The Next Chapter

Good Morning. Another brisk winter’s morning. I hope that spring comes soon. Nice to have it light outside at 7:00 a.m. though. I feel like I need to see my boy’s face so if you would please indulge me as I share some previous shown photos of my buddy, my handsome, my beloved Alvin. Such cuteness. I miss this guy more than words can say. I feel his loss everywhere in our home.

A proper Gentleman

Just chilling

Alvin

What a cute boy

Walking with Mom

On the deck

Top of stairs, body?

Alvin at home…..

Enjoying a sunny winter’s day!

Alvin ……

Ah, Mama’s boy…….isn’t he cute!!!

Alvin in the snow…..

Posting this just because “ALVIN” is so cute here….

I know that I am cute.

Alvin, one of my babies

More please

Alvin

Loving Broccoli

Alvin & a chewy

New sweater

Alvin

He was such a good boy and I will miss him always. I just love seeing his face and going through photos to transfer to the external hard drive has brought back even more memories. When I get this technology all figured out, I will share some new photos that for now are in between the external hard drive and the old computer.

I am grateful to be working from home today. I can be closer to him.

I hope that you have a good 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.

Always, Carol & Alvin (my forever Angel)

Last Half 2022 – September

Good Morning ALL! Thank goodness today is Saturday, I love the weekends. I get to putz around my home, perhaps see some friends and family and go for walks with Alvin. I am making a list of all the things that I need to do before you know what arrives, I cannot even bear to utter the words, so I will leave it up to your imagination. If you live in Western Canada or Canada, you will know exactly to which I am referring. Now I do very much love certain elements of that time. Fall arrives officially on September 22, 2022 which is not long off. I have plants to winterize in the house, the big tree out front to trim, the back flower bed to get ready, finish the front (which will be about a five minute job), clean the outside windows that I can reach and show be getting especially the gutter of the porch cleaned as it is full of crap. Anyway that does not include putting away the furniture from deck (which does not take long) and cleaning out the remaining flower pots. So lots of outside things to do. There is one item on my list that I must find someone to give me a hand and that is trimming the tree. The branches are too high for me and even with a ladder holding that long pole trimmer, I can imagine that would be way too much for me. The pole has a bit of weight to it and with the sharp blade tool on the end and having to pull the long string to work the blade, nope not for me. I do trim the lower branches every year by myself. Perhaps later today I will try and do some.

Inside the house the blinds need to be cleaned again, they sure seem to be getting dusty more quickly. I would love at some point to remove and replace them. They have been good to me and done what they needed to do but some of them are discoloured from the sunlight which happens over more than a decade. Another item on my list. Oh that dreaded list! Do you have a list? Oh, I am sorry, I neglected to ask how you were doing this day. How are you? Very well, I hope.

Perhaps with a long list of things to do, it will give me the energy and drive to actually do more than a bit of cleaning and laundry. With the heat over the last few weeks, Alvin’s health issues and the work stuff, I am exhausted. Not burned out, I don’t think. I just need to lay down for about three days and sleep, lol. Okay, perhaps a slight exaggeration!

The temperatures are going to be just perfect this weekend. 25-26 degrees celsius. Cooling off in the evening. My kids and grandpups are camping for one last time. I hope that they were warm and comfy last night and tonight and tomorrow night.

Tonight I am actually going out. Signe invited me and Gillian over for a paint night. She has the canvases and the picture that we are going to mimic. They are always fun. At first, I thought with Alvin and stuff, that I would stay at home with him but I realize that all I do is stay home with him except for the odd 45 minute trip to the grocery store and now the days going to work. Work does not count. That is not for fun. So I am going out. YAY, me. Signe’s folks are visiting from Eastern Canada. I love to see them, her Mom is so much fun. I know her the best from previous interactions. So I know that I will have a good time. Surrounded by friends is a good thing. If you have been just staying home – time to get out for a bit. Have some laughs and special time with family and friends. Yes. Alvin will be okay for a couple of hours or so.

Tomorrow I am having some neighbours over for a visit. That would be Cookie’s family. With the return to work on the near horizon, I am looking at all the possibilities for Mr. Alvin. It does take a village and I am accumulating one. Not much time so I am working on it.

Also I need to get busy and contact the bank regarding the mortgage renewal. Honestly, it would be so wonderful to own the house outright. Just me, myself and I. That is a huge dream of mine.

Well the coffee has perked and I need to get dressed and get this day going although it has been going for awhile. Whoops, time to pay bills as well. Better not forget that. I love to have my bills always paid on time. Also helps to look at it as though you are helping to pay someone else’s salary and not just give money to the owners or shareholders or whatever.

Have a wonderful day. Stay warm and safe. I hope that the fires are going out near Jasper and all around us. I feel for the wildlife that have been lost and injured and those left behind. Humans have a much better chance of getting out of a wildfire. They do not.

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

Fall / Autumn and the new fall t.v. lineup is right around the corner. My fav shows will be back.

Always, Carol & Alvin

P.S. Sometimes I think it would be nice to have someone to share all of this with in addition to Mr. Alvin. He is not too great at trimming trees or paying the bills. But he sure is darn cute.

Second Half of the NEW YEAR.

Good Morning All,

We just arrived home from a nice walk a little while ago.

There is ever so slight of a breeze as the temperature is already begin to climb.

Supposed to be +26 degrees celsius today.

Which is warm considering the temperatures that we have been experiencing this summer.

In the some of our Canadian provinces east of Alberta the temperatures have been ugly hot.

With the humidex it has been almost too much.

I cannot imagine being a dog or cat or any animal including human in +40 temperatures.

Not for me.

While out and about we bumped into Humphrey and his Mom.

They were also out for some fresh air and sniffing.

Mom for the fresh air and Humphrey for the sniffing.

He likes to go into everyone’s front yard and sniff the trees and plants.

In a little bit after a late breakfast for me and a cup of coffee, I have decided to move up Mr. Alvin’s haircut.

Might as well get it cut before the heat of the day.

 

Last night after work Humphrey visited.

After supper and clean up I went over and picked up Bogart to introduce him to Alvin.

Alvin wanted to say hi but was a bit reluctant but the kitten just hissed and did a baby kind of growl.

We did go into the backyard and I placed the kitten down at one point but he was scared so I picked him up.

We spent a few hours just chilling on the sofa.

The kitten draped loosely around my neck, Humphrey dozing on Alvin’s doggie bed and Alvin stretched out on the sofa beside us.

By the time that I took the boys home, Bogart was hissing a bit less.

Alvin was panting so he clearly had some anxiety over the whole thing although he wanted to get close to the kitten.

I don’t think he has seen a kitten before in his life.

Not so easy taking photos with a kitten in your arms.

I snapped these photos earlier in the day from my office window.

The deck was still wet from that wicked storm the night before …

I love my backyard.

Flowers have survived.

 

Gotta love a little kitten.

Well time to fly if I want to get Alvin’s hair cut down today.

I hope that you all have a wonderful Saturday.

Enjoy the day.

Each moment.

Living my life with kindness and respect.

I/We shall remain,

As Always, Carol & Alvin

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It is a NEW YEAR.

Good Saturday Morning,

Wow, this year so far has been filled with incredible highs and incredible lows.

This past week I would say has had some incredible lows.

Three nights this week of virtually no sleep countered with last night with first time up at 3:30 a.m. has made for a very long week.

One great thing to happen is my daughter is coming to visit today and I shall whip up some pancakes.

I don’t have my usual ingredients but that has never stopped me from making something.

I have found in life you have to be able to use what you have and go from there.

 

Just like this fence adventure and I shall call it that ….. I finally got things sorted out and just have to chat with my neighbours about the final tally.

I researched and spoke to people and then negotiated.

Negotiation is not something that I find easy to do ….. selling is more my thing.

That being said I guess negotiating is part of selling.

Now working for someone else and selling is one thing …. like retail.

I love that …. and I am good, no very good at selling things.

Anyway, I am more than happy with the final result in this case.

 

Perhaps after having a shower will perk me up and that is next on my list to do.

Last night I did some laundry so that reduced the number of loads for today.

I will say that with not having to go to the office, my laundry is considerably less.

Now basically one outfit for the day not two or even three.

I think that perhaps Alvin may need to go outside before I slip into the shower.

Will check with him first for sure.

 

The rain has stopped and it is very windy.

Clouds still fill most of the sky although it does appear to be brighter in the distances.

Tomorrow is supposed to be sunny and 20 degrees celsius.

Now that would be nice.

Something to note that yesterday afternoon it was snowing, yup it was.

Mostly it was wet snow and melted as it touched the ground.

The point is on May 22, 2020 it was snowing.

 

At this moment both of us long to go walking but until he is back to normal, not taking any chances.

Not a pretty sight to have diarrhea on a walk, the clean up is a nightmare.

 

Well my daughter will be here in approximately two hours and I have things to do in preparation of her arrival.

I hope that you are having an incredibly “high” kind of day filled with all good things.

 

This life of ours now is unique for our time for most of us.

I hope that we are able to figure out a “new norm” and that it is one that is good for everyone including animals and all creatures including the environment.

We need to be more kind and respectful in all areas.

Take our new norm, go forth and spread that kindness and respect into your daily life.

This is a good thing for sure.

 

Well I better get this boat on the water …..

Wishing you a wonderful day filled with all sorts of goodness.

You deserve this most definitely as do we all.

Take care and be of good health.

 

With kindness and respect,

I/We shall remain,

Always, Carol & Alvin

 

Sometimes we just need some photos of cuteness and the beauty of nature.

My grand pups Milo and Aspen

My beautiful geranium waiting to be transplanted outside.

My little cuteness,  my boy, Alvin

It is a NEW YEAR.

Good Morning and Welcome to Wednesday, April 29, 2020.

Second last day of April.

Can you believe it?

Today is a great day for many reasons.

My kitchen tap is getting fixed today.

Hip Hip Hooray.

So excited.

My daughter is popping by for a visit and lunch.

No hugging, I know.

Keeping the proper distance, we shall.

One of my friends is picking me up some light bulbs.

Then there shall be light.

So a great day.

I was lazy as we were first up just before 4 p.m.

Then up a couple of times afterward until up at 6:30 a.m.

Which is super late for us.

So running a bit late.

In this case, I am going to share some cheery photos.

Who does not like green, flowers and pets? and perhaps some geese?

I apologize.

Sometimes you just need that extra bit of zzz’s.

 

Greens, anyone?

Two friends just looking out of the window

Mr. Dave, gone but not forgotten.

A true gent.

Penny, Alvin and Elton.

Always looking for a bit to eat, a treat.

Miss Penny and Sir Elton gone to heaven.

Our little angels.

Two of my favourites: Mr. Alvin and Flowers.

Who does not like pretty colours dancing on the wall.

Ah, Mama’s boy…….isn’t he cute!!!

 

Well time to fly downstairs and grab my coffee.

Then to work.

I have a meeting this morning and lots of work to do.

This afternoon I am off as my kitchen tap is getting fixed.

So happy about that.

A visitor, too.

Great day.

Bit of work and a bit of play.

 

Wishing you days filled with kindness and respect,

I/We remain,

As Always, Carol & MR. Alvin

 

 

 

 

It is a NEW YEAR.

True it is a New Year and today is a New Day, Tuesday.

A cold morning here in Edmonton.

We are grateful to be inside a warm home.

Alvin is resting on his blue blanket beside me.

This morning while I was in the shower and getting ready he stayed resting on the bed.

Not his usual routine.

He appears to be okay.

He got up and off the bed okay.

Perhaps he is just tired although he did sleep through from 9:30 p.m. to 4:30 a.m.

Oh, well.

I feel the same way.

I would have loved to have just stayed at home today.

Just curling up on the sofa with me Alvin under our warm red blanket.

But I have lots of work to do today and if I miss a day it just piles up.

Becoming way too stressful.

So off I go to the office/to work.

 

Teddy went home just around noon yesterday.

The house is quiet without him.

Not that he is particularly loud or anything.

We miss him.

I know Alvin does.

 

Perhaps some photos of cuteness and beauty this morning.

Will help us get through this cold Tuesday.

 

Just close your eyes and visualize laying on the grass ….. just relaxing.

Okay, perhaps I got a bit carried away with the photos.

Too much cuteness, I don’t think so.

Too much natural beauty, be serious.

More words …. well maybe.

 

I wish you a wonderful day.

Filled with love, joy and abundance.

May everyone you see and everything you touch be done so with kindness and respect.

Happy Tuesday.

 

I know the Tuesday after a long weekend, feels like a Monday.

 

Have an awesome day.

 

Always, Carol & Alvin

 

 

Living … One day at a time.

Good Morning and today is Sunday, December 22, 2019.

Only a few more sleeps now.

A busy next few days lay in store for me and Mr. Alvin.

Humphrey has already joined us for the day and will return home only to sleep.

When I went to pick him up …. and mentioned “Would you like to go and see Alvin?”

He ran to the door and to me so that I could pick him up to carry him to my house.

Alvin is laying on his blue blanket next to me, moaning and groaning as he wants to be downstairs.

Plans changed and Teddy and Kobi only came with their Mom for a short visit last night.

There had been lots of snow so they did not go out of town.

But they are going today for the day.

So Kobi and Teddy will be arriving in less than one hour.

Also coffee with the girls changed venue and will be at my house.

So Alvin has his friends and I have mine.

I have to cut this short as I want to have some breakfast and perhaps make a couple of couple of coffee before the girls arrive.

Some laundry to take to the basement to be done later.

I just realized that I have not downloaded photos from my phone to the computer in quite some time, so I will share some of those photos now.

Sorry change of plans.

The puppies came 40 minutes early.

Kobi is with me and Alvin has been barking non stop since we came upstairs.

Only able to share these photos from last night.

 

Have an awesome day.

 

Always, Carol, Alvin, Humphrey, Teddy and Kobi

Living … One day at a time.

Hello, good morning … yay it is Saturday.

The sun is up and it is going to be a GREAT day.

The grand pups are on their way to Grandma and Alvin’s house as we speak.

So excited to spend the day with them.

I have planned lots of walks for them and playing in the backyard.

Just as the above photos show from their last visit.

So grateful that today is going to be a nice sunny warm day but not too warm.

Just perfect.

In between there will be the odd nap for sure.

Well this is going to be a short post as we need to be downstairs when they arrive.

I hope that you have an awesome Saturday.

Spend the day having fun.

Relaxing.

 

With emphasis always on being kind and respectful.

 

Always, Carol & Alvin

 

Living … One day at a time.

Hello,

Bright sunny morning with just a few clouds dotting the sky.

Yesterday was a glorious day weather wise.

In the morning it was bright and sunny beginning to warm.

Afternoon came around with rain clouds and rain.

One minute it was bright and sunny and the next there was a gentle downpour.

This went on and off all afternoon.

Alvin and I managed to score a wonderful walk in between showers.

Although I would not mind getting caught in a gentle rain shower.

Alvin, would be okay except would have to make certain that his ears were dry on the inside.

He is prone to ear problems so have to be careful.

On our walk we came across several families of geese.

I could tell as there were at least three different sized goslings.

So cute.

We walked by them and checked out their cuteness from the sidewalk.

I was prepared to move onto the grass on the other side.

But they did not seem to mind us as all.

One of the Papas and I will call the goose that as I really have no idea if it was Momma or Papa …. he stared me down as we walked by.

The air was so fresh and clean after the rain.

Felt so good …..

Great walk.

After arriving home I decided that it was a good time to stake up one of my plants in the front flower bed.

Alvin helped me find a stake in the garage.

He stayed in the house to supervise as I fixed the plant out front.

When I was out there …. our friends from down the street … spotted us and popped by for a visit.

J showed me Jazmin’s hair cut ….. she looked so good.

Jazmin is an elder dog with a heart condition, she is doing so good at the moment and I hope for a long while longer.

My friend helped hold the plant while I tied some garden twine to the stake.

Tonight or tomorrow night I have to transplant one of the lilies as the ferns are taking over the front garden.

Will move the lily to a different spot in the garden.

Well almost time to go and catch the bus to work.

Carpool is back in business for tomorrow and the rest of the week.

Will be nice to get home in good time once again.

 

I hope that you all have a wonderful Monday.

I hope that the sun is shining and if you need a rain shower, I hope that one comes your way.

I hope that love and kindness surround you on this day and always.

Happy Monday to you ALL.

 

Always, Carol & Alvin

Thought for the day ….

Good Morning and Welcome to Friday the 3rd day of May, 2019.

Wow, first weekend in May.

Guess what?    Woke up to bare ground.

The sky is overcast and sunrise not visible although it is light outside.

Not sunny, I guess you would say.

 

Alvin continues to remind me to live in the moment.

So last night  I mouthed the word T-R-E-A-T as I was standing looking out the kitchen window.

Alvin was in the backyard and saw me – he immediately ran to the house.

I did not utter a sound.

Amazing, right.

He had done this once before and I wanted to test him to see.

He can read lips.

What a guy!

He is such a food driven being …..

He loves to eat….

I guess he comes by that honestly …..

From spending years with me …..

I love to eat, too.

Anyway, I thought that I would share as it is a cute good positive story.

We need to hear more fun honest stories.

 

Oh, I see the clouds breaking up near the horizon – it can mean only one thing.

Making room for the SUN to shine on through.

YAY.

Doing the happy dance as we did not wake up to a blanket covering the ground.

 

Well I think this is the time for some cute photos.

I have posted these before …. but seriously we all need to see some cuteness.

A fond reminder to not notice what is in the background of “some” photos.

Laughing aloud.

Hope to make you giggle.

 

 

There should always be a FRUIT PIZZA in your future.

Ah, Mama’s boy…….isn’t he cute!!!

CUTENESS FOLLOWED by in a few weeks okay perhaps a one or two ……

VOILE

Flowers – cannot wait to do this shopping!!!

 

Well time get hit the road.

I hope that you all have an awesome day.

Remember only one way to live your life and that is “IN THE MOMENT.”

Be present, listen and aware of this second, this moment.

Happy Friday.

 

Special Hello to: YOU and YOU AND YOU.

Always, Carol & Alvin