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)

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,

Once again sky is overcast with rain clouds.

Raining off and on this morning.

Everything is a beautiful lush KELLY GREEN, my favourite colour and shade.

I do love a LIME GREEN, as well.

Segway into the first photo.

I have a painting project for this summer.

I am painting my office, the very space that I am currently sitting at typing these words.

I am looking at different hues of the tissue paper shown on top of the huge bulletin boards that my daughter made for me two almost three Christmases ago.

Better late than never.

Poor Mr. Alvin and his red raincoat.

It was spitting when we were planning to go on our walk with our friend P.

After receiving a great idea from my daughter.

I put the raincoat onto Alvin first and then harness on top which worked perfectly.

As you can see from the photos; he, Alvin was less than enthusiastic about the red covering.

He stood perfectly still.

In fact before I put it on … he had ran upstairs and I followed in hot pursuit.

Placing the jacket on and his harness upstairs.

I ended up carrying him downstairs as he just could not figure out how to manoeuvre with his new jacket on.

It took a few minutes and some careful steps before he just walked along.

Outside I had to help him down the steps as well.

Made me giggle but not to loud ….

Flowers …. doing well with all of the rain.

Then playing hide and seek with Mr. Humphrey on the deck.

He joined us for a couple of hours after our walk.

He got a shave for summer.

Isn’t he so cute.

He loves having his photo taken, can you tell?

Look at that face.

 

Love him all curled up on the chair.

Beside the blanket.

Making a pillow from the cone.

 

Well getting on time to leave for work.

Last day my carpool is driving for a couple of weeks as she is going camping.

That means one thing for me ….. BUS.

Argh …. oh well, not that bad.

 

I wish you a great day.

Stay warm and dry.

 

Be kind and respectful …. remember you first and then others.

It always works that way.

If you are good to you – you will be good to others.

Really you will.

 

Happy Tuesday …. almost wrote Wednesday.

 

Always, Carol & Alvin

Thought for the day ….

Good Morning and Welcome to Wednesday the 13th day of June, 2018.

Today is the 65th Birthday of my dear friend “P.”

She is a wonderful person and friend.

Alvin and I send our wishes to her for a great day.

Today is a great day to be celebrating a birthday as the sun is shining and there is only a slight breeze.

Happy Birthday to all those celebrating today.

 

So great to wake up to the sunshine and a light breeze.

Those gale force winds reeked havoc with some trees, plants, fences, signs and more.

Last night I took the bus home from work and noted all of the small boxes that scattered one of the walkways along my walk.

Not quite certain why people would feel the need to place small cardboard boxes loosely out in their garbage during gale force winds.

But then again “common sense” seems to be a fleeting thing these days.

So that will give me lots of trash to pick up before we have more rain.

Oh people!!

I was so grateful that we seemed to be intact after those winds.

I checked the birthday girl’s house last night as they are away to celebrate her birthday.

Only some newspaper had blown into their yard and was trapped in between plants and the fence, so I cleaned that up.

A couple of small pieces of tree branches had broke off and a few plants looked a bit wind blown.

No major damage that I could see and was grateful.

Alvin and I enjoyed our walk and our friend left a bag of treats in a water proof bag for Mr. Alvin.

How spoiled is he?

 

Spent some time last night moving flowers back to their spots on the deck.

I left the umbrellas in the garage until later in the week.

No need for them now, anyway.

 

Wow, so today is Wednesday.

Having Monday off – changed the pace of the week.

 

Well almost time to hit the road ….

I hope that you all have an awesome day.

Enjoy the sunshine and I hope that the sun is shining for you.

 

Special Hello to:  Hi Sister ….. glad to hear that your vacation is going well.

Always, Carol & Alvin

 

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Thursday the 7th day of June, 2018.

One week into June.

Another gorgeous day on the way.

Sunshine with a bit of coolness to begin the day.

 

Last night while on our walk we bumped into friends.

Two were chatting at the back fence of another admiring the garden of the one.

Our friend “L” has this amazing vegetable garden every year.

Our other friend “P” and “A” who live two doors down from her, were returning from a walk.

Our vegetable garden Queen did not plant “lettuce” this year because it did not grow last year so she has moved on.

She is so funny.

Our other friends got treats for Alvin …. we have to seriously start decreasing the treats.

For both of us… really.

Walking helps but it is not getting the belly down.

Yikes.

My friend “P” of above gave me three sunflower plants and some snapdragons as she did not have any more room in her garden for them.

She has the most beautiful “English Garden” ….. we call it that as she is from England.

The garden is so pretty …. even now at the beginning.

 

Well I have to catch the bus this morning.

Back to public transportation for a few days.

ARGH.

Not that bad other than time but that is okay.

The house is cool this morning and the blinds are all closed except for two so that Alvin can look out of those windows.

The window by his favourite chair in the living room and the one at the end of our bed.

Both face north so does not get too terribly hot.

 

I hope that you are enjoying life.

Some days may be not be perfect but pick the moments that are and savour them.

 

Special Hello to: all my friends in Edmonton ….

Always, Carol & Alvin

Thought for the day ….

Good Morning and Welcome to Tuesday the 1st day of May, 2018.

First day of May …..

The sky is overcast here in Edmonton.

Looks like rain.

Cool in the house and that is taking a bit of getting used to.

Last night after a cool start to the day was BEAUTIFUL.

Alvin and I enjoyed our walk.

We bumped into friends/neighbours – always nice to see everyone.

 

Alvin is lying on his blue blanket by my chair in the office.

He looks so cute curled up …. black and white on blue …..

On cool mornings I would love to stay under the blanket curled up on the sofa with Alvin.

But alas must work …. if one wants to pay the mortgage and eat.

Oh well,

 

Oh, Alvin news.

I checked with his Doctor’s office last night as I had to stop there and pick up food for the boy.

They said likely he got the idea from Teddy about soft food …. he liked just having to lap it up …. no chewing OR he may have scratched his mouth on a chew treat OR it may be a bad tooth.

Said I could try the hard food once again and if he did not eat – try not feeding him for a couple of days.

Dogs unlike cats apparently will not let themselves starve.

I did not really love that idea so much.

When I got home, I tried his regular food and at first …. no …. he turned and looked at me and I said “Alvin, eat your supper.”

Guess what – he began to eat his food.

After a few bites – I switched it out with a bowl of softened food that I had in the fridge (in case).

This morning – he easily ate his breakfast with no coaxing.

Oh, my boy.

He certainly had me worried.

 

Brr, I am cold.

The a/c seems to be working in overdrive at work.

I was glad to have a sweater on yesterday.

 

Well life goes on.

Almost time for the carpool to arrive for pick up.

I am grateful for car rides these days.

The bus is okay but great to have a ride in a car.

 

Have an awesome May 1st.

WOW, May 1st.

 

Special Hello to:  my sister and all my girl friends.

Always, Carol & Alvin

 

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Wednesday the 20th day of September, 2017.

Well another rainy dark morning here in Edmonton.

I caved after work and turned on the HEAT.

After hearing that during the day we had a SNOW RAIN mix (it did not stay), I felt so sorry for Mr. Alvin.

Home in the dark with no heat.

I know that he has a fur coat but just the same ….. he needed some heat.

So it is the first warm morning in the house for awhile.

Sure was nice having a shower without freezing before the warm hit me body.

Too much information …… sorry.

 

According to the weather channel this is our reality for a few days.

Rain and more rain.

Low temperatures.

Hopefully I will be able to dig out the flowers once the sun comes out.

If it freezes it will make it almost impossible until spring.

Oh well.

I guess I should have paid closer attention to the forecast.

I just could not bear to clean out the pots when the flowers were still somewhat green and the flowers were blooming.

Some of the snapdragons were so pretty that I picked them Monday night and am glad that I did.

Perhaps once this wet cool snap passes we shall have a nice long warm fall.

That would be nice.

Well almost time to hit the road.

Extra layers and shoes that lace up.

Umbrella, of course.

Cannot leave home without it.

 

Have an awesome Wednesday.

Special Hello to: my sister ……

Always, Carol & Alvin

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Monday the 31st day of July, 2017.

Cannot believe today is the last day of July, 2017.

We are seven months into this year.

I am almost at the end of my Countdown: 60 days to 60 which has been quite the experience.

In between the heat wave, we are preparing for company.

My sister arrives on Friday …… OMG ….. so excited.

Thankfully the temperature is supposed to be low twenties for the next couple of days.

Grateful for that ….

Now just to get most things caught up at work before leaving for two weeks vacation, wish me luck.

Okay …. short today.

Gotta run.

Have an awesome Monday and enjoy this day.

Special Hello to:  Friends and Family.

Always, Carol & Alvin

Love my red lilies and now there are yellow ones starting to bloom.

So many colours and I am grateful to have red and yellow.

What a gorgeous pop of colour in my front flower bed.

Happy Monday ……

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Wednesday, the 19th of July, 2017.

A beautiful day on the way.

We were to bed later and Alvin slept till the alarm went off.

I was just thinking about what I was doing this date in July of 2010 and this is what I found (actually it was the 20th)….

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Today I am sitting my grand-puppies Elton & Penny so I am up bright and early (up at 5:00 a.m.) and actually it feels pretty GREAT.

The sun is shining and the air has a quietness of it’s own….. feels like a wonderful meditation.

For anyone who gets up a bit later (which is fine, of course), once in awhile it is good to get up bright and early.

Shake out all those cobwebs (I had a shower) and start your day.

It is just after 6:00 a.m. and this is quite possibly the earliest that I have written on this BLOG.

Have a great day and remember to take the time and get up early (you can always grab 40 winks later in the day) and enjoy your early morning.

Well off to have breakfast (and get that Alvin out of bed).  You see when I came back upstairs to make the bed and have a shower, he figured it was back to bed and jumped up.

I had the bed partially made and just threw down his blanket and he crawled under it (so cute) and is still there.  Time to get up “sleepy head”.   GOL (giggling out loud)

Okay, I am leaving/going now.  Have to remember to turn off the “wireless mouse” ……

Always, Carol

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I am so grateful that I started writing this BLOG back in the spring of 2010 as it is a reminder of all the good days that I have lived.

This was during my “semi-retirement phase” which last a couple of years or so and I had the best time.

Ah, me Alvin was just a baby back then ….. I miss that and of course the times that we spent with Elton & Penny.

They are always in our hearts and minds.

Happy Wednesday

Special Hello to:  All of you …… have a wonderful day.

Always, Carol & Alvin

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Wednesday the 8th day of February, 2017.

Do you ever think back to the same day a year ago or perhaps two or three or more?

I wonder how many of these days draw exact parallels to each other.

Okay for starters today is Wednesday, and last year the 8th of February was a Monday.

So the actual day is not the same but perhaps the feelings are closer to being the same.

If we think that we stray from our core basic feelings over time  …. I would say that is not really true.

We may have the odd day or two where we stray from our true feelings, the ones in our core.

Our basic emotions.

BUT ….

It is funny that in large part it holds true one year later.

I did wake up feeling today was going to be a great day.

Just as I was blowing my hair dry the phone rang and it was my neighbour; offering me a ride to work.

A great way to begin the day.

This gives me about twenty extra minutes.

I immediately walked over to the bed where Alvin was laying watching me and gave him a big hug.

I do know that when the early morning is great, the rest of the day will be fantastic.

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Good Morning and Welcome to Monday the 8th day of February, 2016.

Have you ever awaken to feel like this is going to be a great day.

A day like no other.

Feeling like something magical, fun, wonderful and absolutely fantastic is happening to you on this day.

Well that is how I feel on this Monday morning.

I will admit a bit unusual for a Monday morning …..

Usually I do not sleep well Sunday night and Monday mornings are sometimes a bit of a strain to get up and get motivated but not TODAY.

I will admit that I asked Alvin to stay in bed until the alarm went off but it was not because I did not want to get out of bed.

Just because I wished to lay there and soak in the morning …. un-feted (is that even a word) by the day.

So here we are ….. breakfast done, shower check, make-up check and writing blog …. almost check.

Mr. Alvin is as usual laying outside the office door waiting for me.

He is so loyal ….. we could all learn lessons from our four-legged friends.

He is always waiting by the front door for me to arrive at home after work.

He is always happy to see me and I know he has to pee and is hungry …. but nevertheless he always takes that minute to ravish me with attention.

Now what a way to welcome someone home.

It doesn’t matter if I am gone all day or for 20 minutes ….. he welcomes me in the same way.

So today is the day …..

Perhaps a dream will come to fruition or just something nice.

It does not matter ….. I just feel great and that is what matters.

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So on this 8th day of February 2017 – life is magical.

I am so happy to be here right now in this place surrounded by magic.

Have an awesome day.

Fill your heart with joy and the magic will follow.

Happy Wednesday.

Tea deliveries today ……. that makes me happy.

Special Hello to: my darling sister.  Baby Milo is fine.  Are you available to SKYPE on Sunday?

Always, Carol and Alvin