It is a NEW YEAR.

Good Morning,

Sunday April 19th, 2020.

Forecast today is for double digit temperatures and to remain for the next couple of weeks.

I was tempted to turn my thermostat off yesterday but then decided there were still opportunities for freezing.

The sun is up and the blue sky is dotted with wisps of white clouds.

Well we had a fairly successful day yesterday.

One unexpected change and that was that Humphrey came to spend the day with us.

Due to company and just the way that things happened, I did the shovelling in the backyard.

Off the list.

Laundry completed.

Off the list.

Front coat closet, cleaned and winter items returned to the basement.

Winter / spring coats washed and put away accordingly.

Obviously spring/summer to front closet.

Mitts and scarves washed as well.

Off the list.

Switched winter clothes to spare room closet.

Switched summer clothes to my room closet.

I sure hope that I can fit into those summer clothes?

Argh.

Off the list.

Bathrooms cleaned.

Off the list.

Vacuumed.

Off the list.

Dusted.

Off the list.

We enjoyed a nice walk mid afternoon as well.

On our way home we passed by one of our friends who happened to be out on the driveway.

They were cleaning up after a driveway birthday party for her now 13 year old son.

I had forgotten.

We have a new teenager in the neighborhood.

She said they were surprised when her husband’s parents and his sister and children came to celebrate.

Everyone practiced the social distancing.

But her thirteen year old had a party with some of the family which was nice.

When I moved to Edmonton he was not quite 2 years old.

Wow, time flies.

It was a good day.

We had a garage visit with one of our friends near the beginning of the walk, which was great.

Another friend and her pup …. we chatted a few minutes later into the walk.

Near the lake we saw another friend and her pup.

A good day to see friends.

We were happy to see Humphrey as well.

 

I have a dilemma.

Alvin needs a bath.

I want to have a bath (but would rather shower).

I want to bath so that I can just have a good soak.

Usually I do not have the patience to sit in the tub for very long.

We want to walk.

So if we do the baths this morning.

Walking in the afternoon would be good.

Thank you I just answered my question.

So breakfast and coffee.

Followed by bath for me.

Then bath for Mr. Alvin.

Likely better if I go first.

By mid afternoon he will be long dry and hopefully more of the water on the sidewalk will have dried up.

 

I also want to call my siblings.

Seems like the days pass and I think about them like always, but don’t get to those calls.

I am sure that I am not alone.

I will admit that I am not great at making phone calls.

I love chatting when I am on the phone but making calls not so much.

 

Well I guess it is time to get this show on the road so that we can get those baths in while it is still morning.

Back to work tomorrow.

I am looking forward to using the big monitor.

So much better than just the laptop screen.

 

Quick story, last night while watching the ONE WORLD special, I happened to see movement across the street.

Turning my head I saw four large rabbits come down the grass from the other side of the street and run onto the street.

They all four ran down the street together.

It was so crazy.

I prayed that no cars would come along.

But they were okay.

We have lots of rabbits in our community.

 

I have also decided that I am going to take a day of vacation perhaps near the end of this week and spend some time out in the neighbourhood.

The trash that has accumulated is horrible.

I cannot believe how much.

I also found some styrofoam packing materials in my basement window well (outside).

Also cleaned up in front of my house and my immediate neighbours.

There are even a great many disposable gloves (the latex/non-latex ones).

I did not have the means to pick any of those items up so I left them.

I have disposable gloves and a trash picker so I will go and clean up the hood.

Usually when we are out and about, I do pick up certain items and put them in the trash.

It was easier when wearing mittens/gloves.

Anyway, note to people.

Please pick up the trash.

If we all do this ….

Then we are a team.

If it is just me or just you.

Then we are not a team.

Remember when packing your recycling items to place them in a bag not loosely in a blue bin.

Loosely packed means wind will blow them to my house or elsewhere.

 

Have an awesome Sunday.

Time to have breakfast and coffee.

Get those baths done.

Get this day going.

It is almost 9:00 a.m.

Where does the time go?

 

Happy Sunday.

Trying to live always with kindness and respect.

Sometimes there may be the odd slip up but that is okay.

 

With kindness and respect for all.

I/We remain,

As Always, Carol & Alvin

 

 

 

It is a NEW YEAR.

Good Friday Morning Everyone!

How are you today?

Doing well, I hope.

Are you getting out for walks with your housemates?

With your puppy dog?

One thing that I noticed lately is how much my Alvin, stretches.

He stretches when he gets out of bed.

He stretches when he gets out of his chair.

He stretches when we come home after a walk.

He stretches after he goes to the bathroom.

He stretches.

Likely I could take a page from him and follow suit.

 

Well it is overcast here in Edmonton.

I was thinking to myself earlier this morning.

As the forecast yesterday was for rain today.

I was thinking “it would be nice if it rained until lunchtime and stopped.”

I just looked out of the window and it is raining.

Wow, if it stops at noon.

That will be crazy wonderful.

 

We have been enjoying two walks everyday.

I know it has been helping both of us sleeping and we are burning some calories.

Good for both of us.

 

What are your weekend plans?

You know that pond of water, well not really a pond but I called it that ….

The one that was covering part of the grass area in my backyard.

The other end for which remains covered with a slowly decreasing snowbank.

Anyway, I was out shovelling after supper & dishes ….

Moving the snow around on the deck and trying to remove some of that snowbank.

There was I would say about 4-6 inches of water in the early evening.

When Alvin went outside and it was beginning to get dark so after 9:00 p.m.

I thought it looked “dry” over there.

So I grabbed my ice pick tool and checked.

Sure enough no water, it had dried up.

Now it is a gooey messy snow mold, some missed poop (not much) and leaves.

But hopefully as the snowbank melts it will “dry up” quickly.

Double digit temperatures begin on Sunday.

I look forward to cutting my grass.

Likely a good raking before that though ……

I do plan to shovel the remainder of that snow across the grassy area.

That way it will not pool in one spot.

I guess it means that the ground is thawing.

 

Well my friends it is time to go and grab that cup of coffee.

Alvin needs some food and supplies.

Yesterday I call his Vet and they are on reduced hours and no longer open on Saturdays.

They do not want more than one human member of the household coming in and no pets unless they need to see the vet.

So Alvin will be staying home when I run over there on my lunch break.

That is okay.

There should still be some time to get a smaller walk in before returning to work.

If not, there is time after work.

 

I hope that you have an awesome Friday.

Guess I can put away my winters coats/jackets/boots/mitts and scarves.

Clean out the front closet.

Maybe even switch my summer clothes or start anyway.

I have a plan for the weekend.

Making the most of my time.

 

Have a great day.

Spread the kindness with respect.

Give your elderly neighbour a phone call day to check on her/him.

If you do not have their phone number, write up a sign.

Knock on their door and hold it up.

Check on them.

Check on someone.

Keep the social distancing but be a good neighbour.

 

With kindness and respect,

I/We remain,

As Always, Carol & Alvin

 

Thought for the day ….

Good Morning and Welcome to Friday the 14th day of September, 2018.

WOW, is it almost mid point of September.

Seems like only yesterday it was the first day.

We woke up to no additional rain/snow so that is good.

It is extra warm in the house so  am thinking it did not cool off much last night.

I caved and turned on the furnace a few days ago as it just was not worth freezing or having to always have socks and a sweater on.

I pay the bill so figured why not.

I keep the temperature at a constant temperature so it will be okay.

I am grateful that it is Friday and tonight my daughter is giving me a ride home.

Carpool has an appointment this afternoon so is not able to drive me home.

I always love spending anytime with my daughter.

All that time is extra precious.

Alvin is laying on his blue blanket.

It is a habit now.

Along with having a massage everyday.

Funny how that works.

I need to form a new habit and get on doing some pilates and yoga.

No time like the present to start something new.

 

Was thinking yesterday that we kind of skipped fall and went right to winter.

I changed my door wreath from summer to fall.

We are not even officially finished with summer, fall has not come to the calendar yet and winter officially does not come until December?

Not quite ready for the winter one yet.

My poor sunflowers are drooped over and looking so sad.

Grass and trees are mostly still green under the skiff of snow.

Not totally covering the ground.

Sidewalks and streets appear to be dry.

Looks I know can be deceiving but I will soon find out.

 

Does it sound like I am babbling?

Well I kind of am.

Just typing what comes to my mind.

Isn’t that more fun?

Just to see what DOES come to mind.

You never know.

 

I am excited to see my young girl friends for coffee here at my house on Sunday.

Haven’t seen them for what seems like forever.

 

I guess this will be the weekend to switch closets over although I was thinking of doing something different.

Leaving all tops in my bedroom closet and placing all dresses/skirts/pants/jeans/shorts in the spare room closet.

Might be a nice change.

There are so many things that I wear all year long.

Time to put away sandals and bring up winter boots, argh.

Winter coats, scarves, mitts and hats, yuck.

I pulled out a pair of mini gloves and have been wearing them the past couple of days.

Please do not think that I am not grateful to have more than one winter coat, mitts, hats and scarves and winter boots; I am most grateful.

Just seems so early to be wearing those items.

Although next week is still forecasting to be in the teens and that will feel like summer once again.

 

Well time to finish getting ready for work.

I hope that you have an awesome day.

I have lots to do at work and am going to get SO MUCH done today.

Feels like a great day.

No interruptions.

That would be lovely and perfection.

 

Special Hello to: my friend “V” who is always busy and one of the most thoughtful people on the planet.

Always, Carol & Alvin

 

 

Thought for the day…..

Happy Friday, May 18th, 2012 …..

Mother Nature has been sharing her nectar with us as Alvin’s paws were wet after his return to the house from outside.

Thank goodness his Momma keeps a towel by the back door for just those times.

I am extra happy that it is Friday because I am on vacation next week.

As much as I love my job(s), I am so looking forward to spending some time at home.

There are so many jobs to do.

Use the pressure washer to clean the house, garage and deck.

Finish going through summer clothes and completely put away the winter stuff.

Tidy up the basement ….. there are too many boxes about …

Oh and two of the best parts about next week, well actually four ….

My grand-puppies Elton & Penny will be spending the week with me and  Alvin while their parents vacation.

That’s two.

Three is the extra time with Alvin.

Four ….. well it will be picking up flowers for my deck and front porch….. I love to plant flowers.

So that’s my week …. I will be busy but doing all the things that I love to do.

So I hope that you have a great Friday.

I wish for everyone that you are doing mostly the things that you love to do.

There are always the odd things that are not our favourites but if you fill your life with mainly the things that you love …. you will be happy and your days will be filled with joy.

Special Hello: to all the gardeners out there.  My Grandmother “Stella” is smiling down from heaven as she loved this time of year …. the planting of her garden …. the flowers.

 

Always, Carol and Alvin

Thought for the day….

Welcome to Tuesday, May 1st, 2012 ….. WOW May.

What a gorgeous morning it is …. the sun is coming up and the glow on the houses is so beautiful.

I absolutely love this time of day especially once my mind and body have gotten over the shock of getting up at 5:00 a.m.

I have a little alarm ….. four legged ….. black & White …… he always wakes up before the alarm.

But I love my little furry alarm clock …. at least I can usually persuade him into cuddling for a few more minutes before the buzzer goes off.

I wish that this day would be filled with wonderment, love and laughter for us all.

So on this first day of May ….. are you thinking about beginning your spring house cleaning or perhaps you are already finished?

Me, while I am part way there …. still have lots to do.

One person …… one house with a garage and yard, two jobs, a dog, jewelry business and other interests …. I should be done by summer!  LOL.

I hope that you all have an amazing first day of May.

Whether you have started, are mid point or already finished … may you find joy in your spring cleaning.

The part I love the most is going through the rubbermaid containers ….. washing the summer clothes, and realizing that I have all that I need (if I can get the zippers up ) …. LOL.

Special Hello: to my family and friends back in Regina ….. I love you and miss you …… also special Hello to my family in Quebec …. miss you guys so much.

Always, Carol and Alvin