The Next Chapter

Good Morning. Nothing feels real this morning as I had set the alarm to get up at a certain time so that I could have a shower and get ready for work. Yes, back to the office. I am a little nervous and I am not sure why. So much has been changing over the last two weeks including my personal circumstances with the loss of my beloved Alvin. My life has been turned upside down the past couple of months. Where does one go from here/from there? I am trying to take one day at a time. Alvin has always been in here in the morning except when he visited at his sister’s house or for those handful of times that I was away. He wasn’t sitting on the mat in the bathroom with his back to me while I showered. I did not wake up on the sofa. I no longer have middle of the night trips outside with him. I miss him and everything little thing about him. I ate a banana yesterday morning and I felt guilty as that was his most favourite food ever. Everything in the house reminds me of him. I never want to forget him and what he brought to my life. The joy, laughter and most of all the love. In the early days of going back to work when he was much younger, I remember having to leave him. Making sure he went outside for a pee and maybe even a poop at the last minute before heading out. Ensuring his water dish was filled with clean cool water. Leaving the television on for company until it went into sleep mode. Telling him that I loved him and would see him later after work. The best thing to come out of the Pandemic for me was that for 2.5 years I was able to work from home almost everyday and be with him. I think we would both admit that sometimes we did get on each other’s nerves (trying to smile here). I always said that we were just like an old married couple. But all in all, it was the best time of my life as I was here for him. If he needed to go to the vet right away, I was able to take him. He would lay on one of his beds in the kitchen not far away from my “workspace.” When I had a late breakfast, he would sit beside me on the sofa and I would give him a treat and if I had a banana, we shared that precious fruit. Walks, oh how we loved out walks. Most days if the weather was favourable, we would head out at my lunch break and then again after work. On those days when the weather was hot, we would head out before I started work and then sometimes again after supper if it had cooled down. I loved how he would be with me wherever I was in the house. Since his last surgery on his knee in July of 2021, I seldom allowed him to follow me into the basement, just too many stairs. Sometimes I would just carry him when I was going down for longer than a couple of minutes. When I carried the laundry basket downstairs, he knew what I was doing and would wait patiently near the basement door. Oh, what a guy he was!

Well I suppose I should head downstairs and finish getting ready to leave for work. I am grateful that I have a ride with my coworker to the office. I am also grateful that she will be joining me when we move to the site office. She is changing jobs. There will be a few days, perhaps one week where she will be in training so I will catch the bus. Get this a Senior’s bus pass is $35.00 for one month which is cheaper than buying bus tickets for the week.

My daughter has a dental appointment after work nearby so she will be spending the night. I look forward to seeing her.

Trying 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.

Hello Monday morning.

I enjoyed, we enjoyed a pancake breakfast with our girl yesterday.

Of course, Alvin did not eat pancakes although he really wanted to have some.

He did have some banana.

We had a great visit and even had time for a game of sequence and a game of JENGA.

Alvin and I enjoyed a walk after the visit.

We even had a visit with one of my neighbours as we passed along their home.

 

Yesterday my sister, one of my longtime friends and a new friend down the street, all celebrated birthdays.

I spoke to my sister on the telephone, my friend from back and I exchanged long emails catching up and the neighbour down the street, I walked over with a small gift.

February has been chalked full of birthdays.

Every single day had a birthday.

Busy month.

March is another busy month coming up.

This feels like a poem kind of morning.

Something to provoke thought and realization.

I am eternally grateful each and everyday for my life.

Would I change things, some things, perhaps.

But at the end of the day, it is the sum of all the parts, good and bad, that make us who we are.

 

I would like to share a poem that I wrote several years ago.

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

“ALL THINGS ARE POSSIBLE”

There are many mornings when I rise,

That I draw a sigh and am grateful.

Am truly grateful for all that I have and all that I am.

I realize that no matter what, I am blessed.

Blessed with the realization that all things are possible.

I haven’t always been akin to this way of thinking.

But I would say that I have always been a positive being and a “hopeless romantic.”

Some days it is just a matter of putting one positive thought in front of another …

No matter what anyone thinks, life is work.

The work does not always require physical force but always requires “thought.”

Using your brain.

I believe that all things are possible.

Looking back over my life, I would tend to agree.

Think about it!

“All things are possible.”

 

Written April 11th, 2010 by Carol Y Lewis

 

I wish each and every soul, every being that I encounter on my life’s path; a great life.

I wish that for every boulder in the road that you are able to get over it or around it and come out for the better on the other side.

I wish that no matter what life may bring to you, that you are loved.

That you are able to find a way, your way, of course, but a way to be in every day, joyful and in good health.

May love fill each second and abundance fill each day.

Happy Monday.

 

Always, from me and Alvin …….

 

 

Living … One day at a time

Hi, hello and good morning.

The sky is overcast but it is light outside and there appear to be no wind as the trees are still.

It is just after 8:00 a.m. on Sunday morning.

Our weekend has been both accomplished and filled with fun.

I cleaned most of the furniture from the deck, transplanted the Geranium into a different pot as per instructions from my friend, did seven loads of laundry,

vacuumed and washed all of the floors in the house, dusted and did some changing of items about in my bedroom.

Cleaned the toilets, yup all three of them and the bathrooms.

Every once in awhile I like to change things.

Seem fresh and new.

My favourite change was my office with the new paint job and bulletin boards hanging so nicely on the wall behind my desk and computer.

I do love my office.

The green is a happy colour.

Oh, I just am hearing some geese honking as they fly by.

Humphrey the cat joined us in the early afternoon.

Alvin and I went for a walk just before 2:00 p.m. we stopped and picked up Teddy to come home with us for a visit.

Spent some time upon arriving home just playing and visiting with Alvin and his friends.

The three Amigos.

Cuteness …. so cute.

Humphrey, Alvin and Teddy, none of which look impressed that I am once again snapping photos of them.

But they are just so darn cute.

The plant that was given to me by friends when they moved back to Quebec several years ago.

It was quite small then but when I moved it to the kitchen window it took off and has grown so much in the past year or so.

Also yesterday I noticed these small almost furry like flowers.

I have no idea what kind of plant this is but I love it.

Reminds me of my friends and loves to be watered, lots

The clippings that I took from the Spider Plant at the office have also taken off.

It was only a few months ago that I brought them home.

They are already producing “little spiders.”

 

Last but not least the Geranium.

It is still in shock from being transplanted but I am speaking to it quietly with words of encouragement with hopes that it will survive and fill my kitchen with beautiful pink flowers throughout

the winter months and then I can transplant it to my garden in the spring.

Note: I took this photo before I transplanted into a different pot.

Alvin had come into the house but Humphrey just wanted to stay outside.

He just sat there with his back to me for the longest time.

 

Teddy’s Mom walked over and picked him up later in the afternoon.

Humphrey stayed with us until after 9:00 p.m. as his Mom had been out and about.

The morning clouds have melted into the sky and it remains a blue with perhaps an idea of some moisture?

 

I love these weekends.

Just enough human contact.

Surrounded by Alvin and his buds.

Work done and enough time to relax and enjoy.

 

I am reading “BECOMING” by Michelle Obama.

Some books I may skip a word or two but not this one.

I am enjoying every single word and sentence.

Good read thus far and I do not believe that I will be disappointed.

 

As I mentioned yesterday I may climb up my six foot ladder and clean out the eavestrough that is attached to my porch and out my bedroom window.

Our tree still has lots of leaves to lose but there now is some garbage in the eavestrough so the sooner it is cleaned the better.

I can always get any new leaves that land in there out later.

 

Well time to go and have my regular weekend breakfast of toast without the banana as I am out of them.

COFFEE is definitely a must.

Gather up the clothes that are drying in the basement.

Make my lunch for tomorrow.

Figure out what to wear after I check the weather channel.

Make supper (chicken dinner with an apple/pear crisp).

Walk with Alvin.

I may mow the back lawn as my neighbour said she will do the front with her electric mower.

I mow with my little push one.

Might pop out with my friend to pick up a few things at the grocery store …. although I really do not need much.

Perhaps watch one of the shows that I have recorded.

This will be my day in no definite order.

 

Happy Sunday Everyone.

May you have the time to kick back and enjoy.

 

Always, Carol & Alvin

 

P.S. no snow …. thank goodness …. not ready for it just yet.

 

 

 

Thought for the day ….

Good Morning and Welcome to Saturday the 6th day of April, 2019.

Waking up to gloominess.

Where oh where has the beautiful bright sunrise gone?

The sky is that grey.

That gloomy colour.

The one that does not give you energy to get up and go.

Thankfully I have the pups for that …. Alvin and Teddy.

Playing already this morning.

I am so grateful that Teddy has arrived in our lives.

He gives us energy and Alvin plays now.

Even when Teddy is not around.

He grabs his toys and runs around the house; sometimes throwing them into the air.

Sometimes Alvin’s gregarious nature startles Teddy a bit, I think.

Perhaps a bit too “social.”

But they definitely are good friends.

Last night for dessert while hanging out with the boys.

I had a Baileys Banana Chocolate Frozen Dessert.

You know a little frozen banana pieces, throw in some coconut milk, a nice heaping tablespoon of dark cocoa and some BAILEYS, just a nice healthy splash.

VOILA ….. delicious.

As it was better frozen – I had to eat while in that state.

By the time I was done – a little buzz.

Just something I threw together while I watched “Kathie Lee Gifford’s last TODAY SHOW as a regular HOST.

I am sure going to miss that wicked sense of humour, her light, her kindness and her talent.

She can take a blah day or a sad moment and turn it all round with one lift of her eyebrow and a turn of her mouth.

In my previous post I did not mention her writing.

Songs, books both adult and children, plays and movies.

She sings, acts and really could have been a stand-up comedian.

 

Really there is not much this lady has not accomplished and is still accomplishing well into her 60’s.

I salute you Kathie Lee and look forward to hearing your news and music, and watching your movies.

Definitely a legend.

All the Best.

 

Bedtime for me and the boys.

They each had a chew treat.

Of course, Mr. Alvin wanted Teddy’s even though he had his own.

Oh, me Alvin.

What am I going to do with you?

 

The boys with me in my office while I write this blog post.

They patiently wait for me.

Well before a riot breaks out I had better grab the boys and head to the shower.

Too much sitting around for the boys can mean only one thing – “trouble.”

 

Wishing you all a wonderful Saturday.

May the light shine on us always.

Good Health, Joy and so much laughter that you almost pee your pants.

That is what I wish for you …..

 

Special Hello to: my friend “LE” who is celebrating a birthday today.  Happy Birthday.

Always, Carol & Alvin

 

 

 

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Monday the 9th day of July, 2018.

We had a shower overnight.

Did not hear a thing – must have been sound asleep.

Alvin did not stir until almost the time that the alarm went off (or would have, rather).

The sky remains overcast.

Deciding what to wear …. changed my mind completely from what I had laid out.

 

Again this morning Mr. Alvin urged me to massage his neck area and when I stopped he “asked politely for me to continue.”

He also did not wish to eat right away this morning.

Ate banana first (which is a first).

He does not seem to be ill but I will have him checked out on our regular visit (which is soon).

I suppose just could be an age thing.

OH, I hope so.

Please send lots of positive energy our way for me Alvin (cannot hurt).

 

I can hear the traffic buzzing on the highway.

Oh, he just asked “please again.”

 

Have to run.

Alvin needs me and it is almost time to leave for work.

 

Have an awesome Monday.

Good energy for us all.

 

Special Hello to: my sisters ……

Always, Carol & Alvin

Thought for the day …

Good Morning and Welcome to Friday the 11th day of May, 2018.

Perhaps you may have wondered what happened to my post yesterday.

Well I had quite the morning.

Wednesday night my left ear plugged just before bed.

My little four-legged alarm clock woke me up at 4:00 a.m. – Thursday.

We toddled off downstairs so he could go outside (not raining yet) and have his breakfast.

While he was outside I always do the prep work for my breakfast.

Took the pre-cooked steel cut oats out of the fridge and placed in a bowl.

Placed the bowl in the microwave with a lid …. ready to be heated later.

Put a banana by the bowl to share with Alvin at breakfast.

Grabbed the water jug and lemon juice out of the fridge and made my lemon & water.

Poured a glass full.

By this time Alvin was ready to come back into the house.

I had already set the alarm for a 75 minutes which would have had us up about 5:20 a.m.

Opened one set of blinds in the living room.

We then headed to the sofa to have some snuggles and extra zzz’s till the alarm on the microwave went off.

I made sure that I slept with my right ear upward so that I could hear the buzzer.

At some point I jumped up and looked at my watch.

In sheer panic and disbelief, I noted that the time was 6:40 a.m.

A little over 5 minutes until my carpool arrives.

I ran upstairs like I was on fire.

Into the bathroom, brushed my teeth while grabbing my face soap – ready to wash my face.

Then the moisturizer.

Looking about 3 seconds into the mirror, I figured no time for makeup.

Some advantages of being “60” – I am not out to impress anyone.

No no makeup.

Luckily I always have my clothes laid out the night before so they were ready for me to put on.

I even took a second to put on earrings, my rings, and a necklace (which was laid out).

I even remembered to wear deodorant and underwear.

Check – pants and top on.

Although without having the thermostat turned on – it has been pretty cool in the house in the mornings – so unlikely I would forget my pants – just saying.

I am not totally without some sense of moral obligation – I grabbed my eyebrow pencil, lip stuff and mascara and took them downstairs.

Alvin looked confused as I flew threw the kitchen.

Opening the back door and now it was raining.

I left the door open to see if he needed to go back outside.

No time for breakfast, I grabbed the oatmeal out of the microwave and put into the fridge.

While in the fridge I grabbed my lunch and picked up the banana and placed into the lunch bag.

Somedays it pays to be prepared.

Alvin decided not to go back outside again.

Locked the back door and ran to the front door.

Opened the closet door.

Grabbed some shoes and threw off my socks.

Grabbed my purse, umbrella and jacket.

Managed to get my coat on …. set the alarm.

I remember Alvin looking dumbfounded as I said a quick good-bye, have a great day and was out of the door.

Luckily my ride was a couple of minutes late but I was already out of the house …. ready to be picked up.

When I explained my morning ….my friend just smiled and said “Next time, call me …. we are early enough that you could have had a few minutes.

Nice friend, right.

All the way to work I had to have my head facing toward her to hear what she said as my left ear is plugged.

ARGH.

I get to work and usually I am one of the first ones there so most times I make the coffee.

Not that day …. another coworker had stopped at Tim Hortons and picked up coffee and tim-bits.

My hero.

So I had a banana and tim-bits for breakfast.

What a morning.

It is amazing what one can do in a handful of minutes.

I am grateful for two things (actually a great many things) and that is being prepared in advance and the second being it is was not a shower day.

Thankfully my hair looked okay.

Did I mention that I quickly brushed it and put it back (at home).

At work I decided to forego the make up …. except for a wee bit of eyebrow pencil.

So that is it ….. my reason for no blog….. my reason for no writing in my gratitude journal and no breakfast at home.

Usually when my routine is disturbed that much – the rest of my day pays for it.

Not today.

I got so much work done.

Perhaps because I could only hear out of one ear and was not disturbed.

We are all connected to our routines, that is for sure.

Well I hope that this brought a smile to your face.

I am quite certain that I looked pretty funny as I played SUPERWOMAN zipping around the house yesterday morning.

NOTE to self:  remember you really are not old ….

Special Hello to: my daughter who is a reminder that life is certainly worth living

Always, Carol & Alvin

 

PS:  I managed to coax the boy to remain in bed until closer to 5:00 a.m. – we did have 20 minutes on the sofa – but I was really careful and did not fall back to sleep.

The sun is rising and the rain clouds have passed over.  We did get a great bit of rain yesterday – hopefully enough to help out the grass, trees, gardens and such.

YAY, today is Friday.  I am so happy for that …… enjoy, my friends, enjoy.

 

 

 

 

 

Thought for the day ….

Good Morning and Welcome to Sunday the 29th day of April, 2018.

WOW, cannot believe that it is almost noon.

I am sorry that I did not get to writing this post until now.

Crazy kind of morning.

We were up at 5:00 a.m. for Alvin to do this morning routine.

Alvin went outside and drank some water but would not eat his food.

I tried hand feeding him but to no avail.

So we went back upstairs to bed.

A couple of hours later up again.

But he would not eat.

He did not appear to be feeling poorly – still his happy self.

We fell asleep on the sofa after that for awhile.

When we got up it was pretty late for us.

I tried several times to feed him but to no avail.

Even tried giving him a piece of his favourite food – banana

But he would not eat it.

So I made the piece smaller and he ate it.

I cut up a piece of banana into small bits and into a bowl for him.

He gobbled it down.

I did that with all of the pieces of banana that he would normally eat.

It dawned on me that he was actually hungry and for some reason unknown to me – just not able to eat.

Whether it is a tooth, or that he scratched his mouth with a chew treat yesterday or the fact that he managed to eat some of Teddy’s food last night at supper (Teddy’s food is softened for him).

Anyway as the was able to soften his food, I gave him some until he wanted no more.

So I will soften his food from now on.

Keeping an eye on him.

Hopefully not a tooth or anything serious.

 

It also took me 1/2 hour to get my electric coffee perk to work.

That was annoying – nothing worse than wanting a cup of coffee and the coffee perk not wanting to comply.

ARGH.

 

So that was my morning.

I was going to go and clean up the trash in the neighbourhood but it is so WINDY that I have decided to do that next weekend.

Hard to hold the bag and pick up trash in the wind.

I have done that before ….

So will just go and get groceries, wash some floors and finish off the laundry.

 

We had a wonderful day with Teddy yesterday.

I took the boys for a walk by the lake.

They were really good.

We sat outside on the deck and relaxed.

The boys played from time to time.

It was a great Saturday.

 

I hope that all is well with you and yours.

Happy Sunday.

Special Hello to: my friend “V” …..

Always, Carol & Alvin

Thought for the day ……

Good Morning and Welcome to Friday the 23rd day of December, 2016.

“1” more SLEEP till Christmas EVE.

Can you believe it?

Are you ready?

Is your heart beating a bit faster than usual?

Are you excited?

Are you nervous?

Are you sure?

I am all of those things.

I will profess I am a self-proclaimed CHRISTMAS “nut.”

I love the turkey, the baking, the Christmas pudding, the cranberries, the lights, whipped potatoes and gravy, singing of Christmas Carols, the music, the movies, the company, the, the, the ………………

I love everything about the holiday season although when it comes to gifts I have simmered down.

Mainly because I no longer have small children.

So I gift baking.

A tray of goodies here and a tray of goodies there.

Even recycling, reusing making something new for someone.

Christmas is really about sharing ….. sharing your heart with those around you.

Give from the heart and you will not be sorry.

I was able to sleep in this  morning as we have a Family Christmas Party/Breakfast at the office.

Getting close to the time to leave but I still have some time.

Enough time to write, catch up on FB and share a banana with Mr. Alvin.

He loves to have some banana every morning with his Momma.

Likely more about the banana than me, but I like to think it is about me and the banana.

I noticed earlier this morning (yup Mr. Alvin wide awake earlier than normal and wanting to get up) that we have a skiff of fresh snow.

So looking forward to Christmas with my family, new and old and to time away from the office, time to charge the old battery, to visit with friends and to relax.

On this day before Christmas Eve I hope that you are enjoying this time and not stressing too much.

No matter what it will always be perfect.

Perfection can always be a bit on the less than side, after all.

Happy Thursday.

Special Hello to: my family and friends, new and old.

Always, Carol and Alvin

 

 

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to the 2nd day of April, 2016.

It is a bright and sunny morning here in Edmonton.

I am up and showered – freshened up.

Time to write in my gratitude journal, have breakfast (share my banana with Alvin) and then share a pot of coffee with my neighbour “S.”

This morning I am off to clean-up the trash around the neighbourhood.

It does not look like I even went out about a month ago as there is so much.

So I will put on some comfortable old shoes, my sunglasses, grab some garbage bags and some disposable non-latex gloves and my keys and be on my way.

Whoops almost forgot my handy dandy GARBAGE PICKER UPPERS…..

It will likely take me about 1-2 hours to clean things up as I will do a big loop and of course, the walk-way to 62nd Avenue (which is CRITICAL again).

I know for a fact that MacDonalds and StarBucks do not throw their coffee cups into the wind so that they blow into our neighbourhood.

Why oh why cannot people just take them home and throw them into the garbage.

Perhaps too easy.

Are people really that stupid?

Uncaring.

I just do not believe that say you throw your StarBucks coffee cup into the bushes/grass on the walkway today.

Then someone comes behind you and does the same thing.

Everyday you walk there and it just looks worse and worse.

Does that not bother anyone except me?

Anyway I am going to make it beautiful.

The way it should be.

My wish is to educate people.

Also I am going to plead once again with the City and the Neighbourhood Association to please put up a garbage bin.

I hope that next time you are walking about enjoying nature and sipping on your coffee or cold drink that you will think about taking the cup home instead of throwing it onto the ground.

Now obviously I realize that not everyone does this or else our world would be completely filled with cups.

Have a great weekend.

Please keep your neighbourhood clean and tidy.

All you have to do is keep in front of your house clean and secure trash on pick up day.

Thank you.

This is my public service announcement.

Have a great Saturday.

No poems for me today …..

 

Special Hello to:  to all those folks who help to keep our planet clean and tidy.

Always, Carol and Alvin

Thought for the day ….

Good Morning and Welcome to Saturday the 29th day of August, 2015.

Wow, can you believe it …. only two days left till the end of August.

I do love the end of summer and the months that follow named “AUTUMN.”

The colours …. the air …. mmm.

Well I had an interesting day yesterday.

Mr. Alvin had some mysterious illness.

He wouldn’t even eat some banana in the morning …. his eyes were glazed.

Definitely not feeling good.

Just over one hour after we got up he tried to throw up but did not.

He yelped whenever he jumped off the sofa.

I booked an appointment with the vet and by the time we could get in he was almost back to himself.

It scares me when he is not feeling well ….. if he could talk ….

I didn’t want to leave him alone ….. after all he is my baby.

Later in the afternoon my daughter and grand-pups dropped by.

They had been to an appointment with the vet (we go to the same one).

Poor Penny did not have a great report.

Elton is doing good.

With our Miss P …. well I am certain that with medicine and perhaps change in diet she will be okay.

She is a strong girl.

I popped out for groceries … borrowed the car.

They stayed for supper ….

After supper my neighbours down the street popped by to drop off their shop vac so that I can finish cleaning the dust from the dry wall.  I already wiped the walls down but there is yet another coat of dust so will wipe down again and then use the shop vac.  Hopefully soon I will be able to move everything back into that room.

We also debated about my tree.

The roots have decided to come to the surface.

Now this did not happen over night.

Unfortunately for me, I did not realize what it was until this year.

I do remember bits of something hard coming to the surface and then breaking through.

But it never occurred to me that it was the roots of the tree until this summer.

Anyway my neighbour went back to his house and got his axe.

We had a good laugh about him carrying the axe down the street (he put it in a garbage bag for transport).

He joked about how strong my swing was …..

We chopped the roots that were closest to the sidewalk at the front porch and the one closest to the retaining wall at my flower bed.  Pulled them out.

I will probably have to cut the tree down in the spring and rip up the lawn to pull up the roots which are all over the place.

They really seemed to have grown this year.

I guess I will be landscaping in the spring.

After we chopped and pulled some roots we all went for a walk … Mr Alvin, too.

It was a perfect evening.

So what a day.

Well I am having company for coffee shortly so better go and have a shower.

Mr. Alvin gets a hair cut today and bath.

Lots to do.

The sky is hazy here with smoke.

Blocking out the brightness of the sun’s rays.

I am grateful at the end of the day that I have good friends and family.

I am grateful for this beautiful weather.

I am very grateful that Alvin is feeling better.

I am grateful that Miss Penny will be feeling better soon and that Elton is good.

My grand-pups…..

Enjoy your Saturday.

Keep your eyes open and question things that are out of the ordinary.

I wished that I would have mentioned those hard spots in the ground sooner.

Alas …. that is life.

Everything happens for a reason.

Special Hello to: all of my friends and family everywhere and thank you.

Always, Carol and Alvin