Last Half 2022 – November

Good Morning ALL! Can you believe that today is November 6, 2022 already. Yikes. It has been a snowy snowy November thus far. Colder, too. Our clocks were turned back last night at 2:00 a.m. which has already played havoc with our minds and bodies. I will admit that I am happy that the time goes back as it gives us one more hour in bed and when it is a reasonable time in the morning – we can see outside without the aid of a flashlight. It was snowing earlier when we got up. In fact, we went to bed at our usual time last night as the Momma was tired after a full day of decorating the house in all of our Christmas attire and the much later than usual Friday night. Mr. Alvin was awake and had to go outside at 1:30 a.m. The one thing about winter and senior dogs. You cannot just open the door and let them go out or at least I do not like to, so it means grabbing my winter coat, boots and mitts before heading out and if it is dark outside, I need my phone and with help from SIRI, the use of the phone flashlight. It is a whole deal but I gladly do it, as I do not wish my boy to slip and fall.

With all this snow and all of the shovelling so far, I am thinking it is going to be one of those winters where the snow banks are taller than me me. My computer brought up photos of a winter since I moved to Edmonton where the snow banks were taller than me. Who really wants that memory jog? But it is history and I thought it was important for whatever reason, lol, to take the photo, so I will not delete it.

Mr. Alvin is finally pooping on the deck in the snow. Easier for me to clean up and less likely someone will get injured jumping off the deck into the snow. I am going to shovel some of the excess snow off the deck onto the grass area so he will not jump off. There is quite a lot down there now.

My friends Gillian and Signe are coming for coffee and a visit this morning. I need to get outside and shovel the sidewalks. A couple neighbours have already been out. I have been shovelling every day. But it is good for the arms and good cardio.

I will post photos of Christmas decorations once I have taken a few more. I am almost done my shopping. As per usual, I am supporting small business and direct sales. That is the way to go. Helping where I am able. I do have to get some photos printed of our “family photo from summer” to pop into the Christmas cards. This year I am cutting back on the cards that I give to people that live near to me. There are a few that look forward to the card and photo so I will continue hand delivering those. I hope that stamps stay at the same price. Then baking. The big question. Everyone has been asking me. Are you doing your baking this year? What are you baking? That has not been yet decided. I will for sure do some but whether I give boxes of treats to 50 different families, not sure. I will do my best. I do know that everyone appreciates the treats.

Time to head downstairs. Get that walk shovelled. Put on the coffee and be ready for company.

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

Have a wonderful day everyone!

Always, Carol & Alvin

2021

Good Morning ALL! How are you this morning? Looks like Christmas outside or at least winter. Alvin and I are well. Yesterday morning when we got up the ground was bare and I raked the front lawn in the afternoon after our walk. This morning when we got up we have half a foot of snow covering the deck, the street, the lawn, rooftops and anywhere the snow could stick. Actually yesterday in the late afternoon when it was looking like a snowglobe outside and the wind was blowing …. Alvin had to go outside to pee …… when I opened the door, the snow blew into the house. The door was covered in wet sticky snow, the house was covered in snow, the lone broom that was standing against the back of the house was covered in wet sticky snow, my two wicker chairs that I had brought back out were completely covered in wet sticky snow, the trees were covered in wet sticky snow and even the doorknob was covered in wet sticky snow. I guess that I have painted a pretty thorough picture of how “sticky” the snow was as it clung to everything in sight. This morning the cars out front are covered in snow as well. Looks like there will be shovelling in my future and I just put away the shovels, argh. Oh well. It is spring in Western Canada and anything can happen with the weather. Just to give you an idea of the temperature on Friday it was plus 15 degrees celsius so a light jacket or sweater weather AND yesterday when we went for a walk in the early afternoon I wore a light jacket and was comfortable at 8 degrees celsius. I raked the front lawn about 3 p.m., I think it was, and I wore the same light jacket and it was windy and starting to cool down. My neighbor that share the front lawn with me … loves to feed the bunnies in the winter and the birds. So there was a massive amount of bird seed, bunny food and bunny poop covering most of her side (especially around her tree) and quite a lot on my side. I was careful and was wearing gloves when I scooped it all into a garbage bag along with the leaves that were covering the lawn. Every fall I rake and rake and rake until I can rake, no more. Usually I would say about 5-7 times. This past fall I raked several times and gave up because none of my neighbors were raking when the leaves fell off their tree(s) or not many of them. So throughout this spring as the snow melted there were leaves that freed themselves and blew around the hood in the wind. We have had a lot of wind this spring. Yesterday was windy as well. Guess what this afternoon is to be +4 degrees celsius so the snow will be melting. What an interesting last 24 hours. Poor Mr. Alvin was having quite the time last night. I told him to just pee in the snow. Poor guy.

Well yesterday I managed to get quite a lot of things knocked off my TO DO LIST. I got to try out my new Bissell Crosswave and it worked. I found that it used a lot of the cleaning liquid (water + cleanser). I filled to clean 350 square and only did the top of the stairs landings and the stairs and it was almost all gone. I cannot imagine that that space is 350 square feet in total. Anyway, the amount of hair that was in the water when I was done and cleaning out the machine was crazy. The water was dark so I know it was working. It was pretty easy to take apart and clean ….. now just putting it back together. I left the components out to dry on the counter as they have to be completely dry. The strangest thing just happened. Right in the middle of typing this post, the computer shut down as thought there was a power outage but the lights did not even flicker. Thankfully WordPress has autosave and I did not lose my whole post. WOW. I did lose some and I don’t remember what that was. So will just carry on. I think that I was about to mention that I decided to submit the tea order today, an executive decision. So I will do that this afternoon. I am also considering giving up selling the tea and Norwex. At this point in time, I would have to reactivate my NORWEX account and it is not worth it to me. I do not have any regular customers. The tea is another story. I love the tea so much but I have not had a “party” for a long time and was just selling to my regular customers and the odd new one. Sometimes I have had to place large orders myself just to keep active or maintain selling privileges. At the end of the day is it worth it? I am not sure. I would have to place an extra large order this time and I simply do not need that much product. So after six years this may be it. I guess time will tell. I do not have to make the decision at this moment. Life, right. Sometimes giving up things can be freeing as well.

Well after the seriousness of that last bit, it is time to sign off and go have a cleansing shower. I always feel differently after having a shower. Clears the cobwebs. Things have a way of working themselves out. I am giving these decision over to the Universe for guidance and will just go about my day. I want to bake a banana loaf this afternoon. Likely will be shovelling. Maybe if I remove some things off my plate it will clear the way for me to start writing more. Sometimes it is good to clean out your “closet” and if it does not “spark joy” as per Marie Kondo, then perhaps it is time to move it out of the closet. I think it may be time to do just that. I am feeling better already. Time to remove some old things and replace with new. Spring, time to grow!!

Wow, that was freeing and rejuvenating. Thank you for listening and helping this girl out.

I wish you a wonderful Sunday. Take care and I hope that you and your loved ones are in good health.

Perhaps this is the day that you “clear out your closets.”

I am feeling a lot lighter at this very moment, thank you.

Continuing to live with Kindness, RESPECT, Compassion and patience.

Always, Love Carol & Alvin

2021

Good Morning ALL. How are you this morning? It is getting more bright with every passing morning. The sky looks so pretty with the pale hues of oranges, pinks and yellows as they blend into the soft blue of the morning sky. I love sunrises. They are the beginning and that suits me fine. The beginning of something is always better than the end. Our temperatures are warming and that is a blessing for sure. I have a cousin that is married to an American girl, and they live in Houston, Texas where they have now snow and freezing temperatures. They are not equipped for snow and ice. My cousin reported that they had no power. They do have a fireplace which is good but eventually had to go to another relatives. The walk to the vet was okay, a bit cold. I had put on his big winter coat and he just stood and shook. I helped him down the steps to the sidewalk and he reluctantly walked a bit before I made an executive decision knowing that the clock was counting down to our appointment time. Back into the house and off with the winter coat and on with his sweater. The sweater is warm but the coat obviously warmer but I did not have a choice. He definitely was happier in his sweater. He sniffed every “spot” along the way and I thought that we would never get there. But we did and managed to arrive right on time. So that was good.

Well I was up later than usual and the clock once again is ticking down to a start time and that being work. Mornings seem to fly by for some reason. I guess most days do.

I hope that you are doing well.

Oh the sky just turned more pink and it is so beautiful.

Alvin wants to go downstairs and is giving me that look. Patience is not one of his virtues or mine, I guess, if I am being truthful. But as I mention every post, I am working on it.

From our house to yours …. Happy Wednesday.

Time to get that coffee perking. I definitely need some caffeine this morning.

Remembering to live with kindness, respect, compassion and patience.

Always, Carol & Alvin

It is a NEW YEAR.

Welcome to a Winter Wonderland.

We have lots of snow.

Blanketing the earth and rooftops all over.

So in no apparent order, I offer some photos to bright your day.

The last ones are of the snow that is blanketing everything in sight.

We had almost bare streets and sidewalks.

Now not so much.

Other areas in the province have/are receiving more than Edmonton.

I am grateful that we had a walk yesterday before all of the snow.

 

These are my flowers / plants.

Spring has sprung in my kitchen.

I never thought that I particularly had a green thumb but looking at these photos, I am thinking that perhaps I have one.

The sharp pinks of the Geranium with all of its flowers and some on the side of the plant that you cannot see in these photos.

The Spider plant with baby spiders hanging down the back of the shelves.

The Tropical plant at the end or it looks that way.

Even the Poinsettia survived since November/December, 2019.

The darker snow photos were from last night before bed and the last three are from this morning looking out of our bedroom window.

 

So on this Tuesday as I have to grab some coffee and head to work shortly.

I have such a long commute these days.

ARGH, yes I do.

Ten steps from my bed to the laptop.

 

Special Happy Birthday shout out to my friend from just outside Regina, Saskatchewan.

P, have a wonderful day.

 

I have a copy of the Optimist Creed hanging on my bulletin board.

Google it and read ….. so good.

I cannot remember the name of the lad that wrote this piece but it is appropriate for anytime in our lives.

 

 

Promise Yourself,

To be so strong that nothing can disturb your peace of mind.

To talk health, happiness and prosperity to every person you meet.

 

Last line:

To be too large for worry, too noble for anger, too strong for fear, and too happy to permit the presence of trouble.

 

Happy Tuesday.

Be safe.

Practice Social Distancing.

Watching Pluto Living videos.

Breathe.

 

With Kindness and Respect,

I, We remain,

Always, Carol & Alvin

COUNTDOWN: 60 Days to 60

Today is Wednesday June 21, 2017 and it is the 50 day until my 60th Birthday.

Fav things continued:

36.   Trying all sorts of new things

35.   Bedtime

34.   Writing poetry and stories

33.   Reading books

32.   Watching all sorts of movies

31.  Dancing alone in my house with Alvin here, of course.

30.   Robins arriving in spring

29.   First snowfall of the season

28.   Decorating my house for Christmas

27.   Entertaining family & friends

26.   Watching the stars on a clear summer night

25.    Walking with Alvin

 

This is getting more difficult …..

 

Always, Carol

 

Thought for the day ….

Good Morning and Welcome to Saturday the 12th day of December, 2015.

Alvin and I woke up at 5:00 a.m. to a fresh blanket of snow covering the deck and ground outside.

Last night when I arrived home from work to find that after snowing almost all day the sidewalks had been CLEANED.

I saw two young boys with shovels standing proudly by my neighbour’s house.

I found out later that they have been going from door to door to see if anyone would like their sidewalks shovelled for wait for it ….. “$3.00.”

Cannot imagine any children these days doing manual labour and only asking for $3.00.

I was duly impressed to say the least.

After chatting about them with my neighbour who invited them to shovel our walks after each snowfall; Mr. Alvin and I came across them on our walk .. they were just down the street.

I thanked them for shovelling and we spoke for a few minutes …. they even wished me a “Merry Christmas.” (first, before I had a chance)

Where did these boys come from?

Surely it could not be from the planet Earth.

I have not seen boys of that age so well mannered in decades.

They have brought back my sense of hope that we have a chance to fix all that is wrong with the world.

Now that might seem like a lot from two young boys that shovelled my sidewalk but I think we are on the right track.

We have hope ….

Hope is always a good thing for the future.

Without hope there is no future.

Now I forgot to ask them what they were going to spend their hard earned dollars on but that is a conversation for the next snowfall.

I will still have shovelling to do ….. the deck …. the driveway out back.

In fact, guess who was shovelling in her p.j.’s early this morning about 5:00 a.m. …… yes, it was ME.

Nothing like throwing on your winter coat and boots and mitts and shovelling at 5:00 a.m. while the Mr. Alvin does his business.

Okay time to get this show on the road.  It is 8:14 a.m.

We were up at 7:30 a.m. and I have gathered the laundry; stripped the bedding to be laundry …. put on fresh sheets and blankets.

Paid some bills on-line and worked out my budget for December and have now almost completed my blog post for today.

Then get dressed and make coffee to be delivered to my neighbour.

She is on her own like me so we do things for each other …. neighbourly ….. right.

The neighbours in the other half of my duplex have been away as his Mother passed away out of town.

Then it will be laundry and stuff while I wait for the call from my daughter.

She will call from her Doctor’s office just when she gets there and then I will don the coat and boots and grab my purse and head on over to the grocery store.

Grab some butter, potatoes and fruit … my daughter will pick me up and then we will stop at the Vet’s for food and toothpaste for Mr. Alvin.

WHEW breathe …..

Then HOME to make JEWELLERY for the afternoon……

and visit with my darling daughter so excited …..

Have an awesome day ……

Special Hello to: my sister ….yes tomorrow at 7:30 p.m.

Always, Carol and Alvin

Thought for the day…..

Good Morning and Welcome to Saturday the 9th day of November, 2013

It is overcast with light cracking behind the clouds that are dropping a find snow upon us.

It is mild outside and I am very grateful.

Well it is Saturday.

YAY, I always love Saturdays.

Alvin slept over at his sister’s last night while I was at work.

So in a few minutes I will go and pick them up as we girls want to do some work on our jewellery business.

Wow, one week into November already …. where does the time go.

Same place as last month, I figure.  Slight snicker!

Also I will have company as my nephew will be stopping by on his way through to work in B.C.

YAY, always love company especially when they are here for the night.

Also nice to have someone other than me and Alvin in the house.

As I look out my office window I see a gaggle of geese forming a somewhat “V” and going west ….  not south.

Maybe they are staying put and heading to a nearby lake.

I hope that you have a great Saturday and are able to spend the day with your loved ones doing the things you love to do.

That’s my day.

Special Hello to: my sister ….. hey sis …. thanks for the call yesterday ….. the words are still tossing about in my brain….

Always, Carol and Alvin

Thought for the day…..

Happy Monday, March 5th, 2012 …..

On my way home from BBW yesterday late afternoon the air was filled with huge wet snowflakes.

It continued to snow for several hours and it appears for most of the night.

Funny how we have received more snow in the last couple of snowfalls than all winter.

Wow, it is March ….can you believe it?

I hope that you are having a grand day thus far.

My day is going great …..

Alvin slept pretty much till 4:40 which is great for him before “needing” to get up.

So on this fantastic Monday morning I wish you joy, laughter and abundance.

Have a blessed day everyone.

Special Hello:  Happy Birthday Aunt Lorraine, I hope you have a great day.

Always, Carol and Alvin

P.S. thank you to all those people who take the time to read my blog…..

Thought for the day….

Yay, today is Tuesday, February 28th, 2012.

This is a special February because we have one extra day …..

Well it is official …. I heard that we broke the record for the most snowfall in one day.

We definitely have more from that one snowfall than we have had all this winter combined.

It is strange to see so much snow after seeing the bare ground for a number of weeks.

Oh well, that is winter on the prairies in Canada….. you never know.

I think Mother Nature likes to spice things and that is why we never know ahead of time what the weather truly will be like.

At least I would like to think so….

 

So on this Tuesday …. (which is a short work week for me, I am so excited)…… I have been thinking of how blessed I am.

Like most people there are moments when I think “ugh, why me? or things were going so good” …….

Well we do have a choice ….. things will go great if you choose them to do so.

I have had my share of ups and not quite so up …. but at the end of the day …… my life has been pretty great.

I have travelled all over North America, have amazing friends all over the world, a family that is so wonderful …. it makes me breathless, my own home, my faithful companion Mr. Alvin (my dog) and I am in good health.

There is a list that is too long to blog but I think you get the idea.

We do have a lot to be thankful for and on each day we should always take the time to be grateful.

 

Also, I am so grateful for you …. thankful, that you took the time to read my blog …. to share in my life’s experiences.  Thank you.

Special Hello:  to my “readership” …… you all rock…

 

Always,  Carol and Mr. Alvin ……

P.S. I am still striving to hit the one million readers and am happy for each one along the way.