THANK YOU

Hi All,

It is almost 11:00 p.m. on a Sunday evening and normally I would be asleep or close at least.

Tomorrow is Family Day here in Alberta and most of Canada; so it is a statutory holiday for us.

I wanted to take this time to say thank you to everyone who reads my blog.

I know that we all live very busy lives, and for you to take the time to read my words, well it means so much.

An apology is also to you all as I do not always reply to your lovely comments.

Due to part to my work schedule, and I do not have a cell phone (so no internet), and at the office we cannot access this website.

I wish each and every one of you a great Monday.

Thank you so much.

 

Best Regards, Carol

 

Painting ….

A couple of weeks ago, as I sat down to do some painting with one of the little kids that I am babysitting, I realized that I had found another creative outlet.  Wow, I never realized at 53 years old, that I would be painting and loving it.  My canvases have been odd pieces of cardboard that I have saved.  The first two pieces that I painted – Miss Anela (my painting partner) decided to keep them for herself.  I have a fan, already.  She is four but that’s okay.  She has awesome taste.  Unfortunately I did not take any photographs.  Yesterday we painted again.  I snapped photos of the last two pieces that I painted and am going to post them on this blog.

You never know what you will find on any given day.  I had no idea.  So I urge you all to take care within your day, and you just might happen upon something that will provide you with joy and fun.  I really love painting.  We are getting low in the paint supplies.  I must give many thanks to my friend Anick who, when she was going through things before their move back to Quebec …… asked me if I wanted a box that had paints, brushes, cloth to protect table, painting aprons and other goodies.  I am so happy that I said “YES”.

So here are my “great” works of art …… you never know someday I might be the next BIG DEAL…. in the art world. …

The fun thing about the painting from yesterday.  The cardboard seemed to bow at bit but it gives the piece some dimension, which suits it fine.

#4 - "Blowing snow at sunrise" - paint still wet

Finding a place to showcase this piece...

Close-up .....

#3 - Bursting into Spring (behind the Sunflower pot)

Good background for my wooden Sunflower, a purchase made in Quebec City in 2007

Thought for the day…..

Here we are …. another Monday.

Where does the time go?

Really where does the time go?

It feels like it is being sucked into thin air.  LOL.

Well that is okay.

I am making the best use of time …. most of the time, that is.

Just going to walk Sir Alvin.

He has his harness on, and is pacing the floor so it is time to go.

So the thought for this day is…..

Make the most of each day.

Time has a way of passing quickly or so it would seem.

So have fun, laugh lots and be happy.

Stay in a “mood of gratitude”.  (that is my new line)

Life will continue to be great..

Sun is shining and the world awaits……..

 

Always, Carol

Children ….. the light in our lives…

Last Friday, I watched over two of the sweetest children, Anela (4) and Zavier (2 1/2).   It was the three of us, and Alvin, of course.  We played  games and  with toys, and I answered questions. Yes, four year olds are very inquisitive, and want to know things.  So I did my best.  It was fun.  Made me use my brain and imagination at times. The kids played with Alvin throwing him his snowball.  We had a snack followed by quiet time which was me reading a story, and then more playing and then lunch. While I made lunch the kids watched a bit of television.  Thomas the train, is cute but honestly some of the children’s programming is beyond me.  I do not see what they see but then again I am not 2 or 3 or 4.  Likely the reason..

After lunch, we had some very special visitors.  My friend Anick, and her children who at this very time are getting close to her parents home in Quebec.  But last Friday the children, my friends Lea, Mahee-Lee and David came over to join us for the  afternoon.  I had planned to do some Easter Crafts, play some games, hang out and have a snack which would include chocolate cupcakes with a robin’s egg blue icing.  I set up a table in the family room in the basement to do the crafts.  The floor has carpet so the girls decided to show me their cartwheels, and other acrobatic feats.  I gladly sat off to the side and watched.  LOL.  Oh, to be young!  So cute.  The boys played with the cars and trucks until time for Zavier to go and have a nap.  Oh, I can still hear vroom vroom vroom… One game that I found that all of the children love is “I SPY” …… doesn’t matter what the age …. and we came up with a new twist on the game, too.  It is called “WE SPY” with our little eyes,  and you  play it in teams of two.  My daughter came over and took photos of the kids playing.  I wanted to have photos of my friends.

The day literally flew by.  Soon Anela and Zavier had left for home.  Lea, Mahee-Lee and David stayed until suppertime.  Another neighbour Kahlia came over and the kids had a “snowball” fight ( there has to be a better word than that ) but anyway on the deck in my backyard.  I took some video.  Kahlia is 9 and I thought that he would be the rough one but I must say Miss Lea who is 6 can definitely hold her own.  I sat out on the deck and drank coffee while videotaping them play.  The laughter was infectious.  They had so much fun.  Poor Alvin was not sure where to go.  He kept running from place to place.  Finally he rested over by me (guess he figured that I might be a safe haven).  It was the best day …. we had so much fun.  Children are the greatest creation.  We all need to have children in our lives.  I am so grateful for last Friday.  Keeping with the children theme …….. I invited Lea and Mahee-Lee to spent the night, a sleepover as Mom & Dad were busy with the finishing touches of packing.  We watched movies and had a great night.

The following photos say it all:

Anela, Zavier and Alvin (getting to know each other)

Lea getting some photography pointers from Amanda, everyone took turns

Me, Alvin and the Kids

Zavier and Anela @ SNACK-TIME

DAVID .... ah so cute.

Mahee-Lee enjoying her cupcake....

Me and the kids having cupcakes....

Miss Lea

My beautiful daughter Amanda - whose light shines bright!

Anela

Craft-time - Lea

Mahee-Lee the "Cartwheel Queen"

The rewards ..... of crafting...

Zavier enjoying his snack

"the next Spielberg" ......

Anela and her Easter picture

The whole gang.....

 

My Favourite Things …..MOST FAV ONE!

As I sit here at the computer this fine Sunday, I am reminded that one of my most favourite things in the whole wide world is: WRITING.

I love to write.  It is my passion.  It is my dream.

I love to write stories, poetry, verses for cards, essays, speeches, and song lyrics.

I love to write on sunny days and cloudy days.

I love to write when I am over the moon, happy.

I love to write when I am sitting in an airport.

I love to write when I am in bed.

I love to write whenever the mood strikes me.

I love to write about my family and friends.

I love to write about the weather.

I love to write about Alvin (I really love to write about Alvin).

I love to write about flowers.

I love to write about lawn mowers.

I love to rhyme, and keep the flow in time.

I love to write about the sun, the moon and the stars.

I love to write about my feelings.

I love to write about –  anything.

Yes, writing is one of my most favourite things.

I love the freedom it brings.

I love thinking of words.

I love combinations of words.

I love WORDS.

Words can take you away to sunny sandy shores.

They can whisper “sweet nothings” and make your imagination soar.

They make you laugh and make you cry.

Writing is my passion, it is my favourite thing to do.

Always, Carol

My favourite things …… beauty products

This morning,  I would like to share some of the beauty products that I have purchased, use daily and love.  As most women go, I have had a strange relationship with beauty products.  I love trying new things, and always have several shelves in my bathroom(s) stocked full of all things beauty.  But I am sure that most girls can relate. At first, we wonder what to use, and then when and how.  Some of us are fortunate to have someone to show us, and explain how these fascinating items are used.  After all, we all want to look like our favourite celebrity from the fashion magazines.  Besides, why not?  Well, once we float back to earth, and realize that no matter how magical the cosmetic companies deem their products to be ……. we will still look like  ourselves.  Which is a good thing.  Really, why would we want millions of look-alikes wondering around the planet.   We should always want to be the best “ME” ……

When I was in my teens it was all about the latest craze and fad regarding makeup.  Whether heavy blue shadow on the  eyes or false eyelashes.  In my twenties and thirties I was a working Mom so it changed into being a bit more practical, and whatever I could do in a short amount of time and still look nice, and also afford.  Then I hit my forties and it was all about less is more.  Now that I am in my fifties, I am a bit of it all.  I love trying new things.  With your skin tone and hair colour changing, I look for products that will enhance what I have and make me a better ME.  After all, that is what it is all about …… being a better ME or in your case, a better YOU.

So here are my current favourite products and why:

Lancome – Bi-Facil – Double-Action Eye Makeup Remover (it is both gentle and actually removes your eye makeup) – just take a cotton pad and moisten with the remover and gently wipe off your makeup.

Lancome – Waterproof Eye colour Base (Nude) – when I ran out of my previous eye makeup base and went to replace it, I found that it was discontinued.   So on the advice of my local beauty consultant, I tried this. Works great.

Lancome – Hypnose Mascara and Oscillation Powerbooster Primer – both excellent products.

Lancome Produc

Benefit – Cream Eyeshadow – comes in glass pots and I have the following shades: get figgy (burgandy), gossip betty (purple) and r.s.v.p (pink/brown).  Love them.  No creasing.

Benefit Shadow

My number ONE product which is relatively new to me…. DA DA DA

SMASHBOX – BROW TECH TO GO – before I used this I used another Smashbox brow product but again it was discontinued. (a pattern, I wonder).  It is better and I love it.

Angeled crayon type applicator on one end,  and then on the other  there is a small fine brush.  Between the two of them they make perfect brows.

Smashbox

I am under no contract with any of these companies, I simply use these products and love them.  Just want to share …..

Always, Carol

Have a great day.

P.S. always be willing to try new things.  You never know what you might find!!!