Last Half 2022 – September

Good Morning ALL! Another beautiful day on the way. The sun is shining and the sky is that perfect powder blue, there is a breeze and the trees are sparkling in the rays of the sun. Oh, how I love Nature. She is glorious. Beautiful and Wondrous.

Well yesterday went okay. I was concerned that Alvin did not drink water before I left for work but my neighbour Sonja to the rescue she came over three times ensuring that he drank water, peed and had a little treat and some snuggles. I thank whomever is watching over us everyday for the wonderful people that surround me and help me to live my life. Because after all, it really does take a village. No one human is an island. We all need someone or multiple someones. He was over the moon happy to see me. The construction held us up a bit but made it home before 6:00 p.m. Well before he needed his medication. He had his breakfast at 6:00 so having his supper around 6:00 p.m. was perfect. Once again, I am so very grateful for all the Sonja’s in my life. I have the best friends and neighbours in the world. My, our family has been so supportive now and always. I am grateful for them.

Work, so it was okay. I was concerned that my tag would not let me into the building as I had some issues with it the last time that I was at the office. But it worked. I entered a dark building which was kind of freaky. There should be some lighting. It took me a few minutes to get to the lights. Then I unpacked my laptop and few items that I brought from home. Had some coffee and then a couple of staff arrived. One being my direct coworker. We had a chat about work (nothing personal). Then it was too work. I found that I have got so used to no arms on my chair that I kept hitting my elbows again the arms, kind of annoying but oh well. There were a few things that I am realizing will have to be changed as they are not comfortable. But that can be done. Working from the office back to the disruptions and distractions and noise. Oh, how I missed being at home. My daughter drove me to work and home. She works until 4:30 so I just hung around inside the office chatting with a couple of staff that were “done” but just tidying up. I had no desire to wait outside. Our downtown area is not safe at the best of times. So inside I stayed until she pulled up out front. I love the drives with her. We chat about everything. It seems to be our catch up time.

I think that we have lost the art of conversation. Chatting about the little things like maybe “where did you get that nail polish from” OR “did you notice all of the robins in the neighbourhood” OR “did you see the sunset last night.” We are so caught up in the major “dramas” in our life that the little things slip away, fall to the wayside. No time for them when we are trying to do what is expected or needs to be done. Anyway, it would be nice to have a conversation about good things, nice things, loving things and stay away from the drama. We all need to vent, I certainly get that as I do that just like the rest of the human population. Back to living in the moment. Keeping positive. Even the way we talk affects our minutes, our hours and our days on this planet. How about when the Universe seems to be giving up that little nudge, or that kick in the butt – we listen and take action. I just realized that with these recent changes that I am not listening and I need to listen. Remember your dreams. If we just sit back and let the things that we tolerate or do just because we feel there is no choice and let our dreams just be that, dreams , then we will never move forward and realize them. Nothing is perfect, for sure. But if I have learned anything in the last few weeks, months and years – if you are not happy doing something and excited to get out of bed in the morning – then you are not living your best life. Sometimes the first step is the hardest. I believe in you and me and all of us. We can do anything. WE CAN.

On that note, time to head downstairs and get that coffee plugged in, I know that I would love a cup of coffee. Time to get this life full of happiness once again. Forget just settling.

Have a glorious day!

Sunshine and rainbows.

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

Always, Carol & Alvin

It is a NEW YEAR.

Good Morning Tuesday

The sun is rising and the sky is blue with a few night clouds still remaining.

The garbage guys just went down our back lane.

I opened the window and called out to them “THANK YOU.”

After doing so I realized that the man at the back of the truck had ear phones.

So unlikely he heard me.

Anyway, I feel better saying “thank you.”

 

There are three small words that can mean the world to folks at this time or any time, really.

They are:  “please” and “thank you”

Often times we forget our manners.

My Grandmother was instrumental in teaching me good manners.

I have followed them my whole life.

I am certain that there may be once or twice that in my mad rush or blind ignorance that I forgot, and I apologize.

Just a simple thank you can go a long way.

 

How about practicing:

At the grocery store say thank you to each and every employee working that day.

Say thank you to the person who graciously moves out of your way as you rush along.

Thank you to the person who drops off the flyers at your door every week.

Say thank you to your family and friends just because.

Walk about the house just saying thank you until it rolls off of your tongue.

Remember when asking anyone for anything to say please.

Walk about the house just saying please until it rolls off of your tongue.

 

If we are all practising self-isolation you likely are not seeing many people with the exception of grocery stores and perhaps the pharmacy/drugstore.

Whether you are at home or out picking up the necessities.

Remember this without those folks working their shifts and sometimes longer at your local grocery store and others ….. we would not be eating or able to survive.

That is the truth.

They are really risking their health and lives every time they go to work.

All the services that are deemed to be essential/necessities ….. whether we see these people or not ….. send them good thoughts.

Like shouting out to the garbage truck as they stop in our neighbourhood.

 

Practise good manners with self-isolation and social distancing.

We will come out of this better people.

That is my hope.

Less selfish.

More kind, supportive and respectful.

 

Well it would be time to grab my coffee and get to work.

I am grateful to be employed during these times and to be at home with my Alvin.

I am grateful to be in good health.

I am grateful for the warming temperatures.

I am grateful for walks with Alvin.

I am grateful for freshly perked coffee.

 

Thank you everyone for reading my posts.

I really do appreciate you spending some of your precious time with me.

I hope that you have an awesome day.

 

Always be kind and respectful.

I/We remain,

Always, Carol & Alvin

 

It is a NEW YEAR.

Good Morning and Welcome to Monday the 23rd of March, 2020.

We had a great weekend.

No cell, no FACEBOOK, no other social media, no internet except for writing this post.

It definitely took my anxiety down several notches to almost nil, I would say.

I started to put together a little mantra to repeat throughout the day.

Hopefully it will help keep me settled down.

It all comes back to bringing work home.

I like my job but home is home.

I understand these times and I am grateful that I have a job and am able to work from home.

But it does not change the facts that I am invading my home with work.

Something that I will have to work on …. through this time.

 

I love being home with Alvin.

Yesterday I gave him his regular haircut followed by a bath.

As always, he cringed and balked at having his paws trimmed.

I somehow managed to get them trimmed.

Back ones always look better than the front.

I have started to keep the scissors close by at bedtime.

When he has settled down and just before I brush his teeth, I give a couple quick snips.

It helps.

The sun is beginning to rise as I can see the beginnings of beautiful colours to the east.

Those colours make me happy …..

We had a nice walk yesterday.

Changed up our route once again.

Mainly due to the ice on the sidewalks.

 

I love the morning sky.

Back to the sunrise.

It is 7:09 a.m. and the sky is beginning to grow light as the darkness dissipates into the day.

I love the whispers of pink, oranges and blues as they fill the morning sky.

The colour pallette brings joy to my heart and a calmness to my mind.

Both great things for sure.

 

I hope that you had a wonderful weekend.

I wish you a day filled with kindness and respect.

If you are feeling anxious …. try to step away from that which is making you feel that way.

I hope that you are able to do so.

If not, write down a simple mantra.

Words that bring you to a state of gratitude and joy.

Words that will reduce your anxiety.

This is one of my mantras.

 

“I am grateful to have more time with my Alvin.”

“I am grateful to have a beautiful home.”

“I am grateful to be surrounded by considerate and supportive people.”

“I am grateful to have freshly perked coffee each morning made in my kitchen.”

 

Take care out of your day for yourself.

It is the little things that will get us all through these days.

Go for a walk.

Get away from where you are whether you are at home or at work.

Being outside makes a huge difference.

Try to go near some water and trees, nature is a wonderful healing force.

 

With heartfelt feelings of kindness and respect to everyone including myself,

and to Alvin,

 

We remain, Always,

Carol & Alvin

My geranium is blooming, I cannot wait to transplant it outside.

 

 

 

 

Living … One Day at a time.

Hello,

A beautiful morning.

Windows open to let in the cool fresh morning air.

To keep Mr. Alvin comfortable until I arrive home.

There are clouds forming on the southern horizon.

 

We had another hot muggy day yesterday.

Luckily we managed to get a walk in right after work.

I, as per usual took along a full bottle of water for Mr. Alvin.

He has the slickest water bottle / tray for him to have a drink.

There was a slightly cool breeze otherwise I would have waited until later.

We got our walk in and after supper the temperature dropped quickly followed by thunder/lightning/rain.

Not too much rain but lots of thunder and lightning.

Sure love the beauty of the sky when there are storms.

 

On this Tuesday I am thinking about how blessed I am.

I am surrounded by loving and supportive family and friends.

I have me “Alvin” alongside me everyday to keep me company and to keep me focused.

I am employed.

I have a beautiful home with a yard.

So many blessings.

The most important of all is good health.

I am most grateful to be my age and to be in good health.

Everyday I count my blessings / grateful that both Alvin and I are healthy.

Makes the world of difference.

 

Well for some reason we are less on time this morning.

Not sure why.

I have windows to close before my ride appears.

 

Wishing you all a wonderful day.

Filled with kindness and respect.

If we are fortunate to be surrounded and live with kindness and respect, life is good.

 

Maybe you are lucky to have an Alvin in your life.

Or a Humphrey or a Teddy or Miss Aspen or Baby Milo ….

These fur-babies ….. so much love and fun.

 

Happy Tuesday.

 

Always, Carol & Alvin

 

P.S.  going to the Mall tomorrow night to shop for shoes……I have not done that in a long while….. so excited.

 

 

 

 

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Tuesday the 30th day of October, 2018.

Second last day of the month.

Tomorrow is HALLOWEEN.

Are you ready?

I have my costume and accessories all ready.

In fact, I took my accessories or props, if you will, to work yesterday.

Now I just have to don my costume and I am done.

Simple and done.

Thank you to my friend “G” for lending me one of her costumes.

I am really grateful to my friends.

My friend “N” fixed my kitchen chair better than new.

I had to run over to another friend’s last night to drop off a package to be mailed to a friend in Saskatchewan.

Canada Post offers free shipping on Tuesday to all small business owners who applied for a business discount for specific posting.

While I was at her house, our friend N walked the chair over and it was waiting on my porch when I arrived back home.

I called their house right away and Alvin was barking when he heard his friend outside but no way for him to open the door.

According to his wife, he sat on the chair on the porch for a couple of minutes.

That would have been a cute sight.

I am surrounded by amazing, supportive, funny, good, awesome people that I am blessed to call my friends.

How did I get so lucky?

That is a question for the ages and one that I am at a loss to answer.

Thank you to my friends who I am over the moon grateful to have in my, in our lives.

Both Alvin and I are very lucky.

 

We went for our walk last night and Alvin turned to head home well before the half way point.

Not sure why.

Perhaps it was because when we were closer to home we saw one of our friend’s little guys outside.

He ran over to say hi to me and Alvin.

His Mom was right there and we chatted for a few moments.

They are the family with the big puppy named STELLA.

Stella is doing great and next door is a 4 year old dog named SCOOBY who is the best fit to be her friend.

He is a lively, full of energy doggie as is Miss Stella.

We were out for a walk one day and Scooby’s Dad was dropping him at Stella’s for a playdate.

How cool is that!

Guess that click on KIJIJI was meant to be.

You never know what, when or why.

But live has a way of working out.

 

Well almost time to leave for work.

Have a great day.

Take time to take deep breathes and to relax.

Even if for a few moments each day.

A good reminder for us all.

 

Happy Tuesday.

I am excited for tomorrow.

 

Special Hello to: all my friends, a girl is blessed and so is her Alvin.

Always, Carol & Alvin

 

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Friday the 12th day of October, 2018.

It is raining outside this morning.

It started just before we went to bed and continued off and on throughout the night.

Seems funny hearing the rain coming down and even more funny watching it take away the remaining snow.

There be green grass once again.

How about that?

Guess what?

Guess what?

My SNAPDRAGONS are still blooming and looking so pretty.

Hard to believe that they survived minus temperatures and two heavy snowfalls.

They sure are hardy little troopers.

WOW.

 

Last night after work we went for an one hour walk with our friend “P.”

I love our walks and our conversations.

We learn more about each other every time that we are together.

She is such an amazing friend to me and Alvin.

He loves our walks with her, too.

 

Well today is Friday ….. so excited for the weekend.

No big plans but lots of little things that I would like to get accomplished.

I think that Alvin has his regular appointment tomorrow morning (they always call the day before to confirm/remind).

We appreciate that.

Often times we book it and of course, it is 5 weeks into the future.

Sometimes I don’t remember …. but they always call.

 

Alvin laying on his blue blanket – what a guy.

I love listening him to sleep.

His breathing.

 

Just so grateful to be surrounded by loving, compassionate, thoughtful, caring, supportive souls.

Thoughts out to someone who has an appointment today …. only good news.

 

Wow, it is really coming down.

Thinking I may have to pull out the umbrella …. thankfully I left the rain spout down …..

 

Happy Friday.

How about we start this day and every day by doing something thoughtful for someone.

Does not have to cost money or take a lot of time.

Just do something that would help someone else.

How about for a stranger?

We have to be more kind and generous to ALL others.

We are all the same after all.

Look at us.

A head, body, arms and legs.

We are the same.

The only differences are the ones that we make.

Really we are ALL the same.

Treat each other with kindness and respect.

Life can be short or it can be long.

Make your life and that of all others around you …. joyful and abundant.

 

Special Hello:  YOU …. thank you for reading this post and for being a good human being.

Always, Carol & Alvin