December 29, 2020 – close to a New YEAR.

Good Morning ALL. The sun is shining and I can imagine birds singing. The sky is clear. I can see a bird flying in the distance. Well here we are Tuesday, December 29, 2020. How are you doing this morning? I am doing well. I must admit that even though we were up at 4:10 a.m. we hit the sofa after that until quite late. Something in me, just wanted to lay there, I did really sleep in until after 9:00 a.m. but rather I laid there looking at our Christmas Tree. I had made the decision last night to take down the tree today. There is something about the stillness of the morning and the unlit Christmas Tree that is so wonderful. A vision to behold. So many of my ornaments can tell a story. Sometimes you just have to take a step back and look. Just one of those lazy, pondering kind of mornings. Then I am “mad” at myself for not getting up and getting things done earlier. I cannot please myself. LOL.

Yesterday I went and picked out frames. It was definitely different from the past when I would go and have my eyes checked and then pick out my frames and then be on my way. This time I had the eye exam on December 11, 2020 and then on December 28, 2020 went back to pick out frames. There was lots of hand sanitizer involved, social distancing and mask wearing happening. I pointed to several pairs of frames and “Kelsea” grabbed them and once I had a tray full we went back and sat down. She gave me a mirror and I tried each one on. She advised to have two piles, one that I liked and the other that I did not like, so that is what we did. It was easy at first once I tried the frames on. The front of the office is all windows so it was very bright. The brightness really made me look pale even though I had put on my makeup. I narrowed it down to a few and then snapped photos to send to my daughter who was “waiting” to see my choices and to help me make the decision. In the end, it was down to two and we both liked one pair more than the other and Kelsea thought the same. It is nice to have photos of your choices as it used to be you picked out frame and then waited until they came in before you really remembered what they looked like. Technology is a good thing for sure. I will say that after looking at them later although I am happy with my choice there are three that I really did like. Oh well. I chose the ones that reminded me of a pair of glasses that Kelly Ripa wore on Live with Kelly & Ryan. Anyway it is done. They are paid for and I just have to wait for them to arrive. Kelsea said it would take about three weeks at the latest. Everything is taking just a bit longer than preCovid. I am happy that I was able to get this done before the end of the year.

Well it is now 10:00 a.m. – can you believe it. I guess we should be going to bed at our usual time, I forgot to say that we were up later last night watching of all things ….. Christmas movies on the Hallmark Channel. There are so many that I did not see or did not watch in its’ entirety. Oh well, I guess this is a week off and time to just do what I can do or not. Just turned my head to see the sun shining so brightly that the snow on the garage roof appears to be a massive lot of diamonds. So beautiful.

Yesterday morning on Live with Kelly & Ryan …… the Story of the Day was about this family from Calgary, Alberta. The Williams Family who make reindeer lawn / outside ornaments and then give the money to homeless shelters. The City of Calgary is just south about 2.5 hours of where I live in the City of Edmonton, Alberta. So excited to see Canadians making “the news” for good work.

I hope that you are doing well on this Tuesday. Mr. Alvin is ready to go back downstairs. I will get some photos uploaded to WordPress for tomorrow. Or is it downloaded?

Enjoy this Tuesday, December 29, 2020. Be well. Be safe. We shall all continue to live with kindness, respect and compassion.

I am grateful this day to have some time off from work with pay. I am grateful to live in a beautiful country. I am grateful to live with my best buddy Alvin. I am grateful for good food, good friends and family. Life is good. May 2021 be even better. I am grateful that so many folks are reading my posts. I am overjoyed.

Always, Carol & Alvin

Thought for the day…..

Welcome to Monday, April 2nd, 2012 ……

Well I must say usually if we are going to get snow it would happen on the last day of March, you know the old adage….. “out like a lion” …..

When Alvin and I got up for the first time on Sunday morning (5:30) it was raining and the next time about 8:00 it was snowing, and there was a thick blanket covering the ground.

So for the morning and most of the afternoon it was snowing and blowing (just a bit).

The sun came out later in the afternoon, and now most of the snow has melted.

It was an interesting way to start the first day of Census taking.

But I managed to get to a few of my neighbours.

My first time doing the Census.

So I shall be busy for the next bit collecting information for the Census.

Also one of my favourite television celebrities is Kelly Ripa and they are doing their show “LIVE WITH KELLY” (used to be Live with Regis & Kelly) from Banff.

How exciting.  I sure wished that I could have been there.  Oh well, perhaps next time.

Well I have to be at work extra early today so will have to sign off and finish getting ready as my ride will be here shortly.

So I hope that you have an interesting, fun and safe and happy week wherever life has you.

Special Hello:  Kelly Ripa and the Staff of Live.  I hope that you enjoy your stay in Banff.

 

Always, Carol and Alvin

 

 

Cleaning the office…..

Last week I spent a few days going through my office.   It is the room that houses my book collection, my computer, boxes of photographs, magazines, some craft supplies, collection of cards that I have received over the years, my daughter’s high school report cards, year books, and other “important stuff”.   There were several storage containers in the closet that needed to be reorganized as well as the book cases.   Usually twice a year, I go through each room and re-organize and re-vamp.  It always surprises me how many things I end up tossing (usually paper products), recycling or donating.  I am not surprised by TLC’s show about hoarding.  We  human beings tend to accumulate stuff.  Of course, some of us collect more stuff than others.  I was pleasantly surprised when Kelly Ripa of Live With Regis & Kelly told the audience that her husband likes to go through their “things” on a regular basis, and with a giggle almost threw out “their marriage certificate”.  But I think that he is more the exception than the norm.  People just like stuff.  I mean really, you can go into all these stores and buy little “doodads” and “gadgets” that really do little for anyone’s well being, and at the end of the day usually end up in the nearby landfill.  We are filling not only our homes with “stuff” but landfills and the oceans.  2011, is the year that I am going to watch more closely the things that I purchase.  It is not only the money aspect but I want to be a more responsible citizen of this planet.  When my grandchildren arrive and as they grow along with my great nieces and nephews, I want them to inherit the beautiful planet that I remember from my childhood.  I am not sure if this is realistic but I really pray, and wish that all the residents of this planet would take more care in what they bring into their homes because inevitably it will end up elsewhere.

So you keep your treasures;  Grandma’s china, Mom’s jewelry box, your Grandpa’s pocket watch and your nephew’s artwork (or at least some of it).  Perhaps you have a relative or friend that would love to have some of your Grandmother’s china or some other ornament.  Keepsakes are a good thing.  As you get older, as I have found, I have instructed family and friends to “cut out” the ornaments for birthdays and Christmas.  I really have no need for more ornaments.  Giving gifts of movie passes, dinner theatre tickets, spa treatment, babysitting services, and the list goes on and on.  Those are the things that we should give each other …. I mean for the adults.  Unless you have a real need for something …… keep this rule in-force DO NOT BUY.

I guess that I have gone off the topic somewhat here.  But that is okay, this is my blog and I can do that…… (please keep reading)…..(thank you).

Alvin was bugging me for his supper (earlier than usual) so I just took a bit of a break to feed him.  Back to cleaning the office.  I am a lover of moving the furniture around ….. this makes me feel like I have a new room.  Feels great and is easy to do.  What an easy makeover and economical, to boot.

As I am a sentimental being, I try to be realistic when I am spring or fall cleaning a room.  The rooms that are most demanding are the office, kitchen and my bedroom.  So when I am cleaning, I really think about each item.  Do I really need this?  Does it function or make my life better?  Will future generations be in awe when they come across it in Grandma’s trunk?  Better yet, could this item help someone else?

At the end of the day, my office is a couple of garbage bags cleaner and more organized and efficient.  At least until next time I perform a miracle.  Yes, I am GOD…..or at least I think so.  LOL.

Here are some photos of before and after.  You be the judge or perhaps not…… I feel better about the room and that is truly what is important.  Alvin likes it, too.  Good luck to you all in your cleaning endeavours.  May the force be with you.

Office before the Clean Sweep

Another before photo

Closet after clean sweep.....

Taken today after clean sweep but working so desk not perfect

Switched bookcases around

Other side of the office - broke up the bookcases

The other wall......