Second Half of the NEW YEAR – last quarter.

Good Morning All. As we are winding down and fast approaching November with then one month until 2021 …. what are your thoughts? What a year this has been! There have been so many changes and for some people those changes have not been great. For others of us those changes have turned out to be blessings in disguise. I am so grateful that I have a job and that I am working from home. I have said this before and I will say it again, I am ever grateful to my employer. I have found out that I do thoroughly enjoy those rare occasions when I go outside of my house other than our walks. I don’t mind going to the office once every month or so. I don’t mind going to the grocery store once in awhile. Lately as statements come in from my benefit provider, it is giving me cause to get my poop in a group and make some medical appointments ….. like eye checkup and dentist. The dentist and staff were wearing masks even before COVID19 hit the Western World. I would think that they are taking even more precautions like limiting the no of patients at one time. Lots to think about. Do you find that you procrastinate some things and even more during these uncertain times? You are not alone, you are not alone. So much to consider and to think about ……

Well it is five sleeps until Halloween and six sleeps until my Christmas Tree goes up and the house transforms into “Christmas.” I have contacted all the folks in the neighbourhood that I know with children and they all were happy with my idea to drop off bags of treats for their children. I am working on decorating the treat bags for the kids. Then Sunday the TREE goes up. I am so excited. My daughter as agreed to come over and I have a backup to help me erect the tree just in case. Always good to have a plan B. I thought that I would before bed on Friday night, I would take down all of the fall/Halloween decorations and other ornaments and put them in the basement. Maybe even bring up the rubbermaid containers of Christmas decorations and be ready to decorate. I could do some of the decorating before the tree goes up. Those are my thoughts for now – time will tell.

Yesterday my girl friends were over for coffee in the morning. We always have a great time. One of the girls brought over muffins and the other gave me my own little Halloween treat bag. They spoil me. Love these girls, they are the best. I am so blessed to have great friends, truly.

Alvin and I went for a walk in the afternoon before I watched the LIVE Open House for my friend Amber’s Fifth Avenue Jewelry Collection. I enjoy seeing all of the new jewelry. GUESS WHAT? Mr. Alvin hardly fussed at all in his new sweater and in fact, we did the whole walk without any unnecessary stopping. It was great.

I also watch “THEN CAME YOU” twice yesterday. Really loving that movie.

I am so excited that our weather is going to be all plus temperatures for the next two weeks with multiple days in the high single digits and even going into the double digits. The bunnies will be able to forage for food easier and longer.

Well time to go and put on the coffee. I hit the snooze and then the time on the microwave a couple of times this morning. ARGH. Oh well, there is time to make coffee and get ready to start work before my 8:00 a.m. start time.

Have an awesome Monday. If we all live our lives with kindness and respect for ALL, what a wonderful world this would be and can be.

I/We shall remain, As Always Carol & Alvin

Living … One day at a time

Hi, hello and good morning.

The sky is overcast but it is light outside and there appear to be no wind as the trees are still.

It is just after 8:00 a.m. on Sunday morning.

Our weekend has been both accomplished and filled with fun.

I cleaned most of the furniture from the deck, transplanted the Geranium into a different pot as per instructions from my friend, did seven loads of laundry,

vacuumed and washed all of the floors in the house, dusted and did some changing of items about in my bedroom.

Cleaned the toilets, yup all three of them and the bathrooms.

Every once in awhile I like to change things.

Seem fresh and new.

My favourite change was my office with the new paint job and bulletin boards hanging so nicely on the wall behind my desk and computer.

I do love my office.

The green is a happy colour.

Oh, I just am hearing some geese honking as they fly by.

Humphrey the cat joined us in the early afternoon.

Alvin and I went for a walk just before 2:00 p.m. we stopped and picked up Teddy to come home with us for a visit.

Spent some time upon arriving home just playing and visiting with Alvin and his friends.

The three Amigos.

Cuteness …. so cute.

Humphrey, Alvin and Teddy, none of which look impressed that I am once again snapping photos of them.

But they are just so darn cute.

The plant that was given to me by friends when they moved back to Quebec several years ago.

It was quite small then but when I moved it to the kitchen window it took off and has grown so much in the past year or so.

Also yesterday I noticed these small almost furry like flowers.

I have no idea what kind of plant this is but I love it.

Reminds me of my friends and loves to be watered, lots

The clippings that I took from the Spider Plant at the office have also taken off.

It was only a few months ago that I brought them home.

They are already producing “little spiders.”

 

Last but not least the Geranium.

It is still in shock from being transplanted but I am speaking to it quietly with words of encouragement with hopes that it will survive and fill my kitchen with beautiful pink flowers throughout

the winter months and then I can transplant it to my garden in the spring.

Note: I took this photo before I transplanted into a different pot.

Alvin had come into the house but Humphrey just wanted to stay outside.

He just sat there with his back to me for the longest time.

 

Teddy’s Mom walked over and picked him up later in the afternoon.

Humphrey stayed with us until after 9:00 p.m. as his Mom had been out and about.

The morning clouds have melted into the sky and it remains a blue with perhaps an idea of some moisture?

 

I love these weekends.

Just enough human contact.

Surrounded by Alvin and his buds.

Work done and enough time to relax and enjoy.

 

I am reading “BECOMING” by Michelle Obama.

Some books I may skip a word or two but not this one.

I am enjoying every single word and sentence.

Good read thus far and I do not believe that I will be disappointed.

 

As I mentioned yesterday I may climb up my six foot ladder and clean out the eavestrough that is attached to my porch and out my bedroom window.

Our tree still has lots of leaves to lose but there now is some garbage in the eavestrough so the sooner it is cleaned the better.

I can always get any new leaves that land in there out later.

 

Well time to go and have my regular weekend breakfast of toast without the banana as I am out of them.

COFFEE is definitely a must.

Gather up the clothes that are drying in the basement.

Make my lunch for tomorrow.

Figure out what to wear after I check the weather channel.

Make supper (chicken dinner with an apple/pear crisp).

Walk with Alvin.

I may mow the back lawn as my neighbour said she will do the front with her electric mower.

I mow with my little push one.

Might pop out with my friend to pick up a few things at the grocery store …. although I really do not need much.

Perhaps watch one of the shows that I have recorded.

This will be my day in no definite order.

 

Happy Sunday Everyone.

May you have the time to kick back and enjoy.

 

Always, Carol & Alvin

 

P.S. no snow …. thank goodness …. not ready for it just yet.

 

 

 

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Friday the 9th day of March, 2018.

Lately the mornings start out on the cool side but warm up throughout the day.

I heard a rumour that we were supposed to have double digit plus temperatures next week.

But last night when I checked out the long range forecast on the weather channel, that was not the case.

Time will tell.

We are getting close to spring.

I believe that might have something to do with Mr. Alvin’s sleep habits.

He was up several times last night.

We even went to bed early which clearly has helped me feel even remotely “alert” this morning.

I will say that the first time he did go to the bathroom and then later, too.

Maybe just an off week.

Oh well, I am glad that today is Friday.

We enjoyed a nice walk last night.

On our walk we bumped into one of our friends just arriving home.

I asked about the family and said that they were good except for some bad news.

His mother-in-law had passed away.

He was glad that she had gone and spent some time with her mother before she passed.

I also found out that their doggie had passed away last summer.

I know that it has been awhile since we spoke …. time flies.

This was a huge reminder that I need to go and visit people, my friends in the neighbourhood.

 

Well time to go and catch the bus.

I hope that you all have an awesome day.

Good reminder to us all, check in with your friends and family a bit more often.

Time has a way of getting away on us.

 

Happy Friday.

Special Hello to: my friends who lost their Mother and doggie.  In my thoughts.

Always, Carol & Alvin

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Monday the 17th day of October, 2016.

Well no moisture overnight.

The sidewalks are dry.

Do I risk it and wear shoes?

Who knows.

That is Edmonton, one never knows what to wear.

I know that there are many other places that are the same.

You can go to work with snow in the morning and freezing temperatures and by early afternoon it is sunny and plus 15 degrees celsius.

That would be Calgary.

Weather is an interesting item for sure.

I always check the weather channel for hints about the upcoming day(s).

One that that I will  mention about the weather channel is the new format they are using – is not user friendly.

Not liking it.

I suppose I should let them know.

Not that it would be changed for me but perhaps there are others that are not fond of it either.

They are trying to put way too much information on the television screen and it becomes “white noise” so to speak.

Weather.

I did see on the long range forecast that it is supposed to be plus 10 on Friday.

That would be crazy.

Perhaps the remaining snow would melt and we could have fall back minus the coloured leaves.

Oh well.

A girl can dream.

It did not feel as though we had fall long enough.

One day the leaves were green, the next they were yellow and orange and the next they were gone from the weight of the snow.

I hope that you had a relaxing enjoyable weekend.

Mine was good.

Able to relax and enjoy some walks without trudging through snowbanks.

Always a good thing.

Well almost time to start getting all of the items on for my walk to the bus and then from the bus to the office.

The lighter winter coat, scarf, mitts and perhaps the boots.

I have not made up my mind as yet.

I will wait until the last minute and see what my gut tells me to do.

Have an awesome Monday.

Special Hello to:  all those folks who take their precious time to read this girl’s blog.  Thank you.

Always, Carol and Alvin

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Friday the 16th day of September, 2016.

According to one of the meteorologists on the Weather Channel this is the last Friday of summer.

I guess it is just that as fall officially begins in a few days.

My favourite time of year.

Last night one of my neighbours came over for coffee, that was great.

Alvin and I had a wonderful walk and met up with some of our friends so we had mini visits along the way.

The temperature was perfection.

It truly was one of the most perfect evenings on all counts.

Yay it is Friday and the weekend.

Tonight our Lotto Max jackpot is $60,000,000 dollars.

What would you do with $60 million dollars?

It is a huge amount for sure but I know exactly what I would do.

Bring it on.

I would never have to walk to the store for groceries again !!

Financial freedom.

Financial freedom.

Retirement.

Retirement.

Did I say Retirement?

Well I would investigate more creative options.

Food for thought.

One thing about winning that much money – you would have to be prepared.

Life would / could change over night.

Well almost time to hit the road this morning.

Hey guess what?

Last night after work I had to turn the heat off and the AC on …..

Just left it on and will turn it down a bit so it cuts in later when it heats up.

Isn’t that crazy …. air conditioning mid September, gotta love it.

Happy Friday.

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

Always, Carol and Alvin

 

P.S. Cheer up …. your life is about to change for the very best.

 

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Thursday the 12th day of May, 2016.

The sun is coming up and it was cool overnight.

Last night I broke down and turned the furnace on/up ……

Sweater and socks worked for me but poor Mr. Alvin not so much.

After consulting the weather channel I decided it deemed turning the heat back on/up.

Not worth shivering all the time.

I noticed almost seconds after I turned on the heat that my skin started to feel dryer and I immediately felt stuffed up.

Definitely need to check the furnace filter – consult the calendar and see when due for a cleaning.

I have an environmentally safe one so all I do is wash it with soap and water.

Works great.

I think Alvin is happier that the heat is on although he did snuggled under a corner of the sheet last night and right up beside me as always.

He is my guy for sure.

Pleased to report that our beloved Elton is doing well.

He always seems to perk up when my daughter arrives home.

But all things considered he is doing great and they/we are waiting to hear the latest test results.

Well here we go again time to leave for work, really how does that happen?

It feels like I just got home from work and now going back.

Last night it was almost 7:30 before I finished having supper and cleaning up closer to 8:00 p.m.

Normally we start heading up to bed just after 8:30 p.m.

The night just seemed to evaporate.

Well as the sun shines and glistens on the neighbourhood garage windows, I shall sign off.

I hope that you have an awesome Thursday.

Special Hello to: my fellow bloggers … keep up the good work.

Always, Carol and Alvin

Thought for the day…..

Good Morning and Welcome to Saturday the 27th day of June, 2015.

It is already very warm …. bordering on hot already and not quite 10:00 a.m.

Alvin and I left for a walk about 9:30 a.m. and cut it short because it was already warmer than the weather channel is posting at this time.

Back home closed the windows and turned on the air conditioning.

I am so so grateful to have central air.

It definitely ranks in my top ten of things I hold in high gratitude.

Tomorrow is to be 36 with the humidity.

At the moment there is a slight breeze and it bright clear sunny skies.

Well today is going to be a quiet day.

I have a few things that have to be done and other than that …. quiet …..

Regardless of a/c the heat just does me in …..

Poor Mr. Alvin needs a hair cut …. top of my list when I have a few days off from work after Canada Day next week.

Today I am wishing that wherever you are that you are not too hot or not too cold.

That you are safe from others and the elements.

That you have enough to eat.

That you are surrounded by love and laughter.

That you have and show respect for yourself and for others.

Happy Happy Saturday.

I am also very grateful to be visiting with some of my family tomorrow.

YAY.

Special Hello to: my sister ….. only one more sleep.  I hope that Canmore is not too hot today.

Always, Carol and Alvin

Thought for the day…..

Good Morning and Welcome to Saturday the 7th day of December, 2013.

There are 18 sleeps till Christmas morning.

Wow, how did that happen?

MAIN TOPIC OF CONVERSATION FOR US NOW:

The western Canadian provinces have been experiencing deep freeze temperatures for the past week.

I heard on the weather channel it is supposed to warm to – 16 degrees celsius, that will be so nice.

As I look out of my office window the smoke from the chimneys is slowly rising in the air.

Even too cold for the smoke from our furnaces.

Just above the horizon the sky is a pale coral whispering up to the soft blue hue.

Very beautiful.

It is so quiet …. no one is out …. too cold.

I must say that once I get my “butt” out of bed I do enjoy the mornings.

It is funny that when it is this cold …. all I want to do is EAT and SLEEP.

I feel like a polar bear and at this point if I am not careful I am going to look like one.

Now all your polar bears living on this planet please do not take offence as you are a beautiful creature.

I only meant “size” … and I am not supposed to be “BIG.”

Oh well, soon this shall pass.

Time to get going …..

I hope that if you are living somewhere with cold temperatures that you remember two things.

Both children and pets should stay indoors.

Play games with them but do not let them play outside.

Too easy to get hypothermia.

Last night on my way to work the bus was late and I waited for over 25 minutes outside in the minus 30’s.

I did dress for it so the only thing cold were my toes.

I guess two layers of socks was not the best idea ( perhaps too tight ).

Anyway, just be aware.

Don’t leave pets or children in your car now either or any time, actually.

Have a great Saturday.

Sorry I didn’t mean to scold but yesterday on my way to work I heard a dog howling outside …..

It may me “mad” and “cry” ……

We need to treat each living creature with respect starting with yourself.

Special Hello to: SANTA WHO MUST BE VERY BUSY AT THIS TIME.

Always, Carol and Alvin