The Next Chapter

Good Morning! Rainy night and morning in Edmonton. I can hear the rain drops hitting the sidewalks. Starting to get light out there. Thankfully only rain! According to the forecast for today from yesterday when I last checked it is only to be +3 celsius today, argh. But it will warm up.

Well I am so proud of myself. I decided to google how to move photos from computer to WordPress as something changed in the process since I used my old computer. Anyway, I found the easiest way is to drag and drop. It was so easy and I could pinch myself that I did not know how to do that earlier. Would have saved some time and aggravation. So there are a photos from spring cleaning and a few extras. This post is all about photos. I am so happy that I can do this easily now.

My last day of the four day weekend was great. I cleaned the main bathroom upstairs, figured out the photo thing, Cleaned some of the stair well walls. Ordered groceries and guess what! The delivery guy came hours early as he couldn’t find the other address, so instead of mine coming between 8-10 p.m., they were here before 7:00 p.m. Was great having them early so that I could get to bed on time. Definitely worth the $9.95 delivery charge. I think you actually save money as you are not picking up extra items along the way.

I texted my friend Pauline to see if she wanted to go for a walk and didn’t hear back so later I called her and we arranged to meet up at 4:45 at the entrance to the park. When I was leaving the house, I noticed a container sitting on the bench. As I looked closer I found that it was a container full of cookies from our friends Savannah and Grayson (he is not quite 2) wishing me a Happy Easter. I set them in the house and quickly texted her a thank you. Pauline and I met up and had a great walk. She invited me over for a cup of tea and I graciously accepted. I was home around 5:00 p.m. and had leftover chili for supper. What a great way to end a four day weekend. The willows by the water were budding.

Cleaning and rearranging things feels so good. Feels like a new upstairs except for the guest room, which I will need to get done before my daughter sleeps over next. I hope that I can find a new home(s) for the books. Photos in no apparent timeline.

Pictures hung up

From our friend Cindy P.

Office before

Chili

Left to do

Washing walls

Spare room waiting

Neighbours burning stuff

Scary flames

Easter Project

Treats

More chocolatey goodies

First T/W meal

Closet clean

Front Closet Main floor

For Alvin

For Alvin

Closet makeover

Office now

Office Closet now

Waiting to do this special

Office

Bookcases

Books to give away

Bathroom done

Bedroom

Bedroom

The area rug from my bedroom fits perfectly in the office and controls the chairs from rolling. Who knew by moving the shower curtain from the right side to the left would brighten up the room so much. It was a great thought! Still cleaning to do but that is okay. Lots done and feels wonderful.

Have an awesome Tuesday.

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

Alvin was with me the whole way in my spring cleaning. Keeping me company spiritually. I will always think of him and miss him with my whole heart.

Always, Carol & Alvin (My Forever Angel)

The Next Chapter

Good Morning. The sky is beginning to lighten outside earlier with each passing morning as we hedge toward spring. A week from this coming Sunday, we turn our clocks ahead by one hour here in Edmonton. SPRING is on its’ way. The first three days of this week I worked from the office so away from home. I am so grateful to be home today and tomorrow to be closer to all the reminders of my beloved Alvin. I had been taking one of his toys in my purse to the office just so that I could have something of his not just a memory with me. At home, I feel more connected to my beloved boy. Oh, how I miss him.

Today at noon, one of my daughter’s friends is going to be dropping off his pup named Betty Ann to stay here until my daughter picks her up after work. She was an old friend of Alvin’s as my kids would look after her quite often while her parents travel from home. It will be different but nice to have her here with just me for a few hours. She will be staying with my daughter and son-in-law and grand pups for about one month. Betty Ann is like extended family to the kids and grand pups.

I woke up with a headache so I am going to cut this short so that I can go and take something and make some coffee.

The house is oh so quiet except for the hum of the furnace fan as it moves the heat throughout the house. There is the odd creak. I am glad to be home.

I hope that you are well. I hope that life is treating you with kindness and respect and you are in turn. Remember to show love.

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

I am so grateful to be surrounded by family and friends who have shown me so much love and support during this time of loss.

I miss you Alvin, always and forever in my heart.

Always, Carol & Alvin (my forever Angel).

The Next Chapter

Morning, not sure if I when I can say “Good Morning” or good really anything. It is light outside. Spring is coming. A time of birth and renewal but for me it feels anything but. My mind just keeps replaying Alvin’s last week over and over and over again. I hold his little Teddy Bear close to my heart and I cover myself with his blue blanket to try and find some comfort but there is no comfort in death. I feel so lost and so alone without him. I wished that I had done so many things differently. Why didn’t I? Where was my brain? I was so stupid that last week. I knew better. I never wanted to hurt my little buddy. I love, loved him so much. There are moments throughout the day when I busy myself with something and then the guilt, the loss, comes tumbling back again and the tears burn my eyes and stain my face. I long to lay beside him and hear his breathing, his little snores. I listen to the videos of him opening gifts, playing with toys and at least for a moment there is some relief. He was happy then.

Tomorrow is back to work. Perhaps that will be a good thing, I have no idea. There is so much going on there and I feel that I passed on all the anxiety that my job has given me over the last days, months and perhaps even years to Alvin. We forget how sensitive they are to our feelings and why are we not the same in return. I do know in my heart that we had many, many good years together and I am reminded of that by family and friends and photos and memories. If I could just forgive myself for the last week or last few days of his life but I do not want to be reprieved from mistakes that I made. How can I when he was depending on me for his very life. He did not ask for much, really only food and love. To be treated with kindness and respect.

I walked over to the Shoppers Drugmart in our neighbourhood to pick up a bus pass for March. A seniors one, that is hard to believe as I will need that for work for a bit before my coworker is back working in the same office as me. Afterwards I went to Save-On, when I picked up some bananas, I could see Alvin in my mind, standing beside me, wanting a little taste of one of his favourite foods on the planet. I only wished that I had, had some bananas in the house that last week. There are so many if’s flying around my brain, slamming into each other. The air was warm on the walk and it would have been a fine time for us to be out and about enjoying the sunshine. I miss my walks with him.

I am going to make some coffee and then try and get some photos moved from my old computer to the external hard drive while I still can. Each day that computer gets another day older. With the age – I am unable to transfer them all at once so a few hundred at a time. Then it will be figuring out which are which after. So much work when technology gets old.

Continuing to try and live this life with kindness, respect, compassion, patience, love, laughter, understanding, gratitude, focus, possibilities, coffee and I need to add forgiveness although I am not sure if that is in the cards for me.

Always, Carol & Alvin, my forever Angel.

2021

Good Morning ALL! How are you this morning? Alvin and I had a great sleep. As usual up at 3:00 a.m., he had his glucosamine chew, outside to pee and then back to sleep on the sofa. Up at 4:30 to have his breakfast and then back to the sofa until the alarm went off at 6:45. So all in all a good sleep. I am so grateful that most of the time I can fall back to sleep after our 3:00 a.m. wake up. You know if you had asked me this years ago, I could not have foreseen this. I will say that Alvin has always had a thing about getting up early. He did sleep longer in between the puppy and senior stages. But you know what, even though we have had our ups and downs, I would not change a thing. He has taught, is teaching me so much. I would say that I am more easy with change now than I ever was, I have more patience most days and I enjoy the moment. Dogs do that. They live in the moment. Back when I was working away from home – he was always super excited to see me. I know that part of that was that he had to pee really bad but he was happy to see me, I know it, just like every other dog owner on the planet. I do have one regret and that is not pee pad training him. If I had he could have drank more water during the day and peed on the pads. All those years, my poor pup. I feel badly for not doing this. Luckily for me he does not appear to have held a grudge although may in his own way he is doing so with the early morning starts. Live and learn. I know that I am not the most perfect pet owner but I am trying. I do ensure that he has good food to eat, lots of water, love and attention, regular 6 week visits to the vet for nail trim etc. and in between if he is under the weather and walks. We try to walk most days although as we age getting out in the winter can sometimes be a challenge but we do the best that we are able to. Mr. Alvin is the best cuddler when he is in the mood,lol. He is quite photogenic. When he wants some of my food he can turn those eyes into “soft puppy dogs pools of love” and it makes it hard to resist although most of the times I can because he cannot have what I am eating. He loves bananas and cauliflower and green peas. He likes a lot of other things but since his February surgery he is not allowed to have them. So just once in awhile I might give him a piece of carrot. I want to keep him healthy for as long as possible. Hopefully just the regular vet visits. I hope that his ears stay healthy for a long time. I think he needs a bath but with his ears being infected and being on medication likely better for a sponge bath. He might like that a lot better anyway. Maybe.

Cutest profile

New sweater

Mr. Alvin while I work

My Alvin over the last year or so.

Well the times is slipping away and closer to starting work for this Friday.

Happy Birthday to our angel “J.”

Have an awesome day.

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

Always, Carol & Alvin

Second Half of the YEAR.

Good Morning,

Happy Birthday to my brother-in-law Todd and to our Mom, who is an Angel watching over us all.

Surrounded with family and friends.

Happy Birthday.

 

We had some serious rain last night and I was happy that we had our walks in the morning before work and at lunchtime.

I had planned for us to go this morning but it is wet with lapses of fog.

Yes, fog.

It rolls in and out.

Sun shines.

Then fog.

So I am glad that we stayed at home.

Forecast looks good for noon and after work.

I would like to get back to two walks each day again.

We had been walking twice a day for several weeks before Alvin had some health issues.

Now that we are back to normal, I want to take advantage of that time.

 

I thought it might be interesting as a Canadian to watch and listen to the United States Democratic and Republican Conventions.

Last week I listened to the Democrats and now this week the Republicans.

It has been interesting, I will say that for sure.

There have been some great speeches and some less than stellar ones, in my opinion.

I have only watched one night thus far of the Republican Convention.

 

I wonder why it is that some people find it better to “bad mouth” their opposition instead of outlining their platforms.

Digging up what they deem to be “dirt” so as to injure the chances of the opposition winning.

So?

What will they do differently?

What will they do to make the next four years better than the last four?

What will they change?

How will they make those changes?

After all isn’t government supposed to lead a country!

Some folks just seem to bask in drama, I get that.

But to lead a country, leaders need to lead.

Right?

 

Keeping their personal opinions on the back shelf and doing what is right for the people in their country.

Keeping those opinions out of the media.

But then again perhaps it is all about character.

The people want the best person for the job.

The person that will lead them into the next four years, the future.

The person that will not alienate their country’s neighbours and divide its’ citizens.

 

Politics, politics.

What can one say?

I wish the United States all the best in this upcoming election.

Remember to VOTE.

Voting is what gets you change.

Good Luck.

 

 

Well the fog has rolled in again.

Alvin is resting on his little bed that I made for him in the upstairs office.

Time once again to go and grab that first cup of coffee and get this work day going.

We have training later this morning and then more training this afternoon.

In between I have calls to return and mail to do.

Never a slow moment.

Especially after returning from vacation.

 

Living our lives with kindness and respect, always.

I/We shall remain,

Always, Carol & Alvin

 

 

 

Living … One day at a time.

Well Hello, it has been a while.

My last post was August 18, 2019.

Today is my first day back to work.

ARGH, not quite certain how I feel about that but likely after a few minutes it will be like I was never gone.

I knew things were back to normal this morning when Mr. Alvin was scrunching up the bath mats after I had gone into the shower.

Life is as we knew it.

 

To Honor:

I would like to take this time to speak about two of my BEST guy friends that passed away.

My friend Les passed away the day before we left on the girls trip.

He had been battling multiple illnesses for many years but never let anything get him down.

Les was perhaps one of the most positive, happy people that I have ever known.

Always kind and generous.

Before life changed our geographical positions we would get together for coffee and sometimes for lunch or dinner to catch up.

We worked together for many years.

He was a good, honest, caring individual.

Les had a way of making you feel special.

I will carry his essence in my heart until the day that I pass.

His goodness and joy with me forever.

I miss him and will continue to think of him.

To his wife and family – I will always keep you in my thoughts and heart.

 

My friend George passed away earlier in the year.

I only found out when I went to call him as we were going to visit him during our last road trip.

He was another man that was always filled with joy, kindness and generosity.

I met George when I was 16 years old so I have known him most of my life.

He came into our lives and was an angel to me and my siblings.

George was a great man.

He was the big brother that I never had…..

He loved to joke around.

Again geographical position changed things.

It did not matter how much time had passed he was happy to see me/us and catch up.

Truly one of the best people that I have ever known.

To his brother and his wife – I will always keep you in my thoughts and heart.

 

I am grateful to both these men who came into my life and changed it forever.

There are no words.

I will truly miss them.

It is a hard reminder that we need to keep in closer touch with our friends and loved ones.

Life can be short.

We all know that life is not a forever gig.

So we have to ensure that we are better friends and family.

 

Les and George, I salute you both.

Thank you for being a part of my life.

Miss you …..

Hugs ….

 

Always, Carol & Alvin

Time to go to work……

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Thursday the 17th day of March, 2016.

It is going to be a solemn St. Patrick’s Day for me with the recent passing of our sweet Penny.

My four-legged Grand-puppy …..

She has, and will always be in our thoughts.

It is always difficult to proceed after the passing of a loved one.

The first steps are always the hardest.

Seems strange to be going to work but it must be done.

Definitely is not an easy time.

I keep telling myself it is okay to be okay.

It is okay to smile and to be okay.

Your strength is what pushes us on.

Keeps us going.

Penny is not my first loss, and unfortunately will not be the last.

We grieve in our own ways.

It is most difficult for Penny’s Mom and Dad and for Elton.

She was a part of their daily lives ….. everything reminds them of her ….

It will be a long process but they will heal over time.

With the memories of her sweet face and her energy filling their thoughts.

I am grateful to my friends and family at this time for their support and kind words.

 

I hope that today is a good day for you.

May the sun shine down upon you on this St. Patty’s Day of 2016.

May your life bring you smiles and laughter.

May the memories be a reminder of goodness and light.

Happy Thursday …..

 

Special Hello to: all the little angels …..

Always, Carol and Alvin

 

Thought for the day……

Good Monday Morning and welcome to November 26th, 2012.

The fog has rolled in here in my neighbourhood; not sure how far reaching it is.

How was your weekend?  Mine was odd but wonderful.

Friday started out with my day off from the office …… so I slept in a bit and then did some things around the house.

Finished the day by working at the store from mid afternoon until 9:00 p.m.

“BLACK FRIDAY” …. the retail version of everyone shopping for the “best deals of the year.”

Until recent this was an American thing but now it has come to Canada.

Our store was crazy busy and I mean crazy busy.

Most people were nice but some were utterly impossible ….. I say “why are you shopping if you have no patience?”

Oh well, it was definitely an experience.

I hear or read somewhere that American retailers make on average up to 40% of their annual sales on that one day.

That blows my mind.

Okay enough about that ……..

Saturday was great …  I had coffee with my daughter and then coffee with my friend “G” and my grand-puppies came to visit.

(In between all of the fun, I really did do some housework and of course, LAUNDRY).

After coffee was over – I got all three of the puppies ready and we went for a walk.

It is always an adventure ….. each of them wanting to go in a different direction.

I felt like a sled being pulled …… it was fun.

Saturday night …. I just kicked back with a cup of tea and watched a movie.

It was soooo nice….

Sunday back to the store but not until mid afternoon which was lovely.

That was my weekend.

Footnote: thank goodness the shoppers took a bit of a break yesterday.  I heard from other staff that worked Saturday that it was crazy busy, too.

Apparently most of the stores at West Ed still had “BLACK FRIDAY”  sales on until yesterday …..

Really, doesn’t that defeat the “BLACK FRIDAY” …… perhaps it should be renamed “BLACK WEEKEND” or something.

Well time to go to work.

I hope that you have a great week.

At this time of year …. remember to go early and with a list.

Plan ahead of time.

Oh and it took me longer to find a parking space on Friday than to drive from home to the mall.

Yesterday I went to my usual spot and it was full so I then drove over to the area I was at on Friday and kept on driving …… busy again.

Special Hello: to my angel who was born on this day but taken from us way too early ….. we miss you my darling nephew.

 

Always, Carol and Alvin