Second Half of the NEW YEAR.

Good Morning.

Today is Monday, August 17, 2020.

First day back to work after two weeks of vacation.

Alvin is wondering what the heck is going on.

Once I have finished this post – it will be out for our walk as we are going to have another day in the 30’s.

Too hot at lunch and at 4 p.m. to be out walking with a fur coat on.

 

We had a great weekend ending with the birthday party at my friend’s home for her Mother.

There were great snacks including fruit.

My friend made her Mom’s birthday cake and it was delicious.

Also yesterday was my friend from Regina’s 60th Birthday and I was lucky enough to have a chat with her on the phone on her big day.

Seems like so long ago that I turned 60 but alas it is not as I was 63 this year.

 

Also this past weekend I was the HOST for a Fifth Avenue Jewelry party.

This time not in person but on-line.

My friend who is a Jeweler with Fifth Avenue Jewelry out of Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan did four live “shows.”

We had a good turn out to view the jewelry.

I like doing the shows “live” on Facebook ….. had an opportunity to view 30+ pieces of jewelry each segment.

So it was great.

 

Well Alvin and I had a great vacation.

Hard to believe it is over for another summer.

Missing from our August 2020 vacation this year was a visit from my sister and our annual siblings trip to see our brother AND girls road trip with my daughter.

I did miss seeing my sister and brothers and also taking a short trip with my daughter.

Hopefully next summer we will be able to travel more easily.

If everyone wears a mask in public, cleans their hands often and does the social distancing – perhaps this will be possible next summer.

 

Well it is almost 7:00 a.m. and time for us to head out for a walk before starting work.

I hope that you have an awesome day.

May you be shown kindness and respect by all others, and in turn show kindness and respect to all others.

What goes around – comes around.

Keep safe and cool.

Enjoy the summer days remaining.

I am excited for FALL.

My favorite season.

 

Living my life with kindness and respect.

Learning new things everyday.

I/We shall remain,

As Always, Carol & Alvin

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 Monday, August 7th, 2017 and it is the 3rd day until my 60th Birthday.

How exciting is this?

I am preparing my blog in advance for Wednesday as entails quite a lot of prep work.

But has been a fun process for sure.

This whole turning 60 has been both a learning and memory process.

Sometimes looking back on a lifetime brings some challenges.

For one thing it is not easy to remember what you did at say age 4 or 5.

There are always the not so pleasant memories that stick fast to your memory banks while if you are extra blessed there are way more on the average/joyful side that you may or may not remember.

I think if I have a handful or two of unpleasant ones over this many years I have done well, to be honest.

But during my lifetime the good have far outweighed the bad.

So for that I am truly blessed.

Well two more blogs …….

Thank you for coming along with me on this Countdown to my 60th Birthday.

 

Always, Carol

 

COUNTDOWN: 60 Days to 60

Today is Sunday, August 6rd, 2017 and it is the 4th day until my 60th Birthday.

Well only four days until I turn 60.

I cannot believe it.

I think that this poem says it all for me and being in a state of gratitude.

 

THE THANK YOU POEM

Thank you for the sunshine

Thank you for the rain

Thank you for the laughter

Thank you for the pain

Thank you for the cool nights

Thank you for the warm days

Thank you for the love

Thank you for the way it fills my heart

Thank you for each buzzing bee

Thank you for all the trees

Thank you for the roses

Thank you for their sweet smell

Thank you for my family

Thank you for the way

Thank you for my dog, Alvin

Thank you for this heaven

Thank you for the abundance

Filling my day – keeping me full

Thank you for the sun, the moon and the stars

Thank you for old ladies, young men

Thank you for music played on guitars

And then !!!

Thank you

Written by Carol Yvonne Lewis

March 2011 in Edmonton, Alberta

 

Always, Carol

 

 

 

COUNTDOWN: 60 Days to 60

Today is Monday, July 31st, 2017 and it is the 10th day until my 60th Birthday.

 

Favourite Birthday Gift EVER:  ……

I am so blessed to say this is very difficult to say.

If I had to choose just one I would say that it was photograph(s) my daughter took capturing the pink blossoms of a cherry tree in their yard.  Instead of having the photo(s) framed in traditional frame(s), she had

them cut into different size rectangles making a collage of gallery wrapped photos.  They fit in a corner wall in my kitchen and I can see the beautiful blossoms all year long.

 

Sorry I started looking through 28,000 + photos to find one of this gorgeous artwork and could not find one.

So I will take some photos later and post them for you all to see.

 

I am so proud of my daughter who is one of the most talented photographers.

 

Getting closer to that day …… honestly I am a bit nervous.

 

Always, Carol

 

 

 

 

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Wednesday the 28th day of June, 2017.

Well another interesting evening ….. cloudy …. raining …. windy ….. cleared up ….. cooled down …. quite the mix.

One day 30 degrees the next 17.

I am so grateful that I took this opportunity to do some extra writing about my upcoming 60th Birthday.

Looking back and forward.

Lots to think about and lots to try and remember.

I still cannot believe that I am going to be 6-0, honestly where has the time gone?

Well I am running late as Mr. Alvin was up at 10:23 and then again at 3:30 p.m. – this is playing havoc with my sleep to say the least.

Raining this morning and very windy.  Not likely an umbrella is going to do much good.

I hope that you all have an amazing Wednesday.

Sometimes our patience is tried and we must always work at keeping it in check.

I had such a time last night and early this morning.

Have a great day.

Gotta run.

Special Hello to:  YOU

Always, Carol & Alvin

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Tuesday the 27th day of June, 2017.

Overcast this morning and a sweet cool breeze.

Quite the drop in temperature between 28 last night and about 14 this morning.

Well yesterday was hot.

Today is “hot” for another reason ….. Today is the 60th Birthday of my BEST FRIEND, “D” and her twin sister.

We have know each since we were toddlers.

So awesome to have the same friend(s) for most of your life.

Wishing the girls the best day ever.

Happy  Birthday My Dear Friends ….

 

 

We did not go for a walk last night as it was too warm.

To be cooler today.

Thankfully.

Mr. Alvin did not sleep very well and therefore I did not.

Quite the change from Sunday night …… I guess two walks is the thing that he needs.

Oh well ……

 

I hope that you all have a wonderful Tuesday.

May you stay safe, cool, and happy wherever you may be on this planet.

Happy Tuesday.

 

Special Hello: to all those folks who take the time to read my blog, I so appreciate it.

Always, Carol & Alvin

 

 

COUNTDOWN: 60 Days to 60

Today is Friday June 16, 2017 and it is the 55 day until my 60th Birthday.

I want these 60 days leading up to my 60th Birthday to be extra special, and that is the reason for sharing my thoughts about life.

To be honest, most of my life I have learned things the hard way.

Not much has been handed to me or has come particularly easily but that is okay.

I know that each lesson, each hard knock, each step backward, each stumble has made me grow and be the person that I am today.

Now please do not misunderstand ….. my life has been pretty amazing for the most part.

I am not perfect.

That I know for sure.

I like each, and every person on this planet has moments of sheer greatness and moments of not so greatness.

That is life.

I always start each and every morning writing in a “Gratitude Journal” which has ended up being a combination GJ and Diary.

But it is so good for the soul and for your very being to write things down.

It seems to release thoughts, and make them real.

 

So my day starts like this:

Alvin kicks at the blankets ….. jumps off the bed …….  stands by the closed bedroom door and sometime lets out a small bark to let me know that he is ready to get up.

The only kicker is: it is usually anywhere between 3:30 – 4:30 a.m.

Now, this would not be so bad if I worked from home or was retired but I am neither.

So I coax him to remain in bed until closer to 4:00 or a bit later …..make the bed and then we then head downstairs ….. his water dish in tow.

Turning on lights as we go and when I reach the pantry …. I grab his glucosamine (for his joint health), and then his food.

He eats and has a drink of water before heading outside.

Depending on the time I set the timer on the microwave for some extra zzz’s on the sofa.

Usually we have time for some.

This is my favourite part of the day as Alvin lays his head on the pillow right beside me and we snuggle.

I love it.

What a wonderful way to begin the day.

After that ….. write in the journal ….. eat breakfast …… shower and get ready and then write my blog before heading back downstairs to grab my lunch, shoes, jacket and stuff and say my good-byes to me Alvin

before heading out the door.

It is a busy time.

But we are on a schedule …. so that helps.

So that is our morning routine ….. then it is on the bus to work for about one hour ……

 

WOW, cannot believe I am turning 60.

 

Always, Carol

 

 

COUNTDOWN: 60 Days to 60

Well today is Sunday, June 11, 2017 and is the 60th day until my 60th Birthday.

I would say that this has been on my mind, as of late.

Not that I am stressing over this upcoming date.

Just pondering the path behind and the road ahead.

Over my lifetime to this point;  how I envisioned my life is not exactly how it has turned out.

In the early days I wanted the white picket fence, the house, the husband, the four children-two sons and two daughters, summer vacations and to be a nurse and writer.

However that is not exactly the course that my life has taken.

I do not have the white picket fence.

Fences are not all that necessary.

I finally got the house on my own just months before I turned 52.

I do have have a husband, and that is okay.

I was married and have been divorced for several decades.

I do not have four children.

I do however have ONE amazing, wonderful DAUGHTER and a great SON-IN-LAW and GRAND-PUPPIES.

I adopted my four-legged companion, Alvin in 2010.

He brings great joy to my days.

I am not able to take summer vacations.

I am not a nurse.

But I write ….. this I have done since I was 6 years old.

So life changes as the days and years pass.

Our dreams change over time.

I will say that I never thought that I would be single, take early retirement after 30 years with a company and then start another “career” and am now almost 6 years into it.

Time flies.

I kid with folks and say that I am “OLD” but truth is …. I feel young even though somedays my body reminds me otherwise.

I love to laugh and when I find that I am taking life too seriously I change directions and find the laughter once again.

 

I watched a video last night of James Corden doing an interview with Ed Sheeran in a car.

They were driving along ….. singing and talking ….. talking and singing.

Enjoying life.

I must say I love ED SHEERAN and pleasantly surprised by James Corden’s voice (he easily could have been a singer).

You may wonder what Ed and James have to do with 60 days to 60 but in actuality it is partly the choices we make about music and such that keeps us young.

Think young ….. act young ….. be young.

 

Well I guess if I am to write things for 60 days about turning 60, I should stop now.

Safe to say the next 59 days worth of posts will be shorter.

I hope that my journey to 60 will perhaps inspire you, make you laugh, maybe even bring a tear to your eye but most of all I hope that it brings some joy to your day(s).

Now yikes only 59 days till I turn 60……………

 

Always, Carol