Thought for the day ……

Good Morning and Welcome to Sunday the 31st day of December, 2017.

Happy New Year’s EVE Day.

The sky is a pale blue with hues of pale orange on the horizon.

Here we are again on the very last day of a year, this one being 2017.

Hopefully the last day of this deep freeze before heading into milder temperatures.

I have been reading over my blogs from previous years.

The blog from this day last year and from 2015.

It is funny how days can be so different from one year to the next.

Last year on December 31st Alvin went to his sisters for a sleepover and the year before we awoke to fire sirens (two doors down).

With my blog I try not to plan too  much ahead and just see where my thoughts and fingers guide me.

Today my mind is all over the place.

I am listening to the music that I put on my iPOD yesterday via the awesome setup that my kids gave me for Christmas.

I transferred “37” songs from iTUNES …. my favourites.

They range from Adele to Elvis, One Direction to Journey, Johnny Cash and Neil Diamond to PINK.

Pharrell to Tina, Elton to Ed and Lady Gaga to Steppenwolf and Blue Suede.

I love listening to music.

Note to self:  I think I will listen to more music in 2018 and DANCE more.

Last night after I transferred this tunes to the iPOD I spent a long time just singing and grooving (dancing) to the music with Alvin looking on.

He likely figured that I had lost my mind OR worse was going to pick him up and make him dance with me.

 

This was the second Christmas that we participated in all gifts home made or reused from things that we had around the house.

I made out like a bandit.

My daughter made me two huge bulletin boards, they gave me the iPOD player with great speakers (awesome sound) and an ADVENT calendar that reminds me of the one on NATIONAL LAMPOON’s  

CHRISTMAS VACATION and it even plays music.

The only ones that were not a part of this were the pups.

My grand-pups did not listen and got me a lovely WHISK (which their Grandma needed).

How can you be a cook or baker with no whisk.

Not sure how it happened.

I used to have a couple of them.

The family arrived on Christmas EVE night and stayed until Boxing Day.

It was a glorious couple of days.

We ate, played games and ate more.

Always wonderful to be surrounded by your loved ones.

 

As this year winds to an end, I am reminded by all of the great times that we saw in 2017.

January saw another new SPRING/SUMMER CATALOGUE for STEEPED TEA.

I remain a consultant although not quite as active as previous years.

I do enjoy the tea and the other products as do several of my co-workers and friends.

February saw us, me and Alvin become debt free.

No consumer debt.

I guess mortgages are not considered to be debt as I still have one of those.

Alvin and I continue to walk as much as possible although the latter part of this year did slow us down a bit.

I write as much as possible.

 

Likely the best part of this year was the time surrounding my 60th Birthday.

My friend “V” from back in Regina sent me a BIRTHDAY PARCEL to end all BIRTHDAY PARCELS ….

Everything from jewellery to a deep dish apple pie.

I am so lucky.

I was so blessed to have my sister come for a whole TEN DAY visit.

On my actual birthday my daughter, sister and I went to FORT EDMONTON PARK and partook in HIGH TEA.

We spent the day walking around taking in the sights.

We went on the rides …. the swings and the carousel.

My youngest brother came for FOUR DAYS and part of it was spent with our other brother at his home in rural Alberta.

While visiting our brother in the country we visited with another nephew and his family.

We also visited with our nephew “J” ….. who continues to heal.

I commissioned one of my co-workers to bake my 60th Birthday cake, a carrot cake with cream cheese icing.

I can still taste it.  OMG it was heavenly.

My eldest nephew and family also surprised us with a visit.

Friends that moved to Quebec came for a visit.

So many wonderful surprises.

I am so grateful for all of the gifts, birthday wishes and visits this year.

I still cannot believe that I am 60 years old.

 

The year just seemed to come and go.

We were lucky to be in good health and to be surrounded by great friends and family.

Both CANADA and I celebrated milestone birthdays.

Happy 150th Birthday to our beloved country.

 

One of our neighbours across the street and down a couple of houses had a fire.

That happened at the end of June and it is December and they are still not back in their home.

It was a duplex so affected two households.

Reminder to be careful and aware.

 

I wrote the next couple of paragraphs last New Year’s Eve and it seems to be fitting to be used once again.  I feel the same way.

The week after Christmas leading up to New Year’s Eve is filled with thinking back on the year, perhaps making resolutions for the year ahead, and making plans for bringing in the New Year.

My wish for 2018 is that you take a look over your life, and take note of what is really important.

Spending time with your family whether two-legged or four or both is so important.

If you are unable to physically see them the technology is there to video chat via SKYPE, and other formats.

Do things with your family and friends instead of buying their joy.

Go on that walk instead of watching television.

Put down that cell phone and spend TIME with them.

Have dinner together and be with your family.

Simplify your life.

Spend less on stuff.

Spend more on doing things.

Create memories that will last a lifetime.

Your children will not remember that video game in 50 years but they will remember those long walks you took together.

They will remember sledding.

They will remember roasting marshmallows around the bonfire.

They will remember the time you spent together.

Which is the best legacy you can give them.

 

Simplify your life.

 

Wishing you and your family the most wonderful New Year, 2018.

May you find joy in the little things.

May you find continued good health.

May your lives be filled with abundance.

May you continue to grow and to learn.

May you spread kindness to all creatures.

May you love and respect yourself, and all others.

Happy New Year.

 

PHOTOS from 2017

April 2017

 

EDMONTON ZOO (May) – our office went for a visit and barbecue.  My daughter was my date.

June 2017 – Alvin and Carol’s GREAT ADVENTURE.

 

 

JULY 2017 – Flowers and YARD

 

 

 

OCTOBER 2017 – garden project

HALLOWEEN 2017

FALL TREAT PARCEL from our Friend “V”

THE CAKE marking the BIG 60.

CHRISTMAS Decorations of 2017

Some of the baking …. the infamous SUGAR COOKIES

Aspen and Milo my beautiful grand pups.

Cutest photo of 2017.

Well it would seem like I could write and gather photos until the cows come home.

So I had better stop now.

If I missed mentioning you, please know this, you are in my heart and soul for all time.

I wish you and your family the most glorious 2018.

Remember to laugh and have fun.

 

Special Hello to: all those folks who participated in my 2017, I am most grateful to each and every one of you.

Always, Carol & Alvin

 

COUNTDOWN: 60 days to 60

Today is Sunday, July 2, 2017 and it is the 39th day until my 60th Birthday.

I just realized that I had the wrong date on my Countdown yesterday …. it was July 1st ….. sorry about that.

Well only 39 days if I counted correctly.

 

You never know where life will take you.

Sometimes planning and dreaming takes you the farthest from where you were.

I was living a relatively comfortable life in Regina.

Some of my family lived/lives there and at that time most of my friends.

My daughter decided to move to Edmonton to go to NAIT (post-secondary school institution) back in 2002.

They (her boyfriend later they married) decided to stay in Edmonton …..

It made sense as the years went by for me to pack up and move.

She is my only child and I could not bear to see her perhaps once or twice a year, if I was lucky.

So in March of 2009 after retiring from a Company that I had worked for thirty years I moved to Edmonton.

It has been a crazy ride but I would not change it for the world.

Never thought I would be here.

Never thought I would be able to buy my own house.

Never thought after I retiring that I would be working full-time again.

Never thought that I would work at West Edmonton Mall.

Never thought I would work for several years in the highest volume of sales retail store, there.

Never thought that in my late 50’s I would have had the highest sales per hour in said retail store.

Never thought that I would once again be in direct sales.

Never thought that I would adopt a dog.

So many changes but all good.

So you see – you never know where life will take you.

Take that chance …… and go.

 

Always, Carol

 

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Saturday. July 1st, 2017.

The sky is overcast on this 150th Birthday of this country known as Canada.

As with most countries on the planet our history has not been without bloodshed.

Our history has had the ENGLISH, FRENCH and SPANISH  coming over from across the ocean, and then laying claim to North America.

The U.S.A. and Canada share that part of history.

Over the past few hundred years people have left the United States and come to Canada.

People have also left Canada and moved to the United States.

There is so much we do not know and will never know.

It would be great on this 150th Birthday of CANADA that we could find a way to live together without debate or causing harm to one another.

We do live in relative peace, and I am so grateful that we do.

We need to find a way to move forward.

More and more people are leaving their homes all over the world for a multitude of reasons and coming to Canada.

It is so important that we find a way to live together in peace and harmony.

So on this 150th year …. this day that we celebrate Canada let us find a way to do the best for one another.

We all need to move on and make sure that all CANADIANS old and new are living good productive healthy lives.

We are all in this together.

We can do this …. we can.

Traditions over the last 150 years shows the peoples of this VAST country to be kind, generous, compassionate, and easy-going.

Please let us continue on this path and beyond.

Happy CANADA Day.

 

Special Hello: to my family and friends all over CANADA and the World.

Always, Carol & Alvin

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thought for the day ….

Good Morning and Welcome to Monday the 26th day of June, 2017.

Cooled off overnight and sky is a bit overcast this morning.

Grateful for the breezes.

What an awesome weekend.

Alvin and I enjoyed our walks.

We even had two walks yesterday.

We worked and we played, does not get better than that.

My neighbour gave me:  patio set with umbrella and four chairs, garden hose and hand sprinkler (which I really really needed), small food processor (which is great because I lent my big one to my kids), two cookbooks, cast iron casserole dish with lid for the oven, Magic Bullet with all the attachments (now I have two which I love), Pampered Chef newer version of the chopper that I use for garlic.  How lucky am I?

Definitely was blessed this weekend.

Coming up weekend is Canada Day.

We celebrate our 150th Birthday this July 1st, 2017 – which is Saturday.

I remember Canada’s 100th Birthday back on July 1st, 1967.

We even had a song written to celebrate Canada’s 100th Birthday.

It was great as I was school age back then.

Looking forward to watching some festivities on television and looking to the sky for the fireworks.

It is a reminder on how blessed we are to live in such a great country.

We should never take it for granted.

I always try to give back to the country that has given me life …. a great place to be born and to live.

 

Well here we go again another work week.

Promises to be great.

Special Hello to: my sister …. getting closer to your visit.

Always, Carol & Alvin

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Wednesday the 8th day of February, 2017.

Do you ever think back to the same day a year ago or perhaps two or three or more?

I wonder how many of these days draw exact parallels to each other.

Okay for starters today is Wednesday, and last year the 8th of February was a Monday.

So the actual day is not the same but perhaps the feelings are closer to being the same.

If we think that we stray from our core basic feelings over time  …. I would say that is not really true.

We may have the odd day or two where we stray from our true feelings, the ones in our core.

Our basic emotions.

BUT ….

It is funny that in large part it holds true one year later.

I did wake up feeling today was going to be a great day.

Just as I was blowing my hair dry the phone rang and it was my neighbour; offering me a ride to work.

A great way to begin the day.

This gives me about twenty extra minutes.

I immediately walked over to the bed where Alvin was laying watching me and gave him a big hug.

I do know that when the early morning is great, the rest of the day will be fantastic.

****************************************************************************

Good Morning and Welcome to Monday the 8th day of February, 2016.

Have you ever awaken to feel like this is going to be a great day.

A day like no other.

Feeling like something magical, fun, wonderful and absolutely fantastic is happening to you on this day.

Well that is how I feel on this Monday morning.

I will admit a bit unusual for a Monday morning …..

Usually I do not sleep well Sunday night and Monday mornings are sometimes a bit of a strain to get up and get motivated but not TODAY.

I will admit that I asked Alvin to stay in bed until the alarm went off but it was not because I did not want to get out of bed.

Just because I wished to lay there and soak in the morning …. un-feted (is that even a word) by the day.

So here we are ….. breakfast done, shower check, make-up check and writing blog …. almost check.

Mr. Alvin is as usual laying outside the office door waiting for me.

He is so loyal ….. we could all learn lessons from our four-legged friends.

He is always waiting by the front door for me to arrive at home after work.

He is always happy to see me and I know he has to pee and is hungry …. but nevertheless he always takes that minute to ravish me with attention.

Now what a way to welcome someone home.

It doesn’t matter if I am gone all day or for 20 minutes ….. he welcomes me in the same way.

So today is the day …..

Perhaps a dream will come to fruition or just something nice.

It does not matter ….. I just feel great and that is what matters.

*******************************************************************************

So on this 8th day of February 2017 – life is magical.

I am so happy to be here right now in this place surrounded by magic.

Have an awesome day.

Fill your heart with joy and the magic will follow.

Happy Wednesday.

Tea deliveries today ……. that makes me happy.

Special Hello to: my darling sister.  Baby Milo is fine.  Are you available to SKYPE on Sunday?

Always, Carol and Alvin

 

Thought for the day ……

Good Morning and Welcome to Friday the 13th day of January, 2017.

Today marks the 52nd Birthday of my youngest Brother, “T.”

I remember when he was born, I was 7 turning 8 that August.

We had just moved into our new house on the farm.

All news things at that time.

From Edmonton to Calgary all of us wish him the best day and year to follow.

 

Well today being Friday is a good thing.

The weather is warming up.

Supposed to be +5 degrees celsius on Sunday.

Cannot believe that as yesterday was minus 30 with the windchill.

This morning somewhere around minus 20.

Oh winters in Canada.

Yesterday was minus 40 something with the windchill back home in Regina.

I was thinking of my family and friends back there.

Good thing that warmer weather is on the way.

YAY.

We are ready for it.

Flip flops and shorts for sure.

Also nice to see the sun shining for longer periods each day.

 

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

Today is back to taking the bus.

Have been fortunate to have had a ride with my neighbour Monday, Tuesday and Thursday to work.

I forgot to mention another plus about the car.

This is so important.

The bum warmers in the seats.

Best invention ever.

It was so nice.

 

Time to fly.

Have a great great day.

Special Hello to: my little brother, Happy 52nd Birthday.

Always, Carol and Alvin

 

 

 

Thought for the day ……

Good Morning and Welcome to Saturday the 31st day of December, 2016.

Snowed overnight.

Guess shovelling is in my near future.

My daughter picked up Alvin for a sleep-over last night.

Sure seems quiet in the house and took me a bit to fall asleep last night.

Miss his cuddles for sure.

Oh, me Alvin.

So,

The very last day of 2016.

Let me see 2016.

Alvin and I managed to stay up until Midnight welcoming in the New Year, 2016.

It seems like every new year is born with hope for a wonderful year ahead.

I guess going into 2016 we knew that it would be less than wonderful but we held hope.

We lost our Penny mid March and life changed.

Elton had major surgery in April, the scary kind that someone older generally does not recuperate from but he beat the odds and came back to us.

He gave my kids more time; the time they needed to start to heal from the loss of Penny.

They took the time, and made the most of what would be Elton’s last remaining months with our family.

He passed away on November 22, 2016.

We miss them both very much.

Our four-legged fur babies – our family.

Baby Milo came into our family in October about one month before Elton passed.

A golden puppy who lit up the room with his bouncy baby energy.

In their short time together they bonded, and Elton once again had a “sibling.”

Just days before Christmas my kids once again found a doggie who needed love and a good home and adopted “Aspen.”

She is just over one year old, same colouring as baby Milo and such a gem, so loving despite her time before being rescued.

It always amazes me on the deplorable behaviours of some human beings.

I cannot believe but I have seen on many occasions; despite how absolutely horribly some dogs are treated; how loving and wonderful they are …..

So amidst the sorrow we found joy.

Joy is a good place to be.

We take this time to remember all of our loved ones whether two-legged or four that we have lost this year.

There were many.

You will always be in our thoughts and hearts, forever.

They have formed who we are, and we have learned so much from their time on this earth.

Our puppies took the forefront of our year, and everything else just happened.

 

Of course the everything else that happened included a record number of garage sales held between May and August.

Still selling Steeped Tea and working full-time.

Many walks with me Alvin and so many cuddles.

Spending lots of time with friends throughout the year.

Sharing stories and laughter.

Before we knew it the year was over.

The week after Christmas leading up to New Year’s Eve is filled with thinking back on the year, perhaps making resolutions for the year ahead, and making plans for bringing in the New Year.

My wish for 2017 is that you take a look over your life, and take note of what is really important.

Spending time with your family whether two-legged or four or both is so important.

If you are unable to physically see them the technology is there to video chat via SKYPE, and other formats.

Do things with your family and friends instead of buying their joy.

Go on that walk instead of watching television.

Put down that cell phone and spend TIME with them.

Have dinner together and be with your family.

Simplify your life.

Spend less on stuff.

Spend more on doing things.

Create memories that will last a lifetime.

Your children will not remember that video game in 50 years but they will remember those long walks you took together.

They will remember sledding.

They will remember roasting marshmallows around the bonfire.

They will remember the time you spent together.

Which is the best legacy you can give them.

 

Simplify your life.

 

Wishing you and your family the most wonderful New Year, 2017.

May you find joy in the little things.

May you find continued good health.

May your lives be filled with abundance.

May you continue to grow and to learn.

May you spread kindness to all creatures.

May you love and respect yourself, and all others.

Happy New Year.

 

Special Hello to:  All the creatures on this planet.  Happy New Year.

Always, Carol and Alvin

Photo Album of 2016

 

A surprise treat delivery from my friend “V” who continues to send wonderful delectable surprise to Alvin and me.

Relaxing at Grandma’s house.

Surprise gift in the mail.

Enjoying an adventure with me Alvin.

 

 

 

 

 

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Friday the 30th day of December, 2016.

Wow, today and tomorrow and then a New Year.

The sun is shining brightly this morning and I had to close the blinds so that I could be on the computer.

Definitely not writing this at my usual time of 6:00 a.m. when it is still dark outside.

I have loved being at home with Mr. Alvin …… doing things as they happen.

Yesterday we took the Christmas Tree down and all of the decorations.

Did some laundry.

Alvin and I walked over to his Dr.’s office and I picked up some food and treats for him.

It was a nice walk.

We had a quiet evening.

The house looks so different without the Christmas decorations.

Actually looks empty.

I had eleven rubbermaid containers filled with ornaments and decorations not including the tree.

Those containers were not the little ones either.

Hard to believe that that much stuff was on the main floor between the kitchen and living room.

It was a different Christmas for us but very nice.

The kids enjoyed their gifts as did the pups.

Another Christmas come and gone.

All of the preparations reminds me of a wedding day.

Crazy the time that goes into one day.

But that is what we humans do ….. things are always over the top.

I am grateful that we being me, my daughter and son-in-law are trying to live a more simple life.

Not buying things just to have them.

Every year I go through the house and give/throw/recycle many items.

The only things that are not multi used are my things for Christmas.

That is my one guilty pleasure so to speak.

I have been thinking after a seed of an idea was given to me by one of my friends.

That perhaps I will start making personalized gifts for family and friends.

I guess that I have actually always done this but 2017 I will do on a larger scale.

This morning I am going out to pick up some groceries and use the remaining credit on my Walmart gift card.

I am not usually a big fan of that store but as I have the card I will go and use it.

One of my friends is going out and said she could drop me there and then pick me up after she is done her shopping elsewhere.

After that shopping I have another friend coming over for a visit …..

I have a couple of phone calls to make between tonight and going back to work.

*******************************

Cute story:  Most mornings Alvin has me up way earlier than we need to be so he eats and does his business and afterward we lay down on the sofa for some extra zzz’s.

I have this rectangular pillow which I lay my head upon and then cover with our special warm red blanket.

Not long ago this happened.  I lay down and cover with the blanket.  Alvin plunks himself down beside me with his head right beside mine on the pillow.  He snuggles so close.

The first time he did this I almost had the big one as he really plunks himself down but never hitting me.

Anyway then I cover us both with the blanket and we snuggle.

So cute.

Another reason why I love this little guy.

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Well time to get this show on the road.

Shower time to freshen up before shopping.

I can only imagine the people in Walmart.  Too many likely.

Have a great day.

One more day before we celebrate the New Year.

Happy Friday.

Special Hello to: YOU ALL.

Always, Carol and Alvin

Feels like a time to share some photos of our beloved babies.

Some left us this year and some joined us this year.

A full year of Sorrow and Joy.

Great memories.

 

Alvin at Christmas 2015

My Grand-puppies Penny and Elton

Miss Penny

Baby Milo and Miss Aspen.

Our newest family members.

 

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Thursday the 29th day of December, 2016.

It is almost 8:00 a.m. and I can just see to the far southeast the sunrise.

Really looks cool as the rest of the sky is dark blue, looking like rain clouds.

Turning my head and trying to see to the east I see more of the sunrise.

I look forward to the time when the sunrise earlier.

Somedays it is difficult to get yourself up and about when it is dark outside.

Always different when you have to go to work but when you are on vacation, man it is hard.

I guess it doesn’t matter as I do not have things planned but then a pang of guilt washes over me thinking that I could have done / should have done more.

Oh well.

Today the Christmas Tree and Decorations come down.

Big job ….. it is time.

I enjoyed the tree and the lights one last time for 2016 last night.

I love starring into the tree catching the reflection of the lights on the ornaments.

As 2016 winds down I can only imagine what 2017 will bring.

I wish only good health, much joy and abundance for all.

The perfect year.

I think that is what 2017 will be …. the perfect year.

Time to reflect over a year almost over.

I hope that you have a great Thursday.

Special Hello to: all my fellow bloggers …..

Always, Carol and Alvin