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
My New Life @ 51 