Alf4

2013-02-19T10:39:00.001-08:00

Another way to find my book

The Way I Remember It- A simple book of Poetry

2013-01-31T20:41:00.000-08:00

Now Available in several online stores such as:
Books by Alf
Barnes and Nobel
Kobo

The Way I Remember it - Alf : Xlibris

2012-08-28T13:06:00.001-07:00

Now available online. My first publication. Hope you enjoy, there may be more to come in the near future.

The Way I Remembed it - Alf : Xlibris

The New Book

2012-08-23T10:31:00.000-07:00

New Beginnings: The New Arrival.

2012-08-01T21:26:00.003-07:00

30-07-12

(Agnes Beth Forbes)

Miracles are hard to find.

Yet we are blessed again this day.

Comfort and care providing a peace of mind.

A bundle of joy for us to praise.

Healthy and beautiful, a little princess.
A gift for us to raise.

New Beginnings: House of Babies

2012-07-04T16:26:00.001-07:00

It all started Canada's Day. The new puppy Sadie arrived @ nine pm. We were asked upstairs by our neighbour to do a huge favor for her. When we knocked at the door she answered with an I'm sorry I lied to you. And showed us Sadie. She wasn't as big as we expected and our leash and collar weigh more than her.
Last night after school, I arrived home and was told our cat Jeff was missing. I searched everywhere and couldn't find her. We eventually went to bed thinking of putting up missing cat posters. This morning while getting my morning coffee Albert came into the kitchen saying " You got to come see this, it's not a bad thing you just have to come." So we followed him to his room where we found Jeff and three tiny fur balls.

With Kathryn in her last month of pregnancy the house is slowly being over run with toddlers. Adults are the minority and we wonder how we will remain in control.
On a separate note I'm really enjoying accounting.

2012-06-14T07:58:00.000-07:00

Amazon

New beginnings: Weekends

2012-06-08T07:45:00.000-07:00

For years now, I have lived without Fridays, But with my going back to school I have come to anticipate the weekend once more. What to do? Some activities have already been discussed, A friend of ours is getting married and I'm actually looking forward to the BBQ that is to follow the wedding. It has been along time since I looked forward to anything.
Next weekend we already have plans for another BBQ. Our friend has invited us to their place for the day. They are just outside of town on an acre. So it should be fun. Lots room for the kids. Apparently there is a trampoline and Aimee our oldest has friend there too. Talk of an ATV ride , should be fun for the boys, maybe I can talk Kathryn into getting on with me(although she shaking her head as I type this) most likely not.
It's been years since I had reason to enjoy the weekend as a weekend and not just another day. T.G.I.F once again.

New Beginning: Week Three.

2012-06-01T20:04:00.000-07:00

Third week third exam. This week it was Business Communications. English close for the office. It was somewhat entertaining as my instructor,Sholeh, has turned out to be quite the flamboyant person. She puts me in mind of our daughter when she is in one of her bouncy moods. You know the type, they make you smile when they enter a room.
Not only was there the exam but our Power Point presentations were held this week as well. My presentation was on Salt Dough Creations. The topics ranged from laptops to premature babies. All were interesting and the class had fun with each one.

On the home front we have an added member to our family this week. Our puppy was born May 31, 2012. Her name is Sadie. She is a Bull Mastive crossed with Labrador. She is black with white paws and chest. She is still with the breeder but we anticipate her arrival mid July.

New Beginnings: The Reunion

2012-05-21T10:27:00.000-07:00

First sight.

Wow; where to begin? We got a late start and there was lots of traffic,being the long weekend and all. We were on the road; Forgot the directions, no phone number, but we were on the road and I knew where we were going. It was like going home.

Getting to know each other again.

I so nervous. We shake hands and instantly embraced on another. I swear we were holding each other up. Instant comfort, a feeling of belonging.
He himself came off as intelligent, but not a know it all. You could tell he works hard has done a lot. Neither one of us had much to say. Just being there, enjoying the moment was enough.
I went into it with no expectations and the day was wonderful. I wish I had more to say but he was so open that all questions were answered. Leaving the past where it belonged and lived in the moment.
I think I'm still in shock, come to think of it. My brother and sister were great and the whole family was just so welcoming that instead having to break the ice, we walked on water. Our situation and distance makes it hard to know when we will be able to do it again, but its an amazing feeling to have started to fill the void I 've had all my life.

New beginnings: Waiting to Meet Him

2012-05-20T06:45:00.000-07:00

Well I survived the first week of school and entered the first exam with a solid 70%. Although I struggled with a few things, I am pretty sure I got the grade. With the first course behind me its time to move forward. Onto something fresh. Which leads me to the long weekend. Victoria Day weekend.
The May 24 weekend has always been known for its big events. This year it marks a grand reunion.We are heading out, shortly, to meet my Dad soon. I can say, I'm a little nervous. Anxiety is through the roof. What if things aren't all happy, happy, joy ,joy. Are we all going to get along? Whats my Mom think? There is a lot to consider. This affects the whole family, wife and kids, not just me.
The children are gaining a whole family they never knew. Do they have a clue? I can't expect them to understand what is happening. They are gaining Grand parents, Aunts, Uncles, and cousins. The works. I can hear it now. How come he was my Grandpa yesterday or why don't we know them before now? I'm sure they will be okay with everything.I'm just nervous. Projecting my anxiety on them.
I'm sure it will be a good thing. This is going to be awesome. So much change, so much confusion, so much to accept. This all for the benefit of family. We need to be strong for and with each other. All I can say is Can't wait.

New Beginnings: The Phone Call

2012-05-15T20:10:00.000-07:00

Although I have had my Dads phone number for over a week now, I still haven't called.At the same time I Emailed him my number too. It came down to an inbox on Facebook tonight from my step mother, she asked for my number again. I instantly replied and said call anytime.
I carried on with getting the trash ready, not thinking anymore of the message. As I was heading for the door with the garbage the phone rang. My heart skipped a beat. I knew it was him. My Dad was on the other end of the phone. First time I've heard his voice in over thirty years, but I recognized his voice immediately. Hard to believe I could remember what he would sound like but I did.
Once the hellos were over with we were both ready for the awkward moments of silence, but there weren't any. We tried figuring out how to get our clans together at one time in one place. He says there are ten of them that want to meet us and with my five,soon to be six, that's a whole lot of people to get on the same page.
We agreed to see if I can find my way to them, failing that my Dad and his wife,Camilla, would come here and we'd meet the rest another time. I'm really looking forward to this. If all goes well I'll be calling him in a couple of day to figure out when and where, balls back in my court.But that's ok.
As we said our good byes I called him Dad. First time I can remember saying that word to him. My voice wavered as I said it. Kathryn says it was the only time that there was any sign of breakdown in my voice. Up to this point, it has always been Carl. Now I'm somewhere between acceptance and comfort. He is my Dad and deserves a chance.
Facebook has been an icebreaker of sorts.Kathryn and I feel like we already know my sister. The phone call would have never happened if we did not connect on line first. Now that all the initial hellos are over with, its time to move forward to a brighter future.

New Beginnings: First Day

2012-05-14T19:47:00.001-07:00

Today was my first day of school.Trios College is the school I attend.This morning nerves were shot. Over whelming anxiety. These feeling plague me all the way across town to the campus. The bus ride was seemingly longer then usual. I dread every stop we passed.
Upon arrival I was ushered into line with all the other new students; signed in and received my books. Logging into the schools computers was the usual third times a charm. The professor and other students were more then willing to help and did so when they saw others needing help. Even I found myself helping others log in after I got settled.
Once class started, we jumped right into things. Power point. We covered two lessons today, which I felt comfortable doing. All computer work, little note taking but overall nothing to extraordinary. I now know how to create basic slide presentations and learned how to use a flash drive.
The end of the day couldn't come soon enough. I wanted to get home to my family. I'm not used to being gone all day, which is the only draw back I see to this whole experience so far. In time we will all adjust and things will get easier.

Service Expantion

2012-05-12T10:52:00.002-07:00

ALFS4 is expanding its services again. We joined up with ZeekRewards and now offer an on-line store and Penny Auction. This one really works I have seen the proof. I know someone earning $23 a day after six months working with ZeekRewards.
Check out ALFS4 for this and other on-line services and opportunities.
Zeekrewards

2012-05-12T09:24:00.002-07:00

New Beginnings: Orientation Day

2012-05-10T19:32:00.000-07:00

My student card

Today was orientation day at Trios College. I spent my first hours, in a class room, in 18 years or so. Thank God, it was orientation. Nothing sunk in. Three hours of blah blah blah. My first tour of the place when I applied was more informative. It was like watching an infomercial live.
Don't get me wrong today held a lot of information. There is a self help manual they gave us to assist in our studies and career pursuits. Its based on the 8 cornerstones of high performance. which are:
Attitude
Educational and career vision
Self management skills
Workplace skills
Contacts
Experience
Personal life
These are key traits to success.
After we discussed succeeding as a student;the program director took over the presentation an introduced the faculty.
So I'm realizing that I may struggle with absorption of info at first. This concerns me for the plain simple fact of all I recall is"Blah blah blah." They could have given everyone a password for an automatic pass and I totally missed it. Of course once class starts I'll be taking notes and I will have text books to turn to when my notes fail me. So I believe I stand a good chance of survival.

New Beginnings: Family Decisions

2012-05-09T20:02:00.000-07:00

Where to begin, It started around Christmas with an in box from a name I knew along time ago. A cousin from my fathers side of the family said they wanted to get to know me. Here several months later I am faced with a dilemma I knew I would come to face all my life. I'm in the process of getting to know my father for the first time in memory. I am 36.
With going back to school being an issue, along the expecting of a new baby, this comes as an added stress I never considered at this time in life. I had already given up years ago. I carried a lot of resentment for many years of vain-less searching. Lived with misdirected anger all my life, now that source has met me face to face during an already turbulent time in my life. Years ago I shed the anger and resentment and moved on.
Now here I sit with an opportunity to learn a new level of acceptance as I welcome him and his family into our lives with open arms. I can't help but feel like we are having an Oprah moment.
Is it all just a flash in the pan. Will they stick around after initial introductions are done and over with? Will we all get along? What happens next? So many thoughts and questions. Things that don't belong keep popping up but how do you ignore over 30 years of absence. Its all so confusing.
The internal emotional struggle is very apparent and through deep breathing exercises and visionary type quest for enlightenment have helped aide in keeping the facts and situation straight in my head. But as time for physical meetings approaches , it leaves me leery as to my natural reaction. How to stop the inevitable breakdown. Emotions will be heightened and hard to keep in check. The hardest part will be with being honest without hurting them. Letting go is the solution. Moving forward with an once removed branch of family and hope for the best.

2012-05-08T20:00:00.002-07:00

My Advice

2012-04-26T06:49:00.001-07:00

I am normally a pretty quiet guy. But if you come to me for advice, you can be sure I'm not going to steer you wrong. I may not always be right but in the end the direction I send you in is for the best. Weather it saves you time or money I don't give out false leads.
For instance, my in-laws had a front end issue on their van. Not knowing much I gave them the best advice I could. At first I thought it was brakes, then I started thinking it was the bearings. Either way I told them to get it looked at and my friend would beat whatever quote they got.
Now they are getting it done at one of those franchised auto repair shop. Its going to cost them twice as much and, as far as I'm concerned, getting low quality work as compared to what they would have gotten. Now I didn't start writting this just to blow off steam. I actually have a point.
Its not the first time I have seen this.People are always avoiding the little guy for one reason or another. In my general consensus The larger well known establishments have taken over the small business enterprise. Shops all over the country have a hard time staying open because nobody wants to give the little guy a chance. You may never heard of them but that is a good thing. If they had become well known they would be to busy to treat you the way you should be treated. At the larger places you are just another customer and will get done in good time and if properly at all. Most large names have gotten good and bad names for what they do. Where as the little guy you may be the only customer they have to deal with and you get their full attention to detail.
There are many pro vs. cons on this subject towards either side, but in my opinion the little guy will do whatever they can to keep your business where as the larger branded places don't care. Keep it small, keep it local, support a family instead of a corporation.

Am I an Author

2012-04-19T13:31:00.001-07:00

So, I entered a poetry contest. Thousands of people also entered. Big deal, poets are a dime a dozen, right? Wait it gets better. Today I receive a letter and out of the thousands entered I have been selected as a semi-finalist. Along with this opportunity to win fabulous prizes; an editors proof was sent along with it.
The book is called Stars In Our Hearts. It goes for publication in June of this year. This is my first attempt at a contest and the publication is just amazing. I have been writing all of my life and this motivates me to do more.
Just goes to show, the old sayings are true; you never know til you try.
So the question still remains, am an author. Not a noted one anyways.I have a few unfinished stories, that have been shelved for years now. What stops me from completing them, I not really sure. There are volumes of unpublished poetry and even a childrens story. So where to go from here.
Now that I'm motivated, might time to pull out the dusty pages of a past on paper and polish them up. Maybe some fresh stuff. I don't know. Never in my wildest dreams did I think I would make it this far.The possibilities are endless. Must stay focused and diligent with my craft. Who knows maybe someday I'll be able to say yes to my opening question. Am I an author?
I don't consider myself one, just a guy who likes to write.

Spring Clean-UP

2012-04-17T13:34:00.000-07:00

The city of Brampton is once again sponsoring its annual Spring Clean-Up. The Brampton CleanCity Committee is a committee of City Council made up of concerned citizens who volunteer their time and effort in promoting environmental awareness and a clean community. ALF4 has signed up to participate for its first time this year.

We have spent many years cleaning the cities parks and lane ways anonymously. Our commitment to the city this year is to clean Eastboure Park and continue our effort to keep our community clean. By using the supplies donated by the City of Brampton our goal is becoming reality.

Although few have signed on, friends and neighbors join forces with the City to accomplish our objective. The Spring and Harvest Clean-Ups attract a combined 130,000 volunteers every year. Participation in this program helps to foster environmental awareness and responsibility, boost community pride, and beautifies our city Our children take part as well. Their effort and contribution to the project helps them learn good work ethics, social skills,and the importance of volunteering in the community.
I have been asked what am I getting out of this. My answer is a good feeling. My wife loves the feeling of getting closer to nature. And well, when the supplies arrived it was a rush. The over whelming feeling of doing good in our community intoxicates me.

Now normally when you come across wild life it gets disrupted and flees, right? Well, while cleaning a section of the creek today, my wife came across a family of ducks. Instead of the expected squawk and take flight, They quacked calmly and drew nearer as if they were saying thank you.Its special moments like this that make volunteering to the CleanCity Program worth while.

Our family got out there and did a great job. In fact a city worker said "You have done awesome so far." We started at our favorite place to hang out and cleared trash for well over 100 meters to the bridge. 25 garbage bags and an assortment of other debris has already been removed. With a month ahead of us and volunteers lined up for weekends, our park will continually look better.
ALf4 is currently looking over guide lines and regulations involving the Adopt-A-Park program. In hopes to

continue a growing relationship between ALF4 and Brampton CleanCity our parks will be maintained and beautified for future generations. All interested Volunteers can contact the City of Brampton for further information.

Spring Ceancity/Brampton

2012-04-16T19:56:00.001-07:00

ALFS4 Online marketing needs

2012-04-11T14:47:00.001-07:00

Check out my about.me page!

2012-04-10T10:35:00.002-07:00

ALFS4
A family business offering a variety of services.
On-line marketing
Jack of all trades
Crafts and other arts
Even offer an on-line resource center

CPN

2012-04-10T10:24:00.001-07:00

Here is another way of finding us. Christian Power Now