The Next Chapter

Good Morning. Oh, the moon looks awesome this morning as the sky begins to lighten. Half of the moon is visible and the other half is dark. The darkness of night as the sky lightens is revealing clear skies. Sunshine for today? I sure hope so. There does not appear to be a breeze. Today is Wednesday and only two more days of work left for this week. A very good thing. I am very appreciative and grateful to have a job in this economic climate but honestly somedays I could just scream at the audacity of the way things are going.

Yesterday it was a rain snow mix so no walk at lunch break or after work. My neighbour brought over the new element for the oven but alas it did not work. He took the stove apart (back off and looked for noticeable signs of distress and there were none). Looks like I will be buying a new stove and because we ordered the element from Amazon and actually put it in the oven, there is a good chance that they will not take it back. I think the poor stove is just tired and needs to sleep. All done. So I will need to look for a stove shortly. Cannot go without a stove for long. Already going on three weeks without an oven. I will try to call a repairman tonight (tried last night but could not speak to anyone who could answer my question). Just for the odd chance it might be repairable. But appears to be the control panel. I think that is what it is called.

The sky seemed to lighten so much since the time I typed the last paragraph. WOW. I guess spring is really here. I am hoping for some good things to happen. So far 2023 has been “interesting” and “sad” and a few other things which I cannot say on this platform nor would I want to ……

Most of the snow has melted from the front lawn and all from the deck. I will be able to sweep the remaining dust and leaves that were left behind from the melt. I am not sure why there were so many leaves this year. I raked and raked until I was blue in the face but there were still a million in the snow over the winter and now on the ground. Hopefully the back will thaw quickly.

Time to head downstairs. I hope that you have a great Wednesday.

Trying to keep positive as life just keeps tossing “battles” in my direction. Perhaps battles is too strong a word but anyway.

Oh, my Alvin. Missing my boy …….

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 – October

Good Morning ALL! How are you this morning? Alvin and I are well. We slept through till 3:00 a.m. and then at 5:00 a.m. from the sofa, I heard this low noise and jumped up as I realized it was the alarm clock on my phone. When I get to the office I turn the sound for notification and such, all the way down so that I do not disturb anyone should the phone “ring.” I must ask my daughter if there is any other way to do this function. Remember I am not the most tech savvy person on the planet. Not even remotely close! Anyway, I reset the alarm to 5:15 for an extra few minutes and then we were up. Mr. Alvin had his breakfast and then we went outside. Once back into the house, made our bed, brushed my teeth and then hit the shower. That felt good. I stopped showering everyday a while ago as I found that my skin got dry and who likes dry skin. When we were outside around 5:25, I noticed that the stars seemed to be more bright and noticeable than usual. I wonder if there are more satellites in the sky now? Perhaps not even stars but man made objects taking up space above us. The moon did not appear to be anywhere in sight? I scanned the sky with my eagle eyes (lol) – with my glasses on. I did attempt to take a photo with my phone but all I got was black. We are having a great morning thus far.

Yesterday when I arrived home from work, I unlocked the door and called out to Mr. Alvin. He did not come and I called him several times. I thought that I saw him standing at the window but wasn’t sure. My heart sank to my toes for a brief moment or three. Kicking off my shoes, I walked into the living room and over to the chairs by the window and there he was standing looking out the window. I thought he would have saw me or maybe I made it to the door as he was going to the window, not sure. Anyway, I breathed a huge sigh of relief when I saw him standing up and breathing. My mind went to a place that I was scared to even think about at this time. Anyway, all is well. Perhaps the boy’s hearing is going. I noticed that when he was in my bathroom this morning waiting for me to get ready. He was laying on one of the small rugs and when I spoke to him, he did not move. When I lightly touched him he jumped. I walked around him so that he could see me from the front and he did not immediately jump up. Today I am noticing his age. My poor boy. The joys of getting older! We had a good night. I took him outside right away for a pee and then fed him his supper before we head out for a walk. OMG, it was so beautiful outside last night after work. I am getting home by 4:30 which is early. When I carpooled before, it was usually 5:00 or later. Definitely helps catching a ride with someone you directly work with that is for sure. I am grateful that at least at night I am only losing 1/2 hour of personal time. The morning well that is a different story and time away from Alvin a total other story. Yesterday my neighbour Sonja popped by a couple of times to check on him, make sure he goes outside, has something to eat and to drink and then she has snuggle time. I appreciate that. We are like family and she feels like a daughter to me. We both love her very much. She is a kind-hearted lovely human being. I am so grateful that I am surrounded by good people. Very grateful.

Tonight after work, my daughter is picking me up from work. We are going to get some keys cut as I want to ensure that everyone looking after Alvin has a key so that I don’t have to play “chase the key” when the schedule changes. Amanda is sleeping over and I am so excited. Last night I made a huge apple crisp with some of the apples from my friend Pauline. I had to try some even though it was late to eat at 8:07 p.m. Turned out pretty good, I must say.

Well time to head on downstairs so that I can take Mr. Alvin outside again. He will need to poop (yes, I am talking about that subject again, lol) again before I leave for work. Remember p-o-o-p is important to keep track of – it can tell you so much about your health.

I hope that you have a great Friday. Another sunny warm fall day on the way. I am so happy.

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

Thank goodness coffee is free at work especially with the soaring prices.

Always, Carol & Alvin

PS: thank you for this day and I am grateful it is almost the weekend.

Last Half 2022 – September

Good Morning ALL! How are you this Monday morning? We are back to normal. Yesterday after we went downstairs in the morning, after the blog was written, Mr. Alvin started to shake and pant. This continued for most of the day. He did not even rush or bark for his food. At his breakfast he ate it with no problem. That was at 6:00 a.m. It was about 10:00 a.m. that our day changed. Out of the blue. It was so odd. I am not sure if it was a combination of the heat from the day, perhaps the arthritis in his legs/paws, I do not know. But I am over the moon happy that this morning he was right in there to eat his breakfast. He has one more day of antibiotics remaining. Fingers crossed and prayers going out that he remains in good health. We were up at 1:21 a.m. and then again at 3:00 a.m. but at that time we were sleeping on the sofa, so I managed to coax him to lay back down which he did after having a drink of water. My boy.

The moon has been full for the past few days. So big and bright in the morning and night sky. We will head out for a walk in a little bit. Tomorrow is back to the office for another day. I have been thinking about how much our work/life balance is going to change with the return to the office. Back to heading off to bed between 8:30-9:00 a.m. and up to stay at 5:00 a.m. AND returning home around 5:30 a.m. I am so grateful that I had these extra precious hours and days at home with Alvin for the past almost three years. Also just to be home and enjoying my home as well. Another new norm is rising. Are we up for yet another “new?” Not sure but for now it will be.

Life is so interesting when you sit back and look back all all the years and everything that has happened. Most of us “find ourselves doing something new” each and every day of our lives. Some folks seem to hunker down and stay unchanged for most of their days. Perhaps it is all in the mindset. Our thoughts become things. I must practise this more. I do find that my thoughts are not consistent about the things that I want and that is due in part to the life beat going on around me. Pretty hard to say that you love working from home and then have to return to work the next week. Still have to make plans for Alvin’s care and getting ready for work each day. I do struggle with this. How can I have my “thoughts become things” when my life is upside down or feels like it anyway? Hopefully I will figure it out soon. Also our actions play a role as well. They go hand in hand!

I miss the early morning sunrises and the late sunsets.

It would be wonderful to wake up in the morning and just be retired, with no mortgage, lots of money to live on comfortably and be home permanently with Mr. Alvin. That is my dream. Wake up on our own timetable. I think Mr. Alvin would have us up early for his breakfast but then we could head back to bed to wake up when my body wanted me to get up. That would be wonderful. We could walk anytime. We could stay up late or go to bed early. We could do whatever we wanted to do during the day. I could work in the garden in the mornings when it was hot. I would have all day to write, to scan photos, to go through all of the photos on my computer, to do so much. Just like a never ending vacation. That is my dream. Everyday would be a new adventure!

I hope that you have a wonderful day.

We are going to head out for a walk.

Dream, dream, dream. Thank you. I am grateful for my dreams.

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! How are you this morning? Alvin and I are well. Up a few extra times but other than that okay. He seems to be feeling better. The sky is overcast so not sure what is going to happen today. I think the temperature is supposed to be plus 18 degrees celsius. Which is great.

Yesterday after work was lovely. Alvin and I went right away on a walk. As we approached our friend Pauline’s yard we both skipped a heartbeat as we saw her bent over working in the garden. Alvin pulled me to the gate and I called out so not to startle her. Alvin as soon as he was at the gate started to bark. Just at that time, we started to chat. She said to Alvin, “Come on in Alvin and opened the gate.” I replied “does that include me,” and we both laughed. Pauline had her grandpup Georgie over visiting so she brought him outside. The pups said hello. All was well. Georgie is younger and has lots of energy so sometimes he got over stimulated when Alvin was there. Not this time, they were both happy in each other’s company.

I have to say there are a few places on this earth that bring me such great joy and in my friend’s backyard is one of them. Her backyard is huge and it affords Alvin to run without being on a leash. He is so full of joy running from one corner to the other smelling each blade of grass, checking out each and every pot, tree, shrub and so on. When he is happy I am over the moon. Both of us were clearly excited that it is time once again to go to our happy place. We had as always one of the best chats. We talk about everything. Family, weather, gardening and more. I happened to glance at my watch and saw that it was almost 5:30 p.m. Wow, we had been there for over one hour. Time flies when we get together. Then we said our goodbyes and were on our way.

Back home, supper for Alvin and leftovers to warm for me. We had a lovely quiet evening.

Planning in my mind what to buy for plants and what to get for seeds. Have to get things soon. My daughter said that we should go to one of the nursery / garden places on Mother’s Day. I think that sounds great.

Well time once again to head downstairs and start work. I have to throw on the coffee as I had to shower and ran out of time to do it earlier.

Have a wonderful Wednesday.

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

Always, Carol & Alvin

P.S. Yesterday Ceridian the company that does our payroll etc. was down. Get this worldwide. I wonder if they were hacked?

The New YEAR 2022

Good Morning ALL! How are you this morning? We are okay now. Last night as we were on our way to bed, I noticed that after Mr. Alvin climbed the stairs, he was favouring his right front leg. My mind flashed to last summer. My heart sank. I picked him up and carried him to the bed. He just sat there. No whining or crying. Just sat. I quickly brushed my teeth, washed and got changed into my pj’s. Then I took his toothbrush and toothpaste and a wet cloth to wipe his paws as I usually do before bed. He did not move from his spot but he did not wince when I gently wiped his paws. He laid down right in my spot and as I had no idea where this was going, I just laid down across the bed beside him. After several minutes I managed to coax him into moving over and he laid down. Finally at one point not too long after we went to bed, I took a chance that he would not follow me and took off downstairs to grab him a pain pill which thankfully I had just refilled yesterday. Grabbing him a bit of his wet food to hid the pill in, I returned upstairs. He gobbled down the food with the pill and I was grateful. I really could not sleep. He would doze off and then sit up and this carried on all night. At 2:30, we wanted to get up but I managed to get him to stay in bed a bit longer. I think it was about 3:00 or just after when we got up and went downstairs. I helped him off the bed and was going to carry him down the stairs but he went down on his own. He has not favoured the leg since last night. Perhaps he just stepped on it the wrong way. He was still up and down until I got up at 7:00. I am so tired. But I will carry on. Coffee will help.

I did some moving about of snow from the grass area of our backyard yesterday after we got home from Alvin’s vet appointment. I was pleasantly surprised that a good portion of the sidewalks for our walk to the vet were clear. The rest of the sidewalks were crappy but what can you do. I just happened to look out of the office window and saw a large cat crossing the backyard of the neighbours to the south. They are on the corner and their backyard faces ours. Another cat out and about. Anyway I also managed to get some of the water to make its’ way to the storm drain. Most of the storm drain is covered by the ice and snow chunks but I cleared the snow beside the sidewalk and the water actually started running down to the drain. Hard to explain but the water is draining. Especially when you are running on no sleep, the words are not coming easily. Water is a powerful thing.

Well time to go and grab my coffee.

I hope that you have a great day. The sunrise is beautiful. Perfect blue sky. The moon is slowly fading from sight.

Happy Thursday morning.

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

Always, Carol & Alvin

The New YEAR 2022

Good Morning ALL! How are you this morning? Alvin and I are well. Happy that today is Friday and that the weekend is almost here. The sunrise is beautiful. Pale colours that give a warmth to the morning. Love them.

Some weeks do seem longer even though each day is the same. Part of being human the ying and the yang of it all. We struggle with the work / life balance. Why is it that we spend more of our days, months and years working to earn money to live our lives, to enjoy those short two days called the weekend? Well obviously I know the answer but it still remains a mystery as to why things have not changed. We are in 2022. Just coming out of a pandemic. Why not work 4 and get 3 off or any combination! Increasing the time off for people to relax and enjoy their “home” life is so important. Especially with the rate of mental health issues rising each year. If you are able to hire more so that your staff can have a better work / home balance, please do so. We used to work a bit of extra time every day and get every second Friday or Monday off and that was great. Then you could do appointments on that day or some of them plus errands and then have your weekend to do maybe some “fun” stuff. Anyway, I am sure that you get the idea. It always amazes me how in 2022 we have not figured it all out. When will we and will we do it in time? I am not sure. I suppose as long as corporations are just looking to make money – then it will not happen. To all those corporations and businesses out there who give your staff extra time and ensure their life / work balance is more equal, I applaud you. Thank you Now we just need to get others on board.

I love looking at the sky. We had a full moon last night. It was so great to be able to actual see the moon and the night sky. Maybe not many stars likely all satellites and such. I am so grateful that I live near the outskirts of this city as it allows me to actually see the sky and some stars.

Time to slide over to the other desk and get things ready for work. Another sip of coffee.

Last night after work, I did some ice chipping out front and behind my house. What an endless job. It is going to take a bit of time before that is gone. The ruts in the back lane are horrendous.

Have a great Friday.

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

Always, Carol & Alvin

P.S. we even found right after work a place to walk where we did not get soaked. YAY us.

Almost Christmas 2020

Good Morning ALL. Well we did it, only one sleep to go until Christmas Eve Day. I am so excited. The plan is on for my kids to come for Christmas. There was a possibility that they may not but it has been confirmed they are coming. Alvin and I are over the moon. Our pod will grow by four, my daughter, son-in-law and the grandpups Aspen and Milo. We are happy. Today is my late start and I am happy to report that the two of us that are not on vacation have managed to keep the mail current to this point and hopefully the phones will remain quiet today so that we are able to do this for our coworkers. What a great Christmas gift that would be. I am hopeful. Also today Alvin’s BF Teddy and his little sister Kobi are coming to spend the day. I told Alvin last night and I would like to think he understood that they were coming this morning. He will be over the moon to have one last visit with his buddies before Christmas break. Christmas break will be quiet as we will remain on strict restrictions. The only visitors in the house we are allowed will be our POD which is my daughter, son-in-law and grandpups. I am pleased that we are allowed to have someone although I have said this before – I would be okay with just Alvin for some time. If that time alone meant that the virus would disappear hopefully forever. We would still see people when they dropped off food and stuff and can always video chat. There are ways not to be completely alone if you choose. Back to Christmas. Are you ready? Food in the fridge and pantry? Baking done? Gifts wrapped? Movies selected and games? I am quite certain that you are. I am except for changing the bedding on our bed as the kids will have the master bedroom, changing out the towels with Christmas towels in all three bathrooms, one last clean of the bathrooms and then prepare the food for us to snack on tomorrow night. Well less than one hour before the pups arrive. I need a cup of coffee. We went for a walk but only went just inside the park yesterday as the wind was cold. Today and tomorrow are supposed to be warm, I believe. We won’t get out today as the pups will be here and I cannot walk all three at the same time and I am not sure that I want to leave anyone behind while I walk the others separately (gifts under the tree). But we will get exercise with the pups here anyway. I work until 7:00 p.m. tonight. Last night I made a pan of chili not a big pot. It was delightful. Just scaled it back. I wanted to mention that I noticed the number of “followers” is now over 900. So exciting. Maybe by the 2021 I will have 1000 people reading or at least signed up to read this blog. Makes me over the moon happy. When I was a small child I did not dream of this …. although I think think that in the future we would be able to see people’s faces when we spoke to them on the phone. That would have been in the early 60’s. I guess I can see the future. LOL.

Well everyone time to head on downstairs. Put on the coffee to perk. The sky cleared yesterday and I was happy to see the moon last night from my deck.

Be safe, continue to live your live showing kindness, respect and compassion to all. Truly it is the only way for us to live our lives.

Always, Carol & Alvin

YAY, it is almost here. I feel like I am 8 again. Best Christmas EVER is coming. So excited. So excited.

Second Half of the NEW YEAR

Good Morning All,

We are back to our normal household. Mr. Alvin is back home. His sister brought him home early yesterday afternoon. He was happy and mad at me at the same time. I could tell that he was glad to be back home but at the same time he let me know in no uncertain terms that he was harbouring some unhappiness toward me. Body language in dogs is very transparent. This is one of the longest periods of time that we have been apart over our ten years together. After he was home for a bit he started to warm up to me, thank goodness. I teased my daughter in a text that “she might be having company once again.” It is wonderful to have him back home and it was nice to have a break, I think that we both needed that time apart. I will say that I slept better with him home and in bed with me. However, it was a typical Sunday night where it takes me forever to get settled down. We were up at 4:00 a.m. …… outside for a bathroom break and then back to the sofa until 6:30 a.m. when we were up and I fed him breakfast,which is late for him to eat at home but it was fine. Another outside break followed by preparing my coffee so it was ready to plug in and then we hit the sofa for 30 more minutes.

The grass was wet earlier with dew but the air was warm with the moon shining brightly in the sky dotted with stars or perhaps satellites and perhaps the space station. It was pretty nonetheless.

Well it is time to get this day going. The sun is now rising and the sky is that delicate balance of pinks and oranges with the night sky slowly disappearing.

I am looking forward to our walks together.

Welcome Home Mr. Alvin.

I hope that you all had a great Sunday.

Living our lives with kindness and respect.

As Always, Carol & Alvin

Second Half of the NEW YEAR.

Good Monday Morning,

The sky is clear and there is a bit of a breeze.

The sun is shining brightly.

It is cool in the house this morning.

I did not have to open the windows this morning.

 

Today at noon my daughter will be coming for lunch.

It will be great to entertain her for lunch and for a visit.

We are excited to see her, as always.

 

I am excited to hear – how was your weekend?

Did you get outside for a walk?

Did you sleep in?

Did you see a friend?

Did you talk to a family member?

Did you do laundry?

Did you read a book?

Did someone give you something?

Did you cook a meal?

Did you feel guilty?

Did you eat something that you should not have?

Did you dance?

Did you sing?

Did you have a shower or bath?

Did you have moments where negativity ruled the conversation?

Did you drink tea and or coffee?

Did you wash dishes or throw them into the dishwasher?

Did you post something on social media?

Did you sweep or vacuum the floor?

Did you water your flowers?

Did you pull weeds?

Did you feel like you could do anything you put your mind to?

Did you deadhead flowers?

Did you chat with a neighbour?

Did you see a cat?

Did you walk your dog?

Did you wish upon a star?

Did you see the almost full moon last night or earlier this morning?

 

Well I can say that I say “yes” to all these questions.

You see we all have so much in common.

More in common than not.

 

We have to remember that ….. we are more the same than different.

When you see someone that may not look the same as you?

Or sound the same as you?

Just remember my questions to you.

If you asked them these questions …. it is likely they said “yes” as well.

 

We are human and part of the same family.

We may not be the same colour.

We may not have the same beliefs.

We may not be from the same place.

But we are human and as such we all deserve to be treated equally.

To be treated with kindness and respect.

 

So on this Monday, I am reaching out to all my fellow human beings and asking them to treat ALL the people they meet with kindness and respect.

I would add to this as well ….. treat every creature big or small with the same kindness and respect.

Can you imagine what a wonderful world this would be?

I can.

Can you?

Will you?

Thank you.

 

Well time to head downstairs and turn on the work computer.

 

I shall treat all with kindness and respect.

I/We shall remain,

As Always, Carol & Alvin

 

 

Second Half of the NEW YEAR.

Good Thursday Morning.

What a beautiful sunrise this morning.

The sky was painted beautiful by Mother Nature as only she can.

The sun was in rising on the horizon.

Various shades of firy pinks and oranges splashed above the sun on the horizon to meet the blue morning sky.

What a beautiful canvas!

What a great way to begin one’s day.

I am feeling so grateful and blessed this morning.

That was the sky out of my bedroom window which faces north and of course that was the view to my right which is to the east.

Now it has been perhaps one hour since I snapped those photos that the sky to the south from my office window is not the same.

The trees are swaying in the breeze and above the sky is beginning to grow dark with deep blue clouds.

What a gorgeous mix of Mother Nature this morning.

Absolutely breathtaking.

I will say it once again, a great way to begin the day.

 

Last night on our second walk of the day we came across two neighbours out for a stroll.

They have always taken a shine to Alvin ever since the beginning, since I first adopted him back in 2010.

At that point in time they had a dog named Rosie.

So last night when they spotted us – I had to show Alvin where they were as we were on different paths.

As soon as he saw them, over he ran.

They both bent over and gave him so many pats with love.

I was blown away by a comment ….

He said “How old again is Alvin.”

I said that he would be 12 years old in January.

Remarking how spry and puppy like he was and that one would never know his real age.

I have to agree.

For the most part Alvin does not show his age.

He does not have any grey and is in good health.

For sure he has had a couple of things or so in the past year.

But bouts of diarrhea is not necessarily age related.

He pulled/strained a muscle in his neck.

Not age related.

So everything could happen at any age.

I am over the moon grateful that he is in good health and hope that he will continue for many years to come.

We have his regular nail trim (spa treatment, haha) and bum thing this morning.

I will also have the vet clean his ears as he makes it difficult for me to do a good job.

I have tried, believe me.

After looking at how furry his paws were – I have been sneaking in trims whenever I can.

Half scissors will travel.

As soon as he falls to sleep on the sofa or wherever, I jump into action.

Well trying not to jump so to speak as he is a light sleeper.

I have managed to get some of the excess fur off his paws so that the vet can more easily trim them.

 

Well I guess it is time to grab that coffee and start looking to get ready to start work.

I have a few minutes, no rush.

Likely one more time to go outside.

The coffee is smelling extra good this morning.

I cannot believe that today is August 27th, 2020.

Where has the time gone?

Time flies when you are having a good time!

Or so they used to say.

 

I wish for you good health, great joy, much love and laughter with all sorts of abundance.

May your Thursday be a happy one.

May you be surrounded with positive energy.

With kindness and respect,

I/We shall remain,

Always, Carol & Alvin

 

P.S.  you know August 27th means?  Fall is right around the corner.  Doing a little happy dancing ……