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.

 

 

 

Thought for the day ….

Good Morning and Welcome to Monday the 13th day of June, 2016.

It is a beautiful, bright, blue sky morning here in Edmonton.

On a sad note, my neighbours are moving into their new house today and I shall have new neighbours.

On a happy note, (I love to get the sad out of the way first) ….

On a happy note, yesterday I spoke to my friend “M” on the telephone, actually heard her voice.

Sounds just like she did over twenty years ago.

Elton is coming to spend the day with Alvin so that is nice.

He spent a few hours with us yesterday.

Last night it just happened that a few of us neighbours met up on the front porch to chat about our years together.

Funny how fast time passes.

I have lived here seven years ….. hard to believe.

It will be different without S & M next door …. they have been great neighbours and friends.

 

Funny that no matter where life takes you …. your friends, your true friends will always be there.

Sometimes you do not see each other for decades and then life brings you back together.

It is as though no time has elapsed.

I am grateful for that.

 

Well I had better get this show on the road.

My ride will be here early this morning.

I want to be ready to go.

 

Have an awesome day and you never know where the day will take you.

Surprise.

 

Special Hello to:  my friends “M” and “W” ….. one known since before my daughter was born and the other worked with for decades.

Always, Carol and Alvin

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Sunday the 12th day of June, 2016.

It has been overcast and raining off and on this morning.

There have been slight moments of brightness appearing out of small cracks in the deep blue clouds, sun I presume.

It was cool in the house when we first got up this morning.

But no need to turn on the furnace at this time of year.

 

I just returned a bit ago from cleaning up part of the neighbourhood.

A particular walkway to the 62nd Avenue.

One side is our residential neighbourhood and the other is a very main street and on the other side a bunch of fast few restaurants and a strip mall.

So quite often meaning all of the time there are a vast array of cups and fast food wrappers from Starbucks, McDonalds, Dairy Queen and Boston Pizza.

I have asked for a garbage barrel to be placed there but to no avail.

I guess as long as someone like me will pick up the garbage why would you pay for a barrel, bags and someone to empty them.

Oh well.

I do not mind ….. I am helping out my friends and neighbours.

The only one that truly minds is Mr. Alvin as I have to leave him at home and he does not like that.

He likes me to be at home on the weekends.

I cannot blame him.

 

Well I guess time to go and enjoy my coffee while it is warm.

The first cup earlier I only drank a bit of it as I wanted to get out before the rain arrived.

Funny thing it rained a bit when I left the house and started to come down a bit harder on my way home.

Just gave me the perfect time to get it done.

YAY.

 

My neighbours that have been here since I moved to Edmonton are moving out tomorrow into a brand new house that they had built.

Not too far away so I think we will see each other but likely not quite as often, I suspect.

I am looking forward to meeting and getting to know the new people.

I shall miss my neighbours.

“S” was here alone when I moved in and two years later got married.

Nothing last forever and change is a learning process or at least that is what I keep telling myself.

 

Mr. Elton is coming over at 3:00 p.m. to spend a few hours with his Grandma and Alvin.

We look forward to spending time with him.

 

Did I mention that my irises are blooming?

The most perfect purple.

 

Well time to sign off.

I wish you an awesome Sunday.

Thank you for reading.

 

Special Hello to: “M” longtime friend ……

Always, Carol and Alvin

Thought for the day ….

Good Morning and Welcome to Thursday the 24th day of March, 2016.

This is my last day to work before the long weekend.

We are very lucky to have the next four days off from work.

What a wonderful break.

I believe that even Mother Nature is going to work with us for beautiful weather being warm and sunny.

The house is so very quiet this morning with my boy away at his sister’s.

I spoke to her last night and Alvin has settled in at her house.

She said he seems to be less stressed.

He does not like car rides and is adjusting to their new house.

He is not so much for change.

I can identify but sometimes it is a must.

So I am pleased that he is feeling better about his visit.

Whew.

Still seemed odd not to have him snuggled up beside me in bed.

He likes to cuddle which is nice.

I am not complaining as it is good for him to spend time with his sister and her family.

I am happy that we live close enough for visits.

 

This morning at work we have a Easter Hunt …… chocolate bunnies are hidden for us to find.

It is a nice way to start the day ……

CHOCOLATE.

Mmm, I hope that I find one.

In addition to the ones that are hidden we each have an EGG somewhere at our workspace and it is jammed packed with small delightful treats.

A win, win all round.

 

Well it is almost time for this cookie to put the finishing touches on before heading out to work.

I wish you a wonderful Thursday.

Whatever you do and wherever you go may the sun shine on you and may a happy song play in your heart.

Happy Thursday Everyone!

 

Special Hello to: my sister ……

Always, Carol and Alvin

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Wednesday the 4th day of November, 2015.

Well no additional moisture overnight …. that is a good thing.

We had the most glorious huge wet snowflakes yesterday …

I was standing right in the middle of them waiting to catch a bus to an appointment.

I wanted to stick out my tongue and let them land but decided against it.

You know people around …..

Almost one week into November, can you believe it?

In just a few shorts weeks it will be …… CHRISTMAS!

I just have to snag my neighbour so that we can decorate outside and a few finishing touches inside and I am finished with the decorations.

Next step: print our photos and start writing our Christmas letter and Christmas cards.

I like to have them mailed before December 1st, 2015.

Most especially the overseas ones ….. best to have them done by mid November.

Sounds like Alvin and I will be spending Christmas with the kids and grand-puppies at the new house.

Exciting.

I am so excited.

This weekend Amanda and I will be preparing for the craft sale at one of the hospitals here in Edmonton.

I guess they are always busy …. can only imagine the traffic at a hospital ….

It will be fun.

Lots of exciting … fun events coming up.

I am grateful to have fun things to do so that it offsets the not so pleasant things we all have to do.

Actually I am pretty blessed in my life and am grateful.

We all have speed bumps along the way ….. as long as we try to be kind and respectful and are grateful we will get through each one.

Well almost time to place the finishing touches on getting ready for work.

 

I hope that you all have the most wonderful day ever.

May laughter be the backdrop for your day.

May kindness and joy be the centre pieces.

Happy Wednesday All.

 

Special Hello to: You, you are so wonderful.

Always, Carol and Alvin

Thought for the day……

Good Morning and Welcome to Friday the 17th day of April, 2015.

Well there is a quietness over our household that marks us being alone.

My daughter, son-in-law and grand-puppies moved into their brand new house yesterday.

It is going to take awhile for me and Alvin to get used to the stillness.

We will have to make some noise.

When my daughter and son-in-law came to pick up Elton and Penny after the movers were done …. they helped me move my bed back into the master bedroom.

It seemed so strange but yet so familiar to be back in that room.

Alvin hopped right up on the bed but then took a long time to settle down.

I think he could smell Elton and Penny’s scent left behind in the room.

Even this morning I know that he misses most especially Miss Penny.

They got to be such good buddies over the past months.

So this weekend I am going to give myself a break and simply get used to being alone in the house.

Do some laundry ….. do a bit of cleaning but the most of the weekend I will spend with Alvin …… giving him extra attention.

WOW, even in the office without the bed it echoes.

Funny how a piece of furniture can make such a difference.

Well I need a shower and then to get on with this day.

Funny now without the kids here and no second job it seems unbearably quiet …. I know that we will get back into our routine and that will be sooner than later for sure as it is back to work at the office on Monday.

I am grateful for all of my many blessings.

To have my own home after almost three decades of living in an apartment.

I am grateful to be in great health.

I am grateful to be surrounded by good neighbours and friends.

So here we go, me and Alvin on another adventure.

With the sun shining and a hefty breeze we will start this new chapter.

I thank you for staying with us.

Have an awesome Friday.

Special Hello to:  family and friends …. all those folks beginning a new chapter in their lives.

Always, Carol and Alvin

Thought for the day…..

Good Morning and Welcome to Thursday the 16th day of April, 2015.

Well today is  moving day.

Sun shining – check

Coffee made – check

Up and dressed – check

Everything packed – check

Yesterday the kids received the keys to their brand new house/their home and did the final walk through.

Me and the puppies were so excited to go and check it all out.

The house has that brand new smell that I absolutely love.

It is gorgeous ….. down to the colour scheme.

Alvin, I guess I should mention was a bit less than thrilled about the car ride.

But he made it both ways …. drooling and panting but did not through up……

Poor little guy.

I really do not know what to do about that other than he needs to do it more often perhaps ….. then he might settle down better.

The puppies definitely know something is up.

One hour till the movers arrive.

I am on puppy patrol.

Wherever the movers are ….. we are not.

That is the plan.

There are three guys coming with the moving truck so it won’t take them long to get everything loaded.

This is short as I have a few things to help my daughter with before the movers arrive.

I hope that you have a grand Thursday.

Today is a great day but brings with the greatness a sadness as I bid my family a fond adieu …… they won’t be far away, thank goodness.

Special Hello to: to all those folks who have family moving away …. hopefully it is not too far.

Always, Carol and Alvin

Thought for the day…..

Good Morning and Welcome to Wednesday the 15th day of April, 2015.

It is a glorious morning here in Edmonton …. sun is shining and I am on vacation for the rest of the week.

Today is the day that my daughter and son-in-law receive the keys to their brand new house.

The house … their home that they had a hand in designing.

So excited for them.

This morning was the second last morning with the trio of pups gathered beside me as I sat at the kitchen table sharing a banana with them.

As we shared the banana I told them this would be our second last morning of sharing a banana at Grandma’s house before they were once again living in their own home.

Kind of sad but happy as well.

I will miss this time we shared in the mornings.

Alvin will be sad not to have them here every day ….

The key hand over is this afternoon so once it has been done the kids will come and pick us up so that we can all go and see the new house.

I am so happy for them and EXCITED to see the new house.

Photos are great but not the same.

 

Last night was week two of the bootcamp that I have been attending with my friend “G.”

It was great.

I found that I have a “CORE” and it was on fire last night.

The first week I do not remember so much “core” work but last night we did.

At one point I could feel the muscles pulling and straining and the pain that followed.

It was a great workout.

So for the next few days I am going to work on my core ….. walking is not enough, clearly.

It was great finding my core and now I must keep it.

We tend to forget just how important our midsection is for our overall health.

 

Well time for a shower and then help my daughter with the last of the packing.

An exciting day and a sad one, too.

I will miss having them here but it is time for me and Alvin to resume our lives together.

At least now I am only working one job which gives me more flexibility with living my life.

I know that sounds silly but really when you are working six or seven days a week …. there is no time for relaxation and doing the things you need and want to do.

 

Well time for a shower and a cup of coffee.

I am grateful to be at home for a few days.

So nice.

I wish you a great Wednesday.

 

Special Hello to: family and friends.

Always, Carol and Alvin

 

 

Thought for the day……

Good Morning and Welcome to Tuesday the 14th day of April, 2015.

YAY, my last day of work for the week.

I am so excited to have the rest of the week off and also the weekend.

Five days in a row.

Sad, part of the week is that tomorrow night is the last night the kids will sleep in my house before moving into their brand new house.

We are all excited.

I am excited to see the house all done and they are excited to live in it.

The pups will be wondering what the heck is going on but we will all adjust.

So many last ones …. so many first ones.

Another chapter over another one beginning.

The sky is overcast this morning …..

I hope that it shines tomorrow and Thursday for the move.

The kids pick up the keys tomorrow and then we (me and the pups) get to see the new house.

We will move some of the smaller stuff and then Thursday the movers will arrive.

It will definitely seem strange without them here.

The past eight months have flown by …. seems like yesterday they were moving in with us.

Well time to go and tackle my last day at the office ….. lots to do there.

Busy place.

Special Hello to: to all those people confronted by change ….. just go right at it……. you can do it.

Always, Carol and Alvin

Thought for the day…..

Good Morning and Welcome to Monday the 13th day of April, 2015.

Wow, almost halfway through the month of April.

What a life altering month thus far for me.

It has been a thoroughly enjoyable weekend at home.

You could not wipe the smile from my face or the joy from my heart.

I truly love being at home in my house with Alvin and my family.

The kids are packing up as they move into their new house this coming Thursday.

Excitement – galore.

I can hardly wait to see their new digs.

So exciting.

We will miss them but once again we open to a new chapter of our lives.

I am only at the office Monday and Tuesday this week as I am home to help with the move.

It is exciting to be at home for five days in a row.

Alvin and I will have to get used to a new routine for the two of us.

But we are looking forward to it …. well at least I am…..for the most part.

Wishing you a happy Monday.

May you have joy in your heart and happiness on your face.

Special Hello to: my friends and family.

Always, Carol and Alvin