Second Half of the NEW YEAR

Good Morning,

Wow, August 1st, 2020.

The sun is shining brightly with a picture perfect sky.

There is a cool breeze.

When we were out on the deck a few minutes ago it was glorious.

I/We could have stayed there until it gets too hot.

But alas we had to come into the house as there are things to do.

Last night I worked till 5:58 so that I could finish all of my work including returning phone calls.

I do not like to go on vacation and leave work to do.

That is one advantage if you will of working from home.

If I had been at the office …. there would have been things left to do.

So I am grateful to be at home for that among many other reasons.

I am officially on vacation and do not work again until August 17, 2020.

Two glorious weeks to dibble and dabble around the house.

I have a list, well actually not yet as it is only in my head at this time.

But so that I do not forget anything I will write things down on paper.

My office “workspace” will return upstairs at some point today.

I was thinking of rearranging things up here as well to better accommodate working from home.

I have more a iMac computer for home and then a laptop and monitor for work.

Two desks from IKEA line one of the office walls.

Not wide but they run from the doorway to the window.

At the moment my MAC is by the window but as I will be spending more time on the work computer, perhaps there would be more room the other way around.

Actually I like working from the kitchen table but it is not practical long term.

Okay, vacation mode ….

Looks like we are going to have some hot days for the weekend at least or that is all I managed to see on the weather channel before going to bed last night.

I celebrated my last day of work by ordering pizza from my favourite pizza place “Royal Pizza” in a neighbouring community.

With the pizza I had one of the alcoholic beverages that my friend had given me to try.

To finish the celebration – I had a buster bar from Dairy Queen from the box that my son-in-law had surprised me with at the beginning of the week.

I actually could sit by the office window now in my sleeveless nightgown with the wind ever so wonderfully touching my shoulders with it’s cool touch.

Mmm, nice.

Alvin has left the office and is in the hallway.

I turned the fan on in the bedroom as next stop is a shower.

Man, I need one it has been a few days.

My hair looks like something out of a monster flick.

The Monster from Beyond.

We also found out on Friday that we are not going back to the office until the NEW YEAR.

They have asked us to complete a survey about our time at home and the ups and downs.

I did not have time to complete the survey as I was busy trying to get my work done before vacation.

Instead at lunchtime I replied to our CEO’s email and let him know my thoughts.

Truly I love being at home.

At first, it took some adjustments, of course.

That was a major change.

But now being at home with Alvin and no commuting.

The extra 1.5 hours or more extra that I have at home is great.

Now granted some of that time and more I work but that is not going to be a forever deal.

Well time to head to the shower.

I think today will be a slow one.

Shower, change bedding, do some laundry, well better have some coffee and some breakfast.

Move the computers around before it gets too hot or NOT.

I have time ….. a nice luxury.

We will see where this day takes us.

 

For all of you that read my blog daily or whenever you have time, I really appreciate your time.

I hope that sometimes I make you giggle, laugh or smile.

Perhaps give you cause to rethink something.

Maybe an idea.

Or maybe just a little distraction from your everyday life.

We all have our down in the dump moments leading sometimes into days.

We all have our joy to the rafters moments leading possibly into days.

We all have little things and big things.

Good and bad and inbetween.

To be human is to experience everything that runs the gamut from one extreme to the other.

I hope that you are able to find your best space somewhere in in the middle.

Life is only as perfect as you make it.

Life is only as you react to those moments that run the extremes.

So on this first day of my birth month and being on vacation, I am over the moon happy.

Great feeling to know that at the very least we will be home until the New Year.

Merry Christmas.

So happy for Alvin …..

I started working from home on March 19, 2020 and if I go back to work in January 2021 – that is almost one whole year.

So happy that I have had this time with the boy and am keeping my fingers crossed that we will continue past January 2021 working from home.

There will be a couple of days each month that I will take turns with my coworkers and go to the office but hey that is not a problem.

FOR SURE.

 

Okay I am rambling …. thoughts just pouring onto the page.

Time for that shower.

I can start to feel a change in the temperature.

Time to close blinds again.

 

I hope that you all have a great Saturday.

See you tomorrow morning.

Living with kindness and respect for this Earth and its inhabitants.

I/We shall remain,

As Always, Carol & Alvin

 

Some of the cuteness that surrounds me

Mr. Alvin and Neighbours Humphrey and Bogart

It is a NEW YEAR.

Oh my how the wind is gusting this morning.

You can hear the vents clanging away.

The air is moderately warm for this time of day.

Alvin is resting on his blue blanket beside my computer chair.

I just entered the SURVEY from Save-on-foods.

It would be great to WIN a $1,000.00 gift card for groceries from there.

That would last me for months.

Keep positive thoughts flowing …. or how lovely ….. I won free groceries.

 

Back to work this morning.

The weekend zipped by as they so often do.

Yesterday the sun shone for most of the day and the air was warm.

However, it was so icy and messy that I elected for us to stay in the house.

I did go to the mailbox and mail a card to my Aunt in British Columbia.

With hopes it reaches her by her Birthday.

The sidewalks were so ugly that I did not dare to take Alvin out.

We both cannot afford to slip and fall.

He tends to pull a bit at times although he does seem to understand when it is icy out to be careful.

He usually walks until he sees ice and walk and then walks around on the edge of the street where there is snow.

After my one fall earlier this winter … he usually turns around to ensure that I am still there.

What a gentleman, my boy is.

 

Yesterday I spent some time going through this small trunk/toy chest.

Sorting through papers and things.

Also going through containers that have cards etc.

Every so often I go through to see if I can downsize a bit more.

Just trying to keep the most special ones.

I am just catching a glimpse of some cards that my daughter has given me over the years.

There are a handful that I have posted to my wall size bulletin board.

She always chooses the most beautiful ones with the best thoughts.

That daughter of mine turns 40 in a couple of weeks.

Hard to believe.

 

Well almost time to head on back downstairs.

I am catching a ride to work for the next couple of weeks with my neighbour.

Grateful for her.

 

I hope that you have an awesome day.

Filled with kindness and respect and fun and laughter.

We always have to have a bit of the latter.

No fun is no way to live your life.

 

Happy Monday.

 

Always, Carol & Alvin

 

It is a NEW YEAR.

Well folks we made it through another week.

This weekend marks the end of February 2020 and the beginning of a new month March 2020.

March is an extra special month for me as it is the birthday of my daughter.

Also is the birthdate of my Dad’s only sister, my Aunt, son-in-law’s brother, friend’s children, sister-in-law, niece in-law and some of my most dearest friends.

A busy month to be sure.

Which reminds me that I forgot to pop a card and letter into the mail for my Aunt.

I will do that this weekend and even though it may be late ….. always better to send than not to.

She is of the generation that cards and letters were important.

The largest way of communication next to the telephone.

Long before the days of email, texts and video chats and social media.

I have a good stock of miscellaneous cards as I still love to send them from time to time.

 

Last night on our walk …. oh, it was so beautiful.

We bumped into the gal that delivers our flyers down the street at the houses near the park.

We stopped for a chat.

The chat carried on for several minutes when all of a sudden I saw out of the corner of my eye and then did a quick spin …

To see by Alvin and me, this chocolate lab pup off leash.

There was a family coming down the sidewalk and I called out to them.

They explained as they got to us that this pup had just joined them.

He/She walked beside them the whole way.

Now as they were on a busy street they were concerned.

No one happened to have an extra leash.

As we were near the house of a friend, I ran up the walk to see if she could help us out with a leash.

She has two small dogs.

But no one was home.

Quick thinking, I thought of tying some poop bags together but that didn’t seem like a great idea, no one had a scarf (I would have given up my scarf, for sure) but I did have

my Bath & Body Works lanyard on my keys.

So I removed the lanyard and it worked perfectly as the pup did have a collar with a ring for hooking leashes.

We hooked up the lanyard and I asked if they were able to take the pup and contact the appropriate authorities and they said of course.

The pup seemed perfectly happy to be with them.

Alvin did okay with the pup considering there was no leash on the pup and hard to hold him/her.

There was a bit of growling on Alvin’s part but the pup was so good natured it did not last.

I hope, pray and wish that they found the pup’s home or the authorities did.

Such a beautiful pup.

There was no one out looking during the time we were out.

I am not certain where exactly the dog joined them.

Best of luck to you little one.

I should have carried my phone but did not have the appropriate place and my hands were full.

 

Well almost time to leave here.

My neighbour is feeling better and will give me a ride to work this morning.

Yesterday funny story.

I left home a few minutes earlier than what I normally would to catch a bus and when walking by my friend’s house, she was backing out.

She saw me and gave me a ride to the bus stop.

That helped greatly … no dodging ice …. yay, me.

I caught the earlier bus and was to work before 7:30 a.m. ( I do not start till 8 but like to be there early).

 

Well time to fly.

I hope that you have an awesome, amazing, wonderful day.

Isn’t the morning sky beautiful?

Getting more light everyday.

Take Care.

 

Always, Carol & Alvin

Treating the world with kindness and respect.

Trying …..

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Sunday the 31st day of March, 2019.

Today is the birthday of a long-time girl friend, Happy Birthday PB.

Alvin and I wish you a great day and year to come.

The sky is overcast this morning.

Sunday and the final day of March, 2019.

Where has or does the time go?

No one seems to know.

We only know that as we get older time seems to pass with lightning speed.

I just heard geese honking.

There must be some geese flying about in the sky somewhere close by.

 

Yesterday Master Teddy spent the day with us.

I thought that perhaps I would share some photos of the boys together

Also I moved up Alvin’s haircut and bath to yesterday.

Which was a good move on my part.

Teddy and Alvin and I went for a nice walk just over thirty minutes.

The boys had fun.

This photo was taken Friday night when Alvin had his paws curled around his favourite toy “duck.”

You can tell from this photo that Mr. Alvin needed a hair cut.

I do give him a hair cut on a regular basis but it grows so fast.

He needed the bath – even though I washed him down after our walks, his fur just looked grey.

Supper-time.

Each had their own bowl and they each ate at the same time.

Now Alvin did come and check out Teddy’s bowl when he was finished.

So cute.

Hungry boys

Alvin after his hair cut and bath in the above photo.

Look how white and he feels about 3 pounds lighter.

Also to mention his front paws are his “tender spot” and after likely about an hour on them, this was the best that I could do.

Oh well.

I will try and snip here and there with the scissors.

Out on the deck.

What a beautiful day.

Most of the snow has melted.

YAY …..

 

Well I guess time to get this show on the road.

Humphrey the Cat will be joining us around noon.

So I have some things to do before he arrives.

Perhaps go for a walk before then as well.

Wash floors and prepare for work week.

 

Happy Sunday.

Last day of March – cannot believe it.

I hope that you all have a great day.

 

Special Hello to:  all the women in my life …… you all rock.

Always, Carol & Alvin

 

P.S.  I watched SECOND ACT last night (rented from Telus) with Jennifer Lopez.  I quite enjoyed the movie.

 

 

 

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Thursday the 1st day of March, 2018.

No additional snow as yet this morning, thank goodness.

Feels a bit cooler than yesterday morning but not FRIGID.

Alvin and I have been so enjoying our walks on our new temporary route.

So good to get out and be able to walk without worrying about the ice and the salt.

They are forecasting snow.

On the first day of March, it gives us all hope that spring is close by.

Next weekend our time changes, we spring forward one hour.

The days are noticeably longer.

It is actually light on my bus ride to work.

 

I am inspired by reading.

Reading gives me insight into other places, peoples and situations.

Whether fiction or non-fiction.

Reading builds up my vocabulary.

Gives me food for thought.

Reading has to be one of my favourite things.

Pick up a book today or even a magazine or newspaper and read.

It will open doors and help you in so many ways.

Let me know what you are reading this day.

I am reading The No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency series by James McCall Smith.

If you have not read any of his books, now would be a good time.

He writes about this woman and she is the best, charming and funny.

A must read.

 

Well time for this gal to hit the road to catch the bus for work.

Have an awesome first day of March.

Remember read something today.

Even,  a newspaper article.

 

Special Hello to:  all those people who love to read.

Always, Carol & Alvin

 

COUNTDOWN: 60 DAYS TO 60

Today is Tuesday, July 18, 2017 and it is the 23rd day until my 60th Birthday.

I will just have to add the ones that I miss when I think of something.

 

2000: Came in without most of the problems that were forecasted regarding the computers, which was a huge relief.

2001:

2002:  My beloved daughter moves to Edmonton, Alberta and two days later I go on a vacation to the U.S. with a friend.  It was perfect timing so I would be moping around the apartment missing my girl.  Still missed her but was not at home to be reminded every moment.  Visited Las Vegas and area and went to San Diego and the day trip to Mexico (the crossing was out of a movie and not a good thing). A close family friend’s daughter had first of her three children.

2003: My first great niece was born ….. such a cutie pie.

Well I received a HUGE reminder of something that happened in 2004.

2004:  My daughter graduated from the Photography Program at NAIT and then went on to work for one of the City Councillors.  How did I forget those items???  Maybe I am thinking too hard.

2005: My first born great nephew and the apply of his “Anta’s eye.”

2006:

2007:  Elton John concert?  or was it 2006?  Regardless of when it was amazing.  We lost our little “J” ….. another heartbreak.

2008:  My first born nephew marries, I retired from working at same company for 30 years and my daughter marries all within a couple of months.  Attend Celine Dion Concert in Edmonton.

2009: Buy my first house, 1/2 duplex in Edmonton close to my daughter and son-in-law and grand-pups and move to Edmonton at end of March.  My beloved J passes.

2010:  Enjoying semi-retirement.  Back to Regina for a visit with my girl. How could I have possibly forgotten this:  I adopted my darling ALVIN CHARLIE LEWIS in January 2010 and my life once again was transformed.  I am so happy that Me Alvin is not too good on the computer or else I would be in BIG trouble.  OMG, how did I forget.  Just going with the flow.  I will post the years as I think of things for the last decade.

2011: Started working at Bath & Body Works at West Edmonton Mall.  Now that is a start to going back to work.  It was hard work but amazing.  That was in April and then in July I started as a temp at Capital Region Housing Corporation.  What a year.

2012:

2013: Working two jobs ….

2014:  I had the highest sales per hour in the company at the store. My daughter, son-in-law, Elton & Penny moved in with me and Alvin for almost one year while their new house was being built.  We loved having them with us.

2015:  Kids moved into their new house in April.  House was not the same after they moved out.  Worked last shifts at Bath & Body Works, miss the girls and the store in April.  Started to sell Steeped Tea in August.

2016:

2017:  This is a big year for me and all those who were born in 1957.

 

 

 

COUNTDOWN: 60 Days to 60

Today is Friday, July 14, 2017 and it is the 27th day until my 60th Birthday.

So if you are a family member or friend reading these posts, please do not be offended if I missed something like your birth.

It was truly important to me but when you are almost sixty ….. sometimes you remember these things a bit later ….. like the day after..

Well let us see here ….. what year are we at …… this is not as easy as it may seem….

1978: Flew to U.S.A. with friends in a four seater airplane.  It was awesome.  Went to LA, baby ….. Saw JAWS at Universal Studios, saw Queen Elizabeth, and so much more.  Dipped toes in the ocean.

1979: BIG NEWS – expecting – was so excited.

1980: The birth of my daughter in March.  The constant that lights up my life as she did back then and continues to do now. BEST YEAR EVER.

1981:  Being a Mom was great …. once you get past the “no sleep stage.”  I even did some sewing and made us some matching outfits with help.

1982:  Living with my sister and my nephew and my daughter ….. we had fun ….

1983:  Survived major flood in Regina in July ….. we were living in a basement suite …. me and my girl……

1984: My first niece was born ……

1985: My daughter starts kindergarten….

1986: On my Fridays off from work I would walk to my daughter’s school and pick her up and we would walk to the nearby mall and have lunch.  So much fun treating her to lunch and spending that precious time together.

1987: Clearly she ruled in the memory department ….. she was my world and remains so to this day.  I do share that world with Me Alvin and my son-in-law and their fur babies but she was the first born and will always be extra special.

This is a good test of the old memory banks.

Always, Carol

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Thursday the 16th day of March, 2017.

WOW MID MARCH …… you know what that means??

Well it means that spring is just that much closer.

Not to rush things …. not at all.

Our weather has been very nice the past few days and is supposed to remain as such for the remainder of this week and next.

The staff meeting went well.

The hotel always does a great job with the food ….. yummy.

When were sitting down, and enjoying a cup of coffee before the meeting started; I obtained a couple of tea orders.

WOW, that was nice.

I have supportive co-workers.

I really enjoyed the afternoon speaker.

 

Well here we go Thursday.

Started extra early as Alvin needed to go outside about 3:30 a.m.

Sure makes for a break in the sleep.

I had some MATCHA for breakfast in my oatmeal and hopefully it will help with the lack of sleep.

Not sure what happened to him.

After sitting and walking around he went to the “bathroom” and then we went back to bed.

He is a funny guy.

Could be the full moon.

It does things to all living creatures in some way, shape or form ( I think ).

 

I hope to have a quiet day at the office so that I can get through lots of mail.

I hope that the nice weather continues and the streets and sidewalks stay clear of ice and snow.

 

Well almost time to get this show on the road.

Another day to work.

Payday which is nice.

Get those bills paid, of course.

 

Have a wonderful Thursday.

Whether at work or at play …. enjoy.

Spread kindness with respect as you go about your day.

 

Special Hello: to my sister, looking forward to SKYPE chat on Sunday.

Always, Carol and Alvin

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Tuesday the 7th day of March, 2017.

Well the forecast is for a cold snap.

We are well below seasonal temperatures for March.

Not great news but it is March and one month closer to spring.

Officially spring in a couple of weeks or so.

 

This morning while getting ready for work I was thinking about “dreams.”

Not the dreams you have while you are sleeping but the ones you have when you are young for your future.

I always wanted to be a nurse, published writer, mother to four children (two boys and two girls) and to be married.

The white picket fence with the beautiful two- storey house – the dream.

I could see us all going on family vacations.

I could see my children further their education, get married and have babies.

I could see “us” being retired and living the life of riley.

So what went wrong or what changed.

Nothing is ever really wrong – we just take a different path.

One thing changes and everything changes.

 

So I am not a nurse, I do write a bit, I am a mother to one amazing daughter and one puppy named Alvin and I am single.

My daughter did further her education and went for her dream at that time (which I am grateful for), she is married and I have grand-pups.

Perhaps that is where the number four came from as they have had/have two boys and two girls.

I do not have a white picket fence but my house is a beautiful two-storey half duplex.

There has been the occasional family vacation.

Retirement is a long way off.

Different direction – different dreams.

 

The reality is you never know what life will bring to you.

Or where life will take you.

 

Even if you are super positive and live a life of doing kind and wonderful things the reality is you never know.

All you can do is live your life and work towards those dreams/goals.

Live each moment and day to the best.

 

Have a wonderful Tuesday.

Special Hello to: my daughter who teaches me things daily.

Always, Carol and Alvin

 

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Sunday the 27th day of November, 2016.

The sky is overcast, no frost on the cars and little snow on the lawns.

When one is writing a tribute to a loved one who has passed; you want to make sure that you get things just right, and say what you want to say, and

not miss anything.

In years gone by I have written Eulogies for my Grandmother, Nephew and then my Brother.

I wrote an tribute to our Penny who passed away just this past March, somedays it seems like yesterday, and others it seems like years.

Elton, our beloved guy was my first grand-puppy and he warmed my heart right from the beginning.

I will continue working on my tribute to him and will share when it is time.

In the meantime, life goes on and I know that ….

 

In everything that I have done over the past few days he is right there in my thoughts.

One thing I know that both Elton and Penny will never be forgotten.

 

This Christmas will be different without Elton and Penny for sure.

Milo will keep us hopping as he is the new addition, and is very much still a puppy at about three months now.

Bad Grandma, I have forgotten his actual birthdate – guess I had better write him down on our Birthday Calendar.

So it will be Alvin and Milo for now.

I am certain that the kids will adopt another pup (likely grown though) as Milo needs company.

Heaven knows there are so many pups out there that need a good home.

Any pup coming to live with my kids will have the best home ever.

The kids love them, and treat with them with respect and kindness.

So with Christmas right around the corner there are so many things to do.

I have put the tree and decorated the house both inside and out.

I have the Christmas Cards on the kitchen table ready to be written up.

The letter – yes that still has to be done – to say hello to folks and let them know what we have been doing in 2016.

Baking over the next few weeks.

Still a few things to do.

We have opted out of the gift giving this year between me and the kids.

We are not like the KRANKS and going on a cruise.

More like we are blessed, and do not need much so instead we will do some things.

Perhaps take in a local performance of “A Christmas Carol.”

Give to the less fortunate from children to seniors, and in between.

At our office, my department is giving special requested items to two seniors.

Sometimes I think they are the forgotten ones at Christmas.

Often times without family or friends they have no one except the staff at the homes where they live.

Let us not forget them this holiday season.

Remember the best gift of all is to give.

 

This morning my daughter is coming over so I must get going and prepare the pancakes.

I love making pancakes for her …..

I hope that you and your family are doing well.

Take Care.

 

Special Hello to: Everyone and Merry Christmas to You All.

Always, Carol and Alvin