Second Half of the NEW YEAR.

Good Morning,

The sky is overcast.

Some of my flowers closest to the house are still draped with sheets.

I covered them just in case of frost as it was only to be +1 celsius last night.

There was dew on the grass this morning so luckily no frost.

I removed the sheets from the flowers on the upper deck by the garage and also took the tomato pot and other flowers out of the garage.

The sky looks like rain so I will have to pull of the sheets and rearrange them shortly.

I am happy no frost.

I have been texting my siblings in the mornings to say hi and a quick update on things.

My brother that lives in the countryside about 2 hours from Edmonton says it is -3 celsius there now.

There would be frost.

The next couple of weeks show beautiful weather in the forecast.

One day even +24 which is crazy beautiful for this time of year.

I would take 18-21 until end of November.

That would be delightful.

The chances of that happening …. not sure.

But not likely.

But with Climate Change ….. nothing is impossible.

 

My heart goes out to our neighbours in the south.

The loss of human life, animal life, birds, insect life, plant life, trees, businesses and homes is staggering.

I worry about the animals, those creatures who are not able to escape the fiery infernos.

There is no way to get out and my heart screams in pain for them.

The smoke in Vancouver, Canada which is north of the fires looks like the fires are there.

With the winds the smoke is travelling hundreds of miles.

Causing havoc in its’ wake.

The devastation is off the charts.

I wish, I hope and I pray for the fires to be extinguished immediately.

I thank each and every person who walks out the door in the morning into the fires to extinguish them for others.

 

On this day as I sit on a chair keying these words, I am so grateful for my life.

We are blessed to live where we do.

I am grateful for the rain.

I am grateful to be safe and alive.

I am grateful for my own house.

I am grateful to always have more than enough food for me and my dog Alvin.

I am grateful that we are both in GOOD health.

I am grateful to be surrounded by loving and supportive family and friends.

I am grateful to laugh each and everyday.

I am grateful for this moment and every one to follow on this day.

I am grateful to be employed.

I am grateful that I am able to work from my home.

I am grateful for everything.

 

On this day and everyday we must not fret over small things.

Don’t worry about things you cannot control.

Be grateful and show that gratitude.

Be kind and respectful.

 

Have an awesome day.

Living with kindness and respect.

I/We shall remain,

As Always, Carol & Alvin

 

 

Thought for the day ….

Good Morning and Welcome to Friday the 13th day of July, 2018.

Overcast with a slight breeze this morning.

Last night or shall I say a few hours ago this morning, we had quite the storm.

The light show and the thunder roaring was enough to wake us up.

For some reason I could not close my thoughts last night.

Kept thinking about a situation/conversation at work.

ARGH, not great when that happens.

But today is a new day and all is good.

Looks like rain.

Also when Mother Nature was putting on her show earlier this morning, I decided to get up and check the window.

I always leave our bedroom window open at night.

Sure enough this time, the rain was coming in at an angle and the window sill was wet as was the floor.

So I grabbed a towel to wipe it dry.

I was happily surprised to see my flowers still standing this morning.

The worse of the storm seemed to be at the front of the house, from the north and at the back to the south is partially sheltered.

Anyway, I am happy, pleased, relieved that they continue to look their most beautiful selves – my flowers and plants.

 

Last night we decided to go for a walk about 8:00 p.m. – was 26 degrees celsius earlier and I feel that is too hot for us, older “farts.” (me and Mr. Alvin).

It was actually quite nice when we went.

We were so HAPPY to see our friend out in their back yard (she just had hip surgery near the end of June).

Alvin caught a glimpse of her and he ran for their back gate.

We chatted for a few seconds through the fence but Alvin was so loud we went in …. he calmed down and we were able to visit.

He gets so excited with the people that he loves.

She is doing so well.

So very happy for her.

 

Well here we are and it is Friday morning.

Thank goodness.

My daughter and pups are coming over on the weekend at some point.

We always love to see them.

 

Not sure what this day is going to bring.

We are hopeful that our update to our computer system will be running smoothly on Monday.

Testing was going pretty good, I thought.

 

Well folks have a great Friday the 13th.

Be safe and dry.

Be kind to yourself and to others.

We only have but one life so make it count.

You do not have to do things one may consider GREAT like inventing “electricity” or finding the “cure for cancer” BUT if we all do our very best it is enough.

We can be GREAT by treating others including animals and the environment with kindness and respect.

If we all did just that ….. the world would change dramatically.

Just think …. just dream …. just BE your good self.

Maybe you will be the one to find the cure for cancer or to write the next best selling novel.

You are important and you are great.

Have an awesome Friday.

 

Special Hello to: all those folks who are lost – you are found.  You are important.

Always, Carol & Alvin

Thought for the day ….

Good Morning and Welcome to Monday the 12th day of June, 2017.

There are deep blue rain clouds to the south and of course on the other side of the house the sun is shining.

I love how I am able to see both.

Another great weekend.

Time spent with my girls ….. my daughter and my grand-pup Miss Aspen.

Shopping – well grocery shopping and some flowers at Costco – but still shopping nevertheless.

Flowers:  Petunias, Dahlias and one other that I have forgotten the name….

Walks with me Alvin and friends.

Spending time in the garden.

Mowing the grass.

Surprised how much it grows in less than one week.

Watching some old favourite movies.

Living life in peace and harmony.

How about you?

 

Special Hello: to my sister

Always, Carol & Alvin

 

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Tuesday the 23rd day of May, 2017.

The sky is overcast …… where is the sunshine this morning?

Another glorious weekend……

So great having a three day weekend.

Back to work.

 

Last night while looking out of my south exposing office window ….

Using my imagination …..

Taking in the tall lean trees which remind me of an Italian landscape …

Nestled in between red and brown rooftops…..

I was taken away …..

Slightly closing my eyes …..

I was taking in a view of a place far away from my neighbourhood….

Thank you imagination ……

 

In reality I am not far away.

But if you consider this ….

Someone out there is likely imagining a neighbourhood such as mine or yours.

We are never alone in imagination.

 

Have a wonderful day and imagine away to your heart’s content.

It is imagining your life that brings you your life.

 

Happy Tuesday.

Hey, I even remembered to put out the trash last night.

 

Have a great day.

Special Hello to: all those DREAMERS out there ….. keep on dreaming.

Always, Carol & Alvin

 

 

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Wednesday the 21st day of September,2016.

It is getting close to the official first day of Autumn.

One more day.

The leaves are turning each and every day.

Wherever I walk they crunch under my feet.

In our neighbourhood we have rose bushes lining the entrance to the park.

They are still blooming.

Their fragrance is amazing.

If I could only bottle that exact fragrance.

We are in the transition period between summer and autumn.

Nature is preparing for the colder months ahead.

The bunnies are beginning to turn from brown to white.

I do love that colour change.

Birds are flying south.

Amazing how the pigeons for example stay all winter.

They have adapted.

Find a cozy warm chimney and don’t get too close.

Our walks in the evening are so enjoyable.

Alvin sniffing everywhere.

More so now.

I love fall.

Time to get things ready for fall / winter.

Argh not to say the “w-word.”

Although November 1st my Christmas Tree goes up.

I love that part.

Well here we go again ….. where does the time in the mornings go.

It evaporates.

Time to get those last things done before leaving for work.

I hope that you have an enjoyable Wednesday.

Take a walk and crunch some leaves.

I love to do that …

Happy Wednesday.

Special Hello to: all those folks who love autumn

Always, Carol and Alvin

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Wednesday the 15th day of June, 2016.

Well it be raining out there ….. yes it is.

Pretty steady rain ….

The kind that has that sleepy time rhythm that invites you to sleep a bit longer.

I sure could have slept longer.

Wonder of all wonders for the second day in a row Mr. Alvin has got up with me when the alarm went off.

Now both nights we were up until about 10:00 p.m.

That could well be the reason.

Oh well …… maybe this is a new thing.

I am a bit tired so definitely will have to hit the mattress earlier this evening.

I can see sunny skies or at least light sky from the extreme south.

So perhaps this will not be an all day affair but who knows.

We still can use the moisture.

 

Well my thoughts to be honest are me laying down on the sofa under my soft red blanket snuggling with Alvin.

After all, is that not what we should be doing when it is raining?

What is this work all about?

Oh, I know …. unless you win the lottery working is a means to pay for the roof over your head and the food in your belly and maybe a new top once in awhile.

Just one of those days.

Well I see by the clock on the wall that it is time to collect my dessert for the potluck at work today and head out to catch the bus.

It will be an umbrella day for sure.

 

Take care and I hope that you are able to take the day to just snuggle up with your puppy or someone just as loveable.

Special Hello to: my friends who always make me smile and to my sister who makes me laugh aloud.

Always, Carol and Alvin

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Sunday the 31st day of January, 2016.

Last day for January, 2016.

I just remembered as I was going to bed that I need to pick up my bus pass.

Will have to go out and pick that up today.

 

Yesterday was a good day.

Alvin had a good report …. the lump had “broken up” over the past couple of days so the Doctor is pretty certain that it is a cyst.

It must have had an exit spot and drained in the inside as there was nothing on the outside.

She told me to keep an eye on it and if there were any changes other than it getting smaller to call right away.

I will keep an eye on it …..

 

The sky is overcast for the most part except for small clearing to the south …. that is my view from the office window.

The sun shone yesterday which was nice but it was not quite as warm as it had been.

We have had a beautiful January …… only a couple of bitterly cold days.

Normally January is cold, cold, cold.

Still chipping away at that ice out front and have managed to get most of it cleared.

As my small friend said “it is hard work.”

 

Tomorrow is February …… wow….

I have some Family Birthdays, Valentine’s Day and Family Day.

We get Family Day off here in Alberta so that is nice …. a long weekend coming up.

 

Well my “TO DO” list remains a yard long so I best be getting to it.

I keep thinking of things that need to be done …. some are small things..

Oh well …. that is life.

 

Getting to it …..

Have a great January 31st and enjoy your Sunday.

 

Special Hello to: everyone who has a daunting list of things to do …. just do one thing at a time…. start at the top ….. cross them off when completed…. You will get there.

Always, Carol and Alvin

 

 

 

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Sunday the 4th day of October, 2015.

My cousin has gone home, went to Costco, my daughter brought Alvin home & stayed for a visit …. all happened yesterday.

Oh, and some laundry, too.

Whew.

This morning the sun is shining and there are some dark clouds looming to the south.

I wish that it would stay bright.

I am strongly considering pulling my flowers, cleaning up the flower beds, putting away the patio furniture and ornaments and raking for a third time the massive mounds of yellow leaves from the front lawn.

It is kind of sad as the flowers are still blooming and looking great (will take some photos to show you) but when it freezes it will make them near impossible to be removed from the pots …. likely from the ground will be difficult, as well.

The neighbour to the south of me is building a garage.

It is not a regular one or two vehicle garage but a structure that appears to be a medium size house.

It has multiple windows, stairs, will have cupboard/work bench and the driveway is not your average one.

It goes to the edge of his property touching the back lane but goes all the way around the garage at the back and sides.

I do like the fact that his driveway is flat and not on an incline.

Crazy ….. very big.

That is what is going on in my neighbourhood.

Well I had the most glorious visit with my cousin as I have already shared with you.

I had a great visit with my neighbour to and from Costco.

I was so happy to see me Alvin and to have my daughter back at the house (she is such an amazing human and I feel better as a person when she is here).

So needless to say not too much housework was accomplished …. although I did wash my clothes but then bedding and towels are today.  I have started.

Well I had better get this show on the road …. get dressed …. finished my coffee and perhaps pour some into a to go mug and then I can drink it while I am working outside.  Will see if I can convince or “trick” Mr. Alvin into getting into his harness so he can be outside with me.  I like him to get as much fresh air as possible.

Oh, quick story about Mr. Alvin as I do not believe that I remembered to share this with all of you.

Friday night after work my daughter and son-in-law came to pick up Alvin so he could go for a sleepover which in hindsight I am so happy that I did so …. they both came in to get him.  My daughter along with Alvin’s things  (toothbrush and such) got into the car …… my son-in-law was with Alvin (who had his leash on, of course) and they were at the driver’s door of the car (the driver side facing the sidewalk so I could see clearly).  My son-in-law bent over to pick up Alvin and Alvin collapsed his hind end to the ground (it looked so funny).  This happened three or four times. I will admit that I did giggle for a bit. He has never done this at any other time that I remember.  Finally my son-in-law bent over and picked him up remarking “Oh, Alvin you are getting heavy.”  I was in the open doorway at the time so hear him and agreed.  So both of us have to work on our mid sections.  But it was so cute when he just collapsed to the sidewalk when my son-in-law went to pick him up.

Have an awesome Sunday.

Special Hello to: all those folks who are trying new things …… good on you ……always good to stretch.

Always, Carol and Alvin

Thought for the day…..

Good Morning and Welcome to Thursday the 11th day of September, 2014.

I think it is appropriate on this particular Thursday to be an inspiration to yourself and to others.

Recently my daughter posted a pearl of wisdom from a very famous American poet, Miss Maya Angelou.

It goes like this:

“TRY TO BE A RAINBOW IN SOMEONE’S CLOUD.

I think that today we should all try extra hard to be rainbows.

Shine brightly and show others that you care.

Most importantly be your own rainbow.

If you are not a rainbow in your own life ….. it is pretty hard to be one for someone else.

My motto for today and going forward will be “trying to be a rainbow in someone’s cloud.”

That would make a great tattoo or words of inspiration lettered out on your kitchen wall…..

Place that sticky note up to remind you.

So have a Happy Thursday.

To all my neighbours to the south on this day remember all of the great memories you had with your loved ones.

Take care.

We are thinking of you all.

Special Hello to: our neighbours to the south.

Always, Carol and Alvin