Last Half 2022 – July

Good Morning ALL! It is a great morning. We were up earlier than usual and I have already had a shower. The plan is to write this post and then go for a walk. The sky is overcast at this moment and there is a slight breeze so it will be perfect for walking. The temperature is supposed to be +30 degrees celsius today. I thought we had better get out as we missed yesterday. Should have/would have gone in the morning had I realized that the temperature was going to be much warmer than the forecast. So I have made a promise to Mr. Alvin that we will get up earlier and go for a walk in the morning while it is still cool – that way we both get some exercise and fresh air.

This month has been chalked full of birthdays. Family and friends. August is another big month for my family and friends. So exciting. Birthdays are a good thing. A reminder that we made it through another year with the promise of another one ahead.

Yesterday I received a text from my friend Val, who said “There is a parcel in your mailbox.” I was so excited. I was in the middle of work so wanted to wait until my lunch break. At my break I walked quickly to the mailbox to retrieve the parcel. A large box awaited. When I brought it into the house, Alvin started to bark. He knew what was inside – something for him. As I opened the box, I saw a sign that said “SURPRISE! You’re 65 (almost). Underneath a card and a box filled with goodies.

Mr. Alvin enjoying opening his treats from Val. She baked some sweet potato bones and some mini banana peanut butter muffins, I believe.

I am sorry that I had to leave this morning due to technical difficulties and impatience. Back now. Getting it done. Hopefully I will be able to share some photos. We always love seeing pictures.

Well I had to delete some photos from my library and still exceeds limit, so now not sure if computer is full or what! Just a few photos to show some of my treats. The unopened packages are some specially hand baked treats for Mr. Alvin and the other packages are a variety of Epicure products. I need to go to the grocery store for some ingredients so I can make them. So excited. There were also a couple of gift cards to great stores: Winners and one of my favourites “Bath & BodyWorks.” DId I say cinnamon buns and biscotti. Yes, there is!

The house was 78 degrees Fahrenheit about mid morning. I totally understand why Mr. Alvin was panting. I tried covering him with a wet towel but he only liked it for a small amount of time. The clouds roll in every once in awhile breaking up the sunshine. A small reprieve. Although I really do not want to complain about the heat and sunshine. We will manage. All of the blinds are closed, all the fans are on. We can always retreat to the basement after work if need be.

I am thinking this might be a pizza night with leftovers for the next few meals. No cooking required.

Well I should go as I spent a great deal of my lunch break just trying to delete photos so that I could add these few. I had more to share but will have to be another time.

Have a great rest of your Wednesday. I hope that you are cool and safe. Enjoying the summer!

Continuing to live this life with kindness, respect, compassion, patience, love, laughter, understanding, gratitude, focus, possibilities and there was coffee!

Always, Carol & Alvin

PS: 13 sleeps until I turn 65, getting closer.

The New YEAR 2022

Good Morning ALL! How are you today? Alvin and I are well. Just had a refreshing shower so I feel extra good. The sky is almost white matching the recently fallen snow. The only colour is the in between – the garages – the houses – cars. I have recently heard more birds singing, is that a sign that spring is close by? I sure hope so.

Today is the official retirement date of my long-time friend Linda H. She lives in Regina and we met at work although growing up we lived not too far away from each other. Alvin and I want to wish her the most wonderful retirement. I know that she will be happy to be at home and not have to commute to work any longer. No more political stuff. She can decide what she wants to do on a daily basis. Congratulations my friend.

On the upside it is lighter earlier in the mornings and that is a good thing. Alvin and I enjoyed a walk yesterday at noon. The wind was a bit cool but so great to get outside for some fresh air.

Just thinking of life in general and of how grateful I am for so many things. Family, friends, Alvin, good health, working from home, my house and well everything.

I hope that you have a great day. Keeping it short today. Looking forward to that first taste of freshly brewed coffee. So good.

Oh, thank you to my friend Signe, who baked cinnamon buns yesterday and decided that her friend needed a treat. Last night they dropped off a couple with some cream cheese icing. I will enjoy them today, and if I can hold off having the second one until tomorrow, that would be great. They will be enjoyed over a couple of days. Thank you.

Continuing to live this life with kindness, respect, compassion, patience, love, laughter, understanding, gratitude, focus and possibilities.

Always, Carol & Alvin

COUNTDOWN: 60 Days to 60

Today is Tuesday, July 11, 2017 and it is the 30th day until my 60th Birthday.

Okay, now we are less than one month until my Birthday.

I am so excited.

My sister is coming from Saskatchewan to stay with me and Alvin for TEN days.

So excited about that.

My youngest brother is also coming from Calgary for an undetermined amount of time.

Any amount of time I can have with my family is time well spent.

When I think about all of the time over the years that we have spent together it makes me HAPPY.

Doing the Happy DANCE right now.

When you surround yourself with the ones you love and laugh, you know the real deep down belly laughing.

That is the absolute BEST.

Also my daughter is on vacation at the same time as me, and I am looking forward to spending some extra time with her as well.

Sometimes the BEST VACATION of all is sitting around the kitchen table drinking coffee with your sister, your brother and your daughter.

Perhaps throw in some freshly baked cinnamon buns.

Not sure where that came from …….

Simple times ….. are the best.

So many thoughts …..

 

Always, Carol

 

COUNTDOWN: 60 Days to 60

Today is Saturday, July 8, 2017 and it is the 33rd day until my 60th Birthday.

Okay I was thinking of favourite things so what better time than to share some of those items:

Colours:  Kelly Green, Robin’s Egg Blue and Baby Blue.

Time of Day:  Early morning just as sun is coming up and late at night when the stars are shining.

Books:  “The Harry Potter Series” by JK Rowling, “Shopaholic Series” by Sophie Kinsella and “The Book of Small” by Emily Carr.

Music:  to many to name but I do love listening to:  anything by Adele, Elton John, and Ed Sheeran.

Flowers:  Petunias, Snapdragons and Pansies and Daisies.

Food:  I love to eat.  Anything homemade is always wonderful and if it is made by someone else – that is a huge treat.  I love chocolate so that would top the list.  Avocados, Cucumbers, Blueberries, Raspberries, Potato Salad …. Cinnamon Buns……. this could go on and on……

People:  too many to list but the first two on the list would be my daughter and Alvin, of course ….. I treasure my family and friends.

Sounds:  The rustle of leaves on the trees in a breeze and babies cooing and the ocean.

 

Well time to get going ……

Always, Carol

 

Thought for the day ……

Good Morning and Welcome to Thursday the 21st day of July, 2016.

What a glorious past couple of days and I am sad that my friend will be going home tomorrow.

We have one more evening and early morning together.

Alvin has grown quite attached, and even Mr. Elton was happy to have a new friend.

You know him he sometimes takes a while to warm up to people.

Last night when I arrived home from work in the rain I opened the door to find my friend standing in the kitchen starting to make buns.

She had arrived to the house a few minutes before that and was making the preparations for the buns.

So lucky me now has fresh cinnamon buns, cheese buns and regular buns.

How grateful, and happy for those treats am I.

It was another fast paced evening between the kids coming for Elton, watching over my “Cinder” (neighbour’s pet), making supper, we walked, the buns, of course, visiting, clean-up and visiting.

The minutes just zipped by.

It was another 11:30 night but I am so happy to have had this opportunity.

She is such a great person and friend.

Alvin is so smitten with her ….. he lays beside her in the protection pose.

So cute.

He is wondering this morning as she is still in bed as there is no reason for her to be up and out at this crazy early time.

The air is so humid.

So humid in fact that by the time I leave the house my eyebrows have come off.

Okay shall I explain.

Everyone knows as you get older you hair lightens and finally turns white or grey.

Well mine have lightened a LOT.

So I have befriended an eyebrow pencil.

I have been using them for years just to add a bit more depth and colour.

Well now I really need that good old pencil.

So I had better check them out as I fear they have melted in this humidity.

Well almost time to pack my lunch into my back pack and head out to work.

Almost the end.

This weekend marks the beginning of K-Days (big city fair).

We are having a pancake breakfast at work tomorrow morning so that will be nice.

Short day as we close so that everyone can take in the parade.

Busy weekend ahead with Open House for Steeped Tea at my neighbours, garage sale in my garage for a friend, my Tea Tasting on Sunday.

Time to go here.

I hope that you have an amazing Thursday.

Special Hello to: all those people visiting friends and family – we thank you.

Always, Carol and Alvin

 

 

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Sunday the 17th day of April, 2016.

Another bright and sunny gorgeous day ahead of us here in Edmonton.

Yesterday was a jam packed day for me.

First thing in the morning my friend “J” from Regina picked me up and we went for a tour of the Ronald McDonald House here in Edmonton.

Her grandson is in the Children’s Hospital (the Stollery), so his parents and older sibling are staying at the RMH.

I was so impressed by this place.

First thing walking in the door there is an air of love and calm even though there were oodles of people walking about.

It was bustling with volunteers as it is these dear folks who do most of the work.

Volunteer groups cook meals every single day of every year.

I heard that a group of ladies come in every Thursday, and bake dozens of cinnamon buns, cookies, cakes etc..

My friend’s son said with “a smile on his face” it is difficult not to put on weight in this place

I found out that there are only a handful of actual paid employees for the Ronald McDonald House.

They have 32 rooms for families to stay in for a nominal fee.

They do not have to worry about a bed to sleep on, food to eat or transportation to the hospital.

They have a teacher who teaches the children in the mornings.

They have laundry facilities and three kitchens.

There are volunteers to drive the bus to take families on special outings and for the shuttle to the hospital.

They have lists up for folks who have time to help out with …. like wipe their tables after eating.

Perhaps sweep the floor …. help load the dishwasher or empty them.

So much is donated and this warms my heart.

All of their day to day is looked after so that they can focus on their sick children.

Such an awesome place filled with kindness, generosity and love.

It was so great to visit such an amazing place and given the opportunity I would very much love to volunteer at the Ronald McDonald House.

I thoroughly enjoyed this time.

Always remember that so many worthy organizations depend on volunteers to help out.

So if you happen to have a few hours or a day each week give one of these groups a call.

You will feel so good helping others.

If everyone volunteered what a great world this would be.

 

Well I am running a tad late here …. another busy day for me.

Poor Mr. Alvin ….. I will make it up with lots of snuggles and a long walk later this afternoon.

 

Special Hello to: all those folks who volunteer.  Thank you.

Always, Carol and Alvin

 

Thought for the day…..

Good Morning and Welcome to Tuesday the 9th day of December, 2014.

Yes, one more day closer to Christmas.

My favourite time of the year.

I do love the decorations, the hustle and bustle, the baking, the Christmas Cards, the hooting and hall hauling, the music and the fuss.

I must admit I truly love this time of year.

I have another friend who loves this time of year as much as me.

She lives not quite a block away.

We had tea and homemade cinnamon buns last night at her house.

I love her decorations.

Every time we get together the hours seem like minutes, seconds even.

I absolutely love spending time with her ….

We talk …. we laugh ….. we talk ….. we laugh …..

Her husband usually chats at the start of our visit and at the end.

They are such a lovely couple ……

Looks like a trip to Costco this evening after work ……

Just we girls…..

I wonder how busy it will be.

I was surprised at how many shoppers were at the mall last Sunday.

Seems early but likely not.

We seem to forget from year to year.

Well today is another day.

Each second is new and precious.

Even though there are a few seconds here and there that I could do without for the most part I am over the moon grateful for my life.

I have learned so much by my errors or slips in judgement or from lack of information.

Life is all about learning.

I am a student of life.

I guess that is a good thing.

So take the time today to learn something …. even a new word.

Always worthwhile.

You never know when you could use that word or that action you learned to help yourself or others.

So off to the office I go.

Thank you for reading – it means the world to me.

Special Hello to: all those people who create and share their creations with the world.

Always, Carol and Alvin