The Next Chapter

Good Morning! I hope this finds you well on this Tuesday. The weather forecast for today in Edmonton is +1 degrees celsius or at least it was last night. I have not checked my phone to see. We will go with the plus temperature. I am grateful that our temperatures are moving in the right direction.

Last night I was home from work at 4:10 p.m. – what a treat. How great is that commute! After I got home, I switched out my shoes for my winter boots as it was a bit cool outside and also I did not know what condition the sidewalks were or the back walkway to the Vet Clinic. I wanted to drop off the cards for Dr. Karen and her staff. The sidewalks were not too bad and the walkway was most good but in the section where there are bushes, I actually had to walk behind them by the fence as the sidewalk was covered in snow and a massive amount of ice. Made it out and onto the sidewalk and continued on my way. I arrived at the clinic and pulled out my phone as you need to call them to have the door opened. Just as I called, Brenna called out “its’ Carol” and the door opened and there was Dr. Karen. She was just leaving for the day. We all went inside and I handed Karen the card. We hugged and chatted. Dr. Karen told me that her pup Tara, I believe was her name, had recently passed. I gave her my sympathies. The card was open and she handed out the individual cards to the staff. I wanted them to each have in addition to the main card, one of the memory cards of Alvin. Brenna said I am putting it right on my fridge next to your Christmas card. Ah, so sweet. We chatted for a few minutes and then Dr. Karen left as she had to stop by the grocery store before heading home. I ended up purchasing a couple of bags of treats so that I would have something on hand when company of the pet persuasion comes to visit. After that I decided to go the convenience store and cash in my $2 winnings from the lottery and buy a couple more tickets. I also grabbed some “good/bad” treats for me. Not a great idea to pick them up in the MAC store because they were at least 35% higher than in the grocery store. Nothing is cheap anymore. Then I was on my home. Once home, I put down my purchases and my purse and cleaned off the bit of snow that was remaining on my front sidewalk. I also returned the glass dish from Alyaa. I am so grateful for her kindness. She is a great cook. After returning home, I changed and took out the remaining garbage for pickup this morning. Then time to have supper. I used the microwave to warm the chicken. No oven, I remember! Another thing on my list for the upcoming weekend.

I had a nice cheese bun (courtesy of Costco bakery) with Dijon mustard, avocado and the chicken and some raw vegetables and a dill pickle. Great supper. Easy peasy.

Cleanup was easy and then I had a nice quiet evening. Watched a few shows and then to bed.

I love heading to bed in good time so that I can read. Every night I read a few chapters in whatever book I am reading at the time. I am reading a James Patterson book called “Princess.” I have several of his books and even reread them from time to time.

Time to head downstairs. I hope that you have a great Tuesday.

Mr. Alvin is in my thoughts this morning as he is every morning. I see him all around. He is always beside me. Soon we will be out walking together with his spirit beside me all the way.

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)

I had not realized until recently that the long Easter weekend is the weekend after this coming up one. I wonder if the Easter Bunny will come here? I hope so.

Last Half 2022 – October

Good Morning ALL! Here we are at Saturday, October 22, 2022. Our weather has been great and we are very grateful. Last night we were up a few times. It was about 10:00 p.m. when we crawled into bed and I read for a few minutes before turning out the lights. I heard Alvin moving about just after 1:00 a.m., he wanted to go downstairs, so down we went and then outside. The early morning air was cool but not cold. Back into the house and to the sofa to finish out our Friday night sleep. Mr. Alvin was up once again at 4:15 a.m., once again I donned my sweater and puffy vest over my pj’s, slid my sock covered feet into my outdoor shoes and requested Siri to turn on the flashlight as we headed outside. I was surprised to see wet snow coming down. The snow rain mix melted as it touched upon the ground. We both were a bit wet before we were back into the warm dry house. He pooped and peed each time. Thank goodness we have a comfy sofa as we were back there again. I felt too early to feed him breakfast at 4:15 a.m. I guess it was about 6:45 a.m. when we were up once again, this time, breakfast time. Back outside. Same result. So happy it had stopped with the wet snow. There was no trace that we had had snow. For all those people lucky enough to remain sleeping – you would have no idea, it even happened. Truthfully it did, lol. After the third time outside in less than 8 hours, I decided it was too early for me to thrust my tired body up for the day so once again we found ourselves snuggling under our “red” blanket. I think the red blanket was a purchase from Bath & Body Works many years ago when I first was employed at the store at West Edmonton Mall. I miss that store. The smells, the customers, the staff …..

Okay, so now it is the weekend. I have to finish the laundry. Washed clothing yesterday. Towels and bedding on the list today. Clean the bathroom and floors. Have a shower. Go for a walk. The sky is overcast and I hope for some “dry time” for us to head outdoors. We had a great walk yesterday. While walking, a woman was behind us and Alvin of course, stopped and wanted to wait until we were close to each other. She smiled and said that he was a cute dog in her strong Scottish accent. Oh, how I love that accent. We ended up walking together. Chatted about many things. Her dog, her grandchildren, my return to work, how Alvin was making out with that change and so much more. We were past Pauline’s house when we came to the crook in the path, she turned left and we turned right. I had been thinking that Teddy and Kobi were at the house with Auntie Janine as their parents were off to the mountains for a wedding. A few minutes later, we found ourselves, walking up their driveway and up the front steps with me ringing the doorbell. Kobi was first to the door, well actually she was up on the stool and looking out of the window. I could see her excitement to see us. I called out to Janine that it was us. A couple of minutes later the door opened. Teddy and Kobi gave us a lovely greeting and then we were in the house. I was grateful to Janine for the visit after we just “dropped in” but I had no idea really that we were going there. But we did. Janine is Iris’s sister. We met several years ago and have become friends. She lives in a small town in Saskatchewan about four hours away from Edmonton. It was nice to have a visit with her and the pups. Then we were on our way and back to get some work done. I had been afraid that I left the coffee perk plugged in but breathed a sigh of relief to see it was unplugged when we arrived home.

I am still trying to figure out what we should do about Alvin’s ears. The idea of surgery actually frightens me due to his age and because it is his ears. The vet even said that she has not performed this particular surgery in quite some time and will need to refresh herself with the procedure. Not very reassuring but I guess that happens. I do not know what to do. Yesterday I was doing some research in the hopes it may help me make a decision and I found that pumpkin actually contributes to yeast infections. So perhaps his having pumpkin daily to help with his pooping, is actually causing more yeast infections. I do not know. Perhaps the vet did not even know this. I had been giving it twice a day with his food. His Doctor said a tablespoon daily so I broke it up into twice with his breakfast and supper.

I watched a great movie on Netflix last night. It was called “The School of Good and Evil.” Figured should be watching some Halloween movies, not that it was particularly about Halloween but it fit into the genre. Tonight I am invited to Signe’s house along with Gillian to watch a Halloween movie. Signe’s daughter Madeline will come and stay with Alvin (she volunteered, how nice). It was not very long ago and she was actually scared of him. She had, had a bad encounter with another neighbour’s dog, well actually her Mom did but she witnessed it. Anyway, all is well now. I am happy about that.

Time to get the floor cleaned upstairs. I have moved plants around as my spider plants need some more sunlight, more than what they were getting in my bedroom. Changed the bedding and put out clean towels in each upstairs bathroom. I need to have a shower as well and want to do that after I clean the floor and then downstairs to have COFFEE and get some other items checked off that drat “TO DO LIST.” I have a parcel almost ready to go taking advantage of the “free mailing Tuesdays” in October.

I just heard Mr. Alvin groan so I better get this show on the road.

Happy Saturday Everyone!

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

Always, Carol & Alvin

PS: please keep us in good health, please help our employers increase our time working from home and also please bring prices down. thank you.