Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Tuesday the 6th day of September, 2016.

The long weekend is over and it is back to work for me and many others.

It would appear that it rained overnight.

I thought that I heard it rain last night.

Well it was an extremely productive weekend for me.

I accomplished everything from laundry to mowing the front and back lawn to defrosting the fridge to picking up trash in the neighbourhood.

Busy but good.

It was nice to have so much time with Alvin, too.

After waking up to cool temperatures in the house and it not climbing after several hours, I broke down and turned on the heat.

With the temperatures being the mid teens this weeks it would have been too cool for the boy.

During the self imposed break from writing I did not plan on where I wanted to go from here.

So it will just evolve over time.

I guess that is a decision that I must make.

I am debating whether or not to catch the earlier bus this morning.

My regular time is back on the schedule.

Back on schedule because the kids are back to school and they added more times to the routes.

YAY.

It will be good in the winter when the bus is usually running a few minutes late.

I do not want to be late for work.

It leaves every 15 minutes so I have wiggle room.

 

I was inspired to write more poetry so that is for certain.

Something that can be done anywhere ….

Just have to have a pen and paper with me.

I hope that you had a great weekend.

Time to go and finish getting ready.

Thank you for reading this post and my blog.

 

Special Hello to: all my friends and family.

Always, Carol and Alvin

 

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Monday the 1st day of August, 2016.

Today is a holiday for me and my fellow Albertans.

This is a Civic Holiday here in Canada.

It is nice to have that extra day off and most months we have a “Stat Holiday.”

Well yesterday was gorgeous for the most part and I took advantage of the goodness by taking a walk early with Alvin and then in the afternoon once the grass and topsoil had dried, I cut the lawn.

It was great timing as last night and through the night it rained, and rained and rained.

We sure have been having a lot of rain this summer.

Not it is time for some sunshine.

I am grateful for a bit of a break in the heat …. that humidity can suck the life right out of a person.

Well I think that today will be a quiet day.

My daughter may be coming over for a visit today.

I have not seen her for awhile.

They are still without hot water and it is almost one week.

You never know what can happen in the eye of a storm.

I do not think that they will ever know exactly what happened.

The pups, their Elton and friend “Casey” unfortunately cannot articulate the event.

I am grateful that no one was hurt.

Yesterday I also managed to squeak in an order for the Steeped Tea BOGO Event.

Thank goodness.

I am hoping that August will be a good month for selling tea and products; the new catalogue will help for sure.

It is nice to know that tomorrow morning I do not have to stay up at 5:00 and get ready for work.

I have lots of things to do but I can do them at my pace.

Well I guess time to go and finish this mug of coffee …. nothing like a cup of coffee in the morning.

I taped Pioneer Woman as I do not remember this one and she was making Peanut Satay Chicken skewers for a party with her girl friends.

It looked yummy.

I have had store bought peanut satay but to make from scratch would be great.

I hope that wherever you are and whatever you are doing that you have the best day ever.

Stay safe, cool, warm and happy.

Special Hello to:  whoo whoo SKYPE tonight with my sister…..

Always, Carol and Alvin

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Friday the 15th day of July, 2016.

Last night my daughter gave me a ride home from work.

After she left and Alvin had had his supper and stuff, I decided to mow the grass in the backyard.

While out there it began to rain.

Very slowly at first.

Taking its’ time.

Big drops but only a handful and not enough to stop my mowing.

Alvin however did not think in the same way.

At first he went by the back door which is partially sheltered by the overhang of the roof.

As I mowed it slowly began to rain a bit harder.

Finally done after like five minutes (not a big area) but in reality likely closer to ten.

I put the push mower into the garage.

Ran back into the house to grab my gardening gloves.

Then back to the garage to get the rake and the garbage bag and the clippers.

Did a bit of trimming and ….

Just got the grass gathered with the rake when it started to come down.

No time to place it into the garbage bag.

Figured my time was up and I high tailed it into the garage where Alvin was waiting for me.

We both watched as the rain came down hard.

I picked up Alvin and held him in my arms as we watched the rain together.

It was actually relaxing.

At some point after several minutes it slowed down and I said to Alvin “Are you ready to run for it?”

Not waiting for an answer I put him down and we ran for the house.

Both wet but not soaked.

Well now it is time to leave for work.

I hope that you have an awesome Friday.

Happy Friday Everyone.

Special Hello to: my son-in-law for all his good ideas and to my daughter who just is the best for no reason.

Always, Carol and Alvin

 

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Monday the 21s day of September, 2015.

Rained all night but has stopped now.

I think we have had more rain in September than all summer or at least it seems that way.

How are you feeling this fine Monday morning?

I always have to boost myself up after Sunday nights.

Usually I cannot settle down and go to sleep …. too many thoughts.

Are you this way?

It is just like the night before going on a big trip?

You go through your suitcase ….. do a checklist.

You make sure in your mind that you have your passport, traveller’s cheques, cash.

Because you keep imagining the airline clerk asking for your passport and you cannot find it.

I had that dream and wasn’t even going anywhere.

Who knows … what that means?

You make sure that you gave the spare key to your neighbour who is watching your house while you are gone.

You make sure that unnecessary electrical appliances are unplugged.

The whole gambit …. you go through.

For me most Sundays nights I go through that day, the next, the week and it certainly did not help that it was raining.

Oh well, I made sure that I had some energy boosters for breakfast ( oh, the natural ones of course ).

Green tea – MATCHA ….. very good.

Just in case you are going somewhere ….. always have a checklist.

Passport anyone!

Well it was an interesting Sunday …. my daughter was supposed to come but was not able to in the end.

Part of the plan was to make pancakes (which I did … pumpkin spiced ones) and give Mr. Alvin a hair cut & bath.

OMG, he is such a DIVA.

I will admit that I raised my voice …. likely close to yelling very briefly when I struggled to trim his paws.

Finally I managed to get them trimmed pretty good or at least way better than the time before …..

We did have a good Sunday …… all in all.

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

Almost time to go and catch that earlier bus ….

So happy it stopped raining and hopefully the sun will shine today.

Special Hello to: my friends back in Regina …..

Always, Carol and Alvin

Thought for the day ….

Good Morning and Welcome to Wednesday the 9th day of September, 2015.

Wow, guess what?

It was raining overnight.

Yesterday was warm, and the most perfect evening for our walk.

To be followed by some rain.

Well doesn’t get much better than that.

My flowers are still blooming like crazy.

Sure would be nice if they bloomed until the end of September …. guess it all depends on Mr. Jack Frost.

If he decides to visit us sooner or later.

I love his arrival about mid December or so.

Who knows at this point.

We shall see.

Well another day of work ….. almost ready at this end.

I hope that everyone has an awesome Wednesday.

Are you ready for this mid week day?

It is all down here from here …. just gets better, right?

Of course,

always gets better.

I am always grateful to open my eyes and be awake, to sit up and then swing my feet to the floor.

That is always a great day.

Being alive is good.

Right.

Well, of course.

I am grateful to be alive.

I am grateful to have Mr. Alvin here each and everyday with me.

I am grateful to have awesome family and friends.

I am grateful to have a job so that I can have a house, my home.

I am grateful to be in good health and to be happy.

I am grateful for this day and each one that follows.

Well time to hit the “damp” trail to the bus.

Jacket and shoes and perhaps a scarf and definitely mini gloves.

My hands are already starting to crack (winter eczema).

Have a good great W-day.

Special Hello to: my daughter who is the best ….. excited to hear all about your trip.

Always, Carol and Alvin

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Thursday the 3rd day of September, 2015.

It is beginning to get light …. sun starting to rise in the east.

We had some rain last night ….. actually coming down quite hard just as we were going to bed.

Our walk was dry and beautiful earlier in the evening.

Well it is Thursday ….. payday for some of us.

It is only two more sleeps until my friend arrives at my house.

I am so excited …..

Do you have days when no matter how much you try to remain calm and focused you cannot?

I have been having them as of late.

I have chalked it up to the time of year.

My body just wants to sleep but responsibilities get me up and going for the day.

Sometimes there are those people that no matter how hard you try … they just get to you.

Today I am going to try not to take things personally and just do what needs to be done.

Sometimes it can just be someone annoying on the bus that make me crazy.

Sometimes not.

Oh, well I guess I am only human.

I can laugh and cry about it all.

Today I chose to laugh.

My life is pretty great so when someone crosses my path that pushes my buttons,  I must take it in stride and do my best to reflect my blessings in the kindness and respect of my actions.

Does that make sense?

Moving on …..

I am so grateful that Alvin came into my life.

He has brought me love and laughter.

He shows me patience and respect.

He is a good guy.

Sometimes even the good guy comes across someone that even he “growls at.”

Well I hope this all makes some sort of sense.

I feel fall in the air and actually even though I want to sleep, I love this time of year.

So on this Thursday I am going to repeat to myself:  “I am happy and thankful for all of the joy in my life.”

Let us try it.

Cannot hurt …. always positive affirmations.

Happy Thursday everyone.

Thank you for reading my blog ….

Special Hello to: all of the folks out there who try their best everyday …. you rock.

Always, Carol and Alvin

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Wednesday the 2nd day of September, 2015.

It rained a wee bit overnight as the deck has wet splotches here and there.

You can begin to feel the difference in the air that September brings.

It is not so much cold as cool and crisp.

It smells fresh.

You definitely need a wee jacket in the morning while waiting for the bus.

Most especially if there be wind.

I feel the Scots part of me coming out this morning.

Likely soon to be followed by the Irish and English.

What a lovely combination.

Well here it is mid week.

Work has been going well …. busy but that is nothing new.

Somedays I wish that I could be completely caught up when I leave at night.

But alas not likely ….. nature of the beast so to speak.

I am excited we are down to three sleeps before my girl friend arrives from Regina.

I have been patiently waiting since she confirmed her plane ticket.

It will be nice to sip coffee and catch up.

I am also excited to see the photos of her newest grand-baby.

YAY ….. baby photos ……

I wished that they could bottle the smell of a newborn baby.

Well what is on your plate for this fine morning/day?

Going to work?

Staying at home?

Cleaning the house?

Filing papers?

Going for a walk?

Volunteering some time at a local senior’s home or animal shelter?

Cleaning out your closet and bringing your fall/winter clothes to the front?

Lots to do.

Cleaning the yard?

There is always something to do if you wish to do it.

Always start with a list ….. makes life so much easier.

Write down what you have to do ….. even a bit of a timeline if you wish….

Check items off as they are completed.

Trust me you will have such satisfaction when you check an item as done.

YAY ……

I do it all of the time.

Plus, you do not forget anything.

Well here it is time to leave once again.

Happy Wednesday folks.

ENjoy.

Special Hello to: my friend “P” see you soon….

Always, Carol and Alvin

Thought for the day…..

Good Morning and Welcome to Sunday the 14th day of June, 2015.

Looking out of the office window facing south I can see the trees blowing in the wind in bright sunlight.

Looking out of my bedroom window facing north I can see the clouds starting to roll in.

So should be enough time to write this blog, drink my first mug of coffee and get dressed so that Mr. Alvin and I can go for a nice walk.

Yesterday it rained after our morning appointment at the Vet …. for Alvin’s pedicure …. only thing was …. his nails were not long enough so no pedicure……first time going to the Vet and no charge ….. so we bought some toothpaste.  They are so nice.  It was the perfect day to remain indoors and tackle my extra long “TO DO LIST.”

I was so pleased with myself as I managed to to everything on the list.

How is that for a productive Saturday.

Today is baking, bath for Alvin and relaxation for us.

YAY ……

This morning I realized for the first time something about Alvin …… he got me up at 4:30 to have his breakfast and to go outside… then we hit the sofa for some more zzzz’s ….. he got me up at 7:30 to go out again ….. then just after 8:00 he sat there and starred at me….. then he settle back down …… then finally at 9:00 he got up barked and jumped off of the sofa …. I got up and then he jumped up into my spot.  Mr. Alvin’s way of getting me up and out off the sofa.  I had just figured that I had deserved to just relax and lay there but guess he figured otherwise.  Thank you Mr. Alvin for being such a good friend and alarm clock.

I hope that you had a great weekend thus far.

The coffee is tasting pretty good and Alvin is pacing looking for the perfect spot to “leave” his CHEWIE ….. he sure can take up a lot of time going from room to room “burying it or hiding it” …. sometimes in plain sight.

Have an awesome Sunday as we have to get the show on the road.

Thank you for reading my blog.

Everyday I learn something new ….. even about Mr. Alvin.

Special Hello to: all the puppies out there who teach their Mommas and Poppas everyday.

Always, Carol and Alvin

Thought for the day…..

Good Morning and Welcome to Sunday the 3rd day of May, 2015.

What a glorious morning here in Edmonton.

While I was writing in my gratitude journal at the kitchen table this morning, I gazed out of the window onto the deck.

What to my eyes did I see but a slight layer of frost glistening like diamonds in the sunlight as it slowly melted into the wood.

So beautiful ….. one of nature’s best.

We finally got some rain late yesterday afternoon and overnight.

Enough to make the ground damp in spots.

Better than naught.

So happy to see spears of green grass poking their way to the sunlight on the front and back lawn.

We, me and Alvin are getting ready to greet some company for coffee.

Two of my girl friends and possibly their children are coming for a visit.

We always love to have company.

Love to chat about the world and ours.

Love to laugh and tell stories …. recanting our childhoods and such.

It is a glorious morning.

Yesterday was busy ….. OH, I VOTED in the advanced polls.

YAY …. so happy to have that most important task completed.

Also hit the grocery store, did some cleaning  …. more laundry ….. (where does it all come from??) and decided to put out the new bathroom curtain, towels and accessories in the main bathroom upstairs and also in my bedroom.

FIXED:  bedroom – bedspread, sheets, new matching pillows ….. looks beautiful.

I was going to wait until I painted but decided “why not enjoy it all now” ….. this way it gives me a better idea as to what direction I should go for the paint colour.

Photos were snapped and I will post them shortly so you can see my new stuff and perhaps give me some ideas as to paint colour for the master bedroom.

My thoughts initially were light turquoise or the palest of sky blues and now I am leaning to SAND.

Oh, I am needing some coffee.  Might have to put it on a bit early ….. mmm, I love a good cup of coffee.

Oh, yes … I did not forget about Miss Aussie …. her Momma is away down south … Palm Springs, I Believe.

She actually ran off the window ledge when she saw me coming so I gingerly opened the front door and stuck my keys in ahead of me (she likes to put her paws out, too and hers are way more sharp than mine) ….. anyway I managed after a couple of moments to get inside the house.  She then ran back to the window.  I gave her food, her medicine and fresh water.  As soon as she was away from the window … I opened it …. she loves to sit on the window sill and look outside.  She might as well enjoy the beautiful fresh air.  By the way, it smells like it just rained.

Well time to go and get that coffee on and a couple of items.

I hope that you have a grand Sunday.

Take care and be safe.

Be kind as you set out on your day …..

To yourself and to ours.

Special Hello to:  Family and Friends …… thank you for everything in my life.

Always, Carol and Alvin

Thought for the day…

Good Morning and Welcome to Wednesday the 16th day of October, 2013.

Last night it rained …. seems strange to be raining mid October.

While I was waiting for Alvin to come in from outside I noticed that the moon looked full behind a veil of clouds.

It looked like something you would see on a Halloween show.

Very mysterious.

I so love this time of year.

Last night while it was still light out …. I noticed that one of my other rose bushes had a “red” rose bud.

Usually my roses are done in September or even August but mid October and still blooming and budding.

How glorious.

I did manage to grab some photos but alas the camera is downstairs and I am too “lazy” to run get it and download the proof of these magical roses.

My “Gran” would be tickled pink.

Life never ceases to amaze me …

I never know what to expect.

I hope that you have an exciting day.

Perhaps one of our dreams will come true today.

Wouldn’t that be lovely.

Special Hello to: all those lovers of roses …..

Always, Carol and Alvin