The New YEAR 2022

Good Morning ALL! I hope that you are doing well. Looks like a beautiful day ahead. Feeling a bit lazy and Alvin had to “make” me get up and going. I was just thinking that perhaps my iron levels are low and maybe that is why I have been feeling a bit “low energy” the past little while. Could also be due to weather and other things as well but could be iron, too. I have to watch what I eat and ensure that I am eating lots of nutrient filled foods. Which honestly I do but lately perhaps been on the lower scale of what should be eating. Sounds cryptic. Must eat better. I think that sleeping in chopped sections does not help either. For years I have been getting up with Alvin about 3-4 a.m. everyday, I suppose it has to eventually catch up with me. Anyway, I am okay. Just a bit tired. Sometimes a person’s get up and goes seems to have got up and gone. LOL.

Last night Alvin was up at midnight thrashing his ears. Which likely means an ear infection but strange nothing since then. I will keep an eye on him. He is due for his regular appointment at the vet which I should make this week for him. I work at the office on Tuesday so will call today and see if can make for Monday.

So it is the weekend. I believe we are supposed to have double digit temperatures today, which will make walking great. Yesterday we went for two walks and both times, I wore a light sweater and was not cold. I started to take the water bottle with us as well and Mr. Alvin has been drinking the water, so that is good.

I did some laundry later in the week while I was on vacation so I don’t have a day filled with laundry which is nice. I have to get going on cleaning out closets. I think it may now be safe to take the winter stuff and put in the basement closet. Recently I purchased some new spice containers (tupperware) from my friend Val so I will need to go through my pantry and reorganize. I will say that I do clean out my pantries and reorganize fairly regularly. I am one of those people who likes things neat and in order. When things are messy – I feel stressed. With May right around the corner and a garage sale coming up in June, I need to make a plan and get going on it. Do you find that once you get going on a task – it becomes easier? Sometimes you just have to start?

I suppose I am feeling the same way that most people are these days. In a rut? A bit low energy? Unsure of things. What to do? Where to go?

Well this has certainly been a heavy post this morning. I am sorry about that. Also I forgot that yesterday was Earth Day. There certainly wasn’t much mentioned. I know why I was confused thinking that we already had Earth Day and that was because of Earth Hour which was in March. One thing that I do want to do today is to go out and pick up trash. I have been picking up pieces since the snow melted but there is so much. My big wish is that people would keep the trash picked up from around and in front of their property. If that happened, would be so good. I noticed a lot of cigarette butts on the ground which makes me furious. I do not care if you smoke, cause I used to smoke and even on the odd occasion still have the odd puff but I never throw the butt on the ground. Did you know that scientists actually do not know how long cigarette butts/filters take to decompose? Some think could be 500-1000 years and of course there is not sufficient data to support this or deny this thinking. At the end of the day – if you smoke please do not throw your butt on the ground. Animals and birds may think it is food and eat them causing all sorts of issues and eventually even death. Nicotine is not good for animals and the materials in the filter can pierce the organs of an animal causing death.

Okay, I better go as I am clearly walking down a darker path and need to see the light. Have a shower and then some coffee and get this day going. A walk with Alvin. Clean up the “hood.” Today is a good day. I guess you have to walk through the darkness to get to the light. LOL. Sorry. I am in a strange frame of mind. Not bad, don’t worry. I am good.

Alvin is patiently waiting for me.

I hope that the light is shining brightly for you on this day. Have a great Saturday.

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

Always, Carol & Alvin

P.S. working on patience and laughter, today.

2021

Good Morning ALL! Happy Easter. Trust this will find you all well. Perhaps even enjoying a bit of chocolate from a delivery from the good ole’ Easter Bunny. I can still taste some of my favourite Easter treats. The marshmallow eggs covered in chocolate, Oh Henry Easter Eggs filled with peanuts and caramel and chocolate, solid milk chocolate Easter Bunny and more. Another favourite food item: Hot Cross Buns. Love those fruity buns. Alvin and I did not see the Easter Bunny this morning and did not find any special treats, but I guess at 63 …. he figured that I no longer required those delectable items. I think that he guessed incorrectly,lol. Maybe next year. We were up over two hours earlier than yesterday morning. Guess we just needed that sleep.

No worries, despite our late rise yesterday I had a very successful day. I spent almost 4 hours out cleaning up the neighbourhood. Shockingly I picked up over 50 of the blue and black disposable face masks. On one of the walkways I picked up in excess of 60 disposable coffee cups. There were so many shingles and the two large black garbage bags that I was carrying were getting so full and heavy that I had to leave a few behind. We have had so much wind over the past few weeks. My arms and back were sore by the time that I got home. In fact, I could not even finish and had to almost drag the bags home and pick up another bag and go back out to finish the 1/2 block by my house which I almost filled a bag doing. I am always surprised by how many people walk by me not wanting to make eye contact, do they think that I am a criminal or what? But then sometimes there are a couple of people that stop me and say thank you. I am not doing this for the gratitude but it sure is nice when it happens. I posted the story on FB mainly because I was appalled at the number of face masks that I found in our neighbourhood. I was totally disgusted by the number. No reason to be throwing them about.

I also heard a dog barking a few minutes into the trash pickup, and seemed close by so I turned to see this little yellow dog running to me and barking. The dog was on a busy street and I almost had a heart attack as I dropped my trash pickers and garbage bag and ran to the dog. He/she was alone. My heart sank. Now what? The closer I got the more she/he would run away and then back to me. As I approached the corner, I could see a man and his dog on a leash out for a walk coming toward me and I asked if was his dog and he said no. He did what he could do and I just stopped traffic trying to figure out what to do. Every time I approached the dog it just ran about. We were on a extremely busy street or couple of streets actually. I physically used my body to stop traffic. Just stood in the middle of the street so that no one could turn as I tried to keep the pup safe. As the cars backed up – a man and small boy came out, I asked if was their dog and he nodded. They both tried to coax the dog to them and finally after a frightening few minutes the boy was able to grab his tail and then scooped the dog up into his arms. They walked away. Then it was over. I apologized to the drivers of the vehicles and moved out of their way and went about my trash pick up. I did have a brief conversation with the man and his dog. We were both surprised that the owner of the dog said nothing, no thank you, nothing. Perhaps he did not know English or I just scared him. Anyway, I was so relieved that the dog was safe. I guess there had to be some excitement on my walk.

When I got home, Alvin was patiently waiting for me. I took the garbage to the back fence and then put in the garage until trash pickup. Once back in the house, time for a shower, I felt so dirty. But before the shower, I gave myself a haircut. My hair was quite long and now it is not. I haven’t had this short for awhile and am pleasantly surprised at how good it looks. Then a long warm shower. Once I was dressed, I put on Alvin’s harness and we went for a walk. I had a visit with neighbours while we were out. Then just enjoyed our walk. When back home, Alvin had his supper and I decided to order pizza as a treat to myself. It was so yummy. Always feels good to do some community service. I do want to mention that some of my friends that commented on my FB post about the trash pick up – said they saw lots of disposable masks just laying on the ground in their communities as well. I would think that this is a problem everywhere. What is wrong with people? I will say this, I was thinking that perhaps this is part of the reason that the pandemic is not going away and why our oceans and lakes and rivers are becoming filled with trash. People just do not seem to care. Easier to turn a blind eye and walk away. Well I will say this, eventually you will have no choice, it will be on your doorstep, your neighbours and mine. If everyone kept in front of their homes and packed their garbage properly …. it would help so much. On that note, I will say Happy Easter. I do hope after my “rant” that people are doing well and are safe.

Happy Easter

• 

  Photo by Ioana Motoc on Pexels.com

• 

  Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

• 

  Photo by Alena Koval on Pexels.com

• 

  Photo by Sharon McCutcheon on Pexels.com

• 

  Photo by Secret Garden on Pexels.com

• 

  Photo by Suzy Hazelwood on Pexels.com

• 

  Photo by Kristina Paukshtite on Pexels.com

• 

  Photo by Jill Wellington on Pexels.com

• 

  Photo by Jill Wellington on Pexels.com

Remembering each day to live with kindness, respect, compassion and patience.

Happy Easter ALL

Love Carol & Alvin

It is a NEW YEAR.

Yes, it has been quite the NEW YEAR thus far.

Good Monday Morning Everyone!

How was your Sunday?

Mine was great.

There were changes to our coffee plans right up until a few minutes before show time.

Originally one of the girls was going to have on her driveway (she has no garage).

Would have been fine but was chilly with HUGE wind blowing.

So then we changed to the other friend who happens to live across the back lane from her.

Then decided it was too windy and cold there.

I have a garage with no cars.

So the coffee party changed to my garage.

We practiced social distancing.

We opened the big door on my garage and closed the regular door to the garage from the house (garage detached).

This shut the wind out as it was coming from the north and west.

It was not too bad ( I was dressed for cool ).

We enjoyed a couple of hours of coffee, muffins and good company.

We laughed and chatted and chatted and laughed.

Alvin was on his leash and spent the time with us.

He would never have stayed in the house by himself.

Also to note the winds were so strong that they were blowing bags of garbage all around.

So many neighbours have recently been raking their yards.

Well you can see where I am going with this story.

Luckily I have an assortment of garden gloves in the garage.

So when a bag would blow down the back lane I picked it up and threw it back to the place of origin.

I cannot believe that people are not more careful.

But I guess why would you if other neighbours watch out for your “trash.”

Anyway, we had a great time.

Our first get together in over 1.5 months.

I missed my girls.

I have seen them individually as they often drop off groceries for me.

But to have so much time together was amazing.

 

I booked this afternoon off as originally EPCOR and my plumber were to come and fix my tap.

Okay, why would I require EPCOR you might ask.

Well the builder of my home put in a very cheap water shut off valve in the basement.

My plumber had to remove the handle as it would have broken off it was so tight.

I have never had to turn it off.

In fact, I wasn’t even sure where it was (my first house).

I should have asked about it and maybe I had in the early years and forgotten.

Anyway, with no shut off under the kitchen sink as that is the leaking tap, it had to be shut off from the main one in the basement.

Had it been working.

He got it half way and decided not a good idea to continue.

My only other alternative was to call EPCOR, the utility company and have them come out and turn off the main water shut off out front.

So I called them.

Firstly, they now charge for the service.

Secondly, they had to send someone out to check things out first before setting up an appointment to actually turn it off.

So they came out on Thursday and then I set up the appointment for this afternoon.

Late after work on Friday, my plumber got in touch to say that he was unable to make it today but could on Wednesday.

I called the utility back and luckily I was able to change to Wednesday afternoon.

Now I have to change the time off.

But then I was thinking that I need to pick up the trash in the hood so I am going to keep this afternoon off and then book Wednesday afternoon off for the plumbing job.

There is possibility of rain this afternoon but because we have been having so much wind as of late and the forecast is slight wind, I am going to keep this time off.

It will be nice to have a couple of afternoons off.

 

Well Alvin is squeaking so perhaps he has to go outside.

Time to grab some coffee.

Oh, Alvin’s BF Teddy came over in the afternoon yesterday for a visit.

So it was a great day.

We had a nice walk after Teddy went home.

Good day for both of us to spend with our friends.

 

I wish you a great Monday.

With kindness and respect we shall make it through another day.

 

I/We shall remain,

As Always, Carol & Alvin

 

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Monday the 7th day of May, 2018.

What a gorgeous weekend weather wise.

I believe this week is going to be warm as well.

What a great weekend.

Had two outings – one was a tad shorter than planned but wonderful all the same.

Had supper with my daughter Friday night.

Had coffee with my neighbour.

Picked up trash in the neighbourhood.

Got a burn on my face and arms.

NOTE: to self, do not forget your hat next time and go out earlier.

Enjoyed walks with Alvin and time snuggling.

**************************

Soon it will be time to pick up some flowers.

My favourite part of spring/summer is the flowers.

I love to shop for them, plant them, water them and view them.

The colours and the fragrances.

I am in heaven.

Perhaps this will be a photo day ….. some beautiful colours and flowers to give you that mmm moment to begin your day.

These are some photos of my flowers over the years since I moved to Edmonton in 2009.

Yes, it is true, sometimes all you need is some pretty flowers – beautiful colours.

Flowers for Easter ….. Happy Spring.

FLOWERS FOR FRIENDS

More pretty flowers……from my first summer in Edmonton

Summer of 2009, my first summer here in Edmonton

My flower bed all planted

 

YAY, flowers.

Special Hello to:  Have a wonderful Monday Everyone.

Always, Carol & Alvin

 

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Saturday the 28th day of April, 2018.

The sun is shining brightly as it is almost 7:30 a.m.

Alvin and I have been up for awhile now.

I switched my winter clothes with my summer clothes – one closet to the other.

DONE.

I had the most productive evening last night after work:  Alvin had his supper, raked the back yard, spray washed the deck, washed two loads of laundry, moved my winter coats and boots to the basement

and moved summer jackets to the front closet, brought out most of the patio/deck furniture, made coffee for me and my neighbour, supper, submitted a tea order, did dishes by hand, cleaned the house a bit and was

in bed by 10:10 p.m.

With the cleaning of the deck last night – managed to spray wash myself.

The end on the garden hose is slightly cracked making it impossible to connect the sprayer properly.

So I got wet along with my neighbour who was in her yard.

She came over to help me and I ended up using her hose to clean the deck.

What a night …. thankfully it was really warm so after the initial blast of cold water, I was fine and dried quickly.

 

This morning our little friend TEDDY is coming to spend the day with us as his parents travel outside the City of Edmonton to their farm.

I wanted to have most of my chores completed so that I had time to spend quality time with Alvin and Teddy.

The deck and back yard are all cleaned up so they can play before it gets to hot.

Supposed to be +27 degrees celsius today.

My neighbour is going to help me put out the base for the one patio table and lift the other table down to the deck area closest to the house.

Then we will be ready for sitting outside.

I have an idea for a short story so am making notes.

Time to have breakfast before our company arrives.

Tomorrow I am going to clean up the trash in the neighbourhood and pick up a few things at the grocery store.

Also rake the front lawn.

Always lots to do.

Soon the perennials will begin to grow, I sure hope so, anyway.

Looking forward to the buds on the trees.

 

I am inspired by the sunlight and Teddy’s arrival.

He is a little bundle of energy that makes you want to get up and go.

 

I hope that you all have an awesome weekend.

May the “sunlight” be with you.

Happy Saturday.

 

Special Hello to: my family and friends, who are my “sunlight.”
Always, Carol & Alvin

 

 

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Monday the 8th day of May, 2017.

What an awesome weekend I had …..

A sense of accomplishment for all of the jobs around the house and yard that were finished.

A visit with my daughter, son-in-law and grand-pups yesterday.

While my son-in-law ran a quick errand, my daughter and I took the pups for a wonderful walk.

It was a bit cooler to start but by the time we got home it had warmer up considerably.

Nothing like a good cup of coffee with loved ones to end your weekend.

Thank you for the early Mother’s Day gift …..

So full …..

I am so grateful that I am surrounded by love, respect and kindness.

 

The ground was wet yesterday morning so I decided to do the trash pick-up another day ….

With rain Saturday night ….. the trash would be wet.

Lugging around wet cardboard and stuff is not fun.

 

Well this morning the sun has risen and the sky is blue.

Great start.

Monday morning here I come.

Guess I will be taking the next bus as I just needed that extra 15 minutes on the sofa.

Sunday nights are not the best for sleeping sometimes.

Will have to change my Sunday night mantra.

Anyway I will arrive at work on-time.

 

Have an awesome Monday everyone.

 

Special Hello to: friends and family.

Always, Carol & Alvin

 

Thought for the day ……

Good Morning and Welcome to Monday the 27th day of March, 2017.

Another beautiful day on the way.

Perhaps not quite as warm as Saturday but definitely going in the right direction.

On our side of the street which faces north we still have about 2-3 ft. snowbanks.

On the south side of the street facing us, no snow.

Oh well in time.

 

Yesterday was a productive one.

I went out to clean up the trash in my neighbourhood.

After 2.5 hours and 2.5 bags plus a big cardboard box most of the area is clean.

There was a portion that will have to wait until this next weekend.

Several people stopped to thank me for picking up the trash and to ask questions.

One kind man upon request took my second filled bag and the cardboard box so that I would not have to carry it home.

Unbelievable the amount of garbage.

I can only imagine if I would have finished.

It was refreshing to have been taken notice.

Funny I have been doing this since 2009 and this is the first time so many people have stopped and said something.

Even a guy parked picking up people – asked me questions.

So it was a great educational day.

 

Mr. Alvin waited patiently until I got home to stay (had to stop and drop off a bag and pick up a new one) to go for his walk.

 

Well here it is time to go.

Gotta run.

Time for shoes and of course, they are lace-up.

Have an awesome Monday.

 

Special Hello: to my sister ….. sorry I missed our SKYPE visit last night.  Can we reschedule?

Always, Carol and Alvin