It is a NEW YEAR.

Good Tuesday Morning.

The sky is odd this morning with a mix of shine and cloud.

It is warm already in the house OR perhaps it never really cooled down.

We have a few really good fans that kept us cool during the night so that we could sleep.

It is another reminder to get the Central Air Conditioning serviced.

I have to make that call.

But for now we are comfortable with the fans.

Yesterday we squeaked in a walk before the temperature was too warm.

By after work it was too warm for us to go.

We decided to work in the backyard for our exercise and additional fresh air.

Alvin loves to sit outside.

In fact, earlier this morning he just sat outside for a few minutes before we had to return upstairs for his Momma to get ready for work.

Wow, that was a mouth full.

Anyway, he does loves to relax on the deck.

*********

How are you doing today?

I hope that you are well.

Question for you?

Do you choose your outfit the night before bed for the next day?

Or are you a let’s see what strikes me kind of person in the morning?

Well generally I am the first.

I like to be organized.

In the morning our routine was pretty much set before COVID19 hit.

Since being home it has changed somewhat but I still choose my clothing right down to the underwear the night before bed.

Okay, when you get dressed ….

Is there sometimes and I have found now that I am home that I just cannot make a decision?

Nothing seems to fit right?

Nothing seems comfortable?

Nothing works?

I know that I have put on some weight.

Yup, another thing we can blame on COVID19 which is a lot easier than blaming oneself.

Okay, I know it is not COVID19’s fault (and here I am speaking about it as if it is a person, oh my goodness sake).

But then the sun comes out and you put on something that makes you feel like a million dollars even with the extra weight.

The colour suits you and the cut is amazing.

It is that little top in your closet or perhaps a pair of pants.

That you always feel good wearing.

For some reason it does not hit the top of the list often enough.

I have that top on this morning.

The colour is good on me.

Turquoise blue.

It has an embossed dragonfly with some gold sequins and other coloured ones.

The cut is good.

My buddha belly is semi disguised although not entirely.

It is just a top that was well made.

Short sleeves.

Has the right amount of stretch to be flattering.

I love this top.

I was just thinking that it would be fantastic to have more of this top.

But alas it was a hand me down and I have no idea of where it came from and most likely they don’t make this anymore.

But for this moment, for this day, I shall run with the feeling of a $million dollars$$.

 

Mr. Alvin has a vet appointment at lunchtime to check his ears.

I believe that he has an infection in his left one.

Better to be safe than sorry.

He has been uncomfortable the past couple of days and I surely do not wish him to suffer.

 

Okay, time to start drinking that “to go” mug of coffee.

Have an awesome day.

I hope that you have that “turquoise top with the dragonflies.”

Something that makes you feel special.

Cause you are, you know.

 

Living my life with kindness and respect and of course a tinch of fun.

I/We, shall remain,

Always, Carol & Alvin

 

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Saturday the 27th day of April, 2019.

Well at 3:30 this morning we got up; we being Alvin, Teddy and me.

The grass was green and all was well.

We laid back down again until 5:00 a.m. and the pups had breakfast.

Went outside and did their business.

Then we got up at 5:58 a.m. and looked out to see what had happened below.

I took this photo with my tablet and had saved it to Facebook thus the size of the photo.

Now it is after 9:00 a.m. and there is several inches of the white stuff covering the deck.

The umbrellas on the patio tables are blowing in the wind.

I forgot about the plant that I had placed on the deck last weekend.

It is a type of grass so am hoping that it will survive the blast of snow and coolness.

 

So today is going to be a lazy day.

Will get some laundry going soon.

The snow has just made us want to sleep …. even the boys are thinking the same.

Movie day ……

It will be a quiet one.

Lazy day….. with my boys.

 

Wishing you all a great Saturday.

Hoping that wherever you are …. that you are safe and warm.

Good day to read a book …..

 

I am so grateful to my friend S who called to let me know that she had been trying to get us tickets to see the new AVENGERS movie ENDGAME but everywhere was sold out.

Just the mere thought made me feel like a million dollars.

Noticed that a few people had seen and were posting comments on FB, so I looked away.

I understand their excitement but I wished that perhaps they would not give details until the rest of us were able to see the movie.

Oh well, such as life.

 

Special Hello to: my sister ….

Always, Carol & Alvin

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Friday the 15th day of March, 2019.

Last night was so beautiful but not great for walking.

I went out into the back yard – actually on the deck to pick up poop from this morning.

Yup, I know, another poop story.

But this is cute.

Alvin climbed up onto the snowbank that takes up half of the deck to do his business.

Me, in my slip on shoes, decided to go up and pick up the poop.

Everything was going well ….. Alvin turned around and was waiting for me.

I picked up the poop and went to turn to come down …. when due to my weight …. went into the snow and my shoe came off.

Ended up with a shoe full of snow.

Yup, I was walking in the snowbank with one sock and one shoe on.

I delicately balanced a couple of bags of poop and grabbed my shoe that was buried in the snow.

Not impressed but I kept my cool and just laughed it off.

Because really what else are you going to do.

So that was my Alvin story.

Note to self:  wear boots when in a snow bank.

 

We received a phone call from Alvin’s best friend’s Mom last night.

She invited us over for supper and a visit.

We had already had supper when she called and we were not going to walk because of the ice and water.

So Teddy and his Momma came for a visit.

I love the way the boys greet each other with so much energy and joy.

You can feel that energy in the room.

AS soon as Alvin sees their car pull up ….. he starts to wag his tail and bark his HELLO..

Then he runs to the door.

Usually I peek out to see when they are coming up the walk and then I open the door.

Teddy running down the walk and Alvin running from the house.

Just like in the movies.

So cute.

They say hi and into the house.

Run about …. grabbing a chew treat along the way …..

Just makes you feel like a million dollars.

They bring us great joy.

Whether separate or together….

We had such a great visit.

I shared with her one of Steeped Tea’s newest blends, a Rooibos tea called LUSH LEMON.

Oh, it was so nice.

I have been enjoying it for the past few nights.

We laughed and almost cried a few times sharing more of our life’s stories.

I love getting to know people …. we all have such wonderful stories ….. if only someone would listen.

I love to listen and so does my friend …..

Hard to believe it will be four years on July 20th that we met.

Yup, it was July 20th, 2015.

WOW.

We talked about how memorable Mr. Alvin is and that everyone remembers his name and him.

At the end of this month it will be ten years since I moved to Edmonton and into my very first house.

My first house on my own …

It has been and is so very wonderful.

I am a lucky girl.

 

So today is Friday.

The start of the weekend after we put in the day unless you are lucky to be at the end of your shift or perhaps you took today off.

I am excited for the weekend.

Tomorrow Alvin has his first pedicure and regular appointment since his surgery.

We were at the Vet to have his stitches removed a few weeks back.

You cannot see that he had surgery at all.

I also have to hit the grocery store to pick up the ingredients for the FRUIT PIZZA which was requested as my daughter’s “birthday cake.”

We will have to decorate and they are coming on St. Patrick’s Day so I wonder how much green, I have ….. mmmmmm.

Green streamers?

I know that I have lime green ones, yes, somewhere.

Tidy up the house.

YAY, family coming on Sunday.

We are having PIZZA for supper and FRUIT PIZZA for dessert.

It will be a pizza party.

 

Well here we go again …. time to leave for work.

Be careful out there as there is lots of ice, most especially in the residential areas.

Have an awesome Friday.

Happy St. Patrick’s Day early.

 

Special Hello to: all of you ….. you make my life, awesome.

Always, Carol & Alvin

 

Thought for the day ….

Good Morning and Welcome to Thursday the 14th day of September, 2017.

 

FOREVER CHANGED

Last night as I prepared for bed,

before I laid my head down upon my pillow,

before I drew the blankets about me to keep me warm and dry.

I thought of all those souls, of all those creatures of land, water and sky.

Lives lost and forever changed.

Struggling to keep safe from the fires burning in Western Canada.

Praying for rain with no lightning and no wind.

Of those trying to escape the massive flooding and destruction caused by the Hurricanes in the Southern United States, and in the many islands of the Caribbean.

Praying for sunshine and the wind and rain to stop.

Of those who are searching for loved ones in the rubble of the largest Earthquake in 100 years, in Mexico.

It warms my heart to hear stories of people reaching out to help each other.

Strangers going into neighbourhoods to rescue beloved pets that got left behind.

First Responders risking their lives to help.

There were no political agendas, no thought of race or religion.

Just humans helping.

Despite the danger and risk to themselves.

People coming together to help.

I am forever changed.

I am so grateful to have my own bed in my own home.

I am so grateful to be warm and dry.

I am so grateful to snuggle with me, Alvin on this night.

Safe and sound and together.

Grateful in the knowledge that my family and friends are safe and warm as well.

Gone are those thoughts that have irritated me during the day, and that keep me awake at night.

For they are not important.

Life can change in the blink of an eye.

What is important ….

 

Each other ….

You are all in my thoughts and prayers ….

Each human being, each creature of land, water and sky ….

All those affected …..

As you are all important to me and to this planet.

 

Written by: CYLewis, September 13, 2017.

 

Special Hello to: Dedicated to the survivors of Hurricane Harvey and Hurricane Irma.

Always, Carol & Alvin

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Wednesday the 29th day of June, 2016.

Only one more day left in June, 2016.

This morning I am leaving the house 15 minutes earlier than usual due to the interruption in bus service.

Meaning that they removed my bus from the regular schedule.

Hopefully it is only for the summer months.

If I leave at my normal time I wait for 20 minutes at the bus stop and then arrive at work just in time, not late but not early.

I am old school and need to arrive early ….

So with extra time this morning I will stop at the Save-On by work and pick up bananas which we are out of ……

 

I was thinking while in the shower about what I would write on my blog this morning.

My mind went to Alvin.

How our beloved dogs and cats make us feel like a million dollars.

They warm our hearts.

They are food for our soul.

Comforting and loving.

My most favourite times with Alvin are sitting on the patio sofa and he jumps up and lays down beside me and we just sit there.

No expectations.  Nothing to do.  Just be.  Just starring into the air.  Sometimes he is sniffing …. catching the scent of whatever passes his nose.

The other is at bedtime …. he takes a few minutes to get settled.

Always at the end of it all …. he lays down at my side and nestles close.

He always makes me feel loved, wanted and needed.

He brings me joy and contentment.

So much for a little guy.

Well time to fly ….. gotta leave extra early.

I did not quite articulate what I was thinking earlier but I think you get the idea.

Always …. he is at the door to greet me after a long day.

Thank you me Alvin.

 

Special Hello to: all the pups and kitties out there, thank you.

Always, Carol and Alvin

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Tuesday the 22nd day of December, 2015.

Only TWO days until Christmas EVE.

Can you feel it in the air?

This year it feels more like Christmas than it has in a few …

Likely as I was not working in retail …. there is something about people being grumpy …. grabbing and pulling to take the air out of your balloon.

I am very grateful for my time in retail as it has made my resolve stronger when it comes to my feelings of those who work in the industry of customer service.

I would ask that during these last few days before the big day that you treat those working in stores, restaurants and the like with care and respect.

They are working to support their families and themselves just like you and me.

They are no different …. we are all the same.

I treat the person who sweeps the floors the same as the person who runs the company.

We all have jobs to do and deserve respect ….

Remember you are no better and no worse than the person next to you.

We are all living breathing beings.

SO whether you are a Customer Service Representative in retail or the CEO of a big corporation, it does not matter.

Each job we do is important.

How about ……

Turn the frown into a smile.

Turn that hasty snide remark into a compliment or holiday greeting.

How about we start a new trend …. being nice to all those folks we encounter during the course of our days.

It doesn’t take anymore work to be nice than naughty.

I tell you …. you will feel like a MILLION DOLLARS.

Let us warm our hearts this Christmas and Holiday Season.

I would like to add that there are a great many folks out there that would come into the store and treat each of us with kindness and respect.

But it should be 100% of people that are nice not just a few.

We also need to extend this kindness and respect to every creature whether two-legged or four.

Happy Holidays.

Time to start the final stages of preparation for work.

I hope that you have an awesome Tuesday.

Are you smiling?

You will accomplish more with a smile than a frown…..

You will, trust me.

Special Hello to: my friend “M” and my sister who faithfully read my blog, thank you.

Always, Carol and Alvin

 

 

Thought for the day ……

Good Morning and Welcome to Saturday the 18th day of July, 2015.

It is a bright sunny breezy morning here in Edmonton.

I always appreciate the weekends and being at home.

Sure sometimes I am not fond of having to clean the bathrooms …. but I am at home.

When you go from having two jobs and working seven days a week …. having the weeknights and weekends free ….

Well it is amazing …..

I love sitting here writing on my blog with the window open listening to the children a couple doors down as they play in their back yard.

I love snuggling with Alvin every chance I get ….

I love watering my flowers and taking in their beautiful fragrances.

I love going for walks after supper with Alvin and enjoying our neighbourhood and each other.

I do actually love to clean and today is a cleaning day……

I love doing laundry and listening to my favourite songs.

I love dancing with Alvin and he “tolerates.”

I love thinking and planning what I am going to do ….. writing up a TO DO LIST.

So many things to do and now I do have the time.

There is time to relax.

There is time to write.

There is time to entertain.

There is time to visit my friends.

There is time to go for walks.

There is time to live my life.

But always at the end of the day I am very grateful to have had the second job when I needed it.

I worked with great people and most days had fun working.

Of course, there is always that one customer that would “sink your ship” but then there would be several that would make you feel like a million dollars.

So worth it and really every person should have to work retail.

All in all, I have a pretty amazing life.

I have my own house ….. which ten years ago I would not have thought possible.

I have a dog ….. never would have thought that would happen.

I lived for six years within walking distance to my kids (the last year under the same roof).

Some days there might be a small dark cloud that follows me around the house ( I do not mean Alvin ) but I try to let that be for a short time only.

Most of the time I feel that I have rainbows shining over me …..

My pot of gold is my life …… me Alvin … my daughter…. all my family, friends …….

Well it is time to go quickly to a neighbour’s garage sale as I said that I would and then come get Mr. Alvin and walk to the Vet to pick up food for our Miss Penny (who is visiting tomorrow with her Momma).

THEN WORK …….. but I will enjoy it ….. blast the music and in between it all dance with Mr. Alvin.

Special Hello to: all those folks who feel like there are dark clouds over head ….. you can change it …. bring on the rainbows.. your life is your life ….. make it what you want it to be.

Always, Carol and Alvin

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Thursday the 25th day of June, 2015.

It is an unusual morning here in Edmonton …. well compared to the past few mornings.

Started out with sunny skies and a few clouds and to the south the sky is clouded over.

Now if I look out the bedroom window that faces north I can see the sun coming up and there are clouds.

The forecast was for sunny skies and 27 degrees celsius today.

We will see.

Well I do know one thing for absolute certainty – Mr. Alvin loves blueberries and bananas.

Actually I knew he liked them a lot but there is no doubt now.

I was running a bit late ….. started to read a book and staying up a bit later reading.

The book is called ” I Am MALALA” written by the young girl that was shot because of her belief.

So interesting and very hard to put down.

Anyway I had to make a bathroom break before breakfast (too much info, sorry) and Mr. Alvin sat there and whined and the odd little bark.  Oh how he loves his routine and especially when blueberries are added to the banana.

Well there is nothing wrong with routine.

He is so cute ….. me Alvin.

There are three sleeps now until I see my beloved (my only) sister.

I miss our talks and our get togethers.

Not quite as easy to see each other regularly when we live in different cities.

Although since the advent of SKYPE – it does make the actual seeing one another easier.

Sunday I get to see her in the flesh ….. that will be great.

My youngest brother will be there, too.  He also lives in another city.

Yes, we are all spread out.  But three out of the four of us will be together on Sunday for a visit.

The brother of the nephew in the hospital might be there too …. family reunion.

We also will be seeing my nephew (he was in an accident last October and was in a coma) and it will be great to see how far he has come since arriving at the Brain Injury Facility in Ponoka.

Well the clock on the wall …. says time to get going …..

I hope that you have an awesome day.

Keep cool and safe today.

Be kind and generous ….. always try to do at least one thing for someone else each day.

It does make you feel like a million dollars when someone is thanking you instead of yelling at you.

Special Hello to: my sister and brother ……

Always, Carol and Alvin

Thought for the day……

Good Morning and Welcome to Sunday the 24th day of May, 2015.

It is a beautiful morning here in Edmonton, sun shining and a cool breeze masking the heat.

Yesterday felt like a July day ….. HOT.

Weather is a funny thing not funny ha ha but strange.

This morning is what I deem as perfection.

It is warm but the breeze keeps it comfortable to be out and about.

Great for walking.

But alas, Mr. Alvin is on his sleepover at his sister’s house.

His first one at their new place.

I am excited to hear all about it.

While he was away and the reason for his sleepover the furnace was cleaned.

Two of the nicest young men did the job.

Funny though they both told me different sizes for the furnace filter ( I already know which one ).

Perhaps it was the hot day that messed with their memory.

Once they left I got busy …. it was close to 4 p.m. but better late than ever.

I dug out three shrubs from the front “flower bed” ……

It took some work and at one point I was thinking it would have been nice to have had some help.

But I kept at it and got them out.

Got most of the dirt from the roots and then as the shrubs lay on the lawn …..

Now what?

One was quite heavy and with branches how am I going to dispose of them.

Aha, I thought ….. get those big stretchy black garbage bags …..

I managed to squeeze each one into their own bag.

Then lugged them to the back …. up the steps and onto the deck and up more steps and into the garage.

It took me almost one hour to get the shrubs out but I must tell you, I felt like a million dollars.

I did it all by myself …… I am strong and not reliant on someone else.

It was a good thing.

Then after that I raked and moved the dirt around in the now naked flower bed.

Also the neighbour behind is building a huge garage and has a big pile of top soil so I decided to ask him if I would be able to use some to top up my front flower bed.  He kindly said “yes.”

Then I had to find something to put the dirt into …. I found a ten gallon pail in my garage.

Now let me you a pail full of dirt is not light.

But I hauled five of them from his yard across the back alley into my garage down both sets of steps on my deck across the path between me and my neighbour’s to the front flower bed.

What a great workout.

I do believe that going to bootcamp helped me to complete this task.

I definitely could feel my core and arms doing what they were supposed to ….

Here are some photos:  furnace cleaners and the flower bed ….. forgot to take before photos !!

Was so grateful to have my kids shovels and garden tools to use….

Now all I need is a couple of bags of potting soil to top it up and then some flowers.

YAY ….. I did it.

Well time for breakfast and coffee…

Happy Sunday and always remember “do not sell yourself short.”

You are stronger than you think.

You are better than you think.

You are more resourceful than you think.

You can do anything.

Special Hello to: all the single women in the world……

Always, Carol and Alvin

Thought for the day…..

Good Morning and Welcome to Thursday the 19th day of March, 2015.

One day closer to SPRING.

Are you getting excited?

Perhaps for some folks you may still have a ton of snow but with the sun higher in the sky it is warmer, and it will melt more quickly.

Not to worry.

Spring is right around the corner.

We are so blessed as our sidewalks are almost clear of the ice.

The streets and sidewalks are now topped with tiny bits of gravel from the City dusting the ice over the winter months.

There is dirt in the air ….

I am so excited for some rain …… just a nice shower would do.

I am so grateful that Mr. Alvin and I have been able to walk every night after work.

I can feel our “winter weight” slowly beginning to disappear.

Mr. Alvin still has not “taken the steps” up to the bed.

Perhaps in time.

Either that or I am going to purchase another stool from IKEA (the one that has a gradual incline, perfect width and doesn’t look like stairs).

Perhaps he just doesn’t like stairs.

Oh well, time will tell.

I feel like a million dollars this morning.

Like someone removed a hundred pounds from my shoulders.

Sometimes just little decisions make the world of difference.

So on this Thursday I feel like a million dollars.

I just have to remember, we all do that when doors close more open.

Fact of life.

Take that step …… go for it.

I am.

Have a wonderful day.

It is payday at the office …… how great is that.

Another thing to be grateful for and I surely am.

Well time to go and put the finishing touches on …

I want to wear my shoes that lace up today …..

My new laces are slippery so sometimes they do not stay done up ….

Note to self: go and look for new ones.

Happy Thursday …..

Special Hello to: all those folks who read my blog.

Thank you.

Always, Carol and Alvin