The Next Chapter

Good Morning! I hope on this first full day of spring that you find yourself feeling more renewed, joyful and at peace with the world. I am feeling pretty great this morning. I have Alvin in my thoughts and with me. Grateful for all the love and support that has surrounded me most of my life and most especially during this time. Soon we shall see rabbits with coats of brown. The trees will start to bud. The snow will melt and the streets and sidewalks and yards will be dry. I still find it hard to believe that today is Tuesday, March 21st, 2023. This has been quite the year thus far. Hopefully I will be able to get my bearings. I look forward to planting flowers and figuring out what to do with the front flower bed. I know that Alvin always loved to be outside with me while I was puttering in the garden and with my flower pots on the deck. When I would be out front working in the flower bed, I would let him sit on the step and he would watch me or sometimes I would clip his leash to the anchor in the ground for just this purpose. He would sit on the grass and just be so happy. On the deck he would follow me everywhere. I always had water outside for him and if it were warm, I made sure he would be in the shade. This is going to be a different spring and summer for sure. Missing my little buddy.

Last night after work, I decided to deliver some thank you cards to friends and neighbours who had shown their love of Alvin and support for me with cards, flowers, gifts and themselves. We were/are so blessed to be surrounded by some of the nicest people on the planet. While out delivering we bumped into Allie and Bailey. As soon as Bailey spots me, she lets out this wail, so cute. She loves her Auntie Carol. We walked together and they waited while I dropped off cards. I walked them home and then gave them their cards and on the way home dropped off other cards and had a visit with one of my neighbours Dave. He is so nice. They have four children and have been here since I moved in, back in March of 2009. Actually at the end of this month it would be 14 years since I moved into this house. Then I went home. Popped leftovers into the oven and then wrote up a card for my neighbours Sonja and Steve. She has lived next door since I moved here and is like a daughter to me.

Last night was quiet as it had been another busy day at work. Yesterday we spent the morning going to all of our sites picking up garbage as our CEO is visiting the office today. I am not sure why that was so important although the garbage is another story. I honestly never thought my job would include picking up other people’s garbage. My back is a bit stiff this morning, always is whenever I use muscles that I don’t use on a regular basis. I woke up this morning at 4:19 and never quite got back to sleep, next thing the alarm was going off. Whoops time to fly. I did not realize the time.

Have a wonderful day. Be well.

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)

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Wednesday the 20th day of March, 2019.

OFFICIAL first day of Spring.

YAY, we have spring.

Yesterday in Edmonton the temperature rose to plus 15 degrees celsius.

Like a summer day.

We are happy, happy.

Last night after work I received a phone call from our friend “P” who has the beautiful yard and garden.

My English (from England) friend.

They were just back from Hawaii last week.

She wanted to know if we wanted to walk with her and of course, I said “yes.”

We walked to the big lake and around it.

At one point we were about to cross the street and I stepped onto the snow patch and my foot was totally emerged in water.

What a great way to begin a walk with one wet foot.

Runner, sock and the foot WET.

It was so nice out, I shrugged it off and we continued.

Poor Mr. Alvin’s belly was so dirty …. and he was so wet.

We had a great chat as we walked.

She told me of the beautiful scenery on the island.

They also took in some high waves.

Apparently they were experience hurricane strength winds and the waves were incredible.

At a distance.

What a great way to begin the night.

AND then there was Humphrey.

He joined us …. I went and picked him up.

The boys are so cute.

Alvin wanted to play last night and brought out one of his toys.

So we had a bit of tug of war happening.

Humphrey likes his scratching board and lays on it.

They make me smile.

The ALOHA book was a gift from my friend P …. she thought I would like the flowers and it is something that I can use.

One quick story about the boys.

Humphrey had been outside.

I went to check and see if he wanted to come into the house.

Alvin decided to go back out.

They stood nose to nose.

Then Alvin turned around and faced me with his backside to Humphrey.

All of a sudden Humphrey gave him a gently nudge with his head.

Oh, if only I had a video ….

Cutest thing ever.

The boys then came into the house.

Happy Wednesday.

 

Special Hello to: all of my friends travelling …. looking forward to more stories.

Always, Carol & Alvin

Thought for the day ……

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

YAY, today is the first official day of SPRING.

Are we excited?

Yes.

It did snow last night and the wind did blow.

Much the same as Saturday night but without the rain (or at least I did not hear or see signs of rain).

Back to work after a great weekend.

Yesterday, I had coffee with two of my girl friends followed by a nice walk with Mr. Alvin.

We finished the laundry, baked some banana muffins and a banana loaf.

My daughter had given me some rhubarb/strawberry dried fruit so I added some to the mixes.

I submitted my tea party orders and made my lunch and then made oatmeal for three breakfasts.

Followed by tea and watched TRANSFORMERS, Age of Extinction (the newest one).

I have seen them all and for some reason I love them and have watched them numerous times.

Last night after supper I SKYPED with my sister.

We caught up on all the news and had a couple of laughs along the way.

Well over one hour later we said “good-bye”  …… you know the 1-2-3 and then hung up.

The time always flies by when we chat.

I am looking forward to this summer as she plans to come for a visit.

So on this first day of spring, I am at a loss as to what to wear for a coat.

Will have to check the temperature on the weather channel before donning my outer clothing.

I hope that you had an amazing weekend.

Wishing you a Happy First Day of Spring …..

Perhaps wherever you are …. the flowers are blooming.

Ah, so cute …. Mr. Alvin is laying under the computer desk on the wee piece of rug …… all curled up.

Usually he stays in the hallway but today he wants to be right beside me.

I sure love the little guy ……

Well time to get going …. gotta check the weather.

Hopefully it melts the bit of snow that fell through the night so that I do not have to shovel.

I keep chipping away at the ice out front.

Until the snow melts from my lawn and the neighbours – there will be chipping and removing ice and water from the front.

Have a great Monday.

Special Hello to:  my sister, thank you for the chat.  Have an awesome day.

Always, Carol and Alvin

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to the 20th day of March, 2016.

Happy Spring Everyone !!

Today is the first day of spring ….. it is now official.

My spring bulbs will start to grow over this next while.

I look forward to seeing the flowers as I do not remember what I planted.

They were a gift from a friend.

The forecast for today is sunny and about 7 degrees celsius which is a lovely day.

The weekend thus far has been beautiful.

Frost lightly covers the windshields of cars and rooftops.

Looks so pretty with the early morning light.

Most of the snow from our front lawn has melted.

We no longer have six inches of ice built up on our front sidewalk.

It is always a challenge over the winter months and spring to keep it clear as it is a low spot and drains from our backyard and from the neighbours.

The storm drain is several feet away.

 

Mr. Alvin continues to heal and recover from his dental surgery/cleaning.

Always happy news …..

 

I guess time to get going ….. I hope that you have an awesome first day of SPRING.

We are definitely going for a long walk in the early afternoon hours.

To celebrate this day.

 

Take care.

We miss and mourn our losses and think of them always in happy times.

 

Special Hello to: family and friends ……

Always, Carol and Alvin

Thought for the day…..

Good Morning and Welcome to Thursday the 20th day of March, 2014.

WELCOME TO THE FIRST DAY OF SPRING 2014.

The “Vernal Equinox” the time of the year for equal day and night.

How cool is that?

The Vernal Equinox ….. kind of “rolls” off one’s tongue.

It makes us happy …. increasing daylight with warming temperatures.

When we experience the rebirth of both “flora and fauna” ….. now I love the sound of that.

I am feeling so much better today and I hope that everyone surrounding me feels the same.

We can only feel better and more energized with the increased sunlight giving us all of that natural vitamin “D.”

Something that we have been missing over this long, overcast, snowy, cold winter.

So Happy Spring everyone!!

I hope that you are doing the Happy Spring Dance, as am I.

Most of our snow and ice has melted and finally the storm drain is open.

I had been able to keep it open all winter until this last bit when the ice just got away on me.

But with a bit of help from a kindly “man” down the street it is open.

I love the sound of the water running down the drain.

Most importantly melting and running away from our yards …..

Last night Alvin and I enjoyed a wonderful walk.

By the time we got home Mr. Alvin was muddy ….. oh, and I mean muddy.

We tried to walk around and miss it but alas it did not quite go according to plan.

His little belly and his legs which are mostly a soft beautiful “white” fur were “black” like his head.

So his Momma had to give him a makeshift bath when we got home …….

We did enjoy our walk…..

Bumped into some neighbours from across the lake.

Always nice to have a visit and see people.

So on this happy Thursday …. I say go outside and let out a big “whoop” for Happy First Day of Spring.

Walk around all day with a huge smile plastered across your face.

Maybe treat yourself to some chocolate or to your favourite flowers.

Spread the joy.

Have the best day.

Special Hello to: my travelling sister …. have a great trip in Vegas.  I love Vegas.

Always, Carol and Alvin

P.S. note to self, do not bring your shoes home early from work because now it is snowing and I have to wear my boots…….and take my shoes back…..I was so looking forward to just wearing my shoes.  Oh well, maybe tomorrow.

Thought for the day……

YAHOO ….. today is the first official day of S-P-R-I-N-G …… March 20th and it be 2012.

WOW …… can you believe it.  Spring already.

This morning when I let Alvin out ( yup, he went outside without his Mama, my boy is growing up) … I noticed a slight coolness to the air.

But that is okay ….. it will warm up once the sun comes out.

I am so excited to have spring here.

The grass will start to turn green ….. trees bud ….. and the tulips will bloom.

We are so blessed to have different seasons.

Spring is definitely one of my favourites.

I hope that wherever you are that you are thoroughly enjoying this first day of spring.

I sure am.

Happy Spring Everyone ….

Special Hello to all those tulips and spring flowers ….. breaking through the remaining snow ….. you are beautiful.

 

Always, Carol and Alvin.