The Next Chapter

Good Morning! Another overcast morning. I cannot believe that my Alvin has been gone for three weeks. I think that I shall always miss him. He is everywhere in the house. Last night I washed some of his harnesses that I found in the closet. Some no longer would fit him. They are washed and clean and perhaps someday will find another home. Every day I go through the bouquets of flowers and plants that we received and make sure they have fresh water and remove the ones that have passed. Surprisingly, there are some cut flowers that are still doing well. I am so grateful to all those friends and neighbours for the most beautiful flowers. Alvin would have loved them. He really did love flowers and always had his nose in the flower pots in the spring and summer. He was always watching me while I watered the plants in the house and sometimes wanted me to bring them down so that he could see them. Yes, he did. Very curious he was.

Last night I started the preparations for his sister’s Birthday party. She turns 43 tomorrow and Alvin was 13 in January. Lots of the number 3 and 4 combinations, if you are into numerology. Just thought that looked cool. I will keep the decorations for her party a bit on the low key side because we are mourning our beloved Alvin and I just do not feel that it would be right. The house will be full of celebration for a birthday and also celebration of a life well lived. I know that we will be talking about him tonight. He loved a good party especially when there were gifts for him to open, even if they were not for him. To Alvin it was all about opening the gift. Now if there was food inside, he was wanting the food for sure but at the end of the day, he loved to open gifts. At Christmas, he seemed to have started Miss Aspen to be interested in opening a gift, so perhaps he has passed his talents to her. That would be nice. I guess we shall see over time.

This morning, I have a list of things to do. Last night I boiled the eggs and potatoes so I will cut them up for the salad. I may have to put the chicken in cold water for awhile as last night it was still frozen solid. I guess my freezer works good. Shovelling is on the list. Also making the fruit pizza which has a few steps so that takes a bit of time. I put up some Happy Birthday Balloons (I know, they are helium ones that I keep reusing each year and two are from my 65th Birthday but they do not say a year). Not sure my daughter would appreciate a birthday balloon that said Happy 65th Birthday, lol. I may have the chicken cut up and ready to go. I just received a text from daughter that she sent last night and they have a slight change in their plans and won’t be here until around 2:30 so that gives me a bit more time to get things done. I washed my clothes last night so that is off the plate for today. Towels and bedding can wait until tomorrow. I have lots of towels so I could easily do them once every two weeks. There is shovelling on the list. Did I mention that already? If I have time I will vacuum upstairs otherwise that is for tomorrow. I am excited to see Miss Aspen, Mi-Mi and Miss Betty Ann this afternoon for a few hours before Amanda & Steven come for the party.

So the office. Yesterday I left the house at 7:05 and walked to the bus stop to catch public transportation for the first time since pre pandemic. Yes, I was a little bit anxious but just making sure that I had the right one and good thing that I asked because one of the two that I was supposed to be able to catch would have meant a further walk for me so glad that I asked the driver. The bus was on time and I waited for a few minutes because I left early to ensure that I did not miss the bus. The bus ride was less than 5 minutes (for real) and then I walked to the new office. The walk took just under 10 minutes. When I got to the office, I realized that the front door had a FOB entry and not key and it was cold and snowing and I was cold from being outside waiting and walking. I walked around the building as it is small and did not see the other entrance due in part to my glasses being fogged over so I pulled out my cell phone and texted the gal that I carpool with as she was going to the office for further training. I think I mentioned that we will end up working together after all as she will be in a different position. Anyway, she texted our Manager and then I remembered that I had our Director’s phone number so I texted her, she texted me and then called me. She said that the other entrance had a key entry and did I have a key. I said yes to the key but did not see the other door and I did know there was one but just in the moment did not see it. She stayed on the line while I walked and located the door and let myself into a dark building as I was the first one to arrive. Yes, I am always early. Habit of mine. I thanked her and then started to remove my coat etc and settle in. I picked one of the desks, the one closest to the door, lol. Then I set about setting up the Keurig coffee machine so that I could have coffee. It was awhile later after I was enjoying some coffee that another staff arrived followed by the Manager and later another staff. The Manager for our Systems arrived to get us set up and the movers with filing cabinets etc. I even managed to get some work done. The best part of all was that I got home at 4:31 p.m. I made sure that I was out the door at 4:00 as I wanted to see what time the bus arrived. I ended up waiting for a few minutes so now I know that I don’t have to rush rush out the door, just in case. Another new chapter ……. the office is not and sparkly like the downtown one but it does possess a kind of 80’s charm.

Time for me to head downstairs and put on some coffee. It is 7:53 now and I was up just after 7:00 and awake much earlier but chose to lay in bed and just mull over life with constant thoughts of Alvin. Doesn’t seem fair to him or to me that he had to leave what seems like way too soon.

Have a wonderful Saturday.

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)

Living … One day at a time.

Hello,

Bright and sunny with some deep blue clouds dotting the morning sky.

Well we were up unexpectedly later than usual last night.

The last orders of jewelry were delivered last night and we had a nice visit.

It was later when we got to bed …. after 9:30 p.m.

We were not in bed more than 10 minutes when Alvin started to act strangely.

I recognized this behaviour.

Always happens just before he is about to throw up.

I ran to grab a towel / cloth / paper towel whatever but did not make it back to the bed before he had thrown up.

Luckily I have one of the best cleaners for just this type of job.

“Dog Whisperer” with Cesar Millan for carpet and upholstery.

Actually I spray it on the spot / area once I have cleaned and then wipe it off.

No sight this morning that anything at all had happened.

After that first bout of upset tummy for the boy, he just could not settle down.

Sat partially upright for what seemed liked forever.

With me right beside him.

In between the wait time I grabbed a towel to lay in front of him and the paper towels, just in case.

He did throw up one more time.

Landing on the paper towel.

What luck.

He was exhausted by this time or so I thought.

A few minutes later he wanted to go downstairs.

After a wobbly start and then hesitation he went down the stairs with his Momma keeping an eagle eye on him.

Outside at whatever time it was …. before 11:00 p.m., I think.

He went pee.

Then I waited and watched.

He seemed to be okay.

I tried to coax him into the house and then it happened.

The burst of such energy.

He let out a bark or two (yikes, sorry neighbours) and then ran.

He ran up the steps onto the upper deck.

I went up to see if he would come down.

A few moments later …. down he jumped.

All round the deck like a crazy dog.

Then with his signature little hop, skip he jumped onto the grass.

A moment later back onto the deck.

This went on for a few minutes before after I opened the back door and he raced with all his might through the open door.

What a guy.

Well appeared he was okay for sure.

Then back to bed.

I made sure that the towel was in front of him.

But a few minutes later he was fast asleep.

So I am a bit late this morning as was TIRED.

Yup, tired.

Set the timer on the microwave twice …

We were up at 4:34 so set it for 60 minutes.

Then when it went off …. set for another 10 as I just could not bear to haul my butt up and start the day.

So now it is almost 6:35 a.m. and time for me to head on downstairs.

Carpool is off on vacation until next Tuesday.

So you know what that means.

BUS RIDING TIME.

I have the tickets ….. ready…

The only bad or not so great thing is I don’t get home until almost 5:30 p.m. ….. later than the usual.

 

Always, Living … One day at a time.

Have an awesome Wednesday.

Relax, be kind, be nice.

We only get one chance at this thing we call life.

 

Always, Carol & Alvin

Thought for the day ….

Good Morning and Welcome to Friday the 7th day of December, 2018.

YAY, it is the weekend and a busy one ahead for me and Alvin.

More for me but I thought I would include him as he will be watching me run all over the kitchen baking cookies and such ALL the weekend long.

I had a good checkup at the Dentist.

A reminder to ensure that you go on a regular basis.

I was a bad girl and due to work (no excuse) and life; it had been four years.

ARGH.

Anyway I need to have a tooth pulled and that is no surprise.

It was loose four years ago.

Apparently one of my back molars has chipped and needs to be fixed.

Then just a cleaning and then looking at a partial plate as over the years I have had a few of my bottom molar pulled.

The Dentist is really nice and I believe he is genuine in his wish to have my “teeth outlive me” as he so aptly put it.

So I was happy.

 

I did have one annoyance but worked out.

Downtown I caught a bus to the bus terminal where I would have to transfer to come out to my area where the dentist and my home are ….

When the bus that I was on, pulled up to the bus terminal, I saw the bus that I needed to transfer to and remarked to the bus driver.

Then the bus I needed pulled away, so my bus stopped so that I could get off but the other bus just left.

That bus was pretty much empty and she could/should have stopped.

Luck on my shoulder – the Transit Supervisor was there.

As I walked to the stop, she said that she saw everything and would report that driver.

I muttered something and said thank you and kept walking.

A few minutes later while waiting at the bus stop, I could hear a vehicle behind me and it was the Supervisor.

She apologized for the driver and asked me where I needed to go.

I had mentioned before that I had an appointment and now may be late (or close anyway).

The Supervisor said hop in – I will drive you there.

Grateful for her and I was early enough to mail my Christmas Cards before the Dental appointment.

Nothing is ever smooth but I always know that things DO WORK out.

 

Well almost time to leave for work.

I am grateful that today is Friday.

Finish up Christmas Cards tonight to be hand delivered and there are a bunch.

Then tomorrow and Sunday …. BAKING.

I will be one sweet mess come Sunday …..

Oh well for a good cause….

My family and friends.

 

Have an awesome Friday.

Know in your heart that sometimes the way along to your destination may be filled with bumps, some may be little, some may be big.

But seldom is the road perfectly smooth.

That is how we grow and develop.

 

Happy Friday.

Special Hello to: YOU, today because you rock.  Things will work out great.

Always, Carol & Alvin

Thought for the day ….

Good Morning and Welcome to Tuesday the 16th day of October, 2018.

Another beautiful day on the way.

So gorgeous yesterday and tomorrow will take the prize at +18 degrees celsius.

YAY, we have fall, we are so HAPPY.

Doing a little jig ….

Doing a little happy dance…

 

Quick story about Mr. Alvin.

Yesterday my daughter had the day off and stopped by the house to pick up a couple of things.

When Alvin saw her coming I guess he started to quiver and shake.

My daughter said that he was so anxious.

She tried to feed him (as it was later in the afternoon and I was catching the bus home) but no luck.

She picked him up as he would not go outside to pee.

He likely thought that she was taking him in the car.

Without me at home, he panicked.

He does not love the car ride.

He does not like the car ride.

He barely tolerates the car ride.

He loves to be at home.

Poor boy.

When I arrived home a little bit later, he was fine.

I would never had know he had been in that state (unless my daughter told me).

That’s okay Mr. Alvin we will just stay at home.

 

I have been doing a lot of reading as of late.

Back to doing what I love and I love to read.

I came across this line and I think it to be true in a lot of situations.

“Sometimes all you have to do is shift your perspective to see someone else’s truth.”

Is that not the best line ever.

Or one of them anyway.

Love that line.

 

So here in Edmonton, life is pretty great.

Alvin and I are enjoying our walks in the evening.

Work is busy but I am grateful to be employed and able to pay my mortgage.

Always good to have food in the fridge and heat in the house.

I am very grateful to have the best family and friends.

So grateful that I have my life.

 

Have a great Tuesday.

Special Hello to: my sister ….. you are the best sister ever.

Always, Carol & Alvin

P.S. so grateful to be carpooling most days to work.

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Thursday the 21st day of June, 2018.

DA DA DA …… (supposed to be trumpet) Today is the first day of SUMMER for 2018.

It is hot in the house unless you are sitting beside the fan or by the windows which are all open for the next bit.

Downstairs has cooled off so should be okay for me, Alvin.

 

Last night on the bus ride home the bus “broke down.”

We were only about ten minutes into the ride from where I get onto the bus when stopped at a red light; an alarm came on.

Sounds like a phone ringing.

Anyway everyone is looking at each other.

The back doors had come open.

The driver tried to close them to no avail.

So he called it in.

After turning the bus off and “resetting the computer” the alarm went off.

He managed to get the door closed but as soon as he drove the alarm went off again.

We sat for just over 15 minutes on a full bus in the HEAT with the alarm going off and on.

He called it in again and asked for buses to stop and pick up his passengers.

By this time people had escaped from the bus.

It was kind of funny one girl went to get off and the driver told her to get back as it was unsafe.

She in turn said well others have got off and he replied that she needed to sit down (nicely).

He was in the first hour of his shift when this happened.

I think he was hot and frazzled by that time.

Anyway we all climbed off the bus.

I along with 50 of my bus mates walked back to the bus stop (behind the bus) and waited.

One bus went by and the driver was out and managed to flag him over.

I could see the “100” which is the one that I catch (there are several at that time of day).

Some woman walked to be in front of me.

So I walked over and the driver of the 100 stopped right by me.

When he opened the doors it was my regular driver (he had been late and I had not asked if he turned into the 119 which takes me straight home from downtown with a few stops).

Long story short …. only about 20 minutes late getting home.

 

NOW for the cute story.

This morning as Alvin and I were out for our 5 a.m. stroll I spotted this black and white cat down in the trees by the water.

It was walking along as we were coming up to the benches and trash can.

As we approached it moved and sat under the bench which I thought was very odd.

It remained there as I steered Alvin away as not to start a commotion.

As we walked by the cat remained under the bench.

I looked down on the sidewalk and saw why?

There was his catch for the morning laying on the sidewalk by the bench.

Argh, a mouse.

We quickly continued on and as we turned the bend I looked back to see the cat jumping through the air and what looked like the mouse jumping, too.

Perhaps the mouse had only been knocked out or was playing “dead.”

OR the cat was batting him all over the place.

It was quite the sight.

So that was my morning.

Just about time to leave to catch the bus.

Have to close all of the windows.

 

Have an awesome Thursday and first day of summer.

We are having Teddy come for a sleepover beginning tonight.

 

Special Hello to: my daughter who is my pride and joy and who helps people in many ways.  Love you my darling.

Always, Carol & Alvin

 

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Wednesday the 4th day of October, 2017.

Dark outside but will lighten as I travel on the bus to work.

Another gorgeous day on the way.

We are grateful.

This morning I am thinking of those affected by recent tragedies in Edmonton and in Las Vegas.

A reminder.

 

IF I HAD KNOWN

Looking at photos of us when we were kids.

It seems like only yesterday,

but it was a lifetime ago.

Things have changed.

We were five now we’re four.

How I long for those days.

When we were all together.

When playing school, all sitting in a row … I’d be the teacher…

Running about the yard playing in a nearby slough looking for tadpoles …

Playing in the dirt ….

Imagining driving to far off places in that old black car, and eating Mom’s homemade french fries and pumpkin pie.

Playing hide and seek and watching Disney on Sundays.

Was what we did, when we were just kids.

Now we’re grown,

Time has past.

If only I had known,

We would be four and not five.

I would have taken your hand.

I would have told you how much I loved you every day.

I would have loved you better.

I would have visited you more often.

I should have tried.

I would have known your pain.

I would have understood.

I would have known your favourite song.

I would have known your favourite colour.

I would have known you better.

Now we’re four and it’s too late

For me to take your hand.

To share your pain, and to comfort you.

I wished that I had knew you better.

Between the pain and the laughter.

You were a man, and I remember the boy

The little boy with a zest for life.

The little boy that always seemed to find a way ….. now that’s our secret….

That irresistible little guy that made me smile.

The little boy with such a big heart.

That much I did know when the boy became the man.

I feel that I let you down, but it is too late

I wished that I knew your favourite song.

Or what you made you cry late at night.

Why the time passed so fast.

Now we’re four instead of five

What did you think?  Your thoughts?

I wished that I knew.

If I had, I had only known  the man, not just the boy.

Written by Carol Yvonne Lewis, January 8th, 2010

 

Take care on this day and each day to follow.

Hold your loved ones close.

Know them and love them, no matter what.

 

Special Hello to: all my family and friends all over the world.  Stay safe and I love you with all my heart.  Alvin says DITTO for him.

Always, Carol & Alvin

Thought for the day ….

Good Morning and Welcome to Monday the 11th day of September, 2017.

Just starting to get light but too dark to put on my sun glass clips when I leave the house.

But partway into the bus ride the sun will be up and I will need them.

Funny this time of year.

 

I have just started reading a book that I acquired.

Written by past United States President Bill Clinton.

The name of the book “Giving” How each of us can change the World.

As I read the book and hear of how many and how much has been given for years and continues to be given, I wonder:

1.  How much would it take to fix the Environment, is it even possible?
2.  How much would it take to end world hunger, is it even possible?
3.  How much would it take to bring peace to the world, is it even possible?

Food for thought?

 

Well I am running late ….. just some questions that I doubt can ever be answered ….. not in my lifetime.

Have a wonderful day as we each ponder these questions.

 

Special Hello to:  all those who give and make a difference.

Always, Carol & Alvin

Thought for the day ……

Good Morning and Welcome to Thursday the 8th day of June, 2017.

The sun is shining although there are some deep blue clouds above my house and over.

No forecast for rain until tomorrow.

Another hot one today.

Thank goodness for A/C at work and at home.

We enjoyed another walk last night with our friends “S” and Presley.

This warm sunny weather has been good for my plants/flowers as they are growing so much.

I am excited to see them all bloom.

Also I noticed that the roses are budding so just a few days and there will be beautiful pink flowers lining my walk to the park entrance and on part of the way to the bus.

The fragrance is amazing and tickles one’s nose in the most delicate way as it makes it way up into your brain.

Love, love, love wild roses.

I am a flower girl …. person ….. woman.

I love all flowers.

The colours and the different fragrances.

I would love to have my deck totally covered in flowers of every shape and colour.

I guess we would have to have a path to walk ….. so that Alvin would get to his grassy patch ….

But you know what I mean.

Perhaps visualization may help …..

Something to do on the bus ride to work.

Well time to get this load on the road.

Okay perhaps that may be a bit too vulgar …. I apologize.

Time to get this show on the road.

Better, right.

Hope you are smiling …. just a bit …… I can see your mouth curling up at the ends…..

Thank you for the smiles.

It is a good luck on you.

Happy Thursday.

Special Hello to: my friend “V” who is taking on another venture ….. congratulations and good luck on your product launch. I will be there in spirit.

Always, Carol & Alvin

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Thursday the 1st day of June, 2017.

The skies are overcast and the wind is blowing here in Edmonton.

It is a refreshing morning.

Alvin and I both had an off night and were up and down but at the end of it all are okay.

Not sure what hit us …..

But not serious ….. might have just been heat and humidity.

I am running late as I semi slept in so I will just share a cute story from my bus ride home last night.

There always seems to be something happening on the bus so I am just start riding regularly about those experiences.

BUS RIDE STORY:

Tonight on the bus ride home – there was a Mom and three small children.

The older boy who was likely six asked his Mom this question:

“Who controls the rain GOD or SATAN?

Best question ever.

I had to smile to myself.

It definitely made the stuffed into the bus like sardine trip easier to take. STILL SMILING……

By the way I did not hear what the Mother replied.

 

Have an awesome Thursday.

Keep smiling.

Look for the little things ……

 

Special Hello to: You

Always, Carol & Alvin

Thought for the day ….

Good Morning and Welcome to Tuesday the 14th day of March, 2016.

WOW, they are forecasting +5 degrees for today.

I do believe spring is even closer than we may have thought.

I do hope so.

Last night it was not dark until almost 8:00 p.m.

Oh, what a welcome change from December and dark at 4:00 p.m. or so.

I can hardly wait to see if my spring flowers will come up.

I hope that they survived the winter.

When our temperatures go from the + degrees to – double digits it is hard on the trees and other plant life.

We have snow and then it melts.

Then it gets colder.

More snow.

The cycle continues.

Melts …. snows…..cold….

Been a crazy winter for weather.

 

Well here it is Tuesday and almost the middle of the month.

Tomorrow is my great niece’s birthday.

I believe that she may be a teenager – if my calculations are correct.

OH my goodness.

Truly the time flies.

 

Well the time is almost near for me to don my outside apparel and hit the road.

Catch the bus and go to work.

My bus ride is about one hour in length.

I usually take the time to snooze, relax, meditate and think about my day.

If you take public transportation ….. other than checking out things on your phone.

You could snooze, relax, meditate and just ponder life.

Somedays I think that in future generations children will be born with bent necks and thumbs.

Maybe that is because I do not have a phone ….. no, I am certainly not jealous.

It is the constant contact that people seem to need with that rectangular box.

Food for thought.

 

Gotta run.

I hope that you have an awesome Tuesday.

Just try and put your phone away for a period of time.

There is a whole other world out there just waiting for you…….

 

Special Hello to: my sister ….. Sunday ….. SKYPE, well YES.

Always, Carol and Alvin