The New YEAR 2022

Good Morning ALL! Another bright sunny morning and although I could see my breath at 5:00 a.m., it is nice outside. How are you on this Thursday? We are well. I believe that excluding human food from Alvin’s diet has made all the difference. Now that being said he does still have canned pumpkin to help him poop. But that is it and today is the fourth day for this experiment. Again he slept until 4:00 but was up to eat at 5:00 instead of the 6:00 from yesterday. But this is a huge improvement. Six hours of sleep in a row for me is huge. Alvin has his regular five week vet appointment this afternoon, so I took the afternoon off as vacation. I sometimes think it is a waste of a whole afternoon but then I think yay, I am taking a well deserved break. I do not mean waste for him, waste of having to take vacation time. Anyway, I am grateful to have the time to take off.

On Monday morning, a dear friend of whom I affectionately referred to as my second “Mom” passed away back in Saskatchewan. I wanted to wait until her family had the opportunity to contact all members of the family before I posted on this platform. Yesterday the announcement was made on social media and the announcement from the funeral home was posted. I have known Shirley my whole life. Funny story her first name was my Mom’s actual first name, only my Mom went by Jean. Anyway, she was a great loving sweet, funny woman and I shall miss her. When my Grandfather was killed in a combining accident in September of 1973, I moved from where we were living in Alberta back to my Grandparents farm in Saskatchewan to stay/live with my Grandmother. I was going into Grade 11 that fall. Shirley and her family lived only a short distance, actually walking distance from my new home. So we reconnected. She made me and of course the whole family feel like part of their family. Shirley and her husband Charlie (passed 2012) were family. They included me in everything. It certainly helped ease the feelings of missing my sister and brothers and parents back in Alberta. Shirley was simply beautiful inside and out. She enjoyed volunteering for her church and singing in the church choir and of course, looking after her family. Family meant the world to Shirley. She will be greatly missed by her four children and their spouses, grandchildren and great-grandchildren I am so grateful that I had the opportunity to know this dear soul. There were no computers and video calls in those days. I am grateful for the technology so that I can be at her service. Another angel has joined the heavenly choir.

Photo by pattama choomsree on Pexels.com

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

Always, Carol & Alvin

P.S. 61 days till my 65th Birthday……

2021

Good Morning ALL! How are you this morning? We are well. Had kind of scary few moments earlier this morning when I let Alvin outside realizing that we had freezing rain earlier and the deck was a sheet of ice except for a smallish pile of snow. Alvin had to go out and I figured he would stand a chance of remaining upright but the poor little guy slipped about trying to go down to the grass area and then trying to go up the steps to the upper deck while I called out to him to “STOP.” I was so scared that he would slip and wrench one or more of his legs and then we would be right back to where we started from or worse. Luckily he ended up over by the snow and of course had to walk into it but in the end he had a pee. It was horrifying for a few minutes before he got safely back to the house. Just after we got up, I quickly went outside stepping onto the mats on the deck just outside the door with ice pick and shovel in hand I got to the snow and starting shovelling and throwing it all over the deck. Hoping then he would have some traction for his next visit outside. It is warm out so unfortunately it will likely melt but with the plus temperatures over the next few days – the snow will likely all melt on the deck anyway. The sun is beginning to rise with the blue night sky slowly starting to dissipate. Well I will have a shower after this post. Followed by some cleaning. I brought up and put away the last of the laundry that was hanging to dry and put away before I started this post. Made the bed and arranged the pillows. Does anyone else make their bed anymore? It seems like most of the younger ones do not but I like it made. A personal preference or perhaps a generational thing, I do not know. But anyway.

I forgot that my friend Gillian’s husband celebrated a birthday yesterday. Happy Birthday.

I received a message from Teddy’s Mom saying that they were coming back into the City and could Teddy spend the night. I hope that this freezing rain stuff does not stop that from happening. Safety first, of course. Not sure what the highway is like. I know that the QE2 (Queen Elizabeth Highway #2) had a major accident yesterday with several tractor-trailer units. I hope everyone is okay, I was scared to check further. Teddy’s Mom also mentioned that perhaps while she ran errands tomorrow that possibly Kobi could stay with us. I said “YES” of course. Alvin will be over the moon to have his best bud sleep over and visit. I cannot wait, fingers crossed that the roads are okay. Coming in from the country you never know.

The Christmas Cards were all done yesterday and then last night I thought of two more, one to post and one to hand deliver. Just two so that is not too bad. I am mailing 33 I believe and hand delivering 16 for a total of 49 which is the least amount that I have ever done. I used to write up cards for my coworkers and some others from work that I know well and that was a big number and I used to mail 75-100 but there are cutbacks everywhere including my Christmas Cards. Besides the ones to the office, I don’t have people’s addresses except for one. So I am mailing her a card. Everyone else will receive a verbal “Merry Christmas” and “Happy New Year.”

Well I suppose I should go and hit the shower followed by some coffee and breakfast and then do some cleaning.

I hope that you have a wonderful Sunday wherever you may be!

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

Always, Carol

P.S. I am going to put on some Christmas music ……

It is a NEW YEAR.

Good Saturday Morning!

Do you or have you ever had a day when from the moment you woke up you just felt incredibly happy!

More so than the usual daily happiness!

That deep to the core feeling that all was well, really well, it was great.

You felt good.

Your trusty companion was finally over the “worse” of whatever it was he was that kept him from being his best health.

The morning had started out raining.

The finishing touches on the fence were to be done at 10:00 a.m. and were pushed ahead to 1:00 p.m.

This did not diminish my overwhelming feelings of happiness, joy.

I had decided to take my morning 15 minute break from work a bit later as my friend was filling my grocery order from COSTCO.

She would drop it off and then I would put it away on my 15.

All worked out.

I was working away.

It was a great Friday morning.

I guess it was after 10:30 when she rang the doorbell.

I went down the stairs as my office is upstairs to unlock the door and quickly brought in the items as she brought them to the porch.

We chatted for a second, I thanked her profusely, and she left to put away her groceries.

After she was gone, I went upstairs to advise my Supervisor that I was taking my break now.

I had grabbed my coffee and my phone and continued to go downstairs.

Somehow I slipped, lost my footing and down I went.

I managed to hold onto my coffee (not spilling a drop) but dropped my phone as I slid on a angle down several steps.

My left foot stopped me just before the bottom landing.

Alvin started barking, he knew something was wrong.

It felt like I was in a dream, almost like an out of body experience, which seems strange as I type these words.

But it did feel very unusual.

I could tell that my left foot was not in it’s usual happy place as I began to regain composure.

In that moment there was pain for sure, not unbearable.

I was mad at myself knowing full well at that point that the next day or so would not be the same.

So I slowly made my way into the living to sit on the sofa.

I texted my daughter so that she would know what had happened and a bit later I texted my friend as well.

During the next few minutes I put away the groceries that needed to be refrigerated.

Some things I just left out.

Alvin and I managed to get outside so he could go pee.

Then I went upstairs very carefully and quite slowly to send a message to my supervisor to advise what happened.

After a bit, I went back upstairs to work.

The chap that was working on fence was coming at 1:00 p.m. so I decided to take a late lunch.

So I slightly elevated my foot while continuing to work.

The pain was easily bearable.

Later I took a couple of over the counter painkillers.

I received a text just before 1:00 that he was here to continue on the fence and I quickly told him what had happened knowing it would take me a few extra minutes to get back downstairs.

I advised my supervisor that I was taking lunch.

Then out we went, I opened the garage door so he could back his truck into the garage for easy access to his tools.

After a few minute chat back into the house we went.

While I was taking a break, my manager called to see how I was doing.

She mentioned that I should have a chat with our HR guy about the incident in case I had to report to WCB.

I said after lunch I would do so.

After my 45 minutes was over back to work I went.

Spoke to the HR guy and as it turned out did not have to complete WCB forms as it was not a “workplace injury.”

Not sure why as I am working from home and was on a paid break when it happened.

Anyway, that’s okay, whatever.

I had thought that I would take the rest of the afternoon off but then got busy and kept on working until the end of my shift at 4:00 p.m.

Just about the time I was finished so was the chap working on my fence.

So it worked out perfectly.

Over the next few hours I tried to stay off my feet but not realistic.

Anyway I fed Alvin and we had to skip yet another walk, argh.

I put my supper in the oven to cook and elevated my foot on a pillow.

In between somewhere I put out a call for an ice pack as the ones that I had just did not work on my foot no matter what I did.

I was just eating my supper when I received a text.

My friend who picked up my groceries – came to the rescue bringing me the perfect pliable “Barbie” ice pack and a couple of others.

Then finishing up supper, I did the dishes, cleaned up and made some tea.

After that I sat down and iced my toes while watching “Love it or List it.”

Quiet night.

About 9:00 p.m. we started to get ready for bed.

I was happy to lay down.

What a day …..

You never know what will happen.

Life can change in a blink of an eye.

Well I had better get going here.

I want to show you some fence photos.

Might even throw in a “toe photo.”

My foot had turned a light shade of purple after the fall.

The toes were swollen for a time.

I noticed at bedtime that my smallest toe is black and blue and it is a bit swollen.

Still this morning.

 

Okay photos.  Alvin needs a haircut and bath.

My daughter is coming to help me.

I am hosting a birthday party for one of my “young friends.”

So lots to do.

Hoping to have it on the deck.

I have a birthday present to wrap.

House to clean.

Cake was purchased.

A fruit platter to prepare.

Fresh strawberries, blueberries and watermelon.

The cake is a strawberry shortcake from COSTCO.

It looks so good.

One more day.

So much to do.

 

Finally got all of the fence photos from beginning to end for you to see.

Also added on of my ugly toe injury (I do not have pretty feet).

For some beauty, I added a photo of our tree.

 

Next spring the fence will be painted, there will be mountains of colourful flower pots filling in the deck space.

I will have a new umbrella or two for my tables.

But life is good.

Just a bit tender this morning.

Alvin, is sticking close by and keeping an eye on his Momma.

Time for coffee and some toast.

The sun is shining and there is a cool breeze coming in through the open office window.

Alvin will be receiving a haircut and bath in the next little bit.

The first load of laundry has been started.

I was very careful and holding onto the railing on the stairs going both up and down.

Lesson learned.

Slowly wins the race.

 

With kindness and respect,

I/We shall remain,

As Always, Carol & Mr.  Alvin

 

Living… One day at a time.

Hello,

Well it is just before 8:00 a.m. on this slightly overcast Saturday morning.

Pups have had breakfast.

Teddy, Alvin and I have been out for a walk.

Popped the first of three unexpected loads of laundry into the washing machine.

Put coffee on to brew and also ground some coffee for tomorrow or maybe later today.

Made my bed.

Working on this post.

 

Yesterday was a great day when I left the office I felt as though I had accomplished what I wanted/needed to do.

Only two work days next week before I am on vacation for a few weeks.

So looking forward to the time off but at the same time I do want to leave “my desk” in good order.

I even completed a task that is not typically done until the middle of the month.

Check.

YAY.

On Fridays in the summer months we are allowed to leave at 3:00 p.m. and I was lucky to catch a ride with a co-worker who lives not too far away.

Once home it was clearly too warm for us to walk.

So I decided to get some work done.

Some laundry, tidying up.

I was just speaking to my sister when a call came in on the cell phone, I wasn’t sure how to switch over so I let it go and continued to speak to my sister.

All of a sudden my house phone rang and I figured it was the person who was calling me on the cell.

So grabbed the phone from the kitchen and saw it was my neighbour, so kindly asked my sister to hold on for a moment so that I could take the call.

My neighbor wanted to see if Mr. Humphrey could spend the evening with us and of course, I said Yes.

I was explaining to her about Teddy coming and she said she knew as they had just arrived.

She saw them before I did.

So we had Humphrey and Teddy and Mums all arriving at the house at the same time.

There was some running and excitement.

We chatted for a bit.

Humphrey’s Mom was going out so she left and Teddy’s Mom stayed for a few minutes longer.

Then it was me and the boys.

I had finished the laundry before all the company arrived.

We spent some time outside.

Humphrey loves being on the deck.

It was warm but he loved being outside.

The other two were back and forth as I had the fans going inside.

We had some weather.

Tornado watch for most of the evening.

At one point I heard thunder and saw lightning in the distance so I scooped up the babies and brought them into the house.

Well of course, Teddy and Alvin walked but I did scoop up Humphrey as he did not want to go into the house.

We had a quiet evening.

Just putzing and relaxing.

Humphrey’s Mom came home about 9  p.m. and then it was just three.

I decided that I was tired by then and we started to get ready for bed.

We went outside for the pups to go for a pee and or poo.

That ended up being an extra long process.

You will find out in a moment.

So I call the pups upstairs.

Moved the pillows off the bed.

Went into the bathroom to brush my teeth.

Teddy went downstairs and Alvin just sat outside the bathroom door (was in the main bathroom as I have my dental station set up in there).

Once done, I went and picked up Teddy to bring him upstairs.

I was wondering for a second why he went downstairs.

Back in our bedroom, I closed the door.

Teddy was playing in the blanket on the bed, hiding while Alvin just hung around me.

Once I had washed and changed and was ready to lay down and read my book.

I moved the blanket and in the semi dark something looked out of place.

I turned on the light to see someone had peed on the bed.

That someone was the little someone who had been playing in the blanket as Alvin was not even in that spot.

So I lifted up the bedspread wet, top sheet wet, bottom sheet wet, pillowtop wet, all wet down to the mattress cover.

I am so glad that I purchased that and left it on the bed.

So I grabbed my pet stain removed and one my one cleaned the wet spots on each of the coverings.

Then placed them in the laundry basket and into the bathtub until laundry this morning.

That was my unexpected laundry.

So then I only placed sheets on the bed – not taking a chance and having to wash another bedspread.

I always wash bedding on the weekend so that was okay.

But it was 30 minutes that I was not planning and then my reading time was cut down considerably.

Teddy slept good but then Alvin was up and down all night long.

So at about 2 a.m. – decided might as well come downstairs to sleep.

Downstairs we went.

Our actual getting up to stay up was much earlier than normal about 6:30 a.m.

Early for a weekend.

Oh well, the laundry is on and the stains should come out.

What a night and early morning.

In just over one hour my grand pups will arrive.

Time to have breakfast.

I took some shots of the pups last night, the storm and stuff.

Will share of them.

One never knows what is going to happen and has to be prepared for “anything.”

 

The Oriental Lilies that I received as a gift, so many blooms.

On the way to the bus stop on Friday morning – the water fountain – such a beautiful place

The next shots while we were on the deck last night.

Above shots taken during the storm last night

The shots below were just as we were going to bed before the accident.

You can actually see the wet in the last photo.

Hadn’t realized that until just now.

Anyway we are off to a great start this morning.

I am hungry so time to have breakfast and coffee before the grand pups arrive in about one hour or perhaps sooner.

 

All in the life ….

I will admit to be a bit upset about the “pee” last night but then I remembered that he had gone downstairs … he was telling me something.

I just chose not to listen.

Oh well, it is all good.

 

Happy Saturday.

Kindness and Respect to all, no matter how many legs you may have ….

Life is good …. sometimes there is the odd hiccup along the way …. but it is not the end of the world.

Only a small pothole in the road.

 

Have an awesome day.

My tummy is a rumbling.

 

Always, Carol, Alvin and Teddy

 

 

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Sunday the 10th day of December, 2017.

The sky is broken up with clouds and lighter patches where the sun wants to appear.

The temperature has been absolutely beautiful.

Yesterday was over 10 degrees celsius, what a glorious day for December.

Just one more weekend before the Christmas weekend begins.

I apologize for not writing on my blog yesterday.

I had so many things to do and with my hand injured I had to choose what I could do without getting to carried away.

Well I got carried away but luckily things worked out okay.

I learned that there are just some things that I cannot do with my right hand or with my left hand “sprained.”

So I will take you back to my Thursday.

The day had unfolding beautifully, I had a great work day and had taken a couple of vacation hours to go to West Edmonton Mall and do a bit of shopping.

Nothing to exciting.

Alvin required some “poop bags” (not him, I needed them) and we have adoped four seniors at work through London Drugs (they adopt seniors, they give a list and foster groups adopt them for Christmas).

I wanted to pick up some small items from their list which had pretty much already been fulfilled.

So I went to the mall (yes it was busy even at 2:30 pm on a Thursday) and did my shopping.

I found them some word searches and some bath salts and the poop bags and some other small items that I required.

In and out of the mall in about one hour.

Feeling really good.

I didn’t wait long and the bus pulled up.

Got on the bus, had to stand as it was full.

No worries.

At the second bus terminal got off and the 117 was there so got onto that bus.

Again it was full so remained standing.

About ten minutes later approaching my stop so pulled the “bell.”

I noticed someone waiting at the stop.

I grabbed my bags.

My purse was made into a backpack and I had two bags one on each hand.

The driver stopped the bus.

The woman outside came toward the bus and as she came forward, I tried to move around her, the step had not been lowered (did not know at that second) and I lost my balance and

went flying threw the air landing on my face and left hand.

The bags went flying.

I laid there hurting and humiliated for what seemed like forever (likely only seconds).

I lifted my head noticing that my left glass lens had been scratched or at the least was dirty.

By this time the bus driver had come off the bus.

He asked me if I was okay, I said yes.

The driver also said that I was “bleeding” and went back to get some paper towel from the bus.

I wiped the blood from my face, which was not much.

He asked me if he should call for medical and I said absolutely not.

He asked me this question a couple of times.

I started to move after a few minutes, and get my bearings.

By the way the girl that started this did not get off the bus.

She had to have known or seen.

I began to see if I could get up when I realized that my left hand was hurting and injured to some degree.

As I tried to get up the driver lent an arm and I pulled myself up gathering the items that were now littered about on the sidewalk and placing them into the bags.

I stood up, fuming and crying at the same time.

The driver all the while kept saying to me “that woman tripped you.”

My final response to him beside “thank you” was that the step was not lowered and yes, she should have waited until I was off the bus.

Common sense, you see some with their arms full coming off the bus ….. would you not step back out of the way.

Anyway the driver got back onto the bus and waited for a minute or so.

I started to walk in between the tears and the curse words home.

It was a slow walk with me crying and saying curse words the whole way, but I made it home.

Somehow swearing makes you feel better??? Not really.

When I arrived home it took a couple of minutes to get my backpack off and get the key out and the door opened.

I was early and Alvin was not at the door ….. he arrived seconds later.

I as quickly as I could got my boots and coat and mitts off and headed to the back door to let him out to pee.

He actually stopped for a drink and then went outside.

He came in and followed me upstairs as I wanted to get out of those clothes and see what the damage was to my knees and body.

As I neared the top landing I noticed in the middle of the floor (yes carpet) a huge mound of poo.

I said “Oh, Alvin.”

Followed by grabbing the paper towel and cleaner from the bathroom.

Cleaned up the poop …… laid an old towel on the floor to absorb the cleaner.

Thankfully it was not “loose poop” if you know what I mean.

Poor Alvin ….. he has not had an accident in the house since his first night with me almost eight years ago and then he was sick and with a stranger.

No worries.

Next steps were into my bed where I was greeting with my bed tore apart.

I always make my bed in the morning and place all my throw pillows onto the bed so that it looks nice.

The throw pillows were thrown about ….. the sheets and bedspread were pulled back.

My pjs were pulled out from behind the pillow ….. I actually said to him, “Buddy, did you have a party while Momma was gone.”

As quickly as I could I got changed.

Not quickly with one hand.

I noticed that my right knew was scraped but not other bruises on my body.

My left hand was swollen and hurt.

I went into the bathroom and checked out my face.

My left glass lens was scratched and would need to be replaced.

My nose was scraped.

The left side of my upper cheek was scrapped a bit.

My lip was cut (small).

It was my hand that bore the brunt of the fall.

Not broken as I could and can move it.

A sprain by all accounts.

I had one drugstore painkiller at home so I took it (think it was Advil).

I gave Alvin his supper and called my daughter.

She wanted to come over and I said that I was okay and that if my hand got worse, I would get to the Doctor.

My daughter thought that perhaps Alvin because he could not get outside to poop got a bit crazy and tore the bed apart.

He also moved both the matts in the upstairs bathrooms around.

Oh well …..

 

There was silver lining to all of this …. my friend “V” had sent a package.

A huge package.

It took some time to get it opened with one hand but I managed.

Both Alvin and I were excited to see all of the treats that she sent to us.

Thank you again, my friend.

We are truly spoiled.

 

I went to work on Friday …. I got a ride with my neighbour.

Work was slow.

I could not write with my left hand and I am left handed, of course.

But I can write (out of practice) with my right hand.

So managed to get a few things done.

Long day.

One of my co-workers gave me some more ADVIL and also wrapped my hand in a tensor bandage.

My hand has and is swollen.

Depends on how much I do and what I do.

But between ADVIL, breaks, heat and ice compresses, I am good.

I did put a claim in with the City of Edmonton.

Not likely that anything will happen there but it felt like the right thing to do.

I was able to take my glasses in yesterday and it cost me just a few dollars short of $200.00 to get the lens fixed.

You have to pay at least half up front and with paying the full amount, now I can submit it to my Health Spending Account.

So at least I have insurance to cover it but am mad that I have to pay for someone else’s neglect.

So that is the story.

I managed to get groceries yesterday morning, more bus tickets, go to the Optometrist, do laundry, take Alvin for a walk, made a double batch of fudge (that was later last night) and puppy sat in the afternoon.

So a productive day.

 

I know that I cannot easily mix with my left hand and not with my right as I found out with the fudge.

My daughter is coming over today to help me with the last of the baking.

Time for coffee and breakfast.

But I wanted to fill you all in and to let you know that I just could not get this done yesterday.

I feel good today.

My hand remains sore but manageable.

 

Have an awesome day.

If you ride the bus – watch for people getting on.

 

Happy Sunday.

The sun is shining and it will be a great day.

 

Special Hello to: my friends and family, thank you.

Always, Carol & Alvin

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Friday the 8th day of December, 2017.

Sorry this will be short.

I had an accident getting off the bus last night and my left hand is banged up …

Someone getting on, me getting off and the bus driver did not lower the step and I had two bags.

Not pretty.

I am okay ….. left hand pretty sore …..

 

I will be back tomorrow.

 

Special Hello: to my friend “V”

Always, Carol & Alvin

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Thursday the 28th day of April, 2016.

Another month in April almost complete …. hard to believe.

 

Yesterday was a stellar day in our household.

Our beloved Elton continues to beat the odds and is making a full and “speedy” recovery from his surgery on Tuesday.

The kids went for a visit yesterday and he was so excited to see them he just stood and wagged his tail and then began to eat his food.

The staff said he wouldn’t eat before they arrived.

He continues to astonish the Doctors and all of us.

We are so grateful that he remains with his family that treasure the little guy more than words can say.

 

The other was just as much a surprise as Elton’s amazing recovery was this.

On our way home from our walk we stopped by the mail box to retrieve the mail.

Usually flyers and junk mail.

There was an medium sized white envelope that was addressed to me by way of a typed label.

There was no return address.

There was no means of identifying by the post mark.

When I got home I quickly opened it.

Inside the envelope something was neatly wrapped in white paper, carefully the corners were pressed.

Opening that I found a small yellowish enveloped so sealed that I had to use my letter opener to get into it.

Inside I found a small card decorated with three little flowers.

I opened the card to find a $50.00 Save-On Grocery Card (the store is walking distance from my house).

The card read:   JUST BECAUSE and beside it a “Happy Face.”

No signature …. no means of discovering who this most generous person is ….

I am running out of time here as I have to go to work.

But I must tell you the timing is perfection as between Alvin’s $1200 Dental Bill and the $800 Unexpected Energy Bill, it has left me “temporary” in a bind.

Getting there and the gift card was so thoughtful.

Sometimes you never know what you will find in the mailbox.

Maybe it was not a cheque but it was so much more.

Someone took the time and got me something I could use.

So very grateful.

 

We also stopped by and saw one of our neighbour’s who had recently fell and broke her hip and is now home recovering.

Another speedster in the healing department.

She is in such good health she will be up and doing her gardening soon.

Thank you.

 

Yesterday was a blessed day all way round.

 

Special Hello to: all those folks who think there is no one watching over them ….. there surely is ……

Always, Carol and Alvin

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Monday the 18th day of January, 2016.

It is snowing outside ….. not quite globe like but very pretty all the same.

The temperature has warmed up from the weekend and that is a good thing.

We cannot complain our winter has been quite mild thus far.

I will say thus far because you never know what Mother Nature will throw at you.

But for today …. it is warmer and snowing.

I see shovelling in my future …..

Nothing like shovelling after a day at the office.

Exercise then supper.

 

Yesterday was an odd day for me.

Started out having a cup of coffee with my neighbour and a quick visit.

Followed by a 1.5 hour Baptismal/Communion Mass at a nearby Catholic Church

My friends “G” and “K” were baptizing their two young boys.

The mass went a bit longer than expected.

It was nice.

One young girl had on this white dress and veil.

The dress looked like a designed wedding dress ….. very pretty.

Her brother had on a white suit.

The whole family was dressed very designer-like.

It has been a long time since I visited the Catholic church.

I do not belong to that particular church and did not remember about the wedding like dresses for the girls and white suits for the boys.

However, not every child was dressed like that.

We were chatting at my friend’s house afterward and I asked about the cost to buy something like that for the children.

Apparently the suits and dresses can run in the hundreds.

Yikes.

They did look slightly out of place as they were dressed so fancy.

I guess each to their own.

But does make one think ….

After the lovely ceremony we went to my friend’s house.

My other friend “G” and her daughter had picked me up and I went with them.

We had a lovely visit and awesome lunch.

Another friend had made some beautiful cakes for the boys.

One was a bible and the other a cross.

Very nice.

I finally met the rest of the family …. which was nice.

Afterward I came to me Alvin …. I always feel guilty when I leave him at home.

Actually truth be know other than work and the grocery store …. I seldom leave him.

But it is did not help me feel any better.

After supper I was invited to another friend’s house to celebrate Ukrainian New Year.

She had her family, myself and another friend from the neighbourhood.

I realized quite quickly after arriving that the dessert and drinks turned into lots of snacks.

So more food.

There were two “crystal glass accidents.”

I was helping taking trays of food to the basement and had set my tiny crystal glass onto of the tray.

Not thinking that I had set it on a ceramic part of the tray and that it was slippery.

Well you can guess the rest.

My sweater smelled like coconut for the rest of the evening.

Good thing that I had layers on …… so the drink spilled on the black top ….

Afterward when we were back upstairs to have “dessert” one of the guys picked up his glass and the top came off from the stem.

Thank goodness that she has several hundred glasses …. truly she has hundreds of glasses.

But that did not take away how badly I felt.

It was a great evening and although I had decided to stay for only one hour that magically turned into over two.

Again the guilt …. but this time mellowed with a bit of alcohol.

Good thing I am not a drinker …. yikes.

Anyway it was an odd Sunday for me but most enjoyable.

The alarm came early or so it seemed.

Well that was my Sunday …..

Back to reality …. early mornings ….. work …… early mornings …. work.

I hope that you had an awesome Sunday.

See you later.

Special Hello to: all my Ukrainian friends …. hope you had a great Christmas and New Year’s.

Always, Carol and Alvin

 

Thought for the day ……

Good Morning and Welcome to Saturday the 14th day of November, 2015.

The sky looks frosty if that is possible and the roofs are all covered in frost … like a painting.

That is my view from the office window.

We were up early this morning much like other mornings.

As has been “routine” for the past mornings I quickly don my winter boots as I hit the main floor.

Grabbed Alvin’s food dish as it’s temporary home is in the living room.

I turned on all of the lights and followed Alvin into the kitchen where I gingerly turned the handle on the bathroom door.

Quickly turned on the light and spoke loudly before opening his food container and filling up a cup for his dish.

Returning to the living room he ate breakfast while I “cowered” on the upstairs steps.

How sad am I?

Once done we both went outside.

Alvin and my winter boots are my saviours these days.

I feel so helpless and stopped from doing the things that I need to do.

I have a long list of items that need my attention.

The craft show is fast approaching and I need to gather some tea orders.

I have to get past this situation.

It has been crippling.

The days that have been wasted because of this small little thing.

Well today is a new day.

I will tell you that after three days of this I am downright exhausted.

Made a decision to have my neighbour remove the sticky pads as I cannot bear it to be caught and have Alvin listen to it.

I do not think they pass right away and that is down right cruel.

Even thought this creature has turned my life upside down I just think I have to do the more humane thing ….

So this morning another friend is coming over to set a couple of the old fashioned “snap” ones.

I feel better about that.

Right now there is nothing in the pantry and I should be baking some pumpkin muffins so I shall have a shower and be brave.

Gather my baking items from the pantry and get on with it.

Boots and Alvin and all.

I need to get going on things.

So these are my thoughts for the day.

I am trying to be brave …. I am trying.

Somedays it would be nice to have a room-mate in addition to Alvin.

Although he has been the best …. does not leave my side…. I think that he knows.

Tomorrow is my nephew’s birthday …. the one that was in the accident last fall and in a coma for several months.

He is doing a world better;  his brother is taking him home for a day or two and renting a hall to have a party for him.

Happy Birthday ….. he will love seeing all of his friends, neighbours and family.

My daughter and I are going to go next weekend and visit him at Ponoka unless he already has plans.

We have to call.

Tick tock …. I have to get this show on the road.

Writing is not going to get things done.

I appreciate your support ….

Special Hello to: to all those people who live every day with phobias …. I know.

Always, Carol and Alvin

 

 

Thought for the day…..

Good Monday Morning and Welcome to the 29th day of April 2013.

The second last day of this month …..

At this very moment we are having a mix of snow and rain coming down.

I am most grateful for the rain as it cleanses everything it touches.

There was so much snow mould and dirt from the sanders that rain is very welcome right now.

We had a beautiful weekend.

I even got out on Friday and did my very official “trash pick-up” …..

Two big bags full …. where on earth does it all come from ….. yikes.

I hope that you had a great weekend …

Mine was unexpected …. I will say.

Not to dwell on it but just after I returned home on Friday from picking up the trash …. I spotted a piece of paper in my front flower bed.

So I hopped over to pick it up.

I noticed a small patch of ice and did not really give it another thought.

I was not careless but in a split second ….. my left knee twisted and I fell down onto that leg with my right hand somehow under as well.

In a split second.

I felt nauseous ….. not sure why.

It hurt and I was thinking …. what if I cannot get up and there was no one to help me.

Alvin was watching out of the window.

But after a few seconds (always feels longer) … I pulled myself up and wiped away the tears and went into the house.

My knee was hurting but I knew that it was not broken …. perhaps sprained or twisted.

So I called the store as I knew that I would not be able to work that night as I am on my feet for the length of the shift.

They were so gracious and said that they would find someone to replace me for that shift.

I was heartbroken as I love my job at the store.

I also called my daughter as she always takes Alvin for the night.

So out of the blue my whole afternoon and most of the weekend changed.

I am so happy to announce that m knee is feeling about 80% better.

Still twinges once in awhile when I turn it the wrong way but all things considered I am so grateful that my “wipeout” was not serious.

I am grateful to my neighbour Sonja for going out and picking me up some pain relief in both cream and pill form.  Those items helped immensely.

Well it is getting close to the time that I must go off to my other job.

I did work yesterday at the store but had to cut the shift short by one hour ….. 11:30 till 5:00 ( I didn’t want to push it).

So I am truly thankful.

I hope that whenever you are doing things …. do not lose focus …. always be aware …. it was only a small patch of ice and I think the only one left in the whole City of Edmonton.

Have a great day ….

Take Care.

Special Hello: to my great niece Selena …. I saw your Mom’s email but was unable to open the video.  You see my young niece is a writer and performed her first poem.  I am so proud.  Wished that I had been there.  You rock, Miss Selena.

 

Always, Carol and Alvin