2021

Good Morning ALL! How are you this morning? Looks like Christmas outside or at least winter. Alvin and I are well. Yesterday morning when we got up the ground was bare and I raked the front lawn in the afternoon after our walk. This morning when we got up we have half a foot of snow covering the deck, the street, the lawn, rooftops and anywhere the snow could stick. Actually yesterday in the late afternoon when it was looking like a snowglobe outside and the wind was blowing …. Alvin had to go outside to pee …… when I opened the door, the snow blew into the house. The door was covered in wet sticky snow, the house was covered in snow, the lone broom that was standing against the back of the house was covered in wet sticky snow, my two wicker chairs that I had brought back out were completely covered in wet sticky snow, the trees were covered in wet sticky snow and even the doorknob was covered in wet sticky snow. I guess that I have painted a pretty thorough picture of how “sticky” the snow was as it clung to everything in sight. This morning the cars out front are covered in snow as well. Looks like there will be shovelling in my future and I just put away the shovels, argh. Oh well. It is spring in Western Canada and anything can happen with the weather. Just to give you an idea of the temperature on Friday it was plus 15 degrees celsius so a light jacket or sweater weather AND yesterday when we went for a walk in the early afternoon I wore a light jacket and was comfortable at 8 degrees celsius. I raked the front lawn about 3 p.m., I think it was, and I wore the same light jacket and it was windy and starting to cool down. My neighbor that share the front lawn with me … loves to feed the bunnies in the winter and the birds. So there was a massive amount of bird seed, bunny food and bunny poop covering most of her side (especially around her tree) and quite a lot on my side. I was careful and was wearing gloves when I scooped it all into a garbage bag along with the leaves that were covering the lawn. Every fall I rake and rake and rake until I can rake, no more. Usually I would say about 5-7 times. This past fall I raked several times and gave up because none of my neighbors were raking when the leaves fell off their tree(s) or not many of them. So throughout this spring as the snow melted there were leaves that freed themselves and blew around the hood in the wind. We have had a lot of wind this spring. Yesterday was windy as well. Guess what this afternoon is to be +4 degrees celsius so the snow will be melting. What an interesting last 24 hours. Poor Mr. Alvin was having quite the time last night. I told him to just pee in the snow. Poor guy.

Well yesterday I managed to get quite a lot of things knocked off my TO DO LIST. I got to try out my new Bissell Crosswave and it worked. I found that it used a lot of the cleaning liquid (water + cleanser). I filled to clean 350 square and only did the top of the stairs landings and the stairs and it was almost all gone. I cannot imagine that that space is 350 square feet in total. Anyway, the amount of hair that was in the water when I was done and cleaning out the machine was crazy. The water was dark so I know it was working. It was pretty easy to take apart and clean ….. now just putting it back together. I left the components out to dry on the counter as they have to be completely dry. The strangest thing just happened. Right in the middle of typing this post, the computer shut down as thought there was a power outage but the lights did not even flicker. Thankfully WordPress has autosave and I did not lose my whole post. WOW. I did lose some and I don’t remember what that was. So will just carry on. I think that I was about to mention that I decided to submit the tea order today, an executive decision. So I will do that this afternoon. I am also considering giving up selling the tea and Norwex. At this point in time, I would have to reactivate my NORWEX account and it is not worth it to me. I do not have any regular customers. The tea is another story. I love the tea so much but I have not had a “party” for a long time and was just selling to my regular customers and the odd new one. Sometimes I have had to place large orders myself just to keep active or maintain selling privileges. At the end of the day is it worth it? I am not sure. I would have to place an extra large order this time and I simply do not need that much product. So after six years this may be it. I guess time will tell. I do not have to make the decision at this moment. Life, right. Sometimes giving up things can be freeing as well.

Well after the seriousness of that last bit, it is time to sign off and go have a cleansing shower. I always feel differently after having a shower. Clears the cobwebs. Things have a way of working themselves out. I am giving these decision over to the Universe for guidance and will just go about my day. I want to bake a banana loaf this afternoon. Likely will be shovelling. Maybe if I remove some things off my plate it will clear the way for me to start writing more. Sometimes it is good to clean out your “closet” and if it does not “spark joy” as per Marie Kondo, then perhaps it is time to move it out of the closet. I think it may be time to do just that. I am feeling better already. Time to remove some old things and replace with new. Spring, time to grow!!

Wow, that was freeing and rejuvenating. Thank you for listening and helping this girl out.

I wish you a wonderful Sunday. Take care and I hope that you and your loved ones are in good health.

Perhaps this is the day that you “clear out your closets.”

I am feeling a lot lighter at this very moment, thank you.

Continuing to live with Kindness, RESPECT, Compassion and patience.

Always, Love Carol & Alvin

Almost Christmas 2020

Good Morning ALL. Only two more sleeps until Christmas Eve and the fun begins. WE are all going to have some fun. Play some games, sing some songs, watch our favourite Christmas movies, eat delicious food and snacks and enjoy our time together. Whether we are alone or together with family and friends we can enjoy this time. I am blessed as I have Mr. Alvin to keep me company and he certainly enjoys some good food. The playing games might be a bit difficult but we could always play with his toys. He loves his new toy from his friend and pal down the street Miss Bailey. The point is, we all know that this Christmas is not going to be the same for a multitude of different reasons. Christmas will come and go much the same as most years. It is up to us how we handle each moment of this time.

This morning the white stuff is falling from the sky. The sky was overcast last night so we missed seeing the Conjunction of the planets Jupiter and Saturn. I was so looking forward to the possibility of seeing that rare point in time. In fact this has been the first time in 400 years that it has been close enough to see with the naked eye. How cool is that? Luckily it was not cloudy everywhere and others have shared those rare photos. Very exciting. “THE GREAT CONJUNCTION” it has been dubbed. Next time it will be 2080 before the planets align so closely again.

Yesterday my last tea order arrived at noon out of the blue. No email advising that it was even shipped but I will not complain as I am happy that my customers/friends will have their orders for Christmas as some were gifts.

Looks like shovelling will be in my future. Time to go and pick up those “packages” that Mr. Alvin so kindly leaves behind for me in the backyard. I am grateful that we had a nice walk yesterday. Hopefully the snow is at a minimum so we can walk at lunchtime today.

I hope that you are having the best Tuesday (ooops, I almost said Wednesday). It is a good day. We definitely will have a White Christmas. Take care and be in good health. If we only can live our lives with kindness, respect and compassion – what a wonderful world this would be.

Have an awesome Tuesday Everyone.

Time to get that coffee ready and get this day going. We are down to two out of seven from our immediate team. Lots of mail came in yesterday for myself and another team member who is on Christmas vacation. I am doing my best to ensure most or all of the mail is done before Christmas. Maybe today the phones will be quiet. Fingers crossed.

Always, Carol & Alvin

Thought for the day ….

Good Morning and Welcome to Friday the 4th day of May, 2018.

Happy Birthday to one of my dear friends back in Saskatchewan.

She has always treated me like a sister, one of the family.

Truly a great great family so kind, generous and loving.

 

Looks like the sun is beginning to rise in the morning sky.

There are some clouds but perhaps they will dissipate in the next few hours.

I know we need rain but at night would be perfect.

Tomorrow I must get out and do the Neighbourhood TRASH pickup.

It has to get done soon before the street sweepers come out.

Then some of it gets pushed into the storm drains.

Tomorrow morning NO MATTER WHAT, I will be donning my gloves, old jacket and shoes, a supply of garbage bags and my handy dandy trash picker uppers.

 

Alvin has now made lying on the blanket beside me in the office part of the routine.

I drape the blanket over my office chair and just before I sit down I place it beside the chair for Alvin.

Such a cutie pie.

 

Well it appears to be coming up to be busy weekend.

Lots of work to do.

Regular laundry and cleaning.

The TRASH pick up.

 

The weather forecast is nice for tomorrow and Sunday.

Excited for that.

 

With all of my idols writing books, movies and the like – I am inspired to get my head out of the sand and write more.

There are always those old tapes playing over and over in my mind.

Am I good enough?

Can I do it?

Would anyone read my book?

Stuff like that.

Typical.

But sometimes you just have to get off the pot and DO IT.

Right.

You will never know until you try.

This can be said for most of us.

There will always be that dreaded speech, writing project or deadline of any kind that DRIVES US MAD.

Stop playing those tapes, they have been erased.

They have been replaced.

They no longer exist.

You and I are free to DO and BE whatever we chose.

Go forth …. give ’em something to think about.

 

Well almost time to get going … finish up the finishing up.

My tea order arrived last night and I am delivering to my friends/co-workers today.

So grateful to the folks that help support my business.

 

Special Hello to: the Birthday Girl ….. Happy Birthday Sis.

Always, Carol & Alvin

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Saturday the 25th day of June, 2016.

Well it is not the bright and sunny morning that I and my fellow garage sale sellers were hoping for but that is okay.

The skies are grey and it is wet out there.

Still raining.

Hopefully the rain will not hurt our sales today.

It seems strange again this morning to have such quiet, stillness in the house.

Not saying that Mr. Alvin is loud because that truly is not the case.

He has his moments but we all do.

Must say that it is difficult to get motivated when it is raining outside.

I was going to get up at 7:00.

7:00 turned into 7:30 and finally at 7:40 I dragged my body out of bed.

Okay enough of that and time to get energized and get to the matter at hand.

THE GARAGE SALE.

We, I am going to have a great time.

Meeting lots of people.

They are going to buy all of our stuff.

Still a multi family sale…..

I hope that whatever you are doing on this day that you are energized and ready to get to it.

Have a wonderful day.

Special Hello to: my daughter who is hosting her little brother Alvin for a three day two night sleepover.

Always, Carol and Alvin

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Thursday the 19th day of May, 2016.

Overcast and a bit windy ….. is RAIN on the way?

Sure hope so even though I am hosting a garage sale tomorrow and Saturday.

It is in the actual garage so we will be dry as will our customers.

 

I was thinking this morning as I was readying myself for work ….. ” ***** ”

What would it be like to be the “tissue box designer.”

Can you imagine?

Coming up with different scenes to have placed on a box of tissue for all the world to see.

I would love to do that.

 

How many other jobs out there interest you?

Something out of your current box but something you could totally do if given the opportunity.

Something to ponder for the next day or so.

 

For me it is time to go to work.

Alas the sofa was calling my name over and over this morning ……

Thank goodness I have tomorrow off ….. thank goodness for vacation days.

 

Have a great day.

I would love to hear from you as to your ideas on different jobs outside the mainstream office worker, retail, doctor, lawyer, plumber kind of thing.

 

Special Hello to:  Elton, thank you for spending the day with Alvin.  He told me last night in his own way that he had missed you and was so happy to have had the day with just you.

We love you Sir Elton ……

Always, Carol and Alvin

Thought for the day ……

Good Morning and Welcome to Monday the 17th day of August, 2015.

Wow another August Monday morning to enjoy.

The sun is coming up a bit later each morning …. shorter days.

The air is cool as summer slowly turns into fall.

I love late summer and fall.

Most especially fall.

After last week’s blast of hot hot air it is a good 10 degrees cooler during the day.

Much easier at night for people to sleep as it gets quite cool during the night.

The temperature in the house was 68 degrees F, this morning.

Well Alvin and I had an unusual Sunday as my neighbour in the other half of our duplex held a “front lawn sale” ….

We ended up out front from basically 9:00 – 4:00 p.m.

Few inside breaks as it was kind of cool to be just sitting …..

It was relaxing and fun.

I found some items that I could use so helped with her sales.

Alvin enjoyed all the folks who stopped by.

I had him on a leash and at some points sitting on my lap to help keep me warm.

Ended up with a winter vest on and thankfully I had put on socks (yup socks with sandals).

We even weeded our front flower beds in between customers.

Leftovers of peach salsa and tortilla chips for lunch and a couple pots of hot coffee.

Well time to get going to the office.

I hope that you all had some time to yourself and enjoyed your weekend.

If you were working I hope that you did take some “me” time.

Happy Monday.

Special Hello to: yes, sister …. so far this tea venture has been great …. am loving it.  Lots to learn.

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

 

 

Thought for the day……

Good Morning and Welcome to Saturday the 24th day of January, 2015.

It is a glorious morning here in my bedroom in the city of Edmonton in the province of Alberta in the country of Canada.

The sky is a beautiful clear blue and the sun is SHINING.

I have something very cool to tell you.

Last night I worked at the store.

I had the best time as usual.

So much fun.

Even saw a couple of our regular customers (after awhile you get to know some people).

The nicest couple on the planet.

It was a great night.

So when I left the store about 9:20 to go and catch the bus …

what do you think happened as I left the mall?

You might think that January in Alberta it might be snowing.

You might think that January in Alberta it might be blowing and snowing.

You might think that January in Alberta the temperature might have taken a quick nose dive and be very COLD.

But you never and I mean pretty much never would go outside to …..

POURING RAIN ……YES, IT WAS POURING RAIN ….

Like the rain we get in the summer time.

It was warm and raining …..

So on my walk home from the bus stop to my house was a bit tricky.

I walked very slowly and carefully.

The streets were a mess.

SNOW …. ICE AND POOLS OF WATER.

Some from the warm temperature and it has been melting and from the rain.

There were spots that looked dried but was “black ice” and a few times I almost took a fall but manager to arrive safe and sound.

What a great place to live.

Supposed to be warm today so more will melt.

I think we need the streets scraped.

Well time to get this Saturday rolling ….

Big plans: LAUNDRY, Alvin needs a hair cut and bath (he is looking like the SHAGGY D.A. from the Disney movie) and miscellaneous other things.

So I hope that you have a great Saturday.

Always remember to take some time to relax and have that cup of coffee or tea or lemonade.

Be kind.

Pass out compliments and be polite.

We need to be better “neighbours” to each other on this planet.

Also big one: be kind and respectful to all of the other inhabitants on this planet.

Our dogs, our cats, our wildlife …… how would you like to be kicked or thrown about all for being you.

 

Special Hello to: everyone who is respectful and kind …. let us show everyone how it is done.  Shine your light.

Always, Carol and Alvin

Thought for the day…..

Good Morning and Welcome to Monday the 12th day of January, 2015.

WOW ….. almost my youngest brother’s 50th Birthday ….. it is tomorrow.

I cannot believe it.

Time flies.

Yesterday he was a baby…..

Or so it seems.

 

Yesterday one of my co-workers from the store had to be taken to the hospital by ambulance.

My thoughts and prayers go out to her.

She is a great lady …..

 

You never know what the day will bring ….

I had one customer yesterday who was very mean to me.

I was only doing my job.

I hope that she realized this at some point.

Another customer even pointed out her rudeness.

Life is too short …

Just be kind.

We are all just trying to make our way.

We are all just trying to make a living.

Be kind to those dear souls working in retail.

It is not “easy” work ……

 

I hope that you all have a wonderful Monday.

Special Hello to: my friend “B” from the store ….. hope you are well soon.

Always, Carol and Alvin

Thought for the day….

Good Morning and Welcome to Monday the 15th day of December, 2014.

Our weather here in Edmonton has been great over the past couple of weeks.

Sure makes for a great holiday season when the temperatures are not minus 30.

Okay crazy Christmas Eve is one week from this Wednesday ……

Where has the time gone?

How are you feeling on this Monday?

Seems like so many people are suffering from colds or the flu.

I hope that you are feeling well.

I am feeling great.

I was able to wrap all of the Christmas gifts and finished off the Christmas cards.

There might be the odd card that I forgot and can always send them this week.

We are having guests for Christmas Day …. so that will be nice.

Just wondering if you had noticed if folks are “naughty” or “nice” this holiday season?

You really notice how people are feeling when you work in retail.

But I will say this much most people seem to be patient and pleasant.

Which is great.

If you have been feeling impatient and not to pleasant then take some time to be alone and just relax.

Sip on a cup of tea and listen to some of your favourite music ….. maybe even a Christmas song.

You will find it much easier to get through the day and the season if you are “nice.”

I am using both naughty and nice in the broad sense of course.

We always want to be around people who are “nice.”

Almost time to go to work …. seems like I just left the office ……

Special Hello to: “ALL THE SANTAS OUT THERE.”  Keep up the great work.

Always, Carol and Alvin

 

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