The Next Chapter

Good Morning! Yay, it is the weekend. The sky is blue with wisps of night clouds slowly disapating and it is bright and sunny. I am so happy that it is the weekend. My daughter slept over last night and I am so happy to have her here. She brought Alvin’s special ceramic paw prints home from Guardian yesterday with here and she also found me some runners and run around shoes from thrift stores. Always good to buy second hand whenever you can. I do want to buy some good walking shoes for those long walks and those will be new and I will go and try them on and get the best ones for me. We happily devoured leftovers of the dish that my friend Alyaa had dropped off the night before and so good. I have a long list of things to do this weekend, well perhaps not too long but things that will take a bit of time like finishing to move the rest of the approximately 4000 photos from the old computer to the external hard drive and then do my income tax, in between do laundry, drop off cards at the vet clinic for the staff who looked after Alvin for 13 years and some cleaning. The streets and sidewalks across the street which is north of us but facing south are pretty much ice and snow free. On this side facing north is quite another story although I will say getting better. Hopefully the weather will turn and the temperatures will warm up so that that ice melts. It is a huge job in the spring keeping the storm drain clear and ensuring that as the snow melts and runs down.

I love Alvin’s paw prints and was emotional when I opened the beautiful case that they arrived in. There are so many reminders of my beautiful Alvin. He was the best. Missing him. I will always miss him.

Time to head downstairs. I have made my bed, gathered clothing to be laundered and need COFFEE. I woke up at 6:00 but some how just could not get my butt out of bed except to go to the bathroom. Time to get this day started. Happy for Amanda being here and for the sunshine. Happy Saturday.

Have an awesome Saturday. Remember to take some time for you. You are important. Thank you for your time and for reading this post. I appreciate you. 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)

P.S. Soon we shall get this photo thing figured out so that I can actually post some new photos. Technology is a wonderful thing and I keep telling myself that every day ……. all day long, lol.

The New YEAR 2022

Good Morning ALL! Happy second day of Spring. How are you this morning? I am doing great. The sky is clear and I can see the beautiful sunrise. Our first day of spring storm only lasted until late afternoon then the sky cleared and was the most brilliant powder blue with the Sun beaming so proudly. This morning I remembered a dream from earlier: there was a plan to go out for supper, the only thing was the restaurant that one of my friends wanted to take us to was in Vancouver. Did not stop us. Next thing I know we were on a plane on our way to Vancouver, British Columbia with a table readied and waiting for us. I do not remember who the friends were but clearly someone had connections and more money than me. It was awesome. I have a song in my head this morning, one of my favourites “Missing Piece” by Vance Joy. I love this song. So my head is filled with good thoughts this morning, a great way to begin a work week. I did however, hit the snooze button twice, argh. Oh well, what can you do.

Yesterday was a good day even though we did not get out for a walk. I gave the boy a haircut and bath. Earlier in the morning I gave him some of his anxiety meds hoping it would help. It did a bit and was enough that I managed to get his paws trimmed slowly and carefully. I realized that his nails are really long and they seem to be growing more quickly. I will be calling and making him an appointment for as soon as I can get him in this week. Yesterday I also made some “energy bites” and they turned out pretty good. I use different ingredients each time that I make them. I am all about using what you have and making it work. It worked. Does not always work out perfectly but it certainly did this time.

Once the snow had stopped falling yesterday afternoon, we went into the backyard and I pushed some of the snow around on the deck. It was so heavy and in hindsight I wished that I had made a snowman. It was the most perfect consistency. Let my inner child out. Missed the opportunity. Next time I have a thought and the opportunity arises, I am taking it. Do not miss out.

I am so grateful for the good day that Alvin and I had yesterday. I also watched “The Pelican Brief” late afternoon. There are so many great actors in that movie. Julia Roberts, Denzel Washington, Sam Shepard, Tony Goldwyn, John Heard, Stanley Tucci, John Lithgow, James Sikking, Hume Cronyn, Cynthia Nixon, Robert Culp, William Atherton. Star studded cast for sure. I have seen this movie several times over the years but it is now on NetFlix so I watched it again.

Well time to head downstairs and grab my coffee. I am grateful for my dreams, for my family and friends, for the sunrise this morning, for that cup of coffee, for the Mary Kay lip gloss that I am wearing (feels so nice), for good health, for time with my Alvin, to be working from home and for my life. Life is good.

Have a wonderful Monday.

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

Always, Carol & Alvin

P.S. my daughter is popping by after her dental appointment (braces) and will finish her day working from here. Mom upstairs and daughter downstairs. Cannot wait to have her in the house.

The New YEAR 2022

Good Morning ALL! How are you this morning? Alvin and I are well. He missed me yesterday and I missed him. I am so grateful to my neighbour for taking such great care of him and she will pop in and check on him again today. I am off to the office for the second time this week. I am so grateful that this is only once in awhile. It is great working from home. No commute, not having to spend money on transportation especially when the costs of utilities and food and almost everything else has skyrocketed. I love being home for my Alvin as well, he needs someone here to ensure he is well hydrated and then can get outside to go pee. Yesterday at the office was okay. There were parts that were enjoyable and others that were not. The first session was not. That is all that I am going to say.

We were “let” go early as they felt our day had been long enough and that was unexpected and wonderful. I think more people even though most enjoyed seeing their coworkers – they were not comfortable to be in large groups at the office in confined spaces. There are some people that have had to work throughout these past two years at our office but they were in groups of 3-4 people. Easier to ensure safety during he pandemic.

Today we do our large mailout. Folding papers and stuffing envelopes.

Yesterday when I got home, Mr. Alvin was so happy to see me that he even jumped up when I bent down to give him a little pat that he kissed him. So sweet. Once I had my computer (laptop) hooked up once again and did a couple of things in the house, we got ready and went for a walk. I wore my Sketchers and all went well until our return home when we went down the wrong side of the sidewalk. We had walked down to the next corner and crossed the street where the sidewalk is more dry. Coming home we had made the loop in the crescent and should have crossed back but we did not and it looked like snow but was really partially melted and more wet than dry, more thawed than frozen and my feet got soaked. I laughed it off because what else can you do. We just carried on. Luckily for Alvin he can just get dried off with a towel and me, sock change. It was so warm outside. So beautiful and sunny. This whole week is supposed to be nice and I believe it is supposed to carry on next week as well. Time is chugging on here and it is now about twenty minutes until Amanda is coming to pick me up. My daughter is dropping me off at the office this morning. It will be nice to visit with her on the way to work. I enjoyed my chat with my coworker Michelle who picked me up yesterday morning. I am blessed. So glad that spring is close at hand.

Well other than that, life is rolling along and life is good. I hope that you are well and Happy Wednesday.

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

Always, Carol & Alvin

P.S. I managed to score some Girl Guide cookies from a coworker yesterday. She is doing a fundraiser for her children. I also bought some coffee beans which are on order. Nice to be able to help out some children with their fundraisers and for their extra-curricular activities. I guess I spelled that correctly as spellcheck did not tell me anything different. Bye for now.

The New YEAR 2022

Good Morning ALL! What a beautiful morning as I see the sun rising. Just behind the houses to the east and south, I can see the colours coming up in the morning sky. How are you this morning? We are doing well. This morning just seconds after I turned on the shower, Alvin started barking from the bedroom. I knew why. He wanted me to be with him when he is having a drink, in fact, he won’t usually even drink unless I am right there and stroking his back. I don’t remember when this started but this is our new norm. I have tried to break him of this “habit” but to no avail. So I am not sure what will happen on those days when I go to the office (hopefully few and far between). Perhaps when I am not around he won’t be so fussy. I made an appointment for him to get his nails done etc and he is due for a bordetella shot (did I get that right?) and he needs food, toothpaste and movoflex. What a guy!

I am loving this beautiful weather despite the fact that it is almost impossible for us to walk. The streets are so messy icy in spots and the sidewalks in most spots are glare ice. I found the storm drain on the weekend but it is near impossible for me to get at just yet. Now if I had hours to spend out there chipping and shovelling away, yes, I could certainly do it. But there are so many people that do not even try to get the ice removed. That kind of makes me sad and a little mad. Here I am almost 65 and I am out there shovelling and chipping at the ice and cleaning it so that no one falls. Oh well, I cannot change some people or any people for that matter.

So nice to see it getting light earlier each day. This makes me so happy. Yay, we are one more day closer to spring and closer to clear dry sidewalks so that we can safely and happily go for walks.

I am thinking that I should do a VISION BOARD! Have you tried doing one? I think that I did one years ago but never really followed up and not sure where it ended up. So it is feeling like spring and time to make some changes. Never too late. Besides the world is quickly changing and if I do not make some changes soon, I fear that I shall be left behind. We cannot have that.

Oh yes, quick story before I sign off for today. Yesterday I received an email from one of our staff that receives the mail and uploads to our client files. The email had an attachment which was a photocopy of a beautiful THANK YOU card which was to me from one of my clients. I was so touched. Truly made my day. The power of a THANK YOU card. I am going to grab some THANK YOU cards and with as many stamps as I have – mail them to random people. Of course, I have to have their addresses, lol.

Maybe today is the day that you send your first card, make it a THANK YOU card to someone. I guarantee that you will make their day.

Have a wonderful Wednesday.

We must all say “thank you” to the people in our lives.

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” Thursday morning? I am so grateful that the skies are pretty clear and that the sun is shining after a few days of clouds, rain and snow. It did freeze hard over night as I noticed the water that I have out for the bees froze over and there is frost on the cars. Most of the snow has melted now and the grass and trees appear to be renewed, is that possible? Of course, they gratefully soaked up the moisture in both forms. My lawn has not looked this good in years. Between the fertilizer that our neighbours threw on a few days ago and the extra moisture ….. well it looks like a lawn again. I was thinking that we may have to replant which I suppose throwing on some extra seed would not have hurt. If I would have had some grass seed in my garage I would have done so, at the beginning of the rain. Food for thought. I am going to pick up some seed to have on hand. Even our back patch of grass is coming back. Yesterday and earlier this morning there were a bunch of little birds flying about our backyard near the bird house. There was also a Magpie that was swooping in and about every once in awhile. They are pretty but not good for the little birds. Anyway, I am certain that by noon, or perhaps before I can remove the cover that is protecting the flowers in the front flower bed. Did I forget to mention? Yes, I did, that I pulled the cover back and checked some of the flowers and they are okay. If they survived last night, we all should be good. I also shook and dipped with a measuring cup all of the excess water off of the handmade tarp so that it would not crush them and not freeze. Fingers crossed.

I am looking forward to a walk with Mr. Alvin at noon. He needs to get out as I think he has a bit of cabin fever or at least he has been more anxious that usual. He barked short piercing barks the whole time I was in the shower. I kept calling out to him and hoping to calm him down but it did not work. I even tried singing my “put one paw in front of the other” song but to no avail. Luckily, he is okay now. What a guy. I tried to explain about how lucky that he is as I have noticed this poor little orange cat running on the front sidewalk and across the street. Poor cat looked like he or she had not had a good meal in a long time. So many cats on the loose in our area. Very dangerous as we have had coyotes in the nearby parks. Plus there are hawks and other birds of prey that can swoop down and take away little cats. I hope that he finds a home, soon.

Well time to head on downstairs and put on the coffee, need to smell that delectable aroma and drink some of that pure joy liquid before I start work. I am grateful that all my flowers survived this late spring snowfall and the wind. Thank goodness for a garage. I don’t have a car but man on man, that building has come in handy for storing and housing the vehicles of company.

I hope that you have a wonderful Thursday. May you laugh and smile and be surrounded with kindness and joy.

Continuing to live this life with kindness, respect, compassion and patience. Always working on patience I am patient. I am patient. I am patient.

ALLways, Love Carol & Alvin

It is a NEW YEAR.

Good Morning and Welcome to a beautiful Wednesday morning.

I did not write my post yesterday as I was home from work feeling under the weather.

After sleeping and resting for the morning – Alvin and I went for a wonderful walk enjoying the sunshine in the afternoon.

 

Our streets are horrible.

Most especially in front of my house and my nearest neighbours.

At the other end of our street it is totally clear but that is a bus route.

Isn’t that wonderful.

We pay taxes.

 

I called the other night and the 48 hours runs out tonight at 6:00 p.m.

Please City of Edmonton do not disappoint me.

Please Mr. or Mrs. Grader please attend to this.

If they comes this morning most of the neighbours should be away to work.

I do appreciate their long hours at this time of year.

I hope so.

This is frustrating and annoying and dangerous.

The little boys going by in their trucks sure like to speed up and splash everyone/everything in sight.

I have seen it.

ARGH, some people.

Anyway, I am happy that spring is on the way.

This Sunday we push our clocks ahead by one hour.

 

Big News …

My eldest nephew is stopping by his Aunt’s house to spend the night on his way back to work.

I always look forward to catching up with him.

 

Well here it is almost time to leave once again.

Alvin let out a little some kind of noise, groan, I guess.

 

Wishing you all a wonderful Wednesday.

May you be surrounded by love and laugh, goodness and light.

Happy Wednesday.

Grateful to my neighbour for a ride to work.

Walking to the bus would not be much fun.

Especially on these streets.

 

Always, Carol & Alvin

 

Spreading kindness and respect to all I encounter.

 

It is a NEW YEAR.

Good Morning and Welcome to a much cooler morning.

Last night we had some snow.

Nice to have a fresh layer covering the ground.

Unfortunately it will cover the ice so be careful out there.

I am so glad that I removed the majority of ice from in front of my house and my neighbour.

There is the runoff that I could not keep up to …. for that you would have to be out 24/7 and that is not possible.

Suppose to be Zero this week so I will keep chipping away and it will keep melting and the runoff will collect.

That is what happens when the storm drain is in front of your house.

It drains from both sides not just my yard.

I am grateful that my backyard is on an incline as it drains nicely and the only time it is annoying or a problem is when it melts during the winter.

That freeze/thaw thing is most definitely a pain.

But that is okay.

 

Yesterday was a good day.

Alvin and I hosted our friend S’s birthday party and we had a blast.

The crackers, boursin cheese and grapes plus birthday chocolate cupcakes with my special icing and decorate with purple tiny beads (edible) were a smash.

We laughed and almost cried.

I love these girls they are the best.

 

The rest of the day I finished some laundry, some cleaning, preparing for today and then we watched a movie.

It was great to have some down time.

Too icy outside for me and Alvin to walk so we spent some time in the backyard.

A car was turning off the side street to the north of our house when one of my neighbours was coming home on the main street and hit them.

The driver of the car was upset and said why didn’t you stop.

My question is why didn’t you?

She was supposed to yield to the main street.

Luckily they, my neighbours were going very slow about 8 miles per hour so damage was not major.

They were only seconds from home, like three.

I had been in the living room watching a movie but decided to run upstairs to check and see if the photos downloaded (which they had not) and missed the accident.

Luckily no one was hurt and both parties had insurance.

It is very icy, most especially in the residential areas.

Our streets are always extremely icy this time of year.

Basically all winter long.

 

I even turned the channel in time to see the halftime show of the Super Bowl.

Entertainment was great.

Jennifer Lopez and Shakira.

The ladies have moves.

Shakira does a mean “belly dance.”

I wish that I could do that …..

Good exercise for the core.

 

Well it is almost time to head downstairs.

We are parking in a different spot which means walking for both of us, so my ride is picking me up about ten or so minutes early.

 

I wish you a wonderful day.

Filled with kindness and respect.

Lots of laughter.

If we cannot laugh – life is pretty dull.

 

Happy Monday.

 

Always, Carol & Alvin

 

P.S. will try downloading those photos tonight.

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Tuesday the 19th day of March, 2019.

Well here we are and it is Tuesday morning.

Back to work for this gal.

 

Humphrey came to spend the evening with us as he will tonight and tomorrow night.

His Momma has year end and that is a busy time for her.

We don’t mind and Humphrey loves to spend time with me and Alvin.

The boys go outside onto the deck and hang out.

There are a couple of spots that Humphrey loves to lay down and relax.

Most especially if the sun is shining.

 

It was so great being at home.

Making your own schedule.

Having an unexpected nap in the middle of the afternoon and waking up with a start to realize that it was 4:30 p.m.

Time to get out for a walk.

Which we did.

Walking on the opposite side of the street as too icy on our side.

I did chip away at the ice and unblocked the storm drain after some lovely person filled it with chunks of ice and snow.

We had a great day.

I even cooked up a big pot of chilli.

 

Once the snow and ice is gone from our back yard I must find a place for my Rooster weather vane.

I bought this as a birthday present to myself last summer when my daughter and I took a nice road trip.

It is extremely sharp so I must find a safe spot for it.

Somewhere that it can easily be removed and put into the garage for winter, I think.

Maybe not.

Depends where it goes?

 

Flowers picked up from a local nursery a few years back.

Didn’t they look pretty.

This is what I have to look forward to again this year.

Shopping with my daughter to pick up flowers to plant.

I am going to add some herbs and more tomatoes.

I have just the perfect pots for herbs and tomatoes.

Spring is close by.

 

Well almost time to finish getting ready for work.

I hope that you all have a wonderful day.

May your kindness shine through to the world and its back to you.

Happy Tuesday.

 

Special Hello to: all those folks longing for spring to arrive, it is almost here.

Always, Carol & Alvin

 

 

Thought for the day ….

Good Afternoon and today is Wednesday the 2nd day of January, 2019.

Woke up with some kind of bug or other.

After sleeping most of the day I feel much better.

Have to go and drink lots of water as I feel dehydrated and headachy.

 

I hope that you had a great Wednesday.

Alvin and I had a visit yesterday afternoon with his BFF, Teddy and family.

It was nice to get out for a walk.

Today appears to be even more nice and the snow is melting.

 

 

Special Hello to: my friends all over the world.

Always, Carol & Alvin

Thought for the Day ……

Good Morning and Welcome to Sunday the 26th day of March, 2017.

The SKY is a beautiful vibrant “baby blue” colour with streams of white cloud patches throughout.

The SUN is shining and I just saw some drops of water dripping from above by the window outside.

YAY …… another fantastic weather day for us here in Edmonton.

Also heard some geese honking as they flew overhead.

 

Well it always fills me with energy when the sun is shining brightly.

I am so happy ….. I can feel smiles bubbling up to my face.

Yesterday Alvin and I enjoyed the most delicious walk.

On our way home we saw one of my neighbours out in her garage sweeping the floor, of course we stopped to chat.

We had a wonderful visit.

She also does Holistic Healing – something new I learned about her …… we met her while out for our walks.

They have two small dogs ……

Excited as I have agreed to have a healing session this week.

Also great to learn something new.

She does Integrated Healing, Craniosacral Therapy, Lymphatics, Viscera and Energy Healing.

Quite the mouth full.

She has been doing this since 1995 and is certified in all areas.

 

Well today feels like a pancake breakfast type of day.

Normally I would have eaten already but it will be a bit later this morning.

I always make coffee on the weekends for both me and my neighbour.

She likes the way I make my coffee.

I have a electric coffee peculator.

 

Oh, yes I cannot forget to run downstairs and grab the clothes that are air drying.

Have some bedding to wash and then all of the laundry is done.

As today appears to be nice I will go out and clean up the trash in the neighbourhood.

I have noticed so much on my walk to and from the bus and also on our walks.

 

Well I hope that you all are having an awesome day.

Today is going to be …. er, I mean today is FANTASTIC.

Already off to a great start between the sun shining and snuggles with me Alvin.

 

More drops of water coming from the roof.

Should be able to wear shoes to work this week.

 

Special Hello to:  my sister, are we to SKYPE tonight?

Always, Carol and Alvin