The New YEAR 2022

Good Morning ALL! Welcome to Sunday, February 27th, 2022. I hope this post finds you feeling great and enjoying your weekend thus far. We are having a fantastic weekend. We spent most of yesterday visiting with some of our friends both two and four-legged. We got to WALK. The air was warm with no wind and the sun shone with incredible brightness. In the morning, I had coffee with two of my friends who each happen to live close by. One lives up the street and the other lives just over a block away. Very close by. We laughed, almost cried, chatted about everything. We snacked on muffins, fruit, and some delectable “Easter coloured” mini peanut butter cups. So yummy. I drank a small lake of coffee.

Just after returning home from the coffee date I received a text from Teddy’s Mom asking if we were still planning to come over? I texted back and said “yes,” that I had just got home. I was going to do a few things and then come over if that was okay with them. She texted to advise that she was going to take Kobi for a walk to the park north of them (Teddy just wanted to stay home cuddling with his Dad). I asked if she wanted to come and meet us. So that is exactly what happened. About 40 minutes later Iris and Kobi arrived at our house. We got our outside gear on and away we went. It was so beautiful out. The sidewalks were pretty good. The spots where the ice was so bad had a layer of snow on them which gave us some traction. The walk was perfect. Outside in the fresh warm air with friends. Does not get better than that. We stayed for tea and a visit. It was so great. Iris did an “energy healing” on both Alvin and I which was great. We all have the capacity to give each other good healing energy. Think of it this way. If you are a Mum and your child falls and bangs their knee on the ground. The child is crying so you lay your hands on the child’s knee and just give good thoughts, the child will feel better. Passing on good positive energy is healing. Encouraging and positive thoughts always make someone feel better. Positive always outweighs the negative. Thoughts become things. If you are feeling a bit out of sorts but you change your mindset to positive thoughts – you can totally change how you are feeling. We often times forget just our powerful our human brain is and that we only use such a small percentage of its’ capacity and abilities. Change the negative flow – the negative energy to positive.

Of course, there are moments when we just cannot change those negative thoughts to positive energy but own it. Say the negative thought aloud. Then you are rid of it. You, we all have the ability to have positive thoughts and keep our energy positive and healing. It is up to each of us as to how we feel and what we do about it.

The sky is kind of gray and there is no bright sunshine this morning but it is warm out and that is a good thing. As I look out of the office window everything seems to be quiet in the neighbourhood. No cars out, no kids or anyone walking with their dogs or by themselves. Of course, this is the back lane that I face so it is generally more quiet than the front of our house which is the total opposite.

Oh, after coffee and breakfast and watch an episode or two of “Escape to the Country” – will do a quick vacuum up and down and dust before starting to work on my Income Taxes. I would like to get them done today if possible. I am pretty sure that I have all of the information that I require to do so.

I had a thought this morning that I should write up a VISION BOARD. Just have to find the perfect spot to place it. My office walls are filled with things but that is where I spend most of my waking hours so it is the most logical place but I was then thinking that if I did it on an message board that I could transport to whichever room I was in, then it would be with me all of the time. I think that is what I am going to do. Prepare the Vision Board and make it transportable. Pretty good idea, I think.

Well time to head downstairs and go and grab that first cup of coffee and watch my show. I love Sunday mornings as we keep them quiet. Lots of coffee and snuggles with Mr. Alvin.

Have an awesome day and remember you have the power to make things better, we all do. My thoughts are with the people of the Ukraine. Sending them thoughts of love and peace.

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

Always, Carol & Alvin

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2021

Good Morning ALL. How are you doing this morning? We are well. Another night where Mr. Alvin was up and down. I think it may be his arthritis. Poor guy. He has pain meds when he needs them and of course takes glucosamine daily. Which I need to go and pick up more this week. Starting to snow about 4:30 this morning, just lightly.

Last night I was thinking:

“What have we learned in 2020”

Patience

To be more patient

Not to take family and friends for granted

To be grateful at all times

That grocery shopping is a good outing

That we gave Nature a deep breath and that they would like more

To be good to nature in 2021

All creatures are important to our planet

To be responsible

To be compassionate

It is okay for women to go without makeup (who makes these rules anyway)

We no longer need heels

To Live simply

We do not need so much “stuff”

Have an organized house and workspace is important

Yes, you can do anything you put your mind to

Technology

Learning things

To laugh more

Taking care of our Mental Health

Going for a walk

Being in Nature

Exercise is important for body, mind and soul

Getting up from your desk (home) or at the office and moving about

To dance even if someone is looking

Smile even if you are alone

Call, text or email those you love or even those you do not

Keep in contact

Snuggle with your dog, cat and children more

Play board games

Appreciate just being quiet

Masks are mandatory to wear in a bank now

How to bake break and a good banana loaf

That stretchy pants and sweats are okay for everyday wear

On that note, I have to go and get to work in a few minutes.

I guess I/We have learned a lot in 2020.

Living with kindness, respect, compassion and learning to be more patient everyday.

Always, Carol & Alvin

Living … One day at a time.

Hello,

Brilliant morning but not for me.

Once in awhile I get hit with allergies.

Today is the day.

Going to go back and hopefully be able to sleep the worst of it off.

The headache part for sure.

Snuggles with Alvin will help as well.

 

What can you do?

Have a wonderful day.

 

Still Living … one day at a time.

 

Always, Carol & Alvin

Thought for the day …

Good Morning and Welcome to Friday the 11th day of May, 2018.

Perhaps you may have wondered what happened to my post yesterday.

Well I had quite the morning.

Wednesday night my left ear plugged just before bed.

My little four-legged alarm clock woke me up at 4:00 a.m. – Thursday.

We toddled off downstairs so he could go outside (not raining yet) and have his breakfast.

While he was outside I always do the prep work for my breakfast.

Took the pre-cooked steel cut oats out of the fridge and placed in a bowl.

Placed the bowl in the microwave with a lid …. ready to be heated later.

Put a banana by the bowl to share with Alvin at breakfast.

Grabbed the water jug and lemon juice out of the fridge and made my lemon & water.

Poured a glass full.

By this time Alvin was ready to come back into the house.

I had already set the alarm for a 75 minutes which would have had us up about 5:20 a.m.

Opened one set of blinds in the living room.

We then headed to the sofa to have some snuggles and extra zzz’s till the alarm on the microwave went off.

I made sure that I slept with my right ear upward so that I could hear the buzzer.

At some point I jumped up and looked at my watch.

In sheer panic and disbelief, I noted that the time was 6:40 a.m.

A little over 5 minutes until my carpool arrives.

I ran upstairs like I was on fire.

Into the bathroom, brushed my teeth while grabbing my face soap – ready to wash my face.

Then the moisturizer.

Looking about 3 seconds into the mirror, I figured no time for makeup.

Some advantages of being “60” – I am not out to impress anyone.

No no makeup.

Luckily I always have my clothes laid out the night before so they were ready for me to put on.

I even took a second to put on earrings, my rings, and a necklace (which was laid out).

I even remembered to wear deodorant and underwear.

Check – pants and top on.

Although without having the thermostat turned on – it has been pretty cool in the house in the mornings – so unlikely I would forget my pants – just saying.

I am not totally without some sense of moral obligation – I grabbed my eyebrow pencil, lip stuff and mascara and took them downstairs.

Alvin looked confused as I flew threw the kitchen.

Opening the back door and now it was raining.

I left the door open to see if he needed to go back outside.

No time for breakfast, I grabbed the oatmeal out of the microwave and put into the fridge.

While in the fridge I grabbed my lunch and picked up the banana and placed into the lunch bag.

Somedays it pays to be prepared.

Alvin decided not to go back outside again.

Locked the back door and ran to the front door.

Opened the closet door.

Grabbed some shoes and threw off my socks.

Grabbed my purse, umbrella and jacket.

Managed to get my coat on …. set the alarm.

I remember Alvin looking dumbfounded as I said a quick good-bye, have a great day and was out of the door.

Luckily my ride was a couple of minutes late but I was already out of the house …. ready to be picked up.

When I explained my morning ….my friend just smiled and said “Next time, call me …. we are early enough that you could have had a few minutes.

Nice friend, right.

All the way to work I had to have my head facing toward her to hear what she said as my left ear is plugged.

ARGH.

I get to work and usually I am one of the first ones there so most times I make the coffee.

Not that day …. another coworker had stopped at Tim Hortons and picked up coffee and tim-bits.

My hero.

So I had a banana and tim-bits for breakfast.

What a morning.

It is amazing what one can do in a handful of minutes.

I am grateful for two things (actually a great many things) and that is being prepared in advance and the second being it is was not a shower day.

Thankfully my hair looked okay.

Did I mention that I quickly brushed it and put it back (at home).

At work I decided to forego the make up …. except for a wee bit of eyebrow pencil.

So that is it ….. my reason for no blog….. my reason for no writing in my gratitude journal and no breakfast at home.

Usually when my routine is disturbed that much – the rest of my day pays for it.

Not today.

I got so much work done.

Perhaps because I could only hear out of one ear and was not disturbed.

We are all connected to our routines, that is for sure.

Well I hope that this brought a smile to your face.

I am quite certain that I looked pretty funny as I played SUPERWOMAN zipping around the house yesterday morning.

NOTE to self:  remember you really are not old ….

Special Hello to: my daughter who is a reminder that life is certainly worth living

Always, Carol & Alvin

 

PS:  I managed to coax the boy to remain in bed until closer to 5:00 a.m. – we did have 20 minutes on the sofa – but I was really careful and did not fall back to sleep.

The sun is rising and the rain clouds have passed over.  We did get a great bit of rain yesterday – hopefully enough to help out the grass, trees, gardens and such.

YAY, today is Friday.  I am so happy for that …… enjoy, my friends, enjoy.

 

 

 

 

 

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Thursday the 5th day of January, 2017.

Another warmer day …. YAHOO.

Alvin and I enjoyed a nice walk although not as long as our regular one it was still nice.

He sniffed the ground and I smelled the early evening air.

Always a bonus to have walking weather in the winter.

Another morning on the sofa for a few minutes and Alvin as if on queue laid down beside me on the pillow with no wiggle room.

Thank goodness for longer pillows.

So nice to have that snuggle in the early morning.

Great way to begin the day.

He certainly has a way of melting one’s heart.

He is my buddy and I appreciate him.

Sometimes we annoy each other but that is to be said for most relationships.

The good times certainly out way the less than perfect ones.

Isn’t that the way with us all.

Does not matter if it is with a two-legged or four-legged relationship.

I wish you all a great Thursday.

May you be surrounded by snuggles, warmth and love.

Special Hello to:  All those celebrating a birthday today.  Happy Birthday.

Always, Carol and Alvin

Thought for the day…..

Good Morning and Welcome to Monday the 15th day of June, 2015.

It is a bright sunny morning here in Edmonton with little breeze.

Hard to believe it is Monday morning already.

Me and Mr. Alvin had a great weekend ….. there were parts of it that I am pretty certain he would not agree were great but nonetheless it was pretty awesome.

It was almost like a spring cleaning kind of weekend.

The task that I am most proud of accomplishing was painting the porch.

It was windy and I did wear some but JOYFUL noise it is done and looks awesome.

All sparkling white and clean.

Sometimes it is those tasks that we put off because we are somewhat “nervous” or “scared” to do that gives us the most satisfaction when completed.

Now I feel like I can do almost anything.

So it was a great weekend.

We accomplished everything on the “TO DO LIST” and even had time for relaxing.

Snuggles with Mr. Alvin …..

My favourite time.

Yes, I cannot believe the weekend is over.

Time to move onto another week with another weekend coming up.

YAY.

So make some noise …. you deserve it …… you did it.

Now it is Monday …. the most dreaded day of the week.

Likely for the most part is because it falls after the weekend and most of us just want to stay home and sleep.

I do make the mistake of sleeping in ….. besides really who wants to get out of bed at 5:00 a.m. when you do not have to … well okay, I can think of one little guy ….. me Alvin …… he always wakes up early.  We always get up but not always stay up.

Well time to get this show on the road.

Happy Monday.

Just take a deep breath …..

If I can move my “Fanny Farkle” up and out, I know that you can, too.

We can do it.

Today is going to be awesome, fantastic, great, spectacular and amazing.

It will …..

Special Hello to: my friends back in Regina …. miss you all.

Always, Carol and Alvin

Thought for the day……

Good Morning and Welcome to Monday the 8th day of June, 2015.

It is slightly overcast as the sun comes up here in Edmonton with no breeze.

I had such a great Sunday.

First of all, after having breakfast, I made chocolate chip cookies to take to my friends at Bath & Body Works.

Hopped on a bus and went to the mall.

It was so great to see them ….. not everyone was there.

I do miss the staff and the ambience of the store ….. the scents ….

While I was at the mall, I decided to walk around and see what was new.

Nothing really …..

Still a bunch of people ….

It always amazes me on how many people are always in that mall.

West Edmonton Mall, that is.

I went into some of my favourite stores …. tried on some summer dresses.

I did find a few things, and then back to the store where I picked up some hand soap.

I love the tropical scents.

Back on the bus and home to me Alvin.

As always, he was happy to see me.

I am so glad for that.

Well this morning I am catching a later bus so that is nice.

Gives me extra time at home.

More snuggles with MR. Alvin.

I hope that you have a wonderful Monday.

Special Hello to: all my friends at Bath & Body Works … miss you guys.

Always, Carol and Alvin

Thought for the day….

Good Afternoon almost Evening and well it has been Monday the 10th day of February, 2010.

I stayed home today as I woke up not feeling well and decided better not to share “the wealth.”

I am happy to say that after several hours of sleep and snuggling with my Al.

Nothing like snuggling with your favourite “puppy” to make one feel better.

Are you a snuggler?

Are you a hugger?

I think that – that closeness is good for the mind, body and soul.

So on this unusual Monday ….. being at home….. my mind, body and soul are healed.

If you are feeling less than perfection “ask for a hug” ….. “snuggle with a loved one” and voila you will feel so much better.

Have a great evening my friends.

Will be back tomorrow ….. insight …. who knows but I will try.

Special Hello to: my fellow bloggers.

Always, Carol and Alvin

 

Thought for the day……

TGIF ….. welcome to Friday, December 9th, 2011 or as I would write in my journal …. DAY 704 of my life with Alvin.

For those of you keeping track ….. it will be Day 730 on January 19th or 20th (depending on how you count our time together).

But for me I started recording our time together 703 days ago.

I sure cannot believe it has been that long already …… but it has.

We fit together like a hand in a glove, hay in a bale, Fred & Ginger ….. we belong together (that was a line in a song)  ….. I am getting sidetracked.

But you know what I mean.

Our time together has been wrought with passion, less than patient moments, (I wish to keep the terminology on the positive side or close to it) and lots of love and laughter.

On those rare occasions when I am feeling “blue” and perhaps shed a tear or two ….. he looks at me with those eyes …. and just snuggles against me.

It is as if he knows ….. animals are very intuitive.

For the majority of the time happiness reigns supreme in our household, and we are happy, happy together (another line from a song, or part of one).

Little did I know when I rescued him back in January of 2010 ….. that he would rescue me right back.

We are so blessed to share this love and respect.

I am blessed to have so much love in my life.

Family and friends and my Alvin …..

So I hope that this finds you deep in love.

I wish you a day filled with more love and laughter than yesterday, and may all your tomorrows be even more …..

Special Hellos to:  all those dogs and cats and other special pets that rescue us all …… thank you.

Always, Carol