It is a NEW YEAR.

Good Morning and well here we are today is Thursday.

Almost one week in the newly renovated office building.

I actually kind of like my new workspace.

What is taking a bit of getting used to it is so open.

If we use the stand up desk … you can see your neighbour.

It is loud as there is are upper dividers.

Nothing on the walls to absorb some of the sound and echoes.

But all in all, it is okay.

 

Last night Alvin and I shovelled the driveway and deck.

The stripping on the bottom of the garage door came part way off so I called one of my neighbours to the rescue.

Thankfully their older teenage son was home and came to help.

I am most grateful to have such great neighbours.

After that situation was handled; I went to shovel the front.

As I was shovelling the porch I happen to look down and see that the walk and the front of my house had already been shovelled.

My neighbour shovelled.

So then I went and shovelled Humphrey’s Mom’s front sidewalk and then to the house.

I am so blessed to know and be surrounded by such good people.

Got some exercise and fresh air.

We did not make it out for a walk which was disappointing as the snow was too deep for Alvin.

Not everyone had shovelled when we would have gone for our walk.

 

I have been posting some tips for reduction of Plastics on Facebook.

Especially single use plastics.

Most people are also posting tips.

Which has been nice.

At the end of the day it is not just plastics; it is everything.

We in North America are just crazy over the top consumers.

I look around my house and see all of the “stuff” that I have accumulated over the years.

Most things I never use.

To be honest.

Some things once a year and they remain in storage during the rest of the year.

I just want to be more aware and want others to be the same.

We will not always agree on everything but we need to try to do with less.

 

Well time for me to sign off for today.

Be Kind and Respectful to yourself, to others, to animals, to the environment and to this Planet.

We only have one.

 

Always, Carol & Alvin

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Tuesday the 19th day of April, 2016.

Sometimes I think it is good to touch back and see what you were on the same date one year ago.

Funny last year the 19th was on a Sunday …. oh, thank you leap year.

Interesting …..

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Good Morning and Welcome to Sunday the 19th day of April, 2015.

The sun is up and shining.

The wind is still blowing.

It is quiet in the house except for the tapping as I hit each key to form these words.

I could even hear Alvin’s little feet as they softly walked across the hallway rug.

We both feel it …. the stillness…..

Do you or have you ever had time completely and utterly by yourself?

In a room or in a house?

No fans, no furnace blowing warm air into each room, no dogs barking or babies crying?

No laughter, no voices.

Just the sound of your heart beating.

I think it is a good thing once in awhile.

Time to reflect and think.

To get yourself in order.

I have done a lot of thinking the past couple of days ……

It is good for the body and mind.

Good for your inner being.

I feel very relaxed and calm.

Alvin, I am not completely sure how he is feeling.

Lonely ….. we both are for sure.

But tomorrow will bring routine.

Back to work.

Back to the office.

Back to the drama …..

The drama that is life.

Well I hope that you are having a great Sunday.

Finding time to reflect on the past days and your life.

Waking those dreams within you.

As have I …….

Happy Sunday.

Special Hello to: empty nesters …… it will be okay.

Always, Carol and Alvin

Thought for the day…..

Good Morning and Welcome to Tuesday the 3rd day of March, 2015.

So excited as I get to see my nephew “J” this morning.

I haven’t seen him since Christmas.

He is now awake and has been since he went to the hospital near his hometown.

This morning he is being transferred to one of our best rehab facilities for brain injuries where he will begin his long journey home.

He has to learn how to eat and dress himself; virtually all of the life skills that we take for granted.

His brother assures me that his memory is intact and that he just has to learn how to get the sounds out.

Even when he laughs you cannot hear a sound.

He gets very frustrated.

Anyway I have to get ready for our trip.

This place is about one hour from Edmonton but several hours from his brother and his mom.

It is now light when we leave for work in the morning and I hear that the clocks turn forward on Sunday morning.

YAY …. spring is here.

Well time to go and eat and perhaps have a cup of coffee before my nephew picks me up.

Have a great day.

 

Story Line by line – August 23, 2013

FIRST LINE …..July 25, 2013

As we walk along the water’s edge the coolness leaves my skin with goose bumps and prickles, as if there is someone behind me.

July 26, 2013

Alvin pulls on his leash and brings me back, the fragrance of freshly cut grass fills my nostrils; my heart beat quickens, and I am unable to shake the feeling.

July 28, 2013

The sky is overcast with a hint of sunrise peeking through and the leaves of the trees rustle in the breeze, and I think how did I get here? 

July 29, 2013

What does that mean, and what is making me think these thoughts?

July 30, 2013

All of a sudden the leash tightens as Alvin pulls me forward.

July 31, 2013

My body lurches forward as I fight to keep my balance, what is going on …. “Alvin,” I cry as things appear to be happening in slow motion.

August 1, 2013

Alvin turns his head and with eyes as big as saucers; I suddenly realize what is going to happen.

August 2, 2013

I had no control, and could feel my breath slowly leaving my body as it was happening.

August 5, 2013

As the fog lifts from my brain and I come round; I realize that quite some time has passed as dusk has fallen, and then the horrifying thought comes to my mind where is my Alvin?

August 6, 2013

My thoughts turn immediately to the searing pain in my head as I try to stand the pain is impossible but I must ….. try to….

August 7, 2013

I do not understand what happened;  partially putting things together, realizing my thoughts turn to my beloved Alvin ….. as I try to call out his name…. I feel something warm against my body.

August 8, 2013

Suddenly I hear voices off in the distance calling my name.

August 9th, 2013

As I start to focus on my surroundings, I realize that I am not where I was and things do not look familiar.

August 10th, 2013

I want to cry out but I am frightened, and I do not quite know why.

August 13, 2013

My mind is racing, please let it slow down so that I can concentrate on what I need to do, please.

August 14, 2013

Okay, I will open my eyes again and try to focus on what is around me, and all I see is nothingness, there is absolutely nothing, how can that be?  and where is my Alvin?

August 15, 2013

“This does not feel right” as I manage to pull myself up off the ground and slowly regain my senses realizing that the only thing the same is the coolness to the air.

August 16, 2013

This is absolutely crazy as I look around only to see; it is as if I have been plucked away by someone or something and placed in this spot surrounded by a deep engulfing fog; it seems like there is nothing else here but it, and I feel so alone.

August 17, 2013

As the veil of fog begins to lift from my brain a million questions flood my thoughts, and then it hits me!

August 18, 2013

I am not where I began, and where is Alvin, my dog, he was my dog wasn’t he …. my memories are a blur as I try to piece it altogether.

 August 19, 2013

Okay, as I take a deep breath; wherever I am, I appear to be alone….. one step at a time….. I will find him.

August 20, 2013

I have never been so afraid or so alone in my whole life, I have no idea where I am or how I got here but as I slowly take those first steps I quickly realize my senses are in tune with my surroundings; how strange.

August 21, 2013

It is as if I can feel the dampness of the fog as each molecule strategically penetrates my skin, and I feel … like ….. ah….. there are no words …. what a strange sensation, and I wonder about this place.

August 22, 2013

Gathering myself together I begin to walk around this new place, this new environment, this new what; what in the world or perhaps better asked where in the world am I?  

August 23, 2013

One of the first things I begin to notice is that there appears to be no sound and when I go to call for Alvin, I make the startling realization that I cannot hear my own voice, and I wonder where were those voices that I had heard earlier.