The Next Chapter

Good Morning ALL! This is what happens to you use the airdrop function on your phone and somehow there is five million copies of each photo. Well Cookie is running amuck. Enjoy the photos and have a great day. Cookie goes home today but not until actually really early Sunday morning. Family arrives to Edmonton airport at 11:00 p.m. and may be home by 12:30. We will be waiting. They miss her and she misses them. I will stay up late tonight for them. She will be so excited to see them. Photos include under the red blanket on the sofa last night with me, Cookie becoming a blogger, my flowers from Savannah and Grayson, grand-pups Milo & Aspen at the window.

Time to fly before someone gets into something.

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

Always, Carol & Alvin (My Forever Angel) & our dear friend little Miss Cookie.

P.S. had a great day, the best day at the office thus far. Accomplished so much. Felt good at end of day. Came home to Steven, grand-pups and Cookie. I took Miss Aspen for a nice walk. Was a great day.

Last Days 2022 – December 30th

Good Morning ALL! We had a great sleep so why I am still tired? Last night I was home and we were in bed by just after 11:00 p.m. and up at 6:30 a.m. I gave Mr. Alvin his glucosamine chew followed by his breakfast, he had a drink of water and then went outside. It was me who was up twice last night having to go pee, okay I will just say it. Why do we think bodily functions that every living creature on this planet does in some way shape or form? No idea. I guess people think it is gross. Once you have a baby or have a pet – all that goes to the wayside. Cleaning up after them is not pretty. You can be chewing on a mouth full of something and then have to go outside with your dog and pick up poop and it is okay. Not that I do that on a regular basis but I have found myself in that situation. Part of life. So we must get over it. As you know, I say the words “poop” and “pee” quite often and why at age 65 would I stop now. LOL. Anyway we are up and I am dressed with my eyebrows on writing this post.

Last night I was invited over to our friends Norbert & Irene’s house for a visit. This was my first real visit since the loss of their son in November. I had previously stopped by to give my sympathies, to drop off an arrangement, to drop off a card and Christmas baking but not long enough to take off my winter boots, and stay awhile. They are doing incredibly well and I am not sure how I would be in their position. We did speak about their son, Darcy throughout the evening. I let the conversation go where it needed to be. We chatted about so many things including Darcy and the accident leading to his passing. There was a Chinese checker game board out so I knew at some point we would be playing games. After much conversation, Irene asked if I would like to have a game of checkers and I said “yes.” I do not remember the last time that I had played this particular game but it did not take long to figure it out although I am not very good at it. Irene won every round we played. Next she brought out a mind teaser game which was interesting followed by another game which I knew “Connect Four.” I love that game. Cannot remember the last time that I played that game, oh yes, I do now. It was at a games day that we had a work a few years ago. Connect Four was one of the games that we played. Irene still won most of the games (she said that she likes to win and she wins) but I managed to score a win here and there. We kept saying “one more game.” Then it was nearing 11:00 p.m. and I knew that Mr. Alvin would wonder where the heck I was and likely needed to go pee. We said our goodnights with Irene handing me a package which contained a thank you card, a copy of the Eulogy, copy of newspaper clipping, the card from the funeral for their son Darcy. I graciously accepted and was on my way.

The once brightly lit bushes were dark as I left their house. They have their lights on timers. The lights were so beautiful when I approached the house. I forgot to mention that in the previous paragraph, I guess I could have added it but why? This is when I thought of it. LOL. The air was filled with fog as I walked the two minute walk home. Very eerie but the air was warm.

When I arrived home Mr. Alvin had been laying on his bed near the window. I deliberately placed it so he could see outside. Happy to see me, he did let me know that I should have been home with him. I pulled off my boots and we walked to the back door so I could let him outside to pee. Yup, he had to pee. A few minutes later we were upstairs and I was getting ready for bed. A great night.

Earlier in the day – I gave Mr. Alvin a haircut and bath followed by a shower for me. His hair clings to my clothing like flies to honey. He looks oh so handsome.

Well on the agenda for today. Do some laundry. A bit of cleaning. Go for a walk. Shovel the neighbour’s driveway. Relax. COFFEE, oh yes, I need to make some coffee.

Well it is time to head back downstairs. The sky looks so amazing with the sun trying to peek through the fog with the frosted tipped trees lining the horizon with the white tops of the houses and garages. That is the view from my office window. Amazing.

Have an awesome day. I guess tomorrow is New Year’s Eve. No real plans but will have to figure out what my post will be so that I have some kind of idea. Maybe some photo highlights of 2022. It has been quite the year for most of us, actually all of us.

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

Have an awesome Friday.

Always, Carol & Alvin

The New YEAR 2022

Good Morning ALL! How are you this morning? We are doing well. The sky is blue and the sun is shining and there is a slight breeze. Does not get better than that! Yesterday was a beautiful day. We had a little shower but not too much. Our plants, flowers, gardens, crops, lawns and trees just need some sunshine at this time. So nice to be having some this morning.

How was your Sunday? We were busy. Well I was busy! Mr. Alvin was busy having me wait on him. But I do not mind. We enjoyed a walk but had to cut it not too much shorter as it started to rain. I did some cleaning, baked a banana/pumpkin/orange loaf with chocolate chips, took photos of the items in the garage sale and lots of other odds and ends. It was a full, good day.

Hard to believe that I had a three day weekend and that it is over already. Where does the time go?

Also tomorrow is the first day of summer, Tuesday, June 21st, 2022. I will change the wreath on our front door and put up our wreath with the roses on it.

Not much new here. Oh, I have been dreaming like a huge amount. Something is going on within my brain. Seems like one ends and another begins. I don’t remember too many details but I know that there are many of them and they are different from one another.

I love looking out the window and seeing the green leaves on the trees swaying in the breeze. The trees are pretty much full now and look so great. I love the colour green. I think it is my favourite colour. Although I do like other colours.

Well I have to go shortly here and do a couple of things before I start work.

Plug in the coffee pot to perk for one thing (I can taste the coffee in my mind). Put out the bags of bottles to be picked up.

Looks like we will have a good walk at noon. I think I am going to have to get mobile earlier so that we can walk in the morning. There is nothing like that morning coolness, not cold, just perfection. Sometimes by noon it is too warm for Mr. Alvin to be out walking. Today should be okay.

I hope that you have a great Monday.

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

Always, Carol & Alvin

PS: only 50 days until my 65th Birthday. Cannot believe it. Still.

The New YEAR 2022

Good Morning ALL! Looks like another beautiful day on the way. It was actually not bad out earlier this morning when we were out in the backyard. Warmer than Saturday morning as there was frost then. No frost this morning. Alvin is hanging in there and me, too. Couple more days wearing socks when he goes outside and we should be okay. I have tried to examine the bottom of his pads but it is difficult by myself. Anyway, we are doing well. I am so grateful for the second day in a row for the sun to be shining so brightly. Thank you for the blue skies. There is a breeze but I think that is going to be part of the norm now.

Yesterday I cleaned out the office closet, went through all of my jewelry (which was huge), went through the spare bedroom, laundry and mowed the backyard. Not a huge amount of things but things done. Today I want to wash down the deck, sort through some of the things in the garage. Then basement left to do. I want to have everything ready for the garage sale. I have a pile of things in the spare bedroom to go downstairs and to the garage for the sale. But will leave them for now. Also do some vacuuming as well. I also moved the desk (table) that was storing my jewelry from the spare room to my room. My room is a bit more full than I normally would like but it is a nice change. I can put it back at some point.

It will be done in chunks as Alvin has to stay in the house unless I can keep an eye on him. Those dratted socks will not stay up all of the time. They slip from time to time. I am proud of them for at least allowing me to put them on his feet each and every time we go outside.

Yesterday there were two little blue/black/white birds flying about the birdhouse that I have in the backyard. It sits up on a pole that sits on the upper deck. The only thing is one of the birds kept flying too close to one of the glass windows on the garage. I was worried that it was going to knock itself out but gratefully it did not.

The neighbours are outside raking their lawn and doing outdoors things.

This is the time of year that most people if not camping for the first time this season that are out raking, going through their garages, getting things ready to haul to the Eco Station (not sure if it is open on the long weekend or not), and all things outdoors.

Tomorrow I am planting my flowers. I checked the weather station and looks like we should be okay for overnight temperatures. YAY. Cannot wait.

Have an awesome Sunday.

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

Always, Carol & Alvin

2021

Good Morning ALL! How are you this Monday morning the first day of November, 2021. Wow, cannot believe that it is November already. The sure has flown by. Alvin is resting, was laying on the hallway carpet just outside the office but now he is sitting up and staring at me, likely hoping I will be done soon. We had so much fun last night. There were sixty-nine (69) ghosts, goblins, chickens, first responders, dancers, witches, Marios, Freddy Krueger, Members of Addams Family, lions and bears. I noticed before the treaters started that two folks were out for their evening walk with their two dogs. The dogs are yellow labs, I believe (they are big) and they were sporting manes so they looked just like lions. So cute. I was disappointed in the number of treaters but then realized that the majority of the once little children are now grown up. One of the boys was 8 when we moved in and is 20 now. His siblings or at least two of them came by, they were our first guests. Another family only the youngest of three. Other friends their older boys went to a different neighbourhood. Another friend her daughter and a friend were our last treaters. There was only one family that all three of the boys came out and so nice they were with their parents. The middle boy gave me a hug. I almost cried. They are so sweet. As always, Alvin had to wear a harness and non-retractable leash. I found early on that he wanted to sit up in his chair just like the good old days. So I placed in on the chair and he sat patiently waiting for the treaters to come by. So cute. I took a couple of photos (have not downloaded yet). I am so grateful for the weather last night. It was not bitterly cold, no freezing rain or the white stuff so it was perfect as far as Halloween weather goes. Alvin even gave some treaters a kiss (we knew them). He was a good boy and received a lot of compliments. I was surprised by a couple of kids that I did not recognize but they called Alvin by name. We know more people than I think.

My daughter came for a late breakfast of pumpkin latte pancakes (my spin on the coffee blend). We had a fantastic visit catching up in person on our lives since Thanksgiving.

I cannot wait until Alvin’s best friend Teddy and his little sister Kobi arrive this morning (not sure of the time as yet). It is a surprise for Alvin. He is going to be so happy. After work we are going to walk with our friend Pauline and then after supper I am going to chat with my sister who lives in Saskatchewan. A great Monday for sure. Actually a super great Monday.

Well, I suppose it is time to go and put on that pot of coffee. That first cup most especially on a Monday is so enjoyable.

Oh, the Halloween decorations will come down gradually over the week and this coming Friday begins the Christmas decorating. I cannot wait.

Have a great day and I hope that you had a great Halloween.

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 morning? I am doing great as is Mr. Alvin. We are happily surprised to see the sun shining with a gorgeous blue sky. Last night we had a thunder/lightning storm and rain. Not too much but some. Good thing that I did not give my flowers/plants too much water last night. YAY, today is Friday. The last weekend of the month of May 2021. It has been a busy week. With the kids stopping by night before last, a coworker and her husband stopped by to pick up her tea order from April and we had “tea” on the deck. Masked and then physically distancing. I decided to open the office window and happen to see my neighbours garage door open so I quickly texted her and then I noticed some movement and a pedal bike in the alley by the garage and freaked thinking someone was trying to steal her things. So I yelled down “I see you there” and then phoned her to find out that it was her boyfriend who was getting things packed up for their weekend trip to Jasper. She laughed and I apologized for yelling at her boyfriend. I am not even sure that he heard me but if he did – likely thinking “oh that crazy old woman” or something! Anyway I guess better to be safe than sorry and that is what my neighbour said as she giggled. Alvin and I are good “watchers” even when we are not watching. The breeze coming in through the window is slightly cool and oh so, refreshing. Good to have that fresh air in the house. I have our bedroom window open as well. Last night about 1:00 a.m. some noises kept waking me up. Sounded like door shutting and I got up to make sure that I did not leave my door open or unlocked. Things happen right. Nothing was open. Even took quick look outside and never did figure out the source of the noises. There were various sounds that were not regular.

Tonight after work my daughter is stopping by to drop off some items and to have supper with us. I am making stir fry and having meat for the first time in a long time with the exception of the little bit of meat on the pizza. Mostly eating a plant based diet these days. I am thinking that I need to cut back on the sweets. Not helping me that is for sure. Sugar does not help any of us. I love fruit and eat a fair amount so do not need other sweets. Wish me luck.

Oh, yesterday the estimator guy came out about the shingles. He measured the house and took photos and gave me and my neighbours information about the company and about the shingles etc. The owner of the company will come out next week and give us the “actual price.” I am so excited to have new shingles and know that the house will be protected for 50 years. Isn’t that a great warranty. Almost unheard of these days and guess what if we happen to move within that time – the warranty can be transferred to the new owners. Cool, right. So excited.

Well time to go and get the coffee brewing. Open the main floor windows. I wish, we wish you a fantastic day. Filled with sunshine and rainbows. Love and laughter.

This life is filled with kindness, respect, compassion, patience, love and gratitude and so much more.

Always, Love Carol & Alvin

2021

Good Morning ALL! How are you this morning? We are doing well. Alvin had been trying to get me up for the past hour as I laid on the sofa just being. Looking up at the ceiling taking in the expanse of the popcorn ceiling (why popcorn?) and then my eyes would fall to the living room window as the sun was rising, beginning to shine and lighting up the tree in our front yard. What a peaceful beautiful morning. It was so great to just lay there with every fiber of my being relaxed and sometimes dozing off for a minute or three. A great way to being one’s day. So now I am up. I was shocked to find that I had not completely turned off the computer yesterday. I was so certain that I had turned it off ….. but I guess not. Technology. Alvin is impatiently waiting for me to finish my post. My daughter will be coming at some point likely this morning and we are going to take a trip to COSTCO. She was going to go and pick up some coffee for me and few things for them when I asked to join her. Perhaps people will be at home and not out shopping. It would be great if when we got there it was quiet ….. only a few shoppers like us out and about. I have not been in a public place for quite a long while and thought it may be nice to get out. Besides any chance to spend time with my girl cannot pass that up.

How was your weekend? I am lucky as this is a holiday for me. My arms and shoulders are a bit sore from hauling those heavy garbage bags home on Saturday. The neighbourhood cleanup. Maybe next time I should score a wagon and then pulling it would be much easier than lifting. The bags would have been okay and not so heavy had it not been for the shingles and some wet cardboard boxes. I always believe that I am stronger than I am and not that I am weak but age does remove some of your younger strength for sure. Oh well. The bags are taking up residence in the garage until I put them out for the garbage men tomorrow morning. They are strong so it will not be a problem for them. I wished that I could label them as trash picked up in the neighbourhood so that they would not think it was my trash. I guess I could put notes on them. I could.

So did I get through the list of items that I had planned to do this weekend. Well most things I think. I did not clean the bathroom cupboards in my bedroom or the main bathroom but truly those are small tasks which I could do after work one night this week or next weekend or later today. The big thing was cleaning up the neighbourhood and that is done until next time. I found my journals for 2020 which I will need for my next project. Laundry and some cleaning was accomplished. Walks were done. Yesterday’s walk was cool and I even put Alvin’s sweater on him. Today is to be plus double digits so no sweater for Mr. Alvin.

You may be wondering why I started posting random photos on my posts. Well, I had not realized until recently that those photos were at my fingertips. A click away. So now I am playing with them. So easy and why not share some beautiful work. Very talented people out there.

SUNRISES …. how absolutely beautiful….

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  Photo by Simon Berger on Pexels.com

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  Photo by Travis Rupert on Pexels.com

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  Photo by Anand Dandekar on Pexels.com

The lighthouse photo above looks like it may have been shot in Eastern Canada. All these photos are amazing.

They transport me away ……

Remembering to live each day with kindness, respect, compassion and patience.

Love Always, Carol & Alvin

2021

Good Morning ALL! How are you doing this last day of March 2021? We are doing well. Today is my late start / late shift day. I will say that I am not terribly excited about having to work these shifts every month but it is what our employer asks of us so what can you do? The sky is overcast and there appears to be little wind this morning. YAY. Happy about that. Today and tomorrow are supposed to be double digit plus temperatures here in Edmonton and that is great news. The Easter weekend, the long weekend will be much cooler with plus single digit temperatures. Now as long as our day time highs are plus temperatures not much to complain about from me, anyway.

Alvin and I had a nice walk yesterday at lunchtime. Walking into the wind was a bit on the cold side but definitely not winter like conditions and our walk was most enjoyable. I have noticed that the past couple of weeks Alvin has been jumping up onto his chair by the window a bit more often. He used to sit in that chair and look out of the window for hours during the start of my time at home but gradually starting spending more time on the sofa or on his bed in the kitchen close to me. I am happy to see him enjoying looking out of the window. I wonder when I was working away from home just how long he actually stayed in the chair? Or did he go upstairs and lay on the bed? Perhaps he ran around the house. I will never know. Some days upon my return from work he would be sitting in the chair looking out the living room window …. he would see the vehicle and jump up onto his back legs and take a really good look before jumping down and running to the door. Always happy to see me and to go outside. It was an awful long time to hold his pee and I always felt guilt and wished that I had trained him early on to go on pads. There were also times when he would not be at the window looking out and as I opened the door I could hear him jumping off the bed and then see him come bounding down the stairs to greet me. Our four legged companions. They treat us like royalty with their unconditional love and gratitude. Even though sometimes we get on each other’s “nerves” so to speak we are pals and I will always do whatever is earthly possible to ensure that he is happy, healthy, comfortable and surrounded by love. After all, he is my boy and has been from the beginning. We are both working on patience.

Almost time for me to head to the shower and get freshened up.

Oh, no …. how could I possible forget the birthday of one of my dearest and long time friends who celebrates her birthday today. Happy Birthday P, wishing you a wonderful day. May you be surrounded by family, love and laughter on this special day. WIshing you good health and abundance. Thank goodness for that birthday calendar.

Continuing to live this life with kindness, respect, compassion and respect.

Always, Carol & Alvin

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  My Flowers

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2021

Good Morning ALL. How are you today? I/We are well.

TODAY

Lookin’ out the window this morn

The trees are swaying in the wind

The snow has stopped falling

Leaving a bright white blanket covering the ground

Alvin sits back to me in the doorway

With the odd moan wanting my attention

Another day of work ahead

A bit more sleep than the night before

Cannot seem to figure out how to save change to line height

Technology numbs me some days

What does the day hold?

Perhaps whatever I think it to be.

Placing my thoughts on positive situations

What can I do?

Thoughts become things?

That I know.

Keeping it together

Living one day at a time.

Remembering kindness and respect,

Compassion and patience.

Always working on the latter (patience).

Time stands still for a second and then races on

It is time

Time to plug in the coffee

Time to turn on some music

Time to place Alvin’s bed in the kitchen

Time to prepare for work.

Coffee will taste good as it always does.

This is my life.

Our life, mine and Alvin’s.

Keeping it simple.

Keeping it honest.

Always with Gratitude.

Living it how I can.

How I must.

Take Care.

Be Well.

Living with Kindness, Respect, Compassion and Patience

Always, Carol & Alvin

It is a NEW YEAR.

Sunday morning coming down!

Yes, it is.

Raining and the clouds are a deep grey blue as I look out of my office window.

We managed to get a walk in yesterday later in the afternoon between the rain showers.

We also had a surprise visitor.

Master Teddy, Alvin’s best friend.

His Mom texted me to see if Teddy could come for a visit.

It has been at least two weeks since his last visit so of course, I said “yes.”

She said that her sister would drop him by.

Alvin was so excited.

I wished that I had taken a video as they greeted each other outside.

They were so excited.

It was a blur of black and white as they said hello and ran into the house.

Teddy’s Aunt is visiting from Saskatchewan.

So we had a little visit at the doorway …. front sidewalk

First thing after Teddy’s Aunt left was they wanted to go out into the backyard.

So that is what we did.

Thankfully it was not raining at that point in time.

Actually I think most of yesterday afternoon it was just overcast.

Today though is to rain all day long …..

The boys had a nice afternoon while I did laundry, cleaned out both pantries and made a banana/strawberry loaf.

 

First photo: just after arrival going into the backyard

Second, Third and Last: Just as Teddy’s Mom pulled up.  Of course the boys were at the window and last photo running (blur) to the door.

I realized too late that I had not taken any proper photos.

There be video.

As in life, most things happen so quickly that we are not prepared in the moment.

Can be true of taking photos.

 

Well time to go and have a shower.

Then breakfast and COFFEE.

Followed by some quiet time before I sit down and get some work-work done.

Later on I will finish up my housework.

Always lots to do whether at home or at work.

Well both of them are seconds apart.

 

Wishing you a relaxing wonderful Sunday.

Even if it is raining and you cannot go for a walk.

Well maybe you could if you had an umbrella.

I used one of my huge umbrellas to go outside with Alvin just a few minutes ago.

When it is raining …. he will not go out in the back without me.

I guess he figures I should get wet, too.

I do follow as close as I can so that he can be protected under the umbrella which is big enough for me and him and a family of four.

 

I do want to mention one more thing.

Last night I decided to rent a movie from our local cable provider.

I finally watched “Mr. Rogers Neighborhood” with Tom Hanks.

It was great.

Perfect movie for the world to watch at this time or anytime, really.

If you have not seen it, I highly recommend watching.

 

Okay, time to hop into the shower.

I have scary hair right now.

A few minutes ago I had to go out front and check on the attachment to the downspout.

The plastic attachment sometimes slips off or moves.

I made sure to put the hood up on my coat so that anyone going by would not lose concentration and crash their car or if walking, fall down.

Yup, I definitely need to wash my hair.

Oh, likely purple pjs and coat not such a great sight on a Sunday morning.

 

Take care.

Relax.

Deep breaths.

 

Living with kindness and respect for all.

I/We shall remain,

As Always, Carol & Alvin