The Next Chapter

Good Morning! The sun is shining and it is snowing. What a sight. The time changed today and the best news for today is that it is my darling daughter’s BIRTHDAY. We celebrated yesterday and had such a great time. First of all, I had Miss Aspen, Milo (Mi-Mi) and Miss Betty Ann here for a few hours while the kids went to see some friends in from out of town. The pups were in perfect behaviour. No grrr action between Milo and Betty Ann. We had a nice few hours just hanging out and snuggling. So great to have them here. Still hard to believe that it has been three weeks since my buddy Alvin left us. He is with me everyday and everywhere I go. I hold him in my heart and mind. Happy Birthday Amanda. Despite the time change, it is looking to be a great day.

We had “chicken fingers which are really homemade deep fried chicken nuggets” with homemade honey mustard dip, potato salad, peas and corn. Steven likes corn and we girls like the peas. I seldom eat deep fried anything but once or twice a year, I make this meal usually for the kids birthdays. For dessert I made a fruit pizza which in the pan transferring to the fridge felt like it weighed ten pounds. Not really but was heavy. Needless to say the kids took lots of leftovers home and I have leftovers for a few days. I love leftovers. We definitely missed Alvin at the party. Seemed strange to have three pups all of similar colour and no black & white one. No Alvin. He loved a good party and especially if there was something for him to open.

Well I have a busy Sunday planned. More laundry to do. I need to work on transferring more photos from the old computer to the external hard drive. NEED COFFEE now. I have to go through the box that I brought from work and see what needs to go to the new office. Minimal room. Vacuum upstairs and stairs. Some other photo work to do as well. Lots to do.

Photo by George Dolgikh on Pexels.com

Photo by Nubia Navarro (nubikini) on Pexels.com

Photo by Silvia Trigo on Pexels.com

Happy Birthday Amanda, I hope that you have a wonderful day.

Have a wonderful day. Oh, the 95th OSCARS are on tonight. I think I may try and watch some of the awards. Would nice to see Michelle and Jamie Lee win.

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 Next Chapter

Good Morning! Another overcast morning. I cannot believe that my Alvin has been gone for three weeks. I think that I shall always miss him. He is everywhere in the house. Last night I washed some of his harnesses that I found in the closet. Some no longer would fit him. They are washed and clean and perhaps someday will find another home. Every day I go through the bouquets of flowers and plants that we received and make sure they have fresh water and remove the ones that have passed. Surprisingly, there are some cut flowers that are still doing well. I am so grateful to all those friends and neighbours for the most beautiful flowers. Alvin would have loved them. He really did love flowers and always had his nose in the flower pots in the spring and summer. He was always watching me while I watered the plants in the house and sometimes wanted me to bring them down so that he could see them. Yes, he did. Very curious he was.

Last night I started the preparations for his sister’s Birthday party. She turns 43 tomorrow and Alvin was 13 in January. Lots of the number 3 and 4 combinations, if you are into numerology. Just thought that looked cool. I will keep the decorations for her party a bit on the low key side because we are mourning our beloved Alvin and I just do not feel that it would be right. The house will be full of celebration for a birthday and also celebration of a life well lived. I know that we will be talking about him tonight. He loved a good party especially when there were gifts for him to open, even if they were not for him. To Alvin it was all about opening the gift. Now if there was food inside, he was wanting the food for sure but at the end of the day, he loved to open gifts. At Christmas, he seemed to have started Miss Aspen to be interested in opening a gift, so perhaps he has passed his talents to her. That would be nice. I guess we shall see over time.

This morning, I have a list of things to do. Last night I boiled the eggs and potatoes so I will cut them up for the salad. I may have to put the chicken in cold water for awhile as last night it was still frozen solid. I guess my freezer works good. Shovelling is on the list. Also making the fruit pizza which has a few steps so that takes a bit of time. I put up some Happy Birthday Balloons (I know, they are helium ones that I keep reusing each year and two are from my 65th Birthday but they do not say a year). Not sure my daughter would appreciate a birthday balloon that said Happy 65th Birthday, lol. I may have the chicken cut up and ready to go. I just received a text from daughter that she sent last night and they have a slight change in their plans and won’t be here until around 2:30 so that gives me a bit more time to get things done. I washed my clothes last night so that is off the plate for today. Towels and bedding can wait until tomorrow. I have lots of towels so I could easily do them once every two weeks. There is shovelling on the list. Did I mention that already? If I have time I will vacuum upstairs otherwise that is for tomorrow. I am excited to see Miss Aspen, Mi-Mi and Miss Betty Ann this afternoon for a few hours before Amanda & Steven come for the party.

So the office. Yesterday I left the house at 7:05 and walked to the bus stop to catch public transportation for the first time since pre pandemic. Yes, I was a little bit anxious but just making sure that I had the right one and good thing that I asked because one of the two that I was supposed to be able to catch would have meant a further walk for me so glad that I asked the driver. The bus was on time and I waited for a few minutes because I left early to ensure that I did not miss the bus. The bus ride was less than 5 minutes (for real) and then I walked to the new office. The walk took just under 10 minutes. When I got to the office, I realized that the front door had a FOB entry and not key and it was cold and snowing and I was cold from being outside waiting and walking. I walked around the building as it is small and did not see the other entrance due in part to my glasses being fogged over so I pulled out my cell phone and texted the gal that I carpool with as she was going to the office for further training. I think I mentioned that we will end up working together after all as she will be in a different position. Anyway, she texted our Manager and then I remembered that I had our Director’s phone number so I texted her, she texted me and then called me. She said that the other entrance had a key entry and did I have a key. I said yes to the key but did not see the other door and I did know there was one but just in the moment did not see it. She stayed on the line while I walked and located the door and let myself into a dark building as I was the first one to arrive. Yes, I am always early. Habit of mine. I thanked her and then started to remove my coat etc and settle in. I picked one of the desks, the one closest to the door, lol. Then I set about setting up the Keurig coffee machine so that I could have coffee. It was awhile later after I was enjoying some coffee that another staff arrived followed by the Manager and later another staff. The Manager for our Systems arrived to get us set up and the movers with filing cabinets etc. I even managed to get some work done. The best part of all was that I got home at 4:31 p.m. I made sure that I was out the door at 4:00 as I wanted to see what time the bus arrived. I ended up waiting for a few minutes so now I know that I don’t have to rush rush out the door, just in case. Another new chapter ……. the office is not and sparkly like the downtown one but it does possess a kind of 80’s charm.

Time for me to head downstairs and put on some coffee. It is 7:53 now and I was up just after 7:00 and awake much earlier but chose to lay in bed and just mull over life with constant thoughts of Alvin. Doesn’t seem fair to him or to me that he had to leave what seems like way too soon.

Have a wonderful Saturday.

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)

2021

Good Morning ALL. How are you this morning? I am doing great. Funny start to the day. We had a good sleep. Alvin woke us up at 4:00 and we came downstairs. Decided to feed him and give him his glucosamine chew. Once he was done eating, outside he went. While he was outside at this time, I decided to change the clocks on the stove ahead one hour so that I would not forget when we got up for the day. Once he was back inside – we hit the sofa for some more sleep. Alvin woke up and it was already light out so I got up to check the time and it was 8:00 a.m., so I set the microwave timer for some extra time and headed back to the sofa. Alvin laid down for a bit and then was up. So I decided okay it was 8:23 or so, just get up. Something hit me between the kitchen and the living room and I realized it was Saturday. The girls are coming for coffee at 10:00 a.m. and the time changes Saturday night/Sunday morning. So actually it was 7:23 not 8:23 a.m. Changed the time back and stayed up. What the hay. But I was giggling to myself for the mixup.

Yesterday was awesome. The temperature allowed for me to wear only a long sleeved sweater and a “winter vest.” SUN shone brightly just as it is doing right at this very moment. My daughter picked up us and drove us to the Vet so that Alvin could get out his stitches. Both of the staff that were there had not seen/read the email from the Surgeon at that point so I happily told them the good news about Alvin. We were almost all in tears of joy. Alvin’s Vet Dr. Karen arrived shortly after we did. They were doing some surgery on a cat. An easy surgery. Thankfully. It only took a few seconds or seemed liked it to remove the stitches and he was back to me. I was waiting in one of the exam rooms. In the main lobby area we talked about his new food and other matters. I was able to pick up his new food both hard and wet. Happily surprised the price was not quite as much as I had thought it was going to be. So that is good. Although he will be eating more wet food so will be going through it more quickly but that is how it is going to be. Booked his next appointment for his nails etc. and then we were on our way. Courtney held and opened doors, Michelle carried the food and I with Alvin exited the building where my daughter was waiting for us. She had quickly gone over to StarBucks to pick up her free Birthday COFFEE. Once we got home we girls had coffee and went over what was required at the store. I had written up my list on the NOTES on my phone. So was easy to forward to her. After Amanda left for the grocery store I brought out some chairs and a bench from the garage as today the girls are coming for coffee on the deck. I took the steel/river rock top bistro table out of the garage and to the top of the first landing and left it there for my daughter to help me carry it down the steps. A few years ago, maybe two years ago, I would have carried it myself but I am getting smarter in my “old age” and decided better to have help. Once that was done, we were back in the house and did a few things and then sat down on the sofa and I had some coffee and Alvin just curled up beside me. I love that. It seemed like only a few minutes and Amanda was back from the store. We visited and then she was on her way with a quick stop before heading home. Alvin and I went for a walk. It was so gorgeous out. I only wore a long sleeved sweater and winter vest and shoes. Not even any mini gloves! We walked on the opposite side of the street where it appears to be spring or late fall and where the sidewalk is mostly dry. There were a few wet spots but mainly where there was a street or back lane to break up the public sidewalk. Several streets away from home, Alvin decided he wanted to cross to the other side of the street, I wondered why for a second, checking both directions for oncoming traffic and none we crossed. As we got to the snow back lining the other side of the street, I realized that he was going to see his best friend Teddy. Even after climbing over a small snowbank and down to the sidewalk he turned the right direction and literally pulled me to his friend’s house. I kept saying “Alvin, not today buddy” but he was firm in his decision and before I knew it he was crossing their driveway and heading up the steps. As I rang the doorbell, I could hear Teddy and Kobi barking. Then saw Iris peeking out of the window. Everyone was excited to see us as I apologized for just dropping in as they both replied “you are always welcome.” Before we got past the foyer, I explained to Iris that Alvin can no longer have any of the chews that the pups always have and she quickly picked them all up. We had the most enjoyable visit as we social distanced of course. I sat in a rocking chair and little Miss Kobi came and curled up by my feet, so sweet. Iris remarked “oh she missed her Auntie Carol.” It was a quick wonderful unplanned visit and we were all happy to see each other. I guess Alvin missed his buddy after all he has been through and the time since he last saw him. I see a sleepover in their near future. Once again we were on our way walking and enjoying the warm, sunshine of the day. I let Alvin lead the way. He took us down a different street on the opposite side from Teddy’s house and we made our way home from there. It was a wonderful feeling arriving home and having to wipe Alvin’s wet paws dry. What a wonderful time we had. Shortly thereafter, I was washing my hands and grabbing the ingredients to make the fruit pizza. I had the cream cheese softening on the counter. Fruit pizza is very easy to make but is time consuming. Have to make the cookie dough and bake. The cream cheese filling. Cut up the fruit. Make the orange glaze. All separately and then put together when the base and the glaze are cool so that the cream cheese does not go runny. Made the fruit pizza and was admiring it – even snapped a photo and then I realized that I had forgot to pour the glaze over the top. I actually even sent a photo to Amanda before the glaze went on and had her thinking that something was missing. Anyway, all good. Once done, it was almost time to feed Alvin and get changed and finish up the dishes from the baking. I had time to have a sip of coffee. The food arrived five minutes before the kids arrived. Perfect timing. I covered the bag with heavy tea towels to keep in the heat. Then the house was filled with family once again. We enjoyed our supper and conversation. After supper we decided we were too stuffed to enjoy the fruit pizza and played a game of sequence. All three of us were were in conversation and not 100% in the game but we had fun. After the game we had the fruit pizza. Poor Mr. Alvin was so sorry that he could not have some fruit. He really wanted some but I did not cave. He could not have the pizza anyway because of the sugar but I had some cut up in the fridge and it stayed in the fridge. Sure is hard to not give him fruit or vegetables. Alvin’s doctor is going to check and see if there are any fruits or vegetables that he could have. Oh, I forgot before the fruit pizza and the game – Amanda opened her birthday gift. Alvin and I got her a pair of earrings. Tiny silver hoops with her birthstone. She loved them. After dessert, Amanda and I went into the basement to go through some of her childhood toys and stuffies. They have neighbours that they are especially close to and they have a daughter and a son. The little girl is smitten with Amanda and even told her that she loved her. How sweet is that. Anyway said girl named Charlotte is turning 5 this month. How cool they even have birthdays in the same month. She wanted to give her a toy of some sort ….. maybe science set as she loves science and I suggested because of Charlotte’s love for her that she give her something that was hers when she was a little girl. So we went through containers until we found her bag of stuffies. We brought some things upstairs where she went through the bag of stuffies …. there was Miss Piggy, Rainbow Brite, one of the bugs from a Bug’s Life, Teddy Bears, Wuzzles and so many more that I cannot remember the names. She took the bag home but decided to give her the “Bug from a Bug’s Life” as she has an invisible friend and likes that particular movie. How cute. Anyway it was touching and brought back so many memories as she went through some of her toys and stuffies from her childhood. Now they are where they belong with Amanda. I miss them though …. my baby is not a baby … I guess my 41 year old daughter is a grown woman now…….

Well it is now after 8:30 and I had better get the show on the road. The girls will be here shortly. Yesterday was amazing and I am so grateful for every moment of the day.

Today is going to be great as well. I need some coffee and cannot wait until the girls arrive so will run down and make a couple of cups before making a pot closer to 10:00. I want to get some more chairs out of the garage. Was waiting for this morning.

Have an awesome day. Harness the joy that each moment brings and hold it close to your heart and keep those thoughts in the foreground of your mind as you make your way through this day and every day.

Living with kindness, respect, compassion and patience.

Always, Carol & Alvin

2021

Good Morning ALL. How are you? We are great. There is great cause for celebration in my house. Actually I have been smiling and doing a little jig since 5:25 p.m. last night. I was just about to throw in my eggs with broccoli and tomatoes into a pan to be cooked when the phone rang. I removed the pan from the burner and turned it off quickly before reaching for my phone which was not far away. The caller was GUARDIAN (hospital where Alvin had his surgery). My heart felt like it did a small jump or perhaps it was me temporarily not breathing, as I answered the call. The caller identified himself as Alvin’s surgeon (said his name) and we chatted for a minute or so about his recovery before he explained the purpose for his phone call. He said that the results were all back from Alvin’s tests and were earlier than first expected. As I started to write down the most important things, I asked him to repeat something and he said don’t worry I am emailing you the reports and they will go to Alvin’s Doctor as well. First thing he said was no cancer anywhere, no Cushing disease, nothing bacterial and of course, he used different terminology and I sometimes had to ask him to explain in non-medical terms. At the end of it all of the tests which included testing the lining of his bladder, biopsy of his liver and of the stones from his bladder – everything came back negative. He said he of course is starting to show signs of aging but he is 12 and that is natural. The only change for Mr.Alvin is his diet. He will go on an Urinary Diet SO, I believe he called it. Diet I can handle. I told the Dr. S. that I had not given him any human food, none of his favorite treats like bananas and blueberry and carrots. I asked him if the fruits and vegetables that I gave him would hurt him in the future and he thought not. He also said to discuss his diet with his Doctor which I will be doing later this morning, in fact in two hours when his stitches come out. We had a nice chat. He also mentioned that he will need to keep his water intake around the two cups of water each day. That helps to keep the stones from forming. I am glad that I asked him how much water he should be drinking. I measured his water dishes and could tell that he drinks at least that much and perhaps a bit more each day. YAY, Mr. Alvin. At the end of our conversation I thanked him and the team profusely for the care and support that they have given to us. He said if I ever had any questions to email him. I have his email. How nice is that! Cannot say enough about GUARDIAN Emergency Animal Hospital. They are simply the best. Oh, I also asked about the dental chews that he has now in the pantry …. we went over the name etc. and he said that he could have one. Alvin had gotten so excited when I pulled his container out of the pantry so I was happy to comply.

We are also celebrating the 41st birthday of my beautiful daughter and Alvin’s beloved sister, Amanda. She is coming to pick us up and drive us to his stitch removal appointment this morning. Then she is going to pick up some groceries for me including the items that I need to make her “fruit pizza” birthday “cake.” A bit later she will go home so that she can get her family ready and then return here for a birthday celebration. A celebration of life, really. This day holds extra meaning today. A day filled with so many blessings and much gratitude. I have much to be grateful for and I know it. I feel it and I own it.

Happy Birthday to my darling daughter who is the most compassionate, kind, respectful, patient, funny, intelligent, creative, tech savvy, wonderful, thoughtful, gentle, loving of course, girl – woman. She will always be my little girl.

I cannot wait to celebrate later today.

I do know and believe with all my being that “Thoughts do become Things.” Alvin’s results were proof of that. I just kept thinking to myself ….. he will be in great health and only have to change his diet and he was.

Well time to go and have a shower, then breakfast and coffee and before long we will be at the Vet getting Alvin’s stitches removed. Tomorrow is supposed to be +10 degrees celsius and we will be going for a nice walk. Both of us have cabin fever ….. a need for fresh air and time with nature.

Continuing to live in kindness, respect, compassion and patience.

Always, Carol & Alvin

2021

Good Morning All. How are you this bright sunny Thursday morning? Alvin and I are doing great. We went upstairs to prepare for bed last night at just a few minutes after 9:00 p.m. Now of course we were not sleeping right away as someone has to change into her pj’s, brush teeth both of us, wash face and moisturize and then I read for a bit but safe to say lights out before 10:00 p.m. – the boy slept until 4:18 a.m. this morning. Cause for celebration in this house. I happily went downstairs with Alvin and firstly gave him his glucosamine chew followed by breakfast and then he went outside. A few minutes later he was back in the house and we were curled up on the sofa. The next thing I knew it the alarm was going off on my phone and it was 6:45 a.m. There are no words and I feel fantastic. Like I actually got a good night’s sleep. Seems like forever since that has happened but so grateful that it finally occurred. Alvin is waiting patiently at the doorway to the office for me to finish so he can go downstairs. Today is payday so bills have been paid. Money seems to evaporate. But that is not the word that I want to dwell on. I am grateful to have more than enough money in my bank account for all of the things that we need and some of the things that I want. I am far from greedy. If our needs are met and some of the “wants” then I am feeling deeply in gratitude.

I noticed as I looked out of the bedroom window a few minutes ago that there is absolutely no snow on the north side of the street which is facing south. Our neighbours across the street get the warm sun which quickly melts the snow. The sidewalks are bare and dry. In fact even the grass areas are bare showing the remnants of the fall, leaves that were not raked. On our side of the street which is shrouded in shadows most of the time still is covered in snow and ice. I have been shovelling along with the neighbours but some of the ice that is caused from runoff from our backyards is not as easily disposed. Anyway quite the contrast. Out of the office window the trees are still basking in the bright morning sun and look beautiful against the blue backdrop. Has spring arrived?

Well I am one happy Momma this morning. Also note: that I booked a day of vacation tomorrow. Friday is my daughter’s birthday and Alvin goes to our Vet to have the stitches removed. I noticed that the incision has healed nicely. My daughter is coming to drive us and I am grateful for her kindness. Tomorrow I am going to pick up the ingredients needed to make her a “fruit pizza” for her birthday. She decided she wanted the FP instead of a regular cake. Nice to change things up.

I am grateful for this moment and for all the ones ahead on this day and always. I am basking in gratitude for the blessing of Alvin sleeping and healing and recovering. He is one strong old guy. We are waiting for the results from the tests that were taken at the time of his surgery but I know in my heart of hearts that he is going to be fine. He has many good healthy years ahead.

Time to plug in the coffee and get to work. I am training which has been both interesting and actually fun considering we are doing virtually. Who knew that I could actually train someone without them being in person. It actually is quite easy and we are enjoying the process.

Remembering to live each moment of each day in kindness, with respect, compassion and patience.

Always, Carol & Alvin

Second Half of the NEW YEAR – final quarter

Good Morning, so glad that we did not blow away last night or even this morning. The wind blew down some of my Halloween decorations that I had put up yesterday afternoon. Blew over my garbage can and bye-bye couple of items that were in it. Basically it was other folk’s garbage that had blown onto my lawn. Just like Dorothy in the Wizard of Oz ….. gone, gone, gone. The air is cool but not cold this morning. My two pots of petunias are still amazingly blooming. I am so glad that I put away all of my little knick knacks from the deck yesterday afternoon as they may have taken flight overnight. The sky is blue as the sun is in the early stages of coming up there remains some of the orange colour on the horizon.

Well I accomplished all and then some of the items on my TO DO LIST from yesterday which makes today and tomorrow easier days. Although I can always find things that I want or need to do around the house. With Christmas just around the corner, I need to get working on my craft projects. Started and have ideas but need to put some actual labour into. I have noticed that I do sometimes procrastinate when I do not have a clear vision of the end result and then again sometimes I am not feeling “artistic” and that pushes the timeline. Oh well there is time so no need to panic just yet. Besides Christmas is not about the gifts as we all well know. It is about being together. All of our “holidays” are about being together with family and friends and celebrating those relationships or at least that is my thought.

So Thanksgiving weekend – some folks celebrated yesterday, some today and others tomorrow. This one is different for most folks. I know some of my friends had family over yesterday. Others today with part of the family and the other members of their family got together with them actually last weekend. Tomorrow is the actual day of Thanksgiving. At the end of it all, we should celebrate each other yesterday, today and tomorrow, everyday. Family and friends are so vital to our well being. Relationships need to be worked on in order to thrive. We are a social creature and need the love and support of others in order to survive. Okay how did I get to this point. Oh, well …. Sunday Morning brain. I hope that whenever or with whomever you have the opportunity to celebrate this Thanksgiving with, I hope that it is awesome. Enjoy the food but most of all enjoy the fact that you have family and friends with you. Now there may be folks that due to circumstances are not able to be surrounded by any family or friends and my heart and best wishes go out to you. I hope that you can play music, watch a video or a movie so that you have at least the noise of humans around you. Maybe your family and friends will facetime with you. Technology is a great these days. Even if you are alone you are not alone.

Alvin and I are hosting Thanksgiving at our home this year. We do most times and as I love entertaining. We are having a non-traditional Thanksgiving meal but good food is all you need. Only a couple of times or so a year do I make anything deep fried and today will be one of them. Chicken with a honey mustard sauce (homemade), potato salad (homemade), peas, corn, cheating and having stove top stuffing as have to have stuffing and for dessert “fruit pizza.” Fruit pizza is a favourite in our family. We will have my daughter and son-in-law and my grandpups Aspen and Milo.

Well Mr. Alvin is laying on his blue blanket / towel bed not far away from me. Resting.

On this Thanksgiving I am grateful for:

I am grateful that I have family that love me and that I love so much words cannot express.

I am grateful that I have dear friends all over this planet of ours. Some down the street and others halfway around the globe.

I am grateful that my daughter and son-in-law thought it was a good idea for me to adopt a puppy. Alvin is my companion, my friend and partner in crime. Okay perhaps not so much the “partner in crime” but you get the idea.

I am grateful that I was able to get my own home late in life but better late than never.

I am grateful to be employed especially during this economic crisis and grateful to be working from home.

I am grateful to be safe.

I am grateful for technology and that I have access to it.

I am grateful to be alive, to have more than what I need and some of the things I want but most of all I am grateful to see, to hear, to smell, to taste, to touch and to be in good health so that I may enjoy all of the above.

On this day and always no matter if I have a day or moments that I am feeling a bit less than positive or wonderful, I know that I am strong and that I will be okay.

Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family. May you be in good health and be surrounded with family and friends who support and love you. Happy Thanksgiving.

• 

  Me and my Alvin

• 

  Fall Wreath

Continuing to live in kindness and with respect.

I/We shall remain,

As Always, Carol & Alvin

It is a NEW YEAR

Good Morning Thursday.

Yesterday Alvin and I enjoyed two walks.

One at lunchtime and the other after work.

Alvin certainly slept better.

I think the extra exercise is playing him out.

But happy that he is sleeping more through the night.

The sky is overcast at this point but I have high hopes that it will be another bright and sunny day.

How are things in your neck of the woods?

Sunshine, Rain or Snow?

I hope that you are having a great morning no matter what the weather.

Alvin is resting on the little bed that I have made for him in the office.

Pretty comfy I think.

 

So excited for the long weekend.

Happy Easter to ALL.

A time to reflection.

A time for thanks for all that we hold in gratitude.

 

I am planning to work on and finish my income taxes.

Having an extra day will give me the time so that I don’t have to spend a whole day or so on them.

I don’t remember how long it took last year.

I have already begun so it should not be too bad.

 

I can smell the coffee as it has finish perking and is ready for me to go and grab a mug.

Nothing better than freshly ground coffee perking in the morning.

Almost anyway….

 

How about some pretty flowers for this last day before Easter.

Photos of flowers anyway.

Will take our minds off of the snowbanks in the front of my house and yours.

Well maybe you have a snowbank out front, just guessing.

I threw in a photo of a fruit pizza that I made at some point in the past.

This weekend was supposed to be supper here with my kids and we were going to have fruit pizza for dessert.

It has been put off until a later date.

I wish you all a great weekend.

Time with those members of your household.

Perhaps a creative way to visit with family and friends and keeping the “social distancing” in mind.

 

Well it is getting close to the time that I have to start work.

I have so far to travel …. lol.

Please be safe.

I hope that the Easter Bunny drops by ….

He made a stop here yesterday and I am so grateful as I was completely out of CHOCOLATE.

How could one go into the Easter Weekend with no CHOCOLATE?

Not easily.

Thank you to the Easter Bunny who is so kind and generous.

 

Have a wonderful Thursday.

 

Keeping in Kindness and Respect

I/We are Always,

Carol & Alvin

Thought for the day ….

Good Morning and Welcome to Friday the 3rd day of May, 2019.

Wow, first weekend in May.

Guess what?    Woke up to bare ground.

The sky is overcast and sunrise not visible although it is light outside.

Not sunny, I guess you would say.

 

Alvin continues to remind me to live in the moment.

So last night  I mouthed the word T-R-E-A-T as I was standing looking out the kitchen window.

Alvin was in the backyard and saw me – he immediately ran to the house.

I did not utter a sound.

Amazing, right.

He had done this once before and I wanted to test him to see.

He can read lips.

What a guy!

He is such a food driven being …..

He loves to eat….

I guess he comes by that honestly …..

From spending years with me …..

I love to eat, too.

Anyway, I thought that I would share as it is a cute good positive story.

We need to hear more fun honest stories.

 

Oh, I see the clouds breaking up near the horizon – it can mean only one thing.

Making room for the SUN to shine on through.

YAY.

Doing the happy dance as we did not wake up to a blanket covering the ground.

 

Well I think this is the time for some cute photos.

I have posted these before …. but seriously we all need to see some cuteness.

A fond reminder to not notice what is in the background of “some” photos.

Laughing aloud.

Hope to make you giggle.

 

 

There should always be a FRUIT PIZZA in your future.

Ah, Mama’s boy…….isn’t he cute!!!

CUTENESS FOLLOWED by in a few weeks okay perhaps a one or two ……

VOILE

Flowers – cannot wait to do this shopping!!!

 

Well time get hit the road.

I hope that you all have an awesome day.

Remember only one way to live your life and that is “IN THE MOMENT.”

Be present, listen and aware of this second, this moment.

Happy Friday.

 

Special Hello to: YOU and YOU AND YOU.

Always, Carol & Alvin

 

Thought for the day ….

Good Morning and Welcome to Monday the 18th day of March, 2019.

The sun is rising bright in the morning sky.

Today I am taking a vacation day.

So nice to be at home for another day.

We were up at bit later and then slept in a bit.

Whenever cars drive by in the back lane you can hear the crunch of snow and ice.

It is a massive rut back there.

We need some warm, warm days to melt this mess.

Would have been nice if the back lanes and the streets in our neighbourhood would have been plowed/scraped during the winter.

Likely not many were …. now we depend on the warmth of the sun to take away the mess.

Our sidewalk out front went from bare to a massive chunk of ice.

When it melts from the back yard it drains to the front.

Frustrating.

We valiantly scoop the water to the drain but then over night it return and freezes.

Not pretty out there and we try to keep it clean to no avail.

Walks are on the opposite side of the street, thankfully it melts faster and is easier for those neighbours to keep clean.

 

I have to share some photos from the birthday party yesterday of my grand-pups and the fruit pizza.

Apparently I must have taken the photos of the birthday girl with my tablet as there are none on this camera.

I was certain that I took them with the camera.

 

Miss Aspen and Milo with Alvin in the background of the above photo to the left.

We had a great visit.

Alvin was so excited when he saw them drive by.

We ran to the back door to watch for them to come in from the garage.

I had to let Alvin outside as he could not contain his excitement.

He waited patiently for the door to open and them to start coming out of the garage.

My son-in-law also commented on the back lane.

We ordered pizza from my new favourite pizza place “Royal Pizza” in the Hamptons.

Best pizza ever.

For dessert “fruit pizza.”

The fruit pizza was heavy ….. lots of fruit on that cookie sheet.

I had a vegetable platter as I figured might be a good idea.

We enjoyed the food and the visit.

 

Well I have a list of things to do today.

Finish laundry, make a big pot of chilli, make pot of oatmeal for this week and go for a walk.

Will work on putting together some orders for Steeped Tea and NORWEX.

I have one of each.

 

Just a lovely day to be at home with me Alvin.

I am so grateful to have such great company.

I am grateful to have a wonderful family.

 

Happy Monday.

 

 

 

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Sunday the 17th day of March, 2019.

Happy St. Patrick’s Day to Everyone.

I love my “green” roots, er I mean heritage.

Someone might think I dyed my hair, which could have been a possibility.

The sun is slow to rise this morning but gradually the sky is clearing.

Happy Birthday to all of our friends who celebrate a birthday today.

TW, DH, BW and AD.

What a great day to have a birthday …. St. Patrick’s Day.

Today we are celebrating my daughter and Alvin’s sister’s birthday.

We are a few days late but sometimes schedules clash.

Excited to be celebrating her birthday today on St. Patrick’s Day.

I am making a fruit pizza for the party so will be getting that going in a little bit.

 

Have to relay some Alvin and Friends stories from yesterday.

Yesterday was a busy day with Alvin’s regular vet appointment, grocery shopping, laundry and cleaning around the house.

I just happened to be outside trying to chip away at some ice later in the afternoon (as had just spent two hours cleaning out my INBOX on email, argh) when I spotted Alvin’s girl friend Abi.

Abi was with her Aunt “A” and they were coming down the sidewalk out for a walk.

We chatted for a minute and then Alvin saw them from inside the house.

I asked if they would like to come in for a minute to say hi.

After a quick visit, I decided that we should just suck it up and go for a walk.

We found that walking on the other side of the street from our house; well it was not too bad.

A bit wet but very little ice.

We ended up going for a really long walk.

The first one of this length all winter.

It was great.

Alvin was so happy to see his girl friend.

Must be an age thing as he was less “engaging” as he used to be in his young.

At the vet they said he is like a 60 year old based on his years and the chart ???

Anyway they walked side by side.

Comfortable.

Just arrived home and received a call to see if it was okay for Humphrey to come now (5:15 p.m.).

Absolutely.

I took some cute photos of the boys (this time was more prepared to get those shots that don’t always come around).

Who knew ….

 

I was not quite fast enough to get Humphrey drinking out of Alvin’s water bowl.

The boys resting on the sofa.

 

Alvin, thinking well I guess he’s laying on my sofa.

Every visit they become more comfortable with each other.

Yesterday Humphrey walked up to Alvin and just lightly touched his face.

Alvin was a bit nervous but it all worked out.

All under the careful watch of the MOMMA.

Can you believe how close they were laying to each other.

Best Saturday night company ever.

Oh these boys.

Alvin and Friends.

 

Well time to get this show on the road.

I have toast and coffee to make and drink and a FRUIT PIZZA to make.

Whoops, I had better get out of these pj’s.

 

Have an awesome St. Patrick’s Day.

Special Hello to: anyone celebrating St. Patrick’s Day.

Always, Carol & Alvin