The Next Chapter

Good Morning! How are you this Monday morning? Yes, it is Monday already. Don’t you think that the weekends go far too quickly? I had a fairly good sleep but woke up around 4:00 and then dozed off and on until the alarm went off.

Yesterday a flock of medium sized birds of which I did not recognize flew into my tree. There must have been well over one hundred of them. They dangled and say for a moment while I struggled to take a photo or video. By the time I was ready most of them had flown away and to a neighbouring tree (I did get a short video there). It was like a beautifully orchestrated dance. Safe to say that spring is here. Oh, I hope so.

I had been thinking of reading up on the external hard drive and finishing off my taxes but after spending most of Saturday on the computer, I thought “no.” Instead I cleaned. The upstairs. Cleaned the bathrooms. Washed the cabinets, the sinks, the toilets, went through the cabinets (spring clean) and vacuumed. I vacuumed the stairs and the main floor. Just did some cleaning which is good for the soul.

Oh and big news. I had decided to bake a banana pumpkin loaf. Likely should have turned the oven on first to preheat but instead I put together the loaf and then turned on the oven. It did not warm up. I reached out to my neighbour but she did not get back to me and found out a bit later that they had gone out. By that time, I had googled two things. How long can you keep batter in the fridge and can you use the microwave to bake this type of loaf. Surprisingly enough positive searches for both. I ended up popping it into the microwave and after about 12 minutes off and on, it was done. Knife came out without batter. I let it sit for a minute before taking the knife and going around the outside edges to loosen it before turning it over onto a tray to cool. A little while later, I gave it a slice. Voile, it was cooked. Then to taste, well not the same consistency as baking in the oven but it was done and edible. So in case your oven stops working – you can use the microwave and not waste the batter. I had taken chicken out of the freezer so had to pan fry it. Not my favourite way of cooking chicken that is for sure but it works. Now I am oven less until I am able to get it fixed. I think it is the heating element, I had it replaced several years ago. Hopefully that is all.

Time to head downstairs. Have a wonderful Monday.

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

Always, Carol & Alvin (My Forever Angel)

The Next Chapter

Good Morning! Dark outside and I cannot wait until the sun is rising while I am getting ready for work. How are you this morning? I hope that your week is going well thus far. So excited one more day after today and it is the weekend. Oh, I know, that one should not wish their days away but sometimes, and that sometimes is now, I am.

I long for the summer so that I can go for walks perhaps even in the morning before I leave for work and then after work. Our sidewalks and streets in our neighbourhood and throughout the places that I have been are icy and treacherous. Better to be safe than sorry. I was walking when there was more snow than ice but now it is a mixture of water and ice. Hopefully the temperatures remain above zero so that the ice melts and goes down the drain. Of course, we are still getting double digits below zero overnight so the water freezes and we start all over again. We need a few days of +15 or so to really get it moving. Fingers crossed that will be soon. Soon the birds will return or at least more of them. Always amazes me that the crows, magpies and pigeons can survive the cold of the winter.

We have an off site “all staff” meeting this morning, only for the morning. Usually they were all day affairs. Will be nice to see the girls from our old team. Then we are back to our new office for the afternoon.

My eye is burning so that is a sign that I must go and put drops in.

Have a great Thursday.

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

Always, Carol & Alvin (My Forever Angel)

The New YEAR 2022

Good Morning ALL! Looks like another beautiful day on the way. It was actually not bad out earlier this morning when we were out in the backyard. Warmer than Saturday morning as there was frost then. No frost this morning. Alvin is hanging in there and me, too. Couple more days wearing socks when he goes outside and we should be okay. I have tried to examine the bottom of his pads but it is difficult by myself. Anyway, we are doing well. I am so grateful for the second day in a row for the sun to be shining so brightly. Thank you for the blue skies. There is a breeze but I think that is going to be part of the norm now.

Yesterday I cleaned out the office closet, went through all of my jewelry (which was huge), went through the spare bedroom, laundry and mowed the backyard. Not a huge amount of things but things done. Today I want to wash down the deck, sort through some of the things in the garage. Then basement left to do. I want to have everything ready for the garage sale. I have a pile of things in the spare bedroom to go downstairs and to the garage for the sale. But will leave them for now. Also do some vacuuming as well. I also moved the desk (table) that was storing my jewelry from the spare room to my room. My room is a bit more full than I normally would like but it is a nice change. I can put it back at some point.

It will be done in chunks as Alvin has to stay in the house unless I can keep an eye on him. Those dratted socks will not stay up all of the time. They slip from time to time. I am proud of them for at least allowing me to put them on his feet each and every time we go outside.

Yesterday there were two little blue/black/white birds flying about the birdhouse that I have in the backyard. It sits up on a pole that sits on the upper deck. The only thing is one of the birds kept flying too close to one of the glass windows on the garage. I was worried that it was going to knock itself out but gratefully it did not.

The neighbours are outside raking their lawn and doing outdoors things.

This is the time of year that most people if not camping for the first time this season that are out raking, going through their garages, getting things ready to haul to the Eco Station (not sure if it is open on the long weekend or not), and all things outdoors.

Tomorrow I am planting my flowers. I checked the weather station and looks like we should be okay for overnight temperatures. YAY. Cannot wait.

Have an awesome Sunday.

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

Always, Carol & Alvin

The New YEAR 2022

Good Morning ALL! How are you on this Easter Monday morning? I am happy that I remain on vacation till Thursday. The sun is shining brightly. Alvin and Mi-Mi are in the office with me while Aspen remains on the big brown armchair resting and looking out of the window. I cannot believe that their time with me is fast coming to an end. Hard to believe almost one week since they arrived. We have had a great time. The pups have all got along. I have enjoyed our walks. There has been a lot of relaxing time for me and the pups. I guess that I must have needed to be more still.

After I have coffee and do a couple of things I am going to give Mr. Alvin a haircut and bath followed by my shower and then I will start taking the pups for a walk. First Miss Aspen for our 45-60 minute walk and then the boys for about 25-30 minutes. I should be getting mobile and taking Miss Aspen for another walk during the day but I just do not have the get up and go to do so. I know that she would love it. I appreciate that she is so good and I feel badly that I am not being a better Grandma.

The temperature is supposed to be double digit plus temperatures today so that will be great and hopefully it will be calm.

Yesterday on our walk, the walk with Miss Aspen, we came across geese. She immediately goes into “hunting mode” with her head down and just looking intensely at the birds. The birds were right in the middle of the sidewalk by one of the nearby ponds. We could have turned around and gone back the way we came from but I was determined that we would walk all the way around the big pond. I held her close with the leash and said close. I also told her “good girl.” Although every instinct in her body was fighting to run, she held still and listened to her Grandma. What a good girl she is! That was the closest we have been to the geese. We came across more but they were up on the grass a bit away from the sidewalk so it was okay. She still had that look. Kind of scary and thank goodness she listens so well. We even stopped for a little boy just learning to walk – give her a pet. She is good with children. Most times if we come across other dogs, I just give them a wide berth.

I just got a text from my daughter and they are on their way to Red Rock Canyon for the day. It is so beautiful there. They will certainly love it. Great photo op. I took only a million, lol.

Well time to head downstairs and have that first cup of coffee calling my name. Get the counter cleaned of and prepare for Mr. Alvin’s haircut. I wonder if he will be more calm with the pups here. I am hoping so.

Happy Easter Monday.

Be well and enjoy your day.

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

Always, Carol & Alvin, Miss Aspen and Mi-Mi.

2021

Good Morning ALL! How are you this Tuesday morning? We are HOT. Just back from a walk. Even though there is a bit of a breeze, I was perspiring, okay sweating, lol, by the time we got home. Phone says it is 23 degrees celsius. Upstairs in the office it is warm so this will be short. We are managing to get through this heat wave. Walks early in the morning and I guess tomorrow will have to be even earlier. Fans going all of the time. Even went to the basement to hang out last night. I really need to get it organized down there …..

Watering last night ….. I sprinklered Alvin a bit but he was not impressed. I on the other hand.

The heat wave is going to continue until into next week. Wednesday and Thursday at the warmest 37 and 38. Saturday is going to be 26 celsius. That will feel like it is freezing. YAY. We got this.

Wet towels covering Alvin for sleeping and during the day off and on. Lots of water as we have to stay hydrated.

I even slept with a wet towel covering my chest last night. We both slept well considering and I am grateful for electric fans. One thing I actually have central air conditioning. It needs to be serviced. I guess that is going to the top of the list to get done sooner than later. Poor Alvin – because his Momma …… Can only do what you can do. As the sweat drops down my face. I felt fresh and cool earlier. ARGH.

OBSERVATIONS on our Walk:

There was a slight breeze and it felt so cool.

The was a bush that was moving like crazy and at first I thought ….. how can that be when the trees right beside it were not moving. Then I realized there were birds fluttering around in the bush. LOL.

Some people do not like to talk in the morning.

Alvin really nice to sniff every blade of grass and every everything.

The roses smell amazing and I was grateful that I was able to smell them.

Okay, I really have to go. Too hot to be upstairs.

Stay cool and hydrated.

Please do not walk your dogs in the heat and by no means take them in the car. Because we all know that you will stop somewhere and think I will only be 5 minutes and they will be okay. That never happens. Also your children. No stopping and leaving any living breathing creature in the car.

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

Always, Love Carol & Alvin

2021

Good Morning ALL! How are you this morning? Is it hot where you are? It is, I would say perfect at this very moment but in a few hours it is going to be very hot. I am grateful that we are able to get up and go for walks early. This morning, Alvin woke up at 4:45 a.m. so we laid back down for a bit and then reset the alarm and then up at 6:15 a.m. – I had a hard time falling asleep last night. Anyway, we went for our walk at 6:40 a.m. and got back a about ten minutes ago. The coffee is perking. The fans are turned on and we are settling in for the day. This is going to be a hot week and as someone recently told me ….. whether it is minus 30’s or plus 30’s, I am not a fan. I totally agree. In the twenties plus celsius is plenty warm enough. This is not fun temperature for anyone and people struggle to keep cool. I feel for the animals. Those heavy fur coats. I am grateful that we slugged through and got Alvin’s hair cut and bath done on Saturday. He does seem to sleep better draped with a wet towel. Just a bit cool water but not freezing cold. I also put the wet towel on him during the day when we were chilling on the sofa. I will say one thing, I sure do not feel like eating much when it is hot. As long as we hydrate that is most important.

We did come across some other pups out for a morning stroll with their humans. The birds were / are chirping their morning songs. The roses by the park smell incredible. I can hear the hum of an electric saw and now pounding. The sun is shining brightly and there was a refreshing breeze filling the air when we walked and now coming in through the office window. I put the fan on in the bedroom so it can waft into the hallway for Alvin as he patiently waits for me to finish so that we can go downstairs. The work week has begun.

Well I am glad that I was able to get out and get Alvin’s food on the weekend so we are good for awhile. I have enough food for the week. We can walk in the early morning and then just keep cool the rest of the time.

I guess that is all for me today. There is not much new with me and Alvin. Just living our lives day by day. At this point just trying to keep cool. Watching movies at night to take our minds off the heat. Watering our beloved plants and flowers at night just as the sun is beginning to dip so that it is not so hot. Everyone / Everything needs to be hydrated.

I hope that you have a wonderful Monday. Stay cool and be well and safe.

Living each day with kindness, respect, compassion, patience, understanding, love and gratitude.

Always, Love Carol & Alvin

2021

Good Morning ALL! Well another morning where Alvin was up at 4:47 a.m. (going in the right direction). The sky is overcast and there is a bit of a breeze which is refreshingly cool. We will be going for a walk in a few minutes so it will be enjoyable. Starting tomorrow our temperatures are going to soar with temperatures reaching 30 on Saturday, 32 on Sunday, 34 on Monday and Tuesday, 36 on Wednesday and Thursday, 33 on Friday and 31 on Saturday. Yikes. I had not looked that far in advance until now. These numbers represent degrees above in celsius so it will be hot. 30 degrees celsius = 86 degrees fahrenheit and 36 degrees celsius = 96.8 degrees fahrenheit. There will be no walks at noon or after work for the next week or so at that rate. We will make sure that we are up and out early in the morning so that we get that exercise and fresh air in before the heat of the day. If you have a pet please ensure that you are NOT out and about when there are extreme temperatures. You may be wearing shorts and enjoying the heat but they are wearing a fur coat and do not enjoy the heat. If they were in the wild, they would be sleeping in the shade somewhere trying to keep cool. Also do not take your pets with you in the car if you plan to make any stops. DO NOT LEAVE THEM UNATTENDED IN THE CAR. Please. Make sure that both yourself and your pet are hydrated. All creatures whether two or four legged require hydration. WATER, please. Also the asphalt will be hot and can burn the pads of your pups paws and the sidewalk will be hot as well. Take yourself and them for a walk in the early morning. Then stay somewhere cool. If that means the basement – then the basement it is. We may be spending time in the basement.

There is no chance of being overheated this morning and I am grateful for the reprieve from the heat today, this morning. We will certainly enjoy our walk.

When I was thinking that perhaps Alvin’s eyesight may be failing ….. I noticed when he was outside earlier that he was watching a bird in the air. The bird had not made a sound so he had to have seen him. He appeared to be following him flying in the sky. So the water dish thing. Not sure but luckily he likes to drink out of his new travel water dish so perhaps I will just starting giving him water out that way when we are in the house as well. Or try a new bowl. Hopefully this phase will not last. Oh, my boy.

Well it is time to head out for that walk. Stop and smell the roses and then come home and have some coffee.

Wishing you a wonderful Thursday. Be safe and careful. Enjoy each day. Live in gratitude.

Continuing to live this day as every day with kindness, respect, compassion, patience, love, understand and gratitude.

Always, Love Carol & Alvin

2021

Good Morning ALL! Alvin and I had a FANTASTIC sleep and he didn’t get up until 5:00 a.m. YAY for the boy. The sun is shining very brightly this morning and there is a cool breeze slipping in through the open windows. We will be heading out for a walk shortly before the heat of the day sets in.

I love the early morning walks. It seems like the birds are out singing and the roses just smell more fragrant and the grass seems more green. Morning just seems to be Mother Nature’s best time. I cannot wait to get out and smell those roses. They are my favourite.

Looks like the temperatures here over the weekend are going to be in the 30’s …… now that is hot. Thankfully we have a cool basement to retreat to should the need arise.

I have some GREAT NEWS. Yesterday I made it to 1000 FOLLOWERS, thanks to all of you. There are no words to say just how grateful that I am to make it to this height. Makes me feel very important and maybe a little interested and talented. Thank you again. I know that everyone’s time is so precious and for you to spend it with me reading mostly about my life with Alvin and just the everyday with a few tidbits of this and that thrown in ….. means the world. Happy 1000. YAY.

I have been thinking of adding to my posts and will see what I can come up with. Not too much change but perhaps a little is always good.

Time to head out for that glorious walk. I hope that you had a chance to get outside and enjoy the morning. Even if it is only to your patio or deck. Just to breathe in some fresh air if possible.

Have a wonderful Wednesday.

Mr. Alvin remains a bit anxious about his drinking bowls, not sure why. But as long as he will drink that is all that matters. He does love his new walking water bowl. Thank goodness. Cause we all know how well he does with change. Yikes.

Continuing to live with live with kindness, respect, compassion, patience, love and gratitude. Important to be grateful for even the little things.

Always, Love Carol & Alvin

2021

Good Morning ALL! How are you doing this morning? We are doing well. Up in good time for my late shift start for work today. There is a bit of a breeze coming in through the windows but not much. The plan is to have a quick shower after I write this post and go for a nice morning walk before the heat of the day sets in. My “lunch break” due to the late start is not until 3:00 p.m. which will be near the high for today. I love morning walks. There is something about the air, fresh and calm. Perhaps the goslings will be out in sight with their parents. They grow so quickly.

Happy Happy Birthday to my friend Gillian ….. wishing you the most wonderful day. May you be surrounded with love, laughter, great joy, good health and abundance. Happy Birthday my friend.

I cannot remember if I mentioned this to you or not but I noticed on the weekend that NETFLIX has in its’ new releases “SAHARA.” One of my most favourite movies of all time. It stars, Matthew McConaughey, Steve Zahn (love him), Penelope Cruz, Rainn Wilson, William H Macy, Delroy Lindo, Lennie James and Lambert Wilson. The story follows a treasure hunter who partners with a WHO doctor to find a lost Civil War Ironclad Warship in the Sahara Desert with lots of turns and twists. Great Movie. Little bit of everything. I watched it twice over the weekend.

Today Canada Roofers come out to give us our quote. I cannot wait until the shingles are replaced and will be relieved. Especially with summer coming and the possibility of rain storms. We will remain safe and dry with our rubber shingles.

We had a somewhat quite day yesterday. I looked after Humphrey, Bogart and Cynder, went to COSTCO in the morning with one of my girl friends, gave Mr. Alvin a haircut and bath not long after I returned home from COSTCO, did a load of laundry, had supper and we went for a nice walk after supper. My neighbour came home from her weekend getaway to Jasper with her boyfriend. They mowed the grass out front and it looks great. Best it has looked in many years. I guess the fertilizer helped/worked. They sprayed for weeds as well. Trying to get the unruly weeds begone. Watered the flowers as well last night and they continue to look beautiful and my pepper plant is growing.

I can hear the birds singing in the distance. Quiet except for the birds.

The sky appears to be overcast a bit to the south.

Time to hit the shower and get out for our walk. If it is hot at my lunch break at 3 p.m. we cannot walk. Better to get out now.

Wishing you a wonderful day.

Continuing to live this life with as much kindness, respect, compassion, patience, love and gratitude as is possible.

I am blessed and I know that ….. with good health, amazing family and friends, a beautiful home, to be employed, and for a great companion Alvin. Each day I am filled with gratitude for my life, it is a good one.

Always, Love Carol & Alvin

I

2021

Good Morning ALL! How are you doing this “bright and sunny” Thursday morning? I am so grateful that the skies are pretty clear and that the sun is shining after a few days of clouds, rain and snow. It did freeze hard over night as I noticed the water that I have out for the bees froze over and there is frost on the cars. Most of the snow has melted now and the grass and trees appear to be renewed, is that possible? Of course, they gratefully soaked up the moisture in both forms. My lawn has not looked this good in years. Between the fertilizer that our neighbours threw on a few days ago and the extra moisture ….. well it looks like a lawn again. I was thinking that we may have to replant which I suppose throwing on some extra seed would not have hurt. If I would have had some grass seed in my garage I would have done so, at the beginning of the rain. Food for thought. I am going to pick up some seed to have on hand. Even our back patch of grass is coming back. Yesterday and earlier this morning there were a bunch of little birds flying about our backyard near the bird house. There was also a Magpie that was swooping in and about every once in awhile. They are pretty but not good for the little birds. Anyway, I am certain that by noon, or perhaps before I can remove the cover that is protecting the flowers in the front flower bed. Did I forget to mention? Yes, I did, that I pulled the cover back and checked some of the flowers and they are okay. If they survived last night, we all should be good. I also shook and dipped with a measuring cup all of the excess water off of the handmade tarp so that it would not crush them and not freeze. Fingers crossed.

I am looking forward to a walk with Mr. Alvin at noon. He needs to get out as I think he has a bit of cabin fever or at least he has been more anxious that usual. He barked short piercing barks the whole time I was in the shower. I kept calling out to him and hoping to calm him down but it did not work. I even tried singing my “put one paw in front of the other” song but to no avail. Luckily, he is okay now. What a guy. I tried to explain about how lucky that he is as I have noticed this poor little orange cat running on the front sidewalk and across the street. Poor cat looked like he or she had not had a good meal in a long time. So many cats on the loose in our area. Very dangerous as we have had coyotes in the nearby parks. Plus there are hawks and other birds of prey that can swoop down and take away little cats. I hope that he finds a home, soon.

Well time to head on downstairs and put on the coffee, need to smell that delectable aroma and drink some of that pure joy liquid before I start work. I am grateful that all my flowers survived this late spring snowfall and the wind. Thank goodness for a garage. I don’t have a car but man on man, that building has come in handy for storing and housing the vehicles of company.

I hope that you have a wonderful Thursday. May you laugh and smile and be surrounded with kindness and joy.

Continuing to live this life with kindness, respect, compassion and patience. Always working on patience I am patient. I am patient. I am patient.

ALLways, Love Carol & Alvin