Last Half 2022 – December

Good Morning ALL! How are you this morning? Well still bitterly cold here in Edmonton, I don’t even want to check to see what the windchill is this morning. I am sending out gratitude to the Universe for my furnace who is working overtime to keep the house warm and for my coat, boots, scarf and mitts that keep me warm when I am outside. Gratitudes for meltdowns and quick pick me back ups and back to business. Gratitude to my body at the cellular level that keeps me healthy. Gratitude that I am able to smell all the scents of the Holiday season. Gratitude for my hands and feet and body that I can feel the warmth and the cold when it surrounds me. Gratitude for my eyes that they can see my family, my friends and all the beauty that surrounds me. Gratitude that I can taste all of the good food and the treats that enter my mouth. Gratitude that I can hear the sounds of music, of the voices of family and friends and the world that surrounds me.

Sometimes during the holidays we tend to overreact to situations and yes, at other times of the year. There is something about the holidays that makes us emotional. I think it is due in large part to the high expectation that we put on ourselves for perfection. We want the gifts to be magical, the food to be the best ever, the company to be kind and the house to stay clean with no unpleasant surprises along the way. Of course, does this happen? Sometimes but not always. So this Christmas be easy on yourself. Let the perfection stand aside. “Let it go.” Your guests will love whatever you make and if they do not, well that is okay. If there is one thing that I have learned over my 65 years on this planet is “that you cannot please all of the people all of the time.” If they are not tickled pink by the gift that you spent hours selecting – smile and walk away. DO NOT ENGAGE. It is always in how we react to a situation. We cannot change people – no matter how hard we try. This Christmas do things that make you HAPPY and in turn all around you will be okay. I do not want to promise that they will be as happy as you because “their happiness depends on them.” Okay, you got this! WE got this!

Time for me to head downstairs and get ready to leave the house for work.

COUNTDOWN TO CHRISTMAS EVE: OMG, only four sleeps, I am so excited to see Alvin, Aspen and Milo, Amanda and Steven. This is going to be a great Christmas. I am ready!

Have a wonderful Tuesday. Take some time for you!

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

Always, Carol & Alvin

Photo by Brett Sayles on Pexels.com

Photo by Toni Cuenca on Pexels.com

Photo by Leeloo Thefirst on Pexels.com

Thought for the day ….

Good Morning and Welcome to Friday the 21st day of December, 2018.

Woke up to tiny white snow balls covering the ground with more following.

The crunchy ones.

At least it will cover the ice and give us some traction when walking.

We will finally be able to go for walks with no worries of salt or falling on the ice.

YAY, so happy for that.

 

Our move into our new work space went well.

I am unpacked and received my first phone call at 9:20 a.m. yesterday.

We only work until noon today and then the office is closed to the public until January 3, 2019 (staff goes back on January 2, 2019).

After the office is closed we will have a catered Christmas lunch and then we go home.

I was so pleased to hear that I scored two storage cabinets from our old office.

We had a cherry wood furniture and it will not be used once the building has been renovated so we had an opportunity to bid on pieces that we wanted.

We had these stand up storage cabinets with doors (like an armoire) and five shelves.

Very solidly built.

I got them for a very good price and one of my co-workers is going to bring them home with me after work today.

So grateful for him.

He is one of those guys that gives 365 days a year.

He is kind and funny.

J, picked up one for his wife for their kitchen as well.

Last night I cleaned off the IKEA shelving unit that I had by the back door to ready for the new one.

It will be wonderful to have storage with doors.

Keep dust away.

The IKEA one is in the kitchen.

It works.

The second one will eventually make it from the garage to the basement where it will house all of the jewellery supplies and perhaps some crafting items.

So, so excited for these.

 

Tonight is going to be a busy night with final preparations for the Christmas party at my house tomorrow night.

Another batch of fudge for the party.

Some laundry.

Charging camera and tablet batteries.

I think we may even squeeze in a walk this evening.

We can always stay up late.

After work and the cabinet is placed – will head to the grocery store for final items.

 

I am so excited to have the next 11 days off.

Time to relax, have fun, rejuvenate and enjoy.

 

Well almost time to leave for work.

Grateful to have another ride today and grateful to be employed.

I am grateful for this life, I call “mine.”

Grateful for all of the people who have entered and exited my life.

Grateful for the kind words and for the lesser ones.

Grateful for the wind and the rain.

Grateful for the sun and the snow.

Grateful for all the creatures that have crossed my path.

Grateful for me, Alvin.

So grateful for YOU.

Day of a gratitude.

Thank you.

 

Special Hello to: all those folks who take the time out of their busy schedules to read my blog, means a lot to me.

Wishing you all a wonderful day.

Always, Carol & Alvin

 

Thought for the day ….

Good Morning and Welcome to Thursday the 18th day of October, 2018.

Dark outside, guess we have to get used to it once again.

It will be several months before we see light at this time of day.

But that is okay.

 

Everything is equal in the darkness.

Meaning you can not see anything so everything is equal.

No divisions or egos or opinions to get in the way in the dark.

What you cannot see, still is, but is equal until it is not.

Isn’t that funny?

Strange thought?

We place too many labels on people, things, and situations.

We place too much stress on ourselves and then onto others.

We need to relax and just be.

Do your job.

Write your book.

Live your dreams.

One moment at a time.

Just breathe.

See the darkness not for what it is but what it can be.

Meaning the light will come and then you can see things as they are.

 

This morning once again Mr. Alvin in his way gave me a very important moment.

In the bathroom (no details) and he wanted me to massage his neck.

He sits there enjoying the moment.

Then he stands up and wants me to massage his back and upper tail area.

Okay upper bum area ….. but his tail ….. anyway.

He is loving it.

Quietly standing.

Then after I am finished.

He stands up on his hind legs and gives me kisses.

Something that only takes a few minutes clearly made him feel good.

It is those little things that make us feel amazing.

Good for him and good for me.

 

Well almost time to leave for work.

My carpool is home sick for another day.

Sending good health energy her way.

 

I hope that you all have a great day.

I may not always say it but I appreciate you all.

My family and oh my friends.

I have the best friends on the planet.

My sister is second to none.

My brothers, I love them.

All the nephews and nieces and cousins, thank you.

I am grateful to have my own home.

I am grateful to have the best companion, Mr. Alvin.

I am grateful to be creative and to have employment.

I am grateful to see, hear, smell and to touch.

I am grateful for all the experiences of each day.

I am grateful for my life.

 

Special Hello to: my sister, thank you for your wonderful comments and for reading my blog every day.  Have a great Thursday.

Always, Carol & Alvin

 

PS: yesterday was so beautiful.  Wore capris and short sleeved t-shirt on our walk after work.  WE LOVED THE WALK. Still some beautifully coloured leaves remaining on some of the trees.

Still some green leaves.  Grass is green.  Loved hearing Mr. Alvin crunching the leaves as we walked along.

 

 

 

 

Thought for the day …..

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

WOW, one more day until WINTER is official.

Then the daylight hours begin to get longer.

It will be nice to at least leave work in the daylight and not in the dark.

Tonight Alvin and I are hosting one of our friends.

Our friend who grows the most amazing garden of flowers.

Their yard always looks so beautiful.

We are excited for her visit.

She is the gal that I went shopping with on Sunday that insisted on buying us the turkey.

Yes, turkey is back on the menu.

That is okay.

I love turkey.

 

At this time of year, we begin to reflect of the year that has almost passed.

Did we accomplish everything that we wanted to do?

Did we meet new people?

Did we laugh enough?

Did we eat enough green vegetables?

Were we good to our family and friends?

Did we visit everyone enough?

Did we help our neighbours?

Did we …. could we ….. should we ….

Always lots of questions?

One important question?

Did you take time for YOU?

Are you well rested?

Are you happy?

Are you okay with you?

So many questions.

At the end of the day …… be kind to yourself and you will be kind to others.

 

Have a great Wednesday.

Gotta run.

Breathe ….. I know this time of year ….. is BUSY.

But there is always a few minutes to sit quietly somewhere and be quiet.

Just breathe.

 

Special Hello to: You, my friend.

Always, Carol & Alvin

Thought for the day ….

Good Morning and Welcome to Wednesday the 2nd day of August, 2017.

After a raining Tuesday – forecast is for sunny skies.

The next few days are to be lower twenties which will be nice.

The temperature has fallen substantially for Friday as was supposed to be 29, now 23.

You never know ….. weather changes frequently.

 

Alvin and I enjoyed our walk last night – just the two of us.

Not many people out walking.

 

Just a couple more sleeps and three days to work until VACATION.

I am so excited to have TWO WEEKS off ……

Time to relax, reflect and ENJOY my company.

Alvin is excited to see everyone ……

 

I am hoping that shortly I will have some tomatoes to eat from my plant.

It has grown so big.

My first tomatoes …….

 

Flowers, most especially the Snap Dragons are growing my mad.

The colours are so pretty ….. hues of yellow, pinks, purples and corals.

We love sitting on the patio admiring the beautiful flowers and gazing up into the sky.

 

Well time to get this show on the road.

Have a wonderful day.

Remember to take some time to breathe …. just sit, close your eyes and breathe.

 

Special Hello to:  my sister ….. soon …..

Always, Carol & Alvin

 

Thought for the day ….

Good Morning and Welcome to Tuesday the 14th day of March, 2016.

WOW, they are forecasting +5 degrees for today.

I do believe spring is even closer than we may have thought.

I do hope so.

Last night it was not dark until almost 8:00 p.m.

Oh, what a welcome change from December and dark at 4:00 p.m. or so.

I can hardly wait to see if my spring flowers will come up.

I hope that they survived the winter.

When our temperatures go from the + degrees to – double digits it is hard on the trees and other plant life.

We have snow and then it melts.

Then it gets colder.

More snow.

The cycle continues.

Melts …. snows…..cold….

Been a crazy winter for weather.

 

Well here it is Tuesday and almost the middle of the month.

Tomorrow is my great niece’s birthday.

I believe that she may be a teenager – if my calculations are correct.

OH my goodness.

Truly the time flies.

 

Well the time is almost near for me to don my outside apparel and hit the road.

Catch the bus and go to work.

My bus ride is about one hour in length.

I usually take the time to snooze, relax, meditate and think about my day.

If you take public transportation ….. other than checking out things on your phone.

You could snooze, relax, meditate and just ponder life.

Somedays I think that in future generations children will be born with bent necks and thumbs.

Maybe that is because I do not have a phone ….. no, I am certainly not jealous.

It is the constant contact that people seem to need with that rectangular box.

Food for thought.

 

Gotta run.

I hope that you have an awesome Tuesday.

Just try and put your phone away for a period of time.

There is a whole other world out there just waiting for you…….

 

Special Hello to: my sister ….. Sunday ….. SKYPE, well YES.

Always, Carol and Alvin

Thought for the day ….

Good Morning and Welcome to Thursday the 9th day of June, 2016.

It is overcast this morning and has been since early on.

Last night after work as soon as Alvin had finished eating and having a drink we went for a walk.

We got almost half way round the lakes when it started to rain, big drops.

That was my cue to get us back home.

Sure enough it started coming down harder and harder.

We were only home about three minutes when the heavens opened and it POURED.

Mixed in with the rain were bits of ice – hail, about the size of a nickel, I would say.

I was so happy that we made it inside before the hail.

I do not mind getting wet although we would have been VERY wet, soaked to the skin.

We can use the moisture and it is a good thing.

I hope that the rain went up north.

Well today is a vacation day for me that is the reason for a much later than usual blog.

My grand-puppy Elton is spending today and tomorrow with us.

Yes, I have tomorrow off.

SO excited to just bum around.

I have some work to do on my tea business and perhaps re-organize another garage sale if the weather will be nice this weekend.

Otherwise for today …. the plan is to RELAX.

Just chill with my BOYS, my pack, my peeps.

Looks like the sun might be coming out.

Well I hope that you have a glorious Thursday.

Time to go and enjoy a big mug of COFFEE.

Take care.

Special Hello to: my sister …..

Always, Carol and Alvin

P.S. Elton is doing great and we are so happy.

Thought for the day ……

Good Morning and Welcome to Saturday the 19th day of September, 2015.

It is a warm, bright sunny morning here in Edmonton.

WOW, it is the weekend and I am so happy.

Mr. Alvin has his regular monthly pedicure / other checks appointment this morning.

When I mentioned the receptionist name “J” he jumped up and gave me a kiss.

Safe to say that he loves this girl.

It is so funny he is always excited to go and see “J” and the other girls that work at the Clinic but when he is having his nails done he is not so happy.

At least I do not have to carry him there ….. now that would be something.

After I write this blog it will be time to get ready and go.

After I get home I am going to make me a pot of coffee and set down and write up my TO DO LIST.

There are items that must get done over the next few weeks plus the routine items such as laundry and cleaning.

Did you have a good week?

I hope so.

It was good at the office ….. busy as per usual.

I like to be busy but it is always nice if one can be “caught up.”

It has never happened since I started at the office.

It is the nature of the beast so to speak that one always has an inflow of work.

Never to be “caught up.”

Well one of the things on my list is to clean out the closet in this office.

I have kind of stashed things in there since the kids moved in April.

Well that is not entirely true.

It has always been my gift closet, craft storage, odds and ends storage.

But it is time to go through it and see what is needed and what is not.

Last weekend I cleaned out the guest closet and it looks great.

One closet at a time.

Closets are always interesting.

We always seem to put things behind doors just in case we might need them.

Eventually the doors barely close and you have to make some decisions.

Otherwise you become a hoarder or sorts.

I am not making light of this issue for sure.

So many of us ….. keep things thinking we might need them at some point.

Part of this comes from not wanting to do without.

Part comes from perhaps laziness.

Part comes from history …. depressions ….. wars….

There are all sorts of reasons.

But for me, it is the thought I might use it.

I have found that since I turned 50, I do find it easier to “toss” and “give” things away when I am not using them.

There is something freeing about it actually.

Well I had better go and get ready to start this day.

I have a bit of a headache … maybe because I have not had coffee yet.

But it will have to wait until we return from the Vet.

That is usually a quick visit …. so I won’t have to wait too long.

I wish you a Happy Saturday.

I wish you great pride in whatever you accomplish or not.

I wish you time to relax.

I wish you to be surrounded by love and laughter.

Special Hello to: my friend “M” who brings back fond memories.

Always, Carol and Alvin

Thought for the day ……

Good Morning and Welcome to Sunday the 19th day of July, 2015.

WOW, another bright, sunny, breezy morning here in Edmonton.

It is a glorious morning.

When I looked out at the front and back yards this morning I realized that I did not mow the grass.

I was so concentrated on the inside yesterday I forgot about the outside.

Perhaps after supper will have time to give it a quick hair cut.

Doesn’t take long ……

The flowers are looking awesome ….

It was so nice to have the rain ….. they do love it fresh from the heavens.

BUT today is a great day because my daughter is coming for a visit.

YAY ….. I love having her over …..

I am not going to tell Mr. Alvin just yet as he will get too excited.

When I tell him he will sit at the window and watch for her car.

He knows her car.

He will jump off the chair.

Run to the back door.

Look out the back door (which has long window).

Usually bark as he wants to go out and greet her.

Then go and wait for her to come in through the garage at the back of our house.

He is too cute.

I am almost too excited to write …. okay I am …. gotta go and get the coffee ready and stuff.

I hope that you all have an awesome day and have had a productive day with time to relax.

Last night was awesome we had a walk and then watched a movie between making some necklaces.

YAY …..

I am babbling ……

Happy Sunday.

Special Hello to:  all those Moms and Daughter out there.

Always, Carol and Alvin

Thought for the day……

Good Morning and Welcome to Sunday the 7th day of June, 2015.

WOW, another glorious morning and I feel like shouting it from the rooftop.

YAY …..

I have had a great weekend.

The only thing missing was seeing my daughter and her family.

Yesterday by the time the birthday party started at 10:00 a.m. …..

The flowers front and back were all watered, quickly mowed the back lawn, vacuumed and washed the main floor, dusted and prepared for the party.

The birthday party was a huge success …. the birthday girl enjoyed her gifts and red velvet cupcakes stacked high with my “not to secret” icing and LAUGHTER and CHAT.  We three girls can run the field with every topic under the sun.

It was the perfect party.

After the party …. I mowed and raked the front lawn before it got to hot and finished off the back lawn.  LAUNDRY …. there is always that to do……

By about 3:00,  I decided to call it quits other than finishing the laundry ….. RELAXING TIME.

We curled up on the sofa and just watched a movie.

After supper ….. returned a phone call and then we went for a walk.

I was going to bake cookies to take to Bath & Body Works today but I was pooped …. so bedtime it was.

Well it is just after 9:00 a.m. …… the cookie dough is all made up now and ready for me to scoop it into the oven to bake.

I wanted to take a treat to my friends at the store ….

It has been way too long …. I haven’t been back since my last shift on April 4th.

Somehow the time just has simply got away on me.

I guess after 4 years of working two jobs and for a good portion of it 6-7 days per week …. I had to RELAX and get some things done at home…..

Although it does seem strange that I used to manage to get everything that needed to be done at home and worked two jobs.  Somehow we find the time and strength to do it all.

I will say that I love being home with Mr. Alvin in the evenings and weekends.

Well time to go and get those cookies baked so I can catch the bus to the mall.

I hope that you all have a wonderful day.

Special Hello to: all my friends on the planet …. you rock.

Always, Carol and Alvin