2021

Good Morning ALL! How are you this morning? I am well, we are well, except for being a bit on the sleep deprived side. Definitely sleep deprived. It is awesome having my daughter in the house this morning. Seems like old times. I had a rather typical untypical Sunday night. We chose to sleep on the sofa as I thought we would be more comfortable there than the spare bedroom. I also decided to watch the ADELE special on television from the start at 9:00 p.m. until 11:00 p.m. It was so good. I absolutely love her voice. The new songs were wonderful and listening to the old ones was amazing. The people attending the concert which was held in Los Angeles on top of the world at The Griffith Observatory with a star studded audience including Melissa McCarthy, Oprah who did an interview and introduced her for the concert, Ellen DeGeneres, Drake, Seth Rogen and Jessie Ferguson. Part way through the concert she brought out a fan who proposed to his long-time girlfriend. It was a great night and worth staying up. Most times I don’t fall asleep until after 10:30 anyway. But this Sunday my brain would not shut down. It went into hyperdrive thinking about the concert, about work, about this one file that I have to finish tomorrow when I am back working from home, going to the office today and on and on. Then just before 1:00 a.m., I hear these two teenage girls laughing wildly and I at first think that I am losing my mind and then I jump up and go over to the window. What I saw disturbed and scared me on every level. Outside my window, on the street, two young girls were running down the street which was icy, slipping and sliding. Just behind them stopped on the street was a black sedan. Then the girls ran back to the car to the rear of the car. My heart stopped as they held onto the back of the car. The driver accelerated the gas taking the car forward with the girls holding on behind. He kept going a bit faster and finally they slipped and fell. I almost ran outside but I was scared. The car stopped. Then I could hear the girls as they jumped up from the pavement and slipping and sliding they crawled into the car and a few seconds later the car took off. What in the world is wrong with kids? They think that they are invisible. So after that, I definitely was not sleeping. Then it was two and Alvin woke up and I managed to coax him to sleep and then it was 3:00 and we were up and outside. I have my trusty flashlight app on my phone, best thing ever. I did sleep about the time I had to get up but oh well. Should sleep good tonight. Mr. Alvin was happy to come upstairs with me and quickly put his nose to the bedroom door where our girl was sleeping opening the door and jumped up onto the bed where he curled up next to her. Looks like the time is evaporating here.

We had some snow yesterday and I did my first round or two of shovelling. Hopefully the streets and roads are not icy.

Wishing you a great day.

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

Always, Carol & Alvin

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Wednesday the 16th day of August, 2017.

TODAY is the birthday of one of my dear friends.

Happy Birthday “V” from me and Alvin ….

 

What a busy wonderful past week plus this has been.

I have seen family and friends that I have not seen for awhile.

It has been great.

Yesterday, Me Alvin had his teeth cleaning and thankfully he had no extractions.

I was so grateful for that …..

Once he woke up they tried to take him outside for a bathroom break but all he did was cry for his Momma and to come home.

They called me at 1:30 less than 2 hours after he had his teeth cleaning and nails trimmed.

I left right away and am grateful that the Vet is only a 5-7 minute walk from our house.

He was happy to see me as was I ….. he wanted to get out right away.

It was hard to contain him …..

Once paid the bill and received the post dental care sheet we were on our way.

He had no side effects.

Pretty much ran home.

Drank water ….. jumped onto the sofa …..

I only gave him a portion of his food for supper as directed by the Vet.

He clearly wanted more so I gave him some carrots.

Glad it went well.

 

Last night I was invited for dessert and tea to the home of a friend and neighbour.

Another friend was there as well.

I had left Alvin at home and my other friend had her dog there so I decided to go and get Alvin.

At first he was a bit excited but calmed down soon which was good.

My friend made the most delicious treats.

It was like having the High Tea at the Hotel Selkirk – Fort Edmonton Park.

We had egg salad on croissant,  cucumber on cream cheese on croissant and, garden tomatoes on cream cheese.  So good.

She also had chocolate dipped strawberries on a bed of cream cheese & mallow with blueberries.  WOW, good.

Mini vanilla and chocolate cupcakes.

AND this so good fruit lemonade and TEA.

They gave me gifts on top of the beautiful treats.

I was going to take my camera and then decided not to ….. wished that I had.

It was so sweet and so thoughtful.

 

So today getting things ready for more company.

So lucky.

Friends coming from out of province to go shopping at West Edmonton Mall, and to attend a Metallica concert here in Edmonton.

My daughter and I are meeting them later on in the afternoon for coffee and to visit.

They will stay with me and Alvin for the night.

So excited to see everyone.

 

I had better get going.

What a great vacation I am having.

 

Thought for the day ….

Good Morning and Welcome to Wednesday the 26th day of July, 2017.

Today’s forecast is HOT.

Last night Ed Sheeran and James Blunt were entertaining those lucky enough to attend the concert here in Edmonton.

Sadly, I was not one of them.

But I am grateful to the videos posted so that I could hear just a bit of them perform.

So good.

 

Well here we go two weeks from today I turn 60.

I cannot believe it.

Six decades.

How did that happen?

In a blink of an eye.

So much to look forward to …. spending time with family and friends.

That is the best part of the birthday thing.

Time with family and friends.

 

All too often we take for granted family and friends until it is too late.

So take some time today, tomorrow, next week and call someone …. SKYPE someone …. spend time with those you love.

I hope that we all get to live a long, joyful life …..

 

Special Hello to: all those folks who take precious time out of their days to read this blog, means the world to me.

Always, Carol & Alvin

Thought for the day…..

Good Morning and Welcome to Sunday the 27th day of July, 2014.

It is a grand day here in Edmonton at my home.

My daughter is downstairs finishing (tying off) the necklaces for our wedding jewellery order.

I am writing this my “1301” blog.

Alvin is lying in the hallway outside the office/bedroom door.

One of my grand-puppies is with my daughter and the other with my son-in-law still snoozing.

We are just getting ready to go for day two of cleaning.

Day one was just moving the odds and ends that were left behind from the big move and smaller trips.

Day two is the nitty gritty ….. cleaning …..

First off, I am going to take Alvin and Miss Penny for a walk.

They have been slightly neglected the past few days.

They deserve a nice walk.

There is a nice cool breeze coming in through the small opening (left window open).

Feels nice.

Thank you again to my first follower and the 500th and everyone in between.

I am so very grateful for your kindness, generosity of time and support.

Time to sip that last coffee and then get ready to go for a walk.

Have a great Sunday.

Oh, did I mention that I booked off from the store ….. I always work there on Sundays.

A regular fixture…..  giggling ……

Special Hello to: all those people back in Saskatchewan who enjoyed Beyonce and Jay-Z last night.

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.

 

 

 

 

Thought for the day….

Good Morning and Welcome to Thursday the 15th day of August 2013.

Yes, thank you to have over half of the month still to come.

What a hot humid day we had yesterday, and the forecast is for the same today.

Alvin is feeling better – thank goodness.

I am so grateful.

When he isn’t feeling well – I am frightened.

It is hard when they cannot tell you what is wrong.

So on this day ….. I am so grateful for all the great things in my life.

Family which includes Alvin, Penny and Elton our beloved pets.

They truly are like family.

Families come in all shapes and sizes and ages and you love them all the same.

On this Thursday spread the love to all your family and friends.

Let them know how much you mean to them.

BE grateful for all of them.

They help shape the texture of your life.

Special Hello to: all the dogs, cats and other pets I hope that you are loved and watched over.

Also to all my friends and family back in Regina – I hope that you had an amazing time at the  Paul McMartney concert last night.

Always, Carol and Alvin