The New YEAR 2022

Good Morning ALL! I hope this finds you doing GREAT on this Thursday, April 28, 2022. Almost the end of April and one more day closer to SUMMERTIME. Yesterday those grey clouds gave us rain which turned into snow. The snow actually stuck to the deck and to the grass until later in the afternoon when the sun came out off and on. Last night it froze but the ground is bare. Lots of moisture. The sky is a brilliant blue this morning with that old SUN shining brightly down upon us. As I glance out of my upstairs office window the trees appear to be still. Lately that it is rare. Weather, gotta love it or put up with it as there is no other choice.

With the snow and rain we did not get out for a walk until after work. We got almost half way round the park/pond by our house and then Mr. Alvin decided enough and headed for home. When he makes up his mind there is little changing it. So back home we went. Still was great to get a walk in no matter the length. All fresh air is good for the mind, body and soul.

After work today the plan is to go for a walk with our friend Pauline. She is recovering from some health issues (NOT COVID) and we look forward to seeing her and catching up.

I was thinking this morning of all the places that I travelled/lived over my almost 65 years on this planet. Perhaps not too many compared to others but enough all the same. So I am going to list a few of them before I sign off:

Corning area (farm), Windthorst, Saskatoon and Regina – Saskatchewan

Lumby, Vancouver, Victoria, – British Columbia

Vilna (farm) and Edmonton – Alberta

Toronto, Niagara Falls – Ontario

Montreal, Quebec City – Quebec

Winnipeg, Brandon – Manitoba

New York City

Las Vegas – Nevada

San Diego and Los Angeles – California

McAllen, Padre Island – Texas

Minot – North Dakota

Black Hills – South Dakota

Nebraska, Oklahoma, Arizona,

Mexico

There are so many others but here are a few.

Have an awesome day. Try and think of all the places you have visited or lived.

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

2021

Good Morning ALL. How are you this morning? Today is my late start / shift so we slept in which was lovely. The sun has rose, the sky is a brilliant blue as we begin our day. We went to bed perhaps a bit later than usual and then Mr. Alvin had to go outside at 11:23 p.m. but then he slept until 5:00 a.m. – which was truly a bonus. Yesterday after work we went for a walk just inside the park and then back home. Not very long but that was okay. Our temperatures are warming up. I was grateful that we were able to get outside and breathe in some fresh air. The past two weeks or so have only been trips to the backyard and shovelling when there was snow. So this was great. Good for the body, mind and soul. Clear the cobwebs so to speak. Anyway, I am truly grateful for our walk together. As we both age, even though I do not think of either of us as “really old” – I am always in a state of gratitude for each and every day we have together. Each day that we can enjoy each other’s company and even perhaps get outside for some fresh air and a walk. Time flies when you are having fun and that it is. Can you believe that today is Thursday, February 18, 2021. Hard to believe I know. Next month on March 19th – it will mark one year since our office sent us home to work. I have been truly grateful for that decision and for them continuing to have us working from home. The next check date is June, 2021. I have been wishing and praying and praying and wishing and crossing my fingers, eyes and toes that they give us the choice whether to go to the office and work or work from home. With Alvin getting older, I need / I want to be home with him. I cannot imagine putting him back in that situation where I leave at 6:30 and get home after 5:00 p.m. and that is providing I can carpool as taking the bus would put me home even later. I am going to continue to think about how much I love working from home and how good it is for me, for Alvin and has been for our clients. My thoughts also go to the folks in the U.S. who are in the midst of a huge winter storm with another one coming in before they have even recovered from the first one. Many of them do not have furnaces, pipes are bursting in homes and businesses, there is no electricity and no water. My heart goes out to them. We are actually pretty prepared in Canada for winter storms after all we have them during our winter months. Our winters can sometimes be more than half of the year. Sometimes we joke about all the different outer apparel we each have here in Canada. Most of us have a jacket for early spring, for later spring, for summer, for late summer, for fall, for early winter, for bitter cold days and so on. We have boots for rain and snow. These things that go on the bottom of our boots for when it is icy. There are also hats, mitts and scarves. We all have furnaces and some have air conditioners. We have family living in Houston, Texas. They were without electricity. I hope that no more lives are lost and that everyone is safe and warm with clean water and food.

I am grateful everyday to be safe, to be warm, in good health and have good food to eat. To be surrounded by family and friends even though I do not physically see them often, they are still there. I am grateful that Mr. Alvin found me, all those years ago.

Continuing to live with kindness, respect, compassion and patience for all.

Always, Carol

2021

Good Morning ALL. How are you this morning? It is getting more bright with every passing morning. The sky looks so pretty with the pale hues of oranges, pinks and yellows as they blend into the soft blue of the morning sky. I love sunrises. They are the beginning and that suits me fine. The beginning of something is always better than the end. Our temperatures are warming and that is a blessing for sure. I have a cousin that is married to an American girl, and they live in Houston, Texas where they have now snow and freezing temperatures. They are not equipped for snow and ice. My cousin reported that they had no power. They do have a fireplace which is good but eventually had to go to another relatives. The walk to the vet was okay, a bit cold. I had put on his big winter coat and he just stood and shook. I helped him down the steps to the sidewalk and he reluctantly walked a bit before I made an executive decision knowing that the clock was counting down to our appointment time. Back into the house and off with the winter coat and on with his sweater. The sweater is warm but the coat obviously warmer but I did not have a choice. He definitely was happier in his sweater. He sniffed every “spot” along the way and I thought that we would never get there. But we did and managed to arrive right on time. So that was good.

Well I was up later than usual and the clock once again is ticking down to a start time and that being work. Mornings seem to fly by for some reason. I guess most days do.

I hope that you are doing well.

Oh the sky just turned more pink and it is so beautiful.

Alvin wants to go downstairs and is giving me that look. Patience is not one of his virtues or mine, I guess, if I am being truthful. But as I mention every post, I am working on it.

From our house to yours …. Happy Wednesday.

Time to get that coffee perking. I definitely need some caffeine this morning.

Remembering to live with kindness, respect, compassion and patience.

Always, Carol & Alvin

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and  Welcome to Thursday the 31st day of August, 2017.

Last day of this wonderful month.

Yesterday did not reach the temperatures that were forecasted which was wonderful.

However; this was not the case in other parts of Alberta and Canada.

Hot and dry – little or not rain.

We were blessed to have some moisture this summer.

It would seem that there is so much extreme with the moisture.

Either none or too too much.

We are thinking of our neighbours to the south affected by Hurricane Harvey.

May you receive the assistance that you need.

To all those that have lost family members whether two or four-legged, our hearts go out to you.

We are grateful to the men and women who have volunteered to help out those in need.

Also to all those whose job it is to help in crisis situations, thank you.

We see reports on the news and on social media of rescues and are grateful.

It will be a long way to rebuild your homes, communities and lives but you will do it.

Take care on this Thursday.

May you be warm and dry and have clean water to drink.

 

Special Hello to: my family all over the world including Houston, Texas.

Always, Carol & Alvin

 

Thought for the day ….

Good Afternoon and it is Sunday the 27th day of August, 2017.

Alvin and I had the best visit with our friends from Quebec.

It seems like they just arrived and then were gone.

The children are 13, 11 and 10.

I always forget that my friend “L” is only 13 as she is so grown up.

“M-L” is now 11 and not the shy little girl she was when they moved away and “D” well he is still soft spoken and very much a 10 year old boy full of wonder.

We had supper together, walked with Alvin and watered our friend’s flower garden, the girls picked out beads to make a bracelet and necklace upon their return home, and to end the evening we

watched “Galaxy of the Guardians Volume 2.”

It was a jammed packed evening but one I will remember always.

These children are like my own.

I am so grateful they came into my life.

They all took turns snuggling with Alvin on the sofa.

The morning came all too quickly.

I am quite certain that their Dad is going to miss them when they return back home to Quebec tomorrow and that their Mom is going to be very happy to see them.

I can honestly say that this has been one of the best Augusts that I have ever had in my entire life.

Lots of company and getting to spend time with some of the best people on this planet.

Well back to norm ….. it has been a hot day.

Thinking of family that live in Houston, Texas.

To all the residents of Houston and surrounding area you are in our prayers.

Well time to get a few things done …. back to work tomorrow.

Special Hello to: my family and friends.

Always, Carol & Alvin

COUNTDOWN: 60 Days to 60

Today is Thursday, July 13, 2017 and it is the 28th day until my 60th Birthday.

Okay back to memories ….. this may take some doing.

I think I was at 1967?

1967: Having my birthday party at the lake with cousins, roasting hot dogs over a fire and a homemade birthday cake.

1968: My family packed up the station wagon and drove to McAllen, Texas where we rented a house and spent the winter.

1969: Baling hay in the summer with my sister and pulling weeds in our HUGE garden.

1970: A bright pink jersey peasant style dress, and my first dance at school.  I can still hear the music in my head and see everyone lining the walls swaying to the tunes.

1971:  Moved from the farm in Saskatchewan to British Columbia.  Some of the saddest days of my life.  Moving away from my best friend. High School…. Picked berries with my Mom & Sister for the summer.

1972:  Moved to Alberta, another new High School in another province.

1973:  My Grandpa died in a farming accident and I moved back to Saskatchewan to live with my Grandmother (age 16).

1974:  Moved from the farm into neighbouring small town (Saskatchewan).  Changing schools yet again.

1975:  First summer after High School Graduation and then started first real paying job with SEARS in Regina.

1976:  Major life change ….. got engaged.

1977:  Another life change …. got married. Another life change – I became an Aunt for the first time…… my first born nephew…..he is the best.

 

Always, Carol

 

 

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Saturday the 8th day of August, 2015.

Today is my niece-in-law’s 39th Birthday ….. Happy Birthday “S” ….. we hope you have a great day.

We have lots of friends and family birthdays in August.

Mine is tomorrow.

I will be “58”

Have you ever just sat and thought about all of the things that you have done and seen in your lifetime thus far?

I have …..

Here are some of the things that I have done or accomplished and seen from birth until today.

• lived on a farm
• had one sister and three brothers
• changed diapers before started Grade one
• went to school, learned to read and to write (loved biology)
• earned first money babysitting for neighbours at age 8 (back in the day)
• wrote poetry throughout my childhood (my Grandma kept ones I wrote to her)
• still writing years later
• drove a tractor and combine
• spent a winter in Texas as a child and swam in the Gulf of Mexico at Padre Island
• taught my siblings school that winter (they all passed with flying colours including me)
• lived in three Canadian provinces (Saskatchewan, British Columbia and Alberta)
• went to four different schools in three different provinces from Grade 9 to 12
• black and white to colour televisions
• computers
• man on the moon
• went in a prop plane to California in the 70’s.
• gave birth to my daughter
• visited Victoria, B.C. (twice) … love antique shops
• Canadian Cities visited: Montreal, Quebec City, Toronto, WInnipeg, Regina, Saskatoon, Victoria, Calgary, Edmonton
• Visited the Rocky Mountains in Canada
• Banff and Jasper, Alberta Parks
• visited the World Trade Center in New York in 1994.
• went to a musical on Broadway in New York
• visited Las Vegas twice
• visited Las Angeles, California and walked in the Pacific Ocean
• belonged to the Downtown Optimist Club in Regina
• was Optimist of the Year (very proud moment) and held various positions within the organization
• visited Montreal, Quebec and Quebec City ……
• continued with Volunteer work in Edmonton – Capital City Cleanup Block Captain (keeping area clean)
• retired early after 30 years (with same company)
• back to work now four years
• worked first real Retail Job after age of 50
• was top seller in said job
• adopted my first dog in 2010 (over 50) – me Alvin
• started my blog after age 50
• corresponded with a Wall St Journal journalist (after age 50)
• saw 58 years of the sun, moon and stars
• always had great friends ….. still do
• raised a gifted daughter ….. photographer ….. artist …. good person
• bought my first house on my own in Edmonton, this house (after age 50)
• started making jewellery with my daughter
• sold different things over the years like Tupperware, Fashion Two Twenty makeup ……
• visited several U.S. States over the years.
• most important, I am alive to celebrate another Birthday.

When you start making a list you suddenly realize that your life has been busy.

If you read this blog and you know me …. can you think of anything else notable?

Well time to have a shower and get ready for my “Birthday party”.

My friends “S” and “G” are having a party for me at our coffee date.

I have very thoughtful friends.

With the sun shining and a cool breeze I shall start this Saturday.

Grand-puppies here to keep Mr. Alvin company while I am out.

It is funny I keep thinking of things and adding them to the list ….. time to go though.

Make that list and see that you yourself have been an important part of this planet.

Have a wonderful Saturday.

Special Hello to: “S” Happy Birthday …… Also my cousin “M” who was born on my birthday.

So many birthdays……

Always, Carol and Alvin

Thought for the day…..

Good Morning and Welcome to Tuesday the 21st day of October, 2014.

It is another beautiful morning here in Edmonton.

Yesterday it hit low 20’s (degrees celsius) ….. so great for October.

Last night we all went for a wonderful walk (me, my daughter, son-in-law and all the puppies).

I was thinking about the “Bucket List.”

Perhaps we should do the reverse.

Make a list of all of the things that you have done over your life.

Maybe your list looks like this:

1.  gave birth to a beautiful daughter and amazing human being

2.  visited the World Trade Centre

3.  learned how to walk again after mysterious “illness”

4.  have met some of the most incredible human beings – just around my neighbourhood

5.  lives in a peaceful nation

6.  spent a winter in MacAllen, Texas and swam in the water by Padre Island (Gulf Coast)

7.  adopted the most loveable puppy named Alvin

8.  retired from a job with 30 years and started second career

There are so many things that you and I have already done …… you have created your own bucket list by just living your life.

I am so grateful for all of the things that I have done thus far and hope to add more to the list.

Have fun creating your list.

Special Hello to: everyone

Always, Carol and Alvin

Thought for the day……

Good Morning and Welcome to Thursday, January 31st, 2013.

WOW, was that January …. it seems like only yesterday that we were opening gifts on Christmas Eve.

Where does the time go?

It seems crazy to me that I am going to turn “56” this summer.

I remember starting Grade One at age six with my best friend, “Deanna”

I remember learning how to dance with my Grandma.

I remember discovering the “East Room” at my Grandparent’s house and all the lovely things it held.

I remember the winter we spent in McAllen, Texas.

I remember picking berries with my Mom & Sister when I was “14.”

I remember the tornado that came to town in August of 1979.

I remember the moment that my daughter was born.

I remember the summer that my siblings and our families celebrated what was to be our last time all together with our Mom.

I remember  flying to New York City to take a business course and while there visiting the World Trade Centre and taking in my first Broadway Musical “Les Miserables” ……

I remember how proud I was when my daughter graduated High School with Honours, entered University and then went on to become a photographer.

I remember my daughter’s wedding day.

I remember leaving Saskatchewan.

I remember the moment when I put the key in the door on my very first home and that was four years ago.

I now remember to remember and I have been so very blessed during my lifetime.

I did some cool things during my life thus far and have met some truly remarkable people.

I hope that you take the time to remember and are grateful for each moment.

Have a great day.

Special Hello to:  “truly remarkable people” ….. you are one.

Thank you.

 

Always, Carol and Alvin

Thought for the day…..

BRRR, WELCOME to Tuesday, January 29th, 2013 …. and it is a COLD morning here in Edmonton.

Luckily it will be short-lived.  Only to last for a couple of days.

The wind has been blowing since last night.

 

Well I have been thinking lately of all the people that I know that are still here with me and all those “lights” that have long since flickered out.

I have been so blessed to know so many wonderful people.

I have friends that are every age and from every background.

I think that is such a blessing.

I have learned so much over the years from all of these great human beings.

It is funny when you think back to when you were younger.

Do you remember lots about your childhood?

Or is it just clumps and clusters of little things?

It is strange that my earliest memory is of a nightmare, or perhaps that isn’t strange at all.

I remember playing with my sister outside on the farm and smelling that gorgeous scent from the lilac bushes.

I remember when my Dad built me a “dresser” for my room in our new house.

It was great …. it had drawers on one end and shelves on the other …. a modern day wall unit..

I remember going to a nearby lake to celebrate family birthdays ….we had so many in August that we celebrated them altogether ….. with cousins, Aunts and Uncles.

It was always with family or so I recall.

We roasted hot dogs and marshmallows.

I remember going to Texas with my family for a winter when I was about 10-11.

We visited Padre Island … on the gulf …. the water ….. ooooooooooooooh

It was glorious…..except for the bugs who were larger than life.

We were not used to that …..

But the people were amazing and we had the best neighbours.

I still have great neighbours and always have …… lucky me.

Well here we are … time to go to work.

I hope that you take the time to go down memory lane.

Even if it is for a little while ….. it is good to remember.

Thank you for indulging me.

Special Hello: OMG, thank you to those people who just subscribed to my blog.  You are making my dream come true.  Thank you to everyone who reads my blog.  I am working towards one million … I will get there someday.

Have a great day.

Always, Carol and Alvin