The Next Chapter

Good Morning! The sky is blue and the sun is shining. I got up early for a day off and had a shower already. Last night after work I struggled to change out the new oven element for the new one. The first parts were easy of course, unplug from the electrical receptacle (of course), remove the oven racks and set side, undo the two screens that hold the element in place, done. BUT then it came to remove the element from the wire connectors. Nope they would not budge. I must have watched 20 videos and some of them twice and in all of them, the moderator easily pulled/disconnected the wires. There were some texts to friends and to my daughter. Not for me an easy task, I did not want to pull too hard on the wire connectors and wreck them. I was able to finally to get in touch with my neighbour who came over right away. Steven said that they were really tight (so I did not feel so helpless ). I then found out that I had the wrong replacement element. The one that my daughter had picked up had different way of connecting the wires. So this morning we are off to Home Depot to hopefully exchange. I have the receipt on my phone. Hopefully they can do a straight exchange and I am glad that I did not throw away the bit of light cardboard that was wrapped around part of the element with the brand name and instructions. No one’s fault, I had no idea it was different. My oven story. So instead of something that took supposedly a few minutes ended up being almost two hours ( I had to stop in between and have supper, lucky for me I had leftovers to be warmed in the microwave). My ride just said morning and I know they are early risers so I wanted to make sure that I was up early – just in case he calls and said “ready to go.” I should have asked the time but in all the shambles of the situation, I simply forgot. Oh well, definitely not the end of the world. I could likely do without the use of the oven for awhile but I like to bake or roast things more than anything. I did realize that my oven needed to be cleaned. Not my favourite job that is for sure. I spent part of the evening cleaning the oven and stove. I had to be careful because the wire connectors are exposed and I did not wish to get them covered in anything (the stove remains unplugged). Certainly a lot easier to clean without the element in place. I am so grateful to have such great neighbours. I wish that I was better at fixing things and technology. Cookie baking I got.

The Easter bags with my coworkers were a hit. Our Manager hid some chocolate eggs for us to find. Mostly around our desks. It was a nice early morning distraction from the coming day. Remember I do love the commute.

Well I have lots to do this weekend. This morning an unplanned trip to Home Depot. Then finish with the stove and then start washing walls and baseboards and light fixtures etc. I will start with the upstairs. Big job on my list is the office closet. It needs an overhauling. Also time to redo my wall size bulletin boards. Rearrange and put up some new things ….. cards for Alvin ……. Perhaps one of the boards will be for me and one in memory of him, of me “Alvin.” I sure miss him. Feels quiet and lonely in the house by myself. He is looking out of the bedroom window with his favourite Teddy Bear & Gnome by his side wrapped in his blue blanket. Life is always changing.

I look forward to coffee this morning. Wishing you a wonderful Good Friday and Happy Easter Weekend. Be safe, be well and have fun. Remember to laugh, to smile. Sometimes we forget in all of the stuff we call “life.”

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

Always, Carol & Alvin (My Forever Angel)

P.S. I hope that the Easter Bunny does not forget me this year. Not sure when the cut off is for home delivery, lol.

Last Half 2022 – December

Good Morning ALL! How are you this morning? I am doing great. Up early so that I do not need to rush to finish the preparations for the second Christmas party that I am hosting tonight. Still really dark outside and I feel like it is still night. Not many lights on in the neighborhood but that is okay. I have lots to do and I would like to have some downtime before the guests start to arrive around 6ots to do and I would like to have some downtime before the guests start to arrive around 6:30 p.m. There are seven of my coworkers who have said that they are coming for sure. I guess time will tell. That number includes me. So a good number. We will have fun.

Countdown to Christmas: Saturday, December 17, 2022 which is exactly 7 sleeps till Christmas Eve Day. That is when my Alvin is coming home as well. Aspen and Milo will stay with us while Mom & Dad go to the Hobb’s side of the family for their Christmas celebration. I cannot wait. Alvin continues to surprise me with the updates from my daughter. He sure seems to have settled in – oh, dear, maybe he has forgotten me, possible?

I have changed my bedding, dusted the wall pictures/paintings upstairs, sprayed the toilets to clean when I am finished this post, and a couple of other little things. Might as well clean upstairs first and then it is done. Not much to do – a quick vacuum after cleaning the bathroom toilets and sinks and a bit of dusting and upstairs is done. Helps to keep on top of things for sure. Last night after work I took all of my winter coats out of the front closet and brought them upstairs to the office closet and moved my winter boots to the far right side leaving lots of room for all the coats and boots. I don’t like having a lot of boots sitting at the entranceway. I am shuffling and putting away all of my gadgets from the top of the kitchen counter (most of them, not all) so that we have room for food and refreshments and dishes and glasses. Garbage already emptied last night. I did quite a lot after work last night as I worked until almost 8:00 p.m. Whew!

We had some snow last night so I went out to shovel the deck and out front. Once back in the house, I was just taking a minute before going to shovel the driveway when the wind got up and the visibility was very low. It all happened so quickly. So I left the driveway until today. When I shovelled the deck I was just in a long cardigan and was not cold. The air felt so warm. It was strange. Weather!

Time to go and finish up here and then I can go and put on some coffee and have a little coffee break once the coffee has perked.

Have an awesome day.

I may not be posting early tomorrow! Depends on how late my guests stay!

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

Always, Carol & Alvin

2021

Good Morning ALL! How are you this morning? We are well. Had kind of scary few moments earlier this morning when I let Alvin outside realizing that we had freezing rain earlier and the deck was a sheet of ice except for a smallish pile of snow. Alvin had to go out and I figured he would stand a chance of remaining upright but the poor little guy slipped about trying to go down to the grass area and then trying to go up the steps to the upper deck while I called out to him to “STOP.” I was so scared that he would slip and wrench one or more of his legs and then we would be right back to where we started from or worse. Luckily he ended up over by the snow and of course had to walk into it but in the end he had a pee. It was horrifying for a few minutes before he got safely back to the house. Just after we got up, I quickly went outside stepping onto the mats on the deck just outside the door with ice pick and shovel in hand I got to the snow and starting shovelling and throwing it all over the deck. Hoping then he would have some traction for his next visit outside. It is warm out so unfortunately it will likely melt but with the plus temperatures over the next few days – the snow will likely all melt on the deck anyway. The sun is beginning to rise with the blue night sky slowly starting to dissipate. Well I will have a shower after this post. Followed by some cleaning. I brought up and put away the last of the laundry that was hanging to dry and put away before I started this post. Made the bed and arranged the pillows. Does anyone else make their bed anymore? It seems like most of the younger ones do not but I like it made. A personal preference or perhaps a generational thing, I do not know. But anyway.

I forgot that my friend Gillian’s husband celebrated a birthday yesterday. Happy Birthday.

I received a message from Teddy’s Mom saying that they were coming back into the City and could Teddy spend the night. I hope that this freezing rain stuff does not stop that from happening. Safety first, of course. Not sure what the highway is like. I know that the QE2 (Queen Elizabeth Highway #2) had a major accident yesterday with several tractor-trailer units. I hope everyone is okay, I was scared to check further. Teddy’s Mom also mentioned that perhaps while she ran errands tomorrow that possibly Kobi could stay with us. I said “YES” of course. Alvin will be over the moon to have his best bud sleep over and visit. I cannot wait, fingers crossed that the roads are okay. Coming in from the country you never know.

The Christmas Cards were all done yesterday and then last night I thought of two more, one to post and one to hand deliver. Just two so that is not too bad. I am mailing 33 I believe and hand delivering 16 for a total of 49 which is the least amount that I have ever done. I used to write up cards for my coworkers and some others from work that I know well and that was a big number and I used to mail 75-100 but there are cutbacks everywhere including my Christmas Cards. Besides the ones to the office, I don’t have people’s addresses except for one. So I am mailing her a card. Everyone else will receive a verbal “Merry Christmas” and “Happy New Year.”

Well I suppose I should go and hit the shower followed by some coffee and breakfast and then do some cleaning.

I hope that you have a wonderful Sunday wherever you may be!

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

Always, Carol

P.S. I am going to put on some Christmas music ……

Welcome December 2020

Good Morning ALL. How are you doing this fine Friday morning? Some of my work colleagues are going to enjoy this as their last day before vacation returning to work after the NEW YEAR. I wonder how many folks out there that are employed did not take any or much of their 2020 earned vacation? Our immediate area found several staff with vacation days that must be taken before the end of 2020. I will admit that I am a bit envious. By take two weeks starting on Monday the return date is January 4, 2021 and with our office shut down time you end up with three weeks off. How lovely. Oh well, maybe next year. I did enjoy a couple of weeks vacation in August around my birthday and it was great. I am not really “upset.” Just wondering what other things we did in excess during this crazy year of 2020.

1. Many folks started eating to find comfort hence the term “COVID-15” was penned.
2. While others baked banana bread, cinnamon buns and bread like there was never going to be flour and sugar on this earth again. So evident by the bare shelves in the grocery stores.
3. We (not me) hoarded bathroom tissue as if it was more important than food and water. Making it difficult to find any if you ran out. Which I ran into that situation. Luckily I had family and friends that came to the rescue. Definitely something you don’t want to run out of but not necessary to buy in huge bulk.
4. Folks started ordering from online venues such as AMAZON in record high numbers. Really, how much of that stuff did you really need?
5. We saw the increase of businesses delivering food that had been prepped and only required to be cooked such GOOD FOOD and CHEF’s PLATE and others.
6. We saw the increase of online communication platforms (is that the correct language, I’m old so I am guessing here, lol) such as ZOOM and I have forgot the others now. OMG. There are a few.
7. Increase in pet adoption. My hope is that when this is over that these pets remain in the homes and that they are all being well provided for ….
8. Diamond Paintings. I hadn’t realized that this was even a thing before my friends told me. There are a great many websites where you can purchase pictures of anything. They are pre stamped with the picture, and a sticky covering and you match the coloured beads and with this pen like apparatus you pluck the matching coloured bead on the matching number and in the end you have a beautiful picture. I finished one and they finished tons. I started a fall one in late summer and it has been placed in the basement. Somehow I lost interest. Fun but not really my thing. Maybe it is old eyes. Okay that was poor wording.

Well time to go. I did come up with 8 things how about you?

I wish you a great Friday and I look forward to picking out new glasses later today. Not exactly sure how this is going to work but I will let you know tomorrow.

Remember together living with kindness and respect and compassion it will be a better world.

Always, Carol & Alvin

Countdown we are at “13” sleeps until Christmas EVE DAY.

Second Half of the NEW YEAR.

Good Saturday Morning !!

Sun is shining and the sky is blue and I can imagine the birds are singing somewhere if not outside my house.

What a beautiful FALL morning.

Today is also the birthday of my favourite son-in-law.

My only son-in-law but that is beside the point.

He is my one and only and favourite.

Later this afternoon the family will arrive.

My daughter is planning weather permitting to take our annual photos.

That is mine and Mr. Alvin’s.

Then she has requested that perhaps I can snap some for them as well.

They do not have many of the four of them.

Absolutely I will.

Once photos are done, we will be ordering in supper.

I am not sure what is on the menu for tonight and that is okay.

We all like the same things so whatever they plan is okay with me.

They did not want me to cook, I don’t mind.

I did bake my son his birthday cake.

A vanilla or white cake from scratch and fingers crossed it tastes good.

Time will tell.

If not, there will be a story to tell.

I can tell it does not look like a fluffy cake but that is okay.

As long as it is moist and tastes good.

Am I concerned, not really but perhaps a tad.

Wishing my wonderful son/son-in-law a very Happy Birthday.

Cannot wait to see him and my daughter and the grand pups later.

 

Last night we ended work a bit early for some of us and had a virtual drink together.

Actually the drinks were real – we just met on our team chat for some time together to unwind.

I had a drink of BAILEYS.

It was great …..  everyone shared and it was a good way to end the week.

 

After the boy had his supper and what not, I gave him a bath.

He needed to be freshened up.

I want him to look his bestest best for the photos.

Also the plan is for him to return home with the family for a visit until next Friday.

I did laundry and baked the cake and put away my workstation from the kitchen table.

So just some cleaning and bit of laundry and I have to have a shower and freshen up.  LOL.

 

I cannot believe how quickly the leaves on the trees have turned.

There are more yellow, orange and red ones than green now.

My flowers are managing to still look pretty good.

I think though I am going to start pulling and trimming back some likely over the week.

They reach a point where you are not easily able to pull them out.

 

Well the coffee is ready and I love my first cup of coffee in the morning.

The aroma of freshly perked coffee is amazing.

One of my favourite smells.

A great way to begin the day.

 

Oh, I have to ice the cake.

I only have a bit of icing sugar and have some almond milk.

Hopefully I can come up with a nice covering for the cake.

Has to be perfect for the son.

I would like it to be.

 

Well have an awesome Saturday.

I hope that you are well, safe and enjoying time with your family and or friends.

Take Care.

Continue to live with kindness and respect for yourself and all others.

 

I/We shall remain,

As Always, Carol & Alvin

 

My tree from a few years ago.

At this time there are a few green leaves but it will look like this.

I also will have some raking to do shortly (actually now).

Second Half of the NEW YEAR

Good Morning,

Wow, August 1st, 2020.

The sun is shining brightly with a picture perfect sky.

There is a cool breeze.

When we were out on the deck a few minutes ago it was glorious.

I/We could have stayed there until it gets too hot.

But alas we had to come into the house as there are things to do.

Last night I worked till 5:58 so that I could finish all of my work including returning phone calls.

I do not like to go on vacation and leave work to do.

That is one advantage if you will of working from home.

If I had been at the office …. there would have been things left to do.

So I am grateful to be at home for that among many other reasons.

I am officially on vacation and do not work again until August 17, 2020.

Two glorious weeks to dibble and dabble around the house.

I have a list, well actually not yet as it is only in my head at this time.

But so that I do not forget anything I will write things down on paper.

My office “workspace” will return upstairs at some point today.

I was thinking of rearranging things up here as well to better accommodate working from home.

I have more a iMac computer for home and then a laptop and monitor for work.

Two desks from IKEA line one of the office walls.

Not wide but they run from the doorway to the window.

At the moment my MAC is by the window but as I will be spending more time on the work computer, perhaps there would be more room the other way around.

Actually I like working from the kitchen table but it is not practical long term.

Okay, vacation mode ….

Looks like we are going to have some hot days for the weekend at least or that is all I managed to see on the weather channel before going to bed last night.

I celebrated my last day of work by ordering pizza from my favourite pizza place “Royal Pizza” in a neighbouring community.

With the pizza I had one of the alcoholic beverages that my friend had given me to try.

To finish the celebration – I had a buster bar from Dairy Queen from the box that my son-in-law had surprised me with at the beginning of the week.

I actually could sit by the office window now in my sleeveless nightgown with the wind ever so wonderfully touching my shoulders with it’s cool touch.

Mmm, nice.

Alvin has left the office and is in the hallway.

I turned the fan on in the bedroom as next stop is a shower.

Man, I need one it has been a few days.

My hair looks like something out of a monster flick.

The Monster from Beyond.

We also found out on Friday that we are not going back to the office until the NEW YEAR.

They have asked us to complete a survey about our time at home and the ups and downs.

I did not have time to complete the survey as I was busy trying to get my work done before vacation.

Instead at lunchtime I replied to our CEO’s email and let him know my thoughts.

Truly I love being at home.

At first, it took some adjustments, of course.

That was a major change.

But now being at home with Alvin and no commuting.

The extra 1.5 hours or more extra that I have at home is great.

Now granted some of that time and more I work but that is not going to be a forever deal.

Well time to head to the shower.

I think today will be a slow one.

Shower, change bedding, do some laundry, well better have some coffee and some breakfast.

Move the computers around before it gets too hot or NOT.

I have time ….. a nice luxury.

We will see where this day takes us.

 

For all of you that read my blog daily or whenever you have time, I really appreciate your time.

I hope that sometimes I make you giggle, laugh or smile.

Perhaps give you cause to rethink something.

Maybe an idea.

Or maybe just a little distraction from your everyday life.

We all have our down in the dump moments leading sometimes into days.

We all have our joy to the rafters moments leading possibly into days.

We all have little things and big things.

Good and bad and inbetween.

To be human is to experience everything that runs the gamut from one extreme to the other.

I hope that you are able to find your best space somewhere in in the middle.

Life is only as perfect as you make it.

Life is only as you react to those moments that run the extremes.

So on this first day of my birth month and being on vacation, I am over the moon happy.

Great feeling to know that at the very least we will be home until the New Year.

Merry Christmas.

So happy for Alvin …..

I started working from home on March 19, 2020 and if I go back to work in January 2021 – that is almost one whole year.

So happy that I have had this time with the boy and am keeping my fingers crossed that we will continue past January 2021 working from home.

There will be a couple of days each month that I will take turns with my coworkers and go to the office but hey that is not a problem.

FOR SURE.

 

Okay I am rambling …. thoughts just pouring onto the page.

Time for that shower.

I can start to feel a change in the temperature.

Time to close blinds again.

 

I hope that you all have a great Saturday.

See you tomorrow morning.

Living with kindness and respect for this Earth and its inhabitants.

I/We shall remain,

As Always, Carol & Alvin

 

Some of the cuteness that surrounds me

Mr. Alvin and Neighbours Humphrey and Bogart

Thought for the day ….

Good Morning and Welcome to Saturday the 8th day of December, 2018.

Funny how a few hours can change the course of your planned weekend.

Not in a bad way – just changed it.

I noticed a FB message from Teddy’s Mom yesterday when I was on break at work.

She asked if Teddy could come and spend the night on Friday and then they would pick him up on Saturday night; as they were going to the farm.

Of course, he can.

We cannot say “no” to Alvin’s BF.

Then I received a phone call from Humphrey’s Mom and she had an unexpected trip out of town and wondered if I could keep an eye on Mr. Humphrey.

Well, yes I can.

After work I caught the bus as my carpool stayed downtown to attend a work function.

The bus was close to 1/2 hour late and it was 5:00 p.m. when we rolled up to Lewis Farms, the bus terminal.

The gal that was driving the bus ….. was at least 20 miles per hour under the posted speed limit.

I am not sure if that was what was making her tardy but it certainly did not help.

She also slowed near every posted pedestrian walk even as it was clear ahead that there were not pedestrians.

She also let every person come in from every side street.

ARGH.

It was hellish, I will say.

I am all for being polite when you are on a bus after a long day at work and the first bus that comes is full to the rafters and then the second one is full but you manage to squeeze on and

then she drives like she has all of the time in the world …. well, there are words.

People just want to get home.

I was very happy to turn the page in my bus riding adventure when the 119 pulled up just after we were unloaded.

That driver was also over 20 minutes late and he did not wait around so we left right away.

I still did not get home until 5:40 p.m.

It is at these times that I am so GRATEFUL to be in a carpool.

Not so much looking forward to the time off my friend has before Christmas, in January and February.

ARGH.

Oh well.

I was happy to get home to Mr. Alvin.

We went for a short walk but a walk nonetheless.

Teddy arrived about 7:00 p.m.

I then had supper and started to write up some Christmas cards.

Did not get them all done but at least a good start.

Now it is 915 on Saturday morning and there is so much to do.

Laundry and baking and baking and laundry.

Perhaps I should scale back the baking OR will have to buy another deep freezer and start earlier.

I would do some next weekend but I have that DENTAL appointment on Friday and am having a tooth removed.

So might not feel like baking on Saturday but then again just having one tooth removed is not the end of the world.

So I will chug on.

Time to get things going.

I can always do most this weekend and then perhaps a smaller batch next Saturday.

The following weekend will be Christmas and I am also hosting an office Christmas party on the 22nd.

I can do this.

I know that I can.

Keep the Christmas party simple.

No need to get carried away.

That is what I keep telling myself.

I am not trying to impress the coworkers.

If they do not like it …. well …..

Okay time to get some breakfast into me and that all important COFFEE.

I have already been up off and on since midnight.

For some reason Mr. Alvin just was restless.

He is not ill that is for sure.

I also have been over to check on Mr. Humphrey.

So the day has begun.

 

Have a great Saturday.

Any ideas for hosting a simple but great Christmas party – please share them.

It will be all ladies except one might bring her 4 year old.

Not really appropriate but what can you say.

As she put it “He will be the life of the party.”

Likely Alvin will have something to say about that …..

He loves kids so he would like the little boy.

The little guy is also used to pups so that is good.

 

All in the life of a single 61 year old working woman.

Happy Saturday.

 

Special Hello to:  all those folks who have lots going on …. cannot always say no and sometimes no is not the answer. Where is the paradigm in that?

Is that a real thing?  Need coffee starting to babble.

Always, Carol & Alvin

Thought for the day ….

Good Morning and Welcome to Friday the 31st day of August, 2018.

Alas, the last day of August of 2018.

It has been a wonderful month filled with visits from family, road trip with my daughter, shopping at unique places and more, walks, time with me Alvin, awesome Birthday carrot cake, thoughtful gifts,

cooking, celebrations and so much more.

I have a great life.

The sky is clearing as the sun makes its’ way up in the morning sky.

Hard to believe today is the end of August.

WOW.

Ending on a strange note.

Just goes to show you that you never know what can happen.

Yesterday at noon.

Our company had a “hot dog vender” stopped by and feed us lunch.

I was not going to go down as I am not a major meat person and the veggie dogs are not really that good, in my opinion.

So I was just going to eat my lunch.

A couple staff convinced me that I should go and have a hot dog and that there were turkeys ones that were quite good.

So I went with a couple of people.

I ordered the “turkey dog” and it was already gone.

So I placed my order.

We placed our orders and stepped aside to wait.

While standing around and chatting one of the girls pointed out that there was a wasp on my arms (which were folded at the time).

Just as I went to unfold them – the WASP bit me.

The last time that I was bit by a wasp was back when I was a young teenager and I had a reaction – swelling.

I was stung on my foot and there was major swelling.

I did not have any issues breathing to my knowledge.

But because of the time lapse and the fact that I had not been stung in all those years in between – I ran back into the office to the washroom.

Told them on the way that I did have an allergy to the bites.

In the washroom I ran cold tap water over the bite.

There was not much swelling, thankfully.

My manager was in the washroom and said that she would stay with me, just in case.

Another co-worker came in and then ran and got me an “ice pack.”

It seemed like a fleury of activity over the next while with people checking on me.

My Manager went back and got my hot dog that was waiting for me (that was thoughtful of her).

Another staff had to go out of the office and would be close to home and said he had some stuff for bites.

The Director gave me a bite pad.

Another brought me a cold gel pack from the fridge freezer (which ended up being better than the ice cubes).

I had all sorts of attention.

Another drew a circle with a marker around the bite so that I would know if the bite started to swell.So grateful to all these folks.

They even sent me home in a taxi (I did wait until the end of my shift, did not leave early).

It was crazy.

Just goes to show that you never know what will happen in the course of a day.

I phoned my Manager when I got home from work to let her know that I was okay.

Footnote:  I was supposed to take the bus home as the carpool had an appointment to attend – almost looks like I would do anything to get out of taking the bus.

Not really but sounded good when I relayed the story to my carpool later upon arriving home.

 

We also went for a walk with my friend who has the amazing garden.

What a great day.

 

Well have an awesome Friday.

Long weekend for some folks.

Happy Friday.

 

Special Hello to: all those folks who showed genuine concern and provided care for me during my episode with the wasp yesterday. Feeling special.

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 Friday the 27th day of February, 2015.

It has been snowing overnight …. Mother Nature has been busy.

I think as she gets older her “dark” sense of humour comes out more and more.

Well we are almost at March ….. it is always an interesting month weather wise.

I always look forward to March because my daughter was born in this month.

I also have other family and friends that celebrate next month, as well.

Today at work we are having a baby shower for a co-worker.

Very exciting …. her first and the baby is a boy.

Gifts and Food ….

 

On this second last day of February ….

The month in which we celebrate all things hearts.

I believe we did just that.

 

Well time to go downstairs and get my things out of the fridge for the shower.

Have a great Friday.

See you tomorrow.

 

Special Hello to: all new Moms.

Always, Carol and Alvin