Last Half 2022 – November

Good Afternoon All, as I pull out from under a blanket and freshly showered after being almost two days in my pj’s. Feeling human again. Tis the season for giving and receiving. I guess that I picked up a bug somewhere along the line. It happens.

We were deeply saddened to hear of a loss to a family who live nearby. Their 47 year old son was killed in a workplace accident over the weekend. I was told last night by a phone call from another neighbour. Today I struggle with calling them to extend my deepest sympathies. A card lays on the counter for them.

The day has been mostly sunny and warm. Mr. Alvin has been enjoying having me all to himself. I would love to take him for a walk so that he can enjoy the sunshine. Perhaps a bit later. Fresh air is always good for everyone.

Sunday night was so enjoyable. I had supper with my friends Pauline and Al and another neighbour of theirs and friend, also, Lucy. We laughed and laughed. Al cooked us a “fish fry” ….. nothing like fresh fish from this summer’s catch (froze till now). The food was great, the company even better. We learned a new card game which was so much fun. I am grateful to have such amazing friends.

Monday morning, I woke up with a sore throat and headache. Not a great way to begin a week but nonetheless, it did. Thankfully it is over now and I feel close to normal. Refreshed from the shower. I drank lots of tea with ginger when I was awake.

I just wanted to reach out so that you did not think that I disappeared. I am here. Mr. Alvin just sauntered into the office wagging his little tail and walked onto his bed and is sitting there looking at me. I wished that I knew what he was thinking. Er, maybe not.

Time to head downstairs and perhaps do a couple of little things. Not going to overdo it, no, no No.

Have a great rest of the day!

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

Good Morning ALL! Wow, another Saturday morning! How are you this morning! I hope that you slept well. Alvin did again wake up at like midnight and a couple of times after that but I coaxed him to stay in bed and then he slept until 4:00 a.m. I went outside with him as it was still dark and I wanted to ensure that he had no problems getting down to the grass area of our backyard. Thankfully one deck of the deck is actually lower (isn’t life great, the actual deck is level but because the backyard is graded on such a slope, one end is close to the grass when he jumps off). So happy to see that beautiful powder blue filling the sky with that sun shining so magnificently. We are off to a great start.

Yesterday we lost a great Canadian, Pluto the cutest four-legged pup. She and her Mom Nancie created PLUTOVERSE (PLUTO LIVING). Nancie posted so many videos over the Pandemic of Pluto giving us advice and sharing their lives with the world. Pluto is now known worldwide. She had the best advice, sense of humour, told the best stories. She brought so much joy to us all. Pluto had the cutest laugh and wore the hippest apparel. I was very sad to learn that Pluto had passed away.

To Nancie, Pluto’s Mom: Oh my goodness Nancie, so sorry to hear that your beloved Pluto has passed. I think it is safe to say that we all felt like she was part of each of our families. We will miss her and “her” unique view of the world. You and Pluto will stay in our hearts forever. The sheer joy and laughter you brought to us, to the world, when most of our skies were cloudy and grey. Please accept my deepest sympathies to you and your family on the loss of your beloved Pluto.

Yesterday we went on two walks and although neither were our regular full ones, it was still great to get outside. On the walk after work, we chatted with two neighbours on the way to the park. One neighbour I had not seen in awhile due to their household having COVID twice in since March. I still cannot believe how many people I know are coming down with COVID in the last couple of months. Seems odd why now? Maybe not when I think about it, a vast many people are back to work and not everyone is wearing a mask. I get the mask thing. Not my favourite thing to do but in large crowds, I still wear one and will likely do so for the rest of my life. Pre COVID, I remember people wearing blue masks on the bus (public transportation) going back to my first times catching the bus in Edmonton. So nothing new. I know that in the larger cities in China they were wearing masks for years mainly due to the pollution. Although I am not sure how much they actually helped but even if it gives the wearer a “false” sense of security – that may be enough. You know if we keep telling ourselves the same thing over and over again – that we can convince our brain that it is true. Now is the time to start telling myself all of the time that I have more than enough money to retire, pay off my mortgage and get on with the next chapter of my life.

Talk about being all over the place. That is what lack of or reduced sleep will do to one. That was my week. We had what was supposed to be a 30 minute meeting yesterday which turned into 1.5 hours. I was chatty Carol. Wishing now that I would have kept my mouth closed but I did not. Sometimes being vocal or having the need to share is not a great thing. I just keep rolling the conversations over and over in my head and just gag. Not that I said bad things but just maybe too much. You know those times when you have been in a meeting or with someone that does not seem to “shut up” well I feel that was me yesterday. Although honestly I did not talk continuously but almost. I did tell everyone that I had literally no sleep Thursday night and that I was sorry. Here I go again. I am sorry. Done. I wrote my feelings down – so walk away.

This morning I am invited to Gillian’s for coffee along with our friend Signe. I am excited to get out of the house on my own. I won’t be leaving Alvin for long, only a couple of hours. Good for me and good for him. I love my boy but 24/7 is not healthy for any relationship. So I may just start to go for the odd walk by myself in the evenings. Alvin just cannot walk as far as I can. So will see. Just a thought. Also I can walk to the grocery store and pick up a couple of things. I also am planning to go outside and pick up trash in the neighbourhood today if time allows, I would like to trim our tree and rake the front lawn. So those are things that I will be doing on my own.

Life, is always about some kind of balance. Never even, but if we are happy, joyful, content and in good health – then whatever that balance is – works.

Well time to get cleaned up for my coffee date with the girls. I have gathered up the laundry and changed the bedding on our bed. So at least started some of my chores.

I hope that you have an awesome day.

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

Always, Carol & Alvin

P.S. I have Miss Pluto in my head and will try to live up to her positive, unique view of the world instead of the direction that I have been finding myself going lately. Even with little or no sleep, I will remain positive, happy and ready to do what needs to be done. To give Mr. Alvin or to continue to give him the best life I can with whatever time he has left. It may be years or not, I do not know. Even Alvin cannot live forever, I know that.

2021

Good Morning ALL! How are you this Wednesday morning? I am well, we are well. Alvin is upstairs with me as I get ready for the day. I even got moving extra early this morning which is great. Had a nice soothing shower and am ready for this Wednesday. I am always amazed, not sure why, as to how quickly the days pass by. Mostly they appear to be moving at lightning speed. It seems as though everyone is living my dream. My dream is to be a published writer. Drew Barrymore’s new book “Rebel Homemaker” debuted yesterday and Dr. Oz has a new one out. So many people that I can think of. I had the idea to write a cookbook with more than just the recipes and it would appear that so many people are writing what I thought of a long time ago. Looks like it was a good idea and I am sad that I did not have the “drive” to get it done. I have started many books but never seem to get further than the first chapter. Over the years I have written quite a lot of poetry and I could definitely add that to a book. I have thought of writing about life’s experiences and what they have taught me. So many idea. I guess as I turn 65 next year there is no time like the present. There are so many books about Alvin that I could write – a complete children’s series, I think. Maybe I will one day soon be coming to a bookstore near you. That would be an absolute dream. But in the meantime I will endeavour to keep writing this post each and every day. It does help fulfil the dream to some degree for sure. I think most of us get stuck in a rut and just marvel at those who seem to have it all. The ones that do everything. When do they sleep? Some of them have help because let’s face it – it takes a village to do most everything in this life. It truly does. Did I mention to you that on Halloween night – I was surprised when someone that I did not recognize said “Hi Alvin.” He has a following for sure. I tried with all my heart to figure out who she was and of course, did not have the gall to ask.

On the days where I feel less than stellar and all days, I am going to continue writing notes and poems and this post. I have lots of recipes and I know that my life mirrors a movie in some respects. So one of these days, I will finish that book and it will be published, but in the meantime, I will carry on. That is all we can do.

Yesterday I learned of a friend whose beloved pup passed on Monday. I could not help but cry most of the day after she told me. She is lonely now as she lives on her own as well. My friend remarked about going for walks but they were not the same without her Sadie. Sending hugs to her.

Well Mr. Alvin has patiently waited for me so I should sign off and get downstairs to prepare the coffee. I love that first cup of coffee and note to self to get drinking more water again. Somewhere along the line I fell off the water wagon.

Have an awesome Wednesday. Be safe and work on those dreams. I will if you will!

Always, Carol & Alvin

Second Half of the NEW YEAR – last quarter.

Good Morning All. I can tell the season has unofficially changed. More difficult to wake up in the morning as I want to stay sleeping just like a bear – hibernating. But then there is Mr. Alvin who woke up about 1:40 a.m., argh. He was flapping his ears but not really rubbing them so not sure if he has another ear infection, which he has not had one from awhile now OR if it is arthritis in his paws. He has been taking glucosamine and then a better replacement for several years even before there was any noticeable pain. I noticed that yesterday at noon when we went for a walk a few times he stopped and just did not want to walk. He had his jacket on but nothing on his paws. It was not bitterly cold but cold enough nonetheless. With my mittens I wiped his paws and I managed to coax him along so we could get home. I am not sure if that was the problem or not. He did not lift his paws as he usually does if they are cold. So will have to keep an eagle eye on him for sure. When we got up earlier he did go “pee” and then I gave him one of his pain meds which the Vet said are similar to taking an advil. He seemed to settle down so we managed to get some sleep but I am a bit tired this morning. Twenty minutes and time to work so this will be another shorter post and for that I am sorry. I do hope that you enjoy reading my posts.

On another front, I am feeling my old self again as I had woke up with the sniffles etc. on Sunday morning.

Tomorrow morning at 9:00 a.m. – Teddy and Kobie arrive and will stay with us until Saturday night so I hope that Alvin is okay. As I said, will keep an eye on the boy.

I would also like to extend our deepest sympathies to friends on the loss of their beloved furbaby “Cotton.” The girls loved their baby so much and I know life will not be the same without him. So many of my family and friends have lost a beloved pet this year and I cannot imagine the pain they are suffering. They are truly like family and their loss is felt deep. But they do bring great joy to our lives and those memories will be with us forever. If you have lost a furbaby this year or ever – it is the memories that we keep with us for a lifetime that will get get us through.

Time to go as is almost time for work. Still have to perk the coffee. I need coffee this morning.

Be well. Take Care. Live with love, kindness and respect for ALL.

I/We shall remain, As Always, Carol & Alvin

It is a NEW YEAR.

Well we are now on day three of this brand new decade.

Second day and last day of work for this week.

Doing a seated “happy dance.”

Also nice when one has a short work week.

 

Last night after work Alvin and I went for our walk.

We did not get very far as the wind continued to gust stronger and stronger.

Alvin appeared to be missing the wind but I was having problems.

Felt at times as though I was going to be Dorothy and lifting off.

So our walk was short lived.

We have been enjoying lots of good walks and with having the extra long walk and lovely fresh air on Wednesday, I thought be would be okay.

I even started to do some exercises in the evening.

One has to start somewhere.

 

I also brought into the house the shelves for the cupboard.

Not sure why I left them with the cupboard/cabinet in the garage for so long.

Anyway now I have the shelves in the basement – I just have to find a couple of strong men/women to help me take it into the basement.

The plan is for that to happen this weekend.

After that, I have lots of work to do.

In a couple of weeks the Christmas decorations will come down and I will put my bead supplies etc. into the cabinet.

Fix up the room in the basement once again.

I am leaving the Christmas decorations in place in honour of my long-time Ukrainian friend who passed early last year.

He was proud of his heritage and I was proud of him.

Last year I lost two long-time friends, both happened to be male.

They leave a hole in my heart but memories to last a lifetime.

 

I feel that I am already making changes for this new decade which is great.

Spreading my wings …. careful not to fly too high but high enough.

 

Well almost time to head downstairs.

Pick up the poop outside from the backyard.

See if Alvin has to go one more time.

Excited to have the weekend close at hand.

 

Life in this new decade is great.

I hope that you are fulfilling your dreams.

Continue to dream big.

They will happen.

One day at a time.

It is easy to get caught up in things and lose oneself.

But if we take a deep breathe and some time out each day.

Those dreams will reach fruition.

 

Happy Friday.

Yes, Alvin, I hear you.

Poor guy.

 

Always, Carol & Alvin

Love this photo – looks like Alvin is hugging me.

I guess in essence he is as he is holding on.

 

 

 

 

Living … One day at a time.

Well Hello, it has been a while.

My last post was August 18, 2019.

Today is my first day back to work.

ARGH, not quite certain how I feel about that but likely after a few minutes it will be like I was never gone.

I knew things were back to normal this morning when Mr. Alvin was scrunching up the bath mats after I had gone into the shower.

Life is as we knew it.

 

To Honor:

I would like to take this time to speak about two of my BEST guy friends that passed away.

My friend Les passed away the day before we left on the girls trip.

He had been battling multiple illnesses for many years but never let anything get him down.

Les was perhaps one of the most positive, happy people that I have ever known.

Always kind and generous.

Before life changed our geographical positions we would get together for coffee and sometimes for lunch or dinner to catch up.

We worked together for many years.

He was a good, honest, caring individual.

Les had a way of making you feel special.

I will carry his essence in my heart until the day that I pass.

His goodness and joy with me forever.

I miss him and will continue to think of him.

To his wife and family – I will always keep you in my thoughts and heart.

 

My friend George passed away earlier in the year.

I only found out when I went to call him as we were going to visit him during our last road trip.

He was another man that was always filled with joy, kindness and generosity.

I met George when I was 16 years old so I have known him most of my life.

He came into our lives and was an angel to me and my siblings.

George was a great man.

He was the big brother that I never had…..

He loved to joke around.

Again geographical position changed things.

It did not matter how much time had passed he was happy to see me/us and catch up.

Truly one of the best people that I have ever known.

To his brother and his wife – I will always keep you in my thoughts and heart.

 

I am grateful to both these men who came into my life and changed it forever.

There are no words.

I will truly miss them.

It is a hard reminder that we need to keep in closer touch with our friends and loved ones.

Life can be short.

We all know that life is not a forever gig.

So we have to ensure that we are better friends and family.

 

Les and George, I salute you both.

Thank you for being a part of my life.

Miss you …..

Hugs ….

 

Always, Carol & Alvin

Time to go to work……

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thought for the day ……

Good Morning and Welcome to Saturday the 10th day of November, 2018.

Today my second youngest brother would have been “55” years old.

He passed in March of 2009.

We miss him terribly.

Today I am thinking of him and our loss of his spirit.

We miss you buddy.

The boy with the big heart.

 

 

IF I HAD KNOWN

Looking at photos of us when we were kids.

It seems like only yesterday,

but it was a lifetime ago.

Things have changed.

We were five now we’re four.

How I long for those days.

When we were all together.

When playing school, all sitting in a row … I’d be the teacher…

Running about the yard playing in a nearby slough looking for tadpoles …

Playing in the dirt ….

Imagining driving to far off places in that old black car, and eating Mom’s homemade french fries and pumpkin pie.

Playing hide and seek and watching Disney on Sundays.

Was what we did, when we were just kids.

Now we’re grown,

Time has past.

If only I had known,

We would be four and not five.

I would have taken your hand.

I would have told you how much I loved you every day.

I would have loved you better.

I would have visited you more often.

I should have tried.

I would have known your pain.

I would have understood.

I would have known your favourite song.

I would have known your favourite colour.

I would have known you better.

Now we’re four and it’s too late

For me to take your hand.

To share your pain, and to comfort you.

I wished that I had knew you better.

Between the pain and the laughter.

You were a man, and I remember the boy

The little boy with a zest for life.

The little boy that always seemed to find a way ….. now that’s our secret….

That irresistible little guy that made me smile.

The little boy with such a big heart.

That much I did know when the boy became the man.

I feel that I let you down, but it is too late

I wished that I knew your favourite song.

Or what you made you cry late at night.

Why the time passed so fast.

Now we’re four instead of five

What did you think?  Your thoughts?

I wished that I knew.

If I had, I had only known  the man, not just the boy.

 

Written by Carol Yvonne Lewis, January 8th, 2010

Jeff and his sisters at Christmas

Grandpa Jim & All 5 of us ……

Jeff & two of five (Cindy & John)

Jeff and three of five (Carol, Cindy & John)

Jeff and Five of Five (Tyler, Cindy, Carol & John) – 1992

 

Special Hello to: my little brother ….. miss you

Always, Carol & Alvin

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Wednesday the 5th day of October, 2016.

Sorry that I missed yesterday.  I stayed home trying to recover from this cold thing that I have caught.

It would seem that so many people are sick as of late.

Today seems to be much better as I slept most of yesterday.

Sleeping always seems to help me recover more quickly.

Well here we are and today is Wednesday.

Yesterday was bright and sunny for the most part.

No rain.

No rain this morning.

Nice to wake up to dry ground.

The wet will come soon enough.

As I sit here writing these words I see a photo of me Alvin and our beloved Miss Penny whom we lost in March of this year.

In the photo they are sitting on the top of my daughter and son-in-law’s sofa in their old house looking out of the window.

I wonder where Sir Elton is …. perhaps there was no room with them both up there.

I love the photo.

They both have their backs to the camera each looking in a different direction.

Further than the window is blurred.

It is a great photo.

Wow here we are October 5th, 2016.

Less than three months until the end of the year.

Thanksgiving this weekend for Canadians.

Christmas not far away now.

I am always amazed by how fast time seems to be going.

I guess one has to sit back and think of all of the things that happened over the course of a year to truly appreciate it all.

I mean sometimes with time escaping as fast as it does we think that we have not accomplished much.

Sometimes I suppose that may be true but for the most part we do so much in a short period of time.

Keep that in your thoughts.

Just think about what you do in the course of an average day.

Mind boggling.

If you still cannot come to grips with it all ….

Sit down and make a list.

Go back as far as you want …. maybe over your lifetime.

You will be surprised.

Now this does not mean that you had to invent the light bulb – no that as already been done.

It means that you did things that you are proud of …. or things that happened to you that may not have happened to anyone else.

The unique things to you.

That can also mean having your children, your job, your garden or your blog.

Something that only you can do …. remember that means only you could have your children.

No one else can.

They can have their own.

 

Well time to hop scotch to the bus stop.

No, I will be walking carefully.

Have an awesome Wednesday.

 

Special Hello to: my friends everywhere.

Always, Carol and Alvin

 

 

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Thursday the 25th day of August, 2016.

This morning the skies are beginning to clear after a night of rain.

Likely safe to say at this point that we need more sunshine than rain.

Farmers need sunshine to finish their harvest or perhaps to start in some cases.

 

Today marks the 78th Birthday of my Mother.

We passed away 23 years ago.

Hard to believe that it has been that long …..

We miss her and think of her all the time.

She was an unique being and loved everyone and was loved by everyone.

No matter what.

She gave third, fourth and one hundred chances to those who just could not seem to get things right.

Always, always welcomed everyone into her home and fed them.

People always had a way of showing up at mealtime and I guess they knew she would never turn them away.

When someone says they would give the shirt off their back to someone in need – she did.

She had a wit and charm and wicked sense of humour.

No one could tell a joke like she did.

So on this day – I would like to raise a glass to my, our Mother and thank her for all her 55 years on this planet and wish her a Happy Birthday for eternity.

Thank you Mom.

 

Elton is coming to spend the day with Alvin.

So that means his Momma is getting a ride to work, yay.

So thank you to all those folks who take the time to read my words.

I hear that sometimes those words bring joy, sometimes laughter, sometimes a smile and sometimes further thought.

Today is a day to give thanks.

I like to give thanks and to show my gratitude each and everyday.

But sometimes it is good to write it for all the world to see or at least my ever faithful followers.

Thank you.

 

Have a wonderful day.

Maybe today is the day that you see your Mother and thank her for all that you do.

Perhaps you send her thanks if she has passed by thinking of her on this day.

Happy Thursday.

 

Special Hello to: all those Mothers out there …… thank you

Always, Carol and Alvin

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Sunday the 14th day of August, 2016.

We have suffered another loss to our family – my sister’s beloved Dave, the Cat.

He was with my sister for 17 years since he was a young kitten.

Dave was quite the character, and would always do things you would not expect him to do.

He was this big GREY cat and appeared to have attitude as he walked along.

Like he owned the joint.

I will say that for his size, he was agile.

Dave was a quiet guy for the most part.

He did like to snuggle on the sofa.

Rest in Peace, Dave you were loved, and we will miss you.

Over the past year we have felt the loss of many of our four-legged family members and friends.

They become a part of the family and are equally treasured.

To all those who have lost a four-legged family member or friend, you have my heart.

Any loss of life is felt ….

Photos taken in 2008/2009 of Dave

Roses for you Dave.

Special Hello to: my sister …. so sorry for your loss.

Always, Carol and Alvin