Last Half 2022 – September

Good Morning ALL! How are you this morning? We are doing great. Last night we were in bed by 9:00 p.m. as I am working from the office today. About 11:50 p.m., Alvin wanted to go outside so downstairs we went. He had a pee and then we were back in the house where we laid on the sofa. Thank goodness for a comfortable spot. We were just settling in when I heard a noise coming from the front porch, as I was half asleep, I did not think too much of it. Maybe a cat. Then a little while later I heard my phone ping several times, notification of someone texting me. Did not think much of that either. Then off to la la land. Alvin wanted to get up a couple of times before the alarm went off but I managed to coax him to lay back down. We were up to stay up at 5:00 a.m., after I gave Alvin his food, I checked my phone to see a text from the neighbour in the other half of the duplex. She had texted me at 12:33 a.m., she had heard someone on our front porch but did not know if I had company that was just leaving so she did not go outside. Now that is so funny that Mr. Alvin did not bark or make any kind of movement toward the front door. Very strange. Whomever it was did not try the door handle or I would have heard so what were they doing on the porch? I did turn on the porch light once I had read her text to see if someone had walked off with one of my potted plants or the wreath from my door but they were all there. Kind of gave me the creeps. Definitely will ensure every night that I lock the front door. I do but there has been the odd time where I noticed it unlocked in the morning, especially when I had watered the front flowers in the evening. Anyway, that was my excitement. NOT.

I am starting to get a bit anxious about next week as that is the start of three days each week back to the office. I do have someone to watch over Alvin but it is not the same, it is not me. Although I am very grateful that I have such amazing friends and neighbours who are helping me out. Soon, I hope I will be retiring and then it won’t matter. Soon cannot come soon enough, lol.

This weekend we have to go over the schedule with my friend and neighbor who is helping with Alvin.

Well I am going to go downstairs and outside with the boy and ensure that the main floor is as cool as I can make it. I will close all of the blinds so that it keeps the coolness in as it is supposed to be another hot one today.

I hope that you have an amazing day. Sure cannot believe this weather but am grateful for it. Last year when we were out to see the kids for Thanksgiving it was nice out as well.

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! Another smoky looking sky morning. Alvin and I were up and out for a walk earlier. The diarrhea had started to go in the other direction but then back again. We were in bed by 10:00 p.m. last night and then up at 3:00 a.m. to go outside (only pee), it was so nice out there. Clear sky. I don’t know if the bright shiny objects in the sky were stars or satellites or the space station but I could see them all the same. Then back into the house and settled down on the sofa for some additional sleep. I set the alarm for 6:00 a.m. as then is when Alvin needs his probiotic, the alarm went off and Alvin was still sleeping so I turned off and then got up a few minutes later. Today I can start mixing in his food with the chicken and rice. Now that is quite the mixture. I am quite sure that I am over feeding him by a bit but hard to measure them all to come up with 3/4 cup total. Oh well. After he ate we went outside, I was sad to see that the starting to firm up poop from yesterday was back to not being firm. I know, poop, poop, poop, poop. But it is my reality at this moment. We do not realize how important the state of one’s poop is in our overall health whether you are human or a dog. Any animal for that matter. The “stuff” that our bodies dispose of tells the story of how well we eat or not and our state of health. So it is a big deal and I take that very seriously. After that I had planned to stay up but the sofa was calling my name and I just laid there for awhile thinking about things, my things, what to do, what can I do, what should I do. Also thinking about how grateful I am for the life that I have lived thus far. I will say this it has not been dull. There have truly been incredible highs and equally lows. But that is life, right?

We were up just before 8:00 and I ran upstairs to throw on some clothes, because no one wants to see me out walking in my pj’s, I am quite certain of that. So once done and back downstairs, I grabbed his harness and put on him before filling his water bottle. Then grabbed my keys, leash and put on my flip flops (my Clark’s, which I absolutely love) and out the door we went (oh, I put on my sunglass clips), locked the door and carried Mr. Alvin down the steps. We did not come across anyone during our walk to our happy place. We just doddled along with Alvin smelling each and every blade of grass and me, taking in the morning air, admiring the trees, the ponds, the stones I could see in between the trees and the roses still blooming. We did not go into our friend’s yard but tomorrow we will. We both love it there and while Pauline’s flowers are blooming we want to enjoy them. I shall email her tonight to give her a head’s up, just in case she happens to look out the window and see us sitting in the yard. On the return trip home – Alvin stopped and pooped, yup still you know what. Not my favorite word in the English language or any language for that matter. I gave him a couple pieces of his hard food when we got home. Positive thoughts. His poop will get firm over the course of today. We saw a woman in the entrance way to the park and we both said hello. She told me that she was enjoying the area and that she was visiting from Vancouver. I said we live in a beautiful neighbourhood. Then we were off for home.

Once home, I removed our gear and put on the coffee to perk and then went out to water all of the plants. I read last night it is better to water in the morning than in the evening. So will give that a try. Alvin stayed on the deck like the good guy that he is while I watered the front. Then I watered the back and then took the watering can to water the Begonias on the front porch. As I walked across the lawn, I noticed a woman who then noticed me and we realized that it was a friend who lives in the neighbourhood who I have not seen in literally years. We chatted and caught up and remarked on how things have changed since COVID came into our lives. It was so nice to see her. I miss seeing her on a regular basis. She is a very sweet and nice person. Then we said our goodbyes and she continued on her walk. I finished watering the flowers and walked to the backyard where Mr. Alvin was patiently waiting for me. I actually was very surprised that he did not jump off the deck and come to find me.

Back into the house, poured some coffee and upstairs to make our bed and do some things. Now I am sipping on coffee and writing this post.

Oh, yesterday I accidentally clicked on my gmail – email on my phone and noticed that I had over 7000 emails. Yup, that many. So I started reading some of them and deleting others. I found emails from my daughter from 2016 with photos and videos of the original three amigos: Elton, Penny and Alvin. OH, my goodness such good memories. I loved reading the emails and remembering back before COVID and before we were that much older. I have to start deleting them. No one needs to have 7000+ emails and I have another email address as well but I do keep it more respectable, lol.

Life, this is my life. Trying to keep cool. Hoping that Alvin stays healthy. Sometimes thinking about miracles and trying to remain positive despite the curveballs that come my way.

I hope that you have a great Sunday. Time to head downstairs. Finish my coffee. Do a few things. This will be another quiet day. Tomorrow will be cooler so I can get some things done outside and in the house for that matter. I did vacuum the main floor yesterday and do laundry but hard to do much when it is 36 degrees outside as the more active you are inside, the more the house heats up.

Have an awesome Sunday.

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

Always, Carol & Alvin

PS: thanks to my friend for picking up bathroom tissue and bread. Two staples in every household.

2021

Good Morning ALL! How are you this morning? I am well but bothered by a situation that occured in our neighbourhood last night. Alvin is okay other than wanting my attention but that is nothing new. Yesterday as you know I took the afternoon off as vacation time as Alvin had an appointment. The weather was so nice but incredibly windy. We enjoyed our walk at noon. I received some good information from Alvin’s Vet regarding the covid vaccine and was able to speak to a pharmacist nearby so I should be able to get in for my first shot next week. I am happy about that. Seems like a muddle of a mess going on. I heard later in the day that vaccines were pulled and sent to “hot spots” in our province. I understand the reasoning. Anyway, at least this sounds promising.

After Alvin’s appointment we went home and just hung out together. I did a bit of tidying up and then it was time for supper. Alvin, first as always and I had leftovers. Easy peasy. Later on about 7:00 p.m., I was looking for a movie to watch and came across “Shrek the Third” on one of the channels so I started to watch. It was only a few minutes into the movie when I happened to see out the window what looked like two small dogs running. Some people walking across the street and stopped and looked and then carried on and on my side of the street along came some teenagers who had been looking as well. Of course, not one person was doing anything. I ran to the door and asked the kids as I could not see the dogs at that point due to cars parked along the street and the mailboxes if they saw two dogs without owners and they said yes by the mailboxes. Just as I was about to turn and run for my shoes, phone and keys, I noticed one of my neighbours from down the street walking on the other side of the street. I called out to her and said about the dogs and she said that she was trying to catch them. I quickly called out that I was going to grab my shoes and then I would be out. So I put on my shoes, grabbed my phone and keys, locking the door as I flew out of the house. Dogs off leash are always a concern in our neighbourhood as there is a lot of traffic and people always speed. By the time I got out they had crossed to my side of the street and my friend was right beside them. I had to run to catch up. Have not had to run in a long time. Anyway, I reached them. She had brought a leash with her (smart) and was trying to put it one of the dogs who had a harness. I was able to grab the other little one and took my lanyard with my keys to stop it and as I did not think to bring a leash with me, I scooped the furry bundle up into my arms. The other pup ran over and was growling and trying to jump up on me. Neither was vicious at all. But what they were was noticeably neglected. Both pups desperately needed baths and hair cuts. They had matts and smelled badly. Friendly and oh so cute.

We had not idea what laid ahead once we got back to my house. I had snapped a couple of photos as I thought they may be needed. My friend and I took the pups back to my house. We were on the porch and I said that I had a leash in the house but due to the condition and possibility that they have have mites or ticks or something else, I did not want to bring them into the house close to Alvin. So in the moment I was going to leave them with my friend on the porch but that was not working as both pups wanted to come in and it was clear that I could not leave the one without the leash on the porch. I scooped him up, went into the house and searched for the leash in with Alvin’s things. I found it quickly and my friend determined that in fact the pup did have a collar on so I did not need to bring the only one I have (which only had for emergencies as Alvin wears a harness). Alvin was wondering what was going on and got by me but I managed to get him back into the house without contact with the pup that was waiting on the porch with my friend. OH my goodness what a time. Anyway everything seemed to be happening so fast.

Next thing Alvin was in the house and we were discussing what to do when we noticed the Police SWAT vehicle across the street and a Swat Officer was coming towards us. Apparently they had been called out to a house in the neighbourhood and while going into the house two dogs got out. They had come over and were asking if I lived in the house and if they were my dogs. I said “No, that they were on the loose and we had rescued them and were waiting to figure out what to do next.” I made sure to mention to the Officer about the neglect of these poor dogs. He said could we hold onto them for a few minutes as another Officer would come and speak to us. I said Yes. A couple of minutes later he was into the vehicle and they were gone. While the back door of the vehicle was open I could see a man inside. A Police Officer approached us a few minutes later. He explained that they were searching a house (no details) and asked if we could keep the dogs until the owner of the house could come for them and that it would not be too long. I said Yes. I also told this Officer about the condition of the dogs. He left and a few minutes later another neighbour from down the street who had driven by just as this was all happening came over to see what was going on. She stayed. We were standing on my porch and sidewalk chatting about the situation. The first woman on the rescue team had to go home as she had not had supper. Then we were down to two. The dogs were friendly. I went into the house at one point and got them some water. We had to loosen the collar on the one dog as it was so tight. His hair was matted and a mess. He/She (we could not easily see but figure were boys due to the way they peed with leg up on my tree) laid on my outdoor porch matt and rubbed his stomach against the matt. I think that he was really itchy. Really what should have happened was that the police called Animal Control and had them taken in where they would have been looked after and the owner should have been charged with animal cruelty and neglect but alas that did not happen. I still cannot get them out of my head. Anyway after waiting over 1.5 hours for someone to come and fetch the dogs, the neighbour that was waiting with me (nice to have the company) decided to walk over, and see if she could see anything (we knew where the police were) and she seemed to be gone a long time when she finally came back. Lo and behold, she went up to the house and spoke to the Police and found that she actually knew the owner of the house. One of the officers told her that they were almost done and it was okay to bring back the dogs. I had been starting to get cold and was thinking that they needed to get inside anyway, so off we went to take them home.

I was not prepared for what happened. When we arrived at the house, the door was open. We could see from the sidewalk several Police Officers inside, and “the owner.” As we came closer to the house, my friend addressed him and the man said thank you. I don’t remember what else he said but as I leaned over to first undo the leash for one of the dogs and then the other, the words spilled out of my mouth about their poor condition and that I should be reporting them and that was clearly not the words to be saying. He got MAD. Before anything else could happen my friend urged me to go.

In hindsight, I wanted the man to know how badly they needed care and attention and that this was not acceptable. Besides there were several police officers there and I wanted them to hear this, as well. I at no time was afraid for my life. I was only hoping the dogs would get some help. Before we had gone to the house my friend had said that the dogs belonged to the son of the homeowner and that he had complained about all they do is “piss in the house” (his words not mine). Clearly he had no concerns for their well being and it breaks my heart that these darling little creatures had to be left in this house. I am MAD. How could that man not be ashamed? I am willing to bet that those dogs are never walked, never gone to a groomers or to the vet, not bathed in a really long time.

The Police Officer not the Swat Officer had taken my name and phone number initially so perhaps they will contact me about the dogs. I did not think to take note of the house number and it was dark by this point. We walked back to the first neighbour’s house after leaving the pups to drop off the leash. One thing is for sure, should we ever see those pups out again, we will be calling the authorities. I do hope and pray that maybe my words would give him a kick in the butt and the pups will receive some care and attention OR if they do not want to look after them at least give them up to the authorities so that someone that truly wanted dogs would take these darling little ones. They would have to go together as the one is super protective of the other. It was a Friday night that I will not soon forget.

Well I had better get dressed as it is getting late and Alvin is giving me the stare. I do hope that if anyone reading this story and sees any dogs or cats or any creature neglected that they will take the time and call the authorities. Animals do not deserve to be treated badly.

Continuing to live with kindness, respect, compassion and patience for ALL.

Always, Love Carol & Alvin

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Tuesday the 30th day of October, 2018.

Second last day of the month.

Tomorrow is HALLOWEEN.

Are you ready?

I have my costume and accessories all ready.

In fact, I took my accessories or props, if you will, to work yesterday.

Now I just have to don my costume and I am done.

Simple and done.

Thank you to my friend “G” for lending me one of her costumes.

I am really grateful to my friends.

My friend “N” fixed my kitchen chair better than new.

I had to run over to another friend’s last night to drop off a package to be mailed to a friend in Saskatchewan.

Canada Post offers free shipping on Tuesday to all small business owners who applied for a business discount for specific posting.

While I was at her house, our friend N walked the chair over and it was waiting on my porch when I arrived back home.

I called their house right away and Alvin was barking when he heard his friend outside but no way for him to open the door.

According to his wife, he sat on the chair on the porch for a couple of minutes.

That would have been a cute sight.

I am surrounded by amazing, supportive, funny, good, awesome people that I am blessed to call my friends.

How did I get so lucky?

That is a question for the ages and one that I am at a loss to answer.

Thank you to my friends who I am over the moon grateful to have in my, in our lives.

Both Alvin and I are very lucky.

 

We went for our walk last night and Alvin turned to head home well before the half way point.

Not sure why.

Perhaps it was because when we were closer to home we saw one of our friend’s little guys outside.

He ran over to say hi to me and Alvin.

His Mom was right there and we chatted for a few moments.

They are the family with the big puppy named STELLA.

Stella is doing great and next door is a 4 year old dog named SCOOBY who is the best fit to be her friend.

He is a lively, full of energy doggie as is Miss Stella.

We were out for a walk one day and Scooby’s Dad was dropping him at Stella’s for a playdate.

How cool is that!

Guess that click on KIJIJI was meant to be.

You never know what, when or why.

But live has a way of working out.

 

Well almost time to leave for work.

Have a great day.

Take time to take deep breathes and to relax.

Even if for a few moments each day.

A good reminder for us all.

 

Happy Tuesday.

I am excited for tomorrow.

 

Special Hello to: all my friends, a girl is blessed and so is her Alvin.

Always, Carol & Alvin

 

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Monday the 10th day of April, 2017.

Another Monday Morning ….. but the only 10th of April 2017.

I had the most perfect Sunday …..

Started with pancakes, hot cross buns, fruit and coffee with my favourite daughter and best neighbour.

My grand pup babies came with my girl.

We had the best visit …. lots of laughter ……

We even squeezed in a  wonderful walk with our pups ……

Mr. Alvin did not even push his way to the front of the line …..

It does not get better than that …..

To be surrounded by “family” on a Sunday is priceless.

 

Precious Moments:

Sitting at the kitchen table with my daughter sharing our lives.

Lying on the sofa at 4:40 a.m. with Mr. Alvin’s head next to mine on the pillow, snuggling close.

Mr. Alvin laying on the bath mat outside the shower with his head away to “give me privacy” but remaining close.

Walking down the street with my daughter, baby Milo and Miss Aspen and Mr. Alvin.

Making pancakes and coffee a Sunday routine and sharing them with the girls.

Talking to my friend, and setting up a coffee date for next weekend.

 

It is the small things in life that truly bring us the most pleasure.

So when you are feeling down …… close your eyes and think of the walk in the park with your daughter; snuggling on the sofa with your doggie, or sitting on the porch enjoying the warm spring air.

Whatever moments, whatever precious moments belong to you ….. remember.

No matter what happens in those moments they are precious as they will never come again.

 

Have an awesome Monday.

Take a moment and reflect.

Special Hello to: my friends back in Regina …. thank you for the ST order and to my friend “G” for hers……so grateful.

Always, Carol and Alvin

 

Thought for the day ……

Good Morning and Welcome to Saturday the 17th day of October, 2015.

The sun is coming up and to the south from my office view the sky is almost a variegated peach.

So very soft and pretty.

I just am seeing now that the neighbour building the garage behind me now has his garage door and window in place.

WOW, it is almost done.

The house is so quiet this morning without me Alvin.

I sure miss the little guy.

Last night after work my daughter stopped by to pick him up.

As she was by herself (so her pups had someone at home) we had supper together.

Nothing like a grilled two kind of cheese sandwich and a hearty lentil soup with added peas.

We had a chat and caught up.

After supper the three of us went for a walk.

Once the house was clear I went to work with the exception of my neighbour stopping by to pick up another catalogue I spent until 12:30 last night preparing the house for the Open House today.

Laundry done, floors washed, bathrooms cleaned, table set up with teas, tea cups and such, and some of our jewellery (as one of my friends wants to pick up some earrings), balloons blown up.

There were so many little odds and ends but they are all done.

I always like to just get up and have breakfast and have a shower and be ready.

There will be a trip outside to tie some balloons to the tree and to the porch (already have some up inside the house).

Business cards out …..

Samples ….. catalogues ….. order forms.  CHECK.

DONE.

Well wish me luck …. it will be a great day between the Steeped Tea Open House and going out with my friends this evening.

Alvin will be having fun with his sister and family (there will be children as my son-in-law’s niece and nephew are also coming for a sleepover).

So on this great Saturday I wish you time with family and friends, time to work on your TO DO LIST items, time to relax and to have fun.

Happy Saturday.

Special Hello to: all my fellow tea drinkers ……

Always, Carol and Alvin

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Saturday the 13th day of June, 2015.

It is a glorious morning here at my house in Edmonton.

There is a breeze, the sky is almost overcast with the sun peeking through in spots.

Yesterday I took half of a day vacation from the office and came home for the afternoon.

I made a few stops before arriving at the house.

Stopped at Shoppers and then at Save-on.

The one out of the ordinary item that I bought was one of those bags that is on wheels.

My daughter told me that I should get one and it would be easier to carry groceries home.

I really didn’t want to because it kind of made me feel “old.”

Now I know that shouldn’t be as I see all ages pulling those “carts” around filled with things.

It wasn’t the easiest thing to load.

Trying to hold the full grocery bag and load it into the bag …. took a few tries.

I have the recycled bags so perhaps the plastic might have been easier but oh well.

I am trying to do my part for the environment.

After loaded I did find it easy to pull home….. so much easier on my shoulders and arms and hands.

The main reason I took the afternoon off was to paint the front porch.

I will admit that I have kind of procrastinated on doing it but it is done.

There are pictures to prove my hard work.

There was a bit of a wind …. actually it was quite windy …. not gale force.

But from the looks of my hair, clothing and the landing you might think it was a strong strong wind.

Now all white and pristine.

Looks pretty good for a non-professional and it was fun.

There was only one thing … Mr. Alvin.

I put the baby gate up at the door so that he could at least see me.

Didn’t work so much as he just sat there and “cried.”

I did not wish to take it down as I knew he would be running to one of the neighbours or the other.

So I just tried to be reassuring ….. “Your Momma is here.”

Or perhaps he didn’t think I was doing a great job.

Or perhaps he thought I may fall off of the ladder.

Anyway it is done.

In the fall it will be door frame and window frames.

YAY ….

I am so proud of myself….

Now it is your turn …. try something outside your regular comfort zone.

Well time to finish my coffee and get dressed as Mr. Alvin has an appointment for his regular pedicure.

His favourite thing to do …. NOT …..

I have a long to do list and I am going to accomplish every item and be all done by six o’clock tonight.

YAY …..

Have to have the house in ship shape for my Steeped Tea par-TEA next Saturday.

Besides always good to get the rest of my spring “cleaning” done.

Blinds ….. cupboards ….. you know.

Have a awesome Saturday.

Special Hello to: all you folks who are stretching and doing things outside of your regular routine.  Congratulations

Always, Carol and Alvin

Thought for the day…..

Good Morning and Welcome to Wednesday the 25th day of March, 2015.

WOW, temperature ended up quite warm as it was melting everywhere.

I love to hear the water running into the storm drains from the melting snow.

Should be another glorious day.

Everyone is feeling better and all going into their perspective offices today.

So many things going around … all I can say is that I feel great and am going to stay that way.

The pups will be wondering what the heck is going on.

One day Mom and Dad are at home at the next the house is empty.

They will be okay.

I am looking into the near future and am grateful to have weekends off ….

I am grateful for the upcoming summer and picking out flowers to grace my front porch and backyard.

So much fun.

I love flowers and love fiddling with them.

The more the better.

I hope to find lots of beautiful ones this spring.

Well sounds like the troops are almost ready to go so that means I had better get the show on the road.

I hope that you are having an awesome week thus far as am I.

Take care.

Special Hello to: all those people who love flowers.

Always, Carol and Alvin

My thought for the day……

Good Morning and Welcome to Saturday the 21st of February, 2015.

The sky is partially overcast.

ODE TO THE FALL – THAT ICE

The ground is covered with a crusty blanket of snow.

Underneath is a sheet of ice covering most sidewalks.

I found this out last night when I walked home from the bus stop.

Falling twice and by the grace of my backpack I remained unscathed.

Thankfully only my pride and ego were harmed and only briefly.

It is funny how you can be walking so carefully and those tiny snowflakes so gracefully covering the gleaming patches of ice and then WHOA you are down.

You look around and there is no one there.

You want to cry for a moment and then you do not when you realize that you are unharmed.

Then you breathe a sigh of relief that your body is undamaged.

Then you continue taking those careful steps ….

Almost home I can see the light on my porch ……

Getting a big cocky and then down again….

So not once but twice.

So grateful for the backpack and the extra padding on my body at this time of year.

I decide to walk on the street for the rest of the way and then finally I take those safe steps down my walk ….

I know there is no ice as we removed it the night before …..

I arrive at home ….

I am safe ….

The pups greet me at the door …..

Time for tea and to relax.

I am home ……

 

Special Hello to: all those folks who must walk home from the bus on icy streets – take care.

Always, Carol and Alvin