It is a NEW YEAR.

Good Morning and welcome to a sunrise with partial overcast skies.

Yesterday was an odd day.

Cooler and ending in the late afternoon with a crazy amount of miniature snowballs and then rain.

It reminded me of hail but so small, I guess ice pellets.

Covering the deck and the grass.

Now there is only a hint that we had “snow” yesterday.

Mother’s Day 2020.

Despite Mother Nature’s attempt at throwing us a curveball; our day was wonderful.

My daughter came for a visit and brought the grandpups Miss Aspen and Baby Milo.

I guess Milo is no longer a baby but he is the baby in our family.

We had brunch with muffins, fruit, energy bites and cheese and of course, coffee.

We exchanged gifts from one Mother to another.

I will add you do not have to have human babies to be a mother.

Nor do you have to have puppies, kitties or any kind of animal or creature to be a mother.

We are all mothers in the global community.

The old saying “It takes a village.”

Well it does.

Everyone plays a role in raising the babies on this earth.

My daughter, son-in-law and grandpups gave me a watercolour paint set with a painting journal and a book on how to Paint with Watercolours in 30 Days.

I am set.

So excited.

I started to read the book and I have already learned so many things in just the first few pages.

This next weekend I will start at the beginning and I will learn how to paint.

I think that it is better to learn some basic techniques than by just going rogue and doing my thing.

“Doing my thing” can always come later.

We had a great time.

My daughter made a run to COSTCO and the grandpups stayed with Grandma and Alvin.

It was great to have them in the house.

Aspen loves having her belly rubbed and Milo loves to stand/lay on my lap.

Perfect Mother’s Day.

 

So here we go another work week.

Lots to do but that is good.

Nothing worse than boredom from lack of something to do.

Although I will say I do not think that I have ever had a job or day that was filled with boredom.

Likely that it is pretty good for someone of my age.

I still cannot believe that I will turn “63” this summer.

 

I am going to make an appointment at the VET for Alvin this week.

Certainly hope that they remain open for business.

He is long overdue and I have watched him with an eagle eye to ensure that his dew claw is not growing into his paw.

It has got so long.

I believe he is ready for his regular maintenance.

I will call and find out.

 

Well it is time to go and grab my coffee.

Get this Monday started.

I look forward to a walk at noon as we missed walking yesterday.

 

I hope that you all have a fantastic Monday.

Living with kindness and respect for ALL.

 

I/We remain,

As Always, Carol & Alvin

 

It is a NEW YEAR.

Okay MARCH 1st, 2020.

The sun is shining and I can only assume that somewhere the birds are singing.

So happy to see the sunshine this morning.

Yesterday was a gloomy gray snowy day.

I did manage to clear some of the ice pond that had taken “temporary” residence out front of our home.

Today is doing some odd chores around the house.

I have to get the basement in order or at least start.

We will try to go for a walk today and did not manage to get out yesterday.

With the snow covering the ice in many spots – just way too dangerous for us “older type” folks.

My friend who came to do the jewelry party last night is just recovering from a bad fall at work on the ice.

She fractured her elbow in two places, injured but did not break her shoulder, and had a concussion.

That was at the end of January and she is just back to the jewelry business and her job as a nurse.

She has a family so it was hard to do things with her injuries.

I should clarify that she was not at her job as a nurse or selling jewelry.

She has a teenager and a smaller child.

The teenager helped with the little one.

Her husband just started a new job so lots going on with her.

I was a bit disappointed that no one was able to come to the party but we had a great time, visiting and looking at jewelry.

I do love jewelry for sure.

I purchased some bangles and earrings.

So excited to wear them.

 

As I look out of the office window the snow on the garage roof is glistening, sparkling in the sunlight.

So beautiful …. just like a billion diamonds or crystals.

 

Well my friends.

Off to get dressed and have COFFEE and breakfast.

WE were up past 11:00 p.m. last night which is very late for me and Alvin.

Up at 4:30 briefly and then up at 7:00 to stay up.

Already finished a letter and birthday card to my Aunt.

My Dad’s only sister.

I started them yesterday but want to mail today so it stands a chance to make it to her by her birthday.

It will be close.

 

I hope that you have a splendid Sunday.

Filled with relaxation time, lots of laughter, good food and good company.

Happy Days ahead.

Be Kind and Respectful to yourself and to all others.

 

Always, Carol & Alvin

 

COUNTDOWN: 60 Days to 60

Today is Saturday, July 15, 2017 and it is the 26th day until my 60th Birthday.

I will say that it is a bit difficult putting a year to certain events.

Now were are at:

1988:  Just a good year with my girl.

1989: Beginning of year a long term relationship ended which brought on a year of getting my life back in order.

1990: We both went to Calgary with friends and had a great visit with my brother and his family.  Went to Banff and Heritage Park … so beautiful.

1991:  Went to Montana with friends and had one of the best vacations ever …. this was an adult only trip.  The weather was great.

1992: In the summer of this year we had a great visit with my Mom and all siblings and children in Alberta.

1993:  This year was filled with incredible highs and lows; births and the passing of family members.

1994:  Visited New York City while in area on business.  What an incredible city.  One of my fondest memories was to the World Trade Centre.  So grateful for that memory.

1995: Joined the computer project which would take me away from my regular job until 1998.

1996: Lots of overtime during this time not much time for anything extra.

1997: Continuing with the overtime but the extra money allowed some flexibility and we even bought a new television set, a bigger one.

 

Oh, how I wished that I had all of my journals summarized and in front of me at this time.  My life has been filled with so many amazing people, places and things.  Often times things run all together and the years seem like yesterday.  So much I have missed.  During this decade I travelled through work to Calgary, Vancouver (visited Victoria while in Vancouver), Toronto (visited Niagara Falls while in Toronto), Winston Salem, North Carolina and of course New York City.  Each of these trips held a special memory.

My daughter attended the Bon Jovi Concert in Saskatoon in 1993.  We increased our family by two nephews and a niece.  I

I was thinking the other day that wouldn’t it be great to keep a journal from say your earlier adult years, and just summarize each year on December 31st, 2017.  It would be something that you could hand down to each generation.  What a treasure.  I am hoping that my blog will also give my daughter some extra information and an on-line journal as such about her Momma and her life.

 

Always, Carol

COUNTDOWN: 60 Days to 60

Today is Saturday June 24, 2017 and it is the 47 day until my 60th Birthday.

Okay now what after the 60 favourite things list.

I was thinking about a BUCKET LIST.

What is with all of these lists anyway?

Well truthfully, this would not be a surprise to people who know me as I am famous for writing lists, TO DO LISTS and such.

I like to write things down.

I have often thought a BUCKET LIST would be nice but perhaps today I will do it in reverse.

Not the things that I want to do in the future but some of the things that I have done over the years.

Okay so this is going to be another 60 things list ….. but things that I have done not necessarily favourite things but things that I have done/accomplished, okay.

Because going backwards can be tricky with the counting process I am just going to start at number 1.

1. Started cooking at age 6 (have been cooking now for almost 54 years).

2. Camped with cousins on a dry river bed and did not know and then the rain started and we had to leave.

3. Played in the water at Padre Island / Gulf Coast of Mexico as a child while spending the winter in TEXAS with family.

4. Bought first house on my own at age 52.

5. Adopted first doggie (Alvin) on my own at age 53.

6. Started making jewellery and had own jewellery business at age 53 with my daughter.

7. Worked first real RETAIL job (small town clothing store does not count).

8.  In said RETAIL job even had “number 1 sales per hour” in the whole company (not bad for someone at age 57 working with mainly young ones).

9.  First paid babysitting job at age 8 for neighbours with toddler and newborn.

10. Tasted first FAST FOOD at age 18.

11.  When a child walked from my Grandparents farm to ours which was about five miles away (after disagreement with my Dad and it was at night).

12. Had a mock wedding as a prank on my Mother (so much fun and she loved it, too and honestly she did not believe it).

 

Okay that was definitely harder than I thought but I will attempt to do this.  Likely you may learn things that I had even forgotten.

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Saturday the 15th day of April, 2017.

SNOW, SNOW and more snow.

That is what is happening here in Edmonton.

It has been snowing pretty much steadily since early early Friday morning.

Looks like I will be shovelling again and again.

The snow was so heavy that when I pushed it along the deck with the shovel and removed said shovel it stayed in a roll.

Instant snow roll ….

 

Last night one of my friends and neighbours came for a visit.

I always enjoy our visits.

She has had her own business for over 30 years.

There is always something I learn during our time together.

This time it was how Mothers in the wild quieten their pups …..

Interesting.

They just firmly hold their mouths shut.

Not hurting them ….

They tell them in a low growl …. to be quiet.

Now this is for safety against predators.

Mommas have to hunt and are forced to leave their young ones alone.

She also brought me some beautiful flowers.

So thoughtful.

 

Well today other than going for groceries and shovelling it will be a quiet day.

Our trip to my daughter’s will wait for another day as my poor girl has that dreadful cold bug that is going around.

I think shovelling will be keeping me busy …..

Maybe I will do some baking ….. I have some flax seed to use up.

 

So on this snowy Saturday I hope that you are enjoying your long weekend, as are we.

Happy Easter Weekend.

 

Special Hello to: my sister and “G” who are globe trotting and are leaving Peru for Las Vegas, today…..Safe Travels.

Always, Carol and Alvin

 

 

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Monday the 27th day of February, 2017.

How are you this morning?

I am doing well.

Just about ready to head out for another Monday work day.

Alvin and I had a great weekend.

Most of which was spent at home …. the rest was out running errands.

 

We watched the OSCARS last night ….. well rather I watched the OSCARS last night.

Alvin was not to excited about seeing who had the most beautiful dress or who won BEST PICTURE.

In fact, he was ready to head up to bed about 8:30 p.m.

He definitely is a creature of habit.

At least by going to bed later he did not wake up at 3:00 a.m. …. closer to 4:30 a.m. which was a nice treat.

 

The temperatures this week are single digits below zero which will be nice.

Yesterday was kind of cold.

We had a quiet day.

Somedays you just ignore the “TO DO LIST” and do your own thing …. which in this case was “not much.”

I always do the necessities, of course.

But sometimes it is nice to just chill and watch a movie or something.

Snuggle with me Alvin …..

 

Well here we are again time to catch the bus to work.

Have a great Monday.

I hope that you had a great Sunday and had time to chill.

 

Special Hello to: my family all over the world.

Always, Carol and Alvin

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Monday the 6th day of February, 2017.

It is COLD, COLD out there this morning in Edmonton.

Double digits below – 26 degrees celsius.

Poor Mr. Alvin had to take two runs at it to get outside.

He did his business very quickly.

Poor little guy.

I am grateful to have a warm coat, mitts, scarf and boots for the cold walk to the bus.

 

What a great weekend.

Yesterday we just spent inside except for some shovelling and I had to watch Alvin as it was so cold and he could only be outside for a minute or so.

Did some cleaning and watched a couple of movies.

I watched “Mother’s Day” with Julia Roberts, Jennifer Anniston, Kate Hudson and so many great actors.

I laughed and I cried.

It was a good movie.

Perfect for a Sunday afternoon.

 

Well it is almost time to hit the road ….. the cold ….. argh.

There are times these these when I wished that I was retired.

Oh well, it is all good.

 

Thank you Universe for a great weekend.

I had time with my girl, an outing, time with my boy, did some cleaning and laundry and made some jewellery and I RELAXED.

Perfect.

 

Have a great Monday.

Special Hello to: my sister ….. shall we SKYPE soon …..

Always, Carol and Alvin

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Thursday the 14th day of July, 2016.

It is bright and sunny and I hear a helicopter in the distance.

Not a usual sound for this time of morning.

Although I usually do not have the office window open and apparently I left it open last night.

Time to close it.

Wow another Thursday that means a weekend is fast approaching.

Alvin and I are excited as Elton is going to be spending Saturday with us as his Mom & Dad have so many errands to run and will be away all day.

So that will be nice.

I have house things and paperwork to do so that I can be all caught up before my company arrives next Tuesday.

YAY …..

Last night when Alvin and I were on our way home from our walk we stopped to visit some of the neighbours down the street close to the park.

They have two small dogs …. they all know each other but sometimes the little ones get a bit excited.

Well last night one of them in a whirlwind of events nipped Alvin in the bum.

It all happened so fast he stumbled on the step …. I was trying to retract his leash a bit and we were tangled up.

He did fall from one step to the other ( he is okay …. no harm ).

Alvin, the true gentleman that he is did not go after the little dog.

Instead he stayed away from her.

It was kind of funny to watch.

He just stayed close to me and to the other humans but kept his distance from the two little ones.

He has the patience of a saint with the little ones.

The big dogs …. he growls and barks, I guess because he doesn’t know them.

The ones that he does know he is fine.

They are not so much different from us …..

Growling and barking are their words.

Biting is their action.

It was a good night.

Still working on computer stuff for my Steeped Tea business.

For me, it is a slow process.

I am learning amongst the frustration.

Well time to get this show on the road.

The bus does not wait.

Special Hello to: all my four-legged friends out there ….. you are the glue that keeps us together.  Love you Alvin.

Always, Carol and Alvin

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Wednesday the 13th day of July, 2016.

Another cloudy raining morning with hopefully sunny patches.

Not much of a breeze which is good in case it rains.

Straight down rain is always better than on an angle especially when you are walking with an umbrella.

We have a field trip today as our office is closed to the public.

So we get to go and learn something new today.

I am excited.

Last night I spent the greater part working on my “Steeped Tea” business.

As of late, I decided that I should have a FB business page and I set out to set up that up.

It is kind of tricky to manoeuvre throughout the set up but I am getting there.

Always good to learn something new.

Trial and error.

Might take me a few days but I will be successful.

Also I have learned that it is important to use social media as a valuable tool in business.

It is the wave of the future.

Never would have thought of that a few years back.

I do remember thinking when I was a small girl about the days when we could see the person we were talking to on the telephone.

I am not sure why I had those thoughts but it has come to pass.

I am tired this morning because one hour on the computer turned into plus four.

Poor Alvin was so patient as we ended up going for a later walk and then when back home I was back on the computer.

Well that is all.

Just learning and spending a lot of time on the computer.

Have an awesome Wednesday.

Perhaps you will learn something new today.

Does not matter what ….. just good to learn something.

Special Hello to: all those folks who take the time to read my little blog, I appreciate your time and your comments.

Always, Carol and Alvin

Thought for the day ….

Good Morning and Welcome to Tuesday the 21st day of June, 2016.

Overcast and cooler this morning compared to the bright sunny Monday.

But a good way to start the day ….. a bit cooler and yet nice.

It is funny how weather plays such a role in how we feel.

Some people feel energized, alive and so great when the sun shines.

Some people feel sad when it is raining.

Some people feel great when it is snowing.

If it is raining when you get up to go to work you may think “ah, I have to now carry an umbrella and I might get wet.”

Perhaps the rain spoils some outdoor plans.

I admit to loving a mix of all of the above.

I have more energy when the sun shines but hot weather and I do not mix.

However, as our summers are so short to complain would not be right.

I love a warm rain on a summer’s day with a bit of sun peering through the clouds.

Sunny days and rainy days are both needed to grow crops to feed us and flowers, plants, trees for the air.

Vainly for the flowers to look at …..

It is a glorious cycle.

Well here we go again.

Time to leave home for work.

Time to hit the road.

I will be taking my umbrella and my clothing choice changed this morning.

Oh well.

Always good to have a plan “B” and sometimes even “C.”

Have a great Tuesday and enjoy the weather whether sunshine or rain.

Special Hello to: my friend “M” whose business is booming and I am so proud and happy for her.

Always, Carol and Alvin