A New YEAR 2023

Good Morning ALL! Another kind of cold morning out there. It has been snowing off and on throughout the night and early morning hours. We did not have a great night. Bed at 9:15 p.m. and then just as I laid down and turned off the lights, Mr. Alvin began to pant, on with the lights and back downstairs as I realized that he had to poop. Outside, after more than one day with no blood in his poop and poop starting to look like good poop, we were back to blood and not good poop. How many times can I put poop in one sentence. Lots. Let me tell you. After he was done, as it was not even 10:00 p.m., I carried the boy back upstairs to bed. We are starting to spend more time on the sofa than in our bed. After that we were back downstairs in less than two hours, I wrote down the time (which is downstairs on the kitchen cupboard) every single time we got up which was four times not including the time we got up just after 5:30, and I gave him breakfast and back outside. Back in the house, I set the alarm for 7:00 which gave me another hour of sleep. Did not really feel like it. I am exhausted. So hard to concentrate or even straight when you have not had much sleep. I did call the Vet yesterday and spoke to the Vet Assistant. I had told her because at the time, he was doing so much better. No blood and his poop was beginning to look like poop should. Instructions were to continue to give him the Prednisdone for two weeks after no blood/poop and then every other day for a week until the pills are gone. Now she also said that perhaps he will need to be on them for the rest of his life. ARGH. It seems like it has been forever since he was on this medication but has it been one week or two? Good thing that I write things down. I will have to call back and see what to do. I am worried about leaving Alvin when I got to the office this week which is starting tomorrow. Too long days for him and I am sure that having to hold it in does not help matters. Oh, how it would be great to have him back in good pooping order and me being able to work from home all of the time. I guess I need to get going on things but it is so difficult when you are not getting proper sleep. I know. Procrastinating. Maybe but I am scared to be honest. Our future is uncertain. I know all of the things that I need and should be doing but I cannot get my head wrapped around any of it. The days are counting off and I am running out of time. So I need to be doing more but I feel stuck and tired. Okay this is not the positive outlook that I need to be having but it is how I feel after yet another night of literally no sleep.

Time to head downstairs and put on some coffee. I am surprised that Alvin has not started to bark yet. Perhaps he is tired as well.

Fingers crossed that he gets better soon. I feel so badly for him. He must be in pain from all of this. I will need to buy another package or three of chicken tomorrow when I go to the office. Thank goodness there is a SaveOn nearby the office. There is one close to my home as well.

I hope that you have a good day.

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

I am grateful for my life, Alvin and my home. Just a few things that I would like to change.

Always, Carol & Alvin

A New YEAR 2023

Good Morning ALL! Another bright sunny blue sky morning out there. Cold. Very cold. We went to bed quite early last night and I guess we had a pretty good sleep as far as our sleeps usually go. I just did not want to get up and get going this morning at all. Laying on the sofa cuddling next to Alvin under our red cozy blanket was all I wanted to do. But it was Alvin that made me get up and get going this morning. Perhaps a shower after writing this post will get me going and my hair feels like it has not been washed in a month which is not true. But anyway!

We had a good day yesterday. I cleaned, did laundry, made some bagels, some soup and roasted some turkey breasts and made an apple crisp. Supper was soup, a bagel and some apple crisp. YUM. I used some of the Epicure packets that my friend Val gave me for the soup and the bagels and spice for the turkey breasts. Very good. I topped the soup with avocado which I will need to use tonight but I will have some turkey with supper as well. Nothing like hot soup on a cold winter’s day.

I realized this morning just how long Mr. Alvin’s nails are getting and that would be due to not many walks. Will have to check the calendar and see when he had them trimmed last. I know it was in January. Also I need to see when the 30 days is up for the treatment that he had for his right ear. Both ears will need to be cleaned. I could give him a hair cut and a bath but I think I will wait and hopefully by next weekend his poop will be normal with no blood. I was so happy to see that his first poop in a long time was actually firm. He pooped more than once and by the last bit there was blood. But I think things are going in the right direction. Tomorrow and Tuesday I work from home so I will need to call and give an updated report to his Vet. They called on Friday while I was on the way home from work and had my phone turned off so did not see the call in time to call back before they closed.

Oh, my did I ever dream last night and this morning. Some good and some well not so …..

Time to hit the shower and then go and make some coffee. We will have a quiet morning and then this afternoon put the laundry away that is drying in the basement. Perhaps I will be able to put away the Christmas decorations as well as they are sitting out in the basement family room. As I will be down there for awhile, I will need to take Alvin with me and just want to ensure that he will be okay for a bit so that I don’t have to carry him up and down and down and up much.

I hope that you are doing well. With all that is going on between Alvin and work, I have not kept in good contact with my family and some friends at a distance and even close by. Just not enough time in a time. But I am thinking of you all and please forgive me for not reaching out more often.

Oh, I transplanted some slips from a plant yesterday. They had such long roots. I am sure that they will be enjoying the dirt. This particular plant is so beautiful and has the prettiest little flowers. I just do not recall the name.

Have a wonderful Sunday. Keep warm and stay safe. You are in my thoughts!

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

Always, Carol & Alvin

From Christmas ……. me Alvin, Aspen at the window and Milo and Alvin watching her from the sofa.

2021

Good Morning ALL! We slept in a bit later than usual this morning. The sun is shining brightly and it is brrr cold outside. In fact, Mr. Alvin didn’t go out after he ate his breakfast a few hours ago and had it not been for Cookie braving the cold a few minutes ago, I doubt he would have gone out. He likely would have waiting until he could wait no more. It is so cold outside. I feel for any folks and animals and birds that are outside in this weather. I see some people out walking with their dogs. One couple has these two huge dogs, I think they are labs. They have coats and boots on them. The dogs seldom miss a walk and they usually go twice per day. Another woman walks her dog who is not quite so large but with no coat or boots. The dog has a shaggy coat and I pray the pup is okay. Unfortunately as much as Alvin needs or may like a walk, I will not take him out in this weather. He barely can tolerate going out to the backyard (actually to the deck which is covered in lots of snow). Anyway, please if you have a dog or cat, keep them in the house. Our pets can not tolerate these deep freeze temperatures.

Alvin was sawing logs much longer than me and Cookie this morning. She got up and was pulling toys out of Alvin’s toybox. She found out than she dragged up onto the big chair by the window. The toy was about 1/2 her size. She is a strong little thing. We are over the halfway point until her family returns to home to Edmonton. We have been texting and they are having a great time. I am thinking that upon their return, I am going to carry Cookie and her things back home, masked of course. Likely a good idea. Her stash of pee pads is dwindling quickly. I may have to reach out to one of my friends down the street and see if I can borrow some.

Alvin is laying outside the office door as he always does. I have noticed that he is playing a bit more than usual and I think it is always more fun to play when you have a playmate. A human is not quite the same as another four-legged. Next month, Mr. Alvin turns 13. I cannot believe it. WOW.

I truly have been lounging about, relaxing, and unwinding these past few days. It seems like I should be taking down the decorations and the tree but I have decided not to as I am afraid that Cookie will get underfoot. Perhaps or not. We have been just hanging out. I did some laundry yesterday so not totally lying about on the sofa watching movies. It has been great watching some movies that I have not seen in awhile. I also started to read one of my new books. JOY by Debbie Travis. It is great. I am thoroughly enjoying it.

I also have been enjoying coffee every morning. When you are at home in the house and it is bitterly cold outside, something hot just tastes so much better. I have heard that when you are cold you should drink something cold and same in the summer when it is hot, you should drink something hot. I can see that making sense. But when you are warm and it is cold outside, a mug of hot coffee tastes all the more sweet. I am almost finished the second bag of Starbucks “Christmas Blend” and am sad. I do so love that coffee. It is not bitter, not sweet but somewhere in between. There is no after taste in your mouth when you are finished. It is the perfect coffee and I love it. So this morning I will definitely enjoy one of the mugs of that blend for this year.

I finished the leftovers from our Christmas dinner last night. So great to have leftovers. Now to get through all of the chopped up vegetables. Perhaps a stir fry would be nice.

Today is Wednesday, December 29, 2021. We are only two days away from New Year’s Eve. Are you celebrating outside your home this year? I will remain inside with the pups. The weather forecast for Saturday and Sunday is almost tropical compared to the days leading up. I will definitely be taking Mr. Alvin for a walk. It may be too cold for Cookie and trying to get outside without her escaping will be interesting. But I will try.

I wish you a great Wednesday.

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

Always, Carol, Alvin and Cookie

P.S. Miss Cookie just walked up to Alvin and started to lick his face. He turned his head and she kept licking. He did not jump up or growl at her. WOW. I think he may be enjoying his new temporary room-mate.

2021

Good Morning ALL! How are you doing this morning? We are great. Alvin slept through till 5:30 (yup, that is when we first came downstairs), cannot believe it. He stirred a couple of times to move from one side of the bed to the other but otherwise slept through the night at 12 years old, what a guy! I am very grateful.

Well what a difference a day came make. I just downloaded some photos from my phone to my computer and was attempting to post them on this post but alas “the files are too large.” So I am unable to show you what happened although some of you may have guessed. We went from rain all day long to snow at 6:50 p.m. last night. I had earlier in the evening put all of my flower pots into the garage but had three heavy pots of pansies and petunias that I could not lift into the garage which is up three steps. The plan was to cover with sheets as I had no idea what would happen. At one point I had a grand idea to phone and ask for help. We had a plan in place but before that plan would take hold it started to snow. I had left the door to the garage from the deck open and my wonderful next door neighbour phoned to let me know. I texted her back and next thing I know her husband was over to carry my beloved flowers to the safety of the garage. I had in the few minutes interim covered them with sheets but they did get a bit of snow on them. Poor things. I was feeling mighty guilty about the plants in the front flower bed and had attempted to locate a tarp but could not so I made my own out of garbage bags and a sheet. In the midst of heavy winds and rain I covered the flowers the best that I could and then placed some stones on the ends and in the middle to keep the covering in place. That was before the snow. Then there was rain and snow weighing it down. I hope that the poor little plants survive all of this. I cannot imagine the weight of it all. The darkness. But the temperatures are still cold and snow in the forecast so I dare not take the homemade tarp off.

It is getting late. I have to go.

I wish you a great day.

Continuing to live this life with kindness, respect, compassion and patience.

Always, Love Carol & Alvin

It is a NEW YEAR.

Good Morning,

Oh my heavens it is COLD out there.

I thought that Mr. Alvin wanted to go out for like the third time this morning so I donned my coat and mitts and shoes but he stayed back.

No barking.

He did not need any kind of coaxing for the times that he was outside this morning.

Back into the house in a big hurry.

I do not blame him.

Please ensure that if you must go outside today at any time that you are bundling up in many warm layers.

Natural fibers like wool are always good to be wearing when it is bitterly cold outside.

I know that some folks are out walking their larger pups but please ensure they have boots and coats on.

Most of these dogs do not have long fur coats plus the pads on the bottom of their paws freeze very easily.

Be mindful.

 

Well today is Wednesday.

I have been posting my tips for the reduction of plastics and just all round tips for reducing waste and being mindful.

Mindful of what you are using and doing with all of this plastic stuff.

Really do you need to purchase five cases of water ….. most municipalities in Canada have drinkable water.

Do not forget that some of the microplastic from these disposable water bottles come loose and float around in the water.

We are drinking microplastics.

Not only plastics but all sorts of garbage are finding their way into the oceans.

Most marine life can be found with garbage in them.

Eventually they will die.

Wildlife are falling prey to our wasteful manners.

I do not wish to preach but sometimes we all need to step back and think about what we are doing to ourselves, to others, to the animal, bird, insect, and marine life on this planet.

To the trees and to the flowers and to the grasses.

Do you really need the latest fashion?

If you already have five black sweaters or more.

Take a trip to Goodwill or to a Consignment store.

People are setting up shops online selling gently used clothing items and more.

 

Well time to leave for work.

Finish getting ready.

 

Oh big news.

My son-in-law’s brother went home yesterday.

He had a heart transplant at the end of November 2019.

So happy he is doing well.

 

I hope that you are safe and warm.

Have an awesome Wednesday.

 

Always, Carol & Alvin

 

It is a NEW YEAR.

Yay, Saturday morning.

Alvin and I were up at 4:05, then again at 6:00 and then a few minutes ago.

I was tired.

Perhaps it is in part the extreme cold temperatures that causes that sleepy feeling.

Who does not want to curl up under a cozy blanket and just sleep.

Oh well, we are up now and have a full day ahead of us.

That lazy feeling removed my desire to take down the Christmas tree last night.

So today and tomorrow.

Down comes everything.

The temperature is way too cold to go outside unless it is a necessity.

No walking for sure.

 

Last night after watching a segment on one of the shows that I record about LIVING CLEAN; I decided to do this.

I went on social media and challenged family and friends to reduce their household and life usage of plastic.

Every day I will post a tip, something that I have learned to be more GREEN or to LIVE MORE CLEAN.

I also enlisted them to post anything ideas that they had as well.

Within a few minutes several friends had posted a tip to share.

 

Perhaps in 2020 we all need to be LIVING CLEAN AND BE GREEN.

We just have so much stuff that we do not use or need.

So many items are purchased out of convenience or just plain desire.

Even me with my love of Christmas.

I like the tree and all of the decorations.

But is it necessary, no.

Absolutely NOT.

 

Over the years I have mostly ditched the plastic grocery bags and use recycled bags and boxes.

I seldom purchase plastic storage bags and mainly use glass and “tupperware” containers for storage.

But I am still using some plastics.

So many things that we use on a daily basis come in plastic containers.

Shampoo, conditioner, dish soap, laundry soap, cleaners and the lost goes on and on.

Attempting to purchase less grocery items that come in plastic wrap.

I must confess that I have purchased the net bags for my produce, and have not used them.

I WILL be using them for ALL future produce shopping.

 

This year I am going to use up what I have and go as green as possible.

Making my own household cleaners, finding items to replace personal hygiene products that are not harmful to me or to the environment.

Away with the chemicals.

It is not easy and good things seldom are … but I am going to do the best that I can.

I care deeply about the environment.

I care about what we are doing to marine life and wildlife.

It has to end.

Not necessary.

Cut out the conveniences and companies need to step back from the greed that envelopes them and make changes.

 

Okay, time to get this day going.

Please post any ideas that you have for my quest.

Let’s do this together.

Together we can change the world.

Together we can save the world.

 

Have an awesome Saturday.

Remember this is the moment to make changes that will give future generations a chance to live on this beautiful planet.

I believe that is not too late.

 

Always, Carol & Alvin

 

 

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Saturday the 16th day of February, 2019.

It is WARMER this morning than has been for a long while.

I just heard on the weather channel that this is the longest stretch of COLD weather in February for Edmonton in 30 years.

WOW, can you imagine that.

I was not living here at that time.

Anyway about 3-4 days and it we will have single digit temperatures for a couple of days.

It will feel like a tropical heat wave.

I can see folks out in their shorts for sure.

We are (not me) like that, you know.

Lots of snow overnight so have some shovelling in my forecast.

Supposed to snow starting at 7:00 a.m. however; it has not started as yet.

 

Yesterday at work I had a craving for a nice crunch cheesy pizza.

I had the taste in my mouth and when I mentioned it to a co-worker she had the same craving.

I asked her where the best pizza was in Edmonton and she said hands down “ROYAL PIZZA.”

So after I looked after Alvin after work – I set about finding a location which joyfully there was in my neighbourhood.

Not immediate but still close enough by.

So I ordered this – pizza sauce with pieces of crumbled Italian sausage, onions, mushroom and mozzarella cheese on top.

The CRUST was amazing.

I had to wait for one hour till about 7:00 p.m. as the driver said it hit 5:00 p.m. and all of a sudden they had 20 deliveries to make.

So they got behind.

The driver was so nice.

I will say this …. best $36.25 that I have ever spent.

Normally I do not order pizza or anything in for that matter.

But it was just one of those nights.

Perhaps all of this cold OR perhaps just a food memory that pushed me over the edge.

But well worth it.

So good, the taste was incredible.

A bit of crunch …. hard to explain.

But if you live in the Edmonton area …. I highly recommend this pizza place.

I was in heaven …. Alvin tried to join me but I told him “no pizza for you my boy.”

Instead he had broccoli.

This is the pizza that had me gaga …..

The corner piece, the first bite I took, actually was smaller than the photo shows.

But it was so GOOD.

BEST TREAT ever.

I am going to start treating myself once in awhile.

Of course, one cannot eat pizza every night.

 

Okay, time to get this show on the road.

Teddy and his Aunt J are coming this afternoon for a visit and staying for supper.

Aunt J is bringing the fixings for a TACO dinner.

So excited.

I am supplying the dessert.

It was supposed to be Maple Walnut frozen yogurt but sadly SAVEON was out so it is Dutch Chocolate.

Which is okay (I had a taste the other night).

 

Have an awesome day.

Always, no matter what, TREAT yourself.

It is especially important for us who live alone.

I know that I am not alone as I have Mr. Alvin but I mean without another human in the household.

Whether it is pizza or a movie or perhaps both.

Manicure or pedicure.

Treat yourself.

Take the time to pamper yourself within your budget.

Mine was pizza.

I loved it.

Feeling so spoiled.

Happy Belated Valentine’s Day to ME.

 

Special Hello to: my sister, my friend V and to all my girls out there and the boys, too.  Happy Saturday.  It is a GREAT day.

Always, Carol & Alvin

Thought for the day ….

Good Morning and Welcome to Sunday the 10th day of February, 2019.

Another beautiful sunrise.

Clear blue sky.

The smoke is being blasted up through the chimneys as it floats up into the sky.

Another COLD morning, another COLD day.

Another day with no walking for Mr. Alvin.

Sure am looking forward to our first walk once the temperatures warm up.

I am pretty certain that he has CABIN FEVER.

Every once in a bit he grabs a toy and shakes it.

Then he is done.

I am happy to report that he is healing good.

I am certainly not a doctor but there is no swelling from the area where the cyst was removed.

YAY.

Tomorrow morning is going to be another storey as I have been leaving that dreaded cone off as I am supervising him.

He stood in a statue like position yesterday after I placed the cone over his head.

Followed by shaking and then crying.

I could not take it and removed it.

Will try again today.

Hopefully he will be better.

 

Last night Humphrey spent the evening with us.

He was quiet for the most part spending most of his time upstairs.

A couple of times it appeared like they wanted to play with each other but just could not figure out the logistics.

I watch the Invincibles 2 and BOOK CLUB.

First one I had not seen and was really good, who doesn’t love a good animated movie on a Saturday night and then BOOK CLUB, I just loved the movie.

There are not many movies out there with the majority of the cast over the age of 65.

So funny and well done.

That was our Saturday night.

 

Now it is Sunday and time to finish off my secret project (which I will explain later), go and check out Humphrey … feed him and fresh water and clean the litter box.

Home to put away laundry that has been drying

in the basement for a couple of days, lunch for tomorrow, clothes ready and whatever else needs to be done on a Sunday.

Likely better eat breakfast and have COFFEE at some point.

Have an awesome Sunday.

Keep warm.

Grammys on tonight with Alicia Keys, hosting.

Special Hello to:  my friends and family …. be safe and keep warm.

Always, Carol & Alvin

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Saturday the 13th day of January, 2018.

Today is the Birthday of my youngest brother, the baby of our family.

Happy, Happy, Happy Birthday “T” …… Wishing you the most wonderful day.

Back at the “ranch” here in Edmonton it is softly snowing so I guess that means it has warmed overnight.

When Alvin and I were up at Midnight, 4:00 a.m. and 5:22 a.m. it was not snowing.

We have an errand to run today and I was hoping to take Alvin with me as he needs some food.

We also need to walk.

He is going a bit off his nut (British saying).

So as long as it is not bitterly cold we are WALKING.

Also need some things at the grocery store …. will see when I can get there.

I love watching the snow …. looks like a SNOW GLOBE.

The sky is white …. looks gloomy but wonderful.

Perhaps when we get out for some exercise (mostly Alvin), he will sleep better and also will not wish to go outside every five minutes.

Which it has been cold and he only stays outside for a few seconds, literally.

I think he just wants to interrupt me from whatever I am doing.

Oh well, he’s my boy and that is okay.

That bit of up and down, up and up is okay for me, it is more exercise.

When it is COLD and BITTERLY COLD, we all just want to EAT, WATCH TV cuddling under a cozy blanket and SLEEP.

So happy it is warming up.

Oh, last night I submitted another tea order, grateful for the orders and my customers.

Our new catalogue comes out this week and I am excited to see all of the new items.

Will be time to order the new ones.

 

I wanted to share on of the notes from Mike Dooley’s NOTES from the UNIVERSE book:

“Sometimes, when it seems

your wings have suddenly and

unexpectedly been clipped, maybe

just maybe, there’s more to learn by

staying where you are.

Maybe not.

You decide.”

 

This seemed to be so appropriate as of late and gave me comfort in my thoughts that yes, stay where you are.

Does not mean that I have been thinking of moving from my house, not that.

Somedays you just see or read something that seems to give you permission or the feeling that your decision was correct.

Perhaps this will strike a cord with you, maybe or maybe not.

But watch for signs.

If you ask the questions, generally speaking the answer will appear.

Whether from your gut or somewhere outside of you.

 

Time to go and put on some COFFEE and have BREAKFAST.

 

Have an awesome Saturday.

Be well, safe and warm.

Special Hello to: my little brother, Happy Birthday Buddy.  We love you.

Always, Carol & Alvin

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Tuesday the 9th day of January, 2018.

At 4:00 a.m. it was starting to snow, every so gently, a few small round flakes.

Not much has accumulated as yet but it is in the forecast.

Temperatures being to drop over the day and colder for the next few.

I am so grateful that we had some perfect days for walking and that we were able to walk last night.

Alvin did not wish to go far but we still got a walk in and that is what is most important.

Most especially for Mr. Alvin as he is cooped up in the house all day.

Fresh air is good for him and good for me.

Good for mind, body and soul.

 

Well short post today as I am running late.

Now how did that happen, I wonder?

One minute I had 30 minutes and the next 5.

 

I wish for 2018 that we all find a way to live our lives with kindness and respect to all living creatures.

Can you imagine?

I can.

What a wonderful world it would be.

 

Special Hello to: my sister, thank you for the chat on Sunday night.  You always make me smile.  Have an awesome day.

Always, Carol & Alvin