COUNTDOWN: 60 Days to 60

Today is Saturday, August 5rd, 2017 and it is the 5th day until my 60th Birthday.

So on this Saturday I am celebrating early with the arrival of my beloved little sister.

Keeping this short as time is precious and we need to get caught up.

Me and my sister …. the good old days. I am on the left holding a dolly

Me and My Sister
Christmas in the little house.

My first BF ….. SISTERS
Happy Easter Sista …..

 

NOW FOR SOME VISITING AND A WALK WITH MR. ALVIN ……………

Always, Carol

 

 

 

COUNTDOWN: 60 Days to 60

Today is Wednesday, August 2nd, 2017 and it is the 8th day until my 60th Birthday.

The 8th day will be my Birthday.

How about some cute photos on this 8th day until my 60th!

Something to bring a smile to your face and mine.

Elton and Penny, the grand-puppies.

They were the best grand-pups ….

Ah, Mama’s boy…….isn’t he cute!!!

Ah, Miss Penny a few years back

Just TOO Cute……  Elton and Penny.

Alvin and Penny ….. Besties.

First snowman me and my sister made since we were kids ….. (2009)

I love this photo ….. my boy lying on the top of the stairs.

Love Dragonflies

Baby Milo and Sir Elton – Fall 2016

Aspen and Baby Milo – Christmas 2016

Hens & Chicks ??? A plant!

Man it is cold out here?  Can I come in now?

Snowy Owl – so beautiful.

There be GEESE ….

Ah, the babies.

His spot ….

 

Always, Carol

 

COUNTDOWN: 60 Days to 60

Today is Friday June 23, 2017 and it is the 48 day until my 60th Birthday.

The top ….

11.  Flowers …. wherever and whenever

10.  Fragrance of my Gran’s flower gardens (memory)

9.  Trips to Jasper 2009 and to Montreal 2007 with my daughter

8.  Looking at old photographs with my sister and brothers ….. remembering when we were younger.

7.  Reading cards and letters from loved ones no longer with us.

6. Business trip to New York City in 1994 which included a week long course held at the old SING SING Prison and followed by the most glorious but scary visit to the World Trade Centre, Broadway Musical, some     sightseeing and shopping.  The Big Apple was so much more than I could ever have imagine.  Some day I would like to go there with my daughter.  Definitely bucket list to return to NYC.

5. Sea Shell Broach that my Grandparents brought me back from their trip to Hawaii, I think I was about 10 (still have it).  One of  my most prized possessions and it fits in the palm of my hand.

4.  The people in my life: my family, of course, and all my beloved friends from a lifetime.  They are the best.  D, V, M, D, L, G, S, H, I, K, M, R, B, M,  and I cannot list them all but they are in my heart each and every minute of my day.

3. My daughter’s wedding and my new son-in-law … sharing that day with her/with them was one of the best days of my life.

 

2. Adoption of  Alvin which was by accident as would not have happened without my kids saying I should adopt a doggie.  He is the wind beneath my sails.

1. Birth of my daughter, Amanda.  She has been and continues to be the star shining brightly in my sky.  I have always been so proud of her from the time she was a wee girl to now as a grown woman.  She is simply the most caring, kind and compassionate woman I know and I learn from her daily. She is a great role model (even for her Momma).  Always my daughter and best friend.

 

 

I could go on and on with this list.  The more I wrote the more I engaged my thoughts and memories.  Really despite a few hiccups along the way I have had and continue to have an amazing life.

The top 60 of my favourite things …… just the beginning.  I hope that I did not forget something important.  Daughter check, Son-in-law check, Sister, Brothers, Family, Friends. …..

I guess that I still have 48 or so days left to jot down some things on the Countdown to 60.

 

Always, Carol

 

 

 

 

Thought for the day ….

Good Morning and Welcome to Saturday the 13th day of February, 2016.

One day before Valentine’s Day.

I am going to start this blog by sharing a great little story from yesterday.

Sometimes you have a day that is well not exactly what you had in mind ….. less than perfect.

Perhaps part of it …. began with me going to empty a glass of water into the sink but instead literally tossed it the opposite direction and onto the countertop.

The countertop that help my electric percolator and electric mix stand, and other stuff ……

But as the water travelled in slow motion through the air …. I realized what I had done. 

I never moved so fast ….. where was my brain at that moment …

During the day I struggled to accomplish what I had planned because I had several unexpected interruptions.

Now I did get several things done but not everything ….. oh well …. before I knew it I was on the bus heading home.

As I unlocked the door my friend “S” was just driving by and stopped for a moment to see how things were and to see if I would be making coffee later and I said “of course, I can.”

She had to carry on as someone drove up behind her ….

When I entered the house  Mr. Alvin was happy as ever to see me, and to go outside to relieve himself …. oh what the hay to go “pee” ….. much better word.

I decided to go straight outside and clean up after him ….. and also finished my conversation with the neighbour who had by now parked her car and was going into her house.

The plan was to feed Alvin, have supper and then make us a cup of coffee.

Originally I had planned to finish up canvassing for the Heart and Stroke Fund but it was snowing and blowing pretty hard making it hard to keep paper dry etc.

So another change in plans.

Oh well.

After I had given Mr. Alvin his supper …. I decided to go upstairs and onto the computer to send a FB message to a friend and to my surprise I had a message from another friend.

It read “GO CHECK YOUR MAILBOX.”

I blinked a few thousand times in utter excitement because when this friend says go check your mailbox …. you just know it is going to be GOOD … no I mean,  GREAT.

So I literally RAN down the stairs …. grabbed my boots and coat from the closet, a bag to put the mail in …. grabbed keys …. locked the house on my way out and carefully WALKED fast to the mailbox.

When I opened the mailbox door I saw the RED tag of the key for one of the PARCEL boxes and lots of flyers.

HEAVEN ….. I knew that I had a parcel ….

I threw the flyers and odd piece of mail into the bag…..

Holding my breath I opened the mailbox with the parcel inside ….

There was a huge box with my NAME and ADDRESS printed on it …..

The return address ….. yes it was from my friend “V” in Regina …..

I quickly closed the door and put the key into the letter slot and was on my way home.

I yelped with excitement and decided to stop and see my neighbour “S” ….. she was the one that I had seen just as I was arriving home.

She came to the door …. I was so excited …… quickly explaining that  there would be some good treats inside for sure.

I told her of the chocolate covered biscotti that this friend had sent me a couple of years ago AND said that we would have a treat with our coffee later.

Then she told me “thank you and to be careful walking down the sidewalk and home.”

I abided by her and in a couple of minutes was safely back home.

Parcel in my hot little hands.

OMG …. I do love receiving packages …..

Alvin was not sure what happened to his Momma.

So I grabbed the letter opener and some scissors and ran upstairs as my computer was on and my camera was upstairs as well.

I placed the parcel on my desk …..

THE PARCEL

THIS IS WHAT GREETED ME WHEN I OPENED THE BOX

THERE WERE DIFFERENT KINDS OF BUNS …. CINNAMON ….. CHEESE AND PLAIN AND THIS HUGE WHAT I THOUGHT WAS A COOKIE BUT TURNED OUT TO BE THE BEST BROWNIE EVER MADE.

The Brownie was/is heart-shaped and decorated with perfection.

I was totally overwhelmed ……

How extraordinarily kind, wonderful and thoughtful is my friend “V”.

My day went from being kind of a disappointment in some ways to being so WONDERFUL …. it felt like winning the lottery.

I had this overwhelming feeling that I was so extra special.

Alvin as I mentioned was not certain was had happened but he knew it all smelled great.

The next thing I did after snapping photos was to post my surprise to Facebook, thanking my friend.

Not only did she send all of the sweet treats but she wrote me a special letter, gave me a Valentine’s card, she put in some napkins with pink hearts and forgot to mention …. she had filled the card full of tiny red hearts that flew all over my desk and the floor when I opened the card.

I know that I am babbling and not using proper punctuation and all of that ….. but this is straight from the heart.

This gal knows that she is very blessed to be surrounded by the most wonderful people on the planet.

I do not take any of them for granted.

This morning I want to thank each and every one of my friends for choosing me to be a part of your life.

I know that without your love and support I would just be Carol.

This morning I want to send a special thank you to my friend “V” back in Regina ….

************

You are so kind and thoughtful.

You lightened my dreary day.

You made me scream with delight.

You made me feel special.

You filled my tummy with the most exquisite treat.

You are talented beyond words.

You are the best …..

Thank you.

*************

So now I had better get this day going …. I have massive amounts of towels and bedding to launder as now my dryer is fixed thanks to other friends.

On this Saturday morning I am feeling so blessed to be surrounded by good, honest and caring people.

My friend and my family are the most incredible beings and I am so grateful to have them all in my life.

Thank you

 

Special Hello to:  “V” in Regina …… there are no words ……

Always, Carol and Alvin

 

P.S. ….. “V” …. my neighbour loved the brownie, too.

 

 

 

 

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Saturday the 21st day of November, 2015.

So quiet this Saturday morning …. not many lights on as I gaze out of the office window.

It is about 7:45 a.m.

I love the stillness.

When Alvin and I were up earlier at 5:30 ( I managed to keep him in bed until then, then up, he had breakfast, and outside. ).

I have been putting on my coat and boots and going outside as well.

Good way to let me know what kind of weather I will be going out into later.

It is actually beautiful outside.

So we will have good weather for our day trip to Ponoka.

Alvin will be home and my neighbour will be with him.

Still no sign of the rogue you know who.

I have to check the basement …. I forget last night.

I spent over one hour going through photos picking out some to take to my nephew as I have heard that he loves his photos albums.

He has two soon to be three.

I spoke to his brother last night …. seems our boy is at a crossroads.

His mind is telling him he is better and he wants to go home but he is not ready.

The short term memory is playing havoc with his therapy.

He is doing exceptionally well considering the place from which he came but my no means is he ready to strike out on his own.

Last year for his birthday my daughter and I took him a birthday cake.

We are doing the same this year.

Last year he was in a coma and this year he is awake.

Progress for sure.

Well I should get this show on the road.

Have to get ready and have breakfast and finish putting the photos into the album, my poor fingers were so cracked from the dry air that I had to stop.

Have an awesome Saturday.

One thing to remember .. NEVER GIVE UP.

As long as your mind realizes there is hope …. there always will be.

Special Hello to: my sister, I will give him hugs and kisses from you …. talk to you later.

Always, Carol and Alvin

 

Thought for the day……

Good Morning and Welcome to Saturday the 9th day of May, 2015.

This morning is bright and sunny and breezy.

Three mornings ago that was not the case.  Just got my photos downloaded, so thought I would share.

Makes me so grateful that the snow came at this time of year when the sun is higher in the sky, and feels so much warmer …. melts that snow so fast.  We needed the moisture so we, I am most happy.

In photos over the course of the day on Wednesday, May 6th – starting at 5:00 a.m. until I arrived at home just after 5:00 p.m.

 

I could not believe how much wet heavy snow had accumulated over the course of the day.

Wished that I would have taken a photo of the trees…… green new leaves peeking out from a cover of snow.

The snow was so heavy it felt like lifting a load of bricks.

It was so much fun shovelling. AS you can tell I could only manage a small amount of shovelling on the deck.

Poor Mr. Alvin did not know what to do.  Thank goodness he is great at jumping.

 

The photos above with the ice cream truck were the next day.  Not much snow left.  I thought it was so funny that we had snow on the ground when I heard that magical music that could only be the ice cream truck.  I was shocked.  They only have a short season to earn some money so I totally understood.

Happy Saturday to everyone.

Now better get to things …….

Special Hello to: all my friends and family …..

Always, Carol and Alvin

Thought for the day……

Good Morning and Welcome to Thursday the 16th day of October, 2014.

Yesterday was an exciting day for us, finally some great news about my nephew.

Twice yesterday he opened his eyes and once was with my daughter and myself present in the room.

He did not move this eyes around but just the simply act of opening them is cause for great hope.

He also squeezed the heck out of my right hand from the time we got there until we left ….

Of course, breaks in between.

I sincerely thought he might break my hand he was squeezing that tight ….

Anyway more cause for hope and that is all we can ever ask for ……

Rained late yesterday afternoon and throughout the night.

We are still to have some beautiful warm days for the next week or so …..

I am so grateful that all of the positive energy and prayers were taken to him.

Well almost time to leave for work.

I “hit the snooze button” so to speak a couple of times this morning.

I guess I should say “hit the sofa” a couple of times extra this morning.

Thank you for reading my blog and for your support it truly means the world to me.

Have a great great day.

Special Hello to: my nephew “J” who is in the hospital and is on his way back to us.

Always, Carol and Alvin

P.S. I think I mentioned that Alvin and I finally had our annual photo taken ….. so excited to see the final product.  My daughter always does a crazy good job.

Thought for the day……

Good Morning and Welcome to Tuesday the 14th day of October, 2014.

Back to getting up in the dark again after the long weekend ….

We had a good Thanksgiving and were grateful that we were able to go and visit my nephew in hospital.

Still no change ….. we are hoping that he will just wake up and know everyone.

Alvin and I were able to secure the family photographer (my daughter) to take our annual photos.

It was such a perfect day and Mr. Alvin was quite the model.

We took them by the lake/park near our home.

A most beautiful spot for photos.

All in all, we so much to be thankful and grateful for and I remind myself every second of everyday.

Today the forecast is for about 15 degrees celsius.

Nice and warm for this time for year.

I hope that you had a great weekend and that your week will be spectacular.

Wishing you love and rainbows.

Special Hello to: my family …. take care and stay healthy that is the most important thing at this time.

Always, Carol and Alvin

 

Thought for the day…..

Good Morning and Welcome to Saturday the 20th day of September, 2014.

One day closer to the first official day of fall or autumn …..

It came to me yesterday about Alvin and the stool.

I think that when he looks up at it there does not appear to be room for him to jump up and then up onto the bed.

Same thing when he comes down.

He is used to a bigger stool and perhaps rightly so ……

Momma is thinking we will need to get a bigger safer stool for the boy.

I guess the other one should have stayed at home.

Oh well …..

 

The leaves are changing fast as autumn/fall approaches.

They are so pretty at this time.

I surely hope they stay on the trees until Alvin and I can have our annual photo done.

It will help having the photographer on site this year …… yah.

 

Well it is going to be a busy but fun day here on the “range.”

Once I get the laundry started and a bit of housework done it will be time to work on some jewellery.

My daughter and I want to figure out what new pieces to make and then make some items.

So a fun day.

Followed by a walk with Alvin and if time permits perhaps a hair cut for the boy.

We shall see ….. if not this Saturday it will be the next.

He needs his fall trim……

 

I hope that you are enjoying life wherever you might be.

I wish you sunny skies and smiles and warm feelings that only love and good chocolate can bring.

Thank you for reading my blog.

Happy Saturday.

 

Special Hello to: all those people who take the time to help others ….. whether two-legged or four.  Thank you.

Always, Carol and Alvin

Thought for the day….

Good Morning and Welcome to Thursday the 18th day of September, 2014.

WOW, over halfway through this beautiful month of September.

The trees are starting to turn those glorious fall hues.

As Alvin and I were walking around the lake last night it made me realize that this would be the perfect time to have my daughter take our annual photos.

We have had one done of us each fall since I adopted Alvin.

I love to see the changes in us, mainly in me, though.

But both of us are very blessed as we seem to be aging gracefully.

So happy for that…..

So on this beautiful Thursday morning …. still dark outside though …..

I am thinking of all those families out there …..

Whether it is made up of Moms and Dads and children.

Whether it is made up of Moms and children ….

Whether it is made up of a Mom and her puppy …..

Whatever the combination is ……

Take some photos to celebrate your blessed family.

Time is precious as are they and what better way to mark that than a photo of everyone.

I love looking at photos.

It brings back memories of people and places and our beloved furry friends.

I hope that you have a great Thursday.

Take Care.

Special Hello to: all those families ……

Always, Carol and Alvin