Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Thursday the 21st day of February, 2019.

Today was my Grandmother’s Birthday.

She was born this date in 1901 and passed in 1998.

Last night just as I was getting ready to leave the office, I decided to quickly check on Facebook to see if I had a message from Teddy’s Aunt about walking.

When I noticed a message from my friend “V” back home …. she told me that a friend and co-worker from back home in Regina had passed away.

She only recently turned 56.

No forewarning.

She is way too young to be gone.

One of the smartest, most sharp witted, compassionate, friendly people I know.

She loved her family dearly which included fur-babies.

Always posting photos.

She will be missed.

I remember going to her for advice generally about work issues.

I always commented on her beautiful gold chains with a wide variety of charms/pendants, which she always wore in layers.

We will miss you our dear friend.

Sending my thoughts and prayers to my friend’s family and friends.

 

Having two people pass in close proximity of each other can really throw a curveball at one’s own mortality.

Makes you think about things.

Definitely have to be more aware of “sweating the small stuff.”

We are all guilty of that …..

Work harder and smarter about exercise and health.

Make certain that you tell your family and friends that you love them.

ALWAYS.

Today I am sad for all the missed memories these two great people will miss.

Not for what they would or could have done but for the memories.

The memories of graduations, weddings and grandchildren.

All of the important things, the real important things in life.

The people …..

 

I hope that you have a great Thursday.

Be safe, Be kind and Live your Life.

 

Special Hello:  ALL my family and friends, I love you all more than words can say.

Always, Carol & Alvin

 

 

 

Thought for the day …..

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

The morning sky is overcast which is how I feel at this moment.

This morning my daughter is picking us up and we are going to her house.

From there I am attending the funeral of a co-worker’s wife, who was just 41 years old.

Bittersweet as after the funeral I will be spending some time with my beloved daughter and her family.

I am so grateful that I am able to be with my family most especially on this day.

As life goes, there are no warnings and life can be over just like that ….

Any time a younger person passes it is overly sad as they did not have the chance to live a long life.

They did not have the opportunity to get old.

So now when I think “I am old” ….. which truly I am not ….. I will feel blessed to be turning 60 this summer.

 

On this Saturday – give your loved ones a hug and be grateful that you have them.

If you are older ….. be grateful that you are …..

 

Have a blessed Saturday …..

Spend some time with your loved ones……

 

Special Hello to: Family and Friends ….

Always, Carol & Alvin

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Saturday the 26th day of November, 2016.

This has been a difficult week since Tuesday evening about suppertime we said our goodbyes to our beloved Elton.

My first grand-puppy.

 

Sir Elton, my first grand-puppy….

I am working on a special blog piece in tribute to my/our darling boy whom we miss so much.

It is not ready to be published at this time and it has to be just right.

I am sorry that I did not share this with all of you sooner.

Thank you for your thoughts and prayers I know they all helped.

 

We hope that you are your family are doing well at this time.

Have a good weekend.

Take Care.

 

Special Hello to: all my wonderful friends and family, thank you.

Always, Carol and Alvin

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Wednesday the 10th day of August, 2016.

Today was the birthday of a very special life force in our lives, our beloved Penny.

AKA: Penny Lane Hobbs.

She came into our lives with all the zest and zeal of a puppy, and that she was.

She chewed things, was adventurous, had a mind of her own and had the best voice and knew how to use it.

Penny loved walks, FOOD but most of all loved her Mom, Dad and big brother Elton.

She accompanied them on camping trips and loved to be outside exploring.

Alvin and Penny were a force to be reckoned with whenever they were together.

They played and they bugged each other and they played some more.

She left us in March and we were profoundly sadden by her departing but the memories of her will stay with us for an eternity.

Miss Penny

My Grand-puppies Penny and Elton

Alvin and Penny …..

Just TOO Cute……

Alvin getting to know his “new” family….

Miss Penny

Our Penny

Elton and Miss Penny Christmas 2015

Wait for it ….. wait for it….

A rose for our girl …….

The cake was for Amanda a few years back but it is appropriate that I post a photo of a cake in honour of Penny’s love for food and for her birthday.

 

Happy Birthday Penny.

We loved your energy and were so grateful that you were such a big part of our lives for over ten years.

We miss you and think of you every single day.

I was happy to be called your Grandma.

Rest in Peace our baby girl.

Love Your Family…..

 

Special Hello to: all those who share a birthday with Penny ….. have a wonderful day.

Always, Carol and Alvin

 

 

 

 

 

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Sunday the 23rd day of August, 2015.

It is a bright, sunny and breezy Sunday morning here in Edmonton.

I am preparing for a yard sale …. not in the garage but in the yard.

More accessible and visible being in the front yard on a busy street.

Today is the day that I am going to sell all of the items that I have chosen for the sale.

Alvin and I had a great day yesterday.

Started out with Alvin’s appointment with Dr. K….

Well it was great until she did the pedicure.

It is so strange that he doesn’t even wince when she does the anal sacs check (yuk).

It is so strange that he really did not fuss when she cleaned and checked his ears.

When I do his ears …. you would think …..

But when it came to his nails ….. he is a fuss pot.

He basically screeched …. I felt bad.

For the girls ……

When it was over he got a nice cookie.

I have taught Alvin how to ask nicely (manners are good for everyone including animals).

I missed the boat when he received the first cookie so I asked if he could display his skill for another cookie.

What a Momma …… yes, I know.

But I am proud and wanted to show them that he is more than the anxiety guy at pedicure time.

He proved me right and asked nicely ( he puts his paw up either in the air or when it is me, he usually paws my arm or leg whichever is closer).

He recognizes the words “ask nice.”

I was so proud of him.

They love him …. he is such a cute little guy and very loving.

I picked up a bag of his favourite treats and he was so happy.

After the appointment we went home to start laundry.

Gathered items for the lawn/yard sale.

The day passed …..

Mowed the front lawn.

Whenever I am outside mowing the lawn, a task that normally would take about 15 minutes usually takes over an hour because of people stopping to visit.

Mowing the lawn is a visitor magnet.

Well it is less than two hours until I should start putting things outside.

I have a good feeling that I am going to sell everything that I put out.

That would be so great.

Last night when Alvin and I were out for our evening stroll we saw one of the ladies in her back yard.

Their yard backs onto the lake in our neighbourhood.

I always admire the yard whenever we go by.

We talk about flowers and trees and things.

She is such a nice lady.

Every time I speak to her I learn more about her …. she is so interesting.

She came from China six years ago, and is close to my age (bit younger).

In China, she was a chemical engineer and retired after 26 years before moving here.

She lives here with her only and grown up son and his wife and daughter.

I asked about her husband and she said he is still in China as he is a businessman.

She works in a hotel here (what a change).

She said it is hard when you do not know the language and cannot get into a profession.

I felt so proud when she said she loves living in Canada …. most especially no pollution.

Fresh air as she took a deep breath.

What a great way to end the evening …. having a lovely chat with a wonderful person.

Time to fly …. shower …. coffee ….. prepare for sale …… work on the computer …. coffee …. sale…

YIKES.

Special Hello to: my friend “P” who is coming for a visit in two weeks.

Always, Carol and Alvin

Story Line by line – August 25, 2013

FIRST LINE …..July 25, 2013

As we walk along the water’s edge the coolness leaves my skin with goose bumps and prickles, as if there is someone behind me.

July 26, 2013

Alvin pulls on his leash and brings me back, the fragrance of freshly cut grass fills my nostrils; my heart beat quickens, and I am unable to shake the feeling.

July 28, 2013

The sky is overcast with a hint of sunrise peeking through and the leaves of the trees rustle in the breeze, and I think how did I get here? 

July 29, 2013

What does that mean, and what is making me think these thoughts?

July 30, 2013

All of a sudden the leash tightens as Alvin pulls me forward.

July 31, 2013

My body lurches forward as I fight to keep my balance, what is going on …. “Alvin,” I cry as things appear to be happening in slow motion.

August 1, 2013

Alvin turns his head and with eyes as big as saucers; I suddenly realize what is going to happen.

August 2, 2013

I had no control, and could feel my breath slowly leaving my body as it was happening.

August 5, 2013

As the fog lifts from my brain and I come round; I realize that quite some time has passed as dusk has fallen, and then the horrifying thought comes to my mind where is my Alvin?

August 6, 2013

My thoughts turn immediately to the searing pain in my head as I try to stand the pain is impossible but I must ….. try to….

August 7, 2013

I do not understand what happened;  partially putting things together, realizing my thoughts turn to my beloved Alvin ….. as I try to call out his name…. I feel something warm against my body.

August 8, 2013

Suddenly I hear voices off in the distance calling my name.

August 9th, 2013

As I start to focus on my surroundings, I realize that I am not where I was and things do not look familiar.

August 10th, 2013

I want to cry out but I am frightened, and I do not quite know why.

August 13, 2013

My mind is racing, please let it slow down so that I can concentrate on what I need to do, please.

August 14, 2013

Okay, I will open my eyes again and try to focus on what is around me, and all I see is nothingness, there is absolutely nothing, how can that be?  and where is my Alvin?

August 15, 2013

“This does not feel right” as I manage to pull myself up off the ground and slowly regain my senses realizing that the only thing the same is the coolness to the air.

August 16, 2013

This is absolutely crazy as I look around only to see; it is as if I have been plucked away by someone or something and placed in this spot surrounded by a deep engulfing fog; it seems like there is nothing else here but it, and I feel so alone.

August 17, 2013

As the veil of fog begins to lift from my brain a million questions flood my thoughts, and then it hits me!

August 18, 2013

I am not where I began, and where is Alvin, my dog, he was my dog wasn’t he …. my memories are a blur as I try to piece it altogether.

 August 19, 2013

Okay, as I take a deep breath; wherever I am, I appear to be alone….. one step at a time….. I will find him.

August 20, 2013

I have never been so afraid or so alone in my whole life, I have no idea where I am or how I got here but as I slowly take those first steps I quickly realize my senses are in tune with my surroundings; how strange.

August 21, 2013

It is as if I can feel the dampness of the fog as each molecule strategically penetrates my skin, and I feel … like ….. ah….. there are no words …. what a strange sensation, and I wonder about this place.

August 22, 2013

Gathering myself together I begin to walk around this new place, this new environment, this new what; what in the world or perhaps better asked where in the world am I?  

August 23, 2013

One of the first things I begin to notice is that there appears to be no sound and when I go to call for Alvin, I make the startling realization that I cannot hear my own voice, and I wonder where were those voices that I had heard earlier.

August 24, 2013

Well “Dorothy, it looks like you are not in Kansas, anymore”, I think to myself as I look to my wrist for my watch to see the time.

August 25, 2013

As I look at the time, I find it is almost 8:00 p.m. and my mind goes wild as I realize that a whole day has passed since me and Alvin walked along the path by the water’s edge at sunrise and he is gone, but where?