COUNTDOWN: 60 days to 60

Today is Saturday June 17, 2017 and it is the 54 day until my 60th Birthday.

Crazy that the days are passing so quickly.

This writing has helped to gain perspective on a few things, and to give me extra purpose in the days and years ahead.

My family and I have had I would say an odd relationship.

Not bad but odd.

I am the eldest child of five.

We lost one brother several years ago.

We, remaining four are two girls and two boys.

I am closer to my sister because I have been around her more than my brothers, know her better, and because we are girls.

Part of the reason for this was I left home when I was sixteen years old.

This was not my choice.

I was always their guide and protector and it hurt me a lot to leave them.

My paternal grandfather had died in a farming accident back “home” and my Dad decided it would be a good idea for me to go and live with my Grandmother.

I was sixteen and she was 72.

I had always loved my Gran and was close to her but the idea of leaving my siblings behind scared me a great deal.

My youngest brother was 8, the other boys were 10 and 11; my sister was 14 when I left home.

I would say that this was the hardest thing that I have ever had to do.

Leaving my babies behind – being the eldest I was always responsible for them and they really did feel like my children.

So as I said, we have an odd relationship.

My sister and I are super close.

The boys feel like my children – most especially the youngest one.

I think it was hard for them, too.

We love each other very much.

I always felt bad that I missed out knowing them better in those years, and then as teenagers.

It also has had an effect on every conversation and get together over the years.

Whenever they spoke of many things – I was not there, and could not be connected to that memory, and that always hurt.

I did not feel included in a way.  Not that it was their fault as it certainly was not the case.

Now that is not to say that we did not see each other during those years we certainly did but not on a day to day basis.

My very core hurt when my middle brother passed away …..

Everyone has something in their life that throws their life into the fire pit.

So family is important to me.

I may not see my “babies” on a regular basis but they are engrained in my very being and with me everyday.

My Mom always treated me as a younger sister and even referred to me, as such.

My Dad well, despite his shortcomings, I loved him.

Families are not all the same.

You do the best that you can.

I am excited for my birthday as my sister and younger brother are coming to stay with me.

So excited to spend time with them.

Your family is your family.

All you can do is the best you can do …..

I am blessed to be a part of this family.

 

Always, Carol

 

Thought for the day….

Good Morning and Welcome to Monday the 11th day of July, 2016.

Well it is much cooler out this morning with cloudy skies and a cool breeze.

They say with the humidity it will feel like 25 degrees celsius today.

There was such a nice breeze overnight so it was comfortable with the window open.

It was another much sleepless Sunday night.

Not sure what it was other than I sometimes find on Sunday nights that no matter what time I go to bed – I cannot close off my thoughts.

They come pouring in …. rehashing the days and then about the week ahead.

If there was anything the least bit stressful that happened in recent days I go over and over and over it until I am exhausted.

Certainly there are millions of folks in the same way …..

Oh well on the bright side I will sleep great tonight.

 

Me and Alvin had a great Sunday ….. so much company.

Basically when each batch of company arrived it was pouring rain.

It was pouring when the girls came for coffee in the morning …

It was raining hard when my daughter and Elton arrived just after lunch.

It was pouring on the way to and from the grocery store and I was thankful that I had my daughter’s car.

It was raining when they went home.

In the house we were dry and had a few laughs and share some stories.

After supper I had a visit with my sister via SKYPE.

It was a great Sunday and the last thing we did was go for a walk.

It managed to stop raining for a bit ….. so out we went.

What an awesome  Sunday, thank you to my company.

They keep me sane or almost.   Giggling out loud.

 

Today is the 13th Birthday of my grand-puppy Elton …

It has been quite the year for him to say the least.

We wish nothing but sunshine and rainbows for him for the rest of his life.

He is a sturdy old guy who seems to still have a swagger in his step and energy to rival some one much younger.

Happy Birthday Buddy ….. only great days ahead.

We love you so much and both Alvin and I send you hugs, kisses and our love.

Happy Birthday Sir Elton Hobbs.

 

So here we are once again ….. time to leave for the bus and to work.

The start of another week.

I wish you all sunshine and rainbows.

Happy Monday.

 

Special Hello to:  the Birthday Boy …. Sir Elton.

Always, Carol and Alvin

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Saturday the 14th day of May, 2016.

A sunny Saturday.

The sky is blue and the sun is shining brightly.

Great way to start the weekend.

Actually last night was so gorgeous ….. absolute perfection.

Temperature right.

No breeze.

Enjoyed some time visiting out front with my neighbour.

Soon they will be moving into their new house and a new chapter will begin for each of us.

I/We, me and Alvin will miss them.

But as I have found nothing lasts forever.

They are not moving far away so we will keep in contact but it will not be the same as living next door to each other.

I truly have been blessed on the neighbour end of things.

Always had awesome people surrounding me wherever I have lived.

How about you?

Do you get to know them?

Do you socialize with them?

Do you like them?

 

Two of the gals in my neighbourhood that I have become good friends with over the years are coming for coffee and a visit this morning.

They are super nice.

With them being younger and having smaller children it has kept me feeling younger.

Surrounding yourself with the younger generations is great.

Almost all of my friends are about my daughter’s age.

I have two friends closer to my age and then two friends older than me.

The rest are younger.

But no matter.

Always good to surround yourself with different perspectives.

 

Well time to go and get the laundry started as Mr. Alvin has his 4-6 week pedicure and “stuff” at the Vet.

His favourite thing to do.

I have a garage sale to plan and get ready, tea sales to obtain, housework to do and the list goes on.

It would be nice to have a personal assistant or someone.

I was chatting last night on the bus with a lady that I have got to know and we are both single.

Although I do not mind living on my own there are times that having someone would be a great help.

 

Okay time to go.

It appears that I have more to say but that will have to be for another day.

Sorry for the jumble jumble.

 

One more thing …. Elton is doing so much better and sounds like they are coming for a visit tomorrow.

So excited to see our boy.  Have not seen him since before his surgery.

 

Have an awesome Saturday.

I am going to enjoy the visit with my “peeps.”

 

Special Hello to: all those single people out there doing their thing alone.

Always, Carol and Alvin

 

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Thursday the 6th day of August, 2015.

Wow, one week into August.

It has been a great one thus far.

In just three sleeps I will celebrate my 58th Birthday and in five sleeps one of my brothers will turn 53.

My sister turned 56 in February and our baby brother turned 50 in January.

It only happens for two years every decade.

Kind of cool.

I cannot believe that I am almost “60.”

It is not that I am afraid of that number or even growing old for that matter (for the most part).

It is just that wow …… it seems like I am still in my 40’s or younger.

I feel young and my friends and family keep me there.

I am so blessed ….. truly I am.

This morning the kids are dropping off the grand-puppies.

They are staying with me and Alvin for two nights and three days as they are looking after my son-in-law’s niece and nephew.

So we are excited.

It is always wonderful to have Elton and Penny visit us.

Alvin is beside him …. actually I only mentioned in passing quietly otherwise he would have been running around and looking out of the window ……

Well only a few minutes until they arrive.

After they get the pups settled they will drop me at my office on the way to theirs. (just like the old days) ….. NICE.

I took tomorrow off as a vacation day so will have some quality time with the pups.

The sun is coming up and shining on the neighbour in the back lane’s huge garage that stands almost done ….. apparently waiting for “paper work” from the City.

I hope that you have an amazing Thursday.

If today is your birthday have a wonderful one.

If today is not your birthday have a wonderful one.

Stay safe and have fun.

Special Hello to: my sister who is back home in Regina and my brother in Calgary ….. to our brother who hosted … THANK YOU.

Always, Carol and Alvin