The Next Chapter

Good Morning! Woke up with a headache but have to shake it off as I have things that need to be done today at work. The sky is starting to rise as the sun positions to rise. Yesterday was an absolutely gorgeous day. On my lunch break I walked over to the mall and cashed in my winning lottery tickets. I won $2 and a free play. Better than the opposite. I also picked up the winning $62 million lotto 649 for last night’s draw. The walk was so nice. By the time I got back to the office, I was warm with my sweater underneath my jacket. My coworker & carpool had an appointment in the afternoon and left work early so I caught the bus home. Nice walk. The ice and snow on the walkway near to my house thankfully had dried up. YAY. Spring, truly is here. The snow has mostly melted from my back yard and the front. Another week or so and I will be able to rake. Definitely waiting until the ground has thawed completely. I may not rake the leaves up as I heard it is good to leave them on for awhile. Perhaps wait until grass starts to turn green.

When I arrived home, my neighbour (other half of duplex) came out. Jess said that she had something for me, I asked if I could quickly run and grab the mail. My parcels were here from TSC (The Shopping Channel) – the quilt and sheets for my bed had arrived. YAY. When I got back to the house, Jess handed me a bag and told me that she wanted to give me something special as a memory of Alvin. I will have to put the photo here as it is a whirly that has a photo of Alvin on it ….. for outside …… it is made of tin and is so beautiful. I will post a photo later. So grateful to everyone near and far for their love and support. There isn’t a day that goes by where I do not shed a tear for Alvin, I miss him so much. He was the best guy and friend and companion.

I made the executive decision to call a repairman to “fix” my stove. The company I called charge a $99 diagnostic / come out charge so I figured why not? If I can fix the stove – better than something to go to the eco station or wherever old appliances go. The appointment is for 6:00 p.m. on Friday. Fingers crossed that it is an inexpensive repair and that I have my stove back again. Time down will be three weeks on Sunday. ARGH.

I am sorry for this to be short but hard to think with a headache. So I shall sign off.

Have an awesome Thursday! Yup, only one more day now till the weekend. Whoops, sorry – do not need to be rushing the days. Sometimes, I do, sometimes I need to ….

The rabbits are almost completely brown now.

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)

It is a NEW YEAR.

Happy Saturday Everyone!

The sun is shining with a high of +6 degrees celsius.

The snow and ice are actually quite quickly disappearing from our landscape.

The once pool or pond of water in my backyard has gone.

There is a smaller bank of snow which I am going to break up and shovel over so that it melts more quickly.

There is only a couple of shovels of snow left on the deck.

I have been trying to keep the snow mould down to a minimum as I shovel and then sweep and pour clean water on.

Once dry sweep again.

So once the temperatures are warm enough with no hint of freezing overnight I will take either a pressure washer or garden hose and clean the deck.

I have a pressure washer but it is currently housed at my daughter’s house.

My neighbour has one so I could always borrow it.

But I will get it all nice and clean before bringing out the deck furniture.

The front yard still has snow but that is melting and where there were three to four banks a week ago there are perhaps one foot with clear spots.

So it is going for sure.

No snow covering the rooftops.

But what I am over the moon happiest about is the temperature for tomorrow +16 degrees celsius.

The forecast is double digits for the next two weeks so the cold temperatures should be behind us.

Then we can all get our yards cleaned up and start spending some time in the backyard and on our decks.

I am hoping that all of my perennials come up okay as I do not think that there will be nurseries opening.

Or perhaps they will, I do not know for sure.

I am grateful to have my geranium.

It is full of blooms and is so huge.

It will be ready to be transplanted.

I think that I will find a huge pot in a few weeks and put it on the deck.

It appears to like the southern exposure.

On those super hot days I can move it into the shade.

 

Yesterday my Director brought me a brand new computer monitor.

We all have new ones at work as we were going to start using two monitors.

Really with our jobs they are a necessity.

Now with the laptop and the monitor it seems like a workstation.

Having a full large screen is wonderful.

The best part was I set it up all by myself.

I am no techie so I was so proud.

I had a little moment ….. just me and Alvin.

He was proud of his Momma, too.

 

Well today.

What is on your list for the weekend.

We slept in a bit ….. after 8:00 a.m.

I had the craziest, most strange dream.

So real.

Then we were up.

Oh, we were up at 5:00 a.m. when Alvin got up to have his breakfast and go outside.

That is another reason to get that back grassy area in top shape so that he can go to the bathroom there.

I keep that clean.

Always picking up the poop.

That is part of my job as a pack leader.

Yes, it is.

 

Anyway back to today and for tomorrow:

Laundry

Clean out closets and put winter things away

Clean off the deck

Break up the remaining snow in backyard so it will melt more easily

Vacuum

Dust and Clean

Bathrooms

Bath Alvin

I usually shower so thought at some point I may have a luxurious bath

Work on the basement ( still putting things in order down there )

Go for walks

Relax and Enjoy this weather.

 

Well that is my plan for the weekend.

I will do what I can.

Likely all of it.

 

I hope that this finds you in good health and safe.

As summer approaches us and we want to go outside and be with others more and more.

Remember you can visit but keep the social distancing rules in place.

There can be outdoor visits in your front yard.

You in the garage and visitors at the entrance way.

Have someone bring their own chair.

You have your chair.

No one has to clean things afterwards.

If we all work together ….

We will get through this.

 

Take care.

Live with Kindness and Respect.

Enjoy your time at home.

Be grateful for what you have ……

Things can change quickly.

 

With Kindness and Respect,

I/We remain,

As Always, Carol & Alvin

Living … One day at a time.

Hi,  well this has been one of the longest and at that the same time shortest weeks of my life.

Each day wrapped in what felt like a time capsule.

Moment to moment filled with hope.

Hope for a good healthy “poop.”

Really, I have never or not recently hoped for someone to have a good healthy poop.

Yes, I do remember wanting needing to have a good one for myself…. LOL.

Each day, every time that we go outside, I say to Alvin “please have a good poop.”

This whole week has been wrapped up and around “poop.”

Not really funny or humorous but at the same time how can you not smile.

So much of our lives … okay all of our lives revolve around having a good daily healthy poop.

We write about it …. doctors journal about it and test it ….. we think about it daily.

It is necessary for a good healthy life.

Yes, it does.

I cannot believe that we, I have been home with Alvin for a whole week filled with eager anticipation around a bowel movement.

But alas I have.

Still no “good poop” today so we have another appointment with the Vet for bloodwork.

Argh, I was ever so hopeful that it would have happened and we would not have come to this point.

I cannot believe that he has not had a good poop yet.

He jumps onto the sofa, sniffs when we are outside, happily eats his chicken & rice meals, drinks water and pees.

You would not know upon looking at him that there is anything wrong with him.

In all of the nine years that we have been together he has never had diarrhea for this length of time.

We started the medications on Tuesday late afternoon and I had high hopes that yes, he would have had a good “BM” by now.

Perhaps he can feel my frustration and anxiety.

I feel badly that I have left my coworkers with extra work to do for a whole week only one week after returning from vacation.

I feel guilty that I cannot magically make Alvin better.

I feel guilty that despite my days at home that I have not really done anything …

Well I have looked after my boy.

We have walked, I have cooked for him and put salve on his bum.

I am available to jump on a moment’s notice to go outside …..

Well our appointment is for 3:30 p.m. so as I am a glass half full kind of gal …. I am hoping for a miracle …..

Time will tell.

 

Alvin has remained patient …. more than me during this whole ordeal.

Considering it is his insides that are not functioning properly.

Considering that his life has been turned upside down for the past week.

Missing his friends …..

But that is me Alvin ….. always surprising me.

 

Quick little story to share before I sign off.

Yesterday morning while we were outside with hopes for some bottom end action, the good kind.

Something flew above us and landed on the railing on the deck.

I ducked while squinting in the bright sunshine to see what it was …. I was pretty certain it was not a bird.

In seconds I realized that it was a bat.

I have been carrying my phone with me to take “poop photos” here and there.

Okay I know, crazy poop lady.

That will be a handle that I will not soon lose that is for sure …..

While the bat was busy on the railing ….. I called out to my neighbour ….

Quickly made sure that Alvin was out of the way (into the house).

I managed to capture some video.

I did not see the face of the bat clearly due to the bright sunlight but definitely could see the wings when it landed and was about to fly away.

Never been that close to a bat.

It was small and we thought it was a baby or young bat for sure.

My neighbour thought perhaps it was injured but we could not tell for certain.

It was definitely trying to get out of the sunlight.

I had the umbrella open on the deck and it flew underneath.

At one point it actually was hanging upside down.

After opening the kitchen window …. the baby got active once again and flew away.

We figured that it was in my neighbour’s tree.

Later on I sent the videos to my kids and they replied with a phone number for Animal Control – with the Bat link.

So I decided to call just to ask some questions and was happy that I had called.

The guy on the phone just happened to be the “bat guy” …. yes, he was.

He said that the adult bats have already left for caves and other spots but the juveniles are still about trying to get their bearings.

Some may fly into an object and then be confused or could be sick or horror among horrors be rabid.

He said under no circumstances to get near to it and to keep my dog away as well.

He also said to watch when taking my dog to the backyard for a brown patch on the grass as it might be the bat.

ARGH.

Anyway, I have been examining the grass and the deck every time we go outside, just in case.

No baby bat.

I do hope that it survived and found its’ way to a safe place.

Also I learned if you happen to get near the bat and see that it is agitated or making clicking noises …. signs that it may be rabid so GET AWAY and call him.

So even at home waiting for poop to happen we have had visitors.

 

Well time to get back downstairs once again.

Time to sweep the floor and do a couple of things before we leave for the Vet.

Time for one more small meal for Mr. Alvin.

He has been eating four small meals each day.

Also he just passed some gas.

Not great.

Oh, my poor boy.

This has been the week for sure.

 

Showing kindness and respect to all creatures is important.

 

Always, Carol & Alvin

 

 

 

 

 

Living … One day at a time!

Hello,

Another gorgeous day on the way.

A little bit too warm for me but I will accept it as those days are not in the majority here in Western Canada.

I have closed all of the blinds except for Alvin’s vantage points with hopes that the house will stay at a comfortable level for the boy.

I will also leave the main floor bathroom door open as it is cooler in there.

 

Last night my daughter gave me a ride home via COSTCO.

GUESS WHAT?

I got some florals …. some flowers.

So Happy.

I was truly doing a little happy dance while planting them last night.

Both Alvin and Humphrey were watching with “raised eyebrows.”

Oh, Humphrey joined us for the evening as his Momma was golfing.

The flowers in the pots are the ones that I picked up at COSTCO last night.

Could not believe that I filled 7 pots for $24.00.

I planted Marigolds, Snapdragons, Impatiens and Trailing Lobelia.

I still have some pots to be filled when my daughter and I go to our local nursery “CREEKSIDE.”

We have been going there for years.

Even though it is great to get plants at the big box stores for very reasonable prices; I do believe in supporting local businesses.

I look forward to our date in the near future.

The plants / flowers in the front flower bed are growing like crazy.

Every morning I wake up to the ferns being inches taller.

Is that even possible?

The lilies and other plants are growing quickly.

The back flower bed is doing fair well, too.

GREEN plants and pretty coloured flowers always make me happy.

Whoops where did the time go.

Gotta go.

P.S. decided to use my camera as I still have to get the photo storage figured out with the cell phone.

I will one day soon.

As soon as I get my voice mail activated.

ARGH.

So many things….

 

Have an awesome Wednesday.

Do what makes you happy.

Please.

 

Always, Carol & Alvin

 

Thought for the day ….

Good Morning and Welcome to Wednesday the 26th day of September, 2018.

Today is the birthday of my favourite son-in-law.

Okay, I know he is my only son-in-law but he is still my favourite.

Alvin and I want to WISH him the best day.

We are looking forward to seeing him on Saturday for a party.

YAY.

Alvin has done all of the planning and he is so proud.

So excited.

 

Last night it was absolute perfection.

I got out my capri “sweats” and wore only a long sleeved denim shirt (no JACKET) and sandals.

YAY, so nice.

The air was warm, the birds were hanging out, folks were out walking with their pups, the leaves were so happy for the warmth that they were proudly displaying their greens.

The fountain was still flowing in our neighbourhood pond/lake.

Love the sound of water, like that.

I remarked to Mr. Alvin about the colour of one of the bushes by the lake it was a delectable green with pink coloured berries.

So so pretty.

There are some yellow, orange and red leaves for sure.

It was a perfect evening.

We so enjoyed our walk.

Our friends were out in the back yard preparing for the next season.

Even in FALL their yard is beautiful …. still some flowers blooming.

We stopped and had a nice visit.

 

Well almost time to put the finishing touches on before heading out to work.

Alvin is once again tucked up by my legs  ….. he does love his Momma.

So cute.

 

Have an awesome day.

No matter what lies ahead of you.

Just take it one step, one file, one job, one chore, one thing at a time.

That is all we can do.

It sometimes can feel daunting and overwhelming but in the immortal words of a wee character from one of my favourite Christmas (animated) movies: put one foot in front of the other and soon

you’ll be walking out the door…

 

Words to live by.

Special Hello to: my son-in-law …. Happy Birthday.

Always, Carol & Alvin

 

 

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Sunday the 2nd day of September, 2018.

The sun is shining brightly this morning with no sign of rain clouds.

Yesterday even before I wrote up my TO DO LIST, I decided that I was going to trim the tree out front.

I grabbed the tree trimmer apparatus from the garage and before you know it there was a pile of branches on the ground surrounding the tree.

At one point I could not hold the tree trimmer securely and cut the branch, thankfully it was about the time my neighbours arrived home.

I was standing there trying to figure out how to get that upper branch that was hanging over the eavestrough when we started a conversation.

The young man helped me trim the branch as he was taller and that was what was needed.

Although later I found out that there may have been a telescope on it to reach higher (oh well).

Unfortunately I forgot to take photos of the process which would have been a good idea.

Especially when you are writing a blog and post the stories.

I will leave it to your imagination.

Further with this story.

I also realized with my light coloured jacket on that as the berries hit my jacket or whenever I picked up a branch I have little purple dots all over my jacket.

Oh well, another note to self moment.

They loaned me their trimmer so that I could cut the branches into smaller pieces to pack into garbage bags.

It was the most slick garden tool ever.

So sharp and easy to use with its’ arm length handles.

They asked if they could borrow my (actually belongs to my kids) tree trimmer and I said “yes, of course.”

While trying to cut the first branch it BROKE.

I think it may have been as young man was holding the pole and his wife was pulling on the cord but on an angle.

Anyway after some discussion, I lost out and my neighbour (young woman) said that they would pay to replace it.

I told her it was expensive, she said it did not matter, they broke it.

She knew I sold tea and asked if I wanted to give them something, some tea would be nice.

I said DEAL.

She went in and checked on HOME DEPOT’s website and ordered the tree branch trimmer.

Very nice and so generous to offer and to do.

It was nice to actually have a conversation with them.

They are busy with their lives and we usually come and go at different times.

A little bit later they picked up the tree trimmer and brought it home.

They tried it out first and it works so slick and even comes with a saw attachment.

Worked out.

It took me some time to cut the branches down and then pack them into garbage bags as there were a great many branches.

I did not realize that I was stepping and squishing the dark berries into the ground and subsequently into the soles of my shoes.

I realized this when I went into the house to grab the garbage bags.

Thankfully no marks on my floor – just on my wooden front steps.

But the steps look decorative with berry stained shoe marks.

That is okay ….. add a little colour to the front steps.

NOTE to self: check feet and always take your shoes off before going into the house.

Usually I do but I guess I was so zoned and in the moment ….

Big job done and before I even wrote it down.

After the tree job was completed and I had, had a sit down coffee break, we went for a nice walk.

Turned out to be beautiful day.

The photos below of the sunflowers and my flowers are from this past Thursday evening AND the clouds were from yesterday morning.

I cannot believe how pretty they still are ….. will have to take a photo of my trimmed up tree, she looks great …..

 

The clouds looked extra cool but somehow the photo just does not capture that ….

 

FOOD FOR THOUGHT:

Change your inner voices from:

You cannot do to You can do

You cannot have to You can have

You cannot be to You can be.

 

Might be a good idea to change how you say things to your children and to others.

 

Well time to have a shower.

My daughter is coming over and we are going to IKEA.

She needs a book case and they have the best ones.

 

I hope that you have an awesome day.

You can do, have and be whatever you wish.

 

I can continue to grow and be a better person each and every day of my life.

I can continue to have a great home, family, and friends.

I can continue to do all that I need to do to be healthy and live a happy life.

 

Special Hello to: You, my friend.  Keep up the great work.  Have a happy day.

Always, Carol & Alvin.

 

 

 

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Tuesday the 22nd day of May, 2018.

‘Tis a bright and shining morning.

Not much of a breeze this morning which is great in some ways as it is trash day and several bits would have been air borne for sure.

We just arrived back home from a 30 minute walk this morning.

I figured it was the last day of my long weekend and we should take advantage of it.

Back to the grindstone tomorrow.

This week is to be a HOT one so perhaps we shall get our acts together and go for a walk in the morning before work.

We have time if we get it together.

 

I finally got the photos uploaded to my computer.

I chose some of my old favourites and some new ones this year.

I love the reds and purples and yellows.

Different from the pinks and purples of yesteryear.

Flowers bring smiles to our faces.

 

 

The ferns in the front flower bed are racing to the sky.

I love the impact of the greens, reds and blue in the front flower bed.

In the back it is purples, greens and yellows, mainly.

 

Time to have breakfast.

Wanted to get these photos up for you to see.

Have a wonderful Tuesday.

 

Special Hello to: my sister “C” and my friend “V”

Always, Carol & Alvin

 

 

 

 

 

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Thursday the 3rd day of May, 2018.

Well here we are ….. entering into the month of May.

Last night was beautiful even though it felt quite cool in the morning.

The wind was BLOWING so hard last night that at one point earlier in the evening, I took down my “spring/summer” wreath from the door.

Thankfully it is calm this morning.

We did receive a few drops of rain last night in the evening.

Not really enough to even settle the dust.

Who knows what summer will be like.

Will it be hot and dry?

Will it be hot, raining and muggy?

Will it be cold and wet?

Will it be cold and dry?

Will it arrive?

I am sure one way or the other that it will arrive.

Time will only tell.

Even the weather forecasters do not seem to know for sure.

I think that weather would be one of the most difficult things to forecast.

 

Well Alvin is continuing to lay on his blue blanket beside me in the office.

I love when he is close to me.

He heard some birds this morning outside in the back yard.

They sounded like swallows, something small but loud.

Anyway he barked three times and that was it ….. went out and brought him into the house.

Cannot stand the chance of someone calling to complain and after all it was about 5:50 a.m. – not sure I would like to listen to a door barking at that hour either.

Anyway he did his thing for a brief while and I think it was important for him.

Good for him and good for me.

Funny though when we have been walking by our ponds every night and the geese are there …. he does not even acknowledge them.

They don’t mind him either.

It is definitely a funny thing …..

 

I have been trying to find out what the temperature is but I am dressed in capris, top and a mid length cardigan.

I will be wearing that no matter what.

I checked weather for Edmonton and got so many hits and then none of them are easy to access.

Gotta love the NET.

 

Oh well, I will soon know.

Thank goodness I will step outside and wait only a few minutes before climbing into a nice warm car.

Oh, I love these days.

Carpooling, it is the life.

Definitely makes this part of the day more pleasant.

Although now I am missing out on four walks everyday.

So am working on a weight routine to do each day in addition to the walk with Alvin.

Have to do something ….. it was a long long long, yes long winter.

There be a tire there ….. argh.

Anyway …. that is what happens when you eat and do not exercise much.

That was this winter.

Even Mr. Alvin has expanded his mid section.

 

Well time to go and put the finishing touches on ….

Have a wonderful Thursday.

 

Special Hello to:  my sister …. HELLO, there.

Always, Carol & Alvin

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Saturday the 28th day of April, 2018.

The sun is shining brightly as it is almost 7:30 a.m.

Alvin and I have been up for awhile now.

I switched my winter clothes with my summer clothes – one closet to the other.

DONE.

I had the most productive evening last night after work:  Alvin had his supper, raked the back yard, spray washed the deck, washed two loads of laundry, moved my winter coats and boots to the basement

and moved summer jackets to the front closet, brought out most of the patio/deck furniture, made coffee for me and my neighbour, supper, submitted a tea order, did dishes by hand, cleaned the house a bit and was

in bed by 10:10 p.m.

With the cleaning of the deck last night – managed to spray wash myself.

The end on the garden hose is slightly cracked making it impossible to connect the sprayer properly.

So I got wet along with my neighbour who was in her yard.

She came over to help me and I ended up using her hose to clean the deck.

What a night …. thankfully it was really warm so after the initial blast of cold water, I was fine and dried quickly.

 

This morning our little friend TEDDY is coming to spend the day with us as his parents travel outside the City of Edmonton to their farm.

I wanted to have most of my chores completed so that I had time to spend quality time with Alvin and Teddy.

The deck and back yard are all cleaned up so they can play before it gets to hot.

Supposed to be +27 degrees celsius today.

My neighbour is going to help me put out the base for the one patio table and lift the other table down to the deck area closest to the house.

Then we will be ready for sitting outside.

I have an idea for a short story so am making notes.

Time to have breakfast before our company arrives.

Tomorrow I am going to clean up the trash in the neighbourhood and pick up a few things at the grocery store.

Also rake the front lawn.

Always lots to do.

Soon the perennials will begin to grow, I sure hope so, anyway.

Looking forward to the buds on the trees.

 

I am inspired by the sunlight and Teddy’s arrival.

He is a little bundle of energy that makes you want to get up and go.

 

I hope that you all have an awesome weekend.

May the “sunlight” be with you.

Happy Saturday.

 

Special Hello to: my family and friends, who are my “sunlight.”
Always, Carol & Alvin

 

 

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Monday the 5th day of February, 2018.

Happy Birthday to my friend “S.”

Well today is my first day back to work after being gone for a whole week.

Alvin was getting used to me being at home.

I will miss his snuggles the most.

He will miss having a beck and call Momma ….

He likes to go out to the back yard lots whenever I am at home no matter what the weather is like.

It will determine the length of his stay in the back yard, the weather.

 

So Monday …… what are you thinking about this morning?

Me, well I am nervous.

It almost feels like the first day.

Always is that way for me when I am gone for more than a couple of days.

 

The temperature remains cold but warmer than last week.

Oh, winter in Alberta, Canada.

 

This month is a huge birthday month for my family and friends.

My birthday calendar has some for almost each day this month.

I cannot believe that my youngest brother’s youngest turned 21 years old, yesterday.

Crazy.

Time it goes.

That is one measurement or thing in life that you do not have to worry about passing.

If you have a bad day or less than stellar one, well it will pass and then you can try again tomorrow or even later in the day.

We have so many opportunities to make things better.

I guess that is why there is 24 hours in one day and 365 days in a year and so on.

Opportunities.

All we have to do is take them.

Give it a try.

No one has a perfect life although sometimes the grass does look greener on the other side.

But you can have your perfect life.

The most perfect life for you.

Just for you.

So take a deep breathe and go to it.

Dream big …. why not?

Do it.

There is no time like the present.

Happy Monday, Everyone.

 

PS lucky me, I will have a ride to work on my first day back.  My neighbour just called.

 

Special Hello to: all those celebrating birthdays today including our friend “S.”

Always, Carol & Alvin