Last Half 2022 – October

Good Morning ALL! I am very happy to say that Mr. Alvin did not wake up until 5:00 a.m. (we were in bed lights out just after 10:00 p.m. last night). The air outside just after 5:00 was not as cold as I thought that it may be – we are experiencing a very beautiful, sunny for the most part, October. My screensaver came up with photos from a recent winter since my move to Edmonton where I had to shovel the snow about six or so feet high along the front sidewalk and the backyard looked like somewhere in the country. Yikes, that was not a great memory.

We are slowly and surely making our way into this new normal for us. Our friend came over twice to check on Mr. Alvin. I am so thankful to have such great friends and neighbours. After I got home, I went outside with Alvin, then gave him his supper while I ran upstairs to get changed and then called our friend Pauline. The call went to voicemail where I left a message. Shortly thereafter we were on our way outside for a lovely walk. We saw so many people that we knew and had not seen for a while so that was great. Met new people and who do you think we saw (just like out of a movie)? Our friend Pauline with Georgie in tow coming around the bend at the park. She had got the message and was coming to meet us. We walked back to her house and had a visit in the backyard. The pups got to run around. No matter the time of year – her yard – is my “happy place.”

Our conversation was chalked full of information. She had been recently to the grocery store where a container of margarine was anywhere from $8.99 to $9.99 and she noticed that some items had increased again and was told they would increase over the winter as well. All thanks to Mr. Putin. Jackass. There I said it. This is 2022. Why is this happening? Why are the peoples of Ukraine and Russia at war? I know why but really this is complete crap. Mr. Putin, you are a disgrace to humanity. So meanwhile the world suffers because of him. She also mentioned that she had been watching a Canadian news program that spoke about how England is buying “wood pellets” for heat from Canada, namely our neighbour to the west, British Columbia. Apparently they are cutting down forests and making these pellets to send abroad as Putin has cut off sending fuel to the U.K. Bye bye forests in B.C. I know that I am missing some “info” here but you get the picture. If you are interested, please google for more details. The long and short of it is: we, meaning the government is allowing forests to be destroyed without replanting from what I understand. How quickly we forget that once the forests and the jungles of the world disappear – goodbye human race for they are the lungs of the planet. We cannot survive without them.

Okay, I am truly sorry about the negative aspect of my blog but sometimes we just have to say things aloud and hope for change.

With the price of food soaring, the war continuing and the supply chain slowing down and in some cases stopping altogether, it will be a long winter. I worry about that. Shortages.

We have to remember that each of us can make a difference. There is a way.

I hope that your day is good.

Continuing to live this life with kindness, respect, compassion, patience, love, laughter, understanding, gratitude, focus, possibilities and coffee. Man, do I need some coffee this morning.

Always, Carol & Alvin

Last Half 2022 – July

Good Morning ALL!. Looks like we are down to the last few days of July 2022. Another super hot day for us here in Edmonton. This is going to be a short post. Already it is hot upstairs although this is a bit later than I usually write and that is because we are making another trip to the vet at 10:00 a.m. this morning. Alvin threw up twice between 2:00 and 3:15 p.m. yesterday afternoon. My daughter left work early to pick up some medicine from the vet, the same prescription he had just over a week ago to stop him from vomiting, I do not remember the name. He is hot again as we went for a short walk. I left it a bit too late. Even though it was 7:45 a.m. when we left and we were home by 8:01 a.m., he is hot. Hopefully I can cool him down. Out with the cool wet towel again. They were a lifesaver for him to sleep with. Thank you to our friend Gillian who came running in the heat when I called after Alvin’s second time throwing up and who has graciously said that she would take us to his appointment. I am so grateful to have such great friends.

Alvin’s BF Teddy did not come as they had an unexpected situation so we will get together later. His Mom and Dad are leaving today to visit family in British Columbia but Auntie Janine is there so as soon as it is cooler we will set up a visit.

I hope that you are well and keeping cool. Fingers crossed all is well with the boy. The Vet suggested he come in for blood work as it has been a year since his last panel was ran. I sure hope that everything comes back normal. Hoping that the events of yesterday were just due to the heat. I am praying, thoughts out to the Universe and to anyone including me that will listen.

Stay cool. Be well.

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

Always, Carol & Alvin

PS: now 11 days / sleeps until I turn 65. Fireworks!

2021

Good Morning ALL! How are you on this smoky cloudy morning? My thoughts are going to the people and all the animals living in the areas affected by the wildfires/fires. I cannot imagine. Here in Edmonton it is smoky and yesterday I had to close the windows as the smell of smoke was begin to affect my breathing. I am praying for rain for BC with no wind or lightning.

Does it not always seem to happen that when things all go wrong it is all at once.

My venting ….. as Alvin is barking downstairs and I decided to write this post on my computer upstairs just for a change to feel somewhat normal. Although our lives are not normal at the moment.

So yesterday I had been wearing two very delicate gold bracelets and noticed one was missing. I searched high and low but it is gone. Somewhere in the house or outside. I have a feeling it fell off outside and went down in between the cracks on the deck.

I ran to the mailbox to pick up the mail which I have not done in a long time. There was a package for me. I was so excited. When I opened the package, I found the earrings that I had ordered from Fifth Avenue that had been on backorder. I gingerly unwrapped them to find that the posts were bent on the ends and the backs were on so tight that I barely got one off. Definitely cannot wear them. Damaged before even the opportunity to wear them. Makes me so sad and a little mad.

Going back to the a/c servicing that was supposed to be on Wednesday that we had patiently waited for and then did not show up. When I called the company yesterday morning, I found out that the person I spoke with when they were late showing up – had cancelled the appointment and scheduled it for Saturday when they come to check out the hot water tank. The hot water tank was positioned in a way that blocks off access to the sump pump.

Alvin barking and whining downstairs.

It is not often if at all that I spend my whole post with negative thoughts. I apologize but I just had to get them out. Just seems that everything is going to hell in a handbasket.

Then Alvin has surgery next Friday.

Too much and I am feeling a bit frazzled.

Please forgive this venting as I am well aware in a better state of mind that I am very blessed. I live in a great house/home, I have a yard, I am employed, I am in good health, I have incredible family and friends and so much more. But sometimes life gets the better of us and I am afraid I am at that point. Deep breaths, I know.

I have a headache from the smoke and from someone’s barking. I know he just has anxiety from me not being in his sight but …… oh, I wish.

Okay, I have to go now.

I will be back tomorrow and I will be in a better frame of mind, I promise.

Trying to life with kindness, respect, compassion, patience, understanding, love and gratitude.

Always, Carol & Alvin