The Next Chapter

Good Morning! How are you this morning? Can you believe that it is Thursday? Time is certainly flying. The sky is blue and the sun is shining brightly in the morning sky. Sunrise and sunset are happening earlier and later with each passing day. There does not appear to be wind this morning so that is good. There are still signs of the hail from Tuesday night.

Yesterday morning at work the six of us from our site office went out and inspected two more of our sites. Some picked up trash and others did a visual inspection of yards and other things. It sure got hot early and I had worn warm pants and layers so I was able to take off my jacket but still was very warm. We were back to the office by noon.

I almost missed having a walk with Jeanette, Eddie and Bruno as I was eating and they needed to go earlier. They went ahead and Alejandro (her husband) was with them when I met up with them in the park. There was a love fest happening with three pups when I arrived. Eddie, Bruno and another yellow lab. I found out shortly after arriving that it was Miss Sadie (whom I know) but she was with her Dad and I am used to seeing her with her Mom or the kids. Anyway it was great to see her. After a bit more playing we carried on with our walk. Jeanette was leaving at midnight for Miami, Florida to see her parents who were visiting her brothers. Her parents were coming from South America. I am happy that she was able to go and spend some time with them. She will be home in a week. Meanwhile Alejandro will be walking with Eddie & Bruno. I am going to tag along whenever I am able. I love those dogs, they bring me joy. They are a good reminder of walks with Mr. Alvin.

Bruno taking a rest

Eddie

Eddie & Bruno

The first two photos are from our walk last night and the third is a photo that Jeanette sent to me. They are so handsome, these boys.

Looks like we are fast approaching Mother’s Day weekend. Do you have plans with your Mother? Are you a Mother? My daughter and son-in-law and grand-pups Miss Aspen and Mi-Mi will be coming over on Saturday. We will order in supper as a treat. I cannot wait to see them.

Well after having a shower and putting on some makeup, it would seem that I am running a bit late. Not really late that I have to rush but I am so used to take a slow approach to my mornings at home, that it feels like I am rushing. Not really. Okay, now I am rambling. LOL.

One more week with the temporary crowns and then next Thursday, I will be getting the new crowns. Looking forward to having them but not really to the extractions and fillings. More freezing. Oh well, soon will be caught up in all of the dental stuff.

Have a great Thursday. Sending positive energy and rain to extinguish the flames of the wildfires.

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! Well we made it, today is Friday, October 14, 2022. So excited for the weekend. What a great way to start with last night my good friend Gillian came over for a visit. We always have such great conversations. I always feel so much better about life in general after we are together. She has good energy. Thank you Gillian. Mr. Alvin was excited to see her…..

We also went for a walk after work. Alvin’s “caregiver” was outside her house with her daughter and a friend as we were going by. Mr. Alvin made a beeline across the grass to see her, tail just a wagging. Safe to say that he loves her very much. Yesterday she brought her pup Cookie for a visit one of the times she came to check on Mr. Alvin. He, we are so blessed to be surrounded by loving, caring and supportive friends and neighbours. My neighbours do not just beside me – they are my friends. I am very grateful for each and every one of them. Alvin had some love and attention while we chatted and then we were on our way. Down the street a little bit we saw other friends out cleaning out their motorhome. We stopped for a quick visit and then headed out to the park. It was such an absolute lovely walk. There was no wind and the temperature was about 21 degrees celsius, perfection. We didn’t make it quite to Pauline’s house before turning around to come home. I always have Alvin decide how far to go and he was ready to go home.

The leaves are so gorgeous now. Reds, oranges, yellows and still a lot of green. My impatiens and other plant out front are still blooming but I will pull the impatiens this weekend. The other plant I will leave out as it is more of a fall plant and I believe is an annual so will wait till we have a good frost and then cut it back / pull the plant. November 7th is the second and last pickup of yard waste. Good to recycle.

This weekend I will put away the patio furniture although next week we are supposed to have temperatures well above seasonal values. But better to get done before something happens! You know what I mean. I really do not want to say the word before it happens. I know that yesterday I mentioned it in my blog.

I am also trying to stop the negative feelings and thoughts that I have been having during this return to the office. Getting used to the earlier rise, the noise levels, being around so many people and so on, has made me a bit cranky and a little anxious. Starting today that stops. I am so grateful to be employed, to have great people to help look after Alvin while I am at the office, I am grateful that we are both in great health, I am grateful for my life. So no complaints. My life is pretty blessed and I do that!

Happy Friday everyone.

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

Always, Carol & Alvin

2021

Good Morning ALL! How are you doing this Friday? YAY, we made it to another weekend. Alvin and I are well. He slept good so I slept good HOWEVER, since we came back upstairs for me to shower and get dressed, he has been a whiny pants. There is something about the placement of his water dish in our bedroom that now the past couple of days is suddenly freaking him out. He whines and paws and paws and whines when he tries to get a drink. Now if I was not in the shower it would not have been a big deal but of course, he is barking away when I am in the shower. Not just a matter of jumping out and back in. So I try to talk him down “off his ledge” from the shower. Did not work. He barked the whole time that I was in the shower. I sure hope that our neighbours did not hear him or me. Oh, please. Once I was out he stopped and I coaxed him to drink. I moved the dish over a bit but not sure if that will work or not. As the days, months and years pass, I have noticed that he has more anxiety. He used be anxious but that has climbed. I try to retain my patience and manage other than occasionally raising my voice which I know never helps any situation but when it is you are alone in the house except for an anxious dog …. HELP. Perhaps I should have taken him to see someone when he was younger but I did not. Now we just try to get through one day at a time. If anyone thinks that only humans suffer from anxiety – think again. I was thinking how great it has been for him to have me home for the last more than a year but I do not know anymore. I think that Alvin was sent to me to give me more patience. I would say that patience is definitely not a virtue for me. So I will continue to work on it and he will keep testing my patience to see if I am resolved my issues. What can you do?

I do not wish to complain ever as I have a GREAT life. We live in a beautiful home, have lots of good food to eat, I have a job, I am surrounded by loving, supportive, caring family and friends, we have good health, and we are able to walk everyday and I can do some of the things that I love to do such as writing. So I will plod on ….. plod on.

Well speaking of plodding – I had better get this train back on the tracks. One really has nothing to do with the other, lol. Really need that coffee ….

Please have a wonderful Friday. The weekend is just a few hours away …. some time perhaps to do something special for you.

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

Always, Carol & Alvin

P.S. it may not sound like it but I love the little guy with my whole heart …. just sometimes the barking is not easy to handle. …… but we will get through it …. one moment …. one day at a time.

2021

Good Morning ALL! How are you this fine May 12, 2021 Wednesday morning? Alvin and I are doing okay. He has yeast infections in both ears. Came on quickly considering we had been to the vet not even two weeks ago. Might have had something to do with walking in the wind and perhaps getting dirt and perhaps I did not get them dried enough when he went outside to go to the bathroom when it was raining. The vet who he has seen before is not his regular vet but I feel she brings a new light to the table. She helps out at the clinic to give my vet a break for a week or so each month now. It is easy to burn out when you work with no breaks. I cannot imagine that being a vet would be an easy job either. Also Alvin is taking probiotics for seven days with hopes that it gets his tummy and stuff back in regular order. I that Teddy’s Mom gives them probiotics, perhaps Alvin should take them on a regular basis. Mr. is sitting in the hallway calling to me, so perhaps he needs to go out or just wants my attention. I just called him to lay on his little bed in the office and he came and now he is gone again. Definitely he is not quite back to normal. Hopefully soon.

The sun is shining brightly in a clear blue sky this morning and there appears to be just a slight breeze as I can see the trees to the south of us moving ever so slightly. I believe we are going to have a +18 degree celsius day today. Perfect for walking.

We had the walk to and from the vet in the morning and after work we went for our regular walk. The trees are budding and in some cases the leaves are already out. I love this time of year. Everything so fresh and new. Wouldn’t it be nice to feel fresh and new? I think so.

Well sorry for this being so short. The boss is calling me. If you could hear him you would want to finish this as soon as you possibly could.

I wish you all a wonderful Wednesday. Go out and enjoy the day and remember to take some time just for you. 15 minutes or 30 if you can. Walk, sing, dance …… read a book. Time is precious and we have to remember to take some for ourselves. Recharge those batteries. I am thinking. Need to do that.

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

Always, Love Carol & Alvin

It is a NEW YEAR.

Good Morning, Saturday ….. so  happy about it being the weekend.

Both Alvin and I are super excited.

His best buddy Teddy is coming over about 9:00 a.m. to spend the whole day with us.

At 10:00 a.m. two of my best girl friends, the young ones are coming for coffee on the deck.

One of them is bringing Tim’s coffee and donuts.

She even asked our favourites.

I had planned to have coffee and muffins but there is no changing her mind.

I have offered to pay and that went over like a lead balloon.

Now, don’t I have such great friends ….. coming for a visit.

We are moving out of the garage – thankfully there is not gale force winds like last time.

The sun is shining brightly so it should not be too cold sitting on the deck.

We have lots of room to move around out there.

If it does get cold, we will just move to the shelter of the garage each with a chair.

 

Tomorrow is Mother’s Day.

I cannot believe it, already.

I wish that I had a special treat for every “Mother” on the planet.

Whether you crawl, fly, are two or four-legged, Mothers rock this world.

Have an awesome Saturday.

 

Gotta fly, here …. lots to do before the company starts to arrive.

 

Take care.

Be smart when you are out and about.

Social Distancing will keep us safe and alive.

Have an awesome Saturday, did I say that already.

 

Gotta go.

 

With so much kindness and respect, to ALL.

I/We, remain,

As Always, Carol & Alvin

Living … One day at a time.

Good Morning and WELCOME TO WINTER.

We had some snow over the course of the evening and just before bed; I swept the blanket that was covering the deck.

Awoke to several inches warming the deck.

So safe to say we have winter.

Unlikely at this point that it will melt and actually I prefer to have it just cold enough to keep the snow from melting and creating a slushy mess.

Now that being said …. just a bit more …. would certainly be enough.

 

Lucky for us we had a wonderful walk last night.

It was really mild and no wind.

Perfect for walking.

As we approached Teddy’s house last night … I had to stop Alvin for making a beeline to his house.

But just as I was doing that …. Teddy spotted us from an upstairs window ….. there was no turning back at that point.

He started barking and jumping up and down.

Teddy was happy to see his friend and me.

So we went to the door and rang the doorbell.

As soon as I did …. Alvin started to bark.

Teddy’s Aunt came to the door.

She was happy to see us and figured it just wasn’t anyone walking by and she was right. LOL.

It was Teddy’s BF Alvin and his Mom.

Teddy practically jumped into my arms.

He just kept staring deep into my  eyes as though he had not seen me for a long time.

So cute.

We had a nice visit.

Alvin found one of Ted’s chew treats and went to work on that while we chatted.

J was making some soup using up items from the fridge.

After a nice visit and once Alvin was done with the chew treat, we headed out for home.

 

Life is always better when you have a friend.

 

I still had to make supper and no leftovers to be had.

I made a simple chili and some oven roasted sweet potato pieces.

 

We had a nice evening ….

I guess it would be winter boot wearing day today.

Must remember to put a pair of shoes in a bag.

 

Happy Tuesday to Everyone.

If we treat others with kindness and respect; we will be treated with kindness and respect.

Wishing those who need some extra positive energy …. a good day.

I wished that I had the power to heal.

My heart goes out to each and every one of you on this day.

Be well.

Be safe.

 

Always, Carol & Alvin

 

Living … One day at a time.

Good Morning and Wow, it is Friday, November 1st, 2019.

Hard to believe.

HALLOWEEN was amazing this year as it is ALL years.

The office staff did an incredible job with costumes.

So much imagination.

Part of the group that I work with dressed up as the Monopoly Game and Characters.

Wow, they were good.

They won the big prize for the group.

I think it was a PIZZA Party.

Very cool.

The individuals were everything from me as Harry Potter to a Mummy to Witches.

Some of the groups were Zombie Plumbers and Dancing Horses.

So great.

 

I was a bit disappointed in the number of treaters that came to our door.

I was very proud of Mr. Alvin.

He did not attempt a big escape or scare the children.

Most of the time in between he sat in his chair looking out the window for the kids.

It was so CUTE.

We had 53 and usually we average about 100 give or take.

Likely had to do with so many of my immediate neighbours either were not home or had their lights off.

My porch light had burned out a long time ago and sadly I forgot to change it.

That likely played a role in the low numbers.

But I am most happy that ALL of our friends in the neighbourhood with children came to visit.

The one that made me smile the most was our neighbour’s son who was 8 years old when I moved to Edmonton.

He turned 18 at the beginning of October; he dressed up as a turtle.

Came to show me and of course, teasingly I gave him some treats.

His little brothers are the ones that raked my lawn and of course, they received a special bag of treats customized for each of them.

My friend G and her youngest son came and stopped for a visit.

C wore this amazing chicken costume which inflates and is not exactly the easiest thing to maneuver wearing.

Anyway it was great.

We enjoyed ourselves.

Now we have quite a bit of candy left.

I guess I will freeze the chocolate for another day.

The weather held out.

No wind or rain or snow.

A bit cool but not bad.

Well I was going to show some photos but I am experiencing technical difficulties and it is almost time for us to head downstairs.

Tonight my daughter is picking me up from work and coming for a sleepover.

So excited.

We are putting up the Christmas Tree tonight.

My favourite night ….

Well I love Halloween, too.

 

Happy Friday.

Remembering we all have to be kind and respectful.

Me, too.

And patience….. I am working on that one.

 

Always, Carol & Alvin

 

Thought for the day ….

Good Morning and Welcome to Monday the 11th day of March, 2019.

Yesterday was so WARM with no breeze.

I decided yesterday to take Mr. Alvin to our friend’s birthday celebration.

The cats and Alvin did well.

He kept his distance.

Cricket knows Alvin but Casey has only joined their household last October (2018) and she wasn’t quite sure.

Both are used to dogs but everyone knows that sometimes there can be moments.

Casey did take a swipe at Alvin but he was not close and he retreated to the safety of his Mom’s legs.

Funny how that works.

Poor Alvin had wanted to say hello but Casey was not having any of it.

He pretty much stayed beside me the whole time except when our friend opened the fridge as he knows she keeps the treats in there.

We had a great visit and was interesting watching two cats and a dog navigate their time together.

After the visit we headed home where I quickly changed into boots, coat (had light jacket on) and mitts and of course grabbed some “poop bags.”

Our friend J had left the party when we did and by the time I stopped in and got changed she was outside with Jazmin.

She had not planned to go for a walk but when she got home Jazmin gave her the sign that she wanted to walk.

Miss Jazmin is I believe 14 years old and has a heart condition.

Somedays she just doesn’t want to go.

Yesterday she was excited to go and she tried and mostly kept up with Mr. Alvin.

They get along so well.

I was so happy to see her out and enjoying the warm day.

We had a great walk.

Perfect end to a perfect day.

 

I think that Mr. Alvin is beginning to dream “CATS.”

We were surrounded by CATS this weekend.

AND Miss Jazmin, who is a doggie.

We missed seeing Master Teddy this weekend.

 

Well back to work today.

We had a great day.

Quiet and relaxing and FUN.

 

I hope that you all had a great Sunday.

I hope that if you are in the “time changing zones” that getting up this morning did not hurt too much!!

Wishing you a wonderful Monday.

 

Listening to dogs barking in the distance.

One sounded big.

 

Happy Monday.

Special Hello to:  everyone who READS, whether it be this blog or another, a book or a magazine or a newspaper.  JUST READ.  Read to your children and grandchildren, too.