Last Half 2022 – August

Good Morning ALL! Well it is finally vacation time. I was 26 minutes into my vacation time before I had my out of office voice messages changed (yes, we have to change in two places) and email. 4:26 p.m. started the vacation. I am over the moon that I have some days off now. My neighbours are going away for a few days so I am looking after Humphrey and Bogart. After work, I went over to get any new instructions and of course, went home with a bag full of food as she did not not it to go bad. I never turn down food. So my fridge is packed to the rafters. I have lots of fresh produce to eat over the new few days. Prior to the that, I headed down the street to other friends who were having a garage sale. They were open for business when we walked by on our lunchtime break and I had picked out a few items including the most beautiful hand painted vase (see photos). I said that I would come by after work and pick the items up without Mr. Alvin and take another peek at all the special treasures that they had for sale. I think that it is good to support your friends and neighbours. They showed up for my garage sale. So after work I walked over and picked up my items, took another look round and had a little visit before returning home to a hungry Mr. Alvin. He was happy to see me both times upon my return home. The sun is forecasted to shine all day with a daytime high of 23 degrees celsius which is perfection. I was just eating the last bite of my supper last night when I happen to see out the window our friend Pauline walking down the front sidewalk with a bouquet of flowers. I went to the door just as she was about to knock. We had a lovely little visit and she gave me the most exquisite bouquet of flowers from her garden. This morning at 11:00 a.m. we are going for a walk and to catch up as they had been away for a few days and then they will be gone and I will be gone. I love my friends. I am so blessed to have such kind and thoughtful friends. We also made a plan to go for a day to celebrate my birthday. That day will be August 15th my last day of vacation. Perfect plan. We are going to take their boat and go close to where my kids live and spend some time on the water. I have not been on a boat for over a decade so this will be fantastic. I cannot wait. Just have to find someone to watch over the Alvin.

Well it is time to head downstairs and get some things done before we go for a walk. We are having company tonight (Alvin’s best friend Teddy, his little sister and Aunt J) after supper. I am keeping it a secret from Mr. Alvin. In between I will be checking in on Humphrey and Bogart and Cynder. Oh and there by laundry to do as well.

Busy day.

I hope that you have a great Saturday.

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

My beautiful bouquet from different angles. The vase from the garage sale.

Always, Carol & Alvin

PS: 3 sleeps till I turn into a 65 year old woman. At 6:20 a.m. on August 9th. Wow, I don’t feel that old.

Second Half of the NEW YEAR.

Good Morning and Welcome to Saturday September 12, 2020.

Overcast and cool with a slight breeze this morning.

We were up at our usual about 4:00 a.m.

Alvin had his glucosamine chew and ate his breakfast, peed and then we were back to sleep to the sofa.

We did not stir until just after 8:30 a.m.; I guess we were tuckered out.

Or at least I was.

Alvin did well while I was at work yesterday.

My neighbour came over at noon to check on him.

They went to the backyard but Alvin would not pee.

Not sure why.

She gave him a biscuit …. guess he never says “no” to food.

Work went great.

It was so nice to see the girls.

There were four plus me on the main floor at the office.

One of the girls I did not see.

But did see the other three.

We all wore masks when we were not at our work stations which were well over 6 ft apart.

In fact we were in opposite corners from each other.

I got everything done just before 1:00 p.m.

My daughter had to cover for a lunch break so she picked me up at 2:30 p.m.

In between I took a lunch break in between and cleaned out my desk.

Nice to have a chat with the girls whom I have not physically seen since March 19, 2020.

Went through papers as there had been a few things that needed to be scanned to client files.

Nothing life threatening.

I sanitized both workstations before I left.

It was a reminder that others have been experiencing large volumes of emails when arriving back from vacation.

I felt not alone in that respect.

Reminder that we are more alike than different.

That things will get done.

I was happy that I was able to work quickly and get my task completed – now one of my teammates won’t have to go to the office on Monday to finish up.

I was in my zone and it went fast.

 

We went to COSTCO after work.

Oh my goodness that place was busy.

I have not seen such a long line at the check-out in years.

People were wearing masks.

Some still had a thing about keeping proper distance though.

 

Now the fridge and pantry are stocked for sure.

 

Alvin was surely happy to see us ….. he was so excited he forgot to go pee until I urged him to go.

I pretty much had to stop what I was doing and say “Alvin go pee” about four times.

What a guy.

 

Perhaps that is why we slept in this morning.

Busy day yesterday.

I folded and stuffed so many envelopes that I rubbed the skin off my hands in two places.

ARGH.

 

Well no real sight of the sun coming out.

Time to get this show on the road.

I have housework to do.

I want to rearrange and clean out the pantry again.

Laundry as usual.

Clean the main floor.

Walk at some point.

Vacuum …..

Write ……

Relax ….. for sure.

 

Living with Kindness and Respect.

I/We shall remain,

As Always, Carol & Alvin

 

 

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

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Second Half of the NEW YEAR

Good Morning Everyone.

For some of us this is the last day before a long weekend.

I am so grateful that most months we have a statutory holiday.

YAY, happy days.

I have a few large jobs to accomplish this weekend and it is the Labour Day weekend after all.

So why not?

I need to trim my tree in the front yard ( I only have one tree ).

My daughter is coming over on Sunday for a pancake breakfast and to help me give her brother Alvin a haircut and then I will give him a bath.

The blinds on the windows are calling out to me, “dust me, wash me.”

Then there will be the regular things such as dusting, vacuuming and laundry.

 

I was thinking last night and this morning about “hoarding.”

The book that I am reading is about a woman who is a hoarder.

The House We Grew Up In by Lisa Jewell.

Likely most of us can relate in some fashion.

I am not a hoarder regarding things around the house but I am a “hoarder” when it comes to emails and photos.

For some reason I cannot seem to “press the delete button” on the phone or camera or computer for the emails or photos.

I am the same with emails at work.

So I need to start FALL CLEAN UP 2020.

I challenge you all to join with me and go through your emails, your photos and clean up your electronic devices.

I will say honestly that I do delete some of the advertisements but not all.

I will say that honestly I have two emails and the second one I almost never check and it has a massive amount of emails.

Unfortunately I have to go through them all as I have saved photos to that email and cannot do a massive wipe.

I am aware it is my fault and my own doing ….. but I am pretty sure that I am not alone in this.

Please join me and let me know if you are like me and so many others.

By Christmas I am hoping to have cleaned my phone photo library of the bad shots, duplicate photos and videos.

I am hoping to have made a dent in the bad shots, duplicate shots and videos from my computer (now that will take longer likely than Christmas as I have over 40,000 photos and videos.

Email wise, I want to have done.

Big job ahead.

But I need to step away from watching television as I am finding that I am watching far too much.

 

So on that note, I leave you …..

Have an awesome weekend.

Please do not feel badly if you are like me and others, I find that life gets in the way sometimes, and when it is something that is not directly in front of you every minute; you, me, we are more than

likely going to procrastinate.

Human Nature.

That is okay.

We are going to fix this.

Now is the time.

I am with you.

Are you with me.

Supporting each other is most important.

Please send me comments along your “FALL CLEAN UP 2020” project.

We can do this together.

 

With kindness and respect and understanding, I try to live my life.

I/We shall remain,

As Always, Carol & Alvin

 

Second Half of the NEW YEAR.

Well Summer VACATION 2020 is winding down.

Today is the last actual day of vacation and then I have the weekend before heading back to work.

Heading back to work …. to the computer beside me.

I changed my computers around and I think that having the work desk closer to the window will work out better.

As it is by the window …. and the computers are on the desk to my left …. I think it will feel like I have more space, more room.

I did sign onto my work computer just a few minutes ago as my curiosity got the better of me, I needed to know how many emails I had.

Well it was still loading at 183 when I turned it off.

Anyway work is Monday.

 

Today is the 15th Birthday of my eldest great nephew “Azlin.”

I cannot believe he is almost old enough to have a Driver’s license.

He is in high school – how did that happen?

I remember his first sleepover at my home in the apartment.

We had so much fun in our adventures that weekend.

The days, the months and the years somehow seem to slip away as we live our lives.

Wishing the boy …. the young man …. a Very Happy Birthday.

 

Well I have planned for Alvin and I to go on our Annual Summer Adventure.

We head out ….. on our hike past 62nd Avenue which is the border of our neighbourhood.

To the Northlands ….. to the area further north of us.

It is not called Northlands, I am calling it that because this is our adventure and it is the lands north of us.

We will head out to “Goose Island.”

The park has a small island in the middle of the park where the geese and ducks nest.

There is even a couple of walking bridges to check out.

There is a nice area to sit and have a snack.

The wooded area is very cool.

When you walk through it is as if you are walking in a huge forest with a paved path.

I do not remember if we actually went on our hike last year or not.

We will pack some essentials like treats for both of us, water, a mask for me, kleenex, maybe a bandaid or two, my cell phone to take photos and pooping bags for the boy.

I have a nice medium size cross body purse that will hold everything nicely.

Our only block at the moment is the weather.

There are clouds in the sky so I check the weather channel and see what is what for today.

The plan was for this morning but we can always go this afternoon.

I don’t think it is to be a hot one today so early afternoon would work as well.

 

This Pandemic has certainly shown us different ways of doing things.

I had planned to host a Fifth Avenue Jewelry party for tonight at my home before all of this but now it will be on Facebook.

I invited people just as though I was having the party in my home.

Unfortunately no refreshments or treats.

Amber will do four live spots where she will talk about the jewelry and model different pieces.

The first spot will be tonight, two on Saturday and the final one on Sunday.

Very cool idea.

I think more people can take part on their own schedules.

Which is great.

 

I hope that life is treating you well.

If we all could treat ourselves and all others with kindness and respect, the world would eventually heal.

What a great place it would be.

Imagine.

We are sending positive, good energy out to the world on this Friday.

Alvin and I will continue to live our lives with kindness and respect.

Be safe, be healthy and be kind.

 

Take care.

I/We shall remain,

As Always, Carol & Alvin

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Sunday the 4th day of February, 2018.

This is what happens when you are home for a week, suddenly it is February 4th.

WOW, Hello February.

We may not be off to the best of starts but alas we have started the month and that is what counts.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MY NIECE “M” who is 21 years old today.

WOW, I cannot believe it.  Have a wonderful day.

I was able to get to the Doctor yesterday and am happy to report that I am on the mend.

No bladder infection (did I just write that for the world to see), no chest congestion, blood pressure and such all A-OKAY.

Doctor even said I was his easiest patient.

I am thinking he meant best prepared.

I only had to wait for about one hour so that was not bad.

The only thing was I was in a room filled with SICK people, coughing and sneezing.

Some folks freely coughing and sneezing into the air with no respect for those around them.

No masks …… I tried to cover my mouth and nose as to hopefully keep those germs away from me.

I am feeling better and do not wish to go through this again anytime soon.

In Saskatchewan, when visiting a medical clinic you are asked if you have a cough, cold or flu and if so, you are required to wear a mask.

What a GREAT IDEA?

I had thought of that while at home but did not have one to wear.

I should have asked them for one.

Next time, I will.

I plan to bring up this idea to Alberta Health Service.

 

After seeing the Doctor, I went to the grocery store where I called and booked a taxi.

Worked out perfectly, I was able to take my time and not having to rush.

Taxi was pretty much on time.

The driver was nice and carried my groceries to the house for me.

I tipped him “well.”

 

The sky is bright with the sun that is rising in the east.

It is cold but warming up.

Thank goodness.

 

Just a few things to do around the house to prepare for work tomorrow.

Wow, it seems like forever since I have been to work.

 

Alvin is going to wonder what happened or not.

I like to think that he will miss me as he usually follows me wherever I go around the house.

Even yesterday when we were out back and I was shovelling.

I was only out for a few minutes but he was cold and rightly so.

So I let him into the house and he cried for me.

Ah, poor baby.

That was it for the shovelling.

 

Well I guess I should get this show on the road.

I am so grateful to family and friends for their phone calls, emails, FB messages during my “sick time” at home.

Still cannot believe that I was home for a whole week.

 

Special Hello to: all my family and friends, thank you.

Always, Carol & Alvin

 

 

Thought for the day….

On this Saturday …… my thoughts lean toward “keeping in touch with family & friends”.

Often times,  we get too busy and consumed with our daily lives, and forget to contact our loved ones.

The days can zip by and before you know it ….. weeks, months and yes, sometimes even years have passed by.

So pick up that phone or turn on your computer and send an email.

With all the modern day technology ….. it is very easy….

Have the best day ….. MY LOVED ONES…… yes, that includes ALL OF YOU.

 

Always, Carol