The New Chapter

Good Morning. Monday morning and the official first day of SPRING. Oh, how I long for dry ice free sidewalks and streets. A reminder of life.

Today is also the birthday of Alvin’s Best Friend Teddy. He reminds me of Alvin. They were truly best friends and on our last walk, Alvin wanted to go to see his friend. Wishing our Teddy a very Happy 10th Birthday.

Teddy, Alvin’s Best Friend

BFs together

BF Teddy

BF Teddy

The boys

Alvin & his BF Teddy

Yesterday I wrote this poem about saying goodbye. This post is reflective of how I am feeling both joy and overwhelming sadness.

Saying Goodbye!

No one knows what is coming

There is no way to prepare for that moment

We all know in our hearts that life does not last forever

But we are never prepared !

When that day comes

The blueness and emptiness we feel in our hearts

Weighs down our spirit

The loss is unbearable

The guilt weighs heavily on us.

Nothing will ever be the same again,

More change, how much can a heart take!

The pieces smashing down upon the floor.

Breaking everywhere.

Photos and videos remind us of what was

What will never be again

Life goes on, it must.

We cry at night and weep behind closed doors.

But the memories bring us up

Hard as it is,

Tears will fall, they will dry.

But the memories will remain.

Stories of who they were,

The start and the end and every moment in between.

How they touched our hearts

How they brought so much to our life

How we will remember.

How they reached our soul, in epic proportion.

How they brought so much joy.

The laughter and the tears.

How each memory will be carried in our hearts and minds forever,

For an eternity ……. they will live on ……..

Written by CYLewis on Sunday, March 19, 2023.

My heart is broken with the loss of my beloved Alvin.

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Remember to tell your village, your family, your friends that you love them, that you care and always do whatever you can to be present in their lives. We never know when things will change.

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)

Last Half 2022 – September

Good Morning ALL! How are you this morning? We are doing great! Yuppers, I said “GREAT.” Sometimes you forget just how many selfless, wonderful people surround you and you temporarily wander to the dark side, feeling down and thinking “what am I going to do.” We were supposed to have friends over for tea and to discuss the situation with Mr. Alvin. We had to cancel as Alvin had a less than perfect day on Sunday. So we rescheduled for last night. I am over the moon happy to say that my friend from down the street has graciously accepted my request to help out with Mr. Alvin on those days when I need to go to the office. They are such a wonderful family and I am truly blessed and grateful that they are in my life. They are the family belonging to the little girl named Cookie that stayed with us last Christmas for two weeks. I immediately volunteered to look after Cookie anytime they go away. She is full of energy and would be good for Alvin. So with one less thing to be concerned about. I can now concentrate on some other matters. There are always matters but nothing that I cannot handle. Did I say that I am grateful, I will shout it to the heavens in a songful chorus. It is such a relief for me to know that I have someone who can keep an eye on my boy when I am not able.

I was also thinking that you know how “thoughts become things.” It really does work. I always say that I have the most thoughtful, loving and supportive family and friends and neighbours on the planet and I really do. Wherever near or far – they rock! How about trying an experiment about bringing something or someone into your life. You have to be positive, to visualize, to dream of that with a heart full of love and a mind of positive thoughts, and it will happen. I know that it works. The part that is so important is to keep focused on the positive, on the love, and know that it will come forth. Sometimes our minds, our thoughts travel to the gray in between but bring it back to the light. We can do this. Life is wonderful. We just have to keep saying it, thinking it, believing it and acting like it and it will be!

Yesterday we went to go for a walk in the morning but only got a few houses away and Mr. Alvin turned around and headed for home. He is the boss so we came home. I got to enjoy some coffee before work. We sat on the front porch at lunchtime enjoying the fresh air. Alvin happily devoured a little biscuit of his while I checked personal emails. After work we went for a walk and went as far as our friend Pauline’s house. I am happy that tomorrow after work we will be meeting up with Pauline and her grandpup Georgie for a walk and then after supper our friends Ali and Bailey will be coming over. So lots of company, great company and great friends. So happy.

The sun is rising but not up and bright just yet. But it will be.

I am looking forward to trimming the branches on our tree, winterizing and cleaning the outside plants and flowers, bringing the dresser to the house from the garage (for spare room), doing laundry (always), walking and giving Mr. Alvin a haircut and bath and vacuuming. Lots to do but that is okay. I feel energized. Plus I love this time of year.

Well time to head downstairs and put on the coffee to perk. I love that first cup of coffee.

Have a wonderful Thursday.

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

Always, Carol & Alvin

PS: maybe I will trim my hair …… as I will be giving our tree and Mr. Alvin a trim, lol.

Surrounding yourself with friends……

Mr. Alvin while I work

Alvln’s Birthday party

Friends

Teddy & Kobi

Humphrey & Alvin

Humphrey

Cuteness

Alvin & his BF Teddy

Milo and Aspen

A proper Gentleman

Me and my Alvin

Humphrey & Al

2021

Good Morning ALL! Happy Halloween! Can you believe it October 31, 2021 already? In a few hours there will be little ghosts, goblins and other costumed treaters out and about in the neighbourhood. I cannot wait. I always love to see all of the costumes. All of the children that I know in the neighbourhood usually drop by to show me their costumes. I try to take photos of each of them for my “memory book” and from time to time I look back and see how much they have grown. One of the boys was 8 years old when I moved here and is now 20 years old. He dressed up a couple of years ago and popped by for old times sake. Time moves on but Halloween is Halloween forever. I wonder how many folks will allow their children out this year? Last year was strange. I opted to make special treat bags for all of the children that I know and hand delivered them in the afternoon. Not many children were out. I kept my lights off and felt bad but I did not have a set up that was “COVID APPROPRIATE.” As I mentioned I still gave out treats to the children that I knew and some of my daughter’s friends and neighbours. It is cool out there this morning so I will definitely be wear some warm sweat pants and a sweater when we answer the door later today and just thinking about putting Alvin’s sweater on him. Yes or No. I will have a short leash on him so that he can go to the door and check on the little treaters. It is nice that Halloween falls on the weekend, Sunday. My daughter is coming by for a late pancake breakfast and a visit which I am happy about. I did not mention to Alvin yet as he gets so excited.

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  Happy

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  Halloween 2021

I also had a phone call yesterday from Teddy’s Mom. They have a doorbell camera and noticed that Alvin and I had stopped by. I think that I have mentioned this before …. when we are out for a walk, now that we can walk the whole way, we pass by his friend’s house and he cannot help but to go and see if he is at home. He does this everytime we walk by. He is so strong and because they have a driveway in the front, I don’t want to pull him on the pavement. Cannot risk damaging his legs. Sometimes I reach down and pick him up and other times I just let him run up the steps with me following. I let him sniff at the door and listen to see if he can hear his best friend and his little sister. Once he is done, I can usually convince him to continue our walk. Sometimes I lift him down the steps and sometimes I let him walk down. He always stops at the garage door for one last sniff, I guess with the hope that maybe they are in the garage. Teddy and family were not at home when we popped by. It is actually quite a beautiful thing that Alvin misses seeing his friend. Before COVID, Teddy’s parents worked and now they are both retired. With COVID they have not travelled so no staying with us for a week or so. The boys miss that so much. Iris cannot even mention Alvin’s name without creating a super excited Teddy and now Kobi as well. She has to wait until they are in the car and on their way over. When they arrive she gets out of the car and opens the back passenger side and the pups both jump out and run fast as the wind to our open front door. They run to Alvin to say hello, jump up and give me a kiss and then run about for a few minutes in all their excitement. Teddy and Alvin have the most beautiful friendship, they are best friends. Anyway, Iris asked if the pups could come over in the morning until afternoon as they have some errands to run and I immediately said “yes, of course.” Alvin will be so surprised and I do not want to tell him in advance as he will sit at the window waiting. I love this friendship and cannot wait to see the pups tomorrow morning.

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  Alvin & his BF Teddy

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  Baby Kobi

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  BEST FRIENDS

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  Teddy & Kobi

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  Night time for the boys

Well time to go and have a shower and then start preparing for our company. I am excited for Amanda’s visit and for the treaters later today. I am so glad that I got all of my cleaning and laundry done yesterday. Now it can be a fun day. A play day.

Happy Halloween to you All! Be safe out there and have fun.

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

Always, Carol & Alvin

2021

Good Morning ALL! How are you doing this morning? Yesterday the weather was so perfect that not only did we walk at lunchtime but we also went for a walk after work. We took a different route after work which was actually our old norm route which took us to pass right by Alvin’s best friend Teddy’s house. He could not help but to turn in and although I tried to sway him, we ended up on their doorstep with me ringing the doorbell. Kobi had hopped onto a bench by the window near the door looking so excited to see us. How can you say no to them? Obviously we can’t, well at least I cannot. Shortly thereafter we were sitting on the deck drinking tea. During our conversation, I mentioned to Teddy’s Mom that he should come for a sleepover sometime this weekend and how about Saturday? She checked with Teddy’s Dad and it was a date. Over the next few minutes it appeared that Teddy wanted to come home with us now. So we changed the sleepover to last night. We had a great night. Teddy is way more laid back than Mr. Alvin so I guess that, is why they are besties. Opposites attract. We were late for Alvin’s supper by the time we got home so that was the first thing on the agenda “feed Alvin,” and of course see if Teddy would eat a bit more, which he did not. He is not a huge eater. So unlike Alvin. Once they were tended to, I started my supper which was a pot of chili. It turned out to be one of the best pots of chili that I have ever made. So yummy. It was very late for me with supper. After the dishes were done and clean up, we just had a quiet evening snuggling on the sofa. This morning. Last night Alvin was up about 3:00 and then tried to get me up as soon as possible for his breakfast but I managed to hold him off until 5:00 a.m. …… Teddy could have cared less about eating so will try him again and again. Which I did when we got up at 7:00. They are so different but really get along so well.

Alvin is upstairs waiting “patiently” for me to be done and Teddy is snoozing on the sofa in the living room.

The skies are overcast and it was light outside about the time we got up. Well today is the start of my cleaning and reorganizing and sending out notes for an upcoming tea order that I will submit next weekend.

BEST FRIENDS

Everyone needs to have a best friend.

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  Teddy

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  BF Teddy

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  Alvin & his BF Teddy

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Wishing you a wonderful Good Friday.

May you be surrounded by love and joy.

Be safe in all that you do.

Soon you will be surrounded by all your friends and family.

That you miss so much as they do you.

Continuing to live with kindness, respect, compassion and patience.

Always, Carol & Alvin

Second Half of the NEW YEAR

Good Wednesday Morning All,

A surprise rain shower over night and I had not put my patio cushions in the garage.

Oh well, they will be okay.

I am so used to putting them away and then I did not.

The sun is shining this morning and the sky is a beautiful range of blues.

We did not go for a walk in the early morning for the second day in a row.

Hopefully no rain tonight.

If I would have had my butt in gear we could have / should have gone this morning even though it is very wet outside.

Mr. Alvin prefers to walk in the grass at the park so he would be very wet by the time we got home but not a great reason.

My actual reason is we went to bed late and up early and I am tired.

Oh, well we will get our walks in between noon and after work.

 

Yesterday after supper Alvin’s best friend Teddy came for a visit.

They have been going to the farm for most of the week as both Teddy’s parents are pretty much retired now.

It was nice to see Teddy.

The boys had a great time even though most of the time was spent figuring out who lays down where.

It is a dance that they have always done.

At the end of the dance they both want to be close to me.

Sometimes both on the chaise part of my sofa on one side of me and together OR Teddy on my lap and Alvin to my side.

Alvin is not a lap dog.

Teddy is a lap dog.

Size matters.

My lap may have grown or not but Alvin is just a tad too large to be laying in my lap.

It would be a funny sight for sure.

After Teddy’s visit -Alvin and I walked him home.

Teddy’s Mom and little sister Kobi were happy to see us inviting us in for a visit.

We had a nice chat before Alvin and I headed for home.

This made me late to watch the speeches from the Republican Convention.

Luckily I had recorded them but was sad when the First Lady’s speech went over the time slot and I had forgot to record further.

I did try and find her full speech on the internet but was not able to and it was beginning to get late so I gave up.

Bed late ……

Oh well.

Up now and almost ready for work.

Just need to finish this post and grab my coffee.

Grateful for another sunny day and for the rain last night.

Thank you Universe as my flowers and lawn were watered without my help.

I am grateful that Alvin has a best friend.

Cute story.

We were on our way to take Teddy home when we came across some people.

The man and woman in the lead were clearly “fearful” of dogs (yes, even the friendliest ones on earth) so I reigned them in and as were were heading down the sidewalk

toward the young woman who was next …. she pulled out her earplugs and said “Oh, what cute doggies and winked.”

I understood what she meant.

I understand that not everyone has good experiences with dogs and even the smaller ones can be frightening.

In response to her comment I said “They are best friends.”

She replied “I bet they are.”

I said “No, they are really best friends.  You see Teddy is visiting Alvin and we are walking Teddy back home.”

She smiled, giggled and said “How nice.”

So no matter if you are two-legged or four-legged …. how nice is it to have a best friend.

We all need a best friend or two or three even or more.

 

It is time to get this show on the road.

Wishing you a great day.

Living with continues kindness and respect for all.

 

I/We shall remain,

Always, Carol & her Alvin

 

 

It is a NEW YEAR.

Good Wednesday Morning.

Full moon still glowing this morning as the sun began to rise in the sky.

The sky is clear as the sun begins to rise.

What a beautiful morning …..

 

Alvin and I enjoyed not one but two walks yesterday.

We also bumped into our friends.

Alvin’s best friend Teddy and his little sister Kobi and their Mom.

It was so nice to see them.

The pups were all able to say hello and we Mums kept to the social distancing.

We also chatted with our neighbours out front of our house and yes, we kept to the social distancing.

I will say that I was missing seeing my friends, our friends.

That human contact has been less and less with each week.

I see people walking by our house but that is about it.

I almost feel like sitting on our front porch and greet folks as they walk by.

Might be a bit creepy for folks or perhaps they would join me in the reaching out.

When you are living by yourself with no other adult or children the quiet eventually is too quiet.

I have always enjoyed having white noise in the background.

The television comes on at my morning coffee break.

I am going to turn on some music this morning.

Do a little chair dancing?

Why not?

 

I was thinking as I was getting ready this morning.

What will we be thinking when this is all over?

What will we have learned?

Will we have strengthened our family units?

Will we find children/families that were forgotten and neglected by society/by us?

Will more people continue to work from home?

Will the way we shop, socialize, work and play change forever?

Will we find that we have started new businesses from home?

Will we have become more creative?

Will we learn to be more patient?

Will things go back to the way they were?

Will they find a medicine or a cure to treat this virus?

Will this happen again?

Will this end?

 

There are so many questions.

Are there answers?

Perhaps.

Not likely today or tomorrow or even in two weeks or a month.

 

I hope that this finds you well.

I wish for you and your family no worries and that you go to bed with food in your bellies.

Take time to learn something new.

Maybe read that book that never gets read.

Take time to be still.

 

Time to grab my coffee and get to work.

I have such a long commute.

Between this computer and the laptop ….. oh, miles and miles.

Sense of humour, I have.

 

Happy Wednesday.

I/We remain, with kindness and respect,

Always, Carol & Alvin

 

Living … One day at a time.

Hello, well we are looking forward to a daytime high of 20 degrees celsius.

YAY, that will be wonderful.

It felt good when we were outside about 5:00 a.m. this morning.

The boy is on the mend.

Slowly adding his regular hard food back into the chicken, rice and soft food.

It is quite the thing to figure out each and every day.

But I am so grateful that he is feeling better.

 

Yesterday morning Mr. Humphrey jumped up onto the corner post and top of his deck so that he could say hello to me.

He was having a whole conversation with me and Alvin.

I only wished that I could understand what he was saying.

Even after work he jumped up to say hello.

So last night, nothing says “feeling better” than hanging with one of your besties, right!

I could take photos of the boys all day long.

 

 

Humphrey on one side last photo on above row and Alvin on the blue blanket beside me.

Humphrey was not licking his paw he was actually sleeping.

Such cuteness …..

I am so happy that life is almost back to “normal” and sometimes we do not realize just how wonderful that “crazy normal” is until it is not.

So grateful to all our friends and family for their love and support and GREAT IDEAS.

I would not have made it through this past almost two weeks without you ALL, thank you.

 

Well time to take the boy outside one last time before I leave for work.

Yesterday my ride arrived while we were outside.

Then panic … running through the house …. changing shoes …. grabbing ID…… grabbing keys ….

 

Happy Thursday.

With kindness and respect we shall mend the madness.

 

Always, Carol & Alvin

Thought for the day ….

Good Morning and Welcome to Wednesday the 27th day of June, 2018.

Another beautiful morning with partial cloudy skies.

Today marks the Birthdays of my oldest and dearest friends, the twins.

We grew up together, went to school together, lived together, worked together, and even though we are hundreds of miles apart have always remained dear friends.

Happy Birthday Ladies …. have an awesome day.

My eldest first cousin celebrates a birthday today.  Happy Happy Birthday dear cousin.

Wishing you a wonderful day.

 

This morning as I was getting ready I had taken a few moments to massage Alvin’s back and neck.

I was shocked to see that he was really enjoying it.

You could tell from his body language, the way he raised his head.

When I stopped he placed his paw up which is our sign for “ask nice.”

I kept massaging him and he just sat there.

Usually after I massage his back or neck – he shakes it off as dogs do.

Not this time.

So perhaps he needed a massage and it felt good.

It is a reminder that as we age it is good to have a massage whether you have two or four legs.

Note to self to do this on a daily basis for him.

Clearly he enjoyed and needed it.

Such a good guy.

 

Running a bit late as just had to hit the sofa twice for extra zzz’s.

No, we didn’t make it out for a walk this morning.

Enjoyed a wonderful one last night.

 

Gotta go.

Have an awesome Wednesday.

 

Special Hello to: the birthday girls….Happy Birthday.

Always, Carol & Alvin

 

 

 

Thought for the day ….

Good Morning and Welcome to Thursday the 14th day of June, 2018.

Started to rain just as we were going to bed last night.

But does not appear to have rained for any great length of time.

We watered our friend’s flowers and plants last night.

The north side of her house the flowers were still wet but on the south side they needed a drink.

North side does not get the hot afternoon sun but the south side, well yes it does.

All of our flowers are doing great.

She has some awesome looking tomato plants.

They are huge …. look like small trees.

I have a tomato plant and it is doing well….

My friend has this green thumb …. me, well I do love it and give it my best effort.

Looks like the clouds are blocking the sun or at least on the south side of our house … from our office view.

Now just a second ago at the north side … our bedroom side ….. there was bright sunshine.

 

I forgot to tell you all guess what Mr. Alvin and I saw the other night while out for a walk?

A goose and a biz-llion goslings.

OMG, they were so cute.

I just wanted to go and hug them.

Alvin used to be so taken with them when he was a pup.

We would spend hours watching them at the lake.

Now he just takes a look and is on his way.

Oh, Mr. Alvin.

 

Friends.

Do you have a special friend?

A best friend?

Perhaps you have several friends.

Just acquaintances!

Or maybe 20 dear friends.

Some of us are so blessed to have a great many friends in our lives.

Whether they are what people deem to be “best friend” or your “BF,” it really does not matter.

We all need someone to chat with, to confide in, to listen to, to just be near ….

We are social creatures, after all.

We have to remember the health benefits to having a friend or friends in your life.

So take the time …. today ….. call a friend.

Connect …. maybe go for coffee …. or just chat on the phone or SKYPE.

 

Well almost time to hit the road once again.

Have an awesome day.

Do not forget to call a friend today.

They really are your life line.

 

Special Hello to: all my friends and family all over the world, thank you.

Always, Carol & Alvlin

Thought for the day….

Good Morning and Welcome to Wednesday the 30th day of October, 2013.

I am energized and filled with an amazing hunger for all things good.

My life is great.

I have the best friends.

I have the best family.

I have the best puppy dog.

I live in the best house.

I have the best health.

I have imagination.

I have desire.

I am worthy.

I am deserving.

I hunger to make every aspect of my life off the greatness charts.

Starting with this very moment.

This is my life and it is great.

How great is your life?

You know what to do.

Special Hello to: all those people who live their lives each day.

Always, Carol and Alvin