Thought for the day ….

Good Morning and Welcome to Wednesday the 17th day of April, 2019.

Well this has been one heck of a week thus far.

We watched in sadness, as the flames engulfed the roof and spire of the world famous NOTRE DAME CATHEDRAL in Paris, France.

One of the five oldest in the world.

 

We clapped and cheered as HODA KOTP announced the arrival of her second daughter “HOPE CATHERINE” a big sister to HAILEY JOY.

 

Now last night we listened as they announced a new government for the province of Alberta; the United Progressive Conservatives with a controversial political figure.

Time will tell whether or not he is a good fit for Alberta.

I guess the majority of Albertans thought he was or perhaps just did not want the other major player to resume her place in Government.

Much like the Americans did when Trump was elected.

Not really the best way to vote.

 

What does one even say after all of this.

 

I will say one thing I am over the moon for the news about the arrival of the new baby for HODA and JOEL and HAILEY JOY.

She is one of those people that even though we have never met – I feel like I know her.

We do share the same birthday (just not same year).

 

Over the next few days we will hear more about what caused the fire at NOTRE DAME.

I heard on one news broadcast that fire fighters and police formed a human chain to remove as many priceless artifacts from the Cathedral.

The Crown of Thorns said to have been worn by Jesus.

That was one of the items that they mentioned.

Inside NOTRE DAME …..

 

Well today we have an on-site all staff meeting.

One of my co-workers is picking me up.

Sure was nice to sleep in and to still be at home with my boy.

 

Well I hope that you all have a great day.

Lots going on at home and in the world this week.

Remember to be kind and respectful.

We do not always like the same things …. that is for sure.

 

Happy Wednesday.

Gotta love the sunshine …. clear skies.

 

Special Hello to:  YOU, today.

Always, Carol & Alvin

 

 

 

COUNTDOWN: 60 Days to 60

Today is Friday, June 30, 2017 and it is the 41st day until my 60th Birthday.

 

Brief this morning:  Fire at a neighbours last night.

With all the fire trucks and other crews coming after the fire it was a late night.

Everyone is okay.

I am very grateful that we all get to see another day.

Cooler and raining this morning.

 

Always, Carol

 

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Friday the 30th day of June, 2017.

I was sitting on my sofa sipping on a cup of tea when I saw a few people excitedly running about across the street.

So I grabbed my shoes and ran out.

Then I saw the smoke and the flames billowing out of the duplex a couple of doors down and across the street.

I asked if there was anyone at home and they said no.

The neighbour in the half that was on fire had grabbed her cat and got out.  I briefly spoke to her and carried a couple of her things that had been dropped on the grass in front to the other side of the street.

She was clearly distraught.

I asked some people to move their cars so that the firetrucks could get in and the actual fire hydrant was down the street from me and they had to run the hose down the street.

When the fire trucks pulled in – I went back into the house – too many people and I did not think it was necessary for me to remain out side watching.

 

We all live in duplexes so could have been worse.

I am grateful that it did not happen last night or the night before with the gale force winds.

Might not have had a home.

Gives you cause to pause and be more prepared because one never knows.

There must have been about 100 people from near and far – people I have never seen coming to see.

People lining the sidewalks all around including in front of my house and then others riding their bikes over my lawn to get around them.

People on bikes pulling a stroller.

Argh, people sometimes.

 

Found out later that two 15-year old twins and younger sibling were at home while parents were working.

They ran out right away.

The neighbour in the other half and her cat got out.

No loss of life and that is what is most important.

Thankfully again no wind and everyone is safe.

 

Firetrucks still outside …. likely for hours yet.

Want to make sure …..

 

Pause for thought  …. be prepared.

 

Special Hello: to family and friends

Always, Carol & Alvin

COUNTDOWN: 60 Days to 60.

Today is Sunday June 25, 2017 and it is the 46 day until my 60th Birthday.

Okay now what after the 60 favourite things list.

I was thinking about a BUCKET LIST.

What is with all of these lists anyway?

Well truthfully, this would not be a surprise to people who know me as I am famous for writing lists, TO DO LISTS and such.

I like to write things down.

I have often thought a BUCKET LIST would be nice but perhaps today I will do it in reverse.

Not the things that I want to do in the future but some of the things that I have done over the years.

Okay so this is going to be another 60 things list ….. but things that I have done not necessarily favourite things but things that I have done/accomplished, okay.

Because going backwards can be tricky with the counting process I am just going to start at number 1.

 

Here are the next 12 items:

 

13. Rode on the hovercraft between Vancouver and Victoria back in, I believe it was about 1997 (they do not use them anymore).

14. Volunteered to canvas for Diabetes, Cancer, and Heart & Stroke many times over the years and as recent as 2017.

15.  Belonged to the Jaycettes  many years ago in Regina.  They did so much work in the community from fundraising to organizing neighbourhood watch groups.

16.  Also belonged to Downtowner Optimist Group in Regina (great experience helping community’s children) and had different roles from member to Vice President to President.

17.  Joined Capital City Cleanup (cleaning trash in my neighbourhood) when I moved to Edmonton and still do this on my own and not in an official capacity.

18.  Had supper in the revolving restaurants in both Niagara Falls and Toronto, Canada.

19.  Sat in the shade of lilac bushes as a toddler which was happened to be where there was a nest of baby mice and spent the next several decades being deathly afraid of them.  Also had a terrible nightmare that our root cellar as a child was filled with water and I had fallen in, it was dark of course, red eyes swimming toward me (rats) did not help with my phobia.  I am proud to say after a few experiences with them in the latter years has helped me.  After moving to Edmonton in my CLEAN, not old house, I had them (mice) and first time I spent three nights at my daughter’s house.  The next two times and hopefully the last I managed to live here.  Found that it does not matter how clean your house is …. if it is COLD outside, they will find a way to come in.  PROUD to say that even though they scare me they no longer terrify me.

20. As a teenager help save the life of a young boy who had been playing with fire in a barrel (someone was burning garbage).  As, I was leaving the cafe and turned down the back alley to go home I heard him screaming and saw him on fire.  I quickly sprang in action and got the flames extinguished so that he did not have worse burns.  Left him lying on the grass, and ran for help which was close by.  Thankfully he survived.

21.  As an adult I had several occasions either on my own where I happened to be in the right place at the right time and helped a young one in distress.  I am thankful.

22. On my only trip to New York City I visited the World Trade Centre.  Visited a company we worked with and it was quite the experience.  Rode up in the first bank of elevators and then had to get off and onto the second one.  Because of security concerns back in 1994, someone from the company I was going to see had to come and personally accompany me to their offices.  I remember the view from their offices.  We also had drinks on the concourse at the harbour which was amazing.  An experience I shall treasure always.

23. Travelled to Victoria, British Columbia by myself in 2010 and spent a few days exploring the city and admiring the beauty of Victoria.

24.  Started second “career” at age 54.  I plan to life until I am 100 so have lots of years left to do work and then “retire.”

 

Sure is a test of the memory banks.

Always, Carol

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Monday the 9th day of May, 2016.

The sky was overcast and looked quite dreary less than one hour ago but now it is beginning to clear as the sun rises to meet the day.

It is cool in the house this morning as I turned the furnace off a couple of weeks ago with the heat wave we have been experiencing.

The air conditioning is on but I have the temperature high enough that it does not kick in or we would be freezing.

Monday mornings always seem to come quickly.

I certainly could have slept longer.

Mr. Alvin is curled up on the foot of our bed looking like a bug in a rug, so comfy and cozy.

He had a haircut and bath on Saturday and is looking mighty handsome, I will say.

Our beloved Elton was not feeling well and his Mom and Dad took him to the Emergency hospital very early Mother’s Day morning.

They were able to take him home as they gave him medicine so that he would not get sick to his stomach.

We are hopeful that it is nothing serious.

He is a tough little guy.

Today they will have some answers hopefully.

Does it not seem that we all have a few days that seem to run kind of smoothly and then things go wrong.

I do try most of the time to be positive but some days I will admit it is a struggle.

Well time to finish getting ready for work.

I hope that you have a great day wherever you may be.

Our thoughts and prayers continue to be with all of our Northern Neighbours.

Be safe.

We also hope that our four-legged and other little ones are able to be rescued.

There are also fires burning in and around Fort St. John, B.C. – our thoughts and prayers are with each of you.

Take care our families.

Special Hello to:  YOU

Always, Carol and Alvin

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Friday the 6th day of May, 2016.

 

Stories just keep coming from the northern Alberta City of McMurray.

Stories of HEROISM.

Stories of BRAVERY.

 

Each person that I speak to either has loved ones or knows of folks that lived in Fort McMurray.

 

Please keep them all in your thoughts and prayers.

Help wherever you can.

Call the Red Cross ….

The Government will match donations made to the Red Cross for Fort McMurray.

 

My heart is with the little animals …. the wildlife.

I cannot get them out of my head.

 

Special Hello to: all the life in our North ….. I hope that you are safe and secure.

Always, Carol and Alvin

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Thursday the 5th day of May, 2016.

It is overcast here in Edmonton this morning.

The air is cool and there is a breeze.

Such a difference from the past couple of days.

I am actually cold this morning.

I only hope that it has cooled off up north where the wildfires are burning out of control.

They need a break.

RAIN and no lightning would be great.

Sounds like everyone was evacuated safely and that is great news.

My heart goes out to all of the animals in the forest surrounding Fort McMurray, Alberta.

I hope that all of the dogs and cats were rescued from the City.

We are so grateful to all those brave men and women whose job is to go into the inferno to fight the fires.

Whether paid or volunteers we thank you.

I hope they are all safe.

To all of the individuals out there who came together to offer up a place to sleep or to gather necessities for the evacuees, we thank you.

 

Well here it is time to leave for work once again.

The time always passes quickly in the morning.

I am also grateful this morning to a young man, a friend of my kids who is helping to get my computer back in full operation mode.

Thank you.

 

So on this Thursday be safe.

Special Hello to: all the residents of Fort McMurray, Alberta and surrounding areas, we are grateful that you are safe and secure.

Always, Carol and Alvin

 

Thought for the day ……

Good Morning and Welcome to Sunday the 12th day of July, 2015.

The sun is desperately trying to break through the smoky haze that has taken over our skies for the past few days.

I can only imagine what it is like near the fires.

The smoke filling the air …. hard to breathe.

I was thinking of all of the poor creatures that lived in the forest with no where to run unlike we two-legged ones that can jump in a car or be flown out of the danger zone.

My heart bleeds today for them all.

If they are fortunate to escape the fire zone then what?

They end up in a habited area and then we do the unthinkable because we think they are a threat to us.

I am just grateful to be where I am …..

This has been an odd weekend.

The basement pretty much done ….. the “DRYWALL” ( I thought of the name ).

When I was vacuuming the more fine dust the filter on the vacuum decided to be done.

A bit later I found a wee small dead mouse behind the furnace tucked behind a small opening ….

Where and when ….. OMG ….. they creep me out.

I also hooked up the dryer vent hose and levelled the dryer (all by myself, found that it wasn’t difficult). YAY, me.

I was just about to start laundry and entered the laundry area (furnace) and found water by the furnace.

It had run down into the area under the stairs ….. grabbing towels I got it wiped up …

Thinking it was the humidifier … I called my neighbour as she had removed the top part by the filter.

She came over and we found it was not the humidifier …. she called her friend’s husband who is a plumber, heating and a/c guy ( they were here in just a few minutes or so it seemed).

He was pretty certain that the a/c pan that is enclosed in the furnace unit was over flowering because it was plugged somewhere and then the water has to come out somewhere …..

So he cleaned it all out and the water stopped running.

Note to self: must have the a/c unit on the furnace checked annually.

It was an invaluable lesson.

Just seemed like one thing after the other.

So glad that it is fixed and that the a/c continues to work when we need it to …..

Once again and I am in continuous gratitude to be surrounded by great people …. truly I have the best neighbours on the planet.

This morning I am on my way to another friend’s place just down the street for coffee and muffins.  A third gal, neighbour and friend is going to be there as well.

This weekend I am so grateful.

I also want to send some love to Miss Aussie, neighbour cat who had surgery on Friday and needs some love and positive energy to make her well.  Come on girl you can do it.  We love you …… Alvin, too.

Well I should go and do a couple of things before heading out to socialize ……

I hope that wherever you are that life is treating you well and that you are treating life well.

Spread the love, gratitude and positive energy …..

Thank you.

Special Hello to: to all those folks who try something new and spread their wings daily.

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and welcome to Friday the 4th day of July, 2014.

Happy 4th of July to all our American (United States) friends and neighbours to the south.

I wish you all a happy, safe celebration.

To all those folks south of us who are in the midst of fires and floods and other storms, our hearts go out to you.

 

This morning here in Edmonton the sun is shining.

I hope that our neighbours to the east in Saskatchewan and Manitoba also have sunshine so that it can start the drying out process.

Keep safe and dry.

 

Always in the midst of tragedy there is cause to celebrate.

In Canada just a few days ago we celebrated the birthday of our great country.

Now the United States celebrates their birthday.

We are grateful to live on this North American continent in each of these great countries.

 

We hope that you all have a great Friday wherever you live.

Take care and peace be with you all.

 

Special Hello to: our friends in the United States ……

 

Always, Carol and Alvin