Last Half 2022 – October

Good Morning ALL! How are you doing today? A bright sunny morning here in Edmonton. We had frost overnight. Last night I had a get together with my friends at Signe’s house. Signe’s daughter had offered to come and stay with Alvin while I was at her house. So grateful that he had company after a long week for him. We had so much fun, always laughter and good conversation. After coming home, I spent the next hour or so chatting with Maddie. She is so grown up and hard to believe she was just a toddler when I first met her and now she is in grade 9. Time flies. I cannot remember the last time that I had such a long talk with a teenager. We were sitting on the sofa when Alvin moved from his spot beside me, walked over, and snuggled up beside Maddie. It was so cute. He really likes Maddie. I could see that Alvin was getting tired as his head kept bobbing up and down. I think it was almost 11:30 when she went home and we started getting ready for bed. What a great evening for both Alvin and me!

Today is going to be quiet. It is already getting late so this will be short for today. I am finding that I cannot quite formulate what I would like to say. Still feeling a bit tired. Definitely need some coffee.

Tomorrow is back to the office for the next three days and I am grateful that I have someone to check in on Alvin.

I hope that you have a great day.

I was thinking that it is less than two weeks until I start decorating for Christmas. Now that is exciting for me. Just thinking about how to do some things a bit differently using the same decorations.

Alvin just did some stretches and I think he wants to go downstairs.

I apologize for the disconnected thoughts this morning but I am really feeling a bit dozy. Time to get that pot of coffee on and perking.

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

Always, Carol & Alvin

PS: feeling very grateful for my friends!

Thought for the day ….

Good Morning and Welcome to Saturday the 4th day of August, 2018.

Already well into August …. where does the time go?

A beautiful morning.

You can see the sun trying to peek through the cloud cover.

There is a breeze.

First time in a long while where we slept with no fan blowing on us.

With the window open last night it was so comfortable.

Even had the blankets on ….

 

Well we had fun at West Edmonton Mall yesterday.

The Nephew decided that he wanted to go to Galaxyland and go on the rides.

Galaxyland has 27 or so rides including two rollercoasters.

One makes people scream in terror and the other makes them scream in delight.

The boy went on the smaller rollercoaster four times.

He went on the ship – twice.

He also went on this ride that “tested” your G-force ability – twice. (that ride went up 130 feet in 2 seconds or so at about 40 kms).

His Grandma and his Aunt were just as happy to be watching and taking photos from a distance.

We did some shopping and were finished and on our way home before it got too crazy busy in the mall.

 

Tomorrow the company leaves.

Both Alvin and I are going to miss them.

 

This morning while we were having coffee, I happen to stand up and noticed a HUMMINGBIRD in my flowers just outside the kitchen window.

Managed to snap a couple of photos.

I had the kitchen window open and Alvin let out a bark and the Hummingbird was gone.

I do hope that it comes back to visit.

Wishing that the photos were more sharp.

 

Well better get back to my company.

Alvin and I are hosting a BIG BIRTHDAY PARTY tonight for all the August birthdays.

We will have 5 adults including me, 3 children including one almost teenager and 3 dogs.

Auntie and I have some food prep to do so we better get cracking.

Supper is not until 7:00 p.m. so we have lots of time.

But nice to be done early so we can relax a bit before the company arrives.

 

Happy Saturday already.

Special Hello to: my family and friends here and there.

Always, Carol & Alvin

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Sunday the 1st day of April, 2018.

WOW, it is officially April.

April 1st, 2018.

The sun is shining and the sky is a pale blue.

Still signs of winter with snow still covering rooftops and the ground.

Temperature feels colder than usual.

I am longing for the warmth of summer days and nights.

This has been a long winter.

Too much snow and ice.

We are ready for flip flop weather although yesterday when I was out for a walk with Alvin and Teddy, I saw …..

a young woman, a teenager most likely, wearing a zip up sweater and flip flops.

I could hardly believe my eyes.

Both Alvin and Teddy had on their winter jackets as did I along with my winter boots, scarf and mitts.

The sidewalks were not clear of ice and snow as she walked along in her flip flops.

This action brought a smile to my face and laughter to my heart.

WOW, it was about minus 15 degrees celsius and she had on a hooded sweater and flip flops.

The wind was COLD.

No mitts, no scarf and flip flops.

Yup, flip flops.

I wanted so desperately to yell out from across the street “to ask why?”

But I restrained myself.

Alvin was enjoying the walk and wanted to keep going however Teddy was not feeling it.

We were almost at the park when he stopped suddenly – planting his feet on the sidewalk.

Not moving forward.

It was at that point that I figured we might just as well go back home.

So I called out to Alvin that we were going home.

He turned around and looked at me as if to say “really?”

Back home we went.

It was funny anyway because Alvin was pulling on his leash going ahead and Teddy was lagging behind me almost tripping me with his leash.

At the end of it – chalked it up to a funny story and fresh air.

When back home I began to prepare supper for our company.

I made a huge pot of “Easter Chili” and for dessert “Apple-Berry Crisp.”

The boys stood beside me waiting for the possibility of a piece of apple to fall onto the floor.

I gave them each some small pieces.

Everyone happy.

My daughter and son-in-law arrived with their pups in tow.

They left Aspen and Milo with us as they had to make a quick trip to COSTCO.

Well me and four pups.

Milo and Teddy did not take to one another right away.

There was lots of growling and barking while they got to know each other.

At one point Aspen growled at Teddy as she was likely thought that he was hurting Milo.

It all worked out.

The kids were not gone long before arriving to better change the ratio of pups to humans.

Teddy reminds us all of our beloved Elton.

A few minutes later my friend arrived to take Teddy home.

She stayed for a little visit.

Afterward we enjoyed our Easter Chili and Apple-Berry Crisp.

We also had some homemade buns that my friend “V” had sent to me from Saskatchewan.

Supper was a hit.

After supper was over and cleaned up – we played a couple of games before my family left for home.

A great day.

 

Happy Easter Everyone.

Have a wonderful day.

 

Special Hello to my family and friends.

Always, Carol & Alvin

Thought for the day ….

Good Morning and Welcome to Tuesday the 14th day of March, 2016.

WOW, they are forecasting +5 degrees for today.

I do believe spring is even closer than we may have thought.

I do hope so.

Last night it was not dark until almost 8:00 p.m.

Oh, what a welcome change from December and dark at 4:00 p.m. or so.

I can hardly wait to see if my spring flowers will come up.

I hope that they survived the winter.

When our temperatures go from the + degrees to – double digits it is hard on the trees and other plant life.

We have snow and then it melts.

Then it gets colder.

More snow.

The cycle continues.

Melts …. snows…..cold….

Been a crazy winter for weather.

 

Well here it is Tuesday and almost the middle of the month.

Tomorrow is my great niece’s birthday.

I believe that she may be a teenager – if my calculations are correct.

OH my goodness.

Truly the time flies.

 

Well the time is almost near for me to don my outside apparel and hit the road.

Catch the bus and go to work.

My bus ride is about one hour in length.

I usually take the time to snooze, relax, meditate and think about my day.

If you take public transportation ….. other than checking out things on your phone.

You could snooze, relax, meditate and just ponder life.

Somedays I think that in future generations children will be born with bent necks and thumbs.

Maybe that is because I do not have a phone ….. no, I am certainly not jealous.

It is the constant contact that people seem to need with that rectangular box.

Food for thought.

 

Gotta run.

I hope that you have an awesome Tuesday.

Just try and put your phone away for a period of time.

There is a whole other world out there just waiting for you…….

 

Special Hello to: my sister ….. Sunday ….. SKYPE, well YES.

Always, Carol and Alvin

Thought for the day……

Good Morning and Welcome to Wednesday the 13th day of August, 2014.

It is overcast and a bit cool with forecast of temperatures in the high 20’s….

Nice to have a cool start to the morning.

Might not be thinking that in a few months time.

Yikes.

Alvin and I have had to push our walks later in the evening so that we can actually avoid the worst of the heat.

As it was last night at 9:15 it was still very warm …. most especially if you have a fur coat on.

I was thankful once we went to bed for the breeze that came in through our open bedroom window.

 

Today is the birthday of my dear friend’s son “K” ….. Happy Birthday Nephew.

So many August Birthdays.

Tomorrow is my great nephew’s “A’s” Birthday and he turns 9 …… almost a teenager.

How did that happen?

Doesn’t it seem like before you eyes children go from being babies to teenagers?

Perhaps it is because once you reach the ripe old age of 30 …… times just seems to fly by in the wink of an eye.

I just keep winking and blinking and enjoying each moment …..

Well time to go to work.

I hope that you have a great day.

If you are celebrating a birthday or another special occasion …… have a great time.

If not, have a great time anyway.

 

Special Hello to: “K” …. Happy Birthday buddy …..

Always, Carol and Alvin

Thought for the day……

Happiness is a RED LEASH.

Happiness is being the “leader of your pack” ……

Now, I know in my heart that being in charge or being the leader is not “really happiness” …. but let me tell you

when the dog is pulling you along or

your 5 year old is screaming because you wouldn’t buy them the latest new toy and you are in the middle of a busy store, or

your teenager is having a meltdown because they think they need the latest designer blue jeans to live or

your partner just cannot seem to understand why you need a night out with the girls to relax.

Believe me ….. Happiness is the RED LEASH…..

Regaining some kind of order in your life is all about the red leash and being “the leader of your pack”.

So when the kids are driving you crazy or your spouse just doesn’t get it or the world seems to be banding against you ….

grab your “red leash” ……. relax …… be strong …… be powerful……. be the great person you were meant to be!!

 

Always, Carol