2021

Good Morning All! We hope that you are doing well. I have recovered and feel great. It is amazing what a day of sleep will do for someone. Alvin was a good boy and other than the odd visit outside, he slept right beside me. Note to self: when you aren’t feeling yourself it is okay to take a sick day. We all need some extra rest sometimes. I am so grateful to be feeling great.

In the early morning the sun was shining so bright but was cool. Just after my shower it feels hot in the house so it must be warming up outside. We are to have plus celsius temperatures tomorrow and Saturday or was it today and Friday. Anyway some warm days ahead. We have been so fortunate to have a good fall. There were a few bla days but all in all it has been great. I wonder what winter will bring? Officially winter does not happen until Tuesday, December 21, 2021. So this is fall. Spring officially comes in March.

Alvin is just laying on his belly in the hallway staring at me. I wonder what he is thinking? I am thinking that I have not had a cup of coffee since Tuesday morning and I am going to enjoy a cup or three this morning.

I did not get any of my cards done up to be hand delivered so perhaps tonight. I would like to get them done so that I have them ready to be delivered. I am happy that our photos arrived so that I can pop some in with the Christmas cards both being mailed and hand delivered.

Today is the birthday of my eldest niece. I can still remember the day that she was born. Seems like yesterday. She is all grown up now, and has a daughter who graduated from high school this past year. My how time flies. Happy Birthday Dee. We hope that you have an awesome day.

It remains dark at this time but won’t be long until the sun begins to rise in the morning sky. In the meantime, while it is still dark, I will pop on the Christmas tree lights and enjoy them. Wishing you all a wonderful day. Be safe and well.

Oh, my goodness, how could I forget. Happy Thanksgiving to all our neighbours to the south. Wish you a wonderful day. Be safe and enjoy your time together.

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

Always, Carol & Alvin

Living … One day at a time.

Good Morning and Welcome to Winter once again.

I guess that I always associate “SNOW” with winter.

When we were first up at 3:00 a.m. – there was a nice cozy blanket of snow covering the ground.

Covering the deck, the rooftops and just everything.

The trees have that layer of snow covering each and every branch.

The snow has that fluffy consistency that we love.

Well I know that we like to make snow creations when the consistency is sticky.

But I love the fluffy snow the most.

I love the way that the street lamps and the moon reach down and make the snow sparkle as though they were a billion diamonds.

Brilliant and beautiful.

Ode to Snow.

How about that.

Only in Canada, eh!

Just kidding.

 

Well today is Wednesday.

Last night the STEEPED TEA order arrived and I had it pretty much all sorted before we even went for our walk.

Most of the orders go to my office.

They are ready to go.

Also my new toothbrush heads arrived as well.

They were in a light envelope and I am grateful that they did not blow away.

I am excited to try some new tea blends over the next while.

 

We enjoyed our walk last night.

Funny story.

We were walking just past the poop station near the entrance to our park.

It is quite dark as you continue down the path.

They could use more lights that is for sure and also there is one that was removed.

Not sure about that.

Alvin stopped and I coaxed him to go a bit further and then he was done and turned for home.

I managed to convince him to walk up the hill to the sidewalk instead and go down the street toward Teddy’s house.

He actually kept going.

So we walked our path in reverse.

Worked out okay.

That will be the way we go for the rest of the winter months or at least until it is not quite so dark.

I had my trusty little flashlight with me shining as we went.

Lighting the path.

A little safety blanket of sorts.

 

Well today is Wednesday.

When you are off on the Monday it certainly speeds up the work week.

Tomorrow is Thursday. WOW.

 

Today is also the 14th Birthday of a very sweet young lady.

She is the niece to my son-in-law.

Happy Birthday E-K

Wishing you the best Birthday.

I know that you enjoyed your brother’s hockey game with Auntie A (my daughter) at REXALL PLACE.

 

My daughter sent me a photo of the two girls all smiles.

 

A sunflower for the Birthday GIRL.

 

Well time to go out and play find the poop in the freshly fallen snow.

Luckily for me I was paying attention to Alvin when he was outside.

Time to do some shovelling as well.

 

Have an awesome Wednesday.

This day will be filled with pleasant surprises, I have a feeling.

Remembering to be filled with kindness and respect.

Always, Carol & Alvin

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Tuesday the 10th day of July, 2018.

It is a beautiful morning here in Edmonton.

Alvin and I went for a walk at 5:00 a.m. just as the sun was beginning to rise.

The sky was different hues of pinks and red/oranges, so pretty.

There was not a soul out until we were on our way home and then we saw a lady and her pup.

Thankfully it was cool even without a breeze.

We opted not to walk last night as I felt it was too warm for us.

Perhaps more for me …. I don’t know.

I am always aware of Alvin and his fur coat.

 

Well it is Tuesday.

The traffic is humming at this time as people make their way to and from work or perhaps just leaving on a vacation.

We are pet/house sitting for a neighbour this weekend.

The next weekend my daughter and pups are coming for a sleepover weekend, yay.

Then basically one week until my sister, niece and great nephews arrive for a visit.

So excited.

Then I will be off on vacation for about 10 days.

During that time my daughter and I will take a road trip together.

I cannot wait.

Will miss Mr. Alvin but will be good to get away.

I always love my adventures with my girl.

We try to go off the beaten trail just a bit (but being safe) and get some amazing photos.

 

Our office is closed while we install a new version of our computer program.

During the closed time we will be in training and spend some time cleaning our workspaces and odds and ends.

Always something to do.

Excited to see this new version in place.

 

Well almost time to leave for work.

I was able to cool the house down some with the windows open and the fan going.

Will go downstairs and spend some time with my boy.

Perhaps he needs another massage.

 

Have an awesome Tuesday.

Keep safe and cool.

Be kind to those around you and always try to do the right thing.

Not necessary your “right” but what is best in the situation.

 

Special Hello to: my family, near and far.

Always, Carol & Alvin

Thought for the day ….

Good Morning and Welcome to Friday the 3rd day of November, 2017.

Happy Birthday to my niece-in-law “M” ….. we wish you the most wonderful day.

We are entering another busy month for our family with birthdays.

 

There was shovelling in my “future” last night ….. but thankfully it was light snow and not the heavy wet stuff.

There is no real amount forecasted for the next week so that will be nice.

Shovelling is good exercise in moderation.

 

Well Mr. Alvin for no reason other than his chew treat was outside decided for the 9th day in a row to get up before 4:00 a.m. and we were up at 4:00 a.m.

Oh well and then when it was all said and done he had to dig up from the snow bank on the deck one of his many chew treats.

What a guy.

Now of course, Momma is a little bit tired ….. but thankfully it is Friday.

Perhaps tomorrow we can sleep in a bit …..

 

My daughter …. his sister … is picking me up from work ….. we are having supper …..   Chili and my friend’s deep dish apple pie that I have had frozen awaiting this special evening.

Once supper and all is done we are putting up my CHRISTMAS TREE.

So excited for this evening between the PIE AND THE TREE AND OF COURSE MY BELOVED GIRL.

Life does not get better than this.

 

Well running out of time and have to don the winter garb before hitting the frozen sidewalks to the bus.

Have an awesome day.

Special Hello to:   M, Happy Birthday.

Always, Carol & Alvin

 

 

Thought for the Day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Monday the 25th day of September, 2017.

Partially sun cloud mix this morning.

Up earlier and then back to bed for awhile.

Took a vacation day, today.

Nice to have another day at home with Alvin.

Although not sure about his thoughts on that matter.

 

Watched the new STAR TREK television series premiere last night.

STAR TREK DISCOVERY on CTV.

They only showed one hour whereas the SPACE channel had a two hour premiere.

I checked on CTV’s lineup and could not find it for next Sunday.

Guess I will have to change up my cable channels as I really enjoyed watching the new show.

 

Well here we go Monday …… time for coffee ….. a bit late to start.

Had a wonderful visit with our BABY Milo …. little fur ball yesterday.

Followed by the fastest birthday party ever.

Alvin and I hosted our son-in-law/brother-in-law’s birthday celebration.

It was a busy day for them and because his birthday falls during the week …. Sunday was our only time to get together.

We managed to have coffee, DQ Ice-cream birthday cake and give him his present.

We even had balloons.

It was fun and so great to see his niece “E-K” as have not seen her for a long time.

Who says short cannot be wonderful.

It was great.

 

Well back to Monday.

We hope that you are having a great day.

Our thoughts and prayers are with the folks from Costa Rica.

Three massive Hurricanes.

So many folks affected and likely will affect the world.

 

Special Hello to:  you, take care.

Always, Carol & Alvin

Thought for the day ……

Good Morning and Welcome to Monday the 21st day of August, 2017.

Well today is the last day of vacation for this girl.

Man, I have loved every last minute of it.

Alvin and I are just getting ready to take a little walk to his Vet and pick up some food for the guy.

Cannot run out of food for sure.

The ECLIPSE will happen in just a bit over one hour so need to get busy here.

Do not wish to be outside when it happens.

I wish that I had the glasses to wear to observe it but alas I do not.

So will watch it on television.

 

So on this Monday ….. I am so grateful that during my vacation I was able to spend time with my sister, both of my brothers, my eldest nephew and his family, so many of my friends, old neighbours that came back to

visit me and Alvin, and my “niece” and her family from Saskatchewan and MY daughter, son-in-law and grand-pups.

Without my daughter and her family all of this would not have been possible.  So grateful for their love and support.

It was great to be able to take in High Tea in the Hotel Selkirk at Fort Edmonton Park with my daughter and sister.

We had so much fun riding on the carousel and the girls on the high swing.

The weather was great.

I was terribly spoiled by attention and gifts for the past two weeks.

So much so,I am overwhelmed with blessings and gratitude.

 

Time to get this show on the road before the “light” goes out.

Have an awesome day and DO NOT look at the ECLIPSE without special eyewear.

 

Special Hello to: my family and friends.

Thought for the day ….

Good Morning and Welcome to Thursday the 17th day of August, 2017.

Another gorgeous morning here in Edmonton.

Just off the phone with my friend “V” who celebrated her birthday yesterday.

First chance we had to speak to each other.

She is one busy lady.

 

My company has come and gone.

We, being my daughter and I met them at West Edmonton Mall later yesterday afternoon for supper.

Had a nice visit and then we (my daughter and I) drove the boys to the Metallica Concert.

Lots of traffic and construction, OH My Goodness.

After the mall the girls (my niece and two daughters) came back to the house.

We visited and then left the girls with Alvin and I went to pick up the boys from the concert.

The boys loved the concert along with lots of other people.

Back here just before 12:30 a.m. and then up at 6:00 and they were on the road by 7:00 a.m.

Hard to believe they are gone already.

So nice to see everyone.

 

What a crazy wonderful vacation I have had ……

Well time for coffee and to relax.

Today will be a quiet day ….

 

Special Hello to: all those folks celebrating a birthday.

Always, Carol & Alvin

COUNTDOWN: 60 Days to 60

Today is Friday, July 14, 2017 and it is the 27th day until my 60th Birthday.

So if you are a family member or friend reading these posts, please do not be offended if I missed something like your birth.

It was truly important to me but when you are almost sixty ….. sometimes you remember these things a bit later ….. like the day after..

Well let us see here ….. what year are we at …… this is not as easy as it may seem….

1978: Flew to U.S.A. with friends in a four seater airplane.  It was awesome.  Went to LA, baby ….. Saw JAWS at Universal Studios, saw Queen Elizabeth, and so much more.  Dipped toes in the ocean.

1979: BIG NEWS – expecting – was so excited.

1980: The birth of my daughter in March.  The constant that lights up my life as she did back then and continues to do now. BEST YEAR EVER.

1981:  Being a Mom was great …. once you get past the “no sleep stage.”  I even did some sewing and made us some matching outfits with help.

1982:  Living with my sister and my nephew and my daughter ….. we had fun ….

1983:  Survived major flood in Regina in July ….. we were living in a basement suite …. me and my girl……

1984: My first niece was born ……

1985: My daughter starts kindergarten….

1986: On my Fridays off from work I would walk to my daughter’s school and pick her up and we would walk to the nearby mall and have lunch.  So much fun treating her to lunch and spending that precious time together.

1987: Clearly she ruled in the memory department ….. she was my world and remains so to this day.  I do share that world with Me Alvin and my son-in-law and their fur babies but she was the first born and will always be extra special.

This is a good test of the old memory banks.

Always, Carol

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Monday the 8th day of August, 2016.

Today is the birthday of two special people in my life.

Happy Birthday to “S” who is married to my nephew and she turns 40 today.

We wish you a great day.

Happy Birthday to “K” who is a co-worker and friend.

We wish you a great day.

August is a big birthday month for family and friends.

I know so many people who have birthdays this month.

In case I missed your birthday – Happy Birthday.

 

Well I am “sort of up” as I am working today and tomorrow.

I know it seems odd to be on vacation for a week and then back for two days and then off the rest of the week.

But that is the way it just worked out.

Nice to work a short week although getting up this morning was a bit of a nightmare as I did not sleep at all last night.

Note to self: do not look at FB before bed.

I saw something that brought me to tears.

The human race never ceases to disappoint me that is all I will say.

Never again will I refer to “MANKIND” as mankind because we are anything but.

I need to get the visual out of my head as I get ready to go to work.

But it is not out of my heart and I do plan to speak up.

 

 

The sun is coming up and the sky looks clear .

A good day ahead weather wise.

The deck does not appear to be wet so no rain overnight.

 

Well time to go downstairs and have breakfast.

The house is quiet as Mr. Alvin is away visiting his sister.

Oh, I just caught a glimpse of the sun rays bouncing off the neighbour’s garage.

 

I hope that you will be a good citizen of the world in all that you do.

Thank you.

 

Special Hello to: the birthday girls …..

Always, Carol and Alvin

 

 

 

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Monday the 6th day of June, 2016.

Another gorgeous morning …. I love the stillness of the early morning.

The sun has risen.

The sky is blue.

There is a slight coolness to the air.

It will be a hot one.

 

Last night I had the good fortune to SKYPE with my sister, my great-niece and my niece.

My niece just graduated as a Registered Nurse having completed the four year nursing program.

She will make a great nurse.

For two reasons:  compassion and intelligence.

She has both.

Congratulations my darling, and all the best in your nursing career.

 

Well it would not be a Monday morning if someone was not running a tad late.

I guess not really I have time but it feels like time is short.

So I will wrap this up.

 

Yesterday I had a successful canvassing time.

Oh, canvassing for the Heart & Stroke.

It was cool to canvas on my own street.

Almost everyone who answered the door – I knew.

 

I hope that you have an awesome Monday.

 

Special Hello: to all those people graduating from post secondary school, congratulations and all the best.

Always, Carol and Alvin