Thought for the day ……

Good Morning and Welcome to Wednesday the 28th day of December, 2016.

Our weather has warmed yesterday and for today and the next few to follow.

 

My thoughts as of late are to all of those wonderful souls that have passed during this past year.

Some have been famous.

Some have been family.

Some have been friends.

Some you know and some you do not.

They made us laugh.

They shared their lives, their stories.

They will always be with us in the air that we breathe, and in all that surrounds us.

Their stories will continue in us.

To all of those who are missing your mothers, fathers, sisters, brothers, aunts, uncles, friends, grandparents, beloved fur-babies: pups and kitties, you are in my thoughts.

I wrote this poem almost twenty years ago.

I would like to give this a tribute to all those wonderful spirits we have said goodbye to in 2016.

 

 

BEYOND THE SUNSET

The sun melts into hues of gold and pink,

as the sky darkens.

A peaceful sigh, as she closes her eyes.

She sees the roses in her garden.

The fragrance soft but strong in the air.

She sees her children and theirs.

She feels her husband’s touch.

She remembers times gone by.

It has been a great life!

She is not afraid,

The time has come.

The Lord extends his hand,

And she follows him home.

Written by Carol Lewis on September 29/30, 1998 for my Grandma Stella.

 

Special Hello to: Rest in Peace our darlings. Rest in Peace.

Always, Carol and Alvin

 

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Tuesday the 9th day of August, 2016.

Last night it poured and poured and there were mighty roars of thunder and bolts of lightning.

The sky appears to be clearing which is nice.

Sunshine after the rain is always good.

There is a long list of people who share this date, this Birthday with me:

My Cousin “M” who is exactly to the day ten years younger than me, today is his 49th Birthday.

A friend back in Regina “A” who turns the big 40 today.

An old friend “D” who is exactly one year younger than me.

Happy Happy Birthday to all my friends, and may you all have a wonderful Birthday and year to follow.

 

I think it is strange how we always reflect on life twice a year.

Once on your birthday and the other when ushering in the New Year.

At this point today I am more than happy.

I have my own house which I have always, always dreamed of having …..

I am in good health.

I am surrounded by loving, supportive family and friends.

I have my partner in crime who is visiting for a few days at his sister’s house making our home very quiet.

That would be me Alvin.

My four-legged boy.

Miss you buddy but it is good for you to venture away from home once in awhile, out of your comfort zone.

He is a Momma’s boy and loves being at home.

Travelling in the car not so much.

I have been a few places …. done some things ….. I have created many things.

My most proud creation was/is my daughter.

So when you can rattle off a bunch of things that are positive and good and you live a good life ….. then reflection is a good memory.

 

I am thinking that I am going to take my umbrella as I do not think we are out of the woods yet.

So excited after work tonight my daughter is picking me up from work and we are going to West Edmonton Mall.

We will grab a bite to eat before going to see the new STAR TREK MOVIE.

I am beyond excited.

I love the Star Trek movies.

To see it on the big screen is also amazing.

 

Well here it is almost time to leave the house once again for work.

I hope that you all have a super great day.

I am.  I will.

 

I always want to extend my sympathies to family and friends who have lost dear ones these past few weeks.  You are in my thoughts and in my heart.

 

Special Hello to:  Happy Birthday loved ones and friends who celebrate this day with me.

Always, Carol and Alvin

 

 

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Monday the 27th day of July, 2015.

It is overcast, breezy and a bit cool this morning but I LOVE IT.

Maybe rain today ……

Only four sleeps until my siblings and I are reunited once again.

Once a year the four of us get together.

I am so excited.

There is nothing like the conversation of siblings ….. no secrets ….. just great talks …..

Always love and much laughter.

I love that part most of all …… the laughter.

My brother “J” is a great “griller” so I am sure that he will whip up some fantastic.

We girls will make sure that the dishes are done.

My brother “T” will lend a hand where needed.

Friday …… I am so excited ….

I hope that you had a great Sunday.

Mine was awesome.

The trip to Costco was good ….. got everything I needed.

At Save-On I found the miracle grow for my flowers ….. they need an extra boost.

Wow, we have had 27 great days thus far in July.

August will be amazing ….. it is always …..

Perhaps because it is my birthday ….  no ….. I love August because fall is right around the corner.

Fall is my favourite season.

Well time to get on the road to work.

The bus won’t wait.

Alvin is in position …

Laying on the floor outside the office as I write these words.

Oh, my baby Alvin ….. love him so much.

This morning he wanted up to sit in my lap …. I love that …..

Have an awesome Monday.

Special Hello to: siblings …… enjoy your time together.

Always, Carol and Alvin

Thought for the day…..

Good Morning and Welcome to Monday the 12th day of May, 2014.

How are you doing this Monday morning?

I hope that this finds you feeling great.

Question?

How do you sleep?

Do you have that Sunday night “syndrome” ..?

Waking up every few hours or just not able to shut down and go to sleep.

Tossing and turning ….. just cannot get comfortable.

I seem to have that ……

More or less Sunday nights have always been an issue for me.

I don’t consciously think about Monday morning but somewhere in my brain I must.

Something happens.

I have tried lots of things and find at 56 I am still not sleeping great on Sunday nights.

It is funny though as Alvin and I get up extra early and usually spend a few minutes on the sofa, I can always fall asleep there.

Thank goodness for that.

Well on the up side the sun is shining with promise to be a beautiful day.

If you have any ideas for Sunday night sleeping or just want to comment, please do so.

I am curious if there are many others who share this.

I hope that you all have a wonderful day.

To all the Mothers out there I hope that you indeed had a great Sunday.

Special Hello to: my sisters ….. my friends ….. all the Mothers …… keep up the great work.

Always, Carol and Alvin

Thought for the day….. December 18, 2013

Good Morning and Welcome to Wednesday the 18th day of December, 2013.

WOW, one week today is Christmas Day.

I hope that this finds you well and up for the next week of last minute shopping, wrapping of gifts, a tad more baking and COOKING.

I guess sweeping the floors and cleaning the bathrooms might be in order as well.

Have to have the house right and proper for company.

You know …… bright and shining.

Clean …. clean ….. clean.

I love my house and any chance to show it off …..

With all my Christmas decorations it is so pretty …. if I do say so myself.

Oh, great idea …… if you have not done so already ….. MAKE A LIST.

You know how Santa makes a list and checks it twice.

You can make a couple of lists.

One for shopping and one for tasks.

Shopping would be like food items and last minute gifts (don’t forget to make something – doesn’t always have to be store bought).

Tasks like dusting, changing bedding in the guest room … last minute laundry.

One big thing and for years I have always forgot to do this.

It would seem that when I make my last grocery stop I always make up the list for the items we need for Christmas Eve and Day but I forget one MAJOR THING …..

WHAT DO YOU EAT AFTER CHRISTMAS?

Not everyone wants to eat leftovers for the next week.

So I do try to make sure that I have other items in the house for something different.

Happy Wednesday.

Special Hello to: all my fellow sisters of the world, REJOICE …. YOU ROCK.

Always, Carol and Alvin

Thought for the day….

Good Morning and Welcome to Friday, the 21st day of June 2013 and the first official day of summer.

Today is my day off from the office.

As I sit here beginning to write I cannot help but think of my family and friends.

When I came into my office this morning I looked at my bulletin boards that are filled with photos of me and my sister when we were small and throughout our lives, photos of my Grandma Stella, ones with me and my best friend Linda and her family, photos of me and my brothers, my Mom, my nieces and nephews, cousins, Alvin and me, and my beautiful daughter and her hubby and of course, my grand-puppies.  I have photos of vacations, weddings, stills of special items and so many more.

What fills your walls?  Do you have photos of family and friends?

I have always loved photos and had my very first camera at age 12.

Photos were/are  like special friends – family to me, and I carried them over three provinces, and over 30 moves over my lifetime thus far.

They are my treasures.

Even though with technology we seldom print actual photos I have over 20,000 photos on my computer and saved in other means.

I have over 10,000 printed photos.

I could likely cover every spare spot in my home with photographs.  Wouldn’t that be great?

I am so grateful to those pioneers who came up with the idea of capturing moments on “paper.”

Crazy, did you know that some of the first photos were on tin.

As I grow older I am even more grateful to have all of these special treasures to remind me of everything I have done over my life.

As memory lessens over time I will always have these great treasures to remind me of a life so rich and so blessed.

Once in awhile I take out all of my photo boxes and look at each and every photo.

I take the time to remember.

Some of the people in the photos are no longer with me whether moved away or passed on, so I remember them.

Perhaps it was a favourite top, a gift, a vacation, a pet, a first home or a rainbow.

I remember it all.

When the days become long or the nights are lonely ….. I can always pull out my photographs and remember times gone by.

Here are a few of my favourite photos ….. I have likely somewhere in the number of 30,000 …… LOL.

Ah, the puppies…..

Miss Penny

Miss Penny, again she is quite the model….

My first great niece and nephew when they were small……

One of Alvin’s first hair cuts after he came to live with me. He looks so little….

Being creative …. one of our first bracelets.

Wrapped gifts …. so beautiful….

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

So I hope that you have a great weekend.

I am going to do some housework and enjoy a cup or two of coffee.

Love seeing the sun shine.

Take Mr. Alvin to the Vet …. this afternoon.

Work at the store later.

Tomorrow I am going to finish a special necklace, I am so excited.

It is beautiful.

Take Care.

Special Hello to: all my friends and family ….. those in Southern Alberta I hope that you are safe and dry.  May the sun come out.

 

Always, Carol and Alvin

 

 

 

Thought for the day…..

Good Saturday Morning and Welcome to the 30th day of March, 2013.

Second last day of the month ….. wow how time flies.

The sun is shining brightly here in Edmonton with promises of more snow to melt.

Most of the snow has now melted from the top of my garage which gives me great relief.

One of the City sanding trucks came down our street just after 5:30 a.m. …… I am not sure why as he did not leave any sand behind.

There are many side residential streets that still have deep snowy icy ruts.

Perhaps this will be the day that they melt, and are gone.

Well what is on your plate for this Saturday?

Perhaps you will be enjoying coffee with family or friends.

Perhaps you will be shopping for groceries to cook that “Easter Meal.”

Perhaps you will be out shopping for that beautiful spring dress or outfit.

Perhaps you will be cleaning the house.

Whatever or wherever you are ….. I hope that you have fun.

Me, well ….

Mine is to continue to clean the “paper” from all over my house.

You know how you just seem collect bits and pieces ….. now they are not laying on the floor or on top of every flat surface.

Most of them are carefully tucked away in rubbermaid containers or boxes.

Sometimes I think that I might still need them …. but in the end they find their way into a blue recycling bag.

So with coffee in hand, I shall tackle my “paper” … one or two pieces at a time and I shall fill yet another bag.

I know that once I am done I shall feel “weightless” …..

So on this day in between “GOOD FRIDAY” and “EASTER SUNDAY” ….. enjoy.

I hope that you get out and enjoy the sunshine wherever you are and we shall, too.  We, being me and Alvin.

Me and My Sister …..

Easter Bunny visited me and Alvin early …. it was last summer.

 

Flowers for Easter ….. Happy Spring

Have a great day …. time to go and take Mr. Alvin for a walk.

Then get to the paper.

Am I procrastinating …. perhaps ….

But today it is my prerogative.

Till tomorrow ……

Special Hello to:   YOU AND YOU AND YOU… Happy Easter.

Always, Carol and Alvin

Thought for the day….

Good Morning and Welcome to Friday, February 15th, 2013…..

What a grand day ….. my day started (after breakfast) with a SKYPE call to my dear sister ….

We got carried away and visited for almost 1.5 hours but it was so sweet …. I miss seeing her …..

I just wanted to say how grateful I am for the thoughtful gifts I received on Valentine’s Day.

I received a “chocolate brownie square” from two thoughtful co-workers (couple) at the office and then my so sweet kids ….. bought pasta for supper (from their favourite pasta place).

So I had a lovely supper ……thank you ….. for a wonderful VALENTINE’S DAY.

Anyway, I just wanted to share those things.

I hope that you are having a great Friday ……

I will be back on Monday …..

Have a great weekend.

Special Hello: to all those people who take the time to read my blog …. I am eternally grateful.

 

Always, Carol and Alvin

Thought for the day….

Good Morning and Welcome to Thursday, February 7th, 2013.

I was just thinking about how we sometimes forget to thank people for the things that they do for us.

Or perhaps we are thankful for what they do but we forget to tell them.

I want to take this opportunity to thank my daughter and son-in-law who safely transport me, body and mind to my place of employment each and everyday.

Thank you so much.

I want to take this opportunity to thank my neighbours “J” & “T” and “S” who take turns with me shovelling each other’s sidewalks.

Thank you so much.

I want to take this opportunity to thank my Grandma Stella who taught me the importance of manners and being polite when I was a small girl.

It is something that I have taken with me each and every moment of my life; and passed it onto my daughter.

I also want to thank my Grandma Stella for being a strong independent woman, teaching me to dance and for lending her name and fashion sense to our jewellery.

Thank you Grandma …

I also want to thank my sister who has always remained my strongest supporter, ally, and friend over our lifetimes, and continues to listen and be supportive.

Thank you my Sister…

I have so many people who truly matter and make a difference in my life each and everyday.

Some of these people I know very well and others I have never met.

But to each and everyone of you …. THANK YOU.

It is simple I know but it is from my heart …. THANK YOU.

Have a great day.

Pass it on ….. tell the next person that you see “THANK YOU”  ….. it doesn’t matter for what …. just be grateful for them.

Having manners and being mindful of what they truly mean is a great gift.

So share your gift(s) with the world.

Thank you for reading my blog and that number keeps growing and that makes me so happy, pleased, joyful and grateful.

Your time is important.

 

Special Hello to:  to those people who have manners and know how to use them…… thank you.

 

Always, Carol and Alvin