The Next Chapter …

Morning All, it is so quiet here in my house without my beloved Alvin. I cannot believe that he is gone forever. I heard noises that I never heard before ….. were they there all along? He was my companion, my friend and my boy. I will always miss him and his cuteness. That wag of his little short tail when I called him “cuteness.” There is a canyon deep and wide within my heart that will be there for the rest of my days. I cannot and will not forget that little guy who gave me so much, and I feel as though I let him down. I am reminded by so many that he had a great life. But in the darkness of our, my bedroom late at night, I cannot see that. Yesterday I spent several hours looking at photos and videos which did help me to see him happy and playing with his friends and with me. He was my world for 13 years and one month less one day. I could never have imagined that when we went to meet him on that cold winter’s night that he would literally rock my world from the beginning to the end. How could my life be any better than it was with him? It will be different but never better. I will miss our walks together watching him sniff every blade of grass. I shall miss seeing him play and interact with his friends and family. I will miss his excitement when a parcel arrived from our friend Val. When the summer comes and the lawns are green, I will miss seeing him roll around in delight at our friends homes. I will miss seeing him open his Christmas present as though he were a boy. I miss seeing him grabbing one of his many toys and pushing it around the floor and then tossing it into the air before I caught on that he wanted to play and then we would play tug for awhile. I miss the warmth of his body next to mine when we went to bed. I miss watching the cuteness of his little bum when he walked ahead of me. He did have the cutest bum. I miss hearing him bark when he wanted his breakfast and supper and treats. I miss having him sitting beside me on the sofa watching me eat my supper with a clear want in his eyes – even though he had just had his supper and a treat before I ate mine. I miss everything about him. Those big brown eyes. His lighter brown eyebrows which had started to disappear as he got older. I miss our talks. I miss his shoulder to cry on. He was the best listener. I just miss the essence that was Alvin……..

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I need to share the words that my daughter wrote yesterday after I posted the tribute to our dear boy.

What a beautiful tribute to our special boy. We’re so lucky to have known him so well and to have witnessed your amazing relationship with him and the joy he brought to so many. It’s not fair that they have such short lives but they pack a whole lot of unconditional love and teach us so much in that short time.

We will miss our quirky, loving lil bro every day. The way he knew what he wanted and demanded that in his special voice. The way he loved you and his friends unconditionally. His handsome face and cute little tail wag. How he would pull out every toy until he found then one he wanted in that moment. The noises he made when he was annoyed. His talents for opening gifts. Just every little thing about him.

He will leave a giant hole and will forever be missed.

Rest in peace my brother

Alvin & his sister Amanda. Second photo Alvin exploring the beach near his sister’s home. Alvin just chilling with me.

Al & his sister

Mr. Alvin while I work

On this cold February morning, I will try to continue in this life to be kind, respectful, compassionate, patient, loving, to laugh, understanding, filled with gratitude, remember there are possibilities, to focus and to be present, and have a cup of coffee.

Always, Carol & Alvin, my Angel is resting on the hallway floor outside the door where he always waited for me to finish writing. His blue blanket from his foster family that was with us throughout his whole life from that first night till he left us now covers me at night. Love you buddy……..

Christmas Morning 2020

Good Morning ALL. Happy Christmas one and all. The air is warm outside. The house is quiet as my fingers clack away on the keyboard. Alvin is stretched out on the carpet in the hallway just outside the office door. My daughter, son-in-law and pups are snoozing in “the master suite” (okay perhaps not what you would consider to be a master suite but for me a bedroom with an adjoining bathroom, is pretty master, lol). What a glorious Christmas we are having. The family arrived in the later part of the afternoon on Christmas Eve, that would have been yesterday. We make some snacks, ate some snacks and ate more snacks and more snacks and then decided to open gifts. We always have enough food to feed about 20 people and there are three of us. Likely we should have gone for a walk but it is Christmas and who thinks of exercise when there are presents under the tree and food all over the place. Even before we sat down to open gifts, actually not long after the kids and grandpups arrived – we heard some rustling in the living room. We were busy snacking in the kitchen. Amanda went into the living room and there was the Alvin getting a headstart opening his gifts. He had found one of his gifts that was way back under the tree, without causing disarray to the other gifts or knocking over the tree – he pulled the gift back out onto the middle of the living room and was beginning to tear apart the tissue paper that covered his gift. How he knew that was his gift we will never know. My son-in-law joked that perhaps he knew how to read. What a guy. After we had some goodies, we settled in to watch the Christmas movie “ELF” which is another little story. Steven wanted to watch the movie which I happen to have on DVD in my massive Christmas movie collection. When the kids gave me the new television just before Christmas – we decided to disconnect the DVD player and put it in the basement. We would have had to hook it up which is not a big deal when the light bulb came on and I checked my PVR recordings and voile, I had recorded it. So no need to bring up the DVD player. We chatted and watched the movie. Drank coffee and eggnog. Throughout the movie, someone was whining so much. Not loud but clearly not happy. When the movie was over and we started preparing to open gifts, guess who was the first one to the tree? Three guesses and the first two don’t count. Mr. Alvin. He was so excited. I think with all of the gift opening that we have been doing and the parcels from our friend Val, he is beginning to put two and two together. He definitely understood about the gifts. I will note that he has been going to tree over the past few weeks once I wrapped gifts and we remember when he pulled my son-in-law’s stocking from under the tree and started to open his gifts. Note to self for next year. I made sure that I safely tucked all gifts with food related items and the stockings in a basket in the basement landing until time to open. We certainly were entertained by Alvin. He was frustrated with me at times. What can you do? He, me, we were all super spoiled. The perfect year to be spoiled. I received clothes, books, special pens, several items from my favourite store “Bath & Bodyworks”, chocolates and more chocolates and more chocolates, a hand held blender with more gadgets than I know what to do with and more. Definitely crazy spoiled. My son-in-law received from my daughter one of those projectors for indoors so we did some star gazing for part of the evening. A great night. Merry Christmas.

Well time to head back downstairs and have some coffee. I am going to call my sister and chat. It is beginning to get light outside. Hopefully the sun will shine. We definitely need a walk or two, today.

Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas. I hope that Santa was good to you. Not sure that me and Alvin deserved all the lovely gifts that we received but we are grateful to all those folks who showered us with them this year. We are grateful to have all of you in our lives. Truly, we are blessed.

Have an awesome day. Be safe, go for a walk. We will continue to live our lives with kindness, respect and compassion for all.

Merry Christmas 2020.

Love, Always from Carol & Alvin

Living … One day at a time.

Good Morning and I guess the countdown has already begun.

There are only “14” sleeps till CHRISTMAS EVE.

How exciting is that?

Very.

Do you believe in Santa Claus?

I have always believed.

Believing in something not the modern day commercialism of it all.

Truly, I love the thought of Santa Claus.

The goodness and the love within Kris Kringle.

The ability to bring joy to millions.

Every July I begin to watch every Christmas movie, I have and I have many.

I believe that we all have the ability within us to be SANTA CLAUS.

Or at least what we have billed him to be.

The giver of wonderful thoughtful gifts to children and adults alike.

Every person deserves to have a little something that they have always desired or wanted or needed.

Does not have to be a jet plane or an expensive video system.

Does not have to be expensive jewelry or a new car.

Sometimes all someone desires, needs or wants is a warm pair of socks.

Sometimes all someone desires, needs or wants is new dish towels for the kitchen.

Sometimes all someone desires, needs or wants is a new warm winter coat as theirs is too small or worn out.

Sometimes it may be a book, some of their favourite candy, a board game or a doll.

It does not have to be big or expensive.

But it needs two things.

1.  To be given with love.
2. To be received with love.

 

Well I guess on that note it is time for me to head downstairs.

Finish getting ready.

Pick up the you know what from the you know where !!!!

 

Have an awesome Tuesday.

 

Thank you for reading my blog.

I only have two goals.  One is to write daily and the other is to hopefully bring a smile to your face.

Thank you.

 

 

Always, Carol & Alvin

 

 

 

 

 

Thought for the day ….

Good Morning and Welcome to Monday the 21st day of January, 2019

At 8:20 a.m. the sky is overcast and I believe that there is snow in the forecast.

WOW, hard to believe that Mr. Alvin’s Birthday party is just a memory now.

WE had such a great time.

The air was nice and warm yesterday.

The pups were all excited.

Alvin, Teddy, Aspen and Milo.

Decorations

Goodie bags for Alvin’s guests

One bag with a toy and the other with a little “sweet” treat.

Presents galore.

Photos from before the party.

Making up the treat bags.

Alvin and I from our beginning.

Alvin greeting his guests.

Alvin’s sister, Milo (odd shot of him) and Alvin.

Miss Aspen

Pups and more pups.

Teddy’s Mom and Alvin

Alvin’s brother-in-law

Unwrapping gifts.

Alvin loves to unwrap presents and does a great job.

Alvin’s guests enjoyed opening their bags of treats and toys.

 

Most of the photos are blurry, sorry.

Trying to get the pups still was almost impossible.

By the time he got to his last one, I think he was tuckered out.

Birthday Cards

This morning checking out some of his birthday gifts.

I cut the birthday cake which was made from meat and veggies in different sized pieces depending on the size of the guest.

Alvin and Aspen ate theirs pretty much right away.

Teddy and Milo took their pieces to a different location to enjoy.

The cake, unfortunately I missed taking photos of his cake, him eating the cake and opening the treat bags.

Will be posting more later as others took some photos.

We had such a great time.

Everyone remarked on how much fun this party was and I am so grateful it all worked out.

I am so pleased that Mr. Alvin enjoyed his special days.

 

My nephew is visiting.

So have to go and visit with him.

I am grateful that I have today off and I took tomorrow off as well.

Looks like snow is on the way.

 

Special Hello to: my daughter, son-in-law, Teddy’s Mom, Miss Aspen, Teddy, Baby Milo for all attending Alvin’s 10th Birthday party.

Always, Carol & Alvin

 

 

 

 

 

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Wednesday the 20th day of July, 2016.

It is overcast which is an understatement because there be RAIN CLOUDS bringing us moisture as I type these words.

Despite not going to bed until after 11:00 p.m. last night and listening to the thunder roar and the lightning flashing I feel pretty awake.

My daughter picked me up from work yesterday afternoon and was able to stop and pick up my friend along the way.

So it worked out perfectly.

I love company.

She came bearing gifts of some extra special treats some edible and some not.

So I feel very special and so grateful at this moment.

We had a nice supper last night and visited.

We went for a walk with Alvin and visited.

We sat out on the deck and visited.

Such an awesome Tuesday evening.

This morning my kids are picking me up and Elton will be spending the day with Alvin.

So everyone has company.

So hot and humid last night and also this morning.

Funny how that whole humidity and temperature thing works.

I feel a bit warm at the moment.

The air conditioner ran most of last night to catch up to the change in the temperature as I had to turn it down (too hot in here).

Well the kids will be here shortly and I have to put the finishing touches on getting ready.

So excited to have some company for the next few days.

She will visit with her family during the day and then with me at night.

So perfect.

I hope that wherever you are and whatever you are doing that sunshine and rainbows follow you.

Have a wonderful Wednesday.

Special Hello to: my friends and family all over the world.  Thanks sis, we will.

Always, Carol and Alvin

 

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Monday the 30th day of November, 2015.

It is a beautiful morning here in Edmonton.

Calm … warm …… perfect.

Alvin and I had a great day yesterday even though part of it included his hair cut and bath.

He does not like getting his hair cut very much and barely tolerates having a bath.

So I am so happy it is all over.

I managed to get his paws trimmed quite well all by myself.

Later on after his hair was dry we donned our winter coats and went for a walk.

It was beautiful out ….

We are so blessed to have this nice weather.

Make it nice when walking and waiting for the bus, for sure.

Last night I wrote out a few Christmas cards to mail.

Will finish them up over the next couple of days.

Next weekend I will be baking.

The only thing left to do is to wrap presents and I will do that the following week or maybe even this weekend.

I love to see things wrapped under the tree.

It will be nice to ready and then I can just relax and enjoy.

My girlfriends and I are having our Christmas get together on the 19th of December and I am so excited.

Well I guess I had better get going …. finish my breakfast which I brought up to the office again.

Somehow I just cannot get past sitting at the table anymore after our recent visitor(s).

I know that they are gone but …..

So wishing you a great Monday.

I hope that you are able to do all that you wish to today ….

Be creative …..

Happy Monday.

Special Hello: my friends near and far

Always, Carol and Alvin

 

Thought for the day…..to end the year….

Good Morning and Welcome to Wednesday the 31st Day of December, 2014.

The last day of this year.

I have been away from writing since my blog on Christmas Morning.

I just did not have words to write …..

Perhaps it was a good way to end the year.

Giving myself some time to reflect on the year and the holiday.

Yesterday when I was updating my excel spreadsheet with the purchases that I had made over the last couple of weeks; I came across a notebook with only a few pages written upon.

Crazy but they were from the first three days of January, 2014.

Usually in addition to writing this blog I write in a gratitude journal everyday.

This past week I have not written in that journal either …. perhaps that is why I feel like I am just wandering about and not doing much.

This is the entry from my gratitude journal and I would like to share it with all of you:

“DAY 1565, Friday January 3rd, 2014 – 5:05 a.m.

Looks like rain turned to snow overnight.

Still mild out.

Back to work as feeling better.

Using one of my new notebooks from Manda.

Hard to believe Christmas over and already Day 3 of the New Year.

I’m reading Dr. Wayne Dyer’s book – “Change Your Thoughts, Change Your Life.”

One important thing: watch judgments – as without opposites we would not be – can’t have short without tall, high – low etc.

I want to be only kind and positive.

I want to serve humanity and help animals.

Alvin is on my lap.  I love to cuddle with him.

Today is a great day.

We are safe, warm, happy, kind, grateful and alive.

I am a money magnet.

Money comes to me easily and effortlessly.

Thank you for this great life, and this wonderful day.

Signed with a “THANK YOU” and a “HEART.”

 

I guess this sums up my thoughts and feelings of late.

Sometimes we just run into a roadblock that keeps us from doing what we love.

I am happy to report that I am back.

It doesn’t matter if one person or five hundred people read my blog.

It only matters that I love to write it.

This New Year I want to add more to my blog ….. I did start way back when but got caught up with work ….

Photos are nice.

I need to share some of this past year.

 

Dear Stella Jewellery Open House in October.

Another Dragonfly adorns my front wreath this summer.

Creating a bracelet for the Bride. Wedding #2 and in Las Vegas.

Necklaces for the Bride

Diaper Cake for Co-worker at the Office.

Beautiful Sky near my Home

Fruit Pizza for my 57th Birthday

My brother’s neighbour’s baby calf …. so cute.

Flowers at my brother’s acreage.

Young kitten at my brother’s.

YAY, they installed a fountain in one of the small lakes near my house.

Front porch for fall.

Jewellery out for our October Open House – Dear Stella Jewellery

Well it is time to go and take down the Christmas Tree.

I usually keep it up for New Year’s Eve but then I was thinking about time over the next few days … figured better to take it down now.

Then I can get the house back to norm.

The sign says it all ….. Halloween Day at the Office

House decorated for Christmas 2014

Several dozen iced sugar cookies ….. yummy

Treats made by my friend “S” for Christmas…

Above my fireplace

Rudolph and Santa’s Elf above the fireplace.

Me by the tree on Christmas Eve …. opening gifts. Sure looked tired ……

Mr. Alvin with one of his Christmas gifts ….

My favourite thing to take photos of ….. the Christmas tree

Special ornament from my BF back in Regina ….. he looks so dignified standing at attention.

Sweet treats at office Halloween Lunch

Nutcracker Collection

The little Angels were made by my Mom and my daughter over twenty years ago.

Our big snowfall of 2014 – early in December.

Gifts under the tree.

Oh, how I love taking photos of the tree.

Ignore the wrinkly hand …. was eyeglass shopping. Bring on the hand cream.

More gifts.

Friends brought me coffee from their trip to HAWAII

This sweet treat arrived in the mail and I so enjoyed them ….. My friend send me a second batch and I still have some to have later.

Back yard.

“ME ALVIN” looking out of our temporary bedroom window …. a new place for him to look.

Okay time to go ….. I just could not help myself sharing more photos.

Have a great New Year’s EVE.

If you drink do not drive.

If you drive do not drink.

If you drink stay at home.

If you are out ….. pack a toothbrush and spend the night.

Happy New Year.

I wish only good things for everyone.

Me and Alvin wish you all good health, great joy, much love and laughter and abundance.

HAPPY NEW  YEAR.

We will be snuggling on the sofa and watching movies tonight.

Perhaps having some Bailey’s and coffee as I bought some for Christmas and have not cracked the bottle yet.

Okay I am signing off for now.

Special Hello to: every living being on the planet …. our hope is that you are all safe and warm.

Always, Carol and Alvin