The Next Chapter

Good Morning! How are you this morning? I am well. For some reason, I am running later than usual even though I was up at the same time. Argh. Oh well, I will be ready when my ride arrives. Spring is here. Mixture of weather. The sun is higher in the sky and feels warmer. The snow is melting as is the ice.

Dilemma, my ride is leaving work early today so what do I wear to work my regular shoes or do I wear boots. If I get off the bus at the back way to my house, there is ice/snow and mud by the bushes. With the warmer temperature forecasted for today it is likely to be a pool of water. Do I want to take the longer way around and carry my laptop? I do not know. I guess I will make the decision before I leave for work. I could wear my new old pair of running shoes that my daughter picked up for me at the thrift shop. I was always thinking that I need to figure out about the oven. Will need to go and get a heating element or pay someone to look at it and confirm that is the problem? I would love to have one week where everything went smoothly. Don’t you think that is a reasonable request? Perhaps I need to refocus my thoughts. I will admit with the changes to the office,

Spring …… almost Easter.

Photo by Alena Koval on Pexels.com

Photo by Evgeny Tchebotarev on Pexels.com

Photo by Denniz Futalan on Pexels.com

Have a wonderful day.

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).

The Next Chapter

Good Morning! How are you? I am okay. Just feeling so lonely but I do spend my time in the house speaking to Alvin as though he were here. I have been talking to him for over 13 years so hard to stop now. He is with me in each and every room of this house. I have to listen to videos to hear him. He is my heart. I miss him so much. My little buddy. Such a great friend to me.

We had some snow yesterday. I only wore my shoes to work so when Michelle and I went for a walk over our lunch break my feet were a tad cold, of course the sky was overcast and it was actually cold, I believe about minus 12 celsius. Not really a cold temperature is you are “dressed properly.” Anyway, I survived and it was good to get some fresh air. I will make sure that I put up my hood as my years were cold, too. Oh well. At least I can feel the air on my body.

Tonight after work I want to spend some time working on transferring photos from my old computer to the external hard drive. They need to get done and I can no longer put this process off. On the weekend, Sunday actually I did get a good amount moved which made me feel better. I cannot wait until I have them all done, safe and sound on the hard drive which has room for all the photos that I can likely ever take, well maybe. I always took a lot of photos but they were mainly of Alvin.

I put on some coffee to perk as they took away our coffee machine at the office. Our days are numbered at that office. Today and three days next week and then the following week we will be at our new office. We saw some photos yesterday, they have some work to do before it will be ready and we were told that it will not be 100% complete. What that means we will find out on March 13th, 2023. More changes, more new things. Life.

I hope that you have a good day and that you are safe and warm.

Cannot believe that today is March 1st, 2023. Not a great start to the year. So many changes and so much loss. My heart is hurting.

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.

The New YEAR 2022

Good Morning ALL! How are you this raining Wednesday morning? We are doing well. It was raining but now it looks like a rain/snow mix. We can use the moisture so no complaints here. Both Alvin and I survived yesterday. I will say that I really did not enjoy being at the office. The office noises were maddening between people chatting and the machines, the bright lights made it hard to see (if that makes any sense). It was nice to see some people but I am way more productive and happier working from my house. My friend Gillian came over at noon to check in on Mr. Alvin. She made sure that he drank some water, went outside and gave him some love and a bit of food. I thought about him all day long. He sure was happy to see me and yelped and cried for what seemed like forever. It was nice to drive to and from work with my daughter giving us more time to chat. Yup it is wet snow. ARGH. Oh spring. Oh well. I am happy for the moisture to help give the trees, lawns, plants, forests, and lands some well needed hydration. The buds on the trees will grow and soon we shall have some leaves. Which means I had better on this coming weekend go and trim my tree. Last night was quiet. It was late by the time I finished supper and then it started to rain so no walk. Doesn’t look like a walk today either as the sky is grey and that means it has likely settled in for the day. Forecast for tomorrow is to be nice and we have plans to walk with our friend Pauline. One of my daughter’s coworkers gave her some shoes, I scored a funky pair of canvas shoes with a couple pair that I can give to one of my friends, fingers crossed they fit her and that she likes them. I like them but just a bit too small and not sure if I would have worn them. Nice to get hand me downs. Saving the planet one pair of shoes at a time.

Well not too much else to say this morning. I am grateful to be working from home. I am grateful to have such an amazing daughter and friends. I am grateful to have fantastic neighbors. I am grateful for my Alvin. I am grateful that both Alvin and I are in good health. I am grateful that all my family and friends are in good health. I am grateful for this day and each one to follow. Thank you. I am grateful for the rain. I am grateful for the freshly brewed coffee waiting downstairs for me.

Have an awesome Wednesday.

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

Always, Carol & Alvin

P.S. thank you my darling Amanda, you make your Momma proud.

2021

Good Morning ALL. How are you this morning? We are good. Thank goodness it is Friday. Snowing again. Lots of shovelling happening in our neighbourhood. Temperatures still on the cold side but then again it is the first week of February and we should not expect anything different. Although slightly warmer would be nice so that we could go for walks. I feel that our bodies are starting to go downhill. So that means we have to get with it and do more exercises in the house. I do shovel but only when it snows. Lately it has been snowing almost everyday so that is good. I started walking on the spot with hand held weights. That lasted three days. It was good I think but I need to keep it up. Lots that I could be doing but somehow when it is cold and dark …. all we/I want to do is eat and sleep and sleep and eat. Oh well. Thankfully I am not a night snacker. I seldom eat after supper/dinner. Just always been that way.

As I glance around the room and notice the rack displaying most of my purses; I feel slightly sad. Seldom do I use them these days. I have three downstairs that I switch about on the rare occasion that I leave the house to go somewhere that requires me to take “money” and stuff. Most of them are collecting dust hanging on the door rack. Thankfully I do not have a crazy amount of purses or I would really be sad. I guess the same goes for shoes. I do put on my boots everyday whether walking or picking up Alvin’s deposits in the backyard or when I am shovelling. But shoes only when I go to the office. I know that they say we should wear a pair of comfy shoes in the house so it helps protects our feet and although I have had no issue with my feet; perhaps it is something that I should look into. I do wear socks. Maybe barefoot would be better – your feet can breathe. What about makeup, jewellery and office clothes? Lots of things are sitting not in use. Although I have started to wear makeup more (not that I wore a lot anyway) and my jewellery and the top part of my office clothes, I have been wearing. I have some pants have I have not wore in almost one year; perhaps they will not even fit me at this point. I have no idea. Anyway food for thought. Us folks that are working from home – will have to start to use our items that are feeling neglected. Fill up that purse and carry it to your workstation and then tuck it out of the way. Wear those earrings and that bracelet. Add some lipstick. If you were going out in public – the mask would cover it and feel yucky – so take advantage of being at home, if you are at home. Maybe start wearing a pair of shoes. It has been an interesting almost one year since we starting working from home. I must say other than a couple of minor details; I love being at home. When the wind is howling and the snow is blowing …. I am safe and warm in my cardigan, tank top, relaxed pants and socks wearing lipstick and a bracelet and socks on my feet. LOL.

Well time to get this day going. Busy time of the month for me at work – who am I kidding most days of the month are busy for me. That is a good thing – I suppose. Although personally the odd slower day would be lovely.

I hope that you are safe, in good health and enjoying life.

Living each day with kindness, respect, compassion and patience.

Always, Carol & Alvin

P.S. the first meal from Chef’s Plate was yummy – Cajun-Spiced Turkey – not too spicy.

Second Half of the NEW YEAR.

Good Morning,

Well I guess that I did not make an error this is the new format for WordPress.

It will take a few posts before I get this down for sure.

I found out where the categories was so that it won’t come up as miscellaneous.

Now if I can just figure out spacing and such.

Today is the big day.

The wedding of my neighbours. I am so excited that I did not sleep much last night and in fact, just arising now. I have a couple of hours to have some breakfast and coffee before I have to start getting ready.

My daughter is coming at 11:30 or so and we have to leave the house by 12:30 as it is out of town. The TEA CEREMONY begins at 2:00 p.m. followed by the WEDDING CEREMONY, then while the happy couple are having photos taken, the guests enjoy refreshments and take in the beauty of the countryside and the retreat facility before enjoying supper provided by a secret food truck. Oh, and everything is outside providing that the weather remains nice. Forecast is for 20+ celsius today.

I am really looking forward to this time. The only part that is a bit unnerving is the mask wearing as I only know the bride and the groom. I have met her Father only. But I am okay not knowing people and generally have an easy time meeting new people. I guess time will tell. More the mask thing and social distancing at a wedding. The amount of guests is not huge. Time will tell, I did say that already.

Then the next thing is what to wear and what shoes to wear and which purse to take. Okay I am definitely rambling. I picked out the navy dress that my kids gave me for my birthday (it is nice but not fancy), topped with a coral mid sleeve cardigan and a scarf that has a mix of navy, blues, coral and white shades. The shoe I had picked out some sandals that had covered toes but I have not really wore them in years and will they be comfortable to wear for that length of time or should I wear a more summery sandal that I know will be comfortable but as soon as the sun begins to drift downward it will get cold. The jewelry aspect is the only part that I really know what to wear. I have so many beautiful pieces that I want to wear and need to wear, especially as I am actually going out. So you see my dilemma although it is not life threatening it is driving me a bit off the deep end. PURSE, another problem. Has to be big enough to put my phone/camera, battery charger cord thing, my zip bag with an extra mask (I will be wearing one), ID, kleenex, some lip balm, and whatever else I feel that I may require. I am so used to being at home and having everything at my beck, this is an unique situation for me at this time.

Okay, enough of that. I will have my daughter here when I am getting ready and she will give me direction in the clothing / shoe / purse areas. No need to worry.

Time to head on downstairs and have some toast, a banana and some much needed COFFEE.

Oh, I hear sirens close by. Oh dear.

Tomorrow my boy comes home from visiting at his sister’s since a week ago today. We were chatting on the phone last night and she put us on facetime, I would say that he has forgotten me but then I think he was just confused. I know that he will be happy to be home but I am grateful that he is doing well at their home. The week has gone by quickly. Definitely did not get much of what I was thinking of doing this week but that is okay. It is not as though Alvin keeps me from doing things. He is a great companion and I love him dearly.

Okay, time to go.

Take Care and Be Safe. Treat all others with Kindness and RESPECT. It is so important now more than ever.

I/We shall remain,

As Always, Carol & Alvin

Living … One Day at a time.

Hello,

Welcome to a foggy morning here in my neighbourhood.

It may not be the same downtown or in the south end of the city or in the north.

I have found that the City of Edmonton is stretched out over a large area that the weather can be totally different from one area to the next.

The fog is beginning to lift and the sky is partially cloud filled.

The air has a tinge of coolness so that it is comfortable.

The house was not warm/hot this morning but I opened the windows about one hour ago and that will help to keep it cool inside for the pups.

They are resting together on the blue blanket on the floor beside me.

 

Last night I had the best time.

Went shopping to West Edmonton Mall with one of my friends.

I have not really done any shopping for me in ages so it was great.

I had a gift card from her and some other gift money.

There were a great deal of sales on in the mall.

I was surprised to see just how many folks were out on a Wednesday night.

I was very happy to find some sandals …. Clarks ….. not the ones that I saw on DSW’s website but they were similar and felt so good.

I do not think that I have ever put on a pair of shoes and they felt so good.

In total I bought three pair of shoes.

Got some new pyjamas, pair of jeans, two long cardigans and a short-sleeved top.

The retail staff were amazing …. so helping and very nice.

I felt like a million dollars.

Not that shopping makes me feel rich or anything.

Just the fact that I was able to actually go shopping and find some things and able to buy them.

This does not happen often.

Cannot remember the last time.

I try very hard to leave my carbon footprint at a minimum where possible.

Buying things from Thrift stores and swap meets is usually what I do.

So this was nice.

I do love hand me downs (as such) and have worn them my whole entire life thus far.

But sometimes it is nice to get some new things.

No more holey pj’s.

Giggling aloud.

It was great to have someone along as she was honest on how things fit and colours and such.

So I only got what was “GREAT” and not something was cheap on sale and was just okay.

Definitely a lesson for people.

Always better to go with someone.

I so much appreciated her honesty and assistance.

It was wonderful.

Decided not to wear the new sandals today as I may treat them – have to read the labels.

 

Well almost time to take the pups out for one more “bathroom break.”

They did great yesterday.

Alvin was up a couple of times and the last time we went downstairs, he went outside and then we retired to the sofa.

It did take a few minutes to get everyone comfortable.

Three always does take a bit more work.

 

Well I am one excited, happy, grateful, blessed, happy, Oh I said that already girl.

Lucky to have a beautiful home, great family and friends and good health.

To be surrounded by four-legged darlings.

Life is great.

Living …. One day at a time.

Listening to the birds chirping outside the office window.

 

Time to go.

I hope that you have a wonderful day.

Kindness with Respect go a long way.

Spread the goodness.

Happy Thursday.

 

Always, Carol, Alvin & Teddy

 

 

 

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Friday the 15th day of March, 2019.

Last night was so beautiful but not great for walking.

I went out into the back yard – actually on the deck to pick up poop from this morning.

Yup, I know, another poop story.

But this is cute.

Alvin climbed up onto the snowbank that takes up half of the deck to do his business.

Me, in my slip on shoes, decided to go up and pick up the poop.

Everything was going well ….. Alvin turned around and was waiting for me.

I picked up the poop and went to turn to come down …. when due to my weight …. went into the snow and my shoe came off.

Ended up with a shoe full of snow.

Yup, I was walking in the snowbank with one sock and one shoe on.

I delicately balanced a couple of bags of poop and grabbed my shoe that was buried in the snow.

Not impressed but I kept my cool and just laughed it off.

Because really what else are you going to do.

So that was my Alvin story.

Note to self:  wear boots when in a snow bank.

 

We received a phone call from Alvin’s best friend’s Mom last night.

She invited us over for supper and a visit.

We had already had supper when she called and we were not going to walk because of the ice and water.

So Teddy and his Momma came for a visit.

I love the way the boys greet each other with so much energy and joy.

You can feel that energy in the room.

AS soon as Alvin sees their car pull up ….. he starts to wag his tail and bark his HELLO..

Then he runs to the door.

Usually I peek out to see when they are coming up the walk and then I open the door.

Teddy running down the walk and Alvin running from the house.

Just like in the movies.

So cute.

They say hi and into the house.

Run about …. grabbing a chew treat along the way …..

Just makes you feel like a million dollars.

They bring us great joy.

Whether separate or together….

We had such a great visit.

I shared with her one of Steeped Tea’s newest blends, a Rooibos tea called LUSH LEMON.

Oh, it was so nice.

I have been enjoying it for the past few nights.

We laughed and almost cried a few times sharing more of our life’s stories.

I love getting to know people …. we all have such wonderful stories ….. if only someone would listen.

I love to listen and so does my friend …..

Hard to believe it will be four years on July 20th that we met.

Yup, it was July 20th, 2015.

WOW.

We talked about how memorable Mr. Alvin is and that everyone remembers his name and him.

At the end of this month it will be ten years since I moved to Edmonton and into my very first house.

My first house on my own …

It has been and is so very wonderful.

I am a lucky girl.

 

So today is Friday.

The start of the weekend after we put in the day unless you are lucky to be at the end of your shift or perhaps you took today off.

I am excited for the weekend.

Tomorrow Alvin has his first pedicure and regular appointment since his surgery.

We were at the Vet to have his stitches removed a few weeks back.

You cannot see that he had surgery at all.

I also have to hit the grocery store to pick up the ingredients for the FRUIT PIZZA which was requested as my daughter’s “birthday cake.”

We will have to decorate and they are coming on St. Patrick’s Day so I wonder how much green, I have ….. mmmmmm.

Green streamers?

I know that I have lime green ones, yes, somewhere.

Tidy up the house.

YAY, family coming on Sunday.

We are having PIZZA for supper and FRUIT PIZZA for dessert.

It will be a pizza party.

 

Well here we go again …. time to leave for work.

Be careful out there as there is lots of ice, most especially in the residential areas.

Have an awesome Friday.

Happy St. Patrick’s Day early.

 

Special Hello to: all of you ….. you make my life, awesome.

Always, Carol & Alvin

 

Thought for the day ….

Good Morning and Welcome to Wednesday the 5th day of September, 2018.

Wow, mid first week of September 2018.

That came fast.

I was at home under the weather yesterday – so I did not post on my blog.

I hope that life is finding you well, energized and happy.

I am doing well.

Alvin and I had a nice walk last night.

Always makes a person feel better to get some fresh air.

 

My carpool is on vacation this week so catching the bus this morning.

Back to the normal bus schedule now as the kids are back to school.

I will catch the earlier one which gets me to work about twenty minutes early.

 

Alvin is semi curled up on his blue blanket on the office floor beside me.

He is like an attachment.

When I am at home – he is never far away.

Oh, how I love this little guy.

 

The temperature seems to be warming and ended up being warmer than original forecast.

Today mid to late teens so that will be nice.

 

Alvin is noticeably licking his paws now.

Not sure if the new “egg shell membrane” medicine is working better or worse than the glucosamine.

 

I was watching a bit of a show in between sleeping yesterday and caught Jamie Lee Curtis speaking about her life.

She said that she never was particularly good at school or sports and was not considered to be pretty.

She just went by unnoticed until as a young adult she started to do the things that she was interested in acting and later writing.

Jamie just published her 12th children’s book.

Very inspirational.

 

Well almost time to grab my things and my shoes and hit the trail to the bus.

I hope that you all have an awesome day.

 

We have to remember that having all the education in the world does not guarantee you happiness UNLESS you are passionate about your chosen path.

I am not saying that education is not good nor am I saying that it does not help.

 

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Wednesday the 25th day of July, 2018.

The sky is a pale blue with no clouds in sight (not rain ones).

Sun is shining brightly now in the morning sky.

YAY, today is Wednesday.

Not that I am in a hurry for vacation time but I have including today six days left to work.

It has been an extremely busy time at work and I am ready to have some down time.

 

The carpool is back for today and I am most grateful.

Riding the bus is not FUN.

In the morning they dropped the bus from the schedule that I used to take and ended up waiting 30 minutes for the next one.

At night the bus was 15 minutes late and I got home almost one hour later than riding in the car.

1.5 hours from the time that I got off work until walking in my house.

I am so happy that all is well and my ride is back today.

 

Our walk last night was wonderful.

A time to just be with me Alvin.

We saw Alvin’s girl friend “Miss ABI” and her Mom.

Had a nice chat and the pups played.

We saw another friend along the way.

 

In response to my tomatoes …. they taste amazing.

So much different than the ones you buy in the stores.

Taste more like the tomatoes we had growing up on the farm.

 

Our weather is starting to warm up again.

So back to closing blinds and opening windows in the early morning to ensure the house stays as cool as possible for Mr. Alvin.

 

Countdown is on until my sister arrives.

Seven sleeps …. OMG.

Alvin will be so excited to spend next Wednesday with her as I have to work that day.

But I will be here for the rest of her time with us.

Always great to have my sister visiting.

She brings that something special …. herself.

 

Well almost time to go.

Grab lunch and shoes.

Looking out the window there is NO breeze.

A bit of a breeze in the morning is always nice.

 

I hope that you have a wonderful day.

You and I will do our best to remain calm, cool and collected this day.

I will do my best – somedays it is not easy.

Remember to be KIND and treat others as you would have them treat you.

I work on that everyday.

 

Happy Wednesday.

Special Hello to: my sister, my longest friend in the whole world.

Always, Carol & Alvin

Thought for the day ….

Good Morning and Welcome to Tuesday the 24th day of April, 2018.

The sun is beginning to rise in the morning sky.

The air inside the house is on the “cool” side as I turned the thermostat downwards, not off, just down.

Today is to be +20 degrees celsius.

 

Last night Alvin and I thoroughly enjoyed our walk together after work.

Most of the snow / ice has melted.

There was a fairly large patch of water covering the sidewalk but we walked around it the best we could.

My shoes and Alvin’s paws managed to get wet.

Although I was not deliberately trying to get mine wet.

What a guy!

We picked up some trash along the way.

As there always seems to be some laying about.

Next weekend will be my big trash pickup.

 

So happy for this weather.

Finally, I believe that I can put our winter clothing away.

Alvin will no longer require his winter coats.

That will be my Saturday project.

 

I do love going through my closets and containers.

Checking on what needs to find a new home and what to keep and wear for the summer months.

I do need to bring my shoes upstairs and see what I have.

 

Alvin just popped into the office.

He was sniffing about as dogs will do.

I have a little blue blanket in the office which usually is draped over the arm of my chair.

I placed it on the floor, he gave it a couple of kicks and then has curled up.

He almost never curls up on the blanket.

Usually just sits or lays down.

So cute.

 

Well almost time to put the finishing touches on getting ready for work.

I wish you all a Happy Day and as I was reminded that everyday is EARTH DAY.

I love that.

It certainly is …. everyday I do my best to help our environment and I hope that you do, as well.

Have an awesome EARTH DAY.

 

Special Hello to: all those folks who love to read.

Always, Carol & Alvin