The Next Chapter

Good Morning! Dark outside as I write this post. How are you feeling this morning? I am doing okay. Yesterday as four of us were leaving the office, I took a tumble. Our front door has a cement slight rise pad to the door with a few inch drop off to the side, I had turned around for some reason and forgot about the drop off and went down. I had on my new spring lilac coloured jacket and lilac colour pants. To my surprise I did not rip or stain or anything to my clothing. I landed part way on the sidewalk and partway in the snow which had not melted and broke my fall. I am a bit stiff and sore this morning but otherwise only my pride. Distracted. When I am walking as I am used to with Alvin, I usually always look down but this time I was distracted by the girls and not paying attention. My laptop went flying and I had my purse with its’ cross body strap on me. The girls reacted very quickly, and assessed the situation to ensure that I was okay. They would not let me get up too fast and then helped me up. One of the girls made note that there should have been a guard rail there and we need to fill out an incident report in the morning. She said it takes 24 hours for the initial shock to wear off. I am okay, just stiff and a bit sore. Thank goodness. Be careful.

I did not go for a long walk last night but carefully walked to some friends and neighbours to drop off Thank You Cards and Memory Cards. Supper was cooking in the oven so I made sure that I did not stay too long and was close to home. Also mailed some cards, as well.

Last night was a quiet one. I took a muscle relaxant last night as a preventive measure and I believe that it helped. I might take another one now just to keep my muscles relaxed so that they can heal. Life in the fast lane. My right hand is also a bit sore. In the days of writing it would not be an issue as I am left-handed but with typing on keyboards it could be.

Weather forecast for today is +7 degrees. YAY.

The gal that I carpool with and also work with, texted me last night to check on me and to see if I needed to go to the Doctor. She is such a good friend and person.

Okay time to head downstairs. Have a wonderful day. Happy Wednesday.

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

Always, Carol & Alvin (My Forever Angel)

The New YEAR 2022

Good Monday Morning ALL! How are you this morning? It is still dark outside so I don’t know if we will see the sunrise or if it will be overcast. I think that it might have been raining overnight. It would appear to be so with the icy covering on parked vehicles that I could see out the front window earlier. The streets will be super icy so if you are driving and in our area, please be careful. Always better to err on the side of caution especially in the winter time. Perhaps you are reading this post from a sunny warmer climate and that is wonderful. Winter in Canada is serious business. Our weather can change in a heartbeat from sunny skies and warm temperatures to blowing snow or freezing rain. We had warm temperatures yesterday although it was overcast a good portion of the day. Unfortunately we were not able to walk. Looking at the ice out there made me cringe and after our short walk to the park on Saturday, I was not really looking forward to doing that again. We did see some friends and neighbours which was good but slipping and having to walk so carefully is not really much fun. So we stayed put.

I did go out and chip away more of the ice and we have an area carved out that the water can run to the drain. That took some doing but certainly has helped with the water/ice problem.

One of my girlfriends was going to Costco yesterday morning so she picked up a couple of things for us. I was so happy that she had time to stop in for a coffee and visit. She only had 1/2 hour as she had to pick up one of her sons from his Rock Climbing Class. I think RC would be so much fun. Can you imagine scaling a small mountain / hill? It was funny that I made extra coffee with the thought that perhaps she may be able to stay for a bit. YAY.

I got through my utilities and sorted that out for tax time. One of the things about having a small business. Keeping records and then finding where you put them, is another. Anyway all ready to go or at least pretty close.

Well almost time to start work, a few minutes away. I always like to get my computer turned on and be settled before the actual start time. Being prepared. I am not a fan of rushing at the last moment.

Mr. Alvin did get some fresh air outside with me on the deck when I was removing some ice from parts of the deck.

I wish you a wonderful Monday.

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

Always, Carol & Alvin

2021

Good Morning ALL! How are you this Monday morning? Hard to believe the weekend is over already. Where does the time go? Alvin is patiently waiting in the hallway for me. He is laying on his tummy. I finished the Christmas cards and letters to be mailed yesterday. So once the photos arrive and are placed in with the cards and are sealed – they will be ready to be mailed. The mail to date is for December 2, 2021. I think that I read somewhere that our postage is increasing in the new year. Isn’t everything? It is pretty scary to think that there may be some shelves at the grocery store empty over the next days, weeks and months ahead. Items that are stuck in transit or just are beyond the reach of the grocers. I see very likely that our diets will change accordingly. With the recent events (flooding) in the Fraser Valley – the farm area – it will definity affect all of us. The farmers will be reeling from the loss and it will then turn to the consumer. Then there are the storage containers stuck in port in both Canada and the U.S. We may be reaching the end of the Pandemic or are we? I have not looked at the number lately but I have hope that people will get vaccinated and slow down the variants. Who would have thought that all this would happen? It sounds like a movie. I just take one day at a time. Keeping all those affected one way or the other in my thoughts and heart. It is surely getting crowded in there but you know I am feeling a lot of gratitude for my life. I have a nice home, Alvin and I are in good health, I am employed and able to work from home, I am able to plan my meals around what is accessible, I have clean drinking water, I have heat in my home, I am surrounded by good neighbours, I have a wonderful family and so much more. So everyday I am grateful. It is gratitude for my life and all those in it that get me through each and every day. No matter what has happened or will happen, I am grateful. Grateful that the sun rises each and every morning. Grateful that when Alvin wakes up – I can get up with him. Grateful that I wake up each and every morning. Grateful when I sit up and swing my legs over to the floor that my legs and feet will carry me whenever I need to go. There may be some moments when I am scared or nervous or stressed but I try very hard to keep those moments to just moments. Changing your thoughts to those of gratitude can certainly make a huge difference in one’s life. Life is seldom 100% silk and satin. There is always roughness along the way. The way we think and feel determines the difference between silk & satin and roughness. Feeling grateful for all that we have smooths away the roughness leaving the softness of silk and satin. I hope that you have more silk & satin in your life than roughness. Remember the mindset …… GRATITUDE. Truly it makes all of the difference.

Well time to go and put on the coffee pot. Work in a little bit. Still dark outside. Sunrise in a bit. Have the strength to have the gratitude for your life.

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

Always, Carol & Alvin

P.S. I baked some yummy cookies as I needed some sweet treats. Chocolate chip with some Halloween treats – smarties, cut up twix bars, and M&M’s. So yummy. That is what I did yesterday afternoon after our walk.

2021

Good Morning ALL. How are you doing today? Alvin and I are well. He has a regular Vet appointment this afternoon. He is waiting patiently outside the office for me to finish ( I just started ). I should not “say” that he is patient as his patience is much less than mine most days. So Tuesday morning. At one point yesterday I made a comment in our TEAMS CHAT that would make one think that yesterday was further in the week, not a great way to start. Oh well, the phones were busy for the first hour or so and then lessened so I was able to get some mail done which was great. The mail is “stacking” up so to speak. Our walk at noon was great. Another gorgeous day. We have been so lucky. One thing though we do not have much snow left. The deck is getting more and more bare.

I was wondering if the African Violet originated from Africa? The blooms are ever so delicate and the leaves remind me of a rounded spade in shape. So pretty. Actually I have determined in the last almost year that I have been working from home that I may actually have a green thumb due in large part to most of my plants having a home in a south facing window. I have a bay window in the kitchen and the plants are thriving there. This is near my workspace and it has been great being close to beautiful plants as I work. Some of my Geraniums have beautiful pink flowers at this time, the red leaves of the Poinsettias are gorgeous and I have several other plants including a Spider plant which I moved just recently to the dividing half way between the kitchen and the living room. I hope that it will have enough light in that spot. I have so many plants that they are getting kind of crowded. I enjoy having a “green” workspace.

Well I am at a loss as what to share this more. Writer’s block, perhaps.

I hope that you are doing well, that you are in good health and remembering to take some time for yourself. Self care is very important and something to remember especially at this time.

With that, I remain living my life with kindness, respect and compassion.

Take Care.

Always, Carol & Alvin

P.S. I am planning Mr. Alvin’s 12th Birthday party for Sunday, January 24th, 2020.

Second Half of the NEW YEAR – last quarter

Good Morning All. Another Monday here we go. Today is the 12th Wedding Anniversary of a very special couple to me. Happy Anniversary to my daughter and son-in-law. I cannot believe that it has been twelve years already. Their October 19th, 2008 wedding day was sunny and nice for most of the day. Once the sun went down it cooled off dramatically and later it rained. But we were lucky to have photos done outside during the day and at sunset with no moisture. I am so proud of these two for all that they have accomplished and all that they do in their lives. They are good human beings that are kind and respectful and compassionate. Happy Anniversary to you both.

I woke up yesterday with the sniffles, bit of sore throat and sneezing and the odd cough. Just running nose and sneezing now. We postponed our gals coffee get together yesterday until next weekend. I plan other than walks with Alvin to stay away from people for the week. Better to be safe than sorry. We had a quiet day at home just putzing about. I did prepare and wrap a parcel to mail for my sister and my friend back in Regina for Christmas. So will mail that in a few weeks ….. but ready to go. Another item checked off the list.

Happy that the snow that has been falling is melting as it hits the ground. Our temperatures have been below zero but not terribly cold unless you are walking into the wind.

It is dark out now so I cannot see what is going on in the sky. It is also getting onto time that I need to head downstairs and put on the coffee and start work shortly.

12 sleeps until Halloween and 13 until the Tree goes up !!!

I hope that you are well and safe. Perhaps you had a giggle already this morning. May you have the best Monday ever.

Mr. Alvin is whining so perhaps he has to go outside. So better sign off for now.

Living our lives with love, kindness and respect is the only way.

I/We shall remain,

As Always, Carol & Alvin

Second Half of the NEW YEAR – last quarter

Good Morning All,

We have houseguests. Alvin’s BF Teddy and his little sister Kobie. We had an interesting night and needless to say I did not have much sleep. I had to sleep a bit later this morning and am running late. So this will be short. We are doing okay.

I can hear some birds chirping outside, must be magpies, they are quite loud.

No snow but we did have frost last night.

I truly need coffee this morning and I can smell that delectable aroma as I type these words.

Now the dogs are barking so better go.

Living with kindness and respect.

I/We remain,

As Always, Carol & Alvin

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Monday the 12th day of September, 2016.

Dark outside but not raining.

That is a good sign these days.

We have had a wet summer and appears to be the same going into fall.

Rain is good but we would really like/need some sunshine.

 

Do you ever sit or lay in bed and wonder what other people are doing at this very moment all over the world.

Are they getting ready for work?

Are they writing a blog and wondering if people are reading their words?

Are they sleeping?

Are they sick and wondering if today will be there last day on this earth?

Are they happy?

Are they mad?

Are they jealous?

Are they bad?

What are people thinking and doing?

It boggles the mind.

Truly …..

Are they suffering?

Are they glad?

What are they thinking and where are they going?

Food for thought?

I wonder if someone else on the other side of the earth has these same thoughts?

 

Have an awesome Monday.

Special Hello to: my sister ….. yes SKYPE soon.

Always, Carol and Alvin

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Friday the 29th day of July, 2016.

When we first woke up this morning it was still pretty much dark outside.

Oh, that makes me sad.

No bright early mornings as we transition into the latter part of the year.

The air was cool which was very much welcomed after such a hot yesterday.

There are no deep blue clouds in the sky.

Today is to be another hot humid day but we will take them in stride because we know that we are blessed to have changes in our seasons.

That we have warm, hot, cool and cold.

Change is good or so they keep telling me.

They are always changing things up at work.

Keeps one busy for sure.

Well almost time to go as we slept in a bit this morning.

I am excited for my vacation so that Alvin and I can do some things together.

We will go for some extra walks and adventure away from our neighbourhood and take in some of the ones not too far away but enough so that it is an adventure.

Well I suppose I had better get this show on the road.

I hope that you have an amazing Friday.

Perhaps you are now taking some time off from work and I wish you sunshine, rainbows and a little adventure.

We all could use that …. right?

Happy Friday.

Special Hello to: family and friends, new and old …..

Always, Carol and Alvin

Thought for the day….

Good Morning and Welcome to Thursday the 18th day of September, 2014.

WOW, over halfway through this beautiful month of September.

The trees are starting to turn those glorious fall hues.

As Alvin and I were walking around the lake last night it made me realize that this would be the perfect time to have my daughter take our annual photos.

We have had one done of us each fall since I adopted Alvin.

I love to see the changes in us, mainly in me, though.

But both of us are very blessed as we seem to be aging gracefully.

So happy for that…..

So on this beautiful Thursday morning …. still dark outside though …..

I am thinking of all those families out there …..

Whether it is made up of Moms and Dads and children.

Whether it is made up of Moms and children ….

Whether it is made up of a Mom and her puppy …..

Whatever the combination is ……

Take some photos to celebrate your blessed family.

Time is precious as are they and what better way to mark that than a photo of everyone.

I love looking at photos.

It brings back memories of people and places and our beloved furry friends.

I hope that you have a great Thursday.

Take Care.

Special Hello to: all those families ……

Always, Carol and Alvin

 

Thought for the day….

Welcome to Wednesday September 19th, 2012 ….

The air is cool this morning and it is still dark outside.

We are getting into the shorter days of the year now.

This is my favourite time of year.

The colours, the comfortable temps, the preparations of the animal kingdom and the fact that my two favourites times are close at hand.

They are:  Halloween and Christmas.

I love to decorate and prepare …… the anticipation ….. I am just like a small child ….. go figure ….

Well, is fall your favourite time of year or perhaps it is spring or summer or even winter ……

We are blessed here in Canada to have definite changes in the seasons.

I do however remember there to be more of a noticeable difference between winter and spring.

Now it seems to go from snow and cold to wet snow and bit warmer to no snow.

The air used to smell differently or at least I remember it to be so.

Anyway, I should run ….. working gal you know.

I hope that wherever you are …. you are enjoying this wonderful mid week day.

I wish you many blessings, perfect health and abundance.

Have a great great day.

Special Hello to:  my friend “S” who turns 40 today ….. and to all those people of all ages celebrating a birthday today.

Always, Carol and Alvin

One more thing:  Thank you to the “20” followers who regularly follow my blog and to those on FB who follow me and Alvin as well.  Thank you so much.  Still working on that ONE MILLION READERS.  Perhaps I can go VIRAL. 🙂