The New YEAR 2022

Good Morning ALL! I hope that you are all well. What a beautiful morning. There are the most soft pink streaks filling the morning sky as the sunrises. I can see the sun rising and the moon still solid in its’ place. I was just outside in the back with Alvin and it is so nice outside. Truly spring is here. We had plus 9+ celsius degrees yesterday and the snow is melting and there are not puddles but pools and ponds of water everywhere including on our sidewalks and in our yards. There remains ice everywhere. Yesterday at my lunch break when my daughter arrived she was not even able to safely park in the garage due to the deep ruts in the back lane. How bad is that? The ruts have to be at least 8″ deep. This has to be the worse winter/spring that we have had since I moved to Edmonton at the end of March 2009. Hard to believe in about one week it will be 13 years since I moved into my beautiful house. My how time flies.

I must say how much I love the pink streaks in the morning sky. So pretty.

The past few days I seem to be dreaming a lot. I can get up at 4:00 with Alvin, lay on the sofa a few minutes later and seem to pick up where I left off and then again until I get up for the day. This morning I was bad as I hit the snooze button on my phone a whopping three times. I do think that it takes awhile to adjust to the time change. Losing a hour basically. Oh well another week and I should be back to normal. I would like to set the alarm and then we both get up at that time. But too late likely for that to happen. We both find ourselves needing to get up to hit the bathroom. Poor Alvin when he needs to go he has to go outside. I sometimes think it would be good if he was “pad trained” and I suppose it is never too late.

Alvin has been wanting to play with me and his toys as of late. Moreso that usual. He likes to pick up a toy and bring it to me to play tug. So cute. I love playing with him. He does this little growl and I pretend to be pulling hard. But I do not want to pull with all of my weight and hurt him. So we do this little back and forth and in between I manage to gently get the toy and toss it away. He runs for it and brings it back, sometimes. Depends on his mood, I suppose.

Not much new. Oh, almost forgot that I watched most of the Adele special from London. It was glorious. She definitely is my favourite performer. Personally and down to earth and the girl can SING. No one has a voice like she does. No one. Love her tone. I was in heaven just listening to her.

Well time to start turning on the work computer and have a sip of coffee or three before starting work. Hard to believe it is Tuesday, March 22, 2022.

I hope that you have a glorious day and that spring is in full swing wherever you may be!

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

Always, Carol & Alvin

P.S.

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2021

Good Morning ALL! How are you this Tuesday morning? Alvin and I are well. We had a pretty good sleep from about 9:30 – 4:00 and then it was up a few times before I actually hauled my bottom off the sofa a few minutes ago. Today, I work the late shift so start work at 11:00 a.m. and work until 7:00 p.m. The best part of this shift is starting late and taking my 45 minute break at 3:00 p.m. as the temperature is usually perfect mid afternoon. It is a very broken up shift and I spend from 4-7 p.m. on the phone, ugh. Oh well. It is an gorgeous morning. The sun is now up and shining every so brightly in the most glorious bright blue morning sky. Guess what? The tea order arrived yesterday afternoon – one day early. I was pleasantly and happily surprised.

Alvin was trying for at least a hour or so to get me up and I just wanted to lay there snuggled under the blanket on the sofa. I love just laying still with my thoughts wandering here and there and then sometimes dozing off and waking up mid dream or mid thought. What a great way to begin a day. Gently with no mad rush to begin the day. He is giving me some kind of look from the hallway. Not quite sure what the look means but he is giving me a stare. Oh my boy, I love you.

I was thinking about planting flowers. The tulip bulbs went in on the weekend and I wonder how long before they break through the earth? Or will they? Hard to know. The bulbs seemed to be okay but honestly I know nothing about tulips except they are my daughter’s favourite flower and I love them, too. Oh well, time will tell. In a month or so, the weather should be settled and past the threat of freezing temperatures overnight so that I can put my geranium plants outside along with the lily who has spent the winter in our basement. My friend Pauline gave me a starter plant to add to the lily pot as it will climb over the edge framing the beautiful lily. I think it may be warm enough today to bring up the lily and let her have some time in the warm rays of the sunshine. I am shocked at the size of the lily …. I did not think that it would grow over the winter but it did. I am grateful. Before I start work I am going to bring up the lily and place her on the deck in the sunshine. Also Pauline mentioned about planting her in a deeper pot so I will have to check out my pots and see. I am concerned about moving her as whatever my friend had in the soil surely suited the lily. Food for thought, I guess.

Well I suppose I should head into the bedroom and go and have a refreshing shower. It is time. I need to empty the dishwasher, grind some coffee, pick up early morning poop from backyard, and do a few other things plus have breakfast before starting work at 11:00 a.m. (lots of time).

I, We wish you a wonderful April 20th, 2021.

I cannot wait to have flowers planted and on the deck and the furniture out. First have to pressure wash the deck and I want to wait until this last threat of winter has passed. So a week or two. Also I am excited to get the fence painted this summer ….. it certainly needs some love and attention.

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  My Flowers

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Continuing to live with Kindness, Respect, Compassion and Patience.

Always, Love Carol & Alvin

2021

Good Morning ALL! How are you this Saturday morning? Alvin and I are fine and are moving slowly. Went to bed a little later than usual for us and then he of course, was up and down several times. Oh well, we have lots of hours in this day to accomplish what needs to be done. Sometimes you have to change your plan. We never know what will happen from hour to hour. That is our case. So up a little later than planned and that is okay. The sky is a brilliant blue this morning and the trees from my office window seem to be just ever so waving ever so gently. Over the earlier hours I viewed the beauty of the sunrise from the back door, from a lying position on the sofa and from my bed. At one point when Alvin had us up …. I noticed a light in the back and wanted to make that no one was doing something they should not be doing. When I was certain all was good, I went back to lay on the sofa only to find that Alvin had gone back upstairs. So that took a few minutes to sort out. Lay on the sofa or go back up to bed. Never a dull moment.

Yesterday I was able to go after work and pick up both a case of wet food and a bag of dry food for Mr. Alvin and of course the glucosamine replacement (Movoflex), I believe. Also while I was out I picked up some lottery tickets. Just felt like I should have some tickets. You cannot win if you do not have tickets. I would love to win some money ….. pay off the mortgage and perhaps be able to retire earlier than later. A gal can dream. Dreams are what got me to this point so why not. Our walk yesterday at noon was fantastic. It was so warm and dreamy …. felt like a summer day. Life. There are moments we love and cherish and others that we would love to toss into the garbage bin. But we cannot have one without the other. Hopefully more great ones for sure. I am looking forward to using my new Bissell Crosswave and I hope that it does what I need it to do. Time will tell.

Oh, I watched the new show with Katy Sagal as REBEL, the lead character and also John Corbett and Andy Garcia. It was great and I will definitely keep watching it. Something just a bit different from everything else on television. Which is great. Some of the other shows I am now watching are 9-1-1 (which has been on for a bit and I am late to the table, and love the characters), still watching the NCIS shows all three of them, back to THE VOICE after not watching a season or two, Bob Hearts Abishola, and a few others. If I listed all of the shows that I watch, you may think that all I do is watch television and while I watch quite a bit, it is not all I do. LOL.

Well I guess time to change the bedding and get dressed. There are bills to pay and a pup that appears to want me for something. My needy guy. I love him despite the fact that sometimes he drives me a bit off the deep end. But that can be said for any relationship, right! Oh well.

Continuing to live this life with respect, compassion, kindness and patience.

Always, Love Carol & Alvin

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  Photo by Ivars on Pexels.com

Second Half of the NEW YEAR

Good Morning,

Da, Da ….. Welcome to the first day of FALL 2020.

Our skies are overcast with deep blue clouds …. I think there was some rain in our forecast.

The trees are beginning to turn the most glorious shades of yellow, orange and red.

The grass is amazingly still a rich green due to the rain we have been having all summer long.

There does not appear to be any sign of a breeze this morning.

FALL is here.

The rabbits will be starting to turn colour shortly.

The geese are beginning to fly in large flocks overhead.

Thanksgiving is around the corner.

My neighbours are getting married on October 3, 2020.

I am excited for another fall wedding.

My daughter and son-in-law got married in October of 2008.

Seems like an eternity ago.

I am so happy that my flowers on the deck and in the back garden are still doing okay.

Of course, not as colourful and green as they once were as after all it is almost the end of September.

But there is some colour.

My potted tomato plant has a mass of small little green tomatoes with one tomato a bit bigger.

Oh, I did forgot there are a few that are starting to turn red.

I may pull them and ripen them in the house.

This is the time of year where we play a waiting game with respect to the frost.

I do pay attention to the weather forecast.

Once we get a hard frost …. it is most difficult to clean out the flower pots.

Basically you have to cut down the plants and put the roots in the spring.

Now that is okay but I would prefer to prep the pots for spring now but either way works.

I did want to load up the front flower bed with some fresh top soil but with the way that time is passing not sure that is going to happen before spring either.

Perhaps I will leave that although I did want to plant my tulips now.

Decisions decisions, decisions.

 

Quick story before heading back downstairs to grab some coffee,  move Alvin’s bed from the living room to the kitchen.

So yesterday after work we went for a walk.

We had a nice visit with our friend Pauline, her granddaughter and her boyfriend in the yard before heading to complete the last half of our walk.

Her garden, Pauline’s flowers are still as beautiful as mid summer.

Gorgeous.

When we got around to Alvin’s friend Teddy’s house ….. I had to let him go in.

Usually I say when he walks toward the driveway, “not today buddy.”

Perhaps I add “Teddy is at the farm” …. because they have been at the farm lots this summer.

But last night I thought let’s go in for a visit.

So in we went.

Teddy and Kobi swarmed me ….. jumping up ….. so excited to see me, us.

Alvin, of course headed to see if there was some food out in Teddy’s dish.

What a guy.

I could also smell something good and Iris had just baked an apple/raisin pie.

Oh that smelled so good.

Reminded me of fall.

Reminded me of the apply/pumpkin candles from Bath & BodyWorks.

Iris said “come out to the back and we can sit on the deck.”

She had stained it over the weekend and it looked so great.

We had a great visit.

Teddy had jumped up and snuggled on my lap for most of our visit.

Kobi not far away.

Alvin checking every so often.

Enjoying the warm temperature of the late afternoon.

Then before we knew it …. time to go home.

Alvin managed to snag this treat called a “bully stick.”

You do not want to know where it comes from and I am not going to say.

Anyway Alvin had this treat hanging out of his mouth and would not give it up.

Iris said “that’s okay, he can have it.”

So on our way we went.

Alvin galloping ahead with the treat hanging out of this mouth, a man with a mission.

He did not turn his head or stop until we were almost home (by the park) where I was distracted for a second by something but then noticed

he had stopped in the middle of the sidewalk, pooped and then started to walk.

Treat still in his mouth.

I stopped of course, picked up the poop and then with some water from his water dish I poured over to clean up the remains.

OMG, I was mortified.

Not on the sidewalk but what can you do.

We were really close to home when we, I noticed some neighbours coming toward us with their dog.

As we approached each other, they both said hello, giggled and remarked about how Alvin looked like a guy on a mission.

That he did.

He did not stop other than that quick little poop and when I stopped.

He was truly a guy on a mission.

Alvin has not really chewed the treat but has carried it around the house even to bed last night.

It is sitting in the hallway waiting to be retrieved on our way downstairs.

Okay gotta go.

 

Have an awesome day.

Take care and be safe.

Living with Kindness and Respect.

 

I/We shall remain,

As Always, Carol & Alvin

Thought for the day ….

Good Morning and Welcome to Wednesday the 27th day of February, 2019.

TO BE minus 3 – 4 today.

Welcome to SPRING.

For one DAY only.

This would be my one day only …..

A GIRL CAN DREAM, CAN’T SHE?

How about on this dreamy Wednesday we take a few minutes and close our eyes and dream of spring.

Dream of brown bunnies sitting on the grass in your front yard.

Dream of tulips blooming in your flower beds.

Dream of buds on the trees.

Dream of all of wildlife babies being born and the cuteness in abundance.

Dream of walks with only a light jacket and shoes on.

Dream of NO SNOW.

Dream of plus temperatures.

JUST DREAM.

 

Happy Wednesday Everyone.

Did you close your eyes yet?

Have a wonderful day.

 

Special Hello to: my friends near and far.

Always, Carol & Alvin

 

Thought for the day ….

Good Morning and Welcome to Wednesday the 7th day of February, 2018.

One week from today is Valentine’s Day.

WOW, spring is on the way.

It is snowing very lightly this morning and feels warmer than it has been.

Perhaps it is the positive energy in me that gives me that feeling, who knows?

I do know one thing for sure …. at some point in some amount of days …. weeks …. months, we shall have spring.

I love spring.

The colours ….. the energy …… the flowers ….. TULIPS.

Tulips are my daughter’s favourite flowers.

I would like to surprise her and plant some bulbs so that perhaps next spring she could awake one morning and find tulips blooming in her back yard.

That would be nice.

 

Last night my special nephew “T” called me.

His Grandmother recently passed away.

They were very close and I hold him just a bit closer during his time of loss.

Grandparents are so very important and when you grow up having them there at every stage of your life ….. they are greatly missed when they pass.

Hugs buddy, hugs and much love.

 

Yesterday was one of those days that I really thought I was losing my mind.

I could not keep negative crap out of my head.

Between work and the bus ride home ….. well ….

Today is a new day.

I am grateful to my “T” for without knowing it and without wanting to make the conversation about me, he brought me back.

Thanks again, buddy.

 

Well here we go almost time to leave for work.

I hope that we all have a great Wednesday.

I must remember to breathe and when those thoughts creep into my brain, I must move away from my desk and find a quiet spot to bring happy thoughts back to me.

Exercise …… we are missing our walks.

Hopefully this cold weather is almost over.

Regardless tonight we are going for even a 5 minute walk.

Both of us, NEED the fresh air and exercise.

Perhaps that is what is missing.

 

Happy Wednesday.

Special Hello to: all the dreamers out there ….. it is never too late and I am reminding myself of that at this time.

Always, Carol & Alvin

Thought for the day ……

Good Morning and Welcome to Sunday the 12th day of March, 2017.

Well it is still snowing and I cannot see the path that I had shovelled yesterday.

Clearly there will be some major shovelling in my near future.

We are almost ready for the big party this afternoon.

 

AS:

Today is the birthday of my one and only beautiful daughter.

I cannot believe that she came into this world thirty-seven years ago.

It seems like only yesterday that this wee little girl came into my life.

I will say again that I cannot believe that it has been thirty-seven years.

“A” is the star that twinkles in the night sky.

She is the heart that beats in our world.

She is the warmth that is kindness and love.

Her generous heart is unmatched.

She comes between the bullies and the victims.

With each year that passes she continues in her own quiet way to stand up for animals and people.

She is creative and always surprises me with a new creation, something done her way.

She loves her family.

This daughter of mine takes the quiet path to greatness.

You will not hear her shouting from the hilltops for something she has done.

She is beautiful inside and out.

I will continue to be the proud Momma each and every day of this beautiful girl now woman.

You were the best gift that I have ever been blessed to receive.

Many Happy Days and Years ahead …..

We love you more than words can say.

Happy Birthday “A J-C” …… you are the glue that keeps me together.

These tulips are for you…..

Alvin and I must go and put the finishing touches on your party.

It has to be perfect – as it is for you, my darling.

See you and your family in a few hours.

Happy Birthday.

Love Mom and Alvin

 

Special Hello to: my girl.

Always, Carol and Alvin

 

Thought for the day ….

Good Morning and Welcome to Tuesday the 24th day of January, 2017.

This morning feels like a poem.

I would like to share a poem that I wrote in 2010.

Wishing you all a wonderful Tuesday.

Wishing that we all use our imagination.

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IN MY IMAGINATION

In my mind, there is a place

Where the sun shines all day

And it rains some nights

Where the tulips bloom to my delight

Where the water is crystal clear

And sparkles like diamonds in the sun

Where peace is not just a dream.

In my mind, there is a place

In my imagination

I found my dreams they all came true

I could touch the stars

And walk on the moon,  and then visit Mars.

In my mind, there is a place

In my imagination

I met you there on a sandy beach

When the sun was shining just before the rain

You took my hand, and you kissed my cheek

In my imagination.

In my imagination.

In my mind, there is a place

In my imagination

Somewhere that I can go

Kick off my shoes, walk in the sand

Meet you again in my imagination

Under the stars

In my imagination

Please remember to go

Meet me there

In my mind, there is a place.

Written by Carol Yvonne Lewis, January 8th, 2010

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

Always, Carol and Alvin

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Saturday the 5th day of March, 2016.

Today is the birthday of my Aunt “L” …. she is the only sister and sibling of my Dad.

Happy Birthday Aunt L – we wish you the best day and year to follow.

All the time growing up everyone always said that I looked like my Aunt.

 

Well this is the second morning without Mr. Alvin.

He will be coming home within the next hour.

Oh, how I have missed him.

Missed that waggly tail at the door ….

Missed him snuggling up to me on the sofa and in bed.

He has been away for a sleepover at his sister’s house.

Lucky boy.

Getting spoiled I bet.

I am grateful that he has a place to take a break.

Even though I missed him terribly – it was great to see my friends on Thursday night and then last evening after work I stopped at the mall to do a bit of shopping.

Mostly looking but was great to do.

I stopped by and saw some of my friends at the store, Bath & Body Works.

 

Well almost time for the boy to come home.

My daughter is bringing him for 9:00 a.m. so that we can have coffee before dropping us off at the Vet for Alvin’s pedicure.

Yesterday I was telling the girls as I left for home about Alvin’s homecoming and his pedicure …. at first one of the girl’s thought I meant me and then we got things straightened out and she said “Well at least someone is having a pedicure.  Yes, I said …..

So nice for the sun to be shining and to have it light earlier.  I think next Sunday we put our clocks forward one hour.

 

I wish you a great Saturday.

Oh, here are the beautiful flowers that I received as a thank you for hosting the birthday party last Saturday.

HAPPY SPRING – I was trying to get some fun close ups but clearly I am not a PHOTOGRAPHER ….. oh well…..

Special Hello to: my Aunt …. Happy Birthday

Always, Carol and Alvin

Thought for the day ….

Good Morning and Welcome to Friday the 12th day of February, 2016.

This morning my mind has been racing to many different places ….. islands …. home …. work …. everywhere.

So I wanted to share a poem that I wrote several years ago.

Peace out my friends and have a great great day.

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IN MY IMAGINATION

In my mind, there is a place

Where the sun shines all day

And it rains some nights

Where the tulips bloom to my delight

Where the water is crystal clear

And sparkles like diamonds in the sun

Where peace is not just a dream.

In my mind, there is a place

In my imagination

I found my dreams they all came true

I could touch the stars

And walk on the moon,  and then visit Mars.

In my mind, there is a place

In my imagination

I met you there on a sandy beach

When the sun was shining just before the rain

You took my hand, and you kissed my cheek

In my imagination.

In my imagination.

In my mind, there is a place

In my imagination

Somewhere that I can go

Kick off my shoes, walk in the sand

Meet you again in my imagination

Under the stars

In my imagination

Please remember to go

Meet me there

In my mind, there is a place.

 

Written by Carol Yvonne Lewis, January 8th, 2010