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.

A New YEAR 2023

Good Morning ALL! How are you this morning? We are okay. Alvin still has diarrhea but it is less and definitely less blood. Sorry for the descriptive language this early in the day. But all in all it seems better than he was on Tuesday. He certainly loves the chicken more than the rice. It has been a bit of a challenge to get his medications into him but so far only missed one pill that ended up too mushy in his rice that he wouldn’t eat. They are intelligent creatures and likely his sense of smell is way better than mine or most humans. Yesterday worked out okay with me working from home. I was able to take him out whenever he needed to go as once he asks, he needs to get outside now.

I am grateful that the weather has been mild. Certainly has helped the middle of the night trips outside with the Alvin. I would go no matter what but has helped make it more bearable.

So grateful for all my family and friends who have reached out to check on his status. Thank you.

I am grateful that today is Friday and it is almost the weekend.

I am grateful that Amanda is coming for a sleepover. We are both always over the moon to see her.

I am grateful that I have a job where I can work from home.

Oh, Val, I am wearing my new green sweater this morning. So yesterday the doorbell rings and there, stands this guy with a huge box. As he hands it to me, he says, “it is a heavy one.” I said “thank you” and he was on his way. I quickly put the box down and went back to work. On my break I opened it up to find so many goodies (Christmas box) from our friend Val, who spoils us rotten. There was biscotti (my absolutely favourite), some dill pickle biscuits (had one with supper, so good), apple tarts, chocolate muffins, homemade treats for Alvin and other baking for me. There was also the most perfect GREEN sweater for the Momma, “me.” I am wearing the sweater now and it is the perfect weight and I LOVE the colour. There was also some Epicure items in my gift. Also in the box was my Epicure order and my daughter’s. There was a lot of things in that box. Filled my counter. I let Alvin open his gift but he found it a bit difficult this time around so I lent a helping hand and then he was in ….. I know he wasn’t supposed to have anything but what is on his “bland diet” but he was whining and crying and so excited, that I gave him one treat. I broke it into three pieces and he happily gobbled it down. We are over the moon grateful to have this amazing human in our lives. She treats me and Alvin like “rock stars” no better than that….. we are truly blessed. Thanks Val. We love our treats and I cannot wait to taste some of the baked goods tonight with Amanda.

Well it is almost time to head downstairs and get to work. Get that coffee plugged in.

Have an awesome Friday.

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

Always, Carol & Alvin

Last Half 2022 – December

Good Morning ALL! How are you this morning? Well the question was there when I signed in. This morning was “Do you like to eat meat?” I am thinking that Word Press has these questions incorporated into the program. For what purpose, I have no idea. Anyway, for the most part “no.”

Countdown to Christmas – 21 sleeps till Christmas Eve.

Story: Last Night

Ride home with my carpool after work – took longer – home at 5:15 p.m. – my daughter was coming for a sleepover after work – Alvin outside to pee & poop – fed Alvin – shovelled driveway – started supper – took down workstation – continuing to make supper with apple crisp for dessert – tidying up – doing dishes as went along – daughter texted as she stopped to do some shopping – she was looking for winter boots as I had wanted / needed some new ones – couldn’t find any – then found some – relaxed for few minutes – Alvin was whiny – texting with Val – texting with Amanda – doorbell rang – three ladies – one with a guitar – fundraiser – I had no cash – would sign any Christmas song – take e transfer – was flustered as was on phone – Alvin was whiny – I was hangry – tired – said I am sorry, no – not a fan of e transferring strangers who come to my door – why on a night that was minus 20 or more with a guitar – my daughter found me boots – supper ready – kept warmed in oven – apple crisp baked – daughter arrived about 7:45 p.m. – we were both tired and hungry – ate supper – tried on one of them – while going to try on other one realized it was a size “11” – daughter mad at her oversight – cleaned up – decided at 8:30 with Winners being open – quick trip back to the store to return – back to store – not many people – thank goodness – overwhelmed with stuff – had not been shopping for literally years – looked around – found another size 8 in that boot style – almost did not – that would have been maddening – used my gift card from my birthday – picked up Alvin a new food dish – a beautiful storage box – some serviettes – some Christmas string – Christmas tags and a Christmas game – see the running them – check out – home – did dishes – ate apple crisp – looking through Val’s Epicure catalog to place an order – bit of t.v. – snuggles with Alvin – Alvin tired – finally bed at 11:23 p.m. – up at 2:30 – up at I do not remember and up for awhile. Happy Saturday. Baking day. I think that Alvin is going home with Amanda.

I am texting with a friend about a Christmas gift and I have lots to do so better go now. Wasn’t last night fun! I need a vacation.

Happy Saturday.

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

Always, Carol, Alvin & Amanda

PS – need coffeeeeeee

Last Half 2022 – July

Good Morning ALL! It is a great morning. We were up earlier than usual and I have already had a shower. The plan is to write this post and then go for a walk. The sky is overcast at this moment and there is a slight breeze so it will be perfect for walking. The temperature is supposed to be +30 degrees celsius today. I thought we had better get out as we missed yesterday. Should have/would have gone in the morning had I realized that the temperature was going to be much warmer than the forecast. So I have made a promise to Mr. Alvin that we will get up earlier and go for a walk in the morning while it is still cool – that way we both get some exercise and fresh air.

This month has been chalked full of birthdays. Family and friends. August is another big month for my family and friends. So exciting. Birthdays are a good thing. A reminder that we made it through another year with the promise of another one ahead.

Yesterday I received a text from my friend Val, who said “There is a parcel in your mailbox.” I was so excited. I was in the middle of work so wanted to wait until my lunch break. At my break I walked quickly to the mailbox to retrieve the parcel. A large box awaited. When I brought it into the house, Alvin started to bark. He knew what was inside – something for him. As I opened the box, I saw a sign that said “SURPRISE! You’re 65 (almost). Underneath a card and a box filled with goodies.

Mr. Alvin enjoying opening his treats from Val. She baked some sweet potato bones and some mini banana peanut butter muffins, I believe.

I am sorry that I had to leave this morning due to technical difficulties and impatience. Back now. Getting it done. Hopefully I will be able to share some photos. We always love seeing pictures.

Well I had to delete some photos from my library and still exceeds limit, so now not sure if computer is full or what! Just a few photos to show some of my treats. The unopened packages are some specially hand baked treats for Mr. Alvin and the other packages are a variety of Epicure products. I need to go to the grocery store for some ingredients so I can make them. So excited. There were also a couple of gift cards to great stores: Winners and one of my favourites “Bath & BodyWorks.” DId I say cinnamon buns and biscotti. Yes, there is!

The house was 78 degrees Fahrenheit about mid morning. I totally understand why Mr. Alvin was panting. I tried covering him with a wet towel but he only liked it for a small amount of time. The clouds roll in every once in awhile breaking up the sunshine. A small reprieve. Although I really do not want to complain about the heat and sunshine. We will manage. All of the blinds are closed, all the fans are on. We can always retreat to the basement after work if need be.

I am thinking this might be a pizza night with leftovers for the next few meals. No cooking required.

Well I should go as I spent a great deal of my lunch break just trying to delete photos so that I could add these few. I had more to share but will have to be another time.

Have a great rest of your Wednesday. I hope that you are cool and safe. Enjoying the summer!

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

Always, Carol & Alvin

PS: 13 sleeps until I turn 65, getting closer.

It is a NEW YEAR.

Hello to Thursday.

I just read something as I was signing on …..

“Love is anything but logical”

Interesting.

Heart over Head.

Head over Heart.

 

Last night after work I looked after Mr. Alvin right away.

Outside and then his supper.

While he was eating I ran to the mailbox to retrieve the parcel that our friend “V” from Regina mailed to us.

Alvin watched me and did not eat while I ran to the mailbox.

Now that is strange ….. he always eats.

Anyway, once back in the house, he did eat while I got changed from work to “play” clothes.

After Alvin was done into his harness and jacket so that they we could run over to the Vet to pick up his food.

As per always we played the run around the table for a few minutes.

I even got down on my knees to gently coax him to come out as he nervously shook.

Finally I was able to coax him to come out and put on his jacket and harness.

Outside he always knows exactly which direction to take.

We were about halfway to the Vet when we saw a woman and her small dog in the near distance.

As we approached the doggie got more excited.

We stopped and chatted and ended up walking together.

Her three year old dog Pippa (yup, named after Katherine’s sister, Pippa) was so cute.

Her Mom said how she had recently lost another of her dogs due to dementia.

That was even a thing with dogs.

I guess so.

She said looking back there were so many signs.

The dog that passed was “11.”

She got mixed up with day and night.

She depended on the other dog when out for walks.

Even more subtle signs before the above two.

They walked with us to the Vet, so nice.

I hope that we meet up with them again.

At the Vet, picked up Alvin’s food and toothpaste.

We made his appointment for his regular stuff and the receptionist mentioned that his Bordella (did I spell correctly??) shot was due.

So this coming up Saturday at 11:00 a.m. – Alvin will have a shot, checkup (as that always happens with the vaccines), nails trimmed and anal glands cleaned.

After we got home, I ran over to pick up Mr. Humphrey who spent the evening with us.

The boys were very happy to see each other.

My daughter mentioned that she may visit this weekend (we are certainly excited about that news).

Yes, back to the package.

Alvin lost his mind once again when I brought out the package which I had tucked into the fridge as I wasn’t sure if something needed to be kept cold.

There was a package of homemade doggie cookies for Mr. Alvin.

I hit the motherload.

There were three kinds of buns including my fav “cheese”, apple pie tarts, two kinds of muffins, mini chocolate bars, a organic milk chocolate bar, coconut almond candy and some sauce/spice

mix from Epicure and a hot dog holder and condiment container from tupperware.

My friend certainly knows how to spoil me, us.

 

The boys just chilling….

 

Well it is time to split.

Get back downstairs.

I hope that you all have an awesome day.

Thursday it be.

Weather it be warming up.

It was so nice after work yesterday.

 

Happy Thursday.

Treating each other and ourselves with kindness and respect always wins the day.

 

Always, Carol & Alvin