Living … One day at a time.

Good Morning,

Today is even more about gratitude as we await news about a loved one.

Surgery is scary, and we know in our hearts that our loved one will come through and live a long healthy life surrounded by his family and friends.

So I thought that I would share a poem that I wrote several years ago.

Simply titled, THE THANK YOU POEM.

 

THE THANK YOU POEM

Thank you for the sunshine

Thank you for the rain

Thank you for the laughter

Thank you for the pain

Thank you for the cool nights

Thank you for the warm days

Thank you for the love

Thank you for the way it fills my heart

Thank you for each buzzing bee

Thank you for all the trees

Thank you for the roses

Thank you for their sweet smell

Thank you for my family

Thank you for the way

Thank you for my dog, Alvin

Thank you for this heaven

Thank you for the abundance

Filling my day – keeping me full

Thank you for the sun, the moon and the stars

Thank you for old ladies, young men

Thank you for music played on guitars

And then !!!

Thank you

Written by Carol Yvonne Lewis

March 2011 in Edmonton, Alberta

 

Please keep your loved ones close, and envelope them in a sea of love.

Near or far reach out and tell them “that you love them.”

Do this every chance that you have.

 

You are important to me and I love you.

Thank you

 

Always, Carol & Alvin

 

 

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to the 22nd day of December, 2017.

The sky is light and the sun is up as it is late.

I used a day of vacation so that I could be at home with Alvin and to give him a hair trim and bath.

There are several things that I need to get done before Christmas so this gives me the opportunity to do so.

Well I was pooped so I did sleep in after our original start time of 4:00 a.m. which was a nice treat.

So just sipping on a up of coffee in my PJ’s at after 10:00 a.m. and it feels great.

Sometimes you just have to do it.

Lots to do but I will get them done.

Nice to be home and chilling with my boy.

Listening to the Christmas shows on the television.

Our temperatures are beginning to drop as some ARTIC AIR blasts through.

Winter in Western Canada.

There was ever so light of a dusting of snow last night.

Fluffy and white.

Mostly ground showing.

 

So time to go and drink my mug of coffee before it gets cold.

I am so excited for Christmas with my family.

Tomorrow morning coffee date with two of my girl friends.

YAY …….

What a great day to hold Christmas on Monday.

Monday will not be blah or dreaded this year.

Enjoy your time with your loved ones.

 

Happy Friday …..

 

Special Hello to:  my friend “I” who lives in Sweden…..

Always, Carol & Alvin

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Thursday the 5th day of October, 2017.

Another beautiful warm day on the way.

We are so happy to have these days at this time of year.

Last night our walk was absolutely delightful.

No breeze just warm air on our faces.

We enjoyed “sniffing” as we walked along our path.

The fountain is still on at our lake and it looks so pretty against the backdrop of yellow, orange, red and green leaves.

I love this time of year.

Perhaps it is the calmness after the summer and before the hectic Christmas season begins.

Not sure but I love this time of year.

 

Well we or rather Mr. Alvin is having company today …. Miss Aspen and Baby Milo will be here shortly.

So I am getting a ride to work today which is awesome.

I guess that I better go and put the finishing touches on the house ……

 

Have an awesome day.

Enjoy this time ….. each moment is precious as it will never come this way again.

Special Hello to:  all those folks out there who are missing a friend or loved one, you are in my heart today and always.

Always, Carol & Alvin

COUNTDOWN: 60 Days to 60

Today is Thursday, July 20, 2017 and it is the 21st day until my 60th Birthday.

Time is a skipping along.

When I think back over my life thus far I am both happy and sad but mainly overjoyed.

I have really nothing to complain about for my life.

Of course, there have been some incredible lows but without them how would you ever appreciate the highs.

We all deal with losing loved ones well before their time, and I have had more than my share.

But it makes you realize that time is precious and you must live your life; whatever that means for you.

I am quite content with spending quiet time in my home with Alvin – in my house.

Putzing in my yard ….. growing flowers ……

Yes, really, I own my own house.

“I am a homeowner.”

Those are words I only dreamed of saying and to be honest a part of me never really believed would happen.

It was only when I made the decision to retire from a career of 30 years that I realized that it was even a possibility.

I knew it meant if things worked out that I would only semi-retire or take time off and then would go back to work.

I only wish that I was independently wealthy and that would solve so much but at this point in time, I am not quite there.

Have to leave that door open for possibilities.

Because after all anything is possible.

I will leave you with that for today …..

 

P.S.

One thing I wished that I had the house when my daughter was young instead of her growing up in an apartment.

She spent the first 22 years minus 18 months in an apartment.

Perhaps then she could have had a puppy – something she always wanted so badly.

But in adulthood has adopted four …. she made up for lost time.

I guess things always have a way of turning out ….. if you want them to ….

 

Always, Carol

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Sunday the 22nd day of January, 2017.

Another overcast foggy morning.

The sky looks like a giant snowbank.

Amazing how the sun from its’ distance can actually make it seem light.

Alvin and I are having a great weekend.

Yesterday we took the long way to his vet appointment and enjoyed the walk.

He had his pedicure done and his Momma bought him some food and toothpaste.

We spent the day doing laundry (actually I spent the day doing laundry).

Alvin is no help unless he picks up a stray sock ….. (usually it is because he pulled it from the laundry basket).

Just did odds and ends of things.

I even worked on some more jewellery.

We had a change of plans for today but that is okay because I have lots around here to do.

The new Steeped Tea Catalogues arrived a couple of days ago so I see label writing in my near future.

I love Sundays …..

We can do whatever we choose.

What are you doing on this Sunday?

I am just going to do some odd jobs as my youngest brother is calling this afternoon to catch up.

Time passes so quickly that sometimes we forget or put off conversations with loved ones (family and friends).

So today is talking to my youngest brother day and I am excited.

Even though this is late …. have to get this show on the road.

We were up at 5:00 a.m. (you know “The Alvin” and his internal food clock”); we went back bed until 8:00 a.m. …..

Once downstairs we ended up on the sofa.

I love laying on the sofa because Mr. Alvin just plunks himself down beside me on the pillow.

We just laid there and of course, I fell back to sleep and then it was 9:30 or so.

What a lazy Sunday morning ….. which is okay.

Have a great Sunday everyone.

Special Hello to: my siblings ….. Hello …..

Always, Carol and Alvin

 

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Friday the 22nd day of April, 2016.

The sky is overcast and it is windy outside.

The forecast is for a mix of “snow” and rain for today with temperatures of 12 degrees celsius.

Mother Nature ……

 

Today I am feeling kind of like the weather.

Our family as are others is undergoing some sad times …..

Although the word “sad” does not really name what our hearts are feeling at this time it is the only word that I can muster.

Sleep is disruptive with dreams that fail to give meaning.

Work keeps me distracted.

Hitting the sofa this morning much the same as hitting the snooze button has made me late.

So this will be short.

 

When someone we love and cherish suffers, we suffer, too.

I / We are trying to keep our hearts full of the joy and happiness that we are rewarded with our loved ones lives but it is difficult.

 

I am trying to say that keep your loved ones close.

Remember to tell them and show them how much they mean to you.

 

Special Hello to: all those folks who are in the midst of family sorrow …. my heart is with you.

Always, Carol and Alvin.

 

Thought for the day…..

Good Morning and Welcome to Sunday the 14th day of December, 2014.

Only 10 sleeps until Christmas Eve.

The weather here in Edmonton is spring-like.

The sun is up now and the sky is clear …. so beautiful.

It is peaceful here in my household.

Alvin is looking out our bedroom window taking in the neighbourhood as he always does ….

Penny and Elton are laying on the sofa downstairs.

A “Normal Rockwell” scene.

I am almost ready to leave for my Sunday shift at the store.

My past couple of shifts have been very busy so I can only assume that today will be the same.

I can only imagine what yesterday was like ……

People hustling and bustling about trying to get that shopping done.

I did spend more money this Christmas than I have in the past three.

But I did not get carried away.

It is all about spending time with loved ones.

Sharing memories and laughter.

Maybe a meal or three …. small gifts.

So on this Sunday the second last one before Christmas arrives, I hope that you are well and happy.

I hope that you have time to just kick back and enjoy the tree lights if you have one.

If not, I hope that you are able to just sit back and enjoy life.

Have a wonderful Sunday ….. time to enjoy a quick cup of coffee before I leave for work.

Special Hello to: Everyone this Holiday Season.

Always, Carol and Alvin

Thought for the day…..

Good Morning and Welcome to Thursday the 13th day of November, 2014.

It is winter …… one step closer to Christmas ….. YAY.

As my mind wanders I think of the things that I have to do to be ready for the big day ….. actual the season.

I do have my house pretty much decorated except for the upstairs banister.

Oh and the outside is done.

I picked up printer cartridges last night from Costco so I can now print my letter ( just have to write it ).

So next on the agenda is Christmas Cards.

Last weekend at the store somehow got on the topic of Christmas Cards with some customers.

Mr. told me that they gave up on sending out cards because no one sent any back.

Every year I do receive less and less but I still like to send them out.

It is not about what you receive it is all about what you give.

Correct.

So I will be sending out cards again this year.

It is a tradition that is fast dying and I want to keep it alive as long as I am able.

Next will be to do some Christmas baking ….. down to two different treats for this year.

Sugar Cookies and Fudge.

They are everyones favourites.

I heard someone say the other day that there were “42” days until Christmas.

I have not counted the remaining days …. perhaps not quite just yet.

So let me see what else will need to be done.

Cards, Baking …… oh, I know ….. GIFTS.

My shopping list is small ……

At this point in my life it is more about time with loved ones ….. good food and conversation than gifts.

So on this cold winter morning I hope that you are doing well and are smiling as you finish reading my blog.

Thank you for reading.

Special Hello to: my friend “T” …. back in Windthorst, Saskatchewan as she celebrates a birthday.

Always, Carol and Alvin

Thought for the day…..

Good Morning and Welcome to Saturday the 26th day of April, 2014.

Well I slept through the night …… woke up to the phone ringing and no one on the other end @ 7:30.

Those calls always scare me ….. because normally they do not bring good tidings and joy.

Unless perhaps a dear friend or loved one won the lottery and could not wait to tell you.

Now that is a thought.

Oh well, I did fall back to sleep and I had a great sleep.

It was nice to wake up at first to the sunshine …. clear blue skies ….. alas something was missing.

Ah, it is my Alvin ….. he slept over at his sister’s because I worked last night.

If he had been home we would have been up at 5:00 a.m. …….

But there is something to be said for waking and get up early …… the early bird catches the stone …..

I think that is it but does that make sense.

Why would a bird want to catch a stone?

Maybe bird seed.

Oh, I just remembered it is the early bird catches the worm …. ha ha …. how silly am I?

Anyway  …. it is a lovely morning and I have the window open and the fresh air feels amazing.

My Alvin will be home soon and we will resume our life.

It will be a great day for a nice long walk.

It is funny how we get so used to a routine ……

Sometimes so much so that when it has been interrupted we feel a bit of stress.

Well I am okay …. just gathering up laundry and writing my blog.

I love to write in the mornings …. most especially ….. I will say that my greatest inspirations come just after I get comfy in bed.

A million times I have just snuggled in for a good night’s sleep and I have this great thought …. great story line ….. a poem …..

Most times I do get up and jot some notes.

Then there are times that I do not …. I keep thinking I will remember this thought when I get up.

I repeat it over and over.

Guess what when I wake up ….. it is gone or most of it ….. oh well.

So on this lovely Saturday I hope that you are enjoying this very moment whether by yourself or surrounded by loved one(s).

Happy Saturday.

Special Hello to: all those early birds ….. just catching all those “worms.”

Always, Carol and Alvin

 

Thought for the day…..

Good Wednesday morning and welcome to February 13th, 2013.

One more sleep until Valentine’s Day.

This could be the start of something beautiful …. if you think about it.

Are you ready?

Do you have your smile on?

Do you have kind and loving words prepared to share with your loved ones?

Do you have love in your heart?

Are you grateful for every breath you take and every moment that you are on this earth?

Are you ready to begin a new chapter in your life?

One filled with love and kindness.

One filled with abundance and joy.

One filled with believing that your dreams can come true.

Sharing positive energy with all around you.

This is your time.

Let’s do it.

Feel it …. let us shine our lights for the world to see.

We can make this a better place not just for one or two days a year …. like Christmas and Valentine’s Day but for EVERYDAY.

I wish you the best that this world has to offer and may your dreams come true.

That is what I want to give you all for Valentine’s Day.

I must admit that I would love to receive a bouquet of roses or carnations or the like …

But as Mr. Alvin is not gainfully employed nor does he have savings to dip into …. I shall just visualize a beautiful bouquet sitting on my kitchen table.

You know that is just as good….

Take Care.

Special Hello to:  YOU and YOU and YOU …. to all my “followers” …. I appreciate you so much.

 

Always, Carol and Alvin