A New YEAR 2023

Good Morning ALL! Well it has been an interesting night and day. So back to yesterday. I went to my Optrometrist and had the pressure test redone and good news to report. The pressure is good so I am good until December 2022. Afterwards I raced over to the Vet to pick up more medication for Mr. Alvin. Before starting testing the Vet wanted to try another medication. This is a liquid which Alvin has to have every three hours and 30 minutes before he eats his meals. The liquid is to be administered via a syringe. Well the first time that I went to give it to him was before his supper and that did not go well. I managed to get most of it down after I had to chase him around the kitchen and under the table. The next dose was scheduled to be administered at 12:30 a.m. (not a good sign). I set the alarm and Mr. Alvin woke up one hour before at 11:30 and then started an up and down night. I gave up after trying to give him a dose for almost one half hour and I was so tired by that time. We laid back down on the sofa and went to sleep and I set the alarm for 6:30 a.m. This actually turned out to be perfect. It took a lot of coaxing but I managed after about 30 minutes to get the next dose down this throat. Then set the alarm for 30 minutes and laid back down. At 7:04 we were up and I laid out his food and then ran upstairs to brush my teeth, wash my face, apply moisturizer and apply my eyebrows before literally jumping into my clothes and then back downstairs. Oh, I turned the computer on so that once I came back up it would be ready to go. Back downstairs, I cleaned up pieces of rice that had been flung around the perimeter of his food bowl. I let him outside and grabbed my coat and put on my boots and followed him outside. I noticed more blood in his now diarrhea. I pray that this new medicine will do the trick and he will be okay without having to have more tests done. But I am not sure at this point. He has such bad gas. He is back on the bland diet. Oh and my eyeglasses are now in ready to be picked up, of course they arrived 2.5 hours after my visit yesterday. Just figures, lol.

I am really late and have to fly. Have a wonderful day.

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

Always, Carol & Alvin

P.S. perhaps the missed medicine will work out better as now the next doses will be at 2:30 and 10:30 p.m. – I can work with that. Hope my little trick works for the next dose. Bye.

Second Half of the NEW YEAR.

Well today is Friday, July 31, 2020 and my last day of work before I begin vacation for two weeks.

I worked last night until 9:00 p.m. and yes, it was a long day but I feel that I will be leaving “my desk” in a better place for my coworkers and for my return.

The air outside is a bit cooler and there is a slight breeze.

I will tell you that Alvin wondered what the “hay” I was doing last night.

My Supervisor at work was took a couple of days off and my teammates dubbed Mr. Alvin “the Supervisor.”

He always seems to instinctively know when I should be taking a break and always gives me “that look.”

One of the team wanted to see and meet Alvin so I turned the camera on and we all had a little visit which lightened our “work time.”

Sometimes we need that connection.

One of the girls has a three year old boy named Tyler and he was anxious to meet Alvin, so we hooked him up.

I couldn’t see their faces and I did not have time to think about how I looked which was not “pretty.”

But really I didn’t care and no one seemed to either.

Alvin was the star of the show and that was the main thing.

I was able to show off my cuteness of a partner, companion.

Oh, just felt some cool air touch the back of my arm, felt so good.

 

I have photos to share and then this will be short as I want to get work done and this day done.

Now for a magic trick.

See the first two photos in the top row.

I had gone to water and check on my flowers and found this Snapdragon flower floating in mid air.

I had been at a distance and thought that I was seeing things.

As I approached I could see a spider web hoisting the flower off the step.

Very cool.

How strong are spider webs, very.

Some of my other flowers …. cannot remember the name of the orange flowers but very pretty.

The Snapdragons – yellow.

Couple of quick shots and the first one looks out of focus.

You can see the Hens & Chicks in the second photo.

 

Well as it is almost time to start work, I had better head back downstairs to grab my coffee and get Mr. Alvin’s bed set up.

Working in the kitchen at the table was a great idea.

This is the boy’s set up …. comfy and beside Mom.

Well the boss just told me that I have to get downstairs.

He is the designated Supervisor for these two weeks.

So the boss cannot be late for work.

 

Clearly the boy is feeling much better.

 

Happy Friday All,

Living with kindness and respect and love,

I/We shall remain,

As Always, me and the boy

 

Second Half of the NEW YEAR.

Good Evening,

I know folks have wondered what happened to us the past couple of days as I have not posted my daily post.

Mr. Alvin as you know has been suffering from some health problems as of late.

He was not himself over the weekend.

At lunchtime today I was able to get him into see his vet.

My daughter drove from her home in Spruce Grove to take us.

I appreciate all of her help and support.

She found that he had a pulled muscle in his neck.

Well that would account for many of his actions over the few days.

To add insult to injury we had the hottest day in over a year.

Tomorrow is to be hot as well.

One of the medications that his vet prescribed was Robaxin (if I got the spelling correct).

For some reason not very many pharmacies keep it in stock.

That makes me wonder.

It is a specific dosage and perhaps that is why.

Anyway as I drip from the heat of the day and with a slight reprieve from the coolness of the night air.

Definitely cooler outside now than in the house.

Wished we could sleep on the deck.

 

Anyway back to his pills.

A pharmacy down the way from his Vet is going to order them in and hopefully should have tomorrow.

That will totally help his neck muscles.

 

As he has to limit climbing and actually he has not been climbing the stairs, I have been carrying him up and down when necessary…

I have decided and have already moved my workspace down to the kitchen table.

Seems odd but it actually works quite well.

Only for this week as I am on vacation after Friday.

 

One of my favourite entertainers … talk show host ….. Regis Philbin passed away over the weekend.

He was 88 only and only a month away from 89.

Regis was one of a kind and there are not many of those truly good people left.

The ones that you never heard a bad word about ….

A true legend and beloved man.

Rest in Peace, Sir.

 

Alvin is not doing well with the added heat so I have to cut this short.

For this week, I will be posting my blogs at night before bed.

 

I hope that you are keeping cool and dry.

There is such extreme weather everywhere.

Take care.

 

My son-in-law had been in the neighbourhood late this afternoon having his teeth cleaned.

I was happily surprised when I saw him pull up in front of the house.

He came to the door with something in his hand.

He stopped at Dairy Queen and picked up my favourite frozen treat.

Buster Bars ….. with peanuts and chocolate and ice cream.

What a sweetheart.

I am truly blessed to have the most thoughtful kids on the planet.

 

With kindness and respect,

I/We, shall remain

As Always, Carol & Alvin

 

Living … One day at a time.

Good Morning, Yup still the A.M.

What a lazy morning.

Except for picking up Humphrey and looking after Cynder ….. it has been a morning of staying in pj’s and drinking coffee.

Now as the morning is evaporating I am thinking that I should get my act together.

Write this post, have a shower and get this day on the way.

The sun is shining and it feels warm outside.

Alvin is laying on his blue blanket beside me and Humphrey is under the desk by my feet.

Funny how they ALL feel the urge or need to be with me at all times.

It is groovy.

I think that I will share some more of our Christmas photos and a couple of stories.

 

MILO, Alvin and ASPEN

CHRISTMAS DAY – Kids took the pups for a walk while I prepped items for our supper.

CHRISTMAS with HUMPHREY

Alvin lent a paw as he is the gift opening expert in our family (and always eager to help)!

Humphrey and his gifts …. now I know why he was interested in the bag under our tree.

I read the label and there was “catnip” in some of the toys.

Not your typical Christmas Dinner but it was requested.

Everyone was happy …..

BOXING DAY shenanigans ….. Humphrey decided to be a WINDOW SILL LIVING ORNAMENT.

Alvin’s best friend Teddy, his little sister Kobi, their Mom and her sister, Aunt J ….. paid us a visit.

We had gifts for Teddy and Kobi but for some reason I only had one photo and there was a human in the photo so I decided not to share.

Teddy’s Mom handed me this huge box for Alvin.

So I placed it on the sofa and Alvin set to work opening it.

It took him a long while and I lent a hand here and there.

The gift was in a weed/grass trimmer box.

We had the box exposed when Teddy’s Mom handed a smaller gift to me and said “this is for Alvin.”

I was confused.

It dawned on me that the gift was in fact for me, not for Alvin.

Teddy’s Mom recorded the whole opening.

I was shocked and surprised at the gift.

It was actually a weed/grass trimmer for me.

I have wanted my own for a long time but never making it into the budget.

Teddy’s Dad wanted to get this gift for me, he researched the brand and bought it.

What what a crazy Christmas 2019.

Full of surprises.

 

One shot of all three of the pups …. Kobi dropped the chew treat a split second before I snapped the photo.

It would have been darling to have had all three of them with a chew treat in their mouth.

 

My daughter texted me yesterday to let me know that “my big gift” was still at their home.

She had mentioned Christmas Eve when we were opening the presents that something seemed to be missing.

Yes, something was missing and was home on their kitchen table.

She asked if I would like a picture of the gift and I said “No, thank you, I would like a surprise.”

This truly has been the season for surprises.

 

Well I had better hop into the shower before it is afternoon.

Feeling lazy but that is okay ….

Lots of time to do things…..

 

I hope that you enjoyed your holidays, your Christmas as much as I, we.

Humphrey managed to take over Alvin’s blue blanket and Alvin is patiently waiting in the hallway for me.

 

Happy Friday.

 

Always, Carol & Alvin & Humphrey ….

 

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Sunday the 9th day of Sunday, 2018.

The sky is blue with nice white clouds and the SUN is shining.

It is a bit later than yesterday as we were up earlier and then elected to hit the sofa for some extra zzz’s.

There is a breeze.

Today with some reluctance I will pull my flowers and prepare for winter.

Not all of the flowers but most of them.

The snapdragons are just starting to get nice so I will leave them and try to protect them from incoming frost.

I also want to research how to preserve the LAVENDER plant that I have and how to make little Lavender packets or bouquets.

Last night was beautiful.

Teddy went home just after 6:00 p.m. after a great day with the little guy.

The boys played but mostly just hung out.

Teddy accompanied us to Alvin’s regular appointment to have his pedicure and stuff.

Alvin and I went for a lovely walk after supper.

 

We, I just had an easy day.

Cleaned out the pantry and shelving by the back door – nice to have restored some kind of order.

The tea cupboard has also been cleaned out.

Laundry or some of it done.

 

AND I set up the JENGA game on the counter and then on the table …..

In between I played JENGA.

Oh, how I love that game.

One of the few games that one can play by themselves.

I could play it all of the time.

One of my co-workers, actually one of the managers gave me the game as a “late birthday gift” as she knew how much I loved it.

Also I never seem to get to a place that would sell games.

So grateful to her and know that I am truly blessed for such generosity.

I find it relaxing and truly FUN.

If you are living by yourself – it is a great game to have set up.

You can play it over the course of the day.

Or you can sit down and play.

If you have someone at home to play with you, that is great as well.

 

Well there is a list of things to do and I see that the sky is beginning to cloud over.

I know that the forecast calls for clouds but I was hoping that the sunshine would have stayed longer.

Guess I had better get dressed, eat and make coffee and then get to the yard work.

ARGH, I wanted the sunshine to be around for today.

Perhaps it will come back.

I hope so.

 

Have an awesome Sunday.

 

Special Hello to: my sister (I had a great Friday and weekend).

Always, Carol & Alvin

 

Thought for the day ….

Good Morning and Welcome to Saturday the 9th day of June, 2018.

Oh, what an absolutely glorious morning it is here in Edmonton.

Alvin was up early and then we went back to bed.

I had wanted to get up earlier than usual so that we could go for a walk before the heat sets in and possibility of storms.

We were up about 7:30 a.m. which isn’t that early for a lot of people but I am up at 5:00 or earlier during the work week and like to sleep in on the weekends when I can.

I opened some windows to create that cross draft as there is a beautiful cool breeze.

Donned my shorts and t-shirt.

Grabbed the leash and cornered the boy to put his harness on.

(He was upstairs).

Usually it is going around the kitchen table for ten minutes (as he hides underneath) before I am able to get him ready.

Anyway, that is okay.

Grabbed some more poop bags, sandals on of course and the keys and not forgetting Al’s water bottle.

And we were off.

The cool breeze hit me as I opened the door blowing into my face and washing over me.

I could have stood there for eternity basking in the perfect cool air.

Locking the house we were on our way.

I admired my flowers in the front flower bed as we skipped down the sidewalk.

Well perhaps “skipped” is more of a term in a musical but we were happily going along.

The sun shining brightly.

We past a neighbour closer to the lake out watering his flowers and said “good morning” to each other.

At the lake the breeze moved the trees and grass around the water.

Each blade of grass appeared to be dancing around as the branches on the trees swayed to that music of the birds.

I have never heard so many birds singing their songs all at once.

I thought I was in heaven or some magical place.

We looked for the geese and their goslings but to no avail.

We saw a couple of ladies out walking with their dogs (one was running).

Stopping to say “hello.”

The smell to the air is better than the smell of freshly brewing coffee.

Er, maybe I mean to say “the freshness of the air tickled my nose and gave me this washed over feeling of zen.

Nothing compares to, nothing compares to coffee.

I love the smell of coffee brewing.

Now that we have that established….carry on.

Alvin enjoyed sniffing every blade of grass along the way.

He also enjoyed a sip of water here and there.

The water shone with a brilliance of polished diamonds.

So absolutely breathtaking, I had to stop and just take it all in.

Both Alvin and I could have stayed there forever.

It was one of the best walks we have ever taken, perfection.

Everything fell perfectly into place.

 

So now back at home time for a reality check.

Time to change bedding, start laundry, have breakfast and that beloved cup of COFFEE and get things done.

I hope that you all have that magic in your day.

 

Special Hello to: all those folks who enjoy a morning walk.

Always, Carol & Alvin

 

Thought for the day ….

Good Morning and Welcome to Tuesday the 12th day of September, 2017.

Yesterday was reported to have been 28 degrees celsius at the highest and today forecast to be 13.

What a change …..

I am grateful that is all I have to worry or think about weather wise.

Our thoughts and prayers are with the folks in the southern U.S.A. and to those in the islands south of the U.S.

 

I had the most odd thought a few minutes ago.

When I moved to Edmonton at the end of March 2009, I set up my computer in the office (or third bedroom).  In this space I had a small desk, my computer and a chair.

Most rooms had no furniture.  I had my bed, the table and chairs in the kitchen and my computer, desk and chair.

I spent several weeks with just these items before I was able to go shopping and pick up other things like a sofa and chairs and a television.

Seems like yesterday but getting onto ten years already.

 

Well time to fly.

Have an awesome Tuesday.

Special Hello to: you, today.

Always, Carol & Alvin

COUNTDOWN: 60 Days to 60

Today is Tuesday, July 11, 2017 and it is the 30th day until my 60th Birthday.

Okay, now we are less than one month until my Birthday.

I am so excited.

My sister is coming from Saskatchewan to stay with me and Alvin for TEN days.

So excited about that.

My youngest brother is also coming from Calgary for an undetermined amount of time.

Any amount of time I can have with my family is time well spent.

When I think about all of the time over the years that we have spent together it makes me HAPPY.

Doing the Happy DANCE right now.

When you surround yourself with the ones you love and laugh, you know the real deep down belly laughing.

That is the absolute BEST.

Also my daughter is on vacation at the same time as me, and I am looking forward to spending some extra time with her as well.

Sometimes the BEST VACATION of all is sitting around the kitchen table drinking coffee with your sister, your brother and your daughter.

Perhaps throw in some freshly baked cinnamon buns.

Not sure where that came from …….

Simple times ….. are the best.

So many thoughts …..

 

Always, Carol

 

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Thursday the 12th day of November, 2015.

Happy Belated Birthday to my nephew “T” ….. hope you had a great day.

Part II

Well yesterday did not have a happy ending.

I wished that those small creatures would just stay outdoors.

Anyway ….. I washed my winter boots and wore them on the main floor (no carpet) as they were my strength.

Alvin stayed close thank goodness.

We managed to get through most of the day …..

I cut up and cleaned the huge Halloween pumpkin.

Half of it I gave to one of my neighbours and the other half I cooked.

It was so yummy warm with some butter, salt and pepper.

Alvin had some plain ……

It was after that which was about 5:00 p.m. that I realized Alvin had not had his supper yet.

So I opened the pantry door …. grabbed his bowl and his food container and about that time … the MOUSE ran out of the pantry …. SCREAMING, I managed to place Alvin’s glass bowl on the counter and yell instructions to Alvin who by this time was in hot pursuit of this not welcome guest.

Screaming I watched it run under my fridge and I managed to get Alvin to come to me.

It did not come out.

I scooped up Alvin and ran over to the neighbours.

Gasping and sobbing I told them the story ….

“S” came back to the house with me.

Decided to put down the sticky traps not that I particular like the thought of them but I cannot live in fear.

One in the bottom of the pantry …. (removed Alvin’s food container and the two boxes with garage bags).

After that was done …..

While she was here I put back into the fridge my salad ingredients because I did not want to stand in the kitchen.

Grabbed the last muffin and two oranges and we stayed in the living room.

Twice I quickly walked Alvin to the door and outside.  I went with him.

This morning no sitting at the kitchen table to write in my gratitude journal.

No lemon water.

No oatmeal.

No banana at the table.

Instead I grabbed Alvin food container out of the bathroom (next to the pantry) and fed him.

We both went outside.

I grabbed a banana from the table and we stood near the edge of the cupboards at the living room entrance and shared the banana.

Then I took my journal, pen and our water and came upstairs.

In just a few minutes my neighbour is coming over to check the traps before I leave for work.

One is in the pantry and the other in the oven drawer (which is empty).

I feel so helpless even though I am much better than the first go around with those little beasts.

I just wished they would go elsewhere …..

Thank goodness for great friends and neighbours and Alvin who truly is my hero.

I think he knows …..

Well I better start getting prepared … downstairs …. Alvin will need to go out again.

Funny how something so small can make you so scared.

I know how people feel that have these phobias ….. not fun.

I hope that you have a great Thursday.

Hopefully the deed is done and that is that.

I will be wearing my boots regardless for a few days ….. will have to buy some indoor foot wear that has solid soles and goes up the calf.

I feel somewhat guarded … protected.

 

Special Hello: to my nephew “T” … I called you but your phone was not in use …. perhaps you stopped with the land line…..

Always, Carol and Alvin

Thought for the day…..

Good Morning and Welcome to Sunday the 3rd day of May, 2015.

What a glorious morning here in Edmonton.

While I was writing in my gratitude journal at the kitchen table this morning, I gazed out of the window onto the deck.

What to my eyes did I see but a slight layer of frost glistening like diamonds in the sunlight as it slowly melted into the wood.

So beautiful ….. one of nature’s best.

We finally got some rain late yesterday afternoon and overnight.

Enough to make the ground damp in spots.

Better than naught.

So happy to see spears of green grass poking their way to the sunlight on the front and back lawn.

We, me and Alvin are getting ready to greet some company for coffee.

Two of my girl friends and possibly their children are coming for a visit.

We always love to have company.

Love to chat about the world and ours.

Love to laugh and tell stories …. recanting our childhoods and such.

It is a glorious morning.

Yesterday was busy ….. OH, I VOTED in the advanced polls.

YAY …. so happy to have that most important task completed.

Also hit the grocery store, did some cleaning  …. more laundry ….. (where does it all come from??) and decided to put out the new bathroom curtain, towels and accessories in the main bathroom upstairs and also in my bedroom.

FIXED:  bedroom – bedspread, sheets, new matching pillows ….. looks beautiful.

I was going to wait until I painted but decided “why not enjoy it all now” ….. this way it gives me a better idea as to what direction I should go for the paint colour.

Photos were snapped and I will post them shortly so you can see my new stuff and perhaps give me some ideas as to paint colour for the master bedroom.

My thoughts initially were light turquoise or the palest of sky blues and now I am leaning to SAND.

Oh, I am needing some coffee.  Might have to put it on a bit early ….. mmm, I love a good cup of coffee.

Oh, yes … I did not forget about Miss Aussie …. her Momma is away down south … Palm Springs, I Believe.

She actually ran off the window ledge when she saw me coming so I gingerly opened the front door and stuck my keys in ahead of me (she likes to put her paws out, too and hers are way more sharp than mine) ….. anyway I managed after a couple of moments to get inside the house.  She then ran back to the window.  I gave her food, her medicine and fresh water.  As soon as she was away from the window … I opened it …. she loves to sit on the window sill and look outside.  She might as well enjoy the beautiful fresh air.  By the way, it smells like it just rained.

Well time to go and get that coffee on and a couple of items.

I hope that you have a grand Sunday.

Take care and be safe.

Be kind as you set out on your day …..

To yourself and to ours.

Special Hello to:  Family and Friends …… thank you for everything in my life.

Always, Carol and Alvin