Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Friday the 30th day of June, 2017.

I was sitting on my sofa sipping on a cup of tea when I saw a few people excitedly running about across the street.

So I grabbed my shoes and ran out.

Then I saw the smoke and the flames billowing out of the duplex a couple of doors down and across the street.

I asked if there was anyone at home and they said no.

The neighbour in the half that was on fire had grabbed her cat and got out.  I briefly spoke to her and carried a couple of her things that had been dropped on the grass in front to the other side of the street.

She was clearly distraught.

I asked some people to move their cars so that the firetrucks could get in and the actual fire hydrant was down the street from me and they had to run the hose down the street.

When the fire trucks pulled in – I went back into the house – too many people and I did not think it was necessary for me to remain out side watching.

 

We all live in duplexes so could have been worse.

I am grateful that it did not happen last night or the night before with the gale force winds.

Might not have had a home.

Gives you cause to pause and be more prepared because one never knows.

There must have been about 100 people from near and far – people I have never seen coming to see.

People lining the sidewalks all around including in front of my house and then others riding their bikes over my lawn to get around them.

People on bikes pulling a stroller.

Argh, people sometimes.

 

Found out later that two 15-year old twins and younger sibling were at home while parents were working.

They ran out right away.

The neighbour in the other half and her cat got out.

No loss of life and that is what is most important.

Thankfully again no wind and everyone is safe.

 

Firetrucks still outside …. likely for hours yet.

Want to make sure …..

 

Pause for thought  …. be prepared.

 

Special Hello: to family and friends

Always, Carol & Alvin

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Tuesday the 6th day of December, 2016.

Happy Birthday Cousin “J” on this COLD December day.

Alvin and I wish you a wonderful day and the best year ahead.

 

Yes, it is true, winter arrived in Edmonton – in most part of Canada late on Sunday.

I knew that there was something about winter that I did not particularly enjoy.

It was these frigid temperatures.

My poor Alvin ….. no walks in the immediate future.

Just too cold, especially after I gave him a hair trim on Saturday.

Last night as I was out shovelling the driveway and deck, I had him in the house and he watched out of our bay window in the kitchen/dining room and was not really happy.

He likes to be where I am at all times when I am at home.

I let him out here and there but it was / it is just too cold for our fur babies to be outside for more than a few minutes.

I realize that some of the bigger dogs need to get old but watch the time.

Their poor paws will freeze quickly.

When I was shovelling at the front of the house with the exception of the porch area and front part of the sidewalk, I was in his visual range and he was okay.

Poor guy.

Sure is nice that he misses me.

 

I am so blessed to have a ride to work this morning.

Another tea order arrived yesterday and it all goes to my co-workers who support my tea business.

I am so grateful for them.

My neighbour that is giving me a ride ….. so grateful for her.

She has been here since I moved in and is a great friend and neighbour.

 

Really hard to concentrate on words when you are thinking about how cold it is outside.

Even the house seems a bit colder.

Our furnaces are truly getting a work-out in this weather.

 

Well time to go and finish getting ready.

I hope that you are safe and warm.

Do not head out on the roads if you do not need.

If you do go anywhere be prepared.

Blankets, flashlights, safety equipment, flares, water, gas can with gas, some chocolate and breakfast bars and make sure if you have a cell phone it is charged.

Safety first.

Always make sure someone knows where you are …. when you leave and your estimated arrival time.

 

Have a great Tuesday.

Special Hello: to my cousin “J” ….. who is one of the most intelligent, kind, witty human beings I know.  Happy Birthday Cousin.

Always, Carol and Alvin

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Thursday December 31st, 2015.

Happy New Year’s Eve.

Normally Alvin wakes me up around 5:00 a.m. to have his breakfast.

Not this morning ….

I was laying awake when just after 7:00 a.m. the sound of sirens came closer to my house.

Jumping out of bed, I saw the first fire truck stop just on the other side of our duplex and then a second one stopped right in front of my house.

SCARED ME.

We went running downstairs ….. I could not see a fire anywhere ….

I opened the front door and did not see anyone out front.

We could hear the neighbour (not in the other half) but next door’s dog HOWLING.

I quickly fed Mr. Alvin his breakfast.

I put on my boots and we went out onto the deck and all of their lights were on …. Capone, their dog was pacing on the deck.

Something was wrong.

Alvin howled alongside for support.

There did not seem to be flames and no one from inside the house including the firemen were outside.

So that was a good sign.

I did not want to go out while the firemen were there so I just kept an eye out.

They were there for almost one hour ….. then they were gone.

So I decided to go to D & K’s and see if there was anything that I could do.

D & K and all four of their children and Capone were in the living room ….. reeling from what had just happened.

K said that the alarm detected smoke and went off but they were unable to find the source.

The fireman diligently checked every electrical outlet and the walls and could not find any fire.

While I was there …. we determined that the smell which the firemen said smelled like burnt wax was coming from the furnace register/vent by the front door.

We surmised that perhaps one of the young ones put a plastic figure or wax crayon down the register/vent.

The furnace had not kicked in so they turned up the thermostat and that smell definitely came from the front register/vent.

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

I decided it was time for me to go home and offered my home for them if they needed to have the vents cleaned or whatever.

So home I came …. figured I had better get my blog wrote and have breakfast just in case they come over.

What a morning …. thank goodness everyone is okay.

This is a reminder to folks with small children to make sure that toys do not get put down the registers/vents.

We can breathe again.

Mr.  Alvin was worried for sure when he heard Capone howling he had howled in return.

So glad that all is well.

 

I was going to blog highlights from this year …. or perhaps plans for this next one but instead the Universe decided differently.

So I shall take this opportunity to put the word out:

A reminder for all …… be sure that you have smoke detectors and that they are in working order.

A fire extinguisher …. they have one … I do not, and I will be purchasing one right away.

Make sure that you have a plan in case of an emergency.

DO NOT LEAVE CANDLES BURNING UNATTENDED.

Your life can change so quickly …. make certain that your house is safe on this New Year’s Eve and every night.

 

Take care.

 

Special Hello to: EVERYONE …. Happy New Year’s Eve.

Always, Carol and Alvin

 

Thought for the day….

Good Morning and Welcome to Saturday the 22nd day of March, 2014.

Well today is the big day – our very first Trade Show with our Dear Stella Jewellery.

I am nervous and excited.

I want to be more excited but I am a little afraid to go downstairs this morning.

Alvin slept at his sister’s house as I was at work last night and I do not know if that rogue mouse was captured or not.

I only wished they would leave me house.

Perhaps they could go and visit another family.

I really need it to leave.

On the up side as I look out my office window the sunrise is beautiful …. such glorious colours.

I do love this time of day.

It is so quiet, too.

Okay put on my brave face and perhaps after I get dressed my boots ….. for some reason putting on my boots gives me a certain sense of security.

A little bit anyway.

Okay time to go.

Wish me luck on all fronts.

Have a great Saturday.

Get out there and do the things you love.

Special Hello to all those folks trying things for the first time ….. you go.

Always, Carol and Alvin