It is a NEW YEAR.

Well here we are the first Thursday of March, 2020.

Almost one week into this month.

Today is my Dad’s sister’s Birthday.

Happy Birthday Aunt.

I hope that you have a wonderful day.

March is almost as busy a month for birthdays as February.

 

Well we brought Mr. Humphrey over for the evening.

My nephew stopped in and spent the night on his way back to work up north.

He brought me a DAIRY QUEEN treat – box of buster bars.

My favourite.

We had a nice visit before an early bedtime.

It was nice to see him and to catch up with all of the family news.

There is always a surprise or two.

He was up and away by 5:30 a.m.

 

Another nice morning although I can hear the wind gusting from time to time.

Gusting as it rattles the outside vents and the chimney.

Alvin and I did not make it out for a walk last night.

Our sidewalk/street out front is a big mess.

Kudos to our neighbour in the other half of our duplex who was out during the day chipping away at the ice.

Working to make the water drain from the street to the storm drain and from the sidewalk.

She did a great job.

Only thing is someone drove over the canal from the street causing it to collapse and then the water could no longer make it to the drain.

Oh well, a few more days/weeks of warm weather and it will be mostly melted.

There is snow and cold temperatures on the way for the weekend so that will put an end to the melting for now.

Time.

All we need is time.

 

Well another work day ahead.

How is your job going?

Perhaps you go to school?

Or maybe you are retired and just enjoying life.

Whether you work for someone or for yourself.

Whether you go to school or not.

These are all things we do to fill our days and to earn a living.

This living helps us to have a roof over our heads, food in our bellies and clothes on our backs.

Simply put.

These earnings also help us to have cable and internet for connections and entertainment.

Help to pay for vacations.

Car loans.

Basically everything we consume whether internally or externally.

Yikes one of the cards that I have displayed (hanging) from my bulletin board just fell off.

I had only moments just barely touched it so that I could read the words that my daughter had written.

 

Dear Mom

We’re so grateful to have you in our

lives and are so proud of all you’ve 

accomplished.  This year brings lots 

of change but we’ll get through it 

together.  Love you so much!

 

This was from Mother’s Day 2014.

 

Everyday of my life, I am grateful for my kids.

My daughter and my son (her husband).

For my grand pups, Aspen and Milo.

For me Alvin.

For my family near and far.

For my life.

 

We should always take the time to be grateful.

Fill your life with gratitude and your life will be filled with gratitude.

 

Well almost time to head on downstairs.

Hard to believe that my nephew has been gone for almost one hour already.

Time marches on.

 

Have a wonderful day.

Kindness and Respect, always.

For yourself and for others.

 

Happy Thursday.

Always, Carol & Alvin

It is a NEW YEAR.

The morning sky is broken with some lightness on the horizon.

It is time to get motoring as Mr. Alvin has been reminding me for the past hour or so.

Even though he was up at 1:30 and then again at 4:30.

I only wanted to lay on the bed or the sofa and just be.

But that is not to be so up we are and get this day going.

My boy is restless.

At the moment he is resting on his blue blanket beside me as I write this post.

We were heard a crack or a thud, a loud noise a couple of hours ago.

But no idea what it would/might have been.

Last night we went for a walk after work but only went half way.

The sidewalk to the park was so dangerously icy that it seemed to take 1/2 the time of our regular walk.

The air was so beautiful warm for February 7th, how could we not walk.

We even met up with another pup and his Mom.

Always time for visits.

I do love to meet new people.

 

Last night I chatted with a long time friend of mine from Saskatchewan.

I took Grade 12 in Windthorst where she had lived all of her life.

Through the years, there have been times where we have not seen or heard from one another but when we do, it is as though time has not passed at all.

Last night was one of those times.

We figured it had been just over ten years since we have seen each other.

Her sons and my daughter are grown.

She has retired and I am working.

Life continues on.

We had the best conversation catching up on the last decade, so much to say.

I miss her.

Hopefully we can keep in better touch now.

 

Well today I want to give Mr. Alvin a haircut and bath and do the laundry.

Cleaning will be tomorrow.

I took a vacation day on Tuesday so I can go and pick up some groceries if I need to at that time.

 

Well time to get dressed and make some coffee.

Change the bedding and pop on that first load of laundry.

 

Life is always full of surprises.

Wishing you a day full of surprises, good ones.

Take your day with kindness and respect.

Full on.

 

Happy Saturday.

Wishing that Mr. Alvin could put on the coffee or maybe a load of laundry.

Oh well ….. he is a good alarm clock and great company.

 

Always, Carol & Alvin

 

 

It is a NEW YEAR.

Well it is Friday, end of the first week back in our old newly renovated office space.

I must say I really like my workspace.

The noise level can sometimes be a major distraction but perhaps in time they will add some paintings or something to the walls to help absorb the sound.

Otherwise so far so good.

Last night we went for a walk but only as far as the park and Alvin turned back (there was no changing his mind).

I found a bit of bile on the main floor; so he definitely had an upset tummy and gas.

I noticed he has had gas for the past couple of days.

So back to only his food, his biscuits from the vet and only small amount of banana and perhaps carrots in the evenings.

No other treats.

I think sometimes it can be too much for the “old” guy.

But this morning all seems well.

I think that excess gas is an age thing.

I will admit that I suffer from “gas attacks” from time to time, okay more often than that.

LOL.

What can I say?

Alvin is resting on his blue blanket beside my computer chair.

He is always in a hurry to lay down on his blanket.

We have a routine.

That routine will be disrupted this weekend as tomorrow the Teddy and his little sister Kobi arrive.

They will be with us until next Saturday when their Aunt J arrives home from Mexico.

I am excited to visit with Aunt J and catch up.

We always have good visits and suppers together.

Tonight my daughter is picking me up from work.

I always cherish our time together.

 

Post from January 25, 2011.

How long is winter?

I had been asking myself that very question up until the past few days.

It feels like spring outside.

The sun is shining …… I can see and hear the snow melting from the roof …… hip hip hooray !!!

It has been so great that Alvin and I have been going out for walks everyday.

Life is always …. BETTER ….. MORE GREAT – when the sun shines and the snow is melting…..

Have a blessed day….

Always, Carol

In January of 2011, I was still a “retired” individual.

Home with Alvin.

A few months later our lives would change again when I went back to work.

For several years I worked two jobs.

Now just one.

 

I was going to post a random day from years ago and found just a short little post with my logo.

Strange how today the weather is similar, almost ten years later.

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

 

Well almost time to head on downstairs.

I hope that you all have an awesome day.

Happy Friday.

Be Kind and Respectful to yourself and spread that to all you meet (all).

 

Always, Carol & Alvin

Thought for the day ….

Good Morning and Welcome to Saturday the 2nd day of March, 2019.

WOW, the sun is up and shining brightly and it is not quite 8:00 a.m.

Now temperature, well that is not so bright and shiny.

It is COLD, not exactly what the overnight, early morning windchill temperature is but I know that it is cold.

Alvin wasted no time outside doing his morning routine, none at all.

Oh well, by Monday it is starting to warm up.

Perhaps SPRING is truly around the corner.

Hopefully it is a short corner.

Really, a small one would be nice.

 

We had a lovely visit with Teddy and Aunt J last night.

I love the way Alvin and Teddy are so excited to see each other.

Almost like hugging each other.

So great to watch.

Truly they are Best Friends.

Aunt J made these incredible “cheesy scalloped potatoes” that were so amazing.

So, so good.

They were a new recipe to her.

Well done Aunt J, well done.

We had a great visit …. took our time eating and visiting.

It was nice after a long week.

They left early as Teddy likes to go to bed early and his parents were arriving home in the wee hours of the morning.

I cleaned up and then we relaxed and watched a bit of t.v. before retiring at 9:00 p.m.

Alvin was up early this morning and luckily I was able to get him to hit the sofa for some additional zzz’s.

Now we are up.

Changed bedding, writing this post and then laundry and breakfast.

Lots of things to do but it is Saturday.

Good to be up early.

 

I just wanted to mention that today is the funeral service for our friend Judy who passed away suddenly.

She was a true life force.

I worked with her for about 25 years before I retired in 2008.

I still cannot believe that she is gone.

Way too young.

My thoughts are with the family and all of her friends today and always.

Will be missed, will be missed.

 

Special Hello to:  the newest Angel.

Always, Carol & Alvin

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Tuesday the 7th day of March, 2017.

Well the forecast is for a cold snap.

We are well below seasonal temperatures for March.

Not great news but it is March and one month closer to spring.

Officially spring in a couple of weeks or so.

 

This morning while getting ready for work I was thinking about “dreams.”

Not the dreams you have while you are sleeping but the ones you have when you are young for your future.

I always wanted to be a nurse, published writer, mother to four children (two boys and two girls) and to be married.

The white picket fence with the beautiful two- storey house – the dream.

I could see us all going on family vacations.

I could see my children further their education, get married and have babies.

I could see “us” being retired and living the life of riley.

So what went wrong or what changed.

Nothing is ever really wrong – we just take a different path.

One thing changes and everything changes.

 

So I am not a nurse, I do write a bit, I am a mother to one amazing daughter and one puppy named Alvin and I am single.

My daughter did further her education and went for her dream at that time (which I am grateful for), she is married and I have grand-pups.

Perhaps that is where the number four came from as they have had/have two boys and two girls.

I do not have a white picket fence but my house is a beautiful two-storey half duplex.

There has been the occasional family vacation.

Retirement is a long way off.

Different direction – different dreams.

 

The reality is you never know what life will bring to you.

Or where life will take you.

 

Even if you are super positive and live a life of doing kind and wonderful things the reality is you never know.

All you can do is live your life and work towards those dreams/goals.

Live each moment and day to the best.

 

Have a wonderful Tuesday.

Special Hello to: my daughter who teaches me things daily.

Always, Carol and Alvin

 

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Sunday the 23rd day of August, 2015.

It is a bright, sunny and breezy Sunday morning here in Edmonton.

I am preparing for a yard sale …. not in the garage but in the yard.

More accessible and visible being in the front yard on a busy street.

Today is the day that I am going to sell all of the items that I have chosen for the sale.

Alvin and I had a great day yesterday.

Started out with Alvin’s appointment with Dr. K….

Well it was great until she did the pedicure.

It is so strange that he doesn’t even wince when she does the anal sacs check (yuk).

It is so strange that he really did not fuss when she cleaned and checked his ears.

When I do his ears …. you would think …..

But when it came to his nails ….. he is a fuss pot.

He basically screeched …. I felt bad.

For the girls ……

When it was over he got a nice cookie.

I have taught Alvin how to ask nicely (manners are good for everyone including animals).

I missed the boat when he received the first cookie so I asked if he could display his skill for another cookie.

What a Momma …… yes, I know.

But I am proud and wanted to show them that he is more than the anxiety guy at pedicure time.

He proved me right and asked nicely ( he puts his paw up either in the air or when it is me, he usually paws my arm or leg whichever is closer).

He recognizes the words “ask nice.”

I was so proud of him.

They love him …. he is such a cute little guy and very loving.

I picked up a bag of his favourite treats and he was so happy.

After the appointment we went home to start laundry.

Gathered items for the lawn/yard sale.

The day passed …..

Mowed the front lawn.

Whenever I am outside mowing the lawn, a task that normally would take about 15 minutes usually takes over an hour because of people stopping to visit.

Mowing the lawn is a visitor magnet.

Well it is less than two hours until I should start putting things outside.

I have a good feeling that I am going to sell everything that I put out.

That would be so great.

Last night when Alvin and I were out for our evening stroll we saw one of the ladies in her back yard.

Their yard backs onto the lake in our neighbourhood.

I always admire the yard whenever we go by.

We talk about flowers and trees and things.

She is such a nice lady.

Every time I speak to her I learn more about her …. she is so interesting.

She came from China six years ago, and is close to my age (bit younger).

In China, she was a chemical engineer and retired after 26 years before moving here.

She lives here with her only and grown up son and his wife and daughter.

I asked about her husband and she said he is still in China as he is a businessman.

She works in a hotel here (what a change).

She said it is hard when you do not know the language and cannot get into a profession.

I felt so proud when she said she loves living in Canada …. most especially no pollution.

Fresh air as she took a deep breath.

What a great way to end the evening …. having a lovely chat with a wonderful person.

Time to fly …. shower …. coffee ….. prepare for sale …… work on the computer …. coffee …. sale…

YIKES.

Special Hello to: my friend “P” who is coming for a visit in two weeks.

Always, Carol and Alvin

Thought for the day…..

Good Morning and Welcome to Wednesday the 11th day of February, 2015.

Sorry I missed you all yesterday but I was home sick with a headache.

Happy to report am feeling better today and am off to work.

The temperatures are beginning to warm up once again ….

Supposed to be plus temps soon.

Do you have nights when you cannot turn off your thoughts to go to sleep?

I had one of those last night.

Likely due in part to the fact that I had slept off and on for most of the day.

Oh well, I am up and will have some coffee when I arrive at work ….

To jump start the day.

 

I hope that you all are doing great …..

Perhaps you are going to work ….

Maybe to school to learn a profession …..

Maybe on your way to  a tropical locale….

Or maybe you just rolled over because you are retired and can stay in bed …..

Whatever you are doing and for wherever you are …. I wish you all well.

I will be back tomorrow …..

Hopefully better able to pose some reflection ….. a thought or three.

Special Hello to: my friend “V” ….. love seeing her food posts.

Always, Carol and Alvin

 

Thought for the day…..

Good Morning and Welcome to Monday the 9th day of June, 2014.

This morning reminds me of a line from a old song “Rainy days and Mondays always get me down.”

I would say this could be true for a lot of people.

Most especially for those who require extra Vitamin D from the sunshine.

I can see a break in the clouds so that cheers me up.

I can tell when we have had a long winter and not much sunlight.

That was so true the winter of 2014, this past one.

It would seem that Mother Nature figures we need just a tad more rain and not so much sunshine as yet.

I hope that she decides to bring on the sunshine.

Crops and garden and me need the sunshine.

So on this rainy Monday perhaps you are like me and just putting the finishing touches on getting ready for work.

Or perhaps you are getting ready to go to school (maybe you are not even out of bed at this time as it is early).

Or perhaps you are retired and an early bird up reading the paper and enjoying your first cup of coffee.

Whatever you are doing I hope that this finds you well and enjoying your many blessings.

There will always be less than stellar moments in your life but find the silver lining, pick yourself up and carry on.

Remember to live each moment with our without sunshine.

Maybe you have to take extra vitamin D.

Have a great great Monday.

Smiling helps……. wouldn’t it be nice if every single human being on the planet smiled at the same time.

We would feel an overwhelming sense of peace and joy.

Something to strive for ……

Special Hello to: early birds …..

Always, Carol and Alvin

Thought for the day…….

Good Morning and Welcome to Tuesday the 15th day of April, 2014.

Halfway point ….. still halfway full of April.

I hope this finds you feeling great this morning.

Is the sun shining where you are?

Are you going to work?

Are you staying home, perhaps retired?

Are you waking the children to start getting them ready for the day?

Maybe you need a kick start to the day and I do not mean coffee (although I do love my first cup of coffee).

I mean repeating an affirmation ….. your mantra if you will.

There are so many ….. simply put it is affirming positive beliefs about yourself and about life.

I have one that I actually wrote down from Jack Canfield’s “KEY to living the Law of Attraction.”

It is a great book …..

So whether you are home full-time or whether you leave home for the day to go to work or perhaps to school.

Repeating positive affirmations just helps you to keep the positivity flowing.

Wherever you are and whatever you are doing ….. I hope that everything in your world is going wonderfully well.

I wrote down my affirmations on a card and carry it with me so that I can read it throughout the day.

Somedays I remember and somedays I do not but it is there when I need it.

I read it in the morning at home and before going to bed ….. so that is the last thing that I hear before going to sleep.

Keep positive ….

Happy Tuesday to You.

Special Hello to: my siblings …. I miss you …..

Always, Carol and Alvin

Thought for the day…..

Welcome to Tuesday, January 8th, 2013 …..

So I hope that this finds you feeling great this morning.

The wind is blowing here in Edmonton.

I always think that whenever the wind blows in the morning that it is bringing change.

Usually that is true for the weather and other things.

I hope that whatever it is that it is WONDERFUL.

Positive change, that would be good.

 

How are you with change?

Does it always take you by surprise?

Or are you always ready and up for the challenge that change so often brings?

 

I will say that likely the last five years have brought about the most change that I have experienced over my lifetime thus far.

For the most part, it has been all good ….. only a couple of things that I would have perhaps done a bit differently …..

 

Well I guess we can ponder “how we deal with change” for this “windy” day ……

I hope that you all have a wonderful day and that whatever life brings your way this day …. that it is GREAT.

Take Care.

 

Special Hello to: all those people who have recently retired from their long-time jobs ….. ENJOY.

 

Always, Carol and Alvin