The Next Chapter

Good Morning! Well we made it to the WEEKEND. I think that I would like to change my name to WEEKEND, lol. Too bad the name was already taken by a famous rapper who happens to be a citizen of Canada as per SIRI. She is all wise. Happy Saturday. This is going to be a quiet weekend for us, for me. No plans for serious cleaning or running about. I am just going to be here for Miss Cookie. We went for a walk after work last night and the smallest harness that I have just doesn’t work, hangs down in the middle. She is much smaller than Alvin ever was. My son-in-law popped in for a visit after he walked the “line” He texted that she was very anxious. She is anxious period. A very busy little girl. I was just happy he popped in to check on her. Cookie is not alone for long periods of time so this is hard for her. I remember having to leave Alvin for the day. In the early days it bothered me but everyone left their pups at home for long days while they were at work. Unfortunately there was not much of a choice in the matter. Alvin never had an accident. When I arrived home, he was my first order of business. Can you imagine having to hold your “pee” all day long for like 11 hours or so? I cannot. I would have had a big old accident every single day and likely more than one. I am grateful for COVID, for the Pandemic in that I was here for Alvin everyday for about 2.5 which was in his later years.

This is Miss Cookie. She is very fast. Very inquisitive and likes to explore. She is small and can up to place that I would not even imagine. Alvin was larger and although he was curious, the curiosity was mainly when it involved food. He loved food and to eat. Cookie on the other hand could care less. She did eat a bit of her wet food yesterday morning and then after work she ate some dried food. Cookie likes variety. I am enjoying having her here but she certainly keeps me on my toes, literally. I have to be careful opening the door. So I have ordered groceries and was thinking that I will need to hold her until I get the bags into the house. I can hear her doing that shake downstairs, like she is shaking off something. You know. She also stretches in the morning just like I do, or should do. Alvin used to stretch which is good for them as well as we humans.

She also likes to lie down in the brown chair which is opposite the one that she is looking out the window from. Mainly the brown chair is her sleeping or napping chair and the green one is for checking out the neighbourhood. I also tied up the one blind so that she had a better view of outside. I think she enjoyed that. I love how her one ear stands straight up. She is a busy little doll. I love her.

I also found out yesterday that Alvin’s best friend Teddy just had major surgery and has cancer. We, me and my family are sending them love and good thoughts for a speedy recovery and I hope with my whole heart and soul that he will be with his family for a long time. Kobi needs her big brother. I cannot remember if Teddy just turned 10 or 12. Such a doll and I miss those days when he would sleep over with Alvin. They were so chill. Best buddies.

Okay, I still have a few chores to do, like LAUNDRY. That never seems to go away. I will do little things so that I can spend more time with Cookie. Besides I am exhausted as it was a “very busy difficult” week at work and I hope that things calm down in the upcoming weeks. All of my coworkers are feeling it. I see a lotto win in our future. Hoping that our temperatures warm up a bit, these under 10 degree days are brutal although I am grateful that we did not get the massive amounts of snow that our neighbour to the east Saskatchewan received. For that I am most grateful. I sure hope that it warms up and starts to melt but not too fast that there is flooding.

Have a great Saturday. Enjoy the view. Deep breaths.

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

Always, Carol & Alvin (My Forever Angel) and Miss Cookie.

The New YEAR 2022

Hello, I cannot say that it is a good morning. I am terrified to go back downstairs and start this day. Last night while I was cooking supper, I heard a noise from the kitchen. The noise was the lid from Alvin’s wet food tin falling onto something, which I had left by the sink with some dirty dishes. I had put some water in the sink and was going to do dishes after I ate. Both Alvin and Cookie were with me in the living room. My heart sank, I knew what it would be. I stood up and walked around the sofa and to the end of the kitchen counter and on the other side of the sink I saw the creature that I fear the most, bigger than a spider and faster, a mouse. I can barely type those words. My throat is dry as I am so scared to go back downstairs to start this day. Poor Alvin. Anyway, when I saw the mouse, I grabbed my phone from the charger and ran to the door, screaming as I ran to the farthest point from him/her. It took me a few seconds or perhaps even a minute to actually text my neighbour Jessica, and all I could type was HELP followed by the word Mouse. I believe that I was hyperventilating. It felt like my throat was dry and I was crying and screaming. The poor dogs were frozen in positions on the sofa. After I texted Jessica, I texted another friend quickly as I know that she is not afraid of these creatures but I also knew that she has a sore back. It wasn’t long before I heard I heard a noise on the porch, so I scooped up Cookie so that she would not run outside. I surely did not need something else wrong. My neighbour came into the house and immediately went into the kitchen, the mouse was still on the counter. It ended up behind the stove but when she moved the stove, it was gone. It did not appear that there was any place for it to go. Somewhere in between all of this my friend and her daughter arrived. It may have been before the stove was moved, I don’t really remember. I was beside me. My friend had brought a mousetrap with her and the girls were trying to set it behind the stove. But after several tries it would not work. Someone googled to find what could be done in interim. Apparently they do not like tin foil, I did not know that. My neighbour had stuffed tin foil around the entrance points by the stove and counter and floor. I knew that they do not like bounce sheets or dryer sheets and I have them all over the furnace room, well not all over. In a few spots. Anyway, after several minutes of not seeing the mouse, my friend and her daughter went home and my neighbour suggested that she go to Walmart and pick up some traps and other supplies. I feared to be alone but it was the best thing to do. I had the pups there. Also Cookie’s family were on their way home. What a mess. My dinner had been cooking in the oven. So it was on the kitchen table but my appetite was not there but I did have a couple of carrots and roasted potatoes. I held Cookie while the girls were there and she was shaking. I can only imagine that I scared her half to death. Alvin just kept staring at me. It was not long before my neighbour was back. She pulled out the stove, set two traps, just like that and pushed the stove back. At this time, I have no idea if the mouse was caught or not. I cannot move the stove. I will need help. I had to take a day off work as I am so petrified to be downstairs. Anyway, my neighbour stayed for a few hours. We threw away some items from my counter that I could not easily clean and sanitized the rest. We washed, well she washed dishes and I dried. We did a load in the dishwasher. Bless her heart, my neighbour accidentally put the coffee perk in the water before I noticed, it is electric and cannot be submerged in water. How could I be mad? She was in autopilot mode trying to keep my spirits up and help. The pot actually needed to be replaced. Anyway, Cookie’s family got home and picked her up just before 11:00 p.m. and shortly after that we came upstairs to my safe place. Alvin is whining now so I must go. He likely has to pee. He has been so good. My neighbour is going to bring me coffee and stay for a bit while I figure out what to do. I still have to take down Christmas decorations. What a mess! Well not a mess, I feel like a mess. It would not have been so bad if the creature had not been on the counter, that freaked me out bigtime. Note to self, never leave the lid from his food uncleaned on the counter. It was not there long but enough time.

Breathe. Oh and I spent some time on the phone with my daughter while my neighbour was at Walmart. Oh, I am surrounded by strong women. I am so grateful. I wished that I could have the essence of CAT in the house so that they would stay away.

I am going to text Jessica and she will bring over some coffee. I definitely need coffee. I will put my winter boots back on, they give me a false sense of security but a security nonetheless. I put them on right away last night when this all started. I had to take the bag of garbage out to the garage and then they were covered in snow so I had to put on slippers. Not quite as good.

What a night. I pray and hope that it is gone forever and never to return.

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

Always, Carol & Alvin

PS I am thinking that I may set up my workstation in my office for the rest of the week. Not sure if I can work in the kitchen at this point. I am even afraid to open cupboard doors and drawers. All the things we washed are cleaned and sitting on the kitchen table.

2021

Good Morning ALL. How are you doing today? Alvin and I are well. He has a regular Vet appointment this afternoon. He is waiting patiently outside the office for me to finish ( I just started ). I should not “say” that he is patient as his patience is much less than mine most days. So Tuesday morning. At one point yesterday I made a comment in our TEAMS CHAT that would make one think that yesterday was further in the week, not a great way to start. Oh well, the phones were busy for the first hour or so and then lessened so I was able to get some mail done which was great. The mail is “stacking” up so to speak. Our walk at noon was great. Another gorgeous day. We have been so lucky. One thing though we do not have much snow left. The deck is getting more and more bare.

I was wondering if the African Violet originated from Africa? The blooms are ever so delicate and the leaves remind me of a rounded spade in shape. So pretty. Actually I have determined in the last almost year that I have been working from home that I may actually have a green thumb due in large part to most of my plants having a home in a south facing window. I have a bay window in the kitchen and the plants are thriving there. This is near my workspace and it has been great being close to beautiful plants as I work. Some of my Geraniums have beautiful pink flowers at this time, the red leaves of the Poinsettias are gorgeous and I have several other plants including a Spider plant which I moved just recently to the dividing half way between the kitchen and the living room. I hope that it will have enough light in that spot. I have so many plants that they are getting kind of crowded. I enjoy having a “green” workspace.

Well I am at a loss as what to share this more. Writer’s block, perhaps.

I hope that you are doing well, that you are in good health and remembering to take some time for yourself. Self care is very important and something to remember especially at this time.

With that, I remain living my life with kindness, respect and compassion.

Take Care.

Always, Carol & Alvin

P.S. I am planning Mr. Alvin’s 12th Birthday party for Sunday, January 24th, 2020.

It is a NEW YEAR.

Good Sunday morning.

Well shortly after I wrote my post yesterday the sun shone brightly.

It was a lovely day.

Lucky me, I went to shovel the driveway and there was no snow.

It had melted.

That was a first.

YAY.

Alvin and I enjoyed a beautiful walk in the afternoon after several loads of laundry.

Ended the day watching the newest STAR WARS movie “The Rise of Skywalker.”

Thoroughly enjoyed it.

 

This morning it has been lightly snowing since we were first up at 5:00 a.m.

No worries we did not stay up but I can tell by the amount of snow that it did not stop.

Actually it appears to be coming down with more intensity at this time.

Oh, last night we had a good show with the rabbits.

Alvin watched them intently gathering and having a snack out front.

At one point there were four of them.

Happy to report they are getting pretty brown.

We have so much snow which is not great for the wildlife.

 

I was thinking as I walked to the computer this morning.

List of things that change when staying at home / working from work during a PANDEMIC

1. Transportation to work, no bus tickets or payment for carpool.
2. No need to carry a purse, cause I do not use anything in my purse
3. More snacks
4. Changing up exercise routine
5. More television
6. Baking more
7. More snacks, did I say that already (very important)
8. More time spending with loved ones and in my case, my dog Alvin
9. No commute time to work (ten steps from bed to laptop in office in my case)
10. More time to clean the house
11. Less time actually spending cleaning the house
12. Less energy the longer at home
13. Overthinking everything
14. Trying new recipes
15. Waistline expanding
16. Need to start wearing button up pants instead of the stretchy ones
17. No gatherings
18. Quietness
19. Having television on during work hours for background noise
20. Routine, trying to keep work and home separate
21. Time spent looking out of the window
22. Did I say changing up exercise routine, gotta start that ….
23. Walking more (when weather allows)
24. Hoping for sunshine
25. Happy when receive texts from family and friends
26. Learning new things
27. No coworkers
28. If you have school age children at home, then you have now become a teacher
29. Trying to remember what day of the week it is
30. Resting, maybe too much (depends on who is in the house with you)
31. Excited to see the rabbits gathering out front to have a snack (no social distancing for them)
32. Happy to be alive and well
33. Wondering how long this will last
34. Nervous about going back to work
35. Staying away from news and social media for a time to be less stressed
36. SNACKS, so important for one or more in a household
37. Food has become so important
38. Realizing that one’s leaking tap is going to be this way for some time before can get fixed
39. Supposed to be spring now, why more snow?
40. Anyone at home that has folks bringing by groceries and supplies, we are grateful, realizing this will end someday and I will be shopping again
41. No going to the mall (I did not go much, anyway)
42. Thinking of how much the world has changed over the past month or so
43. Thinking of how much things will change going forward
44. Realizing that this would be retirement minus the working Monday to Friday
45. Getting stairs in several times per day (if you live in a multiple storey home)
46. Getting close to 50 (points to make)
47. Making a list that never gets completed
48. Day 3 cleaned the junk drawers
49. Day 6 cleaned the front closet
50. Day 18 cleaning the junk drawers again, and the rotation begins.

NOTE:  two things enjoying being with Alvin all day everyday and having my own perked coffee in the mornings.

 

Well time to hit the shower before having breakfast and enjoying some perked coffee.

 

Happy Sunday everyone.

I hope that you are smiling …..

 

Remembering we are living in kindness and with respect.

 

I/We, remain

Always, Carol & Alvin

 

P.S.  trying to decide if I should just cut my own hair.

That could have been point 51.

My hair is much longer than this photo.

Am thinking I could put the long clipper attachment on Alvin’s hair cutting machine and cut my hair.

What do you think?

If in household with children ….. cut their hair.

If in household with a dog that needs a haircut ….. already done.

Thought for the day ….

Good Morning and Welcome to Wednesday the 23rd day of January, 2019.

Well today is a COLD day for us here in Edmonton.

The wind was howling earlier but seems to be quiet now.

My nephew got the word and is heading back to work this morning.

We will leave for work at the same time.

It was great having him here with us.

The house will seem quiet without him.

Yesterday we went to see the movie Aqua Man.

It was really good.

Highly recommend it.

 

Well I should go and see my nephew off before heading out to work in a bit.

Have a great Wednesday.

Back to normal tomorrow.

 

Special Hello to: you and you and you.

Always, Carol & Alvin

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Monday the 19th day of November, 2018.

Alvin is laying on his blue blanket beside me as I write this blog.

The house is quiet except for the click clack on the keys and our breathing.

I can hear neighbours rustling outside as they scrape the frost off their vehicle’s windshield.

Temperatures still quite mild for this time of year.

To be +6 or so today which is so nice.

Last night when we went for a walk it was raining.

As we left the house we saw one of our neighbours and chatted while we walked.

She is one of Alvin’s favourite people.

It was not a cold rain but was not raining especially hard so we walked to the park and home.

Not far but at least a bit of exercise for both of us.

We have some snow on the lawns and decks and on the extreme side of the streets.

It will likely be a bit icy this morning after raining yesterday and below freezing temperatures overnight.

 

Feels like a morning to share some photos from previous winters:

My daughter, Alvin and I went on this photo adventure on Saturday. It was minus 30. We got some “cool” shots. Alvin thought it was a real deer….. grr

One of the first winters in Edmonton – so much snow.

So happy to see his guy out and about …..

A few years back – so much snow.  No place to put the snow.

First snowman me and my sister made since we were kids ….. (2009)

In flight ….. gotcha

 

Well here we are once again.

Time to leave for work.

I hope that you have an awesome day.

Be kind to yourself.

Take that walk.

Smile in the mirror at yourself and there will be a smile returned.

Happy Monday.

 

Special Hello to: my sister ….

Always, Carol & Alvin

 

 

Thought for the day ……

Good Morning and Welcome to Sunday the 18th day of November, 2018.

Our buddy Teddy left for home with his Mama yesterday morning so the house is SO quiet with only me and Mr. Alvin.

My plans for the day changed when one of my friends called to invite me to go with her to a neighbouring city “St. Albert” to the Enjoy Centre which is a greenhouse/nursery/retail space

where a large “Craft Sale” was being held.

All the vendors had made their wares.

There were all mediums of art: painting on regular canvases, ceramics, woodworking, stained glass and glass art, illustrator/graphic designers, doll makers, coffee brewers, jewellery of every possible

description, things for your pets, fudge and different types of candy, dried mushrooms, condiments, pie maker (not ordinary pies), and so much more.

We came across the paintings, Art by Monk.  She is a famous West Coast Artist and her work was amazing.

My friend and I were speaking to one of her agents and did not even realize that she was on the other side of the display, painting.

I saw a painting of a FOX that was incredible and had the nicest frame on it, as well.

So many things.

I was on visual overload.

I was so excited to come across the same artist “Mackenzie Jones” that my daughter and I bought rings from in a store in Canmore on our girls road trip this past summer.

Love our rings and I wear mine everyday.

Our second trip and each time I have bought a ring made locally and I wear them daily.

A fond reminder of our Mother/Daughter time together.

Needless to say in between the time Teddy left and I went on the craft trip, not much was done so today I have lots to do.

I did go for a short walk with Mr. Alvin in between the craft trip and the Christmas party.

 

Our “friends” Christmas party that was slated for December 1, 2018 was moved up as one of the girls is leaving for down east next week with her daughter and husband and

will not be here for the party.

We had it last night.

So much fun.

The girls provided the snacks and refreshments and told me only to bring myself as there was very short notice about the change in plans.

Even though I had just ate supper, it was not very long when I caved and had some goodies.

ARGH, it begins.

With no car not so easy to pop out and pick up items and no time to bake the “Oreo Cheesecakes” that was I going to bring.

We laughed and caught up in our news.

Some selfie shots were made but ended up only getting odd head shots of the three of us.

A time to laugh for sure.

Alvin stayed home and slept.

The gal that hosted the party gave us all a gift which we were not doing but she is a bad girl and doesn’t listen.

I received a bottle of “Vanilla Bean Noel” foaming hand soap from Bath & Body Works, a necklace of Christmas lights and light up and some peanut butter/chocolate Reese pieces.

So excited about the necklace as I will wear it to work.

We love our necklaces.

Best present ever.

 

She also picked me up some hand soaps from Bath & Body Works when they were at West Edmonton Mall yesterday morning to see Santa (with her daughter).

The mall was crazy busy and I was grateful she ran the errand for me.

The hand soaps were on for a really, really good price.

On the way home last night it was snowing.

It was still snowing a bit at 5:30 when we first got up this morning but had stopped when we got up to stay up about 8:15 a.m.

I was pleasantly surprised when I looked out the window to see the front walk shovelled.

Must have been my neighbour to the west …. so nice.

Earlier I thought I hear some noise out front but did not pay attention as we were snoozing on the sofa from 5:30 to 8:15 a.m.

Well time to get this day going.

I popped the first of four loads of laundry into the washing machine.

Coffee has been made so need coffee.

Such a great Saturday.

I seldom go out and almost never TWICE in the same day.

 

Lots to do today submit a Steeped Tea order, clean bathrooms, do some laundry, walk with Alvin and more.

Happy Sunday.

I hope that you were able to spend time outside of your home.

Another warmer day on the way.

YAY.

 

Special Hello to: all those folks who are artistic and make things.  You rock.

Always, Carol & Alvin

 

 

 

 

Thought for the day ….

Good Morning and Welcome to Wednesday the 7th day of February, 2018.

One week from today is Valentine’s Day.

WOW, spring is on the way.

It is snowing very lightly this morning and feels warmer than it has been.

Perhaps it is the positive energy in me that gives me that feeling, who knows?

I do know one thing for sure …. at some point in some amount of days …. weeks …. months, we shall have spring.

I love spring.

The colours ….. the energy …… the flowers ….. TULIPS.

Tulips are my daughter’s favourite flowers.

I would like to surprise her and plant some bulbs so that perhaps next spring she could awake one morning and find tulips blooming in her back yard.

That would be nice.

 

Last night my special nephew “T” called me.

His Grandmother recently passed away.

They were very close and I hold him just a bit closer during his time of loss.

Grandparents are so very important and when you grow up having them there at every stage of your life ….. they are greatly missed when they pass.

Hugs buddy, hugs and much love.

 

Yesterday was one of those days that I really thought I was losing my mind.

I could not keep negative crap out of my head.

Between work and the bus ride home ….. well ….

Today is a new day.

I am grateful to my “T” for without knowing it and without wanting to make the conversation about me, he brought me back.

Thanks again, buddy.

 

Well here we go almost time to leave for work.

I hope that we all have a great Wednesday.

I must remember to breathe and when those thoughts creep into my brain, I must move away from my desk and find a quiet spot to bring happy thoughts back to me.

Exercise …… we are missing our walks.

Hopefully this cold weather is almost over.

Regardless tonight we are going for even a 5 minute walk.

Both of us, NEED the fresh air and exercise.

Perhaps that is what is missing.

 

Happy Wednesday.

Special Hello to: all the dreamers out there ….. it is never too late and I am reminding myself of that at this time.

Always, Carol & Alvin

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Monday the 22nd day of January, 2018.

Weather wise another good weekend except for the ice on the sidewalks.

This week to be pleasant as well.

Here is hoping that the ice goes away before spring.

We had a great weekend, me and Alvin.

Yesterday we hosted coffee with the girls.

One of our friends was sick was coffee with the “girl.”

We had a great visit.

 

Shocker this morning.

We went to bed just after 9:00 p.m. last night …. by the time actually crawled into bed closer to 9:30 p.m.

I set the alarm clock for 5:10 a.m.

Alvin did not get up until 4:50 a.m.

Just 20 minutes before the alarm was to go off.

This is amazing for him as he usually gets up about 4:00 a.m.

Is this a new chapter in our never ending saga of up during the wee wee hours of the morning.

It would be so nice if he would sleep longer.

I do understand that he sleeps all day (or at least that is what I think as I have never set up a camera to check).

Anyway on this Monday morning, I am one happy Momma.

He seems to be feeling good as that is the first thing that I thought about.

This is a great way to begin the week.

 

We are doing well and hard to believe that once again it is time to go to work.

Where does that time go?

Wouldn’t it be nice for the five day work week to seem like two days and the two day weekends seem like five days?

Now that would be GREAT.

 

Well almost time to go downstairs and finish getting ready for work.

I guess I will leave my ice pick things on my boots.

It is still icy out there as far as I know.

I know our front walk and due in part from keeping all of the snow shovelled.

Sometimes a bit of snow is a good thing.

 

Have a wonderful Monday.

Special Hello to:  my friends and family all over the world.

Always, Carol & 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