It is a NEW YEAR.

Oh my how the wind is gusting this morning.

You can hear the vents clanging away.

The air is moderately warm for this time of day.

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

I just entered the SURVEY from Save-on-foods.

It would be great to WIN a $1,000.00 gift card for groceries from there.

That would last me for months.

Keep positive thoughts flowing …. or how lovely ….. I won free groceries.

 

Back to work this morning.

The weekend zipped by as they so often do.

Yesterday the sun shone for most of the day and the air was warm.

However, it was so icy and messy that I elected for us to stay in the house.

I did go to the mailbox and mail a card to my Aunt in British Columbia.

With hopes it reaches her by her Birthday.

The sidewalks were so ugly that I did not dare to take Alvin out.

We both cannot afford to slip and fall.

He tends to pull a bit at times although he does seem to understand when it is icy out to be careful.

He usually walks until he sees ice and walk and then walks around on the edge of the street where there is snow.

After my one fall earlier this winter … he usually turns around to ensure that I am still there.

What a gentleman, my boy is.

 

Yesterday I spent some time going through this small trunk/toy chest.

Sorting through papers and things.

Also going through containers that have cards etc.

Every so often I go through to see if I can downsize a bit more.

Just trying to keep the most special ones.

I am just catching a glimpse of some cards that my daughter has given me over the years.

There are a handful that I have posted to my wall size bulletin board.

She always chooses the most beautiful ones with the best thoughts.

That daughter of mine turns 40 in a couple of weeks.

Hard to believe.

 

Well almost time to head on back downstairs.

I am catching a ride to work for the next couple of weeks with my neighbour.

Grateful for her.

 

I hope that you have an awesome day.

Filled with kindness and respect and fun and laughter.

We always have to have a bit of the latter.

No fun is no way to live your life.

 

Happy Monday.

 

Always, Carol & Alvin

 

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Saturday the 13th day of June, 2015.

It is a glorious morning here at my house in Edmonton.

There is a breeze, the sky is almost overcast with the sun peeking through in spots.

Yesterday I took half of a day vacation from the office and came home for the afternoon.

I made a few stops before arriving at the house.

Stopped at Shoppers and then at Save-on.

The one out of the ordinary item that I bought was one of those bags that is on wheels.

My daughter told me that I should get one and it would be easier to carry groceries home.

I really didn’t want to because it kind of made me feel “old.”

Now I know that shouldn’t be as I see all ages pulling those “carts” around filled with things.

It wasn’t the easiest thing to load.

Trying to hold the full grocery bag and load it into the bag …. took a few tries.

I have the recycled bags so perhaps the plastic might have been easier but oh well.

I am trying to do my part for the environment.

After loaded I did find it easy to pull home….. so much easier on my shoulders and arms and hands.

The main reason I took the afternoon off was to paint the front porch.

I will admit that I have kind of procrastinated on doing it but it is done.

There are pictures to prove my hard work.

There was a bit of a wind …. actually it was quite windy …. not gale force.

But from the looks of my hair, clothing and the landing you might think it was a strong strong wind.

Now all white and pristine.

Looks pretty good for a non-professional and it was fun.

There was only one thing … Mr. Alvin.

I put the baby gate up at the door so that he could at least see me.

Didn’t work so much as he just sat there and “cried.”

I did not wish to take it down as I knew he would be running to one of the neighbours or the other.

So I just tried to be reassuring ….. “Your Momma is here.”

Or perhaps he didn’t think I was doing a great job.

Or perhaps he thought I may fall off of the ladder.

Anyway it is done.

In the fall it will be door frame and window frames.

YAY ….

I am so proud of myself….

Now it is your turn …. try something outside your regular comfort zone.

Well time to finish my coffee and get dressed as Mr. Alvin has an appointment for his regular pedicure.

His favourite thing to do …. NOT …..

I have a long to do list and I am going to accomplish every item and be all done by six o’clock tonight.

YAY …..

Have to have the house in ship shape for my Steeped Tea par-TEA next Saturday.

Besides always good to get the rest of my spring “cleaning” done.

Blinds ….. cupboards ….. you know.

Have a awesome Saturday.

Special Hello to: all you folks who are stretching and doing things outside of your regular routine.  Congratulations

Always, Carol and Alvin

Thought for the day ……

Good Morning and Welcome to Monday the 11th day of May, 2015.

Beautiful morning after a beautiful day.

So great to see the sky beginning to lighten as me and Alvin arise at 5:00 a.m.

Alvin and I now have a routine, I would say.

Routine are good most especially for pets.

During the week we keep pretty much to a regular schedule.

Do you have a schedule or is every day different?

I am lucky because I have one job now, same hours every day. Upon arriving at home it is let Alvin outside, feed Alvin and then get changed, go for a walk, and then have supper.  Most evenings just do bit of tidying up and anything that requires immediate attention, and other than that we relax on the sofa.  By relax I mean watch a bit of television.  Sometimes I just get lost in the moment gazing out the living room while snuggling with Alvin.

Most of us working folk only have a few waking hours at home during the week.

It is crazy how many hours we spend away from home, at work ….

To have a roof over our heads, food in our bellies and to pay the bills.

I like to get to bed during the week at the same time.

I tend to leave the big jobs for the weekend.

Now that the lawn requires attention I would rake it and water it during the week of course.

Perhaps leave the mowing for the weekend.

We all do what works best for us.

You never know what the day will bring.

I am hoping for a quiet day that I can accomplish everything on my TO DO LIST (at work).

Well here it is almost time to leave and looking out the office window I can see the sunrise ….

It is going to be a glorious day ….. the sky is clear with a slight breeze.

I do kind of enjoy the bus ride to work …. mainly because I get on one bus and go all the way to work.

Sometimes in the evening it takes three buses to get home if you miss that one.

Oh well, life is pretty great on this end.

I hope that you all had a great Mother’s Day ….

I was absolutely spoiled ….. huge ( BIG ) bouquet of roses, gerber daisies, carnations, hydrangeas,  and several other flowers who names elude me at 6:00 a.m. …… the most beautiful card, and the company first and foremost of my daughter and grand-puppies.

We even went out for a bit to run some errands and I picked up one of Mike Dooley’s book (started to read last night), some wooden spoons, couple of cool place mats for the kitchen table and some groceries and a pot of flowers for the deck.

WHAT a great day.

Still excited ……

Okay gotta go ….. have a great Monday.

Clear skies ahead.

Special Hello to: all my friends and family ……

Always, Carol and Alvin