The Next Chapter

Good Morning. The sky is beginning to lighten outside earlier with each passing morning as we hedge toward spring. A week from this coming Sunday, we turn our clocks ahead by one hour here in Edmonton. SPRING is on its’ way. The first three days of this week I worked from the office so away from home. I am so grateful to be home today and tomorrow to be closer to all the reminders of my beloved Alvin. I had been taking one of his toys in my purse to the office just so that I could have something of his not just a memory with me. At home, I feel more connected to my beloved boy. Oh, how I miss him.

Today at noon, one of my daughter’s friends is going to be dropping off his pup named Betty Ann to stay here until my daughter picks her up after work. She was an old friend of Alvin’s as my kids would look after her quite often while her parents travel from home. It will be different but nice to have her here with just me for a few hours. She will be staying with my daughter and son-in-law and grand pups for about one month. Betty Ann is like extended family to the kids and grand pups.

I woke up with a headache so I am going to cut this short so that I can go and take something and make some coffee.

The house is oh so quiet except for the hum of the furnace fan as it moves the heat throughout the house. There is the odd creak. I am glad to be home.

I hope that you are well. I hope that life is treating you with kindness and respect and you are in turn. Remember to show love.

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

I am so grateful to be surrounded by family and friends who have shown me so much love and support during this time of loss.

I miss you Alvin, always and forever in my heart.

Always, Carol & Alvin (my forever Angel).

Last Half 2022 – October

Good Morning ALL! How are you this morning? Well we got to bed on time and the lights were out before 10:00 p.m. but Mr. Alvin was up and needed to go outside at 1:13 a.m., so out we went. The air was much colder and the grass and deck covered in frost. I am thinking that I will need to start wearing a long jacket / coat when I go outside in the late night, early morning hours as I could feel the cold through my pj’s. Once back inside the house, we “hit” the sofa for some more zzz’s. Alvin woke up close to the alarm time so I coaxed him back to the sofa until 5:30. Yes, we have been up and at it since 5:30 a.m. I do not feel the fogginess that I was feeling yesterday when I was attempting to write this post. Thank goodness for that. I am grateful that we are still able to work from home two days each week but I miss being home all the work week. I can only imagine how much I will miss it once the temperature dips much lower and there is snow on the ground. Wishing that we were able to work from home the majority of the time especially over winter.

We had a good weekend overall. Yesterday was quiet for both of us. We had a nice long walk in the afternoon. On our way to the park we saw a neighbour and friend that we had not seen in an especially long time. So we stopped and chatted catching up on all our news. Then we were on our way once again. We walked over to Pauline’s and when we did not see her outside; we turned around and headed for home. Barely turned turned around, I heard a familiar voice “Well hello there, Carol & Alvin.” Both Alvin and I perked up, turned around and headed for Pauline’s gate. She had been looking out the window as her grand cat “Molly” was outside on a leash enjoying some fresh air and she was checking on her. We stepped inside the gate but I kept Alvin on his leash as Molly is not quite used to pups. Alvin really wanted to go and say hi but he remained on the leash. We had a great chat. I always enjoy our chats and her wisdom. She always gives me a clear perspective on things helping me to see the direction I need to take, if I need direction. We did not stay too long as she was having company for an early supper and we needed to get home as it was starting to rain. All the way home there was a light rain. When we returned home, I grabbed a towel and made certain that Alvin was completely dry.

Some mornings I think that I should make and have some coffee before I leave for work. Now we have “free” coffee at work but there is nothing like my perked coffee. But with the soaring price of coffee, that thought will remain tucked away in my memory banks for another time like the weekends.

Still dark outside. The daylight is becoming less and less as we approach the shortest day of the year which is around December 21st. I am starting to formulate the plan for Christmas decorations and gifts and of course, baking. Keeping it more simple than last year.

Well time to head downstairs and ensure that Mr. Alvin goes outside for one last pee before I leave for work and make those final preparations. Put up the “baby/puppy gate,” refill his water dish, ensure that he has another drink, grab my “breakfast” to go to work for later, put my laptop bag and purse closer to the door, decided on which coat/jacket to wear and grab some mini gloves.

I hope that you have an amazing day.

I am grateful for all the many blessings in my life. I am grateful to my neighbors and friends for taking such great care of Alvin while I am at work. I am grateful that we have the means to pay all of our bills on time, to have money for food and whatever we may need. I am grateful to my family and friends for their love and support.

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

Always, Carol & Alvin

PS: grateful for time.

Last Half 2022 – September

Good Morning All! Another smoky looking sky morning. Alvin and I were up and out for a walk earlier. The diarrhea had started to go in the other direction but then back again. We were in bed by 10:00 p.m. last night and then up at 3:00 a.m. to go outside (only pee), it was so nice out there. Clear sky. I don’t know if the bright shiny objects in the sky were stars or satellites or the space station but I could see them all the same. Then back into the house and settled down on the sofa for some additional sleep. I set the alarm for 6:00 a.m. as then is when Alvin needs his probiotic, the alarm went off and Alvin was still sleeping so I turned off and then got up a few minutes later. Today I can start mixing in his food with the chicken and rice. Now that is quite the mixture. I am quite sure that I am over feeding him by a bit but hard to measure them all to come up with 3/4 cup total. Oh well. After he ate we went outside, I was sad to see that the starting to firm up poop from yesterday was back to not being firm. I know, poop, poop, poop, poop. But it is my reality at this moment. We do not realize how important the state of one’s poop is in our overall health whether you are human or a dog. Any animal for that matter. The “stuff” that our bodies dispose of tells the story of how well we eat or not and our state of health. So it is a big deal and I take that very seriously. After that I had planned to stay up but the sofa was calling my name and I just laid there for awhile thinking about things, my things, what to do, what can I do, what should I do. Also thinking about how grateful I am for the life that I have lived thus far. I will say this it has not been dull. There have truly been incredible highs and equally lows. But that is life, right?

We were up just before 8:00 and I ran upstairs to throw on some clothes, because no one wants to see me out walking in my pj’s, I am quite certain of that. So once done and back downstairs, I grabbed his harness and put on him before filling his water bottle. Then grabbed my keys, leash and put on my flip flops (my Clark’s, which I absolutely love) and out the door we went (oh, I put on my sunglass clips), locked the door and carried Mr. Alvin down the steps. We did not come across anyone during our walk to our happy place. We just doddled along with Alvin smelling each and every blade of grass and me, taking in the morning air, admiring the trees, the ponds, the stones I could see in between the trees and the roses still blooming. We did not go into our friend’s yard but tomorrow we will. We both love it there and while Pauline’s flowers are blooming we want to enjoy them. I shall email her tonight to give her a head’s up, just in case she happens to look out the window and see us sitting in the yard. On the return trip home – Alvin stopped and pooped, yup still you know what. Not my favorite word in the English language or any language for that matter. I gave him a couple pieces of his hard food when we got home. Positive thoughts. His poop will get firm over the course of today. We saw a woman in the entrance way to the park and we both said hello. She told me that she was enjoying the area and that she was visiting from Vancouver. I said we live in a beautiful neighbourhood. Then we were off for home.

Once home, I removed our gear and put on the coffee to perk and then went out to water all of the plants. I read last night it is better to water in the morning than in the evening. So will give that a try. Alvin stayed on the deck like the good guy that he is while I watered the front. Then I watered the back and then took the watering can to water the Begonias on the front porch. As I walked across the lawn, I noticed a woman who then noticed me and we realized that it was a friend who lives in the neighbourhood who I have not seen in literally years. We chatted and caught up and remarked on how things have changed since COVID came into our lives. It was so nice to see her. I miss seeing her on a regular basis. She is a very sweet and nice person. Then we said our goodbyes and she continued on her walk. I finished watering the flowers and walked to the backyard where Mr. Alvin was patiently waiting for me. I actually was very surprised that he did not jump off the deck and come to find me.

Back into the house, poured some coffee and upstairs to make our bed and do some things. Now I am sipping on coffee and writing this post.

Oh, yesterday I accidentally clicked on my gmail – email on my phone and noticed that I had over 7000 emails. Yup, that many. So I started reading some of them and deleting others. I found emails from my daughter from 2016 with photos and videos of the original three amigos: Elton, Penny and Alvin. OH, my goodness such good memories. I loved reading the emails and remembering back before COVID and before we were that much older. I have to start deleting them. No one needs to have 7000+ emails and I have another email address as well but I do keep it more respectable, lol.

Life, this is my life. Trying to keep cool. Hoping that Alvin stays healthy. Sometimes thinking about miracles and trying to remain positive despite the curveballs that come my way.

I hope that you have a great Sunday. Time to head downstairs. Finish my coffee. Do a few things. This will be another quiet day. Tomorrow will be cooler so I can get some things done outside and in the house for that matter. I did vacuum the main floor yesterday and do laundry but hard to do much when it is 36 degrees outside as the more active you are inside, the more the house heats up.

Have an awesome Sunday.

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

Always, Carol & Alvin

PS: thanks to my friend for picking up bathroom tissue and bread. Two staples in every household.

Last Half 2022 – August

Good Morning ALL! We have been for a few hours already which I must say is wonderful. I have done all the usual things with Mr. Alvin by this time and also gone to check in on Humphrey, Bogart and Cynder. They have been fed, watered, photographed, and had treats. I have had a shower and even put on a full face of makeup this morning and am now sipping on my coffee as I write this post. In less than one hour I will be at our friend Gillian’s house for my Birthday party. She is hosting. I love that we do this for each other. Very cool and that way no matter what else is going on in our lives, each of us always has birthday cake and presents. I love this tradition and hoping we can continue for the rest of our lives. It was hard to decide on what to wear and I have no idea why. I guess for my 65th Birthday party- I would like to look good. So I decided on a navy blue short sleeved t-shirt which is long and not super baggy and navy blue dress shorts. I was thinking of adding a coral three quarters sleeve cardigan but I think it may be too warm although I could start out wearing it. I feel good this morning. I wore lots of jewelry, too.

This has been a really busy vacation so far. Yesterday Alvin and I stopped at Susana & Malena’s garage sale while on our way to the park to meet up with our friends Pauline and Georgie (her grandpup). I had spotted something new at the garage sale, it was a macrame wall hanging. Very simple in its’ design and that egg shell colour that really goes with everything. I had a vision as I saw it and immediately said “sold.” I could see in my mind’s eye – a bunch of my antique pins and brooches displayed on it. Alvin knows them well so we walked into the garage. Susana’s sister Malena had been in the house and came out. She said hello to us and then Alvin walked into “the back” going towards the inside door and I should have had him on a shorter leash but I did not pull him back soon enough, and then a flash and the sound of glass breaking as it hit the cement garage floor, as Malena moved back out of our way into the table. They had a table in the centre of the garage with other tables lining the walls. There were lots of glass items in the sale but some huge glass vases and goblets on the table and they went flying. Thankfully the table did not turn over but several pieces were broken. I felt terrible and offered to pay for the glass that was broken but kind people that they are – they laughed it off. Susana made a joke about “putting a second mortgage on my house.” We all laughed but I felt bad. I could not even help clean it up as I had Alvin with me and we had to get out of the garage in case Alvin stepped on some glass. I have to find a way to make it up to my kind and generous friends. I wished that I knew how much she was asking for those items, because then I could just give her the money. After that, we carried on to the park to meet up with Pauline and Georgie. Instead of going for a walk – we decided to walk to Pauline’s house and visit on her patio. The pups could run in the backyard off leash. Alvin loves to run in her yard. So that is what we did. We had a two hour visit on her patio. Catching up about all that we have been doing. They had been looking after friend’s farm (dogs) and such out of the City. Just so happens that these friends live in a community not far from where I lived for a year when I was a teenager. My family lived there for years and my brother still lives in the area. Isn’t it a small world.

After our visit we walked home. I made sure that Alvin had some more water and put on another load of laundry. After that I went to check in on Humphrey and Bogart and Cynder. We had company after supper. I had invited Aunt J and the pups, Teddy and Kobi to come for a visit. What a great time we had. So you can see it has been mainly about visiting and playing so far this weekend although I did clean the main floor including washing the floors. Now to do the upstairs, perhaps tomorrow. Later today we will go for a walk with Pauline and Georgie. Tomorrow night Teddy is coming for a sleepover. Perfect as Aunt J and the pups were coming over to celebrate my birthday on Tuesday. I love when a plan comes together. So this is going to be a busy vacation and I would not have it any other way.

Well time to head downstairs, almost time to go and I want to finish my coffee and see if Mr. Alvin needs to pee before I leave.

Have a wonderful Sunday.

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

Always, Carol & Alvin

PS: zero time to an early birthday party and 2 sleeps till I turn 65.

Last Half 2022 – July

Good Morning ALL! Well it is gearing up to be another hot one here in Edmonton. I know that according to the weather channel we are by no means the hot spots in Canada or even in Alberta. I am so grateful that it is only as hot as it is. This morning it was 80 in the house, by opening the main floor windows (as did not wish to leave them open all night) and turning on the fans, the temperature is now 77. That is three whole degrees lower, which is a godsend at this point. I am doing okay but I worry about Mr. Alvin but I think between the fans and the cool wet towels he is okay. It is beautiful outside right now and he sure wanted to stay out in the backyard sniffing away. But I needed to get dressed and write this post. I told him we are going as soon as I am done with my blog. He thought that was okay. Yes, he did.

Last night I broke down and ordered pizza. Just did not know what to make and it was so hot. So pizza and some carrots and celery (raw) was the menu for supper. Not many dishes and no work in this heat. I could have make something else, I am sure but let me tell you when you are cooking for one, sometimes it is difficult. What to make? Sometimes you just do not want to cook. Pizza got ordered. I was able to get the call in before they could not hear me due to the dead zones in my house. I guess I will be contacting TELUS via computer this weekend as cannot call on the phone or they won’t hear me or maybe I should. I hope that there calls are at a minimum, maybe summer is a better time to contact them. Time will tell. Also this weekend I want to give Mr. Alvin haircut and bath. He will feel so much better.

I am sure all the wildlife is enjoying the coolness of the morning air. Forecast said 21 degrees celsius by 9 a.m., that is warm for that time of time. We have many days where the daytime high is only that, lol.

Well I had better run. I am sorry to make this so short. Oh, good news for Alvin and for me. Teddy’s Mom called last night they are in town and wanted to set up a visit. Tonight’s the night. Alvin is going to be so happy to be see his BFF and his little sister Kobi. I am excited, too. We miss them.

Have a wonderful Thursday.

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

It is a great day!

Always, Carol & Alvin

PS: 12 days till 65. Panic time, lol.

Last Half 2022

Good Morning ALL! I trust that you are well and enjoying the weekend. The sky is a brilliant blue, the sun is shining and there is the most refreshing breeze wafting through my office window as I type these words. Alvin is laying on his belly on the hallway carpet, waiting for me. Another glorious weekend. Everything from walks to visits to video chat and in between some work got done. Yesterday morning we started out the day with a walk and I was happy that we were able to do what I refer to as a full one / normal one, then there was some laundry, coffee, breakfast, more laundry, cleaning and laundry. Our friend sent us an email inviting us for a visit as she missed us in the morning. We were just in process of getting Alvin’s harness ready to put on when there was a loud knock at the door, I was not expecting anyone so I carefully opened the door, to our surprise on the other side of the door was Pauline and Georgie. They had decided to walk over and pick us up so we could walk together. She also gave me a very thoughtful thank you card with the most beautiful floral design on the front. I thanked her and set it on the counter and continued getting us ready to go. A few minutes later we were out the door, I picked up Alvin and carried him down the steps as I have been doing as of late. Helping to keep him from injuring his knees. We walked and chatted and even saw neighbours outside along the way. When we arrived at the park Pauline suggested that we go the back way through the grass (which recently had been cut) the opposite side of the park which does not have a sidewalk. It was nice as the grass was wet and cool. We took a shortcut through the trees between the second and third pond which had us walking on some stones to come out near her house. My flip flops were wet and I was almost going to take them off to cross the stones as I thought more safe in bare feet but decided to go slow and most of the stones had more flat tops and rounded. It only took us a minute or so to cross. The pups got a bit wet as there was water up near the stones/rocks. Next thing we were through their gate and in the backyard where I removed Alvin’s leash and a minute later decided to take off his harness as it was warm outside. He was happy. Pauline grabbed a couple of cushions for the chairs that sit under the deck on the patio out of the sun. Then she was in the house to get our refreshments. While she was in the house Georgie jumped up on my lap while Alvin paced the patio sniffing and what not. We had iced tea and banana bread. She also brought out some photos of their Ontario trip to show me. Sometime during the visit I had lifted Mr. Alvin up on a third empty chair which was in between us, and he relaxed while we chatted. Georgie on Pauline’s lap. It was about 5:00 p.m. when Pauline noticed that the sky to the west was beginning to get some very ominous clouds developing and suggested that we may want to go home before the rain. I took a quick look and decided that we best be going and grabbed Alvin’s harness and his water bottle and put on his leash and said our goodbyes and were on our way. We were coming by Lucy’s house and she was outside doing yard work, we quickly said hello and pointed to the sky and advised that we had to get home before the storm hit. A little while later we saw a neighbour walking her two yellow labs and pointed out the storm. We hightailed it home. Just about home and saw our neighbour who recently had surgery out front speaking with her neighbour. We stopped briefly to say hello before going the last couple of minutes to our house. I think we were home not even 10 minutes when it began to rain. The storm was not like Thursday night and I was very happy about that. After that I fed Mr. Alvin his supper, turned on the last load of laundry and the dryer. I got my supper in the oven and then texted my sister. We ended up having a video chat via messenger as my cell phone cuts in and out and one cannot have a very good conversation that way. I am chalking it up to dead zones in the house which appear to be increasing over time. I plan to call Telus who is our provider in the area and see what can be done. Just seems like there has not been time to do so. If it were a matter of calling and speaking to someone right away that would be one thing but it is always a long wait and then I would be cutting in and out. I will perhaps try and contact them on-line. I had a great chat with my sister and had a late supper at 7:30 p.m. I cannot remember the last time that I ate that late but it happens. We were out and about and enjoying life. Who cares, right. Most important things we had great walks, good exercise, good company and visits with family and friends! Last night was quiet. I watched a movie followed by bed. That was our Saturday.

Today my daughter Amanda and one of my grandpups, the little one named Mi-Mi or Milo is coming for a visit and will spend the night. She will go to the office from here and then pick up Mi-Mi after work. We have lots to do this afternoon and evening.

Time to fly and have a shower. I brought up all of the laundry that had been drying and put it all away. I dry most of my clothes on racks. They last longer that way.

Have a wonderful Sunday. Enjoy the morning, maybe even get out for a walk.

We might get out after my shower or wait for the others.

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

Always, Carol & Alvin

PS: now 30 days till turn 65. The card was beautiful with a gift inside for looking after her garden while they were away. I called her to thank her for her generosity and that it was not necessary but she insisted. Smells like weed outside, not the garden variety – coming in through my open window. Smells like skunk ….. lol

Last Half 2022

Good Morning ALL! Well I am so proud of Mr. Alvin. We were in bed by 10:00, I read for a bit before turning out the lights and next time up was 4:00 to take Mr. Alvin outside. We laid down on the sofa and he made it until 5:45 and I had the alarm set for 6:00. I was able to coax him to wait for another couple of minutes before I hopped up off the sofa. We have been up to stay up since then. I gave him his breakfast and we went outside. The breeze was cool but felt really refreshing. The sky was clearing but now I see rain clouds beginning to form. We have had such a weird and wonderful spring and summer. Next week hold onto your hats, they are forecasting +30 temperatures. WOW. The sun just gave a burst of light through the clouds, so pretty. I have such a great vantage point from my office window – just keying away and looking out the window for an update every so often.

Yesterday at noon we had a great walk and after work we made it just inside the park and the boss of me stopped and turned for home. He is truly the “boss of me.” When he says suppertime, I “run” to the pantry and then to the fridge. He has a mix of dry and wet food and pumpkin. I also realized something if I cut the pumpkin back to only in the mornings and not with his supper, that also seems to help his poop. Yup, just what you were waiting for, another “pooping story.” I am sorry but my life revolves around Alvin and part of what he does on a very regular basis is pooping. Now, let’s face it, his stories are more entertaining than my pooping stories! LOL. Life is breathing, drinking, eating and pooping and paying taxes. I hope that you are smiling now and not crying.

A couple of weeks ago, I met a woman at our garage sale. She was looking for antique/older rhinestone jewelry as she was making a bouquet. I did not have anything in the sale but I knew that I had some in my collection of odds and ends. So I took her contact info and called her a few days later. I found actually several pieces that she would be able to use. Well, last night she came after work to pick them up and we chatted and looked at the pieces of jewelry that I had out. We chatted for over 1.5 hours. I found out that she was actually making her bridal bouquet using rhinestone jewelry (some broken and other pieces too beautiful to take apart, using the whole piece) and would make the boutineers and add to table decor if she had enough. She is using coloured rhinestones for her bouquet and possibly the clear for the boutineers and tables. What a great idea. Her knowledge of jewelry designers / makers was incredible and I learned so much in a short time. I think it is safe to say that we will be keeping in touch.

My friend Gillian is borrowing some space in my fridge for food items as her work is having a barbeque and she was the person that did the shopping. It was hard not to open that big huge cake that she had picked up from Costco, looks so good. There is also salads and vegetables in the fridge. She will be picking it all up in a few minutes so it is almost time for me to sign off. I think that I have caught you up in my last day. It has been a good one. The week has had peaks and valleys but way more peaks. My cousin is home recovering from her major surgery and I am so beyond words joyful about that news. Work is going well, busy as usual but that is okay. No time for getting bored although perhaps sometimes that may be a nice change of pace.

I hope that you have an awesome Thursday. We are invited out after supper for a visit at Cookie’s house with her family. Cookie will be there, too. We haven’t seen too much of them lately so will be nice to catch up. I am grateful to have such great people within walking distance to visit. They are super close to us, just a few doors away.

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

Coffee is ready to plug in.

Always, Carol & Alvin

PS: yes, it is only 33 days until my 65 birthday. I took a really hard look in the mirror this morning after I applied some makeup (which I do not always wear this much but sometimes) and I am pretty proud of the way in which I am aging. YAY, me.

Last Half 2022

Good Morning ALL! Thinking that I would change the category name this morning. Definitely no longer a new YEAR. I hope this finds you well. We had some excited already this morning. We went to bed close to 10 and were up at 4:15, so not too bad. Although I can always sleep given the opportunity. By the time that we were up and downstairs and what not, and went outside, it was closer to 4:45 so I gave Mr. Alvin his breakfast. Then after all was done including giving him the second last Tramadol (pain pill) as he was licking his paws and shaking his head. Not good signs. He seems to be okay now. Will have to watch him. I noticed another little piece of fur that must have been wedged in the bottom of his paws had broken free, likely when he was madly licking them. This would have been from his hair cut. I spent a lot of time looking over his paws and pulling out any pieces that had been trapped but it is hard to see, so I may have missed some. Another job which is difficult on your own with a dog that does not like his paws or ears touched. Just more fun in my day to day. Anyway, we went back to the sofa and he did settle down however he decided he would lay across the chaise part of the sofa so I had to move the pillow and lie down on the other part, which is small and I have to bend my legs but I was happy to do it, if it meant he would sleep. Trust me. You would, too. I was dozing off and on when he woke up, I checked my phone for the time and it as 7:48, definitely time to get up and going. I grabbed my sweater as he wanted to go outside and I was in my pj’s. Put on some footwear and grabbed some pooping bags just in case. Poor Alvin has had some diarrhea over the past couple of days but this morning it was almost back to normal. I had given him a bit of banana on Friday, I think. So NO MORE HUMAN FOOD except the pumpkin. Last night for his supper I did not give him pumpkin, now that I think about it. His poop this morning was almost back to what it should be. Maybe I need to cut that out and see? Anyway, time to get this day going.

By the way, I did try several times earlier to download/upload those photos. Something is definitely wrong with the technology as several blank videos showed up on my computer. Three miscellaneous photos. I give up. Thankfully my daughter said she will come by at some point and take a look. Unfortunately not just anyone can look as I have APPLE products and you need to know how they work as they are quite different from others. Anyway, they are having company this weekend so perhaps one night after work this week. I also thought that this was a short week but that was last week, lol.

One way or another I will get those photos to you. You must see her garden. I wished that I was tech savvy.

Yesterday after our very late start, it was raining so we had a quiet morning. I did finish the laundry and later in the afternoon we went for a walk. We were just a few doors away from home, when I thought I heard someone call out my name and sure enough I turned about and saw our friend Joanna out on her porch. So we walked back and stopped for a porch visit. We chatted for several minutes and then were on our way. We made it just inside the park and then he wanted to go home, so we did.

Last night was quiet. The sun came out which was lovely. The sun is out now.

Just after we got up to stay up. We went outside. I thought that perhaps he had to go pee so I had grabbed my sweater to cover, yes my pj’s and headed outside. He walked around the deck for a bit while I went and sat on the edge of the deck that goes down to the grass. I listened and watched this huge crow cawing away and then land on the neighbour’s chimney. He was huge. He sat there for a few minutes making some noise in response to another crow in the distance. After I turned my head to see what Alvin was doing – I noticed that he was looking up. Turning my head in the direction that he was looking, I noticed this big black and white cat perched on the roof of our neighbours garage. Alvin and the cat had a quite intense staring match going on. I got up to see if Alvin would come down and looked back to the garage and the cat was gone. We were both up on the deck and then Alvin made a beeline for the fence on the other side of the deck. Then it was that I saw the cat looking down from the top of the fence. Alvin started to bark and jumped up onto the upper part of our deck and I could not stop him so I quickly followed. He kept barking and the cat was swishing its’ tail back and forth, looking very scary and I was thinking it may jump so I quickly went into the garage and grabbed a broom. I gently placed the broom between Alvin and the cat and moved Alvin away. Finally with the aid of the broom I was able to coral him down the steps and onto the other deck and then into the house. Then I turned and the cat was gone. Alvin likes cats so I was surprised when he barked. Anyway that was our excitement for the morning.

Okay story time over and time to head downstairs and get some coffee brewed. It was so lovely on the deck earlier basking temporarily in the sunshine that I think I may go out again with coffee this time.

Have a great Sunday.

You never know in this house – there be cats – there be good poop or bad – technology issues – sun or rain ……..

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

Always, Carol & Alvin

PS: now 37 days until my 65th Birthday. Thank goodness my birthday is in early August or the summer would be gone, lol.

The New YEAR 2022

Good Morning ALL! Welcome to Sunday, June 19th, 2022 and FATHER’S DAY. Happy Father’s Day to all those Dads out there. You are considered a DAD if you look after another being. For example: if you have children you are a Dad. If your partner has children, you are considered a Dad. If you have puppies or kitties you are a Dad. Any living breathing creature in your custody or care, you are a Dad. Happy Father’s Day. We need as many good Fathers as good Mothers out there. Remember you rock and we need you. Don’t worry if you are not good at grilling, doing laundry or dusting – you can fix the family car, you can mow the lawn and you can go for walks with the pups or kids or just chill with the cat. You give good advice and you help with math questions.

We just ask that you do the best that you can. We appreciate all of the Dads/Fathers out there in the world. Alvin and I want to wish each and every one of you a great day.

Happy Father’s Dad to my son-in-law who is the best Puppy/Dog Dad out there. He looks after my grandpups “Miss Aspen” and “Milo” with love and care. We appreciate you.

There was sunshine earlier but now the sky has clouded over. There is also a breeze. Guess I should have gotten my fanny farkle up earlier but I just could not get “it up” off the sofa. Might have something to do with the sleep patterns of a little four-legged guy, oh, I don’t know someone named “ALVIN.” Oh well. Yesterday we left the house for a walk at noon and got home at 1:30. We saw our friend Pauline out in her backyard and she invited us in for a visit and I ended up going home with a flower to plant in my back garden. There was Jamie and Miss Sady out for a walk and we had a nice visit. Our neighbour and friend Husam was out working in their front flower garden and stopped to chat. It was a great outdoor experience. We even had a walk in between the visits. YAY, Us. I got the laundry done and set up for the garage sale, mowed the grass in the backyard and did some cleaning. All in all, a good day.

Today will be more quiet. After this, I am going to have a shower and if we are lucky enough to have sunshine or no rain, we will go for a walk. Then just some odds and ends of things to do for the day. You know there are always those things.

I hope that you have an awesome day.

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

Always, Carol & Alvin

PS: 51 days to my 65th Birthday. AND Summer is officially a couple of days away. Hope that means some sunshine……..

The New YEAR 2022

Good Morning ALL! How are you this morning? I, we are well. It is light outside and in fact the sun was shining brightly when I looked out of the living room window but now that I am upstairs in the office facing south, there is a blue veil covering most of the sky. The remainder of the night sky perhaps. The morning sky always amazes me with all the different aspects. Tomorrow is supposed to be +12 degrees celsius. Cannot wait. For some people that would be “flip flop” weather. Not me but definitely light sweater weather.

This morning in less than 2 hours my friends are coming for coffee. Remember how I said that we decided to get together every weekend from now on, so we are. YAY. I am excited to chat about the week since we last were together. It is great having friends that are younger as they have both have young teenagers and I hear stories of technology, friends, school, and so much more. They give me their perspective on the world and life. Different sometimes from my friends that are around my age for example. Having friends of all ages is a wonderful thing. I absolutely love it. Brings me joy and gives me a more round perspective on life and the world. Isn’t that what most people need is a broader view?

I wonder if all of my neighbours are up for the day? Do you sometimes think when you got up a bit later than you would have liked what others are doing? I do, does it matter in the grand scheme of things, not really. So I stress about it now? I only wonder.

Yesterday we had a nice long walk at my lunch break and it was nice. After work we walked only to the park and then home as I needed to prepare for my daughter’s arrival. I had all of the prep work done and was cooking supper when she arrived. The apple crisp (her favorite) in the oven and the vegetables prepared for stir fry and I had the chicken prepared as well. The water was on for the rice. I turned off the burners when I received a text that she was at the back waiting for me to open the garage door. Alvin and I went out and opened the big door and happily waited for her to park. Back in the house, burners on and started cooking. Stir frys are a quick meal so it did not take long before we were eating one of her favourite meals. We had the best visit and enjoyed supper and then apple crisp. I can tell you I had one happy happy daughter. Then before you knew it time to say goodbye until our next visit which will be next week. The following week they leave for VEGAS and the pups Aspen and Milo will be staying with us. I am on vacation during the time they are gone and cannot wait. So happy to be having a nice break surrounded by the pups.

Well it looks like the clock is slowly inching its’ way toward the arrival of my girlfriends so I best be getting this show on the road. Certainly will be enjoying my first cup of coffee this morning.

Today will be laundry and the usual but I need to figure out what to do in the backyard as the snow on the deck is basically non-existent. Too hard to take Alvin out the front every time he has to pee or poo and the backyard area is frozen ice/bit of snow on one end which would be okay but the area by the stairs and on the other side pointing to the north is one slime bucket, I do not know how else to explain it. The grass is bare in spots but so mucky and I certainly do not want him down there as it would be hard to clean both the area he used and to clean him. OH no!! So I have to figure out something. Perhaps with tomorrow be 12 degrees that area will dry up. I sure hope so. Anyway!!

I hope that you have a great Saturday!

Did anyone get pranked for April Fools? Not me. I do remember being pranked and pranking others in my youth.

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

Always, Carol & Alvin