It is a NEW YEAR.

Good Morning and Welcome to Thursday, March 12, 2020.

Today is the 40th birthday of my daughter.

She was born on a Wednesday on definitely a winter’s day.

She was the third grandchild on her Dad’s side of the family and the second on mine.

My nephew was just three years old when she was born.

Lots of Aunts and Uncles on both sides to spoil her with love and attention.

Both sets of Grandparents and one Great Grandmother.

 

So tiny was my girl.

5 pounds 11 ounces and 17 3/4 inches long.

When we left the hospital for home she weighed 5 pounds 5 ounces.

Our little doll.

 

So much has happened over the last forty years.

We started off together at home.

Then off to daycare when I went back to work.

The next thing I knew you were entering Kindergarten.

Then you were standing up to bullies on the school playground.

My darling little girl.

Definitely a force to be reckoned with, in her own quiet way.

Creative from the beginning.

In middle school she participated in a play and I helped contribute by writing a poem.

A collaborative venture. So proud.

It was about saving the environment (we have been working on that for a long time).

My girl always great in the art department.

Some of the pencil drawings of her favourite model or actor or entertainer still put me in a state of AWE.

All through school as much as she loved hanging out with her friends, she was just as happy to be at home in her room, reading.

I started to read to her when she was in the womb.

She loved to read and read from an early age.

My girl did great all through school.

In High School she decided to get a part-time job.

She worked at Zellers, Blockbuster, Black’s Photo and Chapter’s over those early years including her first two years of University in Regina where she studied Fine Arts.

In the beginning she thought of Direct and Producing Films, which she was passionate about early on.

In her early teens she found a love of photography as did I.

She loved to snap photos of her cousin.

One day after completing two years of University and being unsure of what direction to take, she decided that she wanted to pursue her dreams of photography.

Applied to NAIT in Edmonton, Alberta.

This would mean a move.

She was accepted and was the only student from Saskatchewan that was accepted that year.

They had a rigorous process for acceptance.

I was so proud of her but was sad for me knowing that she would be living several hundred miles and not just down the hall from me.

She had been down that hall for 22 years and I was going to miss her.

Now I could certainly write a letter about our first forty years …. her first forty years.

I could not be more proud of another human being as I am of my girl.

She is loving and giving, smart and funny, generous and supportive.

Compassionate for all creatures.

There is so much to say that I could likely write a book and this is not the time.

Upon moving to Edmonton, she got right into school and working.

Most times working at least two part-time jobs while attending school full-time.

She worked hard and still does.

She met her partner in life while working at Blockbuster in Regina and they have been married for more than a decade.

Time flies.

She has photographed people, weddings, special events, pets and more.

We had / have a jewelry business together.

Just after graduating from photography she went to work for one of the City Councillors.

Today she continues to work for the City.

She continues to pursue her dreams in the art world.

Paper collaging these days.

She was featured in one of the first issues of an Australian Art Magazine.

She has collaborated with a “famous” videographer/producer.

 

We have travelled to Jasper and Montreal together.

Nowadays our thing is a small girls road trip in the summer.

The trip is within an easy drive from our homes.

Checking out quirky and interesting places along the way.

 

 

She has been a Mom to Elton and Penny, our fur babies, who watch over us all.

These days she is Mom to Aspen and Milo.

There is so much to say about this baby, this girl, this woman who is my daughter.

I love her more than words can say.

I am more proud of her than I can show.

I have watched this girl of mine grown in this phenomenal woman filled with grace, elegance and compassion.

We wish her all the best in the years ahead.

May your days be filled with love and laughter and your nights, too.

May you have good health, always.

May you always follow your dreams wherever they may lead you.

Life takes courage and strength.

Always do what feels right and you will always do the right thing.

Happy Birthday to our darling girl ….

 

 

So on this your fortieth birthday, my darling daughter and Alvin’s big sister …

Happy Birthday

With Love

Always & Forever,

Mom & Alvin

 

 

 

 

 

Thought for the day ….

Good Morning and Welcome to Friday the 29th day of June, 2018.

It is overcast at the moment with clear skies to the south (we are facing south at this time).

Feels okay outside as I was out earlier in my p.j.’s and there is no breeze.

We had a shower overnight.

Never heard a thing.

I took a vacation day to have an extra long weekend.

Yesterday we had a request to look after Master Teddy for today and tomorrow.

So he will be joining us soon.

I have changed my plans somewhat but I am flexible.

One can go through photos on the computer just as easily on Sunday as today.

One can delete emails just as easily on Sunday as today.

It all works out.

 

Well last night was our Ladies Paint NIGHT.

It was a blast.

The artist instructor was very nice.

She tried to be funny and all the ladies were not quite sure what to do.

So we laughed where appropriate and carried on.

She had done something like 242 classes.

Crazy hey.

We sat at tables at the Tony Romas Restaurant in St. Albert.

It did feel at bit awkward as I felt low in proximity to the canvas.

But that is no excuse for my “starfish.”

I tried to follow her instructions for the most part and found myself going my own way.

She claimed as my paint tray was messy that was a sign of an “artist.”

Not quite sure about that but we GIRLS did have so much fun.

We laughed and almost cried.

The girls, my friends did a great job.

We are going to find another one to do.

I thought perhaps a landscape with trees.

Practice.

I have always like abstract and that has been my thing.

But here is a few shots of my “work of art.”

My starfish’s name is “Fred” after Freddy Flintstone.

 

 

 

Well should sign off for now as Master Teddy will be along shortly.

I wish you all a wonderful Friday.

I know that I am going to enjoy this day.

 

Special Hello to:  my sister …..

Always, Carol & Alvin

Thought for the day ….

Good Morning and Welcome to Thursday the 8th day of February, 2018.

YAY, today is Thursday and I welcome it with OPEN arms.

 

Last night my daughter gave me a ride home after work.

So great chatting with her on the car ride home.

I do miss seeing her everyday.

She is the sunshine in my day and the moon and stars of my nights.

I am not forgetting me Alvin, he is constant companion and keeps good company for all the days.

Last night Alvin and I went for a walk, it was not a long one, but a great one all the same.

So good for us both to have a nice walk.

On the way home Alvin was showing signs of being too cold (lifting up his paws).

We hurried ….

 

I am working on some poetry as of late.

Usually when I write something and most especially a poem, I finish it all in one sitting but there are times when it requires a few sessions.

This is one of those times.

I am inspired by current circumstances and it has to be just right to capture the feelings.

 

Well it is almost time to hit the road.

Hit the road, Jack …… now I have that song in my head.

Cannot remember the title, though.

Perhaps it will ring a bell with you.

Please leave me a comment if you remember the title and artist.

 

Happy THURSDAY.

Special Hello to: You, on this Thursday.

Always, Carol & Alvin

 

Thought for the day…..

Good Morning and Welcome to Thursday the 12th day of March, 2015.

Today is the 35th Birthday of my darling daughter …..

Wow, I cannot believe that she is thirty-five, where have the years gone?

It really seems like only yesterday she was in high school and now it has been 17 years since she graduated.

There are so many wonderful things to say about this girl of mine.

She is kind-hearted, kind of shy in a way but not, smart and funny and super talented.

As far back as I can remember she excelled in the arts.

Didn’t matter if it was drawing, painting or taking photos …. she was really good.

I could tell at an early age that she had the “eye.”

She just could visualize ….

After taking some courses through the City of Regina in photography and art classes in High School she entered the Arts Program majoring in film at the University of Regina.

Two years later she decided to take a break and regroup.

All this time she worked at least one job sometimes two.

One day she called me at work to “say that she had figured out what she wanted to do.”

I was elated …. she knew.

She applied to NAIT (Northern Alberta Institute of Technology) in Edmonton for their photography program.

They only took a handful of applicants from all over the country and the likelihood of her getting in would be tough.

But she put together her portfolio with everything they asked for and was ACCEPTED.

The only student from Saskatchewan accepted that year.

Quite the feat.

During the two year program she took photos of “Buzz the Owl” at the Edmonton Zoo, photos at a cemetery, had friends model …. all for projects.

She even set up a cover for a magazine ….

Over the years she has taken photos of pets, children, families, weddings and nature.

In between we started our own “jewellery line” ….. Dear Stella Jewellery.

Now she takes photos of our jewellery ….

I could write for days of her accomplishments.

Today I found out that an art project she was working on with an artist and others will go to China to be displayed in a museum.

I am so very proud.

She has always been my special girl.

So today on her 35th Birthday I celebrate her life thus far.

Happy Birthday my Darling ……

May the next 35 be just as exciting and incredible as the first.

Special Hello to: my daughter on her 35th Birthday.

Always, Carol and Alvin

Thought for the day….

Good Morning and Welcome to Tuesday the 29th day of April, 2014.

The second last day ever for April in the year of 2014.

How crazy is that?

Well it is.

If we ever dare think about in that respect.

This is the last time we will ever have this day, these minutes and moments.

I am savouring these for sure.

At this very nanosecond my life is picture perfect.

Alvin and I are in great health.

We have the best family and friends on the planet or in the universe for that matter.

We live in a beautiful home and have a yard.

The sky is pale blue with the sun rising up higher and higher.

I have a job … make that two.

I can hear the birds singing and my heart beating.

Doesn’t get better than that …..

Life is grand.

I have so much to be thankful for at this very moment.

Take a moment and peel the layers back.

Think about it …. at this very nanosecond …. this very moment …… how great is your life?

You can make it whatever you wish.

Life is like a canvas ….. you draw some lines …… put them together and colour it in …..

Happy Tuesday everyone.

Elton and Penny are coming to visit Mr. Alvin today.

He is excited …… I can see it in the gleam of his eyes.

Special Hello to: all those people who know they are the artist ….. happy drawing.

Always, Carol and Alvin