Last Half 2022 – October

Good Morning ALL! Welcome to Wednesday. Back to the office for today, tomorrow and Friday. Not my favourite place to go but I will make it work as there is no choice in the matter. We had a pretty good sleep last night. In bed by 9:30 and I read for a few minutes before lights out. Alvin woke up about 1:00 a.m. so we went downstairs. Surprisingly enough he did not want to go outside so we laid down on the sofa, next thing I knew the alarm was going off at 5:30 a.m. We were up shortly thereafter. I did lay back down waiting for Alvin to wake up first which he did. What a guy? Then it was preparing his breakfast before heading outside. The grass was wet as it has been for the last while but no heavy frost which is good. I was expecting it to be raining but perhaps that is supposed to happen during the day. The temperature is to be much cooler than it has been for the past week or more. I am so grateful for these beautiful fall days. Watching the leaves turn from green to gold and then falling from the trees has been delightful. The colours of fall warm my heart and make me feel warm inside. I do love this time of year. We have trees that are green still, some have turned gold and others variations of red and wine.

Alvin had a good appointment although he did fuss when his front nails were being trimmed. Poor boy. Since COVID, I have to wait in the exam room and they take the pets to the back area where they perform surgeries etc. So I can only listen to him “cry” and whine which breaks my heart. I stocked up on his toothpaste, glucosamine chews, small bag of treats and pain meds. You never know when things are not going to be in stock, so if I am able to, I pick them up before we actually need the items. It is sad that so many items in our everyday lives are becoming so difficult to secure. Between supply chain issues and staffing (which I do not understand) and soaring prices – it makes me sad and to wonder why?

I will have time to snuggle with the boy, make sure that he drinks more water and goes outside to pee again before I leave for work. With the price of coffee, I decided not to make coffee at home and take it to work, I will drink the coffee from work (it is free). Might as well take advantage of that as not much is free any more and who knows if that will change.

As I had taken yesterday afternoon off (vacation) for Alvin’s appointment because we cannot take time off in anything less than 1/2 days – I had time before the appointment to chop up more apples, which I did. Still have most of a large bowl left to do. That I will work on after work tonight.

I hope that you have a wonderful Wednesday.

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

Always, Carol & Alvin

2021

Good Morning All! Well my boy sure has had some challenges in the last six months or the first half of 2021. Let’s hope that the second half of 2021 is more kind to my little guy.

it has been interesting adjusting to this new norm. I feel like we are living in a two room apartment with access to another floor to get dressed and do my blog. I am grateful that we have a main floor bathroom. Alvin does not like staying in his little gated area by the front door while I go into hyperdrive doing whatever I need to do upstairs.

He is semi adjusting to my lifting him up from the sofa to the floor and visa versa and up and down the steps to the grass area. The grass was beginning to be green again after the rain but after one hot day it is looking a bit brown.

We definitely have to work on his staying on the main floor while I slip upstairs as he is in his gated area while I am getting ready and typing this post and he is BARKING. OMG, I pray that he calms down over the next few months.

My flowers appear to be peaking and are so pretty. I hope they last till September.

I guess lifting him up snd down will build up my arm strength and maybe more muscle, lol.

I feel so bad for Alvin. Cannot imagine the pain ge is experiencing. Thank goodness for pain meds. Poor guy has bouts of gas and poor Momma when downwind to that smell. I shall miss the fragrance of the roses near the park as it Will beautiful long time before we are walking again.

For the next two and a half months we are housebound. I’m going to have to incorporate some exercise into my days as I find myself sitting more than usual. Mainly to keep the boy still and to make sure he doesn’t jump up or off the sofa. He did get away once this morning and I grabbed him at the third stair as he realized that it wasn’t as easy as usual. So carried him up and back down. Very carefully.

I am grateful that I booked an appointment to have a/c serviced on the 14th as temperatures are warming up but thankfully not the high 30’s.

Well time to go.

I hope you have a great Thursday.

Remembering to live each day with kindness, respect, compassion, patience, understanding, love and gratitude.

Always, we are Carol&Alvin

2021

Good Morning All! Well another change to our everyday life. Yesterday I took Alvin for his regular nail trim etc. And to check reason for the limp. My friend Iris drove us as Alvin could not walk that far. We basically got in right away for our appointment and with a cancellation our Vet was not rushed between patients, thank goodness. I was waiting in one of the two previously used for patient exam but since COVID now are waiting rooms for the parent/parents only for a few moments when Dr. Karen came in, I could tell by her eyes that something was wrong even with a mask on. She explained in simpler terms that Alvin has a torn ligament between the joints in his knee on his hind right leg. Serious business with best course of treatment- surgery. I almost started to cry. She showed me pictures to explain the two types of surgery that can be done to fix the problem. My heart hurt as I knew this was not going to be easy for Alvin or me. He is on some pain medication while we wait for the surgery to be performed in almost three weeks time. Once the surgery is performed it will be 6-8 weeks recovery with the first few weeks the toughest as he cannot put weight on his leg at all.

We slept on the sofa last night and that will be our new bed until basically the end of September. There was some frustration for us both trying to get comfortable. Poor little guy.

Hopefully the surgery goes well and he recovers as quickly as his surgery in February. Poor little guy.

Our life will be different for some time but different isn’t always bad or easy.

I am grateful to my friend Iris who waited for 1.5 hours while we were at the vet. She also brought me some pumpkin as the vet suggested it as the pain meds cause constipation.

Upon reflection last night and early this morning I realized that I am grateful that this happened now and not in the winter time, that I am working from home and that we are surrounded by loving supportive family and friends.

I hope that you are well. Should you wish to send some positive energy or a little prayer our way, we would be eternally grateful.

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

Always Carol&Alvin ♥️

Second Half of the NEW YEAR.

Good Morning and Welcome to Thursday.

So happy that it is payday.

Pay those the bills and wait for the next ones.

What a circle!

I am grateful that I am able to pay my bills in full and on time.

I am grateful to have a roof over my head.

I am grateful that I am able to look after me and Alvin in good order.

I am grateful that I am employed.

I am grateful for each and every day that I am able to get out of bed in the morning.

I am grateful for all of my dear family members and all of my friends.

I am grateful to be surrounded by goodness and light.

I am grateful to have Alvin as my housemate.

I am grateful to have this beautiful weather as we fast approach the first day of fall.

I am grateful to be alive.

 

Last night and early this morning – I had the strangest of dreams.

Unfortunately I remember nothing of them other than they were odd.

How often does this happen to you?

Me, lots.

Sometimes I remember little things and sometimes I remember the dream in some detail.

But not often.

 

I prefer to daydream.

Where I can somewhat control and remember what I am thinking.

What do you daydream about?

I think daydreaming is good for us.

I daydream about things and people.

 

Another beautiful day on the way.

Yesterday was gorgeous.

We went for a walk in the morning as I worked the late shift yesterday.

Our walk was lovely.

Quiet …. not too many people out before 8:30 a.m.

Today at lunchtime I am going to the Vet to pick up food for Alvin, some pain meds and toothpaste for him.

We will walk after work when it cools down.

I guess we could / should have gone this morning but alas I did not get my butt going soon enough.

If I got dressed now and we went …. we could be home in time for me to start work.

But I think we will wait.

Although …… it looks tempting but it would be cutting it close.

We shall wait.

Can always go after supper if it is too warm at 4:00 p.m.

 

Tomorrow I got to the office for the first time since I left on March 19, 2020.

I am a little nervous – I will confess.

Must remember to take a mask or two and some other supplies.

Lunch, I guess.

Sounds like the coffee machine is in use so that is good.

Only for one day.

I shall miss and feel guilty leaving Alvin for a whole day.

He is not used to it.

Perhaps he will be happy to have the day to himself.

Who knows?

 

Well time to get this show on the road.

I have to get ready.

Turn on the coffee.

Actually turn on the coffee first and then come back upstairs and get ready.

I have all of the windows open so that cool air can come into the house.

Smells good.

Not really any breeze this morning.

Happy Thursday.

 

Have an awesome Thursday.

Be safe.

Be kind and respectful.

I shall/we shall remain,

As Always, Carol & Alvin

I am so excited to see the Snapdragons coming up in the pot with the Geraniums.

Orange and pink so pretty.

There are more Snapdragons since this photo was taken.

 

Second Half of the NEW YEAR.

Good Morning All,

We are in the middle of a summer thunderstorm complete with rain and wind.

Thank goodness Alvin has already been out twice so we are good for awhile.

I moved my potted plants away from the protection of the house around 6:00 a.m. and hopefully the storm passes without any damage to my flowers.

Yes, I am one of those people who move their flowers when the clouds start to roll in.

I love my flowers and they bring me joy.

They cannot bring job if the hail flattens them or heavy rains.

So I try to take care of them so they will last long into the summer and even fall.

A drink is what they got this morning …. raining some but not heavy, thankfully.

 

I am feeling a lot more rested after spending a glorious night in my/our bed.

Alvin slept through the night and only went to get up when I showed to be doing so.

Yesterday I called our Vet and spoke to one of the staff who in turn spoke to the Vet.

She added another prescription to his pain med, this one he will take every 12 hours for three days on top of the other that is once every 24 hours.

I think he is also freaked out by the storm.

I will say one thing that is odd, he listens to my commands now.

If I say stay (he was on the bed), he stays until I help him down.

If I say have a drink of water, he went and had a drink of water.

Very strange.

Not that he is unruly or doesn’t listen but he doesn’t ….. not a bad doggie.

Just spoiled, I guess.

It is raining a bit harder.

I am hoping that the clouds keeping on moving ….. I am sure that someone somewhere needs some moisture.

We would like some sunshine.

I don’t think that the grass is get any more green.

The colour of grass – oh, how I love that shade of green.

 

I can smell the coffee perking and I cannot wait to have a sip of the Hazelnut blend that I am perking.

Well thankfully things in our household are much better.

To think it all started with a storm last Thursday, me on the after hours phone line, a slip getting up on the deck, a visit to the Vet and who knows what else.

I am grateful that today even though it is storming …. I am feeling a lot more ZEN.

Which is a good thing as Mr. Alvin can sense when I am anxious.

 

Last night after work my daughter went to COSTCO.

She picked up some items for me.

Luckily I just had prepared a black bean burger with all the toppings including some fresh lettuce that she had given me.

When she arrived with not much time and with a sore foot (her story to tell), I offered her half of my burger which I had already cut in half.

I unloaded the car while she had a bite to eat.

She had another stop to make and I figured that she might be a bit hungry as it was after 6:00 by this time.

I love seeing my girl even if it is on the run …. all time, every second, minute is priceless.

Well that rain is coming down harder.

I will have to watch my flowers.

Might have to make a mad dash out to move them.

 

Well 8 days to work before vacation time.

So time to sign off here and grab my coffee as the fragrance has curled its’ way up the stairs to my nose.

Mmmmm.

 

Have an awesome Wednesday.

I hope that kindness and respect follow you every second of every day.

Living with kindness and respect is the only way.

 

I/We, shall remain,

As Always, Carol & Alvin

Second Half of the NEW YEAR.

Good Morning and I believe today is Tuesday, July 21, 2020.

Wow, sometimes now that I am working from home the days seem to blend together.

There is a loud hum of vehicles coming from the Anthony Henday which is the highway that goes around the City of Edmonton.

I hadn’t realized that it was that loud until this morning or perhaps it is because more people are heading back to work.

What a thought.

The sky is a mix of sun and clouds.

Fingers crossed it is a nice sunny day.

Maybe not too hot so that Alvin and I can go for a walk at lunchtime.

Not a full one of course.

 

Well to Mr. Alvin.

We spent another night sleeping on the sofa.

I could not coax him to go outside before bed and I knew that at some point we would be up.

He fussed for a long time and I think that I fell asleep before him.

I can definitely tell the difference between with pain med and when it wears off.

In an hour or so, he can have another one.

Actually he usually wakes up at 3:30 or 4:00 and wants to go outside.

He has not done that the past few night that we have been sleeping downstairs.

Whether he is in pain and just does not want to get up …. not sure there.

So I was the one walking up ….

4:45 a.m. and to the bathroom …. he did not want to go outside.

He actually waited until we were up at 6:15 to have breakfast.

I had to lift him down the stairs to the grass to do his business which he finally did not long ago.

I feel so badly for him …. he has had a long haul the past few months….from one thing to another.

He did slowly climb up the stairs this morning and surprisingly enough he walked around the bed as if he wanted up but just did not want to jump.

I have a long chaise stool (not sure what to call it) and it is a little step and then he hops onto the bed.

I think those days may be over.

So I said “no worries, buddy, I got you” picking him up and gently placing him onto the bed.

I could tell he missed the bed as it has been several days since he has been sleeping and sitting on the bed.

Fingers crossed that over the course of the day he will continue to get better.

Please do not get me wrong ….. I will take him to the Vet ….. if he does not get better.

Unfortunately I think it is his joints and they will not get better so all I can do is help him be comfortable in whatever he does.

 

Did I tell you that I decided to take the two weeks vacation after all?

After conversations with my daughter she felt that I needed to take two full weeks and relax.

Life has been stressful with work and then with Alvin.

So I changed it back to two weeks.

I am now looking forward to having the time off.

Recharge, relax, clean the oven and defrost the fridge are high on my list.

Walks with Alvin is number ONE on the list.

 

Well time to head over to the next desk and start work.

Oh, have to run down and grab my coffee.

I hope that life is treating you with kindness and respect as you are treating life.

With kindness and respect, I live my life.

I/We, shall remain,

As Always, Carol & Alvin

It is a NEW YEAR.

Wow, June 30th today, how did that happen?

Tomorrow will be the first day of the second half of this year.

Also tomorrow is July 1st, CANADA DAY.

The celebrations will be much different from other years but that is okay.

There does not always have to be such pomp and circumstance.

We can celebrate in smaller groups or just by ourselves.

Alvin and I usually watch someone of the televised celebrations followed by the fireworks in the neighbourhood.

 

Speaking of Alvin, I gave him a pain pill as soon as I got home from the vet yesterday morning.

It seemed to help or at least take the edge off which is great.

As the weather is still raining – I would think he may need one today but will see.

There were seven pills in the prescription and now there are six.

So will give them just when he appears to need them.

 

We had quite the start earlier this morning.

Alvin and I were outside in the backyard.

I looked up and saw this wet gold coloured cat on the top of the fence.

Immediately I thought of Humphrey and said “Humphrey” and his Mom came out right away.

Not Humphrey,  I realized that right after I said his name.

I recognized the gold cat with “four” legs from a few days ago.

He or She had been underneath a car and when we walked by …. of course Alvin had his scent.

So the cat came out and followed us.

Alvin likes cats so he was not startled by the cat.

The cat followed us down the street.

My neighbour thinks it belongs to a lady and her son down the street.

I think the poor cat is trying to find his home.

The cat took off when my neighbour came out and Humphrey was on the grass and ran after.

 

Alvin just barked.

Guess he needs something.

Anyway almost time to start work.

Yup, I kept setting the microwave timer for a few more minutes.

 

Okay, time to get this show on the road.

It has been raining since 5:30 a.m. this morning.

The grass is so nice and green.

My favourite shade of green.

The air smells fresh.

 

Wishing you a day filled with kindness and respect.

I only wished that everyone on the planet was surrounded with kindness and respect.

That would be perfection.

It is a NEW YEAR.

Good Morning All,

Sorry for the late and short post but Alvin had a rough night.

His poor little paws/legs are arthritic and with the cool air and rain, he has pain.

I think his human counterparts can well identify.

So with us not sleeping well last night and over the weekend, I am on my way to the Vet to pick up some pain meds for the boy.

Just something to help him over the worse.

 

Hoping for sunshine and warmer temperatures soon.

 

Take Care.

Be well.

 

Living with kindness and respect for all.

 

I/We, shall remain,

Always, Carol & Alvin