Second Half of the NEW YEAR.

Good Morning and today is August 8th, 2020.

I know at least three with today as their birthday.

One of is nephew’s wife, Happy Birthday S.

One is a young cousin, Happy Birthday T.

The other is my friend from work, Happy Birthday K.

Wishing you all a great day and many happy, healthy days months and years ahead filled with laughter, love and abundance.

 

Well the sky is once again overcast.

We have not been out for a walk as yet.

Debating as I am feeling lazy.

We may wait and go a bit later.

Another windy morning.

That is life.

Choices.

The ones we make and the ones we do not.

 

Well yesterday …. last night was my family birthday celebration.

My daughter, son-in-law and grandpups Aspen and Milo came to our house bringing supper and bearing gifts.

Greek food was on the menu for a welcome change.

I was spoiled with many gifts.

Consider myself to be blessed.

Earlier my co-worker that bakes my birthday cake dropped of my fourth carrot cake order from her along with two dozen cupcakes.

The cupcakes (have not tasted as yet) are chocolate with salted caramel icing and the others are vanilla with key lime icing.

They look so yummy.

I will share some photos later.

After supper, I opened gifts and we had cake.

Followed by some time on the deck.

After a cooler day the evening was bright, sunny and warm.

Absolute perfection.

Who could ask for more …. family ….. sunshine ….

My daughter wanted to snap some photos of the three pups:  Mr. Alvin, Aspen and Milo.

Well they had other ideas.

Also Milo decided he was going to jump into my back garden.

It was cute and maddening all that once.

Grandma was mad for about 3 seconds and then laughed as we snapped photos.

Not sure why he decided to go into the garden.

Later he had a treat that he was trying desperately to bury in a flower pot.

That seems to be going around.

Alvin hid a chew treat in one of my flower pots a few days ago.

Aspen and Alvin were in one photo together.

We had a great visit.

Happy Birthday to me.

 

Well time to get this show on the road.

I am going to pop in on the cats next door for a visit.

Over the next couple of days I will be sharing my Birthday Cake and Cupcakes with friends and neighbours.

Because everyone needs cake from time to time.

 

Well this is going to be a quiet weekend except for the birthday celebrations.

Just plan on reading, maybe even do some writing and definitely walking.

Woo, looks like there may be some sunshine coming.

Will take a look at the weather channel and perhaps go for a walk shortly.

 

I hope that you are having a great weekend thus far.

Remember to take some time for a nice walk.

Take time to unwind, relax and enjoy life.

Take time to smell the roses.

There is something about the fragrance of flowers that makes one feel so wonderful.

 

Well I can hear Mr. Alvin moaning so that is my que to sign off.

The boss has called or sounded.

 

Take Care.

Living with kindness and respect.

Always, Carol & Alvin

 

 

 

 

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Thursday the 24th day of August, 2017.

To be another hot day and possible thunderstorms.

Is this the end of August weather?

As August winds down, I am happy in the fact that I spent time with so many of the people that I adore this month.

Some from a distance and others from around the corner.

I write on paper every morning and say to myself multiple times each day of how blessed and fortunate I am.

To be surrounded by the most kind, thoughtful, compassionate, generous, funny and intelligent people.

Some of them are young ones and others in between and some older.

I have always believed that your friend base should be broad and of every age category / group.

This has kept me young and alive.

I will never forget the time that I spent with my sister this August.

The most time we have spent together in years.

It was wonderful and amazing.

She always makes me laugh and even sometimes provokes those conversations and feelings that get you going.

That is a good thing.

Learn and grow.

She is a smart lady and I love her very much.

Also this August I spent lots of time with my girl, my daughter.

She is simply the best person on the planet.

Her kindness, generosity and compassion are surpassed by no other.

Love you my darling.

Also my friend “V” from back in my other home ……

This woman is the best friend one could ever ask for ….

She is funny, intelligent, thoughtful, kind, generous and the BEST COOK on the planet.

I treasure our conversations whether on-line or on the phone.

I am hoping that we can visit before the year ends.

She also introduced me to a friend of hers named “J” and she is this incredible funny and wonderful lady.

Never met her but I feel like I have known her for years.

My friends in Edmonton ….. treat me like a Queen.

They are supportive, great conversationalists, thoughtful and kind and SMART.

How could one go wrong being surrounded by all these great WOMEN.

Now the men are another story.

I have some men friends and of course they have all of the above traits.

Including me Alvin.

Well almost time to leave for work.

I hope that you all have a wonderful day and that you are as blessed as I.

Special Hello to:  friends and family ….. you rock.

Always, Carol & Alvin

 

COUNTDOWN: 60 Days to 60

Today is Wednesday, July 19, 2017 and it is the 22nd day until my 60th Birthday.

All I can say is that I think I am temporarily done with make lists for now.

My head hurts.

 

At this moment I am so grateful to be alive and have my life.

I am so grateful that I am turning 60.

I am so grateful that I am in great health, have wonderful, amazing family and friends, and that I am living my life the best way that I can.

Each moment to the fullest and learning along the way.

Creating memories.

Dancing to the beat of my own drum.

There may be a couple of small things that I would change or rather am working on …. such as the little non-rubber tire that has decided to place itself about my middle …. or perhaps

the lack of 000000’s behind the numbers in my bank account.

BUT You can have a great job, all the money in the world, lavish house and belongs, fancy cars and go on tours of the world but if you are not “living your best life” ….. well does it really matter?

It matters to me.

No matter what happens in any moment I learn and try to make the next ones better.

 

For Wednesday, the day of the week that my darling daughter was born.

The day that I chose.

It will always have a special place in my heart.

 

Always, Carol

 

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Tuesday the 5th day of July, 2016.

Overcast and cooler this morning and forecast for not so hot of a day.

 

I was just thinking about why are we here?

Should we not be here to be great?

We are all great in our own way, right?

Why is it then, that we cannot seem to get by the outside factors, such as: financial difficulties and bad relationships?

For some reason we cannot see outside our immediate “boundaries.”

I call them boundaries because they seem to lock us into the immediate and do not let us see beyond.

They are like a door that we just cannot open.

I guess something to ponder on this Tuesday.

If we could all just see how wonderfully fantastic and great we are ….. what a wonderful world this would be.

We are all great in our own way.

 

Well I guess it is that time once again.

Some mornings the time just seems to zip on by and that is one of them.

I hope that you have a wonderful day.

 

Just remember even when you are stressed about how much money you have in the bank and whether or not you can pay that next bill – that is not what defines you.

When you are in a bad relationship and cannot see the light for the madness – that is not what defines you.

You define you.

 

Special Hello to:  all my fellow human beings …. today do the right thing.

Always, Carol and Alvin

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Friday the 29th day of January, 2016.

Wow, another three days and we will be putting another January to rest, to bed.

February is a great month ….. we celebrate the HEART.

What could be better than that …..

We do it in a multitude of ways ….. with flowers and chocolate.

By fundraising and canvassing for the Heart Fund.

We send cards and make up our own.

We take loved ones out for a nice meal.

But truly the best way to celebrate the HEART month is to give of yourself in a kind and loving manner.

So as we say goodbye to the first month of the New Year ….. what can we/I say?

It was one of those months and for the most part considering the New Year is supposed to be a new start and all – generally January is mixed.

Our weather has been mixed …… few cold miserable days …. many warm ones.

So on this third last day of the month perhaps if we think about the outgoing month we can help make the next one GREAT.

I am putting my THREE not so great events behind us and moving forward.

February is going to be the best one ever ….

I can feel it in my bones.

We are saying good-bye to this month with mild weather which is always a blessing.

I cannot say enough good things about my new “spikes” ….. “tires for the feet” ….. they are GREAT.

I love them ….. even the clicking sound they make when you are not walking on ice and snow.

Well almost time to get this show on the road once again.

I hope that you have an incredible FRIDAY ….. may the winds of change bring US ALL all things WONDERFUL.

Take Care.

Special Hello to: my sister ….. almost SKYPE time once again ….. YAY.

Always, Carol and Alvin

 

Thought for the day…..

Good Morning and Welcome to Tuesday the 23rd day of June, 2015.

The sun is shining and the birds I imagine are singing away basking in the glow of the sun.

There is a bit of a breeze here in the city making it comfortable for walking.

Mr. Alvin is in his usual position laying on his tummy facing the stairs waiting for me to finish.

We have a routine.

He has this routine of waking up and wanting to get up at 4:30 a.m.

I have been getting up with him and then after he eats and goes outside we hit the sofa for some extra zzz’s

I would imagine it would be easier to just say “no” but that is one word that eludes me most often.

Oh well, that is okay ……

Last night we were out for our regular walk and we ran across some neighbours who have two small dogs.

He was happy to see them but the little ones were barking and I was so happy he just stood there.

Didn’t snap back …..

They couldn’t hurt him and he stood there calm as calm could be.

Even their parents were impressed with Mr. Alvin.

Finally he just walked away.

One of the little ones did want to play but she follows the other one and he didn’t want to play.

Funny ……

Anyway he was my good boy, and I was a proud Momma.

Well this proud Momma has to hit the road …… too long on the sofa this morning.

I started to read a book last night and had a hard time putting it down.

I wish you a wonderful day filled with love and laughter, kindness and patience.

Special Hello to: my sister ….. will see her in five sleeps ….. YAY.

Always, Carol and Alvin

Thought for the day….

Good Morning and Welcome to Friday the 13th day of March, 2015.

Wow, Friday the 13th ….. I think it is my lucky day ….. well it is Friday after all.

I am so blessed.

Had an awesome Thursday ….. got lots accomplished at the office and met some incredible people that were shopping at “my” store.

Yesterday was one of my double duty days.

Say that three times fast.

I have decided now that I will be working seven days a week that I must make a list of the regular chores and schedule them in ….. otherwise I may forget to do laundry or mow the grass.

Then save some time for walks with Alvin.

Time for reading, writing and making jewellery.

Picking up trash around the neighbour and a couple of other projects I have on the go.

Also time for coffee with my girls.

Time for my daughter …. making jewellery ….

Time for me….. well that will all of the above things ….

Well I hope that you have an awesome Friday…..

Be grateful for all that you have and all that you are ….

You are the best and I am so grateful that you spend your precious time with me.

I do so appreciate it.

Always take time for you …. walking your doggie, walking yourself, coffee with your friends, yoga alone in the dark or on the deck in the sunshine.

Well here I go ready to tackle another day …. perhaps “tackle” is too strong of a word … but nonetheless.

Special Hello to: all of the people that I meet over the course of a week who constantly remind me that life is wonderful.

Always, Carol and Alvin

Thought for the day…..

Good Morning and Welcome to Thursday the 11th day of December, 2014.

WOW, another Thursday.

Wonderful.

It is also payday ….

That makes this day even better.

My kids picked me up from work last night as they were out at family/friend’s children’s Christmas Concert.

Wow that shaved off lots of time as I was home by 9:30 instead of 10:10.

YAY.

Well I know this is going to be a great day.

I am going to receive some great news.

I was just thinking this morning about how much I love Christmas arrangements.

You know the ones with some branches of evergreen trees, a splash of colour from some ornaments and some white flowers.

Well looks like my ride is ready so I had better hustle.

Have a great day.

Perhaps I will receive an unexpected delivery at work today.

That would be so wonderful.

Special Hello to: people who are kind ….. we should all be.

Always, Carol and Alvin

Thought for the day….

Good Morning and Welcome to Thursday the 23rd day of October, 2014.

Do you ever wake up in the morning and just have that “feeling” that something off the charts “wonderful” is about to happen to you?

I feel that way this morning.

I just feel in my heart that things are about to change in a huge way, and my life will be even better than it is.

I am on every day grateful for my life ….

Of course, like every human being on the planet – I do have moments where I could scream.

I think that is healthy.

When that happens it makes me feel even more grateful for my health which is pretty great, for Alvin and my daughter (and her family), for all of my siblings, nephews, nieces, all my FAMILY and FRIENDS; for the air that we breathe, for my home and the list goes on and on.

I think that gratitude is a healthy way to look at your world.

So on this day “feel” gratitude in your heart for all that you have and you will attract even more.

I firmly believe this ….. like attracts like.

You know for certain that when you are mad or sad ….. things just keep spiralling until you think about something good.

I hope that you have an amazing day.

Always dream and think as many positive thoughts as you can in a day.

Always take the time to just be still and try for no thoughts to enter your busy mind.

Resting the mind is good …..

Happy Thursday.

Special Hello to: my sister and brothers ….. I love you more than words can say.

Always, Carol and Alvin

Thought for the day…..

Good Morning and Welcome to Thursday the 28th day of August, 2014.

Overcast and raining overnight.

So happy to have some moisture.

The grass and plants will all be doing a happy dance.

It is a bit breezy now so I can see them waving their stems and branches, grooving along.

 

So on this Thursday, I am feeling a bit dozy.

Most people that I talk to feel the same way in the mornings and even throughout the day.

I think it is due in part to fall and the big “W” being just around the bend.

Our natural feeling is to eat and sleep …. just like the bears and other animals.

HIBERNATE.

Oh well, guess until we adjust to the changes in the cycles we will just be a bit tired.

Perhaps will have to try going to bed a bit earlier…..

 

So on this Thursday I hope this finds you feeling happy, joyful, grateful and in good health.

Remember no matter what always see the positive side of every situation.

I know from daily experience it is not always easy.

But like anything we humans do …. it has practice and repetition to get it right.

It would be great whenever less than positive things occur and that the first thought that crosses your mind is something “wonderful” …..

Find that silver lining.

Happy Thursday.

 

Special Hello to: my sister who should be at home now and enjoying her last bit of holiday/vacation.  Great to see you and the boys.

I will post some of our photos …… such a great weekend.

Always, Carol and Alvin