Last Half 2022 – October

Good Morning ALL! Well I see that I am not the only thing that is “slow” this morning, my computer is, too. I hope that you are having a great morning so far. We have been up and down for hours. I know this is my sad story but it is my truth. Lights out by 10:00, Mr. Alvin had to go outside at 11:00, then 1:30, then 4:30 and then we were up to stay up at 5:30. I feel like, I do not know exactly. Time will tell. I tried to coax him to stay in bed but he was persistent so I then know that he really has to go and he really did. But up and outside that many times is hard on a person, must be hard on him, too, although he can sleep for most of the day, I cannot. Oh well, that is life!

I heard the news that one of my favourite “funny” people “Leslie Jordan” died in a car accident yesterday. How sad that we lost such a beloved character actor. I loved him in “Call me Kat.” He will be missed.

We dropped off a parcel at my friends’ house so that she can print the mailing label and had a visit. Alvin was happy to see Maddie again. After leaving there we were on our way to the park and not quite halfway, someone who shall remain nameless, “ALVIN” turned around and headed for home. I tried but unless I physically pull him, he wanted to go home. Home we went. We were standing on our lawn when I heard a familiar voice and there was our friends Alyaa and Donia. She wanted to tell me the story from her visit today. She had brought Cookie and Donia with her as Donia did not have school. I guess Cookie not able to find a pee pad – pooped on the matt by the bottom of the stairs. She explained how she had washed the matt with dish soap and hung it over the railing on the deck. She was so concerned about the whole situation. I laughed and told her not to worry and that I have lots of pee pads which Alvin does not use. We had a giggle over it all and I advised that I would leave some out and that she is always welcome to bring Cookie with her as she thought she should just leave her at home. I think that Alvin needs to socialize and that an accident, well an accident will happen. So I will place a couple of pads out and also leaving the “pooping bags” in a bag on the table as she was bringing her own. I am so grateful to have someone watching over Alvin that care so much. I have the best support system. All of my friends who have watched Mr. Alvin when I have had to go to the office are amazing. I have a DREAM TEAM for sure.

Well it is almost time to head back downstairs. I need to take him outside once again before I leave for work. It is very frosty on the ground and deck this morning. The air was not too cold.

Sometimes life is all about the “poop.” In always arrives one way or the other!

Have an awesome Tuesday.

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

Always, Carol & Alvin

P.S. We did have a few snow flurries yesterday and some on the way for today.

Last Half 2022 – October

Good Morning ALL! How are you this morning? Alvin and I are well. We slept through till 3:00 a.m. and then at 5:00 a.m. from the sofa, I heard this low noise and jumped up as I realized it was the alarm clock on my phone. When I get to the office I turn the sound for notification and such, all the way down so that I do not disturb anyone should the phone “ring.” I must ask my daughter if there is any other way to do this function. Remember I am not the most tech savvy person on the planet. Not even remotely close! Anyway, I reset the alarm to 5:15 for an extra few minutes and then we were up. Mr. Alvin had his breakfast and then we went outside. Once back into the house, made our bed, brushed my teeth and then hit the shower. That felt good. I stopped showering everyday a while ago as I found that my skin got dry and who likes dry skin. When we were outside around 5:25, I noticed that the stars seemed to be more bright and noticeable than usual. I wonder if there are more satellites in the sky now? Perhaps not even stars but man made objects taking up space above us. The moon did not appear to be anywhere in sight? I scanned the sky with my eagle eyes (lol) – with my glasses on. I did attempt to take a photo with my phone but all I got was black. We are having a great morning thus far.

Yesterday when I arrived home from work, I unlocked the door and called out to Mr. Alvin. He did not come and I called him several times. I thought that I saw him standing at the window but wasn’t sure. My heart sank to my toes for a brief moment or three. Kicking off my shoes, I walked into the living room and over to the chairs by the window and there he was standing looking out the window. I thought he would have saw me or maybe I made it to the door as he was going to the window, not sure. Anyway, I breathed a huge sigh of relief when I saw him standing up and breathing. My mind went to a place that I was scared to even think about at this time. Anyway, all is well. Perhaps the boy’s hearing is going. I noticed that when he was in my bathroom this morning waiting for me to get ready. He was laying on one of the small rugs and when I spoke to him, he did not move. When I lightly touched him he jumped. I walked around him so that he could see me from the front and he did not immediately jump up. Today I am noticing his age. My poor boy. The joys of getting older! We had a good night. I took him outside right away for a pee and then fed him his supper before we head out for a walk. OMG, it was so beautiful outside last night after work. I am getting home by 4:30 which is early. When I carpooled before, it was usually 5:00 or later. Definitely helps catching a ride with someone you directly work with that is for sure. I am grateful that at least at night I am only losing 1/2 hour of personal time. The morning well that is a different story and time away from Alvin a total other story. Yesterday my neighbour Sonja popped by a couple of times to check on him, make sure he goes outside, has something to eat and to drink and then she has snuggle time. I appreciate that. We are like family and she feels like a daughter to me. We both love her very much. She is a kind-hearted lovely human being. I am so grateful that I am surrounded by good people. Very grateful.

Tonight after work, my daughter is picking me up from work. We are going to get some keys cut as I want to ensure that everyone looking after Alvin has a key so that I don’t have to play “chase the key” when the schedule changes. Amanda is sleeping over and I am so excited. Last night I made a huge apple crisp with some of the apples from my friend Pauline. I had to try some even though it was late to eat at 8:07 p.m. Turned out pretty good, I must say.

Well time to head on downstairs so that I can take Mr. Alvin outside again. He will need to poop (yes, I am talking about that subject again, lol) again before I leave for work. Remember p-o-o-p is important to keep track of – it can tell you so much about your health.

I hope that you have a great Friday. Another sunny warm fall day on the way. I am so happy.

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

Thank goodness coffee is free at work especially with the soaring prices.

Always, Carol & Alvin

PS: thank you for this day and I am grateful it is almost the weekend.

Last Half 2022 – September

Good Morning ALL! A bit cooler in the mornings now as the sun rises later with each passing day and dips later as well. The trees are swaying from side to side again that the beautiful glow of the sunrise. So pretty.

Well it is Thursday and I am going to the office today. My daughter came after work yesterday, we had a nice supper together and a lovely evening. My neighbour Sonja is coming over to check on Mr. Alvin. I am proud to report that he has had about four good, no great poops in a row now. Poop as I mention on a fairly regular basis, is oh so important. YAY. Keep up the good work Mr. Alvin. I guess the probiotics and the antibiotics are working, thank goodness. Mr. Alvin is laying on the hallway floor keeping an eye on both his Momma and his Sister. What a guy! I shall miss him and it will be a long day without being here for him. He will be okay, I know but hard when you are used to being here everyday. We have also discussed the upcoming “return to the office” and we will have some major changes but it will be okay. Perhaps it is time to return to fulfilling my dream of being an author. Never been a better time. So I will be working on that very soon. Perhaps the gray skies are not so gray and have more sunshine and rainbows that I once thought. I am feeling better about things. I know that lots of my family and friends were a bit concerned as of late but things are looking up. So happy for that. I appreciate the concern and all of the ideas for our future. I so appreciate and love everyone for thinking of us. I am truly surrounded by the family and friends on the planet. I really am.

Well almost time to head downstairs as I need to make sure that Mr. Alvin has a good drink before we leave and go pee again. We have twenty minutes until we leave.

Wishing you a great Thursday.

Take Care.

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

Always, Carol & Alvin

PS: Thank you

Last Half 2022

Good Morning All! How are you this morning? Is it raining where you are? It has been raining here since last night. I think there were breaks in the rainfall but the sky is grey and it appears that it may have set in for the next several hours. Hopefully the Sun breaks through. We have had enough rain for this time around. I did remember to move my one Lavender plant in the shelter of the house but I noticed earlier this morning that she appeared to be wet but not saturated. Thinking sunshine, sunshine, sunshine. I can feel the warm rays of the sun falling down upon my face (oh, I think that was the line in an old song), lol. Anyway, we have a problem. Roger dodger, Mr. Alvin does not want to go outside in the rain. Even with my umbrella up and following him about, he ran out and peed and ran back to the house. I hope there is a break in the rain soon, as I am quite certain he will need to poop shortly. Here we go again, talking about poop. Could be worse, lol. Anyway, when we go back downstairs, we will try again. Looking out the office window it is hard to tell if it is raining at this moment or not.

We were lucky to get in two walks yesterday. At noon we walked to Pauline’s house, that seems to be the furthest he will go these days but if I counted our return from Pauline’s to our house, I think it would be close. Just in a different direction. It certainly takes us as long but Alvin is walking just a bit slower most days. Then again, there are times when he surprises me and seems like a puppy again. We both love being in Pauline’s garden. On the way home, we met this couple with two small dogs. So we gingerly approach, the man said the one can be a bit off, she was a puppy and the other dog was 15 years old. The younger one came up to Alvin, growled and nipped at him. He backed away. She did not bite him. Just looked like she was going to nip him. The other dog just hung out. I am always amazed at the different reactions and actions of dogs we have never met. Alvin was good. I still could not believe that dog was 15. WOW. We enjoyed meeting them nonetheless. As we approached the entrance to our park, we both stopped to smell the roses. I hadn’t really realized before that whenever there are roses blooming he noses around them – getting a sniff of that heavenly fragrance. We are both rose lovers.

Last night Cookie’s Dad texted me and asked if we would like to come one night this week for a visit. So we are going over Thursday after supper. YAY, I am excited to see them again and catch up.

There is not much else new. We are living our lives. I am so grateful to be working from home. There are two days coming up that I will be going to the office and I have made arrangements for friends to come and check in on Mr. Alvin. I am so grateful for them.

Time to head downstairs and see if I can get Mr. Alvin outside before work (hopefully the rain will let up). Sun is shining, repeat after me, sun is shining. Clear blue skies…….

Have a wonderful Tuesday.

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

Always, Carol & Alvin

PS: only 35 days until my 65th BIRTHDAY. YAY.

It is a NEW YEAR.

Good Tuesday Morning.

Overcast but warm here in Edmonton.

There are patches of clear blue sky up there but mainly deep dark rain clouds fill the sky.

Some of our neighbours have trees that have beautiful white flowers and they have a sweet pretty scent.

The only thing is I have an allergy to them.

Congestion, oh well.

They look so pretty and smell so good.

Earlier this morning when we were outside the birds were singing away.

I know why Alvin likes to just sit on the deck with eyes closed and sniff.

He is relaxing …..

 

 

Happy to report that Alvin has had some real good poops, thank goodness.

The “D” word is one word that I hope I never have to hear again.

My poor little guy, he has been through a lot.

Thankfully he is on the mend.

 

I was thinking the other day about things that I have not done for the past almost 2.5 months, here is my list:

1. not using my “work” purse(s).
2. I have used a small one three times when went to the vet with/for Alvin
3. good shoes/sandals
4. make-up (only a few days have I applied other than eyebrows)
5. work clothes (I mainly wear work tops but more comfy bottoms as I had been going for walks at noon and hope to soon get back to them)
6. had coffee at work (I make coffee each morning and have gone through more coffee beans than ever)
7. car pooled to work
8. drove a vehicle once since I have been at home
9. gone to a grocery store
10. left my neighbourhood (gone to vet but they are 6 minute walk from our house)
11. work jacket
12. had to pay for carpool or bus tickets
13. no commute

Changes in our lives in the past 2.5 months:

1. home with Alvin 24/7
2. can walk multiple times per day
3. can wear whatever I like to work
4. fewer visits with family and friends
5. higher water and electrical bills
6. bought more coffee beans to grind
7. not been shopping at all – other than vet
8. working from home
9. my office is for personal and for work
10. with no commute to work, more time to live my life with Alvin (we have over 1.5 extra hours each day)
11. can enjoy more time in nature
12. can enjoy more time in my back yard

 

I am so happy that I have been home for Alvin while he has not been feeling his best.

There are likely a great many items that missed the list as you know I write this off the cuff in the morning before work.

Now I am writing about one hour later than usual.

 

Time to go and grab that cup of coffee.

I can hear the garbage truck clanging away in the distance.

They just picked up on our back lane.

I only have garbage every second or third week.

 

Wishing you a wonderful Tuesday.

Filled with love and laughter.

We just gotta laugh, for sure.

 

Living our lives with kindness and respect,

is the only way to live our lives.

I/We, shall remain,

As Always, Carol & Alvin

 

Living … One day at a time.

Hello, good morning one and all.

Well today is thankfully Friday.

I am excited for two reasons.

Tomorrow my daughter is popping by and I am hosting a Fifth Avenue Jewelry Show/Party/Event.

I love to entertain and I love jewelry.

We are going to have fun trying on jewelry for an evening.

Of course, there will be some visiting going on as well.

 

Last night Alvin and I enjoyed a wonderful long walk in our park.

We bumped into Miss Rosie and her Dad.

First time that Alvin got to meet Rosie.

I think she scared him just a bit.

She is young and full of energy.

But all things considered they did well.

I saw Rosie in the early morning before leaving for work with her Mom.

All things Rosie yesterday.

They are a nice family.

I also learned something from Rosie’s Dad.

He told me that they usually start their walk over by the park south of us and then make the loop through this park and then back home.

During their walk in the first park they were stopped by a PEACE OFFICER who told him that “dogs are not allowed to walk on the grass in the park, as it is treated as parkland.”

Surprisingly enough people can.

Dogs are supposed to walk on the sidewalk.

So my question I thought of later was this:

“Where do they poop, on the sidewalk?”

Silliest bylaw I have heard in a long time.

Poor pups now they cannot even walk on the grass.

For all the taxes we pay and now Alvin cannot walk on the grass in the park.

I am not a happy camper?

No grass to sniff?

Argh.

Now what?

 

Well it is almost time to head off downstairs.

I hope that you all have a wonderful day.

 

I am going to continue to work on being patient.

Patience is a virtue, so I have heard.

 

Happy Friday.

 

With Kindness and Respect, I shall enter yet another moment in time.

 

Always, Carol & Alvin

 

 

Thought for the day ……

Good Morning and Welcome to Friday the 7th day of August, 2015.

Wow, one glorious week of August ending and plus three to go.

The sun is shining here in Edmonton.

It was dark when I got out of bed this morning with the pups.

Elton, Penny and Mr. Alvin.

We had a great Thursday evening ….

Elton and Penny were so excited to go for a walk and Mr. Alvin hid under the table.

So I took Elton and Penny for a walk …. our regular route.

It was such a glorious walk.

As we left the house no noise then suddenly when we were out of view of the window I hear this forlorn howl (sounded like a wolf) and I thought was that Alvin.

Yup, that was Alvin……

Poor little guy.

Part of me wanted to go back and fetch him but the other part said two is enough ….. three is hard to wrangle.

Especially when they start “pooping.”

So I felt like a rotten Momma ……

By the time we got home he was “happy” to see us.

It was so nice out that I mowed our grass, front and back, both neighbours on either side of me, watered flowers and plants, for all of us and did some weeding.

By the time I was done it was almost 9:30 …..

Mr. Alvin had had some exercise by running and jumping on the deck.

His second favourite thing to do other than eating.

He is so cute.

He runs as fast as he can …. jumps from the bottom to the top step (three) on the upper deck….does this little hop and then does it all over again.

He always makes me laugh when I watch him.

Then he is tuckered out.

After all of that we came into the house – I made myself a cup of tea and watched a show that I had previously recorded.

Then to bed.

No drama.

Usually there is drama.

Everyone settled in and I read for a few minutes before going to sleep.

YAY …. Grandma ……

The sky is beginning to cloud over.

I have errands to run so will have to leave the pups alone but they will be just fine.

On my way there is a walkway that is always filled with garbage …. I cannot believe people.

Just throwing away empty drink containers ….. fast food bags ….. and more.

So I will grab my little disposable gloves and a garbage bag and clean it up on my way through to my shopping places.

Seems like I am always picking up garbage.

Sure wished people would think before tossing.

Oh well ….. it will be some extra exercise for me which I need.

Maybe it will help with my “spare tire” …….

Certainly cannot hurt.

Well I guess Grandma better get this show on the road.

Slept a bit later than planned but guess I needed it.

Have an awesome Friday.

Play safe and be happy.

Special Hello to: my daughter and sister who are two of my most favourite women ….. they are kind and good.

Always, Carol and Alvin