The Next Chapter

Today I am writing two posts. I wanted to write a special one just to Alvin as today is one week since he passed. The sun is shining and the temperatures are rising as I write these words. The house is empty as I listen to the furnace running keeping me warm and the click clack of my fingers on the keyboard. Time just keeps going. Every day since Alvin passed people have reached out to me. There is such love for my little four-legged companion. Many tears have been shed between us all and continue to fall. Forever in our hearts.

Thank you Gillian for popping by over your lunch break to bring a “lemon loaf” and for having coffee with me and just chatting. I appreciate your friendship and support.

Thank you Sara, Carson and Family for the lovely bouquet of flowers and to Sara for stopping by. Alvin would have loved all of the flowers as he always wanted to sniff them whether in the house or outside. He loved when it was springtime and I would be on the deck planting the flower pots.

Last night I was invited to friends Norbert & Irene for a visit. We talked and talked. About Alvin and about the loss of their son last year. So much hurt and so much joy. Irene and I even had several games of Connect Four. I did not win but that was okay. I joked that I was a good loser but in reality win or lose, I actually won to have such amazing people in my life. They sent me home with a gift of chocolate and a beautiful card. I do love chocolate.

Yesterday I always walked over to Alvin’s Doctors, to the clinic where he seemed to be on a very regular basis. I had some unopened items from the last week that I was able to return. Thank you to Brenne for your hugs and for loving Alvin. To Dr. Karen who was just about to go into surgery and could only give an air hug but for your kindness and your love for Alvin. To Michelle, whom I did not see as she was in the back with another beloved boy or girl, thank you for being there for Alvin and for loving my boy. They were family and I appreciate them.

Later in the day I had a conversation with Alvin’s Doctor Zhou from Guardian who answered some questions I had, lessening some of the guilt that I feel. They are so good at Guardian. Not only professional but have such hearts. Such a hard job but so rewarding.

The outpouring of love for my Alvin is real and I am so appreciative. Everyone is telling me stories about him and how much he touched their lives.

I need to get moving. A walk to Shoppers to pick up a Seniors Bus pass (cannot believe that I am a senior) and a few items from the grocery store. Good to get some fresh air. Alvin will be with me as he always is …….

My whole house reminds me of him and will continue to keep him in the forefront of my mind and he will always be in the majority of the real estate in my heart.

Thank you to my daughter and son-in-law for all they do and for their love and support each and every day.

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

Always, Carol & Alvin, my forever Angel.

Last Half 2022 – September

Good Morning ALL! I hope that you are doing great on this Wednesday morning. We are doing very well. Both Alvin and I had a fairly good sleep. I do appreciate when he wakes up for the first time after 4:00 a.m.

Last night I was in a slight panic as I watched the weather forecast stating there could be frost in low lying areas. This was just before we were going to bed. In fact, we were going out for Alvin’s last pee before bedtime. I took all of the remaining flower pots with the exception of the large pot with the tomato plant and either carried the pots into the house or placed them in the garage. The pink flowered Impatiens came in from the front porch and are sitting just inside the door on the entranceway mat. The Calla Lily and the Oregano plants are sitting inside by the back door, not blocking but inside, warm and dry. All of the other plants including the Lavender pots, the Citronella plant, the plant for which I do not remember the name are all in the garage safe from frost. I will take them out at some point today. My house looks like a flower shop. I must admit I do love all of the flowers and greenery. Who am I fooling I have a bunch of flowers and plants already in the house, lol. Anyway, I do love flowers and plants. They make me happy and content (when I am not freaking about the possibility of frost).

Yesterday we had two lovely walks. One at my lunch break and the other after work. The leaves are beginning to turn to different shades of yellow and gold. I do love the colours of “fall” or “autumn.” The word autumn is much more pleasurable than fall. I get where “fall” came from but why! Note to self: must get the tree trimmed this weekend. Saturday, if the weather is nice will be a busy outside day. Finishing off the winterizing of plants, putting away the patio furniture, trimming the tree, washing down the deck, the windows etc. Lots to do.

The sunrise is pretty as it lights up the morning sky in a more subdued palette.

Mr. Alvin is snoring away just outside the office doorway.

I am so excited that the fall shows have started. I watch 9-1-1 last night. Such a good show. The NCIS series are back which is great. I wished that they would have had NCIS Los Angeles in the season opener. I guess I don’t know if they are back for sure but I would hope so. Would be nice to see all three together for an episode or two.

Well time to head downstairs and plug in the coffee. Check the temperature and perhaps move some of the plants back outside. Or they can wait until later when the sun is shining and a bit warmer. Might be a shock for them to go out now.

I hope that you have a great Wednesday.

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

I am very grateful to be working for home on this day.

Thank you for joining me on this blog writing journey.

Always, Carol & Alvin

2021

Good Morning ALL! How are you doing on this rainy Tuesday, June 8th, 2021? Both Alvin and I are great. We, Alvin slept through until 5:00 a.m. – that is amazing. So at least I feel as though I had a decent sleep. It is raining as I alluded to in my opening sentence. It just started raining about half an hour ago. I have to run out and ensure that the downspout is turned the right way and clean up you know what from a little while ago when Alvin was out. The forecast is for rain off and on for the next couple of days. There were points yesterday where the sun did shine. Last night I made an executive decision to put most of my flower pots in the garage and the others close to the garage and to the house for some shelter as they do not require that much moisture. Also yesterday one of the girls on my work team let us know that it was hailing at her home. So decided not to take the chance. I cannot do anything about the plants in my flower beds but at least I can help out the flower pots. I very much want them to last until say October. So I watch the weather – if it looks like a huge downpour / hail is in the forecast I move them into the garage or to some shelter. The garbage guys just picked up the trash. I love when I can look out of my office window and see green. The trees are full leaved now and are beautiful.

Yesterday my kids made a quick stop to drop off some items that they picked up at the freecycle and some items they no longer wanted and that I could use. I got a chair that I am using in my bedroom, two chairs for the kitchen and a desk and a flower pot. The flower pot is an exact match to a ceramic one that I acquired a few years ago. Sweet deal. We had a short visit and then they were off.

As it was raining at noon we did not go for a walk and in the morning we were reeling from lack of sleep so our walk waited until after work. It was actually quite nice at that time. I wore a light spring jacket as it was a bit cooler.

Oh, I forgot to tell you that I went from 3000 photos on my phone to 285. I went through most of them. The ones remaining are a few that I choose to keep and the remaining are ones to be uploaded to my computer. YAY, me. Feels so great.

I cannot remember if there was anything else that I was going to tell you or not. Oh, last minute ….. Master Teddy is coming at 10:00 a.m. to spend the day with us. His parents are going to the farm for a bit and Kobi is going to the groomers. So Teddy will come and hang out with me and Alvin. Alvin will have company while I work. He will be happy.

Well time to get going. I want to check on the downspout and do the other thing in the backyard …. starts with p and ends p ….. three words. Can you guess? Think about it. I gave you some clues in my post.

Wishing you a wonderful day.

Continuing to live this life day by day with kindness, respect, compassion, patience, love and gratitude.

Always, Love Carol & Alvin

P.S. one more thing. Yesterday the doorbell rang so we went to the door to find this gray-haired older man standing on the bottom step holding a sign. The sign was from Canada Roofing. The guys that are going to do our shingles. Only thing is they have not confirmed this and I have not signed a contract as yet. Kind of out of order, I would think. Anyway just wanted to share. I am excited to finally have new shingles on our home.

Second Half of the NEW YEAR

Good Morning,

Da, Da ….. Welcome to the first day of FALL 2020.

Our skies are overcast with deep blue clouds …. I think there was some rain in our forecast.

The trees are beginning to turn the most glorious shades of yellow, orange and red.

The grass is amazingly still a rich green due to the rain we have been having all summer long.

There does not appear to be any sign of a breeze this morning.

FALL is here.

The rabbits will be starting to turn colour shortly.

The geese are beginning to fly in large flocks overhead.

Thanksgiving is around the corner.

My neighbours are getting married on October 3, 2020.

I am excited for another fall wedding.

My daughter and son-in-law got married in October of 2008.

Seems like an eternity ago.

I am so happy that my flowers on the deck and in the back garden are still doing okay.

Of course, not as colourful and green as they once were as after all it is almost the end of September.

But there is some colour.

My potted tomato plant has a mass of small little green tomatoes with one tomato a bit bigger.

Oh, I did forgot there are a few that are starting to turn red.

I may pull them and ripen them in the house.

This is the time of year where we play a waiting game with respect to the frost.

I do pay attention to the weather forecast.

Once we get a hard frost …. it is most difficult to clean out the flower pots.

Basically you have to cut down the plants and put the roots in the spring.

Now that is okay but I would prefer to prep the pots for spring now but either way works.

I did want to load up the front flower bed with some fresh top soil but with the way that time is passing not sure that is going to happen before spring either.

Perhaps I will leave that although I did want to plant my tulips now.

Decisions decisions, decisions.

 

Quick story before heading back downstairs to grab some coffee,  move Alvin’s bed from the living room to the kitchen.

So yesterday after work we went for a walk.

We had a nice visit with our friend Pauline, her granddaughter and her boyfriend in the yard before heading to complete the last half of our walk.

Her garden, Pauline’s flowers are still as beautiful as mid summer.

Gorgeous.

When we got around to Alvin’s friend Teddy’s house ….. I had to let him go in.

Usually I say when he walks toward the driveway, “not today buddy.”

Perhaps I add “Teddy is at the farm” …. because they have been at the farm lots this summer.

But last night I thought let’s go in for a visit.

So in we went.

Teddy and Kobi swarmed me ….. jumping up ….. so excited to see me, us.

Alvin, of course headed to see if there was some food out in Teddy’s dish.

What a guy.

I could also smell something good and Iris had just baked an apple/raisin pie.

Oh that smelled so good.

Reminded me of fall.

Reminded me of the apply/pumpkin candles from Bath & BodyWorks.

Iris said “come out to the back and we can sit on the deck.”

She had stained it over the weekend and it looked so great.

We had a great visit.

Teddy had jumped up and snuggled on my lap for most of our visit.

Kobi not far away.

Alvin checking every so often.

Enjoying the warm temperature of the late afternoon.

Then before we knew it …. time to go home.

Alvin managed to snag this treat called a “bully stick.”

You do not want to know where it comes from and I am not going to say.

Anyway Alvin had this treat hanging out of his mouth and would not give it up.

Iris said “that’s okay, he can have it.”

So on our way we went.

Alvin galloping ahead with the treat hanging out of this mouth, a man with a mission.

He did not turn his head or stop until we were almost home (by the park) where I was distracted for a second by something but then noticed

he had stopped in the middle of the sidewalk, pooped and then started to walk.

Treat still in his mouth.

I stopped of course, picked up the poop and then with some water from his water dish I poured over to clean up the remains.

OMG, I was mortified.

Not on the sidewalk but what can you do.

We were really close to home when we, I noticed some neighbours coming toward us with their dog.

As we approached each other, they both said hello, giggled and remarked about how Alvin looked like a guy on a mission.

That he did.

He did not stop other than that quick little poop and when I stopped.

He was truly a guy on a mission.

Alvin has not really chewed the treat but has carried it around the house even to bed last night.

It is sitting in the hallway waiting to be retrieved on our way downstairs.

Okay gotta go.

 

Have an awesome day.

Take care and be safe.

Living with Kindness and Respect.

 

I/We shall remain,

As Always, Carol & Alvin

Second Half of the NEW YEAR.

Whoa, what a storm we had last night.

It was like Mother Nature opened the mighty barrel and let it rain.

The rain was coming down so hard it bounced like a rubber ball off of the garage roof.

I was working on our after hours phone line last night in the middle of the storm.

Just minutes before I had popped out and put my flower pots into the garage.

So glad that I did.

There were a few however that I could not get into the garage but I sheltered them as much as I could.

Back to the storm.

I watched from my office window as the sky changed from a bright blue to overcast to utter doom.

For a bit I was nervous that perhaps there might be a tornado.

The wind was bending the trees almost in half.

Truly it was the night from you know what.

Thankfully it was relatively short lived and the sky was a clear blue by 9:30 p.m.

 

This morning the sky is blue and the sun is shining.

I have the window open and a nice cool breeze is tickling my neck as I key these words.

I can feel those tiny hairs standing up as they are now awake.

Grateful the storm is over.

I know that a great many folks had water in their basements.

I am grateful that my basement is dry.

 

I noticed one of my new plants that my friend Pauline gave me for my birthday have one new flower.

After I brought the flower pots out of the garage this morning, I quickly snapped a few photos.

Then I grabbed the cushions for the lower deck out of the garage and placed them accordingly.

What a gorgeous morning.

 

Well it is time for me to drink some coffee and get to work.

I hope that you have a Happy Friday.

Continuing to live my life with as much kindness and respect as possible,

I/We shall remain,

As Always, Carol & Alvin

 

P.S. Alvin has a vet appointment this morning. Mainly regular stuff but I think now his other ear has yeast infection and definitely his paws are bothering him.

Second Half of the NEW YEAR.

Good Morning and that it is ….

The sun is shining and there is a nice cool breeze.

We survived a HUGE storm last night …

It has been awhile since I have heard thunder booming like a massive drum held up to your ear.

The light show was nothing to sneeze at either.

Lighting up the entire room when it flashed.

I looked out of the bedroom window at one point when the lightning flashed and it lit up the whole street in my view.

I must have fallen asleep shortly after I put my book down because the storm woke me up before 10:30 p.m.

Poor Alvin was a little stressed by it all but likely didn’t help when I was startled by the start of it all.

I heard that extra cracking and thud of hail as it hit the house and ground.

So happy that I had moved my precious flower pots out of harm’s way.

We were lucky as I surveyed the damage this morning.

Oh and the wind …. it was scary.

There were moments when I thought the roof was going to blow off.

My mind wandered briefly to the thought of a “tornado” but again we were lucky.

Just a huge wind.

It was the whole package …. one of those out of this world summer storms.

The rain was coming down so hard at one point that I could not see the other side of the street.

I have not got to the basement to check things but our drain system seems to function well.

I can hear the slight mews or it sounds like a cat but then as it got closer it was a crow.

Well as you can imagine after last night it was most difficult getting out of bed this morning.

Alvin did not want to lay down.

We were up and down a few times before finally settling on the sofa.

That seems to be his safe place.

 

Well as I am running extra late this morning …..

Will have to cut this short, I am sorry.

We are doing well.

Had two awesome walks in yesterday.

Which we so badly needed.

 

Supposed to be hot tomorrow so likely another storm tomorrow night.

Take care.

Be safe.

Live your life with kindness and respect.

Time for that first cup of coffee.

I/We shall remain,

As Always, Carol & Alvin

Second Half of the NEW YEAR.

Good Saturday Morning and Welcome to the 4th day of July.

Our neighbours to the south are celebrating their birthday today.

Happy 244th Birthday United States of America.

We, Canada celebrated our 153 Birthday on July 1st, 2020.

In the grand scheme of things two very young countries compared to other places on this planet.

Both learning new things as we grow or age.

I hope that we never stop learning.

 

This Saturday morning is overcast and a bit cooler than yesterday.

We reached 24 degrees yesterday here in Edmonton.

With a breeze it was so beautiful and the SUN shine.

Magnificent.

This morning I can see the trees swaying in the breeze.

It seems quiet except for Mr. Alvin squeaking about …. he wants something.

Alvin makes this half bark half whine half something ….

I can say one thing about my boy ….. patience are not in his DNA.

Oh well.

What can you do?

Spoiled much, oh no, not my Alvin (not).

 

I am so excited though as at 10:00 a.m. my friend G is coming for a visit.

We always have such good visits.

Then at lunchtime my daughter is coming for a visit and lunch, of course.

Cannot come at that time and not have lunch.

Keeping it simple.

I think perhaps grilled cheese sandwiches with veggie tray (limited on the veggies but I have a few).

For dessert, homemade chocolate chip cookies.

 

So entertaining this morning and then will get some work done this afternoon.

Laundry and such.

A walk with Alvin.

With any luck, Mother Nature will be kind today and the sun will shine.

 

On this Saturday, I hope that you are safe.

I hope that you are surrounded by folks who love and respect you.

I wish you much joy and laughter sprinkled with abundance.

With kindness and respect.

I/We, shall remain,

As Always, Carol & Alvin

 

One of my favourite flowers.

From another year.

A dear friend gave me an early birthday present.

One of the flowers in the pot that she made for me is pansies.

There are several in fact.

I love pansies as it looks like they have faces.

The coloration is amazing.

Such beautiful combinations.

 

Again, I suffer from technical difficulties.

Something I need to conquer.

Definitely.

 

Okay time to go as Mr. Alvin is losing whatever small amount of patience he may have had.

 

 

 

It is a NEW YEAR.

Good Morning and Welcome to Thursday the 18th day of June, 2020.

Okay, much better this morning.

Guess what?

The sun is shining brightly and the sky is the most delicate of blues.

YAY, I love the sunshine.

Not necessarily to be out in the sunshine for long periods of time but I like the sun to shine.

Rain is wonderful as well but the sunshine is what makes my heart beat a little bit faster.

The sunshine is what makes me feel like I can conquer the world.

Oh, no worries.

I am not planning for a worldwide domination.

The sun simply makes me feel so good.

The birds are chirping and I heard a goose fly by honking along the way.

Perhaps the goose was looking for the rest of the flock.

There are two criss crosses making a large X in the sky from the jet fuel.

There are also a few wisps of white delicate clouds dotting the blue morning sky.

 

I am happy it is Thursday.

My Good Food order is being delivered today.

I have decided to do this once a month or so.

It is a great way to try new things and to have all the ingredients.

When you cook for only one person it goes like this.

Saturday and or Sunday you make a big meal.

You eat said big meal.

Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.

By this time you are tired of said big meal it is time to start all over again.

I cook simply and use what I have in the house.

Of course, I buy groceries.

Well not personally these days.

I have not gone grocery shopping since the beginning of March, 2020.

Crazy, I know.

My daughter and one of my friends are my personal shoppers.

Not by design but by necessity.

They always tell me …. we have to go out ….. you don’t need to.

Am I not the luckiest one!

Now at some point I will have to brave the “new world” and leave my neighbourhood but until then I will be quite content to let my girls shop for me.

As long as they are okay with it …. I shall be, too.

 

You will not believe just the depth of green that our trees and grass hold with all of this rain.

If we get the right amount of sunshine …. the grass will be lovely this year.

Nice and green and lush.

Last year we had to much rain which is just as “bad” as no rain.

 

Well my friends looks like almost time to head over to the workstation.

Oh, so far away.

In the NEVER NEVER LANDS.

I got the “lands” from PLUTO LIVING.

OH my gosh, I do love Pluto and her Mom.

They have the best videos.

Good information and advice.

Funny stories.

From a perspective of a four-legged, oh if only Alvin could talk……

 

Yesterday I posted a photo of my new flowers again.

The name of the flowers are:  LANTANA – Havana Cherry.

They are butterfly magnets, love the summer heat and are drought tolerant.

The perfect flowers.

Now bring on some heat.

Just a little.

Definitely not 30’s for weeks.

No, no, no.

 

Okay now I really must go.

Time to fly.

The commute is so far.

To the NEVER NEVER LANDS.

That is what I shall call my work now …..

Wild laughter.

Yes, I am definitely smiling.

Alvin is whining and now barking.

Oh, me Alvin.

Better go.

 

Have an awesome day.

Remember to live with kindness and respect, always.

I/We, shall remain

As Always, Carol & Alvin

 

 

Living … One day at a time

Good Morning,

We had a 20 degree dip in temperatures last night.

The daytime temperature was about 16-17 degrees celsius and then minus temperatures overnight.

We had rain that over the course of the evening.

I noticed at one point some of the dreaded white stuff was infiltrating the rain.

The rain won out and other than a few crisp bits of white on the deck that is all for this moment.

Thankfully.

It is one thing watching it come down over the course of the day but to wake up to SNOW – well that is just too sad.

 

We walked as soon as we were able to after work.

During the first few moments of our walk we could feel the dampness on our skin/fur and see the wet on the sidewalk.

Although there were deep dark clouds the rain held off until after we arrived back home.

I even managed to pull my remaining flowers mainly SNAPDRAGONS.

I snipped the flowers and placed them in vases/jars.

There are so many colours …. yellow, coral and pinks.

Into the garage went the remaining four flower pots.

I have three others sitting on the deck and they will have to go into the garage perhaps tonight.

They are heavy and I have to drag them …..

Such pretty flowers, I just had to bring them into the house.

There were lots of dried blooms with seeds …. have them, too.

On this Tuesday, I wish you all good health, love and joy.

I hope that you are as blessed as we.

Alvin is resting on his trusty blue blanket beside me.

Life is good.

Even did some texting with my beautiful sister already this morning.

 

With kindness and respect we will live great lives.

 

Always, Carol & Alvin

Living … One day at a time.

Hello,

As the deep dark blue grey clouds slowly take over the sky; I feel kind of sad.

The trees are swaying in the wind.

I am glad that I moved my flower pots on the deck into the shelter of the house.

Just in case there is a downpour.

Not sure why dark foreboding clouds makes one feel sad but just a little.

Usually I am a happy person.

Content in my own skin.

I can see the sunrise to the far east where there remains a bit of clear sky.

We missed the rain yesterday but looks like today will be the day.

A bit cooler this morning.

I was shocked at how fast it cooled down last night early evening.

 

Well I am running late and have a couple of things to do one of which is outside.

Have to pick up that poop.

There is always poop in our lives.

Oh well …. poop it is.

Now that brings a smile to my face.

How about to yours?

 

I can hear the rain … just back.

Made a mad dash down the stairs, grabbed my jacket and a poop bag and before hitting the door threw on my “dawgs.”

Managed to pick up the poop, yay me.

Without getting wet.

The raindrops are huge.

Perhaps it will be a rainy day.

 

Last night after work on our walk as we neared Teddy’s house – we saw many men scurrying about.

They were on the roof and on the ground.

Teddy’s house was having the shingles replaced.

Teddy’s Mom drove up just as we neared the house and gestured us to come in.

Alvin was a bit nervous with the loudness of the machinery and the men.

But we managed to get into the house safe and sound.

We had a great little visit.

Always nice to see them.

 

Well time to go now.

I wish you a great Wednesday.

Remember to be kind to yourself and to others.

Remember to be respectful to yourself and to others.

Just imagine what kind of beautiful place this world would be – if everyone was kind and respectful.

Kindness and RESPECT.

The two magic words.

Go forth and show the world your kindness and respect.

 

Always, Carol & Alvin