The New YEAR 2022

Good Morning ALL! How are you this morning? Another dreary looking morning out there. We were outside a short while ago and it was nice but before that I could see my breath. We received a fair amount of rain yesterday and everything should get very much that beautiful green now. We will however need some sunshine and that according to the forecast is in short supply over the next week. We had a decent sleep last night. Lights out at 10:00, Alvin was next up at 4:18 and then 5:39 so all in all not bad. He seems to be doing better since I completely cut out human food a couple of days ago now. He has not been leaving behind a “lovely fragrance.” LOL.

If I strain hard enough I can almost see the sunrise.

I am slowly but surely getting the garage cleaned out and disposing of items. Another item was picked up last night. So exciting to meet new people and to have my garage almost bare. What a great feeling. Next to get through those containers in the basement. Actually that would be a great job for the evenings when the weather is not great for walking. Note to self.

I am so grateful for my life. There are moments of imperfection but so many more of utter perfection and delight.

Can you believe it is 63 days now until my 65th Birthday? WOW. Still shaking my head in disbelief, 65. Whoa.

This post will be short as I cannot bring any words of wisdom or funny stories quickly to mind and soon shall be time to start work. Yes and time to plug in the coffee.

I wish you a great day.

Happy Tuesday.

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

Always possibilities …….

Carol & Alvin

The New YEAR 2022

Good Morning ALL! I hope that this finds you all well. Happy Good Friday! We four are doing well. Mr. Alvin was shaking his head a lot in the wee hours of the morning but has not done as of late. He has also been licking his paws so I am thinking he has pain in his paws and that would explain the shaking and scratching. I gave him a pain pill earlier and will keep an eye on him. I will check his ears shortly and see if they appear to be inflamed. Guess what we got last night. Three guesses and the first four do not count, lol.

I am invited to a friend’s for an early dinner at 3:00 p.m. Not sure why but I have been fussing and stewing about going. I am so grateful for the invite but am having a hard time not trying to come up with an excuse not to go. Perhaps because I am comfortable at home and with the pups. I do not like leaving them alone but I do need to have some human contact. Funny how life goes. Perhaps a bit of depression? Also I think because I have been so busy and rundown from work, I am exhausted. All my energy is going to walking with the pups and looking after them. I am not complaining, just stating what seem to be the facts. Another morning up early and then back to lay down and then up rather late. I guess I need to STOP beating myself up. So what if we slept in. I am not hurting anyone. The pups are well looked after. I will take them for a walk before I leave for dinner. I will come home to feed them supper. I don’t need to stay late. Gray skies do not help. It seems still outside and is not cold. I was out with the pups earlier.

I was trying to upload some photos for you to see and it is not happening. I will have to delete some photos.

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When you are unable to post your own photos!

Time to head downstairs and have coffee.

We are okay here at my house.

Wishing you a great “Good Friday.”

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

Always, Carol, Alvin, Aspen and Milo

It is a NEW YEAR.

Good Morning All,

Welcome to a dreary looking snowy March day.

We received some snow last evening but thankfully it did not amount to much.

Alvin and I enjoyed a wonderful walk.

Pays to walk on the other side of the street.

Guess that could be said for life as well.

Busy day ahead.

Go and pick up Mr. Humphrey, laundry, coffee break and cleaning.

My daughter and family will be stopping by after their vet appointment at noon today.

Tomorrow I am also looking forward to Teddy and his Mom stopping by for tea and we are going to do a bit of shopping.

So work and company.

Perfect mix.

 

On this Saturday morning with Alvin at my side.

We are grateful to be here.

Grateful to have electricity, heat and water.

Grateful to have family and friends near.

Grateful to have each other.

Grateful to be in good health (that is so important).

Grateful to have tea to sip upon in the evenings and coffee in the mornings.

Grateful for weekends and weekdays.

Grateful for work and for play.

Grateful to Mother Nature for a mix of weather.

Grateful for life.

 

Well I see that it has begun to snow again.

So I had better get this show on the road.

Crazy we have already been up for more than one hour and I feel as though nothing done.

Do you stress or worry about not getting everything done?

Well you are not alone.

Today on this Saturday, we will do what we can and enjoy it all.

Relax, work, play, work, play and relax.

Mix it up.

You will never have those moments back again.

If you have an opportunity to play, then play.

If you have an opportunity to see someone, then see someone.

If you have an opportunity to try something new, then try that something new.

If you have an opportunity to help a friend, neighbour or stranger, then do so.

Every moment brings possibilities and in that moment it is ours to grasp.

 

Happy Saturday.

Happy Saturday.

Play in the snow.

Snuggle with your favourite neighbour’s cat.

Walk your doggies.

Talk to your family, friends and even your pets.

Be Happy.

Be Yourself.

Treating the world including yourself with kindness and respect.

 

 

Always, Carol & Alvin

 

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Thursday the 7th day of June, 2018.

One week into June.

Another gorgeous day on the way.

Sunshine with a bit of coolness to begin the day.

 

Last night while on our walk we bumped into friends.

Two were chatting at the back fence of another admiring the garden of the one.

Our friend “L” has this amazing vegetable garden every year.

Our other friend “P” and “A” who live two doors down from her, were returning from a walk.

Our vegetable garden Queen did not plant “lettuce” this year because it did not grow last year so she has moved on.

She is so funny.

Our other friends got treats for Alvin …. we have to seriously start decreasing the treats.

For both of us… really.

Walking helps but it is not getting the belly down.

Yikes.

My friend “P” of above gave me three sunflower plants and some snapdragons as she did not have any more room in her garden for them.

She has the most beautiful “English Garden” ….. we call it that as she is from England.

The garden is so pretty …. even now at the beginning.

 

Well I have to catch the bus this morning.

Back to public transportation for a few days.

ARGH.

Not that bad other than time but that is okay.

The house is cool this morning and the blinds are all closed except for two so that Alvin can look out of those windows.

The window by his favourite chair in the living room and the one at the end of our bed.

Both face north so does not get too terribly hot.

 

I hope that you are enjoying life.

Some days may be not be perfect but pick the moments that are and savour them.

 

Special Hello to: all my friends in Edmonton ….

Always, Carol & Alvin

Thought for the day ….

Good Morning and Welcome to Tuesday the 20th day of March, 2018.

Today is the first day of spring.

The air feels warm as earlier I was out picking up last night’s and earlier this morning’s poop.

Yes, I am a pooper scooper.

If you have a dog or even a cat.

You become a human pooper scooper.

Okay enough talk of that.

 

The air is warm and so far the sun is shining.

Although it does not seem to be as bright as even a few moments ago.

I am home (vacation day) today with me Alvin.

He has his second ear treatment as he has an ear yeast infection.

It seems to be working as he has not been scratching his ear.

Maybe a little bit on Sunday night but that is all.

Sure am happy about that.

I think he wonders why I am home.

 

With the official day of spring here.

It should not be too long.

I want to say something – last night I saw a bunny.

The bunny still had a large amount of “white” fur.

A bit of brown but not as much as I would like at this time of year.

Our weather forecast for the next couple of weeks although the temps are warmer – they are saying some “- – – -“.

I cannot say the word.

You know the four-lettered word that starts with “S” and ends with “W.”

ARGH.

I am so tired of ice …. ice and most especially the ice.

Yesterday just as I was walking by one of my friend’s house on my way to work, I slipped on some ice.

Picked myself up and continued to the bus stop.

When I got to work I saw that my pants now have a worn patch on the knee from the concrete / ice.

My knee has a the skin scrapped off.

No pain except for the fact that those are/were my favourite pair of pants.

I will find a way to fix them.

It is not a huge area.

It is not even a hole but I am quite certain that once they are laundered there will be a hole.

Oh well.

I am okay and the pants, well I AM going to fix them.

 

Time to go and get dressed and have some COFFEE before we head out for Mr. Alvin’s appointment.

 

I hope that you all have a wonderful first day of spring.

I remember when I was a child walking into the pastures and seeing fields of purple.

Those beautiful furry little flowers named “crocuses.”

I loved the smell in the air and those flowers.

 

These days the air does not have that smell.

Crocuses, none in the City.

Good memories, though.

 

Special Hello to:  my sister who will remember those little purple flowers.

Always, Carol & Alvin

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Monday the 11th day of April, 2016.

The sun is beginning to rise in the east and it is just after 6:00 a.m..

Soon it will be light when we get up at 5:00 a.m. and I love that ….

Feels like you have had a day when you get up with sunlight and go to bed with sunlight.

I heard that we missed some snow over the weekend.

We would like some rain …. it is very dry out there.

 

Well hard to believe that it is Monday already ….

We had a great weekend …. very busy.

 

I was thinking …..

Do you visualize your life with your dreams coming true?

Do you see the glass half full?

Do you see the glass half empty?

Positive or Negative.

How do you live your life?

Something to think about.

Even when life is screaming at me, I do try to see the positive.

I think that I see the glass half full.

I am mainly a positive person.

Now that is not to say that I have moments …. we all do.

But I try …..

Are you trying ……

 

Well here we are time to leave for work.

I hope that you have an amazing day.

 

Special Hello to:  YOU

Always, Carol and Alvin

 

 

Thought for the day…..

Good Morning and Welcome to Sunday the 15th day of March, 2015.

Today is the Birthday of my great-niece “S” …… Happy Birthday Darling.

Seems like she was just a baby a few months ago….. now she is 12.

I always loved when she would come for a sleepover with her Grandma, my sister.

I barely got over my daughter turning “35” and now this baby niece is 12 and I haven’t aged a bit.

Well okay maybe a bit …. couple years or so.

Time just has a way of getting away on us, and we forget just how important it is to take even though occasional “free moments” to tell those around you that you love them.

To remind each other that we are important……

To remember all of those shiny moments such as births…..

That is going to be my “note to self” …… try to contact in some way shape or form as many family and friends to tell them that I have not forgotten them and that I do think of them often and that I care.

Likely will be via FB or email but still I am going to reach out.

Considering that I work seven days a week now ….. but challenging oneself is always good.

So on this bright sunny awesome morning I ask you to contact at least one person that you have not been in recent touch with to say “Hello.”

Simple as that.

You can write, telephone, text, email, FB, tweet, SKYPE or any other form of communication you can think of ….. okay.

Let’s do it.

Have the best Sunday ever.

Thank you for being you ….

Special Hello to: my great-niece “S”

Always, Carol and Alvin

 

 

Thought for the day…..

Good Morning and Welcome to Sunday the 31st and last day of August, 2014.

This has been a spectacular month for me.

1.  I spent a whole weekend with my siblings (last weekend).

2. My dear friend and “Sister D” and her daughter and grand-daughter came to Edmonton for this long weekend (this one)…. we went for supper to Famoso, and then back home to visit.

3.  My kids and grand-puppies got moved in and settled.

4.  I made some wedding jewellery and it was a hit (wedding was in Vegas).

5.  We had beautiful weather.

6.  I had some vacation days off from both jobs.

7.  The roses bloomed in our neighbourhood.

8.  I was invited out for birthday dinner by two of my friends from the store and then a movie (was so great).

9.  I won free product from the store.

10.  Met even more people.

11.  Went to a movie.

12.  Reached 500 followers on my blog.

13.  Had more ideas for stories.

14.  Enjoyed time with family and friends.

15.  I turned 57 ….. imagine that …… 57.

16.  So grateful for my friend “L’s” phone call yesterday afternoon and for my nephew “T’s” call on my birthday.

WHAT A MONTH.

I am so grateful for everything in my life.

Each day is a blessing.

I am surrounded by love and laughter.

I hope that life is good for you, as well.

When you are feeling a bit low ….. just start listing all of the things that you are grateful for …… you will be surprised by the list.  My list above is not just great things that happened this month but rather a gratitude list.

Maybe trying making that list at the end of each day, week or month.

I am so lucky.

Please do not be discouraged when you have moments where you are less than positive …. trust me we all have those.

If we did not have those moments how could we strive to make things better.

I hope that you have a great Sunday and rest of the long weekend.

I have tomorrow off and will enjoy it with the puppies by taking each of them for an extra long walk.

We will be walking tonight after I get home from work.

Special Hello to: family and friends, I have the best.

Always, Carol and Alvin

Story Line by line – December 19, 2013

Chapter Five:

December 1, 2013

As we lay there sleeping wrapped in the big white fluffy blankets, I dream of childhood and Christmas; my favourite time of year, and there was one in particular.

December 2, 2013

When we moved into the new two story house on the farm my bedroom was on the main floor just off of the living room ……. I had a birds eye view of the Christmas tree ….  this one year I wanted to wait and watch for Santa ….. pretending to be asleep …. once  I heard noises figuring it was Santa I waited for him to leave ……  slowly opened the bedroom door and getting down on my hands and knees  crawled out toward the tree ….. only to be stopped dead in my tracks by my Mom’s voice “GET BACK TO BED” ….. I had been so quiet …… 

December 3, 2013

My favourite Christmas was 2005  …..  the log cabin in the mountains …. the clear night sky …… the stars shining so brightly …… the food …… the stone fireplace ….. love and laughter ….. feather comforters …… coffee by the fireplace ….. the best place in the world.

December 4, 2013

Kids singing Christmas Carols …… Grandma playing the organ in church ….. our Charlie Brown Christmas tree …… turkey cooking at Grandma’s house ….. snow falling …… baby crying …… sister smiling …… dog barking ….. opening presents . driving to Grandma and Grandpa’s house ….. the trees out front of their house all light up ….. it is Christmas once again.

December 5, 2013

Oh, how I feel alive and happy …… as each scene plays out ….. there is another one just as wonderful as the last …… people and places ……. my heart is full ……

December 6, 2013

Ah, my great nephew, I remember that day so well …… then skipping years ahead to when Alvin came to live with me …… this movie just seems to go on forever …. I wonder when it will end ….. movie, is it?

December 7, 2013

Movie, what …. am I dreaming …… asleep …… awake …… in a coma …… my mind is swirling and then before me is a crystal clear thought ….. YOU ARE REMEMBERING YOUR LIFE ….. 

December 8, 2013

Truly I am going crazy, please someone help me wake up from this wild dream …. HELP ME, HELP Me …….

December 9, 2013

This whole ordeal has seemed to go on forever ….. I do not know what to do …..  just when I think that I may have an answer ……. it all comes tumbling down …… such as life, I guess but why now ……. or did I just bump my head!

December 10, 2013

“Did I bump my head?” I think to myself as Alvin snuggles in closer to me as if to comfort me in my time of uncertainty.

December 11, 2013

As I lay under the warmest most comfortable blanket ever, I begin to devise a plan – I will get home – somehow – someday I will escape and be free.

December 12, 2013

Home, what a wonderful thought ….. I realize how much I miss my house, the flowers in my yard, my Christmas tree ……. whoa ….. what did I think ….. was it spring, was it summer or winter when this first happened and I realize maybe now for the first time that I have literally no idea how long we have been gone ….. a day, a month, years!!!

December 13, 2013

All of a sudden I hear this small gurgling slightly roaring sound coming from my stomach ….. guess it has been awhile since I ate anything …… Alvin, too must be starving  ….. suddenly a banana, some fresh carrots, a piece of chocolate cake, and a cup of coffee are sitting on a table in front of us….a FEAST.

December 14, 2013

Well no matter if this is real or a figment of my imagination …  we are going to eat  ….. mmm, as I peel the banana Alvin goes crazy as he absolutely loves banana ….. carrots …. we love carrots and for me my favourite habit …. COFFEE.

December 15, 2013

Yes, hot coffee …. it warms my throat as I quickly take a sip and trying to hold onto the taste reminding me of home …. Alvin is happy as we finish the last bite of banana and continues crunching away on the carrots and for this time we have no worries.

December 16, 2013

As we enjoy our treats I cannot help but to think of home ….. what are my friends and family doing ….. who is looking after our house ….. is there snow to shovel or grass to mow … I do not even know what time of year it is ….. oh …..

December 17, 2013

I just feel like crying even though Alvin is here I am all alone …. no one to discuss things with ….. no shoulder to cry on ….. as the tears well up in my eyes the feelings just explode inside my body, and my heart  hurts …. where are they ….. please let us come home …. I just want to go home…… please, help us find our way home……..

December 18, 2013

Through the tears and the feelings of being alone, the despair, and, of not knowing which direction to turn, whether to shout or to continue to cry ….. I feel that warmth once again, and a light although dim begins to shine on me.

December 19, 2013

For a few moments I am lost in the glow …… there is music playing ….. could it be ….. sounds like Celine Dion ….. oh, how I love her ….. saw her in concert once, and she was AMAZING …… I am drifting away in bliss.

 

 

 

 

Story Line by line – November 25, 2013

Chapter Four:

November 1, 2013

Oh, how I loved that dress, and my mind flashes back to the junior high school dance where I first wore that beautiful pink and then I see my favourite books floating in mid air and my best friend “Dee” is there.

November 2, 2013

Alvin is staying very close as we begin to take in this enormous space, and our nervous energies feed each other, and I think of Alice in Wonderland, and  what shall our next move be as a bright purple balloon drifts by.

November 3, 2013

It is absolutely amazing the dress, my friend, balloons, family, old boyfriends, my house, Christmas, all of the things that I have loved during my life are appearing as Alvin and I make our way through it all.

November 4, 2013

I realize throughout all of the memories that my “four” are no longer walking with us and have disappeared.

November 5, 2013

“Where did they go?” I mutter aloud as if I half expect Alvin to answer and yet I know that we are “down the rabbit hole and things are about to get very interesting.”

November 6, 2013

What do I do – what can I do – nothing makes any sense – why would they do this – am I a guinea pig of sorts – are they watching us – who are they – are the questions that flood my mind as we just walk not knowing what will happen next.

November 7, 2013

As we walk further into this new world, I begin to notice that we in fact are not alone.

November 8, 2013

I do not see anyone but I can feel “eyes” watching us as we go deeper into this place, and then out of no where the thought of “YOU ARE NOT ALONE” comes to my mind; like something out of a movie.

November 9, 2013

Carefully I look about not wanting to miss a single thing, and carefully monitoring my thoughts with hopes that I can find out my location without disturbing my “hosts” when in the distance I see a dim light.

November 10, 2013

As I approach the location of the light it becomes brighter and brighter with only about 50 footsteps away I can begin to see what lies ahead of us.

November 11, 2013

Could I ever have imagined this in my wildest dreams, I think not, as the images begin to sharpen and come into focus.

November 12, 2013

I stop, we stop, and I rub my eyes in disbelief as I look ahead and see what appears to be a glass wall with images of ….. ME.

November 13, 2013

There, only a few feet in front of us are ME at different ages, different stages of my life with some I recognize, and other versions are new to me.

November 14, 2013

I am shaking in disbelief and wonder at what is ahead of me; am I dreaming?

November 15, 2013

Alvin has been quiet for awhile just sniffing around the space when suddenly he yanks hard on the leash pulling me off balance knocking me to the ground.

 November 16, 2013

As I lay there collecting my senses, Alvin rushes back to me tail wagging and licks my face; I giggle, looking up completely stunned, I see myself.

November 17, 2013

Wow, is that really me I think to myself and then utter a soft “Hello”  as the other “me” smiles back at me…… 

November 18, 2013

“Please tell me where I am,”  I say to her, and as I utter the words, she tells me without speaking that I am wherever I want to be.

November 19, 2013

Okay, I think let me give this a try as my mind unleashes the imagination that has been locked up as of late and before I could say anything we are curled up on a oversized leather sofa in front of a fireplace looking out of an enormous window to a breathtaking view of the mountains which are covered with snow; my heart leaps with excitement.

November 20, 2013

I had this dream when I won the lottery, and our family spent Christmas in this huge log cabin celebrating and being together it was amazing … oh, I feel so good.

 November 21, 2013

Happiness, I feel an overwhelming sense of pure joy as I continue to take in my surroundings but then boom I come to my “senses” and wonder where is everyone?

November 22, 2013

Almost as quickly as that thought occurred  …. out of the corner of my eye I see my nephews James, Henry and Blake walking toward me, and there in front of me is my daughter; “Oh my god” I squeal with delight as I run to her, and squeeze her tight.

November 23, 2013

 “I have missed you, my darling” I whisper in my daughter’s ear and she says “Me, too Mom.” and as I stand back to take this all in – Alvin jumps up on his “sister.”

November 24, 2013

Alvin gives her a kiss as she leans over to him; “this seems real, isn’t it,”  I think to myself as I watch in silence.

November 25, 2013

As Alvin and I both relax and bask in these moments of such serenity and peace; I am so grateful for this time whether it is real or not, and I will find out where this place is….