Thought for the day ….

Good Morning and Welcome to Wednesday the 21st day of November, 2018.

Another beautiful day on the way.

Alvin and I enjoyed the most wonderful walk last night.

The air was calm and warm.

The sidewalks were about 80% clear of ice and snow.

We walked slowly where need be and took in our whole walk.

On the way home we bumped into our friends “A” and Abi (Alvin’s girl friend).

She squealed when she saw us.

She is so cute.

Abi always jumps up and gives me a kiss.

She always makes my day.

It has been awhile.

I had forgot that Abi and Alvin were the same age or pretty close.

Four-legged buddies.

We caught up in each other’s news.

Then on our way home.

 

Tonight is the Guide Christmas Cookie Sale.

I am going with my friend “S” and her daughter.

Should be fun.

There always is a bit of waiting to get into the sale and it is always packed to the rafters.

But one manages to find some cookies and then on our way.

 

I heard on the news last night that CANADA POST says that the strike could go into the New Year.

They were talking about the effect on small businesses whether in stores or on-line; parcels and Christmas cards.

If they are on strike, I am going to wait and mail my cards in January.

It would be a waste of money as there is always the possibility that they would not reach their destination.

Better late than never.

I send cards, photo(s) and letter.

Time spent is not to be wasted.

 

Well here we go again.

Time to leave for work.

 

How are you doing today?

Are you on your way out the door to work or to school?

Do you work from home?

Stay-home Mom? (hardest worker of all)

Whatever you do.

Wherever you go.

May you have a productive, safe, happy day.

 

Special Hello to: my friends all over the world.

Always, Carol & Alvin

 

 

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning well actually it is almost noon on Saturday the 25th day of November, 2017.

The sun is shining brightly and the air is warming up.

Today is the birthday of my first born niece.

Happy Birthday “D” …….

 

Not sure what happened to me other than I was up later than usual but I slept in until almost 10:00 a.m.

But factor in that I was up with Alvin at 4:30 and again at 6:30 and then again at 7:30 …..

I do feel rested.

Normally I am up between 7-8:00 a.m. on the weekends and is all dependant on what time we go to bed.

Alvin has one get up time and that is 4:30 a.m.  …… matters not when he goes to bed.

He is resting in the sunbeams here in the office while I write my blog.

 

So today is laundry and I am still without a functioning clothes dryer.

I am grateful for my friend who took the dryer apart, determined what the problem was and ordered the part and paid up front for the part.

He ordered it from the U.S. so it should be here this coming week.

Thankfully I have tons of towels and bedding so don’t have to worry about going elsewhere to dry those items.

My clothes – just hang up.

I air dry most of my clothing anyway ….. so it works out.

 

Today is stay home and get some work done.

I have most of my Christmas cards and letters written up and photos placed in the cards.

Ready to mail and hand deliver the ones close by.

The remaining Christmas cards to write up are for my co-workers at the office.

I will do them today.

Also have to make the list for baking supplies and yes, SUGAR COOKIES are once again back on the list.

I had no idea they were so popular.

YAY, me, I guess.

We have cleaning to do, er, no Alvin, I have cleaning to do.

We will go for a walk and deliver cards at the same time.

Lots to do ….

Tomorrow is the shopping day …. one of my girl friends is giving me a ride to and from the stores.

 

I guess it is a busy time for most people.

We have to remember to be kind to the people in retail – they do not get paid enough for you to disrespect them nor should we do so at any time of the year.

I know everyone is out there clambering to get the best deal – but be polite – be kind – everyone’s time is important.

Just relax and do what you need to do.

 

Have an awesome Saturday.

Alvin ….. let’s get to work.

I am happy to see the sunshine.

Happy, happy, happy.

Doing the chair, sit down happy dance.

Humming away….. smiling.

 

Special Hello to: the birthday girl.

Always, Carol & Alvin

 

COUNTDOWN: 60 Days to 60

Today is Monday, July 10, 2017 and it is the 31st day until my 60th Birthday.

When I think back to all of the different professions of the people that I have meet over my almost 60 years ….. it has been incredible.

I have known leaders of major corporations, people who have started and grown their own successful businesses, mothers, fathers, ministers, teachers, tax collectors, reinsurance brokers, dancers, singers, musicians, policemen, lawyers, doctors of all kinds, nurses, veterinarians, all sorts of customer service personnel, firemen, policemen, postmen, sheriff, house and business cleaners, construction workers, hair stylists, cooks, servers, bartenders, real estate brokers, insurance brokers, farmers, volunteers, new reporter(s), DJ, children’s author, adult authors, accountants, private pilot, airforce pilot, airplane mechanic, bank managers, professional photographers, IT specialists, claims adjusters, underwriters, foreman, electricians, plumbers, tow truck owner/operator, pharmacist, jewellers, bus drivers, mechanics, oilfield workers, driller on oil rigs, directional drillers, housewives, contractors of all kinds, managers of all kinds, social workers, hospital unit clerk,  data entry operators, cashiers, customer service clerks, bank tellers, administrative assistants, dental assistants, dentist, and too many others to count.

 

If you sat back and made a list of all the people that you have known over your lifetime and what did they for a living the list would be massive.  I know that I am missing a great many.

Surrounded by incredible people my whole life.

These people who have helped form the person that I am today.

It truly takes a village.

I am truly blessed.

 

Always, Carol

 

COUNTDOWN: 60 days to 60

Today is Sunday, July 2, 2017 and it is the 39th day until my 60th Birthday.

I just realized that I had the wrong date on my Countdown yesterday …. it was July 1st ….. sorry about that.

Well only 39 days if I counted correctly.

 

You never know where life will take you.

Sometimes planning and dreaming takes you the farthest from where you were.

I was living a relatively comfortable life in Regina.

Some of my family lived/lives there and at that time most of my friends.

My daughter decided to move to Edmonton to go to NAIT (post-secondary school institution) back in 2002.

They (her boyfriend later they married) decided to stay in Edmonton …..

It made sense as the years went by for me to pack up and move.

She is my only child and I could not bear to see her perhaps once or twice a year, if I was lucky.

So in March of 2009 after retiring from a Company that I had worked for thirty years I moved to Edmonton.

It has been a crazy ride but I would not change it for the world.

Never thought I would be here.

Never thought I would be able to buy my own house.

Never thought after I retiring that I would be working full-time again.

Never thought that I would work at West Edmonton Mall.

Never thought I would work for several years in the highest volume of sales retail store, there.

Never thought that in my late 50’s I would have had the highest sales per hour in said retail store.

Never thought that I would once again be in direct sales.

Never thought that I would adopt a dog.

So many changes but all good.

So you see – you never know where life will take you.

Take that chance …… and go.

 

Always, Carol

 

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Tuesday the 22nd day of December, 2015.

Only TWO days until Christmas EVE.

Can you feel it in the air?

This year it feels more like Christmas than it has in a few …

Likely as I was not working in retail …. there is something about people being grumpy …. grabbing and pulling to take the air out of your balloon.

I am very grateful for my time in retail as it has made my resolve stronger when it comes to my feelings of those who work in the industry of customer service.

I would ask that during these last few days before the big day that you treat those working in stores, restaurants and the like with care and respect.

They are working to support their families and themselves just like you and me.

They are no different …. we are all the same.

I treat the person who sweeps the floors the same as the person who runs the company.

We all have jobs to do and deserve respect ….

Remember you are no better and no worse than the person next to you.

We are all living breathing beings.

SO whether you are a Customer Service Representative in retail or the CEO of a big corporation, it does not matter.

Each job we do is important.

How about ……

Turn the frown into a smile.

Turn that hasty snide remark into a compliment or holiday greeting.

How about we start a new trend …. being nice to all those folks we encounter during the course of our days.

It doesn’t take anymore work to be nice than naughty.

I tell you …. you will feel like a MILLION DOLLARS.

Let us warm our hearts this Christmas and Holiday Season.

I would like to add that there are a great many folks out there that would come into the store and treat each of us with kindness and respect.

But it should be 100% of people that are nice not just a few.

We also need to extend this kindness and respect to every creature whether two-legged or four.

Happy Holidays.

Time to start the final stages of preparation for work.

I hope that you have an awesome Tuesday.

Are you smiling?

You will accomplish more with a smile than a frown…..

You will, trust me.

Special Hello to: my friend “M” and my sister who faithfully read my blog, thank you.

Always, Carol and Alvin

 

 

Thought for the day …….

Good Morning and Welcome to Saturday the 16th day of May, 2015.

It is overcast and very windy.

We did however receive some rain overnight which is great.

Perhaps it will rain over the course of the day and that would be wonderful as it is so needed.

Well I had the best start to the long weekend.

Yesterday started off with bootcamp.

This one was very engaging ….

Found out “all of the arms work” really engaging when I went to dry my hair after a nice warm shower.

I could barely lift my arms …… arg ….

This morning they feel great …. not tired ….. they feel strong.  YAY.

My friend “S” and I went shopping/ running errands after bootcamp.

First stop was the VET to pick up food for Alvin and some treats for him.

Our second stop was Home Depot to pick up some more flowers.

OMG, I could have bought every single flower there.

I picked up a ready made pot filled with pinks and white flowers.

Impatiens and I think begonias to plant for the front porch.

Petunias, and some others that I am not certain of their names.

Have to read the labels.

Also small basket of purple pansies.

So pretty.

I LOVE FLOWERS.

I LOVE LOVE FLOWERS.

They make me so happy.

The colours.

There was one tiny white flower that filled the air with the most amazing fragrance.

I made sure that I picked up some of them.

I decided to plant them (was hoping today) later.

Later might be tomorrow.

They are carefully sitting in the garage by the window.

Will check them later to see if they need a drink of water.

After our stop at Home Depot we went to Costco.

Now that store on a Friday was “busy” …..

People were doing silly driving parking things.

Well of course when you go to Costco …. do you ever stick to the list?  NOPE. Never.

After all doesn’t everyone need a ten pound bag of carrots ….

Apparently me and Alvin did …..

One last stop before home.

Save-On for the winning lotto tickets.

P.S. the one item that I really should have picked up was new house phones because apparently mine are not working …. just filled with static when someone calls ….. I did find out that they can hear me quite fine……..

It was wonderful to spend time with my friend “S” ….. we laughed and chatted and laughed.

Great time.

Now on this quiet Saturday ….

The only sounds in the house are the clock tick tock ing in the bathroom, the sound of the keys as I type these words and the wind as it blows through the upper vents.

Friday was great …… exercise, shopping, walk with Alvin and then being at home.

So on this quiet lovely Saturday morning I hope that you too are enjoying your day.

I love being in my home ….. just puttering …. doing laundry ….. sipping on a cup of coffee ….. just being.

I did think however after yet another bootcamp that I had better get out my yoga equipment and get stretching.

It is amazing as you get older how inflexible you become if you do not work at it.

So I am going to ……

I want to be the most healthy almost 58 year old woman…..

So time to go and get at it.

Remember to take time for yourself. ….

If you like flowers….. go to and pick up some to plant or a ready made pot.

If you do not have the extra money to buy flowers today then just go and spend some time at one of the retail garden stores.

Smell them and take in all of the amazing colours.

This experience will uplift and bring you to a great place.

Well I hear the laundry calling and another cup of coffee …. perhaps I will drink it while it is “hot.”

Have a wonderful Saturday …..

Special Hello to: my daughter and family …. we miss you guys.

Always, Carol and Alvin

Thought for the day…..

Good Morning and Welcome to Monday the 12th day of January, 2015.

WOW ….. almost my youngest brother’s 50th Birthday ….. it is tomorrow.

I cannot believe it.

Time flies.

Yesterday he was a baby…..

Or so it seems.

 

Yesterday one of my co-workers from the store had to be taken to the hospital by ambulance.

My thoughts and prayers go out to her.

She is a great lady …..

 

You never know what the day will bring ….

I had one customer yesterday who was very mean to me.

I was only doing my job.

I hope that she realized this at some point.

Another customer even pointed out her rudeness.

Life is too short …

Just be kind.

We are all just trying to make our way.

We are all just trying to make a living.

Be kind to those dear souls working in retail.

It is not “easy” work ……

 

I hope that you all have a wonderful Monday.

Special Hello to: my friend “B” from the store ….. hope you are well soon.

Always, Carol and Alvin

Thought for the day….

Good Morning and Welcome to Monday the 15th day of December, 2014.

Our weather here in Edmonton has been great over the past couple of weeks.

Sure makes for a great holiday season when the temperatures are not minus 30.

Okay crazy Christmas Eve is one week from this Wednesday ……

Where has the time gone?

How are you feeling on this Monday?

Seems like so many people are suffering from colds or the flu.

I hope that you are feeling well.

I am feeling great.

I was able to wrap all of the Christmas gifts and finished off the Christmas cards.

There might be the odd card that I forgot and can always send them this week.

We are having guests for Christmas Day …. so that will be nice.

Just wondering if you had noticed if folks are “naughty” or “nice” this holiday season?

You really notice how people are feeling when you work in retail.

But I will say this much most people seem to be patient and pleasant.

Which is great.

If you have been feeling impatient and not to pleasant then take some time to be alone and just relax.

Sip on a cup of tea and listen to some of your favourite music ….. maybe even a Christmas song.

You will find it much easier to get through the day and the season if you are “nice.”

I am using both naughty and nice in the broad sense of course.

We always want to be around people who are “nice.”

Almost time to go to work …. seems like I just left the office ……

Special Hello to: “ALL THE SANTAS OUT THERE.”  Keep up the great work.

Always, Carol and Alvin

 

Thought for the day….

Good Morning and Welcome to Monday the 1st day of December, 2014.

Only 24 days till Christmas …..

My daughter and I have been looking for this necklace for days and just now out of the blue it came to me where it was and sure enough it was there.

Isn’t it funny how the mind works.

After working in retail for a few years and being a shopper myself – I have come to realize that it might be a good idea if they had all high school students worked a holiday season in retail.

Can you imagine?

Perhaps when you visited the grocery store the package of hamburger would be in the freezer and not in with chocolate bars at check-out.

Perhaps when you visited clothing stores and other ones …. people would put things back down after looking at them.

Just a thought …..

If they learned as kids maybe as adults they would be more respectful.

Just a thought…..

Well time to go to the office.

Wow, December 1st already…..

YAY.

Special Hello to: all those shoppers who survived the Black Friday Weekend/Week.

Always, Carol and Alvin

 

Thought for the day……

Good Morning and Welcome to Sunday the first day of December, 2013.

YAY, my favourite month of the year.

The sky is CLEAR and BLUE.

Good way to start the day.

Just getting ready to go to work.

I am so grateful to see the sunshine …. that always makes me FEEL GREAT.

THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU.

So “24” sleeps till Christmas DAY.

Just listening to some Christmas tunes while I blog and get ready for work at the store.

Tis the season.

Whoops I forgot to change my phone voicemail greeting.

Will have to remember to do that tonight.

Well on this fantastic day – I hope that this finds you HAPPY, HEALTHIER THAN EVER BEFORE AND with ABUNDANCE GALORE.

Remember this holiday season to be gentle and kind to all you meet.

When you are shopping please be patient and kind with all of the store employees.

If you are in a unkind mood please stay at home and do not spread your “un-joy.”

I have always wondered why every other service industry on the planet have customers tip the employees, but not retail.

They all make minimum (small) wages.

So in all fairness please just be kind and spread some joy this holiday season.

They work long hours and do their best to serve their customers.

So I ask in return for one small simple favour …. just smile and be kind.

Time to go to the store.

I hope that I find all our customers happy and joyful and KIND.

Thank you.

I BELIEVE in the kindness of mankind.

This holiday season.

Special Hello to: FAMILY AND FRIENDS ….

Always, Carol and Alvin