2021

Good Morning ALL! Welcome to a grey windy WET Saturday morning. Both Alvin and I are grateful for the moisture as it is so terribly dry out there. We hope that some of this rain is coming down in the areas affected by the wildfires and helping to extinguish them. I also hope that the winds there are calm. Definitely not as windy at this moment as it was yesterday and the night before as it felt as though we would blow away house and all.

Alvin and I were disappointed when Teddy and Kobi did not come over yesterday for the day. Their parents were going to paint the rental unit and with the rain they would not be able to keep the windows opened. My friend has asthma. So perhaps next Tuesday. Looks like the rain is settling in for this day at least. Tomorrow is supposed to be partial cloudy/sunny, I think. We did not go for a walk between the wind and start of the rain yesterday. Does not look like a walking day for us today either. As this is laundry day we will get in several hundred steps going up and down three flights of stairs. Up and down and down and up this day. LOL.

Last night I was watching a recorded favourite show of mine and it was running past our usual bedtime. Next thing I knew Mr. Alvin was standing at the bottom of the stairs and just glaring at me. I understood and as the show was in the final couple of minutes I watched it and then quickly turned off the television, grabbed my phone charger from the kitchen counter, my glass of water and phone and headed upstairs where now Alvin was waiting for me. What a guy. He is truly a “routine” kind of creature. I do understand that. He has also been sitting by the side of the sofa that faces the fireplace and staring into the glass doors looking at his reflection. Sometimes he growls, whines or barks. Odd, that he has only now in the past few weeks realized this in all the years that we have lived together. What a guy!

Well time to head on downstairs, we have had another one of our up and down early mornings. I don’t know why I even mention them anymore as this is my life/our life. Every night and every morning. Nothing new here.

Time to get the coffee perking and laundry going.

Tomorrow my family is coming for Mother’s Day. I am going to cook an early supper.

On the Menu:

Tomato, Caramelized Onions with Lentil Pasta

Homemade Black Bean Burgers used kind of as a Meatball

Green Peas

Corn

Garlic Chili Scone/Biscuits

Homemade Brownies for dessert

This is a Vegetarian almost Vegan meal.

I am using butter in the Biscuits/Scones otherwise would be Vegan.

Sounds yummy to me.

I cannot wait to serve this to my family.

I am going to make the black bean burgers today as a trial run. The pasta I made last weekend and it was so good.

Brownies is a new recipe.

Well time to go. Wishing you a wonderful Saturday. I am going to do laundry, wrap a gift for my daughter for Mother’s Day and do some writing. I was inspired last night as I prepared for bed.

Continuing to live this life with respect, kindness, compassion and patience for all.

Always, love Carol & Alvin

Living … One day at a time.

Hello, good morning.

It is a beautiful morning here in Edmonton.

The sun is shining and as I look out of my office window at home, I can see the sun shining through the golden leaves of a neighbour’s tree to the south.

So beautiful.

This is our Canadian Thanksgiving long weekend.

I am thankful for all of the things in my life.

Even the “cold sore” that seems to have landed on my upper lip.

I have so much to be thankful for.

Even the messy stuff is all good.

Every bit of life good or bad is to be thankful for.

My life is certainly not perfection and I sometimes might choose to see life through rose coloured glasses but …

It is my life ….

I am surrounded by the best people and while they are fantastic even those relationships are sometimes not 100% rosey.

But that is life.

Right?

Perfection is sloppy.

Perfection is messy.

Perfection is your perfect.

Different for everyone.

We had a great night with Humphrey over for a visit.

I am always amazed at how well they get on.

The first moment he arrives …. Alvin runs to the door and they touch noses.

I guess that is their way of saying hello.

If one goes outside they both go outside.

If one comes in most times they both come in.

Tonight Teddy comes for a sleepover.

He will spend Sunday with us.

Tomorrow my daughter, son-in-law and grand pups comes for our Thanksgiving meal.

Life is good.

 

Well time to get that life is good thing going …. there is laundry to do and coffee to drink.

Time to change from pj’s into day time clothes.

 

With kindness and respect I shall live my life.

Remembering how blessed I am.

 

Always, Carol & Alvin

Happy Thanksgiving …

 

 

 

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Thursday the 1st day of December, 2016.

Yes it is December and yes there are twenty-three, 23 sleeps until Christmas Eve Day.

Are you ready?

Have you continued with your traditions or will you be starting some new ones this Christmas?

I am proud to say that every year we revamp our Christmas traditions.

Some years you may not notice but others you definitely would.

Last year Christmas was at my daughters and we had Christmas Dinner catered.

This year Christmas is at my house and I am cooking a turkey.

Nice change.

Last year we exchanged gifts and this year we had planned not to exchange them between myself, my daughter and son-in-law.

I came up with something different, not buying but still something to exchange.

Good for the recycle, reuse as we are all trying not to spend money on things that we at the end of the day do not really need.

So we will look through our homes and find items that we think each other would love.

Not too difficult.

There are so many ways to make Christmas extra special.

I think that the thing I love the most about this time of year is spending it with family and friends perhaps sharing a meal or just some treats freshly baked.

So when you are running around like the Mad Hatter stop and think about all of those purchases that perhaps you are putting on your credit card.

Do you really need to do this?

Does the person really need that $200 sweater?

Give more from the heart.

Start making things …. people love home-made.

It is the wave of the future.

For those people that you have no idea but want to give ….. bake some sugar cookies or fudge.

There are ways.

How about that vase of Aunt’s that you have had sitting on the shelf forever but your Sister loves it so much.

Give it to your sister.

The gesture will be priceless.

Think about your options.

Please do not get into debt over the holidays.

So not worth it.

Really I can tell you that from experience.

Well time to hit the frosty trail to the bus again.

Have a wonderful first day of December.

Don’t sweat things ….. make a list.

That is one of my tasks for tomorrow evening is to take a calendar and write down everything that needs to be done and purchased between now and December 31, 2016.

That way no surprises….

Bye for now.

Special Hello to: my friends and family all over the world.

Always, Carol and Alvin

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Wednesday the 2nd day of March, 2016.

WOW, we are now in March.

How exciting!

Spring is just around the corner and then summer.

We had such a beautiful winter for this part of the world.

Now we just had a dump of snow and it has almost all melted.

But March is one of those months that are tricky.

You just never know …..

But it will be short lived and whatever comes – comes.

 

Last night the doorbell rang and there stood the birthday girl.

My friend who celebrated her birthday last week and for whom we had the party on Saturday.

She was returning the plate that I had sent home on Saturday with some cake and a CARD.

A card for me ….

So sweet she gave me and Alvin a “thank you card.”

You certainly do not see that much anymore.

So sweet …. the girls gave me flowers for hosting and then a card.

WOW.

Feeling pretty great right now.

I must download the photos that I snapped of the flowers.

They are so pretty. ….. will try and do that tonight ….

 

Well here we go again almost time to leave for the bus.

One more sleep until I meet my friends from Saskatoon.

They should be in Edmonton now.

But I am meeting them at West Edmonton Mall tomorrow night after work for supper and a visit.

I am so excited.

 

I hope that you have a wonderful day.

Remember to thank those folks who host a meal, give you a gift or just for being great people.

Special Hello to: all of my friends …. thank you.

Always, Carol and Alvin

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Friday the 29th day of January, 2016.

Wow, another three days and we will be putting another January to rest, to bed.

February is a great month ….. we celebrate the HEART.

What could be better than that …..

We do it in a multitude of ways ….. with flowers and chocolate.

By fundraising and canvassing for the Heart Fund.

We send cards and make up our own.

We take loved ones out for a nice meal.

But truly the best way to celebrate the HEART month is to give of yourself in a kind and loving manner.

So as we say goodbye to the first month of the New Year ….. what can we/I say?

It was one of those months and for the most part considering the New Year is supposed to be a new start and all – generally January is mixed.

Our weather has been mixed …… few cold miserable days …. many warm ones.

So on this third last day of the month perhaps if we think about the outgoing month we can help make the next one GREAT.

I am putting my THREE not so great events behind us and moving forward.

February is going to be the best one ever ….

I can feel it in my bones.

We are saying good-bye to this month with mild weather which is always a blessing.

I cannot say enough good things about my new “spikes” ….. “tires for the feet” ….. they are GREAT.

I love them ….. even the clicking sound they make when you are not walking on ice and snow.

Well almost time to get this show on the road once again.

I hope that you have an incredible FRIDAY ….. may the winds of change bring US ALL all things WONDERFUL.

Take Care.

Special Hello to: my sister ….. almost SKYPE time once again ….. YAY.

Always, Carol and Alvin

 

Thought for the day…..

Good Morning and Welcome to Sunday the 14th day of December, 2014.

Only 10 sleeps until Christmas Eve.

The weather here in Edmonton is spring-like.

The sun is up now and the sky is clear …. so beautiful.

It is peaceful here in my household.

Alvin is looking out our bedroom window taking in the neighbourhood as he always does ….

Penny and Elton are laying on the sofa downstairs.

A “Normal Rockwell” scene.

I am almost ready to leave for my Sunday shift at the store.

My past couple of shifts have been very busy so I can only assume that today will be the same.

I can only imagine what yesterday was like ……

People hustling and bustling about trying to get that shopping done.

I did spend more money this Christmas than I have in the past three.

But I did not get carried away.

It is all about spending time with loved ones.

Sharing memories and laughter.

Maybe a meal or three …. small gifts.

So on this Sunday the second last one before Christmas arrives, I hope that you are well and happy.

I hope that you have time to just kick back and enjoy the tree lights if you have one.

If not, I hope that you are able to just sit back and enjoy life.

Have a wonderful Sunday ….. time to enjoy a quick cup of coffee before I leave for work.

Special Hello to: Everyone this Holiday Season.

Always, Carol and Alvin

Thought for the day….

Good Morning and Welcome to Wednesday the 11th day of December, 2013.

Are you counting the days until Christmas?

15 sleeps till Christmas ….

I hope that you are enjoying the holiday season.

In between the shopping and the baking and the children’s concerts and the late nights at work – I hope that you are just enjoying listening to some great Christmas music while enjoying the lights as they sparkle on the Christmas tree.

Take some quiet time to reflect on the past year and think to next year.

Be grateful for what you have.

I hope that you are as blessed as me.

To have a tree.

To have a home.

To be able to hear the music.

I also believe at this time and all throughout the year that we should help those less fortunate than ourselves.

If you know someone who needs a bit of help or perhaps some encouragement …. lend an ear or a hand.

Even when you do not have an excess amount of cash to help others there are many other ways to do so.

You can invite someone over for a meal.

You could go through your pantry and make up a package for a nice meal.

You can go through your closet and give away that coat or sweater that you have not worn since last year.

Give a pair of mittens or a scarf.

Volunteer at a shelter for humans or animals.

Go visit a senior’s centre.

Bake some cookies for a neighbour.

Shovel a sidewalk for someone disabled or elderly.

All the creatures on this earth can use a hand.

Be mindful and be kind.

So on this mid week day I challenge you all to be “mindful of what you do and say” and “to be kind to every living creature.”

We all inhabit this beautiful planet and are all here for a reason …..

Special Hello to: SURPRISES …. you never know when or how.

Always, Carol and Alvin