The Next Chapter

Good Morning! Rainy night and morning in Edmonton. I can hear the rain drops hitting the sidewalks. Starting to get light out there. Thankfully only rain! According to the forecast for today from yesterday when I last checked it is only to be +3 celsius today, argh. But it will warm up.

Well I am so proud of myself. I decided to google how to move photos from computer to WordPress as something changed in the process since I used my old computer. Anyway, I found the easiest way is to drag and drop. It was so easy and I could pinch myself that I did not know how to do that earlier. Would have saved some time and aggravation. So there are a photos from spring cleaning and a few extras. This post is all about photos. I am so happy that I can do this easily now.

My last day of the four day weekend was great. I cleaned the main bathroom upstairs, figured out the photo thing, Cleaned some of the stair well walls. Ordered groceries and guess what! The delivery guy came hours early as he couldn’t find the other address, so instead of mine coming between 8-10 p.m., they were here before 7:00 p.m. Was great having them early so that I could get to bed on time. Definitely worth the $9.95 delivery charge. I think you actually save money as you are not picking up extra items along the way.

I texted my friend Pauline to see if she wanted to go for a walk and didn’t hear back so later I called her and we arranged to meet up at 4:45 at the entrance to the park. When I was leaving the house, I noticed a container sitting on the bench. As I looked closer I found that it was a container full of cookies from our friends Savannah and Grayson (he is not quite 2) wishing me a Happy Easter. I set them in the house and quickly texted her a thank you. Pauline and I met up and had a great walk. She invited me over for a cup of tea and I graciously accepted. I was home around 5:00 p.m. and had leftover chili for supper. What a great way to end a four day weekend. The willows by the water were budding.

Cleaning and rearranging things feels so good. Feels like a new upstairs except for the guest room, which I will need to get done before my daughter sleeps over next. I hope that I can find a new home(s) for the books. Photos in no apparent timeline.

Pictures hung up

From our friend Cindy P.

Office before

Chili

Left to do

Washing walls

Spare room waiting

Neighbours burning stuff

Scary flames

Easter Project

Treats

More chocolatey goodies

First T/W meal

Closet clean

Front Closet Main floor

For Alvin

For Alvin

Closet makeover

Office now

Office Closet now

Waiting to do this special

Office

Bookcases

Books to give away

Bathroom done

Bedroom

Bedroom

The area rug from my bedroom fits perfectly in the office and controls the chairs from rolling. Who knew by moving the shower curtain from the right side to the left would brighten up the room so much. It was a great thought! Still cleaning to do but that is okay. Lots done and feels wonderful.

Have an awesome Tuesday.

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

Alvin was with me the whole way in my spring cleaning. Keeping me company spiritually. I will always think of him and miss him with my whole heart.

Always, Carol & Alvin (My Forever Angel)

The Next Chapter

Good Morning! Beautiful sky and another “holiday” for me. I am so grateful for this extra long weekend. Well my plan to have the whole upstairs done by now has not come to fruition. Oh well, I did put a great dent into it. The office was a whole day all by itself and I just realized that I did not wash the blinds in here. So I will do that this morning and then I will need to reorganize the bulletin board and do the guest bedroom. At the moment it is filled with books, not completely but there are a lot. On the bed and on a table that was previously in the office closet. I, in essence downsized my books by one whole bookcase, I almost said book shelf which is not the case. The last couple of days, I am aching from anywhere that I have muscles and even my butt is not without some aching. Using muscles that I have not used in a long time. Climbing up and down the ladder and stretching to wash the walls, well that would do it. But I am so glad it is done. I also found a new home for the area rug that had been in my bedroom and that is in the office. It fits perfectly and no longer will the office chairs slide out from underneath me. There are still projects to do but I put a large dent in the spring clean up. Even the basement which I had not planned to do has been almost completed thanks to the change in plan on Good Friday. I just made a change to the few older books that I had on the top of one bookcase and laid them flat instead of upright so that I could set two of Amanda’s childhood books on top. One of her books is a Golden Book with her name “Amanda’s First Day of School” and the other “Nursery Rhymes” which I gave to her in 1981 (she was born 1980). I loved looking at the titles of books. There are school readers from my day and many decades before that and I have kept quite a few, half of a book case of my daughter’s books. Hard to give away someone’s history. Each book brings back memories. I can see her at that age and it makes me smile. Books have always been so important to both my daughter and I. When she was growing up she had hundreds of books. In school when the students could order books from the book club, I always made sure she could order as many as she wanted. I remember ordering from Scholastic when I was child. It was a huge deal and I wished that I had those books today. Somehow this post changed course from spring cleaning to books and reading. Well both are important. Oh and last night not long before bed, I chopped off my hair. Yes, I pulled out Alvin’s electric clippers and went to town. I actually cut the back quite short. Never have I been able to do it this way and I am happy for it. The sides are still long in comparison and I have found after showering and drying my hair the odd long piece so had to snip them off. I also for supper last night made a pot of Chili using my Tupperware Pressure Cooker. It definitely is easy. Just throw in the ingredients and put on the lid in the correct manner and pop into the microwave for just minutes. Very easy except I still struggle with removing the lid which I will manage in time.

There was also a couple of loads of laundry done yesterday as well. A full day. Lots of stairs and steps up and down.

I wished that I was able to show you all some photos of the changes that I have made in my office. Looks pretty great. Definitely some major changes. Still couple of things to do but most of it is done. I guess the spring cleaning will pour over to another weekend and likely another one after that, but that is okay. Keeps me busy and from sitting on the sofa watching television.

My friends Pauline & Al are back from Hawaii where their eldest daughter was married. I can only imagine going to Hawaii. My grandparents visited there decades ago and I still have the pearl shell broach that they brought back from their trip. I was about 10 when they went on the trip so it is about 55 years old. One of the tiny pearls came loose but I managed to keep it. When you consider all of the moves that I made over my lifetime between three Canadian Provinces and from a young age, I managed to hang onto it it is staggering. I treasured that broach and still do. It is one thing that wherever I go, it will go with me. Over the years, I have considered wearing it but am afraid that the pearls may come loose or I may lose it. Other than a couple of cards that I gave to my grandparents and my grandma kept and my Baby Book (record of birth, baby gifts, birthdays etc, the broach is the only item from my early years. Somehow I got sidetracked once again, I meant to say that Pauline replied to my Happy Easter text and we set up a walk for today. So I should get going and get the coffee brewing followed by washing the office blinds and some other items. Another friend is going to come over and pick out some books. I will likely put the books on the Community Board and see if someone would like them. They are all in perfect condition.

I hope that you have a wonderful Monday whether you are at home or at work or at school. Happy Monday.

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

Alvin was surely with me this whole weekend as I kept his Urn close by – he always liked to be wherever I was so I do that now when I am at home, keep him close. He is always in my thoughts, always and forever. I so miss the little guy. Everything in the house reminds me of him.

Always, Carol & Alvin (My Forever Angel)

The Next Chapter

Good Morning! How are you this morning? I am well. For some reason, I am running later than usual even though I was up at the same time. Argh. Oh well, I will be ready when my ride arrives. Spring is here. Mixture of weather. The sun is higher in the sky and feels warmer. The snow is melting as is the ice.

Dilemma, my ride is leaving work early today so what do I wear to work my regular shoes or do I wear boots. If I get off the bus at the back way to my house, there is ice/snow and mud by the bushes. With the warmer temperature forecasted for today it is likely to be a pool of water. Do I want to take the longer way around and carry my laptop? I do not know. I guess I will make the decision before I leave for work. I could wear my new old pair of running shoes that my daughter picked up for me at the thrift shop. I was always thinking that I need to figure out about the oven. Will need to go and get a heating element or pay someone to look at it and confirm that is the problem? I would love to have one week where everything went smoothly. Don’t you think that is a reasonable request? Perhaps I need to refocus my thoughts. I will admit with the changes to the office,

Spring …… almost Easter.

Photo by Alena Koval on Pexels.com

Photo by Evgeny Tchebotarev on Pexels.com

Photo by Denniz Futalan on Pexels.com

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).

The New YEAR 2022

Good Morning ALL! How are you this morning? It is light out but not bright. The sky is a grey blue color. Does not appear to be windy this morning what a nice change. We are doing great. Today is the first day of my vacation so we happily slept in. Of course, as per usual we were up at 4:00 so that Alvin could have his glucosamine chew and go outside for a pee and then back to sleep on the sofa until about 5:00 when we were up and he had breakfast. I happily laid back down and then we fell asleep until 7:30 but that is not the end of the sleep story, we dozed until getting up at 8:30 a.m. The family will arrive around 10:30 ish so I figured that we had better get mobile. Not that I have much to do other than write this post and have a shower and bring up the larger round doggie bed from the family room in the basement for Miss Aspen to sleep on in our bedroom. I have not made any plans for my time off other than being here for the grand pups and one having Easter dinner with my friends down the street on Friday. The plan is to walk daily and just relax with the pups. I truly am exhausted, my job just pulls the stuffing out of me. I do like my job and sometimes even love it but it is a demanding job not physically but mentally. End of story as I am on vacation. Yes, I am. So excited.

The forecast for the next couple of days is cool but then it is starting to warm up which will be great for us to walk. I will be spending lots of time walking as we usually go twice for per day and then I need to take Aspen separately from Alvin and Milo. Four walks. We shall see. Definitely Aspen will get two and the little ones even one will suffice. At the end of it all it will depend on the weather. Aspen is okay when it is cooler – she just likes to be outside. Oh, I just took a peek out of the office window and noticed that the trees are moving a bit. I sure hope that it remains calm as it gets chilly with the minus temperatures and gale force winds. We did not even walk yesterday. Even just going outside into the backyard gave me the chills and took what seemed like forever to warm up. I am glad that I did not give Mr. Alvin a haircut last weekend. He will be okay for a little while longer. If it jumps in temperatures, I will give him a trim. I wonder if having the pups here when he had a haircut would calm him down or not?

It is so quiet here in the house with just the click clack of my nails hitting the keys. Alvin is laying on the floor in the hallway. I took his other bed downstairs as I am not working upstairs now. He likes laying on the carpet in the hallway anyway so that is okay. I can hear him breathing in between hitting the keys. So quiet in our house. I love it. Much easier to calm one’s mind when it is quiet to begin with.

There is not much else new with us. I am thinking that I will work on making some jewelry while the pups are here as I have my supplies in the kitchen. I rearranged my ikea shelves and put the beads and things there and have some items on the counter. Because that is what you do when you are by yourself in the house except for the Alvin. I have room and can do what I like. There are definitely perks to living with no other humans. I also have my workstation in the kitchen. The good old kitchen table. Now it is packed up and put away out of sight.

Well time to head for a shower and then enjoy a mug or twoo of coffee. I hope that you have a wonderful Wednesday.

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

Always, Carol & Alvin

P.S. my office looks so empty without the work laptop, monitor and stuff. Makes me feel less cluttered and more creative.

The New YEAR 2022

Good Morning ALL! How are you this morning? We are doing okay. So happy that we are on the brink of another weekend. There are what appears to be rain clouds in the sky. I do not remember a forecast for rain. We are supposed to have +20 degrees today. But a bit of rain would be okay, to clean and freshen things up.

I am excited as tomorrow morning I am getting together with my friends for coffee in the morning and also received an dinner invitation from another friend for Easter. Spring is definitely a time of “renewal” and maybe this spring more than ever in many millenia.

Even craning my head as far to the east at my office window, I do not see the beautiful morning sunrise. It has to be there somewhere. Where or where are you Mr. Sun? Please come out today.

The past couple of days have truly been filled with incredibly ups and downs. We, I should take this day and hopefully all of the days to come to realize that we are “emotional beings” and it is okay if we have an emotional outburst anywhere including work. After all, we are human and we humans are emotional beings. How are we expected not to be emotional sometimes in certain situations. The word “professional” has perhaps been taken out of context and taken too far. Food for thought. Sometimes you have to cry and tears are not a bad thing. In this world of incredible highs and lows and up and downs, sometimes those tears are the best release for our souls, for our bodies, for our minds. I think so anyway. I am not a doctor or a licensed anything other than a “caring, compassionate, loving human being.

Well I need some coffee this morning and I can smell that amazing aroma wafting up the stairs to my nose.

I hope that you have an awesome Friday. Remember we are emotional beings. We are – there is no getting away from that thought or statement or fact.

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

Always, Carol & Alvin

PS: I had a wonderful visit with my daughter as she stopped to bring Alvin’s supplies and pick up a delivery from us. Love my girl, to the moon and beyond.

The New YEAR 2022

Good Morning ALL! I hope this post finds you doing very well. Today is Wednesday, April 6, 2022. Happy Birthday to a long time friend of mine, Lisa. We hope that you are having a wonderful day.

The sunrise is beautiful and the sky is a most pretty blue. The kind of blue that you love to look at. I can see oranges and pinks with a slight mix of blue and purple in the sunrise as the sun slowly rises in the morning sky. We are so blessed to see this beauty. I am most grateful for these mornings.

There is a bit of a breeze but not gale force as it was yesterday. Nothing like eating your hair as you are out for a walk with your favorite pup.

Everyday I hear more and more birds as they return to start building and laying their eggs. The geese are returning. The bunnies are turning brown. All sure signs of spring. Also big news, most of the snow and ice from our little grassy area as melted. I was able to chip a good portion away from the edge of the deck as Mr. Alvin likes to jump down and I was so worried about him doing this. For some reason he is not into taking the steps. The edge of the deck is not high as this is the middle section and I can even step up and down (which is something for me). Little bit higher than steps. Anyway. Even though it was windy we did get out for a couple of walks yesterday. I can feel any stress or anxiety melt away as I walk along the sidewalks in our neighborhood with my Alvin.

My life is really good. Oh and I have more good news. I seem to be almost back to normal after my backward tumble in the backyard on Sunday. Also I have been using the ice pick as a walking stick whenever I go into the grassy area so that I do not slip or lose my balance. Works perfectly. I also make sure that I hold the railing when I take the stairs. Always good to do. They are there for a reason.

Oh, the sunbeams are resting gently on the trees and the houses that I an see. Looks so pretty.

On Friday, it is forecasted to be +20 degrees celsius here in Edmonton. I believe that will be flip flop weather and no sweater weather. Cannot wait. Makes our walks so perfect. I am going to start carrying water with us for the boy to drink.

Well it is almost time to start work for another day. As a friend once said “one more day closer to retirement.” Which is true. I am excited as I am taking some vacation days starting next Wednesday. Really looking forward to this time off. I go back to “work” on the 21st, which is the following Thursday. Working Monday and Tuesday of next week and then Thursday and Friday the following week. Easter falls in there as well so Good Friday and Easter Monday are vacation days for us.

I hope that you have a wonderful day. Maybe even be able to get out for a nice walk.

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

Always, Carol & Alvin

The New YEAR 2022

Good Morning ALL! Welcome to Wednesday, March 9, 2022. How are you today? Alvin and I are well. Running on time for a welcome change. The sky is filled with a mix of ribbons of clouds in dark blue and orange. So pretty. Honestly I could sit by the window or lay on the ground and just gaze upon the majesty of the sky all day long. The night is lifting and it is light outside at this time. On this coming weekend not only does my beautiful daughter celebrate her birthday but the time changes. We move our clocks forward in the early hours of Sunday, March 13, 2022. So one hour ahead. Usually the time changes take us at least a couple of weeks to adjust.

Yesterday after work my daughter delivered our Costco order. It was good to catch up with her before she headed home after a long busy day at the office. Her job is very busy. So she is always happy to go home.

We had a bit of snow last night but only a little. The next couple of days are going to be colder than normal for this time of year. Spring is just around the corner. Easter is later than usual.

I am sending as much good energy and thoughts as possible to the people of Ukraine and of Russia. Not everyone in Russia is wanting to be fighting a war. We want this over soon before any more loss of life and property. Always the rebuilding is difficult afterwards. People losing family and homes and businesses. We always forget about the animals and the environment when there is a war. I am grateful that there are counties including Canada that are taking in the Ukraine people that are able to flee their homeland. In 2022, it is very sad that this is happening. There are no words. It is like history repeating itself. I think that future generations will read our history books and shake their heads in disbelief.

On this Wednesday I am grateful that I live in a country where even though not all people are happy with our Prime Minister at least he is not a person wanting to take over the neighbouring country no matter the consequences. We should think about that. We are so blessed in so many ways. We have so much.

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 doing this last day of March 2021? We are doing well. Today is my late start / late shift day. I will say that I am not terribly excited about having to work these shifts every month but it is what our employer asks of us so what can you do? The sky is overcast and there appears to be little wind this morning. YAY. Happy about that. Today and tomorrow are supposed to be double digit plus temperatures here in Edmonton and that is great news. The Easter weekend, the long weekend will be much cooler with plus single digit temperatures. Now as long as our day time highs are plus temperatures not much to complain about from me, anyway.

Alvin and I had a nice walk yesterday at lunchtime. Walking into the wind was a bit on the cold side but definitely not winter like conditions and our walk was most enjoyable. I have noticed that the past couple of weeks Alvin has been jumping up onto his chair by the window a bit more often. He used to sit in that chair and look out of the window for hours during the start of my time at home but gradually starting spending more time on the sofa or on his bed in the kitchen close to me. I am happy to see him enjoying looking out of the window. I wonder when I was working away from home just how long he actually stayed in the chair? Or did he go upstairs and lay on the bed? Perhaps he ran around the house. I will never know. Some days upon my return from work he would be sitting in the chair looking out the living room window …. he would see the vehicle and jump up onto his back legs and take a really good look before jumping down and running to the door. Always happy to see me and to go outside. It was an awful long time to hold his pee and I always felt guilt and wished that I had trained him early on to go on pads. There were also times when he would not be at the window looking out and as I opened the door I could hear him jumping off the bed and then see him come bounding down the stairs to greet me. Our four legged companions. They treat us like royalty with their unconditional love and gratitude. Even though sometimes we get on each other’s “nerves” so to speak we are pals and I will always do whatever is earthly possible to ensure that he is happy, healthy, comfortable and surrounded by love. After all, he is my boy and has been from the beginning. We are both working on patience.

Almost time for me to head to the shower and get freshened up.

Oh, no …. how could I possible forget the birthday of one of my dearest and long time friends who celebrates her birthday today. Happy Birthday P, wishing you a wonderful day. May you be surrounded by family, love and laughter on this special day. WIshing you good health and abundance. Thank goodness for that birthday calendar.

Continuing to live this life with kindness, respect, compassion and respect.

Always, Carol & Alvin

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  My Flowers

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Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Sunday the 28th day of April, 2019.

A glorious pale blue sky greets this Sunday morning.

 

We have been watching a magpie out of our bedroom window with much interest.

I understand where the old phrase came from “too fat to fly.”

This little one had such a round tummy that he/she would land on a branch and the branch would break ….

To be honest they were not really branches as we would deem to be moreover twigs.

Down the beautifully coloured black and white with blue/green feathers would fall to the next twig.

Twigs snapping everywhere.

If only he would land on a bigger branch.

Finally after what seemed forever the birdie got out of the entanglement of twigs and landed on a larger branch before flying away.

Only was a few seconds but did seem forever.

Nature is so entertaining.

 

Earlier this morning as I was opening the living room blind before it was light outside; a brown bunny was hopping toward the house.

I guess he heard the blind movement turned around and hopped to the other side of the street.

 

There remains snow on the front lawn which faces to the north and some on the grass in the backyard.

I would think by the end of the day if the temperatures does warm a bit more it will be gone.

 

What a glorious morning we are experiencing.

 

I found a new battery pack and it has been charged so I was able to download some photos.

These are from our Easter package:

This was the first time that Mr. Alvin actually needed helped opening his treats from our friend V.

One of them was a toy and he pretty much had it opened but the other was a tin of wet food and he just could not get his paws and mouth in unison to work it open.

Between the unexpected trip to BON TON Bakery and the goodies from our friend and a piece of apple pie from Teddy’s Mom; I shall say that I have enough comfort food

to last me awhile …… CARB City.

The third photo in of the Easter Bunny was carrot cake with cream cheese icing …. OMG, so good.  The photo does not do it justice.

Perhaps I should have snapped it without the plastic covering.

The above two non-treat photos are from this morning.

I shovelled most of the snow from the deck yesterday and the remaining has all but melted.

The furniture looks so much happier without being covered with snow.

 

Well time to get this show on the road.

We had a very lazy day yesterday.

Just laundry and spending time with the boys.

Ok, I did sweep the floor and empty the dish washer.

But does that really count.

Do not think so.

The wind was so cold we opted to stay indoors and did not go for a walk.

 

Today there remains a few things to do and one being to hit the grocery store.

A woman can not live on CARBS alone.

Or can she?

I likely could but sooner of later my body would say “enough.”

 

Happy Sunday.

I hope that you are enjoying the day wherever you are ….

 

Special Hello to: My daughter, you will do great.  We are with you.

Always, Carol & Alvin

 

Thought for the day ….

Good Morning and Welcome to Wednesday the 17th day of April, 2019.

Well this has been one heck of a week thus far.

We watched in sadness, as the flames engulfed the roof and spire of the world famous NOTRE DAME CATHEDRAL in Paris, France.

One of the five oldest in the world.

 

We clapped and cheered as HODA KOTP announced the arrival of her second daughter “HOPE CATHERINE” a big sister to HAILEY JOY.

 

Now last night we listened as they announced a new government for the province of Alberta; the United Progressive Conservatives with a controversial political figure.

Time will tell whether or not he is a good fit for Alberta.

I guess the majority of Albertans thought he was or perhaps just did not want the other major player to resume her place in Government.

Much like the Americans did when Trump was elected.

Not really the best way to vote.

 

What does one even say after all of this.

 

I will say one thing I am over the moon for the news about the arrival of the new baby for HODA and JOEL and HAILEY JOY.

She is one of those people that even though we have never met – I feel like I know her.

We do share the same birthday (just not same year).

 

Over the next few days we will hear more about what caused the fire at NOTRE DAME.

I heard on one news broadcast that fire fighters and police formed a human chain to remove as many priceless artifacts from the Cathedral.

The Crown of Thorns said to have been worn by Jesus.

That was one of the items that they mentioned.

Inside NOTRE DAME …..

 

Well today we have an on-site all staff meeting.

One of my co-workers is picking me up.

Sure was nice to sleep in and to still be at home with my boy.

 

Well I hope that you all have a great day.

Lots going on at home and in the world this week.

Remember to be kind and respectful.

We do not always like the same things …. that is for sure.

 

Happy Wednesday.

Gotta love the sunshine …. clear skies.

 

Special Hello to:  YOU, today.

Always, Carol & Alvin