2021

Good Morning ALL! Hard to believe we are now at FIVE sleeps until Christmas EVE. I am starting to get SUPER excited for Christmas. Later this afternoon our little neighbour Cookie is coming over to spend the next two weeks with us. We are preparing for her arrival. I got most of the laundry done yesterday. Spare room bedding all washed and changed, should someone other than my kids spend the night. I made a double batch of fudge as somehow we ran out of fudge and we cannot have that. I had to make a bit of change to it as I was short of chocolate chips so I added a bit of peanut butter. So will see how that goes over. I sure hope that no one has any allergies to peanut butter. It is the only item made with peanuts. I did my last shopping which included gifts for Mr. Alvin, Aspen, Milo and Cookie. That took two hours and I will say quite a lot of money, things should have increased over the past year or so. I am grateful that I did in fact have the money to pay for them although I was a bit disappointed that Shoppers did not honour the President’s Choice Gift Card that I received from my Employer. Oh well.

Last night I wrapped the gifts for the pups and one extra item that I picked up for my son-in-law’s stocking. Alvin was sniffing around the table where I was wrapping as he did smell in the shopping bag some little peanut butter treats that I picked up along with their main gifts. I added ribbon and secured the treats for the pups and put them into the fridge. Once the gifts were wrapped I debated about putting them under the tree as we know what happened last year. I had them on the kitchen counter and then thought that would be four more gifts under the tree which would look nice so I went to put them under the tree and guess who was in there like a dirty shirt? You got it, Mr. Alvin. So back to the counter they went. Last year I was in the kitchen working and I heard this rustling in the living room so I quickly went to check things out only to find someone had found his gift amongst all the presents under the tree and was starting to open it. OMG. I did not wish a replay of last year. So the gifts will remain on the counter in the kitchen.

This morning I will vacuum, dust and clean the bathrooms and the floors. Hoping to get out for a little walk with Mr. Alvin before our company arrives. It is to be minus 12 celsius this afternoon which is the warmest temperature according to the long range forecast for awhile. So we shall see. I have shovelling to do because it snowed more overnight. Thank you to our neighbour Steve for shovelling the front walk decreasing the amount that I have to do. There is snow in the forecast so I will have to stay on top of it. The sun is shining which energizes me. The coffee has perked so time for a coffee break. Lots to do before 4:00 p.m. and luckily there is pizza left from Friday for more leftovers tonight. Planned that right, yes, I did.

Happy Birthday to my great nephew LEVI who turns THREE today. I cannot believe you are three. We wish you a wonderful day and year to come.

Have an awesome day everyone!

Continuing to live this life with kindness, respect, compassion, patience, love, laughter, understanding and gratitude.

Always, Carol & Alvin

2021

Good Morning ALL! We made it to another Friday and another weekend. How wonderful is that? Pretty great, I think. My trusty sidekick is resting on his tummy just outside the office door. He likes laying on the carpet although he has a nice soft bed in my office, he seems to prefer to be there. Yesterday afternoon was great. I was able to drive and pick up Alvin’s food both hard and soft which means a bag and cans and also another container of his glucosamine chews followed by a trip to the post office at the local Shoppers Drug Mart where I mailed my Christmas cards and letters. I will say that I was a little shocked that several cards needed more postage but oh well. Glad to have that done and hope that they arrive on time to their destinations. While in the drugstore I picked up a few things that I needed before leaving for Save-On Foods. The store was not too busy and everything that I needed was there. There were not multiple bare shelves but the prices definitely have increased since the last time that I was shopping which was a bit ago. Some products on sale were sold out so I had to chose something else but that happens all of the time. It was so great to have some time to myself even though I was busy and like Cinderella I had a deadline, she had midnight and I had 3:00 p.m. but I made it back with plenty of time to spare. The residential streets or at least the ones in my neighbourhood were very icy. On my way to the Vet which was my first stop, some human being in their infinite wisdom was tailgating me, I thought to myself, sorry but I am not speeding down these icy streets. Perhaps I was driving a bit more slowly than required but not only was I being cautious, I was not driving my own vehicle and I was not about to get into an accident because was not patient. The roads were glare ice so I think I was doing the right thing. I was driving a reasonable speed for the conditions of the road. I was happy when they did not follow me into the Vet parking lot. I also dropped off the Christmas card for Dr. Karen and her staff along with photos of me and Alvin. They love receiving photos of their clients at Christmas time. I also mentioned that some Christmas Cookies would arrive sometime over the next couple of weeks and that I was baking this weekend. They were excited and said that they loved my baking. How kind. I decided to drive back the way that I came and go through my neighbourhood instead of taking the busier street which at that main intersection seems to have a great many accidents. Not taking unnecessary chances when there are icy roads. So obviously I made it home safe and sound and grateful for it. I had time to unload the car and put most things away before Alvin and I set out for his appointment. The sidewalks were okay as there was still crunchy snow covering them and only the driveways were icy.

Well time to head downstairs. Tonight is the first LIVE of my Fifth Avenue Collection Jewelry party. It is a mega party meaning there are multiple hostesses which is great. Good for the Jeweler.

I wish you a great Friday.

Tomorrow starts Christmas baking weekend.

Continuing to live this life with kindness, respect, compassion, patience, love, laughter, understanding and gratitude.

Always, Carol & Alvin

2021

Good Morning ALL! I hope that you are well this morning! Also sending positive thoughts and energy out to all my friends and family. I hope that the fog is lifted, the job is secure and more orders come in, that good health is once again restored and life is less complicated. Last night we were in bed a bit later than usual, shortly after we laid down, Mr. Alvin was frantically rubbing his ear against the bed as he laid down, then he would jump up and shake his head and then lay down and lick his paws. I tried to soothe him as much as possible and after a few minutes of this, I got an idea. Off downstairs I went. In the drawer I secured one of his tramadol pills and in the fridge grabbed his wet food. In a small bowl I placed the pill inside a bite sized piece of food, put the food back in the fridge, rinse the spoon and went back upstairs. He was very happy to have more food and very easily took the pill which was hidden inside. In a little bit of time, he had calmed down and was able to sleep. He has not shook his head or rubbed his ear yet this morning. Was it possibly that his paws were bothering him so much that he did not know what was hurting. Or what? I do not know for sure. His ears look good. I was so careful when I gave him a bath not to get any water in his ears. So for today, I will monitor him and if he shows any signs of discomfort or pain, I will be calling the vet to make him an appointment. My poor boy. At this moment he is laying on his round dog bed which has a new home in my upstairs office.

Yesterday we had a nice walk at noon. It was a bit cool and windy but not bad for this time of year. After work I made another great escape by borrowing my neighbour’s car and going to both Shoppers and Save-On Foods. Both stores were surprisingly busy for that time of day. I guess most people had the same idea as I did. While in the checkout at Shoppers I noticed that they had self-serve areas and happened to say it to the Customer Service Clerk who said “Yes, they were put in back in May” and I replied “Oh I hadn’t realized it was that long since I was in the store and continued to tell her about my neighbours and daughter who for the past 18 months have been picking up my groceries. Lately I have been going myself but only once every couple of weeks. Sometimes my daughter picks me up things in between or another friend grabs me coffee from Costco or other items, if I need or on a good sale.

I was back home in less than one hour. At home first thing after parking, hauling the groceries to our porch and returning the keys to my neighbour and then placing the bags inside the door – I quickly gave Mr. Alvin his supper. He does not appreciate being late for supper. He is so funny that way. A foodie for sure.

The sunrise looks beautiful with streaks of pink and orange in between the layers of blue sky. I love this time of day ….. I especially love sunrises and sunsets. The colours bring me joy. Well on that note, I am going to sign off and head back downstairs. I hope that you have an awesome day. May your ears be clear, your hands and feed be pain free and may you be able to have a nap anytime you wish and that you sleep through the night! Be in good health.

Continuing to live with kindness, respect, compassion, patience, understanding, love, laughter and gratitude.

Always, Carol & Alvin

Thought for the day ….

Good Morning and Welcome to Thursday the 30th day of August, 2018.

Almost another August onto the books.

Our temperatures have dropped below seasonal averages to anywhere between 14-18 degrees.

Still not bad that is for sure.

It has been raining here off and on for the past couple of days.

I pray that it reaches the FIRES and puts them OUT.

 

Last night my daughter picked me up from work.

We stopped at Safeway and picked up a few items.

One of the things that I wanted to pick up there as I only recently found out that they sold was ADULT BUS TICKETS.

So instead of going to Save-On and Shoppers as my daughter had to stop at Safeway …. I figured one stop shopping.

When came time to pick up the bus tickets …. alas they were sold out.

We ended up going to Shoppers ….. always have to have a PLAN B.

I laughed because what else can you do.

I do enough “crying” at work … not really.

After our shopping we came home and threw together a little supper for the two of us.

I made some corn on the cob in the microwave.

A trick that I learned from my brilliant sister earlier this month when she was visiting us.

We also had some Chicken Curry Soup …. from the deli at Safeway.

Crackers and cheese.

YUP, I even bought “saltines” for the occasion.

Simple but yummy.

Sometimes that is the best, right.

We had a great visit and supper.

 

The plan was to go for a walk after supper with Master Teddy and his Aunt J but alas it was raining.

So no walk for us.

I hope that tonight it is not raining as a walk is a must.

Perhaps if only a light rain ….. we will go.

 

Other quick story.

Yesterday in the afternoon at work.

One of the Managers came to my desk.

I was about to call a client and she motioned for me to hang up.

So I did.

She said come on, let’s find a empty space and play JENGA.

What … JENGA.

YAY, I love JENGA.

We had played during some down time at work on day and it was so much fun.

So we played a couple of games of JENGA.

When the blocks came down the first time, we both yelled/screamed.

Brought a staff person running.

After that …. we held it.

I am so grateful to her for giving me a much deserved break from the craziness that is my job.

We are so busy …. that made me take a break …. which most days I do not in the afternoon.

The second game I WON as well, and we were more quiet.

YAY, JENGA, I love that game.

I would like that game.

 

Well almost time to go back downstairs and finish getting ready for work.

It does not appear to be raining at the moment.

I hope that you all have a great Thursday.

I hope that if you are farming …. you are finish the harvest or at least that it is dry so that you can finish.

Happy Thursday.

One more day before the long weekend.

 

Special Hello to:  YOU, thank you.

Always, Carol & Alvin

 

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 a snowy Saturday the 21st day of March, 2015.

Looks like spring has made a grand entrance giving us more “SNOW.”

My deck was cleared and now there is a snowbank from shovelling.

The streets were cleared and now there are icy ruts once again.

There are couple of good things about the snow.

It will help clean up the dust …. actually it is now covered.

Did I say two things?

Oh well, Mother Nature always has the last word and she likely figured that we needed one more winter storm before spring settles in.

Really our winter has been pretty good ….

Just a few cold days.

Lots of snow and ice though.

The ice I could definitely have done without but it is winter and we just do the best and get on with it.

I am just doing some laundry and my blog and in a little bit will be getting ready to go and work at the store.

The store will likely be busy with this weather ….. who wants to stay in a comfy cozy house when you can go out in a snow storm and SHOP?

Who I say?

It is crazy how many people come out in the middle of a snow storm.

Lucky for all of us the temperatures are mild.

Well I guess time to go and do a couple of things…

Enjoy a hot cup of coffee …..

I hope that you have an amazing day whether you are at home or out and about.

ENJOY.

Remember to take a few moments and breathe ….. relax.

ME ….. ME ….. ME …. time, okay.

So often we rush through the days, weeks, months and years and do not take any precious time to just unwind and relax.

I will be back tomorrow.

See you then.

Special Hello to: all the shoppers out there ….. I do quite understand, actually all the folks who go out into “bad weather” to shop.

Always, Carol and Alvin

Thought for the day……

Good Morning and Welcome to Tuesday the 27th day of January, 2015.

Four days left of what is normally our “coldest” month of winter.

We had a very “un” normal month of January.

With the last four days I hope that they continue being “different.”

Gotta love not being normal.

 

Well I think that celebrating people no matter their vocation is important.

Some of you felt the same.

So perhaps we start celebrating those closest to you ….. maybe you have a store that you revisit all of the time and you even know one of the associates by name.

How about next time you go to the store when you know she/he is working and drop off a coffee gift card.

Several years ago I did that with the girls at Shoppers in the “Glam” department ….. there were several that worked on a regular basis.

So I went to Starbucks and picked up a few gift cards.

The girls were so tickled …..

Good customer service should begin with each of us.

How about if the customers gave back.

Not a bad idea.

Not just retail but anyone that you do not normally give some type of gift to …. tip etc.

Well I hear my ride almost ready.

So time to fly.

I hope that you will give this a go.

Everything begins with each of us.

Have a wonderful day.

I appreciate each and every one of you.

Special Hello to: all those people who read my blog ….. thank you so much.

Always, Carol and Alvin

Thought for the day…..

Good Morning and Welcome to Tuesday the 9th day of December, 2014.

Yes, one more day closer to Christmas.

My favourite time of the year.

I do love the decorations, the hustle and bustle, the baking, the Christmas Cards, the hooting and hall hauling, the music and the fuss.

I must admit I truly love this time of year.

I have another friend who loves this time of year as much as me.

She lives not quite a block away.

We had tea and homemade cinnamon buns last night at her house.

I love her decorations.

Every time we get together the hours seem like minutes, seconds even.

I absolutely love spending time with her ….

We talk …. we laugh ….. we talk ….. we laugh …..

Her husband usually chats at the start of our visit and at the end.

They are such a lovely couple ……

Looks like a trip to Costco this evening after work ……

Just we girls…..

I wonder how busy it will be.

I was surprised at how many shoppers were at the mall last Sunday.

Seems early but likely not.

We seem to forget from year to year.

Well today is another day.

Each second is new and precious.

Even though there are a few seconds here and there that I could do without for the most part I am over the moon grateful for my life.

I have learned so much by my errors or slips in judgement or from lack of information.

Life is all about learning.

I am a student of life.

I guess that is a good thing.

So take the time today to learn something …. even a new word.

Always worthwhile.

You never know when you could use that word or that action you learned to help yourself or others.

So off to the office I go.

Thank you for reading – it means the world to me.

Special Hello to: all those people who create and share their creations with the world.

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 Friday the 28th day of November, 2014.

Today is the day deemed “BLACK FRIDAY” by the retail world.

It actually has morphed into Black Friday week and in some cases weekend.

For my store it began yesterday and goes to Sunday.

It will be interesting to see what the numbers are for early shoppers are this morning as we got a lot and I mean a lot of snow between Wednesday night and this morning.

Buses were slow …. cars got stuck ….. people late.

I worked at the mall last night and it was quite slow.

For those shoppers who were out last night some of you got the benefit of Black Friday without the pain of standing in line and the crowds.

Well we have to leave in a couple of minutes ….

I am sure that the roads will slow us down somewhat this morning …..

Just to be safe.

Have a great day and remember stay safe.

Special Hello to: Black Friday Shoppers

Always, Carol and Alvin