The Next Chapter

Good Morning! Dark outside and I cannot wait until the sun is rising while I am getting ready for work. How are you this morning? I hope that your week is going well thus far. So excited one more day after today and it is the weekend. Oh, I know, that one should not wish their days away but sometimes, and that sometimes is now, I am.

I long for the summer so that I can go for walks perhaps even in the morning before I leave for work and then after work. Our sidewalks and streets in our neighbourhood and throughout the places that I have been are icy and treacherous. Better to be safe than sorry. I was walking when there was more snow than ice but now it is a mixture of water and ice. Hopefully the temperatures remain above zero so that the ice melts and goes down the drain. Of course, we are still getting double digits below zero overnight so the water freezes and we start all over again. We need a few days of +15 or so to really get it moving. Fingers crossed that will be soon. Soon the birds will return or at least more of them. Always amazes me that the crows, magpies and pigeons can survive the cold of the winter.

We have an off site “all staff” meeting this morning, only for the morning. Usually they were all day affairs. Will be nice to see the girls from our old team. Then we are back to our new office for the afternoon.

My eye is burning so that is a sign that I must go and put drops in.

Have a great Thursday.

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 – November

Good Morning ALL! I hope that you are feeling and doing GREAT this Wednesday morning. Today I work from the office so I am trying to keep my energy levels high and positive. To be honest I love working from home and being with Alvin and going to the office well it is okay but there is no comparison. The air is warm outside this morning. Hard to believe it is going into the last week of November. Although I did hear on the weather channel last night something about “our temperatures being close to normal,” I guess they should know as they keep track of these things and I do not. Alvin and I went for a lovely walk during my lunch break. So nice outside. I love my ice tracks.

I made my list, well sort of all how much baking I need to do to cover Christmas 2022. There are three parties of various sizes, friends and neighbours and family on the list and of course some for Christmas. Trying to keep it down to a dull roar this year. We really do not need that much “sugar.”

I learned that a fellow coworker from my SGI days passed away and her funeral was yesterday. She was the age of my sister. How incredibly sad! Always a reminder when someone passes away – that we need to live and love our lives each and every day. You never know. Be kind and have fun.

Still pretty dark outside at 6:09 a.m. – we are running ahead of time this morning. We will have time to do some cuddling before my ride arrives.

Well I suppose we will head back downstairs. I do want to ensure that Mr. Alvin goes outside again before I leave and that he drinks some water.

Have a wonderful Wednesday.

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

Always, Carol & Alvin

PS: just a tad over one month until Christmas Eve!

2021

Good Morning ALL! Happy Friday and Happy dress up for HAlloween day at work. I am dressing up as a witch or have dressed up as a witch. I took a few selfies but difficult to get a full body shot but that is okay. I will have to share them later as I do not have time to download them to the computer. For some most of the last ten years or so, I leave it until the last minute and then raid my closets and jewelry and I always have my trusty witch hat which I love so much. I bought it many many years ago from Shoppers (drugstore), I believe and it was well worth it. It looks as good as the day that I bought it. It is purple and black with a mesh covered in spiders that you can pull over your face. Like a veil, I suppose. Then I have a long black dress and I have many black sweaters so I picked the most flowy one and black socks although no one can see my feet, lol. Voile, I am a witch. Also a bit of dark makeup around my eyes and a bit of white powder on my face and I attempted to make a mole on my cheek but it looks more like a black mark but whatever, it is Halloween and really anything goes. I have a couple of very old rings that look like something a “witch” may wear and a bracelet as well, a couple of necklaces that are made from crystals and they are dark in colour so perfection. Alvin is upstairs with me and when I put on the hat, he really took a stare and then walked away. Now he is sitting in the hallway with his back to me. Happy to be upstairs with me but does not wish to gaze at the witch who is sitting at the computer. Not so much. What a guy! I was wondering how exactly I am going to go outside in a little bit and pick up the poop from earlier in a long dress? Guess I will be hiking it up and also wishing that I had just gone out. 99% of the time I go outside with Alvin since his first surgery back in February but this was the third or fourth time I let him go out other than in the afternoon or something to sit on the deck by himself. Should have gone out, should have, really should have. Oh well, no turning back. I need something on my lips. I don’t have a really dark lipstick but will have to just make something work.

Last night after work when Alvin and were on our way to the park, we bumped into one of our friends who was just arriving home with her pup. We stood on the driveway and chatted for a few minutes before heading onward to the park. On our way home who should be coming into the park but our friends. So we chatted for a few minutes. Alvin was in a hurry (hungry for supper) and I mentioned that I was feeling hungry as well as will be making supper from scratch as no leftovers. My friend said that she had taken the afternoon off from work and had made a big pot of rice, chicken and potatoes and I was welcome to a plate if I wanted. I said thank you but I did not want to both her as they would need to go back to the house but she did not take no for an answer. She is one of the most kind and generous people I know. She always is kind and always thinks of others. M, is a truly good person. I wished that I could be more like her … she is always happy and positive. I try but no where close to her. So back to her house we went (luckily not too far) and we all went inside. Mr. Alvin decided to go up the three stairs in the entrance way and then when it was time to go – could not get down or did not want to come down on his own. So I went up and carried him down. We chatted for a minute and I thanked her profusely for the lovely meal and we were on our way with takeaway supper in tow. When I got home I fed Alvin right away and started to make the supper that I was going to cook and then warmed my dinner from my friend in the microwave. Oh my goodness, it was delicious. Always nice to eat someone else’s cooking. I thoroughly enjoyed it and of course, Mr. Alvin thought he should have some but his Momma said “sorry buddy, no.” How lucky am I? Go for a walk and come home with supper. I am surrounded by the most generous, kind and wonderful neighbours on the planet. Best Neighbourhood Award for sure.

Have an awesome day and I will post photos later.

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

Always, Carol & Alvin

P.S. the pasta with baked chicken and brussel sprouts and other items that I made was yummy. I had to give it as taste after it was cooked. Looking forward to it tonight for supper and tomorrow and Sunday and likely Monday as well …………………..

Living … One day at a time.

Good Morning and it is Tuesday on this dark not so cold morning.

I snapped some photos on the way to work yesterday morning.

The sky was amazing but I am not too sure that the photos reflect the beauty.

I am still learning how to work my phone camera and one day I hope to be proficient.

Always easier during the daylight but dark is tricky.

Also Alvin had his appointment right after work.

We made it early to the appointment.

YAY for us.

He had the usual done and all is well.

He only fussed about the front nails being trimmed and not quite as vocal as usual.

Alvin spotted the 2020 SCARS Calendars for purchase on the counter.

He has good vision.

So we picked up one of those.

Second Chance Animal Rescue Society.

They are the great group of folks that helped to rescue my Alvin.

I am forever grateful to them.

Maybe one year he could be on the calendar as a success story.

I should contact them.

Alvin’s Doctor had this Christmas Tree on the wall made out of paper complete with special decorations.

We were told that each decorations had a prize and they were $2.00 each.

Fundraiser.

Alvin and I love to support so we purchased a few ornaments and won some cute prizes.

We decided that we should share his prizes with his niece, nephew and his friends.

So we will at Christmas.

Also there were some beautiful Christmas ornaments hanging on a display.

Found out that our Doctor is multi talented.

She made them.

I absolutely loved them.

They were part of the prizes but alas I did not win one.

But as I loved them so much ….. Dr. Karen let me pick one out.

The first photo looks like a tree is growing out of the new apartment building.

Always room for improvement.

Inside a vehicle.

The last photo …. I just realize not a great shot is of the ornaments.

So pretty.

 

Well I am running a tad late.

Time to fly.

Have an awesome day.

 

Happy Tuesday.

Filled with Kindness and Respect.

 

Always, Carol & Alvin

Living … One day at a time.

Well Hello, it has been a while.

My last post was August 18, 2019.

Today is my first day back to work.

ARGH, not quite certain how I feel about that but likely after a few minutes it will be like I was never gone.

I knew things were back to normal this morning when Mr. Alvin was scrunching up the bath mats after I had gone into the shower.

Life is as we knew it.

 

To Honor:

I would like to take this time to speak about two of my BEST guy friends that passed away.

My friend Les passed away the day before we left on the girls trip.

He had been battling multiple illnesses for many years but never let anything get him down.

Les was perhaps one of the most positive, happy people that I have ever known.

Always kind and generous.

Before life changed our geographical positions we would get together for coffee and sometimes for lunch or dinner to catch up.

We worked together for many years.

He was a good, honest, caring individual.

Les had a way of making you feel special.

I will carry his essence in my heart until the day that I pass.

His goodness and joy with me forever.

I miss him and will continue to think of him.

To his wife and family – I will always keep you in my thoughts and heart.

 

My friend George passed away earlier in the year.

I only found out when I went to call him as we were going to visit him during our last road trip.

He was another man that was always filled with joy, kindness and generosity.

I met George when I was 16 years old so I have known him most of my life.

He came into our lives and was an angel to me and my siblings.

George was a great man.

He was the big brother that I never had…..

He loved to joke around.

Again geographical position changed things.

It did not matter how much time had passed he was happy to see me/us and catch up.

Truly one of the best people that I have ever known.

To his brother and his wife – I will always keep you in my thoughts and heart.

 

I am grateful to both these men who came into my life and changed it forever.

There are no words.

I will truly miss them.

It is a hard reminder that we need to keep in closer touch with our friends and loved ones.

Life can be short.

We all know that life is not a forever gig.

So we have to ensure that we are better friends and family.

 

Les and George, I salute you both.

Thank you for being a part of my life.

Miss you …..

Hugs ….

 

Always, Carol & Alvin

Time to go to work……

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Thursday the 3rd day of January, 2019.

WOW, day three of the New Year.

Our weather has been absolutely gorgeous breaking high temperatures for this time in history.

Yesterday was almost +8.

Pretty great for January.

 

Back to it today.

I am feeling much better and not certain what hit me yesterday.

Who knows.

Not to question, just feeling grateful.

 

Mr. Alvin is laying beside me on his blue blanket.

I love this part of the morning.

Listening to my fingers click clicking on the keyboard and listening to Mr. Alvin breathing/resting.

Looking out my window at 6:20 a.m. is much different than when we were on Christmas Vacation and getting up at 8:20 a.m.

Dark now and back then it was mostly overcast but some mornings we were treated to sunshine.

Nothing better than the early morning sunshine ….. sunrise….best time of the day.

Well perhaps I would have a small debate with myself as I love sunsets and the evening sky with the stars twinkling at us.

I guess I love mornings and evenings.

 

Back to work.

This will be our first day open to the public at our new temporary digs.

Should be interesting I am sure.

Likely will take people a bit of time to get used to our new location.

 

I am grateful to have this bit of warm weather.

Even the weekend at minus 10 degrees celsius is not too cold.

I wonder if this is due to climate change?

Likely in part.

Although we humans are enjoying this break in the cold temperatures, it can certainly mess up Mother Nature.

 

To my friend who sent me “some of her favourite things” for Christmas.

No, sorry not THE Oprah but she is my Oprah.

I tried the brow wax this morning and OMG, this is one of my favs.

If you have an opportunity to try this product – you will love it.

“ACTI-LABS” made in USA and Europe.

This one came from France.

When I first started applying it – I thought it was too light – Hickory.

But oh no, it was perfect.

It makes my old eyebrows look like they did when I was in my 20’s.

Thank you my friend.

I also love the SHEA hand lotion and the toothpaste.

Still have the deodorant to try.

GREAT Product line.

 

Well here we are almost time to leave for work.

The Christmas Vacation was awesome but always could be longer.

Grateful to have had the time off.

Grateful to have spent time with friends and family.

Grateful to have had all that time with me, Alvin.

Grateful to be alive.

 

Happy New Year.

Best life in 2019.

 

Special Hello to: my friend who is so thoughtful and kind.

Always, Carol & Alvin

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thought for the day ….

Good Morning and Welcome to Tuesday the 11th day of September, 2018.

Dark out.

Forecast is for SNOW on Thursday.

ARGH,

Now I will not hear the end of it from a co-worker.

On Sunday I cleaned up some flower pots and put away some of my deck furniture and then posted some photos with the tag line …. something to the effect ….

almost ready for winter ….. if it snows ….. I am in trouble (giggling aloud).

 

More pressing matter at hand.

Not life threatening.

Just something that I prefer not to share on this forum.

 

This will be short.

We are well.

 

Have an awesome day.

CRISIS averted.

I am back.

OMG, sometimes one does not think clearly first thing in the morning.

The sky appears to be clear to the east where the sun will be rising over the next little bit.

Alvin is resting on his blue blanket beside me.

Last night Alvin and I walked with our friend “P.”

So great to have someone to chat with on our walks.

I love my walks with Alvin but unfortunately he is not too chatty.

Sometimes he is but mostly he just walks with his nose to the ground.

Taking in the smells of man and nature.

Other than food, I would say that is his second favourite thing to do.

Looking forward to a 14+ celsius day and for our walk tonight.

Tomorrow is to be raining and then Thursday, I will not repeat that four-lettered word, beginning with S.

I will be putting the remaining flower pots into the garage tonight for sure.

Also will put away the remaining furniture.

 

I guess I truly had Mr. Alvin worried this morning as I scurried about ….

 

Well all is well, and I am just putting on the finishing touches before leaving for work.

Thankfully for 1-888 numbers and 24 hour service.

 

Special Hello to: YOU, thank you.

Always, Carol & Alvin

Thought for the day ….

Good Morning and Welcome to Monday the 27th day of March, 2018.

The air feels a bit cooler this morning.

It is dark now.

ONCE I get outside I will be able to tell if clear skies are on the agenda for today or if cloudy ones.

What a great weekend.

Alvin and I enjoyed an even longer walk yesterday.

So grateful that the weather is improving.

It feels like a bright yellow day is on the way.

Daffodils are perfection.

So intricate and delicate.

Beautiful.

Last night I heard a goose honk as it flew by.

Have not heard that sound for what seems like forever.

I can hardly wait to see fluffy baby geese, goslings.

Like the ones that we saw last spring.

Time flies by.

Of course, guess what time once again …. time to go and catch the bus to work.

I wish you a wonderful Monday.

Happy Day.

Full of bright, sunny skies.

Special Hello to: my sister.

Always, Carol & Alvin

 

 

Thought for the day ….

Good Morning and Welcome to Thursday the 4th day of January, 2018.

Our weather for the New Year has been wonderful.

So grateful for these warmer temperatures.

Alvin and I went for our walk after work last night.

We were not quite at the half way point and he started to turn around for home, I coaxed him once again to keep going.

We only made the half way point and there was no changing his mind.

He made a run for home and I had no choice but to “run.”

If you called that running.

He was pulling and running (thankfully he wears a torso harness and not around the neck) for home.

I was so grateful that it was not icy.

Or it could have been a real show.

At some point I was able to get him to slow down.

What a guy!

He does not seem to be in pain or anything but when he wants to go home, he wants to go.

Maybe he can sense something.

Maybe he does not like the dark.

Thank goodness each night stays light a bit longer.

Anyway made for an interesting walk.

Oh, my boy.

What a character.

When we arrived home and removed “our” outerwear – he ran like a crazy guy from one end of the house to the other.

He keeps me entertained.

 

Well here we go once again, time to leave for work.

Special Hello to: all my fellow bloggers.

Always, Carol & Alvin

 

 

Thought for the day ….

Good Morning and Welcome to Saturday the 14th day of October, 2017.

It is dark out as it is still early – about 7:15 a.m.

We are preparing for our little visitor coming at 8:30 a.m. this morning.

It will be great for Alvin to have company for the day.

Two boys ….. Teddy and Alvin ……

Teddy is a young un and Alvin, well he has a few seasons under his “belt.”

They will do just fine.

 

So on this Saturday with it looking like deepest of night outside, I write this blog.

I do love having the sun rising when I get up in the morning but will have to wait for next year now.

Yikes I have the sneezes, bit of a sore throat and running nose (people are sick at work).

I have been drinking lots of hot tea (last night).

Will keep the liquids flowing today.

Perhaps throw in some honey.

 

Well better get this show on the road.

Happy Saturday.

Have some fun, do some work and then relax.

The perfect day.

 

Special Hello to:  all those folks that I have never met.

Always, Carol & Alvin