The Next Chapter

Good Morning! How are you this morning? I had a fair sleep last night. So excited that today is Friday. Wishing a dear friend Terry, Happy Birthday on this March 17th, 2023. Also HAPPY ST. PATRICK’s DAY. Part of my ancestors is Irish, so I feel akin to this day. Did you know that St. Patrick was the patron saint of Ireland, of course you did. Did you know that he was kidnapped and enslaved but eventually escaped. He returned to the Emerald Island where he furthered “Christianity” and it is believe that he died on March 17th. The reason why we celebrate him on this day. I just like the idea of celebrating the Irish (we should celebrate everyone). I wear green because it makes me feel alive and happy. Kelly Green is my shade of green. Happy St. Patrick’s Day for any reason, we should celebrate something everyday whether it is for being able to get out of bed in the morning or because spring is close by, Whatever you are grateful for – celebrate.

I am grateful for walks after work. Last night I ran into Allie and Bailey. Bailey saw me from a distance and literally dragged Allie to me. We had a great visit and walk together. We also bumped into Janet with Eddie and Bruno. Wonderful having friends.

I am celebrating my Alvin who remains close to my heart (forever) and always in my thoughts. I know this sounds off but I carry his urn around the house with me. If I go to bed, he comes upstairs with me and when I go back down, I take him down. So he is with me. I miss him, I will always miss him. Last night I received a text from his best friend Teddy’s Mom saying that they are in the city and would like to visit. I am happy to see them but sad. I know that seeing Teddy and his little sister Kobi would have been amazing. He will be with us in spirit and I am sure that they will feel him with us.

Happy St. Patrick’s Day (Green is my favourite colour and well Alvin, my beautiful Angel).

Have a wonderful 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).

2021

Good Morning ALL! I hope that you are doing well. Today marks the 58th birthday of my brother who watches down over our family. Happy Birthday Jeff. I miss your laugh, your kind heart and you. Your spirit is free to fly wherever you like. Happy Birthday!.

This is a busy birthday month for family and friends. The daughter of a dear friend of mine turned 35 years old yesterday, I cannot believe she is 35. Happy Birthday Courtney.

Tomorrow is the birthday of my special nephew Taylor. Another kind hearted man. I have known him since he was in his Mum’s tummy. Happy Birthday my buddy.

My Dad’s birthday is on Friday, November 12th and he would have been 88 years old.

My nephew John, the son of my brother Jeff celebrates a birthday on the 15th of this month. Happy Birthday early John.

Do you have certain months of the year that are filled with birthdays? November is one of those months for me and my family. I have another niece and nephew with birthdays in the later part of the month along with several friends.

We celebrate each and every one that was born on this day! May your day be filled with love and laughter, good health and abundance as every day should be.

As the sun begins to rise for the day, I remember all those people that are missing from my life all too early.

Remember them with love, compassion, understanding and with laughter.

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

Always, Carol & Alvin

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Saturday the 10th day of March, 2018.

Today is the birthday of my son-in-law’s brother, Happy Birthday “D.”

The sun is shining and it is a great day thus far.

Alvin slept from 10:30 until 4:15 a.m. (not bad).

Feeling more rested.

So excited to see the sun shining.

A day where the sun is shining in the early morning is a GREAT day.

 

We are preparing for my daughter’s birthday.

My daughter and her husband and the grand-pups are coming over.

We have to do some light cleaning and tidying up.

Laundry of course, cause it is Saturday.

I am making supper – my daughter’s favourite and my son-in-law is bringing cupcakes.

All bases are covered.

 

I am reminded by the book that I am reading that sometimes we, people in general spend too much time on the past and forget about today and tomorrow.

I am not saying that the past is not important and does not require some attention but not so much that it deters us from today and tomorrow.

I know that without yesterday there would be no todays or tomorrows.

But let us celebrate today so that we set the stage for a great tomorrow.

 

Have an awesome Saturday, March 10th, 2018.

May the sun be shining softly upon you as you carry on with your day.

Play some music and do a happy dance, just because you can.

Be happy …..

 

Special Hello to: all those celebrating birthdays ……

Always, Carol & Alvin

Thought for the day ….

Good Morning and Welcome to Friday the 20th day of October, 2017.

Well I am in the proverbial “dog house” although Alvin lives in my house, so I guess that really does not work.

Anyway yesterday was the 9th Wedding Anniversary of my kids.

My beloved daughter and son-in-law.

How could I have been so wrapped up in my “great Wednesday” that I forgot their special day.

My daughter said graciously “not to worry” and I know that she sincerely means it but still I feel like “BAD MOMMA.”

Cannot imagine if I had more than one child.

Odd thing is that I remembered on Monday (guess I should have made a sticky note) or PERHAPS looked to the right of my computer screen to the BIRTHDAY/ANNIVERSARY calendar hanging there.

I would have seen it …..

But no, I did not.

 

Happy Belated 9th Anniversary to the best Daughter and Son-in-law, a Momma could ever have ….

They make me so proud.

Good and kind and compassionate people, they are.

I am so happy that “S” joined our family 17 years ago, he is a great addition.

Thank you for joining this rag tag group of people.

Both Alvin and I send hugs and kisses to you both.

 

Well here we go again, time to leave to catch that bus.

Better run …. er, walk real fast.

 

Special Hello to: all those folks who are celebrating time together ….. Congratulations.

Always, Carol & Alvin

 

 

Thought for the day ……

Good Morning and Welcome to Sunday the 15th day of November, 2015.

Today is the Birthday of my nephew “J” ….. he will be out of the hospital today celebrating with family, friends and neighbours.

So happy for him.

He has come a long way since the accident of last year.

 

This morning as I look out of the office window the sky looks like a massive snowbank with a hint of dark blue throughout….

Alvin is patiently waiting for me to go downstairs.

But because the little one remains somewhere I am doing all that I can upstairs before going down.

Of course, we were up at 5:00 and he has had breakfast and went outside.

I wish that the only living breathing creatures in this house were me and Alvin.

 

The weekend has gone by at a reasonable pace, I think.

Yesterday I had several break through moments …… I cooked again the kitchen …..

I even walked in my sock feet in the kitchen.

There were two outings one to the grocery store for me and the other, Alvin and I went for a wonderful walk.

It was really nice out in the afternoon.

One of our neighbours was out putting up lights.

The neighbour is covered in lights.

Looks so pretty at night all lit up.

 

Well my thoughts today are to just grapple the anxiety and get on with my life.

Each day I get stronger.

I can do this.

Thank goodness for me Alvin …. he is my hero.

Lots to do ….. will be a fun day, I am thinking.

Recording the jewellery that we will take to the craft sale in a couple of weeks.

Making some calls and sending some emails to see who would like to order some tea for Christmas.

 

Special Hello to: all those doggies out there, thank you for your support and love.

Always, Carol and Alvin

Thought for the day….

Good Morning and Welcome to Sunday the 5th day of January, 2014.

It is a very bright Morning here in Edmonton.

How are you?

I am doing great and am so excited that warmer temperatures are on the way.

YAY.

It seems that all we can seem to think about is eating, sleeping and the cold …..

The cold, eating and sleeping.

When the temperatures without the windchill dip below 30 below Celsius … all one wishes to do is hibernate.

I am starting to feel like a bear …..

I even have the extra “roll” to prove it.

So after a glance in the mirror this morning it was enough to say …. enough is enough …..

Get back on the eating healthy train and more exercise.

When the temperatures warm up we will walk and in the meantime …. climb stairs ….. and do whatever exercises we can do.

So on this cold morning I say keep warm and exercise.

Have a great day.

I am on my way to work ….. 5.5 hours of walking …… if I do not stand still.

Special Hello to: all my friends back in Regina …. my best friend celebrates a birthday tomorrow.

Always, Carol and Alvin

Story Line by line – November 20, 2013

Chapter Four:

November 1, 2013

Oh, how I loved that dress, and my mind flashes back to the junior high school dance where I first wore that beautiful pink and then I see my favourite books floating in mid air and my best friend “Dee” is there.

November 2, 2013

Alvin is staying very close as we begin to take in this enormous space, and our nervous energies feed each other, and I think of Alice in Wonderland, and  what shall our next move be as a bright purple balloon drifts by.

November 3, 2013

It is absolutely amazing the dress, my friend, balloons, family, old boyfriends, my house, Christmas, all of the things that I have loved during my life are appearing as Alvin and I make our way through it all.

November 4, 2013

I realize throughout all of the memories that my “four” are no longer walking with us and have disappeared.

November 5, 2013

“Where did they go?” I mutter aloud as if I half expect Alvin to answer and yet I know that we are “down the rabbit hole and things are about to get very interesting.”

November 6, 2013

What do I do – what can I do – nothing makes any sense – why would they do this – am I a guinea pig of sorts – are they watching us – who are they – are the questions that flood my mind as we just walk not knowing what will happen next.

November 7, 2013

As we walk further into this new world, I begin to notice that we in fact are not alone.

November 8, 2013

I do not see anyone but I can feel “eyes” watching us as we go deeper into this place, and then out of no where the thought of “YOU ARE NOT ALONE” comes to my mind; like something out of a movie.

November 9, 2013

Carefully I look about not wanting to miss a single thing, and carefully monitoring my thoughts with hopes that I can find out my location without disturbing my “hosts” when in the distance I see a dim light.

November 10, 2013

As I approach the location of the light it becomes brighter and brighter with only about 50 footsteps away I can begin to see what lies ahead of us.

November 11, 2013

Could I ever have imagined this in my wildest dreams, I think not, as the images begin to sharpen and come into focus.

November 12, 2013

I stop, we stop, and I rub my eyes in disbelief as I look ahead and see what appears to be a glass wall with images of ….. ME.

November 13, 2013

There, only a few feet in front of us are ME at different ages, different stages of my life with some I recognize, and other versions are new to me.

November 14, 2013

I am shaking in disbelief and wonder at what is ahead of me; am I dreaming?

November 15, 2013

Alvin has been quiet for awhile just sniffing around the space when suddenly he yanks hard on the leash pulling me off balance knocking me to the ground.

 November 16, 2013

As I lay there collecting my senses, Alvin rushes back to me tail wagging and licks my face; I giggle, looking up completely stunned, I see myself.

November 17, 2013

Wow, is that really me I think to myself and then utter a soft “Hello”  as the other “me” smiles back at me…… 

November 18, 2013

“Please tell me where I am,”  I say to her, and as I utter the words, she tells me without speaking that I am wherever I want to be.

November 19, 2013

Okay, I think let me give this a try as my mind unleashes the imagination that has been locked up as of late and before I could say anything we are curled up on a oversized leather sofa in front of a fireplace looking out of an enormous window to a breathtaking view of the mountains which are covered with snow; my heart leaps with excitement.

November 20, 2013

I had this dream when I won the lottery, and our family spent Christmas in this huge log cabin celebrating and being together it was amazing … oh, I feel so good.

Thought for the day…..

Good Morning and Welcome to Thursday the 8th day of August, 2013.

Today is the birthday of my friend and niece-in-law “S” – Happy Birthday.

August is a huge month for birthdays in my family.

Mine is tomorrow ….. wow …. I cannot believe I will be “56” …. where has the time gone.

Do you feel that way the closer a birthday gets?

I love having birthdays and celebrating them.

It is a good time to take stock of what is going on with your dreams and perhaps revise them.

I have a few days off from work starting tomorrow and I am looking forward to being at home.

I have one project that I want to complete and that is going through my office and reorganizing.

It seems that it needs to be done at least once a year.

Go through papers and stuff.

It will be nice to have that done.

If time allows I would like to go through my front closet and perhaps my bedroom closet and drawers.

Always good to stay on top of things wherever possible.

So on this Thursday I am excited to get all my work done and then enjoy some time off with my Alvin at home.

We will take an extra walk each day and I will go back to the sofa for those extra zzz’s should I desire.

So on this Thursday …. I wish you all a great day.

Special Hello to: the birthday GIRL …… have the best birthday ever …… kisses and hugs from me and Alvin.

 

Always, Carol and Alvin

Thought for the day…..

Good Morning and Welcome to Monday, the 5th day of August, 2013.

Wow, only four days till my 56th Birthday.

I am actually very excited about this one … not sure why other than being alive and healthy and surrounded by everything you love ….

Well I guess that is reason to celebrate.  Right!

Today is a statutory holiday where I live so I have the day off from work, from the office.

I have a long to do list and I am planning to have everything done by 2:00 p.m. so that I can watch two of my favourite shows:

they are Star Trek Next Generation and Star Trek Voyager.

Both are no longer in production and I have seen them all a million times but I love watching them.

So on this gorgeous day …. it is time to celebrate.

I wish you all a happy, glorious day….

A few sips of coffee ….. write my blog and then I am off to get some work done around the house.

Thank you for reading……

Special Hello to: all those Star Trek Fans …..

Always, Carol and Alvin

THANK YOU….

FIRST LINE …..July 25, 2013

As we walk along the water’s edge the coolness leaves my skin with goose bumps and prickles, as if there is someone behind me.

July 26, 2013

Alvin pulls on his leash and brings me back, the fragrance of freshly cut grass fills my nostrils; my heart beat quickens, and I am unable to shake the feeling.

July 28, 2013

The sky is overcast with a hint of sunrise peeking through and the leaves of the trees rustle in the breeze, and I think how did I get here? 

July 29, 2013

What does that mean, and what is making me think these thoughts?

July 30, 2013

All of a sudden the leash tightens as Alvin pulls me forward.

July 31, 2013

My body lurches forward as I fight to keep my balance, what is going on …. “Alvin,” I cry as things appear to be happening in slow motion.

August 1, 2013

Alvin turns his head and with eyes as big as saucers; I suddenly realize what is going to happen.

August 2, 2013

I had no control, and could feel my breath slowly leaving my body as it was happening.

August 5, 2013

As the fog lifts from my brain and I come round; I realize that quite some time has passed as dusk has fallen, and then the horrifying thought comes to my mind where is my Alvin?

Thought for the day….

WELCOME TO MONDAY, DECEMBER 31st, 2012 …… the last day of 2012 …. NEW YEAR’s EVE.

WOW, truly this year has flown by.

It has been a great year for me and Alvin.

We are healthy, live in a beautiful house and have great family and friends.

We have the perfect life, and each day I am grateful for all that we are and all that we have.

I hope that as the year ends for you that you can reflect with a smile on your face and joy in your heart.

There will always be things that happen during each year that truly are not wonderful whether it is a passing of a family member or a dear friend …. the memories keep them alive in your heart and mind.

I lost some dear friends and family this year and although life will not be the same without them, it was my very great pleasure to have known them, and they made my life all the richer and complete.

We are so blessed to live in a country where peace reigns supreme.

Where for the most part we can walk down our streets undisturbed.

Where we can speak our minds without personal danger or imprisonment.

I hope that on this New Year’s Eve that you stay safe.

If you go out celebrating, please make certain that someone who is not “drinking” drives the car or better yet catch a bus or take a taxi.

BE SAFE and keep those safe around you.

Have fun wherever you go.

Alvin and I will be at home …. curled up on the sofa….. enjoying each other’s company and a movie.

So from our home to yours ….. have the best last day of 2012.

May 2013 be your best year ever and I wish that all of your dreams would come true.

May perfect health, love and laughter, great joy, abundance and wealth surround and keep you in the New Year.

HAPPY NEW YEAR !!

Always, Carol and Mr. Alvin ……..