The New YEAR 2022

Good Morning ALL! I hope that you are well this Tuesday morning. The only light out of my office window is coming from a upstairs window in a house behind me. Feels strange. I cannot wait until it is light earlier in the morning. Alvin and I had a choppy sleep as we were up at the usual 3:00 a.m., then he figured should be breakfast time at 4:00, then 5:00 and finally got him to sleep until 5:30, although likely we should just stay up about the 5:00 point. Oh well. He ate, then went outside again and then we hit the sofa until 6:45 a.m. when we were roused by some heavy duty barking/growling from out back. I ran into the kitchen and turned on the light and went to the back door but then it stopped. Not sure what happened. Perhaps there was a coyote coming down the back lane and one of the neighbour’s dogs were outside in the backyard and they could smell each other. I do not think that it was worse than perhaps that as I did not hear any more commotion and certainly there would have been more noise. Most of my immediate dogs do not leave their pups outside for any length of time, only to pee and poop.

Certainly was a brief scare early in the morning.

The big news in the neighbourhood was last night the city graders, two of them started about 3:00 p.m. on our street, graded the snow into “windrows” or “banks” along the side of each street. So people were still parked out front so I texted one of my neighbours so that she could move her car and others were out moving them. Some people on the street north of us left their vehicles out front and they now will have to shovel themselves out. The poor guys in the graders. Anyway. They did a pretty good job although it may be spring before I can locate the storm drain out front. The house directly in front of me at some point during the night parked his flatbed truck on the street which is partially blocking traffic coming in and out of that street and they also drove their other truck onto their lawn. They always park their vehicles on the street as apparently they use their garage for something else. Gossip on the block said “man cave” and it wasn’t actually gossip as one of my neighbours was speaking to them shortly after they moved in. They have a sporty car that is usually parked on the street so not sure where it disappeared to. Not my problem. They are blocking the sidewalk to pedestrians. There will be no parking on the street now with four-five feet banks of snow/ice chunks on the side. Usually we have so many people parking on the street that it brings the traffic flow down to one lane. People have to wait and take turns coming down the street. Kind of annoying. They worked on grading the street right down to the pavement until after 6:00 p.m. I can actually see the pavement now.

I went last night after work to put out the trash for this morning and the garage door wouldn’t open. So I lightly kicked at the door hoping to break the ice that was on the outside. Then I tried again and it opened but the weather stripping on the bottom of the door came off, all of it. ARGH. Annoying. I hauled out my ladder and tried to put it back to no avail. I texted several people before finding someone at home as it is really a two person job. One of my friends from a few doors down came over. It was starting to get cold out and the wind was blowing. The rubber would not go back into place. So I found that I could actually safely close the door and then I placed the rubber across the bottom of the door from the inside. I will have to fix it another day when it is warmer and will need some help for sure. There are just some things that one person cannot manage on their own.

Well it will be interesting to see if the City comes out and removes the snow or if it will remain for the rest of the winter. There will be no way of finding the storm drain without moving a pile of snow and ice chunks onto my lawn which will inevitably melt onto the street. So will have to wait and see. Not much that I can do now.

Have yourself a wonderful day. Enjoy that mug of coffee or tea this morning. I am.

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

Always, Carol & Alvin

P.S. perhaps I should download/upload the photos that I took of our streets and the windrows.

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

 

 

 

 

 

Living … One day at a time.

Hello,

Welcome to the weekend.

So excited.

We had a huge rainstorm with booming thunder and lots of light up the sky lightning.

Woke us up.

Alvin wanted to go outside.

So just as it started to hail …. Ma in her summer nightie and coat ran out in the hail to move her flowers.

I only have four pots this year in the backyard and I did not want them to get flatten.

Ended up that the hail was quite small … about pea sized and appears that did not do much damage.

The puddles are still visible this morning as I look out the window of my office.

One of the neighbours does not have an actual paved driveway so obviously the dirt will puddle.

After work my daughter and I went to COSTCO.

I don’t mind checking things out.

She is happy that now her Ma has a cell …. she cannot lose me.

Sometimes we use to lose each other and then it could take a long time to locate the other.

After arriving at home, we split some items and my daughter left for home.

I put the groceries away and then made a beautiful salad for supper.

One of our friends called to invite us for for a visit in their backyard.

They live down the street and have the nicest backyard.

First photos Alvin was patiently waiting for my friend’s husband to come out to the backyard.

He loves him so much.

I will say that most of the time Alvin was either laying on the swing between us girls or rolling around in the grass.

I tried to play frisbee with him although once or twice he tried to pick it up ….. he did not quite get it.

I guess you cannot always teach old dogs new tricks.

He did run around like a crazy pup when I pretended to be a monster (like we do on the deck at home).

He ran back and forth and had a blast.

The grass is so lush and beautiful.

 

Well I guess we need to end this post as Teddy will be here shortly.

I still have to put in the first load of laundry.

I had planned to do laundry last night but then received the invite.

We were happy to be invited out so we grabbed the opportunity.

Then breakfast and coffee.

Always need that cup of coffee.

 

Have an awesome Saturday.

This afternoon my grand pups arrive.

They will stay with us while their parents attend a wedding in the City.

 

So happy to be spending the day with the pups.

I will take Alvin and Teddy for a walk before the others arrive.

Not able to take all four.

 

Remember Kindness and Respect will bring you the world.

Always, Carol & Alvin & soon Teddy …..

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Tuesday the 12th day of February, 2019.

Well forecast for next week shows minus teen numbers for temperatures.

What a heat wave is on the way.

Without the WINDCHILL effect that would certainly feel like summer compared to what is going on now.

Time will tell.

 

I miss our walks and just feel it is too dangerous for us to be out there walking.

Mind you it is getting dangerous in the house as we are really needing some fresh air and exercise.

Now I am lucky as at least I walk to the car in the morning and at night.

So I get what 20 steps in the fresh air ( being sarcastic ).

Not complaining about getting a ride that is for sure.

I am  over the MOON grateful to be in a carpool who picks me up at the door and drops me off at the door and all over again each day.

I am grateful that my “carpool” had a great vacation in Mexico.

So grateful and feeling so blessed.

 

I am over the MOON grateful that Mr. Alvin is healing nicely and hoping stitches come out perhaps this Saturday.

We are grateful for the furnace that heats our home and keeps toasty warm 24/7.

We are grateful to have clean water at the turn of a tap.

We are grateful to have good food to eat.

We are grateful to have family and friends who love us.

We are grateful to be alive, to live in this city, in this country on this planet.

I want to fill my life with gratitude so that there is no room for anything else.

Only positive energy.

 

Well time to go and do a couple more things before leaving for work.

Thank you for reading this post and my blog.

I am so grateful to have people interesting in my writing.

Thank you.

 

Special Hello to: my friend “V” who is one of the hardest working people, women I know.

Always, Carol & Alvin

Thought for the day ….

Good Morning and Welcome to Thursday the 26th day of July, 2018.

July is winding down quickly.

Where did it go?

The sky is an odd shade of pale pink and white.

Not really rain …

Not really sunshine….

There is no breeze really.

But it is cool with the windows open.

I opened them all as they are forecasting a warm one (not super hot but warm).

 

Well I have been excited thinking about my company arriving next week and the following week going on vacation.

So nice to be able to see my family and to get away with my daughter for a few days.

Alvin will enjoy his sleepover with my son-in-law and the grand-pups.

We need to spend some time apart as we are joined at the hip.

Sometimes Alvin has separation anxiety.

YAY, vacation.

I am ready.

 

Do you have time off from work or school?

Do you go away or stay home?

Do you travel the world or travel close to home?

Do you go see family on vacation?

Do you stay in a hotel?

Do you stay with family?

Do you camp?

Summer for most of us in North America or at least the northern portion of North America; is short.

We appreciate that time.

We sometimes grumble when it is hot but we do not wish to complain as our summers are short.

I love the flowers, the green grass and the trees.

GREEN is my favourite colour.

This summer my flowers are doing GREAT and I hope that they look this good when my company arrives next week.

Next Tuesday night to be exact.

We will have a house full and that is okay.

Always great to see everyone and spend time with them.

 

Well almost time to leave for work.

Carpool will be arriving shortly.

So happy to have a ride.

Really grateful.

Experiences with city public transportation as of late have been poor.

 

I hope that you have an awesome Thursday.

Enjoy the weather ( hope it is sunny and warm where you are ).

Take a breath and relax when you can.

 

Special Hello to: my daughter who is simply the BEST.

Always, Carol & Alvin

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Monday the 7th day of August, 2017.

The sky is partially overcast here in Edmonton and we have already had a rain shower this morning.

The household is up and going already ……

Alvin had me up early and we were later going to bed.

But that is nothing new.

It has been great having my sister staying with us.

Yesterday we enjoyed our time at West Edmonton Mall and luckily were there early before the holiday weekend crowds began to show up.

Once early afternoon hit it was crazy busy with people scurrying about and by that time we were done so we grabbed a bus and came home.

Alvin was happy that we were not away for a long time.

Today we have some grocery shopping to do for the BIRTHDAY PARTY tomorrow night.

My brother arrives tomorrow night and also my sister’s son and family will be dropping in at some point as well.

It was unexpected for them as they were attending a wedding in Calgary but when my nephew had an extra week off from work they decided to come this way.

My nephew’s wife has a brother in a nearby smaller city not far from Edmonton.

So it all works out.

I am excited to see their three sons.

The eldest and I used to do everything together as I was living nearby from the time he was in his Momma’s tummy until I moved to Edmonton.

The next two were born after I moved to Edmonton and the elder of the two I saw only twice and the little guy, not once.

So it will be great to see them and catch up.

Of course, we have SKYPED before so I am not a total surprise to them.

Well time to get this show on the road as I have to prepare my shopping list.

Some housework to do today …… maybe a bit of decorating ……. a few streamers and balloons.

Have an awesome long weekend if you are lucky to have one …..

If not, I hope your Monday is a good one.

Special Hello to: all those folks celebrating a birthday on this day.

Always, Carol & Alvin

Thought for the day ….

Good Morning and Welcome to Thursday the 27th day of July, 2017.

Well I will say one thing ….. as much as I do enjoy summer …. when the temperatures rise over about 22 degrees …. it is too much for me.

Yesterday it was over 28 degrees celsius in the City which really feels warmer.

Today is supposed to be 30 …… makes me wish that I had gotten my air conditioning serviced sooner.

Oh well ….. I make sure that Mr. Alvin is comfortable in the house while I am at work.

I am drained …… looking forward to a little bit cooler temperatures but do not wish to complain about the warmer weather as it will be w–t– soon.

We walked last night with our walking companions but really we should have stayed home – too warm for us.

I really feel the heat and am thinking that my supper was not an appropriate choice either.

Oh well ….. moving on.

 

So as my brain is drained and it is early morning which is not likely a good sign …. to start the day…

Oh well, such as life.

Time to get this boat on the river …..

Have an awesome Thursday.

 

Special Hello to:  All my friends who are placed all over the world.

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

Thought for the day ….

Good Morning and Welcome to Thursday the 13th day of July, 2017.

Rained some yesterday ….. but a beautiful day overall.

The house is cool to start this morning which will be great for Mr. Alvin.

Warming up again.

The smoke from the fires in British Columbia is slowly seeping into our city.

When you can see, smell and taste the smoke one can only imagine the density and severity of those fires for the residents of the affected areas.

To all the people and the animals whether domestic or wild you are in my thoughts and prayers.

Please rain.

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

On a more personal note:

Sometimes someone will make a remark that makes you think and take notice.

I will admit that somedays, okay perhaps a bit more often as of late,  I feel frustrated with/at “work.

My job can be stressful for sure.

I think that a great many people are under stress these days and I am not alone, for sure.

So as, with most people there is that frustration whether it is because the workload is daunting and never ending.

Or office politics.

Whatever it may be ….. it does have an effect on us all.

 

But at the end of the day it is the work that keeps one employed.

I have never turned away from work and most of my jobs over the years have carried a substantial workload and that is okay with me.

Sometimes it is just a combination of things.

So time to perhaps change things up a bit …..

This morning when I walk through the door at my employment; I will be me once again.

Back to the kinder, gentler, less stressed, less frustrated and more sympathetic ME.

Take things in stride and have patience.

Do not sweat the small stuff.

Remembering that it is okay not to be SUPER WOMAN each and everyday.

 

Outside of work I am that kind, gentle, easygoing, happy person.

I, as with everyone on the planet has bad days even at home but on a whole I am a good, happy, hard working gal.

Just somehow it changes when I go to work and not everyday for sure but somedays.

 

Special Hello to:  All those folks who work outside the home …..

Always, Carol & Alvin

 

 

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Saturday the 6th day of August, 2016.

The sun is shining.

The morning air still has a crispness to it with the coolness of the breeze.

I can hear magpies squawking away.

There is a hum of traffic from the highway that goes around our city.

This is Saturday morning in Edmonton.

My house is quiet except for the clicking sound from the keyboard as I type these words.

Alvin is curled up at the end of our bed waiting patiently for me to finish and get this day going.

 

Last night we watched part of the open ceremonies from Rio De Janeiro ….. very colourful and different.

I especially enjoyed how they incorporated a piece of the ceremony about the ENVIRONMENT.

The whole premise of the ceremonies was about us all, mankind.

Maybe with an audience of about three billion people it will open some eyes.

I love how they gave each of the 11,000 athletes a sapling to plant.

11,000 trees, how splendid.

We, I did not watch it all as it got too late for me but I recorded it to watch later.

Well done Rio.

 

Well two days before I am back to work for a couple of days and then off for the rest of the week.

Nice short work week – two days.

Wouldn’t that be nice for always.

 

I baked some bran muffins and infused them with hydrated fruit tea from my collection of Steeped Tea.

They turned out so yummy.

Who would think that you could add tea to muffins.

When they were baking it seemed glorious in the house.

Alvin really wanted some.

But did not think muffins would be a good thing for him.

He is such a foodie.

 

Well time to get going here.

Check the lotto tickets.

Do some laundry.

Change bedding …..

Make coffee for me and my neighbour “S” ……

 

Happy Saturday everyone.

Enjoy your weekend.

 

Special Hello to: all my friends all over the world.

Always, Carol and Alvin

 

P.S.  Alvin is no longer on the bed, I guess he decided to be closer to me as he is lying outside the office door.  He truly is a Momma’s boy.  Gotta love that little guy.