Thought for the day ….

Good Morning and Welcome to Friday the 5th day of May, 2017.

A glorious morning here in Edmonton.

The sun is smiling as it rises in the East filling the sky with it’s magical beams.

So happy for the weekend.

I am grateful that I have the weekend off so to speak.

Anyone who works outside the home knows – we all have work to do when we get home.

 

On a more somber note and reminder to us all.

It is the time of year when forest and wild fires break out.

Be careful as the cost to lost lives whether animal or human is too high.

They may never be replaced.

Homes and businesses may be replaced.

Memory from one year ago today.

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

Good Morning and Welcome to Thursday the 5th day of May, 2016.

It is overcast here in Edmonton this morning.

The air is cool and there is a breeze.

Such a difference from the past couple of days.

I am actually cold this morning.

I only hope that it has cooled off up north where the wildfires are burning out of control.

They need a break.

RAIN and no lightning would be great.

Sounds like everyone was evacuated safely and that is great news.

My heart goes out to all of the animals in the forest surrounding Fort McMurray, Alberta.

I hope that all of the dogs and cats were rescued from the City.

We are so grateful to all those brave men and women whose job is to go into the inferno to fight the fires.

Whether paid or volunteers we thank you.

I hope they are all safe.

To all of the individuals out there who came together to offer up a place to sleep or to gather necessities for the evacuees, we thank you.

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

The time always passes quickly in the morning.

So on this Thursday be safe.

Special Hello to: all the residents of Fort McMurray, Alberta and surrounding areas, we are grateful that you are safe and secure.

Always, Carol and Alvin

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Thursday the 5th day of May, 2016.

It is overcast here in Edmonton this morning.

The air is cool and there is a breeze.

Such a difference from the past couple of days.

I am actually cold this morning.

I only hope that it has cooled off up north where the wildfires are burning out of control.

They need a break.

RAIN and no lightning would be great.

Sounds like everyone was evacuated safely and that is great news.

My heart goes out to all of the animals in the forest surrounding Fort McMurray, Alberta.

I hope that all of the dogs and cats were rescued from the City.

We are so grateful to all those brave men and women whose job is to go into the inferno to fight the fires.

Whether paid or volunteers we thank you.

I hope they are all safe.

To all of the individuals out there who came together to offer up a place to sleep or to gather necessities for the evacuees, we thank you.

 

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

The time always passes quickly in the morning.

I am also grateful this morning to a young man, a friend of my kids who is helping to get my computer back in full operation mode.

Thank you.

 

So on this Thursday be safe.

Special Hello to: all the residents of Fort McMurray, Alberta and surrounding areas, we are grateful that you are safe and secure.

Always, Carol and Alvin

 

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Sunday the 17th day of April, 2016.

Another bright and sunny gorgeous day ahead of us here in Edmonton.

Yesterday was a jam packed day for me.

First thing in the morning my friend “J” from Regina picked me up and we went for a tour of the Ronald McDonald House here in Edmonton.

Her grandson is in the Children’s Hospital (the Stollery), so his parents and older sibling are staying at the RMH.

I was so impressed by this place.

First thing walking in the door there is an air of love and calm even though there were oodles of people walking about.

It was bustling with volunteers as it is these dear folks who do most of the work.

Volunteer groups cook meals every single day of every year.

I heard that a group of ladies come in every Thursday, and bake dozens of cinnamon buns, cookies, cakes etc..

My friend’s son said with “a smile on his face” it is difficult not to put on weight in this place

I found out that there are only a handful of actual paid employees for the Ronald McDonald House.

They have 32 rooms for families to stay in for a nominal fee.

They do not have to worry about a bed to sleep on, food to eat or transportation to the hospital.

They have a teacher who teaches the children in the mornings.

They have laundry facilities and three kitchens.

There are volunteers to drive the bus to take families on special outings and for the shuttle to the hospital.

They have lists up for folks who have time to help out with …. like wipe their tables after eating.

Perhaps sweep the floor …. help load the dishwasher or empty them.

So much is donated and this warms my heart.

All of their day to day is looked after so that they can focus on their sick children.

Such an awesome place filled with kindness, generosity and love.

It was so great to visit such an amazing place and given the opportunity I would very much love to volunteer at the Ronald McDonald House.

I thoroughly enjoyed this time.

Always remember that so many worthy organizations depend on volunteers to help out.

So if you happen to have a few hours or a day each week give one of these groups a call.

You will feel so good helping others.

If everyone volunteered what a great world this would be.

 

Well I am running a tad late here …. another busy day for me.

Poor Mr. Alvin ….. I will make it up with lots of snuggles and a long walk later this afternoon.

 

Special Hello to: all those folks who volunteer.  Thank you.

Always, Carol and Alvin

 

Thought for the day…..

Good Morning and Welcome to Saturday the 31st day of May, 2014.

Well the day is finally here ….

The sun is shining and the sky is that perfect beautiful blue …. just right for …..

This afternoon from 1:00 – 4:00 p.m. – is our neighbourhood cleanup.

I have made plans for this day, dreamed about, agonized over, and procrastinated doing some things but in the end I am READY.

The bags, gloves and pickers and water have been purchased.

My daughter helped me with the posters.

One of my friends gave me some coloured paper.

Another friend is lending me her boy’s wagon.

Me and Alvin put up over 20 posters around the neighbourhood.

People have called and volunteered.

I only had to twist a few arms.

I am so excited to meet some new people.

All these volunteers want to have a clean neighbourhood and are not shy about helping.

My biggest goal in all of this was to make people aware.

It would appear that  people do not think when they toss that drink cup or the candy wrapper on the ground.

They just want to get rid of it.

I know part of the answer is having more garbage cans.

But really just carry the cup home …..

Sometimes they are lucky that people like me, and the volunteers, and others come behind them and pick up their trash.

Other places just get bogged down with trash.

Municipalities do not have the means (our tax dollars) to hire people to be out cleaning 24/7.

Not only is it the beauty of the neighbourhood but all this crap laying around brings unwanted “little critters” and is not good for our pets.

Sometimes our dogs and cats find things and eat them before we can get to them.

I just want people to be more responsible.

Okay, I guess I have said my piece ….. how can you tell I am just a “little” passionate about this …..

After five years of being the rep for our City’s volunteer group for this area and spending countless hours picking up a vast array of trash around my neighbourhood, I guess I can be.

I have to make this short so that I can go and get everything together, have breakfast and do some laundry before I head out.  AND COFFEE.

Please remember wherever you live ….. pick up after yourself.

It would be so nice to be able to go for a walk and not see a drink cup or styrofoam block on the ground.

Thank you for listening to my rants and rants.

Have a great Saturday.

Special Hello to: YOU

Always, Carol and Alvin

 

P.S. I do not know how I forgot but there was another very important person who played a key role in this effort and that is my friend “G” …. she laminated every poster so that if it rained they would not be damaged.

Thanks to her the signs are looking good….. 

I am so grateful for all my friends and my daughter who helped me pull this clean-up date together.

 

Thought for the day…..

Good Morning and Welcome to Thursday the 29th day of May, 2014.

It is raining here in Edmonton and the grass is beginning to turn that most beautiful green.

The type of green that yells …… I have been moisturized …… I feel great.

I can only imagine what the grass would be saying after a long winter.

The snow melts and the ground is brutally dry.

With spring there is little rain.

How cruel ……

NOW …. it has been raining for a couple of days …..

HAPPY GRASS …..

If I were the grass, I would be doing the “I am green, I am beautiful, I am feeling WONDERFUL dance.

Anyway those are my thoughts for this rainy day.

Just happy that my grass is green, Alvin and I are breathing and it is promising to be a great Thursday.

Happy Thursday.

It is always good to be grateful for the little things ….. after all it is the little things that make the world go round.

Special Hello to: all the folks who have volunteered to help with the neighbourhood cleanup on Saturday.  Now the forecast is for rain showers ….. it is going to be fun.

Always, Carol and Alvin

Thought for the day…..

Good Morning and Welcome to Tuesday the 27th day of May, 2014.

Wow, four glorious days left in May, 2014.

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

We surely needed the moisture and the smell of rain is glorious.

I am very grateful for the much needed moisture.

Our grass most especially in the back yard is so nice and green.

……………………..     ………………………….

Well this morning has me thinking about the neighbourhood cleanup that I am organizing for this coming Saturday.

My mind is running amuck with things to do and hoping that I have everything in order.

There is a good group and some new faces coming out for the event.

I am drawing the map of the cleanup area this evening so I can assign areas.

At least that way nothing gets missed and I know where everyone is located.

The new faces: these great volunteers are pretty much all new to this area, and isn’t that wonderful that they are the first to volunteer, just as I was when I moved to this neighbourhood.

So exciting ….. meet new people and have the area cleaned …… perfect combination.

My goal in all of this was to make people aware and hopefully we will get noticed on Saturday and bring attention to the garbage that litters our streets and parks.

This is something for everyone to take note of ……

I want people to take pride in their neighbourhoods and if we all help out what a gorgeous planet we will have …..

I keep thinking one drink can, one coffee cup, one cigarette package at a time ……

Maybe you can go out and organize a neighbourhood cleanup in your area.

It is a great way to meet new people and get exercise and keep your “hood” clean.

Even if you are not in an organized cleanup ….. always carry a small bag with you and pick up those unwanted items.

Better yet do not throw anything on the ground …. that is what garbage cans are made for ……

Special Hello to: all those people out there who take the time to make this planet a better place for us, for our pets, for all the flora and fauna.

Always, Carol and Alvin

 

Thought for the day ….. December 16, 2013

Good Morning and Welcome to Monday the 16th day of December, 2013.

I am so grateful for this warm weather ….. hopefully some of the snow will melt.

So great to see the sun shine yesterday and it is supposed to be sunny today, as well.

I hope that this holiday season ….. that you take the time to be kind and generous.

Most especially kind.

If you see an animal or human in need ….. treat them with kindness.

It hurts my heart to hear of so many stories of people who mistreat their pets and children and others.

If I could have one WISH it would be for every living being to live in peace surrounded by love and kindness.

If you hear a dog howling in your neighbourhood for extended periods of time ….. report those people to the authorities.

I am always amazed when I hear about people leaving their dogs regardless of the weather.

If you hear a fellow human being being threatened or worse ….. report those people to the authorities.

BE a GOOD NEIGHBOUR.

Don’t ignore a person or animal in need.

Let this be the year that we come together and treat each other with respect …..

Special Hello to: VOLUNTEERS …. you are saving the world.

Always, Carol and Alvin

Thought for the day…..

BE GRATEFUL EACH AND EVERYDAY.

BE AS GRATEFUL FOR THE AIR THAT YOU BREATHE AS YOU ARE FOR ALL THE CLOTHES IN YOUR CLOSET,

MONEY IN THE BANK AND FOOD ON YOUR TABLE.

BE GRATEFUL FOR ALL THOSE PEOPLE WHO BRING CLEAN WATER, HEAT AND ELECTRICITY TO YOUR HOME EACH AND EVERY DAY.

BE GRATEFUL TO ALL THOSE FOLKS WHO VOLUNTEER, GIVING GRACIOUSLY OF THEIR TIME AND ENERGY.

BE GRATEFUL FOR EVERY BUTTERFLY IN YOUR GARDEN AND RAIN DROP THAT FALLS FROM THE SKY.

BE GRATEFUL FOR THIS DAY.

Always, Carol