The Next Chapter

Good Morning! Did someone play an April Fool’s joke on you yesterday? Not on me, as I was by myself. I had a very productive Saturday. I took everything stitch of clothing out of my closet and placed on my bed. Two bags, one for good will and the other for garbage were nearby. I went through each and every item and made a decision based on whether it was in good repair (you know how you hold onto something old even though it has sweat stains and small holes etc.), age of item, quality of item and whether or not it actually fit me and whether I have wore it recently. I even tried on a few items to see if they fit. Sometimes clothing is given to you and you accept it without really taking the time to understand if it is really something you will wear. With respect to items being given to me, some of my most favourite items were given to me and I still have a great many items that were hand me downs. I had a lot of items that were given to me that I plum wore out. They had a good life. Anyway, I filled the garbage bag full of items and the one to charity as well. Two whole bags full of things that I will not and have not been wearing. Surprisingly enough my closet does not look empty. At the same time that I was doing my closet – I went through the spare room closet as I keep items in there as well. I used to separate winter from summer but no longer. Also, I went through my dresser and reorganized and a few items did not return to the drawers. I would say that it was very successful. I have a question do you have anything in your closet that you keep for “sentimental reasons?” I have a few items. One is a jumpsuit from the late 60’s that belonged to my Grandmother, a Saskatchewan Roughrider jersey and a top that one of my client’s made me when she moved away from Edmonton. An eclectic group for sure.

The hall closet by the front door did not go unscathed. I cleaned it out and took the remainder of my winter outerwear down to the cupboard in the laundry/furnace room. In the cupboard downstairs I came across a bag of items. There was a sheer pink dress that I wore to my youngest brother’s high school graduation (1980’s), the dress and bolero jacket that my grandmother wore to my wedding (1977), a dress and tops that belonged to my grandmother from the 50’s, the dress I wore to the first family photos taken when my daughter was a baby. In the bag was a beautiful pink satin bridesmaid dress that I had used for a Halloween costume several years ago and the pink half slip & camisole that I wore under the sheer pink dress. The elastic in the slip had disintegrated, so I threw out the bridesmaid dress and the slip and camisole. I could not believe the sizes of the dresses. My grandmother’s clothing appeared to be something a child would wear (size wise) and my old clothing – well safe to say that I would never fit in any of the items again. I had a fun few minutes reminiscing about each items. The items that I kept were tossed into the laundry for a wash. I figured if they came out okay, I would keep them. They are all hanging on the clothing racks in the basement. Airing out that last bit of “chemical” smell. I will keep them in a closet instead of packed away. Honestly keeping clothing packed away is not a good idea. Reminds me of the smell from a second hand store or thrift store. Most of the clothing that people bring in are placed in garbage bags. Why in this day and age, can we not invent something that does not have that chemical smell. It ruins so much. You cannot always get rid of it either. That smell also accompanies clothing when you order on-line as well, the packaging. All plastic. We need to do better. So all of my clothing closets are all cleaned out. The one in the basement has my winter items and I left the door on it open a bit to keep air circulating. While in the basement, I put away some gifts bags and tissue paper that I had left sitting out in the “family room.” The laundry left over from Friday night was also finished. I did some other cleaning as well. Rearranged the living room other than the furniture. I made a special tribute to Alvin on the fire place mantle. The living room is filled with cards, his toys, blankets, his memory items, pictures and his Urn. We spent a lot of time in the living room, on the main floor. The kitchen and living room are all one large room with a half wall separating them. I was thinking that I have not slept on the sofa since Alvin passed. It was many years since I spent a whole night in my bed. Feels strange. Still. Yesterday was an emotional day for many years but very productive. I also hauled a bunch of things from the basement to the garage for disposable. The Electrolux vacuum that I had for many many years and that would no longer start with all of the attachments found a new temporary home in the garage. Perhaps someone will be able to fix it? I see garage sale and social media buy and sell in my future. After I finished everything, I put on my running shoes and jacket and headed out for a walk. I walked for about 40 minutes and on the way home found my neighbours Norbert & Irene outside in their garage. Irene was cleaning the van and Norbert was working on his lawn mower. So I stopped to say hello and we had a nice visit before I returned home. With no oven, I decided to just order pizza. So disappointed as the pizza place that I have been ordering from for a long time – well the pizza is not as good as it once was. The crust has more than doubled in size and the topping is so much less. Who wants to eat a bunch of bread for supper? It is very expensive and used to be worth the money. I really like the young many who usually delivers it but that is not a good reason to order pizza. Or maybe it is. He is the one who remembered Alvin by name and always was happy to see him. I noticed that his front bumper was damaged so I asked him. Apparently a moose hit him. Yup a moose. The moose was okay. Actually just at the end of the newer development by the acreages that surround the south part of this area. Insurance did not cover the damage but he says it was worse and he is waiting for a part to finish the repair. Such a nice young man. I am sorry about the pizza. I should have called the pizza place and let them know that I was disappointed in the quality. But I did not so that is on me. Unfortunately they have lost a good customer.

Looks like I have written a book. How can cleaning out closets and ordering pizza be so wordy? Time to head downstairs and make some coffee. I am going to finish my income tax today. That is a priority. I am close so want it to be done.

The sky is overcast and they forecast snow overnight (did not happen) and this morning. Yesterday was so beautiful out. People were out in flip flops and shorts. I think might have been a tad bit early but that is just me.

Happy Sunday Everyone.

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)

Last Half 2022 – September

Good Morning ALL! It has been quite the week and I for one, is most grateful that today is Friday and once work is done, the weekend begins. Thank goodness.

We had a pretty good sleep last night although it was bed at 10:00 and up at 2:00 for a quick outside “break” and then back to sleep until 6:00 a.m. All in all, pretty good. Alvin seems to be doing quite well and I hope that keeps holding for quite a bit longer. No one knows.

Today, starting with flowers …….

I would like to post this poem that I wrote when my Grandmother passed in September of 1998. She was 97 years old. Queen Elizabeth reminds me so much of my Grandmother. Both were strong, intelligent, both believed in service to their communities, loved their family, both ahead of their times, women well into their 90’s and both passing in September with their beloved husbands leaving ahead of them.

Beyond the Sunset

The sun melts into hues of gold and pink,

as the sky darkens.

A peaceful sigh, as she closes her eyes.

She sees the roses in her garden.

The fragrance soft but strong in the air.

She sees her children and theirs,

She feels her husband’s touch.

She remembers times gone by,

It has been a great life!

She is not afraid.

The time has come.

The Lord extends his hand,

And she follows him home.

Written by: Carol Lewis (Granddaughter)

September 29/30, 1998

***********************

I want to wish you all sunshine and rainbows on this Friday as we begin the weekend.

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

Always, Carol & Alvin

The New YEAR 2022

Good Morning ALL! Well it was not quite the sleep that I anticipated we would have but that is okay. I stayed up much later than usual for me, watching The Royal Party celebrating the Platinum or 70th Jubilee for Queen Elizabeth. The line-up was surprising but wonderful to watch. I did wish that Sir Elton John would have been there in person. Having Diana Ross end the show was great. She does not look 78 years of age and still sings like an angel. I wish Queen Elizabeth many more happy healthy years. 96 years in itself is quite an accomplishment but to be working for 70 or more of those years, is quite another thing. Congratulations. My paternal grandmother lived to be 97 years of age but was not the Queen with all that involves. She was in a nursing home by age 92. How blessed the Royals are to have such a woman to head their family and to still be so active especially in mind and body.

Despite going to bed after 11:30, Mr. Alvin was up at 3:30 and would have been up sooner if I had not coaxed him to stay in bed longer. Oh well, we did catch some zzz’s from 6:00 till 8:30 a.m. Isn’t it funny, that sleep is always the main or close to it, topic for my posts. It drives the day and sometimes my driving is not great, I will say. (not driving a car, lol). Yesterday we were off to a slow start but enjoyed a full walk leaving the house about noon. Then I worked on laundry and cleaning/sorting through things in the garage. I posted a few large items on our community Facebook pages. One item already got picked up. This morning one of my friends and neighbours and I are going to the ECO Station to drop off some items. I have never been and am excited to see the setup.

Oh, I realized that not counting today it is 65 days until my 65th birthday. How funny is that?

This will be a quiet day, I think. A bit of this and bit of that. We will go for a walk a bit later.

Time to head downstairs and have some coffee and then breakfast before we are off to the ECO Station.

I hope that you have an amazing Sunday. It is cloudy and windy here in Edmonton at the moment. That’s okay. I do wish for sunshine and a bit of heat so that my plants and flowers may grow along with everyone’s.

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 bright and sunny Tuesday morning? I, we are doing well. Alvin is patiently waiting for me outside the office door. The garbage truck is making the regular rounds. Just a soft breeze this morning. I can hear the hum of the traffic on the highway in the distance as people are out and about.

I was wondering who do you admire? Who were your childhood heroes? Did you have any? What did you learn from them? Are you continuing to learn from those people? Perhaps they have passed. Did you learn life lessons? Did they make an impression on your life? on your future? on your personality? on what you chose as a career? So many questions.

I would say that I admire those folks who do what they say and say what they mean.

I admire people who stand up for what they believe in.

I always admired my teachers growing up as I learned about the world from them.

My paternal grandmother played a huge role in my life. She gave us time, love, taught me to dance and was always there for me and my siblings. I could say so much more about my Gran Stella but it is almost time to head downstairs for work. These are big questions and I could write likely forever on them.

I want to continue this post perhaps on the weekend when there is time to delve into details.

Food for thought, though.

Wishing you a great Tuesday.

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

Always, Love Carol & Alvin

Second Half of the NEW YEAR

Good Morning ALL, yay it is Friday.

Alvin and I enjoyed a full walk last night after work.

He didn’t stop or walk slowly.

I could tell that he was enjoying each and every step.

Sniffing and walking.

Walking and sniffing.

 

Just transferred the money to the gal that is baking my birthday treats.

Those treats are a delectable carrot cake with cream cheese icing and cupcakes.

The cupcakes are one dozen vanilla with key lime icing and the other twelve are chocolate with salted caramel icing.

I can hardly wait to bite into these sweet amazing treats.

My friend is one of the best bakers, I know.

I have met up with a few of them over the years.

My paternal Grandmother was one of those women who could bake the socks off anyone.

She made the best jelly rolls, angel food cakes, orange chiffon cakes, cookies and homemade bread.

I can taste them now.

All the gloriousness (I guess that is a word).

The jam in the jelly roll.

The thin layer of icing on the cakes.

The smell of the bread baking in the oven.

That was a long time ago and I can recall those smells.

It is funny how much food plays a role in our lives.

We have to eat to maintain health and energy and to live.

But food has become over the centuries so much more.

We eat when we are happy.

We eat when we are sad.

We eat to celebrate.

We eat when someone dies.

We eat, eat and eat.

Christmas cookies.

Thanksgiving pumpkin pie.

Easter bread.

The list goes on and on.

We have channels all about food.

The industry is crazy.

There are bake offs and cook offs and grilling championships.

The list is a mile long.

Every celebrity that can cooks has their own television show.

We blog about food.

We have YouTube videos about cooking and baking.

We put photos on Instagram.

FOOD, food, and more FOOD.

Sweet and Savoury.

 

Well with all that goodness now instilled in your brain, I have to go to work.

I baked a coffee cake …. second one with this new recipe that I found in one of my favourite recipe books.

The night before I baked a few dozen peanut butter chocolate chip cookies.

For an outing this evening.

I am still a bit nervous as this is my first larger than 3 people gathering.

But I am prepared.

I made separate packages of the cookies and will come up with something for the cake using cupcake holders.

 

With kindness and respect, we live our lives.

I/We, shall remain,

As Always, Carol & her Alvin

 

It is a NEW YEAR.

Welcome to Friday morning and it is raining and windy here in Edmonton.

Started to rain in the early evening.

Not constant.

 

How are you this morning?

I am well.

Couple of things.

We were up I would say about 5:00 a.m.

Alvin had his breakfast and did his business in the backyard of course.

Then we hit the sofa for some extra zzz’s.

I must have fell into a fairly deep sleep quickly as I had the most unusual dream.

When we woke up and I started to write in my “Gratitude Journal,” I found myself writing quickly about this dream.

Some of the details were fresh in my memory.

Which is unusual for me.

I madly wrote them down and filled the page before I knew it.

I made connections with some things that happened over the course of the day.

The premise of the dream was: I was in my Grandmother’s house in the small town where she lived decades ago (I lived there at one point with her).

There was this dog, not Alvin.

I had given him a haircut which was a perfect replica of a dog, a clone.

Not even the same dog.

After it dropped to the counter or whatever the surface was, it basically came alive.

From just what would have been a haircut.

The original dog was not hurt or anything but now there were two dogs.

I remember being frightened of this second dog but it was so cute.

There were a great many things that happened in this dream.

There was another woman with me with the dogs.

Almost feels like other people but I am not sure.

At one point I am sitting in the passenger side of a white SUV.

Waiting for someone.

It was winter out as I remember seeing snow.

We were pulled over near a sidewalk.

There were two Real Estate Agents with signs that opened the back door of the SUV and were in and out with their signs as they tried to put them up.

When I finally had enough and climbed into the driver’s seat, they yelled “don’t run him over” and there was this third Real Estate Agent behind the car.

It was odd and creepy and weird.

I looked for traffic as a car slowed and waited for me to pull out.

The street that I turned onto was busy but I finally got turned.

When I turned the street some cigarettes started to fall out of a little nook in the steering column near the wheel.

OMG, strange.

I remember hearing a conversation between the woman and the house and another …. the woman was explained some things …. I don’t remember the details now.

But she called me the B word.

Yikes.

Well that is it.

That was an odd one.

So I have been watching a lot of “Love It or List It,” lately.

I saw a white SUV drive by yesterday.

The second dog was PLUTO the newest Canadian sensation.

I recognized the town as where I lived for a short time with my Grandma.

She lived there for more than 25 years.

 

Anyway, I was going to post some photos and I see by the clock on the “wall” that it is almost time for me to grab my coffee and start the work computer.

I might try and post a few from the week that was …..

 

I was trying to snap some artistic photos of my flowers and a glass flower from different angles.

Well some turned out better than others.

Then there was Alvin and Humphrey on the deck.

You can see Humphrey sitting on the deck post with the beautiful sunrise behind him.

My first ever BUBBLE TEA sold my Steeped Tea of course.

Well that was the week that was …..

 

I hope that you had a great one.

Remember to live in kindness and respect.

We got this.

 

I/We Remain,

As Always, Carol & Alvin

It is a NEW YEAR.

Good Morning Tuesday

The sun is rising and the sky is blue with a few night clouds still remaining.

The garbage guys just went down our back lane.

I opened the window and called out to them “THANK YOU.”

After doing so I realized that the man at the back of the truck had ear phones.

So unlikely he heard me.

Anyway, I feel better saying “thank you.”

 

There are three small words that can mean the world to folks at this time or any time, really.

They are:  “please” and “thank you”

Often times we forget our manners.

My Grandmother was instrumental in teaching me good manners.

I have followed them my whole life.

I am certain that there may be once or twice that in my mad rush or blind ignorance that I forgot, and I apologize.

Just a simple thank you can go a long way.

 

How about practicing:

At the grocery store say thank you to each and every employee working that day.

Say thank you to the person who graciously moves out of your way as you rush along.

Thank you to the person who drops off the flyers at your door every week.

Say thank you to your family and friends just because.

Walk about the house just saying thank you until it rolls off of your tongue.

Remember when asking anyone for anything to say please.

Walk about the house just saying please until it rolls off of your tongue.

 

If we are all practising self-isolation you likely are not seeing many people with the exception of grocery stores and perhaps the pharmacy/drugstore.

Whether you are at home or out picking up the necessities.

Remember this without those folks working their shifts and sometimes longer at your local grocery store and others ….. we would not be eating or able to survive.

That is the truth.

They are really risking their health and lives every time they go to work.

All the services that are deemed to be essential/necessities ….. whether we see these people or not ….. send them good thoughts.

Like shouting out to the garbage truck as they stop in our neighbourhood.

 

Practise good manners with self-isolation and social distancing.

We will come out of this better people.

That is my hope.

Less selfish.

More kind, supportive and respectful.

 

Well it would be time to grab my coffee and get to work.

I am grateful to be employed during these times and to be at home with my Alvin.

I am grateful to be in good health.

I am grateful for the warming temperatures.

I am grateful for walks with Alvin.

I am grateful for freshly perked coffee.

 

Thank you everyone for reading my posts.

I really do appreciate you spending some of your precious time with me.

I hope that you have an awesome day.

 

Always be kind and respectful.

I/We remain,

Always, Carol & Alvin

 

Thought for the day ….

Good Morning and Welcome to Wednesday the 24th day of April, 2019.

Another gorgeous morning as the sun rises filling the sky with hues of pinks and oranges and yellows.

Well my five day weekend has come to an end and it is back to work for me.

What a glorious five days we had – working – walking – working and walking.

Alvin saw his friends and spent some time with Humphrey the Cat.

I am grateful that I had the opportunity to get some tasks completed around the house.

Always things to do but I made a large dent in the list …. perhaps dent isn’t quite the right choice of words but you know what I mean.

We even lounged on the deck for a bit yesterday afternoon.

Sometimes we walked just me and Mr. Alvin and other times we were joined by our friend P (once with Georgie her grand pup).

I am grateful for the kindness of my family and friends.

I am grateful for this spring wonderful weather.

I am grateful to have beautiful parks so close by.

I am grateful to have seen swans flying in our neighbourhood as they passed through Edmonton.

I am grateful to have seen the return of robins in our area.

I am grateful that both Alvin and I are in good health.

I am grateful for our life.

 

Today feels like a good day to share a poem that I wrote many years ago.

 

FROM DREAM TO REALITY

I had a dream late last night,

Of sparkling white sandy beaches,

Palm trees swaying in a sweet scented breeze,

Of clear blue skies and water, clear blue,

Of monkeys, elephants and parrots, too.

When I awoke and looked all around,

It was a dream, so I had found.

The picture is somewhat sadly different.

My sandy beaches are cluttered with garbage.

The palm trees have been removed, replaced with malls.

The breeze smells bitter — terribly so,

The monkeys, elephants where did they go?

We have come too far, too fast,

The signs have been there,

But we did not see, due to our hungry greed

From horse drawn sleighs to gas powered cars,

From tin and glass to Styrofoam and plastic jars,

From all that technology we still didn’t learn

That we’re literally burning our planet — our Earth.

The time has come to join together,

Mothers, Fathers, Sons and Daughters,

If we learn to reduce, recycle and reuse

We can save our planet —

The gem in our universe.  Our Earth!

Written for Amanda’s school play at W.H. Ford School

By Carol Lewis on November 28th, 1990

This is so bizarre that I wrote this twenty years ago for my daughter’s school play.  It is even more prevalent today.

Now it has been almost thirty years now.

What has changed?

 

Well almost time to go downstairs and finish getting ready to leave for work.

Alvin is nesting on his blue blanket which has been made even more comfy by adding a lap blanket my Grandmother made in about 1990.

Talk about lots of older things.

It remains almost as new.

 

Have an awesome Wednesday.

Sending out our thoughts and positive energy to all those in need.

Happy Wednesday.

 

Special Hello to: my friend V who is such an amazing person……

Always, Carol & Alvin

Thought for the day ….

Good Morning and Welcome to Tuesday the 27th day of November, 2018.

Another beautiful day on the way.

Yesterday was a bit cooler than the past several days but still so nice for this time of year.

A time of the year when weather can change in a heartbeat.

Oh, that is most times of the year.

That is living in Canada.

Our weather can change drastically from morning to noon to night.

My Grandma always said “Variety is the spice of life.”

Do you think she was referring to the weather?

Likely not.

Oh well.

I feel sassy and full of vim and vigour this morning.

Most times I am not an early morning person but perhaps it is the extra things I am doing that are helping.

I started taking Vitamin D, a multi-vitamin and onto MATCHA again with breakfast.

Anyway, I feel great.

Certainly is a good way to begin one’s day.

 

Sunday night I came across something that Charles Dickens had written.

It was on a Christmas card.

I thought it would be appropriate to share it with you:

“I will honour Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year.”

     Charles Dickens

 

Such a lovely sentiment and something that we should all try to do.

I do try and keep positive thoughts in my mind (most of the time) and following with kind and generous actions.

But to say that I will honour Christmas in my heart and try to keep it all the year – just brings it up to another level.

 

We all have heart ache in our lives.

We all have situations that do not go the way we thought or intended.

We all have moments/times when our thoughts and actions are less than stellar.

If we all just take 5 minutes each day for ourselves.

To bright the light back.

We can live through the heart ache.

We can change our thoughts and intentions.

We can have more stellar thoughts and actions.

If you are feeling great and in a good place …. your thoughts and actions will show this.

 

I hope that you have an amazing day.

Keep Christmas in your heart.

Be kind to yourself and to others.

 

Special Hello to: all our Angels on earth and in in the heavens, thank you.

Always, Carol & Alvin

Thought for the day ….

Good Morning and Welcome to Monday the 26th day of November, 2018.

Yesterday was a gorgeous day.

Alvin and I enjoyed a wonderful walk.

 

Twenty-five years ago, my Mom passed away at the young age of 55.

We all miss her.

I wrote this poem when we arrived at my brother’s and it was read at her funeral.

 

“Dear Mom”

 

Dear Mom,

Sitting here thinking back,

One moment ago,

Sometimes only days, then back a dozen years.

The memories flood on in,

There were happy times and sad,

Crazy wonderful and bad.

I think of all the voices of family and friends, chattering in my head.

Everyone has a special story, a thought for me to hear.

How hard it is to say that last good-bye.

I remember your laughter, your firmness and the way you spoke your mind.

The Love you shared with others, your charm, that wit, that mind!

We will always wonder, why your time with us was short.

But you gave us all love and understanding, you always believed in us.

Pointed us in the right direction.

Then quietly and quickly moved on,  to watch down over us – our Guardian Angel!

There will never be another “Jeannie”, another “Granny”, another Mom, another Friend like you.

Mom, there is no doubt in my mind that you were one of a kind!

You touched so many hearts that is evident by the stories I have heard,

and by the tears that have and will be shed.

Mom,

No one Loved You More

No one Loved You Better

We all Love You the Same.

Written by Carol Lewis (November 1993) to honour our  “Mother” who passed away in November of 1993.

I miss my Mom and think of her often.  When I think about how easy it is to communicate with family and friends who live at a distance, I am utterly amazed.  It would have been so great if back in 1993, and prior we could have sat down at the computer and SKYPED each other.  So if you are thinking about me or your Mom or your best friend, and they live at a distance, take advantage of the free download and start to SKYPE.  Between Facebook, E-mail, and SKYPE there is no reason to miss out on the days and years of our loved ones.  Post some photos.  Send some love.  Stay in contact.   To all my friends and family out there, I love you and think of each and every one of you each and every day.  Really I do.  I send my love and thoughts of good health and abundance.  Take care everyone…..

 

Special Hello: to all our Angels, you share a place in our hearts and minds as you watch over us all.

Always, Carol & Alvin