The Next Chapter

Good Morning. Oh, the font has changed this morning. Cool. The sky is clear blue and I can see the sunrise reflecting off the buildings and trees out of my office window. Last night after work I went for a walk with my friends Jeanette, Alejandro and Eddie & Bruno. I brought out some treats (freeze dried liver) for them. They both gobbled them up and I was most pleased that Bruno was happy with the treat. He is not doing great but some days better than others. Last night was a good night. It was almost two hours from the time that I left my house to the time I returned for the night. Now part of that time was spent visiting outside with a neighbour who had been out mowing her lawn. I also came to realize just how loose my glasses are as when I bent over to give the boys their treats, they slid off my face. They are so much heavier with the sunglass clips. Perhaps I should have gone with transition lenses. If I put my head down they slide down. Not sure if going to the Optometrist to have fit better will help or not but I guess I need to try. I usually look down watching the sidewalk a fair amount or at least half of the time. I like to keep my head on a swivel. In this day and age, you have to be super aware of your surroundings. After the long weekend at our work site, more than ever this is important. Back to the walk. When we first left the sky was dark with big rain clouds and I thought that for sure we were going to get wet but after a few minutes into our walk the sky is cleared and we had the most beautiful evening. From time to time the wind would start to blow and the temperature would dip and then it would pass and life was good. I so enjoyed our walk last night. The grass had been freshly cut from the previous day. Most of the trees are almost fully out in leaves. We had a great walk including seeing some Robins. I love those birds. Little Robin Red Breast.

The time was almost 8 p.m. when I walked into the house after the walk and the visit but I felt like a million dollars. Nothing like spending time with friends and being outside in the fresh air and sunlight. After what feels like weeks of days filled with smoky skies – the clear blue sky was a gift. One that was so appreciated. I could have walked all night long or at least been outside till dark.

I snapped a few photos of the blue sky from my porch last night. Perhaps I should have walked about with my phone and taken some better ones but you will see the brightness. It is hard to take photos from your porch without getting cars and houses in the shots. Oh well. I also noticed just how dusty my front room blinds are at this time. Remember I was sidetracked from my spring cleaning! I will be washing the blinds this weekend for sure. YIKES. No one wants to see dusty blinds in a photo. Not me!

Photos and then time to head downstairs as I am catching the bus this morning to work.

That fresh blue sky and the sun! Great end to a wonderful evening.

May 23, 2023

Try not to inspect the photos of the blinds to hard although I can see the dust on the last photo, argh. Oh well. I am human.

Have a wonderful day! Be safe and aware and enjoy and remember to laugh.

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

2021

Good Morning ALL. How are you this bright and sunny Saturday morning? I hope that you are doing well. Alvin and I are doing great and looking forward to a walk today as we missed our walk yesterday. I had to go to the office yesterday and then pick up groceries on the way home. My daughter was working yesterday so she gave me a ride as I do not wish to take public transit. NO offence public transportation. On the way home we went to COSTCO which had the longest line that my daughter had ever been in since the pandemic hit. It would seem that everyone decided to go to COSTCO last night at 4:40 p.m. Don’t worry about Mr. Alvin – he was well looked over by my neighbour who was over to let him out for a “pee,” for snacks and snuggles and then later for supper. I am over the moon grateful to have such kind and wonderful neighbours. Alvin did make sure that he was stuck to me like glue for the rest of the evening which actually is much the same as most days but even moreso. If you can imagine that. What a guy? Yesterday morning I finally was able to drop off the last Christmas present that I had …. yes, it was really late but isn’t it nice to have something to open when there are no other gifts around and always makes you feel better. This was the case with my friend Karen. She was tickled and I was as well. I always feel so good when I give. It was nice to see a handful of folks at work. Also was able to have a chat with our new retiree as yesterday was her very last day. How exciting? I remember when I retired once. I did have almost three years off which was incredible. Just like a long vacation. Everyday was the weekend.

Last night we had a quiet evening after my daughter left for home and I put the groceries away. She had picked up some sushi at COSTCO and I had some for the second time in my life. It was really good although my daughter did say it was not the best but still very good.

I had the oddest dreams all mixed mashed up with people, places and things. I won’t even begin to explain or describe. If it had meaning – I have no idea what they meant.

I guess there be laundry to do, an Alvin to go for a walk or perhaps two with, some rearranging and to put away the last bits of Christmas as I have given the last gift.

Wishing you a great Saturday. Time to reflect, to relax, to laugh and to enjoy along with some work of course. It wouldn’t be a weekend if we didn’t have some work to do.

Happy Saturday as I continue to live my life with kindness, respect and compassion for all others.

Always, Carol & Alvin

P.S. – I am at a loss as what to give Mr. Alvin for a birthday gift? Any ideas?

It is a NEW YEAR.

Good Morning and Welcome to Wednesday the 1st day of a new month, April.

Usually people would be playing pranks on one another this morning but alas I don’t think it is likely appropriate this April 1st.

The sky is almost white this morning with a tinge of the palest of blues.

I am hopeful that the sunrise will be visible shortly.

Yesterday afternoon the SUN was so bright against the deep plush blanket of snow it was almost blinding from inside the house.

At one point I was thinking I should put on my sunglass clips but then I was not in the living for long and in my office it was not too bad.

Working from home as been interesting.

Today is our 10th day, I believe.

I do love being here with Alvin, going for walks at lunchtime when we can and the commute.

Nothing beats the commute.

Nothing.

Other than retirement and then there would be no commute, period.  OVER and OUT.

But that is not where I am at this time so a short commute is wonderful.

It is nice dressing how you feel.

Somedays I feel like dressing as though I am going to the office and others it feels more casual.

I have not as yet wore my pajamas or gone without wearing a bra.

But we are just beginning in this new norm.

I have a feeling that it will be extended for us past April 30, 2020.

I have not been watching the news to see how many cases or if the virus has grown substantially in Canada.

I feel that I am doing my part.

Staying home and reducing the chance of catching the virus.

My friends drop things off at the door and when we visit it is in short spurts at the door and I am six feet away.

No hugs even though we really want to.

I wash my hands.

Importantly I get lots of rest, try to remain calm, get some exercise and eat right and keep hydrated.

Speaking of hydrating (kidding), I smell the coffee perking away.

Let me tell you there is nothing short of wild roses lining the path to the park or lilacs blooming or the scent of a little baby that matches the smell of coffee brewing.

I guess the secret is out.

BEST SMELLS EVER:

Wild roses

Lilacs

Scent of a baby

COFFEE

Perhaps after a rain ……

What are you favourite scents?

Maybe you could send me your list.

I am excited to see what everyone likes or loves.

 

Mr. Alvin ….

Even though he has my schedule for starting and ending work and breaks down to the minute, I think he is out of sorts.

I think that he has some pain in his paws due to arthritis.

It was/is a matter of time.

I will continue with his daily regimen of glucosamine.

I do know that when the weather changes, I can see a difference.

This is not news to his Doctor.

Don’t worry I keep her aprized.

 

How about some miscellaneous photos.

I love photos.

Let me see what do I have handy.

 

Oh my darling grand pup MILO closest to the camera and little KOBI in the background.

MILO and Miss ASPEN.

Love my grand pups.

I love the way the tree looks after a snowfall.

Branches gently cradling the snow.

Last year’s birthday …. the most delicious cupcakes.

With Key Lime Icing

Geese near the park by my house, last year or year before.

Time passes so quickly …..

Flowers from my friend’s garden.

I cannot wait to see her garden this summer.

Our friend next door, HUMPHREY.

Thankfully he does not have to wear the CONE often anymore.

But sometimes.

FRIENDS

I wished that I had one of Alvin and Teddy looking out of the bedroom window.

I have some.

ALVIN and TEDDY on the bed.

 

Well almost time to grab my coffee and get the start up to work.

I hope that you have an awesome day.

Wednesday, we got this.

Two more days until the weekend.

 

Living in Kindness and with Respect,

I, We remain as,

Always, Carol & Alvin

Living … One day at a time.

Hello, it is a gorgeous morning here in Edmonton.

Looks like we are now having more summerlike temperatures.

Will be a hot one today.

Alvin and I thoroughly enjoyed our Sunday.

We had the best weekend.

Yesterday we started the day off with a 30 minute walk.

Followed by breakfast and coffee.

Humphrey came to visit.

The photos below will describe what the rest of our day was like.

My office.  Now just to hang up the bulletin boards that my daughter made for me a few Christmases ago and reorganize the desk drawers and closet.

Each genre of book has a special place.

YAY.

Humphrey was outside and Alvin had just come into the house.

I didn’t see Humphrey at first and then noticed him on the grass, which was odd.

I ran over to see that he had a dragonfly in his paws.

I quickly retrieved the poor little creature from the paws of soon to be not a good ending and he/she was alive.

Me and the dragonfly went to the front of the house where I placed him on the fern plant.

He was alive.

I even put some water on the fern close to him.

He was still there some time later.

I am afraid to look now.

What a glorious creature.

 

My hands sure look mighty dry.

Time for lotion.

 

JENGA with me, myself and I.

I WON.

 

Well time to leave.

Wishing you a day filled with so much KINDNESS and RESPECT.

 

Always, Carol & Alvin

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Saturday the 21st day of October, 2017.

What a glorious morning!

Bright and Sunny.

There is a coolness to the air but throughout the day temperatures are to rise.

We are having a beautiful FALL season.

 

Yesterday my friend once again gave me a ride home and the day before it was my daughter.

So for the last two weeks I have been totally spoiled with rides home from work.

Reality next week will set in but it was a great ride for the last two weeks.

Feeling so special and grateful.

 

So as I look around my house I realize that I have not been doing much “cleaning” and it is time to get down to it.

Now my house is not FILTY or even really dirty but by my standards it needs that extra TLC.

This is the day ….. I feel like cleaning and that is when you accomplish the most.

So laundry, vacuum, bathrooms, floors, and all that inside side.

Also time to go through the closets and put away the summery items.

I have a tub of clothing that was given to me from a friend and I need to try things on to see what I will keep.

Drawers needs to be cleaned.

Lots to do.

 

Outside the leaves in the backyard need to be raked.

Over the past week or so it would see that all of the neighbourhood trees just shook their colours onto my tiny patch of grass.

Honestly you cannot see the grass for the leaves.

I do not have a tree in the backyard so it was not all me.

The leaves are all colours and my leaves were yellow from the front tree.

So we will do a careful raking of the leaves.

I say careful, just in case I missed some “poop” in amongst all of the leaves.

It does look so pretty …… a blanket of reds, oranges, yellows and even greens.

 

Lots to do but I am looking forward to getting busy.

 

Have an awesome Saturday.

Special Hello to:  my sister ….. promise SKYPE soon.  Let me know what works for you.

Always, Carol & Alvin