The Next Chapter

Good Morning! How are you this Friday morning? The trees are swaying in the wind against the morning sunrise sky. So pretty. YAY, we made it to Friday. I hope that today is quiet at the office. My daughter will be bringing Aspen & Milo here to spend the day with Cookie. My son-in-law will come here once he is done walking the “line.”

Cute story. Miss Cookie was whining like she wanting up on my lap. She usually does not sit still for too long but I bent over and picked her up which was a process as she runs away and then comes back. Finally I had her on my lap. She wanted to get up on the desk. At one point she had her paws on the desk looking at the screen. I would say “we have a new blogger” coming along. I wonder what kind of stories she would write. Would be pretty interesting I would think. What a character she is! Her Dad texted me yesterday and they will be home tomorrow night at 11:00 p.m. (time they touch down so it will be closer to 12:30 or so when they physically get home. I am usually not up at that time so will see if they want to wait and pick her up in the morning although they will likely sleep late. Oh well, whatever happens she will be happy to be home. I know she missed her pod, her pack.

Oh, I did grab some photos with one hand of Cookie up on the computer desk looking like she was ready to key something. She actually stood on the keyboard and when I said something, do not remember exactly what it was, SIRI came on and said “I found this on the web.” Okay, lol.

I hope that life is treating you kindly. Wishing you and me patience with everything that comes our way on this day.

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

These babies will be hanging out together today ………

Cuteness

Always, Carol & Alvin (My Forever Angel) & Miss Cookie

Last Half 2022 – October

Good Morning ALL! How are you this morning? We are doing well. Alvin is snoozing outside the office door as I click click away on the keyboard writing this post. I am so grateful that we had such an beautiful fall thus far.

Even though the wind is howling and sounding like it is blowing things away, the air outside is warm. Fingers crossed for another warm day. Yesterday was beautiful. 20’s for October is amazing. Makes me want to do a happy happy dance. My friend Pauline came over and looked after Mr. Alvin. They even went for a walk to the park. Good to know that if I am not at home, he will walk when someone tries to take him outside. After work, I so wanted to go for another walk (went for a walk at work) but someone had other ideas so it was very short lived.

Did I tell you that I was having monitor problems which have now been rectified? Did you know that the port can actually break? You learn something new everyday. Thanks to my friend and coworkers’ husband who works in IT for fixing the problem. I truly learn something new each day. So I am happy to have the monitor working again. I could work with just the laptop but much easier with a second screen/monitor.

I took tomorrow off and have a full day planned between vet visit etc.

The wind howling made me think that I should change out my closets and bring up my winter wear. I don’t think we will have many sandal/flip flop days ahead. Would be nice but not likely!

I am looking forward to a cup of coffee this morning.

My friend Val said that a surprise package is being delivered today. I can hardly wait. Did not tell Mr. Alvin as he would get overly excited and anxious. He loves opening packages. That makes me happy.

Well it is time to head back downstairs. Plug in the coffee perk. Get this day going. I am up early as it is only 6:28 but that is okay. I have lots to do so might as well get an early start. One more trip outside.

Have an awesome Thursday.

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

Always, Carol & Alvin

The NEW Year 2022

Good Morning ALL! How are you this morning? Alvin and I are doing great. We were in bed last night before 9:30 and I read for a bit, Alvin woke up at 4:00, we went downstairs for the usual and then to sofa until, wait for it ……. wait for it ……. 6:30 a.m. …… Can you believe it? I could not believe the clock. Of course, I did not add the 2:00 a.m. up for me to run to the bathroom. But all in all we had a great sleep. So grateful.

The wind is howling madly. I can see the orange horizon to the east, which is to my left, and darkness to my right. It won’t take long and the sky will clear of the dark. Even as I type these words the sky is becoming more light. So beautiful. I love the contrast between sunrise and night. I noticed that the water outside did not freeze overnight as I can see the puddles rippling with the wind. I guess this will help melt the snow once the sun begins to shine.

Mr. Alvin is making an odd whining sound as he looks to his water dish from his bed. Is he thirsty? Likely. Not sure why he does not just get up. Now he has stopped.

Most of the snow has melted on the deck and it is so dirty (not sure why) and I will be able to shovel the remaining snow from the grassy area so that he can do his business down there. That is Saturday chore.

I am off from work this afternoon as I am taking Mr. Alvin to the Vet for his appointment. Thankfully I can borrow Sonja’s car so we do not have to walk in these conditions.

I guess he wants his water and of course, he needs me to be right beside him.

Okay, back now.

Last night we played with one of his favourite toys. I threw it and he ran like the wind and grabbed it and brought it back to me so that we could play tug of war. So cute. It was funny after we had been playing for several minutes, I decided to grab my phone and take a video. He immediately stopped and then played a bit so I was able to grab a bit of video and it was not until I put down my phone and stopped recording that he was right back into the action. He knows that he does not get 100% attention when I have that thing in my hand. Smart cookie.

Well time to go. I hope that you have a wonderful day. Almost light now.

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

Oh, one more quick story. Yesterday near the end of my work day, I called the client who had sent me the most thoughtful Thank You card to thank her. Well actually I called her earlier and had to leave a message, she called me back and then I returned her call. YIKES. Anyway, we had a lovely chat. She said that her son helped her pick out the card for me. I loved that she thought that I should be getting a raise for all the hard work that I do and that she was grateful to be living in our housing and have affordable rent. She was so sweet. We had the nicest chat and then it was well past my stopping time.

Always, Carol & Alvin

2021

Good Morning All! How are you doing this morning? Feeling refreshed after a nice shower. Alvin was barking but has quieten down now. It is dark as night outside at this moment. It would appear that nothing has changed since the question of “Adopting Daylight Savings Time” in Alberta has reached a stalemate. So we shall see what happens. I thought this election that maybe people would want to change ….. meaning no setting the clocks forward and back. For me, I find it takes so long to adjust to the time change. Having the sunrise rise at 8:25 or 9:27 a.m., really what difference does a hour make. I would rather have the time at the end of the day. Perhaps we should ask our neighbours in Saskatchewan what they think? Actually I lived in Saskatchewan for most of my life and I loved it. Not having to change the clocks, remembering to change the clocks. I also remember that whenever I wanted to call my family in Alberta, I would have to think is it “fall back” or “spring forward” and calculate the time. A pain really. Anyway “time” will tell. Have to go with the majority. I think even if it is 51 to 49, you go with the majority of votes, right!

Someone has started to miss me again.

I noticed that most of my neighbours leaves are on the ground making a beautiful patchwork quilt of leaves. Looks so pretty. My yard has remained with only a few. I guess that big wind yesterday was blowing in my direction, lol. Anyway I love the leaves. The rich colours. I also love walking through them and the crunching beneath my feet as I go. Just like a little child.

Are you thinking about Christmas yet? It will be another different one. I hope that folks decide to keep things simple this year. I wonder about the increasing cost of food and other things. What does 2022 look like? So many questions.

Time to go. It is later than I thought. Always enjoy a cup of coffee in the mornings.

Have a wonderful day. It is Wednesday.

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

Always, Carol & Alvin

2021

Good Morning ALL! How are you doing this Wednesday morning, May 5th, 2021? We are okay here at my house. Mr. Alvin for some unknown reason has been up and down since 3:00 a.m. There are so signs of distress other than him whining from time to time but that is not unusual for him. He ate his breakfast in quick time as per usual and did his business outside. I will have to keep an eye on him. Perhaps it is arthritis in his paws/legs. Poor guy. He does not look sickly and his eyes are clear. They sometimes seem to tell me when something is off. Bored, perhaps. I do not know. Older age, possibility! So I am a bit on the sleep deprived side. So it is Wednesday, mid week. The sunrise was gorgeous, yes I watched the sky turn from my vantage point on my sofa. My windows in the living room face north but I can see how beautiful the sky is as it goes from night to sunrise to morning. There is a bit of a breeze this morning and I believe today is to be a good day weatherwise.

It is true that we never know what any day is going to bring us. Yesterday for example. At noon we only walked to the park and then turned around and headed for home as it had started to rain. Although I don’t mind walking in the rain, I really don’t like Alvin to get his ears wet. He can get ear problems faster than anyone I know. Does not matter that I careful dry them. So a short walk at lunch time. I made sure that I finished work right on time as I had our Annual General Meeting for our Union Chapter on Zoom. I wanted to feed both of us before the meeting and I managed to do so but it did take me 15 minutes to get into the meeting and I was ten minutes late joining. But I did it. After the meeting I cleaned things up and decided that as it was 13 degrees out at 7:00 p.m. that we should go for our regular walk. We did just that. There were a lot of folks out walking and walking with their dogs. We were just inside the park when I noticed a man coming down the path with two really large dogs. I walked onto the grass and almost to the fence of the houses that line the park giving them a wide berth. He saw us and walked around a tree and when I came back down to the sidewalk and he got the sidewalk he turned his head and started talking loud enough for me to hear that “something about COVID, he worked as a biologist/chemist something or other for a company and that they had come up with a quick test before something else.” He also mentioned about the numbers put out by the government were crap. I mentioned about the 30 million people in India that have COVID and he said that how come only 16 US states are reporting no COVID?, Mexico? and other places he mentioned have no COVID … he went on and on … stating that his family were all University trained (what the heck did that mean). He said so much and spouted off numbers and such and said the f word a couple of times or so. Clearly he did not believe that COVID was real as he said it is just influenza. I will say this kind of scared me. No wonder we are where we are ….. I did not hang around very long. But he managed to say a lot of something in just a couple of minutes.

We continued on our walk as I tried to make sense of anything that he said. Now he said so much and I could hear him but not hear word for word.

I arrived at home just in time to see that a call was coming in from messenger. I did not catch it in time. So I opened messenger to find a message from someone from my hometown, the place where I was born. I had not spoke to him in decades. He had sent me a message and as I was reading it I accidentally called him so we chatted and he apologized for contacting me with bad news. A guy that I went to elementary school with passed away. How incredibly sad. We chatted for a long time catching up on our families. I was grateful for his call.

What a strange evening. You never know where things will go or what will happen.

Well time to head downstairs, I am truly running late and that coffee is going to hit the spot this morning.

Continuing to live this live with kindness, respect, compassion and patience for all.

Always, Love Carol & Alvin

2021

Good Morning All! How are you doing this Sunday morning? Did you sleep well last night? We slept straight through for six hours and then up and then back to the sofa. Nice to have a solid amount of sleep. The skies are overcast this morning. We managed to get all of our housework completed yesterday. Only have to bring up the clothes that are air drying from yesterday and put them away. I think that I may clean out my bathroom cabinet. It wasn’t long ago but I feel it could be better organized. Likely time to put away the winter coats and things as well. But perhaps I will do that on the Easter long weekend as I will have four days off and a project or two is always good to have. There will be time for lots of walks and if the weather remains dry – I may get out to do a neighbourhood trash pick up. I have been picking up trash everyday now for awhile. It blows in front of my house or onto the lawn. Trash sticks in the storm drain grates and in the gutters. Garbage is everywhere. Seems to be so much this year. I cannot remember if I mentioned this when we walked to Alvin’s vet appointment on Wednesday there is a walkway. In the bushes on the walkway were what seemed like a hundred disposable coffee cups from McDonalds, Starbucks and Tim’s and others. I wanted to cry. It was obvious that people were finished their drinks and then tossed them into the bushes. What is wrong with people? Now this almost 64 year old woman who was appalled by their actions has to take her time and garbage bags to go and clean up their messes. On the bright side it is exercise for me. Also there are blue disposable masks everywhere and I mean everywhere. Come on people! Are you neighbourhoods like mine? People cannot say that it is only the old or poor neighbourhoods that are dirty and filled with trash for that is definitely not true. I am truly disgusted by some people. I wish that people would just carry their cups and masks and what have you to the nearest garbage bin or home. Also another reason for trash blowing about in our ‘hood is the lack of proper placement when putting out their garbage. Most especially the recycling. When Alvin and I are out for our walks, I see people put papers, egg cartons loose in a blue bin or cardboard box and what happens when the wind comes up ….. they end up at my house or on the street for me to pick up. So many people just leave crap laying on their lawns, in the gutters and on the sidewalks in front of their homes. They sometimes even walk around items instead of picking them up and putting said trash in their garbage bin. There is hope coming for garbage as we will eventually all have bins with lids and then garbage cannot blow about. Also will help keep the crows, ravens and magpies out of the trash. Hopefully it won’t be another decade until we have bins for recycling. I guess that is a heavy duty rant for a Sunday morning as I smile.

Well I guess someone needs a cup of coffee or three. Alvin is impatiently waiting at the office doorway giving me that look. What look? That look ….. impatience. Perhaps he has to go back outside. He went before we can back upstairs for me to have a shower. Oh well, old bladder, I get that. LOL.

I hope that you all are having a great weekend. I am looking forward to our walk this afternoon.

Have a wonderful Sunday. May you have some quiet relaxing time throughout this day.

Remembering to live with kindness, respect, compassion and patience (always working on).

ALLways, Carol & Alvin

2021

Good Morning ALL. How are you doing today? Well it is an overcast rather dull looking day out there. Alvin and I were outside in the backyard a little while ago chatting with Bogart who was sitting atop of the railing on their deck trying to figure out a way to get over to us. Alvin was on the ground at the fence trying to figure out a way to get through the fence. Apparently we have pets that would like to visit. If it were possible we would put a door in the fence for them to visit but then Bogart might want to visit other neighbors and that would not work. Sonja and I were thinking about doing the “pet door” in our adjoining fence before Bogart came into our lives and it would have worked for Humphrey and Alvin. That would have been noteworthy for sure as how many have “pet doors” in their fences.

Last night as the first new snowflakes were fluttering down from the night time sky; I noticed how delicate and fluffy they were as they floated by me while I was standing inside at the back door looking out the window. So beautiful, each one so different. With the appearance of a tiny pillow, a little puffy throw that would nicely cover a small bee or other such insect. So very pretty. There was only a fine layer of fresh snow on the ground and covering the deck when we got up this morning. Now it is coming down with a bit more thickness than last night. I see shovelling in my future. Well there was a tad of it earlier but there will be more. Love fresh snow. So pretty.

One thing that I forgot to do and should do when I am finished this post and before the roof is covered in snow and perhaps it already is, is to gaze up from the deck and see if I lost shingles in that last huge windstorm that we had the other night. One of my girlfriends told me that another neighbour actually lost part of their roof whether she meant shingles, I forgot to confirm. Anyway shingles lost for sure, I know.

Well it is is the weekend. I have much on my TO DO LIST as I prepare for Mr. Alvin’s 12th Birthday party tomorrow at 1:30 p.m. I will be baking some cupcakes, vanilla today for the human guests. All three of us. I will also prepare a package to send home with Teddy and Kobi for their Mom & Dad to enjoy as they cannot join us. I will recheck the restrictions as I know some had been loosened a bit. We are taking the precautions as we do not wish to get the virus nor do we want to spread should I be one of those humans that is asystematic. For lunch for the humans just a simple pasta salad with lots of veg and chicken and then instead of a baguette, the next best thing …. garlic bread in baguette form. I have both a CHICKEN CAKE from Bone and Biscuit for the pups to enjoy plus some yogurt cups that I want to check out for them. I have little treat bags to do up for the guests. Regular laundry and cleaning and stuff.

Time to get this show on the road. Oh, almost forgot that I am going to watch the 6th episode of BRIDGERTON next. What a show. Even made this old gal, blush a bit. Good thing that Mr. Alvin was not watching, he would have turned away in spots for sure. LOL.

We wish you a wonderful Saturday. Remember to take some time just for you.

We will continue to live with kindness, respect, compassion and I am adding patience (mainly for me and Alvin).

Always, Carol & Alvin

Second Half of the NEW YEAR

Good Morning All,

Another gorgeous fall day on the way.

The mornings are usually on the cool side but by noon the temperature is warm.

I went for a walk yesterday at noon.

Figuring it was the first walk by myself in close to a decade.

Usually I walk with Alvin or I am walking with someone or to somewhere.

This time totally on my own ….. just enjoying the beautiful fall day.

I saw a few folks that we know and first thing everyone said was “Where’s Alvin?”

He is definitely known and loved.

The leaves on the trees are the most colourful hues of yellow and reds.

Not too many green leaves left at this point.

Despite the many attempts at the wind to blow off the leaves they are hanging on.

There is something about the smell of the air in the fall.

Perhaps my imagination ….. goodness though …..

Even the wild roses at the entrance to our park are still blooming.

I love their fragrance.

 

Last night I had a good sleep …… even though we both get up during the night and Alvin gets up early …. I sleep better with him than without.

My boy, my boy.

I know that he is well cared for and hopefully enjoying his time at his sister’s house.

He is such a homebody …… always takes him a few days to acclimatize to new surroundings.

But on the other hand he does seldom leaves home so it is a big deal when he does.

 

I will say that it takes me a while to get used to the dark mornings.

In the summer it is light at this time …. bright sunshine…..now not.

Although it does look like rain ….

I will start to clean up some of the garden that is starting to go.

Always amazing how long some of the flowers and plants last as the temperatures fall.

 

Oh, last night I was watching “THE MASKED SINGER.”

WOW, I love that show.

Not sure why I haven’t been watching it but it is great.

Okay sometimes I am slow to the table ….. they are starting their 4th Season.

Incredible costumes and talent.

The only downside is all the costumes ….. what happens to all of them.

More items for the landfill.

Okay, perhaps should not go there.

Sometimes hard to think any differently.

 

Well I guess it is starting to get closer to work time.

It always seems to creep up faster every morning.

Likely in my head ….. I know.

 

I hope that wherever you are …. that you are safe and in good health.

Wishing you much kindness and respect.

From here in Alberta, Canada.

Living with kindness and respect,

I/We shall remain,

Always, Carol & Alvin

Second Half of the NEW YEAR.

Good Morning after WHAT A  NIGHT!

Another storm rolled in after a hot sunny day.

I am reading this book which is a crime psychological suspense novel.

THE TURN OF THE KEY by Ruth Ware.

WOW, what a book.

Likely not the best to be reading before bed with a storm looming.

Anyway that is what I have been reading.

I only read a few pages last night as we were up late.

I decided to rent a movie “The Old Guard” from our cable provider.

It was good but it was 10:30 by the time it was over and then we had to get ready for bed.

So it was late for me and Alvin.

After putting down the book – I found it hard to settle down.

Alvin did as well.

Likely in part as it was warm.

I had the electric fan on a low setting with the window open.

At first there was not much of a breeze but it increased over time.

I would just almost be asleep and then Alvin would stir.

Then settle down again.

Only to be awoke by this noise.

It sounded like someone was in the house and coming up the stairs.

I froze.

I could not move.

No blinking of my eyes or beat of my heart, as I momentarily held my breath.

As I lay there in sheer terror for what felt like forever – I suddenly realized that Alvin was not stirring.

Odd, as he would have been up and barking if there were anyone or anything in the house.

So I took a breath and looked around the room in the partial light coming in from the windows.

One of the blinds was not closed to the bottom of the window so a bit of light was coming in.

As I lay there I scanned the room.

Nothing and then I realized where the noise was coming from.

That whossing, small thud was coming from the door.

The darn door.

I was relieved to be sure.

I have started in the last couple of years to close but not shut the door tight.

My thoughts were if something happened to me during the night at least Alvin could get out of the bedroom.

I still was a bit nervous, I will be say but I climbed out of bed and closed the door.

The noise stopped.

I stopped and listened and no more noise.

Do you think that I turned on the light and looked further, absolutely NOT.

So that was our excitement for the night.

Alvin woke up about 4:30 or was it 5:30, actually I do not remember as I was so tired.

Exhausted after two nights of storms.

After he was fed, watered and went outside we hit the sofa, it was 7:22 when we woke again.

My mind said get up but my body said not until 8:00 a.m. so I set the timer on the microwave for 40 minutes.

We were up just after 8:00 a.m.

The sun is shining and the birds are singing.

I went outside in my pj’s to the backyard to move my potted flowers back to their spots away from the protection of the house.

Surviving another storm.

I decided to go into the garage and bring out the cushions for the patio furniture and put up the umbrella as the sun is shining bright.

Thinking that was a great idea until I checked the weather station and they are forecasting rain to start at 9:00 a.m. which is in less than 10 minutes now.

Oh well,

I have decided to take Mr.Alvin for a walk after I am done writing this post as according to the forecast we are to get rain off and on all day.

My friend Gillian invited me over for coffee at 10:00 so there is time to get out for a walk before I leave.

She lives about 3 minutes away.

 

So that was my night.

My day was far better.

I did some laundry, gave Mr. Alvin a haircut and bath and worked at my job for 3.5 hours.

I know, crazy working on a beautiful afternoon.

But there is so much to do this really gives me peace of mind that I will not be super stressed out during the week.

I have a few hours to do this afternoon as well.

I was thinking that I have not been further than a few blocks from my house since March 19, 2020.

My daughter and my friends have been picking up groceries as I need things.

To be honest the thought of going on the bus or to the store or to work slightly frightens me at this point.

 

Well I must go.

Time to get the boy out for a walk.

There is a nice breeze.

 

Wishing you a great Sunday.

Be surrounded by love and laughter.

Living in kindness with respect.

I/We shall remain,

As Always, Carol & Alvin

This morning exactly the same as yesterday.

Oh, I put the cushions on the furniture ….

 

 

It is a NEW YEAR.

Good Morning Everyone!

The sky is a patchwork quilt of deep blue and light blue clouds.

It is windy and cool.

Not a great morning to start the repairs on my fence but it is nonetheless the start day.

It has been delayed due to personal matters on the repairman’s side and then time delay this morning as I have a 9:00 a.m. morning.

The start time was to have been 9:00 a.m. but I didn’t think that would work out if I am in a meeting as I have to open the garage door etc.

Anyway with much luck from Mother Nature the work will begin today and hopefully end early tomorrow.

Not a huge job but big enough for sure.

 

Good news on the Alvin front.

Finally the closest to a normal poop that my boy has had since May 13th, 2020.

I will be so glad to get back to our new norm.

That seems to be an ever changing thing these days.

 

I am hopefully that we will get news on the return date to work.

Deep well not that deep in my heart, I am hoping that we will stay home until the end of August, 2020.

There are many people with children and with the schools closed and daycares closed, who looks after the children.

Not everyone has a parent or family members that is able to do this.

Hopefully we then have some more nice weather.

 

Every morning or most mornings Alvin stands by the fence that separates us from Humphrey and his Mom.

He loves his friend, Humphrey the cat.

They usually have a little visit by the fence everyday.

I guess we can all learn a lesson from animals.

Traditionally cats and dogs do not really get along but look at these guys.

They love being together.

Both are excited to see each other.

I can always tell when it has been a few days.

If we have a rainy spell and no one is really outside ….. man, are they happy to see each other.

When Humphrey visits, they both line up at the pantry door wanting a treat.

Everyone that comes to visit knows where the treats are located.

Man and Beast alike.

Too strong of words.

Okay, my daughter, grandpups, Alvin, Humphrey and Teddy to name a few.

That sounds much better.

 

Hey, if you have not heard of “PLUTO LIVING” – please go and check out YouTube, Facebook and Instagram.

Pluto is the cutest little dog and with help from Mom, well they are the best team to come out of Canada or anywhere in decades.

Great at giving us the news, telling funny stories, giving advice, poetry and so much more.

But most of all bringing us great joy through laughter in these uncertain and sometimes scary times.

Please seek them out you will not be sorry.

Take the time, please.

 

Well it is now time to get to work.

I have such a long, long, long commute.

I think it might be two regular steps, no maybe less from my personal computer and space to my work computer and space.

ARGH, so tough, I know.

No complaints, really.

Alvin is resting comfortably on his little bed that I made with some fluffy towels and two nice blue warm blankets.

Oh, I see the sun shining now that is a great sign.

Still pretty windy and hopefully that does not bring in any storms or hamper the work for today.

 

I wish you a day filled with love and laughter.

I wish you an easy Wednesday.

Perhaps time for a walk.

Enjoy.

 

I will continue to live my life with kindness and respect.

As I am human sometimes I have moments where I may be less than perfect.

But I will always try by best to be a good soul with a warm heart living with kindness and respect to myself and most of all to others.

 

I/We shall remain,

As Always, Carol & Alvin

 

I need a haircut as my hair looks nothing like this photo.

I do like this photo of me and I am not a huge fan of photos of me.