Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Saturday the 24th day of February, 2018.

The sun is shining brightly and the sky is a beautiful blue.

Smoke from neighbours chimney signifies that it is still winter and the snow resting on the garage roof tops.

All this I see from my office window.

A birdie flew by …. ah.

The house is quiet without my Alvin.

He is visiting at his sister’s home since Thursday night arriving back home tomorrow morning.

I miss the little guy.

I think that I tossed and turned more than I slept …. too used to have Alvin snuggling next to me.

*************************************

Some of the gals that I work with had purchased a LOTTO MAX TICKET for last night’s draw.

The draw was for $60 MILLION DOLLARS.

We did not win.

The lucky ticket was purchased in one of our ATLANTIC provinces.

Great to see them win for a change.

I cannot imagine what it would be like to have no thoughts about money.

Imagine having $15 MILLION as that would have been my share.

No mortgage, retirement sooner,than later, and so much more.

It would be wonderful to have access to that kind of money.

If you wanted to donate a large sum to charity – you could.

If you wanted to hop on a plane and go visit family and friends – you could.

If you wanted to hire a professional painter to paint your entire house – you could.

If you wanted to spoil yourself – you could.

If you wanted to pay for someone’s education – you could.

If you wanted to help your siblings and children to retire and make life changes – you could.

If you wanted to help a friend pay off their mortgage – you could.

If you wanted to buy a house for someone that would likely never have that opportunity – you could.

The dream will keep running.

Not giving up.

What would you do with $15 MILLION DOLLARS?

************************************************

I guess it is time to go and have breakfast, make coffee, empty the dishwasher, tidy up the house and prepare for finishing up canvassing for the HEART AND STROKE FUND.

Followed by dinner and a movie.

Night out with the girls.

I usually stay at home, so this is a nice treat.

Happy Saturday everyone.

Special Hello to: all those folks who are celebrating birthdays today and this month.  It has been a busy birthday month.

Always, Carol & Alvin

 

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Sunday the 18th day of February, 2018.

It is slightly overcast and does not feel bitterly cold so that is a good thing as I am going to venture out and canvas for the Heart & Stroke Fund.

I think this is about the 7th year that I have canvassed since moving to Edmonton.

Back in Regina over the years I canvassed for the Heart & Stroke, Cancer and United Way to name a few.

I have about three blocks to do and figured this is a good time before our company arrives this afternoon.

Our friends Teddy and his Aunt J are coming about mid afternoon and then will stay for supper.

We are both excited.

Yesterday I was so proud of myself as I took on a couple of minor household repairs.

The wooden trim around the ceramic tiles at the base of my fireplace had come loose and was always in the way.

Finally I got out my super duper GORILLA glue and did the repair.

The only thing was it is a long strip and typically you should have some kind of clamps to hold it tightly, well I did not.

So my hands were the clamps as I sat cross legged with arms stretched out to the side holding each corner.

Good stretching, anyway.

Seems to be okay this morning.

I also had purchased many years ago a utensil container from IKEA, I believe.

Well the glue that was holding each separation in place came loose after years of placing knives, forks and spoons in each compartment.

I FIXED it, too.

Feeling mighty proud of myself.

YAY, Carol ……

In between all of the glueing, I vacuumed up down and all around, washed the main floor,  lots of laundry, changed bedding, cleaned out “tupperware drawer.”

Managed to get some chores accomplished and even slept in.

Sometimes you just have to “stretch yourself” …… are you laughing, my sister.

Well I guess it is time to get this show on the road.

Quick shower and have a coffee or two before going to canvas for the Heart and Stroke.

Typically my daughter and I donate more than I actually collect but that is okay.

Most people do not answer the door and the ones that do some say they have already donated and others do not understand English or the homeowner is not at home.

But that is okay.

I will do what I promised to do and that is to visit each door on my list.

Happy Sunday Everyone.

I, we are enjoying the awesome treats from our friend “V.”

 

Special Hello to: all those single people out there who think they are not “handy” ….. you may surprise yourself if you just try.

After all you can check on-line and find video instructions for almost anything these days.

Always, Carol

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Saturday the 25th day of February, 2017.

It is a lovely morning here in Edmonton with the sun shining.

The temperature is a bit cooler than it has been, but that is okay.

Just finishing up a couple of things before jumping into the shower and then we are off to Alvin’s regular Vet appointment.

He has a pedicure and “bum glands” squeezed (sounds terrible but not so bad), will check his ears and pick him up some of his “Thera-Bites.”

Thera-Bites are glucosamine which he needs for his arthritis or for the on-start at least.

I think we should have time to take the long way around and that would give us a good walk.

I also would like to finish up canvassing for the Heart & Stroke today.

Lots of errands to squeeze in as well like picking up a March Bus Pass and a few things from the grocery store.

There seems like there is always lots to do on the weekend.

I do miss having every second Friday off ….. it was a good day to get outside errands and running around completed giving more time at home.

Years ago there was talk of shortening the work week ….. has not happened here.

I can see from my upstairs office window the smoke from a neighbour’s chimney dancing around in the air ….. must be a bit cold.

With the sunshine it will feel warmer so that is good.

Mr. Alvin is excited to see the girls at the Vet Clinic.

He loves the 2 “Jens”, the Doctor and all of the staff.

Well I guess it is time to hit the shower …. yikes er, not HIT the shower as such.

I will walk carefully to my bedroom and go into the shower.

Sometimes by writing words they will take on a life of their own ….. you know.

Have an awesome Saturday.

I hope that you have some time to relax by yourself and have time with your family and friends.

Happy Saturday.

Special Hello to: The World.

Always, Carol and Alvin

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Sunday the 12th day of February, 2017.

It is a bright and sunny morning here in Edmonton with promises of warmer temperatures.

Yesterday was beautiful with a slight cool wind but nothing near the minus 30 temperatures in the days before ….

We also had a massive change of plans yesterday.

We left the house for our walk just after the strike of noon and arrived home just before 5 p.m….

We were on our way to the big lake to have a nice leisurely walk when Alvin spotted a neighbour out on her deck and the rest we shall say is history.

We were about ten minutes into the walk, if that, we can never say no to her as she is an older dear living by herself and she loves Alvin so much.

He would not have gone anywhere else after seeing her …. we had to go into the house.

She ended up over the course of the afternoon with a house full so it was lovely.

I had met her son, grandson and his girl friend a couple of years ago on New Year’s Eve.

Just before we were about to leave (then another hour later) one of my neighbours and also a friend and her Jazmine (dog) stopped by.

So instead of having a long walk, finishing laundry before supper and doing some dusting etc.  ….. we spent the afternoon visiting.

Today is almost another version of yesterday.

Starting with coffee at my friend G’s house celebrating another friend’s birthday.

Followed by tea tasting at my neighbour and fellow Steeped Tea Consultant’s house.

Then I shall canvas for the Heart & Stroke followed by walk with Alvin (in a different direction), supper and at 6:00 p.m. it is SKYPE with my sister.

Busy day.

Well time to get going to have some snuggles with Alvin before shower time and leave for the birthday party.

I hope that you have a fantastic Sunday.

Perhaps you will have a change of plans resulting in a wonderful morning/afternoon.

Happy Sunday.

Special Hello to: my friends and family.

Always, Carol and Alvin

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Monday the 6th day of June, 2016.

Another gorgeous morning …. I love the stillness of the early morning.

The sun has risen.

The sky is blue.

There is a slight coolness to the air.

It will be a hot one.

 

Last night I had the good fortune to SKYPE with my sister, my great-niece and my niece.

My niece just graduated as a Registered Nurse having completed the four year nursing program.

She will make a great nurse.

For two reasons:  compassion and intelligence.

She has both.

Congratulations my darling, and all the best in your nursing career.

 

Well it would not be a Monday morning if someone was not running a tad late.

I guess not really I have time but it feels like time is short.

So I will wrap this up.

 

Yesterday I had a successful canvassing time.

Oh, canvassing for the Heart & Stroke.

It was cool to canvas on my own street.

Almost everyone who answered the door – I knew.

 

I hope that you have an awesome Monday.

 

Special Hello: to all those people graduating from post secondary school, congratulations and all the best.

Always, Carol and Alvin

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Sunday the 5th day of June, 2016.

It is a glorious bright, sunny warm with a slight cool breeze.

Does not get more perfect than that.

 

Yesterday’s birthday party was amazing.

We laughed and cried, well I cried, I do that sometimes.

Things can get emotional.

My friend baked a red velvet cake for the birthday girl.

We also had muffins and watermelon to begin the party with …..

It was a great visit and party.

We all had fun.

 

I kept physically busy yesterday by cleaning up the front lawn after my little garden dig ….

Followed by laundry, washed down the house and deck and front porch.

Mowed the back lawn as my neighbour that I share the front lawn with had mowed the front, thank you “S.”

Vacuumed the main and upstairs floor followed by steam mopping them.

Of course, dusting and bathrooms….. cannot forget them.

I will say that hauling my Electrolux canister vacuum up and down is a work out in itself.

 

After all of my work and supper was done ….. and a MOVIE …. Alvin and I joined another neighbour for an extra long walk …. over one hour.

So nice.

It was perfect outside (that was about 8:50 p.m.).

 

Well today I am preparing to call and email customers to see if they would like to order some tea as we have one back in stock that was a huge favourite.

After that I am going to canvas for the Heart and Stroke Foundation.

I have two routes both in my immediate neighbourhood so that is great.

I figured that as I received the kits a few days ago that I had better get right on it as time seems to evaporate.

In February I helped canvas for the Heart Fund.

Nice to help out.

 

Update:  Alvin has definitely made a game out of pushing his chew treat off the sofa … off the front porch ….

Also yesterday when I was working out front … I had Alvin on the front porch with no leash.

Carefully keeping an eye on him and talking to him to remind him to stay.

He was doing good considering my neighbour’s sister was visiting and she was out front in her vehicle.

Anyway …. he decided to go and say hi …. so I walked over …. before I knew it he was doing 360’s on the front lawn.

He ran from one side to the other semi losing his balance and slipping but happily free and playing.

It was fun to watch.

When he was done I called him to the porch steps …. ( I was right there – watching him).

We can hear some dogs big and small barking outside and with the window open Alvin perked up to listen.

Now they have stopped.

You never know what goes on …. I just know that I love and respect my Alvin and I do the best to keep him safe, healthy and happy.

 

Well I had better get this show on the road.

Ended up really late last night and Alvin was up at 4:30 a.m. (per usual) ….. I thought going to bed after midnight might help him to sleep in but I was wrong.

So we hit the sofa for a few more zzzz’s ….. I needed it.

So lots to do.

I hope that you have an awesome day.

Happy Sunday to you.

 

Special Hello to:  my sister, looking forward to the SKYPE visit after supper – about 6:30 p.m. ???

Always, Carol and Alvin

Thought for the day ….

Good Morning and Welcome to Monday the 8th day of February, 2016.

Have you ever awaken to feel like this is going to be a great day.

A day like no other.

Feeling like something magical, fun, wonderful and absolutely fantastic is happening to you on this day.

Well that is how I feel on this Monday morning.

I will admit a bit unusual for a Monday morning …..

Usually I do not sleep well Sunday night and Monday mornings are sometimes a bit of a strain to get up and get motivated but not TODAY.

I will admit that I asked Alvin to stay in bed until the alarm went off but it was not because I did not want to get out of bed.

Just because I wished to lay there and soak in the morning …. un-feted (is that even a word) by the day.

So here we are ….. breakfast done, shower check, make-up check and writing blog …. almost check.

Mr. Alvin is as usual laying outside the office door waiting for me.

He is so loyal ….. we could all learn lessons from our four-legged friends.

He is always waiting by the front door for me to arrive at home after work.

He is always happy to see me and I know he has to pee and is hungry …. but nevertheless he always takes that minute to ravish me with attention.

Now what a way to welcome someone home.

It doesn’t matter if I am gone all day or for 20 minutes ….. he welcomes me in the same way.

So today is the day …..

Perhaps a dream will come to fruition or just something nice.

It does not matter ….. I just feel great and that is what matters.

 

We had a great weekend in my household.

Friday night my daughter came for supper.

Saturday morning breakfast/brunch with my friends at International House of Pancakes or IHOP, as it is lovingly referred to …

Saturday a bit of shopping in the afternoon (okay at Walmart but it was still shopping).

Sunday I stepped out and did some canvassing for the Heart and Stroke Fund and received some donations.

So a great weekend by all accounts.

Even managed to do some work in between all of the socializing.

Now I will admit Alvin did get the short end of it all but I will make it up to him.

 

Well almost time to get this show on the road.

I wish you a wonderful day.

May you feel great and pass on that greatness to all you meet.

Be kind and rewind.

Happy Monday.

 

Special Hello to: my sister …. we SKYPED last night ….. we always have a giggle or three.  It was a great visit.

Always, Carol and Alvin