Second Half of the NEW YEAR – last quarter.

Good Morning All. I can tell the season has unofficially changed. More difficult to wake up in the morning as I want to stay sleeping just like a bear – hibernating. But then there is Mr. Alvin who woke up about 1:40 a.m., argh. He was flapping his ears but not really rubbing them so not sure if he has another ear infection, which he has not had one from awhile now OR if it is arthritis in his paws. He has been taking glucosamine and then a better replacement for several years even before there was any noticeable pain. I noticed that yesterday at noon when we went for a walk a few times he stopped and just did not want to walk. He had his jacket on but nothing on his paws. It was not bitterly cold but cold enough nonetheless. With my mittens I wiped his paws and I managed to coax him along so we could get home. I am not sure if that was the problem or not. He did not lift his paws as he usually does if they are cold. So will have to keep an eagle eye on him for sure. When we got up earlier he did go “pee” and then I gave him one of his pain meds which the Vet said are similar to taking an advil. He seemed to settle down so we managed to get some sleep but I am a bit tired this morning. Twenty minutes and time to work so this will be another shorter post and for that I am sorry. I do hope that you enjoy reading my posts.

On another front, I am feeling my old self again as I had woke up with the sniffles etc. on Sunday morning.

Tomorrow morning at 9:00 a.m. – Teddy and Kobie arrive and will stay with us until Saturday night so I hope that Alvin is okay. As I said, will keep an eye on the boy.

I would also like to extend our deepest sympathies to friends on the loss of their beloved furbaby “Cotton.” The girls loved their baby so much and I know life will not be the same without him. So many of my family and friends have lost a beloved pet this year and I cannot imagine the pain they are suffering. They are truly like family and their loss is felt deep. But they do bring great joy to our lives and those memories will be with us forever. If you have lost a furbaby this year or ever – it is the memories that we keep with us for a lifetime that will get get us through.

Time to go as is almost time for work. Still have to perk the coffee. I need coffee this morning.

Be well. Take Care. Live with love, kindness and respect for ALL.

I/We shall remain, As Always, Carol & Alvin

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 Saturday the 27th day of February, 2016.

Wow, can you believe it?

It is raining here in Edmonton?

The deck was wet when Alvin and I were first up at 5:30 a.m.

Looks like it has stopped now but raining at night at the end of February …. well that is just crazy.

The forecast was for snow flurries today ….. so that will be a lovely mix.

Rain through the wee hours of the night/morning and then snow in the afternoon.

Okay, then.

 

Well today is a busy day in our house as we prepare for a birthday dinner party for one of my friends who lives down the street.

It is an extra special one …… she turned 70 this week.

We, I will do the laundry, clean the floor, bathrooms, dust, get ready and then ice the special carrot birthday cake I baked last night and final step will be cooking the pasta supper.

So lots to do ….. so this will be short.

I do not like to rush and we already slept in as it fast approaches 8:30 a.m.

Wow, how the hours on a Saturday roll on by.

 

It will be fun as I love to entertain.

The extra strength ADVIL is helping maintain the pain from my strained neck / headache so that is good.

Hard to work when your body is not in top shape.

Anyway, no woe is me here ….. that life life there are things that pop up or out from time to time and you just deal with them and carry on.

 

I hope that whatever you are doing on this wonderful Saturday that you enjoy the day.

Always be grateful for what you have ….. where you are in life …… and then do each thing a bit better each day.

Keep on dreaming ….. one dream at a time ….. your life is amazing.

Happy Saturday Everyone.

Special Hello to: all those folks who are feeling less than special …… take a deep breath….. look in the mirror and repeat these words:  ” I am worthy. I am good. I am deserving. I can do anything.”

Always, Carol and Alvin