The Next Chapter

Good Morning. Well I had a pretty good Monday for a change and that makes me happy. Perhaps it may have something to do with the fact that I am working on being positive and seeing the upside in every situation, no matter what. One moment, one breath, at a time. It worked.

This morning my daughter will be dropping off my son-in-law at his friends house and they will go together to the “strike line” (hopefully they settle their contract soon) and then bringing the pups here. They will stay with Cookie. It has been a couple of years or so since they have been together and I won’t be here with them. Aspen is a gentle soul and I am not concerned about her interaction with the Cookie Monster but Milo. At least they are similar in size so they will work it out. Should the need arise. Steven will come here once he puts in his four hours. Amanda will pick them up after work.

One quick story before I sign off. So yesterday at my lunch break I walked over to the nearby shopping mall and picked up the winning lottery tickets for our office lottery pool and then stopped by the pet store. My intention was to look for a harness that would fit Cookie a bit better. I spoke to the person on staff and bought one knowing that if it did not fit, I would be able to return it. No need to keep something that does not work, should that be the case.

I was so happy after work as it was about 14+ degrees celsius and neither me or Cookie required a sweater. On with the new harness which fit perfectly and we were on our way. Perhaps I should quickly digress. Earlier in the day my son-in-law had stopped by as my daughter had the day off and he had to come to do the “picket line.” He decided to take her for a walk to see if she would be less anxious. Steven had brought a couple of smaller harness from his home for her to try. They were ready and out the door. She raced to her house, he did not realize where they were going. I should have told him but did not think that he would take her for a walk. Anyway after she went home, she pulled a Houdini and walked out of the harness. Gratefully he grabbed her right away and got her back home. With this in mind, we left the house in her new raspberry pink harness. She walked right to her house and up onto the porch, she clearly misses her family. I coaxed her down and off we went down the sidewalk. Several houses away, she pulled a Houdini and walked out of the new harness which by the way seemed to fit her. OMG. She raced straight down the sidewalk with me in pursuit. I am not a runner but I managed to catch up to her and scooped her into my arms. I am afraid to relay this story to her family. They may not think that I am a very good friend. I had told them that her harness was tight and I know why. Has to be extra tight to keep her in it. Lesson learned. Once home, I changed harnesses and we left again for a walk. This time going the opposite way and she just plunked herself down on the sidewalk and that was that. So back home. Honestly she gets lots of exercise racing all over and fresh air well we spent a bit of time in the backyard. What a Cookie Monster!

Today at noon, I will return the raspberry pink harness to the pet store. LOL.

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) and Miss Cookie.

A New YEAR 2023

Good Morning ALL! How are you this Wednesday morning? I am grateful for the warm temperatures again today. Alvin was up a couple of times but that is down from three on Monday night. I noticed this morning in his poop there was blood. First time in a few days. Breaks my heart to leave him at home today but I have to go to the office, no choice. I am grateful to our friend Alyaa who will be coming to check on him today. Upon good advice from a friend, I will scatter some pee pads on the floor and I hope that if he has to pee or poo that he understands or even if he has an accident, I would not blame him. Floors can be cleaned. Throw mats can be washed. Please keep my little friend in your thoughts and prayers. It is always hard to leave him alone when he is not feeling great and even when he is, I do not like to leave him alone.

Yesterday after work, after his supper and mine, he picked up the Christmas Gnome and pushed it along the floor while I grabbed my phone to catch a video of the action. We played tug afterwards. So cute. One would never know from looking at him that he is sick. I pray and hope all the time that this latest medicine will do the trick and put his poop back to normal.

We had a good day yesterday and despite giving him the Prednisone, he went outside several times over the course of the day. He did settle down and have a good nap in the afternoon. Fingers crossed that he will sleep lots today.

I am going to take him outside again before I leave for the day.

I want to cut this short so that I can snuggle with him before I leave for the office.

Have yourself a wonderful day.

I am grateful for these mild days. We went for a walk on my lunch break yesterday and although the temperature was warm, there was a cool breeze. The sun was shining and we were both dressed for the weather so we were good. Alvin sniffed and sniffed all the way to the park. There were several very icy spots on the sidewalk so we walked on the edge of the street careful to check for traffic.

I am filled with gratitude for all the days that I have spent and can spend with Mr. Alvin. Gratitude for our beautiful home that we share together. Grateful to have all that we need and of course each other. I am grateful for all of our family and friends who surround us with love, support and compassion. Grateful for the good food that we have to eat. I am grateful for our life and that Alvin came into my life on that cold January night 13 years ago.

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

Hello, cannot say good morning as it is now after lunch. I hope you are well on this Monday. I woke up not feeling well under the weather and decided to take a sick day. Other than getting up with Alvin throughout the morning I laid on the sofa under my red comfy blanket snuggled next to Alvin.

The sun is shining brightly and there is a strong breeze marking the day.

Having a hot cup of coffee now to warm me up.

I hope you are all having a great Monday, I will be back tomorrow.

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

Always, Carol&Alvin

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Sunday the 31st day of March, 2019.

Today is the birthday of a long-time girl friend, Happy Birthday PB.

Alvin and I wish you a great day and year to come.

The sky is overcast this morning.

Sunday and the final day of March, 2019.

Where has or does the time go?

No one seems to know.

We only know that as we get older time seems to pass with lightning speed.

I just heard geese honking.

There must be some geese flying about in the sky somewhere close by.

 

Yesterday Master Teddy spent the day with us.

I thought that perhaps I would share some photos of the boys together

Also I moved up Alvin’s haircut and bath to yesterday.

Which was a good move on my part.

Teddy and Alvin and I went for a nice walk just over thirty minutes.

The boys had fun.

This photo was taken Friday night when Alvin had his paws curled around his favourite toy “duck.”

You can tell from this photo that Mr. Alvin needed a hair cut.

I do give him a hair cut on a regular basis but it grows so fast.

He needed the bath – even though I washed him down after our walks, his fur just looked grey.

Supper-time.

Each had their own bowl and they each ate at the same time.

Now Alvin did come and check out Teddy’s bowl when he was finished.

So cute.

Hungry boys

Alvin after his hair cut and bath in the above photo.

Look how white and he feels about 3 pounds lighter.

Also to mention his front paws are his “tender spot” and after likely about an hour on them, this was the best that I could do.

Oh well.

I will try and snip here and there with the scissors.

Out on the deck.

What a beautiful day.

Most of the snow has melted.

YAY …..

 

Well I guess time to get this show on the road.

Humphrey the Cat will be joining us around noon.

So I have some things to do before he arrives.

Perhaps go for a walk before then as well.

Wash floors and prepare for work week.

 

Happy Sunday.

Last day of March – cannot believe it.

I hope that you all have a great day.

 

Special Hello to:  all the women in my life …… you all rock.

Always, Carol & Alvin

 

P.S.  I watched SECOND ACT last night (rented from Telus) with Jennifer Lopez.  I quite enjoyed the movie.

 

 

 

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Friday the 29th day of March, 2019.

WOW, almost the end of March, 2019.

Crazy.

Our weather has been quite nice.

It was beautiful when Alvin and I went for a walk last night.

We took a longer walk and enjoyed it immensely.

Still getting muddy and thankfully I remembered to have a wet towel at the front door.

Need more exercise we do.

Alvin will be having a bath and hair cut this weekend, likely Sunday.

 

Master Teddy joins us tomorrow for the day.

Alvin sure perked up when I told him last night.

He will be happy to have him with us again.

I was wondering last night why Alvin wanted to be outside on the deck so much.

The reason.

Mr. Humphrey was out on his deck.

Humphrey was telling him quite the story.

Alvin sure loves his friends.

We are so lucky to be surrounded by lovely creatures four-legged and two.

 

I am debating on whether I should go to the grocery store at lunchtime or go after work.

About the same distance to carry and walk.

Maybe at noon a bit further but not much.

I am out of ideas for lunch and do not wish to have a sandwich again.

Out of vegetables.

So likely will trod on over at lunchtime.

I am nearing the end of my toothpaste and completely out of dish soap.

So decision at lunchtime or after work?

I am catching the bus as my carpool took the afternoon off …..

I guess by the time I have to take lunch – I will have made a decision.

ARGH.

Somedays.

You know if that is the hardest decision that I have to make today – I will consider myself more than lucky.

 

I see 3.3 million dollars in my future.

Sharing the Lotto Max Jackpot with 14 of my coworkers.

Perfect beginning to the weekend.

YAY.

 

Well perfect sight …. listening to Alvin breathing as he rests on his blue blanket.

Oh, how I love that guy.

 

Well I guess it is time to go.

Time to go to work.

 

Special Hello to:  all those folks who have a four-legged friend in their family.

Always, Carol & Alvin

 

Thought for the day ….

Good Morning and Welcome to Tuesday the 27th day of November, 2018.

Another beautiful day on the way.

Yesterday was a bit cooler than the past several days but still so nice for this time of year.

A time of the year when weather can change in a heartbeat.

Oh, that is most times of the year.

That is living in Canada.

Our weather can change drastically from morning to noon to night.

My Grandma always said “Variety is the spice of life.”

Do you think she was referring to the weather?

Likely not.

Oh well.

I feel sassy and full of vim and vigour this morning.

Most times I am not an early morning person but perhaps it is the extra things I am doing that are helping.

I started taking Vitamin D, a multi-vitamin and onto MATCHA again with breakfast.

Anyway, I feel great.

Certainly is a good way to begin one’s day.

 

Sunday night I came across something that Charles Dickens had written.

It was on a Christmas card.

I thought it would be appropriate to share it with you:

“I will honour Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year.”

     Charles Dickens

 

Such a lovely sentiment and something that we should all try to do.

I do try and keep positive thoughts in my mind (most of the time) and following with kind and generous actions.

But to say that I will honour Christmas in my heart and try to keep it all the year – just brings it up to another level.

 

We all have heart ache in our lives.

We all have situations that do not go the way we thought or intended.

We all have moments/times when our thoughts and actions are less than stellar.

If we all just take 5 minutes each day for ourselves.

To bright the light back.

We can live through the heart ache.

We can change our thoughts and intentions.

We can have more stellar thoughts and actions.

If you are feeling great and in a good place …. your thoughts and actions will show this.

 

I hope that you have an amazing day.

Keep Christmas in your heart.

Be kind to yourself and to others.

 

Special Hello to: all our Angels on earth and in in the heavens, thank you.

Always, Carol & Alvin

Thought for the day ….

Good Morning and Welcome to Tuesday the 6th day of March, 2018.

Well here we are almost one week into March.

Spring is close, I hope, I have faith.

Our time changes this weekend.

We lose one hour.

I must say that I am not really tickled pink about that but on the up side we do have an extra hour of daylight each day.

I guess it works out.

The hard part is the morning.

Sometimes I think I may be a morning person as I truly love the early early mornings but when it actually arrives, I am not.

What part of the day do you love?

Are you in line with that part of the day?

Morning, Afternoon or Night or Late Late Night.

I am really not sure.

I love bits of each part of the day.

Love the sunrises.

Love the warmth of the afternoon sun.

Love after supper part of evenings, our walks and the stars and the moon.

Love the quiet of the late, late night.

Hard to choose.

Food for thought.

 

Last night we got to bed on time and I finished my book.

Such a good story.

I am going to grab the next one in the series of the

The No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency.

Alvin decided to get up at 12:30 and had to go outside.

I get that …. the age thing and bathroom.

He did sleep until 5:00 so that was good.

 

Well here we go again.

Time to leave for work.

Have an awesome day.

 

Special Hello to:  YOU.

Always, Carol & Alvin

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Sunday the 28th day of August, 2016.

It is overcast for the most part this morning but it is clearing some to the south and I assume to the east as I can see brightness coming from that part of the sky.

Sunshine or not??

Oh yes there is some sunshine as it is shining on one of the houses to south of my window.

YAY ….. sometimes it is the little things that bring such joy.

I really would like the sun to shine.

It seems like we have had many days of clouds and rain.

 

Yesterday was a busy day preparing the house for the tea party today at noon.

So in just a few hours.

Some of the girls that I used to work with at the store are coming for the Steeped Tea party.

It will be so nice to see them.

Last night Alvin and I were invited out for supper.

My friend “J” made this incredible spread ….. way too much yummy food.

We had a great visit, me, “J” and “A” ……

Alvin enjoyed playing with Jasmine’s plush toys.

He only has non-plush ones because given the opportunity he just chews on them until the threads break and the stuffing comes out.

Even the hard core ones that are supposed to be “chew proof” … not so much.

That boy of mine.

So instead he has a ball, his snowball and we play fetch with that……

He has some other toys but not a soft one in the bunch.

Maybe as he gets older he will not attack them so much and I can get him some softer toys.

 

One of the girls is bringing her youngest girl so that will be nice.

Alvin loves children.

Well I supposed I should get this show on the road.

Get spruced up and prepare the table for the tea party.

I am going to make a couple of goodies for the tea party even though my hostess is bringing some baked good.

There will be Steeped Tea’s “Coconut Key Lime Dip Mix” with fresh strawberries AND “GuacamolTEA” with Artisan Roasted Garlic & Black Bean Tortilla chips.

We will have fun and Alvin will enjoy the company.

He loves to be surrounded by women, go figure.

Well he is a guy after all?

Laughing aloud.

 

Time to go, I hope that you all have an awesome Sunday.

Remember to go for a walk and enjoy the great outdoors.

I hope that you are as blessed as me to have some parks close to your home.

 

Special Hello to: my friends here and there and everywhere.

Always, Carol and Alvin