COUNTDOWN: 60 Days to 60

Today is Friday, July 21, 2017 and it is the 20th day until my 60th Birthday.

A lifetime is captured in our memories and in the memories of others.

If we are lucky those memories will be mainly positive but there will be the less than stellar moments along the way.

It is up to us to stand tall and remain with a full and happy heart.

Time is of the essence this morning as I have to leave extra early to help with the pancake breakfast at the office.

So have to make this short.

I hope that when you take note of all those days behind you that you do with an open mind.

 

Always, Carol

 

Thought for the day ….

Good Morning and Welcome to Friday, the 21st day of July, 2017.

This is what happened last night.

The skies got so dark just after 8:00 p.m. and luckily we had made it from our walk with a few minutes to spare.

I knew something was coming.

Well when I was thinking about watching one of my Christmas movies this weekend, perhaps I was not far off the mark.

Part of the deck looked like it had snowed as the hail stones huddled together creating quite the sight.

Like diamonds …. in the sky or on my deck, actually.

I am by no means a photographer and I only have a small Canon PowerShot so some of the photos are out of focus due to the flash and lightning and what not.

But I think they turned out quite cool.

It was hailing on the deck which is on the south side of the house and when I ran to the front which faces north there was no hail and the water was flowing like it was a small river.

I am so grateful for the drainage in my yard as it quickly runs down the middle of the front lawn between my house and the neighbours out to the street and down the storm drain.

It truly looked like a small river running to the street.

There was quite the lightning show and a bit of thunder but not too much.

My poor lilies out front took the brunt of the wind and heavy rain while the flowers in the backyard were pelted by hail stones.

I hope that they survive as I want to show them off to my company in August.

Well Happy Friday.

We are so lucky at my office as we are having a pancake breakfast at 7:30 – 9:00 and then we get to go to the parade for K-Days (Exhibition-Fair) or go home.

I am helping serve the breakfast so will be leaving home extra early to be there before or by 7:30 p.m.

I love pancakes …… which reminds me that would be a good thing to make my company for breakfast a day or two while they are visiting.

Special Hello to: my Sister and my Brother who are coming to visit us, soon.

Always, Carol & Alvin

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Thursday the 20th day of July, 2017.

Almost the weekend …. not like I am wishing time away or anything.

Talk about crazy weather.

One day it is 30 and so hot in the house and the next day it is COLD in the house and cool outside.

Truthfully I am pleased that it is not 30+ as I think it is too hot.

The air is filled with smoke from the fires in our neighbouring province British Columbia.

If our air quality is so bad here, I can only imagine what it is like there.

I wish for rain and no lightning.

I wish that no human starts a fire.

 

Well the countdown is on until my company arrives which is a few days before my birthday.

My beloved sister is coming to stay with us and arrives in the evening of the 4th of August.

We are excited.

Starting this weekend we will start to prepare.

First off, I have been making the lists so that nothing is forgotten and so that everything is perfection.

Excited that my baby brother will be joining us a few days later.

Excited does not cover how I am feeling right now.

It is hard to remain focused and on task at work.

But I will get things done and be ready for my two weeks vacation when it arrives.

So happy to have two whole weeks off in a row.

First time in almost six years.

Party time …..

 

Happy Thursday Everyone.

Special Hello to:  all those folks who are taking vacation or are on vacation – enjoy.

Always, Carol & Alvin

 

P.S.  one of my friends and co-workers gave me some fresh herbs out of her garden.  One smells of oranges and the other is spearmint.  Heavenly.

 

COUNTDOWN: 60 Days to 60

Today is Thursday, July 20, 2017 and it is the 21st day until my 60th Birthday.

Time is a skipping along.

When I think back over my life thus far I am both happy and sad but mainly overjoyed.

I have really nothing to complain about for my life.

Of course, there have been some incredible lows but without them how would you ever appreciate the highs.

We all deal with losing loved ones well before their time, and I have had more than my share.

But it makes you realize that time is precious and you must live your life; whatever that means for you.

I am quite content with spending quiet time in my home with Alvin – in my house.

Putzing in my yard ….. growing flowers ……

Yes, really, I own my own house.

“I am a homeowner.”

Those are words I only dreamed of saying and to be honest a part of me never really believed would happen.

It was only when I made the decision to retire from a career of 30 years that I realized that it was even a possibility.

I knew it meant if things worked out that I would only semi-retire or take time off and then would go back to work.

I only wish that I was independently wealthy and that would solve so much but at this point in time, I am not quite there.

Have to leave that door open for possibilities.

Because after all anything is possible.

I will leave you with that for today …..

 

P.S.

One thing I wished that I had the house when my daughter was young instead of her growing up in an apartment.

She spent the first 22 years minus 18 months in an apartment.

Perhaps then she could have had a puppy – something she always wanted so badly.

But in adulthood has adopted four …. she made up for lost time.

I guess things always have a way of turning out ….. if you want them to ….

 

Always, Carol

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Wednesday, the 19th of July, 2017.

A beautiful day on the way.

We were to bed later and Alvin slept till the alarm went off.

I was just thinking about what I was doing this date in July of 2010 and this is what I found (actually it was the 20th)….

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Today I am sitting my grand-puppies Elton & Penny so I am up bright and early (up at 5:00 a.m.) and actually it feels pretty GREAT.

The sun is shining and the air has a quietness of it’s own….. feels like a wonderful meditation.

For anyone who gets up a bit later (which is fine, of course), once in awhile it is good to get up bright and early.

Shake out all those cobwebs (I had a shower) and start your day.

It is just after 6:00 a.m. and this is quite possibly the earliest that I have written on this BLOG.

Have a great day and remember to take the time and get up early (you can always grab 40 winks later in the day) and enjoy your early morning.

Well off to have breakfast (and get that Alvin out of bed).  You see when I came back upstairs to make the bed and have a shower, he figured it was back to bed and jumped up.

I had the bed partially made and just threw down his blanket and he crawled under it (so cute) and is still there.  Time to get up “sleepy head”.   GOL (giggling out loud)

Okay, I am leaving/going now.  Have to remember to turn off the “wireless mouse” ……

Always, Carol

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I am so grateful that I started writing this BLOG back in the spring of 2010 as it is a reminder of all the good days that I have lived.

This was during my “semi-retirement phase” which last a couple of years or so and I had the best time.

Ah, me Alvin was just a baby back then ….. I miss that and of course the times that we spent with Elton & Penny.

They are always in our hearts and minds.

Happy Wednesday

Special Hello to:  All of you …… have a wonderful day.

Always, Carol & Alvin

COUNTDOWN: 60 Days to 60

Today is Wednesday, July 19, 2017 and it is the 22nd day until my 60th Birthday.

All I can say is that I think I am temporarily done with make lists for now.

My head hurts.

 

At this moment I am so grateful to be alive and have my life.

I am so grateful that I am turning 60.

I am so grateful that I am in great health, have wonderful, amazing family and friends, and that I am living my life the best way that I can.

Each moment to the fullest and learning along the way.

Creating memories.

Dancing to the beat of my own drum.

There may be a couple of small things that I would change or rather am working on …. such as the little non-rubber tire that has decided to place itself about my middle …. or perhaps

the lack of 000000’s behind the numbers in my bank account.

BUT You can have a great job, all the money in the world, lavish house and belongs, fancy cars and go on tours of the world but if you are not “living your best life” ….. well does it really matter?

It matters to me.

No matter what happens in any moment I learn and try to make the next ones better.

 

For Wednesday, the day of the week that my darling daughter was born.

The day that I chose.

It will always have a special place in my heart.

 

Always, Carol

 

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Tuesday the 18th day of July, 2017.

I am so excited.

After work when I was watering and checking out my flowers and tomato/pea plants.

I made an exciting discovery.

There were two small tomatoes.

I have baby tomatoes.

OH, yes I do.

Feels incredible to have grown tomatoes.

It has been a long time since I have grown a food source.

Makes me so PROUD.

This tomato plant is huge.

Lots of flowers with the promise of a million tomatoes.

Would that not be the best thing almost ever?

I think so.

While sharing my new up and coming food source, thought I would throw in some flower photos.

These are the ones that I missed taking photos of ….. above and the next one below.

Snapdragons, anyone !!

Each day this pot gets  more full and a different flower pops up.

It is a miracle.

Starting to believe that I have a green thumb.

What a wonderful evening we had …… admiring the tomato plant, the peas and the flowers and we walked in there as well.

Perfection.

Special Hello to:  thank you all.

Always, Carol & Alvin

 

COUNTDOWN: 60 DAYS TO 60

Today is Tuesday, July 18, 2017 and it is the 23rd day until my 60th Birthday.

I will just have to add the ones that I miss when I think of something.

 

2000: Came in without most of the problems that were forecasted regarding the computers, which was a huge relief.

2001:

2002:  My beloved daughter moves to Edmonton, Alberta and two days later I go on a vacation to the U.S. with a friend.  It was perfect timing so I would be moping around the apartment missing my girl.  Still missed her but was not at home to be reminded every moment.  Visited Las Vegas and area and went to San Diego and the day trip to Mexico (the crossing was out of a movie and not a good thing). A close family friend’s daughter had first of her three children.

2003: My first great niece was born ….. such a cutie pie.

Well I received a HUGE reminder of something that happened in 2004.

2004:  My daughter graduated from the Photography Program at NAIT and then went on to work for one of the City Councillors.  How did I forget those items???  Maybe I am thinking too hard.

2005: My first born great nephew and the apply of his “Anta’s eye.”

2006:

2007:  Elton John concert?  or was it 2006?  Regardless of when it was amazing.  We lost our little “J” ….. another heartbreak.

2008:  My first born nephew marries, I retired from working at same company for 30 years and my daughter marries all within a couple of months.  Attend Celine Dion Concert in Edmonton.

2009: Buy my first house, 1/2 duplex in Edmonton close to my daughter and son-in-law and grand-pups and move to Edmonton at end of March.  My beloved J passes.

2010:  Enjoying semi-retirement.  Back to Regina for a visit with my girl. How could I have possibly forgotten this:  I adopted my darling ALVIN CHARLIE LEWIS in January 2010 and my life once again was transformed.  I am so happy that Me Alvin is not too good on the computer or else I would be in BIG trouble.  OMG, how did I forget.  Just going with the flow.  I will post the years as I think of things for the last decade.

2011: Started working at Bath & Body Works at West Edmonton Mall.  Now that is a start to going back to work.  It was hard work but amazing.  That was in April and then in July I started as a temp at Capital Region Housing Corporation.  What a year.

2012:

2013: Working two jobs ….

2014:  I had the highest sales per hour in the company at the store. My daughter, son-in-law, Elton & Penny moved in with me and Alvin for almost one year while their new house was being built.  We loved having them with us.

2015:  Kids moved into their new house in April.  House was not the same after they moved out.  Worked last shifts at Bath & Body Works, miss the girls and the store in April.  Started to sell Steeped Tea in August.

2016:

2017:  This is a big year for me and all those who were born in 1957.

 

 

 

COUNTDOWN: 60 Days to 60

Today is Monday, July 17, 2017 and it is the 24th day until my 60th Birthday.

I will say that picking out a memory from each of my almost 60 years is not easy.

2000: Came in without most of the problems that were forecasted regarding the computers, which was a huge relief.

2001:  ???

2002:  My beloved daughter moves to Edmonton, Alberta and two days later I go on a vacation to the U.S. with a friend.  It was perfect timing so I would be moping around the apartment missing my girl.  Still missed her but was not at home to be reminded every moment.  Visited Las Vegas and area and went to San Diego and the day trip to Mexico (the crossing was out of a movie and not a good thing). A close family friend’s daughter had first of her three children.

2003: My first great niece was born ….. such a cutie pie.

2004: ????

2005: My first born great nephew and the apply of his “Anta’s eye.”

2006:  ????

2007:  Elton John concert?  or was it 2006?  Regardless of when it was amazing.

2008:  My first born nephew marries, I retired from working at same company for 30 years and my daughter marries all within a couple of months.  Attend Celine Dion Concert in Edmonton.

2009: Buy my first house, 1/2 duplex in Edmonton close to my daughter and son-in-law and grand-pups and move to Edmonton at end of March.  My beloved J passes.

2010:  Enjoying semi-retirement.  Back to Regina for a visit with my girl.

I may have to locate my daily journals to find out what was going on in 2001, 2004 and 2006.

Obviously, I do not remember anything specific.

YIKES.

 

Always, Carol

 

 

 

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Monday the 17th day of July, 2017.

WOW, another week closer to my vacation.

So excited.

We certainly had a mixture of weather this past weekend and I am so grateful for a couple of cooler days.

I am like the flowers and plants, I wilt in the heat.

Alvin is not a fan either.

 

Alvin slept once again until the alarm went off.

Perhaps it was due to the fact that we went to bed at almost 10:30 p.m.

Or the late walk!

 

Today it is all about the flowers.

I hope that you have a garden or some beautiful flowers in a pot.

They just make my day.

THE LILIES are BLOOMING ….. such a gorgeous Burgundy red.  Happy with my flowers.

Missing two other flower pots ……

I love the snapdragons that my friend gave me ….. they are growing like crazy.

Also the tomato plant is huge and the photo in the bottom right hand corner does not do it justice.

PEAS, I have pea plants.

Have an awesome Monday.

Special Hello to: All the lovers of flowers …..

Always, Carol & Alvin