The Next Chapter

Good Morning! Beautiful sky and another “holiday” for me. I am so grateful for this extra long weekend. Well my plan to have the whole upstairs done by now has not come to fruition. Oh well, I did put a great dent into it. The office was a whole day all by itself and I just realized that I did not wash the blinds in here. So I will do that this morning and then I will need to reorganize the bulletin board and do the guest bedroom. At the moment it is filled with books, not completely but there are a lot. On the bed and on a table that was previously in the office closet. I, in essence downsized my books by one whole bookcase, I almost said book shelf which is not the case. The last couple of days, I am aching from anywhere that I have muscles and even my butt is not without some aching. Using muscles that I have not used in a long time. Climbing up and down the ladder and stretching to wash the walls, well that would do it. But I am so glad it is done. I also found a new home for the area rug that had been in my bedroom and that is in the office. It fits perfectly and no longer will the office chairs slide out from underneath me. There are still projects to do but I put a large dent in the spring clean up. Even the basement which I had not planned to do has been almost completed thanks to the change in plan on Good Friday. I just made a change to the few older books that I had on the top of one bookcase and laid them flat instead of upright so that I could set two of Amanda’s childhood books on top. One of her books is a Golden Book with her name “Amanda’s First Day of School” and the other “Nursery Rhymes” which I gave to her in 1981 (she was born 1980). I loved looking at the titles of books. There are school readers from my day and many decades before that and I have kept quite a few, half of a book case of my daughter’s books. Hard to give away someone’s history. Each book brings back memories. I can see her at that age and it makes me smile. Books have always been so important to both my daughter and I. When she was growing up she had hundreds of books. In school when the students could order books from the book club, I always made sure she could order as many as she wanted. I remember ordering from Scholastic when I was child. It was a huge deal and I wished that I had those books today. Somehow this post changed course from spring cleaning to books and reading. Well both are important. Oh and last night not long before bed, I chopped off my hair. Yes, I pulled out Alvin’s electric clippers and went to town. I actually cut the back quite short. Never have I been able to do it this way and I am happy for it. The sides are still long in comparison and I have found after showering and drying my hair the odd long piece so had to snip them off. I also for supper last night made a pot of Chili using my Tupperware Pressure Cooker. It definitely is easy. Just throw in the ingredients and put on the lid in the correct manner and pop into the microwave for just minutes. Very easy except I still struggle with removing the lid which I will manage in time.

There was also a couple of loads of laundry done yesterday as well. A full day. Lots of stairs and steps up and down.

I wished that I was able to show you all some photos of the changes that I have made in my office. Looks pretty great. Definitely some major changes. Still couple of things to do but most of it is done. I guess the spring cleaning will pour over to another weekend and likely another one after that, but that is okay. Keeps me busy and from sitting on the sofa watching television.

My friends Pauline & Al are back from Hawaii where their eldest daughter was married. I can only imagine going to Hawaii. My grandparents visited there decades ago and I still have the pearl shell broach that they brought back from their trip. I was about 10 when they went on the trip so it is about 55 years old. One of the tiny pearls came loose but I managed to keep it. When you consider all of the moves that I made over my lifetime between three Canadian Provinces and from a young age, I managed to hang onto it it is staggering. I treasured that broach and still do. It is one thing that wherever I go, it will go with me. Over the years, I have considered wearing it but am afraid that the pearls may come loose or I may lose it. Other than a couple of cards that I gave to my grandparents and my grandma kept and my Baby Book (record of birth, baby gifts, birthdays etc, the broach is the only item from my early years. Somehow I got sidetracked once again, I meant to say that Pauline replied to my Happy Easter text and we set up a walk for today. So I should get going and get the coffee brewing followed by washing the office blinds and some other items. Another friend is going to come over and pick out some books. I will likely put the books on the Community Board and see if someone would like them. They are all in perfect condition.

I hope that you have a wonderful Monday whether you are at home or at work or at school. Happy Monday.

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

Alvin was surely with me this whole weekend as I kept his Urn close by – he always liked to be wherever I was so I do that now when I am at home, keep him close. He is always in my thoughts, always and forever. I so miss the little guy. Everything in the house reminds me of him.

Always, Carol & Alvin (My Forever Angel)

2025

Good Morning ALL. How are you doing today? I hope that you are well. Alvin and I are doing great. Another cold day. I noticed there was some extra snow on the sidewalks and on the deck. Guess there was some snow before we were up earlier. I love that the sun is beginning to rise earlier and earlier each day. I found out that March 14, 2021 is the date that we here in Alberta turn our clocks forward by one hour. The time change always seems to play havoc with me and Alvin, most especially Alvin for at least a couple of weeks before we are used to the difference. I will say that it is harder to turn the clocks back than forward. Mr. Alvin is barking at me from the office. What a guy. Oh my goodness. He is hard to please. I had moved his little blanket bed from the office to the doorway thinking he may like to make eye contact from where he is but that was not what he wanted. After I had a shower and while still in my housecoat with my hair wrapped up on top of my head, we went downstairs and out he went. Does he need to go again? Anyway I guess this will be quick. I did want to mention that yesterday doing the list jogged my old memory about many other items around the house that I love. I have this seashell with pearl brooch that my grandparents bought for me when they went on their cruise to Hawaii. I have jumpsuit that she took on that trip. I believe the trip was about 1968 and I was 11 years old. The brooch is so exquisite. I will take a photo and share with you soon. It is so delicate and beautiful. I have managed to keep it safe and intact for all these years. Now one small pearl did come loose and I have that little pearl. I do treasure that gift so much. Another item was a solid green jade ring that my best friend in Grade 12 gave to me in 1976 and I have wore it everyday since then. I may changed fingers as my fingers changed size but I wear it to this day. Two more treasures. I am very blessed.

It is time to head downstairs. I was even up a bit earlier but today was pay bills day so that takes a couple of extra minutes and we did go downstairs in the middle of things. Oh well, such as life.

The sky almost looks periwinkle in colour from my office window and that brings a smile to my face and joy to my heart.

Wishing you a wonderful Thursday.

Today they deliver my second Chef’s Place meals for this next week. So excited.

Warming up tomorrow so that I can walk to the vet for supplies for the boy.

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

Always, Carol & Alvin

COUNTDOWN: 60 Days to 60

Today is Saturday, July 22, 2017 and it is the 19th day until my 60th Birthday.

The air coming in through my office window is cool as I write these words.

The sun is already up for the day as I have risen for the day, as well.

I would say that one of my favourite things to do is to write poetry.

I will share some of the poems that I have written over the years.

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“GREAT EXPECTATIONS”

To Windthorst I came late in the fall,

With great expectations — or so I recall,

I looked forward to seeing new faces in class,

And taking the subjects I knew I should pass.

My impressions are fixed now, it currently seems

That totally false was each of these dreams,

With all the boys, I’d thought it’d be heaven,

But it hasn’t worked out; so back to Glenavon.

The girls are prettier than I’d thought they would be;

Though none but a fool could prefer them to me!

(My vanity comes from the pressures of rhyme —

You know that I’m modest all of the time!)

My rhyme is near finished, my brainpower low,

My thoughts have diminished, and so I shall go.

Life, bring excitement!  Life, bring romance!

Life, bring me something!  Windthorst last chance!

Written as I entered Grade Twelve in Windthorst, Saskatchewan.

Grandma sold the farm in the summer/fall of 1974 and we moved to the Village of Windthorst.

I wrote some poetry for the school paper.

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“FROM DREAM TO REALITY”

I had a dream late last night,

Of sparkling white sandy beaches,

Palm trees swaying in a sweet scented breeze,

Of clear blue skies and water, clear blue,

Of monkeys, elephants and parrots, too.

When I awoke and looked all around,

It was a dream, so I had found.

The picture is somewhat sadly different.

My sandy beaches are cluttered with garbage.

The palm trees have been removed, replaced with malls.

The breeze smells bitter — terribly so,

The monkeys, elephants where did they go?

We have come too far, too fast,

The signs have been there,

But we did not see, due to our hungry greed

From horse drawn sleighs to gas powered cars,

From tin and glass to Styrofoam and plastic jars,

From all that technology we still didn’t learn

That we’re literally burning our planet — our Earth.

The time has come to join together,

Mothers, Fathers, Sons and Daughters,

If we learn to reduce, recycle and reuse

We can save our planet —

The gem in our universe.  Our Earth!

Written for Amanda’s school play at W.H. Ford School

By Carol Lewis on November 28th, 1990

This is so bizarre that I wrote this twenty years ago for my daughter’s school play.  It is even more prevalent today.

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“BEYOND THE SUNSET”

The sun melts into hues of gold and pink,

as the sky darkens.

A peaceful sigh, as she closes her eyes.

She sees the roses in her garden.

The fragrance soft but strong in the air.

She sees her children and theirs.

She feels her husband’s touch.

She remembers times gone by.

It has been a great life!

She is not afraid,

The time has come.

The Lord extends his hand,

And she follows him home.

Written by Carol Lewis on September 29/30, 1998 for my Grandma Stella.

I went to live with my paternal Grandmother when I was just 16 and she was 72.

We did well together for the most part considering the age difference.

I miss her and think of her often.

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“Dear Mom”,

Sitting here thinking back,

One moment ago,

Sometimes only days, then back a dozen years.

The memories flood on in,

There were happy times and sad,

Crazy wonderful and bad.

I think of all the voices of family and friends, chattering in my head.

Everyone has a special story, a thought for me to hear.

How hard it is to say that last good-bye.

I remember your laughter, your firmness and the way you spoke your mind.

The Love you shared with others, your charm, that wit, that mind!

We will always wonder, why your time with us was short.

But you gave us all love and understanding, you always believed in us.

Pointed us in the right direction.

Then quietly and quickly moved on,  to watch down over us – our Guardian Angel!

There will never be another “Jeannie”, another “Granny”, another Mom, another Friend like you.

Mom, there is no doubt in my mind that you were one of a kind!

You touched so many hearts that is evident by the stories I have heard,

and by the tears that have and will be shed.

Mom,

No one Loved You More

No one Loved You Better

We all Love You the Same.

Written by Carol Lewis (November 1993) to honour our  “Mother” who passed away in November of 1993.

I miss my Mom and think of her often.  When I think about how easy it is to communicate with family and friends who live at a distance, I am utterly amazed.  It would have been so great if back in 1993, and prior we could have sat down at the computer and SKYPED each other.  So if you are thinking about me or your Mom or your best friend, and they live at a distance, take advantage of the free download and start to SKYPE.  Between Facebook, E-mail, and SKYPE there is no reason to miss out on the days and years of our loved ones.  Post some photos.  Send some love.  Stay in contact.   To all my friends and family out there, I love you and think of each and every one of you each and every day.  Really I do.  I send my love and thoughts of good health and abundance.  Take care everyone…..

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“IF I HAD KNOWN”

Looking at photos of us when we were kids.

It seems like only yesterday,

but it was a lifetime ago.

Things have changed.

We were five now we’re four.

How I long for those days.

When we were all together.

When playing school, all sitting in a row … I’d be the teacher…

Running about the yard playing in a nearby slough looking for tadpoles …

Playing in the dirt ….

Imagining driving to far off places in that old black car, and eating Mom’s homemade french fries and pumpkin pie.

Playing hide and seek and watching Disney on Sundays.

Was what we did, when we were just kids.

Now we’re grown,

Time has past.

If only I had known,

We would be four and not five.

I would have taken your hand.

I would have told you how much I loved you every day.

I would have loved you better.

I would have visited you more often.

I should have tried.

I would have known your pain.

I would have understood.

I would have known your favourite song.

I would have known your favourite colour.

I would have known you better.

Now we’re four and it’s too late

For me to take your hand.

To share your pain, and to comfort you.

I wished that I had knew you better.

Between the pain and the laughter.

You were a man, and I remember the boy

The little boy with a zest for life.

The little boy that always seemed to find a way ….. now that’s our secret….

That irresistible little guy that made me smile.

The little boy with such a big heart.

That much I did know when the boy became the man.

I feel that I let you down, but it is too late

I wished that I knew your favourite song.

Or what you made you cry late at night.

Why the time passed so fast.

Now we’re four instead of five

What did you think?  Your thoughts?

I wished that I knew.

If I had, I had only known  the man, not just the boy.

Written by Carol Yvonne Lewis, January 8th, 2010

I miss my brother …… somedays it feels like only yesterday that we were saying good-bye and others it feels like an eternity.  Often times we take for granted that our siblings will live forever and most certainly if they are younger than we are, longer.  Reach out ….. say hello …… even if you cannot physically seem them ….. phone them, text them, email them, live chat, SKYPE with …… do not miss out on an opportunity.  

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Always, Carol

COUNTDOWN: 60 Days to 60

Today is Friday June 23, 2017 and it is the 48 day until my 60th Birthday.

The top ….

11.  Flowers …. wherever and whenever

10.  Fragrance of my Gran’s flower gardens (memory)

9.  Trips to Jasper 2009 and to Montreal 2007 with my daughter

8.  Looking at old photographs with my sister and brothers ….. remembering when we were younger.

7.  Reading cards and letters from loved ones no longer with us.

6. Business trip to New York City in 1994 which included a week long course held at the old SING SING Prison and followed by the most glorious but scary visit to the World Trade Centre, Broadway Musical, some     sightseeing and shopping.  The Big Apple was so much more than I could ever have imagine.  Some day I would like to go there with my daughter.  Definitely bucket list to return to NYC.

5. Sea Shell Broach that my Grandparents brought me back from their trip to Hawaii, I think I was about 10 (still have it).  One of  my most prized possessions and it fits in the palm of my hand.

4.  The people in my life: my family, of course, and all my beloved friends from a lifetime.  They are the best.  D, V, M, D, L, G, S, H, I, K, M, R, B, M,  and I cannot list them all but they are in my heart each and every minute of my day.

3. My daughter’s wedding and my new son-in-law … sharing that day with her/with them was one of the best days of my life.

 

2. Adoption of  Alvin which was by accident as would not have happened without my kids saying I should adopt a doggie.  He is the wind beneath my sails.

1. Birth of my daughter, Amanda.  She has been and continues to be the star shining brightly in my sky.  I have always been so proud of her from the time she was a wee girl to now as a grown woman.  She is simply the most caring, kind and compassionate woman I know and I learn from her daily. She is a great role model (even for her Momma).  Always my daughter and best friend.

 

 

I could go on and on with this list.  The more I wrote the more I engaged my thoughts and memories.  Really despite a few hiccups along the way I have had and continue to have an amazing life.

The top 60 of my favourite things …… just the beginning.  I hope that I did not forget something important.  Daughter check, Son-in-law check, Sister, Brothers, Family, Friends. …..

I guess that I still have 48 or so days left to jot down some things on the Countdown to 60.

 

Always, Carol

 

 

 

 

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Monday the 4th day of April, 2016.

WOW, we had a crazy beautiful weekend here in Edmonton.

Downside it is so dry.

We are hoping for some spring rain showers.

I have started to get back into my poetry and would like to share another one from the past.

Thank you for reading it has inspired me to write more.

I love poems because they are a condensed story.

To the point.

It is always so important to do something you love and I do love to write poetry.

I wrote my first poem in grade one and never stopped.

Along the way some were lost but I treasure the ones that I managed to keep.

I do have one that I wrote for my grandparents back at age 8, I believe and I still have it.

 

My grandmother kept this small treasure of my childhood, and I am so grateful.

Well can you believe it almost time to leave for work.

I am quite certain that I was just there ….. oh well, gotta work.

 

FROM DREAM TO REALITY

I had a dream late last night,

Of sparkling white sandy beaches,

Palm trees swaying in a sweet scented breeze,

Of clear blue skies and water, clear blue,

Of monkeys, elephants and parrots, too.

When I awoke and looked all around,

It was a dream, so I had found.

The picture is somewhat sadly different.

My sandy beaches are cluttered with garbage.

The palm trees have been removed, replaced with malls.

The breeze smells bitter — terribly so,

The monkeys, elephants where did they go?

We have come too far, too fast,

The signs have been there,

But we did not see, due to our hungry greed

From horse drawn sleighs to gas powered cars,

From tin and glass to styrofoam and plastic jars,

From all that technology we still didn’t learn

That we’re literally burning our planet — our Earth.

The time has come to join together,

Mothers, Fathers, Sons and Daughters,

If we learn to reduce, recycle and reuse

We can save our planet —

The gem in our universe.  Our Earth!

Written for my daughter’s school play at W.H. Ford School.

She was just ten years old back then.

By Carol Lewis on November 28th, 1990

This is so bizarre that I wrote this twenty- six years ago for my daughter’s school play.  It is even more prevalent today.

 

Special Hello to: my sister who is travelling to Hawaii today …… Aloha ……

Always, Carol and Alvin

Thought for the day…..

Good Morning and Welcome to Thursday the 14th day of May, 2015.

Well the sun is coming up ….. still a bit on the cool side in the mornings.

I still am wearing a jacket for my walk to the bus stop.

Maybe in a week or so ….. a sweater will do.

This morning I went to retrieve a voicemail message on my home telephone.

The old fashion touch tone portable phone …. I do not have a cell phone yet.

There is static on the other end.

Guess time for new phones.

They sure do not make things like they used to ….. everything is disposable.

Why oh why.

I do know the answer, but really I would love for manufacturers to have love for their products and make with integrity and quality.

It is so disappointing when items do not last.

I remember a deep freezer that my grandparents had on the farm.

It was there when I was a child, and it was moved from the farm to town.

I figured why it was about 30 or so years old.

Stoves and fridges used to last for 25 years or so.

One would tire of them long before they broke down and then most times they could be repaired.

Can you imagine house hold appliances and gadgets lasting that long?

Or at least make things to be repaired and not throw away.

Okay, I have had my little “rant” for the day.

Just disappointed …. I am not mad or sad …. just disappointed.

Well almost time to get back downstairs, grab my lunch and jacket (will need shoes, too) and snuggle with Mr. Alvin for a few minutes before heading off to work.

YAY, tomorrow is my day off and I am so excited.

Have a great great day everyone.

Special Hello to: all those people who take the time to read my blog, I so appreciate it.

Always, Carol and Alvin

Thought for the day…..

Good Morning and Welcome to Wednesday the 22nd day of April, 2015.

I hope that this finds you in excellent spirits.

It is about 5:47 a.m. here in Edmonton as I key these words.

Alvin is standing near the office doorway just starring at me.

Not sure if he is trying to tell me something or just being himself.

We are back to our routine …..

When I write in my daily gratitude journal he now joins me on my lap.

I love having him near me as I write in my journal.

I am on Day 2050 in the book.

Which is just over 5.5 years.

Not the same book, of course.

Each morning I do a couple of lines from the previous days.

Highlights you could call them.

Followed by a list of what I am grateful for ……

Followed by thank you for all of the people that were/are sick and for their healing.

Well Mr. Alvin is moaning out in the hall.

Sounds like an attention thing …. I think he is feeling okay.

Sure did not block his appetite this morning ….

Back to the writing ….. I actually starting keeping a journal when I was about 13-14.

Someone gave me a diary as a gift and that started it all.

Of course, even in school I did love to write….

My first poem was for Valentine’s Day when I was 7 to my Grandparents.

Somehow by writing things down it is my way of recording my history.

I think it helps me through each day and every situation.

Making it real ….

Well it is almost time here to head downstairs to make the final touches on getting ready to leave for work.

My life has been my life.

Full of interesting details …. I should say.

Have a wonderful Wednesday.

Write your life down ….. now it feels like a life.

Perhaps it should be a book ……

Special Hello to: my family and friends …. who are always supportive …..

Always, Carol and Alvin

Thought for the day…..

Good Morning and Welcome to Saturday the 3rd day of May, 2014.

WOW, here we go.

May …..

Summer is right around the corner.

Do you take a summer vacation?

Perhaps you take the family and go camping?

Or perhaps you and the family hop in the car and drive to see “Grandparents” or “Siblings” in a faraway location.

ROAD TRIP …..  could be a day trip…. the possibilities are endless.

Or maybe it is just you …… you hop on a plane ….   go visit Vegas to do some shopping ….  see some shows.

All sound nice.

Maybe you take the vacation days you have earned and just stay at home.

Catch up on things …… then sit out on the patio or deck and just enjoy the fruits of your labour.

Whatever you do ….. time away from work is always a good thing.

Time to unwind and relax.

Even if what you are doing may not exactly be “unwinding or relaxing” …… it is in a different environment and that is what helps you to recharge those batteries.

Being around different people and doing things other than what you do for employment helps you.

I hope that you are all able to slip away and enjoy those “summer days and night.”

I would love to see my family and friends.

My daughter and I would love to take a road trip.

I would love to see more of my relatively new home city “Edmonton.”

Like the river valley that winds through the city.

Driving by in the early morning on the way to work entices my senses and makes me want to go check it out.

So start thinking …. start planning or I am sure you already have ….. right!

Take the well deserved time off …..

Even if you do not get vacation time … always good to take a few days off of work to enjoy yourself.

Think about the possibilities.

There are always things to do and price wise…. do what you can afford.

Have a great Saturday.

I can hear laundry calling me and also the rake …. front lawn needs a good “combing” ……………………..

I will be back tomorrow.

Special Hello:  everyone …..

Always, Carol and Alvin

 

 

 

Thought for the day…..

Good Morning and Welcome to Tuesday the 18th day of March, 2014.

How was your St. Paddy’s Day ( realized the correct spelling )?

Mine was interesting…… all good on the St. Patrick’s side, anyway.

 

Here we are fast approaching the first day of spring, 2014.

Can you believe it is almost the end of March, already.

Wasn’t it just New Year’s Eve?

 

I am so grateful that the sun is warming the earth here and all around us.

I am so grateful that the snow is melting and that the earth is showing once again.

I am so grateful for the smells and sounds of spring.

 

So on this timely Tuesday – I am so grateful to be alive.

I was thinking this morning I wonder what my grandparents would think of what is going on around us if they were alive?

My Grandma Stella would have embraced the internet and all that it brings.

I could see her sending emails as she loved to write letters  …. perhaps in the beginning she might have been a bit reluctant but she would have converted and surfing the world wide “web.”

I am always amazed by how much of our glorious older people have embraced technology with cellphones and email.

 

I hope that you have an amazing Tuesday.

If you happen to find yourself in a situation that starts to remove your positive sunny outlook and peace of mind ….. stop take a deep breath.

If you can remove yourself from the situation.

If not, with your sunniest face ….. just carry on.

Find the right words …. always good to have a “catch word” that can bring you to your best place.

I have found myself as of late stepping off my glorious plane of peace and positive energy to the “dark side.”

It is not something that I am proud of nor to I wish to stay there but it has happened.

So I am going to practice what I “preach.”

After all, we are all human.

I hope that you have a lovely day.

Wish me luck and I, you.

Take care, my friends.

Special Hello to: my cousin “J” and my sister “C” ….. who have always been supportive and loving ….. thank you.

Always, Carol

P.S. very excited that our first Trade Show for our Dear Stella Jewellery is only four sleeps aways…… YAY

Story Line by line – December 4th, 2013

Chapter Five:

December 1, 2013

As we lay there sleeping wrapped in the big white fluffy blankets, I dream of childhood and Christmas; my favourite time of year, and there was one in particular.

December 2, 2013

When we moved into the new two story house on the farm my bedroom was on the main floor just off of the living room ……. I had a birds eye view of the Christmas tree ….  this one year I wanted to wait and watch for Santa ….. pretending to be asleep …. once  I heard noises figuring it was Santa I waited for him to leave ……  slowly opened the bedroom door and getting down on my hands and knees  crawled out toward the tree ….. only to be stopped dead in my tracks by my Mom’s voice “GET BACK TO BED” ….. I had been so quiet …… 

December 3, 2013

My favourite Christmas was 2005  …..  the log cabin in the mountains …. the clear night sky …… the stars shining so brightly …… the food …… the stone fireplace ….. love and laughter ….. feather comforters …… coffee by the fireplace ….. the best place in the world.

December 4, 2013

Kids singing Christmas Carols …… Grandma playing the organ in church ….. our Charlie Brown Christmas tree …… turkey cooking at Grandma’s house ….. snow falling …… baby crying …… sister smiling …… dog barking ….. opening presents . driving to Grandma and Grandpa’s house ….. the trees out front of their house all light up ….. it is Christmas once again.