2021

Good Morning ALL! Welcome to Saturday, December 4, 2021. OMG, not many days now less than three full weeks until Christmas EVE. Can you believe it? Time flies. The sky is clear as the sun rises this morning. Mr. Alvin is patiently, impatiently waiting in the hallway for me. Every so often he stands up and looks at me as if to say “Are you done yet?” Just like a small child travelling on vacation or to Grandma’s house. I will say that PATIENCE is not something that either Alvin and I have a lot of but I am working on that, daily.

At my lunch break yesterday at noon, the arm was quite warm so we happily set out for our walk. So excited until we we reached the public sidewalk in front of our house to find that the once crunchy layer of snow had now become a sheet of ice with patches that were safe for walking. I took the smallest steps that I have taken since first learning to walk while Alvin boldy rushed along slipping and sliding as we went. He did slow down when I pulled on the leash a bit and said “Slow down Buddy.” We walked past one of our neighbours on the other side of the street who was out putting down salt on his driveway. They live on the corner so he has a long piece of sidewalk that he has to maintain. Not everyone around is as meticulous as he is about looking after the snow and ice removal during the winter. I am grateful for him. They also have the most beautiful yard in the summer. His wife has a super green thumb and is always working outside during the summer days, weeks and months. Anyway, we stopped momentarily to chat with him and then carefully carried on with hopes to reach the park and then turn back once again for home BUT after a few houses, I decided it was not worth the risk of Alvin slipping or pulling something or me falling and breaking something. So we turned around and carefully made our way back home. We said hello again to our friend who was then pouring salt on the long piece of public sidewalk and continued homeward bound. I am happy to report that we made it safe and sound although I had one frightful moment. Oh, the joys of winter. I must get out my “grips” to put onto the bottom of my winter boots. Most of the time they work but when there is only a layer of thin black ice – they do not. Anyway, we are home safe and luckily other than going for walks we have no need to leave the house and I am grateful to have a backyard for Mr. Alvin to access should he need to go “you know what.”

Last night was the first of three LIVES on Facebook for the Fifth Avenue Jewelry Collection that I am hosting with three others and they are called MEGAPARTIES. New words all the time. It was fun. I missed the first couple of minutes again and not because I was not there but because apparently “I did not refresh FB” which I am pretty sure that I did, anyway, let us not go there. Yesterday was not my best day on planet earth. I found myself impatient with people that I work with (not my direct coworkers) and then to miss the first couple of minutes of the LIVE when I was there, did not help my anxiety. Yes, we all have a bit of anxiety from time to time. Anxiety – impatience, call it what you will, it happens to each and every one of us from time to time. Anyway, I believe I ended it on a high note. My lotto ticket was not a winner so that was disappointing – I guess deep down or even on the surface did I think that I would actually win a large sum of money. I have to work on that for sure. There were so many pieces of beautiful jewelry. I guess my favorite was this long silver chain with this huge round kelly green crystal bead and two clear crystal beads and a FAC charm. It totally reminds me of Christmas and I have admired it for a long time. It is a bit more money than I can afford but a girl can dream. At the end of the day it is nice to sit and admire the beautiful jewelry. I have several pieces that I have acquired over the last thirty years since I started to buy Fifth Avenue Jewelry. I have so much jewelry period that I have accumulated in my 64 years. Most of what I acquire these days is for gifts. Once in awhile I pick up something for myself. Not too often. Tonight at 7:00 p.m. (Mountain Time) is the second FB LIVE for the weekend and then tomorrow at 4:00 p.m. (Mountain Time), I believe is the last one. So I had better get going.

This is my Christmas baking / Fifth Avenue Jewelry weekend plus I have laundry and some cleaning to do. I have reduced the different things that I am baking to Sugar Cookies and Fudge and a batch of Chocolate Chip Cookies for my son-in-law. Also I had a great idea last night when I could not sleep because silly me thought it was a good idea to drink coffee all evening. My beautiful daughter stopped by after work and brought us MacD’s for supper (usually I am not a huge fan of fast food but once in awhile I enjoy it and I had a craving for those salty fries). This was the second time in as many months. I am turning into a FF junkie (fast food junkie). Anyway, that is okay. Alvin and I loved having her here for a visit. We quickly caught up on the latest before she was on her way to COSTCO. Did I mention that she brought me some small donuts from MacD’s, who knew that they sold donuts now. I had a couple last night after she was gone. They were yummy. Anyway.

Time to get going. I have some FB messages to send to some friends regarding the Fifth Avenue Jewelry party and then laundry and COFFEE.

Have the most wonderful Saturday. Be safe and enjoy!

Continuing on this path, in this life to live each day with kindness, respect, compassion, patience, love, understanding, laughter with gratitude.

Always, Carol & Alvin

PS, one of the splurges I made at the grocery store was a small bag of the ground StarBucks Christmas Blend Coffee, the one in the red bag. I had that last night. My daughter had about 1/2 a cup but me, I drank the rest of the pot. I enjoyed it but I was up all night thinking about everything that happened yesterday and things that I will be doing this weekend and even came up with a great idea to package the Christmas baking. YAY, me.

Second Half of the NEW YEAR.

Good Morning.

Today is Monday, August 17, 2020.

First day back to work after two weeks of vacation.

Alvin is wondering what the heck is going on.

Once I have finished this post – it will be out for our walk as we are going to have another day in the 30’s.

Too hot at lunch and at 4 p.m. to be out walking with a fur coat on.

 

We had a great weekend ending with the birthday party at my friend’s home for her Mother.

There were great snacks including fruit.

My friend made her Mom’s birthday cake and it was delicious.

Also yesterday was my friend from Regina’s 60th Birthday and I was lucky enough to have a chat with her on the phone on her big day.

Seems like so long ago that I turned 60 but alas it is not as I was 63 this year.

 

Also this past weekend I was the HOST for a Fifth Avenue Jewelry party.

This time not in person but on-line.

My friend who is a Jeweler with Fifth Avenue Jewelry out of Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan did four live “shows.”

We had a good turn out to view the jewelry.

I like doing the shows “live” on Facebook ….. had an opportunity to view 30+ pieces of jewelry each segment.

So it was great.

 

Well Alvin and I had a great vacation.

Hard to believe it is over for another summer.

Missing from our August 2020 vacation this year was a visit from my sister and our annual siblings trip to see our brother AND girls road trip with my daughter.

I did miss seeing my sister and brothers and also taking a short trip with my daughter.

Hopefully next summer we will be able to travel more easily.

If everyone wears a mask in public, cleans their hands often and does the social distancing – perhaps this will be possible next summer.

 

Well it is almost 7:00 a.m. and time for us to head out for a walk before starting work.

I hope that you have an awesome day.

May you be shown kindness and respect by all others, and in turn show kindness and respect to all others.

What goes around – comes around.

Keep safe and cool.

Enjoy the summer days remaining.

I am excited for FALL.

My favorite season.

 

Living my life with kindness and respect.

Learning new things everyday.

I/We shall remain,

As Always, Carol & Alvin

It is a NEW YEAR.

Okay MARCH 1st, 2020.

The sun is shining and I can only assume that somewhere the birds are singing.

So happy to see the sunshine this morning.

Yesterday was a gloomy gray snowy day.

I did manage to clear some of the ice pond that had taken “temporary” residence out front of our home.

Today is doing some odd chores around the house.

I have to get the basement in order or at least start.

We will try to go for a walk today and did not manage to get out yesterday.

With the snow covering the ice in many spots – just way too dangerous for us “older type” folks.

My friend who came to do the jewelry party last night is just recovering from a bad fall at work on the ice.

She fractured her elbow in two places, injured but did not break her shoulder, and had a concussion.

That was at the end of January and she is just back to the jewelry business and her job as a nurse.

She has a family so it was hard to do things with her injuries.

I should clarify that she was not at her job as a nurse or selling jewelry.

She has a teenager and a smaller child.

The teenager helped with the little one.

Her husband just started a new job so lots going on with her.

I was a bit disappointed that no one was able to come to the party but we had a great time, visiting and looking at jewelry.

I do love jewelry for sure.

I purchased some bangles and earrings.

So excited to wear them.

 

As I look out of the office window the snow on the garage roof is glistening, sparkling in the sunlight.

So beautiful …. just like a billion diamonds or crystals.

 

Well my friends.

Off to get dressed and have COFFEE and breakfast.

WE were up past 11:00 p.m. last night which is very late for me and Alvin.

Up at 4:30 briefly and then up at 7:00 to stay up.

Already finished a letter and birthday card to my Aunt.

My Dad’s only sister.

I started them yesterday but want to mail today so it stands a chance to make it to her by her birthday.

It will be close.

 

I hope that you have a splendid Sunday.

Filled with relaxation time, lots of laughter, good food and good company.

Happy Days ahead.

Be Kind and Respectful to yourself and to all others.

 

Always, Carol & Alvin

 

Living … One day at a time.

Good Morning.

Saturday ….. it is.

Humphrey just joined us for the day.

Teddy arrives around 9:30 a.m.

In between my daughter is coming to drop off and pick up some things.

We are also going to hit the grocery store as we both need some items there.

Around the company and shopping, I am cleaning for the jewelry party tonight.

Lots to do.

Last night I baked several dozen of my “Chocolate Chip Cookies.”

I have not baked cookies for a long time.

Was nice to have the smell of cookies baking wafting throughout the house.

We woke to crusty frozen grass (as both Alvin and I found out when we were in the backyard).

There is a skiff of snow near the gutters on the street and in the grass.

The deck is icy so I was careful.

I have changed my bedding and cleaned the main bathroom; changed towels both upstairs bathrooms.

Just have to dust upstairs, just touch up my bathroom as it is cleaned daily and vacuum up here.

The stairs and then only have downstairs to do.

I definitely will be enjoying some coffee in the near future.

I called Humphrey to come upstairs but not sure where he disappeared to at this moment as my sight line is only the office.

Alvin is here, of course.

Oh well will see him shortly.

 

Edmonton had some wicked strong winds in the afternoon yesterday.

Two maintenance workers on a swing-stage platform on the Stantec Tower were left dangling.

I watched part of a video that clearly showed the platform being whipped about and one worker was dangling on the end.

Holding on for dear life.

The Edmonton Fire Rescue Crews responded to perform a high angle rescue.

The video was so scary and I cannot imagine how they were feeling.

The news reported that the platform was lowered to the ground.

Fire crews in addition to rescuing the two workers were cleaning up glass.

The building has all glass windows.

Several windows were broken.

Luckily no one was injured by the falling glass.

Good thing they had on safety harnesses.

Mother Nature is more powerful than man.

Someone should have been paying attention to the wind velocity.

Most especially on a skyscraper.

They were several floors up …. fire thought about 6-7 floors.

 

Well time to get this show on the road.

I hope that you have an awesome Saturday.

 

 

Always, Carol & Alvin & Humphrey ……

 

 

 

 

Living … One day at a time.

Hello,

Well happy to report that our weekend has been mostly SUNNY and mild.

We were supposed to have rain until today but that did not happen.

Now I would have loved to have had some rain to help with the fire situation to the North of us and for us at home, as well.

 

This has been an most enjoyable weekend.

Spending several hours with my girl friends has been absolutely delightful.

They bring me great joy.

We laughed together, sometimes almost cried as we share our stories and experiences since we last spent time together.

What a great way to spend the weekend.

So yesterday was incredible.

Teddy joined us about 1/2 hour before the birthday stared.

Started the day hosting the 40th Birthday BASH (no liquor) for my friend who turns 40 this coming Friday.

We nibbled on strawberries, blueberries and some sweet treats (yup, even though it was mid morning) and drank coffee.

We had coconut cake adorned with a 40th birthday candle and presents for the birthday girl.

After the birthday party I went with Alvin and Teddy for a nice walk.

Once home we, meaning I went and picked up Humphrey the Cat so he would have company for the afternoon.

Just me, Alvin, Teddy and Humphrey hanging out.

I have so many cute photos but alas they are on my cell phone and I have to figure out how to get them from there to here.

It will happen ….. just have not had time as yet.

Already the number of photos is in the 100’s…… yikes.

One cute story …..

The boys went outside into the backyard multiple times yesterday afternoon.

I kept an eagle eye on them.

No one escapes during my tenure.

The pups were in the house and Humphrey was hanging out laying in the shade on the upper deck.

All of a sudden our birds came back – I could hear them chirping.

I looked to see Humphrey sitting looking up with his tail just flying about as he was getting an idea.

I figured for sure that he would try and jump up to capture one of the birds but he did not.

So thinking perhaps it would be a better idea if I just went out and distracted him.

Ended up bringing him into the house for a bit.

At one point in the house – Alvin was laying on the sofa, Humphrey in Alvin’s chair and Teddy in the other armchair by the window.

So cute.

Photos were taken.

The boys get along crazy good.

So happy about that.

 

Later in the afternoon I took Humphrey home so that I could get ready for the jewelry party.

So proud of this Canadian company starting in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan and their home base remains there to this day some 30 years later.

They are International.

My friends from the morning birthday party came as well as Humphrey’s Mom.

So three plus me.

We had a great time trying on jewelry and visiting.

Oh, my friend not the birthday girl from the morning brought her 10 year old daughter who was more than happy to try on jewelry.

The bling on my kitchen table was beautiful.

We tried on rings, necklaces, bracelets and held up earrings to see them on us.

So much fun.

The girls enjoyed the CHERRY SANGRIA that I made with the Steeped TEA Cherry Sangria fruit tea made with ginger ale.

Reminds me that I have a whole jug as I made two, that has to be drank soon before the ginger ale goes flat.

Will call someone or take some to friends today.

 

That was truly a great day.

Enjoying the day to the fullest.

 

This Sunday will be more quiet as I prepare for the week.

This girl is Living … one day at a time..

Doing a happy dance along the way.

Likely should try out some yoga as well.

Loving life and smiling.

 

Always, Carol & Alvin