2021

Good Morning ALL. How are you today? Wednesday. Midweek once again. Surely seems like the weeks fly by. Sometimes during the day we may not think so but when you look at the day of the week it certainly does. Funny story, yesterday after work I had just put on my winter boots and was going to put on my winter coat, mitts etc. to go out and shovel Sonja’s front sidewalk (neighbors in other half had done mine earlier) when I noticed the name and phone number of my Optometrist’s office flash across my SMART TV. I thought that is odd as I had given them my cell number and told them that that number was no longer in service. With boots on I ran quickly to grab my cell phone and call them. The receptionist asked me if I could hold and I of course said yes. While I patiently waited to see if my new glasses were in. A few minutes later she came back on the line and I explained about the phone number and got them all updated including my work number which I had forgotten about. These days an appointment is required to do anything so I set one up for this Saturday at 1:30 p.m. with the knowledge that the temperature is supposed to be warmer or at least that is what the weather guy said. In the morning I am hosting a birthday party for one of my neighbours and friend – there will be three of us in attendance. The three of us. We are going to have the party in my garage. I don’t have a car so I have lots of room for social distancing and I have comfortable furniture that I can set out and a table. I will be doing some rearranging on Friday night. So Saturday will be exciting. Friends over and we have not had a visit in person for a long time. Also new glasses. YAY. Oh, after the phone call – I went out and shovelled my neighbours sidewalk. What goes around comes around, I always say.

Well as Mr. Alvin is very anxious to go back downstairs and perhaps he has to go outside, I will repost a poem that I wrote many years ago, actually almost ten. I am feeling very grateful, very thankful this morning. There is so much more I could add to this poem but it does say what is in my heart. Thank you.

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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

Continuing to live my life with kindness, respect, compassion and patience.

Always, Carol & Alvin

Living … One day at a time.

Good Morning and WELCOME to Friday ….

Not an ordinary Friday.

But the Friday before a long weekend.

The Friday before we celebrate THANKSGIVING.

One of my most favourite times of year.

The weather …. the people …. the FOOD.

Who does not like PUMPKIN?

Pumpkin pie.

Pumpkin cookies.

Pumpkin cake.

Pumpkin Lattes.

Pumpkin tea.

Pumpkin soup.

Pumpkin muffins.

Pumpkins carved for Halloween.

Another fun time of the year.

There is always the contest for the largest PUMPKIN.

Charlie Brown and the gang.

Leaves turning such a vast variety of colours.

Leaves laying on the sidewalks and lawns.

Walking through the leaves …. crunching them.

The smell of the air.

Birds leaving for the winter.

 

We call the day THANKSGIVING but really we should be thankful all year round.

I am so grateful to have good health.

I am so grateful to be surrounded by the most wonderful people on the planet.

They are all family.

I am so grateful to Alvin in my life.

Although there are times that he drives me a little crazy and I’m quite certain that I do the same to him.

I love the little guy.

I am so grateful to have this beautiful house that we can call home.

I am so grateful to live in this great Country.

Life may not be perfect in all eyes.

But it is perfect for me.

 

Life is filled with many rainbows.

They come and go.

Latch on and have the time of your life.

 

Well almost time to leave for work.

I am so excited to have this weekend.

Teddy is coming for a sleepover on Saturday.

My kids and grandpups are coming for supper on Sunday.

 

I wish and hope that you have a life filled with great joy, good health,

much laughter and abundance.

Happy Friday.

Respectfully and filled with kindness just for you.

 

Always, Carol & Alvin

 

 

 

Living … One day at a time.

Hello,

Wednesday already.

Sky is a mix of clouds and sunshine.

The past month or so we have had on average four days with rain per week.

Crazy.

The rest of the week was not all sunshine …. but there was the occasional rainbow.

 

Yesterday Alvin and I enjoyed a walk after work, we took our usual route.

Always makes my day to see the geese and the babies almost grown up.

The families of geese were spread out on the grass and up to the sidewalk as we approached the park.

We would have to walk almost right by them.

Mr. Alvin totally ignored them …. I don’t think he even took a glance in their direction.

He stayed on the right side of me which was the furthest away from them.

Alvin just sniffed in the grass beside the sidewalk.

I was proud.

NO barking.

NO chasing.

He just had respect for those beautiful creatures.

Mama, well I was taking in the view and trying to miss the goose poop which was everywhere.

Alvin somehow and I don’t believe intentionally seemed to miss the poop.

Thank goodness.

As we neared Master Teddy’s house as per usually Alvin took a beeline across their lawn.

I called him back only to see Teddy’s Dad sitting in his work van; he saw Alvin and quickly opened the door to the van.

He called Alvin over and invited us in for a visit.

Alvin raced to the door.

I unhooked his leash as he had his nose right in the crook of the door.

He was not going anywhere but inside once the door was opened.

So cute.

We had a great visit with our friends.

Teddy might be joining us on Saturday for the day.

It will be great as we will also have my grand-pups here while my kids attend a friend’s wedding.

Lots of four-legged babies on Saturday.

Love it.

Friday will be busy getting my laundry and stuff done.

I like to have a free day when have the pups around so that I can play with them.

Once home after our walk last night; I went and picked up Humphrey.

Who was at the door …. waiting for me.

He had his nose in the crook as well.

Guess he could smell me.

Anyway the boys had a good night.

Inside and out.

Later on when I was getting sleepy I took Humphrey home which was about 9:00 p.m.

Humphrey had been laying on Alvin’s big doggie bed surrounded by Alvin’s toys.

I called him and said “Come on Humphrey, time to go home.”

He actually got up and ran to the door.

I scooped him up grabbing my keys.

After I locked the house; I noticed a brown bundle by the tree.

Well here it was a bunny eating the bird seed that my friend leaves for the birds.

We were only a few feet … maybe 5 feet from him.

He just chewed and watched us go by.

Humphrey looked over my shoulder very intently as we walked by and up the steps to his house.

I even managed to walk right by him and to my house.

Once inside I grabbed my phone/camera and snapped these photos.

So cute.

 

Well here we go again … another day ….

Have an awesome Wednesday.

I hope that this post finds you in good health, filled with great joy and surrounded with love and abundance.

Always with Kindness and Respect.

 

Always, Carol & Alvin

Thought for the day ….

Good Morning and Welcome to Tuesday the 12th day of March, 2019.

TODAY is the BIRTHDAY of A VERY SPECIAL YOUNG WOMAN.

That woman is my beautiful daughter, Amanda.

I cannot believe that she is thirty-nine years old today.

Seems like only yesterday that she was born.

Her birth was the best gift that I have ever received.

 

I want to share my post from June 22, 2010 – A day with my girl.

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 ……

 

Alvin and I look forward to seeing you all on Sunday.

Here is a sneak peek at what awaits you….

Happy Happy Birthday My Darling Daughter.

May your life be filled with good health, great joy, much love and laughter and abundance.

We love you so much,

Love Mom & Alvin….

 

 

Special Hello to: the Birthday Girl.  We love you.

Always, Carol & Alvin

 

P.S.  the fruit pizza has not been made just yet, I will make it on Sunday morning so it is fresh, fresh, fresh.

 

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Friday the 12th day of October, 2018.

It is raining outside this morning.

It started just before we went to bed and continued off and on throughout the night.

Seems funny hearing the rain coming down and even more funny watching it take away the remaining snow.

There be green grass once again.

How about that?

Guess what?

Guess what?

My SNAPDRAGONS are still blooming and looking so pretty.

Hard to believe that they survived minus temperatures and two heavy snowfalls.

They sure are hardy little troopers.

WOW.

 

Last night after work we went for an one hour walk with our friend “P.”

I love our walks and our conversations.

We learn more about each other every time that we are together.

She is such an amazing friend to me and Alvin.

He loves our walks with her, too.

 

Well today is Friday ….. so excited for the weekend.

No big plans but lots of little things that I would like to get accomplished.

I think that Alvin has his regular appointment tomorrow morning (they always call the day before to confirm/remind).

We appreciate that.

Often times we book it and of course, it is 5 weeks into the future.

Sometimes I don’t remember …. but they always call.

 

Alvin laying on his blue blanket – what a guy.

I love listening him to sleep.

His breathing.

 

Just so grateful to be surrounded by loving, compassionate, thoughtful, caring, supportive souls.

Thoughts out to someone who has an appointment today …. only good news.

 

Wow, it is really coming down.

Thinking I may have to pull out the umbrella …. thankfully I left the rain spout down …..

 

Happy Friday.

How about we start this day and every day by doing something thoughtful for someone.

Does not have to cost money or take a lot of time.

Just do something that would help someone else.

How about for a stranger?

We have to be more kind and generous to ALL others.

We are all the same after all.

Look at us.

A head, body, arms and legs.

We are the same.

The only differences are the ones that we make.

Really we are ALL the same.

Treat each other with kindness and respect.

Life can be short or it can be long.

Make your life and that of all others around you …. joyful and abundant.

 

Special Hello:  YOU …. thank you for reading this post and for being a good human being.

Always, Carol & Alvin

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

 

 

 

Thought for the day …..

Good  morning and Welcome to Sunday the 16th day of July, 2017.

Overcast and much cooler this morning (which I love).

Even a rain shower to give the plants, trees and grass some much needed moisture.

Up a bit earlier this morning and changing bedding.

The day for towels and bedding to be laundered.

My daughter is coming for a visit today so I would like to have things done before she arrives.

The coffee is ready as I can smell the aroma wafting up the stairs.

Time for a shower before breakfast and that first cup of coffee.

Feeling really sticky from the humidity.

Well we had a good weekend me and Alvin.

For some reason I felt the need to rearrange and clean the basement so that is what I did yesterday along with some laundry.

Nice to have it refreshed.

Besides it was cooler in the basement for me and Alvin to hang out.

I have a television set down there so had it on for some background noise.

So here we go on another …..

I hope that you are keeping well and keeping cool but not cold.

Joyful and abundance.

All the Best on this Sunday and for all time.

 

Special Hello to:  My Sister ….. have to chat and get our visit schedule figured out ….. excited to have you come for a visit, and the young one and to see the other brother.

Always, Carol & Alvin

COUNTDOWN: 60 Days to 60

Today is Thursday, June 29, 2017 and it is the 42nd day until my 60th Birthday.

Well I have decided that perhaps so many lists is perhaps a “tad” overboard.

As with most folks over the age of 50, we continue to dream about the future, live for today and cherish all memories of days gone by.

Perhaps somedays our memories are more clear than the present but that is okay.

I intend to live to be 100.

My paternal Grandmother lived to be 97.

There are things to do and places to see during the next 40 years.

After all, I am only 6 six years into my “second” career ….. long way to go until “retirement.”

So perhaps a “Bucket List” to remind me of the things to do and places to see is likely a good idea.

Sometimes we get so wrapped up in our everyday lives that we forget about those dreams.

Bucket List is the next thing to do.

I will take an empty notebook and make some notes.

It was an excellent exercise writing down all of the things that I have done thus far ….. the good and the bad, joyful and not.

Sometimes we do need to be reminded of a lifetime filled with happiness, sadness, joy, abundance and lack thereof, and all of that.

Our lives as human beings are far from what we determine as perfection.

So stop trying to be perfect and live your life.

Moment by moment and I do try.

Sometimes my patience runs a bit thin and other times my patience saves the day and there is all that in between.

So here we are …. another day closer to 60…… wow…..

 

Always, Carol

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Friday the 27th day of January, 2017.

Another gorgeous un “January” like day …… plus temperatures again.

WOW.

We are enjoying this weather.

I am grateful that today is Friday as it has been a long week.

Looking forward to being at home with my Alvin and enjoying the warm weekend weather.

Not sure where the time goes and why some mornings I have lots of time and others I am rushing am late.

Doing the same routine exactly.

Is it to do with my “thoughts?”

Perhaps.

Guess I had better get that straightened out.

Anyway, as I am running late …. this will be very short.

I hope that you all are having a great day thus far.

Happy Friday.

At the end of it all I am most grateful to be alive, in good health and to be surrounded by love, kindness and abundance.

I guess today it is a reminder to be Kind.

Think kind thoughts and act in a kind manner.

 

Special Hello to: my youngest brother …. thinking of you.

Always, Carol and Alvin

 

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Saturday the 7th day of January, 2017.

Well here we are one full week into the New Year.

I hope that you are having a good one thus far.

My year I would say has been okay.

Perhaps not fireworks great.

I would say a couple of disappointing things happened but not life threatening so that is okay.

I always try to see life with the glass half full.

There are moments when I would like to scream and then once that is over I just take a deep breathe.

I am reminded sometimes by the news and sometimes by situations occurring about me that my life is pretty darn good.

I am in good health and although I am not “rich” by any means I have enough abundance in my life that I can always find a way to get through.

There is always a way.

Sometimes one would like for things to become more easy, I would like that.

I read about “Thoughts becoming Things” and I believe it, although it is hard to think abundant thoughts when things happen to the contrary.

So on this Saturday life goes on.

A week into the New Year.

Alvin and I are happy.

I am surrounded by good people.

I am surrounded by lots of friends and a good family.

I have my own house and I am OVER the moon thankful for my home.

I have two new cool pair of glasses (yay).

Alvin and I are in good health.

This morning my daughter and one of my grand-pups are coming for a visit and pancakes.

Grand-pup Aspen has a Doctor appointment this morning.

Checking on her eyes.

My children are good parents.

So time to go and have that shower (do not want to be a stinking Grandma!!).

Then get those pancakes made and COFFEE.

Always have to have coffee on the weekends.

Have a great day.

Be safe and warm.

Happy Saturday.

Special Hello to: All those people who are feeling down – take a deep breathe – find something in your life that is good/great and focus on that – it will get better.  If you cannot get out of the dumps – seek help.

Everyone needs help sometime.

Always, Carol and Alvin