2021

Good Morning ALL! How are you doing on this Wednesday morning? It is overcast with clear skies on the far horizon. It has been raining off and on and cloudy for much of the past three days. This is June. We certainly need the moisture so the rain has been good. Overcast and cloudy with no rain. Could do without. Yesterday Teddy spent the day with us. We had a nice walk the three of us at noon. It was great having Teddy with us. I know that Alvin loves having his best friend in the house.

I am feeling this morning lost in a sea of confusion. One minute things were going great and the next minute I have no idea what to do next? I thought the roofing company that we had approached for a quote knowing that they had done a couple of houses in the neighbourhood, one of them being for friends that they would be the best to go with but apparently that may not be so. We have had nothing but questions and inconsistencies from the get go. Why is that? Is it because I am an older woman? Perhaps that has nothing to do it the situation but I am feeling really disappointed at this time. Just when I thought things we had things sorted out there are more questions and then my neighbours in the other half have decided that there were too many inconsistencies and they have decided not to have theirs done by this company. So now what? Do I continue on my own or do I start looking for companies and get quotes? I am lost? Afraid? Nervous? I am not afraid to say these things. I so badly wanted to get those crappy shingles off my roof and replaced with good ones that were to have a 50 year warranty. Perhaps that was wishful thinking, I do not know. I am emotional at this moment. Last night I googled the master contractor Mike Holmes and he had a list of what to do and what to look for in a roofing contractor so I guess I will start at the beginning and figure it out. Perhaps I am over my head doing something that I have no idea about. At this point I have not contacted the roofer as I am not 100% sure of what to do next. I think that I will have my neighbours contact this company and advise that they no longer wish them to do their shingles. Likely better them than me. Besides I still am not quite sure what to do. Am I babbling. I tend to when I am not sure what to do. I was so sure this company was good but there are more questions than answers at this point. I badly need some coffee this morning as I cannot get things out of my head.

Okay time to head back downstairs and get that coffee brewing. I hope that you have an amazing day.

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

Always, Love Carol & Alvin

2021

Good Morning ALL! How are you doing this bright and sunny Tuesday morning? I, we are doing well. Alvin is patiently waiting for me outside the office door. The garbage truck is making the regular rounds. Just a soft breeze this morning. I can hear the hum of the traffic on the highway in the distance as people are out and about.

I was wondering who do you admire? Who were your childhood heroes? Did you have any? What did you learn from them? Are you continuing to learn from those people? Perhaps they have passed. Did you learn life lessons? Did they make an impression on your life? on your future? on your personality? on what you chose as a career? So many questions.

I would say that I admire those folks who do what they say and say what they mean.

I admire people who stand up for what they believe in.

I always admired my teachers growing up as I learned about the world from them.

My paternal grandmother played a huge role in my life. She gave us time, love, taught me to dance and was always there for me and my siblings. I could say so much more about my Gran Stella but it is almost time to head downstairs for work. These are big questions and I could write likely forever on them.

I want to continue this post perhaps on the weekend when there is time to delve into details.

Food for thought, though.

Wishing you a great Tuesday.

Continuing to live with kindness, respect, compassion and patience.

Always, Love Carol & Alvin

Living … One day at a time.

Hello,

Well what is there to say about the weather.

Really it has been sunshine then overcast ….. overcast then break with bit of sunshine.

Repeat …. repeat and repeat.

On the upside ALL is green but now we do require some of that bright lovely sunshine.

Alvin and I had a glorious long weekend.

Most of it was spent with each other however there was a sprinkling of family and friends at times.

Despite Mother Nature’s many attempts we did manage to walk at least once each day.

 

I must admit that I spent quite a lot of time this weekend thinking about life.

Thinking about where I am at this point in time.

So where is that exactly?

Well I am good in my own skin so to speak.

Comfortable with the day to day decisions.

Comfortable with my voice.

Comfortable knowing that I do the best that I can most days.

 

I feel relatively good.

Sometimes with all of the rain, I feel a bit drained not as energetic.

 

I work full-time.

I write part-time.

I am surrounded by great people.

 

But somehow there seems to be something missing.

Something is not quite right.

Quickly approaching 62, next month.

 

I remind myself not to compare myself to others my age.

Because we do not all have the same stepping off place.

Life is not the same for us all.

Food for thought.

 

So where do I want to be?

What do I want to be doing?

Good, no great questions.

Definitely I need to be doing some hard thinking to uncover that piece of something in my life that seems to be missing.

 

I shall do just that.

 

Well my carpool is on vacation so will be catching the bus today.

As it is cooler, I am wearing long pants, shoes and socks.

Yes and a top, you silly.

Coat and carrying an umbrella.

The house is cool this morning so I feel the need to bundle up.

Temperature to be only 17 degrees today.

 

Happy Tuesday.

I hope that wherever you are and whatever you are doing that you know what you want at this stage of your life.

Life is complicated …

Better to simplify.

That is for sure.

 

I love this planter from outside my office.

Sometimes you just need to see something beautiful…….

 

 

 

Always, Carol & Alvin

 

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Wednesday the 1st day of November, 2017.

Woke up to SNOW, SNOW and more SNOW.

Poor Mr. Alvin did not wish to go out to the back yard.

The first snowfall always makes him hesitant.

 

We had an awesome Halloween.

I dressed up as a Hippie and it went over well.

Pretty comfortable costume, I will say.

That is the mark of a great costume – if you can comfortably wear it all day or most of the day.

We got to pick the best costumes at our office and at noon we had the best POTLUCK ever.

The food was great and the treats even better.

I had a pasta (macaroni) with cheese and veggies.

It turned out so yummy.

I wrote the recipe down.

That is the trouble I always make up recipes and then do not usually write them down.

I am getting better at writing them down.

Last night the first treater showed up at our house at 5:45.

I was sort of surprised to see the boy get out of a vehicle.

I asked him as he was older, I would say 11-12 approximately “if he lived in the neighbourhood?”

He said no.

I asked him where and he named an area about 10 minutes or so away.

AS I was asking questions, asked him why they would drive to our area and he said we give bigger and better treats.

Yikes, I thought.

So because we give better treats people are driving their kids here.

There were several vehicles that stopped and let kids out.

Some would be due to the weather but some come from elsewhere.

Funny ….

I had about 92 treaters.

There were a couple of times that my steps were filled with children so I may have missed one or two.

This is the least amount that I have had since I moved to Edmonton.

Two cute stories from last night.

First one:  the doorbell rang and there were three boys and a man standing just a few feet away from the steps.

I answered the door with the obligatory “Happy Halloween” and proceeded to hand out some treats.

The man stood more into the light and said “Hello” …. we just wanted to thank you again for bringing our dog home ….

One of the boys said “yes, thank you so much for bringing (cannot remember dog’s name) home.

I almost cried.

This is a dog that had accidentally got out of the yard.

Anyway, it has been about three years since this happened and every year they stop by to thank me.

How sweet.

Good deeds do not go unnoticed.

The second story …..  Alvin was on his leash as he loves to check out the children and as we know so many of them ….. he was right with me at the door.

One of the Dad’s said from the darkness ….. “Hi, Alvin …. he is so cute” and stepped into the light and here was this guy that I had met on the bus.

So Alvin is a star.

We had fun.

I took some photos on my tablet but unable to get downloaded but here are some from work and home from my camera.

Then gotta run.

Decided better not to post photos of people as I do not have their permission.  The two officers (reflections) were/are masked.

Have an awesome Wednesday.

Special Hello to:  you

Always, Carol & Alvin

Thought for the day …..

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

Another dark rainy morning.

Add some wind.

As soon as the sun comes out I will be cleaning out my flower pots and putting all the deck furniture away.

It was a great summer and I am looking forward to a beautiful FALL.

By Sunday it is supposed to be 15 degrees celsius once again and that would be perfect.

********************************************

Here are some things that I learned recently:

“Why” questions make people feel judged.

Use “What” and “How” questions.

Face your belly button toward a person you are meeting.

**************************************************

It is funny that on a rainy day one does not feel jubilant or most times.

When it is dark, rainy and windy I am less likely to feel bright and cheery.

Those are my reasons for sunshine …. I want to feel bright and cheery.

Funny how weather plays a role in your mood.

Today I will try my best to me less grumpy and more happy.

A trick ….. think of something that makes you smile and hold that thought whenever the bad mood tried to break the surface.

 

Well time to go as I want to repack my purse or change purse, actually.

Downsizing so easier to carry with umbrella.

 

Special Hello to:  my daughter ….. hello my darling.

Always, Carol & Alvin

Thought for the day ……

Good Morning and Welcome to Monday the 27th day of March, 2017.

Another beautiful day on the way.

Perhaps not quite as warm as Saturday but definitely going in the right direction.

On our side of the street which faces north we still have about 2-3 ft. snowbanks.

On the south side of the street facing us, no snow.

Oh well in time.

 

Yesterday was a productive one.

I went out to clean up the trash in my neighbourhood.

After 2.5 hours and 2.5 bags plus a big cardboard box most of the area is clean.

There was a portion that will have to wait until this next weekend.

Several people stopped to thank me for picking up the trash and to ask questions.

One kind man upon request took my second filled bag and the cardboard box so that I would not have to carry it home.

Unbelievable the amount of garbage.

I can only imagine if I would have finished.

It was refreshing to have been taken notice.

Funny I have been doing this since 2009 and this is the first time so many people have stopped and said something.

Even a guy parked picking up people – asked me questions.

So it was a great educational day.

 

Mr. Alvin waited patiently until I got home to stay (had to stop and drop off a bag and pick up a new one) to go for his walk.

 

Well here it is time to go.

Gotta run.

Time for shoes and of course, they are lace-up.

Have an awesome Monday.

 

Special Hello: to my sister ….. sorry I missed our SKYPE visit last night.  Can we reschedule?

Always, Carol and Alvin

Story Line by line – November 6, 2013

Chapter Four:

November 1, 2013

Oh, how I loved that dress, and my mind flashes back to the junior high school dance where I first wore that beautiful pink and then I see my favourite books floating in mid air and my best friend “Dee” is there.

November 2, 2013

Alvin is staying very close as we begin to take in this enormous space, and our nervous energies feed each other, and I think of Alice in Wonderland, and  what shall our next move be as a bright purple balloon drifts by.

November 3, 2013

It is absolutely amazing the dress, my friend, balloons, family, old boyfriends, my house, Christmas, all of the things that I have loved during my life are appearing as Alvin and I make our way through it all.

November 4, 2013

I realize throughout all of the memories that my “four” are no longer walking with us and have disappeared.

November 5, 2013

“Where did they go?” I mutter aloud as if I half expect Alvin to answer and yet I know that we are “down the rabbit hole and things are about to get very interesting.”

November 6, 2013

What do I do – what can I do – nothing makes any sense – why would they do this – am I a guinea pig of sorts – are they watching us – who are they – are the questions that flood my mind as we just walk not knowing what will happen next.

 

Story Line by line – August 17, 2013

FIRST LINE …..July 25, 2013

As we walk along the water’s edge the coolness leaves my skin with goose bumps and prickles, as if there is someone behind me.

July 26, 2013

Alvin pulls on his leash and brings me back, the fragrance of freshly cut grass fills my nostrils; my heart beat quickens, and I am unable to shake the feeling.

July 28, 2013

The sky is overcast with a hint of sunrise peeking through and the leaves of the trees rustle in the breeze, and I think how did I get here? 

July 29, 2013

What does that mean, and what is making me think these thoughts?

July 30, 2013

All of a sudden the leash tightens as Alvin pulls me forward.

July 31, 2013

My body lurches forward as I fight to keep my balance, what is going on …. “Alvin,” I cry as things appear to be happening in slow motion.

August 1, 2013

Alvin turns his head and with eyes as big as saucers; I suddenly realize what is going to happen.

August 2, 2013

I had no control, and could feel my breath slowly leaving my body as it was happening.

August 5, 2013

As the fog lifts from my brain and I come round; I realize that quite some time has passed as dusk has fallen, and then the horrifying thought comes to my mind where is my Alvin?

August 6, 2013

My thoughts turn immediately to the searing pain in my head as I try to stand the pain is impossible but I must ….. try to….

August 7, 2013

I do not understand what happened;  partially putting things together, realizing my thoughts turn to my beloved Alvin ….. as I try to call out his name…. I feel something warm against my body.

August 8, 2013

Suddenly I hear voices off in the distance calling my name.

August 9th, 2013

As I start to focus on my surroundings, I realize that I am not where I was and things do not look familiar.

August 10th, 2013

I want to cry out but I am frightened, and I do not quite know why.

August 13, 2013

My mind is racing, please let it slow down so that I can concentrate on what I need to do, please.

August 14, 2013

Okay, I will open my eyes again and try to focus on what is around me, and all I see is nothingness, there is absolutely nothing, how can that be?  and where is my Alvin?

August 15, 2013

“This does not feel right” as I manage to pull myself up off the ground and slowly regain my senses realizing that the only thing the same is the coolness to the air.

August 16, 2013

This is absolutely crazy as I look around only to see; it is as if I have been plucked away by someone or something and placed in this spot surrounded by a deep engulfing fog; it seems like there is nothing else here but it, and I feel so alone.

August 17, 2013

As the veil of fog begins to lift from my brain a million questions flood my thoughts, and then it hits me!

 

Thought for the day….

Do you ever wonder who came up with the following and why?

24 hours in a day?  (yes, I know the scientific stuff) But really, WHY?

Who named an apple, an apple?

Why do turtles lay eggs?

Why do birds lay eggs?

Why does the grass seem to grow six inches overnight?

Why does Alvin love to pull on my pant leg or chew on my foot when I return after leaving the house?

Note:  he always give me love for the first 20 seconds!

Why do flowers smell so amazing?

Why, why, why????

Today is my WHY day.

So on this Monday – take the time to ask questions?

You can ask them to yourself?

There are so many wondrous things in this world, and really how did they come about and WHO gave everything it’s name?

Like why is cheese – cheese and poop – poop.

I think it would be wonderful to be the person or entity in charge or NAMING THINGS!!  What fun.

Have a great great day everyone.

Always, Carol

Why

P.S. this is my “269th” post.  Time to celebrate.  WOW.  Thank you for coming along with me, as I make my way to fulfilling my life-long dream to be a published writer/author, and of course to make you SMILE AND PERHAPS GIGGLE, now and again.