The New YEAR 2022

Good Morning ALL! A bit later than I usually write but then again it is the weekend! It is Saturday morning. Alvin and I have a good sleep. I hope that you are doing well. Any big plans for the weekend? Are you perhaps going garage saling? Shopping? Staying home to clean? Well I am setting up for the garage sale next weekend. No shopping as I was grocery shopping last weekend and we have lots of food in the house. Next shopping will be to pick up Alvin’s wet food in the cans. The sky is overcast this morning but it is mild, I would almost say humid outside. At least when I was hauling things up from the basement and from upstairs to down and then out to the garage.

Last night before bed which was later than usual, we were outside in the rain. The rain was just coming down lightly and was most enjoyable. The air was warm. I snapped the following photos.

Okay, so I have a thing for my solar moon. I always attempt to take night shots and they usually do not turn out very well. Not the case last night. I even caught the light crossing, can you see it. My friend Signe gave me the solar ornament last year for my birthday and I was able to find it a beautiful home. Several weeks ago when I was trimming our tree out front, I kept some of the branches and placed them into an empty plant pot on the deck. Filling the top with stones and some brick so that the branches were secure. I think it adds to the ambiance. Also yesterday I moved most of my plants to the shelter of the house or garage. Poor things were getting super saturated.

Today despite the late start we will organize the items for the garage sale next weekend. Do some laundry. I already changed the bedding on our bed, emptied the dishwasher and dried the dishes from last night and put them all way. So at least I have done something, lol. Mr. Alvin is sawing logs outside the office. Just heard some noises coming from neighbours. That almost never happens.

I have the office and bedroom windows open a crack and am being serenaded by a crow with its’ “caw, caw, caw.

I hear it better now, they are hammering something. Definitely time to get this weekend going.

I hope that you are well. My sister is living in a heat wave and one of my brother’s has a state of emergency issued for the rising water in their city. We are just hoping for a bit of sunshine and easing up on the rain.

Time to go and get laundry started and have some coffee.

WIshing you are a great day.

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

Always, Carol & Alvin

PS: 52 days until that 65th Birthday of mine.

The New YEAR 2022

Good Morning ALL! How are you this Wednesday morning? We are well. Mr. Alvin slept from bedtime until 4:53 a.m. Can you believe it? I can hardly believe it. But oh so happy. We went outside and then he had his Movoflex chew and then his breakfast. We had some more zzz’s on the sofa till time for me to get up and going.

The sky is semi overcast but the sun is shining. It was warm out. I am always amazed by the difference between looking out of my office window to the south and out our bedroom window to the north with only our house in between.

Well yesterday turned out to be a great day. I did have a minor, I would not say meltdown as it was not that but have you ever had multiple things happening all at once and you lose it, temporarily. Well it was near the end of my work day and I was closing programs, my phone was pinging with some incoming messages and Alvin was scratching wanting up onto the sofa. Just a combination of those sounds made me not happy. Anyway, I didn’t save one of my spreadsheets which would have been an update but needless to say I clicked on “don’t save” instead of “save” as I was riled. I looked Alvin in the eye and gave him heck and poor boy was shaking. I was not yelling but I think he definitely felt the elephant in the room. I felt so bad. So have to change things. No more phone nearby. If I can turn off or down the sound so that I don’t have to listen to the pinging, that would be helpful. I am human but feeling like a terrible one. Hard to make up for bad behavior. I have to forgive myself and move on. I feel so bad for Alvin. Thankfully this did not last long. I guess we all have moments.

Last night I mowed the lawn and pulled some weeds from the back flower bed. The plants on the south side of the house are doing okay but the ones out front are doing great. Our overnight temperatures have been on the cool side. The grass in the backyard is lush and green considering the front is barely green. I wished that I would wake up tomorrow morning and look out of the front window and see dark green lush grass out front. A gal can dream.

Well it is time to head downstairs. I have a bit of a headache. Sign that I need to drink more water for sure.

Have a wonderful Wednesday.

Don’t give up! Keep on going ahead.

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

Always, Carol & Alvin

It is a NEW YEAR.

The morning sky is broken with some lightness on the horizon.

It is time to get motoring as Mr. Alvin has been reminding me for the past hour or so.

Even though he was up at 1:30 and then again at 4:30.

I only wanted to lay on the bed or the sofa and just be.

But that is not to be so up we are and get this day going.

My boy is restless.

At the moment he is resting on his blue blanket beside me as I write this post.

We were heard a crack or a thud, a loud noise a couple of hours ago.

But no idea what it would/might have been.

Last night we went for a walk after work but only went half way.

The sidewalk to the park was so dangerously icy that it seemed to take 1/2 the time of our regular walk.

The air was so beautiful warm for February 7th, how could we not walk.

We even met up with another pup and his Mom.

Always time for visits.

I do love to meet new people.

 

Last night I chatted with a long time friend of mine from Saskatchewan.

I took Grade 12 in Windthorst where she had lived all of her life.

Through the years, there have been times where we have not seen or heard from one another but when we do, it is as though time has not passed at all.

Last night was one of those times.

We figured it had been just over ten years since we have seen each other.

Her sons and my daughter are grown.

She has retired and I am working.

Life continues on.

We had the best conversation catching up on the last decade, so much to say.

I miss her.

Hopefully we can keep in better touch now.

 

Well today I want to give Mr. Alvin a haircut and bath and do the laundry.

Cleaning will be tomorrow.

I took a vacation day on Tuesday so I can go and pick up some groceries if I need to at that time.

 

Well time to get dressed and make some coffee.

Change the bedding and pop on that first load of laundry.

 

Life is always full of surprises.

Wishing you a day full of surprises, good ones.

Take your day with kindness and respect.

Full on.

 

Happy Saturday.

Wishing that Mr. Alvin could put on the coffee or maybe a load of laundry.

Oh well ….. he is a good alarm clock and great company.

 

Always, Carol & Alvin

 

 

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Tuesday the 17th day of July, 2018.

What a gorgeous morning, clear blue skies.

This morning when Al and I went for a walk at 5:15 a.m. – there was quite a lot of activity at our lakes/park.

The birds everything from ducks, geese, robins and more where chirping, quacking, singing and communicating.

There were frogs and crickets.

The ponds (not actually lakes) were alive with all sorts of wild and wonderful creatures.

It was glorious to listen to it all as we made our way through the park.

 

Another HOT HOT one on the way.

OMG, yesterday was so hot.

The fans and air conditioning barely keeping things cool.

 

Somedays you just need to share some photos.

Here are some photos from my “61” BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION.

The partying beings ….. a tad early but who am I to rain on my parade.

Why not celebrate for a month?

Right.

Party complete with Birthday Banner and Balloons.

Nothing like FRESH GLORIOUS FRUIT

Homemade CARROT CAKE to die for ….

The Birthday Girl hiding behind your PRESENTS.

Oh, I love presents.

So blessed …. received yoga pants & top and sweater and long no-sleeved fancy tank top.

I had so much fun with my girl friends …. we laughed and laughed.

 

AFTER the birthday party my daughter and grand-pups came for the afternoon & stayed for supper.

Both Aspen and Milo looked out the window pretty much the whole time that my daughter was out.

She slipped out for a few minutes.

Oh the babies.

My LILIES be blooming.

They are the most gorgeous shade of red, the ferns are taking over the front flower bed.

Who does not like impatiens?  I kind of missed most of the flowers.

They are filling up two pots on the front step.

What a glorious Sunday I had.

Absolute perfection.

 

Well here we are at Tuesday.

Will be trying to keep cool.

Thank goodness it is cool at 5:15 am when we go for a walk.

 

Special Hello to:  YOU, thank you for reading my blog.

Always, Carol & Alvin

 

 

 

 

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Sunday the 4th day of March, 2018.

Are you tired of shovelling yet?

If you live in Canada or parts of the United States; it is most likely that you have been a lot of the white stuff, namely SNOW.

I have shovelled more time over the past three days then I have done all winter long.

I think that this is the most snow that we have had accumulated for the winter of 2018.

I have decided to take a peek back to this exact date for the past few years, missed writing one March 4th.

Interesting how weather is how most posts begin, most I said, not all.

Nice to look back and I am grateful to have this platform to do so.

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Good Morning and Welcome to Saturday the 4th day of March, 2017.

Wow, it looks like a snow globe here in Edmonton this morning.

The once almost bare covered ground is now completely covered.

Winter, Part II.

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Good Morning and Welcome to Friday the 4th day of March, 2016.

I had the most wonderful evening last night with my friends from Saskatoon.

No mention of weather …. I seem to remember that there was no snow.

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Good Morning and Welcome to Wednesday the 4th day of March, 2015.

It is a great morning here in Edmonton.

I imagine the birds are singing.

The snow is melting.

The temperatures are warming up.

Time change on Sunday.

SPRING IS ON IT’S WAY.

HURRAY ….. HURRAY …..

SPRING IS ON IT’S WAY.

ROUND THE CORNER IS SUMMER.

THANK YOU FOR THE WINTER.

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Good Morning and Welcome to Tuesday the 4th day of March, 2014.

I feel out of sorts this morning and I will be honest.

My full-time job has changed and after two years of in the position I was just getting comfortable and settled.

The office has restructured and I find myself not dealing with the changes as well as I should and perhaps I should not even be writing about this but writing is my way …. I am a writer.

No mention of weather but this seemed to be more important at that the time.

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Good Monday Morning and Welcome Everyone to March 4th, 2013.

THIS WAS THE MOST WEATHER WEEKEND.

I hope that you all had a great weekend.

Were you able to get some of the items completed from that “seemingly” never ending “TO DO LIST?”

Were you able to relax with family and friends?

Did you have some alone time?

Did you have supper with your family?

I hope that you checked off a resounding “YES” to all of the above.

It was a busy weekend and the weather was silly.

Just when the snow was starting to melt away and the grass was showing in spots ….. it snowed and it snowed and it snowed.

So after I spent considerable time chipping down to the storm drain so that the water could start draining from in front of my house and the lake on the street would hopefully find it’s way down …. it SNOWED.

It started out later in the afternoon on Saturday by raining and then these beautiful large wet flakes came down.

By the time it was finished we had a “down blanket’s worth” of fresh snow.

Our streets are crazy ….. the ruts are deep and it reminds me of driving down a country road but actually I think that those roads are much smoother.

Actually when my daughter drove me and Alvin last night after my shift at the store …. it was like being on a roller coaster.

So much for the shocks on cars …. they would take a beating for sure.

Anyway it was nuts …. our streets are packed with ice and water …. heavy slush.

So I hope that the sun shines for a few days and gets rid of some of the extra “ice and water” from the sidewalks and streets.

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Happy Monday, March 5th, 2012 …..

On my way home from BBW yesterday late afternoon the air was filled with huge wet snowflakes.

It continued to snow for several hours and it appears for most of the night.

Funny how we have received more snow in the last couple of snowfalls than all winter.

Wow, it is March ….can you believe it?

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Just to add, I thought that I heard a noise from outside but was determined not to stop until I was done writing my blog, no interruptions.

I could not wait and looked out of my bedroom window to see the front walk all shovelled, oh that neighbour.

I called her as I do not have the coffee ready and I was going to shovel out front but she said no worries, and that she was going out for a bit.

I am so grateful.

Time to get this show on the road.

I hope that you enjoy my weather + stories from this day or close to from years ago.

 

Special Hello to: all those people with their own weather stories, I hear you.

Always, Carol & Alvin

 

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Sunday the 28th day of January, 2018.

Wow, the sky is filled with BRIGHT beautiful SUNLIGHT.

YAY.

It is cold out but not minus 30 and not snowing.

Life is good.

Life is great.

My daughter called earlier and should be here shortly…

Shortly is now.

When I looked out the office window to hear some noise I saw that my neighbour was going into her garage so I ran to my room and my daughter just arrived.

She brought both puppies.

The last couple of times it was only the little one, Milo as he travels better than his big sister Aspen.

I grabbed my coat and put on my boots to go and help bring in the pups.

My daughter said that Aspen went out and jumped into the car (in the garage).

So that was a sign that she wanted to come along to see Grandma and Alvin.

 

Well I must go and visit with my family.

I hope that your Sunday is going as great as mine.

 

Special Hello to: you ……

Always, Carol & Alvin

Thought for the day…..

Good Morning and Welcome to Monday the 15th day of June, 2015.

It is a bright sunny morning here in Edmonton with little breeze.

Hard to believe it is Monday morning already.

Me and Mr. Alvin had a great weekend ….. there were parts of it that I am pretty certain he would not agree were great but nonetheless it was pretty awesome.

It was almost like a spring cleaning kind of weekend.

The task that I am most proud of accomplishing was painting the porch.

It was windy and I did wear some but JOYFUL noise it is done and looks awesome.

All sparkling white and clean.

Sometimes it is those tasks that we put off because we are somewhat “nervous” or “scared” to do that gives us the most satisfaction when completed.

Now I feel like I can do almost anything.

So it was a great weekend.

We accomplished everything on the “TO DO LIST” and even had time for relaxing.

Snuggles with Mr. Alvin …..

My favourite time.

Yes, I cannot believe the weekend is over.

Time to move onto another week with another weekend coming up.

YAY.

So make some noise …. you deserve it …… you did it.

Now it is Monday …. the most dreaded day of the week.

Likely for the most part is because it falls after the weekend and most of us just want to stay home and sleep.

I do make the mistake of sleeping in ….. besides really who wants to get out of bed at 5:00 a.m. when you do not have to … well okay, I can think of one little guy ….. me Alvin …… he always wakes up early.  We always get up but not always stay up.

Well time to get this show on the road.

Happy Monday.

Just take a deep breath …..

If I can move my “Fanny Farkle” up and out, I know that you can, too.

We can do it.

Today is going to be awesome, fantastic, great, spectacular and amazing.

It will …..

Special Hello to: my friends back in Regina …. miss you all.

Always, Carol and Alvin