2021

Good Morning ALL! How are you this morning? I/We are doing well, had a fairly good sleep. That is so important. So many of us do not get enough sleep. It is reflected in everything we do. Shows up in our patience, bigtime. I hope that you had enough sleep so that you can function the way that you are meant to and that you are in your happy place this morning. Little smile on my face. Well Mother Nature gave us a good rain shower yesterday later on in the day and then overnight. Even the lawn that I share with my neighbour is beginning to come alive. I wished that I had some fertilizer to toss on as would likely give it a boost. I keep seeing one of the neighbours across the street tossing on what I imagine to be fertilizer and their grass is a beautiful lucious green. The colour that I dream of and one of my favourite shades of green, actually my top favourite green. Lawn green or Kelly green. This morning the sky is overcast so no beautiful sunrise but we do desperately need the moisture and I am grateful for the rain. Does not appear to be windy which is a good thing.

I was thinking of my dear friend Les N. who came into my mind last night as I was going to sleep. He was giving me support,as always. Les passed away a few years ago and I think of my dear friend often. He was a good friend, husband, father, son, uncle and human being. I miss him all of the time.

Often times we do not realize what we have, until it is gone.

I am most happy that Alvin and I had two walks yesterday, one at lunchtime and the other after work. Walking sure brings down my stress level after a long day of work. The benefits of walking are so important in our everyday life.

I see red flashing lights through the leaves of the tree directly behind my garage across the lane, must be the garbage truck.

Well today is Tuesday. Another day of work. I hope that you are doing well and that this day brings us all great joy, much laughter and love and abundance. This could be the day. Perhaps there will be a knock at the door and you won the Publishers Clearing House Lottery or something like that. Maybe someone left you a thoughtful package at the door. A phone call from family or a dear friend. A special coffee and lunch delivered to you from a thoughtful friend. This is going to be that day …… are you excited, I am!

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

Time for coffee.

Always, Love Carol & Alvin

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It is a NEW YEAR.

Good Thursday Morning ALL.

What a gloriously beautiful morning it is here in Edmonton.

There is a slight breeze this morning not gale force like yesterday.

For the next 14 days according to the weather channel it will be mid to late teens temperature wise.

Not really what I thought June was going to be like but as long as we have a nice mix of sunshine and rain drops, I am a happy camper.

Big news we went for our full walk last night with no “foot/toe” issues for me.

Yay, next week we will return to our walking at lunch and after work.

 

I just have to share these photos that I snapped from our back deck last night just before 9:00 p.m.

The sky was so gorgeous and the CLOUDS.

I love clouds.

In fact, I could lay down on the deck (have done so) and just watch the clouds floating around above me.

Some of these photos look the same but there are sutle differences between them.

That one cloud was amazing.

Then I noticed the neighbours a few doors down … they planted these trees many moons ago and look how tall they have grown.

I could not help but to take a photo of my Alvin and my flowers in the backyard.

Please do not notice the long weedy grass in the backyard.

It is awaiting for some TLC.

I am going to mow it now after breakfast and before I begin my late work shift (11 am – 7 pm).

Twice per month we man/woman the after hours phones for our company.

Tomorrow night I am going to don some shoes with covered toes (hopefully that goes well) and use my BRAND NEW grass trimmer and fix up the backyard.

Tonight my daughter is stopping by.

I have something for her and she has some new old clothes for me.

I love hand me downs.

A friend gave her a bag of clothes to go through.

Isn’t life great.

 

 

Well Mr. Alvin is patiently, okay very impatiently waiting for me to leave upstairs, perhaps he has to pee, which is likely.

I hope that you enjoy the clouds wherever you are on this Thursday.

Always take up to look up (make sure that you are safe when doing so).

 

Happy Thursday.

 

Living my life with kindness and respect.

I/We shall remain,

As Always, Carol & Alvin

 

Living … One day at a time.

Good Morning and WELCOME to Friday ….

Not an ordinary Friday.

But the Friday before a long weekend.

The Friday before we celebrate THANKSGIVING.

One of my most favourite times of year.

The weather …. the people …. the FOOD.

Who does not like PUMPKIN?

Pumpkin pie.

Pumpkin cookies.

Pumpkin cake.

Pumpkin Lattes.

Pumpkin tea.

Pumpkin soup.

Pumpkin muffins.

Pumpkins carved for Halloween.

Another fun time of the year.

There is always the contest for the largest PUMPKIN.

Charlie Brown and the gang.

Leaves turning such a vast variety of colours.

Leaves laying on the sidewalks and lawns.

Walking through the leaves …. crunching them.

The smell of the air.

Birds leaving for the winter.

 

We call the day THANKSGIVING but really we should be thankful all year round.

I am so grateful to have good health.

I am so grateful to be surrounded by the most wonderful people on the planet.

They are all family.

I am so grateful to Alvin in my life.

Although there are times that he drives me a little crazy and I’m quite certain that I do the same to him.

I love the little guy.

I am so grateful to have this beautiful house that we can call home.

I am so grateful to live in this great Country.

Life may not be perfect in all eyes.

But it is perfect for me.

 

Life is filled with many rainbows.

They come and go.

Latch on and have the time of your life.

 

Well almost time to leave for work.

I am so excited to have this weekend.

Teddy is coming for a sleepover on Saturday.

My kids and grandpups are coming for supper on Sunday.

 

I wish and hope that you have a life filled with great joy, good health,

much laughter and abundance.

Happy Friday.

Respectfully and filled with kindness just for you.

 

Always, Carol & Alvin

 

 

 

Living … One day at a time.

Hello,  back to Monday.

What a glorious weekend.

From beginning to end.

Sunshine to Rainbows.

Walks to lazing around.

Chores and chores.

Last night we had some serious thunder.

But as much as we need some sunshine ….

The temperatures they are having east of us …. not so much.

This morning the sky is filled with low fluffy dark blue rain clouds.

It has been raining off and on all night and earlier this morning.

There is clear sky in the distance.

Sunshine today?

 

I love to look out my office window as I write this post.

Some mornings there is brilliant sunshine and others there are raindrops.

Sometimes there are birds singing their songs.

Sometimes it is quiet.

 

Friday night my daughter ordered a toaster off Amazon for me.

Sunday morning it arrived at my house.

How lovely is that?

Very.

I am excited to try out my new toaster next Saturday unless one night this week “toast and eggs.”

That might be an idea.

 

I will say that nothing is made as solid as it once was ….

 

 

 

My lilies in the front garden.

Well they be a blooming.

Such a rich shade of red.

I could take photos of flowers all day long.

That would be my calling …. a flower photographer…

Oh, I love flowers.

The simple glorious “ness” of NATURE.

Love it.

They make me OH SO HAPPY.

Reminder to ourselves to “keep doing what you love.”

Perhaps one day it will pay for your living expenses.

Now that would be lovely.

 

Respect Mother Nature and treat her with Kindness.

 

Always, Carol & Alvin

 

COUNTDOWN: 60 Days to 60

Today is Tuesday June 20, 2017 and it is the 51 day until my 60th Birthday.

Favourite things continued:

48.   Zest of a lime – the smell

47.   Alvin and I sharing a pillow on the sofa

46.   Artwork

45.   Sunlight bouncing off my PARTY LITE MOSIAC  vase into pastel dots on the wall

44.   Anything chocolate

43.   All the babies on this earth – every creature

42.   CHOCOLATE ….

41.   Rainbows

40.   Smiles

39.   Belly laughs

38.   Cooking and most especially making up new dishes

37.   Receiving letter in the mail

 

I think it is hard to keep the list down to 60 items.

Always, Carol

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Friday the 29th day of July, 2016.

When we first woke up this morning it was still pretty much dark outside.

Oh, that makes me sad.

No bright early mornings as we transition into the latter part of the year.

The air was cool which was very much welcomed after such a hot yesterday.

There are no deep blue clouds in the sky.

Today is to be another hot humid day but we will take them in stride because we know that we are blessed to have changes in our seasons.

That we have warm, hot, cool and cold.

Change is good or so they keep telling me.

They are always changing things up at work.

Keeps one busy for sure.

Well almost time to go as we slept in a bit this morning.

I am excited for my vacation so that Alvin and I can do some things together.

We will go for some extra walks and adventure away from our neighbourhood and take in some of the ones not too far away but enough so that it is an adventure.

Well I suppose I had better get this show on the road.

I hope that you have an amazing Friday.

Perhaps you are now taking some time off from work and I wish you sunshine, rainbows and a little adventure.

We all could use that …. right?

Happy Friday.

Special Hello to: family and friends, new and old …..

Always, Carol and Alvin

Thought for the day ……

Good Morning and Welcome to Saturday the 18th day of July, 2015.

It is a bright sunny breezy morning here in Edmonton.

I always appreciate the weekends and being at home.

Sure sometimes I am not fond of having to clean the bathrooms …. but I am at home.

When you go from having two jobs and working seven days a week …. having the weeknights and weekends free ….

Well it is amazing …..

I love sitting here writing on my blog with the window open listening to the children a couple doors down as they play in their back yard.

I love snuggling with Alvin every chance I get ….

I love watering my flowers and taking in their beautiful fragrances.

I love going for walks after supper with Alvin and enjoying our neighbourhood and each other.

I do actually love to clean and today is a cleaning day……

I love doing laundry and listening to my favourite songs.

I love dancing with Alvin and he “tolerates.”

I love thinking and planning what I am going to do ….. writing up a TO DO LIST.

So many things to do and now I do have the time.

There is time to relax.

There is time to write.

There is time to entertain.

There is time to visit my friends.

There is time to go for walks.

There is time to live my life.

But always at the end of the day I am very grateful to have had the second job when I needed it.

I worked with great people and most days had fun working.

Of course, there is always that one customer that would “sink your ship” but then there would be several that would make you feel like a million dollars.

So worth it and really every person should have to work retail.

All in all, I have a pretty amazing life.

I have my own house ….. which ten years ago I would not have thought possible.

I have a dog ….. never would have thought that would happen.

I lived for six years within walking distance to my kids (the last year under the same roof).

Some days there might be a small dark cloud that follows me around the house ( I do not mean Alvin ) but I try to let that be for a short time only.

Most of the time I feel that I have rainbows shining over me …..

My pot of gold is my life …… me Alvin … my daughter…. all my family, friends …….

Well it is time to go quickly to a neighbour’s garage sale as I said that I would and then come get Mr. Alvin and walk to the Vet to pick up food for our Miss Penny (who is visiting tomorrow with her Momma).

THEN WORK …….. but I will enjoy it ….. blast the music and in between it all dance with Mr. Alvin.

Special Hello to: all those folks who feel like there are dark clouds over head ….. you can change it …. bring on the rainbows.. your life is your life ….. make it what you want it to be.

Always, Carol and Alvin

Thought for the day……

Good Morning and Welcome to Friday the 12th day of June, 2015.

It is a glorious morning here in Edmonton.

The sky is slightly overcast from our rain last night.

The sun is beginning to rise in the sky.

I am so grateful for the rain last night ….. actually gave the flowers and grass a nice boost.

They look so happy this morning.

Perfect timing last night the rain came down as I was eating supper and then while I was drinking my tea.

When we were ready to go for a walk …. the sun came out and the sky pretty much cleared.

How lucky were we ……

I am so grateful for vacation time.

Figuring after a long week it might be nice to have a Friday afternoon off …..

So excited …..

After work hit the grocery store, then throw on the laundry, sand down the front porch and then paint.

Followed by a nice long walk with me Alvin.

This morning for no reason at all he walked over to me, and put his paws on my lap, and gave me a big kiss.

Now what a great way to start the day.

RAIN AND KISSES.

I am one happy girl.

I hope that you all have an awesome Friday …..

This morning I am ready to go early …..

Now how is that for great.

Take care and enjoy a walk in a nearby park or even just down your street.

When the sun goes down and the night sky appears do some star gazing.

Kick off your shoes and walk on the grass.

Sip on a cup of tea on your deck or patio.

I was reminded by a story I read on FB that we should always be overjoyed when a loved one comes through the door.

How about we try that …..

The reminder was from a man and his dog.

Unfortunately his dog …. his friend, passed away.

But no matter how many times he came through the door … his friend was always overjoyed to see him.

I can tell you that is the case.

So often we forget how important being super excited over seeing a loved one is ….

Just think how happy you will make that person and how great you will feel.

Practice.

We can learn so much from our four-legged friends.

Alvin teaches me everyday …..

Happy Friday ….

Time to go to work.

Special Hello to: my sister and brothers ….. oh so far and yet so near.  I love you with all of my heart.

Always, Carol and Alvin

Thought for the day…..

Good Morning and Welcome to Thursday the 4th day of June, 2015

You will never guess what I saw in the sky at 5:15 this morning!

Something so beautiful and unexpected.

So much so that I ran and grabbed my camera.

Well it was a RAINBOW.

There were clouds and a rainbow on the south side of my house.

There was sunshine at the north end.

Funny how that works.

Followed by a few drops of rain and quite warm out for this time of day.

What a wonderful way to begin the day with seeing a rainbow.

Last night after I set the sprinkler to water the front lawn; Alvin and I set out for a walk.

We got to the corner and Alvin spotted our friend “I” out trimming one of her bushes.

So he pulled toward her but I held him back as we had to cross the street first and watch for traffic.

After a check for cars we made a beeline for her house.

Needless to say a few minutes later we were chatting on her front porch steps joined by her husband.

They both love Alvin and do not miss an opportunity to visit him, and me, of course.

Giggling out loud on this end.

Over half a hour later we left to have a quick walk before returning home to turn off the sprinkler.

Needless to say the ground was quite wet.

It got a good soaking.

Oh, my social butterfly …….

Well looks like an “umbrellie” is in store for today ….

So I had better get this show on the road.

I hope that you have a great day.

I wish you rainbows and sunshine.

I wish you love and laughter.

Have a great Thursday.

Special Hello to: my friend “M” ….. so great to reconnect after so many years.

Always, Carol and Alvin

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Saturday the 18th day of October, 2014.

WOW, it is simply the most gorgeous morning.

There is a slight coolness to the air with the sun shining brightly.

It is Saturday ……

Alvin is standing on the bed looking out of the window taking in all that he can.

He hears the geese honking as they fly overhead.

He seems to be watching for Aussie the neighbour’s cat as he loves to watch her when she is in the back yard.

He will stand on his hind legs and just gaze out of the window for several minutes at one time.

So cute.

Ah, to have a simple life.

This past couple of weeks have been filled with incredible highs and lows.

I am reminded that sometimes we need to push through the clouds to see the rainbows.

So that is my thought for this Saturday ….. just push through those clouds and find your rainbow.

There are many days that challenge us, and even though in my head I want only easy days.

I know that easy is not always better.

Growth takes place in a sea of challenges.

If we simply take one moment at a time it will not feel like the roof is falling down upon us.

Relax and breathe.

It will work out for the best ….. it almost always does.

I hope that you have a great Saturday, and that you see past the clouds and find your rainbow.

Maybe today it will be a double one ……

Happy Saturday Everyone.

Special Hello to: all those people who have sent their positive energy to our family.

Always, Carol and Alvin