Last Half 2022 – October

Good Morning ALL! Well almost noon. What a morning already! I am grateful that I booked today off. Poor Mr. Alvin. We are just back from the vet where once again he is suffering from ear infections. One ear was way worse than the other. I have a difficult time keeping them clean as he does not like me poking around or touching them. So another round of meds which will keep them okay for a month. I spoke to the vet about our options. There are two different surgeries that can be performed. One is where they remove his eardrums and ear canals and he would not be able to hear but he would no longer suffer from these nasty yeast infections. She does not perform this surgery. The other she can do and it would mean leaving the eardrums intact but opening up the ear canals so that the yeast cannot grow and he would still have hearing. I think the second option is the better of the two, for sure. Cannot imagine having my hearing taken away like that but she also thinks that his hearing is compromised now. The idea of another surgery with him turning 14 in January, scares me but I am not sure that we have an option at this point. I just want him to have a good quality of life. Yesterday he was panting and work was driving me over the edge and I was raising my voice to him. I feel incredibly guilty and overwhelmed. My poor boy. I just hope he has forgiven my bad reaction to the situation. It is difficult when you are alone. Anyway for now, he has medicine in both ears and it will get rid of the yeast infection soon. I think his paws are bothering him as well.

I do have a beautiful story to share. Earlier this morning I noticed a little girl waiting on the sidewalk across the street from our house. Clearly she was waiting for the school bus which never came. It was cold out there earlier. My neighbor (whom I borrowed her car to take Alvin to vet) had popped in to grab a cup of coffee as she had run out. Sonja said that the girl was waiting for the bus which is always late. I decided to check on her so I opened the door and called out to her to check on her, I think that I scared her. She then started walking away from where she was standing which appeared to be toward home, when an older child came out. I should have asked what school she went to and then called them but I did not think of that. I watched them from my window when a dark blue Toyota Rav4 pulled up and a woman got out. Poor kid was scared not because the woman was trying to hurt her but because of the attention and she was cold. The woman talked to her for a few minutes and the older child came back out. The woman walked back to her car and grabbed her cell phone and then after speaking to the older child, she made a call. Likely the school. Nice to see good samaritans. This woman stood outside chatting with the kids for over 30 minutes closer to 45 minutes. At one point she grabbed a kleenex out of her car for the little girl. After awhile, the little girl got into the car while she waited outside with the older child (early teens, I think). The girl must have been frozen. She had a good warm coat on but her face and hands would have been cold and she was carrying a heavy backpack. Near the end, just a few minutes before a school bus showed up, the woman and the older child, a boy got into the car. They must have been cold. My neighbor told me earlier that the bus is always late. So this bus driver for whatever reason makes these children late for school everyday and nothing has been done. This is deplorable. Hopefully now, they will do something about the driver. This kindly woman who was just driving by put my faith back in humanity. She took almost one hour out of her day to help strangers, two children. She had a smile on her face and appeared to be trying to keep the children in good spirits. I am grateful to her for helping. Doing something that I should have done. Not that I did not want to help but I thought that the bus would have showed up sooner than it did.

Well, I made another pot of coffee as I just need one. It has been quite the week. I am beat. We will just relax on the sofa for awhile and then go for a walk. I hope that you are having a good day.

The sun is shining now which is great so it is warming up now.

Thank you Universe for good people in my neighbourhood.

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

Always, Carol & Alvin

PS: wow, how could I have forgotten this. Yesterday Alvin and I received a package from our friend Val in Regina. So many treats. We are truly spoiled. Alvin was so excited when I went to the mailbox and came back with a box. There were homemade treats for him which he opened. There were three kinds of buns/scones, mini loaves, biscottis and so many other sweet treats. I also had a package of some items that I had ordered from RICKIS. Just needed some clothes. I was happy to see that they all fit. I guess time to do some laundry, too. Coffee first. I think that Alvin just wants to have a nap. Poor boy.

Last Half 2022 – September

Good Morning ALL! How are you this morning? We are doing great. Last night we were in bed by 9:00 p.m. as I am working from the office today. About 11:50 p.m., Alvin wanted to go outside so downstairs we went. He had a pee and then we were back in the house where we laid on the sofa. Thank goodness for a comfortable spot. We were just settling in when I heard a noise coming from the front porch, as I was half asleep, I did not think too much of it. Maybe a cat. Then a little while later I heard my phone ping several times, notification of someone texting me. Did not think much of that either. Then off to la la land. Alvin wanted to get up a couple of times before the alarm went off but I managed to coax him to lay back down. We were up to stay up at 5:00 a.m., after I gave Alvin his food, I checked my phone to see a text from the neighbour in the other half of the duplex. She had texted me at 12:33 a.m., she had heard someone on our front porch but did not know if I had company that was just leaving so she did not go outside. Now that is so funny that Mr. Alvin did not bark or make any kind of movement toward the front door. Very strange. Whomever it was did not try the door handle or I would have heard so what were they doing on the porch? I did turn on the porch light once I had read her text to see if someone had walked off with one of my potted plants or the wreath from my door but they were all there. Kind of gave me the creeps. Definitely will ensure every night that I lock the front door. I do but there has been the odd time where I noticed it unlocked in the morning, especially when I had watered the front flowers in the evening. Anyway, that was my excitement. NOT.

I am starting to get a bit anxious about next week as that is the start of three days each week back to the office. I do have someone to watch over Alvin but it is not the same, it is not me. Although I am very grateful that I have such amazing friends and neighbours who are helping me out. Soon, I hope I will be retiring and then it won’t matter. Soon cannot come soon enough, lol.

This weekend we have to go over the schedule with my friend and neighbor who is helping with Alvin.

Well I am going to go downstairs and outside with the boy and ensure that the main floor is as cool as I can make it. I will close all of the blinds so that it keeps the coolness in as it is supposed to be another hot one today.

I hope that you have an amazing day. Sure cannot believe this weather but am grateful for it. Last year when we were out to see the kids for Thanksgiving it was nice out as well.

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

Always, Carol & Alvin.

Second Half 2022

Good Morning All, i hope this finds you well. i had to resort to writing my daily post via my phone due to timing and circumstances. what a night and morning thus far. we had a quiet semi productive Saturday until about 8pm. one of our friends and her daughter came to the door just before I was planning to go for a walk with Alvin. She explained how she had seen a little chihuahua dog go by on the sidewalk with no human. After that people were out looking for him. They went walking and looking and I got Alvin and we went out as well. do many people were out and he was not found. I walked at different times with each of the owners. They were devastated especially one of the young men. I felt do bad. At 10:00 it was getting dark and I had to get home as I had dropped Al at home after a short walk. Signs are up in the neighbourhood, I hope they find the little guy.

So this morning we were up earlier for trip outside and then one hour later for Alvin to eat. Following we hit the sofa for extra zzz’s. we didn’t get up until after 9:00. I thought we should go for a walk before it gets hot.

I got washed and dressed and him ready and on our way. A friend was outside so we stopped to chat for few minutes before continuing on our way. We were almost at the park when Alvin managed to get tinfoil into his mouth. i managed to get it out but I was upset with myself for not picking it up on a previous walk. We continued to walk meeting a woman out with her dog. The dog was gigantic, we chatted for awhile. Dog’s name is Grizzly, appropriate for his size. The pup was just one year old. Owner said pup was very gentle as was noted when he laid down to be at Alvin’s level. I had to come upstairs and go onto the computer as I was having slowdowns on the phone.

Once home I turned on the fans to cool off the house, my neighbour Sonja had asked to use our washer and dryer as they are renovating the basement and cannot use their machines at this time. Just after she left, Alvin wanted a treat so I gave him some of his wet food and then set about to make some coffee as it was after 10:30 by this time (and now it is almost noon) when I turned and noticed that there was a pile of vomit by the fireplace on the floor. I almost started to cry. I have no idea if he actually did manage to swallow a small piece of the foil or if it was the heat or what. I am praying that it was just an one off and that this is not a repeat of last week or an underlying issue. My heart is in my stomach. I have a headache from the stress of it all. On the way back from the park, I stopped and picked up every last little piece of that damn foil and all the time wishing that people wouldn’t throw stuff on the ground and that people would clean up the garbage from their lawns. I also picked up a ice treat wrapped and stick close to our house. Man, people make me mad. What is wrong with people?

Anyway, I need to have something to eat and relax. Get away from this head space. Between the missing pup and Alvin, I am ready to pull the covers up over my head and stay in bed permanently.

Likely not the best thing to do. I will recover as long as Mr. Alvin is okay. Hoping that the little dog is also found in good health. Maybe a good samaritan found him.

Well I have to go. It has been a very trying last few hours. Alvin seems to be okay. I am going to keep positive thoughts and hopefully the Universe will hear them.

I hope that you are having a good day.

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

Always, Carol & Alvin

PS: Well 16 sleeps till 65. Maybe time to get lost in a movie while drinking coffee.

Last Half 2022

Good Morning All! How are you this morning? Third day in a row we have been up extra early. Tuesday we were up early to go for a walk before the heat set in, yesterday I went to the office and today we are going to walk as it will be another warm one here in Edmonton.

The sky is extra pretty this morning. There are wisps of dark clouds hovering below the lighter blue sky. The sun is up and slightly covered by the cloud cast. I can hear a dog barking behind us somewhere, that dog is always outside and always barking. I feel for the poor guy or girl. In the background there is the hum of vehicles on the Anthony Henday highway that circles the City of Edmonton.

When I compare work at home to work at the office there is no difference. Perhaps I have become too comfortable getting up a bit later or earlier to go for walks, having a view of my backyard, being here for Alvin, not having the noise of the office. Working from home is so much easier and way less expensive. With the ever increasing costs and no increase to our pay – having to go to the office more often means changing what I buy for food and not buying anything extra. Someone thinks it is a good idea for people to return to the office but really is it? Most offices have staff in open workspaces with perhaps lower dividers to separate them. Noise carries. When you are on the phone it is hard to just speak in a whisper as not to disturb those around you. The commute time is horrible. Then less time at home. We were finally having a great work – life balance. Back to people being sick all of the time. Meetings for the sake of having meetings. It is always easy to say “go back” when you have a door on your office to close when needed. I am sure it will all work out but in the meantime, there are millions of people worldwide that are suffering from the anxiety of returning to work at the office. I know that millions of people have no choice. But if we can help some of those millions to be less stressed, why wouldn’t we?

Well time to go as I want to take Mr. Alvin for a walk. The cool air wafting in through the open office window is divine. I need to clear the above chatter from my mind.

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

Always, Carol & Alvin

PS: only 26 days till 65! I was carrying the decorator pillows from the spare bed back to ours and I usually look to see where Alvin is located, this time I was preoccupied and tripped. Luckily I didn’t put my full weight on his paws or anything but I did come very close to hitting the corner of the hallway wall. That would not have been pretty. Oh, my life with Alvin

The New YEAR 2022

Good Morning ALL! I hope that you are well this morning. We are doing very well. Alvin slept great. It is raining here in Edmonton with strong gusts of wind. When we were out earlier I could hear something blowing in the wind. Sounded like a fence board on neighbour’s fence. YIKES.

Today we have our “team building all staff meeting” at West Edmonton Mall at the Fantasyland Hotel. I thought last time going to the office with everyone was bad but this is really making me anxious. At least in the office we were in smaller groups and had places to go and eat away from the masses. Not at an hotel, I am afraid. Fingers crossed it goes well. I hope that they have taken the spacing in account to some degree.

My friend Gillian will come over to check on Mr. Alvin. I am running late of course, as had to click on that darn snooze button. Whoever invented that should be kicked in the butt, lol.

I hope that you have a great day and that perhaps the sun is shining wherever you are …..

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

Always, Carol & Alvin

PS: only 55 days until my 65th birthday.

Thought for the day ….

Good Morning and Welcome to Tuesday the 15th day of January, 2019.

Another pretty nice today temperature wise but not as beautiful as yesterday.

Alvin and I soaked in every minute of our walk before supper last night.

Taking into account that not quite at the half way point, Mr. Alvin whined to go home.

I told him firmly “that we needed to walk” and eventually he carried on.

Although he did try about three times to get me to turn around.

I stood my ground.

Most times, I cave and let him lead.

Last night it was just so perfect for walking that we needed to go.

We never know what the next evening will bring.

If it is really COLD, SNOWING or ICY …. we stay home.

A bit of snow is okay but Alvin is just getting over an ear infection and do not want him to get his ears wet.

SNOW inside and not dried will give him an yeast infection.

Anyway we completed our walk and I was happy.

 

After supper, Humphrey the Cat came to spend the evening with us.

His Mom was going to dance classes.

She wants him to get used to being somewhere else other than home.

Also to get more used to Alvin.

Being outside together or with both of us here for a few minutes is one thing but with Humphrey’s Mom not here and just us, well that could be something totally different.

So Humphrey arrived about 6:30 p.m.

I made sure that I had had supper and tidied up so that I could keep an eye on the boys.

Different than two dogs.

I do not wish Humphrey to take a swipe at Alvin with his sharp claws.

Even has never given any indication but at the end of the day they are animals and just one sniff out of place could cause harm.

So Humphrey checked out upstairs.

He walked around the main floor.

Looked out the window.

Laid on the mat by the front door.

Stretched on Alvin’s bed (floor).

He liked going upstairs and I found that he was clawing at the carpet so eventually I blocked off the upstairs.

Cannot have the carpet pulled apart.

I did find one strand of carpet, oh well.

He laid on the big brown chair.

I laid a blanket down so he could snuggle.

He wanted up on the sofa beside me and eventually did so.

I had Mr. Alvin on one side and him on the other.

Alvin pretty much was anxious for a good part of the evening.

When Alvin went outside – Humphrey wanted to go outside.

When the boys were surrounding me on the sofa, I had been on the tablet.

Humphrey is used to his Momma’s iPad so he was watching things.

Eventually I set it in front of him and just put the front screen saver on …. he placed his paws on the screen.

He so intently watched what was going on.

It was so cute.

At one point I managed to snap some photos on the tablet’s camera.

Will have to add them to the computer at some point.

Humphrey is a cute boy.

Near the end of the evening Humphrey jumped up on Mr. Alvin’s most favourite chair and I thought that Alvin was going to have coronary.

He did not run over but he was very anxious.

Poor boy.

I did catch a photo of Humphrey in the brown chair and Alvin in his chair directly across from one another.

Alvin was looking out the window.

It was a different kind of evening for us but interesting.

Alvin did growl once or twice.

Well it is almost time to go.

I was up late and tried to squeeze as many minutes on the sofa as I could.

I hope that you all have a wonderful day.

 

Special Hello to: all my friends who have cats and dogs.

Always, Carol & Alvin