Thought for the day ……

Good Morning and Welcome to Sunday the 22nd day of November, 2015.

It is beautiful outside.

The sky looks like a summer morning with pale orange and white in the bottom layer of sky graduating up to pale blue.

So pretty.

What an odd night.

Alvin was eating again in bed ….. what a guy.

He woke me up at three as he needed to go outside.

So downstairs we went.

He went outside and then back upstairs where we slept until 8:00 a.m.

Guess what is missing?

He did not wake me up at 5:00 a.m. to EAT.

This is HUGE.

Unless I was in such a deep sleep that he could not wake me but I always hear him.

BIZARRE, hey.

Nevertheless he was more than happy to eat his breakfast at 8:00 a.m. patiently waiting until I made the bed and got dressed.

I mean patiently …. do you think he forgot?

Quite funny coming from such a foodie such as Alvin.

Anyway we are up …. first thing glass of lemon and water for the Momma and write this blog before starting laundry, having my breakfast and getting things done.

We had such a great time yesterday.

I love spending time with my girl.

The drive to Ponoka was awesome …. roads were dry as a board …. only a skiff of snow in the ditches and fields.

That is it as they say.

We arrived just before they were about to eat so we sat with my nephew in their dining room.

He surely has a great appetite and he did great.

Mostly eating by himself with a bit of help pushing the food onto his spoon made specially for him.

Afterward we went to the main lounge with him and had BIRTHDAY CAKE, he loved the cake.

Said “YUM” several times.

He was very happy to see us.

Face lit up and gave lots of hugs and kisses.

I found out that he is back to his old self, such a flirt with all of the girls including his cousin.

Kind of funny.

Sometimes we would hit a word that we could not understand but managed to work through it.

I cannot believe the progress he has made.

Sits in the wheelchair on his own.

He cannot walk yet I think in time he will.

We took him for a walk outside for about an hour just breathing in and enjoying the fresh air.

It was so nice not really cold at all.

We even saw a squirrel who managed to get in a few photos.

That is what happens when you have a photographer in the family.

Snapping lots of photos which he enjoyed.

It was a great day.

He loved the photo album that we took for him.

He has four now and he treasures them.

The nurses say that he looks at them all of the time.

It was hard to say good-bye but he is in such great hands.

Until next time.

The drive home went quickly and before you know it we were back in Edmonton.

Alvin was happy to see us.

My daughter stayed for a bit as we discussed some of the things to do before the craft show this coming Friday.

It will be fun.

Well I had better get this show on the road … I could write all day long but that will not get any of my tasks completed.

I hope that you had an awesome Saturday.

One thing I found …. sometimes a simple gift such as a book of photos is the best gift of all.

Simple is better most of the time.

Thank you to my neighbour for being with Mr. Alvin ….

Okay time to fly here …..

Special Hello to: all of those people who have a family member or friend with a brain injury, it is a long journey and sometimes things are never the same but it is important to remember that life is what you make of it ….. enjoy what time you have together.  Love is the best language as it is from the heart and there are no words necessary.

Always, Carol and Alvin

 

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Saturday the 21st day of November, 2015.

So quiet this Saturday morning …. not many lights on as I gaze out of the office window.

It is about 7:45 a.m.

I love the stillness.

When Alvin and I were up earlier at 5:30 ( I managed to keep him in bed until then, then up, he had breakfast, and outside. ).

I have been putting on my coat and boots and going outside as well.

Good way to let me know what kind of weather I will be going out into later.

It is actually beautiful outside.

So we will have good weather for our day trip to Ponoka.

Alvin will be home and my neighbour will be with him.

Still no sign of the rogue you know who.

I have to check the basement …. I forget last night.

I spent over one hour going through photos picking out some to take to my nephew as I have heard that he loves his photos albums.

He has two soon to be three.

I spoke to his brother last night …. seems our boy is at a crossroads.

His mind is telling him he is better and he wants to go home but he is not ready.

The short term memory is playing havoc with his therapy.

He is doing exceptionally well considering the place from which he came but my no means is he ready to strike out on his own.

Last year for his birthday my daughter and I took him a birthday cake.

We are doing the same this year.

Last year he was in a coma and this year he is awake.

Progress for sure.

Well I should get this show on the road.

Have to get ready and have breakfast and finish putting the photos into the album, my poor fingers were so cracked from the dry air that I had to stop.

Have an awesome Saturday.

One thing to remember .. NEVER GIVE UP.

As long as your mind realizes there is hope …. there always will be.

Special Hello to: my sister, I will give him hugs and kisses from you …. talk to you later.

Always, Carol and Alvin

 

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Friday the 9th day of October, 2015.

What a beautiful bright sunny morning here in Edmonton.

I am so excited to have today off as a vacation day.

Went to bed a bit later, read for awhile, slept in …. lazy.

Lots to do on this long weekend.

Some work but always tempered with some FUN.

One must always have FUN.

All work and no play …. you know how that old saying goes….

The coffee is brewing while I write ….

I love the smell of coffee percolating ….

 

Last night while Alvin and I were out for our nightly walk …. at 7 p.m. which was already starting to get dark.

After planting the bulbs that my friend gave me on Wednesday night.

We proceeded on our walk when we were almost half way around the lakes we came across this woman and her dog, a large collie.

Alvin walked to them and I followed.

We sensed that they were friendly ( sometimes Alvin is cautious around larger dogs and me, too ).

Alvin did his sniffing and so did the collie ….

We introduced our dogs “Lady ” to “Alvin.”

We had a lovely conversation about so many things.

A new friend.

Her name was “D” and I told her mine, Carol.

I was holding a “bag” from a few minutes earlier so we parted and we walked to the garbage and made a deposit.

I decided because it was already dark ( I did have my little flashlight and my whistle from the police ) that we would just turn around and go back home.

We then caught up with Lady and “D.”

The conversation just flowed.

It was funny when I got to the entrance and we went to part ways ….she asked me again what my name was and I said “Carol”  and I said yours is “D” correct?

She said “yes” and “that she had a brain injury so sometimes she forgets names”

I said “I just forget names …. never forget a face but names sometimes struggle with.”

We had a giggle and said good night and see you again, sometime.  Nice lady.

I am so grateful to have met “D” and Lady, the Collie..

It was a great night ….. planted some flowers and met a new friend and got some exercise ….

You never know when you will meet someone who you just have a connection with …… could be out walking or one the bus.

By the way, I have met so many wonderful people on the bus.

Mainly women but some men.

Looks like time to go and grab that coffee ….

The smell is drifting to my nose and my mouth can taste the glorious of the beans.

I hope that you have a grand Friday.

 

Be kind and respectful of all creatures.

That is something that we all must work on ….

What an amazing planet this would be, if we were all respectful and compassionate of all creatures, big and small.

 

Special Hello to: my sister …. SKYPE this weekend?

Always, Carol and Alvin

 

 

Thought for the day ……

Good Morning and Welcome to Wednesday the 24th day of June, 2015.

It is a gorgeous morning here in Edmonton ….. the sun is shining ….. bit of a breeze ….. birds are singing.

We had a shower last night along with lightning and thunder…..

Well, it is pretty much perfect.

Alvin is laying outside the office on the rug with his front paws crossed over and his back ones (that is a bit of surprise) and from time to time he opens his eyes and stares at me.

He is quite the character.

Definitely an early bird.

4:30 a.m. …… seems to be his time to get up.

He wakes up around 4:00 – 4:10 or so and then I manage to get him to settle back down until 4:30.

Then 4:30 strikes ……

Alvin always does the “Ask Nice” …. by placing his paw on me …. how can you refuse someone with manners?

I am so grateful that our sofa is comfortable as sometimes I get some of my best rest there.

Oh well, that is my boy ….

Set in his ways.

That is middle age for you.

Four sleeps until my daughter and I go to see our nephew who was in the coma and is now in a brain-injury rehab hospital.

They have the best facility and he is making great progress.

My sister, her boyfriend and my youngest brother are going to meet us there.

She is coming from Regina and my brother lives in Calgary.

My sister’s fella has a son and family in Calgary.

Family all over the place.

It will be great to see everyone on Sunday.

Well here it is almost time to go and catch the bus …..

Seems like I just walked in the door after work.

One other thing I wanted to share ….. this morning in my bathroom which faces north ….. the blind is not quite down and there is about a space of one inch where the sun is coming in …… the sun ray glistens as it goes across the room as if it were a runway of diamonds.  I do not think that I have noticed this before now.  It is absolutely breathtaking.  Tiny diamonds floating across the room.  YAY …… would that be nice or what.  Likely dust particles or something.  Too scientific for my brain at 6:25 a.m.

Okay time to run.

I hope that you have an amazing day …… the a/c is set for Mr. Alvin so that he remains comfortable.

Special Hello to: my sister and brother so excited to see you guys …..

Always, Carol and Alvin

Thought for the day…..

Good Morning and Welcome to Wednesday the 4th day of March, 2015.

It is a great morning here in Edmonton.

I imagine the birds are singing.

The snow is melting.

The temperatures are warming up.

Time change on Sunday.

SPRING IS ON IT’S WAY.

HURRAY ….. HURRAY …..

SPRING IS ON IT’S WAY.

ROUND THE CORNER IS SUMMER.

THANK YOU FOR THE WINTER.

 

Yesterday was a great use of a vacation day as I was able to go and see my nephew as he got settled into his new home for the next while.

The staff and Doctor are amazing.

So friendly and nice.

Sometimes you just get a sense of a place and it’s inhabitants when you walk through the door.

We did.

I know that he is in great hands and that he will recover from his brain injury.

We are so appreciative and ever so grateful for his progress thus far.

 

Back home here on “the ranch” so to speak.

I feel like Mr. Alvin has been neglected a bit with regards to our walks.

This has been not a great winter ….. lots of ice.

Coupled with me working more and more …… less and less walks.

Tonight we are going out …….

WE ARE GOING FOR A BEAUTIFUL WALK AROUND OUR LAKE ……

I miss our regular walks.

We will get them back, I promise my darling puppy.

He has retained his sense of humour.

I just wiped his eyes with his special wipes and as usual he jumps off the bed and then goes and lays on the floor in the hallway on his back and does his little “ruff” very lightly ….. his come and play with me.  So cute my boy.

Well almost time to leave for work …..

I promise Mr. Alvin someday again I will be home with you ….. more walks ….. more play-dates.

 

Special Hello to: my family and friends.

Always, Carol and Alvin

 

Thought for the day…..

Good Morning and Welcome to Sunday the 12th day of October, 2014.

It has been almost one week since my last blog.

Tragedy struck our family this past Monday morning when one of my nephews was involved in a single vehicle accident.

He was flown from a rural area in Alberta by STARS (helicopter) to one of the hospitals here in Edmonton.

Suffering a moderate to severe brain injury;  he has been in a coma since the accident.

With all of the fractures throughout his body he miraculously remains in stable condition, and Doctors say they will heal over time.

We thank everyone who has taken the time to come and visit and offer their support to my nephew and our family.

At this point they are concerned about pneumonia and flu season.

So we hope that people will use common sense and not come to visit with a cold or flu.

 

I am grateful to the medical staff as they have been great.

He has someone with him 24/7 which is a relief.

I was there everyday but had to take yesterday and today to do some things around the house, and today to work at the store.

I did not realize how exhausting it would be.

But it will be a long time until he leaves a medical facility.

So we will just take one day at a time.

 

I am so grateful for this beautiful weather, the sun is shining and one does not even require a jacket.

I am so grateful to be alive so that I may offer my assistance whenever/wherever needed.

I am grateful to be in good health and to have a beautiful home surrounded by those I love.

 

It is times like these that we stop and think about our own lives.

How truly blessed we are …..

Little things do not matter.

 

Special Hello to: all the hearts that are enveloping my nephew with good energy and love, thank you.

Always, Carol and Alvin