The Next Chapter

Good Morning! Welcome to Monday morning. Wow, that was a quick weekend. We had mostly a relaxing one me and Cookie. Yesterday I did small chores and also baked a triple batch of chocolate chip cookies. I am taking some with me to work this morning. The sky is partially overcast with rain in the forecast for this morning. Does not look windy for my vantage point. Miss Cookie is downstairs. She runs up and down until I go down. Cookie cuddled beside me this morning before we got up. First time.

I decided that I would leave the blockade off the stairs as on Saturday she pushed it over while trying to get up there. So I will leave all the bedroom doors and then office door closed. Will place a pee pad on the landing upstairs, just in case. That way I don’t have to worry about something falling on her. She is so fast and does not take “no” for an answer, she reminds me of another pup, Kobi. She was fast than lightning and she never gave up. No, was not in her vocabulary. Cookie is older than Kobi but they have the same mindset.

Alvin was much more chill. He was more into food. If there was food upstairs then he would have broke down the gate and whatever blocked his path. No food, he did not care. He loved to look out the window just as all the pups seem to do. She does come when I call her which I just did. Thought I heard a noise down there. OMG. Hopefully all is okay. She is here but what did she do?

Time to head downstairs.

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) and Miss Cookie.

The New YEAR 2022

Good Morning ALL! How are you this Sunday morning? I am well. Alvin is still downstairs asleep on the sofa. Not sure how I was able to get upstairs without him following me but I have. So I will take advantage of a few minutes before he follows me upstairs. The sun is shining brightly and the sky is most beautiful powder blue. So nice to wake up to sunshine. We were up many times before now. The first time we were up was 11:30 p.m. and it was snowing (thankfully it did not amount to much) and then 3:30, 4:30, 5:00 and 8:30 a.m. So chopped up sleep for this Momma. Oh well I do feel rested now.

We had a great Saturday. I did several loads of laundry, vacuumed and washed the main floor, cleaned the main floor bathroom, watered all of the plants in the house and some other odds and ends. Shovelled the driveway. We had a nice walk to the park and home enjoying a small bit of snow that we had yesterday. For supper I made something new. I roasted some carrots and broccoli together with a bit of olive oil, salt and pepper and then the chickpeas with olive oil and some spices (curry powder and turmeric and pepper) in the oven. I made a pot of quinoa and also semi caramelized some onions. Once everything was cooked, I mixed them all in a huge bowl. So good. Most enjoyable. After dishes were done, I just snuggled with Alvin and watched a movie and a show that I had previously recorded, Ghosts. A nice evening.

Today we will definitely we going for a walk as it is supposed to be warmer than yesterday. A shower after I finish this blog. I have one more load of laundry to do and bring up the clothes that are air drying in the laundry room. Vacuum and wash the floors upstairs and dust and all of that including the two bathrooms. Seems like a much better idea to do one floor at a time. Or at least it did yesterday.

I was just going through things in my head ….. and I just heard Alvin whining downstairs. He just woke up and his Momma was not there. Must be a first, I think. Anyway I called out to him so he knew I was in the house and then went downstairs. He had a drink of water before wanting to go outside to pee. We are both upstairs now. It is so funny how having a few minutes alone feels so freeing. Not that I mind having him around, I love him but just to have a few minutes without someone right on my heels is nice, too. Usually he is wherever I am unless I am away from home. Honestly, the thought of leaving him at home alone causes me a bit of anxiety especially after two major surgeries and also being two years older. Mixed feelings about it all, I guess.

Last night I was thinking about “age” and how some people shy away from revealing that number while others shout it from the rooftops. I guess I am somewhere in between the two. This August I will turn 65 which is cool, I think. There are some perks to being that age such as special pricing and discounts. I always think as long as I can sit up and turn my legs to the floor and stand up, that I am doing great. Or at least I am starting the day from a good place. Age is some that is inevitable. It happens whether we like it or not or plan for it, and if we are lucky enough to have it happen. If we think about all those humans who have had their lives ended early whether by accident, disease or war, well then the rest of us are doing well. Of course, as we age our health can change, our memories may become a bit fuzzy and our bodies do not always want to do what we would would like BUT that is okay. There is so much we can do to keep our bodies and minds in good health that aging should not be scary. During the chapters of our lives much like a book, there is a beginning and many chapters in the middle before the end. So just keep picking up that book and working on each chapter. Enjoy your time on this earth instead of worrying about how old you are. Work on those dreams. I know, I have said that alot and am I working on them, yes in small ways. One of these days, I will surprise you all. That I am certain of.

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So I better get going and have that shower. My friend Amber is dropping off the jewellery from my Fifth Avenue Party. Cannot be in the shower when she arrives.

Enjoy your day. Get out there and live your live. I am so happy to see the bright sunshine, so happy.

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

Always, Carol & Alvin

2021

Good Saturday Morning ALL! I hope that this day finds you feeling great and ready for whatever the day may bring to you. We had a rather odd start but I am feeling good and Alvin seems to have recovered from his early morning tummy upset. Thank goodness. Might need a nap later but that is okay. I have gone through my clothes closet and moved “my winter clothing” to the spare room closet. Or at least the rest of the items that I had not already moved. Honestly, there are only a few steps from one closet, to the other so not a long way to go in case, I need something. Bedding changed and ready for the laundry, clothes ready for laundry. I was writing in my head the list of things that I need to get done around the house. For example: painting the fence, fixing the fence (couple of boards that need to be replaced and I have the boards, just need help to switch them out), having the furnace vents, dry vent cleaned and A/C serviced, replace the roof shingles on the house, and a few more items. So lots to get done. I know you know this. All homeowners have those regular maintenance items to look after and that makes sense. Of course, there are the things to do inside the house as well. I would love to have the whole inside painted except for my office which was painted two years ago now, I believe. Before the pandemic. I have many lists. Then the immediate items like vacuuming, dusting, laundry, cleaning etc. Enough to keep us all very busy.

I am excited to finally remove the covering from my front flower bed and allow the flowers to just be, to drink in the sunshine and the warmth of the sun. Thankfully it looks like they have survived. I was surprised and shocked, really, to see that some of the plants that were not blooming are now blooming. They were when I removed the sheets yesterday for the day time. A good sign. My poor babies in the garage will be happy to get out into the sunshine. These are the first things on the list to do once this post is completed and I am dressed for the day. So grateful that from this day forward the overnight temperatures look to be on the plus side. Hopefully Mother Nature had her fun, one last blast of late spring weather and now we can enjoy. I am grateful for the moisture even though I could have done without the snow and howling winds. Our grass is nice and green. Grass in the backyard could use another cut. Life is good.

Well I am going to leave you with this: Always remember to take some time for yourself. I know the list is long of things to do when you have only the weekend or a couple of days off to do everything around the house but it will get done. Remember to take a coffee, tea, cold drink, or just a water break even on the weekends. Most especially on the weekends. Time to just BE. Close your eyes and just shut out the noise, the words, the thoughts (if you can). This usually takes some practice but it can be done. Really important. We all need to take time for ourselves. I know that you have heard this only a billion times but if we do not look after ourselves how can we possibly look after others or do anything for others or even ourselves. You are important to the world, to your family, to your friends, to your community. You are!

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

Always, Love Carol & Al.

2021

Good Morning ALL. I hope that this post finds you well and enjoying your Saturday whether you are doing things around the house, in the yard, at your job or maybe even at school. Saturdays are my day to get laundry and housework done. With only having Alvin (my dog) and myself in our home – there really isn’t too much to do. I have always made a point of putting things away after I have used them. Quite often I go through drawers and cupboards and the pantry to see what is what. The pantry is so important to go through on a regular basis. I would say once a month or two. Then you know exactly what you have and do not over buy/purchase. My pantry is like actually a cupboard that was once a piece of office furniture from prior to the renovations at my place of employment. It had shelves and has doors and fit perfectly in the back cubby area by the back door. I also keep small appliances, supplies of garbage bags as we have for kitchen, recycling and black heavy duty ones. I buy them at COSTCO as I have found that to be the most economical for me. I keep my canned goods, a small wooden crate of sorts for onions and sweet potatoes and miscellaneous food/dry goods. I like things in order within the pantry and that is likely why I clean it on a regular basis which is likely due for a clean/rearrange now. Also I decide if between what is in the pantry and freezer of the fridge what can be used for meals and then I stop buying groceries other than fresh produce for as long as I can. Might as well use up what you have before you have so much on hand that you lose track of best before / expiry dates. That has happened to me in the past and I do not like to be frivolous with that kind of thing. Also I vacuum and wash the floors on Saturday. Clean the kitchen and the bathrooms. Sundays are for less labor intensive chores. This Sunday, tomorrow I am going to video chat with my one of my girl friends from the neighbourhood. Our other pal’s husband is coming home from working in another province so she wants to spend time with him. We totally understand. Looks like Mr. Alvin is starting to lose his patience with his Momma. Also tomorrow is continue to work on Income Tax. We were issued our T4’s from our employer so I now have everything to complete my taxes.

The bright sunny blue morning sky with wisps of white clouds awaits us this day. The temperatures are rising so walking can happen once again for me and Alvin. We went for a walk at my lunch break yesterday but only went half way as it was snowing and raining. Always fun. I don’t like Alvin to get his ears wet as he can end up with an infection which he has had in the past. Looks like there is a breeze out there. The snow will be melting.

Well time to go and start the laundry and put on some coffee. I always look forward to coffee on the weekends.

We wish you a wonderful Saturday.

Continuing to live with kindness, respect, compassion and patience. Both Alvin and I are working on patience.

Always, Carol & Alvin

It is a NEW YEAR.

Good Morning and Welcome to a rainy Monday morning.

Last night we had quite the storm with lots of booming thunder and flashes of lightning.

Even startled both me and Alvin.

I have the office window open to bring in that fresh morning air.

There is a bird chirping close by.

Calling out to his/her mate, likely.

The trees are still for the moment.

The grass is gleaming with raindrops and is that most vibrant of shades, kelly green.

Alvin is laying on his little bed as I write this post.

We had a lovely Sunday.

I was able to finish my chores in the earlier hours of the morning.

 

We walked late morning and then we came home and I worked for three hours.

As much as I would like to think that this is helping my state of mine, is it really?

I am not quite sure.

I really don’t know.

Perhaps that entire day that I worked this weekend would have been better spent doing something of a personal nature.

I definitely am finding it difficult to find that life / work balance.

With being at home, work is at home.

They are intermixed and intertwined.

Am I alone in this?

I doubt it very much.

I think for those of us who have jobs where the workload has increased substantially in this pandemic, it is difficult.

So what do we do?

 

Well it is clearly something on my mind as I have made note of this for the second day in a row.

I guess to ponder, to give consideration of this situation is good.

No matter where we are, no matter who we are ….. we are all living very different lives than we were in February.

At the end of the day, I am most grateful that I am employed, that I am able to spend this extra time with Mr. Alvin.

No commuting has been great.

Life goes on.

 

Well it is almost time to get to work.

Have some coffee, already perked and in my to go mug.

Actually I am usually one of my tea travel mugs.

It works great and keeps my coffee hotter longer.

 

So nice to be able to have my window open and listen to the birds.

To the hum of life waking up in my neighbourhood.

I can hear cars and trucks on the highway not too far away.

 

Wishing you a great day.

Whether rainy or sunny ….. it is great to be alive.

We will get through this one way or the other.

Yes, I agree, things, life will be very much different.

But perhaps that is not such a bad thing.

Take care my friends.

Be well, stay safe.

If we all life our lives with kindness and respect, what a wonderful world this would be.

 

Living my life with kindness and respect for all.

I/We shall remain,

As Always, Carol & Alvin

 

Living … One day at a time.

Good Morning and welcome to a clear sky Saturday morning.

Yay it is the weekend.

My friend dropped by last night with the new Christmas Wreath that I purchased from her craft sale.

It is absolutely beautiful.

I am so in love with this little owl.

My Mom passed many years ago and she had a passion for Owls.

She collected all sorts of ornamental owls.

 

Well we just had a phone call from Humphrey’s Mom.

Humphrey is here and will be spending the day with us.

It is almost 9:00 a.m. – how did that happen.

Time to get going.

Coffee.

Laundry.

Cleaning.

All the fun stuff.

 

Fun stuff for later …. Christmas cards.

Does anyone still write letters and send Christmas cards?

 

Alvin is on his blanket watching the office door which makes me think that Humphrey is in the hallway.

I just saw a shadow so he is now upstairs.

They will have company for the day which is nice.

I will be bathing Alvin later and taking him for a walk.

Walk first and bath second, of course.

I think he is okay in the hair cut department.

That will wait and perhaps just before Christmas – give him a trim.

 

No grand pearls of wisdom at this moment.

Just grateful to have the weekends off and to be at home.

I am grateful to be surrounded by great friends and family.

So happy to see the sun shining which will hopefully dry things up.

Not much snow left now.

 

Well I hope that you all have an awesome Saturday.

 

Happy Day.

Always, Carol, Alvin and Humphrey

 

 

Living … One day at a time.

Good Morning,

Another beautiful double digit day on the way.

Yesterday was gorgeous at  +15 degrees celsius.

Bright sunshine – just perfect.

 

After work once Alvin was done outside and with supper; we went for a walk.

I took my equipment with me and by that I mean a large black garbage bag and disposable gloves.

A couple of days ago or three now there was a bag of garbage strewn over a small area just inside our park; close to the trees by the water.

For two days we walked by and it was there each time.

This time I was not going to be one of the ones to go by and either think “who would do that” or just totally ignore the trash.

Not me, cannot do that.

It meant taking and using a big garbage bag and a pair of disposable gloves but my neighbourhood is important to me.

Not only did we clean that up but I filled to the brim two of Alvin’s poopy bags with small trash.

I will never understand how people can walk by and not pick it up.

Anyway, happy to report that once again the park is clean.

I noticed a few pieces of trash alongside the sidewalk closer to my house but I had run out of bags by the time I got home.

Does that not figure?

Anyway another job for this evening’s walk.

I am going to start carrying a plastic grocery bag (if I have any as I use recycled bags).

Life in the fast lane.

We thoroughly enjoyed our walk.

I was so proud of my little rockstar as he stayed out of the garbage as I was picking it up.

You see I was holding him on his leash with one hand and picking up and holding the garbage bag with the other.

I managed.

After I raked all of the leaves on the weekend and cleaned the inbetween part with the stones; everyone else’s leaves had blown all over the yard.

So last night for the third time the front lawn was raked.

Humphrey was over (had picked him up after our walk) and the boys watched me through the living room window.

I also submitted some NORWEX orders.

It was a busy night but felt good to get some chores done.

The one thing that I didn’t do was the exercises …

I have been doing some stretching exercises for the past couple of days.

Makes a difference.

Will be doing them tonight.

 

Oh, we met Rosie’s Dad last night.

In the early morning I met Rosie and her Mom while waiting for my ride to arrive.

I must say that Rosie is a lucky pup.

They both think the world of her, too.

Another successful RESCUE story.

I hope to hear many more.

 

Oh, our Humphrey boy.

He is just so cute.

Well time to fly here.

I hope that you all have an awesome day.

 

 

Remember to fill your life with kindness and respect.

One small act of kindness can change someone’s life.

I guarantee it will change yours as well.

 

 

Always, Carol & Alvin

Living … One day at a time.

Hello,

Thankfully a bright sunny Sunday morning sky after much of Saturday was overcast and raining.

Bit of a breeze so comfortable outside.

We had Alvin’s regular 5 week appointment yesterday.

He had his pedicure, nail trim, which is not one of his most favourite things to do.

That is a definite NOT.

Hear a crow “caw” “caw” “cawing” outside my office window.

Alvin is resting on his blue blanket as I type/key these words.

My office is as bright as the morning sky.

I love the new paint colour in my office.

Just makes me happy as soon as I come into this room.

Back to yesterday …. when we arrived home yesterday morning …. it was about 11 a.m.

I set to work turning on the laundry, sipped on a cup of coffee before heading outside to do some garden work.

I knew that the window of sunshine would be limited.

Grabbed my garden tools, some dirt that I had in the garage, a plant and went into the back raised garden.

My friend had given me a plant during the week that had to be transplanted.

First pulled the weeds as finally it was mostly dry in that garden.

Transplanted the plant.

Also moved some of another plant that has been spreading like mad to a new location with the garden.

Unfortunately I do not remember the names of these plants.

ARGH.

My “Hens & Chicks” plants which are succulents are now able to see out from under the one plant that I moved as it spreads like wildfire.

Now I only moved a portion of said plant.

Spreading the dirt.

Weeds pulled.

Looks great ….. did some watering…..

Perfection.

Had to run back into the house and grab my phone so that I could take some photos which I will share with you all shortly.

Very proud of my little flower/shrub garden.

Starting to look most lovely.

The other chore that I did was change the garden hose that was attached to the house.

Remember the hose that my friend gave me some weeks ago, finally had the time and good weather to get that changed over.

I could not get the hose round onto the hose station that is attached to the house.

So I gathered the hose and placed it into a rubbermaid garbage can (which was clean and used for recycling bottles etc).

This morning I will have to remove the hose and fix it as the can filled partially with water yesterday after all the rain.

I now have captured some rain water.

In addition to these chores, I weeded and watered the flower flower bed.

My lilies are beginning to bloom.

The ferns are doing well as are the other plants that fill the front bed.

Photos:  in the first photos … the new plant is in the back of the garden … best seen in the last photo … the short light green plant between the two tall green ones.

Which now I cannot remember the name.

This is their second year and they have not bloomed.

Might be due to not so much direct sunlight.

But pretty all the same.

I just could not help but to share my flower pots.

Some close up shots … colours so rich and vibrant.

I love this colour combo.

So pretty.

The rain started just as I had completed my gardening and continued for most of the day.

There was a short break in the rain and we took that opportunity to head out for a walk.

Even had to wear a jacket.

ARGH, July.

 

Well the coffee is brewed and there are chores to do.

Unfortunately Alvin cannot help with them.

I knew that he would if she could.

Happy Sunday.

 

Great to see the sunshine.

 

Kind actions with Respectful thoughts …. awesome.

 

Always, Carol & Alvin

 

Oh, now clouds beginning to roll in …..

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Saturday the 28th day of July, 2018.

The sun is shining brightly and there remains a bit of coolness from the night air.

I have the windows open so that we can cool off the house.

It is already begin to warm up.

Today is to be a warm one and tomorrow even more so.

I love the weekends.

Time at home with Alvin.

Time to fuss with my flowers and garden.

Time to do things around the house.

Having your one house is wonderful.

I will admit that sometimes having everything to do myself – can be a bit much but at the end of the day – it is all worthwhile.

I LOVE my house.

 

We are preparing for our company.

Plans changed and everyone is staying here.

Have lots to do so that it is all done as they arrive Tuesday evening and I work Wednesday.

It will be great to see everyone.

Following the company will be my mini vacation with my daughter …. just a few days but I am so excited to get away.

 

Alvin has his regular Vet appointment for nails and such this morning.

Followed by a hair cut and bath by his Momma.

Laundry to finish.

Bedding.

Grass to cut.

The list is long but that is okay …. it will get done.

I have two days, I have the weekend.

 

Life is life.

Plans change.

I have found that much better to go with the flow than to stew too much.

Oh, do not get me wrong, I still can stew with the best of them.

But it is usually short lived.

Just like work.

I plan to get this and that done and ten minutes into it – I have a million phone calls, an unexpected meeting or unexpected clients arrive at the office and need to see me.

That is life.

Right.

 

Have an awesome day.

Just enjoying life.

I hope that you are as well.

 

Well time to fly.

Have an awesome Saturday.

 

Special Hello to: my sister – just three sleeps – the countdown is on.

Always, Carol & Alvin

 

 

 

Thought for the day ….

Good Morning and Welcome to Monday the 23rd day of July, 2018.

The sky is overcast with deep blue rain clouds.

You can see the odd patch of pale blue sky to the east.

 

Alvin is on his little blue blanket beside me as I write this post.

He asked for a massage this morning.

I think that it is funny/strange how this all started.

He just sat beside me and placed his paw up which is his way of “asking nice.”

He figured out how to ask me for my help.

 

One week from tomorrow the COMPANY arrives.

YAY, my sister is coming.

She will spend a few days with us before my niece-in-law and great nephews arrive for a couple of days.

Always great to have company.

Soon I shall be on vacation.

YAY, feels like forever since I have been on vacation.

 

Yesterday was a great day.

We did some chores around the house and was just making pancakes when the phone rang.

My daughter called to say that she was going to come over for a visit.

Perfection.

I love making pancakes for Sunday morning company.

They turned out to be some of the best ones yet.

My daughter and baby Milo (the little grand-pup) arrived just as I was finished making the pancakes (they were keeping warm in the oven) and cleaning up.

Always a good thing as then I could concentrate on our visit.

We had a good visit along with good food.

After breakfast/brunch I borrowed her car and went to the grocery store for a few items.

Alvin had some quality time with his big sis and baby Milo.

After they left for home we just had a quiet day.

 

It is nice to be able to take a deep breath and relax.

Close your eyes.

Think of something or someone wonderful OR perhaps quiet your mind and think of nothing at all.

That was the beginning of our afternoon.

Eyes closed.

Then a clink clink clink ….

Eyes opened.

Raindrops hitting the windows.

Each second the rain came down harder and harder.

Lasting only a few minutes.

Glorious sunshine arrived.

Rainbow in the sky.

Eyes closed.

Deep breath.

Thank you.

 

 

Have a wonderful Monday.

Take time for yourself.

Be kind to yourself and to all others whether two-legged or four, winged or crawling.

All life is precious.

 

Happy Monday.

Special Hello to: THE WORLD

 

Always, Carol & Alvin