The New YEAR 2022

Good Morning ALL! How are you this morning? We are doing well. The sky is blue and the sun is shining and there is a slight breeze. Does not get better than that! Yesterday was a beautiful day. We had a little shower but not too much. Our plants, flowers, gardens, crops, lawns and trees just need some sunshine at this time. So nice to be having some this morning.

How was your Sunday? We were busy. Well I was busy! Mr. Alvin was busy having me wait on him. But I do not mind. We enjoyed a walk but had to cut it not too much shorter as it started to rain. I did some cleaning, baked a banana/pumpkin/orange loaf with chocolate chips, took photos of the items in the garage sale and lots of other odds and ends. It was a full, good day.

Hard to believe that I had a three day weekend and that it is over already. Where does the time go?

Also tomorrow is the first day of summer, Tuesday, June 21st, 2022. I will change the wreath on our front door and put up our wreath with the roses on it.

Not much new here. Oh, I have been dreaming like a huge amount. Something is going on within my brain. Seems like one ends and another begins. I don’t remember too many details but I know that there are many of them and they are different from one another.

I love looking out the window and seeing the green leaves on the trees swaying in the breeze. The trees are pretty much full now and look so great. I love the colour green. I think it is my favourite colour. Although I do like other colours.

Well I have to go shortly here and do a couple of things before I start work.

Plug in the coffee pot to perk for one thing (I can taste the coffee in my mind). Put out the bags of bottles to be picked up.

Looks like we will have a good walk at noon. I think I am going to have to get mobile earlier so that we can walk in the morning. There is nothing like that morning coolness, not cold, just perfection. Sometimes by noon it is too warm for Mr. Alvin to be out walking. Today should be okay.

I hope that you have a great Monday.

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

Always, Carol & Alvin

PS: only 50 days until my 65th Birthday. Cannot believe it. Still.

It is a NEW YEAR.

Wow, June 30th today, how did that happen?

Tomorrow will be the first day of the second half of this year.

Also tomorrow is July 1st, CANADA DAY.

The celebrations will be much different from other years but that is okay.

There does not always have to be such pomp and circumstance.

We can celebrate in smaller groups or just by ourselves.

Alvin and I usually watch someone of the televised celebrations followed by the fireworks in the neighbourhood.

 

Speaking of Alvin, I gave him a pain pill as soon as I got home from the vet yesterday morning.

It seemed to help or at least take the edge off which is great.

As the weather is still raining – I would think he may need one today but will see.

There were seven pills in the prescription and now there are six.

So will give them just when he appears to need them.

 

We had quite the start earlier this morning.

Alvin and I were outside in the backyard.

I looked up and saw this wet gold coloured cat on the top of the fence.

Immediately I thought of Humphrey and said “Humphrey” and his Mom came out right away.

Not Humphrey,  I realized that right after I said his name.

I recognized the gold cat with “four” legs from a few days ago.

He or She had been underneath a car and when we walked by …. of course Alvin had his scent.

So the cat came out and followed us.

Alvin likes cats so he was not startled by the cat.

The cat followed us down the street.

My neighbour thinks it belongs to a lady and her son down the street.

I think the poor cat is trying to find his home.

The cat took off when my neighbour came out and Humphrey was on the grass and ran after.

 

Alvin just barked.

Guess he needs something.

Anyway almost time to start work.

Yup, I kept setting the microwave timer for a few more minutes.

 

Okay, time to get this show on the road.

It has been raining since 5:30 a.m. this morning.

The grass is so nice and green.

My favourite shade of green.

The air smells fresh.

 

Wishing you a day filled with kindness and respect.

I only wished that everyone on the planet was surrounded with kindness and respect.

That would be perfection.

It is a NEW YEAR.

Good Friday Morning.

One step closer to Saturday.

 

Do you have a favourite day of the week?

I would say that mine is Saturday.

We can sleep in a bit if we choose.

Breakfast is always toast and that is my weekend treat.

Sometimes with Cheez Whiz.

I know that it is not really a healthy choice but I love the taste.

Most times it is peanut butter and saskatoon jam.

Sometimes just peanut butter.

Other times it may be cinnamon and sugar (brown sugar).

I can listen to music or the television as I run (okay walk) up and down the stairs doing laundry and cleaning.

Even though I could be more busy than work sometimes – it is wonderful to be busy at home.

In my very own house.

I love my house.

Did I mention that before to you?

Nothing fancy but yet it is to me.

The phone just rang downstairs so I made a mad dash down to see an unknown area code.

I answered but nothing.

Yikes.

That will get your heart pumping.

Back to the weekend, to Saturday.

Usually if Alvin has an appointment with the vet it is made for Saturday.

Otherwise the day is spent mostly at home.

Sometimes there is baking.

Other times I may have a coffee date with two of my friends in the neighbour.

Sometimes I sip on my coffee and just look out the living room for a bit of time.

Taking in my neighbourhood.

Sometimes I look out of the office or kitchen windows.

Taking in my neighbourhood.

We can stay up later although we seldom stay up very late.

 

Tomorrow my daughter, son-in-law and pups are coming for a visit after lunch as their pups have vet appointments with our Dr. Karen.

We started to go to see Dr. Karen as my first grand pups were clients of hers.

It will be wonderful to have a visit with them.

Also we are looking after Mr. Humphrey for the weekend.

He will be with us during the day and go home for the night.

I will have to ensure that he is home during the pups visit.

Aspen and cats do not mix.

Well almost time to leave for work.

One more trip outside.

 

I hope that you have a wonderful day.

A reminder to me and to you, be kind and respectful.

Some days when folks are yelling and mean-spirited it is difficult.

But we don’t know their stories.

I am saying this for me not necessarily for you.

I have to be reminded as well.

I am human and sometimes I falter.

Perfection is in the learning every day.

 

Happy Friday.

Always, Carol & Alvin

 

PS: we did manage to get a pretty good walk in and surprise we walked on the other side of the street.  I wanted to check out the path that I will take to the bus this morning.

Luckily it is pretty clear.

Living … One day at a time

Good Morning,

We had some rain overnight.

Yesterday or at least in the late afternoon we had a strong COLD wind.

As I was walking home from the bus, I was grateful that I had a warm coat and gloves.

Alvin and I went for our usual walk only it was not so usual.

We got as far as the “poop bag station.”

He had a poop turned to look at me and headed for home.

Okay, perhaps he was cold even though I had put his winter jacket on him.

So we had a short walk.

That might be part of the reason that he was up at 2:00 a.m. and then a few times after that until we were up to stay up at 5:09 a.m.

ARGH.

Definitely need COFFEE this morning.

I also am thinking that the later we go to bed the later he sleeps.

Or it seems that way.

We were in bed before 9:00 last night and five hour later we were up.

I guess we will go to bed later tonight.

I will get this figured out.

We have only been together for almost ten years …..

Relationships always require work …. no matter who or the type.

Work.

I guess everything we do requires work of some sort.

Ah.

 

Just thinking as I glance about my newly renovated (painted) office at all my photos, cards and books ….  how much I love this space.

The bulletin boards that my daughter made me for Christmas a few years back are finally up and filled with photos, ticket stubs, letters and poems.

My bookcases are filled with the books that I love …. each area special.

Books for children in one case with Minnie Mouse and a Bunny sitting atop.

Collectible magazines of Princess Diana and the Royal Family and some of my favourite people.

My purses hang on a rack on the door.

I have bios, self-help, and fiction.

All sorts of different topics and story lines.

I do love to read.

Right now I am reading Michelle Obama’s book “Becoming.”

I feel good in this room.

Best choice of paint colour ever.

I am so grateful to my friend for matching the paint to my handmade curtains “with absolute perfection.”

 

Well it is almost time to hit the road.

Alvin is laying on his blue blanket.

Touching my foot as he is never far from me when I am at home.

For his sake, I wished that I was able to be home with him all day, every day.

This would be a great time to come into lots of money.

Mmm, a million dollars.

That would be nice.

A gal can dream.

 

Happy Wednesday.

 

Living your life always with kindness and respect.

Always.

 

 

Always, Carol & Alvin

Living … One day at a time.

Hello, good morning.

It is a beautiful morning here in Edmonton.

The sun is shining and as I look out of my office window at home, I can see the sun shining through the golden leaves of a neighbour’s tree to the south.

So beautiful.

This is our Canadian Thanksgiving long weekend.

I am thankful for all of the things in my life.

Even the “cold sore” that seems to have landed on my upper lip.

I have so much to be thankful for.

Even the messy stuff is all good.

Every bit of life good or bad is to be thankful for.

My life is certainly not perfection and I sometimes might choose to see life through rose coloured glasses but …

It is my life ….

I am surrounded by the best people and while they are fantastic even those relationships are sometimes not 100% rosey.

But that is life.

Right?

Perfection is sloppy.

Perfection is messy.

Perfection is your perfect.

Different for everyone.

We had a great night with Humphrey over for a visit.

I am always amazed at how well they get on.

The first moment he arrives …. Alvin runs to the door and they touch noses.

I guess that is their way of saying hello.

If one goes outside they both go outside.

If one comes in most times they both come in.

Tonight Teddy comes for a sleepover.

He will spend Sunday with us.

Tomorrow my daughter, son-in-law and grand pups comes for our Thanksgiving meal.

Life is good.

 

Well time to get that life is good thing going …. there is laundry to do and coffee to drink.

Time to change from pj’s into day time clothes.

 

With kindness and respect I shall live my life.

Remembering how blessed I am.

 

Always, Carol & Alvin

Happy Thanksgiving …

 

 

 

Thought for the day ….

Good Morning and Welcome to Saturday the 9th day of June, 2018.

Oh, what an absolutely glorious morning it is here in Edmonton.

Alvin was up early and then we went back to bed.

I had wanted to get up earlier than usual so that we could go for a walk before the heat sets in and possibility of storms.

We were up about 7:30 a.m. which isn’t that early for a lot of people but I am up at 5:00 or earlier during the work week and like to sleep in on the weekends when I can.

I opened some windows to create that cross draft as there is a beautiful cool breeze.

Donned my shorts and t-shirt.

Grabbed the leash and cornered the boy to put his harness on.

(He was upstairs).

Usually it is going around the kitchen table for ten minutes (as he hides underneath) before I am able to get him ready.

Anyway, that is okay.

Grabbed some more poop bags, sandals on of course and the keys and not forgetting Al’s water bottle.

And we were off.

The cool breeze hit me as I opened the door blowing into my face and washing over me.

I could have stood there for eternity basking in the perfect cool air.

Locking the house we were on our way.

I admired my flowers in the front flower bed as we skipped down the sidewalk.

Well perhaps “skipped” is more of a term in a musical but we were happily going along.

The sun shining brightly.

We past a neighbour closer to the lake out watering his flowers and said “good morning” to each other.

At the lake the breeze moved the trees and grass around the water.

Each blade of grass appeared to be dancing around as the branches on the trees swayed to that music of the birds.

I have never heard so many birds singing their songs all at once.

I thought I was in heaven or some magical place.

We looked for the geese and their goslings but to no avail.

We saw a couple of ladies out walking with their dogs (one was running).

Stopping to say “hello.”

The smell to the air is better than the smell of freshly brewing coffee.

Er, maybe I mean to say “the freshness of the air tickled my nose and gave me this washed over feeling of zen.

Nothing compares to, nothing compares to coffee.

I love the smell of coffee brewing.

Now that we have that established….carry on.

Alvin enjoyed sniffing every blade of grass along the way.

He also enjoyed a sip of water here and there.

The water shone with a brilliance of polished diamonds.

So absolutely breathtaking, I had to stop and just take it all in.

Both Alvin and I could have stayed there forever.

It was one of the best walks we have ever taken, perfection.

Everything fell perfectly into place.

 

So now back at home time for a reality check.

Time to change bedding, start laundry, have breakfast and that beloved cup of COFFEE and get things done.

I hope that you all have that magic in your day.

 

Special Hello to: all those folks who enjoy a morning walk.

Always, Carol & Alvin

 

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Sunday the 27th day of May, 2018.

Another gorgeous day has begun.

Yesterday with the cool breeze was comfortable and most enjoyable.

We had Master Teddy spend the day with us.

After supper we went for a walk which went well.

Not too much one going one way and the other.

We bumped into one of our neighbours out with her three small sons for a walk.

The family was on their way home as were, we.

They were happy to see PUPPIES so we finished our walks together.

Nice to visit.

The kiddos were so cute.

One of them placed his hands on the sidewalk and bum in the air was trying to race Teddy.

Oh, how we giggled.

Both of us wished that we would have had a camera along.

This family has a doggie named “Miss Daisy” and she had stayed home due to illness.

She is in kidney failure and on medication.

Her Momma asked if we would stop by as she would like to see Alvin.

Daisy and Alvin get along famously.

Alvin is like this social butterfly that everyone just loves.

Miss Daisy was feeling lots better due in part her Momma thought to a change in meds.

Momma is a nurse and has been given her IV fluids which helps keep her hydrated.

Daisy, Alvin and Teddy ran around their front yard and sprinkled in between where the two old boys as the youngest one was in the stroller as he is 1.5 years old.

The boys are 8 and almost 5 years old.

This Mom works as a Nurse at a nearby hospital.

Busy lady.

Daisy is in our thoughts and prayers.

She is 13 years old and we hope that she has many good years left to live.

Her Momma was worried about her and as her Husband is working out of town; she certainly has her hands full.

I volunteered to help out if she needs me.

Any time day or night.

That is what friends and neighbours are for?  Right?

Yesterday was just one of those great days.

Days are always better when surrounded by puppies, a kitty, a gecko and CHILDREN.

 

I also spent time with Humphrey, the Cat and Cinder, the Gecko.

They are in my care while their Momma is away on vacation.

The right amount of work, fun and relaxation and exercise.

Perfection.

 

Well almost time to hit the shower as I am invited to a birthday party this morning.

One of our trio of friends is celebrating a birthday (early as it is on Thursday) and the other one is hosting.

So I get to just show up.

We have such a great time.

I picked up a bottle of wine for her and a turtle for her yard.

Not a real turtle, of course.

I love turtles.

Something a bit different.

Looking forward to chatting and laughing.

 

I hope that you all had the most perfect weekend.

Happy Sunday.

Special Hello to:  my sister and all of my girl friends all over the world.

ALWAYS, Carol & Alvin

 

 

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Thursday the 21st day of December, 2017.

Official day of WINTER.

Longer days start again, YAY.

Welcome WINTER.

Payday …. always a good thing.

Last day of work for this year.

That is always a good thing.

Alvin is excited for me to be at home.

That is always a good thing.

My daughter is picking me up from work tonight.

That is always a good thing.

Found something newish that never wore before and that is always a good thing.

Life is good.

Are you counting your blessings?

Do you count them?

Are you grateful for your world?

I mean the things in your life?

No one has what anyone might deem a perfect life but then again perfection lies in the eyes of the beholder.

Perfection for you might not be for someone else and that is okay.

We are individuals after all.

So on this Thursday my last day of work which excites me more than you will ever know (and I do love my job).

Just nice to have a break and most especially at this time of year.

Time to enjoy family and friends, perhaps do some purging …. like spring cleaning but on smaller scale …. like a drawer or a closet…..relax……eat some good food…..perhaps watch a movie or six.

Have a great day.

Looks like it is time for me to go.

Have a bus to catch.

Happy Thursday.

Remember to be kind to yourself first and then it is much easier to be kind to others.

Special Hello to:  my friends, thank you.

Always, Carol & Alvin

Thought for the day ……

Good Morning and Welcome to Wednesday the 6th day of December, 2017.

Today is the 59th Birthday of my dear cousin “J” …….

Wishing you a Happy Happy Birthday dear cousin.

May this next year be filled with perfection of all things.

 

Well as December seems to be zooming along where are we in the grand scheme of things.

Right where we should be.

Whatever you get done for the holidays is just what needs to be done.

If something is missed it is for good reason, it was not necessary.

Simple is best.

Enjoy this time of year.

Enjoy the music, the extra nights out, the food, the sweets, and the gifts.

But most of all enjoy each other.

Be kind to each other.

If someone is in need – lend a helping hand.

 

Well someone here took a few minutes extra sleep this morning and needs to run.

Gotta catch that bus you know.

 

Happy Wednesday.

Special Hello to: all those folks celebrating Birthdays today.

Always, Carol & Alvin

Thought for the day ….

Good Morning and Welcome to Tuesday the 26th day of January, 2016.

Well it is a fine morning here in Edmonton.

I imagine if there birds other than crows/magpies they would be singing a merry tune.

My experience from crows/magpies they sound like they are talking in a gruff tone not really singing a merry tune.

But they are all part of our ecosystem and I respect that.

 

January seems to be zipping along.

Did you make resolutions this New Year?

I did not …..

When I was much younger I used to get on that bandwagon and come up with a list usually small but one nonetheless.

Sometimes I was successful and sometimes not.

I have found it is much better to just resolve to live your life each day to the fullest and be your best.

Whether it is how you eat, sleep or exercise.

Or whether it is how you treat yourself and others.

Just do your best.

That is all any of us can do, really.

I have found in my going on 59 years on this planet that there are just some things that happen that you have no control over.

So you assess the situation and take it from there.

It is all in how you handle yourself and each situation that makes life great or not so great.

Better to go easier on yourself ….. be the best YOU.

 

Well almost time to get this show on the road.

I love Tuesdays ….. I love any day that I get out of bed, my feet touch the floor and I am ALIVE.

Now some of those days may turn out less than perfect but there again perfection is in the eye of the beholder.

My perfect is not your perfect.

Right.

So today I feel great, I think that I look pretty great and today is a great day.

 

Take care.

Have a wonderful Tuesday.

 

Special Hello to: my fellow human beings …… today is a great day.

Always, Carol and Alvin