The New YEAR 2022

Good Morning ALL! Another beautiful morning. The sunrise is not as colourful as yesterday but beautiful all the same. How are you this morning? What did you do on Saturday? Well I did mostly the usual like laundry and bit of cleaning. I still have a couple of loads to finish today and to clean the bathrooms. Yesterday I gave the boy a haircut and bath and chipped away the ice from my front walk and out front with thanks to my friend and neighbour who had come and place ice melt and gravel on the walks Friday night and yesterday on the big patch of deep ice in the low spot. We have a storm drain out front so it always pools in one spot and can get ugly quickly. We went for a walk but it was short lived as we had to walk on the side of the road as the sidewalks were either icy or covered with ice melt not conducive for safe walks. Alvin despite being dry he was shivering even with his warm sweater on so a bit of fresh air was better than nothing. We were talking to a newer neighbour who happened to be outside when his neighbour who happens to be a friend of ours saw us and came out on her porch. She introduced us and then started to tell me that she was just getting over the flu. Seems like a lot of the flu going around. We chatted for a few minutes before carrying on and then back home. When we got home I wiped Alvin’s feet and took off his sweater and harness and then carried on outside to clear the ice. My neighbour that I share the lawn with saw me and came out to clear her half. After that, I worked on the laundry and then decided that I wanted shorter hair. I had been tossing around the idea and then decided to just do it. I grabbed the electric clippers that my son-in-law had given us and did the deed. It turned out pretty much how I was planning it to be. A short rough bob. It is not perfectly even and that is what I wanted. Now later I did find the odd extra long strand so of course I snipped it off. But otherwise I had no intentions for it to be perfectly even. Why should I? If someone happens to notice and brings it up, I shall say that I cut it with that intention. It suits me and I LOVE it and really isn’t that all that matters. I am so grateful that I have the tools and can cut my own hair. One less expense and because it is super cool to cut your own hair. Now I know it is taking away work from another human being but really since I moved to Edmonton almost 13 years ago, I have only ever gone to the salon a handful of times and I also had a neighbour cut my hair a few times but she moved away. This is the perfect solution and especially during the pandemic when it is difficult to get out and about. You know actually I really do like to cut my hair. I like doing Alvin’s as well but he is not quite so happy about the process. I had to have a shower immediately after the haircut as the t-shirt that I had put on was covered in hair. So we both had a haircut and bath/shower yesterday. Check.

That was our excitement for the day. I watched a couple of movies on Netflix last night.

In addition to the laundry and housework today, I want to bake some oatmeal raisin cookies. So better get to it. Sometimes I lose my drive and just want to veg. I think a lot of people are finding that these days and most especially once you get older. I always get things done but do it on my own speed and desire. My house always is clean – just might have a fine layer of dust at the worst. Alvin is a neat guy. Only leaves a couple of toys out and about.

Wishing you a great day. Have fun.

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

Always, Carol & Alvin

P.S. I am excited to have a mug of coffee and watch “ESCAPE to the COUNTRY which is my Sunday thing to do in the mornings.

Second Half of the NEW YEAR.

Good Monday Morning,

Why is it that the weekends have to pass so quickly?

Sunday nights have always been for the most part “sleepless” for me.

I cannot seem to turn the thoughts off.

I toss and turn.

I think about what needs to be done at work.

The thoughts just keep rolling and rolling and tossing and going on and on.

Drives me a bit off the deep end.

Then come Monday morning ….. I just want to stay in bed.

Likely I am not alone in this respect.

 

Anyway we did have a nice weekend.

I got some things checked off the TO DO LIST.

Had coffee and a lovely visit and some laughs with two of my girl friends.

I chatted on the phone yesterday afternoon with my youngest brother.

The only thing that was frustrating this weekend was the loss of cable.

Connection not working.

I called the phone number for TELUS and an automated message stated that the wait would be just over one hour.

I could wait on the line or receive a call back, I decided to go for the call back.

Almost two hours later, no call back.

So I called with my cell phone.

At three o’clock, I decided to go on the computer and try their online help desk.

After less than five minutes I was chatting with someone.

She was going to “reboot” the connection.

After a few minutes she called me on my cell.

After one hour …. nothing ….. I unplugged and plugged every cord twice or three times.

Waited till the cows came home and nothing.

So after 4:00 p.m. she asked me if I wanted someone to come out.

YES, please I said.

So I have a tech person coming out this afternoon.

What a waste of the afternoon except for the chat with my brother.

Anyway, I am running late of course.

I definitely need coffee.

The help line is located in the Philippines.

I asked.

She said that they only have a few staff in Canada.

Well I thought at least we are employing people in other countries.

But at the same time we have lots of people that need jobs here.

Telus is likely not paying them much compared to what they would have to pay them in Canada.

Oh, the greed of large corporations.

Another story for another day.

We did manage to squeeze a walk in before supper.

I also made this yummy quinoa dish.

Just threw it together.

So happy.

 

I hope that you have an amazing Monday.

Be safe.

Keep well.

Have patience.

I managed to have some yesterday from 12:30 – 4:15 p.m.

 

With kindness and respect.

I/We shall remain,

As Always, Carol & Alvin

It is a NEW YEAR.

Well good morning and welcome to a SNOW GLOBE.

I decided last week to take today off as a vacation day as my carpool had booked today off.

So I am at home.

We were up earlier and then went back to sleep for a bit.

It has been snowing since about 6:00 a.m.

I do love the snow.

It is hypnotizing as it falls to the ground.

Yes it is.

I see lots of shovelling in my future.

 

The plan for today was to go to the grocery store and then work on the photos.

So now with all of the snow I am a little concerned about walking to the store.

I had planned to catch a taxi home so it will be just getting there.

Before all of this snow there was a considerable amount of ice in spots.

Now with the snow covering …. makes it not so easy to walk.

So now I am thinking that I will wait until after lunch and by then there should be enough snow to make it more safe to walk.

OR not.

I will go and shovel later, not much point at the moment.

Funny how Mother Nature can change your plans just like that.

Hopefully this will not last, the snow that is.

 

Alvin is laying on his blue blanket beside me.

I bet he is wondering what is the Momma doing at home?

 

How are you doing this day?

Are you at work?

At home?

At school?

on Vacation?

I want to wish you the best day.

Whether you are working, relaxing or studying.

Just enjoy.

 

Well time to go and have that cup of coffee.

Coffee in the morning except on the weekends.

As always I am working on drinking more water.

To keep well hydrated.

 

Happy Tuesday.

 

Filled with Kindness and Respect, Always.

Carol & Alvin

 

 

Living … One day at a time.

Hello,

Good Morning,

Guess what?

Two things.

First thing:

It is raining and has been since we were first awake and downstairs at 2:00 a.m.

Yup, Mr. Alvin had to go outside.

Second thing:

Technical difficulty.

Batteries were low on the keyboard.

So I remembered to bring some upstairs to change them this morning.

Only thing …. they did not wish to cooperate.

I spent almost ten minutes fussing with them.

Finally working and now I have to leave.

Note to self: never change batteries in the morning.

 

I hope that you all have an awesome day.

Remember today is Friday and for those of us lucky to have weekends off we are hooting and hollering.

For those folks who have to work on the weekends, I once was once of you, I can sympathize.

 

Happy Friday.

With kindness and respect I shall carry on …..

 

Always, Carol & Alvin

Thought for the day ….

Good Morning and Welcome to Saturday the 20th day of October, 2018.

The sun is shining but not full on bright as of yet.

With promises to do so.

Most of the leaves have fallen now.

I can only see bare branches on the trees from my office window.

Out front is a different story.

My tree dropped her leaves a few weeks ago and I raked them.

Now leaves from neighbours have covered the lawn once again.

Perhaps it will be a good day to rake them.

Raking is good exercise.

 

This morning Alvin has his regular vet appointment.

Although this one is a couple of weeks later than usual due to Thanksgiving and the vet being away.

But he is okay.

Just nails and bum squeeze, the usual.

 

Last night the 10 year-old daughter of a friend spent the evening with Alvin and I.

I stopped on the way home and picked up groceries and caught a taxi home.

Yes, I did.

No longer am I going to stress myself out carrying heavy bags home.

It was great.

Anyway back to the story.

Sidetracked.

Sorry.

After I put away the groceries and got changed, our little friend came over.

Her Mom brought along “treats” of chips (my favourite and I don’t eat them much), popcorn and cinnamon buns (the good ones).

Yum but not yum.

After we said our good-byes we snagged Alvin got his harness and leash on and were on our way.

It was beautiful night but a little cool but comfortable.

She wanted to go to her school park and show me her “gymnastic routine.”

So off we went.

M wanted to hold Alvin’s leash and that she did.

She did really good.

We came across a few big dogs and some stayed at a distance and one we were up close and Alvin was okay.

He is still a bit nervous around larger dogs since the St. Bernard decided to join our garage sale when he was a puppy, a whole different story.

I watched her do her routine and play on the equipment.

Which was impressive.

I remember we had swings and a teeter totter.

It was almost dark by the time we got home and I was HUNGRY as I had not eaten much all day.

We filled our evening with a serious breath taking game of JENGA (she loves it, too).

I won.

Watched the movie ANT MAN.

Yes, ANT MAN, it would seem like I have lots in common with this 10 year old.

We were going to play CONNECT FOUR but her Mom got back before the movie ended.

It was so much fun.

I had forgotten.

Not too often it is me and a young one.

Alvin had his moments as even though he knows her and likes her – I think he misses having me all to himself.

Although M gave him lots of attention.

So that was our night.

 

Saturday, it is and I had better get this show on the road.

I do say that a lot, don’t I?

Oh well.

 

Have an awesome Saturday.

Time to go and finish getting laundry from upstairs (changed bedding already), get dressed and eat breakfast.

It will be time to leave for Al’s vet appointment.

I am grateful for the weekends.

 

Special Hello to:  all those folks who love weekends which would be ALL of us.

Always, Carol & Alvin

Thought for the day ….

Good Morning and Welcome to Saturday the 9th day of June, 2018.

Oh, what an absolutely glorious morning it is here in Edmonton.

Alvin was up early and then we went back to bed.

I had wanted to get up earlier than usual so that we could go for a walk before the heat sets in and possibility of storms.

We were up about 7:30 a.m. which isn’t that early for a lot of people but I am up at 5:00 or earlier during the work week and like to sleep in on the weekends when I can.

I opened some windows to create that cross draft as there is a beautiful cool breeze.

Donned my shorts and t-shirt.

Grabbed the leash and cornered the boy to put his harness on.

(He was upstairs).

Usually it is going around the kitchen table for ten minutes (as he hides underneath) before I am able to get him ready.

Anyway, that is okay.

Grabbed some more poop bags, sandals on of course and the keys and not forgetting Al’s water bottle.

And we were off.

The cool breeze hit me as I opened the door blowing into my face and washing over me.

I could have stood there for eternity basking in the perfect cool air.

Locking the house we were on our way.

I admired my flowers in the front flower bed as we skipped down the sidewalk.

Well perhaps “skipped” is more of a term in a musical but we were happily going along.

The sun shining brightly.

We past a neighbour closer to the lake out watering his flowers and said “good morning” to each other.

At the lake the breeze moved the trees and grass around the water.

Each blade of grass appeared to be dancing around as the branches on the trees swayed to that music of the birds.

I have never heard so many birds singing their songs all at once.

I thought I was in heaven or some magical place.

We looked for the geese and their goslings but to no avail.

We saw a couple of ladies out walking with their dogs (one was running).

Stopping to say “hello.”

The smell to the air is better than the smell of freshly brewing coffee.

Er, maybe I mean to say “the freshness of the air tickled my nose and gave me this washed over feeling of zen.

Nothing compares to, nothing compares to coffee.

I love the smell of coffee brewing.

Now that we have that established….carry on.

Alvin enjoyed sniffing every blade of grass along the way.

He also enjoyed a sip of water here and there.

The water shone with a brilliance of polished diamonds.

So absolutely breathtaking, I had to stop and just take it all in.

Both Alvin and I could have stayed there forever.

It was one of the best walks we have ever taken, perfection.

Everything fell perfectly into place.

 

So now back at home time for a reality check.

Time to change bedding, start laundry, have breakfast and that beloved cup of COFFEE and get things done.

I hope that you all have that magic in your day.

 

Special Hello to: all those folks who enjoy a morning walk.

Always, Carol & Alvin

 

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Wednesday the 28th day of February, 2018.

The last day of February 2018.

What a great way to celebrate this day with the birthday of my nephew “D.”

Sending him out wonderful wishes for an amazing day.

The weather is supposed to be mild today.

 

I can feel it in my bones that today is going to be like the first day of the rest of my life.

Sometimes you have to stop and think about your life.

The manner in which you speak to people.

The way that you do things.

My work and home life are so different.

Time to bring my home life to work.

Time to be my true self.

Somewhere along this crazy journey I forgot myself at work.

You can get wrapped up in things and sometimes lose yourself.

That has been me.

I am usually a positive, happy, energetic human being.

I want to be that person during the day and not just at night and on the weekends.

Not that I am saying that I am miserable and mean and negative all the time during the day.

But I find myself more and more turning in that direction and it sucks.

Time to turn go back to me.

My true self.

Sometimes it is easy in different situations to get carried away and forget the things that mean most to you.

So today is the first day of the rest of my life.

I want to be fun, 99% positive (have to have the odd moment) and all the time retaining my hard work ethic.

I believe in working hard and earning my salary.

But after all we spend most of our waking hours at the office, at your job so we have to remember to have a bit of fun along the way.

Happy Wednesday.

I am back.

Thank goodness.

I remember.

Special Hello to: all those folks who struggle with the work and home balance of being there true self in the midst of it all.  I hear you.

Always, Carol & Alvin

Thought for the day …..

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

It is overcast but mild here in Edmonton.

There is no noise in the neighbourhood as likely the children are sleeping in or perhaps eating breakfast or maybe watching cartoons or playing videos.

I remember years ago on the weekend when my daughter was young …… we would get up and eat breakfast while watching cartoons.

We both loved to watch The Flintstones Cartoon.

We loved Fred and Barney.;

I wished that they would replay those cartoons on YTV …… maybe someday.

Ya Ba Dab A Do.

Say that two times straight …. yes you can.

Now our weekends are different.

Alvin is  not much for cartoons although some television interests him.

Oh the good old days.

 

Well almost time for a shower before our company arrives for coffee.

One of my girl friends and her sons are coming over for a visit.

Always love to see our friends.

Following the coffee break – Mr. Alvin is going to have a hair cut and bath.

Perhaps we will sneak a walk in before we do the hair cut and bath.

Yes, better walk first so that he does not catch a cold.

 

I started writing up Christmas Cards yesterday.

Always good to have them ready to post.

 

I hope that you are enjoying your Sunday.

I am grateful to have Sundays at home.

Always great to have company.

Always great to have a hair cut, right Alvin.

 

Happy Sunday.

Please relax, you deserve some down time.

 

Special Hello to: my friends …. yes, you and you and you ……. have an awesome day.

Always, Carol & Alvin

 

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Sunday the 25th day of June, 2017.

We have had a glorious weekend here in Edmonton.

The sky was a bright blue earlier but now is clouding over…

I am planning to mow the grass so hopefully if it does rain that it waits for a little while.

Yesterday morning I helped my neighbour move things about from her garage to mine, temporarily.

Alvin had some anxiety issues and one of my friends from down the street heard him and came to the rescue.

She was worried that something had happened to me.

I guess when you live by yourself having people watch out is a good thing.

He was whining and barking as I had put a little wall so that he could not come into the garage from our backyard.

I did not want him to go into the back lane and a car come zooming down …. well you know what I mean.

I had been checking on him everything I came back into the garage but he is definitely a Momma’s boy …. has to be at my side on the weekends.

He is fine during the week but on the weekends when I am home ….. I have to be accessible to him.

All is well.

We had a play date with our friend and her little dog Presley although they really did not play with each other much.

Work in progress.  We had fun and Alvin played with a toy in the back yard …. running and chasing.  So cute.

Well after spending almost 45 minutes on my COUNTDOWN: 60 Days to 60 post I had better get going.

Lots to do.

 

Have an awesome Sunday.

Looking forward to mowing the grass.

Happy Sunday.

 

Special Hello to: my friend “V” who has the best ideas.

Always, Carol and Alvin

COUNTDOWN: 60 Days to 60

Today is Monday June 19, 2017 and it is the 52 day until my 60th Birthday.

Well here we are with only 52 days until my 60th Birthday.

Thoughts of family, friends, memories, bucket lists, favourite things fill my head.

How often do you think about your most favourite things in this world?

It can be anything or anyone.

How may are your absolute favs?

Well I am going to do a list of 60 …… this may be over the course of a few days …..

So this is the plan from today being Monday until Friday I will post 12 of my most favourite things starting at 60 and working to #1.

60.   Sunshine

59.   Rain clouds

58.   Deep dish Apple Pie

57.   Peaches and Cream Steeped Tea

56.   Trees blowing in the wind

55.   Stillness of early morning

54.   Sun shining on the snow

53.   Brilliant colours

52.   Shopping

51.    Travelling

50.   Free things

49.   Weekends

 

Always, Carol