2021

Good Morning ALL. How are you doing today? Alvin and I are well. He has a regular Vet appointment this afternoon. He is waiting patiently outside the office for me to finish ( I just started ). I should not “say” that he is patient as his patience is much less than mine most days. So Tuesday morning. At one point yesterday I made a comment in our TEAMS CHAT that would make one think that yesterday was further in the week, not a great way to start. Oh well, the phones were busy for the first hour or so and then lessened so I was able to get some mail done which was great. The mail is “stacking” up so to speak. Our walk at noon was great. Another gorgeous day. We have been so lucky. One thing though we do not have much snow left. The deck is getting more and more bare.

I was wondering if the African Violet originated from Africa? The blooms are ever so delicate and the leaves remind me of a rounded spade in shape. So pretty. Actually I have determined in the last almost year that I have been working from home that I may actually have a green thumb due in large part to most of my plants having a home in a south facing window. I have a bay window in the kitchen and the plants are thriving there. This is near my workspace and it has been great being close to beautiful plants as I work. Some of my Geraniums have beautiful pink flowers at this time, the red leaves of the Poinsettias are gorgeous and I have several other plants including a Spider plant which I moved just recently to the dividing half way between the kitchen and the living room. I hope that it will have enough light in that spot. I have so many plants that they are getting kind of crowded. I enjoy having a “green” workspace.

Well I am at a loss as what to share this more. Writer’s block, perhaps.

I hope that you are doing well, that you are in good health and remembering to take some time for yourself. Self care is very important and something to remember especially at this time.

With that, I remain living my life with kindness, respect and compassion.

Take Care.

Always, Carol & Alvin

P.S. I am planning Mr. Alvin’s 12th Birthday party for Sunday, January 24th, 2020.

2021

Good Morning ALL. How are you? I am well and happily settling into my new bras. Happy Woman here. Well last night ….. earlier, much earlier this morning up and down as per our normal routine. It would seem that whenever we go to bed whether early or a bit later we are always up six hours later. That six hour mark could be at 3 a.m. or 4 a.m. or anything in between. Depending on the time I either give Mr. Alvin his glucosamine chew OR the chew and breakfast. I don’t want him to have breakfast before 4:00 a.m. Too early. Then we head to the sofa for a few more zzz’s and when we get up depends on whether or not it is during the week or the weekend. What a life! This morning I am going to have a “coffee visit” with my friends Gillian and Signe on TEAMS. So excited to see them and catch up.

I also had a pretty nice surprise when I went into my office (where I am now) to turn on the computer …. I found that my African Violet had some pretty purple flowers. She did not have them yesterday and there are several buds as well. A very deep rich vibrant purple. A royal purple if you will. I cannot remember how long I have had this plant and she has never bloomed but I think that she does like being in the office on my desk. I have placed two smaller Spider plants on the desk beside her for company. Even plants need company. They were babies when I moved them into the office and she was older so a good match, I thought. Miss Violet’s leaves are finally becoming larger and stronger looking. I am so over the moon happy about this plant and all of my plants as they are all doing so well. My Geraniums are blooming …. beautiful pink flowers. Three other plants that I have are also blooming and I am not quite sure what there names are … Since I am home all of the time now, I give them a lot more TLC and they appear to be liking the extra attention. Yesterday morning I spent about one hour fixing them up and moving them about. They do all seem to love the southern exposure whether in my kitchen or in the office. Although yesterday I tried something by moving my large Spider plant to the 1/2 wall that divides the kitchen and living room. I moved Spidy because my plant area is getting so crowded with plants. I will see how Spidy does and if shows signs of stress I will move him back to the window area or perhaps even upstairs to the office where there is more room. My daughter brought me a Poinsettia from her office on Friday thus overfilling the space. So I will keep an eye on them. Plants are so good to have around. I am grateful that several of them seem to bloom all year round. Now I have my beautiful Violet plant blooming. So grateful. Also I have two geraniums that my friend Pauline gave me last fall which are becoming massive in their small pots and need to be transplanted. So I will have to put out a call for someone to pick me up some potting soil and two medium sized pots.

Last night I spent the evening speaking to my friend Linda who lives back home. We worked together, were neighbours and are friends. She recently celebrated a birthday. We chatted about our lives, the world and the pandemic for close to three hours. What a great way to spend a Saturday night. Perfection.

Now this morning I get to chat with two of my girl friends. YAY.

Well time to get dressed and put on the coffee and have breakfast before our get together.

The sky is partially overcast this morning as the sunrises. I love the colours of the morning sky as the sun begins to rise in the sky.

This has been a great weekend thus far. Alvin and I also had the best walk yesterday afternoon. The air was so warm and there was no wind. I could have walked forever. Who would have thought it was almost mid January.

Wishing you a great Sunday.

Continuing to live with kindness, respect and compassion for all.

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

Living … One day at a time.

Hello, Good MORNING …. still dark outside.

I brought my remaining plant pots out of the garage yesterday afternoon and placed them on the deck.

The remaining flowers mainly SNAPDRAGONS can survive until minus 8 degrees celsius.

I also have some Trailing Verbena and Marigolds.

They made it through the night which dipped to minus 2 degrees celsius.

The colours are still so rich and vibrant.

The next few days are to be sunny for the most part and warm or at least much WARMER than it has been the last couple of days.

Okay photo time.

I love FALL.

The rainbow of colours on the trees.

I love the leaves on the ground getting all nice and crispy.

I love that yellow blanket covering my lawn.

Yesterday morning the sun was shining brightly.

A breeze arose and then the leaves started to rain down.

I did try to capture that moment with my phone hence all the photos that look the same.

But I cannot help myself.

I love FALL.

I love AUTUMN.

I love that my flowers are still blooming.

I have a SCARECROW watching over my garden and yard.

A few photos from inside ….. the GERANIUM is blooming.

Oh, how I love fall.

NOTE:  the flowers by the fence in the second row were taken as I was waiting for the bus yesterday.

 

Well the checkup went well.

He even cleaned my ears.

I am prone to excess wax building …. isn’t that nice.

It happens.

Went for blood work.

Tomorrow is the Mammogram and dropping off of the STOOL sample (FIT)

to the lab.

Thankfully all within walking distance of my office.

Yup, successful prepared that good old stool sample at 5:30 this morning.

What a wonderful way to begin the day.

Also with the Mammogram (something new for me) …. no coffee (argh), no tea (argh) and no chocolate.

Oh, and no deodorant before the test.

All the best things ….. so I am being a good girl.

The test is the morning coffee at work.

But I will only fill my water bottle or perhaps have some hot water.

Well almost time to leave for work.

I hope that you are having a wonderful day.

If you have not got around to doing your ANNUAL CHECKUP for more than a year ….. do it.

Best thing that you can do for yourself.

If you do not look after yourself …. you know.

It is something you have to do for you.

 

 

Happy Wednesday.

Enjoy the leaves and the day.

Kindness and Respect is what we all deserve, each living being, each creature on this planet.

 

Always, Carol & Alvin

Living … One day at a time

Hi, hello and good morning.

The sky is overcast but it is light outside and there appear to be no wind as the trees are still.

It is just after 8:00 a.m. on Sunday morning.

Our weekend has been both accomplished and filled with fun.

I cleaned most of the furniture from the deck, transplanted the Geranium into a different pot as per instructions from my friend, did seven loads of laundry,

vacuumed and washed all of the floors in the house, dusted and did some changing of items about in my bedroom.

Cleaned the toilets, yup all three of them and the bathrooms.

Every once in awhile I like to change things.

Seem fresh and new.

My favourite change was my office with the new paint job and bulletin boards hanging so nicely on the wall behind my desk and computer.

I do love my office.

The green is a happy colour.

Oh, I just am hearing some geese honking as they fly by.

Humphrey the cat joined us in the early afternoon.

Alvin and I went for a walk just before 2:00 p.m. we stopped and picked up Teddy to come home with us for a visit.

Spent some time upon arriving home just playing and visiting with Alvin and his friends.

The three Amigos.

Cuteness …. so cute.

Humphrey, Alvin and Teddy, none of which look impressed that I am once again snapping photos of them.

But they are just so darn cute.

The plant that was given to me by friends when they moved back to Quebec several years ago.

It was quite small then but when I moved it to the kitchen window it took off and has grown so much in the past year or so.

Also yesterday I noticed these small almost furry like flowers.

I have no idea what kind of plant this is but I love it.

Reminds me of my friends and loves to be watered, lots

The clippings that I took from the Spider Plant at the office have also taken off.

It was only a few months ago that I brought them home.

They are already producing “little spiders.”

 

Last but not least the Geranium.

It is still in shock from being transplanted but I am speaking to it quietly with words of encouragement with hopes that it will survive and fill my kitchen with beautiful pink flowers throughout

the winter months and then I can transplant it to my garden in the spring.

Note: I took this photo before I transplanted into a different pot.

Alvin had come into the house but Humphrey just wanted to stay outside.

He just sat there with his back to me for the longest time.

 

Teddy’s Mom walked over and picked him up later in the afternoon.

Humphrey stayed with us until after 9:00 p.m. as his Mom had been out and about.

The morning clouds have melted into the sky and it remains a blue with perhaps an idea of some moisture?

 

I love these weekends.

Just enough human contact.

Surrounded by Alvin and his buds.

Work done and enough time to relax and enjoy.

 

I am reading “BECOMING” by Michelle Obama.

Some books I may skip a word or two but not this one.

I am enjoying every single word and sentence.

Good read thus far and I do not believe that I will be disappointed.

 

As I mentioned yesterday I may climb up my six foot ladder and clean out the eavestrough that is attached to my porch and out my bedroom window.

Our tree still has lots of leaves to lose but there now is some garbage in the eavestrough so the sooner it is cleaned the better.

I can always get any new leaves that land in there out later.

 

Well time to go and have my regular weekend breakfast of toast without the banana as I am out of them.

COFFEE is definitely a must.

Gather up the clothes that are drying in the basement.

Make my lunch for tomorrow.

Figure out what to wear after I check the weather channel.

Make supper (chicken dinner with an apple/pear crisp).

Walk with Alvin.

I may mow the back lawn as my neighbour said she will do the front with her electric mower.

I mow with my little push one.

Might pop out with my friend to pick up a few things at the grocery store …. although I really do not need much.

Perhaps watch one of the shows that I have recorded.

This will be my day in no definite order.

 

Happy Sunday Everyone.

May you have the time to kick back and enjoy.

 

Always, Carol & Alvin

 

P.S. no snow …. thank goodness …. not ready for it just yet.