The New YEAR 2022

Good Morning ALL! I hope that you are doing well this Tuesday morning. Alvin and I had a fair sleep, I will say. We are always up and down and it is just a fact of our lives. Enough said. The morning sky is light with a few blue clouds dotting the horizon as the sun tries to peer through. Winter morning in Edmonton. I saw a couple of snowflakes earlier when I was outside with Alvin. I hope for bright blue skies and calmness. Yesterday we had pretty much gale force winds all day. We put on our outer gear and headed out for a lunch break walk but came to a direct halt a few houses down from ours. We came across a massive sheet of ice covering the sidewalk and had to turn around and come back home. Thankfully we had some fresh air. I have been doing some yoga exercises daily and of course we are up and down the stairs all day long with my office being on the second floor. So we are getting some exercise to help battle the lack of movement, the shortness of walks. I think that walking is one of my most favourite things in the world to do. I could literally walk until I couldn’t walk any more.

So it is Tuesday and today is the INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY 2022. Personally we should celebrate each and every day of our lives. Every person on this planet should be celebrated. Now we do not know everyone but that doesn’t mean that they are not important. We are all important to our families, to our friends, to our neighbours, to our jobs, to our schools, and to our homes. Today I celebrate that we are celebrating. So let us celebrate today! Celebrate what we have learned and what we are learning. Celebrate that we have come this far and that we have a long way to go. Celebrate each other! Celebrate the kindness, the respect, the compassion and the understanding. Happy Tuesday and International Women’s Day 2022.

I am most grateful to be have lived yesterday, am living today and hope to be living tomorrow. There is so much to do and to do learn.

My daughter is bringing our groceries after work. I am grateful that I will have some time with her. Let us celebrate our daughters today. My daughter is the most kind, respectful, gracious, gentle, intelligent, patient, loving and compassionate woman I know. I am grateful that she is in my life and I learn from her daily.

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

Always, Carol & Alvin

Second Half of the NEW YEAR

Good Morning Everyone!

Happy Friday.

We had a great meeting yesterday at the office.

It was the first time since March 19, 2020 that our team had physically been all together.

I will say that surprisingly for us, it was very emotional.

I had read somewhere that coworkers that were reunited after many months found themselves emotional.

I can only imagine how families that have been apart for all this time must feel.

When they come together or if they remain apart.

Definitely while this pandemic has had a physical effect on a great many people, I guess all of us really, we do not often think of the emotional role it has played.

Whether you worked on the front lines or were at home working …. we have all FELT the effects of this global pandemic.

It is most likely that we will be feeling the effects for a very long time even once it has gone.

Myself and the team were all reminded of how much we genuinely care for each other and by how much we “have each other’s backs” so to speak.

Our current team is all women.

I am glad that I work with such a great group of women.

We may not always agree on everything but we do agree on one thing and that is the well being of each other.

In the beginning I was hesitant and kind of miffed that we had to go to the office.

But after my coworker picked me up and we started to talk about things, I felt like we were both in the same place.

It was a massive relief once I spoke to and saw in person the rest of the team to see we were all feeling the same.

The meeting was so worth it and I am glad that I took that step and went.

The phones last night were interesting.

I had calls that ran the gamut.

 

Well the weekend is ahead.

The sky is clear and the sun is shining.

We did not get any rain last night so my poor plants need a drink.

I will give them water.

 

Wishing you a great day and weekend ahead.

Always worth treating all with kindness and respect.

I do believe that what goes around – comes around.

You reap what you sow.

 

Living my life with kindness and respect.

I/We shall remain,

As Always, Carol & Alvin

Second Half of the NEW YEAR

Good Morning ALL, yay it is Friday.

Alvin and I enjoyed a full walk last night after work.

He didn’t stop or walk slowly.

I could tell that he was enjoying each and every step.

Sniffing and walking.

Walking and sniffing.

 

Just transferred the money to the gal that is baking my birthday treats.

Those treats are a delectable carrot cake with cream cheese icing and cupcakes.

The cupcakes are one dozen vanilla with key lime icing and the other twelve are chocolate with salted caramel icing.

I can hardly wait to bite into these sweet amazing treats.

My friend is one of the best bakers, I know.

I have met up with a few of them over the years.

My paternal Grandmother was one of those women who could bake the socks off anyone.

She made the best jelly rolls, angel food cakes, orange chiffon cakes, cookies and homemade bread.

I can taste them now.

All the gloriousness (I guess that is a word).

The jam in the jelly roll.

The thin layer of icing on the cakes.

The smell of the bread baking in the oven.

That was a long time ago and I can recall those smells.

It is funny how much food plays a role in our lives.

We have to eat to maintain health and energy and to live.

But food has become over the centuries so much more.

We eat when we are happy.

We eat when we are sad.

We eat to celebrate.

We eat when someone dies.

We eat, eat and eat.

Christmas cookies.

Thanksgiving pumpkin pie.

Easter bread.

The list goes on and on.

We have channels all about food.

The industry is crazy.

There are bake offs and cook offs and grilling championships.

The list is a mile long.

Every celebrity that can cooks has their own television show.

We blog about food.

We have YouTube videos about cooking and baking.

We put photos on Instagram.

FOOD, food, and more FOOD.

Sweet and Savoury.

 

Well with all that goodness now instilled in your brain, I have to go to work.

I baked a coffee cake …. second one with this new recipe that I found in one of my favourite recipe books.

The night before I baked a few dozen peanut butter chocolate chip cookies.

For an outing this evening.

I am still a bit nervous as this is my first larger than 3 people gathering.

But I am prepared.

I made separate packages of the cookies and will come up with something for the cake using cupcake holders.

 

With kindness and respect, we live our lives.

I/We, shall remain,

As Always, Carol & her Alvin

 

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Sunday the 31st day of March, 2019.

Today is the birthday of a long-time girl friend, Happy Birthday PB.

Alvin and I wish you a great day and year to come.

The sky is overcast this morning.

Sunday and the final day of March, 2019.

Where has or does the time go?

No one seems to know.

We only know that as we get older time seems to pass with lightning speed.

I just heard geese honking.

There must be some geese flying about in the sky somewhere close by.

 

Yesterday Master Teddy spent the day with us.

I thought that perhaps I would share some photos of the boys together

Also I moved up Alvin’s haircut and bath to yesterday.

Which was a good move on my part.

Teddy and Alvin and I went for a nice walk just over thirty minutes.

The boys had fun.

This photo was taken Friday night when Alvin had his paws curled around his favourite toy “duck.”

You can tell from this photo that Mr. Alvin needed a hair cut.

I do give him a hair cut on a regular basis but it grows so fast.

He needed the bath – even though I washed him down after our walks, his fur just looked grey.

Supper-time.

Each had their own bowl and they each ate at the same time.

Now Alvin did come and check out Teddy’s bowl when he was finished.

So cute.

Hungry boys

Alvin after his hair cut and bath in the above photo.

Look how white and he feels about 3 pounds lighter.

Also to mention his front paws are his “tender spot” and after likely about an hour on them, this was the best that I could do.

Oh well.

I will try and snip here and there with the scissors.

Out on the deck.

What a beautiful day.

Most of the snow has melted.

YAY …..

 

Well I guess time to get this show on the road.

Humphrey the Cat will be joining us around noon.

So I have some things to do before he arrives.

Perhaps go for a walk before then as well.

Wash floors and prepare for work week.

 

Happy Sunday.

Last day of March – cannot believe it.

I hope that you all have a great day.

 

Special Hello to:  all the women in my life …… you all rock.

Always, Carol & Alvin

 

P.S.  I watched SECOND ACT last night (rented from Telus) with Jennifer Lopez.  I quite enjoyed the movie.

 

 

 

Thought for the day ….

Good Morning and Welcome to Wednesday the 12th day of September, 2018.

Dark out and raining.

Last night after our walk; we put the remaining flowers into the garage.

They are doing so great that I wanted to have them for awhile longer.

They are watered and if the sun shines they will get some light through the windows.

This cold snap is only to last until next week and then we will have some mid teen temperatures.

The flowers will love that.

I was going to wear a long sleeved top today and it felt warm.

I also put on socks as am going to wear shoes with them today.

I also am wearing full length jeans today.

All of a sudden my body temperature soared.

So off with the long top and on with no sleeved-top and short sleeved shrug of sorts.

That helps.

The first time that we start to wear warmer clothes feels odd, feels strange and WARM.

Also changed my purse from summer white to fall/winter black.

I have other colours as well but somehow it feels like should be black.

Alvin is snuggled in all his cuteness on the little blue blanket.

 

With winter just around the corner and who knows how short that corner is …. I am thinking that I need to get doing yoga/pilates SOMETHING on a regular basis.

Somehow that “roll” is not going away …. walking is good but does not take that away once it has formed.

Oh the joys of being past 50, er um, now past 60.

No excuses.

There are plenty of folks past 60, even 70 and 80 that are slim and trim, and super healthy.

I was so inspired by CHER at 72.

Now I know that she has had some help along the way …. but you do not keep that figure without exercise.

So I am going to get back into it …..

I have recorded several 1/2 programs so that there is a variety.

Even found some to help with the midsection ….

That is what I need the most.

You know it is a problem when … well you know.

Who knows …. perhaps I can even get Alvin doing some exercises.

He will certainly wonder what I am doing.

 

Well here we go again …. almost time to leave for work.

I hope that you have an awesome day.

Perhaps it is night where you are ….. if that is the case ….. have a great night.

Happy Wednesday.

 

Special Hello to:  my friend “V” ….. who is one of the busiest and most hard working women I know.

Always, Carol & Alvin

 

These beauties are safe in the garage.

Still looking to dry some lavender.

 

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Sunday the 28th day of August, 2016.

It is overcast for the most part this morning but it is clearing some to the south and I assume to the east as I can see brightness coming from that part of the sky.

Sunshine or not??

Oh yes there is some sunshine as it is shining on one of the houses to south of my window.

YAY ….. sometimes it is the little things that bring such joy.

I really would like the sun to shine.

It seems like we have had many days of clouds and rain.

 

Yesterday was a busy day preparing the house for the tea party today at noon.

So in just a few hours.

Some of the girls that I used to work with at the store are coming for the Steeped Tea party.

It will be so nice to see them.

Last night Alvin and I were invited out for supper.

My friend “J” made this incredible spread ….. way too much yummy food.

We had a great visit, me, “J” and “A” ……

Alvin enjoyed playing with Jasmine’s plush toys.

He only has non-plush ones because given the opportunity he just chews on them until the threads break and the stuffing comes out.

Even the hard core ones that are supposed to be “chew proof” … not so much.

That boy of mine.

So instead he has a ball, his snowball and we play fetch with that……

He has some other toys but not a soft one in the bunch.

Maybe as he gets older he will not attack them so much and I can get him some softer toys.

 

One of the girls is bringing her youngest girl so that will be nice.

Alvin loves children.

Well I supposed I should get this show on the road.

Get spruced up and prepare the table for the tea party.

I am going to make a couple of goodies for the tea party even though my hostess is bringing some baked good.

There will be Steeped Tea’s “Coconut Key Lime Dip Mix” with fresh strawberries AND “GuacamolTEA” with Artisan Roasted Garlic & Black Bean Tortilla chips.

We will have fun and Alvin will enjoy the company.

He loves to be surrounded by women, go figure.

Well he is a guy after all?

Laughing aloud.

 

Time to go, I hope that you all have an awesome Sunday.

Remember to go for a walk and enjoy the great outdoors.

I hope that you are as blessed as me to have some parks close to your home.

 

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

Always, Carol and Alvin