2021

Good Morning ALL. How are you today? I am doing great. Off to a little wobbly, well rather later than planned start but all is good. I have showered and am writing my post now and one of the girls will be here in less than a hour. She is bringing a couple of small heaters as we are having a birthday party in my garage. Thankfully the temperature is warming up but having the party at 10:00 a.m. …. it is likely still going to be cold. I wore a long sleeved top and a cardigan and sweatpants that are toasty warm. Not sure if to wear my bigger coat or my other one. Both are warm but one covers more of my legs. Boots ….. Also I will be putting a sweater on Mr. Alvin, his sweater of course, not one of mine, (you are silly, lol). All depends on how you write words as to the understanding, right? I have everything packed up and ready to be hauled out to the party area. Last night after work I moved and rearranged things in the garage so each of us are more than six feet apart so we can be mask free so we can drink our beverage (coffee and tea) and eat the birthday cupcakes. Each person has a comfy chair with a nice cushion. I am taking out blankets as well. Also we each have a side table of sorts. One is a table, one is a wooden bench and the other which I am using is a rubbermaid container with a piece of cut drywall as a topper (as it is flat). I am taking a cloth to cover the table. Decided to use the river rock top bistro table as I was unable to easily get to the other bigger patio table. I think it will be perfect. A birthday banner will be hung this morning as I thought the tape would come off in the cold. I have a few decorations that will go onto the table and voile we are done. Ready to party. I will put on the coffee so it is ready when Gillian arrives. I said her name. Sometimes I mention friends and family by name and sometimes not. The birthday girl is Signe. Her actual birthday is tomorrow. The sky appears to be clear. I think this is going to be a great party. It surely is. Also the extra gift for the girls that was being commissioned and did not make it for Christmas has arrived. So both girls will have gifts today. How wonderful is that. I am so excited. Alvin had lots of gifts last Sunday and me, well everyday and all the time that I spend on this earth with my Alvin, family and friends is all the gift I need.

I did want to mention something that I believe has become so important this past year and will remain important now and into the future. That is PATIENCE. We have all had to learn and be patient this last year. It is not a trait that comes naturally to human beings or at least not in my experience. It does come more easily to some than to others but it is most important these days. We have had to change our daily lives completely in 2020 and even into 2021 whether working from home, changed work hours, having no job, wearing a mask whenever you are outside in public, teaching your children from home, either having personally experienced the COVID 19 virus first hand or having a family member or a friend have the virus and of course, the worse possible – having someone pass away. There is no one on this planet that has not been affected in some way, shape or form. You may be one of the millions of folks who work in healthcare, with seniors, in schools, in stores, restaurants, fire department, police, utility companies and the list goes on and on of those that are out everyday no matter what. Also to all of the small businesses who have either had to close their doors or somehow have managed to keep afloat. Everyone, everyday has had to have patience. Whether you are at home or at work …. we all need patience. I tell myself (quite often, actually) and others to stop, take a deep breath and then go forward. We can do this. Patience will always serve us well in every situation for the present and into the future. Some things are beyond our control but patience is something we can control if we work on it. I know that for sure. Deep breath, patience all. We got this. We have learned valuable lessons as human beings or at least I hope so and although there may be many days that are marred with doubt and despair we will get to the other side. It will be different. I do not believe that things will ever go back to the way they were or at least some part of me, hopes that is the case. We hopefully will have learned for the future, for our children’s futures and their children.

So time to go and put the finishing touches on this birthday party. Mr. Alvin looks like me may have to go outside as it look like his eyes are watering …. he is fussing. He even asked me nice. How can you ignore that.

Be well, take cake. Breath and have patience.

Oh, I get to pick up my new glasses today, so excited. We might also get a walk in later this afternoon.

Life is good.

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

Always, Carol & Alvin

Thought for the day….

Good Morning and Welcome to Friday the 25th day of April, 2014.

What a great morning ….. the sun is peeking through most of the clouds and I have something to share.

Last night when I checked the mailbox …. I found a key ….. it was to unlock one of the parcel mailboxes.

With excitement I opened the mailbox to find a parcel addressed to me …. a big parcel.

With big red lettering the parcel said “F-R-A-G-I-L-E.

I was so excited I almost let go of Mr. Alvin as we were just on our way home from a walk.

With the mail and parcel pressed against my chest so that I would not drop anything me and Alvin hurried home.

Once inside the house I quickly removed Alvin’s harness and leash and wiped his paws.

Quickly removing my shoes and jacket I ran to the kitchen to open my treasure.

Oh, the parcel was from my friend “VAL” who lives in Regina, Saskatchewan.

Carefully I opened the parcel with my trusty mail opener …..

I felt like a small child on Christmas morning ….. full of glee.

Obviously it is not very often that I get a parcel in the mail and most especially something that I was not expecting.

When I pulled back the mauve tissue paper I found the most glorious looking chocolate cookie/biscuits dipped in white and dark chocolate all nicely decorated.

Oh my goodness…… my mouth drooling in anticipation …. because I know that my friend Val is an excellent baker/cook.

Also enclosed in the package was a container of coconut oil and 100 uses of said oil and a lovely tupperware citrus peeler (very useful).

There is nothing that I can say that would or could express how grateful I was/am for this thoughtful gift.

There was no reason …. not my birthday ….. not a special occasion ….. just a friend being thoughtful.

I managed to wait until I had supper before tasting the chocolate treats.

Lucky for me I was having company ….. a friend was picking up her custom jewellery order and was staying for tea.

So we had the most luscious treat ….. we both enjoyed them.

Today my daughter will get to try them, too.

I love to share great things.

Baking …… mmmm

So that is my story …. my thought for the day …… it was a reminder to me to make sure that I do something out of the ordinary for someone.

To make someone’s day …. a kindness ….

Here are some photos so that you can see what these tasty treats looked like:

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My package .... unwrapped

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I hope that you have a great day and perhaps you will receive something extra special today in the mail or a special delivery to your door.

Special Hello to: my friend Val, you are such a kind and generous human being and thank you.  Alvin sure wanted to try them……

Always, Carol and Alvin

Thought for the day…….

Have you ever walked by a house and wondered what the house looked like inside?

How was it decorated?

Who lived there?

Did they have children? A dog?

Did they go on winter vacations?

Did they have a big backyard?

Did they go out to eat often?

Did they have two cars?

Did they have a big family?

I use my imagination.

Likely part of the reason why I love to write.

The make believe aspect of it all.

I guess I am a dreamer by nature, and often wonder all or some of the above as I stroll by.

It is human nature to wonder, to think, to ponder.

We  are a curious lot, and have a fascination with what other have …. my curiosity comes from a positive place.

Not because I am jealous or want what everyone else has …..

I just simply WONDER.

Food for thought.

So on this Tuesday, August 2nd, 2011 ……. use your imagination as you travel through this day.

It is a healthy thing to do.

 

 

Always, Carol

 

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