The Next Chapter

Good Morning! The sun is shining and it is a bit later than usual but I decided to just lay in bed and rest. Cookie went home last night just after midnight. The house is once again quiet with the pitter patter of four little paws running about the house. Her Dad came to pick her up and she was so excited. I watched as they walked down the street with Cookie pulling at the leash to go faster until they turned into their house. She was excited to see her family. I get that.

Last night when I was eating supper, I found something small and hard in my food and put it off to a hardened piece of Brussel Sprouts, you know how sometimes in the frozen bag there is a little piece of something well later in the evening, my tongue happen to find its’ way to something that I had not expected. I am not sure why I did not think to look sooner but I know what the “hard piece of something was,” it was my tooth/filling. I found a gaping hole where part of my tooth/filling had been. Looks like it was an old filling and then the tooth broke off. Not a pretty sight for sure. I had been planning to make an appointment to go and have my teeth checked and cleaned in April and then other things came up. No putting things off now. So I will have to call them first thing in the morning and hopefully get in tomorrow morning. I will have to be careful about eating and drinking. So far the nerve does not appear to be exposed or I would be in pain. I am grateful about that for sure. The tooth is a molar on the upper side about half way from front. Feels so strange and looks gross. NOTE to self: do not put things off for another day. First it was the Pandemic and I put off dental and medical checkups and then it was the changes at work and Alvin and work. I am going to make all of my appointments over the next week. Spring is a good time to do this. Lesson learned. Well I guess part of the time, I could not help.

There is some cleaning and rearranging and laundry to do today. I will go for a walk later on.

Amanda has the day off tomorrow so Steven will have the car to go to the picket line. She will bring the pups here for Tuesday. I hope that they are able to settle the contract soon – never good to be in that position. Money and time you never get back.

I hope that you have a wonderful Sunday.

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! Happy April 1st. The sky is slightly overcast and there is no wind this morning. The house is quiet except for the sound of the furnace rumbling away keeping me warm. There is also the sound of the odd motor vehicle driving by the front of my house.

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Good Morning and Welcome to Tuesday the 1st day of April, 2014.

YAY, today is the first day of April.

March is over.

I hope that this finds you happy and excited for another day.

Time to crank the music and dance your happy dance.

Dance to the  music.

Even throughout the day …. find your quiet space and do your “happy dance.”

If there is no space without people ….. just sit in your chair …. close your eyes ….. smile and tap your toes …. to the music whether on your iPod or in your head…

Even standing in a line or anywhere ….. you have the space that your body occupies ….. use your imagination and go.

Imagine you are dancing in a big hall with the best floor.

Imagine yourself in a meadow ….. or on a hilltop.

Anywhere …… maybe on top of your bed.

Just let your body go ….. move to the music …… get your groove on…..

Not only is dance is the best exercise on the planet but you will feel so much better – body, mind and soul.

Clap your hands …. today is the day ….. dance your happy dance.

Smile and Be Happy …… Let go ……

Special Hello to: all the dancers on the planet.

Always, Carol and Alvin

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I have been trying to copy and paste in posts from April 1st and only able to succeed with the one from 2014.

I can tell you that on April 1st, 2016, the temperature in Edmonton was 20 degrees celsius and that it is far from that today.

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On April 1st, 2019, I was home sick and Mr. Alvin was keeping me company.

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On April 1st, 2020, I was just a few days in from working from home due to the pandemic. We were enjoying having me at home 24/7. Alvin was having a hard day as the arthritis in his paws was bothering him.

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Back to April 1st, 2023, I just heard my neighbour call out to “Bogart” her cat and as I looked out the window I saw a massive grey cat sitting on the fence between me and my neighbour in the other half. When he saw Sonja come into their yard (they leave the gate open), he jumped off the fence and back into my yard and then back home. Another temporary great escape for Bogart. What a guy! He is a beautiful big guy and definitely has a mind of his own. He likes to be outside and go for walks. Bogart has on his GPS (in case he gets out of the yard). Good way to track him. They still keep a close watch on him. If he got out and was on the street he could be hit by a car. People are not known for driving slow when they go through this neighbourhood. Makes me sad but grateful that so far all beings on our street have been safe from tragedy. Well it is time to get this day going. I have spent a lot of time trying to copy and paste from previous posts. I hope that you have a wonderful April 1st and I hope that the weather begins to warm. We still have quite the bank of snow on our front lawns as we face the north side of the street but I am grateful that most of the ice has melted by the sidewalk. YAY. Happy April 1st, 2023.

Have an awesome day.

Time to get more laundry going. Plans changed from this morning to last night and in between. I did some laundry and work last night so that I can concentrate on the income tax and photos today. Always lots to do when you are on your own.

Happy April Fools Day.

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 – November

Good Morning ALL! I hope that your Sunday is going well thus far. I am freshly showered and feeling GREAT and Mr. Alvin is resting on the rug outside the office, so I am going to go out on a limb and say that he is doing great as well. Sky is overcast and it is windy.

I would like to wish my nephew in Heaven a belated Happy Birthday and to a friend here on Earth, Kris, a very Happy Birthday.

Today is I am going to do some shopping. I am hoping to pick up any last minute gifts and most of the groceries that I will need for the next while including for the Christmas parties, baking and Christmas. There will be another trip to the store later for those items that were forgotten and fresh produce. I will also mail my Christmas cards inside and outside of Canada. Yesterday I wrote cards and letters most of the day in between doing laundry, going for a walk with Alvin and some cleaning. A very productive day.

They started out in order but somehow the tree photo with only the lights ended up last, lol. Anyway more Christmas decorations photos, my favourite time of year. The bannister turned out great.

Time to head downstairs and make some coffee, then have coffee and then go shopping.

Have a wonderful Sunday.

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

Always, Carol & Alvin

Last Half 2022 – August

Good Morning ALL! I can smell the coffee perking as I type these words. Oh, how I love the smell of coffee bubbling away. How are you this morning? We were at our normal times but when we got up just before six as Alvin wanted to eat his breakfast, I just could not stay up. I have been having the most unusual dreams as of late. All I remember is that I kept losing my purse and then I lost my phone. I have had the dream where I keep losing my purse. Does that mean “loss of money?” I have no idea and perhaps it is just the insecurity of losing something that I am not quite aware of! After clicking on the snooze button a couple of times, I bounced up from the sofa. I placed Mr. Alvin on my shoulder and carried him upstairs. Earlier when we got out of bed – he let out a cry and I do not know why. It was dark in the room and I could not see what exactly was going on. Upstairs, I brushed my teeth, washed my face, moisturized, put on my eyebrows and got dressed before scooping the boy up once again for the return trip downstairs. Once again on the main floor, I filled his water bottle, grabbed my sunglass clips, his harness (put on his harness), grabbed his leash and my sweater with pockets and my keys. Once outside on the porch, I locked the door while keeping him on a short leash so that I could again carry him down the steps. He did not seem to be limping or in any sort of pain so perhaps he just got scared in the darkness – maybe he thought I was going to step on him – or maybe he twisted the wrong way when he climbed off the bed onto the padded bench at the foot of our bed. Outside we both breathed in the fresh morning air. So refreshing and wonderful. He sniffed and I sniffed as we walked along. Just inside the park, he stopped and looked away and I looked in that direction to see someone coming fast on a bike, thankfully he looked as I had been watching him and did not see the bike. I would have stepped right into the path. After that – he walked for a little bit – stopped – looked around and we headed for home. There was no swaying his decision this time. So off we went. A shorter walk but a walk all the same. Then we were home, I scooped him up and set him on the porch landing before unlocking the front door.

Once again home sweet home. I think the temperatures are on the rise once again. The weekend is supposed to be hot again. Yesterday I booked Friday afternoon off as my brother and his partner are coming for a visit on their way to Manitoba with stops at our sister’s in Regina. It will be great to see them again, seems like forever.

Time.

I received a phone call yesterday from the Vet stating that the new wet food for Mr. Alvin was now in stock. After work, I borrowed my neighbour’s car and went to pick it up. I was not surprised as they had previously mentioned the higher cost. The previous urinary SO diet wet food was almost $65 for a case of 12 cans and now the Liver Care wet food is $98. Quite the difference. His dry food is on backorder and I can only get a large bag of that which is $150.00. So quite the jump in his food costs. But I am so grateful that he did not require surgery or something else. I will consider myself lucky. I guess this is a good time to give up sugar as treats will be just that, a treat for once in awhile.

Well time to head downstairs and have some coffee before starting work.

Have an awesome Wednesday.

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

Always, Carol & Alvin

The New YEAR 2022

Good Morning ALL! What a beautiful morning. We slept until 4:15 and then back to sleep until 6:07 and then well, I fell into a sleep where I was dreaming all sorts of things until 8:30 a.m. I guess I needed the sleep. I have an exciting day ahead. So excited. But first back to yesterday. So it was a warm sunny day. Alvin and I went for a walk at noon. We have started walking to our friend’s house which is about halfway and then turning around and heading home. It takes us about the same amount of time. Mr. Alvin seems to be slowing down and truly smelling the “roses” or in his case each “blade of grass.” He is definitely in the moment and does not want to be rushed. So in order not to be rushed and worry about getting back to work late, we only walk part way. I have found that I am enjoying the walk more this way. We saw the geese in the distance yesterday with their “babies” who by the way are no longer babies. They are getting so big. Sooo cute. The trees and grass are so green. The dandelions have made a yellow blanket across most of the grass near the water and trees in our park. The houses with yards that back onto the park are trying desperately to keep the grass near their homes and their lawns free of the little yellow flowers. If the dandelions stayed in flower and did not go to seed so quickly it may be a different story but alas they do not and people are not happy. I love the little yellow flowers but not so much when they are ready to sail away and seed the world. I had a productive day at work. When it was almost 4:00 p.m. – I received a phone call from my neighbour – advising that she was not going to need her car after all – I could borrow it if I wanted to. So I changed my grocery shopping back to Thursday after work. Once I was finished work which was a few minutes after 4:00 p.m., I made sure that Alvin had a drink of water and went “pee.” Gathered my list and bags and purse, of course and was on my way. The store was definitely more busy than I thought but everything seemed to go quickly. When I was finished picking up and paying for my groceries, I noticed that the Lotto Max Jackpot was up to $70 million again so I decided to pick up a ticket. I waited for a Cashier as they were all busy at the grocery tills. It was only a few minutes before I had the nicest young person. She was so polite and friendly. While she was getting my tickets and I was paying she told me that recently she had two men who had won some money. One had one $800 and one $25,000 – both had said if they won they would be back. Well they came back to “collect” and were kind of rude to her. She said that maybe she had brought them luck and one said no, he bought the ticket? the other said he bought a car. I told her I will be back and I will give her something. I understand the $800 winner but the $25,000? Why could they have not bought her a coffee at the very least. Would have been kind. Oh well, I don’t know their situations and perhaps they could not or even maybe did not want to share their winnings.

Well I have to get the show on the road. My friend Pauline is picking me up at 12:30. We are heading the Bird sanctuary which is across the road from the Botanical gardens where we hope to see a garden filled with lilacs. The scent is supposed to be enchanting. I cannot wait. This will be my first time to the Bird sanctuary and third or so to the Botanical gardens. Cannot think of a better way to spend an afternoon.

In the meantime, I need to get my photos downloaded from my phone to the computer and that could take a bit of time and then delete more from my phone so that I do not run out of memory when I am snapping photos and make sure my phone is 100% charged. Also the shower and get ready time.

Last night at the store I picked up three wave petunias and planted them last night. I cannot wait for them to be grow and bloom. So pretty.

I hope that you have a great Friday. Enjoy the weather.

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

Always, Carol & Alvin

P.S. I am so grateful for wonderful friends and neighbours. I helped Sonja with an unwanted house guest last night. A wasp had come into her house. She is terrified of them. I am not. I am however allergic to their sting as I had a bad experience as a teenager and have tried to keep my distance since I was stung. Anyway, I sprayed some water on it to confuse it before I apologized for having to take its’ life and then swept it up in a paper towel. I do not have to tell you the rest. I do not like taking a life even a bug.

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

It is a NEW YEAR.

Well Wednesday morning already and back to work after my Tuesday vacation day.

It was a great day despite the massive amount of snow that Mother Nature sent our way.

I must have shovelled I don’t know how many pounds of snow throughout the day.

From early morning until nightfall.

On the bright side it was great exercise.

I had taken some photos of the trees covered in snow.

But unfortunately due to technical difficulties this morning I am unable to share them.

Later.

 

Yesterday I was luckily that one of my friends was not working so I was able to catch a ride to Shoppers Drug mart and Save-On Foods.

I was able to finish all of my shopping.

My friend even drove me home.

She was running errands so it worked out perfectly.

 

Well here it is almost time to leave the house.

I have to run out and pick up the poop.

Always a good idea to keep it picked up.

I don’t like surprises in the spring.

Although sometimes there is the odd one that was missed.

How did I get talking about poop again.

Not like it is my favourite subject or anything.

Laughing aloud.

 

I hope that you have an awesome Wednesday.

Overnight it plunged from +2 F to -20 F.

How is that for temperature change?

 

Take care.

With Kindness and Respect,

I remain,

 

Always, Carol & Alvin

Living … One day at a time.

Hello,

Wow, so great to wake up to bright sunshine and clear blue sky.

So wonderful to receive the rain over the past couple of days but always good to see sunshine.

Guess what!

Couple of things.

Alvin seems to be his old self but I spoke to Vet’s Office yesterday and it was agreed to bring him in his morning.

Yesterday was cold and raining and we would have had to walk there so better when not raining.

Just going to have him checked this morning.

OTHER thing …. I was able to download/upload my photos from my cell phone to my computer.

It was easy.

Not sure why I did not figure it out sooner but better late than never.

So I am going to share some of the 270 photos that I have taken with my phone since first day of May 16, 2019.

Also remember these were all taken here at our home.

Couple in the car with my daughter.

I will not share all of the photos as some were videos and some were duplicate or triplicates.

One of my favourite subjects:  Humphrey.

Enjoying his time outside.

My Grand-pup Milo in the above photo.

Followed by Alvin and Humphrey.

Just catching some zzz’s

I could take photos of them all day long.

Unfortunately the shots of Humphrey make his beautiful orange coat look dingy.

Preparing the gifts for the new to turn 40 year old.

One of my friends ….

I hosted her birthday party a couple of weeks ago.

The boys helping me get ready for the Birthday party.  Teddy, Humphrey and Alvin.

The birdie that made a next in our backyard.

Haven’t seen them as of late but am hopeful that they are around.

Birdies on the fence and down below not in frame on one side of the fence was Mr. Alvin and on the other was Sir Humphrey.

Two birds, a dog and a cat.

What a combination.

Humphrey hard at work digging his way out of our backyard.

Smoke filled skies

Night sky …..

With my daughter driving to my house …. the flowering cherry trees so pretty …..

 

Well I have to go as did not realize that this has taken almost one hour.

Big day today.

Alvin has an appointment to see the Vet this morning.

My daughter has her ART SHOW and SALE tonight.

I am over the moon.

I hope that you enjoy some of my favourite photos taken from my new iPhone, new to me.

Sadly there are many more but running out of time.

 

Have an awesome Saturday.

 

Always, Carol & Alvin

 

Thought for the day ….

Good Morning and Welcome to Tuesday the 23rd day of April, 2019.

The sun is well up and the sky is slightly overcast.

My last day of vacation before heading back to work tomorrow.

I have so enjoyed this time at home with my Alvin.

So much has been accomplished and I am most grateful.

Last night we went to bed a bit later than our usual time as we had Mr. Humphrey over while is Momma was out for her dancing class.

Up then up at 5:30.

Alvin ate his breakfast and went outside and then we hit the sofa for some extra zzz’s.

I figured last morning to sleep in for a bit.

I was dreaming stories which was great and now only remember bits and pieces.

Like out for a walk with Alvin and a small dog (one we knew but do not remember) with no leashes.

Not something that I would ever be doing.

Alvin went to turn onto the street and a red car turned at the same time he stopped and rolled down his window; it was my son-in-law.

I do not remember if he even spoke to me.

I managed to get the pups to safety across the street where my son-in-law stayed with them while I got into the car.

The windshield was covered with a sheet as I struggled to get the seat ready for me to drive the car.

It was so strange.

The seat was not your ordinary one.

Every time I moved it back for forward; it would zig and zag.

Finally I managed to get it sort of okay and pulled the sheet up and caught it in the door so that it would not move.

Why I did not take it off I will never know?

Why was it there in the first place I will never know?

Why did I drive the car?

Why did I not put the pups in the back seat and my son-in-law drive us home?

Why did my son-in-law bring the pups home?

We were very close to home.

Just down the street by the park.

More questions that not.

So many dreams in that few hours that we were snuggled on the sofa this morning.

At the end I drove home and my son-in-law brought the pups home.

I think he carried them.

Stuff of dreams.

 

Well last day before heading back to work.

Some laundry to do and I am going to check on Mr. Humphrey after getting dressed.

A bit later than we have been getting up as it is slightly after 9:00 a.m.

We have been up for about 20 minutes or so.

Will be enjoying a walk or two today.

 

I hope that you all had an awesome Easter weekend.

Spent time with your family and friends.

Perhaps got some spring cleaning done.

Had a walk with your pup or with family and friends or ALL.

 

Wishing you an awesome Tuesday.

Happy Day.

 

Looking forward to coffee after I get dressed and go check on Mr. Humphrey.

Perhaps later will bring him over to spend some time with us.

He likes to go outside.

 

Special Hello to: all my family and friends.

Always, Carol & Alvin

 

 

 

Thought for the day ….

Good Morning and Welcome to Thursday the 7th day of March, 2019.

YAY, another walk under our belts so to speak.

OMG, longest COLDEST winter in decades.

Last night there was a breeze that blew us around our walk and I felt the cold but Alvin all snug in his winter coat did not seem to feel it.

I guess the gust were more at my level, thankfully.

Another warmer day that the past few weeks on the way.

It has been cooling down at night but warming during the day.

We are so grateful.

 

About a week ago, the alarm clock that I had in the bedroom died a somewhat painful death as it would beep, flash and then work for a bit longer.

Poor thing did not want to give up.

It was not long after that that the battery died in my TIMEX Indiglo watch so that leaves us getting up on our own accord.

Now Mr. Alvin is known to be an early riser, more like middle of the night riser and for that matter I am starting to wake about 3:00 a.m.

Monday and Tuesday nights we had Humphrey over so we were in bed later than usual and then last night we hit the hay a bit earlier than usual.

So guess who woke up at 1:00 a.m. …… not me.

I managed to get him to settle back down for a few minutes but alas we were up and downstairs.

He went outside to pee (wished that he could use the indoor plumbing).

Then to the sofa for some sleep.

We were up another time or two but managed to get some good sleep before getting up to start our day.

 

Oh what crazy lives we lead.

I am so excited when I look out at the office window to see lightness in the eastern sky.

Looks so beautiful.

Dark blue running down to meet hints of yellow on the horizon.

I could lay on the ground and look at the sky all day and all night.

I love the morning and night sky the most.

 

If you are over the age of 50 you will appreciate the “getting up in the middle of the night.”

I am most grateful to be turning 62 this August.

I still cannot believe that I am 61, although my body reminds me on a regular basis.

My mind on the other hand keeps me somewhere in my 30’s with a smidgen of 50’s thrown into the mix.

I am most blessed to have friends and family of all ages.

Everyday I learn something new.

BRAINPOWER.

Keeping it real.

Or something.

 

Well time to hit the road ….. gotta pay the mortgage.

Although winning the group lotto at work this Friday would be GREAT.

NO MORTGAGE ….. perhaps a CAR…….can you imagine me with wheels of my own??

Yes, I can.

A girl can dream.

Have a wonderful Thursday.

 

Happy Thursday.

Special Hello to: my sister who keeps me younger …..

Always, Carol & Alvin