Second Half of the NEW YEAR – last quarter

Good Morning All. I say “Good” with some hesitation as when Mr. Alvin and I were first up and about about 4:30 a.m. this morning there was no sign of frost and the air felt warm as it touched my face. Today is my late start so the next time we were up was 7:00 and I looked out the front window to see something covering the top of the cars parked out front on the street. Some stuff indeed, it was the dreaded white stuff we call SNOW. No, I thought as I brushed my eyes with my hand, it cannot be. I made a TO DO LIST just last night before going to bed based on the weather forecast which did not call for snow until Friday. I have two potted plants which are still blooming and will need to be pulled and the pots put away (not a huge job, perhaps 10 minutes) AND to rake the front lawn which will take slightly more than ten minutes but longer to put the leaves into a garbage bag. It has been so windy that I have procrastinated the raking. Most times I have already raked the front lawn about 5 or 6 times but this year I thought why bother. I am always raking everyone else’s leaves at some point. So I guess I am the bad neighbour this time around. Also I have Alvin’s little patch of green in the backyard to rake which will take about 5 minutes. Oh well, it does appear to have stopped although the sky is overcast so it could mean more to come today. This day is also my late start. I start work at 11:00 a.m. and work until 7:00 p.m. On this shift we are on the after hours phone lines taking calls that come in from our clients/customers. I will say after being on the phones the rest of the time on my regular shift, this is not my favourite thing to do. Never been much of a phone person. Well there I have vented about the white stuff and phones.

Mr. Alvin is sitting whining at the doorway so I guess he needs something. I also have to run to the vet and pick up some food for him and a small bag of treats. I am going to pick up a lottery ticket because without one there is zero chance to win.

Yesterday was Tuesday and the first day of the work week for most of us “office” types and it felt just like a Monday. Alvin and I did enjoy a nice walk at lunchtime. Also we had a request for Alvin’s bestie Teddy and his little sister to come over this afternoon and spend the night to go home by Thursday night. Their parents are going to the farm to winterize their RV and it would be easier if they were in the city with us. So why not, I thought. Hopefully everyone is quiet while I am on the phones or not.

Time to go and I hope that you enjoyed my little stab at humour even though it really did sound serious …. I was joking about the snow. I actually like snow. Perhaps the arrival could have been a few weeks in the future but still I do love snow.

Please enjoy your Wednesday. I am coming Mr. Alvin.

Live with kindness and respect and love.

I/We shall remain,

As Always, Carol & Alvin

It is a NEW YEAR.

Well I hear we are finally in the last few days of this “cold snap.”

Both Alvin and I will be happy to be able to resume our walking.

 

How are you today?

I am well.

Do you reflect at bedtime and in the early morning hours conversations that you had the previous day?

I do, most of those conversations are from work.

I always think “why did I say those words?”

I tend to be an emotional conversationalist.

I take things personally when I should not.

Now that is not every conversation that I am emotional or take things personally all of the time.

Just sometimes.

Not emotional that I suddenly burst out in tears or yell and scream.

Not always filled with my opinions.

Not that, but I could do better.

I think that by putting my concerns in writing I can see what is in front of me and hopefully will help me.

I am by nature a kind, generous person OR at least I believe that I am.

But perhaps others do not see me this way.

So I am repeating to myself on a regular basis starting today the following mantra:

“I am kind and professional.”

Perhaps this way I can keep my personal opinions and emotions out of the equation.

Please do not think that I wish to be cold and unemotional either, that is not the case.

I am always trying to do better.

Sometimes it is all in phrasing.

If someone on the other end of the phone is being difficult and emotional; it is not always easy to bring that down.

I always do better face to face.

Phoning is not my favourite way to have a conversation (my family and friends will attest to that).

Anyway, the cards are on the table.

I am going to be better.

Not a resolution.

This is a promise.

Always better not to fuel the flames.

 

Well time to head out and play find the poop from earlier this morning.

When we were first up at 2:30 … it was snowing.

I like a challenge.

Do I really?

Mmm, not so much.

Not all the time, anyway.

Sense of humour, trying.

I love my Alvin so it is all good.

 

I hope that on this Thursday that you are well.

That life is treating you kindly.

That you are treating life with kindness.

See it works both ways.

I know that for sure.

 

Be safe and stay warm.

 

Always, Carol & Alvin

 

Thought for the day ….

Good Morning and Welcome to Friday the 5th day of April, 2019.

Still dark outside but sun is shining in my heart.

I want to take this moment to send positive energy to family member and friends who are in need of some extra “help.”

My heart is open and I am thinking of you at this time.

May what you need come to you sooner than soon.

 

We all have our ups and downs.

No matter what is going on in your life; show gratitude.

 

I would like to take this time to say thank you for one of my favourite people in television.

She is one of a current duo.

Today is her last day on the 4th Hour with HODA; she is Kathie Lee Gifford.

I have watched her from Canada for most of her twenty-six years on television.

Firstly, she won our hearts with Regis and then with HODA.

Throughout those years she has made  appearances on other television shows, done commercials and movies.

Kathie Lee is boundless energy, love, kindness, witty, talented and so much more.

She makes us laugh and takes us to places where we may shed a tear or two.

Oh how she makes me laugh.

I will miss that part of her the most, I think.

This week once again she brings her strong faith and humour and energy to those final shows.

I wished that just once I had made it back to New York to see her and HODA in person; on the TODAY Show.

She gives everyone hope that is over 50, well over 60 – women and men that you can still change gears and do what you love.

There is no age limit.

Just do it.

She gives me hope; she gives us all hope.

I am proud to share the birth month of August with both Kathie Lee and HODA.

I share the same birthdate of August 9th with HODA.

Cheers to you Kathie Lee Gifford.

Wishing you all the Best for I know will be an amazing future.

Looking forward to seeing your movies.

Thank you.

 

Well time to go to work.

Special Hello to: Kathie Lee Gifford.

Always, Carol & Alvin

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Thursday the 25th day of August, 2016.

This morning the skies are beginning to clear after a night of rain.

Likely safe to say at this point that we need more sunshine than rain.

Farmers need sunshine to finish their harvest or perhaps to start in some cases.

 

Today marks the 78th Birthday of my Mother.

We passed away 23 years ago.

Hard to believe that it has been that long …..

We miss her and think of her all the time.

She was an unique being and loved everyone and was loved by everyone.

No matter what.

She gave third, fourth and one hundred chances to those who just could not seem to get things right.

Always, always welcomed everyone into her home and fed them.

People always had a way of showing up at mealtime and I guess they knew she would never turn them away.

When someone says they would give the shirt off their back to someone in need – she did.

She had a wit and charm and wicked sense of humour.

No one could tell a joke like she did.

So on this day – I would like to raise a glass to my, our Mother and thank her for all her 55 years on this planet and wish her a Happy Birthday for eternity.

Thank you Mom.

 

Elton is coming to spend the day with Alvin.

So that means his Momma is getting a ride to work, yay.

So thank you to all those folks who take the time to read my words.

I hear that sometimes those words bring joy, sometimes laughter, sometimes a smile and sometimes further thought.

Today is a day to give thanks.

I like to give thanks and to show my gratitude each and everyday.

But sometimes it is good to write it for all the world to see or at least my ever faithful followers.

Thank you.

 

Have a wonderful day.

Maybe today is the day that you see your Mother and thank her for all that you do.

Perhaps you send her thanks if she has passed by thinking of her on this day.

Happy Thursday.

 

Special Hello to: all those Mothers out there …… thank you

Always, Carol and Alvin

Thought for the day….

Good Morning and Welcome to Thursday the 27th day of March, 2014.

How are you?  I am great.

Last day to work at the office this week …..

Working at the store tomorrow night and Sunday, YAY.

Guess what more snow overnight!

I shovelled after work ….. the driveway, the deck and out front.

Good exercise, though.

Mother Nature always throws a few things at us during spring.

I guess it is her way of making us grateful for the beautiful weather once summer arrives.

Oh well, it is okay.

I am grateful it is only snow and we are prepared.

 

During my almost 1.5 hours of being out of bed – I have been thinking about things – life.

I guess the number one thing that has been crossing my mind once or twice during the past few weeks is this?

Am I doing what I am passionate about?  How about you?

Do I love what I am doing?  Are you sure?

I do know the answer.  Do you?

But I have been spinning my wheels trying to figure out how to change things around …..

Sometimes we get caught in a rut doing things because we “think” we do not have a choice.

We do have choices but then there are the bills ….. sometimes it always seems to come back to the money angle.

The job pays for a roof over your head, lights and heat and food in your belly.

So sometimes we end up doing things that we are okay with but are not really passionate about.

I hope that if you have been or are in this situation that you would share any thoughts you may be thinking.

I know as I crossed that bridge to the second half of the century …. I want to do things that make me happy.

Doing things that constantly stress you out …. that is not living your best life.

Well almost time to leave for work …..

Food for thought.

I am so blessed because so many aspects of my life are truly great ….. writing this blog …… making jewellery with my daughter ….. working at BBW …. and so much more.

I guess I may be a bit greedy ….. I want 100% JOYFUL.

Thank you so much for reading my blog and sharing your thoughts …..

Have a great great day.

Special Hello to: all my fellow writers …. this is one of the most joyful parts of my life and to share it with you is simply amazing.

Always, Carol and Alvin

 

Thought for the day….

Good Morning and Welcome to Saturday the 24th day of August, 2013.

One day before my Mother’s Birthday.

She passed twenty years ago this November.

She would have been “75” tomorrow.

It is funny I cannot imagine her old.

I miss her.

She had the best sense of humour and a bit “raw” at times but definitely a funny lady.

My Mom had the biggest heart and would have given the shirt from her back, and very often she did.

It didn’t matter who you were or what you did she helped those in need.

I think it was the “underdog” – those who didn’t have anyone else that she felt it necessary to help.

She had the best work ethic of anyone I know living or passed.

My Mother worked hard every day of her shortened life.

Although we didn’t always see eye to eye (me being the eldest) – our relationship worked on a different level.

She often referred to me as her “little sister” and that is sometimes what I felt like in comparison to my siblings.

But that is okay.  I know she loved me and that is truly what counts.

I learned to work hard and help others from her and for that I am truly thankful.

She was taken from us at the early age of “55”.

It is odd I turned “56” this August – only a couple of weeks ago.

I wished that everyone had someone who was a truly good “ANGEL” in their lives.

Someone to help – someone to love …

Happy Birthday Mom – We miss you.

I know wherever you are that you are entertaining and helping out where needed.

My Mom and Me

“Taken many moons ago” celebrating our birthdays.

Happy Birthday Mom

 

Special Hello: to all the Mothers out there passed and present, thank you.

Always, Carol and Alvin

Thought for the day

Here in Edmonton the sky is partially overcast with a bit of clear sky peering through …… there is a tinge of coolness to the air.  Your typical spring day.

Alvin and I are in the office, and he doesn’t really want to be here.  So we have been making several trips downstairs over the past few hours.  I am low on treats so must make a dash out for some.  Perhaps tomorrow.

The thought for the day is:  KEEP SMILING EVEN THOUGH THERE IS A PUPPY ATTACHED TO YOUR FOOT !!!

ALWAYS IMPORTANT TO HAVE AND MAINTAIN A SENSE OF HUMOUR !!

I LOVE MY LIFE, TRULY I DO !!