The New YEAR 2022

Good Morning ALL! How are you this morning? We are doing well. The sunrise seems to be faint in the distance but I can see very light colours of orange and pink. That is a good sign. The night sky has diminished and the lighter blue of the morning has taken over. It is windy this morning. As I look out of my office window, I see mostly dirty snow banks what is left of them and bare ground. The windrows of snow that line the front public sidewalk have decreased in size by more than three-quarters. Those that remain are dirty as they are filled with sand and gravel that once covered the ice on the streets. It does not look pretty but yet there is some likeable about the scene. Perhaps it is because we know that the renewal of spring lies just ahead with the buds on the trees and the green blades of grass that peer out from the snow on the lawns, the first perennials start to bloom (tulips). It is perfection. So I shall be patient with the somewhat drab appearance of nature at this moment. Drab but still beautiful. We will be happy that to have no snow and ice. It will be great to be able to go for a walk and not have to worry about ice and snow and outerwear. Yesterday we walked twice once again for a total of 50 minutes. I am starting to feel less of the winter me and more of the spring me. Does that make sense? I think we are somewhat different over the different seasons. Makes sense, somehow. Just like a child at Christmas waiting for Santa to make an appearance. I am grateful to live in Canada where we have four distinct seasons. One of them is much longer than the rest but we have different ones all the same.

Can you believe that it is Thursday, March 31, 2022 already? April tomorrow.

Speaking of March 31st, today is the birthday of an longtime friend of mine, I have known her since the early 1980’s. Happy Birthday Polly. Alvin and I wish you a great day and may your days ahead be filled with much love, laughter, good health and abundance.

I don’t have much to say this morning. Sometimes when the sun is not shining I feel quiet with not many words to share. Not that I am not thinking but my mind is more quiet than usual. Perhaps the clouds or less than bright sky is Mother Nature’s way of having us slow down, be quiet onto ourselves. Just a thought.

Time for coffee and then to work.

Have a wonderful Thursday.

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

Always, Carol & Alvin

P.S. I am grateful for you, me and the world.

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Friday the 29th day of July, 2016.

When we first woke up this morning it was still pretty much dark outside.

Oh, that makes me sad.

No bright early mornings as we transition into the latter part of the year.

The air was cool which was very much welcomed after such a hot yesterday.

There are no deep blue clouds in the sky.

Today is to be another hot humid day but we will take them in stride because we know that we are blessed to have changes in our seasons.

That we have warm, hot, cool and cold.

Change is good or so they keep telling me.

They are always changing things up at work.

Keeps one busy for sure.

Well almost time to go as we slept in a bit this morning.

I am excited for my vacation so that Alvin and I can do some things together.

We will go for some extra walks and adventure away from our neighbourhood and take in some of the ones not too far away but enough so that it is an adventure.

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

I hope that you have an amazing Friday.

Perhaps you are now taking some time off from work and I wish you sunshine, rainbows and a little adventure.

We all could use that …. right?

Happy Friday.

Special Hello to: family and friends, new and old …..

Always, Carol and Alvin

Thought for the day ….

Good Morning and Welcome to Wednesday the 17th day of February, 2016.

It would appear that we have spring here in Edmonton.

Temperatures hovering around the zero and single digit plus temperatures.

We would not be complaining that is for sure.

The ice is melting.

Chip chip away ……

One morning we shall wake and the sidewalks and streets will be bare pavement.

Then it will be summer …..

 

I hope that you all had a grand long weekend ……

In Canada we celebrated “Family Day” and in the U.S. they celebrated “President’s Day.” and there was “Valentine’s Day.”

I have never googled to see if anyone else on the planet celebrates Valentine’s Day ….

Mmm, I seem to remember something about that day ….. will have to check later.

Maybe today would be a good time at some point to google something new.

Always good to learn something new.

It was a busy weekend.

 

What is new with you?

I hope that you are managing to get through winter depending on where you live.

Very cool that there are different types of “winter” and “summer” depending on which part of the planet you are located.

I will say that we are so lucky to have four different seasons.

Winter has perhaps become longer over the years but has definitely is shorter.

 

So on this mid week day …. I hope that you are well and ready to get on with this one.

Happy Wednesday.

 

Special Hello to:  my friends back in Saskatchewan “V” and “M” ….. thank you for support and friendship over the years.

Always, Carol and Alvin

Thought for the day….

Good Morning and Welcome to Friday the 9th day of January, 2015.

WOW, another number higher ….. isn’t that crazy?

2-0-1-5

Still not used to the new year.

Back to work …. doesn’t take long …. approximately 99.5 seconds and one is back into the routine.

Funny how that works.

We are implementing a new computer system at the office so we are all learning new things …..

It is always good to learn new things, I remind myself even when you are over 50, most especially when you are over 50.

Yikes, I can say over 55 ….. when did that happen.

Me Alvin is laying on the bed curled up with his face in my direction.

Whenever I am at home he is always nearby.

I love his attention ……

Our temperatures are warming up somewhat which is good.

No longer minus upwards of 35 with the windchill.

That is sometimes hard to fathom.

Especially for those folks who are living in climates where the temperatures are the reverse in celsius of course.

We are so lucky to have different seasons.

I would not change it for the world.

Well here it is almost time to leave for the office and then to the store after that ….. things to learn and people to meet.

That will be my day and evening.

Not a bad combination ….. hey!

Happy Friday.

Special Hello to: my family and friends all over the world.

Always, Carol and Alvin

Thought for the day…..

Good Morning and Welcome to Friday the 17th day of October, 2014.

Ah, darkness outside marks this time of year.

But alas when the sun rises it unveils the most beautiful hues in Mother Nature’s colour wheel.

We are so thankful to have a marked change in the season.

This year because it has been such a beautiful October so far we are hoping to have the same long into November.

Hard to believe that Halloween is only two weeks away from tomorrow.

Where did the time go?

Are you ready for the little treaters.

Alas, (my favourite word, today) I have to work at the store that night.

I will miss my first Halloween since my daughter was small.

I have dressed up and even gone out with the younger ones.

But the part that I love the most is being at the door when the little treaters arrive.

Some of the costumes are so unbelievably good.

So I shall miss that part but I think that I may dress up for work (the office).

Well here we are at Friday ……

I hope that you are feeling great going into the weekend and have a wonderful one.

I will be back here tomorrow morning.

Update on my nephew …. still progressing and that is all that anyone can hope for and thank you for your thoughts.

It is amazing how much positive energy I have been feeling as of late.

There was a spring in my step as I actually ran up the stairs this morning.

Have a great great day my friends.

Special Hello to: all those people who love seeing the little treaters on Halloween.

Always, Carol and Alvin

Thought for the day…..

Good Morning and Welcome to Saturday the 20th day of September, 2014.

One day closer to the first official day of fall or autumn …..

It came to me yesterday about Alvin and the stool.

I think that when he looks up at it there does not appear to be room for him to jump up and then up onto the bed.

Same thing when he comes down.

He is used to a bigger stool and perhaps rightly so ……

Momma is thinking we will need to get a bigger safer stool for the boy.

I guess the other one should have stayed at home.

Oh well …..

 

The leaves are changing fast as autumn/fall approaches.

They are so pretty at this time.

I surely hope they stay on the trees until Alvin and I can have our annual photo done.

It will help having the photographer on site this year …… yah.

 

Well it is going to be a busy but fun day here on the “range.”

Once I get the laundry started and a bit of housework done it will be time to work on some jewellery.

My daughter and I want to figure out what new pieces to make and then make some items.

So a fun day.

Followed by a walk with Alvin and if time permits perhaps a hair cut for the boy.

We shall see ….. if not this Saturday it will be the next.

He needs his fall trim……

 

I hope that you are enjoying life wherever you might be.

I wish you sunny skies and smiles and warm feelings that only love and good chocolate can bring.

Thank you for reading my blog.

Happy Saturday.

 

Special Hello to: all those people who take the time to help others ….. whether two-legged or four.  Thank you.

Always, Carol and Alvin

Thought for the day…..

Good Morning and Welcome to Sunday the 7th day of September, 2014.

The sky is a bit overcast but the sun keeps peeking out from time to time and there is a bit of a breeze.

There is that coolness to the air that this time of year brings but yet it is warm and comfortable.

I think this is the favourite season for women over a certain age.

Well at least it is for me.

I love the change in temperature, the colour changes to the trees and foliage.

I love that in between time …..

The time we go from flowers in bloom with all the patio/deck furniture out and enjoying that cup of coffee in the sunshine on a weekend morning to a bare deck but sitting on the chair no flowers still enjoying that cup of coffee.

From wearing shorts and a t-shirt to wearing long pants, t-shirt and sweater.

From sandals to sandals because there is no snow yet….

I love summer do not get me wrong but there is something about cleaning out the flower pots and putting away the patio furniture and putting away the summer things.

There just is.

I cannot place my finger on it …… but I guess maybe if I had to guess it would be a strange clean/tidy as Mother Nature prepares us for winter …..

Anyway now most of my flowers not all are ready to have the pots cleaned out ….. I have a few that are still blooming nicely …. might as well keep them out as long as they are looking good.

Even Alvin is preparing for winter …. I can tell his coat is getting thicker … if that is possible.

Well all thoughts today are to preparing for the next season …..

All thoughts are looking forward to the colour scheme that is coming and in some cases arrived.

I hope that you had a great weekend.

Mine was excellent.

Got lots done with the help of my kids …..

I spoke to a close friend of mine and although she had some bad news I just know in my heart that everything will work out.

Keep her in your prayers.

I am surrounding her with good and positive healing energy …. cannot hurt.

AS I do with  all family and friends and anyone I know that needs some extra goodness ….. good thoughts always.

Special Hello to: all my girlfriends back in Regina …. sure do miss you all and our getting together for coffee…… hopefully one of these times soon I can come and we can all get together for COFFEE.

Always, Carol and Alvin

Thought for the day…

Good Morning and Welcome to Thursday the 14th day of November, 2013.

How are you this morning?

One of my coworkers and I remarked yesterday about how when we leave work it is all about going home and eating and going to sleep.

I think that is pretty much true of any of us who live in a climate marked by the temperature drop of the seasons.

We are just like the bears …. eat and sleep.

I had big plans for last night but then it was raining after I got home and well no walk for Alvin.

(can you believe, rain in Edmonton in the middle of November!)

He did enjoy being out in the back yard in the rain.

He loves being outside and sniffing about the back yard.

I love watching him.

Oh well, I am like 99.9% of the human population on this planet and we like to eat and sleep.

Sometimes more than others but we do just the same.

Oh well, I did enjoy watching The Voice …… each year the talent is more amazing.

What a way to spend the evening.

So on this Thursday I wish you well and lots of energy.

Perhaps it is time to start using the treadmill who has made a lovely holder of my yoga mats.

Oh well, I am human.

Have a great day.

If I had one wish for everyone it would be that you are kind.

KINDNESS should be the one thing that everyone strives to be.

Special Hello to: all those dear friends and family who have lost loved ones as of late ….. you all are in my thoughts and prayers.

Always, Carol and Alvin

Thought for the day…..

Good Morning and Welcome to Monday the 28th day of October, 2013.

Well here we go again ….. it seems like only yesterday that we were saying good-bye to September, 2013.

Another wonderful month most especially weather wise.

I have been semi energized as of late.

Does this happen to you?

That you charge along making headway and then bang it happens one day ….. you run out of steam.

Perhaps it isn’t even a matter of running out of steam as it is running low on ideas and ways to do things.

Change things up.

It happens to the best of us.

So that is my plan …. get back on track.

Try to freshen things up …. new ideas ….. new hope …… get going again.

Maybe it lies back to basic human nature.

When the seasons change and most notably from summer to fall ….. our bodies crave more food and we want to sleep all the time.

Maybe that is it.

Anyway food for thought!   LOL.

I hope that you enjoy your Monday and if you have gone slightly off track … that you find your way back and can forge ahead.

Special Hello to: all those people who always seem to be on track and focused.  You rock.

Always, Carol and Alvin

Thought for the day….

Good Morning and Welcome to Tuesday the 20th day of August, 2013.

It seems odd last night to be listening to thunderstorms this late in August.

The temperatures have been more warm this month than in July.

Sun shining and what a beautiful sunrise it is….

Every year the seasons seem to change from month to month.

What used to be the norm when I was a child is anything but.

It is increasing more difficult to plan out door activities or chores as a result.

What is happening?

Weather it is always something to ponder.

It is always the chatter around the “water cooler” or “coffee room.”

Keeps us on our toes for sure.

What is your favourite season?

Mine is the fall or autumn.

Well something to think about …..

Have an awesome August day.

Special Hello to: all those weather followers.

Always, Carol and Alvin