2021

Good Morning All! How are you this morning? I am well and Alvin as far as I know has remained sleeping on the sofa after I made a quiet escape upstairs to get ready for work and for the day. Darkness fills the outside as I look out of my office window. I can see one yard light in the distance otherwise pitch black out there. Soon there will be light. I cannot get William (Bill) Shatner’s experience of going to space even though it was for only ten minutes and a few seconds. Can you imagine punching through the atmosphere and only seeing darkness as you enter space? No wonder he was so emotional. We humans can only dream of going to space and until recently it was only an experience shared by an elite few. These two private companies, these two billionaires have changed this Earth and hopefully even with a few of its regular citizens seeing space, they will appreciate the Earth and provide the drive for us to get our butts in gear and help this planet before it is not a choice. Every single human being on this planet can make a difference from the old to the young and everyone in between. I do know that the companies that make all of the throw away – single use plastics, oil and gas industry and so on, employee a great many people and contribute to the economy of every country but it is time to make some big changes. We have the intelligence to make those changes. It may not be pretty but we can do it.

Now that is a big topic for this time of morning but perhaps just a bit of a reminder that we can all make a difference. I try not to buy items that cannot be easily recycled. I do recycle. I reuse. I seldom buy new clothes but buy from thrift shops and the like. My daughter and I borrow things from each other instead of buying an item that we may only use a few times – we share those things. Most of the people living in North America only use a small fraction of the items that are live in their homes. We buy items for decoration. We buy items to decorate our bodies not just clothe them. WE have so much that is not necessary to live but rather are nice to look at. Something to ponder today. Perhaps you have some jewelry that you do not need or wear any longer. You could sell it, give it to a family member or friend or give to a charity to sell. I have found that as I age, I do not have the need or desire to have a bunch of new things. Also I am going through my house and finding new homes for things. Maybe you have someone that would appreciate that old family teapot that is gathering dust in a cupboard. You know what I mean. We hang onto things because they belonged to a Grandmother, Mother, Aunt and so on.

Time to head on downstairs. Get the coffee brewing and continuing to make the list of items that I no longer need. We can also repurpose things that we have as well.

Have an awesome day.

Yes, it is Friday.

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

Always, Carol & Alvin

It is a NEW YEAR.

Good Morning,

Oh my heavens it is COLD out there.

I thought that Mr. Alvin wanted to go out for like the third time this morning so I donned my coat and mitts and shoes but he stayed back.

No barking.

He did not need any kind of coaxing for the times that he was outside this morning.

Back into the house in a big hurry.

I do not blame him.

Please ensure that if you must go outside today at any time that you are bundling up in many warm layers.

Natural fibers like wool are always good to be wearing when it is bitterly cold outside.

I know that some folks are out walking their larger pups but please ensure they have boots and coats on.

Most of these dogs do not have long fur coats plus the pads on the bottom of their paws freeze very easily.

Be mindful.

 

Well today is Wednesday.

I have been posting my tips for the reduction of plastics and just all round tips for reducing waste and being mindful.

Mindful of what you are using and doing with all of this plastic stuff.

Really do you need to purchase five cases of water ….. most municipalities in Canada have drinkable water.

Do not forget that some of the microplastic from these disposable water bottles come loose and float around in the water.

We are drinking microplastics.

Not only plastics but all sorts of garbage are finding their way into the oceans.

Most marine life can be found with garbage in them.

Eventually they will die.

Wildlife are falling prey to our wasteful manners.

I do not wish to preach but sometimes we all need to step back and think about what we are doing to ourselves, to others, to the animal, bird, insect, and marine life on this planet.

To the trees and to the flowers and to the grasses.

Do you really need the latest fashion?

If you already have five black sweaters or more.

Take a trip to Goodwill or to a Consignment store.

People are setting up shops online selling gently used clothing items and more.

 

Well time to leave for work.

Finish getting ready.

 

Oh big news.

My son-in-law’s brother went home yesterday.

He had a heart transplant at the end of November 2019.

So happy he is doing well.

 

I hope that you are safe and warm.

Have an awesome Wednesday.

 

Always, Carol & Alvin

 

It is the NEW YEAR.

Happy Sunday Morning.

We have more snow.

As I look out of my office window the sky is filled with horizontal blue clouds and below rooftops are covered in white.

So pretty …. so very pretty.

Our temperatures are to remain at the minus 30’s celsius for this week.

ARGH.

I know that Alvin is already showing signs of cabin fever as am I.

The only difference is that I go to work during the week.

Thankfully at least we can go to the deck for a few minutes at a time so at least there is some fresh air for the little guy.

 

Well yesterday I managed to get down the majority of the Christmas decorations.

The tree took a few hours as each decoration is carefully packed away, followed by the removal of the lights, followed by wrapping the lights so that next year they are easy to put onto the tree and

are not tangled, then packing the stand and last but not least the tree skirt.

I have a great deal of Christmas ornaments spread all over the main floor or had.

There are Hallmark Snow people, Nutcrackers, Santa’s workshop, Santa sitting by the fireplace, Santa in his sleigh going over the rooftops, Santa figures standing (several of them),

other Snowmen/Snowwomen, Christmas Snow globes that play music, and more.

I took down my Christmas cards as I hang them.

I also have various signs and wreaths.

After the tree came down, I vacuumed of course and then washed the floor before moving the chair back into its’ place.

Then the same for the other corner of the room so that I could move the chair that was moved to the kitchen back to the living room.

It is always quite the process.

As I filled rubbermaid containers they all had to be carried down to the basement and put away.

So there is always much rearranging.

The house looks bare now but I am happy that it is done for another year.

In between all of that coming down of the Christmas decorations and cleaning there was laundry.

There was also some playing happening with Mr. Alvin as well.

He has started to enjoy playing tug of war with his new Darth Vader toy.

His Sister and Brother-in-law and Niece and Nephew pups gave it to him.

He loves it and plays with it often.

 

Now that is done I have Alvin’s birthday next Sunday and the next weekend Teddy and Kobi will come and be with us for a week.

I threw Alvin his first birthday party last year as it was his tenth and have decided that I will do it every year.

It will be a bit more low key this year.

Invitations have already gone out to his best friend Teddy, his little sister Kobi and parents.

Of course to our family Miss Aspen and Milo and their parents, Alvin’s sister and brother-in-law.

I will pick up a little cake again for the pups and a treat for the humans.

A few little treats for the pups.

More of a play date for everyone.

Looking forward to seeing everyone.

 

Well today I have two more loads of laundry to do.

Bathrooms to clean and of course, prepare for the work week.

I also put out my clothes and make my lunch for the next day.

 

Yesterday was the first tip of my reduction in household and personal plastic challenge.

So I want to take some time and write some idea down so that I can readily post them each day.

 

Well I guess back to it, get dressed and I need some coffee.

Alvin is laying on his blue blanket.

 

An update on my daughter’s brother-in-law …. he is doing well after the heart transplant.

He is on track to return home to his family soon.

 

Tomorrow is my youngest brother’s 55th Birthday.

Wow, I cannot believe the baby is going to be 55.

 

Okay, time to fly here.

I hope that you all have an awesome day.

If you have any idea, hints or tips for the reductions of household/personal use plastics; please send them my way.

A comment on my post would be most helpful.

 

Thank you

 

Always, Carol & Alvin

 

It is a NEW YEAR.

Yay, Saturday morning.

Alvin and I were up at 4:05, then again at 6:00 and then a few minutes ago.

I was tired.

Perhaps it is in part the extreme cold temperatures that causes that sleepy feeling.

Who does not want to curl up under a cozy blanket and just sleep.

Oh well, we are up now and have a full day ahead of us.

That lazy feeling removed my desire to take down the Christmas tree last night.

So today and tomorrow.

Down comes everything.

The temperature is way too cold to go outside unless it is a necessity.

No walking for sure.

 

Last night after watching a segment on one of the shows that I record about LIVING CLEAN; I decided to do this.

I went on social media and challenged family and friends to reduce their household and life usage of plastic.

Every day I will post a tip, something that I have learned to be more GREEN or to LIVE MORE CLEAN.

I also enlisted them to post anything ideas that they had as well.

Within a few minutes several friends had posted a tip to share.

 

Perhaps in 2020 we all need to be LIVING CLEAN AND BE GREEN.

We just have so much stuff that we do not use or need.

So many items are purchased out of convenience or just plain desire.

Even me with my love of Christmas.

I like the tree and all of the decorations.

But is it necessary, no.

Absolutely NOT.

 

Over the years I have mostly ditched the plastic grocery bags and use recycled bags and boxes.

I seldom purchase plastic storage bags and mainly use glass and “tupperware” containers for storage.

But I am still using some plastics.

So many things that we use on a daily basis come in plastic containers.

Shampoo, conditioner, dish soap, laundry soap, cleaners and the lost goes on and on.

Attempting to purchase less grocery items that come in plastic wrap.

I must confess that I have purchased the net bags for my produce, and have not used them.

I WILL be using them for ALL future produce shopping.

 

This year I am going to use up what I have and go as green as possible.

Making my own household cleaners, finding items to replace personal hygiene products that are not harmful to me or to the environment.

Away with the chemicals.

It is not easy and good things seldom are … but I am going to do the best that I can.

I care deeply about the environment.

I care about what we are doing to marine life and wildlife.

It has to end.

Not necessary.

Cut out the conveniences and companies need to step back from the greed that envelopes them and make changes.

 

Okay, time to get this day going.

Please post any ideas that you have for my quest.

Let’s do this together.

Together we can change the world.

Together we can save the world.

 

Have an awesome Saturday.

Remember this is the moment to make changes that will give future generations a chance to live on this beautiful planet.

I believe that is not too late.

 

Always, Carol & Alvin

 

 

It is a NEW YEAR.

Good Morning and today would be TUESDAY, the 7th day of January 2020.

As I was getting ready this morning …. washing my face and applying moisturizer followed by a wee bit of makeup.

I was thinking “there really isn’t a magic pill for life.”

Every year people spend millions and billions of dollars collectively on face creams, diets and fads hoping to wipe away time.

It does not happen like that.

There are a great many entrepreneurs on this earth and they have made a lot of money attempting to “find that magic pill.”

If you are fortunate to have good genes plus doing basic hygiene such as washing your face and applying some moisture; it may appear that you have slowed down time.

Perhaps you have done just that.

But human beings are vain creatures.

If you think about it planet wide we spend billions and likely trillions of dollars on makeup and entertainment.

Not every person on this planet can go out and buy the newest make from SMASHBOX or URBAN DECAY or CLINIQUE.

Not every person on this planet can go to a music concert.

Does not matter whether you live in Canada, the United States, China or Africa.

At the end of the day it is all of the “stuff” that we are using in an attempt to turn back the hands of time that fills our lakes, rivers, oceans and landfills.

Cosmetic containers and half used or old makeup are only a few of the items that are cluttering up and destroying our planet.

We certainly need to give our heads a shake and although this industry does employ a great many people; does that offset the damage it is doing to the environment.

I know that the oil & gas industry, pharmaceuticals and the list goes on, does more harm than good to the environment.

But perhaps it is worth taking a moment to consider.

Also did you know or even think about all of the companies that still test on animals?

Are you kidding me?

In this day and age, this should not and must not happen.

Educate yourself when you purchase something that makes you feel good.

At the end of the day for that feeling is it worth it?

I am working on it everyday.

Read.

 

Well it is time to head on downstairs.

The poop awaits.

 

Have an awesome day.

Keep it simple.

We can always do better.

I am nowhere near perfect but I am trying always to do better than yesterday.

Sending my prayers and positive energy and thoughts to the animals and people of the Continent of Australia.

 

Always, Carol & Alvin