Last Half 2022

Good Morning ALL! We had a good sleep last night although we went to bed quite late for us at almost 11:00 p.m. I had texted my daughter earlier in the day to find out that she had packed her bag for a sleepover and was coming over after work. We had discussed her coming to help me set up the Christmas Tree but had not confirmed. I totally forgot and what a great surprise on a Friday. Work is going well, I am caught up in mail and was able to return all the calls before signing off last night which was great. After work I decided to sign into my RBC account and see if the mortgage renewal documents had updated for me to sign. Not there! I was mortified as that meant just one thing. Yes, I would have to call the 1-800 number to seek assistance. ARGH. Dreaded that but I wanted to get it signed, sealed and delivered so that I had the interest rate locked before the next increase. I spoke to a pleasant representative and for some reason the document had not uploaded to my account. He told me my options were to send me an email with the document to sign or to go to the branch and have them print the documents for me to sign and they would upload to my account. I told him that was not an option for me. I told him that I could not get to the branch which was not totally the truth but I so badly wanted to complete this transaction online, without having to walk over to the branch. With the sidewalks freshly snow covered and icy, just not something I wanted to do. Also the person from the night before told me that sending such sensitive documents to your personal email is not a good thing to do. Besides should a multi-billion dollar business have the tech support to ensure that when they told you something that could be completed online, that you should be able to do this? I mean really. So disappointing and made me want to call and lodge a complaint. Even the night before I had to speak to two people in order to renew my mortgage and to be able to access my account. I was dumbfounded to learn that the tech support went from a script and did not even have access to a model of the screens that I was looking at, I mean really, so disappointing. Not the tech’s fault but come on RBC, step up to the plate, it is 2022. Give your staff the tools to do their job. Your process is not working. Back to last night, the rep (he) said that he could upload the document by a secure email and send to me. So that is what we did. He told me that it would take about ten minutes or so to do. I waited “semi patiently” for more than ten minutes on the other end of the phone, on speaker while Mr. Alvin waiting in the hallway for his supper. Finally he came back and said that he had good news. I am not sure how this happened but the interest rate was actually lower that what I had negotiated the night before which in turn brought down my bi-weekly payment amount. SCORE. Immediately I felt better. He sent me an access code via my cell phone to enter into the email that he had sent to me. This rep stayed on the line until I entered the code and went over the document to confirm everything was correct before signing the renewal. So nice. I will say this – RBC has amazing customer support. They just need the “tools” to make their jobs easier. So with that, I was able to put the dreaded “mortgage renewal” to bed and not have to worry about doing it or how much I was going to have to pay. Definitely bi-weekly is the route to go as it saved me a lot of money from the previous monthly payment amount. After we were done, I raced downstairs to feed Mr. Alvin. I had taken a couple of minutes before the phone call and packed up my workstation. My daughter had taken some earned time and left work early to go and run some errands. I ended up with time to get some things done and to order pizza for our supper. Everything worked out perfectly. YAY.

Last night we ate pizza and put up the Christmas Tree. I did not decorate it and will do that today. I did however, set up most of the other decorations and will put the finishing touches on all of that over the course of today.

We woke up at 4:00 a.m., Mr. Alvin and I to blowing snow. I checked the weather forecast and we are to have snow until about 3:00 p.m.

Alvin is downstairs curled up on the sofa with his sister watching YouTube videos while I write this post. I made coffee before coming upstairs to write this post so I am enjoying the odd sip here and there while I write. Also I have decided to order a new computer. I was looking over the new iMac 24 and it seems like the right fit for me. It is time. This girl has been good to me but I need something new. I need a computer that when I type the words it actually keeps up to my fingers, to do all of the updates, so that I can hold my phone up to the computer and it will automatically upload my photos from the phone to the computer. It is time. Next purchase.

Time to get going and get dressed and finish decorating and also do some laundry. I am grateful to have my beautiful daughter with me and Alvin. Looks like perhaps after Alvin’s appointment on the 21st that he may go and stay with them for a bit. Still thinking about it. Amanda thinks he will be okay and her Momma on the other hand thinks it may be too much for them. We all know how the Alvin is, lol.

Have a great day.

Continuing to live this life with kindness, respect, compassion, patience, love, laughter, understanding, gratitude (so thankful), focus, possibilities and coffee.

Always, Carol, Alvin & Amanda.

PS: love having my babies with me. Just need Steven, Aspen and Milo to complete the picture.

2021

Good Morning ALL. How are you today? Sun is starting to rise in the morning sky. Just out of a most refreshing morning shower. Al is waiting patiently in the hallway for me to finish this post. Yesterday was another gorgeous day and the forecast for today is even better. I hope that we can safely say this is SPRING. The ice is starting to clear in front of our house. I go out everyday after work and chip away at the ice on the sidewalk to ensure that the water finds it way down the drain as it melts. It feels like I am making tiny river beds for the water to follow as it melts. It is all good until someone drives over them and then I start again. But it is clearing and hopefully this will be the last of the thick ice that needs to be cleared.

How many folks out there are ordering from places like Good Food, Hello Fresh and Chef’s Plate? I have tried all three. Last weekend I went and SKIPPED weeks so that they would not automatically send me an order that I did not want. Guess what? Somehow or other, I missed this week? Not sure how I did that but I guess I did. My word against theirs. They have already billed the credit card so no going back now. The three meals were not even what I would have chosen. One is red meat which I do not eat. How is that for wonderful? Makes me mad but I guess it was my fault. I was so certain that I had skipped the dates for way into the future. I think that it should be the other way around ….. if you want to order you make the selections and if you do not make selections then an order does not arrive. But I guess they likely get more business with this automatic ordering process. I am not a fan will just say that. Luckily for me, my kids ordered this week and we can switch a meal and I will give them the “red meat” meal that I will not eat. I sent an email to the company and they sent me a response in French stating that the English email would arrive shortly. Well that is great customer service, why would you send a French email first to a English speaking client. Why bother sending the French one? Perhaps this automatic food delivery is not for me. I do love eating things that I would normally not cook but the ordering process, I could live without. Okay, I usually do not rant but it is good to get it out of one’s system and besides perhaps you were pondering the thought about trying one of these companies. Buyer beware. If you forget to skip you are on the hook. That is why they get your credit card. Easy for them. Anyway, that is done.

Mr. Alvin is still waiting patiently for me.

I am grateful that he has recovered from his surgery in fine fashion. He seems to be having no issues with the new food as I am gradually introducing it to him. So that is a relief.

I am grateful that my daughter will be popping by after work to drop off the food order and I will give her the one that comes today in return.

I am grateful to see my daughter not just about the food order. Any chance that I have to see her is the best.

I am grateful to be employed and earn a decent living.

I am grateful that the weather is good for walking.

Continuing to live with kindness, respect, compassion and patience.

Always, Carol & Alvin

Living … One day at a time.

Hello, welcome to a wet Saturday morning here in Edmonton, I guess that it is almost noon.

We were invited out last night but due to weather Alvin stayed at home.

I was home later than usual, so bed much later than usual.

We slept in this morning and then had company, so I apologize for the lateness of this post.

 

For the last Friday of the summer worked allowed us to leave at 3:00 p.m.

I walked over to the Motor Vehicle Registry to renew my licence.

It would appear that everyone else had a similar idea.

Also I did not really think about the Friday before the long weekend.

So it was busy.

Luckily the line went quickly and I was in front of the Customer Service Attendant advising the purpose for my visit.

She asked me about eye colour, hair colour (laughing) and weight.

So the weight question.

Did your weight change?

Yes, of course it changed.

How much do you weigh?

Me, I have no idea as I do not have a scale at home.

Attendant … giggled, agreeing with my statement.

Can you take a guess?

She said 10 pounds more than what was on the licence from five years ago and I went with that.

I did not tell a tall tale or a lie.

I simply do not have any idea.

I did tell her that really if something happened they would need to know my face more than my “exact weight.”

She asked me if my vision had changed and I told her no and that I was wearing glasses that were an older prescription as they had sunglass clips.

Which is true.

Likely more information than necessary but that is how I roll.

My eyes have not significantly changed over the past several years.

We laughed.

Signed the document.

Then the dreaded photo.

Please remove your glasses looking at the camera with no expression.

Yikes.

Then she asked me to move my bangs as they covered my eyebrows.

Which I did.

Too bad that I did not check out what I had done in the mirror.

CLICK.

The damage was done.

She asked me to sign the electronic signature for my licence and then showed me the photo.

ARGH, gasp….

Not great, I will say that.

Thankfully no one really looks at my licence anyway, thank goodness for that.

After I was done, I walked over to the DOLLARAMA and processed to pick up some cards and miscellaneous paper items.

I had texted my daughter advising of my progress and location.

Finishing there I stopped at the SAFEWAY gas station and picked up the winning LOTTO TICKETS (have not checked the ticket that was drawn last night).

So there remains hope!

Then I was waiting outside the SAFEWAY store and realized that perhaps I should pick up some broccoli, cauliflower, avocados and bananas.

This would mean not necessary to go out on the weekend.

Done.

Then texted my daughter to advise my status.

She was on her way and picked me up a few minutes later.

It was interesting to see all of the folks going in and out of Safeway, the folks hanging in the parking lot etc.

Then we were on our way to my house.

We had a great chat on the way.

Once home, my daughter assured Mr. Alvin that he was not going home with her.

I think he was nervous thinking he was leaving again.

After she had left, I fed him supper and then we went for a nice walk.

This time by ourselves.

Cute story:  as we neared home we were at Humphrey’s house.  

Humphrey, the cat was in the window on his cat tree.

Alvin walked over to the living room window looking in – I saw Humphrey jump down and run in the direction of the door.

My boy beelined for the front door dragging me behind…. up the steps whining at their door.

Door opened and there were my neighbour and Humphrey.

Both were excited to see each other ….. My neighbour said that Humphrey whined all the way to the door …. excited to see his friend.

Friends come in all forms.

This melted my heart …. a cat so excited to see a dog.

Only in my world or perhaps in yours as well.

Once home I had supper and then went to our friend’s house.

Alvin stayed home.

I had froze some of my birthday cake so that I share it with them.

I had a great visit with our friends down the street.

Such great conversation ….

So much so that it was 10:30 p.m. when I arrived home.

Then bed.

Alvin had a bit too much cauliflower etc. after his supper and had gas.

Definitely not feeling well.

Also I think my leaving him for that long …. put him out of sorts.

My neighbour and Mr. Humphrey came earlier as I had invited him to spend the day with us while she is out.

We had coffee together ….

His friend Humphrey is here now and we are back to normal.

Definitely Alvin is a homebody and somebody who needs this body with him.

Well time to get this day really going.

Alvin is resting on his blue blanket beside me.

Laundry is waiting for me.

 

Life goes on…..

 

I will share more vacation stories and photos tomorrow.

Have an awesome Saturday.

Super moon tonight?

 

Always be willing to be respectful of all creatures big and small and treat all with kindness.

 

Always, Carol, Alvin and Humphrey.

 

 

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Tuesday the 5th day of December, 2017.

The wind is howling away outside as the temperature rises past zero degrees today.

Another mild day on the way.

I am hopping a ride with my neighbour this morning as I have Christmas Cards to deliver and some cookies for my immediate co-workers.

Yesterday at lunch when I was checking my emails, I noticed three emails from my internet provider resulting in the last one stating that I exceeded my DATA plan, what??

Now could that be??

They even show how much I used over the last year and get this the highest I used out of 300 was 42 (cannot remember the actual measurement amount) so why now would I be at 318.

So I called them ….. I placed the call just before 6:30 p.m. and the recorded message stated it would be about an ONE HOUR WAIT …… really, I thought.

SO I have learned better to put the phone on speaker and carry about your business.

As I had the emails and my account open on the computer I stayed in my office instead of going downstairs to have supper …

I was late away because we went for a walk and delivered thank you card and some money for our friend who fixed our clothes dryer and then stopped at another neighbour ….

So I did some things on the computer while waiting for them to answer.

Not a fan of the music ….. sounded like the theme song from one of the daytime soaps ……

Decided while I was waiting so long that I had better eat as I was starving so warmed up my leftovers.

Not even five bites into supper ….

So after one half hour a female voice said “Hello” ….. she confirmed who I was and the problem before stating “Oh, I will transfer you to the technical support department and it will be about a 15-20 minute wait.”

Okay, I said half stunned.

What kind of customer service is this?

I guess because in Canada there are only a handful of internet providers that they have cornered the market.

I don’t know but here we go again.

Dessert …… then

Finally at the hour mark …. a male voice, said “Hello” and asked what was the problem.

I said I thought the other customer service person was going to explain at least that was what she said.

So I explained.

He even agreed with me that the usage seemed out of whack.

Figured that possibly I was hacked.

He gave me a $20 credit to my bill and after a total of one hour and fifty minutes, I was no further ahead but had a $20 credit to my bill.

Said he would follow up on Sunday and see if the usage continued to climb.

He did recommend that I change my user name and password, which I did.

If you ever have to call your internet provider and have to wait – just get some food and they will answer.

Well time to fly here.

I am disappointed in the customer service.

There is no customer service.

Bad buzz words.

 

Have a great Tuesday.

I am laughing because there is no way I am paying for more DATA and I certainly do not use anywhere near the limit I have now.

 

Special Hello to:  all those folks out there who spend precious time waiting for customer service via the phone.

Always, Carol & Alvin

 

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Sunday the 26th day of February, 2017.

Another bright sunny morning here in Edmonton.

So far our weekend has been great.

Yesterday morning we started our TO DO LIST with Alvin’s routine visit to the Vet’s Office in our neighbourhood.

One of the part-time helpers was there to help Dr. Karen.

We had not seen her in a long while and it was great to catch up.

She was so happy to see Alvin ….. she calls him “baby Alvin” …. her pet name for him.

We had a good visit and had Alvin’s appointment completed before heading out.

When we got back home I took a coffee break before heading out once again to do my errands.

All on foot …. good exercise.

First stop was the Optometrist to adjust one of my new pairs of glasses.

Once done I crossed the street to go to Shoppers Drug Mart to pick up a bus pass for March.

It crossed my mind as I was approaching the store “Wonder when there next Gala is?” and “Guess what”?

It was then …..

So I purchased a ticket as $5.00 of the $15.00 goes to help Women and the remaining $10.00 is deducted from your purchase so win/win.

Also they have free gifts, goodies to eat and drink and the possibility to win baskets of all sorts of items.

In the past my daughter and I have won on several occasions and that was nice.

I have not heard as yet so perhaps not but that is okay.

I also saw two staff that I have got to know over the years so it was nice to catch up with them.

After winning 1,000. free optimum points and having a visit, some treats and making my purchases including the bus pass, I was on my way.

Next stop the grocery store.

Just had a few items to pick up as long gone are the days when I can carry twenty bags of groceries home (I am not kidding).

When I got home …. Mr. Alvin was happy to see me and me, him.

He had to go outside …. me, too (not outside, though) ….. perhaps too much information.

Here is where you are smiling and perhaps even snickering a bit.

After I had a bit of a break and safely stored away all of the purchases, I grabbed my canvassing materials, of course coat, boots etc. and was on my way.

It was disappointing as I did not receive any donations this year except for my daughter and I will make one.

Some people on my first round said that they would make a donation on-line so that would be nice.

After home I started the laundry and some cleaning.

One item that I had wanted to do for a couple of weeks was to call my internet, cable and telephone provider to change up my cable packages/check about unlimited data plan.

First of all I spoke to a young woman and after being on hold in between her checking she transferred me to another person.

On hold again …. finally this young man came on and introduced himself as “Brandon.”

He said “repeating my name Ms. Louis” …… I politely corrected him and said Lewis and asked him where he was located.

He replied “Guatemala.”

So my Canadian internet, cable and telephone provider uses a Central American Country to serve as Customer Service, interesting.

I guess I had found that out the last time I called.

He was really nice and we had a couple of chuckles.

I asked what the weather was like there and he said “HOT.”

I told him about our minus 30 and snow weather of a short time ago and he almost lost his breathe.

There is no way he could even fathom what that meant as he said of course, they do not get snow, there.

He was very helpful and I even got an extra good deal and am so grateful to that very lovely young man from Guatemala.

I will say this, he was shocked that I knew where his country was …..

After the phone call …. continued with laundry and stuff.

After supper I started watching the Star Trek Voyager series from the first show (on Netflix) …. memories.

Also I was so lucky that it just started to snow as I finished up canvassing for the Heart & Stroke ….. pretty lucky.

There is some shovelling to do this day but not much.

Luckily it is light and not heavy/wet stuff.

Well today is cleaning and later watching the “OSCARS.”

My how time flies.

I hope that you all had a great weekend.

Looks like a clear sailing and a great week will follow.

Well time to get this show on the road.

Shovelling, laundry to finish and some cleaning.

Oh, time with Alvin and a walk.

Special Hello to: my daughter and her family.

Always, Carol and Alvin

 

Thought for the day ……

Good Morning and Welcome to Friday the 29th day of April, 2016.

Wow, second last day of April left to enjoy.

I am so overjoyed to report that our beloved Elton went home with his Mom & Dad from the Hospital yesterday.

He continues to do better and better.

We thank you for all of your thoughts and prayers.

To everyone who aided in his care and surgery, there are no words other than THANK YOU from the bottom of our hearts.

You brought our little guy back home to his Mom & Dad where he belongs.

His time is not yet to leave them.

I am eternally grateful.

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

REMINDER:

( I guess I was under the weather last end of April as my blog went from the 27th to the 30th ….. as I did not wish to end the month before it did)

 

Good Morning and Welcome to Monday the 27th day of April, 2015.

I must tell you that there is nothing quite like pancakes with your daughter surrounded by our pups.

Good food …. excellent company ….. best Sunday ever.

The sun shone which is exactly what you would expect for this special day.

It was great.

I am so blessed to have such an amazing daughter.

She helped me set up a television in the basement (which they gave me).

Followed by finishing up some paperwork ….. the fun stuff, of course.

Then a trip to COSTCO.

Whoops, we knew when we hit the parking lot that it was busy.

Kudos to the staff at customer service (return) and to the check-out staff as they had things moving right along.

We got in and got out.

Successful trip …..

Followed by a glorious walk with me Alvin before supper.

Perfect day.

I guess my thoughts are all about the many blessings in my life.

If you just take a wee look about you will see that there is much to hold in gratitude.

Make that list.

Each day alive is a blessing.

Do the things you are passionate about and surround yourself with the ones you love.

Then life is perfect….or very close.

Your perfection is your perfection.

Not anyones’ but yours.

Happy Monday everyone.

Well almost time to grab that stuff and snuggle with me Alvin for a couple of minutes before heading out the door.

Special Hello to: all my friends all over the world …. thank you.

Always, Carol and Alvin

 

 

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Tuesday the 22nd day of December, 2015.

Only TWO days until Christmas EVE.

Can you feel it in the air?

This year it feels more like Christmas than it has in a few …

Likely as I was not working in retail …. there is something about people being grumpy …. grabbing and pulling to take the air out of your balloon.

I am very grateful for my time in retail as it has made my resolve stronger when it comes to my feelings of those who work in the industry of customer service.

I would ask that during these last few days before the big day that you treat those working in stores, restaurants and the like with care and respect.

They are working to support their families and themselves just like you and me.

They are no different …. we are all the same.

I treat the person who sweeps the floors the same as the person who runs the company.

We all have jobs to do and deserve respect ….

Remember you are no better and no worse than the person next to you.

We are all living breathing beings.

SO whether you are a Customer Service Representative in retail or the CEO of a big corporation, it does not matter.

Each job we do is important.

How about ……

Turn the frown into a smile.

Turn that hasty snide remark into a compliment or holiday greeting.

How about we start a new trend …. being nice to all those folks we encounter during the course of our days.

It doesn’t take anymore work to be nice than naughty.

I tell you …. you will feel like a MILLION DOLLARS.

Let us warm our hearts this Christmas and Holiday Season.

I would like to add that there are a great many folks out there that would come into the store and treat each of us with kindness and respect.

But it should be 100% of people that are nice not just a few.

We also need to extend this kindness and respect to every creature whether two-legged or four.

Happy Holidays.

Time to start the final stages of preparation for work.

I hope that you have an awesome Tuesday.

Are you smiling?

You will accomplish more with a smile than a frown…..

You will, trust me.

Special Hello to: my friend “M” and my sister who faithfully read my blog, thank you.

Always, Carol and Alvin

 

 

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Sunday the 13th day of December, 2015.

Twelve days until Christmas Eve.

It is snowing here in Edmonton and the sky is completely filled with snow clouds no sunshine to be found.

The sun did not shine yesterday either …

Temperatures remain warm.

I see more shovelling in our future.

Yesterday was an awesome day at my house.

Started by sharing a cup of coffee with my neighbour ….

Ended with a cup of tea before bed.

In between the elves were making jewellery ….. earrings and necklaces …… chattering and laughing ….. they even stopped at the store …. did some laundry …. and lots more.

My daughter and I had a great day ….. so wonderful to spend the entire day with her ….. it was very late afternoon when she left our house.

Alvin and I enjoyed a walked last night but the wind did get up and that was chilly.

Today is going to be a more calm day in our household ….. wrap some gifts ….. deliver some cards ….. shovel some snow ….. stuff like that ….

 

I do have to share a story from yesterday at the grocery store.

My daughter dropped me at the grocery store while she ran to do another errand.

While she was gone I did my grocery shopping.

The last item on my list was “cranberry sauce” ….

I looked high and I looked low and down every aisle.

Finally I asked a young man in the produce aisle and he said “Are you sure you do not want these ones and pointed to a bag of fresh cranberries?”

I said “no thank you, I would like the canned ones.”

I asked him if he knew where the canned ones were and he said let’s go and take a look at the inventory sheet at the end of the aisle.

So on we went.

He then directed me to aisle 7 – canned goods.

Not there.

So I looked by myself for a while.

Finally ended up back in produce and I found the young man again … told him that I had not found them.

I found it hard to believe that cranberries would not be front and centre this time of year.

But they were not.

So we began our quest to find canned cranberries.

We stopped at the cashiers and he asked another young man ( I said we should ask the girls?)

I kind of thought it might have been a guy thing …. you know ….

But alas, I did not mind following a nice young man around the store or two.

This other young man said “yes” I know where they were and the guys ran to grab the cranberries with me in hot pursuit.

Literally in hot pursuit …

I temporarily lost them … but found them….

Voile …. they found the cranberries.

Guess where …. at the end of one aisle ( I cannot remember the number ) on the very bottom corner shelf.

There would have been no way that I ever would have located them.

I should have found the manager and asked why they were tucked away at this time of year and to rave about these young men.

I will remember for next time…..

But I left the store with the cranberries that I really wanted ….

Thank you to two such great young men …. most especially to the one who never gave up and gave the best customer service ever.

 

What a glorious day that I had ….. spent time with two young men at the grocery store and with my daughter.

The evening was quiet and relaxing just chilling watching the movie “Tomorrowland” with another cute guy “George Clooney” …. and Mr. Alvin, of course.

I was so tired almost feel asleep during the movie…..

Tonight I am SKYPING with my sister ….. YAY ….

 

Happy Sunday and remember you receive what you give …..

 

Special Hello to:  George Clooney …… just because…

Always, Carol and Alvin

 

P.S.  just looked out the window and the size of the snowflakes have grown … they are HUGE.

 

Thought for the day…..

Good Morning and Welcome to Monday the 27th day of April, 2015.

I must tell you that there is nothing quite like pancakes with your daughter surrounded by our pups.

Good food …. excellent company ….. best Sunday ever.

The sun shone which is exactly what you would expect for this special day.

It was great.

I am so blessed to have such an amazing daughter.

She helped me set up a television in the basement (which they gave me).

Followed by finishing up some paperwork ….. the fun stuff, of course.

Then a trip to COSTCO.

Whoops, we knew when we hit the parking lot that it was busy.

Kudos to the staff at customer service (return) and to the check-out staff as they had things moving right along.

We got in and got out.

Successful trip …..

Followed by a glorious walk with me Alvin before supper.

Perfect day.

I guess my thoughts are all about the many blessings in my life.

If you just take a wee look about you will see that there is much to hold in gratitude.

Make that list.

Each day alive is a blessing.

Do the things you are passionate about and surround yourself with the ones you love.

Then life is perfect….or very close.

Your perfection is your perfection.

Not anyones’ but yours.

Happy Monday everyone.

Well almost time to grab that stuff and snuggle with me Alvin for a couple of minutes before heading out the door.

Special Hello to: all my friends all over the world …. thank you.

Always, Carol and Alvin

Thought for the day…..

Good Morning and Welcome to Tuesday the 24th day of March, 2015.

I can now share my “life changing” news with all of you.

I firstly had to ensure that most of the staff knew before the rest of my world.

Last Friday before my shift at the store, at my home away from home, Bath & Body Works – I gave my two weeks notice.

It was definitely one of the most difficult decisions that I have ever had to make.

I had been feeling as of late, as if my life was getting away on me.

I missed more walks with Alvin than I took him on.

I rarely got to see my girl friends.

In the near eight months that my daughter has been living here – we made jewellery once.

I had no time for video chats with my sister, friends and family.

I went from the office to the store …. scheduling always changing.

I missed just having a weekend at home.

I missed doing stuff around the house.

The little things.

Seems like a lot of  I’s …… but truly sometimes you have to be selfish, and look after yourself.

You are responsible for you.

I am not responsible for you and you not for me.

Decisions.

So I decided to resign from the store.

In the near four years that I have been employed by Bath & Body Works – Canada; I have always enjoyed the work.

The staff are always changing and always amazing … treating me like family, and I, them.

I have met some of the best people that I know and have made friendships that will last my lifetime.

I loved meeting all the new people every shift, and then seeing repeat customers from time to time.

I love smelling the new fragrances and being in the mall.

It was the best second … well actually first job one could ever ask for to be sure.

After all, it was Bath & Body Works that hired me four years ago when I was job hunting.

They took a chance of hiring someone who had a ton of experience but not in a related field, and most especially not in retail.

Of course, all of my life I have been giving great customer service translated you do not have to work in retail to be a customer service “agent.”

I am forever grateful.

Who knows perhaps someday I will return. ….. maybe for next Christmas.

I will always have fond memories of my time there.

Great job – great people.

New Chapter about to begin.

I look forward to the next weeks and months.

With a smile on my face and a song in my heart.

Sometimes the song is a bit sad but mostly it is a HAPPY one.

Special Hello to: my family and friends who have always been a great support system for me.

Always, Carol and Alvin