The New YEAR 2022

Good Morning ALL! How are you this raining Wednesday morning? We are doing well. It was raining but now it looks like a rain/snow mix. We can use the moisture so no complaints here. Both Alvin and I survived yesterday. I will say that I really did not enjoy being at the office. The office noises were maddening between people chatting and the machines, the bright lights made it hard to see (if that makes any sense). It was nice to see some people but I am way more productive and happier working from my house. My friend Gillian came over at noon to check in on Mr. Alvin. She made sure that he drank some water, went outside and gave him some love and a bit of food. I thought about him all day long. He sure was happy to see me and yelped and cried for what seemed like forever. It was nice to drive to and from work with my daughter giving us more time to chat. Yup it is wet snow. ARGH. Oh spring. Oh well. I am happy for the moisture to help give the trees, lawns, plants, forests, and lands some well needed hydration. The buds on the trees will grow and soon we shall have some leaves. Which means I had better on this coming weekend go and trim my tree. Last night was quiet. It was late by the time I finished supper and then it started to rain so no walk. Doesn’t look like a walk today either as the sky is grey and that means it has likely settled in for the day. Forecast for tomorrow is to be nice and we have plans to walk with our friend Pauline. One of my daughter’s coworkers gave her some shoes, I scored a funky pair of canvas shoes with a couple pair that I can give to one of my friends, fingers crossed they fit her and that she likes them. I like them but just a bit too small and not sure if I would have worn them. Nice to get hand me downs. Saving the planet one pair of shoes at a time.

Well not too much else to say this morning. I am grateful to be working from home. I am grateful to have such an amazing daughter and friends. I am grateful to have fantastic neighbors. I am grateful for my Alvin. I am grateful that both Alvin and I are in good health. I am grateful that all my family and friends are in good health. I am grateful for this day and each one to follow. Thank you. I am grateful for the rain. I am grateful for the freshly brewed coffee waiting downstairs for me.

Have an awesome Wednesday.

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

Always, Carol & Alvin

P.S. thank you my darling Amanda, you make your Momma proud.

Thought for the day ….

Good Morning and Welcome to Friday the 14th day of September, 2018.

WOW, is it almost mid point of September.

Seems like only yesterday it was the first day.

We woke up to no additional rain/snow so that is good.

It is extra warm in the house so  am thinking it did not cool off much last night.

I caved and turned on the furnace a few days ago as it just was not worth freezing or having to always have socks and a sweater on.

I pay the bill so figured why not.

I keep the temperature at a constant temperature so it will be okay.

I am grateful that it is Friday and tonight my daughter is giving me a ride home.

Carpool has an appointment this afternoon so is not able to drive me home.

I always love spending anytime with my daughter.

All that time is extra precious.

Alvin is laying on his blue blanket.

It is a habit now.

Along with having a massage everyday.

Funny how that works.

I need to form a new habit and get on doing some pilates and yoga.

No time like the present to start something new.

 

Was thinking yesterday that we kind of skipped fall and went right to winter.

I changed my door wreath from summer to fall.

We are not even officially finished with summer, fall has not come to the calendar yet and winter officially does not come until December?

Not quite ready for the winter one yet.

My poor sunflowers are drooped over and looking so sad.

Grass and trees are mostly still green under the skiff of snow.

Not totally covering the ground.

Sidewalks and streets appear to be dry.

Looks I know can be deceiving but I will soon find out.

 

Does it sound like I am babbling?

Well I kind of am.

Just typing what comes to my mind.

Isn’t that more fun?

Just to see what DOES come to mind.

You never know.

 

I am excited to see my young girl friends for coffee here at my house on Sunday.

Haven’t seen them for what seems like forever.

 

I guess this will be the weekend to switch closets over although I was thinking of doing something different.

Leaving all tops in my bedroom closet and placing all dresses/skirts/pants/jeans/shorts in the spare room closet.

Might be a nice change.

There are so many things that I wear all year long.

Time to put away sandals and bring up winter boots, argh.

Winter coats, scarves, mitts and hats, yuck.

I pulled out a pair of mini gloves and have been wearing them the past couple of days.

Please do not think that I am not grateful to have more than one winter coat, mitts, hats and scarves and winter boots; I am most grateful.

Just seems so early to be wearing those items.

Although next week is still forecasting to be in the teens and that will feel like summer once again.

 

Well time to finish getting ready for work.

I hope that you have an awesome day.

I have lots to do at work and am going to get SO MUCH done today.

Feels like a great day.

No interruptions.

That would be lovely and perfection.

 

Special Hello to: my friend “V” who is always busy and one of the most thoughtful people on the planet.

Always, Carol & Alvin

 

 

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Wednesday the 20th day of September, 2017.

Well another rainy dark morning here in Edmonton.

I caved after work and turned on the HEAT.

After hearing that during the day we had a SNOW RAIN mix (it did not stay), I felt so sorry for Mr. Alvin.

Home in the dark with no heat.

I know that he has a fur coat but just the same ….. he needed some heat.

So it is the first warm morning in the house for awhile.

Sure was nice having a shower without freezing before the warm hit me body.

Too much information …… sorry.

 

According to the weather channel this is our reality for a few days.

Rain and more rain.

Low temperatures.

Hopefully I will be able to dig out the flowers once the sun comes out.

If it freezes it will make it almost impossible until spring.

Oh well.

I guess I should have paid closer attention to the forecast.

I just could not bear to clean out the pots when the flowers were still somewhat green and the flowers were blooming.

Some of the snapdragons were so pretty that I picked them Monday night and am glad that I did.

Perhaps once this wet cool snap passes we shall have a nice long warm fall.

That would be nice.

Well almost time to hit the road.

Extra layers and shoes that lace up.

Umbrella, of course.

Cannot leave home without it.

 

Have an awesome Wednesday.

Special Hello to: my sister ……

Always, Carol & Alvin

Thought for the day ……

Good Morning and Welcome to Sunday the 23rd day of April, 2017.

Woke up to this ….. all I can is ARGH, ARGH and ARGH.

Yesterday we had NO snow ….. it was a rain/snow mix but the snow was melting as it made touchdown to the earth.

Poor Alvin as you can see from his tracks was almost hidden as he climbed up the stairs on the deck.

I was not fast enough to grab the camera to show that ….. but when he came to the door ….. he gave me that look ….. check out the last photo!

He had snow packed on his little legs and paws and belly.

Welcome to WINTER or a SNOWY SPRING.

I should not be surprised this can happen in April.

By the end of the next three days we should have a couple of feet.

Forecast last nigh before I went to bed was for snow from overnight to Wednesday.

Will be fun walking to and from the bus.

Looks like I have some shovelling to do in my near future.

I also have a First Communion to attend for the daughter of a friend and neighbour.

 

The funeral yesterday morning was heart wrenching and touching.

Many of her siblings and her father spoke …..

She was very loved.

So sad for them losing a beloved one so early.

 

I was grateful that I had an opportunity to attend the funeral and to also spend the afternoon with my daughter.

We had a good afternoon ….. we had coffee and lunch at her house and then did some shopping.

In this day and age ….. the idea of buying “used” and “second hand” is taking off in a big way.

Lots of people shop at Value Village and other thrift shops.

Including we girls ….

I picked up a couple of amazing purchases.

You have to know what to look for and make smart choices.

 

I must share a little story from our shopping trip.

While we were in Value Village ….. I was waiting for my daughter to find a clerk to help at the jewellery counter …

There was an elderly gentlemen who was gazing into the jewellery display cases with me.

He showed me this ladies glitzy costume ring that he had on his finger, and proudly announced that he had paid only $3.00 for it.

I acknowledged his statement and smiled.

He also told me that he was going to be 91 very soon.

Wow, I said (he did not look even 70).

I asked him where he was born and he said here – Edmonton area.

So as inquisitive as I am, I asked “what was his profession?”

He replied “Carpenter for over sixty years.”

I then asked “What was his favourite item/thing to make?”

He said without even a second hesitation …

“MONEY” …… lots of money.

I could not help myself but to laugh aloud.

Best line ever.

 

After shopping we fed the pups and then went for a walk in her neighbourhood.

Afterward she drove us home.

Despite Alvin’s anxiety of the car ride and being away from his sanctuary, his home; I believe he had a good day, too.

 

Well I guess I have put off the shovelling long enough.

Time to change the bedding, get dressed and have a quick coffee before hitting the SLOPES ….. well almost.

 

Have an awesome Sunday …. I hope that you are not covered in snow as we are ……

Happy Sunday.

 

Special Hello to: everyone who reads my blog, thank you.

Always, Carol & Alvin