The Next Chapter

Good Morning! Dark outside at this moment. I am up, bed made and had a shower, bit of makeup on and dressed. Yesterday was another productive and even had time to relax. Taxes done for another year. I did some cleaning and went for a nice walk about mid afternoon. Looking forward to this long weekend. Planning to get some “major spring cleaning” accomplished. Washing walls, baseboards, blinds etc. and going through the office/library and reorganizing and going through that closet. Lots to do but I would like to have it all done so that I have time for other things. It will not be too much long and I can start figuring out what to plant. Picking out flowers is so much fun especially if I am with my girl, my daughter. I always have a hard time deciding on which flowers and usually buy a lot. I am sure that they love to see me coming. Planting flowers is so much fun and I love to see them grow and fill out the pots and the flower beds. The front flower bed has always been a bit of concern for me. Some years the flower choices are good and others not so much. I have from time to time had perennials until the lilies had those dreadful red bugs and I ended up pulling them out although if you do not take out the bulb, they will come back. Last fall I thought of getting small ornamental bushes and I may this year. Depends on the quality and pricing. Time will tell.

Seeing as though we are talking flowers, I am going to post some of my favourite flower pictures from over the years. Oh, I can see it beginning to get light outside my office window.

For Mom

Flowers

More Flowers

A proper Gentleman

Photo Shoot

My Flowers

Flowers

Impatiens – for you Alvin

Temporary bedroom

Perfection

I just had to add some photos of my boy. He loved the flowers and to be out in the middle of me planting. Sniffing and watching my every move. I shall miss him dearly this planting season.

I hope that you have a wonderful Monday. Be safe and be well.

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

Always, Carol & Alvin (My Forever Angel)

The New YEAR 2022

Good Morning ALL! How are you this Saturday morning? Alvin and I are fine. He was up early and a few times so we slept in. But today is laundry and cleaning and more shovelling so the time I start is not as important as if you have to be somewhere for a specific time. I am grateful for that. The sky is white matching the ground once again.

I am happy to say that we were able to get a treatment for Mr. Alvin and my friend, his BF’s Mom picked it up from the Vet yesterday and even helped apply it. We ran a fine comb over him and did not find anything. Breathing a sigh of relief. There were two treatments in the box so there is one to apply in one month’s time.

Today is the birthday of my Aunt Lorraine, my Dad’s only sister. There was only the two of them. I mailed her a birthday card and letter a while ago to ensure that it arrived on time. I am like her or perhaps she is like me but we are the same in that we love to receive cards and letters. I think that mailing cards and letters is beginning to make a come back. I have not stopped. With the price of postage I have cut back but I still try and send as many as I can. Who does not like to open the mailbox and find an envelope addressed to them that is not a bill or spam mail or flyers. ME, I do! Happy Birthday Aunt.

Does not look like we got much more snow overnight which is great so I will only have the driveway to shovel. It is good exercise so I don’t mind.

What are your plans for today? Are you leaving the house? Or hanging out like I am and doing laundry and cleaning? I love being at home. We had another survey from work about “how we feel about going back to the office even if it is only for meetings such as the all staff one coming up on the 15th of March?” Well I can tell you this it freaks me out big time. I love being at home and have no desire to go to the office. I like my coworkers but I prefer to be at home. Anyway I explained why I would like to continue working from home with only the odd time going to the office. If there are people that want to work from the office – go ahead but if you are like me and you have been able to do your job effectively from home – then you/me should be able to continue to do so. Working from home has been great my health and sick time (when I was at the office I was always catching something from people who didn’t think to stay home when they were sick or clients coming in when they were sick). I am so happy without a 2-3 hour commute everyday. I love being able to walk at noon when the weather allows and after work. Being home with Alvin especially since his two surgeries last year and his age has been a godsend. Back to our all staff meeting coming up – gives me anxiety but I am trying to just breathe and not think about it as I do not have a choice in the matter. I understand why they want to have meetings but that does not mean that I have to “love” it.

Well back to the weekend. I am grateful for weekends and having time to do my thing. I hope that you have time to do your thing as well whatever that may be.

Happy Saturday.

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

Always, Carol & Alvin

P.S. I had the first of the two cinnamon buns with cream cheese icing from my friend last night and it wa so delicious. Time for coffee.

2021

Good Morning All! How are you this morning? Alvin and I and Teddy are great. Yes, Alvin’s best buddy Teddy came yesterday after supper for a sleepover. We are so happy to have this gentle soul at our house. Alvin was pretty excited when Iris, Teddy and Kobi arrived last night. it has been months since they have together.

I am sorry this will be short as we, well i am running late. I see kids on their way to school, some on scooters and others walking.

Just as i am already at the time to start work, the boys have decided to snuggle next to me as I write this post.

I will post photos later.

So great to have our friend Teddy here. We both missed him.

The sun is shining and it is a beautiful day.

Enjoy.

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

Always, Carol&Alvin

2021

Good Morning ALL! How are you this beautiful Friday morning. Alvin and I are doing great. Just had a refreshing shower. Going to write this post and then head out for a nice little walk before starting the last work of the week. I thought that I would share something that is most important to me. We all lead hectic, busy, sometimes stressful, sometimes anxious, lives and we sometimes need to be reminded of the words we say to ourselves.

This is the Daily Affirmation that I say to myself in front of the mirror every morning three times. Now of course, affirmations should be repeated multiple times and with meaning so that you believe what you are saying.

Daily Affirmation

I am healthy. I am strong. I am powerful. I am happy. I am grateful. I am wealthy. I am loved. I am appreciated. I am lucky. I am prosperous. I am divine. I am confident. I am proud. I am blessed. I am beautiful. I love the person that I am. I release my obstacles and make room for new opportunities. I love my life.

We all need to be more positive and this gives us a boost in the right direction. If we show love and love who we are, love what we have …. our lives will be filled with love.

Positive talk. Positive chatter.

Time to go for a walk with Mr. Alvin. Have an awesome day. Look after you. You are important.

Happy Friday.

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

Always, Love Carol & Alvin

It is a NEW YEAR.

Good Wednesday Morning.

The sunrise is amazing and the sky is beginning to clear.

We had a nice light blanket of snow last night.

I heard from the Weather Channel that Sunday we are to have double digits for temperature.

On the plus side, I should add.

Finally, perhaps that will put a serious dent in the snow banks that are lingering about.

I can hardly wait to see buds on the trees.

The birds are beginning to return from down south.

I believe that I mentioned I saw a Robin last week.

So happy about that.

I love them, little robin red-breast.

I have the coffee perking away.

Oh, how I love coffee in the morning.

Alvin is resting on his little bed beside my computer desk.

 

I must say that I never thought in my wildest dreams, did I ever, think that I would be doing my job from home.

Not ever.

Not even a random thought.

Now here I am close to a month into working from home.

Wow, so strange.

I guess we truly never know what is going to happen in the world.

 

Yesterday Alvin and I had two walks.

This is starting to become a habit which is a good thing.

I placed a tea order after our later walk.

One of my friends picked me up a few things from the store.

I believe that we are set for awhile.

Although how could I forget to get “olive oil.”

Anyway not life or death so it can wait for a week or so.

 

Oh, big thing …. I cut my hair.

Oh, yes I did.

I had been wondering how it would work if I used Alvin’s electric hair/fur clippers.

I found that the extensions do not fit on or at least I could not get them onto the clipper.

So I just took the “electric” clipper and starting cutting.

I took off quite a bit and it looks pretty good.

Had to fix some even this morning with my handy dandy hair scissors.

Although next time I would make sure that I dried my hair straight.

What I mean by this is ….. I would not put my hair in a ponytail and then pull through.

So it was curly / wavy when I removed the hair elastic.

But despite that ….. I am pretty happy.

Besides my hair grows fast so why not.

Alvin is lucky as I cut his hair.

I have noticed a lot of doggies are looking a bit on the shaggy side.

 

Well I guess it is time to go and grab my coffee.

Might start work a bit early today.

Just because.

Not because I have to,

Just because.

 

The sun is shining so bright.

Mid week so that is good.

Weekend around the corner.

I hope that you and your family are well.

Stay safe.

Remember there are always the bathroom fans to clean.

Top of the cupboards might need a bit of a dust job.

Basement.

I know I have many things that I can do when I have the time.

Summer is close.

YAY.

 

With kindness and respect.

I/We remain,

As always, Carol & Alvin

Living … One day at a time.

Hello, good morning … yay it is Saturday.

The sun is up and it is going to be a GREAT day.

The grand pups are on their way to Grandma and Alvin’s house as we speak.

So excited to spend the day with them.

I have planned lots of walks for them and playing in the backyard.

Just as the above photos show from their last visit.

So grateful that today is going to be a nice sunny warm day but not too warm.

Just perfect.

In between there will be the odd nap for sure.

Well this is going to be a short post as we need to be downstairs when they arrive.

I hope that you have an awesome Saturday.

Spend the day having fun.

Relaxing.

 

With emphasis always on being kind and respectful.

 

Always, Carol & Alvin

 

Living … One day at a time.

Hello,

Wow, we had the most beautiful sun drenched Thursday.

So happy that Alvin and I were able to enjoy it with a walk and the mowing of our backyard.

Happy Friday the 13th.

I believe it is going to be a great day.

My youngest brother was born on Friday the 13th in January many moons ago.

 

As the past couple of weeks have ALL about my boy, I thought that I would share a poem that I wrote to him on our ONE YEAR ANNIVERSARY of being together.

 

ALVIN,

You came into my life almost a year ago ..

You were small, needy and unwell..

You made me feel anxious and sad,

Helpless and mad.

But then one day … the veil lifted.

I fell in love with YOU.

Loving your dog is unlike the love you have for a child, friend or sibling.

It is unconditional.

No strings attached.

No arguments or compliments

The view is one-sided

Or perhaps it is not.

But the feelings are felt.

It is true and inspiring.

You have taught me patience.

To be more loving.

You came into my life late one night.

Almost one year ago.

An idea not conceived thoroughly

But yet ….. it was …

You are where you are supposed to be.

Lucky ME.

I am blessed to have you in my life.

We are joined at the hip (sometimes at the foot) LOL.

But nonetheless we are joined.

I love you Alvin.

You bring me great joy.

Continual amazement.

I know that you understand me.

Each word ….. even when you tilt your head to the side.

I know you know….

Thank you so much…..

Love

Always, Your “Mom”

This KISS, this KISS (please stop, Mom you are embarrassing me!!)

 

Written on our first Anniversary together … January 19, 2011.

 

 

WIth kindness and respect the days are happier.

 

 

Always, Carol & Alvin

 

 

Living … One day at a time!

Hello,

Another gorgeous day on the way.

A little bit too warm for me but I will accept it as those days are not in the majority here in Western Canada.

I have closed all of the blinds except for Alvin’s vantage points with hopes that the house will stay at a comfortable level for the boy.

I will also leave the main floor bathroom door open as it is cooler in there.

 

Last night my daughter gave me a ride home via COSTCO.

GUESS WHAT?

I got some florals …. some flowers.

So Happy.

I was truly doing a little happy dance while planting them last night.

Both Alvin and Humphrey were watching with “raised eyebrows.”

Oh, Humphrey joined us for the evening as his Momma was golfing.

The flowers in the pots are the ones that I picked up at COSTCO last night.

Could not believe that I filled 7 pots for $24.00.

I planted Marigolds, Snapdragons, Impatiens and Trailing Lobelia.

I still have some pots to be filled when my daughter and I go to our local nursery “CREEKSIDE.”

We have been going there for years.

Even though it is great to get plants at the big box stores for very reasonable prices; I do believe in supporting local businesses.

I look forward to our date in the near future.

The plants / flowers in the front flower bed are growing like crazy.

Every morning I wake up to the ferns being inches taller.

Is that even possible?

The lilies and other plants are growing quickly.

The back flower bed is doing fair well, too.

GREEN plants and pretty coloured flowers always make me happy.

Whoops where did the time go.

Gotta go.

P.S. decided to use my camera as I still have to get the photo storage figured out with the cell phone.

I will one day soon.

As soon as I get my voice mail activated.

ARGH.

So many things….

 

Have an awesome Wednesday.

Do what makes you happy.

Please.

 

Always, Carol & Alvin

 

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Wednesday the 30th day of January, 2019.

Warming up and snowing.

Rides to and from work today, thankfully no riding on the bus.

Teddy comes for a couple of days as his parents are going on vacation.

Love having him in the house.

He brings joy to me and Alvin.

Lightens our moods.

I guess it is the energy of youth.

Hopefully it will work out so that we can walk over and pick up Teddy after work.

I have the song “HAPPY” by Pharrell Williams playing over and over in my head.

I would like it to keep me in this place.

Actually woke up feeling happy this morning.

That is a first in awhile and not that I have necessarily woke up grumpy but just not feeling gleeful.

Today is going to be full of glee.

I am on top of the world.

Yes, I am.

Keeping up the positive, joyful energy.

I guess there will be shovelling in our future.

The pups will enjoy the fresh snow.

Alvin will be burying his chew treats in the snow for sure.

What am I saying …. will be …. pretty much every one that I give him goes outside.

He takes his time and very careful digs with his paws and his nose a bed to bury his beloved treats.

I love watching him putting them to bed.

When he digs them up …. just as cute.

Carefully and with precision he brings them back to the surface and into the house.

Full circle.

How about some photos for a snowy Wednesday.

Random shots from my gallery.

I love this plant arrangement my neighbour gave me before Christmas.

Sadly only part of it remains alive but it is alive and transplanted.

Teddy, Alvin’s BFF with a chew treat almost his size.

Me and my siblings when we were very young.

One of my most favourite photos.

Ah, my babies, so cute.

How can you not love those faces?

Aspen and Milo patiently waiting for treats and Alvin, not so much.

I love this old canister, a great find from our trip last summer.

Nothing like mountains in the smoke

Books, one of my most favourite things.

Ending with some pretty flowers.

 

Gotta run and catch my ride.

Happy Wednesday.

 

Special Hello to: my friends and family, you raise me up and keep me going.

Always, Carol & Alvin

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Saturday the 12th day of May, 2018.

The sun is up although there appear to be some clouds in the sky as it is not bright as I look out of my office window.

We were up after 5:00 a.m. – thank you Alvin.

Then I set the alarm for 8:00 a.m. – we were up later than usual.

Last night when we went for a walk after our supper which was later than usual.

I did not have leftovers so made supper from scratch and while it was cooking I did some laundry and small chores.

It was really nice out last night.

I made the mistake of somehow thinking that it was cooler than it was and dressed in warmer clothing.

ARGH.

We bumped into many friends along the way.

AS we were visiting with one friend who was out working in her back yard other friends came along.

We joined them for a walk.

They live only two doors away from the woman that we were visiting by her back fence.

It was nice to walk and chat.

Well we had a nice surprise last night as Teddy’s Mom messaged me on FB to see if Teddy could come over today.

She has to work unexpectedly and her husband is going to the farm.

Absolutely, I told her.

Alvin will be most happy to see Teddy as will I.

That little guy is infectious, in a good way.

Also my neighbour called at work to ask if I could check in on Humphrey (the cat) and Cinder (the gecko).

Of course, said I.

I will be going over there shortly to feed Humphrey and check on Cinder.

Humphrey likes to snuggle and look out of the window.

So should open the window while it is cool.

Well as there are things to do here – I should get going.

Nothing wild and crazy.

Which is likely a good thing.

Just so happy it is the weekend and grateful for the amount of work that I accomplished this week at work.

Sometimes working through breaks pays off.

I know that I should not but to be basically caught up is a miracle.

One that makes me happy and less stressed as I go into the weekend.

I also took a couple of extra days off around the long weekend so being in this state will be good.

Otherwise coming back to a stack of work – not so nice.

 

Time to get this show on the road.

I want to go and wash a load of towels.

Get dressed and have breakfast.

Empty the dishwasher, clean the main floor etc. before Teddy arrives.

If time allows perhaps a walk to the park.

 

Looking forward to a nice Saturday.

Special Hello to: YOU, thank you and enjoy this day.

Always, Carol & Alvin