2021

Good Morning ALL. How are you doing today?

Happy St. Patrick’s Day today. I have Irish roots and am proudly wearing my “green” today.

Happy Birthday to my great niece for whom I missed her special day. Happy 18th Birthday Selena. I cannot believe that you are about to graduate High School. You were only a little girl a few months ago or so it seems.

Happy Birthday to my friend Terry W. back in Regina. You are a bright light and always so much fun to be around. Wishing you a great day.

Happy Wednesday to everyone who celebrates the middle of the week.

Good Morning Sunrise …. the sky is beginning to turn the most delightful colours as the sun rises in the morning sky.

Thank you to Teddy and Kobi for visiting with us yesterday ….. definitely brightened our day.

Thank you for the warmer temperatures. We are so enjoying them. The snow on our deck is quickly melting as well as the snow bank on the grass area. The snow on our front lawn on the northside of our home well that is quite another story. As I have said before it is spring across the street from our house and winter on our side. Oh well with the next couple of weeks temperatures soaring into the double digit plus numbers we are sure to see a huge dent in the snow banks for sure.

I am so excited to start planting flowers and arranging my patio/deck furniture and all the outdoor stuff. This summer I am going to paint my fence. A big job for sure.

Just looked through my photos for some green and found this one. Won’t be long now and we will be surrounded by green trees and grass. Alvin is in the foreground or at least part of him, lol.

Have a wonderful day.

Living with kindness, respect, compassion and patience.

Always, Carol & Alvin

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Monday the 8th day of January, 2018.

Happy Birthday to my great niece who celebrates her birthday today.

I believe she will be ten.

 

Another beautiful weather day on the way.

We had an awesome weekend.

Walks with Alvin.

Did some housework and laundry.

Coffee with two of my friends.

Messenger chat with my sister.

Great weekend.

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Wanted to share another thing that I love to do and that is to wrap Christmas gifts reusing as much packaging and decoration as possible.

This year I used the packing paper that came with my STEEPED TEA orders and reused ribbon and bags from past years.

I try to reuse as much as I can from year to year.

I love using ribbon to make gifts extra special.

Sometimes combining different colours of ribbon as shown below.

Also taking unusable pieces of Christmas wrap and cutting into strips to use as a border on the gift.

So many different ways to make use of old wrap, ribbon and bags.

The packing paper could also be used to mail parcels.

We can save money and help the environment all at one time.

Plus it is so much fun.

Be creative, stay on budget and be environmental.

Just some ideas.

 

Well here we are once again time to leave for work.

Seems like only yesterday.

Special Hello to: the birthday girl “C”

Always, Carol & Alvin

 

COUNTDOWN: 60 DAYS TO 60

Today is Tuesday, July 18, 2017 and it is the 23rd day until my 60th Birthday.

I will just have to add the ones that I miss when I think of something.

 

2000: Came in without most of the problems that were forecasted regarding the computers, which was a huge relief.

2001:

2002:  My beloved daughter moves to Edmonton, Alberta and two days later I go on a vacation to the U.S. with a friend.  It was perfect timing so I would be moping around the apartment missing my girl.  Still missed her but was not at home to be reminded every moment.  Visited Las Vegas and area and went to San Diego and the day trip to Mexico (the crossing was out of a movie and not a good thing). A close family friend’s daughter had first of her three children.

2003: My first great niece was born ….. such a cutie pie.

Well I received a HUGE reminder of something that happened in 2004.

2004:  My daughter graduated from the Photography Program at NAIT and then went on to work for one of the City Councillors.  How did I forget those items???  Maybe I am thinking too hard.

2005: My first born great nephew and the apply of his “Anta’s eye.”

2006:

2007:  Elton John concert?  or was it 2006?  Regardless of when it was amazing.  We lost our little “J” ….. another heartbreak.

2008:  My first born nephew marries, I retired from working at same company for 30 years and my daughter marries all within a couple of months.  Attend Celine Dion Concert in Edmonton.

2009: Buy my first house, 1/2 duplex in Edmonton close to my daughter and son-in-law and grand-pups and move to Edmonton at end of March.  My beloved J passes.

2010:  Enjoying semi-retirement.  Back to Regina for a visit with my girl. How could I have possibly forgotten this:  I adopted my darling ALVIN CHARLIE LEWIS in January 2010 and my life once again was transformed.  I am so happy that Me Alvin is not too good on the computer or else I would be in BIG trouble.  OMG, how did I forget.  Just going with the flow.  I will post the years as I think of things for the last decade.

2011: Started working at Bath & Body Works at West Edmonton Mall.  Now that is a start to going back to work.  It was hard work but amazing.  That was in April and then in July I started as a temp at Capital Region Housing Corporation.  What a year.

2012:

2013: Working two jobs ….

2014:  I had the highest sales per hour in the company at the store. My daughter, son-in-law, Elton & Penny moved in with me and Alvin for almost one year while their new house was being built.  We loved having them with us.

2015:  Kids moved into their new house in April.  House was not the same after they moved out.  Worked last shifts at Bath & Body Works, miss the girls and the store in April.  Started to sell Steeped Tea in August.

2016:

2017:  This is a big year for me and all those who were born in 1957.

 

 

 

Thought for the day …….

Good Morning and Welcome to Wednesday the 15th day of March, 2017.

Today is the 14th Birthday of my Great-Niece “S.”

I thought she was going to be 13 but her Grandma reminded me that she is turning 14.

Wow, the little blonde-headed girl is into the teen-age years.

How did that happen?

I remember when her Grandma brought her to my house and they stayed for a sleepover.

We gave her a bath in the big tub, read her stories and enjoyed the evening.

We had a few of those which were great.

She often would come to my house in Regina for a visit.

We would watch movies and go for walks.

Play at the park.

My how time flies.

Happy Birthday “S” …… Wishing you a great day and year ahead.

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Another warm day ahead for the City of Edmonton.

Plus temperatures are always good at this time of year.

Looking forward to our walk tonight.

Last night it was gorgeous.

We set out on our walk.

As we approached the park we both saw a young man and a little white dog on the other side of the street.

Both Alvin and the little one spotted each other.

Alvin pulled as though he were pulling a sled but it was me.

The other little doggie started to bark.

The young man crossed the street to the same side as us.

They were not too far ahead.

The little white dog kept turning around and barking at Alvin.

Alvin kept pulling me like there was no tomorrow.

I had to break into a run at some points.

We did not catch up but this kept up until we were over half way around the park.

They actually took a left turn and we then took a right.

Ending up walking our whole regular walk.

Felt so good and it was good for Mr. Alvin, as well.

What a character.

I cannot imagine why he thinks his Momma is a sled (perhaps I have put on a couple or five pounds this winter).

It was a great night.

****************************************

So today our office is closed and we have an off-site staff meeting.

One of the girls that I work with is picking me up as well as two others.

So a ride to and from work today in a car.

How lovely.

Will be a nice break from phones and paper …….

My hands have sure taken a beating from this constant change in the weather.

Does not seem to matter how much moisturizer I use or how often.

 

I hope that you all have an awesome day.

Better get going here so I am ready to leave when my ride arrives.

Happy Wednesday.

 

Special Hello: to the Birthday Girl…… Happy Birthday Little One.

Always, Carol and Alvin

One of my favourite photos of the Birthday Girl from way back when …….

 

 

Thought for the day ….

Good Morning and Welcome to Tuesday the 14th day of March, 2016.

WOW, they are forecasting +5 degrees for today.

I do believe spring is even closer than we may have thought.

I do hope so.

Last night it was not dark until almost 8:00 p.m.

Oh, what a welcome change from December and dark at 4:00 p.m. or so.

I can hardly wait to see if my spring flowers will come up.

I hope that they survived the winter.

When our temperatures go from the + degrees to – double digits it is hard on the trees and other plant life.

We have snow and then it melts.

Then it gets colder.

More snow.

The cycle continues.

Melts …. snows…..cold….

Been a crazy winter for weather.

 

Well here it is Tuesday and almost the middle of the month.

Tomorrow is my great niece’s birthday.

I believe that she may be a teenager – if my calculations are correct.

OH my goodness.

Truly the time flies.

 

Well the time is almost near for me to don my outside apparel and hit the road.

Catch the bus and go to work.

My bus ride is about one hour in length.

I usually take the time to snooze, relax, meditate and think about my day.

If you take public transportation ….. other than checking out things on your phone.

You could snooze, relax, meditate and just ponder life.

Somedays I think that in future generations children will be born with bent necks and thumbs.

Maybe that is because I do not have a phone ….. no, I am certainly not jealous.

It is the constant contact that people seem to need with that rectangular box.

Food for thought.

 

Gotta run.

I hope that you have an awesome Tuesday.

Just try and put your phone away for a period of time.

There is a whole other world out there just waiting for you…….

 

Special Hello to: my sister ….. Sunday ….. SKYPE, well YES.

Always, Carol and Alvin

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Monday the 12th day of December, 2016.

Wow, could it be so.

Just 12 sleeps until Christmas Eve.

I think so.

Are you kiddies getting excited?

I am ….. but I must confess, don’t think Santa will come this way as I have not been as good a girl as I should have been!

That is okay because this gal has everything that she needs.

 

Me Alvin came home yesterday afternoon from his three night sleepover at his sister’s house.

Baby Milo stopped by for a short visit while his Daddy went to pick up some items at the store.

He sure has grown since he first joined our family – almost doubled his weight.

So cute.

He loves Alvin …… follows him everywhere.

Alvin is adjusting.

 

Last night I video chatted (Skype) with my sister and great-niece.

Thank goodness for technology.

I remember being a young girl and dreaming of the day when we could see people as we spoke to them “over the phone.”

Crazy hey.

I am talking about in the early 60’s ……

We had a wonderful chat …. I always love talking to my sister.

When she smiles she lights up the room.

Not much new with them but that is not a bad thing.

The girls were putting up their Christmas Tree just before we chatted.

 

Well looks like it is almost time once again to leave for work.

I cannot believe how quickly time goes on the weekend.

So am looking forward to our week off between Christmas and New Year’s.

Time to walk ….. extra snuggles with Mr. Alvin and some time with my girl.

 

Okay … time to leave here.

I hope that you have an awesome Monday.

Special Hello to: my sister ….. I love you, Sis…..

Always, Carol and Alvin

 

Thought for the day ……

Good Morning and Welcome to Tuesday, the 2nd day of August, 2016.

Special Happy Anniversary to my nephew “T” and his wife “S” ….. 8 years already married.

Wishing you both a great day and many many more wonderful years together.

It is bright and sunny with a nice breeze.

Perfect for a walk to pick up food for Mr. Alvin.

He is out and we will go for a nice walk there for starters.

Boo hoo, I had planned to get up earlier and go for a 7:00 a.m. walk but I read too late and then feel back asleep on the sofa and had these bizarre dreams.

The kind of dreams that you have after you have eaten too much, you know those ones.

Alvin and I were living with a nice family ….. cannot remember who.

We had decided to move out not sure why.

I got us an apartment and it was downtown. Not sure why.

Then when it was almost time to move, I could not find the address and did not know what the apartment looked like.

But we had to move because I made the rent already.

It was really strange.

It was weird that I would not know where the apartment was or what it looked like ……

All the time was thinking we can always move back.

The stories that our subconscious mind come up with.

Kind of freaky for sure.

Oh well …. it is over now and I do not remember anymore.

This cutie pie is patiently waiting for his Momma.

He is not outside but waiting outside the office door.

I just love this photo.

He loves to sit on the patio furniture and  most especially when I am right beside him.

Yesterday my daughter and Elton came for a visit ….. no hot water at their house so she had a refreshing shower here.

Later in the day I did the SKYPE thing with my sister and great niece.

A lovely day all around.

Okay time to shower quick and get this show on the road.

I hope that you have an amazing day.

Happy vacation to me and perhaps to others at this time.

Maybe you are just finished your vacation.

I hope that you are all having the most amazing summer ever.

Happy Tuesday.

Special Hello to:  my sister …. thanks for the chat last night.

Always, Carol

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Monday the 6th day of June, 2016.

Another gorgeous morning …. I love the stillness of the early morning.

The sun has risen.

The sky is blue.

There is a slight coolness to the air.

It will be a hot one.

 

Last night I had the good fortune to SKYPE with my sister, my great-niece and my niece.

My niece just graduated as a Registered Nurse having completed the four year nursing program.

She will make a great nurse.

For two reasons:  compassion and intelligence.

She has both.

Congratulations my darling, and all the best in your nursing career.

 

Well it would not be a Monday morning if someone was not running a tad late.

I guess not really I have time but it feels like time is short.

So I will wrap this up.

 

Yesterday I had a successful canvassing time.

Oh, canvassing for the Heart & Stroke.

It was cool to canvas on my own street.

Almost everyone who answered the door – I knew.

 

I hope that you have an awesome Monday.

 

Special Hello: to all those people graduating from post secondary school, congratulations and all the best.

Always, Carol and Alvin

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Monday the 19th day of October, 2015.

Happy 7th Wedding Anniversary to my daughter and son-in-law.

Alvin and I wish you all the best on this special day and may your life from this day forward be filled with nothing but perfect health, great joy, love, laughter and abundance.

Happy Anniversary ……

 

I was thinking this morning as today is the Federal Election for Canada.

Today we VOTE for our Prime Minister …. possibly a new party taking the helm in Canada.

The thought that popped into my head was this:  can you imagine going to bed on Sunday night in your own house like you always do; waking up the next morning to anxiously await your destiny.

Tuesday morning wake to “Mr. Prime Minister” or “Madam Prime Minister.”

How strange and exciting would that be.

One day you are a normal citizen walking into Starbucks for a coffee and the next day someone gets your coffee.

I like that ….. wouldn’t that be nice.

Well I cannot say that I would like to be Prime Minister …. it is a huge job.

In the beginning you are the STAR because the people voted you into the job.

Somewhere down the road things fall apart or things do not go the way “we” think they should (because we do not necessarily know the whole big picture) and then you are not the shining star.

Oh well, tough job.

I wish all of the candidates the best of luck …. win or lose.

To all my fellow Canadians who are of the age of majority – get out and VOTE.

Every vote is important.

 

Well almost time to go to work.

Catch that bus.

 

Special Hello: my sister and my great niece “S” …. so great to SKYPE last night….. have a great day.

Always, Carol and Alvin

Thought for the day…..

Good Morning and Welcome to Sunday the 15th day of March, 2015.

Today is the Birthday of my great-niece “S” …… Happy Birthday Darling.

Seems like she was just a baby a few months ago….. now she is 12.

I always loved when she would come for a sleepover with her Grandma, my sister.

I barely got over my daughter turning “35” and now this baby niece is 12 and I haven’t aged a bit.

Well okay maybe a bit …. couple years or so.

Time just has a way of getting away on us, and we forget just how important it is to take even though occasional “free moments” to tell those around you that you love them.

To remind each other that we are important……

To remember all of those shiny moments such as births…..

That is going to be my “note to self” …… try to contact in some way shape or form as many family and friends to tell them that I have not forgotten them and that I do think of them often and that I care.

Likely will be via FB or email but still I am going to reach out.

Considering that I work seven days a week now ….. but challenging oneself is always good.

So on this bright sunny awesome morning I ask you to contact at least one person that you have not been in recent touch with to say “Hello.”

Simple as that.

You can write, telephone, text, email, FB, tweet, SKYPE or any other form of communication you can think of ….. okay.

Let’s do it.

Have the best Sunday ever.

Thank you for being you ….

Special Hello to: my great-niece “S”

Always, Carol and Alvin