2021

Good Morning ALL! Welcome to Saturday, December 4, 2021. OMG, not many days now less than three full weeks until Christmas EVE. Can you believe it? Time flies. The sky is clear as the sun rises this morning. Mr. Alvin is patiently, impatiently waiting in the hallway for me. Every so often he stands up and looks at me as if to say “Are you done yet?” Just like a small child travelling on vacation or to Grandma’s house. I will say that PATIENCE is not something that either Alvin and I have a lot of but I am working on that, daily.

At my lunch break yesterday at noon, the arm was quite warm so we happily set out for our walk. So excited until we we reached the public sidewalk in front of our house to find that the once crunchy layer of snow had now become a sheet of ice with patches that were safe for walking. I took the smallest steps that I have taken since first learning to walk while Alvin boldy rushed along slipping and sliding as we went. He did slow down when I pulled on the leash a bit and said “Slow down Buddy.” We walked past one of our neighbours on the other side of the street who was out putting down salt on his driveway. They live on the corner so he has a long piece of sidewalk that he has to maintain. Not everyone around is as meticulous as he is about looking after the snow and ice removal during the winter. I am grateful for him. They also have the most beautiful yard in the summer. His wife has a super green thumb and is always working outside during the summer days, weeks and months. Anyway, we stopped momentarily to chat with him and then carefully carried on with hopes to reach the park and then turn back once again for home BUT after a few houses, I decided it was not worth the risk of Alvin slipping or pulling something or me falling and breaking something. So we turned around and carefully made our way back home. We said hello again to our friend who was then pouring salt on the long piece of public sidewalk and continued homeward bound. I am happy to report that we made it safe and sound although I had one frightful moment. Oh, the joys of winter. I must get out my “grips” to put onto the bottom of my winter boots. Most of the time they work but when there is only a layer of thin black ice – they do not. Anyway, we are home safe and luckily other than going for walks we have no need to leave the house and I am grateful to have a backyard for Mr. Alvin to access should he need to go “you know what.”

Last night was the first of three LIVES on Facebook for the Fifth Avenue Jewelry Collection that I am hosting with three others and they are called MEGAPARTIES. New words all the time. It was fun. I missed the first couple of minutes again and not because I was not there but because apparently “I did not refresh FB” which I am pretty sure that I did, anyway, let us not go there. Yesterday was not my best day on planet earth. I found myself impatient with people that I work with (not my direct coworkers) and then to miss the first couple of minutes of the LIVE when I was there, did not help my anxiety. Yes, we all have a bit of anxiety from time to time. Anxiety – impatience, call it what you will, it happens to each and every one of us from time to time. Anyway, I believe I ended it on a high note. My lotto ticket was not a winner so that was disappointing – I guess deep down or even on the surface did I think that I would actually win a large sum of money. I have to work on that for sure. There were so many pieces of beautiful jewelry. I guess my favorite was this long silver chain with this huge round kelly green crystal bead and two clear crystal beads and a FAC charm. It totally reminds me of Christmas and I have admired it for a long time. It is a bit more money than I can afford but a girl can dream. At the end of the day it is nice to sit and admire the beautiful jewelry. I have several pieces that I have acquired over the last thirty years since I started to buy Fifth Avenue Jewelry. I have so much jewelry period that I have accumulated in my 64 years. Most of what I acquire these days is for gifts. Once in awhile I pick up something for myself. Not too often. Tonight at 7:00 p.m. (Mountain Time) is the second FB LIVE for the weekend and then tomorrow at 4:00 p.m. (Mountain Time), I believe is the last one. So I had better get going.

This is my Christmas baking / Fifth Avenue Jewelry weekend plus I have laundry and some cleaning to do. I have reduced the different things that I am baking to Sugar Cookies and Fudge and a batch of Chocolate Chip Cookies for my son-in-law. Also I had a great idea last night when I could not sleep because silly me thought it was a good idea to drink coffee all evening. My beautiful daughter stopped by after work and brought us MacD’s for supper (usually I am not a huge fan of fast food but once in awhile I enjoy it and I had a craving for those salty fries). This was the second time in as many months. I am turning into a FF junkie (fast food junkie). Anyway, that is okay. Alvin and I loved having her here for a visit. We quickly caught up on the latest before she was on her way to COSTCO. Did I mention that she brought me some small donuts from MacD’s, who knew that they sold donuts now. I had a couple last night after she was gone. They were yummy. Anyway.

Time to get going. I have some FB messages to send to some friends regarding the Fifth Avenue Jewelry party and then laundry and COFFEE.

Have the most wonderful Saturday. Be safe and enjoy!

Continuing on this path, in this life to live each day with kindness, respect, compassion, patience, love, understanding, laughter with gratitude.

Always, Carol & Alvin

PS, one of the splurges I made at the grocery store was a small bag of the ground StarBucks Christmas Blend Coffee, the one in the red bag. I had that last night. My daughter had about 1/2 a cup but me, I drank the rest of the pot. I enjoyed it but I was up all night thinking about everything that happened yesterday and things that I will be doing this weekend and even came up with a great idea to package the Christmas baking. YAY, me.

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Thursday the 1st day of March, 2018.

No additional snow as yet this morning, thank goodness.

Feels a bit cooler than yesterday morning but not FRIGID.

Alvin and I have been so enjoying our walks on our new temporary route.

So good to get out and be able to walk without worrying about the ice and the salt.

They are forecasting snow.

On the first day of March, it gives us all hope that spring is close by.

Next weekend our time changes, we spring forward one hour.

The days are noticeably longer.

It is actually light on my bus ride to work.

 

I am inspired by reading.

Reading gives me insight into other places, peoples and situations.

Whether fiction or non-fiction.

Reading builds up my vocabulary.

Gives me food for thought.

Reading has to be one of my favourite things.

Pick up a book today or even a magazine or newspaper and read.

It will open doors and help you in so many ways.

Let me know what you are reading this day.

I am reading The No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency series by James McCall Smith.

If you have not read any of his books, now would be a good time.

He writes about this woman and she is the best, charming and funny.

A must read.

 

Well time for this gal to hit the road to catch the bus for work.

Have an awesome first day of March.

Remember read something today.

Even,  a newspaper article.

 

Special Hello to:  all those people who love to read.

Always, Carol & Alvin

 

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Wednesday the 21st day of February, 2018.

Today was my Grandmother Stella’s Birthday.

If she were alive she would be 117.

I miss my days with her.

She taught me so much and sometimes said things that I did not wish to hear.

Happy Birthday Gran.

 

I would like to think that it is warming up but not sure at this point.

Yesterday was cold.

Who knows.

I do know one thing – spring is right around the corner.

Just a few weeks until our time changes.

We put our clocks ahead one hour ….. now that takes some getting used to ….. losing an hour.

 

Last night as I was chatting with a friend at the bus stop.

A bus stopped, and I had not really been paying attention when my friend “C” appeared in the door way of the bus.

She said …. “Come on, wanna a ride.”

I quickly said “Have a good night to my other friend” and hopped onto the bus.

I also thanked the bus driver for waiting and he said “No problem, there was a red light.”

Made me giggle.

 

What a great Tuesday I had ….. I got so much done at work …… more than my TO DO LIST.

Today will be even better.

Stay focused and give it my all.

 

With being home so early and able to see the ground beneath us, I figured it was time to walk.

The weather has been cold, icy and on those nice nights too much salt on the walks.

We made it to the park and home but my poor Alvin seemed to find all of the salt.

I did my best to steer him away and when he stepped on it, I quickly wiped his paws with my mitts and scarf.

I guess I should take a towel with me.

During my ride home last night we chatted about the salt and walks.

Came up with an idea ….. baby socks ….. I should try them.

I am pretty certain that Alvin will not keep them on his paws but you never know.

At least it may help.

That way if he wears them …. I would know okay to purchase actual booties for pups.

 

Well time to get this show on the road once again.

I truly hope that you have a fantastic Wednesday.

Yesterday on my bus ride to work I repeated my mantra over and over.

I tell you …. certainly helped me get through the work day.

Try your mantra ……

If you do not have one ….. make one up…..

You have to start somewhere.

Happy Wednesday.

 

Special Hello to: my friend “V” ….. finally tried all of the items in the Valentine’s gift box and everything was AMAZING.

Always, Carol & Alvin

 

 

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Thursday the 11th day of February, 2016.

We have SNOW.

It started snowing over night and is still snowing.

There is a pure white blanket covering roof tops, cars, lawns, roadways and streets.

Anything sitting outside is covered.

YAY …. actually I am happy for the snow because it means that Alvin and I can walk tonight with no fear of salt getting at his paws.

There has been so much ice again this year that people have resorted to using heavy duty SALT.

Being the consciousness Momma that I am ….. we have elected to walk irregularly but Mr. Alvin does get exercise and fresh air in our back yard.

He loves to run and jump on the three levels of our deck.

So this keeps him moderately active and gives him some fresh air.

I am going to see if I can find socks/boots that would fit him but he is so fussy about his paws that I would be shocked if he would leave them on.

That is part of the reason that I have not done so thus far.

I guess such as life …. we do the best that we can do given the situation.

Once again, I am pleased as punch that there is a new blanket of snow covering the ice/salt/sand.

What a combination…..

Another good reason for excitement … the weekend coming up is a three day one.

Monday is a Canadian Statutory Holiday celebrating “Families” named of course, Family Day.

So it will be nice to spend the weekend with my Alvin and my kids if they are able to make it over.

Coffee and visits with friends who are like family.

Those are the best ones.

Well almost time to get out into the snow.

I was debating about shovelling the deck before I leave for work and out front and then I thought …. it is still snowing so might as well wait.

Good exercise tonight …. walking and shovelling …… gotta work on my core, that is for sure.

I hope that you have an awesome Thursday …..

Take care.

Thanks for reading my blog.

I appreciate your time.

Special Hello to: You, after all without you there would no Me …..

Always, Carol and Alvin

Thought for the day ….

Good Morning and Welcome to Tuesday the 2nd day of February, 2016.

There have been a few flakes wondering down from the sky to take their place on my deck, onto the ground.

It feels a bit cooler this morning but perhaps it is only because I had the door open to let Alvin out into the back yard in my PJ’s.

Today we find out if spring is sooner or later.

I am hoping for sooner and not because of the winter being super cold and miserable but because the lack of bright sunshine has made me feel a bit blue.

Our winter here in Edmonton has not been unusually long or bitterly cold for long periods but we have not had the sunshine.

I miss the sunshine …..

A part of it might have to do with my location at the office …. desks block the daytime sunshine.

So unless I get up and walk about which is not much other than to the printer and there is no sunshine that way either ….

Not that I am suffering the way someone would with an illness but more in the energy field.

Lacking in motivation.

I work on being bright and cheery, positive and energized.

I have some MATCHA (ground green tea into fine powder) with my oatmeal.

It helps but there is a looming cloud ….. anyway enough of gloom and doom ….. I like the sound of the OOM ……

Okay perhaps a slight bit over the top.

More than a bit over the top ….

Enough of the drama.

January was drama and February is all about the calm and GREAT

 

Last night Mr. Alvin and I went for a walk.

There was so much salt on the sidewalks to combat the ice that it was not a fun walk for us.

As soon as I got home I quickly washed his feet and I always wash them before bed.

That way any “stuff” on them will not make it into bed with us.

 

I had a phone call from the Captain or Area Leader for the Heart Fund …. I volunteered to canvas for them.

He will be dropping off the package tonight.

 

Well almost time to leave for the office.

The sun will shine today ….

Both Alvin and I hear a cat meowing …. the same one methinks that we heard just after going to bed.

We have to go and investigate before I leave for work.

Poor thing…..sounds distressed.

 

Special Hello to:   CATS

Always, Carol and Alvin