The Next Chapter

Good Morning. The sun is shining and it is early for a Sunday. Both Cookie and I woke up just before 7:00 this morning and up to start the day. I think the temperature is to be +14 or so today so we will spend some time out in the backyard.

Yesterday ended up being a busy day. Worked on the laundry. The grocery order arrived with a few minor glitches which ended up being my misunderstanding – if they say buy one get one free who knew you had to say two items and if you are ordering 2/$11.00 – order 2. Anyway I got that straightened out when I called the toll free store number. My friend that I was keeping her just found stolen car from the night before that was in my garage for safe keeping came to pick it up. My friend Pauline texted with some plant pots that she was giving away and wondering if I or Amanda would like them. I said yes and she came for a visit. We would have gone for a walk but I cannot take Cookie as her harness is too tight and it was cool without her sweater. We were having a good visit when the phone rang and it was the friend that had kept her car in my garage overnight and she was back to take me to Save-On to pick up the items that I did not receive from my on-line order. I decided that it would be nice to have the actual buy one get one free and the other 2/$… items (I now have lots of items to last me for awhile). So Pauline left and I got ready to leave for the store. Very quickly. Never fails when you are in a hurry, you cannot locate the cards you need in your wallet. I finally after an anxious couple of minutes my Save-On points card and you need it to get the deals. Pauline brought the flower / strawberry pots which are safely tucked in my garage. Amanda and I will have to draw straws to see who gets what, there are three of them. What a busy day! Especially the afternoon. Good busy for the most part.

I made a stir fry for supper last night and will have leftovers tonight.

I can hear Cookie downstairs as I type this post. Hopefully she is staying out of trouble. She likes to keep busy.

My coffee has been brewed and smells yummy from up here. She is whining so I had better fly.

In all of the excitement with Miss Cookie, I forgot to mention EARTH DAY which was yesterday. I kept the lights off and things to a minimum and went to bed early. I sure hope that we humans get this environment stuff all figured out quickly. We are definitely not great “keepers” of anything.

Happy Sunday everyone. I sure hope that the snow is melting in Saskatchewan.

Looking forwarding to summer! Flowers and sunshine.

They cleaned our streets – looks so good! I cleaned the garbage at the perfect time. YAY, me. Sometimes I have good timing.

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) & Miss Cookie

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 Next Chapter

Good Morning. Oh, the moon looks awesome this morning as the sky begins to lighten. Half of the moon is visible and the other half is dark. The darkness of night as the sky lightens is revealing clear skies. Sunshine for today? I sure hope so. There does not appear to be a breeze. Today is Wednesday and only two more days of work left for this week. A very good thing. I am very appreciative and grateful to have a job in this economic climate but honestly somedays I could just scream at the audacity of the way things are going.

Yesterday it was a rain snow mix so no walk at lunch break or after work. My neighbour brought over the new element for the oven but alas it did not work. He took the stove apart (back off and looked for noticeable signs of distress and there were none). Looks like I will be buying a new stove and because we ordered the element from Amazon and actually put it in the oven, there is a good chance that they will not take it back. I think the poor stove is just tired and needs to sleep. All done. So I will need to look for a stove shortly. Cannot go without a stove for long. Already going on three weeks without an oven. I will try to call a repairman tonight (tried last night but could not speak to anyone who could answer my question). Just for the odd chance it might be repairable. But appears to be the control panel. I think that is what it is called.

The sky seemed to lighten so much since the time I typed the last paragraph. WOW. I guess spring is really here. I am hoping for some good things to happen. So far 2023 has been “interesting” and “sad” and a few other things which I cannot say on this platform nor would I want to ……

Most of the snow has melted from the front lawn and all from the deck. I will be able to sweep the remaining dust and leaves that were left behind from the melt. I am not sure why there were so many leaves this year. I raked and raked until I was blue in the face but there were still a million in the snow over the winter and now on the ground. Hopefully the back will thaw quickly.

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

Trying to keep positive as life just keeps tossing “battles” in my direction. Perhaps battles is too strong a word but anyway.

Oh, my Alvin. Missing my boy …….

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! Happy April 1st. The sky is slightly overcast and there is no wind this morning. The house is quiet except for the sound of the furnace rumbling away keeping me warm. There is also the sound of the odd motor vehicle driving by the front of my house.

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Good Morning and Welcome to Tuesday the 1st day of April, 2014.

YAY, today is the first day of April.

March is over.

I hope that this finds you happy and excited for another day.

Time to crank the music and dance your happy dance.

Dance to the  music.

Even throughout the day …. find your quiet space and do your “happy dance.”

If there is no space without people ….. just sit in your chair …. close your eyes ….. smile and tap your toes …. to the music whether on your iPod or in your head…

Even standing in a line or anywhere ….. you have the space that your body occupies ….. use your imagination and go.

Imagine you are dancing in a big hall with the best floor.

Imagine yourself in a meadow ….. or on a hilltop.

Anywhere …… maybe on top of your bed.

Just let your body go ….. move to the music …… get your groove on…..

Not only is dance is the best exercise on the planet but you will feel so much better – body, mind and soul.

Clap your hands …. today is the day ….. dance your happy dance.

Smile and Be Happy …… Let go ……

Special Hello to: all the dancers on the planet.

Always, Carol and Alvin

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I have been trying to copy and paste in posts from April 1st and only able to succeed with the one from 2014.

I can tell you that on April 1st, 2016, the temperature in Edmonton was 20 degrees celsius and that it is far from that today.

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On April 1st, 2019, I was home sick and Mr. Alvin was keeping me company.

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On April 1st, 2020, I was just a few days in from working from home due to the pandemic. We were enjoying having me at home 24/7. Alvin was having a hard day as the arthritis in his paws was bothering him.

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Back to April 1st, 2023, I just heard my neighbour call out to “Bogart” her cat and as I looked out the window I saw a massive grey cat sitting on the fence between me and my neighbour in the other half. When he saw Sonja come into their yard (they leave the gate open), he jumped off the fence and back into my yard and then back home. Another temporary great escape for Bogart. What a guy! He is a beautiful big guy and definitely has a mind of his own. He likes to be outside and go for walks. Bogart has on his GPS (in case he gets out of the yard). Good way to track him. They still keep a close watch on him. If he got out and was on the street he could be hit by a car. People are not known for driving slow when they go through this neighbourhood. Makes me sad but grateful that so far all beings on our street have been safe from tragedy. Well it is time to get this day going. I have spent a lot of time trying to copy and paste from previous posts. I hope that you have a wonderful April 1st and I hope that the weather begins to warm. We still have quite the bank of snow on our front lawns as we face the north side of the street but I am grateful that most of the ice has melted by the sidewalk. YAY. Happy April 1st, 2023.

Have an awesome day.

Time to get more laundry going. Plans changed from this morning to last night and in between. I did some laundry and work last night so that I can concentrate on the income tax and photos today. Always lots to do when you are on your own.

Happy April Fools 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 doing well. Last night I did not toss and turn as much as the bed was less “apart.” Funny how that happens! YAY, it is Friday. Today is also the birthday of a long time friend of mine Paulette. We have known each other since the early 80’s. She lives back in Saskatchewan. I wish her a very Happy Birthday.

Yesterday was an odd day but not so much for the end of March. It was cloudy and cold for most of the day. After work I changed and went for a walk. There was a cold breeze but it was nice to shake off the cobwebs of the day and start fresh. I saw lots of “pups” while I was out and that was nice. I see Alvin everywhere. He is with me on walks and in my heart during the day at the office. Today is the last day of March 2023 so I wonder what Mother Nature has in store for us today. I had planned to walk at lunch break yesterday but decided against it so hopefully the sun is shining today and it is nice.

I found all of the information for the replacement heating element for my oven. So this weekend I shall figure out a way to go and pick one up. Sometimes not having a car or a vehicle is a pain in the butt. I am not a fan of asking people for rides or for help. I much prefer to be able to do things on my own but that is not always possible. Anyway, that is my cross to bear. We all have things that we do not like to do or to admit to ourselves or to others. Being independent has always been a big deal for me, just saying. P.S. I turned on the broiler in the oven last night and it heats up so it is only the bottom one.

This will be a busy weekend with coffee at my friend Gillian’s tomorrow morning. I have to complete and submit my income tax (so grateful can do on line now although seeing things on paper is sometimes easier, I should have a printer?), do laundry, clean out closets and figure out formatting the photos. I want to start next weekend as it is four days by going through room by room and doing a spring clean. I am quite sure that I have things that I no longer wear, need or use and that I could find a good home for them. One always feels better when they “spring clean.” I know that I certainly do.

Time to head downstairs and put on the coffee. I love having time to sit back and have a cup of coffee before leaving the house. I have also started to eat breakfast before I leave. Then I fast until supper time. Funny how one’s body gets used to changes.

Happy Friday to you. I hope that you have an easy breezy WONDERFUL day. Only good things happening to us all on this Friday, March 31st, 2023. See you on the other side. (Saturday).

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 but have a headache. I am surprised by how messy the bed is when I wake up, what is going on? This did not happen with Alvin. I woke up and only had to turn up the sheet and bedspread. Definitely tossing and turning a lot more than I realize. Checked out the bedroom window and saw that it had snowed over night. I think they are forecasting snow off and on today. Winter boots it is.

I have been noticing a lot lately people walking by with their dogs either chatting on the phone by voice or by text. Why would you want to take your lovely, beautiful, amazing dog for a walk and just concentrate on him and the walk? I wonder. In the time since I had my first cell phone, I have only taken it with me a couple of times and that was a reason and that was not for chatting to someone. I wanted to take photos of Alvin and the scenery. I tried to always be present with him, paying attention to him, watching him sniffing and always looking for something he could eat. He was important to me and I certainly did not wish him to eat something that would harm him or make him sick. Occasionally he did ingest something and then threw up later. I was always mad at myself for missing that moment.

I would love to see people walking by and paying attention to their pups instead of making it look like a chore or something that they really do not wish to be doing. Enjoy your time with them. They are not going to outlive you that is for sure. Makes me sad and mad. Dogs live in the moment, they are present. Give them your attention. Enjoy nature, enjoy the walk.

Well time to head downstairs, I cannot say back downstairs. I miss getting up with him and going outside. Have not slept on the sofa since Alvin passed. My life seems strange without him. Sometimes I do not feel like myself but I suppose that is true. I am different without him. My life has changed so much in the past few months.

Be safe and have a good Thursday.

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! I hope that this finds you doing well. The sky is beginning to lighten and appears that we received a light blanket of fresh snow last night or perhaps during the early morning hours. When I went to turn on the computer this morning, I received a message that the keyboard battery was very low and to recharge. I thought recharge? What? So I realized upon further inspection that you just take the USB cable, I think that is what it is called and hook it to the keyboard and then to the computer to be recharged. How cool is that? No more batteries for the keyboard. The mouse on the other hand still appears to require double AA batteries. But I like that the keyboard is free so to speak.

I have a question for you? I realize that I have not been drinking near enough water as of late. Too many life distractions and I have not been keeping track of my water intake. So today, that changes, so important to drink enough water. Good for your mind, body and soul.

The house does not feel the same no matter who walks through the front door. Last night my good friends Gillian and Signe came over for a visit. We talked about the usual. It was great to see them, to have conversation with someone outside of the drama at the office. Perhaps if I stop using the word “drama” and start saying everything will work out and I am taking one day at a time. Repeat, repeat and repeat several more times. Only we, only I can change my reaction to the every day stuff. So I am. The house is lonely without my Alvin and that will never change but how I react to the things that happen in my life can. I have so many wonderful memories of Alvin. I think that at noon today, I am going to take a stroll and walk for the first time our old route, our old path. I need to get up and get out. Get some exercise. He would want me to be well in mind and body, I know that. I can still keep him close in my thoughts, in my memories and in my heart. This weekend is my daughter, his sister’s birthday and the whole family including Betty Ann who is staying with them are coming over. The kids, being my daughter and son-in-law will drop Miss Aspen, Mi-Mi and Betty Ann off while they go and have lunch with friends who are in town from Saskatchewan and then come here for Amanda’s birthday supper and celebration. So I have things to do tonight and tomorrow and Saturday to prepare. As much prep work as I can do, I will. I am looking forward to seeing everyone again but sad that Alvin will not be here in body to celebrate with us. Our first birthday party without him. My heart hurts.

I am working from home today so time to head downstairs and put on the coffee. Wishing you a wonderful day. Remember to drink lots of water and go for a walk. Nothing like a walk to clear the negative babble and make you feel good in general!

I am so grateful to all my friends for being so supportive during this time and always. I have the best friends on the planet.

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! I guess we have winter back for awhile. A blanket of the white stuff covers the sidewalks and rooftops once again. Some shovelling for me before I head out to the office today for the second last time. Next week we move to the new “office.”

Why is it so hard to say goodbye to someone? I so miss my Alvin. The nights and mornings are the most difficult. I miss his snuggles and his way. He was the best and I wish that we would have had more time together. One more summer adventure. One more road trip. One more walk around the park. One more visit for him with his best friend Teddy. One more visit with family. So much more I wish for us, for him.

Yesterday I was kept busy with most of the day spent moving photos from my old computer to the external hard drive. I also went through all 42,537 photos and picked out some of Alvin so that I can do some special “In Memoriam” cards for the special ones in his/our lives and also to do a photo book. Did you know that Costco is now working with Shutterfly. That is quite the match. I love Shutterfly.

Later in the afternoon our friends Alyaa and her pup Cookie came over for a visit. Cookie is so busy but she is a good distraction. We had a great visit. Alyaa watched over Alvin when I had to return to the office three days each week. He really loved her and I so appreciate her friendship.

Then I had supper and cleaned up and watched a bit of tv before going to bed. Last night was hard as I felt his loss even more and the guilt creeping back into my mind and soul. Oh my buddy, I miss you so much. He was the best little guy.

Well I have shovelling to do and a few things downstairs so better head down.

I hope that you have a wonderful day. Be safe and take care.

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 Next Chapter

Morning ALL! We had a light dusting of snow sometime since I went to bed last night. No more getting up multiple times and going outside. I miss the night skies. Oh, how I miss my Alvin. I would give anything for him to be wanting to go outside at this moment. Nothing is the same without him. Not from going to bed to getting up in the morning and every minute in between. My life was wrapped tightly around that little guy and I miss him so much. He was the best friend and companion anyone could ever ask for ……

Today there are three birthdays to celebrate: my sister Cindy, a long time friend Diana and a neighbour and friend of ours, Arlene. Wishing these three amazing women the most wonderful of days. Happy Birthday.

Yesterday afternoon I went over and spent over two hours with our friend Bailey. I stayed until her Mom got home. I think that Bailey knew as she just kept kissing and kissing and kissing me. Where is Alvin? Oh how I miss that sweet sweet little guy. She went outside several times. So cold out but I kept an eagle eye on her to ensure that she was not outside longer than she needed to be. It was good to spend some time with her and to feel her energy.

Today I am going to do laundry. I do not want to sit and feel sorry for myself as it is not me who suffered.

I just saw a little bird fly by and can only imagine how cold that little creature is in these frigid temperatures. We do not often think of them.

FRIENDS

Friends,

Alvin and I were so blessed to have so many furry friends and family over the years. Here are some photos of his special friends and mine. I am so glad that he had so many wonderful furry friends in addition to so many human ones. Some of his family & friends have already passed and they too, are Angels. He has company so he will not be alone. Unfortunately, I do not have photos of all of them.

BF Alvin & Teddy

Kobi, Alvin & BF Teddy

Miss Cookie

Al & Kobi

Aspen & Milo

Bogart

Miss Bailey

Casey – Angel

Alvin

Kobi and Milo

Humphrey

Alvin’s BF Humphrey

Milo & Elton – Angel

Elton & Penny – Angels

Casey, Elton and Alvin …. just missing Miss Penny.

Aspen

Milo & Aspen

Alvin & Bailey

Alvin & Penny – Angel

Miss Aspen

Alvin Xmas 2020

Abby, his girlfriend – Angel

Humphrey & Alvin

Alvin & Elton – Angel

I guess that I had better sign off for this day. There is laundry to do and I can use a cup of coffee.

I will always love you Mr. Alvin as I did yesterday, the day before, two weeks ago, today, tomorrow and forever.

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

Always, Carol & Alvin – my heavenly Angel and forever sidekick.