2021

Good Morning ALL. How are you today? I am well. Everytime I typed “2021” – I feel as though I am living in the far future. But yet here we are and I guess when I was a little girl in the early 1960’s – 2021 would have felt very futuristic. I also cannot believe we are less than four years away from 2025, which is another year that always interested me. Not quite sure why. Anyway. Got slightly sidetracked. This morning I am going into the office. We have quite strict protocols in place when we go to the office. I had to submit an online self assessment which I was finally able to do. At first I get receiving messages that my password or server weren’t something or other. Did not work. After many attempts I was able to complete the self assessment. YAY, me. This not very tech savvy “woman” was able to download the APP if that is the correct terminology and then actually get signed in and do the assessment. Well it is just over thirty minutes before my daughter picked me up. She is in my “bubble” or “pod.” I am not sure which term to use as I have heard both used. Guess it really does not matter. Mr. Alvin is feeling that something is up. It will be a long day for him without his Momma. Thankfully our neighbour Sonja will pop in and check on him. Let him outside and give him a treat or two. Then she will feed him at supper and let him out. He is used to eating around 4:30 p.m. and I won’t make it here by then. So grateful to have such great neighbours. I can smell the coffee perking as I am making some to take to work. I have my snacks or rather my breakfast on the go which consists of almonds and grapes. Usually I have oatmeal with cinnamon and cranberries but I didn’t want to eat this early and I also did not wish to take that to the office where I would have to warm it up in the microwave. Just want to keep my contact down to a minimum.

Well it is Friday and that is a good thing. I am looking forward to the trip to work chatting with my daughter along the way. I am excited to see the handful of staff including my Manager and a gal that is retiring and today is her very last day. I will have an opportunity to personally wish you all the best. We had a virtual Retirement party for her yesterday ….. no food, no card, no gift to hand to her. That part was sad. Some of us including her Management team had lots of nice things to say. She worked for our company for almost 39 years.

Okay time to go and finish getting ready. I am thinking I can get away with only wearing shoes instead of boots. Not much snow. I will be brave.

Have an awesome Friday. Continue to live our lives with kindness, respect and compassion.

Always, Carol & Alvin

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Sunday the 5th day of May, 2019.

Up to SUNSHINE ….. what a beautiful way to begin one’s day.

Of course when we were first up at 4:30 a.m. – Mr. Sun was not even thinking of rising to our sight as yet.

But the next time – he was up.

The air feels a bit warmer than the passed few mornings.

Second morning in a row we have woke up to NO SNOW.

YAY, perhaps we are on our way to double digit temperatures.

No socks in our shoes.

Short pants?

Shorts.

No jackets.

No sweaters.

Planting vegetables and flowers?

Spending more time outside.

Light colourful clothing, yes.

We are on our way.

 

When I was vacuuming yesterday upstairs the last bag filled.

So I was immediately done vacuuming.

ARGH.

Not something that one can pick up at my grocery store.

I am grateful that I have a broom and that most of my house is carpet free.

But the stairs and the landings going upstairs and downstairs will have to wait for a bit.

Crazy how one small thing can change everything.

Not horribly bad but a pain nonetheless.

I was happy to change some things around in my room so it feels “new.”

Went through draws and bathroom cabinets …..

The one thing that most people leave for a long time is cleaning their hair brushes.

Well I did that yesterday.

We did multiple loads of laundry.

Washed the floors upstairs.

Did our watering duty at my friend’s house and enjoyed our walk.

Cleaned the main floor.

Submitted a tea order to Steeped Tea.

Always good to do a little business.

Managed to trim Alvin’s hair from time to time.

Basically found a sharper pair of scissors and whenever he laid down and was sleeping; I snipped some of his hair on his paws.

His front paws are always the ones that never get a proper trimming.

 

Why is it that I am most inspired to write after I lay down to bed?

Likely because the day is done and more relaxed?

I had read for awhile and could barely keep my eyes open and the words just spilled all over my mind.

I should have got up and grabbed a notebook and pen (which I do have close by) but I told myself that I would remember the words come the morning.

Did I remember?

No, I did not.

Or at least not all of them.

The best ones, no.

Lesson learned ….. a write has to pen the words when they come to them.

 

Well today is going to be a quiet day.

We will continue watering duty, walking, make a large batch of oatmeal for the week, make lunch for tomorrow and trim Alvin’s paws whenever possible.

Wash the main floor and bring up the rest of the laundry that has been hanging to dry.

Lay out the clothes to wear tomorrow and perhaps for Tuesday checking the weather first.

Maybe do some writing if I am inclined to do so.

There has to be words …. there always has to be words….. the right ones.

 

Time to get this day going.

Definitely need coffee.

 

Happy Sunday.

Wishing you an awesome day.

 

Special Hello to: my sister …..

Always, Carol & Alvin

 

 

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Sunday the 30th day of April, 2017.

Well here we are just a few hours away from the end of the first quarter of 2017.

Three years away from 2020.

Does that not sound futuristic?

Yikes ….. perhaps in a few short years we will be more “space age.”

Who knows.

 

This morning the sun is shining.

We did receive some rain overnight but it has dried now.

YAY ……

 

This morning Mr. Alvin surprised me ….

Last night by the time I went to bed it was almost 11:00 p.m.

Once again Alvin was ready to rise at 4:00 a.m.

ARGH.

So as per usual, I sleepily get up and go downstairs.

He has his breakfast and goes outside.

This time …… GUESS WHAT.

We came upstairs to bed after his EARLY breakfast.

When I woke up it was almost 8:00 a.m.

Unless I did not hear him he did not wake up in between.

FIRST TIME EVER.

Cannot believe it.

Perhaps we should always come back upstairs.

Although it did not work yesterday.

I guess his hair cut and bath really caused anxiety and our back to normal walk really tired him out.

He looks really cute ….. my little black&white guy….

Anyway good news.

I at least got two chunks of sleep four hours each.

YAY …..

 

Well time to finish the laundry.

Get ready for tomorrow.

You know prepping the oatmeal for breakfast for the next three days.

Deciding on what to wear?

Lunch.

RELAX as we worked …. er, I mean I worked all day getting things done so that today could be a relatively quiet day today.

Might do some more yard work (might), as it is still a bit wet.

After supper we will SKYPE with my sister and hear all about her trip to PERU and VEGAS.

 

I hope that you all have a wonderful day.

Be KIND and have FUN.

 

Happy Happy Sunday.

Special Hello to: YOU, thank you.

Always, Carol & Alvin

 

 

 

Thought for the day ……

Good Morning and Welcome to Saturday the 17th day of September, 2016.

Happy Birthday to my friend and Steeped Tea leader “C” ….. Wishing her the best birthday ever!

Yesterday we celebrated the last Friday of Summer and it was beautiful.

One hitch on our walk last night was the return of Mosquitoes.

Not sure where they came from but they were out in strong force.

Thank goodness that my wonderful neighbour “S” who had the day off took Mr. Alvin for over an one hour walk yesterday morning.

So when we had to cut ours short – I was not feeling guilty.

We did pick up in the mail a parcel from Steeped Tea – my two free teas that I earned for sales in August.

YAY, Me.

Kind of off topic but then when I have I ever stayed on topic ….. LOL….. just ask my daughter.

Oh, sun is coming out ….. we woke up to cloudy skies and rain.

Perhaps the day will be sunny and warm after all.

 

Anyway earlier this morning I had the most unusual dream.

Here is what I remember.

Not sure where I was living but it was my house.

Couple of friends coming over.

My daughter was in the house, too.

One friend pulled up in her car and the ground on my front lawn (which was way bigger than my actual yard) gave way – a sink hole.

Down, down she and the car went.

My other friend and I stood on the edge looking down and could only see part of the car.

I yelled we have to call 9-1-1 … so I ran into the house to phone.

While in the house I thought that I should take some water outside.

But I could not locate a certain water bottle.

Everywhere I looked there was loose uncooked oatmeal.

In the drawers. Everywhere.

I asked my daughter to clean it up.

Finally somewhere I found a bottle to put some water in and outside I went.

Meanwhile, outside my friend had found a way to climb down into the hole which stretched a long bit.

She was near the car when I came out and yelled to me that our friend was okay except for a broken foot.

I did not question how she knew that but no matter.

It seemed like forever before the fireman arrived.

Somehow in between I had gone back into the house for something and they were all there upon my return.

They were all down in the hole by the car.  Pushing it.

Two women in dresses (not sure where they came from), my friend and some firemen.

My friend was rescued from the hole in my front yard.

We went into the house afterward for coffee.

Mm, come to think of it not sure if the injured friend went to the hospital or not.

Anyway while we were in the house a crowd of 50 or more people gathered to check out the hole.

They were everywhere.

Taking photos.  Throwing random things into the hole.  Others were trying to climb down.

That was about the end of the dream.

I just remembered feeling frustrated to have all these people hanging out at my house.

They made a mess.

 

Well in between writing my blog one of my neighbours came for a cup of coffee and now the sun is shining.

What the difference half a hour can make.

 

Time to get this show on the road.

There be toilets to clean, floors to dust/mop, laundry and so on to do.

Have an awesome Saturday.

I am going to enjoy this one so much.

 

Special Hello to: all those folks who take the time to read my blog, thank you very much.

Happy Saturday.

Always, Carol and Alvin

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Friday the 13th day of November, 2015.

This has been the most unusual morning ever in our house.

We, I slept okay …. at least got some sleep.

The past couple of mornings I have been coaxing Alvin to stay in bed until the alarm goes off at 5:00.

So far so good.

As you know there has been an unwanted “guest” in our house.

Still not caught so heaven only knows where it is at this point.

For some reason I feel safe upstairs ….

So this morning when we went downstairs, just after turning on all of the lights on the main floor, I donned my trusty winter boots.

Bravely I opened the bathroom door and said to Alvin …. “please check for me” and he knew.

He just walked in and sniffed about and turn to me as if to say “it is okay, Momma” and ” I am hungry, already.”

He is my HERO.

So I scooped out some food from the container that is now in the bathroom because a trap is set on the floor of the pantry.

Took the bowl back to the front door where his water bowl is now located.

When he was done – I went outside with Alvin.

I just cannot be in the house without him at my side.

Once back in, with my trusty winter boots on I made my oatmeal, grabbed a glass of water with lemon and a banana and we went upstairs to the office.

Kind of feels like camping.

Our whole schedule has changed.

But maybe that is a good thing.

So I wrote in my journal upstairs before I ate because I cannot sit at the table.

Then checked Facebook … now writing my blog and lastly I will put on my face and get dressed.

I know it is crazy …. but this is my current reality.

For me, even to be in the house is a move in the right direction.

I even made a simple supper last night ….. veggie burger in the oven ….. grabbed a bun …. mustard and cheese … and veggies … done.

I hope that this change is not long term.

Just want my life back.

Well almost time to go and get ready ……

I hope that you have a great Friday.

When there is no choice there is always change.

This is my thought as of now.

Happy Friday the 13th ….. almost mid November now.

Special Hello to: all those celebrating a birthday in November …. Happy Birthday.

Always, Carol and Alvin

 

Thought for the day…..

Good Morning and Welcome to Wednesday the 27th day of August, 2014.

Overcast with forecast for rain this afternoon.

Alvin is sitting on our bed looking out the window.

I think that is his favourite spot in the house.

 

Well I had an interesting morning.

One of my co-workers who happens to be a vegan was telling me about a home remedy to clean your sinuses.

It called for equal parts of cinnamon and honey …. one tablespoon each.

So I decided this morning would be the time to try it.

So I mixed it up which is really hard to do and when it would blend decided to heat up some water (which they said you could do) and added the mixture.

I slowly drank it and at the same time I had my oatmeal, blueberries and banana in front of me with ALVIN and Miss PENNY ….

Of course, they wanted some ….. and I complied.

Without even thinking I had a couple of small pieces of banana and a couple of blueberries …..

Then I started sneezing …..

Then all of a sudden I had a weird sensation and headed to the nearby bathroom…..

Good thing because next thing I know it I emptied my stomach ……

I feel great …… still congested …… and despite the fact that I didn’t eat breakfast I do not feel hungry and my stomach feels flat.

Interesting.

Perhaps I should have just done the cinnamon and honey ….. maybe in boiling water ……

I do not know ……

Will keep you posted and let you know if in fact, it does clear my sinuses ……

What a morning …… I am going for peace and quiet for the rest of the day.

I hope that you all have a wonderful Wednesday.

 

Thank you to all the new people reading my blog ….

I was so excited to reach the “500” mark and now I am over it.

Thank you so much.

 

Special Hello to: all those people out there who are trying to live a better life ….. naturally ……

Always, Carol

Thought for the day…….

Good Morning and Welcome to Wednesday the 20th day of August, 2014.

Funny story this morning.

Alvin and I are in the kitchen and I am having my breakfast.

When I eat my oatmeal with a banana or blueberries, I always share them with Alvin.

Not 50-50, though.

Anyway, as we are rolling through the banana; all of a sudden there appears Miss Penny.

Well Mr. Alvin took umbrage to her trying to get in on his treat.

He stood up and growled as she nestled in beside me.

So cute ……

Anyway ….. he did shared the remaining banana.

They are so cute.

The way that they interact.

I love taking them all on walks.

Last night my daughter, Elton and Penny joined Alvin and I.

It was nice.

The evening was so beautiful…..

Just perfect ……

Still a few roses blooming and you know how I feel about that fragrance.

It just goes up into your nose …… where no other scents go and fills your brain with wonder ….. mmmm mmmmm

Needless to say I love roses.

Well almost time to go to work.

Another day another dollar, they say.

Have a great Wednesday.

Special Hello to: all those fine folks out there who take the time to read my blog …. thank you.

Always, Carol and Alvin

 

Thought for the day…..

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

The past two evenings just about the time that I have gone to bed …. the sky begins to light up and the thunder roars.

The wind gets up and then the rain comes down.

Mother Nature sure put on quite the light show last night.

I was very proud of Alvin ….. he did not seem to be bothered by all of the commotion.

I am very lucky as storms do not frighten me although sometimes the end result sure can be disheartening.

I know that some of my friends and family back in Saskatchewan are still dealing with the flooding from the storms of about a week ago.

My heart and prayers go out to them.

Also my thanks to all those people who have gone to help.

This morning the air is cool and it is windy.

Sky overcast looking like more rain for the forecast.

I am just having some oatmeal before I get ready to go to work at the store.

With the sky being overcast it looks like the store will be busy and also today is the last day of our semi-annual sale.

So we will be busy.

I hope that you had a great weekend.

I feel so great that with my daughter’s help we cleaned out “eight” rubbermaid containers from the basement.

Two huge black garbage bags out of the house.

YAY.  Am feeling pretty light this morning.

Good reminder to us all whenever you see someone in need – stop and help.

If there is anyway to help someone – do it.

We need to be better global neighbours.

Happy Sunday All.

Special Hello to: Saskatchewan, my old home province.

Always, Carol and Alvin

Thought for the day……

Good Morning and Welcome to Wednesday the 11th day of June, 2014.

Wow, morning sure came fast.

It is so beautiful as I look out my office (at home) and see the sun shine with a clear blue sky.

There is not even a hint of a breeze.

NICE.

I was up just a tad later than usual ….. not even home at 10:00 p.m.

First time in likely years that I was actually away from home on a week night.

Once I got home and ready for bed and read a couple chapters in my book it was almost 11:00 a.m.

I am so blessed that Alvin’s sister asked him to spend the night ….. so no Alvin getting up at 4:45 a.m.

It was a great treat.

I was invited to go to a home party (of a product) from a gal that I work with at the office.

It was so much fun.

I know her husband and her grown-up daughter.

Met so many nice people and also her future son-in-law ….. just so happens we are making the jewellery for this upcoming wedding.

I thoroughly enjoyed myself.

I did miss me Alvin, though.

My friend has two dogs ….. a big dog named “Buddy” who is older but so gentle and quiet.

Their second dog “Elmo” …. more like my Elton was a shy but vocal little one.

Love meeting new doggies.

So all in all it was a great Tuesday evening ….. something different than my usual one

Do you once in awhile do something out of the norm for you?

It can be something as small as going to a home party on a weeknight.

 

Whoa, I just noticed that one of my neighbours to the south a few blocks has their furnace turned on as I see smoke going out of the chimney.

Guess they are feeling a bit chilly.

It has been a bit cool in the house in the mornings but I am not turning on the heat.

I have been wearing my winter p.j.’s on those nights when it has been rainy and cool inside the house.

Okay, not sure why I did not notice before but now I see another one.

First time that I have noticed people having their furnaces on in June.

Yikes.

 

Well time to go and have breakfast and write in my gratitude journal.

I usually do that after Alvin has had his breakfast and done his morning constitutional.

I turned things around for something different this morning.

Time to eat……

I hear oatmeal calling my name ………………..

 

I hope that you continue to stretch and grow …. try something new.

Even the smallest of things is good.

Special Hello to: my daughter who faithfully reads my blog and is my biggest supporter;  I am so grateful for having last night out and about.

Always, Carol and Alvin

Thought for the day…..

Good Morning and Welcome to Friday the 14th day of March, 2014.

Well it has been a scary, heart-pounding, frightening morning for me.

Starting at the beginning you all know that I have had a “mouse” in my house.

A few days ago we caught it in the old-fashioned trap that I set up in a box in the main floor bathroom.

I was so happy and relieved and also cautious. 

UNTIL …

Today is my day off from the office so I thought that I would take the opportunity to hit the sofa for some extra zzz’s after I got up at 5:30 to feed Alvin.

Just “90” minutes …..

So I curled up on my comfy sofa and Alvin jumped up beside me only he did not actually “curl up as he usually does.”

Instead he just kept looking toward the kitchen only to jump up and go sniffing …..

At first I just let him go …

Finally when he didn’t come back I stood up on the sofa and turned on the kitchen lights ( my living room and kitchen are all one open space divided by a half wall ).

He kept sniffing by the stove and I didn’t see anything.

So I laid back down.

Left one of the lights on low.

He would come back to the sofa about three more times until he finally got up and started barking by the stove.

I knew something was there.

His nose is never wrong.

So I donned my winter boots and with my long pointy end umbrella in hand I pulled out the oven drawer …… nothing ran out.

So I put the kettle on for my oatmeal and also ran some water to do some dishes that I had left from last night (was boiling eggs and potatoes for potato salad).

The kettle was about to boil and the hot water was running down …..

All of a sudden Alvin ran ….. I heard a commotion and turned to see a mouse and Alvin heading for the back door.

Then to my absolute horror I saw a tail hanging out of Alvin’s mouth.

I screamed and screamed …. lost my breath.

Yelled at Alvin …. he dropped it ….. it ran toward a “swiffer type mop” that I had temporarily stood by the back door.

It moved for a second and then did not.

I yelled at Alvin to stay away and grabbed the phone.

It was about 7:00 a.m. and I called my daughter’s house ….. thank goodness my son-in-law answered.

I very shakily with heart pounding out of my skin told him what happened, and he said he would be right over.

A few minutes later he arrived ….. thank goodness.

He came over and disposed of the mouse.

We removed all of the traps from the main floor and found that the one behind the fridge …. the mouse had popped off the top of it to get at the peanut butter.

Smart little thing.

We moved everything out and I sprayed a disinfectant and cleaned …..

I need COFFEE ….. and oatmeal.

THANK GOODNESS FOR MY ALVIN AND MY SON-IN-LAW.

Nothing like something that terrifies you to get you energized or scared half to death …. not sure which at this point.

I was going to return the traps to Canadian Tire but decided they are full of poop as they just ate the peanut butter and left.

GREAT TRAPS.

The ones that did work were the old fashioned spring loaded ones and of course, the best hunter on the planet, me ALVIN.

So hopefully this is it….. I really need it to be.

I have not found anywhere for entry at this point.

But will keep looking and make certain that I always have lots of treats for me, Alvin …… he will get lots of banana this morning…

So that is my heart racing story for this day.

So grateful for Alvin.

He is quick ……

So grateful that he did not eat him.

Time to fly here.

I hope that you all have a great day.

Special Hello to: everyone for their support throughout this ordeal ….. I would have been okay …. it was seeing the tail in Alvin’s mouse …..

 By the way, I donned disposable gloves and brushed Alvin’s teeth as best that I could.

Breathe, breathe ……

 

Always, Carol and me, Alvin