The Next Chapter

Good Morning and Happy Easter 2023. Day three of four day long weekend for me. How are you on this Sunday? Do you have plans to go somewhere or perhaps you are somewhere? Is someone cooking an Easter feast? Company or just for You? Or perhaps you are like me and just spending the weekend doing spring cleaning. The weekend did not start out the way that I had planned or has it continued the way the I was hoping that it would but it is unfurling as it should. All things happen for a reason. The upstairs washing of the walls, blinds, fans, light fixtures and all of that is taking a bit longer than planned. Yesterday I completed my bathroom and bedroom and I did empty the office closet. There was also a load of laundry down in between. Today the plan is to wash the office closet and reorganize, also wash as much of the office walls as I am able to – reason is I have the wall size bulletin boards hanging up and if I take them down, they will be ruined as they are not hanging on hooks. I also would like to take down all of the items on the boards and put up some new things. There are Christmas Cards and others to go through. Books to decide on what to keep. This is the room where it is more going through things than actually cleaning. Although one could say that going through things is cleaning of sorts. Just not with a bucket of water, lol. Anyway, I will finish off the upstairs today. I am making Chili in my handy dandy Tupperware pressure cooker. I realize that I have far too many “things” for one person and I am going to go through each room and be “frugal” on what I keep. I keep things based on emotions. Like keeping cards. I used to have every card that ever was given to me since an adult until in the 1990’s and then I downsized to a couple of storage containers. Christmases, Birthdays, Thank you and on and on. Life. Movie tickets. Concert tickets. You see what I mean. Time to get tough. Keeping a few things only will be hard but must be done. Another sunny day ahead.

Yesterday was a tough day emotionally for me thinking of my Alvin. He would have been trying to find a place to lay down to be near me as I cleaned. We would have gone for a walk as it was so beautiful out. I just miss him. So many memories…….

Happy Easter Everyone!

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I just spent a few minutes trying to upload some photos from my photo library to this post with no luck. Time to get going as I have a full day ahead of me and it is already after 8:30 a.m.

I hope that the Easter Bunny made it to your home with some chocolatey treats and maybe a new outfit or something that you need.

Have a wonderful Easter Sunday.

I look forward to taking a walk down memory lane in between washing and cleaning!

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! The sky is blue and the sun is shining. I got up early for a day off and had a shower already. Last night after work I struggled to change out the new oven element for the new one. The first parts were easy of course, unplug from the electrical receptacle (of course), remove the oven racks and set side, undo the two screens that hold the element in place, done. BUT then it came to remove the element from the wire connectors. Nope they would not budge. I must have watched 20 videos and some of them twice and in all of them, the moderator easily pulled/disconnected the wires. There were some texts to friends and to my daughter. Not for me an easy task, I did not want to pull too hard on the wire connectors and wreck them. I was able to finally to get in touch with my neighbour who came over right away. Steven said that they were really tight (so I did not feel so helpless ). I then found out that I had the wrong replacement element. The one that my daughter had picked up had different way of connecting the wires. So this morning we are off to Home Depot to hopefully exchange. I have the receipt on my phone. Hopefully they can do a straight exchange and I am glad that I did not throw away the bit of light cardboard that was wrapped around part of the element with the brand name and instructions. No one’s fault, I had no idea it was different. My oven story. So instead of something that took supposedly a few minutes ended up being almost two hours ( I had to stop in between and have supper, lucky for me I had leftovers to be warmed in the microwave). My ride just said morning and I know they are early risers so I wanted to make sure that I was up early – just in case he calls and said “ready to go.” I should have asked the time but in all the shambles of the situation, I simply forgot. Oh well, definitely not the end of the world. I could likely do without the use of the oven for awhile but I like to bake or roast things more than anything. I did realize that my oven needed to be cleaned. Not my favourite job that is for sure. I spent part of the evening cleaning the oven and stove. I had to be careful because the wire connectors are exposed and I did not wish to get them covered in anything (the stove remains unplugged). Certainly a lot easier to clean without the element in place. I am so grateful to have such great neighbours. I wish that I was better at fixing things and technology. Cookie baking I got.

The Easter bags with my coworkers were a hit. Our Manager hid some chocolate eggs for us to find. Mostly around our desks. It was a nice early morning distraction from the coming day. Remember I do love the commute.

Well I have lots to do this weekend. This morning an unplanned trip to Home Depot. Then finish with the stove and then start washing walls and baseboards and light fixtures etc. I will start with the upstairs. Big job on my list is the office closet. It needs an overhauling. Also time to redo my wall size bulletin boards. Rearrange and put up some new things ….. cards for Alvin ……. Perhaps one of the boards will be for me and one in memory of him, of me “Alvin.” I sure miss him. Feels quiet and lonely in the house by myself. He is looking out of the bedroom window with his favourite Teddy Bear & Gnome by his side wrapped in his blue blanket. Life is always changing.

I look forward to coffee this morning. Wishing you a wonderful Good Friday and Happy Easter Weekend. Be safe, be well and have fun. Remember to laugh, to smile. Sometimes we forget in all of the stuff we call “life.”

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)

P.S. I hope that the Easter Bunny does not forget me this year. Not sure when the cut off is for home delivery, lol.

The New YEAR 2022

Happy Easter Everyone!

We woke up to a few inches of the white stuff covering everything including the Easter Bunny’s steps. I guess he missed our house. Me and the pups were very disappointed. We had been good and were thinking there were be treats waiting for us when we woke up. Maybe he got lost. I don’t know but very disappointing all the same. Perhaps he figured chocolate not being good for pups and that I didn’t need it – was not worth the stop. Oh well, maybe next year. I feel badly now that I did not pick up a little toy for each of the pups yesterday. I will give them some treats and we will be all good.

Yesterday I had a pleasant surprise. There was a knock on the door in the afternoon. I opened it to find a friend that we had met on our walks. She handed me some chocolate chip cookies (made with coloured Easter smarties). So sweet and thoughtful. She has a little boy but he was with his Dad and she was on the way to the gym.

Late morning I went to the store with another friend but we took a side trip to the Italian Store which I may have been to only once. So either it was the first or second time that I had been there. So many people and I did wear a mask. I picked up a few items including some orange and chocolate biscotti (not as good as my friend Val’s but tasty). I love biscotti. We were only gone about 1.5 hours and after returning home, my friend came in for a few minutes as she wanted some puppy time (her beloved Jazmin passed away just over a week ago). After she left, I took Miss Aspen for a walk followed by Alvin and Milo. It was snowing and a bit cool but we got the walks done. I wore the wrong shoes with Aspen and my toes were hurting most of the time. They are old shoes and are okay if you are not walking. Whatever possessed me to wear them, I will never know. But that is okay. I put on better ones and my toes felt find for the next walk. Alvin decided our walk would be shorter than usual so that helped me although I would have taken them gladly for the full walk.

Guess what we woke up to this morning at 4:00 a.m., S-N-O-W, when will this end. It isn’t going to melt as fast as the white stuff from yesterday. Oh well.

Time to go and have some coffee and take the pups downstairs. Aspen stayed downstairs in the big brown hair enjoying the view out of the window. Her happy place. The other two follow me everywhere.

I hope that you had a laugh from part of this post.

I hope that you are in good health.

I hope that you are surrounded by love and laughter on this day and always.

I hope that you have some chocolate in the house.

I hope that your hands are not chapped (mine are and I don’t know why)

Happy Easter.

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Have a wonderful day.

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

Always, Carol & Alvin, Aspen and Mi-Mi

P.S. I bought a lotto ticket and a scratch ticket. Won $5 on the scratch ticket and look forward to winning on the lotto max ticket. Happy 2022.

2021

Good Morning ALL! Happy Easter. Trust this will find you all well. Perhaps even enjoying a bit of chocolate from a delivery from the good ole’ Easter Bunny. I can still taste some of my favourite Easter treats. The marshmallow eggs covered in chocolate, Oh Henry Easter Eggs filled with peanuts and caramel and chocolate, solid milk chocolate Easter Bunny and more. Another favourite food item: Hot Cross Buns. Love those fruity buns. Alvin and I did not see the Easter Bunny this morning and did not find any special treats, but I guess at 63 …. he figured that I no longer required those delectable items. I think that he guessed incorrectly,lol. Maybe next year. We were up over two hours earlier than yesterday morning. Guess we just needed that sleep.

No worries, despite our late rise yesterday I had a very successful day. I spent almost 4 hours out cleaning up the neighbourhood. Shockingly I picked up over 50 of the blue and black disposable face masks. On one of the walkways I picked up in excess of 60 disposable coffee cups. There were so many shingles and the two large black garbage bags that I was carrying were getting so full and heavy that I had to leave a few behind. We have had so much wind over the past few weeks. My arms and back were sore by the time that I got home. In fact, I could not even finish and had to almost drag the bags home and pick up another bag and go back out to finish the 1/2 block by my house which I almost filled a bag doing. I am always surprised by how many people walk by me not wanting to make eye contact, do they think that I am a criminal or what? But then sometimes there are a couple of people that stop me and say thank you. I am not doing this for the gratitude but it sure is nice when it happens. I posted the story on FB mainly because I was appalled at the number of face masks that I found in our neighbourhood. I was totally disgusted by the number. No reason to be throwing them about.

I also heard a dog barking a few minutes into the trash pickup, and seemed close by so I turned to see this little yellow dog running to me and barking. The dog was on a busy street and I almost had a heart attack as I dropped my trash pickers and garbage bag and ran to the dog. He/she was alone. My heart sank. Now what? The closer I got the more she/he would run away and then back to me. As I approached the corner, I could see a man and his dog on a leash out for a walk coming toward me and I asked if was his dog and he said no. He did what he could do and I just stopped traffic trying to figure out what to do. Every time I approached the dog it just ran about. We were on a extremely busy street or couple of streets actually. I physically used my body to stop traffic. Just stood in the middle of the street so that no one could turn as I tried to keep the pup safe. As the cars backed up – a man and small boy came out, I asked if was their dog and he nodded. They both tried to coax the dog to them and finally after a frightening few minutes the boy was able to grab his tail and then scooped the dog up into his arms. They walked away. Then it was over. I apologized to the drivers of the vehicles and moved out of their way and went about my trash pick up. I did have a brief conversation with the man and his dog. We were both surprised that the owner of the dog said nothing, no thank you, nothing. Perhaps he did not know English or I just scared him. Anyway, I was so relieved that the dog was safe. I guess there had to be some excitement on my walk.

When I got home, Alvin was patiently waiting for me. I took the garbage to the back fence and then put in the garage until trash pickup. Once back in the house, time for a shower, I felt so dirty. But before the shower, I gave myself a haircut. My hair was quite long and now it is not. I haven’t had this short for awhile and am pleasantly surprised at how good it looks. Then a long warm shower. Once I was dressed, I put on Alvin’s harness and we went for a walk. I had a visit with neighbours while we were out. Then just enjoyed our walk. When back home, Alvin had his supper and I decided to order pizza as a treat to myself. It was so yummy. Always feels good to do some community service. I do want to mention that some of my friends that commented on my FB post about the trash pick up – said they saw lots of disposable masks just laying on the ground in their communities as well. I would think that this is a problem everywhere. What is wrong with people? I will say this, I was thinking that perhaps this is part of the reason that the pandemic is not going away and why our oceans and lakes and rivers are becoming filled with trash. People just do not seem to care. Easier to turn a blind eye and walk away. Well I will say this, eventually you will have no choice, it will be on your doorstep, your neighbours and mine. If everyone kept in front of their homes and packed their garbage properly …. it would help so much. On that note, I will say Happy Easter. I do hope after my “rant” that people are doing well and are safe.

Happy Easter

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

Happy Easter ALL

Love Carol & Alvin

It is a NEW YEAR.

Happy Easter Sunday.

The sky is overcast and it is snowing.

We enjoyed a later walk yesterday after my daughter popped in with groceries and for a short visit.

I miss seeing her on a regular basis.

I guess I am not alone in that regard.

Also enjoyed video chat online with three girl friends yesterday morning.

Next best thing to physically seeing everyone.

Most of laundry was completed.

Floors washed and some cleaning accomplished.

Today will be tax day and finish the laundry and some odds and ends.

Thank you to one of my friends and her daughter who stopped by with an Easter gift and card.

A lovely chocolate bar and the winning lotto max ticket for next Tuesday.

I already  know what I am going to be doing with the $70 million dollars.

I do.

 

Early evening I set up a little Easter arrangement.

Snapped some photos.

 

Happy Easter to you all.

May you and your family be safe and healthy.

This is a different time for most of the world.

We will endure.

Happy Easter.

 

Played around a bit …. sorry for the almost duplicates.

Learning about my phone/camera even now.

 

WIth kindness and respect

I/We Remain,

As Always, Carol & Alvin

 

 

It is a NEW YEAR.

Good Saturday morning – April 11, 2020.

The sky is a bright beautiful blue filled with amazing sunlight.

YAY.

The snow is slowly melting.

Across the street from our house most of the snow has already melted uncovering brown grass waiting to turn to green.

On our side of the street facing NORTH we still have a couple of feet of snow.

But it is melting.

 

Yesterday we enjoyed 1.5 hour walk visiting with friends as we went.

I was amazed at how many people that we knew as we walked about.

The air was a bit cool but sunny and wonderful.

Alvin’s best friend came for a visit.

He was so happy to see Teddy and Teddy, Alvin.

I wouldn’t say that they really played but they did enjoy each other’s company.

In the afternoon we three went for a walk and met up with Teddy’s Mom and little sister Kobi.

There were a pair of Canada Geese out by the big pond.

We kept the “social distance” as we walked along.

There are so many more people out and about these days.

Perhaps we will all be in better physical condition after all this is over.

At least the folks in my neighbourhood as they are walking in huge numbers.

I think that is good.

Fresh air and sunlight are good for us all.

I understand if you are sick staying at home but otherwise outside following the “rules” is good for us all.

 

Last night I just finished a book that my daughter had loaned me.

Something like Happy by EVA WOODS.

I really enjoyed this book and her style of writing.

If you have an opportunity to read this book, please do so.

High recommendation.

This is the perfect read for this point in time.

 

Well today, time to get some work done around the house.

Changed bedding and once finished here I will be popping into the shower.

I have a 11:00 a.m. ZOOM meeting with two of my friends.

This should be interesting.

Our CEO had a ZOOM meeting with staff but several of us were “locked out” so to speak.

Someone said that ZOOM had a 100 capacity and well we are over 100 staff.

That makes sense.

Anyway I understand that we can see each other so I better get prettied up.

Or at least look descent.

After that my daughter might pop by …..

It is hard not to see our families if they do not live with us.

But we have a visit following the rules.

There is laundry to do and taxes.

Walking to do.

Cleaning bathrooms again.

Seems like I just did them.

 

Well I should get this show on the road.

I hope that you are all doing well.

Perhaps that Easter Bunny will hop over to your house over the weekend filling it with lovely chocolate treats.

Maybe there will be a floral delivery?

Maybe a video chat with family and friends.

I hope this finds you and your family well.

 

With kindness and respect

I/We remain,

Always, Carol & Alvin

 

Lilies Just for YOU.

 

 

 

 

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Sunday the 21st day of April, 2019

Happy Easter Sunday.

The sun is already up and shining so brightly that sunglasses are a must.

The neighbourhood is beginning to come alive.

Two young women pulling a small child in a wagon just went by the front street.

I can hear the hum of cars on the “freeway.”

I imagine that children are in the midst of carefully checking their homes for treats lightly hidden by the Easter Bunny.

There will be a wide variety for the little ones.

When my daughter was small I used to buy her a new spring dress at Easter time.

There was chocolate as well.

Some years the treats were hidden and others placed in a basket.

Here are some photos of my “Easter decorations” …….

My favourite is the bunny in the first photo.

 

For many folks worldwide it is not about an Easter Bunny.

It is a time of great faith.

 

Well time for me to get this day started.

Today I am spray washing the deck.

Preparing for summer.

Getting things cleaned up.

Enjoying walks with Mr. Alvin.

 

Happy Easter and We wish you a great time with your family and friends.

Happy Easter.

 

Special Hello to: all my family and friends and Happy Easter.

Always, Carol & Alvin

 

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Sunday the 16th day of April, 2017.

The sky is BLUE, a brilliant baby blue with a few streaks of white clouds.

The SUN is shining and there appears to be no wind.

Finally it has stopped snowing.

Perhaps now the sun will warm and melt the white stuff.

By the looks of things it looks like winter not spring.

Oh well it is mid April and summer is definitely right around the corner.

Not really a surprise for the long weekend.

 

I guess anyone having an Easter Egg Hunt outdoors it would be interesting.

Happy Easter.

I hope that the Easter Bunny dropped off some yummy treats.

He hopped by my house this year – I guess he figured she is turning sixty this year and is too old for those treats.

I wished that he would have asked.

Oh well.

Not like I needed more chocolate or anything.  LOL.

 

So two days left of our long weekend.

I am so happy for that.

Just going to write, shower, breakfast, coffee, walk, and some odds and ends.

Alvin is waiting patiently outside the office door for me to go downstairs.

So I had better go.

 

Have a great Sunday and Happy Easter to You All.

Special Hello to: You and Your Family

Always, Carol & Alvin

 

EASTER CRAFTS from a few years ago.

And more Happy Easter crafts…. amazing what you can do with some construction paper and scissors …..

More Easter Crafts

Flowers for Easter ….. Happy Spring.

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Friday the 14th day of April, 2017.

Happy Easter.

Well on a weather note:  SNOW.

Yesterday it was a snow/rain mix.

Today it is SNOW.

Sorry for the FLASH / reflection showing in some photos …. sheds a special light.

It is snowing pretty hard and the sky is completely white/grey with no sign of the sun or blue sky.

Looks like it is here to stay for a while.

 

So much for going out to clean up the trash.

That was on my TO DO List for today, as well as walking to the store which has kind of lost its’ appeal.

The only thing is ….. the fridge is getting pretty bare….

ARGH………

I guess shovelling will be in my near future……

I will put on Alvin’s winter jacket and we will go for a walk a bit later.

We always have a spring storm so I guess this is it.

I left the shovels out which is good.

Hauled out the lighter winter coat and boots yesterday.

Back into the garage with the rake (should have already done so).

 

 

 

Even Mr. Alvin had to take a second look.

At bed time it was raining and when we got up at 4:30 a.m. there was a small amount of snow gathering on the deck.

Oh how snow can change your day.

Well time to get into the shower, have breakfast and some COFFEE.

I always think more clearly with a cup of coffee.

 

Happy Easter to Everyone.

If you are travelling this long weekend – may your travels be safe.

Take Care.

 

Special Hello to: You.

Always, Carol and Alvin

 

P.S. I can hear some birds squawking outside – I can imagine they are not too happy.  Hard to find food in this ……

Thought for the day …….

Good Morning and Welcome to Thursday the 31st day of March, 2016.

Oh, the last day of March.

Guess what?

You will never guess what?

It was pouring rain here last night.

Cannot believe it …. March and RAIN.

 

SPECIAL FRIEND

People appear in your life day in day out.

Some come to stay while others come and go.

Some people you might have an instant connection with and others may not.

Some people you may be friendly with others become dear pals.

I have know “V” for many years.

We were friendly to each other and had a connection through our place of employment and also a family member on her side.

But it was not until I moved away to another city that we truly became good friends.

We keep in touch via social media.

She is one of those people that has a special and rare gift.

She is most kind and generous.

She is intelligent and hard-working.

She has a great sense of humour and perfect timing.

Yesterday I received an email via Facebook from my friend.

It read “CHECK YOUR MAILBOX.”

My heart jumped for joy.

I have come to realize that can only mean – good things.

But over the course of the day I had forgotten about the message.

Home after work – out for a walk with Alvin.

We stopped at the mailboxes.

It was not until I saw the special red mail key that I did my happy dance.

When I opened the mailbox there was a huge parcel inside.

We ran home ….

This friend had sent me some homemade goodies and chocolate from the REGINA EASTER BUNNY.

Complete with a card from the Easter Bunny apologizing for being late.

How cool is this friend.

Friends come and go but this one will stay.

How do I know?

Because she is kind and kindness always remains.

Thank you my friend.

Written by C.Lewis on March 31, 2016

P.S. the rice treat or Easter Bark as it is named was so GOOD.

 

Have a wonderful day everyone.

A poem for my friend.

Special Hello to: my friend “V” back in Regina ……

Always, Carol and Alvin