Living … One day at a time.

Good Morning and we are cruising toward November 1, 2019.

Where did the time go?

I cannot believe it is less than two months until Christmas and then the New Year.

2020.

That freaks me out just a little bit.

When I was a child I actually thought of this year and 2025.

What would be going on in the world?

Where would my family be?

Wondering if I fulfilled my dreams of being a Registered Nurse and a Writer.

Where would I be living?

Would I be happy?

The house with the white picket fence was that in my future?

Four children ….. two girls and two boys, of course.

That was my perfection.

Grandchildren possibly.

One never knows where life will take you.

I am perfectly happy with the way that things turned out.

I am okay with the choices that I made.

Perhaps I could / should have done things differently but then I would not have and be where I am today.

It is a package deal.

You cannot have one person, one thing without the other.

So if I zigged instead of zagged …. I could have been living on a farm in southeastern Saskatchewan or perhaps in the big City of Regina or in London or New York.

I may have been married with more than one child.

I may have become a nurse.

Who knows?

But I know that the choices I made at the time were right for me at that time.

I have the most exquisite daughter.

I have my best buddy Mr. Alvin.

I have a job that sometimes drives me crazy.

I have a house which I bought on my own.

I am healthy.

Life is good.

I am surrounded by great friends.

I have the best sister and brothers on the planet.

So that is that.

I have never spent much time worrying or thinking about what may have been …..

I believe in living in the present …..

You cannot change the past but you can change the present which changes the futures.

Now that is a lot of change….

 

Just living my life trying to be kind and respectful.

 

Always, Carol & Alvin

 

 

Thought for the day ….

Good Morning and Welcome to Friday the 5th day of April, 2019.

Still dark outside but sun is shining in my heart.

I want to take this moment to send positive energy to family member and friends who are in need of some extra “help.”

My heart is open and I am thinking of you at this time.

May what you need come to you sooner than soon.

 

We all have our ups and downs.

No matter what is going on in your life; show gratitude.

 

I would like to take this time to say thank you for one of my favourite people in television.

She is one of a current duo.

Today is her last day on the 4th Hour with HODA; she is Kathie Lee Gifford.

I have watched her from Canada for most of her twenty-six years on television.

Firstly, she won our hearts with Regis and then with HODA.

Throughout those years she has made  appearances on other television shows, done commercials and movies.

Kathie Lee is boundless energy, love, kindness, witty, talented and so much more.

She makes us laugh and takes us to places where we may shed a tear or two.

Oh how she makes me laugh.

I will miss that part of her the most, I think.

This week once again she brings her strong faith and humour and energy to those final shows.

I wished that just once I had made it back to New York to see her and HODA in person; on the TODAY Show.

She gives everyone hope that is over 50, well over 60 – women and men that you can still change gears and do what you love.

There is no age limit.

Just do it.

She gives me hope; she gives us all hope.

I am proud to share the birth month of August with both Kathie Lee and HODA.

I share the same birthdate of August 9th with HODA.

Cheers to you Kathie Lee Gifford.

Wishing you all the Best for I know will be an amazing future.

Looking forward to seeing your movies.

Thank you.

 

Well time to go to work.

Special Hello to: Kathie Lee Gifford.

Always, Carol & Alvin

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Wednesday the 9th day of January, 2019.

Another blast of COLD for this winter’s day.

But on the upside it is going to be warming up and be around zero on Saturday.

YAY.

 

I was thinking last night after listening to someone speak about the following:

 

I realize now that it has been my love of writing everyday in my journal since I was a young teenager that has brought me safely to this place.

Before journalling was thought to be more than just writing your thoughts down on paper in a diary or journal; I did that/this.

Perhaps I was one of those slightly ahead of the curve.

Writing is both fun and therapeutic.

I am here now because I was able to write down my thoughts and see my life on paper.

Writing has done so much for me.

I have always wanted to be a published writer – maybe even a New York Best Selling Author.

I have wrote in addition to my diary-journal, short stories, poetry, essays and most recently an on-line daily blog.

If I can reach one person and make them smile, touch them in some way, give them information or an idea – I am over the moon.

At the end of the day writing gives me great joy and good health.

What more could one ask for ……

 

Time to leave for work.

Somehow the time evaporated this morning.

Perhaps a few less minutes on the comfy sofa….. LOL.

 

Special Hello to: all those writers out there …. you rock.

Always, Carol & Alvin

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Thursday the 2nd day of November, 2017.

Well I guess it is officially winter …..

Shovelled last night ….. argh…. my least favourite winter chore.

Although if the snow is light and fluffy it is not such a chore.

But alas it was not light and fluffy.

I did leave some out front as when you clear it off down to the sidewalk and then the dampness left behind freezes you end up on your head when you leave your house.

Not a good thing.

While shovelling the deck – I rearranged the garage so that my daughter could park in there when she visits overnight on Friday.

We, well I took down all of the Halloween / Fall ornaments last night ….. I guess Alvin did show his paw of support when he followed me into the basement to put things away.

So he did help.

I do not like to be in the basement by myself …. just a thing ….. no reason not to be..

The main floor looks bare awaiting the CHRISTMAS fairies who will appear Friday evening to poof ….. CHRISTMAS …..

I love Christmas.

You know that despite the white sticky stuff …. my life is pretty perfect.

I have a beautiful home and Alvin.

A daughter and son-in-law and grand pups, a great sister and brothers, FRIENDS and so many people who are in my life.

I am pretty lucky …. pretty blessed.

I hope that you are okay on this day.

Be safe.

Treat others with respect and of course, goes without saying yourself, as well.

Take care.

Special Hello: to the folks in New York ….. you are in my thoughts and prayers.

Always, Carol & Alvin

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Saturday the 8th day of August, 2015.

Today is my niece-in-law’s 39th Birthday ….. Happy Birthday “S” ….. we hope you have a great day.

We have lots of friends and family birthdays in August.

Mine is tomorrow.

I will be “58”

Have you ever just sat and thought about all of the things that you have done and seen in your lifetime thus far?

I have …..

Here are some of the things that I have done or accomplished and seen from birth until today.

• lived on a farm
• had one sister and three brothers
• changed diapers before started Grade one
• went to school, learned to read and to write (loved biology)
• earned first money babysitting for neighbours at age 8 (back in the day)
• wrote poetry throughout my childhood (my Grandma kept ones I wrote to her)
• still writing years later
• drove a tractor and combine
• spent a winter in Texas as a child and swam in the Gulf of Mexico at Padre Island
• taught my siblings school that winter (they all passed with flying colours including me)
• lived in three Canadian provinces (Saskatchewan, British Columbia and Alberta)
• went to four different schools in three different provinces from Grade 9 to 12
• black and white to colour televisions
• computers
• man on the moon
• went in a prop plane to California in the 70’s.
• gave birth to my daughter
• visited Victoria, B.C. (twice) … love antique shops
• Canadian Cities visited: Montreal, Quebec City, Toronto, WInnipeg, Regina, Saskatoon, Victoria, Calgary, Edmonton
• Visited the Rocky Mountains in Canada
• Banff and Jasper, Alberta Parks
• visited the World Trade Center in New York in 1994.
• went to a musical on Broadway in New York
• visited Las Vegas twice
• visited Las Angeles, California and walked in the Pacific Ocean
• belonged to the Downtown Optimist Club in Regina
• was Optimist of the Year (very proud moment) and held various positions within the organization
• visited Montreal, Quebec and Quebec City ……
• continued with Volunteer work in Edmonton – Capital City Cleanup Block Captain (keeping area clean)
• retired early after 30 years (with same company)
• back to work now four years
• worked first real Retail Job after age of 50
• was top seller in said job
• adopted my first dog in 2010 (over 50) – me Alvin
• started my blog after age 50
• corresponded with a Wall St Journal journalist (after age 50)
• saw 58 years of the sun, moon and stars
• always had great friends ….. still do
• raised a gifted daughter ….. photographer ….. artist …. good person
• bought my first house on my own in Edmonton, this house (after age 50)
• started making jewellery with my daughter
• sold different things over the years like Tupperware, Fashion Two Twenty makeup ……
• visited several U.S. States over the years.
• most important, I am alive to celebrate another Birthday.

When you start making a list you suddenly realize that your life has been busy.

If you read this blog and you know me …. can you think of anything else notable?

Well time to have a shower and get ready for my “Birthday party”.

My friends “S” and “G” are having a party for me at our coffee date.

I have very thoughtful friends.

With the sun shining and a cool breeze I shall start this Saturday.

Grand-puppies here to keep Mr. Alvin company while I am out.

It is funny I keep thinking of things and adding them to the list ….. time to go though.

Make that list and see that you yourself have been an important part of this planet.

Have a wonderful Saturday.

Special Hello to: “S” Happy Birthday …… Also my cousin “M” who was born on my birthday.

So many birthdays……

Always, Carol and Alvin

Thought for the day……

Good Morning and Welcome to Thursday, January 31st, 2013.

WOW, was that January …. it seems like only yesterday that we were opening gifts on Christmas Eve.

Where does the time go?

It seems crazy to me that I am going to turn “56” this summer.

I remember starting Grade One at age six with my best friend, “Deanna”

I remember learning how to dance with my Grandma.

I remember discovering the “East Room” at my Grandparent’s house and all the lovely things it held.

I remember the winter we spent in McAllen, Texas.

I remember picking berries with my Mom & Sister when I was “14.”

I remember the tornado that came to town in August of 1979.

I remember the moment that my daughter was born.

I remember the summer that my siblings and our families celebrated what was to be our last time all together with our Mom.

I remember  flying to New York City to take a business course and while there visiting the World Trade Centre and taking in my first Broadway Musical “Les Miserables” ……

I remember how proud I was when my daughter graduated High School with Honours, entered University and then went on to become a photographer.

I remember my daughter’s wedding day.

I remember leaving Saskatchewan.

I remember the moment when I put the key in the door on my very first home and that was four years ago.

I now remember to remember and I have been so very blessed during my lifetime.

I did some cool things during my life thus far and have met some truly remarkable people.

I hope that you take the time to remember and are grateful for each moment.

Have a great day.

Special Hello to:  “truly remarkable people” ….. you are one.

Thank you.

 

Always, Carol and Alvin

Thought for the day…..

Wow, it is WEDNESDAY, January 11th, 2012 (whoops had to correct to 2012 …. first typed 2011).

I must admit that I have written down 2011 a few times but right away caught myself and made the correction.

How many times have you inadvertently written down last year instead of this one?

It is okay …… after writing down 2011 for 365 days ….. it is no wonder that we take a few times to get it correct.

It is like anything in life …… sometimes you need a few tries to get it just right.

If we got everything perfect on the very first try …… how boring would that be.

We are human beings and although most of us try and would like to be perfect …..

As good as it may be …… we seldom reach that diamond glistening mirror ball.

That’s okay.

Actually I think we are perfect ….. really perfect just the way that we are…..

It is the things that we do and want that we think make us perfect or not.

We, ourselves ….. are perfection …… I am perfect for me and you are perfect for you.

Does this make sense?

I know that I work on and want to be the best me that I can be.

Not the best you or the best Miss Jones down the street.

But the best me.

I think that if we just be the best that we can be ….. that’s pretty great.

Don’t try to be someone else.

I hope that you all have a great great middle of the week.

Special Hello: to all my friends in Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Sweden, British Columbia, Ontario, New York, Brasil and Alberta……. everywhere….

Always, Carol