The Next Chapter

Good Morning. How are you this morning? Today is Friday, just a few more hours and it is the weekend. I am happy about that fact. Tonight at 6:00, the repairman is coming to run a diagnostic on my stove. Fingers crossed that it is a quick and inexpensive fix. I just want my oven back. Seems like it has been forever since I baked something in the oven, well almost, I guess at 3 weeks.

Did you sleep well? I am reading a book that is about a serial killer and I am not sure that it is a good fit for me. Most of the story thus far is about one of the victims who was found alive. I might swap it out for something a little less dramatic. I get enough drama at my place of employment. Not continual drama, not like every second or anything but enough that it drains me to the core. New book either a light hearted something or other or a spy one with some drama. I am finding that it is difficult to be positive and upbeat. Have to try harder. I do not wish to slip over to the dark side. All my life I have tried to find the silver lining in everything and now this job, has slowly eaten away at that! I am a stubborn woman and I will conquer this! I like my actual job. Okay, enough about that.

At lunch break yesterday I went for a 20 minute walk and then after work for another 30 minute walk. I was almost home when I heard what sounded like my name being called. I turned around to see one of my neighbours on her porch, asking me if I had a minute. I have known J for many years. Her dog Jasmin passed away one year ago this month, I believe. She needed to talk to someone as someone hit her 2000 Camaro in the parking lot at the nearby mall the day before. Thankfully she got the person’s insurance and should be able to have it fixed. She has always kept that car in immaculate condition. I felt for her. At the time she relayed the story, I did not remember that it was last April that her beloved pup had passed. Only now as I am telling the story. I know it is so hard to lose your little buddy, I miss and think about Alvin every single day. He will always be with me.

We all are going through things and it is easy to only think about yourself. So that was a good reminder to me. My life is pretty sweet for the most part. I am in good health, I live in a beautiful home surrounded by awesome and wonderful neighbours and friends, I was able to rescue and have with me for just over 13 years – my Alvin, I have the best family, I am employed and can pay my bills in full and on time, I have good food to eat and so much more. So all in all, a pretty great life. Just need to remind myself of this, sometimes we all need to take stock of all the good things in our lives!

Time to head downstairs and get that coffee perking. Have breakfast and then chill before heading out to work. Have an awesome day. Thank you so much for reading my posts about my life. I can tell you the sky looks so pretty this morning from my office window. There are streaks of blue and pink lining the horizon. A good day.

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)

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)

The Next Chapter

Good Morning! How are you? I am doing well. Last night I did not toss and turn as much as the bed was less “apart.” Funny how that happens! YAY, it is Friday. Today is also the birthday of a long time friend of mine Paulette. We have known each other since the early 80’s. She lives back in Saskatchewan. I wish her a very Happy Birthday.

Yesterday was an odd day but not so much for the end of March. It was cloudy and cold for most of the day. After work I changed and went for a walk. There was a cold breeze but it was nice to shake off the cobwebs of the day and start fresh. I saw lots of “pups” while I was out and that was nice. I see Alvin everywhere. He is with me on walks and in my heart during the day at the office. Today is the last day of March 2023 so I wonder what Mother Nature has in store for us today. I had planned to walk at lunch break yesterday but decided against it so hopefully the sun is shining today and it is nice.

I found all of the information for the replacement heating element for my oven. So this weekend I shall figure out a way to go and pick one up. Sometimes not having a car or a vehicle is a pain in the butt. I am not a fan of asking people for rides or for help. I much prefer to be able to do things on my own but that is not always possible. Anyway, that is my cross to bear. We all have things that we do not like to do or to admit to ourselves or to others. Being independent has always been a big deal for me, just saying. P.S. I turned on the broiler in the oven last night and it heats up so it is only the bottom one.

This will be a busy weekend with coffee at my friend Gillian’s tomorrow morning. I have to complete and submit my income tax (so grateful can do on line now although seeing things on paper is sometimes easier, I should have a printer?), do laundry, clean out closets and figure out formatting the photos. I want to start next weekend as it is four days by going through room by room and doing a spring clean. I am quite sure that I have things that I no longer wear, need or use and that I could find a good home for them. One always feels better when they “spring clean.” I know that I certainly do.

Time to head downstairs and put on the coffee. I love having time to sit back and have a cup of coffee before leaving the house. I have also started to eat breakfast before I leave. Then I fast until supper time. Funny how one’s body gets used to changes.

Happy Friday to you. I hope that you have an easy breezy WONDERFUL day. Only good things happening to us all on this Friday, March 31st, 2023. See you on the other side. (Saturday).

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)

The Next Chapter

Good Morning! How are you this morning? I am well. For some reason, I am running later than usual even though I was up at the same time. Argh. Oh well, I will be ready when my ride arrives. Spring is here. Mixture of weather. The sun is higher in the sky and feels warmer. The snow is melting as is the ice.

Dilemma, my ride is leaving work early today so what do I wear to work my regular shoes or do I wear boots. If I get off the bus at the back way to my house, there is ice/snow and mud by the bushes. With the warmer temperature forecasted for today it is likely to be a pool of water. Do I want to take the longer way around and carry my laptop? I do not know. I guess I will make the decision before I leave for work. I could wear my new old pair of running shoes that my daughter picked up for me at the thrift shop. I was always thinking that I need to figure out about the oven. Will need to go and get a heating element or pay someone to look at it and confirm that is the problem? I would love to have one week where everything went smoothly. Don’t you think that is a reasonable request? Perhaps I need to refocus my thoughts. I will admit with the changes to the office,

Spring …… almost Easter.

Photo by Alena Koval on Pexels.com

Photo by Evgeny Tchebotarev on Pexels.com

Photo by Denniz Futalan on Pexels.com

Have a wonderful day.

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).

The Next Chapter

Good Morning! How are you this Monday morning? Yes, it is Monday already. Don’t you think that the weekends go far too quickly? I had a fairly good sleep but woke up around 4:00 and then dozed off and on until the alarm went off.

Yesterday a flock of medium sized birds of which I did not recognize flew into my tree. There must have been well over one hundred of them. They dangled and say for a moment while I struggled to take a photo or video. By the time I was ready most of them had flown away and to a neighbouring tree (I did get a short video there). It was like a beautifully orchestrated dance. Safe to say that spring is here. Oh, I hope so.

I had been thinking of reading up on the external hard drive and finishing off my taxes but after spending most of Saturday on the computer, I thought “no.” Instead I cleaned. The upstairs. Cleaned the bathrooms. Washed the cabinets, the sinks, the toilets, went through the cabinets (spring clean) and vacuumed. I vacuumed the stairs and the main floor. Just did some cleaning which is good for the soul.

Oh and big news. I had decided to bake a banana pumpkin loaf. Likely should have turned the oven on first to preheat but instead I put together the loaf and then turned on the oven. It did not warm up. I reached out to my neighbour but she did not get back to me and found out a bit later that they had gone out. By that time, I had googled two things. How long can you keep batter in the fridge and can you use the microwave to bake this type of loaf. Surprisingly enough positive searches for both. I ended up popping it into the microwave and after about 12 minutes off and on, it was done. Knife came out without batter. I let it sit for a minute before taking the knife and going around the outside edges to loosen it before turning it over onto a tray to cool. A little while later, I gave it a slice. Voile, it was cooked. Then to taste, well not the same consistency as baking in the oven but it was done and edible. So in case your oven stops working – you can use the microwave and not waste the batter. I had taken chicken out of the freezer so had to pan fry it. Not my favourite way of cooking chicken that is for sure but it works. Now I am oven less until I am able to get it fixed. I think it is the heating element, I had it replaced several years ago. Hopefully that is all.

Time to head downstairs. Have a wonderful Monday.

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 – December

Good Morning ALL! How are you this morning? I could hear the wind howling earlier and all I wanted to do was to curl up and stay in bed. I did reset the alarm for a bit and hit the snooze button on my phone for one more bit of sleep. Now I am up and “ready” to get on with the day. Working from home today which is great as I have to go into full party mode preparedness after work. I just realized that I will need to move my winter coats out of the front entrance closet so that the partygoers/guests have a place to put their coats and of course, foot wear. There is definitely going to be “cleanup” on Sunday.

Last night after work, I gave the oven some love with my steamer. Kind of disappointed that it did not clean it as easily as I first thought but it is still looking pretty good. Oven cleaning is not my favourite thing to do. After that, I brought up my step ladder with thoughts of cleaning the area which is a shelf above the start of the upstairs. I am not sure why the builders thought that was a good idea, because it is not. You cannot put the step ladder there to clean because there is no room on the landing. If you are short – no way in ever you can reach it. Even with a long handled duster you cannot reach it. When I moved into this house, sometime during the first year I purchased a vase with some pretty artificial plants and the letters spelling out P-E-A-C-E. It looks beautiful. But sadly the last few years it has not received much love. Mainly due to me forgetting about it and then when I do, I am frustrated because I cannot reach it. So I had a plan but sadly the plan backfired. I did however, with my new SHARK cordless vacuum clean some of the ledge and lightly go over the vase and lettering. So it is not so bad but I cringe at the thought of it not being “dusted.” I am going to find someone tall that can easily reach OR a one step stool that is taller (maybe not a great idea) and take the vase and lettering down to give a good cleaning. Please do not get me wrong, my house is clean and neat. I just have this space. Oh well, the story is out. Perhaps someone out there may have an idea for me. I must remember to ask my neighbours as they all have this space in their homes. How do they clean it? Maybe they do not. You are likely asking how did I get that stuff up there to begin with? I honestly do not remember. I think my old neighbour helped me. Wishing I was taller now. Lots to do after work. I want things to be perfect or at least as close as possible.

I definitely need some coffee this morning. Just noticing my poor Begonia plant that is on the other desk here in my office is bending over. Oh no, now not enough water. Not sure why in the summer, I had the watering down perfectly and now I am either over watering or under. I am sorry “Begonia.” Just had to run and get her some water.

Countdown to Christmas: Wow, today is Friday, December 16, 2022 and “8” sleeps till Christmas Eve.

I hope that you have a great Friday.

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

Always, Carol & Alvin

P.S. Oh, I forgot to tell you about Mr. Alvin. He is having such great fun with Aspen and Milo. Alvin has this toy ice cream float and I guess that is everyone’s fav right now. They were playing with the toy and then Miss Aspen “took it outside.” I cannot wait to have all three of them here on Christmas Eve. Oh my sweet babes.

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Thursday the 20th day of December, 2018.

Okay, we finished packing yesterday and spent the day in a dust bowl.

People were sniffing and sneezing.

It was dirty as some places that not seen the light of day for awhile.

You know how that is, right?

I am excited to move into our temporary workspace down the street.

Not far away which is nice.

Today we will unpack and get settled.

Tomorrow the office is open in the morning to the public and closed at noon as we will have our corporate Christmas Lunch.

Lucky me, my neighbour gave me a ride to work yesterday and will do so today and tomorrow.

So happy that I do not have to walk in baby steps to the bus.

I have my “ice picks” strapped onto my boots but you still have to be careful.

Deep sigh of relief.

Tomorrow last day and then I am off for “11” days including weekends.

So excited.

Tomorrow night I have a long list of things to do: starting with picking up the remainder of groceries for the Christmas party and for Christmas; bath Alvin, make another batch of fudge, and I know

that I had other things on the list (have to seek out that list, OR did I even write things down.

I forget.

Down to the wire.

Oh yes, wrap gifts that would be helpful.

Some items cannot go under the tree until the last night because of the pups.

Last night my daughter picked me up from work and we went to COSTCO.

I thought it might be really crowded to the rafters but luckily not bad.

Tonight I have to take the bus to Alvin’s Vet and pick him up some food.

Cannot have the boy without food.

Okay, clearly I am rambling here.

Things are all mixed up.

Oh well, I hope that you are smiling or chuckling.

Almost time to hit the “dusty trail” ….. wishful thinking.

I hope that this finds everyone doing well.

Both Alvin and I are doing VERY well.

We are as you know putting on the final touches for Saturday’s Christmas party and for Christmas.

Mostly everyone is done.

Just the final touches.

Oh, one more thing.

I am cheating this year.

I found at COSTCO (imagine that) a box with a frozen turkey breast.

So I bought two.

The instructions sounded ultra easy so we shall see.

Still will have the wonderful aroma of turkey roasting in the oven.

Time to fly.

Special Hello to: my friend “D” who I just found out reads this blog and that makes me happy & grateful.

Always, Carol & Alvin

Thought for the day ….

Good Morning and Welcome to Monday the 23rd day of July, 2018.

The sky is overcast with deep blue rain clouds.

You can see the odd patch of pale blue sky to the east.

 

Alvin is on his little blue blanket beside me as I write this post.

He asked for a massage this morning.

I think that it is funny/strange how this all started.

He just sat beside me and placed his paw up which is his way of “asking nice.”

He figured out how to ask me for my help.

 

One week from tomorrow the COMPANY arrives.

YAY, my sister is coming.

She will spend a few days with us before my niece-in-law and great nephews arrive for a couple of days.

Always great to have company.

Soon I shall be on vacation.

YAY, feels like forever since I have been on vacation.

 

Yesterday was a great day.

We did some chores around the house and was just making pancakes when the phone rang.

My daughter called to say that she was going to come over for a visit.

Perfection.

I love making pancakes for Sunday morning company.

They turned out to be some of the best ones yet.

My daughter and baby Milo (the little grand-pup) arrived just as I was finished making the pancakes (they were keeping warm in the oven) and cleaning up.

Always a good thing as then I could concentrate on our visit.

We had a good visit along with good food.

After breakfast/brunch I borrowed her car and went to the grocery store for a few items.

Alvin had some quality time with his big sis and baby Milo.

After they left for home we just had a quiet day.

 

It is nice to be able to take a deep breath and relax.

Close your eyes.

Think of something or someone wonderful OR perhaps quiet your mind and think of nothing at all.

That was the beginning of our afternoon.

Eyes closed.

Then a clink clink clink ….

Eyes opened.

Raindrops hitting the windows.

Each second the rain came down harder and harder.

Lasting only a few minutes.

Glorious sunshine arrived.

Rainbow in the sky.

Eyes closed.

Deep breath.

Thank you.

 

 

Have a wonderful Monday.

Take time for yourself.

Be kind to yourself and to all others whether two-legged or four, winged or crawling.

All life is precious.

 

Happy Monday.

Special Hello to: THE WORLD

 

Always, Carol & Alvin

 

 

 

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Thursday the 17th day of December, 2015.

Only 7 sleeps until Christmas Eve …..

Where has the time gone.

Including today 5 working days until Christmas (the 6th one is our Family Christmas Party at work and then we go home early).

I am so over the moon excited to have 10 days off in a row.

YAY ….. so blessed and lucky.

 

Well this morning I could hear this beep like the noise the vehicle makes when it is backing up.

Only it seemed to be coming from downstairs ( as I am sitting in my office upstairs ).

So figured I had better go and check it out.

Lo and Behold I see the stove showing “END” on the panel.

OH my gosh ….. I had forgotten to turn it off last night.

Hopefully it will work after being on for about 12 hours ….. how bad is that.

Thank goodness it beeped otherwise it might have been tonight before I noticed.

NOTE TO EVERYONE … DO NOT GET DISTRACTED AND FORGET TO TURN OFF YOUR OVEN.

Thank goodness the oven is not too dirty …. although this will make the bit that has splattered as of late, will make it more difficult to clean.

Oh well, lesson learned.

 

Well how are you today?

Are you feeling on top of the world?

I will admit that when I first woke up my inner self was saying “just stay home” and the outer voice was saying “just go.”

You know when you are not feeling 100% but not really sick enough to stay at home but close?

I had that conversation earlier this morning but once I talked myself into just getting ready, I am feeling much better.

Just a few days of work left …. I can do it but sure am ready for a break.

 

Well almost time to don the winter gear and head to the bus to go to work.

Tomorrow is Friday already so that is good.

 

Have an awesome day ….. always listen to a mix of your inner and outer voices….

Compromise …..

Special Hello to: all those folks who take the time to read my blog …. Have a Merry Christmas and all the Best this Holiday Season.

Always, Carol and Alvin