The Next Chapter

Good Morning ALL! No more sleeps as I leave later this morning for the airport with a stop in Calgary and then onto Regina, Saskatchewan. Seems like I have not said or written “SASKATCHEWAN” in a long time. My old home. I am over the moon excited to see as many family and friends that I can. My beautiful and really funny sister will be picking me up at the airport, I cannot wait to see her face. Miss my girl so much. Been a few years mainly because of COVID and the no travel ban. Anyway, I will see her by suppertime and meet her cat Rain. Cannot wait to see her. She will smell male cats as I was over looking over the boys this morning. I get to have a sleepover with my friend Val. Cannot wait to “maybe” cook alongside her in her magic kitchen where all the food is delectable and oh so yummy.

I slept in a bit this morning until 6:00 (set the alarm clock for 6:00 but then reset this morning). Just figured if I needed it now – better to be rested up ahead of time. Because I want to be energized and ready to “party” so to speak.

I took some photos yesterday morning of Humphrey & Bogart and as it was dark I turned on my outside light and have some cool photos to show you.

I have brought up the laundry from the basement as I washed some things last night. Jeanette, Eddie & Jack stopped by to wish me a bon voyage. I have been receiving texts wishing me a great trip, feeling very special at the moment. I also did the “on-line check-in” last night after work. It took a bit as I “upgraded” my seat for the flight from Calgary to Regina. Figured for $31.00 and change it was worth it. Closer to the front of the plane the better. I can be off near the first couple of people. Hopefully.

Flowers and plants all watered last night and I mowed the back lawn. Well not actually mowed more like cut with the grass trimmer. It is so thick and green at this time. Best it has been in a long time.

Thought crossed my mind that I wished I had a bigger cross body purse but my good old Black roots purse will do and it is the right size to pop under the seat.

Bogart

The Boys

Humphrey

Mr. Serious

Should have turned lights on

Ah, so cute

Porch Light

Fall Wreath

Wanna Dance

Flowers

in the beautiful light

Well I am sipping on some coffee trying to relax, I am starting to feel the adrenaline rush. The excitement is hitting me. Going to start looking at the suitcase again. Likely better to have a shower and decide for the final time what I am taking. Just texted my sister and I guess it is warmer in Regina than I thought so rethinking some of my clothes. Glad I asked about the weather. At the worse, can do laundry or buy something new. All good.

Okay, time to get this show further on the road.

Happy Friday Everyone!

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

Always, Carol & My Forever Angel Alvin

The Next Chapter

Good Morning ALL! ONE MORE SLEEP till I leave for Regina. OMG, so excited. Cannot wait to see my sister and VAL. Of course there are way too many people to mention both family and friends that I will be visiting during my 10 day stay in Saskatchewan. I cannot wait to see how it has changed. Still cannot believe that it has been 13 years since I travelled to Regina. Where has the time gone? Also I am excited to have some vacation time although the thought of returning to work to the mail and emails etc. kind of gives me anxiety but I guess that is called job security. Job security = lots of work. Never a shortage. Anyway, I am going to focus on the vacation. Time with family and friends = Good times.

I am on Humphrey & Bogart patrol so to speak. Their Mom & Dad went away for a couple of days and will return as I am leaving. Works out perfectly. Yesterday after work I went and gave them supper and changed their water and had a visit. Before bed went and visited, played and gave them a treat. This morning it will be breakfast, fresh water and clean the litter box. Say hello. I won’t have too much time to visit but I can do that after work and tonight. Tonight I have a long to do list. Laundry, packing, go through fridge and stuff like that. Water plants and mow the grass. Jeanette and the boys stopped by for “water” and a “treat” to say hello and little visit. I will miss our walks.

I will be most happy when we land in Regina.

Yesterday morning I checked our office lotto tickets and noticed that the winning Lotto Max ticket was sold in Edmonton for $50 million. Now that was a nail biter. I checked to see where the ticket was sold and then our tickets so for for a few seconds the dream was alive and well. It did come crashing down but not completely to the ground as we won a free play which I am going to pick up in Regina. The money is coming and I am so grateful.

Well time to head downstairs and put on the coffee and while it is brewing I will go and look after the boys. They are usually up early.

Have a wonderful Thursday!

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

Always, Carol & My Forever Angel Alvin

The Next Chapter

Good Morning ALL! Dark outside at this time. Every day the sun rises later and later and sets earlier and earlier. Oh, the joys of the second half of our year in the Northern Hemisphere. I am glad/happy if you will that we do have changes in our night and day. Although it is more difficult to adjust to getting up when it is dark. But that is life!

THREE SLEEPS TILL REGINA!

Yesterday I vacuumed all three levels, washed the upstairs floors, brought in some plants from outside (ones that I am going to winter), packed my “emergency box” which is a box with my treasures (items that are important to me but really have no monetary value),and some cleaning. I also went for a walk with Jeanette and the pups. One thing to mention about the “emergency box” – originally I thought that I wanted should something happen “Alvin’s ashes/urn”, the seashell broach that my grandparents brought me back from Hawaii when I was a child and the small glass jewelry box that would hold the broach and Alvin’s tags. But when I was going about the house cleaning and getting things ready, I soon realized that special birthday cards and others from my grandparents, parents and special people (no longer with us), photos, Alvin’s cards from when he passed, couple pieces of china that were my grandmothers and great-grandmothers, and well you get the picture. The box is quite heavy with these items and photo books, couple of Amanda’s childhood books. The list is now long. Sometimes you realize if you have a choice, well the box fills up quickly. I am going to go through it again and make sure that I have what is really important. Life! Memories!

Well it is off to work for three days this week. The nights will be busy with walks and getting ready for my trip.

One of my friends told me that friends of hers just returned not long along from a train trip out West (Alberta & British Columbia). After they returned home, they found out that almost everyone on that train now had COVID! I guess it is rearing its’ ugly head once again. Mutating again and again and again. Thinking being on a plane, might be a good idea to wear a mask. Thankfully the trip is relatively short.

Time to head downstairs and put on some coffee. It is cool in the house this morning so a cup of hot coffee will hit the spot. Or maybe two.

Wishing you a Happy Tuesday.

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

Always, Carol & My Forever Angel Alvin

The Next Chapter

Good Morning! Well I missed wishing you all a Happy First Day of Summer. Yesterday was the longest day of the year – Summer Solstice. We were teasing the day before that it was the last day of winter but really it was the last day of spring. I guess truly our spring can be a mix of weather and that is exactly what we had – extreme heat for this time of year and then cold and rainy. This morning I am happy to report from my little corner of the world that the sky is a pretty clear blue (no rain clouds to see seen) and the sun is beaming so happily. There does not appear to be much of a breeze this morning.

When I got home from work last night I was happy that the sun was shining. I quickly changed into some more casual comfy clothing and then went to the garage to move my beloved flowers back onto the deck. They were doing well in the garage, safely tucked away. The lavender plant and the other flower pot were doing okay. I think they are so happy to see the sun shine. I did have them as out of the elements (rain and wind) as I could do. This morning the flowers are happily hanging out in the sunshine which will hit the deck a bit more as the day progresses. The front of my house gets the morning sun and the back the afternoon. They all get sunshine but different strengths of sun, I would say.

I am happy that today is Thursday. Yesterday I was at work by 7:28 (in the office) and other than taking a 15 minute break in the morning I worked through until I left at 4:00 p.m. Felt like I actually got some work done. No interruptions other than checking the District email for maintenance requests by email and phone messages and forwarding them. Busy but productive day. Lots to do and hopefully today is quiet.

Last weekend before our trip to Calgary so I have lots to do. Baking to do. Cleaning and laundry. Figuring out what to pack. ARGH. That is always fun. I have to find my least favourite things to wear for Monday-Wednesday including for work as I will need things for Thursday-Monday to wear without doing laundry.

I enjoyed another walk last night with Jeanette, Eddie & Alejandro. The sun was shining and it was so nice outside. I wore my jacket and half way home, tied it around my waist. My lilac jacket I found had dirty sleeves (will have to wash) which I had not noticed. Must have been from the rain and picking up the ball and frisbee for Eddie. Oh well, it is washable. The grass and trees are so green. I was surprised that the water had subsided leaving some squishy grass behind.

Happy Thursday Everyone. Enjoy the sunshine. Hope that you are safe, well and happy.

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! It has been a strange almost 24 hours. Yesterday morning I awoke with Alvin next to me and my daughter sleeping in the spare bedroom. This morning I awake to myself. Just me. It has been years since I have been alone in the house. Feels odd, strange and lonely. Yesterday at the stroke of NOON, Alvin left with my daughter for three weeks or so and will be home on Christmas EVE. Yesterday it was hard to see him go and I did shed some tears for my boy and then I got busy. I have lots to do and that was part of the point to get some things done and to have some downtime. Packing him up to go was akin to packing up a child to go away. There was his favourite blanket, I sent a bed for the car and in case he wanted his although Amanda said they have more beds than pups at home. I packed his food for three weeks which seemed like a lot but not really, his meds, his dishes, his toothbrush, toothpaste, ear cleaner and toys. Oh, his sweater, harness and leash. Although he did wear his harness in the car and was strapped in safely in the back seat while sitting on his favourite blanket and his bed so he was comfy although I am not sure he thought so. I think that I forgot something, oh and the pumpkin. There was food and pumpkin that was open in dishes in the fridge that was packed and went. They made it to Alberta Beach and Amanda reported that he is doing great. He did pant on the drive out but did not drool which is a step up for him. For the guy that seldom sets a paw into the motor vehicle. I am both pleased and very relieved. I wonder how last night went. I went to bed at 9:30 and read for a few minutes before lights out but did not fall asleep for a long time. How long I do not know as I did not get up to check the time. I woke up a couple of times during the night to go to the bathroom. I was laying thing trying to convince myself that I should get up and when I checked the clock it was 6:30 so I stayed in bed until just after 7:30. Yes, I should have likely got my butt out of bed but just to lay there with no one wanting me to move and do anything was great. I have all day to get things done.

Just after Amanda and Alvin left yesterday, I went to put something in the hall closet likely my jacket and before I knew it, I was cleaning it out. It was done at the end of fall but needed it again. Reorganized and cleaned the floor and proudly displayed my new winter boots. Following that I sat down and did some things on my phone before starting to bake.

Yesterday I made four batches of fudge which I am not sure how many pieces that will make, I am going out on a limb and guess around 100 pieces and then I baked 10 dozen chocolate chip cookies. I had supper in between the 5 dozen cookies mark.

I think it was about 7:30 or so when I finished cleaning up. So I enjoyed some Christmas movies while snuggling under our favourite red blanket.

Today’s schedule or agenda is SUGAR COOKIES. I am thinking about four batches but will see how many individual cookies I make. Each cookie will need to be iced and then there is laundry. I have already changed bedding, towels, gathered laundry and reorganized my bedroom clothes closet. Just will finish this post and do some online banking before heading downstairs where I will make some coffee and make the first batch of sugar cookies so they can be chilling while I start laundry. Whew.

I am glad that I booked tomorrow off as a vacation day. Tomorrow afternoon is also the funeral of our neighbour’s son. The service will be streamed so I will be able to attend via online. I also have to run and pick up toothpaste and movoflex for Alvin as Amanda will stop by on Wednesday after work to pick up. Going to be a busy week.

Have a wonderful day.

I just received a text from Amanda. Mr. Alvin was up at 4:30 to pee and then back to sleep until a bit ago and has just finished breakfast (8:20 a.m.). WOW. All is well.

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

Always, Carol & Alvin (even though he is not here at the moment, he is always with me in my mind, heart and soul.)

Thought for the day ……

Good Morning and Welcome to Thursday the 30th day of July, 2015.

It is partially overcast with the sun coming up in the east and a bit of a breeze.

I guess Mother Nature just wants to keep us guessing.

I will take my umbrella just in case.

Last night one of my neighbours and good friend came over for tea and a visit.

We had such a good visit and then she came along with us on our walk.

Perfect evening ……

Only one more sleep until my sister and brother arrive for our road trip.

I think that I have mentioned we are going to see our other brother.

It is always nice to spend time with your siblings and away from the city is a nice touch.

My brother lives on an acreage so it will be nice and “quiet.”

Well lots to do today after work.

Packing …. watering flowers ……

Here we are again almost time to leave for work.

How does that happen?

Do you find that the mornings seem to zip by?

For the most part …. they do for me.

Oh well ….. better zipping than not.

I hope that you have an awesome day.

May this Thursday be filled with GREAT news and that you are surrounded by happiness.

Being happy is the best …..

It all begins with oneself.

Alvin is pacing …. I better get him outside before I leave.

Special Hello to: my friends new and old …. you are the best.

Always, Carol and Alvin

Thought for the day…..

Good Morning and Welcome to Thursday, February 21, 2013.

Today was my Grandma Stella’s birthday …. she was born this day back in 1901.

Also, I noticed when Alvin went out earlier this morning that the air felt warmer ….. perhaps spring is on it’s way.

 

Last night I had coffee and a visit with one of my friends.

They are preparing to leave on a tropical vacation to St. Lucia.

I asked if she was all packed and she said “no” but she had everything together that she needs to pack.

She also gave me the best advice for packing that I have ever heard, and it is this:  “pack half of your things in each other’s luggage” … that way if your luggage loses it’s way …. you will still have clothing etc.

Usually if a suitcase goes missing it is only for one out of two people.

I remember this happening to me several years ago.

I wished I had thought of that back then.

So that is my tip for the day.

I hope that they have the best vacation ever.

They are deserving of this tropical break.

Perhaps one day soon I will be packing for my tropical getaway.  Ah. Mmm the breeze …. the sand …. the sunshine …. I can feel it now.

 

So on this Thursday, I hope that you are having a great start to the day.

Perhaps you are planning a getaway or dreaming of one.

Both are good.

I dream of sandy beaches, sunshine, warm breezes, (cute guys),  and then look forward to Monday nights and watching Hawaii Five O …..

Time to go…… back to reality ….. ah….

 

Have a great day.

Special Hello to:  all those folks celebrating a birthday, anniversary, or any special day like being alive …. as every day is a celebration.

 

Always, Carol and Alvin