2021

Good morning All! How are you today? Thursday, I think? The days are running together. There have been a few points when I was oh so tempted to grab my sandals and keys and leave. The front door looks so tempting. Another mixed up semi sleepless night. More on the no sleep than sleep. Reminds me of being a Mom when my daughter was colicky. No sleep. Being alone and caring for another life whether two or four-legged is not easy. Alvin panted for hours on end despite multiple trips outside during the night, rub down with wet cloth and his meds, I could not console him. No one was here to console me and I had an equally miserable night. Unpleasant thoughts took over my mind. It is hard to have continued loving, kind and respectful thoughts when you are so tired you just want to cry or run away. I would never harm Alvin despite being so distraught but I’m sure he could feel the words hit his heart. I’m sorry Alvin.

Tomorrow is one week since his surgery. I pray and hope that things drastically improve soon. Now of course things are way better than last weekend. That first night we camped out on the living room floor and there is no way that I could have got through it without my daughter being here.

It just seems that at times there is nothing I can do to make things better. Alvin is an anxious guy and that anxiety can push over the positive effect that his meds would have on him. I honestly do not know how he functions at all. Not much sleep and being anxious.

On a positive note when we were outside the last time I decided to put in on the love seat blocking any escape. He seemed to enjoy it for a few minutes while I deadheaded some of my flowers as bf gave a drink to others. Those glorious moments did not last but at least I had them.

I am so sorry to be venting but I hope if there are others out there in a similar situation that you will know you are not alone. In the wee hours of the night/morning I am with you and knowing that this too yet shall pass.

There is no way that I could have envisioned this happening and spending literally months sleeping on the sofa. Oh, I would give almost anything to sleep one whole night in my bed upstairs. We have a long way to go and there will be ups and downs such as there is in life. But I know I will get through and Alvin will as well.

Well time for more caffeine. I look forward to walks in time. I pray his knee heals.

Thank you for reading this post and continuing to follow me on this path which is my life.

Fingers crossed when I start back to work and so grateful I can continue to work from home.

Continuing with all my might and a few slip ups to live with kindness, respect, compassion, patience, understanding, love and gratitude.

Always Carol&Alvin

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Wednesday the 3rd day of August, 2016.

We actually went for an extra long walk around what we lovingly refer to “The Big Lake.”

It was funny about half way around Mr. Alvin turned to go back (I guess he figured that was enough).

But I coaxed him onward between gentle words and some water we carried on.

I always carry a puppy water bottle with us on our walks in the summertime.

Even on a cooler day such as today animals get thirsty.

I mean the health professionals are always saying that when you are out for a walk we humans are to take water with us.

Personally I think the poor puppies need it more than we do ….. after all they are sporting fur coats when we have shorts and tank tops on as as example.

Honestly other than my daughter and her husband I have yet in the six years since I adopted Alvin have ever seen one person walking with their dog(s) that was carrying some kind of water bottle for them.

No one does.

I am slightly no I am in total disbelief of this action.

I know that most of the folks I have seen love their animals as they are out walking with them, they are well groomed for the most part …. so why no water.

It truly has been bugging me for a long time.

I even told my daughter I would like to buy a bunch of pet water bottles and hand them out to people when me and Alvin are out for our walks.

Also one time earlier in the summer on a warm day …. it was after work and we were out for a walk.

A man was walking with his dog …. a collie I believe …… long long hair and the dog was panting to beat the band.

We had said hello.

I was giving Alvin a drink and he asked about his water bottle.

I explained to him that when dogs pant they are not only trying to cool down but they are stressed.

They get stressed when they get hot.

I immediately offered some water to the dog but he said they were on their way home.

He asked where you buy the water bottles and I told him.

I sure hope that he did pick up a bottle.

He had talked about going for two walks every day so I know that he cared about the dog.

Just amazes me that no one thinks to carry water with them for the dogs.

Anyway …..

GREAT NEWS.

Sir Elton, my daughter and son-in-law’s boy and my grand-puppy had a check up / follow up appointment with his Doctor yesterday.

My daughter said the appointment went great.

She said that the Doctor was almost giddy with joy over Elton’s amazing recovery.

As are we.

He is a stubborn, old guy that just will not give up.

We are so grateful for that …..

My kids are great parents to Elton and I know their love and support through these past few months have truly made a difference.

More news:

Yesterday I received a necklace that I earned through Steeped Tea.

It is a blue/turquoise glitter ball made for Steeped Tea by Hillberg & Berk, a Saskatchewan Jewellery Company out of Regina.

The necklace is absolutely gorgeous.

Also the new Fall/Winter Steeped Tea Catalogues along with my second last tea order arrived yesterday.

It was an awesome day for good news.

Ending the day Alvin and I walked by our park and met up with our friends and their puppies.

We had a fun walk.

Today let me see:

Agenda ….. clean bathroom fans ….. one thing about having three bathrooms …. there are three fans.

I will also take apart some catalogues and place the individual pages in page protectors and folders for my customers.

I am also putting together a couple of packages to mail over the next couple of days …. I do need the big envelopes, though.

I also am going to continue to pull weeds from back and sides of the garage.

Some of the neighbours have just let the back go and therefore makes it harder for the rest of us to be weed free.

Always cleaning to do.

Also I am going to dig up an area out front by the front sidewalk to the street and make a new flower bed.

It is a big job so likely won’t start it until Friday or Saturday.

Well time to get going here.

Coffee time.

I hope that you all are doing well.

Have an awesome Wednesday.

Special Hello to: my friend “V” ……. gathering your package contents up to mail tomorrow or Friday.

Always, Carol & Alvin

Thought for the day ……

Good Morning and Welcome to Tuesday the 28th day of June, 2016.

Can you believe it ?  Honestly?  The second last day of June, 2016.

WOW.  So crazy.  I know.

Last night after work our neighbours of 7 years removed their odds and ends from our garage and took the remaining items from their half of the duplex for the last time.

That time went so quickly and I, we shall miss them.

Looking forward to meeting our new neighbours.

Another hot one on the way.

Alvin and I enjoyed an hour long walk last night.

We were on our way home when we bumped into one of our neighbours out walking (the one that had hip replacement in April) with her walker.

She is doing so well and is almost completely healed.

So we joined her and expanded our walk to include the lake/park north of us.

It was the perfect evening.

We laughed and chatted and had a great time.

Saw others along the way and even gave a dog owner some helpful tips about the care of doggies in this heat.

He hadn’t been carrying water with them and has a long haired collie.

He needs water.

The man liked the water/bottle dish that I was carrying for me Alvin.

Also he did not know that when dogs pant that is the way they cool themselves off because they are too hot.

I cannot believe how many people think they just “pant” which was what another lady thought earlier on our walk.

Anyway that is good …. always glad to help.

Well time to get going once again.

Seems like the mornings just evaporate.

I hope that you keep cool and hydrated.

Keep your pets hydrated and in the shade.

Happy Tuesday.

Special Hello: my friends all over the world.

Always, Carol and Alvin