Last Half 2022 – December

Good Morning ALL! How are you this morning? Well the question was there when I signed in. This morning was “Do you like to eat meat?” I am thinking that Word Press has these questions incorporated into the program. For what purpose, I have no idea. Anyway, for the most part “no.”

Countdown to Christmas – 21 sleeps till Christmas Eve.

Story: Last Night

Ride home with my carpool after work – took longer – home at 5:15 p.m. – my daughter was coming for a sleepover after work – Alvin outside to pee & poop – fed Alvin – shovelled driveway – started supper – took down workstation – continuing to make supper with apple crisp for dessert – tidying up – doing dishes as went along – daughter texted as she stopped to do some shopping – she was looking for winter boots as I had wanted / needed some new ones – couldn’t find any – then found some – relaxed for few minutes – Alvin was whiny – texting with Val – texting with Amanda – doorbell rang – three ladies – one with a guitar – fundraiser – I had no cash – would sign any Christmas song – take e transfer – was flustered as was on phone – Alvin was whiny – I was hangry – tired – said I am sorry, no – not a fan of e transferring strangers who come to my door – why on a night that was minus 20 or more with a guitar – my daughter found me boots – supper ready – kept warmed in oven – apple crisp baked – daughter arrived about 7:45 p.m. – we were both tired and hungry – ate supper – tried on one of them – while going to try on other one realized it was a size “11” – daughter mad at her oversight – cleaned up – decided at 8:30 with Winners being open – quick trip back to the store to return – back to store – not many people – thank goodness – overwhelmed with stuff – had not been shopping for literally years – looked around – found another size 8 in that boot style – almost did not – that would have been maddening – used my gift card from my birthday – picked up Alvin a new food dish – a beautiful storage box – some serviettes – some Christmas string – Christmas tags and a Christmas game – see the running them – check out – home – did dishes – ate apple crisp – looking through Val’s Epicure catalog to place an order – bit of t.v. – snuggles with Alvin – Alvin tired – finally bed at 11:23 p.m. – up at 2:30 – up at I do not remember and up for awhile. Happy Saturday. Baking day. I think that Alvin is going home with Amanda.

I am texting with a friend about a Christmas gift and I have lots to do so better go now. Wasn’t last night fun! I need a vacation.

Happy Saturday.

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

Always, Carol, Alvin & Amanda

PS – need coffeeeeeee

The New YEAR 2022

Good Morning ALL! How are you today? Alvin and I are well. Just had a refreshing shower so I feel extra good. The sky is almost white matching the recently fallen snow. The only colour is the in between – the garages – the houses – cars. I have recently heard more birds singing, is that a sign that spring is close by? I sure hope so.

Today is the official retirement date of my long-time friend Linda H. She lives in Regina and we met at work although growing up we lived not too far away from each other. Alvin and I want to wish her the most wonderful retirement. I know that she will be happy to be at home and not have to commute to work any longer. No more political stuff. She can decide what she wants to do on a daily basis. Congratulations my friend.

On the upside it is lighter earlier in the mornings and that is a good thing. Alvin and I enjoyed a walk yesterday at noon. The wind was a bit cool but so great to get outside for some fresh air.

Just thinking of life in general and of how grateful I am for so many things. Family, friends, Alvin, good health, working from home, my house and well everything.

I hope that you have a great day. Keeping it short today. Looking forward to that first taste of freshly brewed coffee. So good.

Oh, thank you to my friend Signe, who baked cinnamon buns yesterday and decided that her friend needed a treat. Last night they dropped off a couple with some cream cheese icing. I will enjoy them today, and if I can hold off having the second one until tomorrow, that would be great. They will be enjoyed over a couple of days. Thank you.

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

Always, Carol & Alvin

Second Half of the NEW YEAR

Good Morning ALL, yay it is Friday.

Alvin and I enjoyed a full walk last night after work.

He didn’t stop or walk slowly.

I could tell that he was enjoying each and every step.

Sniffing and walking.

Walking and sniffing.

 

Just transferred the money to the gal that is baking my birthday treats.

Those treats are a delectable carrot cake with cream cheese icing and cupcakes.

The cupcakes are one dozen vanilla with key lime icing and the other twelve are chocolate with salted caramel icing.

I can hardly wait to bite into these sweet amazing treats.

My friend is one of the best bakers, I know.

I have met up with a few of them over the years.

My paternal Grandmother was one of those women who could bake the socks off anyone.

She made the best jelly rolls, angel food cakes, orange chiffon cakes, cookies and homemade bread.

I can taste them now.

All the gloriousness (I guess that is a word).

The jam in the jelly roll.

The thin layer of icing on the cakes.

The smell of the bread baking in the oven.

That was a long time ago and I can recall those smells.

It is funny how much food plays a role in our lives.

We have to eat to maintain health and energy and to live.

But food has become over the centuries so much more.

We eat when we are happy.

We eat when we are sad.

We eat to celebrate.

We eat when someone dies.

We eat, eat and eat.

Christmas cookies.

Thanksgiving pumpkin pie.

Easter bread.

The list goes on and on.

We have channels all about food.

The industry is crazy.

There are bake offs and cook offs and grilling championships.

The list is a mile long.

Every celebrity that can cooks has their own television show.

We blog about food.

We have YouTube videos about cooking and baking.

We put photos on Instagram.

FOOD, food, and more FOOD.

Sweet and Savoury.

 

Well with all that goodness now instilled in your brain, I have to go to work.

I baked a coffee cake …. second one with this new recipe that I found in one of my favourite recipe books.

The night before I baked a few dozen peanut butter chocolate chip cookies.

For an outing this evening.

I am still a bit nervous as this is my first larger than 3 people gathering.

But I am prepared.

I made separate packages of the cookies and will come up with something for the cake using cupcake holders.

 

With kindness and respect, we live our lives.

I/We, shall remain,

As Always, Carol & her Alvin

 

Thought for the day ….

Good Morning and Welcome to Friday the 19th day of April, 2019.

It is mid morning in Edmonton as we get to starting this day.

We were first up at 3:30, then 5:30, then 7:15 and then just before 9:00 a.m.

Perhaps that is why I found it difficult to actually get up and stay up.

Oh well ….. what can you do.

The sky is partially overcast as I look out the office window which faces south.

Looking out our bedroom window to the north the sun is shining with mainly clear sky.

Always amazes me.

Only sound is the odd car driving by on the street.

Perhaps others are feeling lazy this Friday morning.

There is a breeze as I see the trees swaying gracefully in the wind.

 

I am most grateful to have a five day weekend.

We started last night by going for a walk with our friend P.

The walk took us about one hour.

We walked by the larger “lake” and park to the north of us.

P was telling us all about the frogs as we could hear them singing their songs.

We even walked through the grass and small shrubs by the water to see the frogs floating on the water.

Very cool.

Nature is cool.

It is all of the small things that we walk by each and every day with no thought of what is going on in their world.

Alvin just kept following P.

I think he was wondering why all of a sudden it was okay to walk off the path.

We also walked down by the water at our ponds for a bit.

There was a bit of action there but not nearly as much as at the big lake.

During we came across two geese just walking in a grassy area.

There was a young boy of about 9 I would say sitting on his bike with a long stick in his hand.

Looking to make a move on the geese.

Geese VS boy.

I know who would come out ahead.

Not the boy.

P told the boy to leave the geese alone.

While we were there he seemed to listen.

I will never know why it is that some children and some adults feel the urge to bother or to hurt or worse.

Why not just sit back and watch them.

Geese are such beautiful birds.

I love their grace as they take off and land on the water.

I love watching them with their babies.

We also saw a pair of ducks in a small grove of trees on the other side of the lake.

You can always tell the difference between a female and a male in nature.

The males are always the most colourful and the females are always the “drab ones.”

What happened to humans?

I understand why animals do this …. to distract the predators from the female and the babies.

Most of the time anyway.

 

Well time to get this long long weekend on the way.

I will start with coffee and making a list of all of the things that need to be done.

There is a few to be sure.

Looking forward to spending some time outside.

Walking.

More yard work.

Pressure washing the deck.

Perhaps bringing out the patio furniture?

Too early?

 

I hope that you have a wonderful day.

Happy Friday.

Special Hello to: my family and friends …..

Always, Carol & Alvin

 

 

Thought for the day ….

Good Morning and Welcome to Monday the 11th day of February 2019.

Well back to work.

Have to leave Mr. Alvin alone now after four days at home with him.

I always love our time together.

The weather remains cold but now it is snowing.

I would like to make a correction to the name of one of the movies that I noted on my post yesterday.

It was The Incredibles 2 not The Invincibles 2.

When I realized that I had posted the wrong name, I felt very silly.

Not the end of the world, of course.

But still felt silly.

Correction done.

 

How are you doing today?

Feeling great and full of energy.

Ready to take on your world.

Ready to be the best YOU ever!

I hope that you have the most awesome Monday in recorded history.

 

Did you watch the Grammys last night?

I think that Alicia Keys did great.

Man, can she play the piano and sing!

Love, loved, loved Dolly Parton.

Great singer and song writer.

Probably one of the best song writers ever.

She has written so many of the greatest songs recorded.

Diana Ross, 75, are you kidding me?

She looks incredible …. and that dress.

Love her music.

MOTOWN, some of the best music ever.

I really enjoyed Lady Gaga singing Shallow from A Star is Born.

Can you imagine if Bradley Cooper was singing with her?

Off the charts, for sure.

I only watch until I heard all of the above so that was just after 8:30 p.m., I think.

 

Well “here we go again.”

I have had that song in my head and singing all morning.

Not sure if Alvin really appreciates my gift??? or not???

 

Wishing you a fantastic Monday filled with kindness, respect and always laughter.

We have to have laughter.

Always, a giggle or three.

 

Special Hello to: My Daughter, My Sister and My Dear Friend – thank you ladies, you rock.

Always, Carol & Alvin

Thought for the day ….

Good Morning and Welcome to Saturday the 28th day of October, 2017.

The wind is actually WARM this morning which is actually a bit unusual for almost the end of October.

Alvin and I are gearing up for our company.

We are puppy sitting “Master Teddy” today.

He really isn’t a puppy as I think he is about four years old but to Alvin and I, he is a baby.

We will have some play time in the back yard today for sure.

 

Today is an important day for another reason, it is the birthday of a long time dear friend of mine, “L.”

He is one of those people that is warm, kind and funny.

When I lived in Regina and he after they (his wife and children) moved to Saskatoon,  he would always come visit me.

Every time they were in Regina, he would make time to come and have coffee with me.

One of my dearest and best friends.

Happy Birthday Buddy …… Have a great day.

 

Well before the Teddy arrives – still have to have breakfast and put the coffee on.

 

Happy Saturday …..

Enjoy the day….

 

Special Hello to:  you and you and you.

Always, Carol & Alvin

 

Thought for the day…..

Good Morning and Welcome to Tuesday the 17th day of March, 2015.

Happy St. Patrick’s Day to everyone.

My family and friends all over the world, Happy St. Pat’s Day.

We are having a potluck lunch at work today and we can also wear sports jerseys and anything green.

Just so happens that I have a Saskatchewan Roughrider (football) jersey which is both.

YAY, me….

Also to top off the celebration my friend “G” is coming over coffee after her “bootcamp” (exercise class).

I am so excited.

I have not seen her in what feels like forever.

YAY …. I am so lucky and feeling really blessed right now.

 

If you remember I mentioned picking up what they call “pet steps” so that when Alvin and the puppies want to get onto the bed they don’t have to jump so high.

Well Mr. Alvin will have nothing of it.

So I shall leave the steps by the bed and see if perhaps over the course of a few days he will gradually get used to them.

Stubborn boy that one.

 

Well life is good …. great, in fact.

I hope that it is in your home as well.

Spread the kindness.

Spread the joy.

Spread the laughter.

Always laugh …. giggle ….. feel it right down to the bottom of your belly.

Have a great green day.

Happy St. Patrick’s Day.

Special Hello to: everyone … I would like to yell from the rooftops “HELLO”

Always, Carol and Alvin

Thought for the day…..

Good Morning and Welcome to Sunday the 6th day of April, 2014.

Today is the birthday of one of my friend’s and past co-workers back in Regina.

Happy Birthday “L” ….. hope you have a great day.

 

Looks like it is going to be a beautiful day.

It is a happy day …. I am filling my first waking minutes with happy lively music.

Here is the list:

“On Top of the World” by Imagine Dragons 

“Happy” by Pharrell Williams

“Let it Go” by Idina Menzel

“Roar” by Katy Perry 

Take a listen great songs.

I believe in stretching your music library ….. listen to a variety.

I am on top of the world –  letting it go – feeling very HAPPY now  –  listen to me ROAR.

This is my motto ….. my affirmation……

So listen to some music ….

Put together your motto ….. your own affirmation.

Listen to you roar ….. I am watching you fly.

SOARING ……

Have the best Sunday.

Special Hello to my friend “L” who is celebrating a birthday today back in Saskatchewan.

Always, Carol and Alvin