it is even better when someone puts thought and consideration into the gift.

Always good to mix it up ….

Buy things as it keeps me and so many others with employment.

Also make things ….. from the heart is always a good choice.

So on this Monday …… just remember to send a thoughtful card and letter to a friend or relative.

Cards and letters are so nice to receive.

I always look forward to them.

So on this Monday write that letter …..

Special Hello to: all my friends who live hundreds of miles away …. miss you.

Always, Carol and Alvin

So