The Next Chapter

Good Morning ALL! I hope that this finds you well. Yesterday was definitely different. First day going to work without Alvin in the house. Leaving the house felt strange as I said to him – I love you Alvin and I will see you after work, habit. The house was dark as I turned the key in the lock. As I walked to the car, I turned to the living room windows where I had always waved to Alvin who would be sitting on the sofa looking out watching me as I left for work. When I got into the car, Michelle was crying as she remembered how he would look out the window at me as I was leaving. We had some tears on the way to work. Oh my boy, how I miss you. The continuing saga at the office was a temporary reprieve from my new life. I thought of him often as I had also brought one of his favourite toys, his Teddy Bear with me to the office (carefully tucked away in my purse). I felt as though he was beside me all day.

The walk to the house after work felt long as I climbed the steps to the house, the realization that there would not be someone waiting for me on the other side hit me like a ton of bricks. As I turned the key in the door, I still hung onto hope that I would see him as I opened the door and called out to him. But he was not there. I locked the door behind me and stepped into my new reality. Alvin is only a memory now, a recent one but now a memory. One to remain in my memory and in my heart for all time. I will always remember that little guy who brought so much joy and laughter to my life.

We did not have coffee at the office yesterday so I made a pot when I got home from work. By this time, I had a headache from lack of caffeine, I suppose. I took a few minutes to just enjoy the coffee before starting supper as Amanda was coming for a sleepover after work and a dental appointment. She arrived earlier than expected which was wonderful. Supper was a bit later. Tears were shed. It is difficult for her when she steps into the house and Alvin is not there to greet her. No barks of joy. No little fur bundle looking out the window waiting for her to come into the house. It was definitely a difficult moment. We had a good evening. Even a wee bit of laughter.

Time to head downstairs as I have to make a pot of coffee before work as we have none.

I hope that you are safe, warm and have a wonderful Tuesday.

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

Always, Carol & Alvin, my forever Angel.

The New YEAR 2022

Good Morning ALL! Despite the rocky start to the New Year, things are starting to get better. Yesterday over my lunch break, I asked a neighbour to come over and check behind the stove to see if you know what was in the you know what! I won’t say because I am not one that takes taking a life no matter what lightly. All life is important for this Earth unfortunately there are some that are short lived. Anyway, K checked behind the stove and it was there, so it was disposed of properly. I felt bad but I also felt a massive sigh of relief and the anxiety that I had been feeling for two days was substantially lifted. I will not say that I was immediately anxiety free, as I was not. Continuing to work upstairs likely helped. After work I took a deep breath and started to empty the dishwasher, put away the clean dishes that filled the kitchen table and wiped the counter completely with disinfectant wipes once again before return any items. The only items on the counter are the electric kettle, food processor, stand mixer and the glass cake container which houses the bananas but I am using it as though they were a cake. They are covered. There are two containers with utensils. That is it. I also folded up some tin foil and placed it at either end of the top of the stove resting against the countertop. I pushed in more foil beside the bottom of the stove as well. It just gives me a bit more peace of mind. After that I started to gather some of the remaining Christmas decorations to put away. I even got brave on my own and went into the basement, not the furnace room but the “family room” and got some empty rubbermaid containers for the ornaments/decorations. In between I gave Mr. Alvin his supper. Every time I have food out I scrub and wipe to ensure there are no crumbs anywhere to be found. The lid from a new tin of Alvin’s dog food well I took it off the can, washed it and the can once emptied into a covered container and place clean items in a bag and put in recycling. NO CRUMBS. It took awhile but I managed to put away most of the Christmas stuff from the main floor. There are still a few things up and out but I think I will leave them until the weekend. I have to decide what things I will bring back up from the basement from my regular ornaments and things. I am again grateful to my neighbour for bringing me coffee yesterday late morning per my request and for her bringing me some today. Tomorrow the new coffee perk arrives and I hope it is early in the day. I will have to keep an eye/ear out for the delivery. My office is at the back of the office so not easy to see the street without getting up and physically going into my bedroom and looking out the window and I am unable to see the porch from there. Oh well.

All things considered it was a good day. Work is a bit on the scary side at the moment being short two people and issues with our computer system. I am happy that once again most of the anxiety has been lifted, erased. Although I am not able to sleep on the sofa in the mornings when we are up at 3 or 4 and 5 but I will in time. Poor Alvin has to make those steps a bit more often than he normally would. I do like having my workspace upstairs for a change but will have to decide if I leave it up here for awhile. Might be a nice change!

Well time to sign off. I hope that you are doing well. Hopefully things in your home are good. I am trying to remain positive and hopeful that this does not happen again. I fully realize that had I had the virus or everyone around me had it – I would have been in a much worse place. I did try and contact a professional but for a time yesterday I was unable to make outgoing calls or take incoming ones. That has now been rectified.

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

Today is a much better day and I am so grateful for my awesome neighbours. I could not have got to this place and I am happy to be here both mentally and physically. Thank you.

Always, Carol & Alvin

2021

Good Morning ALL! Welcome to Saturday, December 4, 2021. OMG, not many days now less than three full weeks until Christmas EVE. Can you believe it? Time flies. The sky is clear as the sun rises this morning. Mr. Alvin is patiently, impatiently waiting in the hallway for me. Every so often he stands up and looks at me as if to say “Are you done yet?” Just like a small child travelling on vacation or to Grandma’s house. I will say that PATIENCE is not something that either Alvin and I have a lot of but I am working on that, daily.

At my lunch break yesterday at noon, the arm was quite warm so we happily set out for our walk. So excited until we we reached the public sidewalk in front of our house to find that the once crunchy layer of snow had now become a sheet of ice with patches that were safe for walking. I took the smallest steps that I have taken since first learning to walk while Alvin boldy rushed along slipping and sliding as we went. He did slow down when I pulled on the leash a bit and said “Slow down Buddy.” We walked past one of our neighbours on the other side of the street who was out putting down salt on his driveway. They live on the corner so he has a long piece of sidewalk that he has to maintain. Not everyone around is as meticulous as he is about looking after the snow and ice removal during the winter. I am grateful for him. They also have the most beautiful yard in the summer. His wife has a super green thumb and is always working outside during the summer days, weeks and months. Anyway, we stopped momentarily to chat with him and then carefully carried on with hopes to reach the park and then turn back once again for home BUT after a few houses, I decided it was not worth the risk of Alvin slipping or pulling something or me falling and breaking something. So we turned around and carefully made our way back home. We said hello again to our friend who was then pouring salt on the long piece of public sidewalk and continued homeward bound. I am happy to report that we made it safe and sound although I had one frightful moment. Oh, the joys of winter. I must get out my “grips” to put onto the bottom of my winter boots. Most of the time they work but when there is only a layer of thin black ice – they do not. Anyway, we are home safe and luckily other than going for walks we have no need to leave the house and I am grateful to have a backyard for Mr. Alvin to access should he need to go “you know what.”

Last night was the first of three LIVES on Facebook for the Fifth Avenue Jewelry Collection that I am hosting with three others and they are called MEGAPARTIES. New words all the time. It was fun. I missed the first couple of minutes again and not because I was not there but because apparently “I did not refresh FB” which I am pretty sure that I did, anyway, let us not go there. Yesterday was not my best day on planet earth. I found myself impatient with people that I work with (not my direct coworkers) and then to miss the first couple of minutes of the LIVE when I was there, did not help my anxiety. Yes, we all have a bit of anxiety from time to time. Anxiety – impatience, call it what you will, it happens to each and every one of us from time to time. Anyway, I believe I ended it on a high note. My lotto ticket was not a winner so that was disappointing – I guess deep down or even on the surface did I think that I would actually win a large sum of money. I have to work on that for sure. There were so many pieces of beautiful jewelry. I guess my favorite was this long silver chain with this huge round kelly green crystal bead and two clear crystal beads and a FAC charm. It totally reminds me of Christmas and I have admired it for a long time. It is a bit more money than I can afford but a girl can dream. At the end of the day it is nice to sit and admire the beautiful jewelry. I have several pieces that I have acquired over the last thirty years since I started to buy Fifth Avenue Jewelry. I have so much jewelry period that I have accumulated in my 64 years. Most of what I acquire these days is for gifts. Once in awhile I pick up something for myself. Not too often. Tonight at 7:00 p.m. (Mountain Time) is the second FB LIVE for the weekend and then tomorrow at 4:00 p.m. (Mountain Time), I believe is the last one. So I had better get going.

This is my Christmas baking / Fifth Avenue Jewelry weekend plus I have laundry and some cleaning to do. I have reduced the different things that I am baking to Sugar Cookies and Fudge and a batch of Chocolate Chip Cookies for my son-in-law. Also I had a great idea last night when I could not sleep because silly me thought it was a good idea to drink coffee all evening. My beautiful daughter stopped by after work and brought us MacD’s for supper (usually I am not a huge fan of fast food but once in awhile I enjoy it and I had a craving for those salty fries). This was the second time in as many months. I am turning into a FF junkie (fast food junkie). Anyway, that is okay. Alvin and I loved having her here for a visit. We quickly caught up on the latest before she was on her way to COSTCO. Did I mention that she brought me some small donuts from MacD’s, who knew that they sold donuts now. I had a couple last night after she was gone. They were yummy. Anyway.

Time to get going. I have some FB messages to send to some friends regarding the Fifth Avenue Jewelry party and then laundry and COFFEE.

Have the most wonderful Saturday. Be safe and enjoy!

Continuing on this path, in this life to live each day with kindness, respect, compassion, patience, love, understanding, laughter with gratitude.

Always, Carol & Alvin

PS, one of the splurges I made at the grocery store was a small bag of the ground StarBucks Christmas Blend Coffee, the one in the red bag. I had that last night. My daughter had about 1/2 a cup but me, I drank the rest of the pot. I enjoyed it but I was up all night thinking about everything that happened yesterday and things that I will be doing this weekend and even came up with a great idea to package the Christmas baking. YAY, me.

2021

Good Morning ALL! How are you this morning? I am okay, we are okay. Alvin for some reason couldn’t settle down to sleep so we were up and outside at 11:08 p.m. which was only one hour and a bit since we went to bed. Then we settled on the sofa. Do you have sometimes when you just cannot shut off your mind, mine was in overdrive. I kept thinking of random, silly things over and over until I decided that we had to go back upstairs. Plus I just could not get comfortable. So back upstairs we went. As soon as I laid down, I knew that had been the right choice for both of us. Next time we were up was almost 4:00 a.m. (not too bad for a pair of old ones). Then back to the sofa and up at 6:00 a.m. and yes, you guess it, I could not help but to keep hitting the snooze button until 7:03 a.m. (yikes, momma). This is the time of year that I struggle with sleep, I cannot seem to get enough. Now that being said once I am up – I am okay. How many of you have a child, a spouse or an “Alvin” that wakes you up during the night and early morning? I am pretty certain that I am not alone in this. But this is my life. Bed, up, down, up, down, up down and then up. Sometimes I feel like a yo-yo.

I just took a glance out of the office window and noticed that there is lightness to the south which can mean only one thing that it is “later” than I was thinking. Yikes, I have to hustle as it is almost time to go to work. The night sky is slowly dissipating as the sun rises with all the colours of the morning. Beautiful. I definitely need a cup or twelve of coffee this morning. Guess I will be going now as I have a few things to do downstairs before I start to work. The minutes seem to be evaporating.

I hope that you have a wonderful day. Be well and stay safe.

Oh, yesterday we managed to get two short walks in …. Mr. Alvin has only chose to walk just into the park and then home ….. so I have to follow the leader.

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

Always, Carol & Alvin

Living … One day at a time.

Hello, partially cloudy skies this morning.

So happy to report that Alvin slept right through until 4:30 p.m. from 10:30 p.m.

Upon doing the math it would appear that he sleeps six hours before waking.

For the most part.

So I guess we will be going to be a bit later and perhaps not 10:30 p.m. but maybe 10:00 p.m.

That would put up up at 4:00 and then we could hit the sofa for one hour.

Unless I was really “energetic” and perhaps got some exercising in ….. ooo, not sure about that …. at that hour.

 

Yesterday was a good day.

I decided to call Alvin’s Doctor and see if we could change his appointment due to icy conditions.

We changed it to Monday after work as they did not have any opening at all yesterday.

Done.

Finished laundry and added a few Christmas decorations upstairs.

We went for a hour long walk with our friend P and her grand pup Georgie just before 3:00 p.m.

There were a few icy spots as we walked to the park.

Both Alvin and I slipped but managed to stay upright.

The walk with our friends was great, the temperature was warm with no wind.

We came across only a handful of people out walking with their pups and one couple with stroller and baby.

Humphrey joined us ( I picked him up just after we got home ).

I made spaghetti and tomato sauce for supper.

Did the dishes and then relaxed for the evening catching up on my recorded television shows.

 

The New LORD of the MANOR …. Humphrey is so darn cute.

Then just a few snaps of the added Christmas items that were put out.

Even Miss Minnie Mouse has a silver bow bracelet.

I found this red bowl that a Christmas arrangement came in last year so I cleaned it up and put it on the counter for a splash of colour, red, of course.

The last photo was the pile of bows and garland before I put them on the Christmas tree.

Should have taken a photo of the tree.

My favourite added bonuses were in the office and guest room.

The little added something something to the window treatments.

Love them both.

 

Well I heard from Teddy’s Mom regarding his little sister.

She is settling in and they are in the process of “house training or pad training” her.

Kobi is a lucky little pup to have such a great new home.

Once she settles in … I know that she will love it very much.

Teddy and Kobi.

I still cannot believe that our Teddy has a little sister.

Very cool.

 

Well time to head downstairs and have breakfast.

Coffee is a must.

Just do a few little chores around the house.

Then time for a shower before heading off early this afternoon to a CHRISTMAS CRAFT SALE at our friends house down the street.

 

Wishing you all a very wonderful Sunday.

Oh the sky is beautiful as the sun peers through the cloud banks.

So very pretty.

Another sunshine kind of day …. yay.

Always happy for that.

 

With kindness and respect I shall spend my day.

 

Always, Carol & Alvin

 

 

Living … One day at a time.

Hello,  back to Monday.

What a glorious weekend.

From beginning to end.

Sunshine to Rainbows.

Walks to lazing around.

Chores and chores.

Last night we had some serious thunder.

But as much as we need some sunshine ….

The temperatures they are having east of us …. not so much.

This morning the sky is filled with low fluffy dark blue rain clouds.

It has been raining off and on all night and earlier this morning.

There is clear sky in the distance.

Sunshine today?

 

I love to look out my office window as I write this post.

Some mornings there is brilliant sunshine and others there are raindrops.

Sometimes there are birds singing their songs.

Sometimes it is quiet.

 

Friday night my daughter ordered a toaster off Amazon for me.

Sunday morning it arrived at my house.

How lovely is that?

Very.

I am excited to try out my new toaster next Saturday unless one night this week “toast and eggs.”

That might be an idea.

 

I will say that nothing is made as solid as it once was ….

 

 

 

My lilies in the front garden.

Well they be a blooming.

Such a rich shade of red.

I could take photos of flowers all day long.

That would be my calling …. a flower photographer…

Oh, I love flowers.

The simple glorious “ness” of NATURE.

Love it.

They make me OH SO HAPPY.

Reminder to ourselves to “keep doing what you love.”

Perhaps one day it will pay for your living expenses.

Now that would be lovely.

 

Respect Mother Nature and treat her with Kindness.

 

Always, Carol & Alvin

 

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Sunday the 1st day of April, 2018.

WOW, it is officially April.

April 1st, 2018.

The sun is shining and the sky is a pale blue.

Still signs of winter with snow still covering rooftops and the ground.

Temperature feels colder than usual.

I am longing for the warmth of summer days and nights.

This has been a long winter.

Too much snow and ice.

We are ready for flip flop weather although yesterday when I was out for a walk with Alvin and Teddy, I saw …..

a young woman, a teenager most likely, wearing a zip up sweater and flip flops.

I could hardly believe my eyes.

Both Alvin and Teddy had on their winter jackets as did I along with my winter boots, scarf and mitts.

The sidewalks were not clear of ice and snow as she walked along in her flip flops.

This action brought a smile to my face and laughter to my heart.

WOW, it was about minus 15 degrees celsius and she had on a hooded sweater and flip flops.

The wind was COLD.

No mitts, no scarf and flip flops.

Yup, flip flops.

I wanted so desperately to yell out from across the street “to ask why?”

But I restrained myself.

Alvin was enjoying the walk and wanted to keep going however Teddy was not feeling it.

We were almost at the park when he stopped suddenly – planting his feet on the sidewalk.

Not moving forward.

It was at that point that I figured we might just as well go back home.

So I called out to Alvin that we were going home.

He turned around and looked at me as if to say “really?”

Back home we went.

It was funny anyway because Alvin was pulling on his leash going ahead and Teddy was lagging behind me almost tripping me with his leash.

At the end of it – chalked it up to a funny story and fresh air.

When back home I began to prepare supper for our company.

I made a huge pot of “Easter Chili” and for dessert “Apple-Berry Crisp.”

The boys stood beside me waiting for the possibility of a piece of apple to fall onto the floor.

I gave them each some small pieces.

Everyone happy.

My daughter and son-in-law arrived with their pups in tow.

They left Aspen and Milo with us as they had to make a quick trip to COSTCO.

Well me and four pups.

Milo and Teddy did not take to one another right away.

There was lots of growling and barking while they got to know each other.

At one point Aspen growled at Teddy as she was likely thought that he was hurting Milo.

It all worked out.

The kids were not gone long before arriving to better change the ratio of pups to humans.

Teddy reminds us all of our beloved Elton.

A few minutes later my friend arrived to take Teddy home.

She stayed for a little visit.

Afterward we enjoyed our Easter Chili and Apple-Berry Crisp.

We also had some homemade buns that my friend “V” had sent to me from Saskatchewan.

Supper was a hit.

After supper was over and cleaned up – we played a couple of games before my family left for home.

A great day.

 

Happy Easter Everyone.

Have a wonderful day.

 

Special Hello to my family and friends.

Always, Carol & Alvin

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Saturday the 19th day of March, 2016.

One day until it is officially SPRING.

Most of our snow/ice has melted here in Edmonton.

On the streets where the lawns face any direction except north the snow has completely melted.

Unfortunately our lawn faces north and remains partially covered in snow and ice.

The temperatures have been hovering about the 4-9 mark depending on the day.

The sun is shining this morning and that is always nice to start your day with sunshine.

 

Alvin had his “TEETH CLEANING” and nail trim yesterday.

We got dropped off yesterday morning at 8:30 a.m.

Alvin’s Doctor’s receptionist went over the paperwork and I signed where applicable.

Without much fanfare she took him to the back room of the clinic and I left.

I thought I would hear him bark but he did not.

I paused outside the clinic and tried to see through the window to the back …. just in case he needed me.

But he did not.

I guess he is a big boy now.

I did stop at the convenience store and pick up a lotto ticket ….. a win would be nice (more than nice).

The walk home felt strange.

The last time I left him at the Vet was 2010 when he had the CHERRY EYE SURGERY.

A long time ago.

When I got home ….. I had some water and toast ( as he was fasting overnight and in the morning, I did not want to eat or drink, that would not be fair).

Put on a pot of coffee and plunked myself down on the sofa.

With all those hours as pick up was to be about 4:00 p.m. – I could have …. should have accomplished many chores but alas I did not.

I did not even drink the whole pot of coffee ……

Approximately 1:00 p.m. the phone rang and it was Dr. Karen …… she told me the cleaning was over and that they had to pull “ELEVEN” teeth.

I almost fell off my feet ….. 11.

She explained that 9 were incisors and they are teeth that are barely rooted in small dogs.

It appeared that with grooming hair had got stuck in and around these teeth.

I do my best to brush his teeth but it is difficult to get back and all around.

He had two others and one was a main grinder / molar.

But all in all – he will not be slowed down eating as he has the majority of his molars which is good for a dog of his age.

She said that he was doing well and that someone would call me when it was time for him to go home.

It was near 4:00 p.m. and I just could not wait any longer ….. yes, I called.

The young lady on the other end of the phone said he was ready to go …..

I told her that I would be there right away.

Donning my jacket and shoes and his jacket …. I was out the door.

When I got there they had to go through the after surgery information.

Soft food for two weeks.

No brushing his teeth for two weeks.

That means no hard treats for two weeks.

Only soft foods.

They said no running up the stairs for today.

He has dissolvable stitches they said.

There might be a bit of blood from his mouth and that was normal.

and then there HE WAS ….. he jumped up and kisses me …… he did not look as though he had just had surgery.

I was so happy and relieved to see him.

We collected his antibiotics and painkiller, instructions and the receipt of the bill.

The total was just shy of $1200.00 ….

We are so lucky to have benefits and can stay awake to have our teeth cleaned.

 

He walked home with no problems.

I am happy to report that he drank a good amount of water upon his return home.

He had to wait until 7:00 p.m. to have 1/4 of his normal amount of food (had to be softened as well).

The hard part is softening his food.

I was told to put some warm water over his food and wait for ten minutes.

It takes quite some time which was hard for Alvin….

Last night he was so happy to eat as it had been since supper Thursday night.

The longest time in the world for Mr. Alvin that is for sure.

Anyway he kept the supper down no problems.

Had lots to drink with no problems.

He was kind of whining later last night so I was thinking that perhaps the pain medicine was wearing off.

Oh and the stairs …… HE RAN UP just as he usually does.

This morning I hid his medicine in pieces of bananas as he was so hungry, and could not wait for his food to soften.

I was thinking of picking up a few tins of food when I go to the Vet this morning as you see I forgot his blanket, his blue one.

I took it to the vet yesterday as I wanted him to have a piece of home with him….

They said he only whimpered a bit in the kennel ……

It has been a long long time, years in fact since he was in a kennel.

It is good to have that done.

 

Well time to get this show on the road…..

Breakfast for me, coffee, pick up the blanket and somewhere along the line some bananas as we had the last one earlier this morning, laundry and cleaning.

 

Special Hello to: my great niece …. I did not forget your birthday …. it just was not a good day for us.  Happy Belated Birthday.

Always, Carol and Alvin

 

 

 

 

Thought for the day ….

Good Morning and Welcome to Saturday the 13th day of February, 2016.

One day before Valentine’s Day.

I am going to start this blog by sharing a great little story from yesterday.

Sometimes you have a day that is well not exactly what you had in mind ….. less than perfect.

Perhaps part of it …. began with me going to empty a glass of water into the sink but instead literally tossed it the opposite direction and onto the countertop.

The countertop that help my electric percolator and electric mix stand, and other stuff ……

But as the water travelled in slow motion through the air …. I realized what I had done. 

I never moved so fast ….. where was my brain at that moment …

During the day I struggled to accomplish what I had planned because I had several unexpected interruptions.

Now I did get several things done but not everything ….. oh well …. before I knew it I was on the bus heading home.

As I unlocked the door my friend “S” was just driving by and stopped for a moment to see how things were and to see if I would be making coffee later and I said “of course, I can.”

She had to carry on as someone drove up behind her ….

When I entered the house  Mr. Alvin was happy as ever to see me, and to go outside to relieve himself …. oh what the hay to go “pee” ….. much better word.

I decided to go straight outside and clean up after him ….. and also finished my conversation with the neighbour who had by now parked her car and was going into her house.

The plan was to feed Alvin, have supper and then make us a cup of coffee.

Originally I had planned to finish up canvassing for the Heart and Stroke Fund but it was snowing and blowing pretty hard making it hard to keep paper dry etc.

So another change in plans.

Oh well.

After I had given Mr. Alvin his supper …. I decided to go upstairs and onto the computer to send a FB message to a friend and to my surprise I had a message from another friend.

It read “GO CHECK YOUR MAILBOX.”

I blinked a few thousand times in utter excitement because when this friend says go check your mailbox …. you just know it is going to be GOOD … no I mean,  GREAT.

So I literally RAN down the stairs …. grabbed my boots and coat from the closet, a bag to put the mail in …. grabbed keys …. locked the house on my way out and carefully WALKED fast to the mailbox.

When I opened the mailbox door I saw the RED tag of the key for one of the PARCEL boxes and lots of flyers.

HEAVEN ….. I knew that I had a parcel ….

I threw the flyers and odd piece of mail into the bag…..

Holding my breath I opened the mailbox with the parcel inside ….

There was a huge box with my NAME and ADDRESS printed on it …..

The return address ….. yes it was from my friend “V” in Regina …..

I quickly closed the door and put the key into the letter slot and was on my way home.

I yelped with excitement and decided to stop and see my neighbour “S” ….. she was the one that I had seen just as I was arriving home.

She came to the door …. I was so excited …… quickly explaining that  there would be some good treats inside for sure.

I told her of the chocolate covered biscotti that this friend had sent me a couple of years ago AND said that we would have a treat with our coffee later.

Then she told me “thank you and to be careful walking down the sidewalk and home.”

I abided by her and in a couple of minutes was safely back home.

Parcel in my hot little hands.

OMG …. I do love receiving packages …..

Alvin was not sure what happened to his Momma.

So I grabbed the letter opener and some scissors and ran upstairs as my computer was on and my camera was upstairs as well.

I placed the parcel on my desk …..

THE PARCEL

THIS IS WHAT GREETED ME WHEN I OPENED THE BOX

THERE WERE DIFFERENT KINDS OF BUNS …. CINNAMON ….. CHEESE AND PLAIN AND THIS HUGE WHAT I THOUGHT WAS A COOKIE BUT TURNED OUT TO BE THE BEST BROWNIE EVER MADE.

The Brownie was/is heart-shaped and decorated with perfection.

I was totally overwhelmed ……

How extraordinarily kind, wonderful and thoughtful is my friend “V”.

My day went from being kind of a disappointment in some ways to being so WONDERFUL …. it felt like winning the lottery.

I had this overwhelming feeling that I was so extra special.

Alvin as I mentioned was not certain was had happened but he knew it all smelled great.

The next thing I did after snapping photos was to post my surprise to Facebook, thanking my friend.

Not only did she send all of the sweet treats but she wrote me a special letter, gave me a Valentine’s card, she put in some napkins with pink hearts and forgot to mention …. she had filled the card full of tiny red hearts that flew all over my desk and the floor when I opened the card.

I know that I am babbling and not using proper punctuation and all of that ….. but this is straight from the heart.

This gal knows that she is very blessed to be surrounded by the most wonderful people on the planet.

I do not take any of them for granted.

This morning I want to thank each and every one of my friends for choosing me to be a part of your life.

I know that without your love and support I would just be Carol.

This morning I want to send a special thank you to my friend “V” back in Regina ….

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

You are so kind and thoughtful.

You lightened my dreary day.

You made me scream with delight.

You made me feel special.

You filled my tummy with the most exquisite treat.

You are talented beyond words.

You are the best …..

Thank you.

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

So now I had better get this day going …. I have massive amounts of towels and bedding to launder as now my dryer is fixed thanks to other friends.

On this Saturday morning I am feeling so blessed to be surrounded by good, honest and caring people.

My friend and my family are the most incredible beings and I am so grateful to have them all in my life.

Thank you

 

Special Hello to:  “V” in Regina …… there are no words ……

Always, Carol and Alvin

 

P.S. ….. “V” …. my neighbour loved the brownie, too.

 

 

 

 

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Wednesday the 18th day of November, 2015.

Well it has been quite the night.

I made the mistake of giving Alvin one of his chew treats later in the evening and of course, he chewed it in bed for about two hours.

As it happened before and I knew he would need some water (so he did not choke); I went to get out of bed to go downstairs and get his water dish.

Only thing is, I missed the light and me ever graceful tipped over my water glass all over my night stand and the floor.

So at 11:20 p.m. I jumped out of bed to wipe up the mess grabbing my books, watch, glasses, lamp and the phone.

All got wet to some degree.

After cleaning everything up and for about twenty seconds blaming Alvin (which by the way it was me who gave him the treat in the first place); I went downstairs and got his water dish.

He was almost done by then and drank a good amount of water so he needed it.

After that ….. it was a broken up sleep …..that was the course for the night.

This morning at 5:00 a.m. just before the alarm went off, we got out of bed.

Alvin is such a good alarm clock.

Went downstairs …. had my socks on only as I have been getting brave as of last night ….. until Alvin sniffed about.

I knew something was up.

So I grabbed my winter boots.

On the way to the bathroom I checked the pantry.

Appeared the trap was gone.

Walked to the bathroom where his food container is temporarily stored and got some food for the boy.

Placed in back in the living room …. another temporary placement.

After he ate … we went outside …. freezing cold …. and WINDY.

When we came into the house I grabbed my little flashlight and checked the pantry again.

Found the trap a few inches away from it’s original location but flipped over.

It is not laying flat on the floor so I do not know if it is under the trap or not.

The way Alvin has been acting I am going to say NO but I am hopeful.

The surprise will have to wait until after work as I am not going to CHECK.

I have already sent an early morning FB message to my friend to come after work.

Well it is time to go and have a shower.

I had fun at the Brownie Cookie Sale last night.

There was an amazing variety of cookies ( I ended up buying two dozen but how can you go wrong for $8.00) and PEOPLE.

Oh, there were so many people and CHILDREN.

I have not been around that many of the little ones as they ran about ….

Time to go.

 

Today is BE KIND Wednesday.  ( I named it )

I think we should all be extra kind today.

Let’s show each other that we can be kind.

 

Special Hello to: my siblings ….

Always, Carol and Alvin