A New YEAR 2023

Good Morning ALL! I, we had a pretty good sleep. Up a couple of times but all in all, not bad. Always helps matters when I am able to work from home. A person could even have a nap on lunch break if one was tired, right? We are experiencing a cold snap. I guess more like winter than the previous few weeks. A mix of weather is good, I think. Do you ever wonder if it is a cold or allergies that you have? Just a random question that popped into my mind. Sorry, lol.

This is good news, Alvin’s poop seems to be getting closer to normal the past couple of days. I am so relieved. This morning or on my lunch break to call his Doctor and give her an update. I started to mix in more of his food and give him some of his hard food as a snack. Seems to be going okay thus far. Fingers crossed.

Sometimes you just need to see some cuteness …… photo time…… Alvin and family and friends and some flowers ……..

A proper Gentleman

A great way to start the week with photos of Alvin and his family and friends. They are all like family. Special shout out to Sir Elton and Miss Penny who passed away in 2016. We miss you guys. We love to be surrounded by all the joy that these beings bring us. Always love in my heart and a smile on my face. Cuteness abound. Thank you Sir Elton, Miss Penny, Aspen, Milo, Humphrey, Bogart, Teddy, Kobi, Bailey, Cookie and Duck…..

Have a wonderful Monday. Great way to begin the week.

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

Always, Carol & Alvin

It is a NEW YEAR.

Good Morning and Welcome to a WINTERY WEDNESDAY.

Last night it started snowing and has not stopped.

The snow was up to Alvin’s neck on the deck when we got up at 3:30 a.m.

Yup, we were up and I fed him and shovelled some of the deck.

Not quite sure why but we were both wide awake at that time.

There will be shovelling to do again before I leave for work.

 

Yesterday was UKRAINIAN Christmas.

I realized after I wrote and published my post yesterday that I completely forgot about writing about Ukrainian Christmas.

The reason for me leaving up the Christmas Tree and decorations.

I was honoring my friend of forty-seven years who passed last year.

He was a kind, sweet, gentle Ukrainian man.

He would give you the shirt off his back or the shoes from his feet.

He cared for animals and life.

He loved his garden and flowers.

He farmed with his brother and when his brother passed he farmed alone.

Managing it all by himself.

A big job for two but for one, so much.

He would always call me and teasingly, ask, if I had a boyfriend or if I had got married.

I would always say “No.”

I know that he was just checking to make sure I was okay.

I would call him from him to time, as well.

He was fond of the photos that I sent him at Christmas time with a card.

A photo of me and Alvin.

He had a smile that would light up the saddest of folk.

He was generous to a fault.

He was like an older brother and treated my siblings as such, as well.

When I learned of his passing; I felt as though I had lost a part of me.

Well I guess that I had.

He was my older brother.

You left us way too early and I will miss you, always.

Yesterday you were in my thoughts and will never leave my heart.

I see your star shining on a clear Alberta night keeping watch over us all.

Thank you my brother.

********

 

Please be careful out there ….. lots of snow.

I pray for rain in Australia.

Please save the animals in Australia.

 

Always, Carol & Alvin

 

 

 

 

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Wednesday the 9th day of January, 2019.

Another blast of COLD for this winter’s day.

But on the upside it is going to be warming up and be around zero on Saturday.

YAY.

 

I was thinking last night after listening to someone speak about the following:

 

I realize now that it has been my love of writing everyday in my journal since I was a young teenager that has brought me safely to this place.

Before journalling was thought to be more than just writing your thoughts down on paper in a diary or journal; I did that/this.

Perhaps I was one of those slightly ahead of the curve.

Writing is both fun and therapeutic.

I am here now because I was able to write down my thoughts and see my life on paper.

Writing has done so much for me.

I have always wanted to be a published writer – maybe even a New York Best Selling Author.

I have wrote in addition to my diary-journal, short stories, poetry, essays and most recently an on-line daily blog.

If I can reach one person and make them smile, touch them in some way, give them information or an idea – I am over the moon.

At the end of the day writing gives me great joy and good health.

What more could one ask for ……

 

Time to leave for work.

Somehow the time evaporated this morning.

Perhaps a few less minutes on the comfy sofa….. LOL.

 

Special Hello to: all those writers out there …. you rock.

Always, Carol & Alvin

Thought for the day ….

Good Morning and Welcome to Friday the 1st day of June, 2018.

First day of June.

June showers bring July flowers.

We are having a nice rain shower at this very moment.

It has been raining since we first got out of bed.

The trees and grass are now glorious shades of green and the flowers are looking amazing.

It is a bit on the cool side in the house these past few mornings but the “summer” heat will return soon enough.

Alvin is back on the blue blanket once again.

It has become a routine.

He has always liked to be right close to me.

Definitely a Momma’s Boy, for sure.

…………………………………………………….

June 1st, last year.  I always like to check out what was going on.

Good Morning and Welcome to Thursday the 1st day of June, 2017.

The skies are overcast and the wind is blowing here in Edmonton.

It is a refreshing morning.

Alvin and I both had an off night and were up and down but at the end of it all are okay.

Not sure what hit us …..

But not serious ….. might have just been heat and humidity.

I am running late as I semi slept in so I will just share a cute story from my bus ride home last night.

There always seems to be something happening on the bus so I am just start riding regularly about those experiences.

BUS RIDE STORY:

Tonight on the bus ride home – there was a Mom and three small children.

The older boy who was likely six asked his Mom this question:

“Who controls the rain GOD or SATAN?

Best question ever.

I had to smile to myself.

It definitely made the stuffed into the bus like sardine trip easier to take. STILL SMILING……

By the way I did not hear what the Mother replied.

…………………………………………………..

I will always love that Bus Ride Story and just had to share it once again.

Well time for me to go.

Guess June 1st carries forward some aspects from year to year.

I am running just a tad late same as last year.

Time to go.

Have an awesome day.

Remember to LISTEN as you never know what you will hear.

The Bus Story still brings a smile to my face.

Children are the best.

Okay, sorry Mr. Alvin ….. second best.

Smiling away as I key these words.

 

 

Special Hello to: all those folks who bring a smile to our faces everyday.

Always, Carol & Alvin

 

 

 

Thought for the day ……

Good Morning and Welcome to Thursday the 8th day of June, 2017.

The sun is shining although there are some deep blue clouds above my house and over.

No forecast for rain until tomorrow.

Another hot one today.

Thank goodness for A/C at work and at home.

We enjoyed another walk last night with our friends “S” and Presley.

This warm sunny weather has been good for my plants/flowers as they are growing so much.

I am excited to see them all bloom.

Also I noticed that the roses are budding so just a few days and there will be beautiful pink flowers lining my walk to the park entrance and on part of the way to the bus.

The fragrance is amazing and tickles one’s nose in the most delicate way as it makes it way up into your brain.

Love, love, love wild roses.

I am a flower girl …. person ….. woman.

I love all flowers.

The colours and the different fragrances.

I would love to have my deck totally covered in flowers of every shape and colour.

I guess we would have to have a path to walk ….. so that Alvin would get to his grassy patch ….

But you know what I mean.

Perhaps visualization may help …..

Something to do on the bus ride to work.

Well time to get this load on the road.

Okay perhaps that may be a bit too vulgar …. I apologize.

Time to get this show on the road.

Better, right.

Hope you are smiling …. just a bit …… I can see your mouth curling up at the ends…..

Thank you for the smiles.

It is a good luck on you.

Happy Thursday.

Special Hello to: my friend “V” who is taking on another venture ….. congratulations and good luck on your product launch. I will be there in spirit.

Always, Carol & Alvin

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Wednesday the 8th day of March, 2017.

Another brr COLD morning as was evident when I opened the back door to let Alvin outside.

Thank goodness he has a warm coat and boots so to speak.

Naturally of course.

When we walk at night – I add one of his jackets depending on the weather.

I would have tried booties with him but because of his “foot fetish” – likely not a great idea.

We enjoyed another brisk walk last night.

Which is good ….. short but fast.

I could feel my heart rate increasing.

 

This morning I have been thinking about the choices we make.

We make choices in every second of every day.

We decide whether to wear the black pants or the brown ones.

We decide whether to take an apple and peanut butter sandwich for lunch or to buy lunch.

We decide whether to send that email or not.

We decide whether we want to have a great day or not.

We decide whether to hold the door open for a senior.

We decide whether to write that story or not.

We decide whether to go for a walk or to vegetate on the sofa.

We decide so many things – coffee or tea.

 

Now some of these choices are not totally our own.

Some we make dependent on life or lifestyle.

Some people would prefer not to work but if you want a roof over your head and food in your belly – it is a must.

But you can certainly choose where you work.

For as many of the choices that we must make just to live our lives there are many more that we have more control over ….

So when you think that life is getting you down and that you have no choices.

Trust me you have plenty.

Start making the ones that will bring joy to your heart and a smile to your face.

 

Have an awesome Wednesday.

Make a choice today to smile at every person you encounter.

That will for sure bring some good energy your way.

Who knows maybe even that person you have been dreaming about …..

Just smile…

 

Time to get going …… the bus you know.

Public transportation.

 

Special Hello to: my family and friends ……

Always, Carol and Alvin

 

Thought for the day …..

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

It is a bright and sunny morning here in Edmonton on this 14th day of June.

Alvin and I enjoyed our walk last night.

It was so nice out.

 

Cute story:

Last night on my walk from work to the bus I came across this man walking down the street.

Okay, you say, nothing “cute” about that but wait …..

He was sauntering along smoking on his cigarette like this was the most normal thing in the world.

Or perhaps he was just trying to get a rise out of people.

But no matter.

What did I see perched on his shoulder but a pigeon.

Yup, a bird on someone’s shoulder in sort of downtown Edmonton.

Pretty sure it was a pigeon.

It was a medium size one.

I was walking behind him keeping a normal walking distance.

One man passed us and he said Hello and could barely contain the smile.

He almost made it passed the man.

We came to a trash can and the man pulled in and I passed him.

I wanted to turn around but though that might be a bit tacky so I did not.

But I was smiling all of the way to the bus.

I guess you just never know what/who you are going to meet on the way to the bus after work.

 

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

I hope that this little story made you smile as it did for me.

Have a wonderful Tuesday.

 

Special Hello to: all those people who love and respect animals.

Always, Carol and Alvin

 

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Tuesday the 22nd day of December, 2015.

Only TWO days until Christmas EVE.

Can you feel it in the air?

This year it feels more like Christmas than it has in a few …

Likely as I was not working in retail …. there is something about people being grumpy …. grabbing and pulling to take the air out of your balloon.

I am very grateful for my time in retail as it has made my resolve stronger when it comes to my feelings of those who work in the industry of customer service.

I would ask that during these last few days before the big day that you treat those working in stores, restaurants and the like with care and respect.

They are working to support their families and themselves just like you and me.

They are no different …. we are all the same.

I treat the person who sweeps the floors the same as the person who runs the company.

We all have jobs to do and deserve respect ….

Remember you are no better and no worse than the person next to you.

We are all living breathing beings.

SO whether you are a Customer Service Representative in retail or the CEO of a big corporation, it does not matter.

Each job we do is important.

How about ……

Turn the frown into a smile.

Turn that hasty snide remark into a compliment or holiday greeting.

How about we start a new trend …. being nice to all those folks we encounter during the course of our days.

It doesn’t take anymore work to be nice than naughty.

I tell you …. you will feel like a MILLION DOLLARS.

Let us warm our hearts this Christmas and Holiday Season.

I would like to add that there are a great many folks out there that would come into the store and treat each of us with kindness and respect.

But it should be 100% of people that are nice not just a few.

We also need to extend this kindness and respect to every creature whether two-legged or four.

Happy Holidays.

Time to start the final stages of preparation for work.

I hope that you have an awesome Tuesday.

Are you smiling?

You will accomplish more with a smile than a frown…..

You will, trust me.

Special Hello to: my friend “M” and my sister who faithfully read my blog, thank you.

Always, Carol and Alvin

 

 

Thought for the day ……

Good Morning and Welcome to Thursday the 28th day of May, 2015.

Overcast this morning.

Guess what?

We finally got a bit of rain last night.

Very much needed.

I hope that this dark blue sky filled with rain clouds brings us some more throughout the day.

It is windy outside.

Makes me want to go back to bed and curl up with Mr. Alvin.

I am working on showing my happiness this week.

So much of the time we walk around looking “mad.”

For some reason smiling does not seem to be a natural facial expression.

Or at least with me.

People often ask, “Are you okay?”

I reply “I am great.”

So now I have to make my outside match my inside.

It is a process……

I AM HAPPY ….. SMILING.

Thinking of something that makes me smile.

A puppy ….. Mr. Alvin.

A little baby ……

CHOCOLATE …..

FLOWERS …..

That is my project ……

I hope that you have an awesome Thursday.

Time to go to work.

Special Hello to: my fellow bloggers …. you rock.

Always, Carol and Alvin

Thought for the day……

Good Morning and Welcome to Monday the 4th day of May, 2015.

It is raining at this moment …. or at least it was ….. we could use the moisture so that is good.

Mr. Alvin and his chewy bone are like a pair.

After I voted on Saturday I stopped by our local “Bone & Biscuit” store and picked up a couple of treats for Alvin.

When I got home I gave him the first one.

It was pretty big.

He carried it around the house hiding it along the way.

Alvin likes to him them for a long while before actually eating them.

That first one last well into the night on Saturday.

Yesterday when our company arrived I decided to give him the second and last one that I had bought.

He is still hiding it.

He brings it to bed ….. hides it behind the decorator pillows until I removed the pillows from the bed.

Then he hid it at the foot of the bed …. not really hiding it …. as it was in plain sight.

Then this morning he brought it downstairs …..

After he ate he wanted to take it outside.

Then he brought it back in and when he sat on my lap it came to the table.

He dropped it on the table before snuggling onto my lap.

Then I went to the bathroom …..

He always wants to come in …. in came the treat.

Alvin pushed it behind the bathroom vanity.

When we left the bathroom, I had to get it out as he just stood there and gave a little bark.

It was too tight of a space for him to get back into …..

After breakfast he brought it back upstairs and hid it in the bathroom where I was putting on makeup.

It remains there for the moment as he is stretched out on the carpet in front of the office.

He is so darn cute.

He has hid his chewy behind the cushions on the sofa, on the chair, on the mat by the back door, in the corner by the back door, downstairs in the family room …. anywhere really.

I just wanted to share my morning thus far.

Well almost time to leave as I am on Aussie patrol ….. have to go and look after one of my neighbour’s cat.

I hope that you have an amazing day.

Happy Monday everyone.

Special Hello to: anyone that has a dog or cat or any companion …. they always make us smile.  I am smiling now.