Last Half 2022 – September

Good Morning ALL! The sun is up and shining brightly, I fogged up my glasses when we were outside just a few minutes ago. The air is crisp and definitely sweater weather at this moment. I am grateful for the reprieve from the hot temperatures. The sky is blue with wisps of white long clouds here and there. It has been since before ten p.m. last night that both Alvin and I had anything to eat or drink. I feel so badly for Mr. Alvin but he has been a real trouper and has not really fussed as yet. Even when I laid back down when typically we would be getting up for him to have his breakfast, he did not fuss and laid down beside me. I will not eat or drink around him. I usually do not eat until after 10:00 a.m., so my tummy is not rumbling. He is likely wondering what is going on. Also, I opted not to take him for a walk as he usually gets thirsty and drinks water and he is not allowed to eat or to drink before his ultrasound. Last night about 12:30 were up and outside. He had to poop. No surprise. Oh, the “Pooping Tales of Mr. Alvin.” So it was back to being very loose and lots of it. OMG. I managed to collect it all so that neither of us would step in it at a later time. It is difficult holding a phone and a poop bag at the same time, lol. Really not funny, but yet it is. Isn’t life wonderful?

Alvin has his ultrasound appointment today. He is to be at the vet clinic for 10:00 a.m. We will be walking over there and will leave the house at 9:40 a.m. Thankfully it won’t be too hot to walk. Our friend Gillian offered us a ride should the need arise but I think we should walk. Normally he would not drink water on the way to the vet and it is not hot out, so we should be good. I have been tossing around whether or not to take his blue blanket and I think that I will. Does not hurt to have something from home for the little guy. I always feel badly leaving him as he suffers from anxiety. He knows the Dr. and her staff very well as we are there a lot but still not home and not with his Momma. Afterwards I will come home and drown my sorrows in a mug of coffee. Then I have some housework to do while I wait for the phone call to come and pick him up. It will likely be later this morning or early afternoon. It all depends when the Ultrasound Technician arrives at the clinic and they do the procedure. He will want to come home as soon as he is able for sure. Other times when he was sedated as soon as he woke up, he was looking around for me and crying to come home. Typically they keep them for a few hours while the anesthesia wears off but not him. Depending on how sedated he is, I am ask Gillian for a ride home.

Well time to head into the shower. I wanted to stay in bed as long as possible to keep his mind from food and water. I guess me having a shower does not help but I need to have one. I am not sure if he would be thinking of that or not. What does a dog think about other than food? Squirrels, cats and birds! Sniffing grass! Alvin thinks about me. I am pretty sure about that.

I hope that you have a great Tuesday. Today and tomorrow and I am at the office for Thursday. I am grateful that Sonia, next door is home and can watch over the boy.

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

Always, Carol & Alvin

P.S. the trees are sparkling in the morning sunshine. Oh so pretty.

2021

Good Morning ALL. How are you today? I am well. Everytime I typed “2021” – I feel as though I am living in the far future. But yet here we are and I guess when I was a little girl in the early 1960’s – 2021 would have felt very futuristic. I also cannot believe we are less than four years away from 2025, which is another year that always interested me. Not quite sure why. Anyway. Got slightly sidetracked. This morning I am going into the office. We have quite strict protocols in place when we go to the office. I had to submit an online self assessment which I was finally able to do. At first I get receiving messages that my password or server weren’t something or other. Did not work. After many attempts I was able to complete the self assessment. YAY, me. This not very tech savvy “woman” was able to download the APP if that is the correct terminology and then actually get signed in and do the assessment. Well it is just over thirty minutes before my daughter picked me up. She is in my “bubble” or “pod.” I am not sure which term to use as I have heard both used. Guess it really does not matter. Mr. Alvin is feeling that something is up. It will be a long day for him without his Momma. Thankfully our neighbour Sonja will pop in and check on him. Let him outside and give him a treat or two. Then she will feed him at supper and let him out. He is used to eating around 4:30 p.m. and I won’t make it here by then. So grateful to have such great neighbours. I can smell the coffee perking as I am making some to take to work. I have my snacks or rather my breakfast on the go which consists of almonds and grapes. Usually I have oatmeal with cinnamon and cranberries but I didn’t want to eat this early and I also did not wish to take that to the office where I would have to warm it up in the microwave. Just want to keep my contact down to a minimum.

Well it is Friday and that is a good thing. I am looking forward to the trip to work chatting with my daughter along the way. I am excited to see the handful of staff including my Manager and a gal that is retiring and today is her very last day. I will have an opportunity to personally wish you all the best. We had a virtual Retirement party for her yesterday ….. no food, no card, no gift to hand to her. That part was sad. Some of us including her Management team had lots of nice things to say. She worked for our company for almost 39 years.

Okay time to go and finish getting ready. I am thinking I can get away with only wearing shoes instead of boots. Not much snow. I will be brave.

Have an awesome Friday. Continue to live our lives with kindness, respect and compassion.

Always, Carol & Alvin

It is a NEW YEAR.

Good Thursday Morning!

Another beautiful bright sunshiny day.

I am becoming more infatuated with clouds.

Noticing them more and more.

On our way home from our walk after work the clouds were so beautiful.

There was a shelf of them hanging down and above only blue sky.

I am not sure what the technical term is but they just sat there.

Just like a floating shelf.

Almost like they could hold an object or hide an object.

Beautiful and perfect.

This morning they are wispy and appear to be touching the blueness of the sky.

Clouds ….. mmmm

 

We had a great day with the pups.

Kobi did amazing.

She pretty much stayed upstairs with me and Alvin while I was working.

Teddy laid downstairs on Alvin’s bed in the living room.

She is so full of energy.

Kobi did her best to be close to Alvin.

He was not thrilled when she nudged him to play.

Sounded like a grumpy old man.

Reminded me of someone I know.

Not really grumpy but does not like to let on that he is not.

I did snap some photos and will post them another time.

Later on in the early evening – Humphrey from next door, joined us.

Truly was a day filled with friends.

 

This is an odd morning for our household.

Mr. Alvin has his annual teeth cleaning.

No food after 10:00 p.m.

No water after Midnight.

So I made sure to give him a little biscuit at 9:00 p.m.

I tried valiantly to coax him to drink some water at bedtime but to no avail.

He has been good this morning.

When we first got up and went downstairs, I asked him if he wanted to go outside and no.

He stopped by the pantry where his food is kept.

I explained that “this morning you go to see Jenn and Dr. K to get your teeth cleaned”

I only wished that he understood.

But when I said “still night time” and laid down on the sofa, he jumped up and laid down right beside me.

I tried to lay down as long as possible so that it would be easier for him.

We “slept” until almost 7:30 p.m.

Now I have things to do.

Part of which is this post and then a shower before we leave for his appointment.

His appointment is at 9:30 a.m. which is when they open.

Dr. K will arrive between 10:00-10:15 and then between 10:30-11:00 they will give him the anesthetic which takes about 20-30 minutes to take.

Then comes the teeth cleaning.

Jenn said he would be ready to come home about 2:30 p.m.

Knowing Mr. Alvin it will be much earlier.

But time will tell.

I will pick him up whenever he is ready to come home.

He also needs more food, his glucosamine chews, perhaps some wet food as a treat, shampoo and conditioner, toothpaste and a new toothbrush.

It is a big day.

 

Well time to go and hit the shower.

I hope that you have a wonderful Thursday.

 

Living with kindness and respect for all.

I/We shall remain,

As Always, Carol & Alvin