The Next Chapter

Good Morning! Another beautiful May morning. Hard to believe that there are only two more days left in the month of May. Where does the time go? Feels like sometimes that it is evaporates. There is a coolness wafting into the office this morning. Yes, I opened the window to bring in some cool air. When I go downstairs I will open the windows at each end of the house. One being in the kitchen and the other in the living room. This will bring in some cool air. Gone are the days that I would open them early in the morning so that the main floor would be cool for Mr. Alvin. On the hot days, we would get out for an early morning walk. When Covid struck the planet, we would go in the mornings before work, if it was not too hot at my lunch break we would walk then and then should the temperatures be too hot after work, we would just stay cool by the fans. Sometimes we even went into the basement as it is always a few degrees cooler there. Yesterday morning after I got up and finished my small to do list, I grabbed my mug of coffee and “Alvin” and we sat out under the umbrella. He was in the shade but the umbrella did not quite cover me. There was still a nice cool breeze so I did not mind. We just enjoyed the sunshine with memories flooding my mind. He so loved his walks. His favourite spot on the deck was to lay just under the kitchen window and second was on the love seat next to me. I remember him as a pup and in the more early days how he would lay outside on the nice days soaking up the sunshine. Seems like a lifetime ago. I guess it really was but he will always be here.

Yesterday afternoon just after 4:00 p.m., the wind got up. I quickly brought in all of the houseplants and moved the other plants to the cover of the house or by the fence. I had taken the cushions from the table set and put them into the garage but left the cushions on the love seat and chairs on them. Earlier in the afternoon, my friend Gillian joined me on the deck for a cup of coffee, some sunshine, some laughter and good conversation. She is such a good friend. I am so grateful for her friendship. I was in the house and texting between three friends in two provinces when I noticed that one of the cushions had blown off one of the chairs. First time that has happened. I went out and put them away. All of my small items were moved just in case. If a gust moved the cushion then a little ornament from the table or deck could easily blow away. Not worried about anything get ruined but more of something being air borne and hitting someone or breaking a window. Anyway, after some heavy winds and a bit of rain a couple of hours later, I was out walking with Jeanette, Bruno and Eddie. Bruno, I am not sure how he is doing it, where does the energy come from, but he does a walk. Not a short one either. We take plenty of water and it almost all gets drank mainly by Bruno. We take three pet bottles of water and 500 ml (a lot of water). I will share a few photos of the boys from last night. The grass was “soft” after the rain.

Eddie

Bruno

Bruno

The time is getting late here and I have a few things to do before leaving the house for the day. Tonight I vote in our provincial election. That will be after work. I hope that you are doing well and have a wonderful Monday.

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

Enjoying the sunshine

Alvin

Al

The Next Chapter

Good Morning! I am a little late writing this morning as I ran over to look after the boys, Humphrey & Bogart and then on my way home I realized that I should water the grass/fertilizer seed that I planted yesterday out front and in the back. So I water everything. Then I thought I should put the houseplants outside and then I made coffee (have not drank yet) and then decided to haul up the clothes that were drying in the basement and then change the bedding and now I am here. Whew. Still no coffee but I will have some soon. What a gorgeous morning! Perfect time to be outside. I definitely will be drinking my coffee on the deck once I am finished with this post and after I have popped the sheets into the laundry. I have more Eddie, Bruno, Humphrey & Bogart photos to share. Who does not like to see photos of cuteness quadrupled? Despite the cancer and the pain that he must be in, Bruno loves his walk. Bruno leads the way – wherever he leads us that is the way that we go. Last night he wanted to go his old path and so we followed. I love these pups so much. I am so grateful to have had the absolute pleasure to have them all in my life.

For Alvin

For Alvin

For Alvin

For Alvin

Blinds & baseboards washed

Some rearranging

In Memory of Alvin

Eddie

Eddie

Eddie

The boys

Eddie & Bruno

The boys

Eddie looking for lights

Eddie

Bruno

Bruno

My Guys

Bruno & Eddie

Bruno

Bruno

Humphrey

Bogart

Humphrey

Yesterday I washed the blinds on the main floor, washed baseboards, looked after Humphrey & Bogart, did some cleaning. laundry, walked with Jeanette and the boys Eddie & Bruno and miscellaneous things. It was a full day from beginning to end. I would not change a thing. My kitchen looked so bare in the photos as I had taken the plants all except for the aloe plant outside. I brought them in last night just to ensure their well being. If the sun decides to shine all day with no clouds, I will bring them in when it gets too hot. Too much of a good thing is not a good thing. The boys are doing well next door and their parents will be home in a few hours. I framed Alvin’s nose print and paw print yesterday and also put his memory card with the photo side up in a frame. I have him with me in every room of this house. Looking out of the office window at this moment, the sky appears to be a bit on the hazy side. Smoke? Everyday I pray for rain to extinguish all of the fires burning at this time. I do know that Mother Nature creates fires naturally to burn. Nature is so much more intelligent than we will ever be.

Tomorrow after work I have to slip over to one of the nearby schools and cast my vote in the provincial election. Should have, would have, could have voted in the advance voting but here we are! Oh well.

Well today is going to be a quiet one. Going to finish up here and put the sheets in the wash and then have a cup of coffee on the deck. Just chilling on this Sunday now that I almost have everything done that needs to be done. Of course, there is always something. Oh, I had better vacuum upstairs and give the bathrooms a quick going over but that won’t take long after the coffee “break.” I clean regularly so nothing gets too dirty. So much easier to keep on top of.

I hope that you have a wonderful day. Time to relax after the work is done. Time with family & friends. Go for a walk. Enjoy!

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

Look in the photos above and you will see where I finally hung the whirly gift from Jessica.

Gift from Jessica

Alvin, my heart.

Alvin

Thought for the day ….

Good Morning and Welcome to Saturday the 6th day of April, 2019.

Waking up to gloominess.

Where oh where has the beautiful bright sunrise gone?

The sky is that grey.

That gloomy colour.

The one that does not give you energy to get up and go.

Thankfully I have the pups for that …. Alvin and Teddy.

Playing already this morning.

I am so grateful that Teddy has arrived in our lives.

He gives us energy and Alvin plays now.

Even when Teddy is not around.

He grabs his toys and runs around the house; sometimes throwing them into the air.

Sometimes Alvin’s gregarious nature startles Teddy a bit, I think.

Perhaps a bit too “social.”

But they definitely are good friends.

Last night for dessert while hanging out with the boys.

I had a Baileys Banana Chocolate Frozen Dessert.

You know a little frozen banana pieces, throw in some coconut milk, a nice heaping tablespoon of dark cocoa and some BAILEYS, just a nice healthy splash.

VOILA ….. delicious.

As it was better frozen – I had to eat while in that state.

By the time I was done – a little buzz.

Just something I threw together while I watched “Kathie Lee Gifford’s last TODAY SHOW as a regular HOST.

I am sure going to miss that wicked sense of humour, her light, her kindness and her talent.

She can take a blah day or a sad moment and turn it all round with one lift of her eyebrow and a turn of her mouth.

In my previous post I did not mention her writing.

Songs, books both adult and children, plays and movies.

She sings, acts and really could have been a stand-up comedian.

 

Really there is not much this lady has not accomplished and is still accomplishing well into her 60’s.

I salute you Kathie Lee and look forward to hearing your news and music, and watching your movies.

Definitely a legend.

All the Best.

 

Bedtime for me and the boys.

They each had a chew treat.

Of course, Mr. Alvin wanted Teddy’s even though he had his own.

Oh, me Alvin.

What am I going to do with you?

 

The boys with me in my office while I write this blog post.

They patiently wait for me.

Well before a riot breaks out I had better grab the boys and head to the shower.

Too much sitting around for the boys can mean only one thing – “trouble.”

 

Wishing you all a wonderful Saturday.

May the light shine on us always.

Good Health, Joy and so much laughter that you almost pee your pants.

That is what I wish for you …..

 

Special Hello to: my friend “LE” who is celebrating a birthday today.  Happy Birthday.

Always, Carol & Alvin

 

 

 

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Sunday the 9th day of December, 2018.

The sun is now shining and the sky is clear.

What a Saturday I had …..

Master Teddy slept over on Friday night so I had both of the pups here yesterday.

We were up a few times during the night as I mentioned yesterday.

So the baking and laundry got off to a late start but a good start.

I somewhere along the line decided to change up the cookie menu and make the following:

Raisin Nut cookies, Oatmeal Chocolate Coconut cookies and Chocolate Chip Cookies.

After the first two cookies were baked I took a break and we went for a walk.

It was so nice out.

Me and the pups went for the full 1/2 walk and it was great.

Once back to the house after checking and doing more laundry, it was back to the cookie baking.

The time past and then it was time for the boys to eat.

I opened the pantry door which is on the interior wall in the kitchen to fetch the food.

Note: that I had been in and out of the pantry all day long.

The pups did not act any differently than usual BUT when I moved the plastic container which housed Al’s food I saw something move and I freaked screaming so loud that I

almost gave myself an anxiety attack.

The pups stopped in their tracks.

I grabbed the rubbermaid container that is currently housed the excess baking supplies and placed it in front of the pantry door.

Knowing full well that it did not completely block the opening at the bottom of the door.

I need weather stripping.

I grabbed the phone and started calling neighbours and by the fifth one I finally reached someone at home.

It was my friends that helped with the dryer, installing the trap door by the dryer vent on the deck and so on.

My friend “N” came over shortly thereafter.

I wasn’t even sure it was still in the pantry but when he opened the door …. yes it was still there.

It moved.

I screamed.

He tried in vain to catch it with his gloves ( it was very small ) but it ran under the basement door and the chase was on.

I kept the dogs away.

My friend followed it down the stairs and watched it run to the bottom and into the family room.

He asked where the light was and I yelled down where it was …

I got up the courage to go down the stairs not quite to the bottom but I could see over the stairway partial wall what was going on.

I said to close the door to the furnace room as the carpet is so thick he would not be able to run under the door.

There were a few boxes stacked in the corner by the trunk and he gingerly removed each one looking for the little creature.

ARGH.

He said we should try and catch it in the vacuum.

I took the vacuum down and plugged it in removing all of the extensions so it was down to the handle portion.

We did not see it for awhile and then it came out and ran along the wall.

I screamed.

The chase continued.

After several minutes of chasing the mouse from one side of the room to the other.

Under the television stand and around and back, my friend caught the mouse in his big thick gloves.

I ran FAST up the stairs to unlock the back door and back to the living room to keep the dogs away and to be at a safe distant.

My friend, the male friend who is older than me – did not quite get how absolutely terrifying this was for me.

So he went to show me what he had in his gloves – I screamed and he went to the back door and threw it onto the snow bank.

Which in hind sight was likely not the best plan as I watched from the bay window in the kitchen, at a safe distance …. it running down the snowbank toward the house.

I felt coldness fall over my whole body.

My friend had shut the door and was checking the weather stripping to ensure it could not get in that way and determined it likely came in when I had the door open for the dogs.

He determined that it ran under the deck at the house by the garbage can and just told me to leave the door closed and perhaps take the pups out the front if they had to go.

Not really that easy.

Anyway for a moment I calmed down.

By this time, I lost my desire to continue with the baking and felt sick and drained.

I cleaned up the kitchen.

Made sure that the boys had supper.

Made a bit of supper for myself when Teddy’s Mom and Dad arrived to pick him up.

I told her quickly and she said that she could stay with me if I wanted and I gratefully said no, that is okay.

After Teddy left …. I ate supper….. we just left all of the lights on as I heard they do not like bright lights.

I settled down later to watch a movie when the phone rang and it was my friend who was on her way home from Calgary.

He had arrived home and saw that I had called … I had not left a message.

I retold the story and she had some ideas.

After a lengthy conversation I told her that I had been watching a movie (rented one) and it was getting late by then so had to go.

Thanking her for her call.

What a night.

WHEW.

I must get this show on the road as I am once again baking and have a long list of things to do.

 

I know what it is like to be so terrified of something that it stops you literally in your tracks.

So scared that it is hard to think straight.

 

I know in my brain that it is silly to be scared of something so small when I am so big.

Perhaps it is because they are so fast.

Perhaps it is because they can carry disease.

Perhaps it is just because I had two, no actually three bad experiences when I was a child.

Scarred for life.

 

Special Hello to: all those folks who have fear for something …. I know your pain.

Always, Carol & Alvin

 

 

Life is like that …. Part II

I must admit, and I do on a regular basis that I have lived an incredible life thus far.  Note to self and to everyone – plan to live an incredible life today, tomorrow and for the next fifty years or so.  Now that being said.  I must share with you a couple of stories from my youth.  Most people are lucky enough to have a friend or two throughout their lives.  Someone who sticks by you through thick and thin.  That can be literally translated.  But you know what I mean.  I am certain that I had friends from the moment I came into this world.  The nurses and the doctors were my first friends.  I really do not remember, but I do recall my Mom telling me about them.  They have to be your friends ….. cause who else would want to clean off the “stuff” from your tiny little naked body, let’s call it that ….. cause the proper words well I would prefer not to mention them (by the way, Alvin is listening as I type these words) LOL.  Would you trust a stranger to gently whack your baby’s bottom?  Okay, I am getting slightly off track but I believe that you get my drift.  I am a “friend magnet”.  Truly, I am.  My family have cajoled me about this my whole life.  I can be in a lineup at the grocery store, and start a conversation with a total stranger and within a couple of minutes they are sharing their deepest darkest thoughts and memories.  I love being this kind of soul that attaches to people so quickly.  I love hearing their stories.  People absolutely amaze me.  Okay, back to my childhood.  My FRIENDS.

My first friends were the Obrigewitsch brothers Trevor and Tim.  They were close in age to me and my sister, Cindy.  Our Dads grew up together.  I have so many photos and honestly we could have passed for quadruplets as we were all about the same size.  The boys looked alike and we girls did as well.  Okay, to this point I have not named names but I think that naming your friends is a good thing to do.  After all, everyone knows my siblings names and parents etc.  We used to play hide and go seek.  It was a good game.  I honestly do not remember all of the games that we used to play but that is okay.  We had fun and I do remember that …. for sure.  It is funny, or strange how life comes full circle.  When I was 16, I moved back to live with my Grandmother on the family farm.  My Grandpa had died in a combining accident.  Guess who our neighbours were?  Now the boys were all grown up.  I do remember the fun that we had together.  They had skidoos.  We spent lots of time driving them back and forth in the fields that first winter.  I remember driving one of the skidoos right through a barbed wire fence.  You see on the farm there are no street lights.  The only light you have is the moon’s glow and if there are any nearby yard lights.  It was scary, but we came out of it okay.  I will always be grateful to the boys for taking the time to be with me.  They were truly the best guys.  I loved their parents Les and Venita.  Such wonderful people.  Always made me feel like I was at home.

I guess to be truthful my first girl friend was my little sister Cindy.  Even though she was my sister – she was and remains my friend to this day.  When we were just little we played outside with whatever we could find.  Our imaginations played a grand role in our games.  We would pretend to be almost anything – farmers, world travellers, beautiful women with lots of shoes, (that is another story), nurses, teachers, horse trainers and so many more.  Sometimes we did not get along but at the end of the day …… we always made up and carried on.

My first girl friend outside of family was “Deanna Lee Callfas”.  We were not yet going to school when we first met.  Our parents used to visit each other from time to time.  Our farms were not close together but I was thankful anytime that we went to their house. Deanna had a twin sister Debra (Lynn) and several siblings.  She was my confidante, my shoulder, my go to for anything.  The first time that we truly was separated was the winter that we spent in Texas.  My Dad owned some property in southern Texas.  He did not like prairie winters (as I have already mentioned).  One winter my Mom put her foot down, and we all went to McAllen, Texas for the winter.  Now that was an experience that I shall not soon forget.  There are small tidbits of that time that I remember with a clarity that brings a smile to my face.  I remember the teachers being so upset about Dad pulling us out of school.  I was in grade six, Cindy was in grade four and John was in grade one.  But as I had mentioned earlier I loved school so I became the teacher.  We had what we called the “sun room” and a couple of desks.  The teachers had relented so we had all of our school books and supplies.  By the time we came home –  we had all completed all of our studies.  The only subject that was troublesome was math.  It was the “new math” and I was not able to finish the text before returning home.  We all passed with honours ……  During the time in Texas, Deanna and I wrote letters to each other.  We would send small gifts like a handmade bracelet or a book mark.  Even though we had a grand time in Texas it was wonderful to go back home to my best friend in the whole wide world.  I missed her so much.   Another circle completed when I moved back to Saskatchewan (we had left the farm in 1971 to go to B.C. – another story) in 1973 to live with my Grandmother.  Guess who was in the school that I would have to attend “Miss Deanna Lee” ….. my best friend.  When we left the farm …… throughout the two years we were apart ….. we always kept in touch by mail.  I guess that is why to this day I love receiving letters.  My Grandma used to write to me as well while we were away.  Love letters.  Together again.  We started school together in Grade 1 (before kindergarten days) and went to the completion of Grade 8.  Now in Grade 11 we were back together.  Even though my Grandma sold the farm and we moved to another neighbouring town “Windthorst” – we were living in the same area so we could see each other often.  She was my rock and I believe that I was hers.  We remained in touch after graduating from High School and for a few years before life grabbed hold and pulled us in different directions.  But you know what I am so blessed because after many many years and in quite an unexpected way – we came together again.  This time we were all grown up.  Had children of our own …… some out on their own.  One of my dear friends from work was attending the same church as Deanna.  I guess at some point my name came up.  Anyway, long story short.  Heidi hatched a plan that would bring Deanna and I back together again. Their church held a monthly Ladies Potluck Breakfast.  The plan was that Heidi would pick me up and take me with her.  We got to the church before Deanna and I hid so that she would be surprised.  She was surprised.  Tears were flowing and life was great.  Deanna’s Mom Betty also was there that morning and it was so great  to see her again.  I attended those Ladies Breakfast for several years before moving to Edmonton.  Even though we don’t see each other often, I know she is my “forever friend”. … always in my heart and always in my mind.  She is the best.  A life long friend.  I am so blessed.  I have so many friends but there will always be a special place in my heart and soul for Miss Deanna Lee Callfas.