Good Morning ALL! This is what happens to you use the airdrop function on your phone and somehow there is five million copies of each photo. Well Cookie is running amuck. Enjoy the photos and have a great day. Cookie goes home today but not until actually really early Sunday morning. Family arrives to Edmonton airport at 11:00 p.m. and may be home by 12:30. We will be waiting. They miss her and she misses them. I will stay up late tonight for them. She will be so excited to see them. Photos include under the red blanket on the sofa last night with me, Cookie becoming a blogger, my flowers from Savannah and Grayson, grand-pups Milo & Aspen at the window.
Time to fly before someone gets into something.
Continuing to live with kindness, respect, compassion, patience, love, laughter, understanding, gratitude, focus, possibilities, coffee and forgiveness.
Always, Carol & Alvin (My Forever Angel) & our dear friend little Miss Cookie.
P.S. had a great day, the best day at the office thus far. Accomplished so much. Felt good at end of day. Came home to Steven, grand-pups and Cookie. I took Miss Aspen for a nice walk. Was a great day.
Good Morning! How are you this Friday morning? The trees are swaying in the wind against the morning sunrise sky. So pretty. YAY, we made it to Friday. I hope that today is quiet at the office. My daughter will be bringing Aspen & Milo here to spend the day with Cookie. My son-in-law will come here once he is done walking the “line.”
Cute story. Miss Cookie was whining like she wanting up on my lap. She usually does not sit still for too long but I bent over and picked her up which was a process as she runs away and then comes back. Finally I had her on my lap. She wanted to get up on the desk. At one point she had her paws on the desk looking at the screen. I would say “we have a new blogger” coming along. I wonder what kind of stories she would write. Would be pretty interesting I would think. What a character she is! Her Dad texted me yesterday and they will be home tomorrow night at 11:00 p.m. (time they touch down so it will be closer to 12:30 or so when they physically get home. I am usually not up at that time so will see if they want to wait and pick her up in the morning although they will likely sleep late. Oh well, whatever happens she will be happy to be home. I know she missed her pod, her pack.
Oh, I did grab some photos with one hand of Cookie up on the computer desk looking like she was ready to key something. She actually stood on the keyboard and when I said something, do not remember exactly what it was, SIRI came on and said “I found this on the web.” Okay, lol.
I hope that life is treating you kindly. Wishing you and me patience with everything that comes our way on this day.
Continuing to live this life with kindness, respect, compassion, patience, love, laughter, understanding, gratitude, focus, possibilities, coffee and forgiveness.
These babies will be hanging out together today ………
Cuteness
Always, Carol & Alvin (My Forever Angel) & Miss Cookie
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.
Good Morning! Well we made it to the WEEKEND. I think that I would like to change my name to WEEKEND, lol. Too bad the name was already taken by a famous rapper who happens to be a citizen of Canada as per SIRI. She is all wise. Happy Saturday. This is going to be a quiet weekend for us, for me. No plans for serious cleaning or running about. I am just going to be here for Miss Cookie. We went for a walk after work last night and the smallest harness that I have just doesn’t work, hangs down in the middle. She is much smaller than Alvin ever was. My son-in-law popped in for a visit after he walked the “line” He texted that she was very anxious. She is anxious period. A very busy little girl. I was just happy he popped in to check on her. Cookie is not alone for long periods of time so this is hard for her. I remember having to leave Alvin for the day. In the early days it bothered me but everyone left their pups at home for long days while they were at work. Unfortunately there was not much of a choice in the matter. Alvin never had an accident. When I arrived home, he was my first order of business. Can you imagine having to hold your “pee” all day long for like 11 hours or so? I cannot. I would have had a big old accident every single day and likely more than one. I am grateful for COVID, for the Pandemic in that I was here for Alvin everyday for about 2.5 which was in his later years.
This is Miss Cookie. She is very fast. Very inquisitive and likes to explore. She is small and can up to place that I would not even imagine. Alvin was larger and although he was curious, the curiosity was mainly when it involved food. He loved food and to eat. Cookie on the other hand could care less. She did eat a bit of her wet food yesterday morning and then after work she ate some dried food. Cookie likes variety. I am enjoying having her here but she certainly keeps me on my toes, literally. I have to be careful opening the door. So I have ordered groceries and was thinking that I will need to hold her until I get the bags into the house. I can hear her doing that shake downstairs, like she is shaking off something. You know. She also stretches in the morning just like I do, or should do. Alvin used to stretch which is good for them as well as we humans.
She also likes to lie down in the brown chair which is opposite the one that she is looking out the window from. Mainly the brown chair is her sleeping or napping chair and the green one is for checking out the neighbourhood. I also tied up the one blind so that she had a better view of outside. I think she enjoyed that. I love how her one ear stands straight up. She is a busy little doll. I love her.
I also found out yesterday that Alvin’s best friend Teddy just had major surgery and has cancer. We, me and my family are sending them love and good thoughts for a speedy recovery and I hope with my whole heart and soul that he will be with his family for a long time. Kobi needs her big brother. I cannot remember if Teddy just turned 10 or 12. Such a doll and I miss those days when he would sleep over with Alvin. They were so chill. Best buddies.
Okay, I still have a few chores to do, like LAUNDRY. That never seems to go away. I will do little things so that I can spend more time with Cookie. Besides I am exhausted as it was a “very busy difficult” week at work and I hope that things calm down in the upcoming weeks. All of my coworkers are feeling it. I see a lotto win in our future. Hoping that our temperatures warm up a bit, these under 10 degree days are brutal although I am grateful that we did not get the massive amounts of snow that our neighbour to the east Saskatchewan received. For that I am most grateful. I sure hope that it warms up and starts to melt but not too fast that there is flooding.
Have a great Saturday. Enjoy the view. Deep breaths.
Continuing to live this life with kindness respect, patience, compassion, love, laughter, understanding, gratitude, focus, possibilities, coffee and forgiveness.
Always, Carol & Alvin (My Forever Angel) and Miss Cookie.
Good Morning. The morning sky is slightly overcast. How are you this morning? I am well. Just going to sneeze. ARGH, holding it which I know that I best not do. Okay, was only a little one, lol.
Last night after work I went for an extra long walk about 45 minutes which was great. I desperately needed to clear my mind from all things “work.” I know that these days a great many people have issues with or at work. Unfortunately seems to be the norm. I am trying to keep a positive attitude throughout but sometimes I fail and walk to the dark side. That is why getting out in nature and breathing that fresh air is not only good for your body, it is good for your heart and soul and brain. Decompressing, I texted my neighbour as I had to drop off the oven element to be sent back to Amazon as I did not use it in the end. So grateful to have a stove that works.
Yesterday at noon, I walked to the neighbourhood mall where I picked up our new office lotto tickets. I sure hope that our tickets were lucky and that we won a huge amount of money. Nothing like a lotto win to boost the moral of everyone. Also at the mall, I had previously noted that they had a M & M’s shop and I was eager to go and check it out. We used to have one close by in our neighbourhood and I had one in the mall close to my apartment back in Regina. I am not a huge fan of “processed” food but they have a few items that I love and for a treat occasionally, why not? So I picked up some “quiches” and I had one of them for supper last night. They also had a display of kitchen items by the checkout which included some fibre made pot cleaners and I picked up two. I first came to know these handy dandy little items when one of my friends gave me one as part of my Christmas present. So now I have four. Lucky me.
Cookie will be coming over this evening after I return from dress shopping with my friend Gillian. We are going after work to West Edmonton Mall. I have not been shopping for anything “fun” in a long, long time. Usually groceries or “oven elements” so this is exciting. Also my grand pups will be hanging out at Grandma’s house as of today for a bit. Not that this is a secret so I guess I can say, my son-in-law and his coworkers are going on strike. I do not even like to say that word. Scary. I hope that the employer agrees to their terms and it does not last long. Unfortunately these days, income increases are extremely small like 1% or nothing. The cost of living is like 8-10%. Seems like everything from food to utilities have increased hugely. So as always, the big corporations continue to make huge profits while their employees have to decide what they can afford to feed their family this week and what activities, if any their children can partake in, very sad. I am grateful that the pups can stay here and not have to be alone at their home which is one hour away. My son-in-law will be out for part of the day so they will not be alone for long and I leave later and home early due to my short commute, which I love. Anyway, I am excited to have a house full for the next bit. Cookie will be with me until the last Saturday in April, I believe the 29th. Last night Cookie and her Dad came over for a visit to discuss the handover plan. She was sporting a hair cut and I mean hair cut. Very short but it had been very long and poor Cookie, I would say is hyperactive. She is this bright light that never turns off. I love her and will be nice to have a pup sleeping over.
Okay time to sign off for this day. This morning we are outside at the site checking a list of things. Should be fun. Hopefully it will warm up a bit.
Have a wonderful day.
Continuing to live this life with kindness, respect, compassion, patience, love, laughter, understanding, gratitude, focus, possibilities, coffee and forgiveness.
Good Morning. Yesterday was an odd day. We did not receive the forecasted rain until I arrived home from work and then it has been raining off and on since with mini snowballs from time to time. This morning the sky is the most delicate of blues with streaks of orange and of pink on the horizon as the sun rises for the day. Looks like a beautiful day ahead. I should be walking at lunch break and after work. I did not get out yesterday between weather and office.
Last night I came across an old post and comment from over a decade ago. I had mentioned Alvin in the comment and was excited to read the actual post. I looked and looked but was unable to find it. Will have to spend more time investigating over the next few days. Tonight I will reach out to Cookie’s parents and see what the plan is for Thursday as they leave on their trip to the U.S. around noon on that day. Work is insanely busy so not likely that I will be able to take any time off. When you take time off it is thousands of times worse to come back to. Isn’t that sad! I am excited to have Cookie with me, too bad that I will one at work during the day but at least with this short commute I will be here with here most of the time. We will have time for walks and playing.
I have been thinking of Alvin, oh who am I kidding I am always thinking about Alvin. Better him than many other things. Of course, at work, I mainly think of work but he does slip into my mind from time to time and of course, he is always in my heart. When I go for walks I think of time and let him know what is new and where I am. One year ago, I would not have thought I would have been in this place. But some things you cannot change.
Have a great Tuesday. Take some time for yourself, go for that walk. Does not have to be 10,000 steps all at once, just go out and breathe some fresh air. Take in nature. Will do your heart and soul much good.
Continuing to live this life with kindness, respect, compassion, patience, love, laughter, understanding, gratitude, focus, possibilities, coffee and forgiveness.
Good Morning! I guess we have winter back for awhile. A blanket of the white stuff covers the sidewalks and rooftops once again. Some shovelling for me before I head out to the office today for the second last time. Next week we move to the new “office.”
Why is it so hard to say goodbye to someone? I so miss my Alvin. The nights and mornings are the most difficult. I miss his snuggles and his way. He was the best and I wish that we would have had more time together. One more summer adventure. One more road trip. One more walk around the park. One more visit for him with his best friend Teddy. One more visit with family. So much more I wish for us, for him.
Yesterday I was kept busy with most of the day spent moving photos from my old computer to the external hard drive. I also went through all 42,537 photos and picked out some of Alvin so that I can do some special “In Memoriam” cards for the special ones in his/our lives and also to do a photo book. Did you know that Costco is now working with Shutterfly. That is quite the match. I love Shutterfly.
Later in the afternoon our friends Alyaa and her pup Cookie came over for a visit. Cookie is so busy but she is a good distraction. We had a great visit. Alyaa watched over Alvin when I had to return to the office three days each week. He really loved her and I so appreciate her friendship.
Then I had supper and cleaned up and watched a bit of tv before going to bed. Last night was hard as I felt his loss even more and the guilt creeping back into my mind and soul. Oh my buddy, I miss you so much. He was the best little guy.
Well I have shovelling to do and a few things downstairs so better head down.
I hope that you have a wonderful day. Be safe and take care.
Continuing to live this life with kindness, respect, compassion, patience, love, laughter, understanding, gratitude, focus, possibilities, coffee and forgiveness.
Good Morning ALL! I hope that this finds you doing very well. Both Alvin and I are doing great. I happy over the moon excited for this weekend. I will be writing up Christmas cards and letters. Laundry as always. Must remember to pop Mr. Alvin’s sweater into the laundry. Maybe he needs another one! Christmas present idea, lol. The sun is shining but there are a few clouds. No wind. I think it might be worth going for a walk this morning. The sidewalks out front look dry. I need to go and remove the snow that I tossed onto my sidewalk from the grass back onto the grass. There was a need a few days ago to have a safe place to walk for both me and Mr. Alvin. Now that time has passed so remove the snow so it will dry off. I placed a Mary Kay order last night as I had a few people wanting a few items for themselves and for Christmas gifts. I have other things on my list. The main focus is the Christmas cards as I would really like to get all the ones that need to be mailed outside of Canada and outside my realm of hand delivery posted right away. I have the cards and stamps so I just need to address them and write some notes/letters. My favourite part is writing the letters. I love to receive cards and letters although it seems to be going in the direction of the dinosaurs. Too bad! I will continue until I am not physically able to write / print. It is a tradition that I love so much.
I should also post some photos of my redecorated tree. Yes, I will. Hopefully sooner than later.
Last night after work I came home with my carpool as we agreed, my daughter and I that is that perhaps a visit was not in the cards last night. She had things to do and the weather was not looking great but ended up okay. Alvin and I were going to head out for a walk when I saw a text from Cookie’s Dad asking if she could come and spend a few hours with us. Of course, I said “YES.” I am so grateful to them for taking such great care of Mr. Alvin since I have returned to work three days per week. My fingers are crossed that perhaps that will be reduced to two days each week or even one. Our moral at work between the return to work and changes (always changes) is at an all time low. Very sad. Anyway, we had a great time with Cookie who for the most part watched out the living room window from the arm of the big chair. I guess watching for her family. Perhaps she was thinking of last year when she ended up with us for two weeks while her family went to Disneyland. Poor little girl. She did run around the house stopping to give me some love. She is so adorable. She likes to get Alvin going which is not necessarily a bad thing. They do well together. I have decided it may be a good idea for Alvin to spend some time with his sister, brother-in-law, Aspen and Milo when I have the office Christmas party. It may be too much for him. If it were one or two or even three people that is one thing but looks like will be over 10. Plus I will be able to concentrate on the company and having a good time without having to worry and care for him. Win, win. He needs some time with them for sure. They love him so much and as he is getting older, I am not sure how many more road trips he will be able to tolerate. He doesn’t like car rides as it is.
Time to fly. Lots to do. I need COFFEE, too.
Have a awesome Saturday.
Continuing to live this life with kindness, respect, compassion, patience, love, laughter, understanding, gratitude, focus, possibilities and coffee.
Always, Carol & Alvin
PS: another item on the list is to wrap gifts. Oh, I cannot wait until I am able to get the new computer. Hopefully soon.
Good Morning ALL! Well I see that I am not the only thing that is “slow” this morning, my computer is, too. I hope that you are having a great morning so far. We have been up and down for hours. I know this is my sad story but it is my truth. Lights out by 10:00, Mr. Alvin had to go outside at 11:00, then 1:30, then 4:30 and then we were up to stay up at 5:30. I feel like, I do not know exactly. Time will tell. I tried to coax him to stay in bed but he was persistent so I then know that he really has to go and he really did. But up and outside that many times is hard on a person, must be hard on him, too, although he can sleep for most of the day, I cannot. Oh well, that is life!
I heard the news that one of my favourite “funny” people “Leslie Jordan” died in a car accident yesterday. How sad that we lost such a beloved character actor. I loved him in “Call me Kat.” He will be missed.
We dropped off a parcel at my friends’ house so that she can print the mailing label and had a visit. Alvin was happy to see Maddie again. After leaving there we were on our way to the park and not quite halfway, someone who shall remain nameless, “ALVIN” turned around and headed for home. I tried but unless I physically pull him, he wanted to go home. Home we went. We were standing on our lawn when I heard a familiar voice and there was our friends Alyaa and Donia. She wanted to tell me the story from her visit today. She had brought Cookie and Donia with her as Donia did not have school. I guess Cookie not able to find a pee pad – pooped on the matt by the bottom of the stairs. She explained how she had washed the matt with dish soap and hung it over the railing on the deck. She was so concerned about the whole situation. I laughed and told her not to worry and that I have lots of pee pads which Alvin does not use. We had a giggle over it all and I advised that I would leave some out and that she is always welcome to bring Cookie with her as she thought she should just leave her at home. I think that Alvin needs to socialize and that an accident, well an accident will happen. So I will place a couple of pads out and also leaving the “pooping bags” in a bag on the table as she was bringing her own. I am so grateful to have someone watching over Alvin that care so much. I have the best support system. All of my friends who have watched Mr. Alvin when I have had to go to the office are amazing. I have a DREAM TEAM for sure.
Well it is almost time to head back downstairs. I need to take him outside once again before I leave for work. It is very frosty on the ground and deck this morning. The air was not too cold.
Sometimes life is all about the “poop.” In always arrives one way or the other!
Have an awesome Tuesday.
Continuing to live this life with kindness, respect, compassion, patience, love, laughter, understanding, gratitude, focus, possibilities and coffee. Thank goodness for coffee.
Always, Carol & Alvin
P.S. We did have a few snow flurries yesterday and some on the way for today.
Good Morning ALL! Well we made it, today is Friday, October 14, 2022. So excited for the weekend. What a great way to start with last night my good friend Gillian came over for a visit. We always have such great conversations. I always feel so much better about life in general after we are together. She has good energy. Thank you Gillian. Mr. Alvin was excited to see her…..
We also went for a walk after work. Alvin’s “caregiver” was outside her house with her daughter and a friend as we were going by. Mr. Alvin made a beeline across the grass to see her, tail just a wagging. Safe to say that he loves her very much. Yesterday she brought her pup Cookie for a visit one of the times she came to check on Mr. Alvin. He, we are so blessed to be surrounded by loving, caring and supportive friends and neighbours. My neighbours do not just beside me – they are my friends. I am very grateful for each and every one of them. Alvin had some love and attention while we chatted and then we were on our way. Down the street a little bit we saw other friends out cleaning out their motorhome. We stopped for a quick visit and then headed out to the park. It was such an absolute lovely walk. There was no wind and the temperature was about 21 degrees celsius, perfection. We didn’t make it quite to Pauline’s house before turning around to come home. I always have Alvin decide how far to go and he was ready to go home.
The leaves are so gorgeous now. Reds, oranges, yellows and still a lot of green. My impatiens and other plant out front are still blooming but I will pull the impatiens this weekend. The other plant I will leave out as it is more of a fall plant and I believe is an annual so will wait till we have a good frost and then cut it back / pull the plant. November 7th is the second and last pickup of yard waste. Good to recycle.
This weekend I will put away the patio furniture although next week we are supposed to have temperatures well above seasonal values. But better to get done before something happens! You know what I mean. I really do not want to say the word before it happens. I know that yesterday I mentioned it in my blog.
I am also trying to stop the negative feelings and thoughts that I have been having during this return to the office. Getting used to the earlier rise, the noise levels, being around so many people and so on, has made me a bit cranky and a little anxious. Starting today that stops. I am so grateful to be employed, to have great people to help look after Alvin while I am at the office, I am grateful that we are both in great health, I am grateful for my life. So no complaints. My life is pretty blessed and I do that!
Happy Friday everyone.
Continuing to live this life with kindness, respect, compassion, patience, love, laughter, understanding, gratitude, focus, possibilities and coffee.
My New Life @ 51 