Second Half of the NEW YEAR.

Good Morning,

Today is Thursday the 13th day of August, 2020.

Almost half way through August now and fall/autumn is fast approaching.

In some areas of the country the leaves are already beginning to change colour.

The grass in places is beginning to turn yellow/brown.

The grass and trees are still pretty green here in Edmonton due to the rain.

The air is cool.

The mad heat of the summer was short lived – only being about ten days this year.

We had a great many rainy days but have been blessed to have sunshine.

The weather during my vacation has been very nice with most of the hot days falling during this time.

 

Ah, summer.

Ode to Summer.

Short and oh so sweet.

 

I will say that fall is my favourite season …. I do love the freshness of spring and the smell.

Now that being said …. when I was growing up on the farm … back in 04 (just kidding) ….

There really was a fresh smell to spring.

A scent to the snow melting …. we did not know about snow mold back on the farm.

The crocuses covered pastures with a purple blanket.

Snow melted over a few weeks time.

I do remember once, when I young that we still had some dirty snow on the northside of our house in July.

That was crazy.

 

Back to modern times.

So this is Thursday, then Friday and the weekend and Monday is back to work.

For the most part the time has gone by at a reasonable pace until today and now it seems like work is right around the corner.

Back to getting up earlier.

Thankfully not as early as back in March when I had to leave the house at 6:40 or so or earlier if I was catching the bus.

I am grateful that the decision was made for us to remain working from home until at least January 2021.

Perhaps our leadership team will find that working from home just works better for staff.

I do love being at home.

No commute.

Time for extra walks.

Being with Alvin …. No. 1 reason for loving working from home.

 

Yesterday we had so many visits.

In the afternoon, Teddy, his sister Kobi and Mom came for a visit.

First visit from them in months although Teddy did spend some time here a few weeks ago.

After supper we went for our second walk of the day.

It was so nice outside.

We were almost past Pauline’s house, the friend with the glorious garden, when we heard her call out to us.

Alvin enjoyed running and sniffing about her yard and I enjoyed checking out the flowers and chatting with our friend.

Her flowers are still so beautiful.

A young lady named Jenna and her small dog named Ellie stopped by.

Pauline introduced me and Alvin to them – they had met while walking about a month ago.

My friend had been out walking with her grand pup George when they met.

I love meeting new people.

We had a nice long visit before returning home and not empty handed, I might add.

Pauline gave me some succulents to plant in my back garden.

I did not have time to plant them last night as we found Humphrey and his Mom on the front lawn visiting other folks from the neighbourhood.

Alex, Janet and their yellow labs “Eddy” and “Bruno.”

Alvin got a little freaked out as they saw me and pulled on their leashes to come and see us.

We had a nice visit on the front lawn.

I am so grateful that we have such lovely people in our neighbourhood.

By the time we got into the house it was 8:30 p.m. and we had left the house at 6:30 p.m.

A nice couple of hours outside enjoying the fresh air.

 

Well it is time to hit the shower as it has been a couple of days.

My hair looks like it needs to be washed.

The sky is now overcast and after the shower, I want to get those succulents into the ground as soon as possible.

They are resting in some water at this time.

 

I hope that you are enjoying August 13th, 2020.

Another friend celebrates a birthday today.

So many August birthdays.

Happy Birthday Caroline.

 

Alvin is standing in the doorway and staring at me.

Now he is stretching.

He is good at stretching, I could learn a lesson from the boy.

 

Well I think after my shower I will put on long pants.

Other than next Monday the weather forecast is for high teens and low 20’s for the next couple of weeks.

Last night it got down to plus 8 degrees celsius.

 

Living life with kindness and respect.

We all have our differences, our opinions and similarities.

No one human being is exactly the same.

That being said “we have to be better at living with each other.”

We should all be striving for the same thing.

Peace, respect and kindness and compassion for all human beings, for all living beings and for the environment.

When we notice disrespect, violence and non compassionate actions we need to speak out and change this.

No one person whether adult or child should have to live in fear or violation.

No animal should be chained up.

Cruelty and violence should be two words that are not in our vocabulary.

We need to be better.

We have to be better.

If we look back historically at the different centuries …. we are no better now.

The only different now is technology.

My hope that during my lifetime we humans learn to peaceful, respectful and compassionate.

 

I/We shall remain,

As Always, Carol & Alvin

 

 

 

 

 

It is a NEW YEAR.

Happy Saturday Everyone!

The sun is shining with a high of +6 degrees celsius.

The snow and ice are actually quite quickly disappearing from our landscape.

The once pool or pond of water in my backyard has gone.

There is a smaller bank of snow which I am going to break up and shovel over so that it melts more quickly.

There is only a couple of shovels of snow left on the deck.

I have been trying to keep the snow mould down to a minimum as I shovel and then sweep and pour clean water on.

Once dry sweep again.

So once the temperatures are warm enough with no hint of freezing overnight I will take either a pressure washer or garden hose and clean the deck.

I have a pressure washer but it is currently housed at my daughter’s house.

My neighbour has one so I could always borrow it.

But I will get it all nice and clean before bringing out the deck furniture.

The front yard still has snow but that is melting and where there were three to four banks a week ago there are perhaps one foot with clear spots.

So it is going for sure.

No snow covering the rooftops.

But what I am over the moon happiest about is the temperature for tomorrow +16 degrees celsius.

The forecast is double digits for the next two weeks so the cold temperatures should be behind us.

Then we can all get our yards cleaned up and start spending some time in the backyard and on our decks.

I am hoping that all of my perennials come up okay as I do not think that there will be nurseries opening.

Or perhaps they will, I do not know for sure.

I am grateful to have my geranium.

It is full of blooms and is so huge.

It will be ready to be transplanted.

I think that I will find a huge pot in a few weeks and put it on the deck.

It appears to like the southern exposure.

On those super hot days I can move it into the shade.

 

Yesterday my Director brought me a brand new computer monitor.

We all have new ones at work as we were going to start using two monitors.

Really with our jobs they are a necessity.

Now with the laptop and the monitor it seems like a workstation.

Having a full large screen is wonderful.

The best part was I set it up all by myself.

I am no techie so I was so proud.

I had a little moment ….. just me and Alvin.

He was proud of his Momma, too.

 

Well today.

What is on your list for the weekend.

We slept in a bit ….. after 8:00 a.m.

I had the craziest, most strange dream.

So real.

Then we were up.

Oh, we were up at 5:00 a.m. when Alvin got up to have his breakfast and go outside.

That is another reason to get that back grassy area in top shape so that he can go to the bathroom there.

I keep that clean.

Always picking up the poop.

That is part of my job as a pack leader.

Yes, it is.

 

Anyway back to today and for tomorrow:

Laundry

Clean out closets and put winter things away

Clean off the deck

Break up the remaining snow in backyard so it will melt more easily

Vacuum

Dust and Clean

Bathrooms

Bath Alvin

I usually shower so thought at some point I may have a luxurious bath

Work on the basement ( still putting things in order down there )

Go for walks

Relax and Enjoy this weather.

 

Well that is my plan for the weekend.

I will do what I can.

Likely all of it.

 

I hope that this finds you in good health and safe.

As summer approaches us and we want to go outside and be with others more and more.

Remember you can visit but keep the social distancing rules in place.

There can be outdoor visits in your front yard.

You in the garage and visitors at the entrance way.

Have someone bring their own chair.

You have your chair.

No one has to clean things afterwards.

If we all work together ….

We will get through this.

 

Take care.

Live with Kindness and Respect.

Enjoy your time at home.

Be grateful for what you have ……

Things can change quickly.

 

With Kindness and Respect,

I/We remain,

As Always, Carol & Alvin

It is a NEW YEAR.

Good Friday Morning Everyone!

How are you today?

Doing well, I hope.

Are you getting out for walks with your housemates?

With your puppy dog?

One thing that I noticed lately is how much my Alvin, stretches.

He stretches when he gets out of bed.

He stretches when he gets out of his chair.

He stretches when we come home after a walk.

He stretches after he goes to the bathroom.

He stretches.

Likely I could take a page from him and follow suit.

 

Well it is overcast here in Edmonton.

I was thinking to myself earlier this morning.

As the forecast yesterday was for rain today.

I was thinking “it would be nice if it rained until lunchtime and stopped.”

I just looked out of the window and it is raining.

Wow, if it stops at noon.

That will be crazy wonderful.

 

We have been enjoying two walks everyday.

I know it has been helping both of us sleeping and we are burning some calories.

Good for both of us.

 

What are your weekend plans?

You know that pond of water, well not really a pond but I called it that ….

The one that was covering part of the grass area in my backyard.

The other end for which remains covered with a slowly decreasing snowbank.

Anyway, I was out shovelling after supper & dishes ….

Moving the snow around on the deck and trying to remove some of that snowbank.

There was I would say about 4-6 inches of water in the early evening.

When Alvin went outside and it was beginning to get dark so after 9:00 p.m.

I thought it looked “dry” over there.

So I grabbed my ice pick tool and checked.

Sure enough no water, it had dried up.

Now it is a gooey messy snow mold, some missed poop (not much) and leaves.

But hopefully as the snowbank melts it will “dry up” quickly.

Double digit temperatures begin on Sunday.

I look forward to cutting my grass.

Likely a good raking before that though ……

I do plan to shovel the remainder of that snow across the grassy area.

That way it will not pool in one spot.

I guess it means that the ground is thawing.

 

Well my friends it is time to go and grab that cup of coffee.

Alvin needs some food and supplies.

Yesterday I call his Vet and they are on reduced hours and no longer open on Saturdays.

They do not want more than one human member of the household coming in and no pets unless they need to see the vet.

So Alvin will be staying home when I run over there on my lunch break.

That is okay.

There should still be some time to get a smaller walk in before returning to work.

If not, there is time after work.

 

I hope that you have an awesome Friday.

Guess I can put away my winters coats/jackets/boots/mitts and scarves.

Clean out the front closet.

Maybe even switch my summer clothes or start anyway.

I have a plan for the weekend.

Making the most of my time.

 

Have a great day.

Spread the kindness with respect.

Give your elderly neighbour a phone call day to check on her/him.

If you do not have their phone number, write up a sign.

Knock on their door and hold it up.

Check on them.

Check on someone.

Keep the social distancing but be a good neighbour.

 

With kindness and respect,

I/We remain,

As Always, Carol & Alvin

 

It is a NEW YEAR.

Good Morning ALL,

Friday April 10, 2020.

So quiet in the house.

But then again it is always quiet in our house as it is only me and Alvin.

I was thinking this morning of all those single folks such as me, sitting alone in their homes.

I have a brother and sister who are among us single folks.

My heart goes out to all those folks who are alone.

The quiet can be almost crippling sometimes for some people.

Even for me.

I am blessed to have Alvin who gives me the push to go for walks.

I do like walking and I have him to keep me company.

More and more people in my neighbourhood are out walking.

Whether they are alone or pairs or in family groups.

People are out and about ….

It is too hard to stay in the house all of the time.

As long as we practice “social distancing” when outside being outside is SO good for us.

The fresh air and the exercise and the socialization.

If it you are by yourself out walking like I am with Alvin.

Even folks we do not know we always say “hello.”

That is socializing.

We all need that now more than ever.

I do think of folks who live on farms, in small towns, in rural settings.

People who going to visit friends and neighbours was the world to them.

For the past three days we have been outside for TWO walks.

Yesterday we bumped into Alvin’s best friend Teddy, his sister Kobi and Mom.

So we set up a playdate for Alvin and Teddy.

Teddy will be coming over this morning and stay until sometime this afternoon.

I am happy that Alvin is still able to spend time with his friend.

Oh and while out on our walk after work.

I noticed the garage door was up from across the street as we neared our friends house.

So we crossed and while practising social distancing we had the best visit in their garage.

Alvin of course, got some pats and attention.

We talked about weather, the world economy and at home, getting groceries, working from home and so much more.

I told them about my geranium as we talked about our flower gardens and that they may not be.

But I said that I would gladly share some of my geranium so that she could have some pretty pinkness in her garden.

I was so happy to have a visit with them even if it was from a distance.

They are older than me and I worry about them.

Even though they are in good health.

I think that people are beginning to come with creative ways to met with friends and family during this time.

When the snows melts we could gather in garages and on front lawns.

Probably not able to have too many people but in small groups of three or four and practice the social distancing.

We can visit.

So important not only to wash your hands, eat properly, gets lots of sleep, stay hydrated but to have social contact is important to our sanity.

We don’t have to be touching to have social contact.

Just be close enough to chat which is okay ….. six feet or two metres apart.

This summer may be different for a great many of us.

Unlikely that we can run out and pick up flowers from the local nursery or maybe we will.

I hope so.

 

I was going to share some photos of my geraniums but alas I am suffering from technical difficulties.

So will do that later.

Teddy will be here soon and I still have to have breakfast.

We slept in ….. yup …. we did.

Bed later as I read until quite late.

Poop to pick up.

Toast to make.

Coffee to perk.

Quiet day ahead …. Alvin with his friend, walking and just vegging.

We have three days ahead to do laundry and do my taxes and whatever else I decide to add to the list.

Oh, the sun is coming out.

More snow will melt.

YAY.

 

Happy Friday.

Living with kindness and respect.

I/We remain,

Always, Carol & Alvin

 

 

 

Thought for the day….

Good Morning and Welcome to Monday the 7th day of April, 2014.

WOW, another weekend over and a new week just beginning.

I am always amazed at how fast time seems to go by even though I am an intelligent being and know that it passes at the same rate always.

Nevertheless – the weekend did seem to fly by.

I hope that you had a great weekend.

Mine was busy but was great.

I was able to do some bead shopping and grocery shopping with daughter, had them over for supper, did some house stuff and laundry and worked at the store.

Also managed to take Mr. Alvin for a nice long walk Saturday night which was awesome.

Our weather seems to have changed for the better.

Over the past few days most of the snow and ice has melted and we are well on our way to seeing 100% ground without the covering.

This week will be busy as I have a custom jewellery order to complete and then the usual things.

My throat was feeling a bit scratchy but is feeling better now.

Seems odd whenever Mr. Alvin does not sleep at home ….. oh, how I miss the little guy.

But he will be home tonight and that will be wonderful.

Well time to go and finish getting ready for another day at the office.

Whatever you are doing I hope that you have a wonderful day.

May you be surrounded by love and laughter, joy and abundance.

Take care.

Special Hello to: all of you …… thank you for reading my blog.

Always, Carol and Alvin

Thought for the day….

Good Morning and Welcome to Saturday the 25th day of January, 2014.

So excited as I am going to SKYPE with my sister in less than 5 minutes.

She lives in another province so I do not have an opportunity to physically go and visit her often so this is great.

It is funny I always dreamed when I was younger of “phones or a means” to see the person you were speaking with and voila we have SKYPE.

So on this glorious morning here in Edmonton – where the sun is up and shining – the wind is melting the snow as I write this blog.

The water is flowing and ruts oh my gosh there are ruts on our street.

I shall post some photos later.

I know one thing for sure that I will be doing today and that is picking away at the ice out front.

I need to get to the storm drain so that the water can go down.

Always fun.

Well on this beautiful Saturday …. I hope that whatever you do you are enjoying the day.

Special Hello to: my family back in Regina – miss you.

Always, Carol and Alvin

 

PS the snow is almost gone off our roofs.  YAY

Thought for the day…..

Good Morning and Welcome to Tuesday, March 5th, 2013.

Today is my Aunt L’s Birthday …. Happy Birthday Aunt …. Have a great day.

I think we are all thinking “spring” …… snow melting/snow melted…… sun shining……birds singing …… streets and sidewalks ice and snow free……grass starting to peek through it’s winter covering.

A girl can dream right !!

It has been a long winter here in Edmonton and we have received so much snow.

I love snow but at this point I would love and appreciate it even more if it would start melting.

It doesn’t have to go away over night ….. slowly is better.

Ah.

 

I noticed that for the past few nights I have been dreaming all sorts of weird and wonderful dreams.

When I wake up in the morning I feel like I have gone on this great adventure only I don’t remember many of the details.

Some mornings I might remember a face or a place but most times it is just a feeling.

A puzzle….

So perhaps tomorrow morning if I plant the seed now …. I will remember.

Do you remember your dreams?

Maybe it is a safeguard against things that we really do not wish or need to remember in any detail, I am not sure.

Perhaps it is the future.

But I find the whole dream thing so fascinating.

 

So on this Tuesday morning I hope that you are starting a wonderful day …..filled with love and laughter, and a step closer to your dreams.

Today is the day.

 

Special Hello to:  Happy BIrthday to You.

 

Always, Carol and Alvin

 

Thought for the day…..

Welcome to Tuesday, March 13th, 2012 …… hope you are having a great day thus far.

Is it spring?  Sure seems like it.

What is the weather like at your house?

Warm air bringing visions of green grass and flowers to mind.

Yes, works for me.

I love spring ….. babies being born, trees starting to bud, snow melting, animals shedding their winter coats and all things news.

Time to do some spring cleaning.

Clean out the basement …… the closets ….. the garage ….

I believe spring means renewal …… to come alive ….

So on this Tuesday ….. come alive ……

Have a great day.

Special Hello: to all those members of the human race who have started to “shed their winter coats” and to “renew, to come alive” …..

 

Always, Carol and Alvin 🙂

 

Thought for the day…..

Good Tuesday Morning Everyone, and it is December 20th, 2011.

Our weather is incredible.

At 5:00 a.m. this morning ….. when outside with Alvin I could hear the snow melting.

Looking out the front window, I noticed that my neighbour’s car windows were frost free.

Can you believe it?

It is great.  It makes me want to jump up and down and scream at the top of my lungs.

This is wonderful ….. we love it;  but alas I would awaken my neighbours.

I also noticed earlier that the crescent shaped moon appeared to be laying on it’s side.

OMG, so beautiful.

High up above the clouds (by the stars), I noticed one of the stars moving …. guess it was an airplane.

Gorgeous morning.  I am feeling mighty blessed this morning.

So I sure hope that wherever you are that you are having great weather.

I know several of my friends are spending Christmas in Phoenix and other such places.

I hope that you all have a wonderful Christmas, and safe travels.

But for me, I am actually more than happy to be right here in Edmonton, Alberta.

At home, in my house, in my city with my puppy “doggin” (not really a word but I like it) with my family and friends cooking in my kitchen.

So have a great day.

Enjoy the view from wherever you are …. as am I.

Please remember to look up into the sky whenever you are able to because you never know what you might see.

Special Hello to:  all those travellers ….. be safe and enjoy.

Always, Carol

P.S. this is my 422nd Post.  WOW, isn’t that great!

Thought for the day……

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