The New YEAR 2022

Happy Easter Everyone!

We woke up to a few inches of the white stuff covering everything including the Easter Bunny’s steps. I guess he missed our house. Me and the pups were very disappointed. We had been good and were thinking there were be treats waiting for us when we woke up. Maybe he got lost. I don’t know but very disappointing all the same. Perhaps he figured chocolate not being good for pups and that I didn’t need it – was not worth the stop. Oh well, maybe next year. I feel badly now that I did not pick up a little toy for each of the pups yesterday. I will give them some treats and we will be all good.

Yesterday I had a pleasant surprise. There was a knock on the door in the afternoon. I opened it to find a friend that we had met on our walks. She handed me some chocolate chip cookies (made with coloured Easter smarties). So sweet and thoughtful. She has a little boy but he was with his Dad and she was on the way to the gym.

Late morning I went to the store with another friend but we took a side trip to the Italian Store which I may have been to only once. So either it was the first or second time that I had been there. So many people and I did wear a mask. I picked up a few items including some orange and chocolate biscotti (not as good as my friend Val’s but tasty). I love biscotti. We were only gone about 1.5 hours and after returning home, my friend came in for a few minutes as she wanted some puppy time (her beloved Jazmin passed away just over a week ago). After she left, I took Miss Aspen for a walk followed by Alvin and Milo. It was snowing and a bit cool but we got the walks done. I wore the wrong shoes with Aspen and my toes were hurting most of the time. They are old shoes and are okay if you are not walking. Whatever possessed me to wear them, I will never know. But that is okay. I put on better ones and my toes felt find for the next walk. Alvin decided our walk would be shorter than usual so that helped me although I would have taken them gladly for the full walk.

Guess what we woke up to this morning at 4:00 a.m., S-N-O-W, when will this end. It isn’t going to melt as fast as the white stuff from yesterday. Oh well.

Time to go and have some coffee and take the pups downstairs. Aspen stayed downstairs in the big brown hair enjoying the view out of the window. Her happy place. The other two follow me everywhere.

I hope that you had a laugh from part of this post.

I hope that you are in good health.

I hope that you are surrounded by love and laughter on this day and always.

I hope that you have some chocolate in the house.

I hope that your hands are not chapped (mine are and I don’t know why)

Happy Easter.

Photo by ROMAN ODINTSOV on Pexels.com

Have a wonderful day.

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

Always, Carol & Alvin, Aspen and Mi-Mi

P.S. I bought a lotto ticket and a scratch ticket. Won $5 on the scratch ticket and look forward to winning on the lotto max ticket. Happy 2022.

It is a NEW YEAR.

Good Morning and Welcome to Thursday, March 12, 2020.

Today is the 40th birthday of my daughter.

She was born on a Wednesday on definitely a winter’s day.

She was the third grandchild on her Dad’s side of the family and the second on mine.

My nephew was just three years old when she was born.

Lots of Aunts and Uncles on both sides to spoil her with love and attention.

Both sets of Grandparents and one Great Grandmother.

 

So tiny was my girl.

5 pounds 11 ounces and 17 3/4 inches long.

When we left the hospital for home she weighed 5 pounds 5 ounces.

Our little doll.

 

So much has happened over the last forty years.

We started off together at home.

Then off to daycare when I went back to work.

The next thing I knew you were entering Kindergarten.

Then you were standing up to bullies on the school playground.

My darling little girl.

Definitely a force to be reckoned with, in her own quiet way.

Creative from the beginning.

In middle school she participated in a play and I helped contribute by writing a poem.

A collaborative venture. So proud.

It was about saving the environment (we have been working on that for a long time).

My girl always great in the art department.

Some of the pencil drawings of her favourite model or actor or entertainer still put me in a state of AWE.

All through school as much as she loved hanging out with her friends, she was just as happy to be at home in her room, reading.

I started to read to her when she was in the womb.

She loved to read and read from an early age.

My girl did great all through school.

In High School she decided to get a part-time job.

She worked at Zellers, Blockbuster, Black’s Photo and Chapter’s over those early years including her first two years of University in Regina where she studied Fine Arts.

In the beginning she thought of Direct and Producing Films, which she was passionate about early on.

In her early teens she found a love of photography as did I.

She loved to snap photos of her cousin.

One day after completing two years of University and being unsure of what direction to take, she decided that she wanted to pursue her dreams of photography.

Applied to NAIT in Edmonton, Alberta.

This would mean a move.

She was accepted and was the only student from Saskatchewan that was accepted that year.

They had a rigorous process for acceptance.

I was so proud of her but was sad for me knowing that she would be living several hundred miles and not just down the hall from me.

She had been down that hall for 22 years and I was going to miss her.

Now I could certainly write a letter about our first forty years …. her first forty years.

I could not be more proud of another human being as I am of my girl.

She is loving and giving, smart and funny, generous and supportive.

Compassionate for all creatures.

There is so much to say that I could likely write a book and this is not the time.

Upon moving to Edmonton, she got right into school and working.

Most times working at least two part-time jobs while attending school full-time.

She worked hard and still does.

She met her partner in life while working at Blockbuster in Regina and they have been married for more than a decade.

Time flies.

She has photographed people, weddings, special events, pets and more.

We had / have a jewelry business together.

Just after graduating from photography she went to work for one of the City Councillors.

Today she continues to work for the City.

She continues to pursue her dreams in the art world.

Paper collaging these days.

She was featured in one of the first issues of an Australian Art Magazine.

She has collaborated with a “famous” videographer/producer.

 

We have travelled to Jasper and Montreal together.

Nowadays our thing is a small girls road trip in the summer.

The trip is within an easy drive from our homes.

Checking out quirky and interesting places along the way.

 

 

She has been a Mom to Elton and Penny, our fur babies, who watch over us all.

These days she is Mom to Aspen and Milo.

There is so much to say about this baby, this girl, this woman who is my daughter.

I love her more than words can say.

I am more proud of her than I can show.

I have watched this girl of mine grown in this phenomenal woman filled with grace, elegance and compassion.

We wish her all the best in the years ahead.

May your days be filled with love and laughter and your nights, too.

May you have good health, always.

May you always follow your dreams wherever they may lead you.

Life takes courage and strength.

Always do what feels right and you will always do the right thing.

Happy Birthday to our darling girl ….

 

 

So on this your fortieth birthday, my darling daughter and Alvin’s big sister …

Happy Birthday

With Love

Always & Forever,

Mom & Alvin

 

 

 

 

 

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Friday the 19th day of August, 2016.

It is so much cooler outside the past couple of mornings, so refreshing.

Just means that my favourite season is fast approaching.

Long range forecasts are calling for a warmer than usual fall, and dry.

We have had a wet spring/summer.

Sometimes I like to read about what I was feeling / thinking a year or more ago.

This is what was going on on the same date exactly one year ago.

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

Good Morning and Welcome to Wednesday the 19th day of August, 2015.

It is an absolutely gorgeous morning here in Edmonton.

I can tell by the temperature in the house that it is warmer this morning than the past few.

The sky is a pale blue with hints of a deeper blue and smudges of pink and orange.

I love the morning sky ….. reminds me of the tie dying days …..

The sun is coming up to shine down on us today.

How are you feeling today?

I feel great.

You know some mornings you just feel like you could conquer the world but in a nice way of course.

I know that today is going to bring some great news.

I am beyond happy.

I have a great life.

I am surrounded by friends and family.

I live with my good little buddy “Alvin” who keeps me centred.

I am blessed to meet friends every day …..

We always meet some new folks from our neighbourhood when we are out and about.

I love getting to know people.

If you are every feeling lonely or down in the dumps.

Try this …. if you have a doggie go for a walk.

You should be walking him or her anyway ….. but nevertheless, go.

If you do not have a doggie then go outside.

Walk down your street.

You must say Hello to everyone you meet.

I have started to say to people after our encounters “thank you for your time.”

It made me feel wonderful just saying the words.

I would love it if someone would acknowledge my time.

I believe we must be more kind and loving to everyone.

Be respectful of time and space.

Well time to go to work.

Alvin needs to go outside one more time.

I hope that you are surrounded by love and laughter.

Two very important things ….

Happy Wednesday everyone.

Special Hello to: to our friend “V” you celebrated a birthday a few days ago ….. you rock.

Always, Carol and Alvin

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

Yes, it was a good reminder to be respectful of everyone’s time.

Also say thank you.

Have a great Friday.

Special Hello to: all my friends and family all over the world.

Always, Carol and Alvin

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Thursday the 3rd day of September, 2015.

It is beginning to get light …. sun starting to rise in the east.

We had some rain last night ….. actually coming down quite hard just as we were going to bed.

Our walk was dry and beautiful earlier in the evening.

Well it is Thursday ….. payday for some of us.

It is only two more sleeps until my friend arrives at my house.

I am so excited …..

Do you have days when no matter how much you try to remain calm and focused you cannot?

I have been having them as of late.

I have chalked it up to the time of year.

My body just wants to sleep but responsibilities get me up and going for the day.

Sometimes there are those people that no matter how hard you try … they just get to you.

Today I am going to try not to take things personally and just do what needs to be done.

Sometimes it can just be someone annoying on the bus that make me crazy.

Sometimes not.

Oh, well I guess I am only human.

I can laugh and cry about it all.

Today I chose to laugh.

My life is pretty great so when someone crosses my path that pushes my buttons,  I must take it in stride and do my best to reflect my blessings in the kindness and respect of my actions.

Does that make sense?

Moving on …..

I am so grateful that Alvin came into my life.

He has brought me love and laughter.

He shows me patience and respect.

He is a good guy.

Sometimes even the good guy comes across someone that even he “growls at.”

Well I hope this all makes some sort of sense.

I feel fall in the air and actually even though I want to sleep, I love this time of year.

So on this Thursday I am going to repeat to myself:  “I am happy and thankful for all of the joy in my life.”

Let us try it.

Cannot hurt …. always positive affirmations.

Happy Thursday everyone.

Thank you for reading my blog ….

Special Hello to: all of the folks out there who try their best everyday …. you rock.

Always, Carol and Alvin

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Wednesday the 19th day of August, 2015.

It is an absolutely gorgeous morning here in Edmonton.

I can tell by the temperature in the house that it is warmer this morning than the past few.

The sky is a pale blue with hints of a deeper blue and smudges of pink and orange.

I love the morning sky ….. reminds me of the tie dying days …..

The sun is coming up to shine down on us today.

How are you feeling today?

I feel great.

You know some mornings you just feel like you could conquer the world but in a nice way of course.

I know that today is going to bring some great news.

I am beyond happy.

I have a great life.

I am surrounded by friends and family.

I live with my good little buddy “Alvin” who keeps me centred.

I am blessed to meet friends every day …..

We always meet some new folks from our neighbourhood when we are out and about.

I love getting to know people.

If you are every feeling lonely or down in the dumps.

Try this …. if you have a doggie go for a walk.

You should be walking him or her anyway ….. but nevertheless, go.

If you do not have a doggie then go outside.

Walk down your street.

You must say Hello to everyone you meet.

I have started to say to people after our encounters “thank you for your time.”

It made me feel wonderful just saying the words.

I would love it if someone would acknowledge my time.

I believe we must be more kind and loving to everyone.

Be respectful of time and space.

Well time to go to work.

Alvin needs to go outside one more time.

I hope that you are surrounded by love and laughter.

Two very important things ….

Happy Wednesday everyone.

Special Hello to: to our friend “V” you celebrated a birthday a few days ago ….. you rock.

Always, Carol and Alvin

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Wednesday the 5th day of August, 2015.

The skies are overcast this morning and there blows a cool breeze.

Sounds nice ….. perfect for a walk to the bus.

Just about that time once again.

Mr. Alvin is laying just outside the office in all his cuteness.

Just as I type the words he jumps up and walks into the office.

Back and forth.

Smelling things.

Now he sits on his hind quarters facing outwards as if to guard me ….

Just me and Alvin in the house.

He always does this ….. makes me feel safe.

I missed me Alvin when I was away for a few days.

Good to see everyone and to get away but I always love coming home.

Home is the best place on earth.

Me Alvin:

He is my quiet guard, my steadfast companion.

He is my boy …. who loves everyone …..

He is still recovering from his adventures at his sister’s house on the weekend and then our company.

He sure loved my sister and brother.

Most especially my sister but he always has been for the ladies.

Well looks like time to head out.

I could not help but to head back to the sofa for some extra zzz’s this morning.

Mr. Alvin wanted to go downstairs at 4:30 a.m. …… back to normal.

I guess he only sleeps until the alarm goes off when we have company.

Pretty thoughtful ……

Oh, no word about the dog from Sunday so I guess he had a chip and went back to his home.

We miss her.

I hope that you all have a wonderful Wednesday.

May the sun shine down upon you.

May a cool breeze fall upon your shoulders.

May you always be surrounded by love and laughter.

Special Hello to: all those folks who rescue our furry friends and others …. thank you.

Always, Carol and Alvin

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Monday the 27th day of July, 2015.

It is overcast, breezy and a bit cool this morning but I LOVE IT.

Maybe rain today ……

Only four sleeps until my siblings and I are reunited once again.

Once a year the four of us get together.

I am so excited.

There is nothing like the conversation of siblings ….. no secrets ….. just great talks …..

Always love and much laughter.

I love that part most of all …… the laughter.

My brother “J” is a great “griller” so I am sure that he will whip up some fantastic.

We girls will make sure that the dishes are done.

My brother “T” will lend a hand where needed.

Friday …… I am so excited ….

I hope that you had a great Sunday.

Mine was awesome.

The trip to Costco was good ….. got everything I needed.

At Save-On I found the miracle grow for my flowers ….. they need an extra boost.

Wow, we have had 27 great days thus far in July.

August will be amazing ….. it is always …..

Perhaps because it is my birthday ….  no ….. I love August because fall is right around the corner.

Fall is my favourite season.

Well time to get on the road to work.

The bus won’t wait.

Alvin is in position …

Laying on the floor outside the office as I write these words.

Oh, my baby Alvin ….. love him so much.

This morning he wanted up to sit in my lap …. I love that …..

Have an awesome Monday.

Special Hello to: siblings …… enjoy your time together.

Always, Carol and Alvin

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Saturday the 25th day of July, 2015.

It is a beautiful morning here in Edmonton with the sun shining brightly and a cool delicious breeze.

I have the windows open and the coolness gives me goosebumps.

What a wonderful sensation …. to be warm and cool at the same time.

Okay just disappeared into la-la land here.

I am back.

Time for a sip of the nectar meant for the soul …. COFFEE.

There is just something about a good cup of coffee that takes me to another place.

It teases my brain and settles my mind and sets me on a journey.

Really, coffee does all that?

Yes, it does ….

I am a coffee girl and although I love my tea in the evenings and I mean love there is just something about that cup of coffee especially on the weekends that sets the tone to my day.

Without it Saturday is just another day ….. Sunday follows Saturday.

I love the smell of coffee as it brews in my percolator.

I adore the feeling of the warm brew as it dances around in my mouth and disappears down, down, down.

I love a great cup of coffee.

There is no way of knowing just how many cups of coffee I have drank but it would likely be in the thousands.

Just happened to glance out the office window and oh my gosh the roof is now on the garage behind us.

He is a contractor who is building his own HUGE garage.

I swear the roof looks almost as high as the pitch on their house.

By the time it is built and the other neighbour across from them builds theirs we will feel like we are in a cocoon.

Nice and cozy.

I am so grateful for the parks/lakes close by.

At least when a person starts to feel closed in …. you can just go for a walk.

Well I guess it is time to get dressed and get going on this day.

I have relaxed long enough.

The laundry won’t get washed and dried and the tree will not get trimmed if I am sitting here on my “laurels”.

I wish you the best Saturday.

May it be filled with both work and play.

May you be surrounded by love and laughter.

Happy Saturday Everyone.

Special Hello to: all the writers out there ….. it is so wonderful to capture your life and thoughts on-line or on paper.

Always, Carol and Alvin

Thought for the day…..

Good Morning and Welcome to Saturday the 27th day of June, 2015.

It is already very warm …. bordering on hot already and not quite 10:00 a.m.

Alvin and I left for a walk about 9:30 a.m. and cut it short because it was already warmer than the weather channel is posting at this time.

Back home closed the windows and turned on the air conditioning.

I am so so grateful to have central air.

It definitely ranks in my top ten of things I hold in high gratitude.

Tomorrow is to be 36 with the humidity.

At the moment there is a slight breeze and it bright clear sunny skies.

Well today is going to be a quiet day.

I have a few things that have to be done and other than that …. quiet …..

Regardless of a/c the heat just does me in …..

Poor Mr. Alvin needs a hair cut …. top of my list when I have a few days off from work after Canada Day next week.

Today I am wishing that wherever you are that you are not too hot or not too cold.

That you are safe from others and the elements.

That you have enough to eat.

That you are surrounded by love and laughter.

That you have and show respect for yourself and for others.

Happy Happy Saturday.

I am also very grateful to be visiting with some of my family tomorrow.

YAY.

Special Hello to: my sister ….. only one more sleep.  I hope that Canmore is not too hot today.

Always, Carol and Alvin

Thought for the day….

Good Morning and Welcome to Sunday the 25th day of January, 2015.

It is a good thing that my computer has a computer on the toolbar on the bottom of the screen otherwise I would have thought it was the 24th or 23rd.

Time just has a way of passing without great fanfare or drumroll.

The days just seem to roll up into one and before you know it a month has passed and then two and then a year.

My life is pretty great ….. I really cannot complain.

I have a beautiful house that I can call my own.

I share my home with the best “puppy” dog ( I like saying puppy dog) on the planet.

I have money to pay my bills, buy good food and to buy things when needed and sometimes just because I want them.

I am surrounded my love and support, kindness and understanding, laughter and sunshine.

Just sipping on a cup of coffee before I head out to work at the store where I will see new faces dispersed with the odd old one.

Most days I see only people that I have never met but every so often there are people that I have met before …. and people that have worked at the store but gone on to other things.

Well time to go and indulge in more coffee and breathe before turning up the energy.

It is good to be me.

I cannot say that my life is perfect but it is my perfection.

There will always be situations that arise that could be met with anger and disappointment, sadness and grief but amidst it all I see sunshine, love and laughter and it helps me get through.

You just have to know things will always be better.

This is my perfect …. my life.

Have the best Sunday.

Special Hello to: all my friends, new and old …… Happy Sunday.

Always, Carol and Alvin