Last Half 2022 – Alvin

Good Morning All! Even though today is the last day of July 2022, I thought it appropriate to title this post “Alvin.” We had a really good sleep last night as it cooled down and with one of our trusty fans we slept until 5:00 a.m. from about 10:30 p.m. Then up and outside to go pee & poo, not me, Alvin of course. He had his glucosamine chew and then to the sofa for some more sleep before up to eat. He lasted until 6:15 and then we were up and he had his breakfast. We went outside and he just stayed on the deck for a few minutes drinking in the fresh cool morning air. It wasn’t until 9:00 a.m. that I bounced up off the sofa ready to start the day. Alvin was still sleeping so I quietly went into the kitchen to put on a pot of coffee. A couple of minutes later he was up. He is wherever I am. I was going to come upstairs and get dressed but he wanted to go outside and as a good Momma, I went outside with him. He sounded like he was coughing or sneezing hard to tell but it was not until he started madly eating grass, maybe not madly but eating grass nonetheless that I realized he had been trying to throw up. He did this yesterday a couple of times as well. But I missed the signs. He is on medication to prevent him from throwing up. His last pill is later today. He ate the grass and then we came back into the house. He did not try to throw up but went straight to his water bowl and drank a good big drink. We are now upstairs as I wanted to get dressed. I am watching him carefully for any unusual moves. He is resting on his belly as he always does in front of the office doorway. My poor boy. The drama continues. I hope that he is okay. This all makes me wonder. We won’t know anything more until Tuesday. I guess we will be trying to score that urine sample as soon as possible on Tuesday morning. I had a couple of moments where I was not feeling very positive about his situation but now I am back on track. It will not help him if I am moping around, crying and distraught. He needs to feel my strength and positive demeanour. As difficult as it may be, I will be strong. I keep thinking all of our years together, our adventures and stories.

Okay, the story does continue. Thankfully it is cooler outside. After some coffee, I will see if he wants to go for a walk. Checking the temperature first, of course.

We will just enjoy the day together. There are some things that I would like to do, should do but he comes first. If that means cuddling with him and doing whatever I can for him, that is my top priority.

Okay, back downstairs. Sounds like he is snoring. A familiar good sound. I want many more good sounds for many more months and years.

I hope that you have a wonderful day.

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

Always, Carol & Alvin

PS: 9 more sleeps until my 65th birthday.

2021

Good Morning ALL! How are you this morning? We are doing well. I cannot believe how much snow we got, well actually I can because I shovelled like a ton of it, lol. As I turn my head and look out of my office window I see the sunrise. The horizon is filled with light pastel colours. A happy palette. They bring me joy. I wished that Alvin could see colours, he would definitely love the sky. Late yesterday afternoon the sky cleared and stayed clear overnight as I saw the stars in the sky when we were outside at 2:30 a.m. Yes we were. It is the age thing and the bathroom. I cannot fault Mr. Alvin as I am usually up at least once during the night to “pee,” so what can you do! Life is life. Sometimes I get “bent out shape” over things because I am an emotional creature. I don’t mean that I do bad things to Alvin or to people but I cry easily and I have raised my voice to both Alvin and people. Not that I am proud of those times but I am human. I apologize and move on. Trying to better the next time. Making those times fewer and more far between. One thing is I do not raise my voice to Alvin when he gets up during the night to go outside, I do not. Sometimes he whines when I am doing things, usually because he wants to eat or wants some food that I have ….. there has been the occasional time that I have raised my voice but not often. I guess I am feeling guilty this morning because I did raise my voice to him yesterday. Bad Momma. One thing that I have to remember to do is to take four deep breaths and count to ten. Distracting myself from the situation and that would help with my job as well. Somedays I want to scream at certain situations. So you see, I am not perfect and I am human. I try to be a good neighbour, good Mom, good friend, good coworker and good person overall.

Well I took all of my writing time “venting” on this post. I apologize for that. The words just tumbled out onto the page and I am always writing in the moment. The things that come to my head, to my mind. Sometimes there are “raw feelings” that emerge onto the page. Thank you for reading my posts and for continuing to fall my post. It is appreciated.

Wishing you a great day.

Time to go and make some coffee and start work in a few minutes.

Continuing to live this life with respect, kindness, compassion, patience (work in progress), love, laughter, and gratitude.

Always, Carol & Alvin

2021

Good Morning ALL. How are you this morning? I/We are doing well. Just out of the shower and dressed and feeling so refreshed. Alvin is resting on his little bed in my office. Today, later this afternoon he has his regular nail trim and anal gland and ear check appointment. I will also be picking up the special treats that were ordered for him. He is doing well only having his food although he does ask for some things when I am preparing or eating. I cannot believe that it is has one month today that Mr. Alvin had the surgery to remove the stones from his bladder and some other tests. Amazing how much things can change in one month. I am eternally grateful. Now comes the dilemma for the future. Working at the office. At this time we are only required to go once a month or so but that may change. With his new food and doctor’s instructions to drink more water, how will that work? If I am not at home he most certainly is not going to drink more water …. if not able to go outside. He may in time be trained to pee on pads. Even on these one trip a month to the office, I am uncertain. If my neighbour is unable to come over …. what to do? Perhaps I can make arrangements on those days for Alvin to stay with his BF, if they are going to be at home. That would only work if I am required to go to the office once every month or so. We are in our comfort zone at this time, working and living from/at home. This next scheduled time for me to go to the office does not work out with my daughter’s schedule so I will see if I can change that as I do not wish to be catching the bus and then the travel time would be well extended passed riding in a car. Hopefully I can work this all out. But that is what is on my mind this morning. I am certain it will work out but will take some discussions for sure. Working from home has been amazing and I am hoping that I can continue until I am able to retire. I appreciate not having to spend hours travelling back and forth, the month saved on carpooling and bus passes/tickets, having the fridge to access for lunch instead of having to have a sandwich or something everyday. I feel that my well being, my peace of mind, my mental health is all the better for me working from home. Now that is not to say that some days I may be stressed but not nearly the pressures of working from an office. Big feelings today.

Well time to head on downstairs and get the coffee brewing and start work.

Grateful that Mr. Alvin is doing so well.

Grateful that for now I am working from home and hopeful for the future.

Grateful to be in good health.

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

Always, Carol & Alvin

Second Half of the NEW YEAR

Good Morning All,

YAY, today is Friday with the weekend fast approaching.

The sun is beginning to shine brightly here in Edmonton as I type these words.

There is no breeze / wind this morning (which is not typical as of late).

 

Alvin had his regular “monthly” vet visit (about 5 weeks, actually) and all went well.

He fussed a bit less than usual which was a nice change.

At lunchtime we had our second walk of the day.

After work I went with my friend Gillian to COSTCO for groceries.

My second time since beginning of March that I have stepped foot in COSTCO, I have been to Shoppers and Save-On once each.

Slowly but surely I am getting back.

I was surprised when I saw a lady with a mask on but pulled down so that her nose and mouth were exposed.

That was in COSTCO last night.

Not much help if you wear the mask but it is around your neck.

I found that I felt much less panicked by the mask and being around people last night.

However, I was still making sure that I wore the mask and that I social distanced.

I do firmly believe that while in public we should wear a mask and social distance.

If we let up ….. we will be hit again.

With the children heading back to school and flu season right around the corner …. everything we do now and continue to do will serve us well.

If we do not take care and do our part ….. it will sadly be much worse.

Now I am not a Doctor but I can read and I have common sense in abundance.

I think with this virus …. common sense is important.

It is something that over the years has fallen to the wayside.

Too many people wrapped up in me, me, and me to think about what makes good sense.

We have to be careful.

I want to stay in good health and I would like all my family and friends to be in good health.

Everyone that I do not know …. I would like them to be in good health, as well.

This is not just about me and my family or you and yours ….. it is about us all.

When something strikes the planet it has the potential to affect us all.

In a way, it has affected us all, even if you or your loved ones have not actually had the virus.

The pandemic has done this through death, sickness, loss of jobs, financial crisis and more.

Food for thought …. always good to think about what is happening and what can be done better.

We should heed Health Officials and Government but we should always be thinking ourselves what can we do better?

 

As I key these words, I can hear Mr. Alvin snoring away.

It has only been very recent that I have really noticed that he snores while he sleeps.

Perhaps it has been some time and was not quite as loud.

Sorry Mr. Alvin …. you are not loud.

 

As the days pass by and we head into fall, I am ever so grateful to my employer for giving us the opportunity to work from home.

I have been happier, healthier and productive in all areas of my life.

I am grateful for the abundance that showers me daily.

I am grateful for the sunshine and warm days.

I am grateful for walks with Alvin.

I am grateful for my health and his.

I am grateful for my daughter and her family.

I am grateful when I have the opportunity to visit with my family and friends whether in person on via video chat.

I am grateful to have coffee each and everyday.

I am grateful for our country and for being the best place on the planet to live, thank you Canada.

I am grateful for each morning, noon and evening.

I am grateful to have this format to write and reach out to you all.

I am grateful to be alive and for this day and every single day.

Thank you.

 

Well time to head back downstairs and turn on the work computer.

Grab that cup of coffee.

I guess work is on the agenda, of course.  lol.

 

On this Friday, be happy and ever grateful.

Be Kind and Respectful to ALL.

Happy Friday.

Be safe, be strong, and be well.

 

I/We shall remain,

As Always, Carol & Alvin

 

Flowers always make me happy – even photos bring a smile to my face and joy to my heart.

I hope that they give you a great start to your Friday.

Second Half of the NEW YEAR.

YAY, it is Saturday and the sky is a beautiful blue and the sun is shining every so brightly.

There is a breeze.

Last night was only my second time away from Alvin since March 19, 2020.

The first time was last weekend when I had morning coffee with one of the girls.

Last night first evening time away and for about four hours.

I had such a great time.

There were four of us.

The fourth girl/woman was a lifelong friend of the friend who hosted the “Diamond Painting Party.”

We had pictures with beach motif, lovers walking down a tree lined lane, a red truck filled with pumpkins and a colorful tree.

We all took appetizers to have for the best kind of supper.

There was so much food ….

My peanut butter chocolate chip cookies and coffee cake with a thick fruit sauce were a hit.

We ate, laughed, ate some more, shared stories, opinions, had some drinks.

Enjoyed the evening.

After supper we did the Diamond Painting.

Best night ever.

When I came home to Mr. Alvin he was so happy to see me.

After the initial hello – he did let me know in his own unique way that now that I am home, pay attention to him.

 

So it is Saturday.

We were up early but not too early and then hit the sofa once again which seems to be our routine.

I am so happy that I had a great Friday night with friends and now Mr. Alvin is feeling like his old self, a great Saturday and Sunday to follow.

We might be finally able to meet the new puppy Bailey down the street.

I have to get in touch with Bailey’s Mom to see what time will work for us all.

I have laundry and cleaning to do.

Some yard work along the way to do.

Bit of weeding if the flower beds dry out.

Even if they do out …. I will wear my DAWGS or CROCS whichever they are ….. I know they are different companies.

Perfect little sandals for working outside.

 

Feeling pretty happy this morning.

Thinking wouldn’t it be wonderful if a close family member or friend won the $60 million Lotto MAX draw last night.

Someone who loved me so much that would love to share a bit with me.

That would be amazing.

 

Okay time to make coffee, drag the laundry down to the basement and have some breakfast.

Let’s get this day going.

Well actually I have changed the bedding and put out fresh towels in the upstairs bathrooms and am doing this post.

So I guess this day is already going.

 

Have the best day my friends.

Living our lives with kindness and respect.

I/We, shall remain

As Always, Carol & Alvin

 

 

Thought for the day ….

Good Morning and Welcome to Friday the 12th day of April, 2019.

Well up in good time this morning.

I am on Humphrey duty so am going to check on him this morning before leaving for work.

We will go and pick him up again after work and he will spend the evening with us.

OMG, the boys are so cute.

Last night Alvin was kind of off his game for some reason.

Not quite sure.

He was barking while sitting on the sofa with Humphrey.

Humphrey gave him a soft swat in his general direction as if to say “enough buddy, enough.”

I coaxed Alvin to sit on the other side of me until he calmed down.

He got over whatever it was and the boys settled in for the evening.

In and outside, they went.

 

Well a few more weeks and it will be flower time.

I noticed that some of my perennials in the back garden are up and green.

YAY.

So far so good.

I can hardly wait to wash down the deck and put out the deck furniture.

Too early at this point.

Did you hear the news in Saskatchewan?

I do not want to say the word but it begins with a “S” and ends with a “W.”

ARGH.

But even though Easter is later this year …. there is always a possibility of some of that stuff.

Won’t last long which is great.

Another double digit day.

YAY.

 

I am thinking that I will go out on the Easter long weekend and pick up the trash in my neighbourhood.

Almost every time we go for a walk I pick up something.

Still so much.

As I have extra days next weekend besides Saturday and Sunday – feels like a good time.

Hopefully the weather will cooperate.

 

Well I should get going and check on that Mr. Humphrey.

Make sure he did not eat all the food that I gave him last night (likely not).

Good idea to check and see if he used the litter box.

Check on his water.

Peek in on Miss Cinder.

She does not get mentioned in my posts often.

 

Happy Friday.

May the force be with you.

Keep smiling.

Keep showing kindness even if you are not feeling “it.”

Keep feeling gratitude for your life and all that you have.

Keep the faith.

 

Special Hello to:  sending positive energy and good feelings out to you all on this day.  Keep well, and I am keeping you in my heart and thoughts for always.

Always, Carol & Alvin

 

Thought for the day ….

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

The sky is cloudy and there is no bright sunshine to be found.

Hopefully as the day progresses, it will shine.

That would be wonderful.

 

We are up and at it rather later than usual.

We were up first of all at 4:00 a.m. – Alvin went outside and had breakfast.

I was not about to stay up at that hour.

So back to the sofa and after a couple of times up and back to the sofa we were up just after 9:00 a.m.

I was having the most interesting dream and oddly enough each time I returned to the sofa I fell back to the dream state and picked up where I left off.

Dream done and I do not remember anything other than one of the female characters from a television show that I watch was front and centre.

Not sure why.

She died in a recent episode.

The things we dream.

 

Well we are up and I decided before I wrote this blog to set up the printer/scanner machine that my daughter returned to me.

So I got it hooked up except for getting the cords safely tucked away through the hole in the top of the desk.

In order to do this, I had to take the drawer out.

Now you see where I am going with this.

Well after a few minutes of sheer frustration the drawer has been set down on the table in my office to be dealt with later.

Sometimes you just have to leave something and go back to it.

I only wanted to get things back to order ….. well apparently the universe has a different plan or my “greater” self.

Oh well.

 

I am not going to start my day feeling desperate and frustrated.

Or at least not keep that feeling going for a long period of time.

Alvin is resting his own self on the blue blanket.

There is laundry to do, breakfast to have and coffee.

Walks, floors to wash and many other things.

So time to get this day going.

 

Sometimes you just have to walk away.

I will come back and fix it later, the drawer that is.

I know that I can figure it out.

It is safe for now.

Perhaps I have to empty it.

 

Well my friends – have an awesome Saturday.

Never, never let a drawer get in the way of having a great day.

 

Happy Saturday.

 

Special Hello to: my fellow bloggers …. keep writing.

Always, Carol & Alvin

Thought for the day ….

Good Morning and Welcome to Thursday the 6th day of September, 2018.

Almost one week into September.

Almost FALL.

YAY.

It is dark outside at 6:15 a.m.

No rain overnight and there does not appear to be any frost.

Last night Alvin and I had a nice long walk with our friend.

The temperature was warm enough for a t-shirt and capri length pants.

Love these days.

 

FEELINGS

Somedays it is easy to contain any negative or blah feelings.

Others the madness courses your through veins like a poison.

Your heart feels heavy and ready to explode.

Somedays it is hard to contain those ugly thoughts and words.

Somedays you just want to reach to the sky and pull yourself up.

Somedays you just want to scream.

 

Somedays you feel amazing, kind and beautiful.

Somedays you feel the positive energy surging through your veins.

Somedays, most days your heart feels full.

The love and joy that is your life.

The words flow on paper like a loving piece of poetry.

The blessings that come your way.

The gratitude you feel for all the days.

The people that come and go into your life, those that leave an impression with you, that make you feel something; good or bad.

 

Feelings, we all have them.

Most days we feel happy…..joyful.

We feel blessed to be who were are and where we are ….

Most days we feel love and compassion.

Somedays are grey, others are black and cloudy.

Feelings ….. a vast array of good and bad.

That is what we humans are made of ……

I hope that the good outweigh the bad.

But remember we need them all ….

May the bad or the less than positive feelings just be there in minute detail to remind you that life is GOOD.

 

Life feels good.

Life is amazing.

I feel good.

I feel great.

I feel joyful.

I feel the positive energy flowing through my veins like a good book on a cold winter’s night.

I feel blessed.

Feelings …..

 

Written by C. Lewis at 6:15 a.m. on this day, Thursday September 6th, 2018.

 

Special Hello to: all those folks who inspire me to be who I am …. and to all those folks who I do not know who inspire me in ways yet to come.

Always, Carol & Alvin

 

 

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Tuesday the 13th day of February, 2018.

Well it is actually warm outside this morning – hovering around the minus 3 degrees celsius.

Forecast for this afternoon plus 3 degrees celsius.

We are having a heat wave – a tropical heat wave.

YAY, we are excited, I am excited.

Can you tell?

Doing a little happy dance while sitting down at the computer.

 

Last night my daughter picked me up from work and we went to COSTCO.

YIKES, that is always an experience.

So many people …. some actually surprised me with manners …. which is always nice.

I love our rides together as we have some of our best conversations travelling together.

 

I have noticed with myself and with others that it seems to be getting more difficult to maintain, retain, be positive and happy.

Between social media and regular news and the interactions with others in general.

Well it is no wonder that people are suffering from increased mental illnesses.

The anguish, the depression.

We are constantly bombarded with a huge amount of negativity.

I understand how people feel the need on social media to state their thoughts and feelings.

But sometimes it is too much.

Actually there have been many times that I strongly consider not going on FB.

I mainly use it to keep in touch with my friends and family and for my Steeped Tea business.

We have to find a way to be more positive and kind.

 

Well it is time for me to finish getting ready to leave for work.

I am excited for our walk tonight.

I am certain that Mr. Alvin is as well but I cannot tell him now.

Have an awesome Tuesday.

 

Special Hello to: all those folks who are trying …..

Always, Carol & Alvin

 

Thought for the day …..

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

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

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

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

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

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

We also need to walk.

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

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

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

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

The sky is white …. looks gloomy but wonderful.

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

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

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

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

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

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

So happy it is warming up.

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

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

Will be time to order the new ones.

 

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

“Sometimes, when it seems

your wings have suddenly and

unexpectedly been clipped, maybe

just maybe, there’s more to learn by

staying where you are.

Maybe not.

You decide.”

 

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

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

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

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

But watch for signs.

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

Whether from your gut or somewhere outside of you.

 

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

 

Have an awesome Saturday.

Be well, safe and warm.

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

Always, Carol & Alvin