Last Half 2022 – October

Good Morning ALL! As the month is winding down it is time to reflect on what has been. October was a good month with warm days, some rain, leaves turning colour, meeting old and new friends on our walks, spending time with friends and family, enjoying those days that we can work from home and just breathing in the breath of life. Wow, today is October 28, 2022. Almost Halloween! I am working from home so have decided this year not to dress up. One of the few times that I have not dressed up on Halloween and that may change. I would not dress up until later in the day if I changed my mind. Yesterday at lunchtime, I decided to walk over and pick up Alvin’s two cases of canned food that was specially ordered in for him. Firstly, I stopped at the convenience store close to the vet clinic and cashed in my lotto tickets (won $2.00 yay) and picked up some tickets for tonight and tomorrow. I love money. I called the vet to let them know that I was outside as this has been the protocol for quite some time as they leave the front door locked so they can monitor the amount of people in the clinic at any one time. Makes it safe for the staff. “B” opened the door and greeted me, once inside she grabbed Alvin’s food for me while I picked up a bag of the treats that he is allowed. Do not want to run out of them, lol. The girls were concerned about me carrying two cases home but I reassured them that I had brought with me two bags and could carry one in each hand. I would be okay. Just then I heard a voice and out from the back came Dr. Karen with her coat on and purse across her body “saying that I can give you a ride home.” I was very grateful and of course took her up on the offer. I said goodbye to the girls and made an appointment for Alvin before I left for 30 days from his last appointment for his ears. If he needs to go back soon for his nails etc., then I will take him. On the way home we talked about Halloween. Dr. K mentioned about how they decorated the house (outside) and I was blown away when she told me they usually have over 300-400 kids/people come to see the house and for treats. WOW. She does not live far from me but I was not quite sure exactly the location. Karen said “we can just take a quick trip over and then you can see the house.” Well it is definitely within walking distance for us. Her house was done up to the ten’s. OMG. So well done and they were only 2/3 completed. Very impressive. I told her that we would pop by after work on Monday as I work from home. It will still be light and before the kids come over. She said that she would have something for Mr. Alvin. Then she took me home. I hope that the weather holds for Halloween. It rained sometime after the first time we were out last night and there remain some dark rain clouds in the sky. Fingers crossed for nice weather for the kiddos and parents on Monday.

I took today off and I am so glad that I did, as we enjoying some extra cuddles on the sofa before getting up to start this Friday. One of my friends needs some help trimming her tree and needs my ladder and tree trimming tool so we will do that a bit later when it warms up although it is not cold outside now. My daughter is stopping by after work and a trip to COSTCO to have supper with us. I have planned to have some roasted root vegetables, a salad with raspberries and biscotti for dessert. Almost time to head in the shower and then get this day going. We will have time for a walk this afternoon. I have a few other items on my to do list for today and this weekend. Next weekend the decorations for Christmas begins so I want to clean the blinds and wash the baseboards this weekend, some extra cleaning.

We were outside a little while ago when I noticed that a piece of my neighbours’ siding was loose and blowing in the wind. I ran back into the house and grabbed my phone to take a photo and send it to them. I would not want them to open their patio door just as the siding fell down. It could injure someone and also if they can rescue that piece and with a ladder, move it back into place, then they will not have to buy a new piece. Siding may be hard to find and in this colour.

I hope that you have a great Friday. Enjoy.

Off to have a nice warm shower and then have coffee before getting down to business.

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

Always, Carol & Alvin

Last Half 2022 – September

Good Morning ALL! Well the sun is beginning to rise and to the south the sky has bands of dark blue on the horizon and then a hazy kind of pink blue, so pretty. I wish that I could give it justice in my description. So very beautiful. It is cool out this morning but comfortable. The daytime highs are more normal now for this time of year. The trees are standing still.

The last twenty-four hours have been filled with incredible lows, then highs and then lows. How do you manage to live your life when things are so up and down. Good question?

So to the story. Yesterday as you already know was Mr. Alvin’s ultrasound on his belly to check his liver, kidneys etc. We walked over to the vet clinic for 10:00 a.m. I just had donned my mask and was about to call the clinic as we arrived when one of the staff just happened to be at the door so she let us inside. Another clerk gave me the form to sign regarding liability, another went to prepare some blankets for him (I gave her the bag with his blue blanket and for putting his leash and harness in, and with a little whisper “love you”, he was whisked off to the back. It happened so fast. I felt a lump in my throat and then I was out the door and he was left behind. Not forever. I decided that I would pick up a lotto ticket so I stopped at the convenience store nearby. Then home. All the way home, I was wishing that I had told Alvin “I will see you later so that he would know that I would come back.” Back home, I put on a pot of coffee and then once perked, I sat down to think and blindly watch a morning show. I did catch a segment about COVID and the higher than normal influenza season that is being predicted. Once I drank some of my coffee, I decided to have something to eat. I felt very guilty knowing that Mr. Alvin would have to wait for a few hours before he could eat. I always feel guilty. After that, I decided to pull up all of the floor mats and give the main floor a good vacuum followed by washing. I was almost done washing the floor when the call in from the vet. It was Michelle to say that they were done and Alvin was ready to come home. That was 11:45 a.m. Fast I thought but what would the news be, I wondered! I quickly finished and brought in and put down most of the floor mats so that Alvin would not freak out when he got home.

At the vet, I was going over some things regarding the payment and insurance, when another staff said, go see Dr. Karen she is in the exam room with the report. So off I went. We went over the rather lengthy report. There seemed like something was noted for every organ except for his heart and lungs. But gratefully, the most urgent issue was that he has pancreatitis which could be treated with antibiotics. He does have an enlarged liver and the liver is covered with benign lesions. There were a number of other items all related to age. I breathed a deep sigh of relief. Alvin’s Doctor said that he will need to be monitored closely as things could change but for now he is okay. I had a lot of questions. Dr. Karen had one of the staff take a copy of the report so that I could read when I got home. He was weighed and had definitely lost some weight but I was reminded by Dr. Karen that he had not eaten for several hours. After making the payment of over $800.00 including the antibiotics thanks to my daughter (loan), we were on our way. Such a relief.

On the way home, he pooped. It was very loose. Not surprised. I cleaned it up and we were on our way. Once home, I got him settled. He drank lots of water. I gave him a bit to eat. We settled down on the sofa so that I could text family and friends with the results of his ultrasound.

A few hours later, I found out that my coworkers had met with our higher up and were instructed to come back to the office for a minimum of three days per month starting October 3, 2022. Well that was a bit in the rear end. I was just feeling better with the news for Mr. Alvin and then this. Now what. I cannot leave him and will I be able to find someone to watch him for three days a week in less than three weeks time. My heart sank. I was sick to my stomach, well the feeling anyway.

So last night was up and down. I have lots to figure out over the next not quite three weeks. He definitely cannot stay alone as Dr. Karen said he will need to go out for a pee at noon and then have some water and food. That was based on the more slow call back to the office.

Why oh why, could we be one of the offices that allows their staff to work from home.

They make the decisions and I do not have say in the matter.

So that is where we stand. I am going to take Mr. Alvin for a walk.

I know that I will figure out something.

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

PS: at the end of the day the most important thing is that Mr. Alvin is okay for now. That is all that truly matters. The other stuff will work out with some “elbow grease.” He also had a perfect poop this morning.

Thought for the day …….

Good Morning and Welcome to Saturday the 16th day of May, 2015.

It is overcast and very windy.

We did however receive some rain overnight which is great.

Perhaps it will rain over the course of the day and that would be wonderful as it is so needed.

Well I had the best start to the long weekend.

Yesterday started off with bootcamp.

This one was very engaging ….

Found out “all of the arms work” really engaging when I went to dry my hair after a nice warm shower.

I could barely lift my arms …… arg ….

This morning they feel great …. not tired ….. they feel strong.  YAY.

My friend “S” and I went shopping/ running errands after bootcamp.

First stop was the VET to pick up food for Alvin and some treats for him.

Our second stop was Home Depot to pick up some more flowers.

OMG, I could have bought every single flower there.

I picked up a ready made pot filled with pinks and white flowers.

Impatiens and I think begonias to plant for the front porch.

Petunias, and some others that I am not certain of their names.

Have to read the labels.

Also small basket of purple pansies.

So pretty.

I LOVE FLOWERS.

I LOVE LOVE FLOWERS.

They make me so happy.

The colours.

There was one tiny white flower that filled the air with the most amazing fragrance.

I made sure that I picked up some of them.

I decided to plant them (was hoping today) later.

Later might be tomorrow.

They are carefully sitting in the garage by the window.

Will check them later to see if they need a drink of water.

After our stop at Home Depot we went to Costco.

Now that store on a Friday was “busy” …..

People were doing silly driving parking things.

Well of course when you go to Costco …. do you ever stick to the list?  NOPE. Never.

After all doesn’t everyone need a ten pound bag of carrots ….

Apparently me and Alvin did …..

One last stop before home.

Save-On for the winning lotto tickets.

P.S. the one item that I really should have picked up was new house phones because apparently mine are not working …. just filled with static when someone calls ….. I did find out that they can hear me quite fine……..

It was wonderful to spend time with my friend “S” ….. we laughed and chatted and laughed.

Great time.

Now on this quiet Saturday ….

The only sounds in the house are the clock tick tock ing in the bathroom, the sound of the keys as I type these words and the wind as it blows through the upper vents.

Friday was great …… exercise, shopping, walk with Alvin and then being at home.

So on this quiet lovely Saturday morning I hope that you too are enjoying your day.

I love being in my home ….. just puttering …. doing laundry ….. sipping on a cup of coffee ….. just being.

I did think however after yet another bootcamp that I had better get out my yoga equipment and get stretching.

It is amazing as you get older how inflexible you become if you do not work at it.

So I am going to ……

I want to be the most healthy almost 58 year old woman…..

So time to go and get at it.

Remember to take time for yourself. ….

If you like flowers….. go to and pick up some to plant or a ready made pot.

If you do not have the extra money to buy flowers today then just go and spend some time at one of the retail garden stores.

Smell them and take in all of the amazing colours.

This experience will uplift and bring you to a great place.

Well I hear the laundry calling and another cup of coffee …. perhaps I will drink it while it is “hot.”

Have a wonderful Saturday …..

Special Hello to: my daughter and family …. we miss you guys.

Always, Carol and Alvin