The Next Chapter

Good Morning! Dark outside as I type this post. I am up showered, bed made and writing this post at 6:20 a.m. as I am catching the bus to the new office this morning. First time that I have taken the bus since before the Pandemic which slightly frightens me but I need to do this and so I shall. I was going to wear a mask but it is chilly outside so I will have a big scarf on and that likely provides some protection from any germs floating around the air. Funny that I will be leaving home at the same time that my ride would come and will arrive at the office about the same time. By car it is less than a ten minute drive. Oh, we love public transportation. Not complaining. Life in the fast lane.

Yesterday I did go for a walk at my lunch break. I walked the same path that Alvin and I used to take when the weather was good. It was wonderful and I could feel him walking ahead and I could see his little bum just strutting along stopping frequently to sniff everything. Winter, Spring, Summer and Fall. Good to get some exercise so this will be good as well. I have a walk to the bus stop and then a short bus ride and then a walk to the office. Exciting and scary all at once.

Tonight I shall begin the preparations for Amanda’s birthday party tomorrow. Boil the eggs and potatoes for the potato salad (not just for hot summer days) and do some cleaning, some laundry and perhaps put up a couple of decorations. No balloons, I no longer do balloons. Not environmentally friendly. I always cringe when I see them on the ground outside where a bird or an animal or a pet could get at them.

I think that I am going to pop downstairs and put on some coffee, I have no idea what we will have in the office. Some of my previous coworkers had “stories” about what was on site. I need some coffee. Just to have a mug before I leave.

Wishing you a good day. Take care and be safe.

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 ALL! I hope that this finds you well. Yesterday was definitely different. First day going to work without Alvin in the house. Leaving the house felt strange as I said to him – I love you Alvin and I will see you after work, habit. The house was dark as I turned the key in the lock. As I walked to the car, I turned to the living room windows where I had always waved to Alvin who would be sitting on the sofa looking out watching me as I left for work. When I got into the car, Michelle was crying as she remembered how he would look out the window at me as I was leaving. We had some tears on the way to work. Oh my boy, how I miss you. The continuing saga at the office was a temporary reprieve from my new life. I thought of him often as I had also brought one of his favourite toys, his Teddy Bear with me to the office (carefully tucked away in my purse). I felt as though he was beside me all day.

The walk to the house after work felt long as I climbed the steps to the house, the realization that there would not be someone waiting for me on the other side hit me like a ton of bricks. As I turned the key in the door, I still hung onto hope that I would see him as I opened the door and called out to him. But he was not there. I locked the door behind me and stepped into my new reality. Alvin is only a memory now, a recent one but now a memory. One to remain in my memory and in my heart for all time. I will always remember that little guy who brought so much joy and laughter to my life.

We did not have coffee at the office yesterday so I made a pot when I got home from work. By this time, I had a headache from lack of caffeine, I suppose. I took a few minutes to just enjoy the coffee before starting supper as Amanda was coming for a sleepover after work and a dental appointment. She arrived earlier than expected which was wonderful. Supper was a bit later. Tears were shed. It is difficult for her when she steps into the house and Alvin is not there to greet her. No barks of joy. No little fur bundle looking out the window waiting for her to come into the house. It was definitely a difficult moment. We had a good evening. Even a wee bit of laughter.

Time to head downstairs as I have to make a pot of coffee before work as we have none.

I hope that you are safe, warm and have a wonderful Tuesday.

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.

Last Half 2022 – Alvin

Good Morning All! Even though today is the last day of July 2022, I thought it appropriate to title this post “Alvin.” We had a really good sleep last night as it cooled down and with one of our trusty fans we slept until 5:00 a.m. from about 10:30 p.m. Then up and outside to go pee & poo, not me, Alvin of course. He had his glucosamine chew and then to the sofa for some more sleep before up to eat. He lasted until 6:15 and then we were up and he had his breakfast. We went outside and he just stayed on the deck for a few minutes drinking in the fresh cool morning air. It wasn’t until 9:00 a.m. that I bounced up off the sofa ready to start the day. Alvin was still sleeping so I quietly went into the kitchen to put on a pot of coffee. A couple of minutes later he was up. He is wherever I am. I was going to come upstairs and get dressed but he wanted to go outside and as a good Momma, I went outside with him. He sounded like he was coughing or sneezing hard to tell but it was not until he started madly eating grass, maybe not madly but eating grass nonetheless that I realized he had been trying to throw up. He did this yesterday a couple of times as well. But I missed the signs. He is on medication to prevent him from throwing up. His last pill is later today. He ate the grass and then we came back into the house. He did not try to throw up but went straight to his water bowl and drank a good big drink. We are now upstairs as I wanted to get dressed. I am watching him carefully for any unusual moves. He is resting on his belly as he always does in front of the office doorway. My poor boy. The drama continues. I hope that he is okay. This all makes me wonder. We won’t know anything more until Tuesday. I guess we will be trying to score that urine sample as soon as possible on Tuesday morning. I had a couple of moments where I was not feeling very positive about his situation but now I am back on track. It will not help him if I am moping around, crying and distraught. He needs to feel my strength and positive demeanour. As difficult as it may be, I will be strong. I keep thinking all of our years together, our adventures and stories.

Okay, the story does continue. Thankfully it is cooler outside. After some coffee, I will see if he wants to go for a walk. Checking the temperature first, of course.

We will just enjoy the day together. There are some things that I would like to do, should do but he comes first. If that means cuddling with him and doing whatever I can for him, that is my top priority.

Okay, back downstairs. Sounds like he is snoring. A familiar good sound. I want many more good sounds for many more months and years.

I hope that you have a wonderful day.

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

Always, Carol & Alvin

PS: 9 more sleeps until my 65th birthday.

Second Half of the NEW YEAR – Last Quarter

Good Morning All. We had some snow for awhile yesterday that reminded me of being in the centre of a snow globe. Those big delicious snowflakes. I did not make it out time to shovel the whole front before one of my neighbours shovelled for me. We have unexpected company. Teddy and Kobie came later last night as their parents had to go to the farm for today and wanted to get an early start. Everyone is fine except for Alvin who is barking as I am upstairs and he is not. So this will be short. Just wanted to let you know that we are doing well and just have company.

I will be back tomorrow with some stories for sure.

Until then, please spend your day with kindness and respect for yourself and others. This is the time that we all need to come together and be good to one another and all creatures inhabiting this planet of ours.

Take Care.

I/We shall remain, as always, Carol & Alvin

Living … One day at a time.

Good Morning, Yup still the A.M.

What a lazy morning.

Except for picking up Humphrey and looking after Cynder ….. it has been a morning of staying in pj’s and drinking coffee.

Now as the morning is evaporating I am thinking that I should get my act together.

Write this post, have a shower and get this day on the way.

The sun is shining and it feels warm outside.

Alvin is laying on his blue blanket beside me and Humphrey is under the desk by my feet.

Funny how they ALL feel the urge or need to be with me at all times.

It is groovy.

I think that I will share some more of our Christmas photos and a couple of stories.

 

MILO, Alvin and ASPEN

CHRISTMAS DAY – Kids took the pups for a walk while I prepped items for our supper.

CHRISTMAS with HUMPHREY

Alvin lent a paw as he is the gift opening expert in our family (and always eager to help)!

Humphrey and his gifts …. now I know why he was interested in the bag under our tree.

I read the label and there was “catnip” in some of the toys.

Not your typical Christmas Dinner but it was requested.

Everyone was happy …..

BOXING DAY shenanigans ….. Humphrey decided to be a WINDOW SILL LIVING ORNAMENT.

Alvin’s best friend Teddy, his little sister Kobi, their Mom and her sister, Aunt J ….. paid us a visit.

We had gifts for Teddy and Kobi but for some reason I only had one photo and there was a human in the photo so I decided not to share.

Teddy’s Mom handed me this huge box for Alvin.

So I placed it on the sofa and Alvin set to work opening it.

It took him a long while and I lent a hand here and there.

The gift was in a weed/grass trimmer box.

We had the box exposed when Teddy’s Mom handed a smaller gift to me and said “this is for Alvin.”

I was confused.

It dawned on me that the gift was in fact for me, not for Alvin.

Teddy’s Mom recorded the whole opening.

I was shocked and surprised at the gift.

It was actually a weed/grass trimmer for me.

I have wanted my own for a long time but never making it into the budget.

Teddy’s Dad wanted to get this gift for me, he researched the brand and bought it.

What what a crazy Christmas 2019.

Full of surprises.

 

One shot of all three of the pups …. Kobi dropped the chew treat a split second before I snapped the photo.

It would have been darling to have had all three of them with a chew treat in their mouth.

 

My daughter texted me yesterday to let me know that “my big gift” was still at their home.

She had mentioned Christmas Eve when we were opening the presents that something seemed to be missing.

Yes, something was missing and was home on their kitchen table.

She asked if I would like a picture of the gift and I said “No, thank you, I would like a surprise.”

This truly has been the season for surprises.

 

Well I had better hop into the shower before it is afternoon.

Feeling lazy but that is okay ….

Lots of time to do things…..

 

I hope that you enjoyed your holidays, your Christmas as much as I, we.

Humphrey managed to take over Alvin’s blue blanket and Alvin is patiently waiting in the hallway for me.

 

Happy Friday.

 

Always, Carol & Alvin & Humphrey ….

 

Living … One day at a time.

Good Morning and Welcome to Crazy Day #2 of Baking.

OMG, what a day I had yesterday.

Got up but perhaps not quite as early as I had wished.

Anyway popped in a load of laundry.

Made coffee and had breakfast.

Then prepared for Alvin’s hair cut.

I placed the cover on the counter and pulled out the clipper set.

I sipped on my coffee and pulled out the clipper but did not see the blade?

What?

I picked up the attachments and looked under everything to no avail.

I looked under the sink, three times no actually four.

I looked in every kitchen drawer a handful of times or more.

In the pantries.

Under the sink again.

Then I had the gut wrenching thought that I had thrown it out when I had recently cleaned under the sink.

I think that I had cleaned it and placed it on a lid so it would dry.

When I cleaned under the sink – just thought it was the old one.

Not sure why that was but anyway – it was gone.

So there went my plan to give Mr. Alvin a haircut and bath.

Next step bake cookies.

So I started with the fudge as that is the way that I roll.

Figured something easy and less stressful.

As clearly my morning was not going to plan.

ARGH, I said, ARGH.

Well not really and surprisingly enough I did not have a meltdown.

I was proud of how I just moved on.

I think that Alvin was SHOCKED as well.

I made a double batch of fudge.

Checked on the laundry.

Then started on the SUGAR COOKIES.

I had to bake a batch of them for my girl friends.

The love them and besides they gave me the ingredients.

Cannot say NO to that.

I was late starting the cookies, I would say about 1:00 p.m. so about 3:30-4:00 the baking was done.

The cookies were cooling on the table.

We had to get out for a walk.

So we did.

On our way I heard this alarm going off in a house across the street from where we were walking.

Not too far from us.

I immediately thought smoke detector.

It was hard to tell.

I was just going to ask someone to help when the garage door beside me opened up.

I yelled in …. Can you help me?

A young man came out and I explained.

We crossed the street as we were right across from his house.

He rang the doorbell with no response.

He did not think it was the smoke alarm but thought it was perhaps the house alarm.

It stopped at one point.

He said that it sounded exactly like the garage alarm at his work.

I was still concerned but went on our way.

On the way home I stopped and at first did not heard it but then it started again.

There was no signs of anything wrong.

I was so relieved.

But also happy that I did not hear a fire truck later on ….

Then home to feed Alvin and make my supper.

Somewhere in there my friends dropped off their cookie tins.

One of the girls stayed and we chatted for a bit.

Nice break.

Followed by icing the several dozen SUGAR COOKIES and still working on laundry.

Did massive amounts of dishes throughout the day.

My hands are so dry this morning.

Packed up the cookies about 8:00 PM or so and delivered one parcel of them to one of the girls.

The other said she will pick them up today along with fudge for her boys.

They love my fudge so I always make sure they get some ….

After I returned home I spent the next few hours baking CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIES.

I made SEVEN batches which is about 10 dozen give or take.

So time to get this show on the road.

Time to have breakfast and COFFEE, OMG, I need that brown/black liquid.

Energy do not fail me now.

Two batches of Sugar Cookies and ice them.

One double batch of Fudge.

Retrieve the dried laundry from the basement.

Go for a walk.

Prepare for work.

Write out a couple of cards for people in the neighbourhood.

Not sure what else at this point.

Will be happy to be done baking.

The mince tarts will wait until closer to Christmas.

I took the lazy way out.

Bought tart shells and a jar of mincemeat.

Done.

 

Okay, I have to run.

I hope that you have an awesome Sunday.

I think we will have a great one.

 

Living … One day at a time.

Hello,

It is the first full day of my 2019 VACATION.

I feel like jumping and down and screaming it to the world.

So happy.

Can you tell?

Yes, I am so excited to be on vacation.

I wanted to sleep in a bit.

Alvin was up at 3:28 a.m. so we moved from bedroom to living sofa where we remained until 6:53 a.m.

I was thinking “Really” this is my vacation …. I would like to sleep until 7:30 a.m. – so I did.

Then up threw a coat over my nightgown and out the door to go and look after Cinder and Humphrey.

When I had finished everything – I asked Humphrey if he wanted to come home with me and see Alvin.

He ran over to the steps going to their upstairs and waited for me to slightly bend over and scoop him up.

He perched himself on my shoulder and I am glad that I had my coat back on …. because he was holding on.

So locked the house and went back home.

At home the boys are like it has always been this situation.

They do well together.

As I have mentioned before Alvin has just a bit of uncertainty about Humphrey to make it a perfect relationship.

Hi Humphrey who has just joined us.

 

Last night after I arrived home from work, did the usual, let Alvin outside, got changed, we went for a walk, brought Alvin home and then went to pick up Humphrey.

He spent the evening with us.

Made a huge salad for supper and I must say that I love my thrown together homemade salad dressing.

No recipe that I can even share.

Just after I had eaten and finished the dishes the phone rang and I saw that it was my friend V from Saskatchewan.

She had left me a message on my cell but I was busy and had not noticed.

Instructions to go and pick up the mail …..

We all know what that means.

A parcel.

In this case …. an early Birthday parcel.

Grabbed my keys, locked the house so that the fur babies could not escape and ran to the mailboxes.

Okay, perhaps that was a stretch, no running but walking quickly.

Lots of flyers in the mailbox along with a key to the BIG BOX.

Quickly picked up the parcel locked the mail boxes and was on my way home.

Once inside the house – Mr. Alvin started to get excited.

He knows all about those boxes and very likely he could smell the contents.

So I quickly went about opening the box with Humphrey and Alvin standing by not so quietly, especially my boy.

First thing was to locate his special treat from our friend and then grab my phone to video him opening his present.

OMG, so cute.

Wishing that I could show you the video.

If you follow me on INSTAGRAM @  carolylewis

You can see the video with Alvin opening his treat.

After he was finished I gave him some of the treat and then proceeded to the rest of the box which was filled to the brim with all sorts of sweet homemade delectable treats.

Two kinds of cinnamon buns, cheese buns and regular buns, chocolate biscotti and some other bought sweet treats.

 

As I was opening my packages – Alvin had taken the box that I had set beside the pantry door on the floor and pulled it over to where the photos are which is a few feet.

He was looking for more treats.

I laughed so hard, what a boy.

Photos above are of my sweet treats.

What a decision to have to make?

It was lucky that I had a salad for supper.

So in the end I had a cinnamon bun and one chocolate biscotti.

Heaven …. truly.

 

The fragrance emmanting from these gorgeous lilies is intoxicating.

Humphrey and AL relaxing last night.

Pleasant surprise as the solar light inserted in one of my flower pots came alive last night.

The colours were glorious.

 

Well time to have breakfast and get these boys outside into the backyard to enjoy some fresh air.

Wishing my niece-in-law “S” a very Happy Birthday.

Wishing my friend “K” a very Happy Birthday.

So many August Birthdays.

Happy Birthday ….

 

If you spend each moment treating others with kindness and respect then you will be living your life with kindness and respect.

 

Always, Carol & ALvin and Humphrey.

 

Living… One day at a time.

Hello,

Well it is just before 8:00 a.m. on this slightly overcast Saturday morning.

Pups have had breakfast.

Teddy, Alvin and I have been out for a walk.

Popped the first of three unexpected loads of laundry into the washing machine.

Put coffee on to brew and also ground some coffee for tomorrow or maybe later today.

Made my bed.

Working on this post.

 

Yesterday was a great day when I left the office I felt as though I had accomplished what I wanted/needed to do.

Only two work days next week before I am on vacation for a few weeks.

So looking forward to the time off but at the same time I do want to leave “my desk” in good order.

I even completed a task that is not typically done until the middle of the month.

Check.

YAY.

On Fridays in the summer months we are allowed to leave at 3:00 p.m. and I was lucky to catch a ride with a co-worker who lives not too far away.

Once home it was clearly too warm for us to walk.

So I decided to get some work done.

Some laundry, tidying up.

I was just speaking to my sister when a call came in on the cell phone, I wasn’t sure how to switch over so I let it go and continued to speak to my sister.

All of a sudden my house phone rang and I figured it was the person who was calling me on the cell.

So grabbed the phone from the kitchen and saw it was my neighbour, so kindly asked my sister to hold on for a moment so that I could take the call.

My neighbor wanted to see if Mr. Humphrey could spend the evening with us and of course, I said Yes.

I was explaining to her about Teddy coming and she said she knew as they had just arrived.

She saw them before I did.

So we had Humphrey and Teddy and Mums all arriving at the house at the same time.

There was some running and excitement.

We chatted for a bit.

Humphrey’s Mom was going out so she left and Teddy’s Mom stayed for a few minutes longer.

Then it was me and the boys.

I had finished the laundry before all the company arrived.

We spent some time outside.

Humphrey loves being on the deck.

It was warm but he loved being outside.

The other two were back and forth as I had the fans going inside.

We had some weather.

Tornado watch for most of the evening.

At one point I heard thunder and saw lightning in the distance so I scooped up the babies and brought them into the house.

Well of course, Teddy and Alvin walked but I did scoop up Humphrey as he did not want to go into the house.

We had a quiet evening.

Just putzing and relaxing.

Humphrey’s Mom came home about 9  p.m. and then it was just three.

I decided that I was tired by then and we started to get ready for bed.

We went outside for the pups to go for a pee and or poo.

That ended up being an extra long process.

You will find out in a moment.

So I call the pups upstairs.

Moved the pillows off the bed.

Went into the bathroom to brush my teeth.

Teddy went downstairs and Alvin just sat outside the bathroom door (was in the main bathroom as I have my dental station set up in there).

Once done, I went and picked up Teddy to bring him upstairs.

I was wondering for a second why he went downstairs.

Back in our bedroom, I closed the door.

Teddy was playing in the blanket on the bed, hiding while Alvin just hung around me.

Once I had washed and changed and was ready to lay down and read my book.

I moved the blanket and in the semi dark something looked out of place.

I turned on the light to see someone had peed on the bed.

That someone was the little someone who had been playing in the blanket as Alvin was not even in that spot.

So I lifted up the bedspread wet, top sheet wet, bottom sheet wet, pillowtop wet, all wet down to the mattress cover.

I am so glad that I purchased that and left it on the bed.

So I grabbed my pet stain removed and one my one cleaned the wet spots on each of the coverings.

Then placed them in the laundry basket and into the bathtub until laundry this morning.

That was my unexpected laundry.

So then I only placed sheets on the bed – not taking a chance and having to wash another bedspread.

I always wash bedding on the weekend so that was okay.

But it was 30 minutes that I was not planning and then my reading time was cut down considerably.

Teddy slept good but then Alvin was up and down all night long.

So at about 2 a.m. – decided might as well come downstairs to sleep.

Downstairs we went.

Our actual getting up to stay up was much earlier than normal about 6:30 a.m.

Early for a weekend.

Oh well, the laundry is on and the stains should come out.

What a night and early morning.

In just over one hour my grand pups will arrive.

Time to have breakfast.

I took some shots of the pups last night, the storm and stuff.

Will share of them.

One never knows what is going to happen and has to be prepared for “anything.”

 

The Oriental Lilies that I received as a gift, so many blooms.

On the way to the bus stop on Friday morning – the water fountain – such a beautiful place

The next shots while we were on the deck last night.

Above shots taken during the storm last night

The shots below were just as we were going to bed before the accident.

You can actually see the wet in the last photo.

Hadn’t realized that until just now.

Anyway we are off to a great start this morning.

I am hungry so time to have breakfast and coffee before the grand pups arrive in about one hour or perhaps sooner.

 

All in the life ….

I will admit to be a bit upset about the “pee” last night but then I remembered that he had gone downstairs … he was telling me something.

I just chose not to listen.

Oh well, it is all good.

 

Happy Saturday.

Kindness and Respect to all, no matter how many legs you may have ….

Life is good …. sometimes there is the odd hiccup along the way …. but it is not the end of the world.

Only a small pothole in the road.

 

Have an awesome day.

My tummy is a rumbling.

 

Always, Carol, Alvin and Teddy

 

 

Thought for the day ….

Good Morning and Welcome to Wednesday the 1st day of May, 2019.

A brand new month.

Our morning was greeted with fresh white snow gently falling from the sky.

The streets are wet but the lawns, decks, rooftops are all covered with a blanket of snow.

A spring storm.

Moisture it is and we are grateful.

 

Last night after our walk and supper and dishes were done.

We were surprised by an unexpected visit from Alvin’s BF Teddy and his Mom.

She brought Alvin some beef treats for another day or two or three.

They always bring joy to our house.

Thank you Teddy and his Mom.

 

**********************************

On this morning please take the time to hold in your thoughts and hearts your loved ones.

Life is precious.

Often times, more often than not, we take our family and friends for granted.

Send out positive energy to each and every one you hold dear.

Perhaps if we all did this …. the planet would be healed.

Be kind to all those souls that you meet and greet each and every day as you know not their stories.

Visualize everyone living in good health.

Visualize everyone laughing and enjoying life.

Visualize parents and their children and their children living their lives growing old together.

Visualize this moment and hold it dear.

I hope that you all have a wonderful Wednesday.

May joy surround you and envelope you always and forever.

May this day be full of healing and love.

May life continue to amaze and surprise us.

 

Special Hello to:  everyone needing extra help on this day ….. sending positive healthy energy to you.

Always, Carol & Alvin

 

 

 

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