It is a NEW YEAR.

Good Morning,

Sunday April 19th, 2020.

Forecast today is for double digit temperatures and to remain for the next couple of weeks.

I was tempted to turn my thermostat off yesterday but then decided there were still opportunities for freezing.

The sun is up and the blue sky is dotted with wisps of white clouds.

Well we had a fairly successful day yesterday.

One unexpected change and that was that Humphrey came to spend the day with us.

Due to company and just the way that things happened, I did the shovelling in the backyard.

Off the list.

Laundry completed.

Off the list.

Front coat closet, cleaned and winter items returned to the basement.

Winter / spring coats washed and put away accordingly.

Obviously spring/summer to front closet.

Mitts and scarves washed as well.

Off the list.

Switched winter clothes to spare room closet.

Switched summer clothes to my room closet.

I sure hope that I can fit into those summer clothes?

Argh.

Off the list.

Bathrooms cleaned.

Off the list.

Vacuumed.

Off the list.

Dusted.

Off the list.

We enjoyed a nice walk mid afternoon as well.

On our way home we passed by one of our friends who happened to be out on the driveway.

They were cleaning up after a driveway birthday party for her now 13 year old son.

I had forgotten.

We have a new teenager in the neighborhood.

She said they were surprised when her husband’s parents and his sister and children came to celebrate.

Everyone practiced the social distancing.

But her thirteen year old had a party with some of the family which was nice.

When I moved to Edmonton he was not quite 2 years old.

Wow, time flies.

It was a good day.

We had a garage visit with one of our friends near the beginning of the walk, which was great.

Another friend and her pup …. we chatted a few minutes later into the walk.

Near the lake we saw another friend and her pup.

A good day to see friends.

We were happy to see Humphrey as well.

 

I have a dilemma.

Alvin needs a bath.

I want to have a bath (but would rather shower).

I want to bath so that I can just have a good soak.

Usually I do not have the patience to sit in the tub for very long.

We want to walk.

So if we do the baths this morning.

Walking in the afternoon would be good.

Thank you I just answered my question.

So breakfast and coffee.

Followed by bath for me.

Then bath for Mr. Alvin.

Likely better if I go first.

By mid afternoon he will be long dry and hopefully more of the water on the sidewalk will have dried up.

 

I also want to call my siblings.

Seems like the days pass and I think about them like always, but don’t get to those calls.

I am sure that I am not alone.

I will admit that I am not great at making phone calls.

I love chatting when I am on the phone but making calls not so much.

 

Well I guess it is time to get this show on the road so that we can get those baths in while it is still morning.

Back to work tomorrow.

I am looking forward to using the big monitor.

So much better than just the laptop screen.

 

Quick story, last night while watching the ONE WORLD special, I happened to see movement across the street.

Turning my head I saw four large rabbits come down the grass from the other side of the street and run onto the street.

They all four ran down the street together.

It was so crazy.

I prayed that no cars would come along.

But they were okay.

We have lots of rabbits in our community.

 

I have also decided that I am going to take a day of vacation perhaps near the end of this week and spend some time out in the neighbourhood.

The trash that has accumulated is horrible.

I cannot believe how much.

I also found some styrofoam packing materials in my basement window well (outside).

Also cleaned up in front of my house and my immediate neighbours.

There are even a great many disposable gloves (the latex/non-latex ones).

I did not have the means to pick any of those items up so I left them.

I have disposable gloves and a trash picker so I will go and clean up the hood.

Usually when we are out and about, I do pick up certain items and put them in the trash.

It was easier when wearing mittens/gloves.

Anyway, note to people.

Please pick up the trash.

If we all do this ….

Then we are a team.

If it is just me or just you.

Then we are not a team.

Remember when packing your recycling items to place them in a bag not loosely in a blue bin.

Loosely packed means wind will blow them to my house or elsewhere.

 

Have an awesome Sunday.

Time to have breakfast and coffee.

Get those baths done.

Get this day going.

It is almost 9:00 a.m.

Where does the time go?

 

Happy Sunday.

Trying to live always with kindness and respect.

Sometimes there may be the odd slip up but that is okay.

 

With kindness and respect for all.

I/We remain,

As Always, Carol & Alvin

 

 

 

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Friday the 24th day of March, 2017.

YAY, it is Friday.

I have often been thinking as of late that somehow the weekdays seem to evaporate as quickly as the weekends.

 

Mr. Alvin was just standing in the doorway to the office and starring at me and “doing that quick little whining thing that he does.”

He does that when he is nervous about something.

Whining isn’t quite what the sound is … more of a nervous bit of a noise.

Anyway he has this thing for the laminate flooring that is all over my house except for the stairs and landing.

For some reason during the past year or so he fidgets and fusses when he has to cross the floor.

Or at least when he stops to think about it.

Anyway I coaxed him to come in and now he is sitting under my computer desk on the bit of rug for the chair.

He most days sits outside the office while I write my blog.

Today he wants to be near me.

Oh, me Alvin.

Gotta love my boy.

 

Well our weather has been warming up …. single digits on the plus side.

Most of the snow and ice has melted.

I have been debating all night and morning thus far about whether to wear boots or shoes.

I have decided to wear my winter boots today.

Either would work.

So happy that the sidewalks are almost clear.

 

Another thing likely on my TO DO LIST this weekend is picking up the trash on the walkway that I take coming home from work and also the rest of the neighbourhood.

This year seems worse than last.

So many pieces of cardboard, disposable cups from nearby fast food restaurants and coffee shops ( I will not name them at this time ).

Not the business fault.

If people would start by securing their recycling at garbage time, that would help immensely.

Also STOP throwing their empty coffee and cold drink cups on the ground when they are finished with them.

Such a pity.

Beautiful neighbourhood littered with CRAP.

Does make me mad.

Oh well, it is great exercise for me although it is an hour or so away from me Alvin, which makes me sad.

People do not think of that of course ….. silly people.

 

Time to fly …. gotta get on my BOOTS not shoes and coat and head to the bus stop.

Have an awesome Friday.

Please ensure that you are placing your trash in the appropriate garbage container.

Thank you.

 

Special Hello to: YOU …. Happy Friday.

Always, Carol and Alvin

Thought for the day

This morning my daughter Amanda and I took a walk around our neighbourhood and picked up the trash.  Four bags and two hours later we cleaned up our area.  It still amazes me the amount of litter that is “disgracing” our neighbourhood.  People seem to just walk by the same empty milk jug day after day.  Also the community mailboxes are a drop off zone for flyers and unwanted mail.  I wish that people would take more pride in their community.  It is so easy to do.  Just bend over and pick up that piece of paper and put it in your trash can.  Not difficult.  Not at all.  Do we really want our children and pets possibly eating something off the ground or handling something dirty?   Remember to recycle.  Also I would mention that the blue bins that are used in your home to contain the recycling are not meant to house those items waiting outside on the curb for the garbage guys.  The wind comes up and blows and blows.  Suddenly those papers and cardboard bits are all over your neighbourhood.

My thought for the day is:  Littering is still a crime.  Crime to yourself.  Crime to your neighbourhood.  Crime to the world.  We need to take more pride in the world around us.  I want my grandchildren and all the babies that are born to be surrounded by the same beauty, as I had growing up.  Please.