Good Morning! Another overcast morning. I cannot believe that my Alvin has been gone for three weeks. I think that I shall always miss him. He is everywhere in the house. Last night I washed some of his harnesses that I found in the closet. Some no longer would fit him. They are washed and clean and perhaps someday will find another home. Every day I go through the bouquets of flowers and plants that we received and make sure they have fresh water and remove the ones that have passed. Surprisingly, there are some cut flowers that are still doing well. I am so grateful to all those friends and neighbours for the most beautiful flowers. Alvin would have loved them. He really did love flowers and always had his nose in the flower pots in the spring and summer. He was always watching me while I watered the plants in the house and sometimes wanted me to bring them down so that he could see them. Yes, he did. Very curious he was.
Last night I started the preparations for his sister’s Birthday party. She turns 43 tomorrow and Alvin was 13 in January. Lots of the number 3 and 4 combinations, if you are into numerology. Just thought that looked cool. I will keep the decorations for her party a bit on the low key side because we are mourning our beloved Alvin and I just do not feel that it would be right. The house will be full of celebration for a birthday and also celebration of a life well lived. I know that we will be talking about him tonight. He loved a good party especially when there were gifts for him to open, even if they were not for him. To Alvin it was all about opening the gift. Now if there was food inside, he was wanting the food for sure but at the end of the day, he loved to open gifts. At Christmas, he seemed to have started Miss Aspen to be interested in opening a gift, so perhaps he has passed his talents to her. That would be nice. I guess we shall see over time.
This morning, I have a list of things to do. Last night I boiled the eggs and potatoes so I will cut them up for the salad. I may have to put the chicken in cold water for awhile as last night it was still frozen solid. I guess my freezer works good. Shovelling is on the list. Also making the fruit pizza which has a few steps so that takes a bit of time. I put up some Happy Birthday Balloons (I know, they are helium ones that I keep reusing each year and two are from my 65th Birthday but they do not say a year). Not sure my daughter would appreciate a birthday balloon that said Happy 65th Birthday, lol. I may have the chicken cut up and ready to go. I just received a text from daughter that she sent last night and they have a slight change in their plans and won’t be here until around 2:30 so that gives me a bit more time to get things done. I washed my clothes last night so that is off the plate for today. Towels and bedding can wait until tomorrow. I have lots of towels so I could easily do them once every two weeks. There is shovelling on the list. Did I mention that already? If I have time I will vacuum upstairs otherwise that is for tomorrow. I am excited to see Miss Aspen, Mi-Mi and Miss Betty Ann this afternoon for a few hours before Amanda & Steven come for the party.
So the office. Yesterday I left the house at 7:05 and walked to the bus stop to catch public transportation for the first time since pre pandemic. Yes, I was a little bit anxious but just making sure that I had the right one and good thing that I asked because one of the two that I was supposed to be able to catch would have meant a further walk for me so glad that I asked the driver. The bus was on time and I waited for a few minutes because I left early to ensure that I did not miss the bus. The bus ride was less than 5 minutes (for real) and then I walked to the new office. The walk took just under 10 minutes. When I got to the office, I realized that the front door had a FOB entry and not key and it was cold and snowing and I was cold from being outside waiting and walking. I walked around the building as it is small and did not see the other entrance due in part to my glasses being fogged over so I pulled out my cell phone and texted the gal that I carpool with as she was going to the office for further training. I think I mentioned that we will end up working together after all as she will be in a different position. Anyway, she texted our Manager and then I remembered that I had our Director’s phone number so I texted her, she texted me and then called me. She said that the other entrance had a key entry and did I have a key. I said yes to the key but did not see the other door and I did know there was one but just in the moment did not see it. She stayed on the line while I walked and located the door and let myself into a dark building as I was the first one to arrive. Yes, I am always early. Habit of mine. I thanked her and then started to remove my coat etc and settle in. I picked one of the desks, the one closest to the door, lol. Then I set about setting up the Keurig coffee machine so that I could have coffee. It was awhile later after I was enjoying some coffee that another staff arrived followed by the Manager and later another staff. The Manager for our Systems arrived to get us set up and the movers with filing cabinets etc. I even managed to get some work done. The best part of all was that I got home at 4:31 p.m. I made sure that I was out the door at 4:00 as I wanted to see what time the bus arrived. I ended up waiting for a few minutes so now I know that I don’t have to rush rush out the door, just in case. Another new chapter ……. the office is not and sparkly like the downtown one but it does possess a kind of 80’s charm.
Time for me to head downstairs and put on some coffee. It is 7:53 now and I was up just after 7:00 and awake much earlier but chose to lay in bed and just mull over life with constant thoughts of Alvin. Doesn’t seem fair to him or to me that he had to leave what seems like way too soon.
Have a wonderful 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)
My New Life @ 51 