The Next Chapter

Good Morning! I am a little late writing this morning as I ran over to look after the boys, Humphrey & Bogart and then on my way home I realized that I should water the grass/fertilizer seed that I planted yesterday out front and in the back. So I water everything. Then I thought I should put the houseplants outside and then I made coffee (have not drank yet) and then decided to haul up the clothes that were drying in the basement and then change the bedding and now I am here. Whew. Still no coffee but I will have some soon. What a gorgeous morning! Perfect time to be outside. I definitely will be drinking my coffee on the deck once I am finished with this post and after I have popped the sheets into the laundry. I have more Eddie, Bruno, Humphrey & Bogart photos to share. Who does not like to see photos of cuteness quadrupled? Despite the cancer and the pain that he must be in, Bruno loves his walk. Bruno leads the way – wherever he leads us that is the way that we go. Last night he wanted to go his old path and so we followed. I love these pups so much. I am so grateful to have had the absolute pleasure to have them all in my life.

For Alvin

For Alvin

For Alvin

For Alvin

Blinds & baseboards washed

Some rearranging

In Memory of Alvin

Eddie

Eddie

Eddie

The boys

Eddie & Bruno

The boys

Eddie looking for lights

Eddie

Bruno

Bruno

My Guys

Bruno & Eddie

Bruno

Bruno

Humphrey

Bogart

Humphrey

Yesterday I washed the blinds on the main floor, washed baseboards, looked after Humphrey & Bogart, did some cleaning. laundry, walked with Jeanette and the boys Eddie & Bruno and miscellaneous things. It was a full day from beginning to end. I would not change a thing. My kitchen looked so bare in the photos as I had taken the plants all except for the aloe plant outside. I brought them in last night just to ensure their well being. If the sun decides to shine all day with no clouds, I will bring them in when it gets too hot. Too much of a good thing is not a good thing. The boys are doing well next door and their parents will be home in a few hours. I framed Alvin’s nose print and paw print yesterday and also put his memory card with the photo side up in a frame. I have him with me in every room of this house. Looking out of the office window at this moment, the sky appears to be a bit on the hazy side. Smoke? Everyday I pray for rain to extinguish all of the fires burning at this time. I do know that Mother Nature creates fires naturally to burn. Nature is so much more intelligent than we will ever be.

Tomorrow after work I have to slip over to one of the nearby schools and cast my vote in the provincial election. Should have, would have, could have voted in the advance voting but here we are! Oh well.

Well today is going to be a quiet one. Going to finish up here and put the sheets in the wash and then have a cup of coffee on the deck. Just chilling on this Sunday now that I almost have everything done that needs to be done. Of course, there is always something. Oh, I had better vacuum upstairs and give the bathrooms a quick going over but that won’t take long after the coffee “break.” I clean regularly so nothing gets too dirty. So much easier to keep on top of.

I hope that you have a wonderful day. Time to relax after the work is done. Time with family & friends. Go for a walk. Enjoy!

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

Look in the photos above and you will see where I finally hung the whirly gift from Jessica.

Gift from Jessica

Alvin, my heart.

Alvin

The Next Chapter

Good Morning! How are you? I am okay but have a headache. I am surprised by how messy the bed is when I wake up, what is going on? This did not happen with Alvin. I woke up and only had to turn up the sheet and bedspread. Definitely tossing and turning a lot more than I realize. Checked out the bedroom window and saw that it had snowed over night. I think they are forecasting snow off and on today. Winter boots it is.

I have been noticing a lot lately people walking by with their dogs either chatting on the phone by voice or by text. Why would you want to take your lovely, beautiful, amazing dog for a walk and just concentrate on him and the walk? I wonder. In the time since I had my first cell phone, I have only taken it with me a couple of times and that was a reason and that was not for chatting to someone. I wanted to take photos of Alvin and the scenery. I tried to always be present with him, paying attention to him, watching him sniffing and always looking for something he could eat. He was important to me and I certainly did not wish him to eat something that would harm him or make him sick. Occasionally he did ingest something and then threw up later. I was always mad at myself for missing that moment.

I would love to see people walking by and paying attention to their pups instead of making it look like a chore or something that they really do not wish to be doing. Enjoy your time with them. They are not going to outlive you that is for sure. Makes me sad and mad. Dogs live in the moment, they are present. Give them your attention. Enjoy nature, enjoy the walk.

Well time to head downstairs, I cannot say back downstairs. I miss getting up with him and going outside. Have not slept on the sofa since Alvin passed. My life seems strange without him. Sometimes I do not feel like myself but I suppose that is true. I am different without him. My life has changed so much in the past few months.

Be safe and have a good Thursday.

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 Wednesday morning? Alvin and I are doing very well. We had a great sleep for us. Lights out at 10:00 p.m. and first time up at 4:00 a.m. and then up to stay up at 5:40. No complaints. Today is my last day at the office for the week and that makes me happy. I am doing a little dance while sitting on my chair typing/keying this post. YAY.

The traffic seems to change from day to day. Sometimes I get dropped off at 4:30 and others about 4:45 or so. Life in the fast lane.

There is not too much new in my live at the moment so that is good.

I am thinking ahead to next weekend which will be the first weekend in November and time for me to start decorating for Christmas. With Halloween being on Monday and working at the office from Tuesday to Thursday, I thought better to wait until the weekend.

Looking at the plants that I have in the office, I noticed that my African Violet is blooming. Beautiful deep, rich purple flowers. She is amazing. The Spider Plant is enjoying more sunshine in the office than in our bedroom and the third plant which I am not quite certain its’ name, is green and beautiful. I am so grateful to be surrounded by so many healthy, pretty plants. Looks like they may need a drink so I shall do that before I go back downstairs. One more time outside for Mr. Alvin before I leave for work. Our friend is only able to come over at noon today so I want to make sure that he has that last pee and possibly another poop and drinks some water (not necessarily in that order). Better to drink the water first and then go outside. Hopefully he will.

There was frost on the ground again. I noticed that the weather channel has single digit temperature for today but warming up for the next few days. I hope that they are correct. We can enjoy more warm walks. Perhaps Alvin won’t need his sweater. I think that I gave Alvin’s winter coat away, the big one as it was a bit too big on him anyway although with his recent weight gain, that may have changed. Will have to check things out.

I hope that you have an awesome day. May you be surrounded by the beauty of nature. Most of the leaves have fallen from the trees although there are a few left and I treasure each moment with them on the trees. Looks like I may have some raking in my future although some leaves on the ground does help protect the grass and fertilizes it for spring.

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

Always, Carol & Alvin

PS: oooooo, coffee!

The New YEAR 2022

Good Morning ALL! How are you this morning? We are doing well. The sunrise seems to be faint in the distance but I can see very light colours of orange and pink. That is a good sign. The night sky has diminished and the lighter blue of the morning has taken over. It is windy this morning. As I look out of my office window, I see mostly dirty snow banks what is left of them and bare ground. The windrows of snow that line the front public sidewalk have decreased in size by more than three-quarters. Those that remain are dirty as they are filled with sand and gravel that once covered the ice on the streets. It does not look pretty but yet there is some likeable about the scene. Perhaps it is because we know that the renewal of spring lies just ahead with the buds on the trees and the green blades of grass that peer out from the snow on the lawns, the first perennials start to bloom (tulips). It is perfection. So I shall be patient with the somewhat drab appearance of nature at this moment. Drab but still beautiful. We will be happy that to have no snow and ice. It will be great to be able to go for a walk and not have to worry about ice and snow and outerwear. Yesterday we walked twice once again for a total of 50 minutes. I am starting to feel less of the winter me and more of the spring me. Does that make sense? I think we are somewhat different over the different seasons. Makes sense, somehow. Just like a child at Christmas waiting for Santa to make an appearance. I am grateful to live in Canada where we have four distinct seasons. One of them is much longer than the rest but we have different ones all the same.

Can you believe that it is Thursday, March 31, 2022 already? April tomorrow.

Speaking of March 31st, today is the birthday of an longtime friend of mine, I have known her since the early 1980’s. Happy Birthday Polly. Alvin and I wish you a great day and may your days ahead be filled with much love, laughter, good health and abundance.

I don’t have much to say this morning. Sometimes when the sun is not shining I feel quiet with not many words to share. Not that I am not thinking but my mind is more quiet than usual. Perhaps the clouds or less than bright sky is Mother Nature’s way of having us slow down, be quiet onto ourselves. Just a thought.

Time for coffee and then to work.

Have a wonderful Thursday.

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

Always, Carol & Alvin

P.S. I am grateful for you, me and the world.

The New YEAR 2022

Good Morning ALL! How are you this morning? Well we are in for another strange, whacky winter day. According to previous forecast, warming up from cold temperatures overnight with “snowy conditions” later this morning. So what does that mean? Could be a rain/snow mix or just snow. I hope that for all those people having to drive somewhere that it is just plain snow and that we receive only a very small amount. On the upside there are plus temperatures even as high as 7+ celsius for tomorrow. Wow, tropical heatwave. I am quite sure that I will see some of the teens in the neighbourhood out with shorts and a long sleeved t-shirt and flip flops. Perhaps when you are a teenager your hormones work the same as menopausal females? Possibly the reason why they or a good portion of them are always warm. I don’t think it is all about fashion and just being a teenager. Just my thoughts on the topic. Well anyway, I am looking forward to walking with Mr.Alvin along with working on gathering up information to do my taxes (trying to get ahead of the game) and laundry. That is my Saturday plan. Anything else that gets done will be a bonus.

Yesterday was a BONUS GREAT FANTASTIC DAY for me and Alvin. Started off with my son-in-law stopping after some appointments and dropping some things off and having a brief but lovely visit with us followed by a walk after work. So after work (yes, I stopped work on time), we went downstairs and got ready for a walk. Usually I have to chase him around the table for awhile but not too long yesterday. I truly believe that he has been missing our walks. We got outside and he literally (whoops overused word, not supposed to use, sorry I forgot – could you excuse this 64 year old woman, thank you, lol) he pulled me all the way to the park stopping momentarily to sniff some yellow snow (yuck, yuck, I will never understand that). We were just inside the park when he stopped to go to the “bathroom” and after he was done (I picked up the poop, of course) and then he pulled in the direction back toward home. He did the same thing on the way home. Pulled. At first I thought he was pulling because I had a text from his best friend Teddy’s Mom who said they were in the City and wondering if they could drop by at some point for a visit? I had briefly mentioned them and thought he may have remembered and was heading to their house. Not. Back home, I emptied the food scraps bucket and kitchen garbage into the big bins in the garage. Once done, I gave Mr. Alvin his supper. Teddy’s Mom made arrangements to come after supper. We were all so happy to see each other. The pups ran around the main floor jumping up to say hello and chasing each other in the way that they do. We had an absolutely fantastic visit and I look forward to the next one.

Well it is time to sign off for another day. I hope that you have a great, great day. If it is warm where you are – go on that walk and take in nature. You will feel all the better for it. I promise. I cannot wait till we go on our next walk.

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

Always, Carol & Alvin

2021

Good Morning ALL! This morning is crisp but bright and sunny for Wednesday, September 29, 2021. I can hardly believe that October is only a couple of days away. Where has the time gone? Mr. Alvin is impatiently waiting for me downstairs. We had a great sleep, one of few, but oh so, appreciated. I am trying to download photos from my phone to the computer but seems to be taking a long time.

A little while ago just after we got up, Alvin wanted to go outside, so out we went to the backyard. He hesitated by the steps but walked over to the lower end and jumped off. I was going to help him down but he really wants to do things on his own. I can tell. When he wants help he will just bark or wait until I come and help him up or down. Anyway, he was trying to look through the fence and I could see the neighbour’s patio door open so I figured either one of both of Humphrey and Bogart were in the backyard. It was a few minutes later that I realized that Bogart was in fact, in our backyard. He was snuggled beside by pot with the grasses and the upper deck railing …. just staring at us. Alvin had not noticed him. Because Bogart is not as comfortable with Alvin as Humphrey is, I scooped up Alvin in my arms before he noticed him. I even walked toward Bogart so that Alvin could see him but it took a few minutes before he could see him. Alvin desperately wanted to visit but I took him into the house. He definitely misses his friends. Humphrey used to spend a lot of time with us before Bogart came to live with him. Anyway, I grabbed my phone and texted Sonja to let her know that Bogart was in our yard (he has GPS tracking) and snapped a few photos of him. The perfect photo would have been of him snuggled in between the plant pot and the deck railing but of course, he moved by the time I got back out with the camera. I did snap a few photos before Sonja came to take him home.

Well it would appear that the “downloading” may take awhile and I have to run soon before someone wakes up the neighbourhood. We will go for a walk, then coffee and breakfast for me. We are having the furnace and vents cleaned today. So grateful for that.

I am so grateful for this beautiful weather. Bright sunshine and blue skies. The leaves on the trees continue to turn into such a glorious palette of amazing fall colours. I just love fall. Makes me smile and want to dance. I am so happy when I can walk through fallen leaves some crunching beneath my feet and the others flying up into the air as I go. It is the simple things in life that makes us the happiest. Just being in good health. Being able to enjoy a fall day. Listening to the sounds of nature. Walking in nature with your pup. A great cup of coffee. Smiles. Being surrounded by good people. Time. Flowers.

Looks like I am going to have to try later to download/upload those photos. But I will post them. Bogart is so cute. What a big guy.

I hope that on this Wednesday you are enjoying life’s simple pleasures like good health, nature and laughter. Have a great day.

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

Always, Carol & Alvin

2021

Good Morning ALL! How are you this morning? I thought that I may have a hangover this morning? Yes, I know. Last night was a paint night at one of my friend’s homes. Her parents are visiting from Newfoundland. I had one drink and it was likely a bit strong than I would have made had I been pouring but anyway ….. we had a great time. I am downloading/uploading photos from my phone and I guess I have not done this in awhile as there are just shy of 900 photos in the process of downloading/uploading (I always get that mixed up) to my computer. Unfortunately I cannot share at this point. Also again I am writing this post from my computer. YAY, it is Saturday. So happy to have another weekend.

Alvin was a trooper staying at home by himself for 2.5 hours last night. First time for that length of time since before June. I do not get out much. Obviously between COVID 19 and Alvin’s two surgeries and other health issues, home is where I am 99.9% of the time. I am okay with that honestly but it is so wonderful to actually be able to get out without him. I compare it to be a parent and going out without the children. We all need some ME time without having to watch/look after someone. Anyway, I had a great time. We painted a truck in the woods with a pumpkin in the box. I am not artist by any means but it was so much fun. Perhaps if I did it more often I would get better. Also, I find I am better when it is more on the abstract side of things.

Well this is going to be ultra short as I really need some coffee this morning. It was funny we slept on the sofa again last night as I did not want to carry Alvin upstairs. He is still getting up every two hours or so no matter where we sleep. ARGH. He has to pee so what can you do. I get up to pee but not that often. Cannot blame him at all but it is hard on this poor getting older gal. We had been up several times when it was 4:54 a.m. when he wanted to have breakfast. So up we went and I gave him his breakfast. He has been going out on his own a few times although most times I tag along. Funny thing, I was so wide awake that I watered my plants/flowers in the kitchen and cleaned them out (removing any dead leaves etc) and a couple of little things before laying back down on the sofa. Likely it was a sign to just stay up but something inside just does not like to be up that early for the day. Then I want to sleep at suppertime. Anyway it was cool getting a few things done that I will not have to do later.

Time to hit the trail. Have an awesome day. Almost looks like it is raining and if that is the case, I won’t be doing any outside work right now. It is overcast. I see laundry in my future.

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

Always, Carol & Alvin

It is a NEW YEAR.

Good Saturday morning all.

After hitting plus 28 degrees celsius for the first time this year we are to have a slightly cooler day at 25 degrees.

There is a breeze today so that helps keep it more manageable.

Yesterday was a great day.

My daughter did the shopping for both households at COSTCO.

She surprised me with some beautiful potted flowers.

We had supper together and we had some of the strawberry-rhubarb crisp that I had made Thursday night.

It turned out pretty good.

We also did some gardening as she is starting to really be interested in growing plants/flowers.

I am happy about that as there is nothing more calming and fun than gardening.

One of my most favourite things is to garden but to sit back later and just enjoy the colour, their scents and their simple beauty.

Alvin is doing really well after his teeth cleaning.

I would say 100% back to normal.

 

Today is the birthday of our friend Pauline, I am going to just use her name and not just her initial.

Using one’s initial seems so impersonal.

After all it is not like I am giving her last name and address.

Happy Birthday to our friend.

She is a grower of the most beautiful flowers and plants.

Green thumb for sure.

 

The rest of this blog is going to be all photos as I finally was able to download those photos.

 

Beautiful flowers from my daughter.

Alvin’s tooth – that most forgetful tooth fairy did not bring him any loot !

Photos of the storm brewing last night. The ones with the dark border were near the roofline of our house.

Alvin and I enjoying the sunshine before his dental appointment on Thursday.

While out on the deck with Alvin before his appointment, I was going for some flower shots when I noticed two bugs “doing the wild thing.”

They were sitting on the railing but when I moved they started to fly.

What a sight.  I tried valiantly to snap a photo but it is not a crisp shot.

Very cool all the same.  Oh, I love nature.

Teddy, Kobi spent Wednesday with us.  Those pups love to move about making it impossible to grab any great closeups.

The baby Kobi is getting so big and remains full of puppy energy.  I love the photo of her and then the second one

where all of the ups are standing up looking out of the window.

Humphrey spent a few hours in the evening with us.

Truly was a friends day for Alvin and me, too.

My back raised flower/shrub garden.

I love it so much.

Whoops what about the front ……

I did manage to snap a couple or three of the friends.

Oh, I did snap some of my front garden.

Very nice and green.

Forgot the impatiens on the front porch.

 

Well I better get this day going.

I was going to take Mr. Alvin for a walk since we missed ours yesterday.

Before it gets too warm.

Coffee and laundry can wait.

It is 8:44 a.m. already and we were up much earlier than usual.

 

Wishing you a grand day.

I hope that you have a garden to putz in and to enjoy.

Continuing to live our lives with kindness and respect.

I/We, shall remain,

As Always, Carol & Mr. Alvin

It is a NEW YEAR.

Welcome to Saturday, June 6, 2020.

 

A Saturday morning in June.

 

The skies are grey with tips of white on the horizon.

The trees are swaying back and forth as the wind gusts.

Grass is green and gleaming with the moisture from the overnight and continuing morning rain.

A sleepiness fills my brain.

 

The birds are huddled beneath the leaves on the branches of the nearby trees.

Our neighborhood rabbits are not anywhere to be seen.

The sidewalks and pavement of the streets are wet with rain.

Sounds of only the wind and the rain filling the air.

 

The quietness does not give my body and brain the desire to move about.

We, my body and brain just want to lie back down on the sofa or bed and sleep.

Alvin on the other hand wants to get up and go.

Where I do not know.

 

Push myself during this grey morning, I must.

Otherwise clothes will remain in the laundry basket not clean.

Floor will remain unwashed.

This blog would not get posted.

 

Grateful that our grass is cut and the weeds are pulled.

Outdoor chores all done.

Perhaps it okay to just slow down.

Quiet Saturday?

 

Dreams of zzz’s on the sofa.

Not this day.

Chores to do.

I will say.

 

Not to follow a pattern this poem has done.

Just the words as they come.

I hope you enjoy.

This was fun to do.

Have a great day.

 

 

Living with kindness and respect.

I/We, remain

As Always, Carol & Alvin

 

P.S. truly did complete my outdoor chores last night after work.  We also met up with Georgie and his Grandma P and had a great walk.

Georgie is the cutest chocolate brown doggie and another of Alvin’s friends.

 

 

 

Living … One day at a time.

Hello to a gloom grey sky.

Just going to be a quiet day for us.

I think because of the gloomy skies, it would be a great time to share some colourful photos.

Photos taken over the years.

Flowers and Nature always bring a smile to my face.

Hopefully will bring a smile to your face.

 

 

I always find that when the sky is grey and rainy – flowers bring joy to my world.

Also Alvin does that as well.

Our children, our fur babies, adult family and friends …. they all bring us joy.

Wishing you a quiet, happy, healthy Sunday ….

 

With kindness and respect our days will be good.

 

 

Always, Carol & Alvin