The Next Chapter

Good Morning. Another brisk winter’s morning. I hope that spring comes soon. Nice to have it light outside at 7:00 a.m. though. I feel like I need to see my boy’s face so if you would please indulge me as I share some previous shown photos of my buddy, my handsome, my beloved Alvin. Such cuteness. I miss this guy more than words can say. I feel his loss everywhere in our home.

A proper Gentleman

Just chilling

Alvin

What a cute boy

Walking with Mom

On the deck

Top of stairs, body?

Alvin at home…..

Enjoying a sunny winter’s day!

Alvin ……

Ah, Mama’s boy…….isn’t he cute!!!

Alvin in the snow…..

Posting this just because “ALVIN” is so cute here….

I know that I am cute.

Alvin, one of my babies

More please

Alvin

Loving Broccoli

Alvin & a chewy

New sweater

Alvin

He was such a good boy and I will miss him always. I just love seeing his face and going through photos to transfer to the external hard drive has brought back even more memories. When I get this technology all figured out, I will share some new photos that for now are in between the external hard drive and the old computer.

I am grateful to be working from home today. I can be closer to him.

I hope that you have a good day, be safe and take care.

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

Always, Carol & Alvin (my forever Angel)

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).

A New YEAR 2023

Good Morning ALL! Today is Tuesday, January 24, 2023.

Yesterday we went to the vet for Alvin’s appointment to see if we could figure out what is causing his poop not to be in a group, so to speak. After a rectal exam and going over his file (yuck, poor Alvin – although I did not hear him cry, so that was good), the vet proclaimed there is a good possibility that it is “IBS” aka Irritable Bowel Syndrome. Now that does not sound very good. I know several people who have that and it is not much fun at all. I took a deep breath and asked “what next.” She said that she wanted to put him on a very low dose of prednisone to clear up the inflammation. To add to the liver disease, high cholesterol, high blood pressure and more. He had extensive tests done last summer when they found out he had liver disease. Anyway, I asked what some of the side effects are of prednisone and she said that he may pee often. I told her that I have to go to the office on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. Her suggestion was that I give it to him at night (with supper) and hopefully that will help. Well we were in bed just before 10:00 p.m., up at Midnight and outside, back to the sofa and then up at 2:00 and outside (thank goodness it is warm out) and then at 4:00. I changed the alarm from 6:00 to 6:30 and at 6:15 he wanted to get up. I fed him his breakfast which is rice, pumpkin, his wet food and some chicken and Metamucil. Then outside and it was snowing. The warm wet fluffy flakes. The kind that I like until I have to shovel them. Oh well. It is warm so they will not stay long. I also noticed when going to bed last night that there is some ice out by the low point in the sidewalk that needs to be cleared. A task for today. I forgot to tell you that we walked to the vet. The sidewalks from our house to the walkway were brutal and then it was okay. Twice along the way, Alvin stopped and wanted to go home. I am not sure if he realized where we were going, I think so. Likely had a good idea why. Anyway, I managed to get him there and wondered about going home. When we arrived at the vet, I was checking texts and going to call them to advise we had arrived when I noticed a message from our friend Arlene. She let me know that she would come and get us. I am, we are so blessed to have such amazing, supportive and caring friends and neighbours. She is all of these things and more. Breath of relief. I actually felt better when I heard the IBS instead of something else. Not the best news but not the worst either by far. This is treatable and hopefully we can get his poop back to normal and try to put him back on his “real food” diet. I have a lot of his hard food that he has not been able to eat for awhile. Our story is a bit out of order but it is early morning and when the thoughts come to me, I write them down. After we got home, I quickly wiped off his paws to remove any of the salt (pet friendly) that may have got into his pads. I had wore my ice picks to the vet and was grateful. I definitely needed them.

I was glad that we had some downtime before I started work yesterday. Drank a bit more coffee and just chilled with my boy.

Although our lives have been up and down like a rollercoaster as of the last while, I am over the moon grateful that perhaps we have closure on this health concern and can get back to our life. Lots coming up but as long as Alvin is doing okay, I can get through anything. Dreaming of winning the lottery and retiring in this house with my boy at my side. Sleeping in when we have a crazy night. Walking whenever we chose. Writing more and going through my photos. That is my dream.

Time to get back downstairs. I am building up the muscles in my left arm. Will have to work on the other one otherwise the muscles are going to be off balanced, lol. Wonder if it is still snowing?

I hope that you have a great Tuesday. I know that this day working from home with Alvin at my side is going to be GREAT. I love being at home with Alvin. He is the best.

Continuing to live this life with kindness, respect, compassion, patience, love, laughter, understanding, gratitude, focus, possibilities and coffee. Thank goodness for coffee and I have lots.

Always, Carol & Alvin

I am grateful for my life with Alvin. I am grateful for this beautiful home that we share. I am grateful to be surrounded by the most amazing, caring, loving, supportive people. Thank you for this day.

Last Half 2022 – December

I thought this morning that we would go back in time, to this day which happened to also be a Friday, December 23 but it is the year 2011.

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Good Friday Morning …… Happy December 23rd, 2011.

Well this is it ….. only one more day till Christmas Eve, and then the big day.

I want to wish to each and everyone the most glorious Christmas.

May your days be filled with perfect health, great joy, much love and laughter, wealth and abundance.

This is my last blog until after Christmas.

My wish is that Santa brings you that special item but most of all I wish that your Christmas is filled with overflowing and abundant  “LOVE.”

That is the most important thing of all ….. to love yourself, to give love and be loved….

Merry Christmas my friends.

Special Hello:  to you ALL …. Merry Christmas….

Always, Carol and Alvin, too…….

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My thoughts and wishes are the same as these, many years ago, that your Christmas is filled with love.

Another brisk morning but it is warming up.

Countdown to Christmas: ONE sleep till Christmas EVE and Alvin comes home with Aspen, Milo, Amanda and Steven. I am over the moon excited. We will once again all be under the same roof.

I will be posting tomorrow on Christmas EVE.

So grateful for second day working from home this week. We are finished work at noon and that is great. I have laundry to do, Mincemeat tarts to bake, bit of cleaning to do and then it will be Christmas.

YAY.

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

Always, Carol & Alvin

Last Half 2022 – October

Good Morning ALL! Here we are at Saturday, October 22, 2022. Our weather has been great and we are very grateful. Last night we were up a few times. It was about 10:00 p.m. when we crawled into bed and I read for a few minutes before turning out the lights. I heard Alvin moving about just after 1:00 a.m., he wanted to go downstairs, so down we went and then outside. The early morning air was cool but not cold. Back into the house and to the sofa to finish out our Friday night sleep. Mr. Alvin was up once again at 4:15 a.m., once again I donned my sweater and puffy vest over my pj’s, slid my sock covered feet into my outdoor shoes and requested Siri to turn on the flashlight as we headed outside. I was surprised to see wet snow coming down. The snow rain mix melted as it touched upon the ground. We both were a bit wet before we were back into the warm dry house. He pooped and peed each time. Thank goodness we have a comfy sofa as we were back there again. I felt too early to feed him breakfast at 4:15 a.m. I guess it was about 6:45 a.m. when we were up once again, this time, breakfast time. Back outside. Same result. So happy it had stopped with the wet snow. There was no trace that we had had snow. For all those people lucky enough to remain sleeping – you would have no idea, it even happened. Truthfully it did, lol. After the third time outside in less than 8 hours, I decided it was too early for me to thrust my tired body up for the day so once again we found ourselves snuggling under our “red” blanket. I think the red blanket was a purchase from Bath & Body Works many years ago when I first was employed at the store at West Edmonton Mall. I miss that store. The smells, the customers, the staff …..

Okay, so now it is the weekend. I have to finish the laundry. Washed clothing yesterday. Towels and bedding on the list today. Clean the bathroom and floors. Have a shower. Go for a walk. The sky is overcast and I hope for some “dry time” for us to head outdoors. We had a great walk yesterday. While walking, a woman was behind us and Alvin of course, stopped and wanted to wait until we were close to each other. She smiled and said that he was a cute dog in her strong Scottish accent. Oh, how I love that accent. We ended up walking together. Chatted about many things. Her dog, her grandchildren, my return to work, how Alvin was making out with that change and so much more. We were past Pauline’s house when we came to the crook in the path, she turned left and we turned right. I had been thinking that Teddy and Kobi were at the house with Auntie Janine as their parents were off to the mountains for a wedding. A few minutes later, we found ourselves, walking up their driveway and up the front steps with me ringing the doorbell. Kobi was first to the door, well actually she was up on the stool and looking out of the window. I could see her excitement to see us. I called out to Janine that it was us. A couple of minutes later the door opened. Teddy and Kobi gave us a lovely greeting and then we were in the house. I was grateful to Janine for the visit after we just “dropped in” but I had no idea really that we were going there. But we did. Janine is Iris’s sister. We met several years ago and have become friends. She lives in a small town in Saskatchewan about four hours away from Edmonton. It was nice to have a visit with her and the pups. Then we were on our way and back to get some work done. I had been afraid that I left the coffee perk plugged in but breathed a sigh of relief to see it was unplugged when we arrived home.

I am still trying to figure out what we should do about Alvin’s ears. The idea of surgery actually frightens me due to his age and because it is his ears. The vet even said that she has not performed this particular surgery in quite some time and will need to refresh herself with the procedure. Not very reassuring but I guess that happens. I do not know what to do. Yesterday I was doing some research in the hopes it may help me make a decision and I found that pumpkin actually contributes to yeast infections. So perhaps his having pumpkin daily to help with his pooping, is actually causing more yeast infections. I do not know. Perhaps the vet did not even know this. I had been giving it twice a day with his food. His Doctor said a tablespoon daily so I broke it up into twice with his breakfast and supper.

I watched a great movie on Netflix last night. It was called “The School of Good and Evil.” Figured should be watching some Halloween movies, not that it was particularly about Halloween but it fit into the genre. Tonight I am invited to Signe’s house along with Gillian to watch a Halloween movie. Signe’s daughter Madeline will come and stay with Alvin (she volunteered, how nice). It was not very long ago and she was actually scared of him. She had, had a bad encounter with another neighbour’s dog, well actually her Mom did but she witnessed it. Anyway, all is well now. I am happy about that.

Time to get the floor cleaned upstairs. I have moved plants around as my spider plants need some more sunlight, more than what they were getting in my bedroom. Changed the bedding and put out clean towels in each upstairs bathroom. I need to have a shower as well and want to do that after I clean the floor and then downstairs to have COFFEE and get some other items checked off that drat “TO DO LIST.” I have a parcel almost ready to go taking advantage of the “free mailing Tuesdays” in October.

I just heard Mr. Alvin groan so I better get this show on the road.

Happy Saturday Everyone!

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

Always, Carol & Alvin

PS: please keep us in good health, please help our employers increase our time working from home and also please bring prices down. thank you.

Last Half 2022 – September

Good Morning ALL! As the mornings begin to be progressing cooler and the daytime temperatures slowly start to return to normal (not for today, tomorrow, or Sunday) we breathe a collective sigh of relief. I am not saying that folks do not like warm temperatures but there are hot temps and then there are HOT temps. 30+ celsius is way too hot. Thankfully with the cooler mornings and having had the windows opened last night, it is quite cool in the house this morning and hopefully it will remain comfortable as the day progresses. I have noticed over the past few weeks how our daytime highs seem to be hitting so much later in the day. I wonder why that is? Note to self: google it.

This has been a transition year for so many people as some people are making their way back to their “offices” to their jobs at their place of employment. We have been working from home with the minimum attendance at the office. Our productivity has been off the charts and minimum use of sick days but at the end of the day our management team has decided that they “need” us back in the office. The reasons that we were given are “social” – better to have face to face with other teams and your own teams, training is easier and they want to see us. There has been much debate and many tears as we crumble to the decisions made by others. After coming up to three years of mainly working from home, we would we turn back? As one team member said “why fix something that is not broken.” If it is training that is an issue, staff could go to the office to be trained. I am so filled with emotion over this decision. At first we were told that effective immediately we go to the office “three days a week” and now didn’t that put everyone into a tailspin. How can people get child care and other arrangements in place over a long weekend? Not likely very easily. The decision after some discussion was changed a few times and the end result was one day at the office per week for September, two days per week in October and then transitioning to three days per week come November. I am not quite sure how I am going to be able to manage these changes with Mr. Alvin and his health issues. One day per week and possibly two, I may be able to get a friend to come and check on him at lunch time but that is quite a time commitment and I have not got my head wrapped around this. There are other options but I am not ready for them at this point in my life. They would mean major changes. I have had plenty of major changes over my lifetime. So anyway that is the story. We will be back into being crammed into an area that has very little natural light, packed in like sardines as I like to say (well maybe not quite that close but very close) and the noise level when everyone is back makes it difficult to talk on the phone. Anyway the decision was made and that is that as they say. I am grateful for the time that I have been able to work from home and yes, it would have been perfection to continue until I retire. I guess unfortunately for most of us this is not a perfect world. Not where close.

The back to the office also adds with it, additional costs. Parking/transportation/long commute. Poor Alvin, I worry about him. I worry for all those pets now being left alone once again. Did you know that they will not drink or very little if they cannot go outside to pee? Or there will be accidents. I wish in hindsight that I had known to train him to pee on pads, then some of the stress would have been relieved.

Well time to head outside for a walk. I am only working this morning as Mr. Alvin has another vet appointment, this one is to trim his nails etc. His regular appointment. It has been a stressful and financial straining week.

I look forward to a hopefully quiet and uneventful weekend.

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

Always, Carol & Alvin

The New YEAR 2022

Good Morning ALL! How are you this morning? I am doing well, we are doing well. Up a bit earlier than I would have like originally but what can you do. Mr. Alvin had to go outside and when you have to go – you have to go. LOL. Anyway, I need to get past this clicking on the SNOOZE button in the morning. Just get up and stay up even if it is 5:00 a.m. Have to try.

I was thinking as the time rolls along that we should have stayed up at 6:00 and gone for a walk. The sky is that perfection of blue or at least appears to be to the naked human eye. There is a slight breeze and the SUN well shining would be an understatement – it is gloriously sending those rays down upon us. I am a happy person this morning – starting your day with sunshine always makes me happy. Tomorrow morning we will endeavour to get up and stay up at 6:00 and then go for a walk. I can then get more time with the roses at the entrance to the park. OMG, they smell so divine. There are no words for that fragrance. It is definitely one of my favourites. If it were possible to bottle it, I would. I could lay down on a blanket by the roses and stay there forever or until I had to go “pee.” That will always get me up for sure. Anyway, needless to say it is beautiful outside and the roses are the best.

Last night we went over another walk over to our friend Pauline’s house and hung out in their yard. Her flowers are so beautiful. She has the most exquisite delightful yard. In the corner, by a flowering tree there are ferns, irises, and hostas and more. She always put a fire pit that was not good for fires any longer in this area and filled it with pansies and violas. The colour is amazing. Another area where I could just sit or lay down on a blanket and just be. It is my happy place. She has so many different types of flowers and they grow for her, she has a “green thumb.”

Well folks I need coffee. Have to plug it in and then before I know it will be time for work. We have a meeting in our group over TEAMS this morning. Gotta love meetings. I am not a meeting person but what can you do. I am so grateful to be working from home. I will gladly go to the odd virtual meeting.

I hope that you are enjoying the morning wherever you are. I hope that you are well and that there are sunny skies with a beautiful space filled with flowers and trees near you and grass.

Continuing to live this life with kindness, respect, compassion, patience, love, laughter, understanding, gratitude, focus and possibilities. Don’t forget the COFFEE.

Always, Carol & Alvin

PS: 41 days till my 65th birthday. I hope that gravity takes hold and bring my ears back to their original place and something else, I will leave that to your imagination. Gotta love getting older. I do actually.

The New YEAR 2022

Good Morning ALL! How are you this raining Wednesday morning? We are doing well. It was raining but now it looks like a rain/snow mix. We can use the moisture so no complaints here. Both Alvin and I survived yesterday. I will say that I really did not enjoy being at the office. The office noises were maddening between people chatting and the machines, the bright lights made it hard to see (if that makes any sense). It was nice to see some people but I am way more productive and happier working from my house. My friend Gillian came over at noon to check in on Mr. Alvin. She made sure that he drank some water, went outside and gave him some love and a bit of food. I thought about him all day long. He sure was happy to see me and yelped and cried for what seemed like forever. It was nice to drive to and from work with my daughter giving us more time to chat. Yup it is wet snow. ARGH. Oh spring. Oh well. I am happy for the moisture to help give the trees, lawns, plants, forests, and lands some well needed hydration. The buds on the trees will grow and soon we shall have some leaves. Which means I had better on this coming weekend go and trim my tree. Last night was quiet. It was late by the time I finished supper and then it started to rain so no walk. Doesn’t look like a walk today either as the sky is grey and that means it has likely settled in for the day. Forecast for tomorrow is to be nice and we have plans to walk with our friend Pauline. One of my daughter’s coworkers gave her some shoes, I scored a funky pair of canvas shoes with a couple pair that I can give to one of my friends, fingers crossed they fit her and that she likes them. I like them but just a bit too small and not sure if I would have worn them. Nice to get hand me downs. Saving the planet one pair of shoes at a time.

Well not too much else to say this morning. I am grateful to be working from home. I am grateful to have such an amazing daughter and friends. I am grateful to have fantastic neighbors. I am grateful for my Alvin. I am grateful that both Alvin and I are in good health. I am grateful that all my family and friends are in good health. I am grateful for this day and each one to follow. Thank you. I am grateful for the rain. I am grateful for the freshly brewed coffee waiting downstairs for me.

Have an awesome Wednesday.

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

Always, Carol & Alvin

P.S. thank you my darling Amanda, you make your Momma proud.

The New YEAR 2022

Good Morning ALL! How are you this Saturday morning? Alvin and I are fine. He was up early and a few times so we slept in. But today is laundry and cleaning and more shovelling so the time I start is not as important as if you have to be somewhere for a specific time. I am grateful for that. The sky is white matching the ground once again.

I am happy to say that we were able to get a treatment for Mr. Alvin and my friend, his BF’s Mom picked it up from the Vet yesterday and even helped apply it. We ran a fine comb over him and did not find anything. Breathing a sigh of relief. There were two treatments in the box so there is one to apply in one month’s time.

Today is the birthday of my Aunt Lorraine, my Dad’s only sister. There was only the two of them. I mailed her a birthday card and letter a while ago to ensure that it arrived on time. I am like her or perhaps she is like me but we are the same in that we love to receive cards and letters. I think that mailing cards and letters is beginning to make a come back. I have not stopped. With the price of postage I have cut back but I still try and send as many as I can. Who does not like to open the mailbox and find an envelope addressed to them that is not a bill or spam mail or flyers. ME, I do! Happy Birthday Aunt.

Does not look like we got much more snow overnight which is great so I will only have the driveway to shovel. It is good exercise so I don’t mind.

What are your plans for today? Are you leaving the house? Or hanging out like I am and doing laundry and cleaning? I love being at home. We had another survey from work about “how we feel about going back to the office even if it is only for meetings such as the all staff one coming up on the 15th of March?” Well I can tell you this it freaks me out big time. I love being at home and have no desire to go to the office. I like my coworkers but I prefer to be at home. Anyway I explained why I would like to continue working from home with only the odd time going to the office. If there are people that want to work from the office – go ahead but if you are like me and you have been able to do your job effectively from home – then you/me should be able to continue to do so. Working from home has been great my health and sick time (when I was at the office I was always catching something from people who didn’t think to stay home when they were sick or clients coming in when they were sick). I am so happy without a 2-3 hour commute everyday. I love being able to walk at noon when the weather allows and after work. Being home with Alvin especially since his two surgeries last year and his age has been a godsend. Back to our all staff meeting coming up – gives me anxiety but I am trying to just breathe and not think about it as I do not have a choice in the matter. I understand why they want to have meetings but that does not mean that I have to “love” it.

Well back to the weekend. I am grateful for weekends and having time to do my thing. I hope that you have time to do your thing as well whatever that may be.

Happy Saturday.

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

Always, Carol & Alvin

P.S. I had the first of the two cinnamon buns with cream cheese icing from my friend last night and it wa so delicious. Time for coffee.

The New YEAR 2022

Good Morning ALL! The sun is shining and the sky is mainly clear. Alvin and Cookie just had a chase going on upstairs as we get this Sunday morning underway. Yes, it is true that we have been sleeping in much later than normal but with the extra four-legged in the house and her being younger she is playing both of us out. So extra sleep is necessary. Besides what difference does it make. This is our time off and we are making the use of it. This is Cookie’s last sleep with us before she goes home. Tomorrow night her family arrives back home. I am going to check the temperature and find the pups outdoor gear and perhaps we should get outside for some fresh air. We have been inside for the majority of the last two weeks with the exception of my shovelling, Alvin going out to do his business and that sort of thing. I think that would be a great idea. I would like to do some laundry today and will do towels and bedding tomorrow. I will have to use my PET Bissell Crosswave tomorrow or Tuesday after work and clean the area rug in my bedroom. Freshen it up. This next week once Cookie returns home, I will take down the Christmas Tree and ornaments. I believe that the temperature is to be cold after today for another week so it is the perfect time to take down Christmas. Ornaments/decorations that is! It sure will be quiet around the house without the little one here. She brings life to us. I cannot remember the last time that Alvin tore through the house like he was 2. Now him tearing around is not so much a great idea after his last surgery in July. He seems to know his limits. Cookie is so funny, she just keeps poking and he just lays down on his belly outside the office door as if to say, “enough already” and knowing Alvin I am quite certain that he has a few further “choice” words to say.

It is hard to believe that we are now on Day two of the New Year and two sleeps until I start back to work. I am so grateful that I can continue to work from home. These past almost two years have been so great for me in that I am able to work from home and be with Alvin. No commute. Has been fantastic. Perfection. I have wanted to work at home for years but who knew it would take a pandemic for that “wish” to come true. Now of course, I would not wish for a pandemic. The loss of life and economics has been horrible. Humans have been talking about working from home since the 1970’s. I think working from home makes a lot of sense. Once we have more freedom to see family and friends – our mental health will improve greatly. For folks like myself that are alone – having contact with family and friends is a necessity. With Alvin, I find that if we are able to walk and I can see people to say hello each day that I do not need to see people for long periods of time every day. So we shall see what 2022 brings to the planet. I guess it all depends on what we do individually and collectively. I shall continue to live my life with kindness, respect, compassion, patience, love, laughter, understanding, gratitude, focus and possibilities. For that is all we can really do. One day at a time. We need to be good to each other and to ourselves. We need to be good to the environment, to the planet, to all other life. Lessen the greed.

Sounds like Cookie has given up trying to get Mr. Alvin’s attention. They played for awhile (I took some video) and now he has retreated to his position outside the office doorway.

The sun is shining brightly in through the office window. I sure hope that the temperature remains warm for a bit so that we can go out for a walk. I know that from about 10:00 p.m. last night the temperature was minus 6-7 degrees celsius which is a far cry from minus 30-40 degrees celsius. How can the temperature fluctuate that much in a matter of a few hours. Well it certainly did. I went outside last night to pick up poop with only a sweater. No coat. I did put on mitts as my hands are so desperately dry and cracked.

Well I should go. Time for a shower and get some laundry going. Coffee and see about going for a walk.

I wish you a great Sunday.

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

Always, Carol, Alvin and Cookie

P.S. Alvin is reaching out for my assistance from the Cookie “Monster.” She is cute but keeps us busy.