Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Wednesday the 23rd day of August, 2017.

The air is cool this morning and Alvin was enjoying some extra time on the deck earlier.

Inside the house is a bit warm but with the furnace fan and the table top fan going it is bearable.

Temperatures to be plus 26 today and it was at least that yesterday.

 

Well back to work yesterday was what I expected.

I had hoped it might be different but perhaps I kept those other thoughts too much in my mind.

You can only do what you can do.

I would like to think that I am superwoman but I am not.

Just have to retrain the brain again.

 

If you ever have problems keeping your mind to positive thoughts and your retaining positive energy ….

Just surround yourself with positive influences.

I am so blessed to have many positive minded friends and that helps on those days like yesterday when you are not where you need or want to be.

Today even though I could not shut my brain down and likely only had a couple of hours sleeps and 45 minutes of that was on the sofa after getting up to feed Mr. Alvin ….

I have to remember that not everyone thinks the way I do and I should know that by now after reaching 60 years.

People are more concerned to have things their way and do not think of others.

For my friends and family who are reading this ….. does not apply to you …. work wise.

So patience is what I am concentrating on this day.

It is likely the hardest thing to do but the most rewarding.

 

You know you have a great friend when you have to change plans due to unexpected company and said friend, says not to worry as that day is better

for the family to celebrate her Father’s Birthday.  She would have spent time with me and changed the party date.

I am so blessed to have such an understanding friend, thanks “K.”

 

Well almost time to hit the road.

Remember patience.

Remember patience.

Perhaps if I make this my mantra today, it will help.

Patience is a virtue.

Patience is good.

Patience makes you feel better…..

 

Have an awesome Wednesday.

Special Hello to: all those folks who struggle to be patient, I hear you.

Always, Carol & Alvin

 

COUNTDOWN: 60 days to 60

Today is Saturday June 17, 2017 and it is the 54 day until my 60th Birthday.

Crazy that the days are passing so quickly.

This writing has helped to gain perspective on a few things, and to give me extra purpose in the days and years ahead.

My family and I have had I would say an odd relationship.

Not bad but odd.

I am the eldest child of five.

We lost one brother several years ago.

We, remaining four are two girls and two boys.

I am closer to my sister because I have been around her more than my brothers, know her better, and because we are girls.

Part of the reason for this was I left home when I was sixteen years old.

This was not my choice.

I was always their guide and protector and it hurt me a lot to leave them.

My paternal grandfather had died in a farming accident back “home” and my Dad decided it would be a good idea for me to go and live with my Grandmother.

I was sixteen and she was 72.

I had always loved my Gran and was close to her but the idea of leaving my siblings behind scared me a great deal.

My youngest brother was 8, the other boys were 10 and 11; my sister was 14 when I left home.

I would say that this was the hardest thing that I have ever had to do.

Leaving my babies behind – being the eldest I was always responsible for them and they really did feel like my children.

So as I said, we have an odd relationship.

My sister and I are super close.

The boys feel like my children – most especially the youngest one.

I think it was hard for them, too.

We love each other very much.

I always felt bad that I missed out knowing them better in those years, and then as teenagers.

It also has had an effect on every conversation and get together over the years.

Whenever they spoke of many things – I was not there, and could not be connected to that memory, and that always hurt.

I did not feel included in a way.  Not that it was their fault as it certainly was not the case.

Now that is not to say that we did not see each other during those years we certainly did but not on a day to day basis.

My very core hurt when my middle brother passed away …..

Everyone has something in their life that throws their life into the fire pit.

So family is important to me.

I may not see my “babies” on a regular basis but they are engrained in my very being and with me everyday.

My Mom always treated me as a younger sister and even referred to me, as such.

My Dad well, despite his shortcomings, I loved him.

Families are not all the same.

You do the best that you can.

I am excited for my birthday as my sister and younger brother are coming to stay with me.

So excited to spend time with them.

Your family is your family.

All you can do is the best you can do …..

I am blessed to be a part of this family.

 

Always, Carol

 

Thought for the day ……

Good Morning and Welcome to Sunday the 23rd day of April, 2017.

Woke up to this ….. all I can is ARGH, ARGH and ARGH.

Yesterday we had NO snow ….. it was a rain/snow mix but the snow was melting as it made touchdown to the earth.

Poor Alvin as you can see from his tracks was almost hidden as he climbed up the stairs on the deck.

I was not fast enough to grab the camera to show that ….. but when he came to the door ….. he gave me that look ….. check out the last photo!

He had snow packed on his little legs and paws and belly.

Welcome to WINTER or a SNOWY SPRING.

I should not be surprised this can happen in April.

By the end of the next three days we should have a couple of feet.

Forecast last nigh before I went to bed was for snow from overnight to Wednesday.

Will be fun walking to and from the bus.

Looks like I have some shovelling to do in my near future.

I also have a First Communion to attend for the daughter of a friend and neighbour.

 

The funeral yesterday morning was heart wrenching and touching.

Many of her siblings and her father spoke …..

She was very loved.

So sad for them losing a beloved one so early.

 

I was grateful that I had an opportunity to attend the funeral and to also spend the afternoon with my daughter.

We had a good afternoon ….. we had coffee and lunch at her house and then did some shopping.

In this day and age ….. the idea of buying “used” and “second hand” is taking off in a big way.

Lots of people shop at Value Village and other thrift shops.

Including we girls ….

I picked up a couple of amazing purchases.

You have to know what to look for and make smart choices.

 

I must share a little story from our shopping trip.

While we were in Value Village ….. I was waiting for my daughter to find a clerk to help at the jewellery counter …

There was an elderly gentlemen who was gazing into the jewellery display cases with me.

He showed me this ladies glitzy costume ring that he had on his finger, and proudly announced that he had paid only $3.00 for it.

I acknowledged his statement and smiled.

He also told me that he was going to be 91 very soon.

Wow, I said (he did not look even 70).

I asked him where he was born and he said here – Edmonton area.

So as inquisitive as I am, I asked “what was his profession?”

He replied “Carpenter for over sixty years.”

I then asked “What was his favourite item/thing to make?”

He said without even a second hesitation …

“MONEY” …… lots of money.

I could not help myself but to laugh aloud.

Best line ever.

 

After shopping we fed the pups and then went for a walk in her neighbourhood.

Afterward she drove us home.

Despite Alvin’s anxiety of the car ride and being away from his sanctuary, his home; I believe he had a good day, too.

 

Well I guess I have put off the shovelling long enough.

Time to change the bedding, get dressed and have a quick coffee before hitting the SLOPES ….. well almost.

 

Have an awesome Sunday …. I hope that you are not covered in snow as we are ……

Happy Sunday.

 

Special Hello to: everyone who reads my blog, thank you.

Always, Carol & Alvin

 

 

Thought for the day ……

Good Morning and Welcome to Thursday the 9th day of February, 2017.

Today is a very, very special day in our family and for me.

On this day  “40” years ago my sister gave birth to my first nephew.

I cannot believe that he is going to be 40 which means I am going to be 60.

We are twenty years apart.

 

He has a very special place in my heart.

We spent a good deal of time together over the years. and it has meant the world to me.

He was this eager, busy-energetic, inquisitive, highly intelligent, bold, adventurous,  kind, loving little boy with the blonde hair and strawberry lips who simply melted your heart.

He did have a bit of a mischievous streak running through him but mostly he was just super busy and full of energy.

Always asking questions – always wanting to know.

But “why Auntie.”

Or he would hear a word that was not something a small child would typically use in a sentence but he did, and used it correctly.

One time when he was about three, I was sitting at the kitchen table working on my budget, and crunching some numbers using the calculator.

He came up to me and said “Auntie, what is that?”

I replied “it is a calculator” and before I could say anything he said “Auntie, I would like to do some calculating.”

He was three.  I will say he was always good with numbers.

I watched him go from that cute little boy into a mature, eager, energetic, inquisitive, highly intelligent, bold, kind, loving husband and father to three little boys.

I am so proud of this boy now grown man.

Go figure that he would have three boys of his own.

 

With my move to Edmonton we have not seen as much of each other as we had over the years but he is always in my thoughts.

He will always be my cute blonde headed strawberry lipped little boy.

 

So on this Thursday the 9th day of February, 2017, I want to wish my first born nephew “T” …. a very Happy 40th Birthday.

Now he will not be likely reading this but I hope that he knows in his heart how much he means to me and always will.

He was the son that I never had ….. (don’t tell Alvin).

 

I also wanted to mention that yesterday was one of the best days of my life.

So many little things …. great moments ….. great day.

I never thought that I would be so happy not to have mail delivered to me (this was at work).

I am so grateful to be me.

 

 

Special Hello to: my nephew “T” …. Happy Happy 40th Birthday.

Always, Carol & Alvin

Thought for the day ……

Good Morning and Welcome to Saturday the 12th day of November, 2016.

Today would have been my Dad’s 83rd Birthday.

We did not have the best relationship.

He would not have won any Father of the Year Awards but at the end of the day; he was still my Dad.

We start the day with only a bit of brightness which may be the sun this Saturday morning.

I believe they might have forecasted rain for today but I hope that does not happen.

 

Yesterday my daughter and I worked hard to prepare for the Craft Show that we are attending today in just a few hours.

We readied our remaining jewellery inventory.

It is always an amazing time when I get to spend moments, minutes and hours with her.

She is the best.

I never tire of telling the world about this incredible woman that I know and she just happens to be my daughter.

My Steeped Tea Leader “C” will also be at the event with Steeped Tea of course, so that will be great.

I have no idea how big this is or how many people will attend but I am happy to be there with my girl.

 

Well this will be short today.

Please remember that no matter what your relationships are like with your family – they are still your family.

If we show respect and give respect there will be respect at the end of the day.

Take care.

 

Special Hello to: all those families torn apart by differences and such; life is too short; try to work for better days.

Always, Carol and Alvin

 

P.S. Wish us luck with the CrAfT SALE today ….

 

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Tuesday the 6th day of October, 2015.

What a gorgeous evening last night …. slight chill to the air but beautiful nonetheless.

Alvin and I thoroughly enjoyed our walk.

 

I had quite the surprise as I approached our house last night after work.

Remember how I did all of the yard work yesterday …..

Well pretty much all of the leaves that were not on the ground on Sunday, were on the ground yesterday …..

Covering the grass in a warm yellow blanket.

Very pretty.

I will admit that I did figure that there would be one or two more raking sessions left to do before the end of fall.

 

I am so grateful to live in this great country.

I am so grateful to live in this great city.

I am so grateful to live in this great neighbourhood.

Where we from all NATIONS live in peace and harmony.

No matter what stories circulate about …… we live in the best country on the planet.

My only hope is that we always remember this, and that it continues forever.

 

Last night while out walking (was with one of my neighbours and her Jasmine) and almost home we saw this beautiful animal and his young “guide.”

A couple of nights before I thought that I remembered seeing this beautiful dog out with an older man (was the young man’s Father, we found out).

I say guide because owner makes me cringe.

Anyway the dog is special.

At 12 weeks he is more than twice as tall as Alvin and still growing.

He is a Romanian Shepherd and brought here by his now Romanian Family.

We all need each other whether two or four-legged.

We learned more about another family.

Thank you.

 

Well looking like once again it is time to leave to catch that old bus to work.

Actually the bus is not old.  Smiling as I think that ……

 

Have a glorious day.

Remember that we are all in this together.

If we treat each other with kindness and respect it is only an even better place to live.

Special Hello to: all those people that I have met and who have taught me so much.

Always, Carol and Alvin

 

Thought for the day…..

Good Morning and Welcome to Monday the 9th day of February, 2015.

It feels like it is warming up …..

Today is the 38th Birthday of my first born nephew “T” …..

He was born when I was 20.

That seems like a lifetime ago ….. guess that it was.

He was this energetic blonde haired little guy with “strawberry” coloured lips.

So so cute.

He was the smartest little one that I had ever known.

He asked the most absurd questions ….. things that I was pretty sure that I had not asked my Mother or Aunt.

So many stories to remember.

Whenever I take a trip down memory lane it always brings a smile to my face.

I always liked spending time with him as I was never bored and always kept on my toes.

NOW:

“T” has grown into this great father of three boys (payback) and husband…

He started his own directional drilling company ( he is the only employee ).

Works hard …..

I am always pleased when he stops by to see his Aunt on his way to a job.

We go out for supper and then visit at home.

Happy Birthday my darling nephew.

I hope that you have a great Birthday.

I hope that you have great memories of me and you.

I treasure ours very much.

Special Hello to: my nephew “T” on his 38th Birthday.

Always, Carol and Alvin.