My “Amanda” …..

Yesterday my wonderful daughter spent most of her day off from work recreating the “main page” of my blog.  She found two photos of me.  One from when I was a young girl, and the other from this past Christmas. Can you believe it?  My hair style is pretty much the same almost 50 years later.  I guess it could be 50 years later as I am going to be “54” this year.  I think that is a cause for celebration.  Whoa….

She created the banner in the header section. I am so blessed and lucky to have such an artistic daughter.

Amanda is also coming over this afternoon to spend time with her Mom while her hubby watches the “Superbowl” …..  YAY.  The sun is shining and the birds are likely singing somewhere!

We will be visiting, having coffee and making bracelets and maybe even a necklace or two.

My thought for this day is:  Always take the time to be grateful.  We all have so many things in life to be grateful for ……. gratitude rocks.  Remember to be grateful, and your life will be glorious.

May the sun shine on you wherever you may be this day.

Always, Carol

My Daughter Amanda…..

On Saturday afternoon – my daughter Amanda surprised me by dropping by with a beautiful bouquet of flowers (purples and greens) and the most thoughtful card.

An early birthday present….. lucky me.

The flowers matched my table place mats ….. just perfectly.

If I imagined her speaking – she would say those words.  So perfect.

It was unexpected and so lovely.

I have the most thoughtful daughter and she is such a generous and loving human being.

Makes me proud to be her Mom and proud that she is my daughter.

Thank you so much Amanda for that unexpected “treat”…… next to my kids ….. flowers and words are my favourite things.

Always, Carol

Trip to Regina

On Canada Day this year, I flew with my daughter to Regina, Saskatchewan to see family and friends.  I left my little dog Alvin in the more than capable hands of my son-in-law ( I know he loves him as much as I do).  This was the first time that I have left Alvin for more than one day.  So it was hard but a good thing for us both.  I must tell you all, really having Alvin is like having a little child once again.  You want to leave them and you do not want to leave them.  What a quandary! Alvin had his “cousins” or “niece and nephew” ??? to play with ….. that is Elton and Penny.  I cannot think of what they are to each other but I do know they are friends.  Back to the trip.  We left Edmonton pretty much on time.  Which is a good thing.  I was happy to see that we didn’t have to remove our footwear and put on those “blue hospital slipper things” ……   My best friend Linda picked us up at the airport.  When we opened the door to leave the airport in Regina we were hit by the hot humid air.  WOW.  We went back to Linda’s house and relaxed.  After supper that night Amanda went to visit some of her friends.  It was a quick trip so we did not have time to see everyone and for that I apologize.  Next trip.  Linda and I went for a walk to a nearby Second Cup Coffee Shop to have coffee and found it closed.  I guess we should not have been surprised as it was Canada Day after all.  But we had a wonderful walk taking in my old neighbourhood and getting some exercise so that was great.  Later that evening, the wind got up, lightning bolts bombarded the air and the thunder roared and it RAINED.  There were tornado watches or warnings out (I do not remember which means what, possibly you might blow away or run for cover).  We survived the night, thank goodness.

On our second day, Amanda and I walked to my nephew Troy’s house.  When I lived in Regina it was about a ten minute walk so tack on a couple of minutes extra from Linda’s house.  We were excited to walk by our old apartment building and the lake across the street.  About five minutes away from Linda’s we realized that perhaps we should have called Troy to come, and get us as it was HOT AND HUMID.  But of course, as strong and determined and STUBBORN women we didn’t call we just kept going.  I guess if Amanda wasn’t carrying her backpack with her camera & equipment and purse and I wasn’t carrying my purse and extra bag with presents for the kids, it might have been cooler.  Oh well.  A bit of sweating, er I mean perspiring (LOL) never hurt anyone.  We arrived.  So happy to see see Troy, his wife Sara and the little ones, almost five year old Azlin and baby Zane (8 months).  Oh my gosh, you could just eat those boys with a spoon.  So cute and so much fun.  I threatened to take the boys home to Edmonton with me.  We had a fun day with them.  Started with coffee and visit, then went for lunch and then drove to check out some properties outside of town.  Oh my, some of the yards so beautiful.  When we got back to their house – Troy found out that he had to leave for work (a day earlier than he expected).  A last minute decision found Amanda and I at the theatre with Azlin watching “Toy Story 3” ….. it was such a great movie.  I was in tears.  If you haven’t seen it – take your family to see it.  It has something for every age.  Very well done.  Sara and baby Zane picked us up at the theatre and then took us back to Linda’s.  There appeared to be a storm brewing. Winds got up but luckily never amounted to anything.  We had such a wonderful time.  I even managed to get a short play in with Azlin.  I miss our time together.

On Saturday, the temperature was a bit cooler so that was a good start.  My sister Cindy picked us up from Linda’s and we went to her house.  Joined by my niece Dara, her “hubby” Geoff and daughter Selena.  We had coffee (a must).  We girls hit the playground which is across the street to do some swinging and take some photos.  Such a nice day.  We had a great visit.  Supper was a barbecue (Geoff made us veggie burgers on the grill) and it was so yummy.  Enjoyed by one and all. Cindy has been doing some stuff around the yard, too.  They took out a tree.  It wasn’t your average tree, either.  It was HUGE.   In the middle of painting the garage.  Looks great.  Also Cindy has some beautiful flowers.  Later that evening Sara and the boys came over.  We played some games and visited.  It was close to midnight when we returned to Linda’s.  Tired but happy.

Then it was Sunday and we were leaving to go back to Edmonton.  Linda made breakfast and her daughters Kadie & Melissa and grand-daughter Abi joined us.  We had a great visit.  It was a warm morning as we had coffee on the deck.  Linda dropped us off at Cindy’s on their way to the RCMP Open House.  We had a nice lunch and then back to the airport.  A whirlwind weekend but a great time.  So many wonderful memories.

No matter how many days you have with family and friends it always seems too short.  Both Amanda and I are grateful for the time that we did get to spend with them.  The little kids were glorious.  All so cute and awesome.  I miss my dear friend Linda, my sister Cindy and all of the family (you know who you are).

Hard to believe that we have been home one week tomorrow already.  Where does the time go?

Thank you to everyone for making our stay in Regina so awesome.  We love you guys……..

Spending time with Amanda….

As I believe everyone that knows me, knows how much I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE spending time with my daughter Amanda.  She is the best person that I know.  Kind, warm and generous.  We love to be together.  This past weekend we did a couple of things that we absolutely love to do.  First thing was shopping, followed by an adventure, and ending with viewing show homes.  I must say it was the best Saturday.

We started out by going to Shoppers (okay a free plug).  They have the best rewards program going.  It is so nice to get free stuff after spending your “hard earned” cash.  Stopped by another favourite place of ours, and that is STARBUCKS.  We like to go to our local Starbucks,  sit in and enjoy our favourite blend while we are out shopping.  This time we picked up coffees, and were on our way to check out a possible “nursery” in the country not far from where we live.

We first found a place that sells shrubs, trees and rock but no flowers.  There was a kindly employee there that pointed us in the right direction.  Not far away, we found this awesome flower place.  The best part other than all of the beautiful flowers – okay perhaps there are a few things GREAT about this place.  First off, it is a short, easy drive from our homes. Secondly, it is in the country and is so pretty.  Third, they have more than just flowers and soil.  They have stuff.  All sorts of stuff.  They sell jewellery, crafts and too many things to mention.  For those people living in the Edmonton area the name of the place is “Dunvegan Gardens”.  Fourthly, they are open at Christmas.  YAY.  Another place to go.  So check it out.  They are great.  The staff are very knowledgeable.  Prices are good as well.  Once we picked out some flowers we were on our way.  It was a hot day on Saturday so we were happy for the air conditioning in the car.

When we got back to the city we dropped our flowers off at our each of our homes.  Alvin was spending the afternoon with Steven, my wonderful son-in-law and my grand-puppies Elton and Penny.  So I didn’t mind being away from home.

Next stop was the show homes.  We actually checked out some on our way to the garden places.  They were very nice.  The ones that we have especially been wanting to view were the “million” dollar ones that are situated by the lake in our neighbourhood.  As always, there were ah’s and mmm’s happening as we made our way through the homes.  I am always amazed at the decorating.  We found one that was especially interesting.  In one of the children’s bedrooms they decorated it realistically by scattering clothing, an empty chip bag, and other things on the floor and throughout the room.  At first I thought it was odd especially in a new home but it made an impression and I won’t soon forget it.  We certainly had a good giggle over that bedroom.  We even found a couple of homes that had “walk thru pantries” ….. the one thing that I think is so important in a house/home.  For all those contractors (would be nice if one read this), take the time, space and money and make a walk thru pantry off the kitchen when you are building these homes.  For all those of us who are getting older and even for those younger it is so much handier.  Instead of having all those kitchen counter top appliances taking up space on the counter – you can put the ones that you do not use in the pantry.  Easy to get to.  I love the fact that you can actually see what you have instead of forgetting a can of corn in the back of the pantry …. finding it ten years later.  Okay perhaps that is an exaggeration but you get my point.  Amanda loved the main floor or upstairs laundry rooms.  She would love to have her laundry area right beside her bedroom.

We had a great time, Amanda and I last Saturday.  I urge you to spend more time with your children whether they are five or thirty.  So good for the heart, mind and soul.

Happy Days ……

Happy Mother’s Day – Part II

In part of one of my Happy Mother’s Day post, I only spoke of my daughter Amanda and Al (my puppy).  But there is another important person in my life and that is Amanda’s husband, Steven.  He is a great son-in-law.  Always keeps me on my feet.  I try to be the best Mother-in-law that I can possibly be.  I cringe at the thought of those unfortunate children who do not get along with their Mothers-in-law.  My Steve, is intelligent, has an awesome sense of humour, offers good advice, is compassionate and just an all around great guy.  There is no doubt that I am the most blessed “Mother” and “Mother-in-law” on the planet.  I know this for certain.  I thank my lucky stars each day.  Very grateful, I am.

So for all those Mothers-in-law out there – Happy Mother’s Day to you.  May you be as blessed as me.

Thank you Steven for being such a great son-in-law.

Note:  special hello to Elton and Penny my grand-puppies.

Happy Mother’s Day

I want to tell everyone that may not know or be aware that I have the best daughter on the planet.  Truly she is.  Amanda is warm, charming, loving, giving, compassionate, intelligent, artistic, creative,  and above all else LOVES HER MOTHER !!!

With Mother’s Day just around the corner, I thought that I would share some things with all of you.  My daughter,  really does love me.  We are best friends.  We love the same things.  Like shopping, movies, television, photography, jewellery, purses, puppies, and books.  I am truly the luckiest Mother on the planet.  Now if Al (Alvin) just felt the same.

I want to wish every Mother out there – a very Happy & Special Mother’s Day.

To all the children out there – make sure that you tell your Mothers that you LOVE THEM.  Treat them with the love and respect  that they so richly deserve.  Remember they changed your diapers, read you books, made your Halloween costumes, put band-aids on your “boo boos”, made cupcakes or cookies for the school bake sale,  and were always there when you needed a friend.  Trust me no one else on the planet would be changing your poopy diapers at 3:00 a.m. unless they were your Mother.  Okay, not to offend the Dads out there …… but really mostly the Moms are changing those smelly diapers in the middle of the night.

So CHEERS to all the Moms out there, have a great Mother’s Day weekend.

You deserve nothing but the absolute BEST.

Take Care.  Live Life to the fullest.

Thank you Amanda for being such a great daughter.

HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY TO ALL THE MOTHERS OUT THERE !!

Thought for the day

I am very excited to now have a special category for all things “AMANDA”.  Here is a link to her photography web-site and blog.  I urge you all to check her out.  She does amazing work.

There is a new story about Alvin on her blog.

Amanda Hobbs Photography

So here is the thought for the day:  BE PROUD OF YOUR CHILDREN !!