The Next Chapter

Good Morning! I hope this finds you well on this Tuesday. The weather forecast for today in Edmonton is +1 degrees celsius or at least it was last night. I have not checked my phone to see. We will go with the plus temperature. I am grateful that our temperatures are moving in the right direction.

Last night I was home from work at 4:10 p.m. – what a treat. How great is that commute! After I got home, I switched out my shoes for my winter boots as it was a bit cool outside and also I did not know what condition the sidewalks were or the back walkway to the Vet Clinic. I wanted to drop off the cards for Dr. Karen and her staff. The sidewalks were not too bad and the walkway was most good but in the section where there are bushes, I actually had to walk behind them by the fence as the sidewalk was covered in snow and a massive amount of ice. Made it out and onto the sidewalk and continued on my way. I arrived at the clinic and pulled out my phone as you need to call them to have the door opened. Just as I called, Brenna called out “its’ Carol” and the door opened and there was Dr. Karen. She was just leaving for the day. We all went inside and I handed Karen the card. We hugged and chatted. Dr. Karen told me that her pup Tara, I believe was her name, had recently passed. I gave her my sympathies. The card was open and she handed out the individual cards to the staff. I wanted them to each have in addition to the main card, one of the memory cards of Alvin. Brenna said I am putting it right on my fridge next to your Christmas card. Ah, so sweet. We chatted for a few minutes and then Dr. Karen left as she had to stop by the grocery store before heading home. I ended up purchasing a couple of bags of treats so that I would have something on hand when company of the pet persuasion comes to visit. After that I decided to go the convenience store and cash in my $2 winnings from the lottery and buy a couple more tickets. I also grabbed some “good/bad” treats for me. Not a great idea to pick them up in the MAC store because they were at least 35% higher than in the grocery store. Nothing is cheap anymore. Then I was on my home. Once home, I put down my purchases and my purse and cleaned off the bit of snow that was remaining on my front sidewalk. I also returned the glass dish from Alyaa. I am so grateful for her kindness. She is a great cook. After returning home, I changed and took out the remaining garbage for pickup this morning. Then time to have supper. I used the microwave to warm the chicken. No oven, I remember! Another thing on my list for the upcoming weekend.

I had a nice cheese bun (courtesy of Costco bakery) with Dijon mustard, avocado and the chicken and some raw vegetables and a dill pickle. Great supper. Easy peasy.

Cleanup was easy and then I had a nice quiet evening. Watched a few shows and then to bed.

I love heading to bed in good time so that I can read. Every night I read a few chapters in whatever book I am reading at the time. I am reading a James Patterson book called “Princess.” I have several of his books and even reread them from time to time.

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

Mr. Alvin is in my thoughts this morning as he is every morning. I see him all around. He is always beside me. Soon we will be out walking together with his spirit beside me all the way.

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)

I had not realized until recently that the long Easter weekend is the weekend after this coming up one. I wonder if the Easter Bunny will come here? I hope so.

Last Half 2022

Good Morning ALL! How are you this beautiful Saturday morning? We were up “early” as per usual but up to stay just before 8:00 a.m. I decided because I was not quite certain how high the temperature is going to rise today, that perhaps we should walk this morning while it is relatively cool. First off, I had opened the main floor windows. Alvin was excited and headed for the door, that could mean only one thing – that the boys, his friends next door, Humphrey and Bogart were outside also enjoying the beautiful morning. So out we went. He walked across the deck closest to the house as he always does before heading to the lower (middle) part of the deck and then jumping down to the grass area. Immediately on the grass, he went to the fence and started looking through the cracks. I noticed that their patio door was open so I knew that the cats were outside. Sure enough Alvin spotted Humphrey and I could recognize his meow meow. I figured that I would take a peek through the fence and I could see our Humphrey as well. We spent several minutes out before I heard Sonja. I was up on the steps to the deck when I noticed Bogart on top of the gate with Alvin below saying hello. It is a funny story, Bogart will not listen to Sonja but he will listen to her partner Steven. So funny. If Steven goes outside, Bogart hustles back down to where he is supposed to be. We had a little visit before we all returned to our homes. I emailed our friend Pauline to see if she wanted to join us for a walk. It was shortly before 9:00 that we headed out the door and on our way to the park stopping every second or so to smell whatever may be hiding in the wet grass. It took us a few minutes to reach the park. There is a cool breeze and then a cloud would block out the sun and it would be more cool and then the sun back out shining down upon us. Lots of people out walking and one man with two small dogs. Everyone enjoying the fresh morning air including me and Alvin. Alvin stopped for a poop a couple of minutes before reaching Pauline’s house so I dropped off the bag in the garbage can on the sidewalk close by. Then we walked across the very wet grass and stood by the back fence to see if she happened to be outside, she was not. We waited patiently taking in the beauty of the roses and other flowers in her garden. The roses are loving all this rain. I don’t remember them looking so full and so many for a few years. There were no windows open so I did not call out for her. I gave Alvin a choice and this time he surprised me by wanting to continue on our usual walk which would take him by his BF’s house. They are at the farm but they were in town for a day as Teddy had surgery to remove a small growth on his eye and to have his teeth cleaned. They went home Friday. So we did not have a chance to visit with them as we were out visiting on Thursday night. We both enjoyed the walk and even walking through some wet grass. We were home by 9:30 ish. I put the coffee on to perk, changed sheets on our bed and then writing this post. The plan for the day is to do laundry, do some cleaning and reorganizing the garage and going through the odds and ends of jewelry and see what we have.

I am so grateful to Sonja for lending me her car after work yesterday so that I could pick up food (wet and dry) for Alvin. I can carry it for sure but a case of cans and a bag of dry food is awkward to carry. I always have to take strong reusable grocery bags. As I had the car I decided to go to the nearby convenience store and pick up a treat for the lone staff person, Michelle working at our vet clinic. While I was there I had a craving for Doritos chips and the pricing is so high, some bags of chips were almost $6.00 each. So they had a “deal” on these chips 2/$8.50. I bought two. So expensive. I am so glad that I do not eat them on a regular basis. So $22.00 later including a lotto ticket, I was out of the store and walking to the vet clinic which is located in the same strip mall. Michelle was just coming out to clean the door handle etc. when I arrived at the door so she opened it up. We chatted for a few minutes while I gathered Alvin’s food. She gave me the bottle of Tramadol that I had also requested. As I pulled out my debit card to pay for the items, she told me that debit is down. A previous customer had said that it was due to someone taking out satellite. Not sure about that but apparently out for millions of customers Canada wide. I found out later that it was a Rogers thing and that lots of people did not have access to even call 9-1-1. Scary thought. No internet, no cable and no cell phone. Technology is great until it is not. I didn’t check to see if they restored everything this morning but hope so. I had some cash with me which I almost never have and I do not have a credit card so I would have been hooped for sure. I paid cash for the items at the convenience store and thought that I may have had enough for the items at the vet but I was short. Luckily for me, Michelle said “we know where you live,lol” and is allowing me to pay for everything when we go next week for Alvin’s appointment. I was grateful for that. Back to the treat, I picked two different kinds of chocolate bars and gave her the choice. She was happy to have the treat. I was happy to give it.

So that is my life for the past couple of days. Oh, I did work yesterday. Busy as usual.

Time to have coffee and then eat something as I worked up an appetite.

Have an awesome Saturday.

Oh, just had a text from my daughter and she is coming for a visit tomorrow. YAY.

This is going to be a great weekend.

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

Always, Carol & Alvin

PS: 31 days till I am 65 years. Forgot to mention that I was lucky to have the car yesterday as there were huge rain clouds looming and the forecast was for a storm. Luckily it was nowhere near what Thursday night was ……

Thought for the day ….

Good Morning and Welcome to Wednesday the 6th day of June, 2018.

A beautiful morning with sunshine and blue skies.

There remains at this time a bit of coolness to the air.

But to warm up over the course of the day and the next two.

 

Alvin and I enjoyed our walk last night.

Not too many folks out but we did bump into some folks we had met another time.

Last night I went over to my NORWEX Leader’s house for some additional information.

She is a nice person and reminds me so much of a gal that works at Alvin’s Vet Clinic.

They both sound exactly the same and even similar features.

 

Well my carpool starts vacation this afternoon so it will be back to taking the old City BUS until next Tuesday.

Will have to see what is new on public transit.

Likely should check to see if the schedule changed.

 

Funny how you can be dreaming and wake up and are surprised it was not actually happening.

I had such dreams last night well actually just happened while dozing on the sofa this morning.

We had 1.5 hours give or take, well actually take and I had the most bizarre dream.

There were dogs, me, a house, police officers, water, flooding, fake police officers, plants, carpool, work and more.

 

Well almost time to hit the road.

Happy to have a ride this morning.

 

Have a great Wednesday.

Special Hello to: all the dreamers….

Always, Carol & Alvin

 

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Friday the 24th day of November, 2017.

Really …. how did that happen?

Time ……

Well our temperatures have turned mild for the next little while.

We had freezing rain yesterday which played havoc with sidewalks.

I walked along the edge of the sidewalk in the snow on my way home from the VET.

I got off the bus by the VET clinic and then just had the one way home.

Man, you sure had to be careful.

This morning I am thankful to be hopping a ride with my neighbour.

Now all I have to do is get from the house to the car.

Carefully.

I love the warmer temperatures for sure but not good for walking.

We had to skip the walk last night.

I was disappointed as was Alvin.

We just played in the back yard / deck for a bit.

Hopefully the sidewalks are better tonight.

I almost forgot until this very second ….. I purchased those ice pick things that you can put onto your boots.

Gotta run ….. find them and put them onto my boots.

Have an awesome day.

 

Special Hello to: all my friends and family …… stay safe.

Always, Carol & Alvin

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Saturday the 25th day of February, 2017.

It is a lovely morning here in Edmonton with the sun shining.

The temperature is a bit cooler than it has been, but that is okay.

Just finishing up a couple of things before jumping into the shower and then we are off to Alvin’s regular Vet appointment.

He has a pedicure and “bum glands” squeezed (sounds terrible but not so bad), will check his ears and pick him up some of his “Thera-Bites.”

Thera-Bites are glucosamine which he needs for his arthritis or for the on-start at least.

I think we should have time to take the long way around and that would give us a good walk.

I also would like to finish up canvassing for the Heart & Stroke today.

Lots of errands to squeeze in as well like picking up a March Bus Pass and a few things from the grocery store.

There seems like there is always lots to do on the weekend.

I do miss having every second Friday off ….. it was a good day to get outside errands and running around completed giving more time at home.

Years ago there was talk of shortening the work week ….. has not happened here.

I can see from my upstairs office window the smoke from a neighbour’s chimney dancing around in the air ….. must be a bit cold.

With the sunshine it will feel warmer so that is good.

Mr. Alvin is excited to see the girls at the Vet Clinic.

He loves the 2 “Jens”, the Doctor and all of the staff.

Well I guess it is time to hit the shower …. yikes er, not HIT the shower as such.

I will walk carefully to my bedroom and go into the shower.

Sometimes by writing words they will take on a life of their own ….. you know.

Have an awesome Saturday.

I hope that you have some time to relax by yourself and have time with your family and friends.

Happy Saturday.

Special Hello to: The World.

Always, Carol and Alvin

Thought for the day …….

Good Morning and Welcome to Tuesday the 21st day of July, 2015.

It is a wonderful morning here in Edmonton ….. the sun is rising, the rain clouds have almost dissipated and there is a bit of a breeze.

Forecast is for another warm one ….. not super hot and that is great.

On Saturday while at our Vet Clinic, I ordered a water bottle for Alvin.

One that I can carry while we walk.

Guess what …. there was a message from them …. the bottle is in.

Already, I am thinking….. wow, that is fast.

I guess with computers ….. no more paper orders …. just click and then it is in the mail or perhaps hand delivered.

I am so excited to see which one they could order.

Last night one of my neighbours called to come for a visit ….. I was drinking tea and made her a cup of coffee.

She loves the coffee that I make in my percolator.

Alvin loves company ….. he was so excited …..

We had a great visit followed by a walk with Mr. Alvin.

What a wonderful evening.

Do you ever think of an item that you could use but there is really nothing on the market?

Consider making something but wonder where do you start?

I was thinking about something…..

I will keep it a secret until I figure a few things out.

Who knows maybe I will re-invent something ….. just a bit different that is currently on the market.

Well here it is almost time to leave for work once again.

Where does the time go?

Sometimes it feels like someone is holding up a giant vacuum at the top of the world pulling moments up one by one.

Well doesn’t that sound a bit better than the actual reason?

I wish you an awesome Tuesday.

I know that this is going to be a great great day.

Filled with all good things.

Special Hello to: all my fellow bloggers, I hope that you are enjoying your summer(s).

Always, Carol and Alvin