COUNTDOWN: 60 DAYS TO 60

Today is Tuesday, July 18, 2017 and it is the 23rd day until my 60th Birthday.

I will just have to add the ones that I miss when I think of something.

 

2000: Came in without most of the problems that were forecasted regarding the computers, which was a huge relief.

2001:

2002:  My beloved daughter moves to Edmonton, Alberta and two days later I go on a vacation to the U.S. with a friend.  It was perfect timing so I would be moping around the apartment missing my girl.  Still missed her but was not at home to be reminded every moment.  Visited Las Vegas and area and went to San Diego and the day trip to Mexico (the crossing was out of a movie and not a good thing). A close family friend’s daughter had first of her three children.

2003: My first great niece was born ….. such a cutie pie.

Well I received a HUGE reminder of something that happened in 2004.

2004:  My daughter graduated from the Photography Program at NAIT and then went on to work for one of the City Councillors.  How did I forget those items???  Maybe I am thinking too hard.

2005: My first born great nephew and the apply of his “Anta’s eye.”

2006:

2007:  Elton John concert?  or was it 2006?  Regardless of when it was amazing.  We lost our little “J” ….. another heartbreak.

2008:  My first born nephew marries, I retired from working at same company for 30 years and my daughter marries all within a couple of months.  Attend Celine Dion Concert in Edmonton.

2009: Buy my first house, 1/2 duplex in Edmonton close to my daughter and son-in-law and grand-pups and move to Edmonton at end of March.  My beloved J passes.

2010:  Enjoying semi-retirement.  Back to Regina for a visit with my girl. How could I have possibly forgotten this:  I adopted my darling ALVIN CHARLIE LEWIS in January 2010 and my life once again was transformed.  I am so happy that Me Alvin is not too good on the computer or else I would be in BIG trouble.  OMG, how did I forget.  Just going with the flow.  I will post the years as I think of things for the last decade.

2011: Started working at Bath & Body Works at West Edmonton Mall.  Now that is a start to going back to work.  It was hard work but amazing.  That was in April and then in July I started as a temp at Capital Region Housing Corporation.  What a year.

2012:

2013: Working two jobs ….

2014:  I had the highest sales per hour in the company at the store. My daughter, son-in-law, Elton & Penny moved in with me and Alvin for almost one year while their new house was being built.  We loved having them with us.

2015:  Kids moved into their new house in April.  House was not the same after they moved out.  Worked last shifts at Bath & Body Works, miss the girls and the store in April.  Started to sell Steeped Tea in August.

2016:

2017:  This is a big year for me and all those who were born in 1957.

 

 

 

COUNTDOWN: 60 Days to 60

Today is Monday, July 17, 2017 and it is the 24th day until my 60th Birthday.

I will say that picking out a memory from each of my almost 60 years is not easy.

2000: Came in without most of the problems that were forecasted regarding the computers, which was a huge relief.

2001:  ???

2002:  My beloved daughter moves to Edmonton, Alberta and two days later I go on a vacation to the U.S. with a friend.  It was perfect timing so I would be moping around the apartment missing my girl.  Still missed her but was not at home to be reminded every moment.  Visited Las Vegas and area and went to San Diego and the day trip to Mexico (the crossing was out of a movie and not a good thing). A close family friend’s daughter had first of her three children.

2003: My first great niece was born ….. such a cutie pie.

2004: ????

2005: My first born great nephew and the apply of his “Anta’s eye.”

2006:  ????

2007:  Elton John concert?  or was it 2006?  Regardless of when it was amazing.

2008:  My first born nephew marries, I retired from working at same company for 30 years and my daughter marries all within a couple of months.  Attend Celine Dion Concert in Edmonton.

2009: Buy my first house, 1/2 duplex in Edmonton close to my daughter and son-in-law and grand-pups and move to Edmonton at end of March.  My beloved J passes.

2010:  Enjoying semi-retirement.  Back to Regina for a visit with my girl.

I may have to locate my daily journals to find out what was going on in 2001, 2004 and 2006.

Obviously, I do not remember anything specific.

YIKES.

 

Always, Carol

 

 

 

COUNTDOWN: 60 Days to 60.

Today is Monday June 26, 2017 and it is the 45 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.

 

Here are the next 12 items:

25.  Attended all different schools from Grades 9 to Grade 12 in three different Canadian provinces.

26.  Sold through direct sales:  AMWAY, Fashion Two-Twenty make-up, Tupperware twice in two different provinces and Steeped Tea.

27.  Wrote Eulogies for four different family members and gave three of them.

28.  Started to write poetry at age eight years.

29.  Jobs have done over the years: Babysitting, Berry picker,  Executive Assistant (summer job), Keypunch operator, Bank Teller,  Claims Dispatch Clerk, Mapping Clerk, Reinsurance Underwriter, small town Ladies Clothing Shop, Customer Service Clerk at Retail store with largest sales at West Edmonton Mall, House Cleaning, File Clerk and Housing Clerk.

30.  Wrote Groom’s speech for my friend to give at her brother’s wedding.

31.  Broke handle off new shovel while digging out dead cedar tree from my back garden area two years ago.  Still do not believe that one.

32.  Grateful to have attended concerts for two of my favourite entertainers:  Celine Dion and Sir Elton John.

33.  Good at making meals from virtually nothing.  I love challenging myself to using everything in my pantry and fridge.

34.  Love making up new recipes.

36.   Grew up on the farm and helped with everything from stacking bales when haying, to housework, to looking after siblings, to cooking, gardening and other chores all before age 14.

37.   After moving from the farm in Saskatchewan to British Columbia …. my Mom, Sister and I spent that first summer picking berries.  Hard work but definitely had payoff.

 

Sure is a test of the memory banks.

Always, Carol

Thought for the day ….

Good Morning and Welcome to Friday the 22nd day of January, 2016.

It is a beautiful glorious morning here in Edmonton.

I turned on some music as I was getting ready and it has made me feel so wide awake and wonderful.

What a great way to start the day with some of your favourite songs playing in the background as you wash your face, comb your hair and slip into your clothes.

 

I have always loved a little bit of everything ….. a variety of music and artists.

Much the way I have lived my life with variety.

Always good to like a bit of everything.

 

I am 58 and I love the “boy band” – One Direction ….. most especially the song “The Story of My Life.”

I am 58 and I love “Disturbed’s” version of “The Sound of Silence.”

I am 58 and I love Andy Grammer’s, Honey I’m Good ….. makes me want to dance.

I am 58 and I love Meghan Trainor and John Legend.

I am 58 and I love Elvis and Gordon Lightfoot.

I am 58 and I love Tina Turner and Aerosmith.

I am 58 and I love Bing Crosby and Alicia Keys.

 

I am 58 and I love Elton John, Johnny Cash, Adele, Celine Dion, Blake Shelton, Christina Aguilera, Pharrell Williams, Lady Gaga, Pink, Taylor Swift, Neil Diamond, Rufus Wainwright, Kelly Clarkson, Imagine Dragons, Maroon 5, Ed Sheeran, David Bowie, Van Morrison, Vance Joy, Lorde, Sam Smith, Jordan Smith, Bon Jovi, Cher, Madonna and the list goes on.  I love new and old and everything in between.

Mix it up with your music, with your food, with your life.

Try something new and do not be afraid.

If you love Rock try Country.

If you love Pop try Rap.

If you love Rap try Pop.

If you love Alternative try Gospel.

New is good.

 

Well it is almost time to put the finishing touches on before heading out the door to work.

Just listening to Hello by Adele ….. who else…. she has the most amazing voice.

 

Have a great day filled with new things and great adventures.

Happy Friday.

 

Special Hello to: all my music lovers across the planet ….. you rock.

Always, Carol and Alvin

 

Story Line by line – December 19, 2013

Chapter Five:

December 1, 2013

As we lay there sleeping wrapped in the big white fluffy blankets, I dream of childhood and Christmas; my favourite time of year, and there was one in particular.

December 2, 2013

When we moved into the new two story house on the farm my bedroom was on the main floor just off of the living room ……. I had a birds eye view of the Christmas tree ….  this one year I wanted to wait and watch for Santa ….. pretending to be asleep …. once  I heard noises figuring it was Santa I waited for him to leave ……  slowly opened the bedroom door and getting down on my hands and knees  crawled out toward the tree ….. only to be stopped dead in my tracks by my Mom’s voice “GET BACK TO BED” ….. I had been so quiet …… 

December 3, 2013

My favourite Christmas was 2005  …..  the log cabin in the mountains …. the clear night sky …… the stars shining so brightly …… the food …… the stone fireplace ….. love and laughter ….. feather comforters …… coffee by the fireplace ….. the best place in the world.

December 4, 2013

Kids singing Christmas Carols …… Grandma playing the organ in church ….. our Charlie Brown Christmas tree …… turkey cooking at Grandma’s house ….. snow falling …… baby crying …… sister smiling …… dog barking ….. opening presents . driving to Grandma and Grandpa’s house ….. the trees out front of their house all light up ….. it is Christmas once again.

December 5, 2013

Oh, how I feel alive and happy …… as each scene plays out ….. there is another one just as wonderful as the last …… people and places ……. my heart is full ……

December 6, 2013

Ah, my great nephew, I remember that day so well …… then skipping years ahead to when Alvin came to live with me …… this movie just seems to go on forever …. I wonder when it will end ….. movie, is it?

December 7, 2013

Movie, what …. am I dreaming …… asleep …… awake …… in a coma …… my mind is swirling and then before me is a crystal clear thought ….. YOU ARE REMEMBERING YOUR LIFE ….. 

December 8, 2013

Truly I am going crazy, please someone help me wake up from this wild dream …. HELP ME, HELP Me …….

December 9, 2013

This whole ordeal has seemed to go on forever ….. I do not know what to do …..  just when I think that I may have an answer ……. it all comes tumbling down …… such as life, I guess but why now ……. or did I just bump my head!

December 10, 2013

“Did I bump my head?” I think to myself as Alvin snuggles in closer to me as if to comfort me in my time of uncertainty.

December 11, 2013

As I lay under the warmest most comfortable blanket ever, I begin to devise a plan – I will get home – somehow – someday I will escape and be free.

December 12, 2013

Home, what a wonderful thought ….. I realize how much I miss my house, the flowers in my yard, my Christmas tree ……. whoa ….. what did I think ….. was it spring, was it summer or winter when this first happened and I realize maybe now for the first time that I have literally no idea how long we have been gone ….. a day, a month, years!!!

December 13, 2013

All of a sudden I hear this small gurgling slightly roaring sound coming from my stomach ….. guess it has been awhile since I ate anything …… Alvin, too must be starving  ….. suddenly a banana, some fresh carrots, a piece of chocolate cake, and a cup of coffee are sitting on a table in front of us….a FEAST.

December 14, 2013

Well no matter if this is real or a figment of my imagination …  we are going to eat  ….. mmm, as I peel the banana Alvin goes crazy as he absolutely loves banana ….. carrots …. we love carrots and for me my favourite habit …. COFFEE.

December 15, 2013

Yes, hot coffee …. it warms my throat as I quickly take a sip and trying to hold onto the taste reminding me of home …. Alvin is happy as we finish the last bite of banana and continues crunching away on the carrots and for this time we have no worries.

December 16, 2013

As we enjoy our treats I cannot help but to think of home ….. what are my friends and family doing ….. who is looking after our house ….. is there snow to shovel or grass to mow … I do not even know what time of year it is ….. oh …..

December 17, 2013

I just feel like crying even though Alvin is here I am all alone …. no one to discuss things with ….. no shoulder to cry on ….. as the tears well up in my eyes the feelings just explode inside my body, and my heart  hurts …. where are they ….. please let us come home …. I just want to go home…… please, help us find our way home……..

December 18, 2013

Through the tears and the feelings of being alone, the despair, and, of not knowing which direction to turn, whether to shout or to continue to cry ….. I feel that warmth once again, and a light although dim begins to shine on me.

December 19, 2013

For a few moments I am lost in the glow …… there is music playing ….. could it be ….. sounds like Celine Dion ….. oh, how I love her ….. saw her in concert once, and she was AMAZING …… I am drifting away in bliss.