Second Half of the NEW YEAR.

Oh, Good Sunday Morning.

The sky is overcast and there is a breeze here as I look out my window.

Again, finding it difficult to get out of bed.

Again, up early.

Mr. Alvin woke up at 2:30 so downstairs we went.

He suffers when it is damp outside.

Arthritis in his little legs.

I was thinking as he was shaking his head that maybe he has an ear infection OR

perhaps he has an allergy to something.

I know that my first grand pup Elton used to have allergies.

While we were up …. outside for a pee …. him not me …. doesn’t that always help.

Then I gave him one of his glucosamine chews and a few minutes the last pain pill that we have on hand.

Now he does not have some pain meds from last time but they are pretty strong and I don’t want to give him them unless Vet says okay to do so.

The one I gave him this morning is one that he can have when needed.

I will keep a close eye on his ears.

When my daughter comes this morning for a pancake breakfast followed by hair cut for the boy …. I will see what she thinks.

Probably a good idea for me to cut back on the extras like pea pods, strawberries, blueberries and carrots.

I will just give him banana and his own food and treats for the next while and see if that helps.

Also I note that when his paws / legs bother him he does shake his head and of course licks his paws quite often.

I feel so badly for the little guy.

If he needs to go before his next appointment, he will go.

I will need to go and pick up food this week so will ask when I do so.

He is resting on his little bed that I have made for him in my office.

Two thick towels and two blankets.

Folded up just for him.

 

Well guess what?

I started washing/cleaning the window blinds.

Yesterday afternoon, I washed the living room blinds, moved the chairs by the window, vacuumed and washed the living room floor.

I just vacuumed the kitchen as will want to wash once Alvin’s haircut is finished.

Oh, I watered the flowers last night and shortly after we went to bed and I had just closed the window and it started to rain.

Wouldn’t you know it – I left the cushions out on the deck furniture !!

Oh well.

I did most of the laundry and cleaned the upstairs.

We had a nice walk in the afternoon.

Argh, I am seeing the odd mosquito has made its’ way into the house.

 

I made the COD dish from GOOD FOOD last night for supper, it was very yummy.

Two more to make.

I have to make one tonight and one tomorrow and then will have leftovers for couple of nights.

Works out well.

 

Sometimes I like to look back to see what was happening on this day last year.

I am so grateful to have this blog so that I can do that.

I do keep a gratitude / journal but to see what happened last year this day would mean locating the journal.

I think if you have a computer or laptop – it is well worthwhile keeping an online journal.

It is history in the making.

This is from this day day September 6th, 2019.

It would appear that things were different.

**************************

Hi,  well this has been one of the longest and at that the same time shortest weeks of my life.

Each day wrapped in what felt like a time capsule.

Moment to moment filled with hope.

Hope for a good healthy “poop.”

Really, I have never or not recently hoped for someone to have a good healthy poop.

Yes, I do remember wanting needing to have a good one for myself…. LOL.

Each day, every time that we go outside, I say to Alvin “please have a good poop.”

This whole week has been wrapped up and around “poop.”

Not really funny or humorous but at the same time how can you not smile.

So much of our lives … okay all of our lives revolve around having a good daily healthy poop.

We write about it …. doctors journal about it and test it ….. we think about it daily.

It is necessary for a good healthy life.

Yes, it does.

I cannot believe that we, I have been home with Alvin for a whole week filled with eager anticipation around a bowel movement.

But alas I have.

Still no “good poop” today so we have another appointment with the Vet for blood-work.

Argh, I was ever so hopeful that it would have happened and we would not have come to this point.

I cannot believe that he has not had a good poop yet.

He jumps onto the sofa, sniffs when we are outside, happily eats his chicken & rice meals, drinks water and pees.

You would not know upon looking at him that there is anything wrong with him.

In all of the nine years that we have been together he has never had diarrhea for this length of time.

We started the medications on Tuesday late afternoon and I had high hopes that yes, he would have had a good “BM” by now.

Perhaps he can feel my frustration and anxiety.

I feel badly that I have left my coworkers with extra work to do for a whole week only one week after returning from vacation.

I feel guilty that I cannot magically make Alvin better.

I feel guilty that despite my days at home that I have not really done anything …

Well I have looked after my boy.

We have walked, I have cooked for him and put salve on his bum.

I am available to jump on a moment’s notice to go outside …..

Well our appointment is for 3:30 p.m. so as I am a glass half full kind of gal …. I am hoping for a miracle …..

Time will tell.

 

Alvin has remained patient …. more than me during this whole ordeal.

Considering it is his insides that are not functioning properly.

Considering that his life has been turned upside down for the past week.

Missing his friends …..

But that is me Alvin ….. always surprising me.

 

Quick little story to share before I sign off.

Yesterday morning while we were outside with hopes for some bottom end action, the good kind.

Something flew above us and landed on the railing on the deck.

I ducked while squinting in the bright sunshine to see what it was …. I was pretty certain it was not a bird.

In seconds I realized that it was a bat.

I have been carrying my phone with me to take “poop photos” here and there.

Okay I know, crazy poop lady.

That will be a handle that I will not soon lose that is for sure …..

While the bat was busy on the railing ….. I called out to my neighbour ….

Quickly made sure that Alvin was out of the way (into the house).

I managed to capture some video.

I did not see the face of the bat clearly due to the bright sunlight but definitely could see the wings when it landed and was about to fly away.

Never been that close to a bat.

It was small and we thought it was a baby or young bat for sure.

My neighbour thought perhaps it was injured but we could not tell for certain.

It was definitely trying to get out of the sunlight.

I had the umbrella open on the deck and it flew underneath.

At one point it actually was hanging upside down.

After opening the kitchen window …. the baby got active once again and flew away.

We figured that it was in my neighbour’s tree.

Later on I sent the videos to my kids and they replied with a phone number for Animal Control – with the Bat link.

So I decided to call just to ask some questions and was happy that I had called.

The guy on the phone just happened to be the “bat guy” …. yes, he was.

He said that the adult bats have already left for caves and other spots but the juveniles are still about trying to get their bearings.

Some may fly into an object and then be confused or could be sick or horror among horrors be rabid.

He said under no circumstances to get near to it and to keep my dog away as well.

He also said to watch when taking my dog to the backyard for a brown patch on the grass as it might be the bat.

ARGH.

Anyway, I have been examining the grass and the deck every time we go outside, just in case.

No baby bat.

I do hope that it survived and found its’ way to a safe place.

Also I learned if you happen to get near the bat and see that it is agitated or making clicking noises …. signs that it may be rabid so GET AWAY and call him.

So even at home waiting for poop to happen we have had visitors.

 

Well time to get back downstairs once again.

Time to sweep the floor and do a couple of things before we leave for the Vet.

Time for one more small meal for Mr. Alvin.

He has been eating four small meals each day.

Also he just passed some gas.

Not great.

Oh, my poor boy.

This has been the week for sure.

 

Showing kindness and respect to all creatures is important.

 

Always, Carol & Alvin

 

Okay, no complaints.

Just as I was about to say that the weather was different from last year …. the sun has peeked out from behind the cloud cover.

I am so grateful to have a computer and be able to write this blog most days.

Of course, some days life gets in the way making it impossible but for the most part I have written this blog everyday for the last ten years.

Time has a way of slipping away so we have to make the most of it while we can.

This morning I am exciting to make some “pannie cakes” for my girl and catch up with her and to give MR. Alvin a haircut.

I think after all that excitement I will work on deleting the out of focus and duplicate shots from my phone and computer.

OR perhaps clean the kitchen blinds and then the main floor would be done.

Who would ever have thought that I would be working from home ….

This year has brought some amazing changes.

 

Okay time to fly here.

Get dressed … what to wear !!

Perhaps we will go for a walk now before my daughter arrives and before I make the pancakes.

I always like to have them made and warming in the oven.

I want to have coffee but realized that my coffee is in short supply and do not wish to run out before the next COSTCO trip.

But perhaps if I make only one cup …. or two.

I could drink tea in the mornings, too.

By the way, how is our FALL CLEANUP 2020 challenge going?

I have been deleting emails as I can access email on my phone.

I have also deleted some photos from my phone but really later this afternoon I am going to delete some from my computer.

 

Wishing you a great Sunday.

Life is always filled with hope.

You just have to be open to it.

Living with Kindness and Respect,

I/We shall remain,

As Always, Carol & her Alvin

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Thursday the 31st day of January, 2019.

The last day of January 2019.

WOW, that flew by.

Seems like I say that often.

 

Alvin’s best buddy, Teddy arrived last night after supper for a couple of days.

His parents are taking a month long vacation.

Lucky guys.

Teddy’s Aunt J is going be looking after him while they are away.

But she is at their destination now and will arrive at Teddy’s house a few hours before they leave.

So that Aunt J can get some sleep after her long trip – Teddy is here until Friday night after I get home from work.

We are lucky that Alvin has a friend close by that can spend time with him.

They usually settle down better or shall I say Teddy does except for last night.

Perhaps he knew that he wouldn’t see his Mom & Dad for a long time, I don’t know.

But he was certainly restless.

Both the boys are in the office with me now.

Alvin is chawing on a chew treat while laying on his blue blanket with Teddy looking on.

 

Well it appears by the forecast that today will be our last “mild” day before bitterly cold temperatures set in for at least one week.

I know that a good portion of western Canada was in a deep freeze so we certainly cannot complain.

Starting February tomorrow and the weather can be all over the map, much like our January has been.

Whatever it is we will get through it, one day at a time.

I will enjoy a nice walk with the boys tonight after work.

 

Looks like almost time to leave for work.

Alvin is making this crazy sound as he chews on his treat …. sounds like a breathing machine or something like that.

Teddy looks on….

Oh, the boys.

 

I am blessed to have such great family and friends.

They are always there for love and support.

We all need advice, a shoulder to lean on or an EAR to listen.

With that said Master Teddy wanted up and as he is more of a lap dog than Alvin, I scooped him up.

Wow, he is so much lighter than me Alvin.

Well I had better sign off for now.

 

Have an awesome Thursday.

Enjoy your day.

Remember it is easier to be kind than to be mean.

The results of this action has doubly good return.

To the one giving and to the one receiving.

 

Special Hello to: You, one of the great ones.  Thank you for all that you do.

Always, Carol, Alvin and Teddy.

Thought for the day ….

Good Morning and Welcome to Tuesday the 14th day of August, 2018.

Well today is a very special day – today is the 13th birthday of my special great nephew “A.”

He has been my buddy since he was in his Momma’s tummy.

We have played together, cried together, laughed together, gone on adventures together.

Happy Birthday “A,” WISHING you a great day.

Sure is hard to believe.

 

Well the sky is an odd white blue colour.

Does not smell like smoke although my sense of smell is slightly off these days.

One ear was plugged but unplugged in the shower, thank goodness.

My carpool is not in today as her building is still not accessible (after the water main break back before my vacation started).

So I am catching the bus.

Running a little late now how did that happen.

 

We had a great day yesterday; me and Alvin.

Walked to the Vet in the morning to pick up more food for him and such.

Then I walked to our neighbourhood little mall, mailed a parcel to my friend back in Regina.

Her birthday is on Thursday.

Picked up some groceries and then home.

When I arrived at the Post Office which is located in Shoppers Drugmart the clerk informed me that their system had crashed and she had rebooted it.

Guess we are not the only ones.

She thought it would take about 15 minutes.

I walked around the store and saw one of the staff that I know so we had a chat while she unpacked some crates of product.

Then it was home and did some laundry, cleaning and later mowed the grass and went for a walk with Alvin.

We saw our friend “P” who has one of the most beautiful gardens, we stopped for a visit.

A good last day of vacation.

 

Well time to get this show on the road.

I hope that you have an awesome day.

My first day back to work after 1.5 weeks – seems strange.

My body just wanted to go back to bed.

Ah, poor body.

Spoiled.

 

Special Hello to: the birthday boy.

Always, Carol & Alvin

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Wednesday the 21st day of March, 2018.

The first full day of SPRING 2018.

I hear that they have more snow in our long range forecast.

What I say to that is ….. that is okay as summer is right around the corner.

These end of winter spring storms are just, the end of winter.

Soon the snow shall me melted.

Soon our tulips shall be blooming.

Soon the bunnies will be all brown.

Soon there will be buds on the trees.

Soon we will be able to leave the house without warm winter boots with ice picks, heavy winter coats, scarves and mitts.

Soon we will be FREE from the winter weight.

Yes, it is going to happen, soon.

 

Update on Mr. Alvin.

Well we went to see his Doctor yesterday.

Now he has a yeast infection in the other ear.

ARGH.

So he has his final treatment in one ear and the first treatment in the other.

Next Tuesday will be the follow-up in one ear and the final treatment in the other.

Then we will be going back for the final follow-up.

Poor little guy.

I learned something yesterday.

Because he has floppy ears one has to keep them dry.

So when you are out walking or if he is playing in the snow, you must wipe them when he comes into the house.

Otherwise run the risk of a yeast infection.

 

Well time for me to fly.

Time always flies at this time of day.

I hope that you are all doing great.

Have an awesome Wednesday.

 

Special Hello to: all you bloggers out there – keep writing.

Always, Carol & Alvin

 

Story Line by line – November 23, 2013

Chapter Four:

November 1, 2013

Oh, how I loved that dress, and my mind flashes back to the junior high school dance where I first wore that beautiful pink and then I see my favourite books floating in mid air and my best friend “Dee” is there.

November 2, 2013

Alvin is staying very close as we begin to take in this enormous space, and our nervous energies feed each other, and I think of Alice in Wonderland, and  what shall our next move be as a bright purple balloon drifts by.

November 3, 2013

It is absolutely amazing the dress, my friend, balloons, family, old boyfriends, my house, Christmas, all of the things that I have loved during my life are appearing as Alvin and I make our way through it all.

November 4, 2013

I realize throughout all of the memories that my “four” are no longer walking with us and have disappeared.

November 5, 2013

“Where did they go?” I mutter aloud as if I half expect Alvin to answer and yet I know that we are “down the rabbit hole and things are about to get very interesting.”

November 6, 2013

What do I do – what can I do – nothing makes any sense – why would they do this – am I a guinea pig of sorts – are they watching us – who are they – are the questions that flood my mind as we just walk not knowing what will happen next.

November 7, 2013

As we walk further into this new world, I begin to notice that we in fact are not alone.

November 8, 2013

I do not see anyone but I can feel “eyes” watching us as we go deeper into this place, and then out of no where the thought of “YOU ARE NOT ALONE” comes to my mind; like something out of a movie.

November 9, 2013

Carefully I look about not wanting to miss a single thing, and carefully monitoring my thoughts with hopes that I can find out my location without disturbing my “hosts” when in the distance I see a dim light.

November 10, 2013

As I approach the location of the light it becomes brighter and brighter with only about 50 footsteps away I can begin to see what lies ahead of us.

November 11, 2013

Could I ever have imagined this in my wildest dreams, I think not, as the images begin to sharpen and come into focus.

November 12, 2013

I stop, we stop, and I rub my eyes in disbelief as I look ahead and see what appears to be a glass wall with images of ….. ME.

November 13, 2013

There, only a few feet in front of us are ME at different ages, different stages of my life with some I recognize, and other versions are new to me.

November 14, 2013

I am shaking in disbelief and wonder at what is ahead of me; am I dreaming?

November 15, 2013

Alvin has been quiet for awhile just sniffing around the space when suddenly he yanks hard on the leash pulling me off balance knocking me to the ground.

 November 16, 2013

As I lay there collecting my senses, Alvin rushes back to me tail wagging and licks my face; I giggle, looking up completely stunned, I see myself.

November 17, 2013

Wow, is that really me I think to myself and then utter a soft “Hello”  as the other “me” smiles back at me…… 

November 18, 2013

“Please tell me where I am,”  I say to her, and as I utter the words, she tells me without speaking that I am wherever I want to be.

November 19, 2013

Okay, I think let me give this a try as my mind unleashes the imagination that has been locked up as of late and before I could say anything we are curled up on a oversized leather sofa in front of a fireplace looking out of an enormous window to a breathtaking view of the mountains which are covered with snow; my heart leaps with excitement.

November 20, 2013

I had this dream when I won the lottery, and our family spent Christmas in this huge log cabin celebrating and being together it was amazing … oh, I feel so good.

 November 21, 2013

Happiness, I feel an overwhelming sense of pure joy as I continue to take in my surroundings but then boom I come to my “senses” and wonder where is everyone?

November 22, 2013

Almost as quickly as that thought occurred  …. out of the corner of my eye I see my nephews James, Henry and Blake walking toward me, and there in front of me is my daughter; “Oh my god” I squeal with delight as I run to her, and squeeze her tight.

November 23, 2013

 “I have missed you, my darling” I whisper in my daughter’s ear and she says “Me, too Mom.” and as I stand back to take this all in – Alvin jumps up on his “sister.”