The Next Chapter

Good Morning! How are you this morning? I am okay. Had a much better sleep last night. I have been going for walks after work and I am finding that this enables me to clear the “crap” from my brain and then settle down for the evening. Did you ever see that when you slow down and concentrate on one task or one thought at a time, that you feel more positive and just feel more relaxed? I have noticed that with me. Yesterday when I was feeling better and then last night after work. Just refocused to one thing at a time.

Starting to feel like spring during the day as the sun rises higher in the daytime sky. Yesterday there was a lot of water that had melted so it begins to get sloppy. I noticed when I was outside that the storm drain is plugged again. People driving over it pushing the snow onto the grates and eventually plugging it. So tonight if it is melting and the ice has softened I will chip away and try to open it up so that the water does not pool on the street. Our streets are always a pain. Either icy or full of massive ruts. Most of the time in the winter it is massive ruts. When the street was “plowed” a few weeks ago, they basically went down the middle of the street so the middle is clear but they pushed the snow up. Anyway, it is always fun when you are driving. Of course, cars line both sides of the street so down to one lane driving. I am grateful that spring is close.

I am going to try something different today and have breakfast before I leave home. Finding eating at the new office is a pain. Everyone is so busy – no one takes a coffee break. Lunch, I usually don’t eat anyway so unless I go for a walk, it is hard to actually take a break. So have to work out some things. Anyway, I will see what my body likes. I used to always eat in the morning and then eat at supper and sometimes have a snack at noon. I like breakfast and supper, not so much lunch. But have to have something during the day (including morning) otherwise I get a headache. Experiment, I guess.

I hope that life is treating you kindly. May your day be filled with possibilities of all good things and that your dreams are coming true.

Have a wonderful day.

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

Always, Carol & Alvin (my forever Angel)

It is a NEW YEAR.

Well here we are the first Thursday of March, 2020.

Almost one week into this month.

Today is my Dad’s sister’s Birthday.

Happy Birthday Aunt.

I hope that you have a wonderful day.

March is almost as busy a month for birthdays as February.

 

Well we brought Mr. Humphrey over for the evening.

My nephew stopped in and spent the night on his way back to work up north.

He brought me a DAIRY QUEEN treat – box of buster bars.

My favourite.

We had a nice visit before an early bedtime.

It was nice to see him and to catch up with all of the family news.

There is always a surprise or two.

He was up and away by 5:30 a.m.

 

Another nice morning although I can hear the wind gusting from time to time.

Gusting as it rattles the outside vents and the chimney.

Alvin and I did not make it out for a walk last night.

Our sidewalk/street out front is a big mess.

Kudos to our neighbour in the other half of our duplex who was out during the day chipping away at the ice.

Working to make the water drain from the street to the storm drain and from the sidewalk.

She did a great job.

Only thing is someone drove over the canal from the street causing it to collapse and then the water could no longer make it to the drain.

Oh well, a few more days/weeks of warm weather and it will be mostly melted.

There is snow and cold temperatures on the way for the weekend so that will put an end to the melting for now.

Time.

All we need is time.

 

Well another work day ahead.

How is your job going?

Perhaps you go to school?

Or maybe you are retired and just enjoying life.

Whether you work for someone or for yourself.

Whether you go to school or not.

These are all things we do to fill our days and to earn a living.

This living helps us to have a roof over our heads, food in our bellies and clothes on our backs.

Simply put.

These earnings also help us to have cable and internet for connections and entertainment.

Help to pay for vacations.

Car loans.

Basically everything we consume whether internally or externally.

Yikes one of the cards that I have displayed (hanging) from my bulletin board just fell off.

I had only moments just barely touched it so that I could read the words that my daughter had written.

 

Dear Mom

We’re so grateful to have you in our

lives and are so proud of all you’ve 

accomplished.  This year brings lots 

of change but we’ll get through it 

together.  Love you so much!

 

This was from Mother’s Day 2014.

 

Everyday of my life, I am grateful for my kids.

My daughter and my son (her husband).

For my grand pups, Aspen and Milo.

For me Alvin.

For my family near and far.

For my life.

 

We should always take the time to be grateful.

Fill your life with gratitude and your life will be filled with gratitude.

 

Well almost time to head on downstairs.

Hard to believe that my nephew has been gone for almost one hour already.

Time marches on.

 

Have a wonderful day.

Kindness and Respect, always.

For yourself and for others.

 

Happy Thursday.

Always, Carol & Alvin

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Saturday the 18th day of March, 2017.

The sky is partially overcast but I can see that good ole sun bringing us some brightness.

The front sidewalk is ICY …. even though after work I chipped and carried away the water that had drained there.

The Girl Guides are doing a FOOD BANK fundraiser this morning and had asked for food donations.

I have my bag of canned food on my front step.

I was worried that it might freeze before they pick it up but I guess it is not that cold.

Well another busy weekend but most of the busy is around the house.

I have put off Mr. Alvin’s hair cut way too long …. he NEEDS it and a bath.

So today is the day.

First off, get the laundry going so that we/I have clean clothes, towels and bedding.

Alvin’s spring jacket needs to be washed and his by the door towels.

Bathrooms and floors need to be cleaned ….. you know all the regular things.

Likely dusting.

But soon I shall need a cup of coffee.

Finish my blog and change the bedding on our bed and then COFFEE.

The temperature is supposed to be in the neighbourhood of +7 or so …. that would be lovely.

Perhaps get rid of some of the ice and water …….

I have been working away at the ice out front ….. our yards drain to the front and I have the storm drain just a bit off of where my yard drains to the front ….

Even keeping the ice and snow shovelled … it reaches a point where during the course of a day at work the ice buildup can be so much that I can not physically chip it away.

I have tried believe me.

So I hope that the little ones are careful today…..

I also received some tea orders and have to submit them later today or maybe tomorrow …..

Lots to do.

I hope that you have an awesome Saturday.

Remember to take some time for you.

I am going to with a coffee break in a few.

The longest task today is Alvin’s haircut …. not really a one person job but we manage.

Happy Saturday.

Special Hello to: my sister ….. SKYPE tomorrow night and to my daughter, thank you for driving me home from work yesterday and to the store for a few things before your girls night out.

So blessed I am.

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Saturday the 30th day of January, 2016.

The second last day of the first month of the New Year.

I just had a thought ….. my message is still the Holiday one ….. time to change it ….

The sky is very pretty this morning at just after 8:00 a.m. ….. filled with shades of pinks and yellows as the sunrises.

It is always quiet at this time of day as the neighbourhood slowly starts the weekend.

Soon there will be cars zipping down the street.

Soon there will be children playing outside on the sidewalk sliding on the ice and splashing in the water.

 

Last night after work I worked once again on the massive ice/water pool out front of my house.

One of the little girls from down the street stopped as I was chipping away at the ice and wanted to help.

So she took the shovel and was scooping the water/ice into the path to the storm drain.

After two very small scoops with the shovel she exclaimed “it is too hard on my hands.”

I giggled and said “I know, it is hard work.”

Once I put down the shovel …. she wanted the ice chipper …. I asked her to be very careful and she tried to break up the ice but she is small so not to successful.

After that she kind of fell / sat down in the snow bank in front of my house.

It was nice to have company as I worked.

Alvin patiently looked out of the window.

 

We have not been walking as it is crazy on the sidewalk down the street.

Not everyone is trying to break up the ice.

There are some that have it all chipped away but they do not have the snow melting to the storm drain so it is easier.

 

Alvin and I have his appointment at the Vet this morning so that will be an interesting walk ….

Thank goodness I have my spikes but poor Alvin will be a slipping and sliding.

I am going to take a small towel with us so that I can wipe him off when we get to his Doctor.

Well time to get this show on the road.

Someone is coming to take a peek at the dryer tomorrow so that is good.

Today I will just wash clothes and hang them as I did last weekend.

Until tomorrow have a great one.

Special Hello to : all those folks just watching the sunrise and loving them.

Always, Carol and Alvin

Thought for the day…..

Good Morning and Welcome to Friday the 20th day of February, 2015.

Last night after work it was raining ….. someone got stuck in front of my house …. this morning the rain has turned to snow.

P.S. couple of neighbours and myself pushed the young lady out.  YAY.

We had been keeping the storm drain clear of snow and ice and the grader cleaned the streets so a combination …. SNOW, ICE AND SNOW.

Hard to see the storm drain and with wet snow packed around it ….. ruts making it hard to park anywhere.

That is our weather.

CRAZY ……….

Seems like everyone is experiencing there own kind of “weather” this winter.

 

I have been thinking lately about how I have been treating people and how I wish to be treated.

Sometimes we all need to have a reality check and go back to basics.

This is my mantra:

Lead with kindness, integrity and respect.

Be kind to yourself.

Be kind to all others.

Live your life with honesty and truth.

Be respectful of yourself and others.

It is not just a matter of being positive.

You have to live and give and give to live.

So let us all live a more kind, respect life with integrity.

 

I hope that you have a great day.

Be careful walking.

Special Hello to: my friends and family all over the world.

Always, Carol and Alvin

Thought for the day….

Good Morning and Welcome to Wednesday the 23rd day of April, 2014.

Well we have April showers and I surely hope they bring May flowers.

It has been raining all night …..

There should be green showing after this …..

Alvin and I got out for a walk just as it started to rain last night.

So that was great.

I love the smell of rain ….

The air smells fresh although there is a lingering scent of “rotten eggs” ….

Either skunk or natural gas.

Not strong …..

I am so happy that I swept up the leaves and few tidbits of garbage from the street gutter in front of my house and the neighbour’s last night before all this rain.

At least there will be some less “crap” going down the storm drain and less change of it plugging up.

Well on this mid day work day …. how are you feeling?

I think my ear is starting to unplug and I feel less congested than yesterday.

So that is good.

I just want to FEEL energized and great.

I am feeling energized and great.

I will keep telling myself that …..

Well time to go and find my umbrella ….. it is always that first rain shower that makes us scramble for our umbrellas.

I wish that I had rubber boots.

Happy Wednesday everyone.

Now time to see if Mr. Alvin will venture out ….. it took some coaxing earlier.

Special Hello to:  You ….. Have a wonderful day.  Remember to smile.

Always, Carol and Alvin

Thought for the day…..

Good Morning and Welcome to Thursday the 20th day of March, 2014.

WELCOME TO THE FIRST DAY OF SPRING 2014.

The “Vernal Equinox” the time of the year for equal day and night.

How cool is that?

The Vernal Equinox ….. kind of “rolls” off one’s tongue.

It makes us happy …. increasing daylight with warming temperatures.

When we experience the rebirth of both “flora and fauna” ….. now I love the sound of that.

I am feeling so much better today and I hope that everyone surrounding me feels the same.

We can only feel better and more energized with the increased sunlight giving us all of that natural vitamin “D.”

Something that we have been missing over this long, overcast, snowy, cold winter.

So Happy Spring everyone!!

I hope that you are doing the Happy Spring Dance, as am I.

Most of our snow and ice has melted and finally the storm drain is open.

I had been able to keep it open all winter until this last bit when the ice just got away on me.

But with a bit of help from a kindly “man” down the street it is open.

I love the sound of the water running down the drain.

Most importantly melting and running away from our yards …..

Last night Alvin and I enjoyed a wonderful walk.

By the time we got home Mr. Alvin was muddy ….. oh, and I mean muddy.

We tried to walk around and miss it but alas it did not quite go according to plan.

His little belly and his legs which are mostly a soft beautiful “white” fur were “black” like his head.

So his Momma had to give him a makeshift bath when we got home …….

We did enjoy our walk…..

Bumped into some neighbours from across the lake.

Always nice to have a visit and see people.

So on this happy Thursday …. I say go outside and let out a big “whoop” for Happy First Day of Spring.

Walk around all day with a huge smile plastered across your face.

Maybe treat yourself to some chocolate or to your favourite flowers.

Spread the joy.

Have the best day.

Special Hello to: my travelling sister …. have a great trip in Vegas.  I love Vegas.

Always, Carol and Alvin

P.S. note to self, do not bring your shoes home early from work because now it is snowing and I have to wear my boots…….and take my shoes back…..I was so looking forward to just wearing my shoes.  Oh well, maybe tomorrow.

Thought for the day…..

Well good afternoon and it has been Saturday the 18th day of January, 2014 all day today…..

Was that a good effort at being comical?

It is a gorgeous day here in Edmonton.

Spent late morning and part of the afternoon out shopping with my daughter.

We had a blast.

I had a gift card to use and was able to pick up every item that I had on my list.

So excited got new pillows and underwear …. YAY.u

Almost every person big or small (meaning young or old) were wearing “bunny hugs” or “kangaroo jackets” or “hoodies” – all depending on which neck of the woods you are living….

Once home we had a small lunch and coffee and then she and the puppies went back home.

I had wanted to do some ice chipping but where to start.

The sun is already starting to get lower and in less than two hours it will be dark.

We have had some much snow and cold weather that all of my good work at keeping the sidewalks and the storm drain open have gone down the “tubes.”

It is such a big job…… where to start.

On the up side my tree and 98% of the decorations are down.

Any guesses what is left up?

Leave me a comment and take a guess at which one of the follow items is still up?

1.  wreath on outside door

2.  greenery, garland and lights on the upstairs bannister

3.  Holiday Centrepiece

My thoughts for this time is that I am so glad that I was able to take down most of the holiday decorations and that the laundry is done.

Next weekend Mr. Alvin gets a haircut and bath….. sure hope that the weather stays nice.

Well a few items left on my to do list before Alvin’s supper and mine.

NOTE TO SELF – get exercising.

Special Hello to: family and friends.

Always, Carol and Alvin

 

Thought for the day…..

Good Thursday morning and welcome to November 8th, 2012.

Shortly after I wrote this blog it started to snow here in Edmonton and did not stop till late in the day ….

I guess Mother Nature was injecting her sense of humour yet once again.

When we were driving to work the roads that we took were good but shortly thereafter things changed.

Traffic slowed down and it took forever for people to get to where they were going.

Several accidents occurred.

Luckily for me and my co-workers we were advised after lunch to go home.

So I came home to find the sidewalk to my house buried and it was sort of like finding a needle in a haystack …. find the storm drain …. add a couple of inches ….. over to the left …. then to the right …. one step … you get my drift.

It was crazy.  I spent some time shovelling ….. several times in fact. ….. because it just kept snowing.

Anyway we are leaving for work early this morning as the roads are less than perfection.

I hope that wherever you are …. that you get to your destination safe and sound.

Let’s keep our thoughts and hearts open for our fellow “North Americans” on the eastern coast …. keep safe and warm..

Also I am grateful for my home, my family and friends and that I am safe and warm.

Take Care……

Special Hello to:  all those selfless people who give on a daily basis you are our heroes.

 

Always, Carol and Alvin