A New YEAR 2023

Well it has been a long last day since I wrote my last post.

My poor Alvin threw up at 10:30 yesterday morning. I went to the Vet Clinic around noon to pick up the food supplement and had wanted to speak to his Doctor but she was out for lunch so I asked the staff to have her call me and explained why. At home I patiently waited for her to call. I had been counting down the time since Alvin threw up last so that I could try to give him some food. Well that time didn’t arrive as he threw up at 4:30 pm and not once but twice. After I cleaned things up and got him settled onto the sofa, I called but his Doctor was already gone for day. Instead of counting dix hours without vomiting, we ended up going to sleep on the sofa. He woke up at 3:00 am and outside he peed and pooped and then back to sofa.

The next time he woke up was 5:30 am and jumped off the sofa and proceeded to the kitchen where he wretched a yellow bile and then whitish foam onto the floor. My heart crashed to the floor. I held him up as he was slightly wobbly. After cleaning things up and getting the boy comfortable again, we were back to the sofa.

I waited for some time before calling the vet. Luckily I was able to speak to her and because I did not have a way to bring Alvin to her, she stopped by to give him an injection to stop him from vomiting. We had a good conversation and both hope the results from the poop sample show something wrong that is treatable. She also said the injection would last gor 24 hours and that I could try and give him a small amount of chicken and rice. So after the time had elapsed I brought him the food, he wasn’t interested. He did eat a couple of tiny amounts from my hand. That was it. He is resting now. I will keep trying. At least he has not thrown up.

I am so grateful that I am on vacation as I cannot imagine him being alone.

Almost time to see if he will eat. I am trying to remain positive throughout this…..

I hope that you are having a good day and please keep Alvin in your thoughts and prayers.

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

Always, Carol&Alvin

A New YEAR 2023

Last Half 2022 – November

Good Morning ALL! How are you this morning? I am well, confused, scared and wishing that I had not seen something. I found something on the kitchen floor this morning at 3:30 a.m. – something that was not there, I am sure when we went to bed. Something dark, hard, round but not round but reminds me of something that I absolutely do not like. I was not going to mention this but I cannot get it out of my head. That does not help anything. Why, me. Why, my house? I hope that I am wrong and it was just some piece of something that I did not see. I guess time will tell. I have not slept since 3:30 a.m. I am tired.

This morning’s post will be short. It is cold outside and snowing. I am tired. Working from home today which is good, I suppose. I sure hope that only Alvin and I are the only live creatures in my house now and forever. People and pups and cats can come to visit but nothing else. Stay away from my house.

Definitely needing coffee this morning.

Okay, pull up my big girls pants and go back downstairs. Everything will be okay. It will be okay.

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

Always, Carol & Alvin

PS: I wished it was a piece of a coffee bean on the floor. Oh, how I wish.

Last Half 2022 – October

Good Morning ALL! Well almost noon. What a morning already! I am grateful that I booked today off. Poor Mr. Alvin. We are just back from the vet where once again he is suffering from ear infections. One ear was way worse than the other. I have a difficult time keeping them clean as he does not like me poking around or touching them. So another round of meds which will keep them okay for a month. I spoke to the vet about our options. There are two different surgeries that can be performed. One is where they remove his eardrums and ear canals and he would not be able to hear but he would no longer suffer from these nasty yeast infections. She does not perform this surgery. The other she can do and it would mean leaving the eardrums intact but opening up the ear canals so that the yeast cannot grow and he would still have hearing. I think the second option is the better of the two, for sure. Cannot imagine having my hearing taken away like that but she also thinks that his hearing is compromised now. The idea of another surgery with him turning 14 in January, scares me but I am not sure that we have an option at this point. I just want him to have a good quality of life. Yesterday he was panting and work was driving me over the edge and I was raising my voice to him. I feel incredibly guilty and overwhelmed. My poor boy. I just hope he has forgiven my bad reaction to the situation. It is difficult when you are alone. Anyway for now, he has medicine in both ears and it will get rid of the yeast infection soon. I think his paws are bothering him as well.

I do have a beautiful story to share. Earlier this morning I noticed a little girl waiting on the sidewalk across the street from our house. Clearly she was waiting for the school bus which never came. It was cold out there earlier. My neighbor (whom I borrowed her car to take Alvin to vet) had popped in to grab a cup of coffee as she had run out. Sonja said that the girl was waiting for the bus which is always late. I decided to check on her so I opened the door and called out to her to check on her, I think that I scared her. She then started walking away from where she was standing which appeared to be toward home, when an older child came out. I should have asked what school she went to and then called them but I did not think of that. I watched them from my window when a dark blue Toyota Rav4 pulled up and a woman got out. Poor kid was scared not because the woman was trying to hurt her but because of the attention and she was cold. The woman talked to her for a few minutes and the older child came back out. The woman walked back to her car and grabbed her cell phone and then after speaking to the older child, she made a call. Likely the school. Nice to see good samaritans. This woman stood outside chatting with the kids for over 30 minutes closer to 45 minutes. At one point she grabbed a kleenex out of her car for the little girl. After awhile, the little girl got into the car while she waited outside with the older child (early teens, I think). The girl must have been frozen. She had a good warm coat on but her face and hands would have been cold and she was carrying a heavy backpack. Near the end, just a few minutes before a school bus showed up, the woman and the older child, a boy got into the car. They must have been cold. My neighbor told me earlier that the bus is always late. So this bus driver for whatever reason makes these children late for school everyday and nothing has been done. This is deplorable. Hopefully now, they will do something about the driver. This kindly woman who was just driving by put my faith back in humanity. She took almost one hour out of her day to help strangers, two children. She had a smile on her face and appeared to be trying to keep the children in good spirits. I am grateful to her for helping. Doing something that I should have done. Not that I did not want to help but I thought that the bus would have showed up sooner than it did.

Well, I made another pot of coffee as I just need one. It has been quite the week. I am beat. We will just relax on the sofa for awhile and then go for a walk. I hope that you are having a good day.

The sun is shining now which is great so it is warming up now.

Thank you Universe for good people in my neighbourhood.

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

Always, Carol & Alvin

PS: wow, how could I have forgotten this. Yesterday Alvin and I received a package from our friend Val in Regina. So many treats. We are truly spoiled. Alvin was so excited when I went to the mailbox and came back with a box. There were homemade treats for him which he opened. There were three kinds of buns/scones, mini loaves, biscottis and so many other sweet treats. I also had a package of some items that I had ordered from RICKIS. Just needed some clothes. I was happy to see that they all fit. I guess time to do some laundry, too. Coffee first. I think that Alvin just wants to have a nap. Poor boy.

2021

Good Morning ALL! How are you this morning? Well it is pretty chilly out there. I haven’t dared check out the temperature but I could see my breath for sure. The sun is starting to rise slowly as it becomes light outside. Yesterday was a productive Saturday. I did several loads of laundry, chipped and cleaned all of the ice from the public sidewalk out front of our house, washed all of the containers for Christmas baking, made three batches of fudge, watched a Fifth Avenue Jewelry LIVE, had a nice chat with a friend on the phone, did some cleaning and feels like I am missing something as I was busy from the time that I got up until bedtime. Anyway, lots to do at this time of year. What were you doing yesterday?

I am going to pop into the shower to get refreshed after this post and then put on the coffee and pull out all of the baking supplies to make the SUGAR COOKIES. I have already put away all of the laundry that was drying in the basement and brought up the towels out of the dryer. I made the bed. Do you make your bed everyday? That always seems to be something that people differ on along with the toilet paper roll up or down. But if we agreed on everything it would be a pretty boring world. I plan to bake all of the sugar cookies today and then ice them tomorrow. Likely make 3 or 4 batches which translates to about 216 – 288 cookies. If time allows, I may make more. I have decided this year to make individual packages for the people on my baking distribution list. Oh, that sounds pretty formal. I mean the folks that I give Christmas baking to each year. I usually add people to the list. I have some of the food wrap you know the cello stuff, and ribbon so just have to figure out how large the square has to be. That will likely be the hardest part, lol. I will wrap as I give them away. Not sure if it is feasible to do them all at once. Will see how time allows.

The Fifth Avenue Jewelry LIVES on FB have been fun. Who would have thought two years ago that we would not be having home parties and that everything could be more easily done on the computer on FACEBOOK, of all places. You never know where life is going to take us!

Oh, we had some snow sometime between bed and 3:00 a.m. – just enough to give things a nice little blanket and help cover any ice that was left. Grateful for that bit of snow.

Well time to fly and get some things done. Sometimes I am very good at procrastinating. Very good at it. When it is cold outside – I like to snuggle with Mr. Alvin under our favourite red blanket on the sofa sipping on a mug of coffee and watching “our” favourite Christmas show or movie. Maybe tonight, if I get those cookies all baked in time. We have the last Fifth Avenue Jewelry Live this afternoon at 4 p.m. Mountain time or 5 p.m. for you my sister in Saskatchewan.

Continuing to live this life with kindness, respect, compassion, patience, love, laughter, understanding and gratitude. So much gratitude for this life and each and every day of it.

Always, Carol & Alvin

P.S. last night we were or rather I was waiting for the LIVE to begin when I heard a crash. I was temporarily frozen on the sofa. Finally after a few seconds, I got up to investigate. Guess what I found? The broom and dustpan had fallen over onto the floor from his spot in between the pantry and wall by the back door. OMG, scared the hair right off my head. It did. Even Alvin jumped.

2021

Good Morning ALL! Happy Easter. Trust this will find you all well. Perhaps even enjoying a bit of chocolate from a delivery from the good ole’ Easter Bunny. I can still taste some of my favourite Easter treats. The marshmallow eggs covered in chocolate, Oh Henry Easter Eggs filled with peanuts and caramel and chocolate, solid milk chocolate Easter Bunny and more. Another favourite food item: Hot Cross Buns. Love those fruity buns. Alvin and I did not see the Easter Bunny this morning and did not find any special treats, but I guess at 63 …. he figured that I no longer required those delectable items. I think that he guessed incorrectly,lol. Maybe next year. We were up over two hours earlier than yesterday morning. Guess we just needed that sleep.

No worries, despite our late rise yesterday I had a very successful day. I spent almost 4 hours out cleaning up the neighbourhood. Shockingly I picked up over 50 of the blue and black disposable face masks. On one of the walkways I picked up in excess of 60 disposable coffee cups. There were so many shingles and the two large black garbage bags that I was carrying were getting so full and heavy that I had to leave a few behind. We have had so much wind over the past few weeks. My arms and back were sore by the time that I got home. In fact, I could not even finish and had to almost drag the bags home and pick up another bag and go back out to finish the 1/2 block by my house which I almost filled a bag doing. I am always surprised by how many people walk by me not wanting to make eye contact, do they think that I am a criminal or what? But then sometimes there are a couple of people that stop me and say thank you. I am not doing this for the gratitude but it sure is nice when it happens. I posted the story on FB mainly because I was appalled at the number of face masks that I found in our neighbourhood. I was totally disgusted by the number. No reason to be throwing them about.

I also heard a dog barking a few minutes into the trash pickup, and seemed close by so I turned to see this little yellow dog running to me and barking. The dog was on a busy street and I almost had a heart attack as I dropped my trash pickers and garbage bag and ran to the dog. He/she was alone. My heart sank. Now what? The closer I got the more she/he would run away and then back to me. As I approached the corner, I could see a man and his dog on a leash out for a walk coming toward me and I asked if was his dog and he said no. He did what he could do and I just stopped traffic trying to figure out what to do. Every time I approached the dog it just ran about. We were on a extremely busy street or couple of streets actually. I physically used my body to stop traffic. Just stood in the middle of the street so that no one could turn as I tried to keep the pup safe. As the cars backed up – a man and small boy came out, I asked if was their dog and he nodded. They both tried to coax the dog to them and finally after a frightening few minutes the boy was able to grab his tail and then scooped the dog up into his arms. They walked away. Then it was over. I apologized to the drivers of the vehicles and moved out of their way and went about my trash pick up. I did have a brief conversation with the man and his dog. We were both surprised that the owner of the dog said nothing, no thank you, nothing. Perhaps he did not know English or I just scared him. Anyway, I was so relieved that the dog was safe. I guess there had to be some excitement on my walk.

When I got home, Alvin was patiently waiting for me. I took the garbage to the back fence and then put in the garage until trash pickup. Once back in the house, time for a shower, I felt so dirty. But before the shower, I gave myself a haircut. My hair was quite long and now it is not. I haven’t had this short for awhile and am pleasantly surprised at how good it looks. Then a long warm shower. Once I was dressed, I put on Alvin’s harness and we went for a walk. I had a visit with neighbours while we were out. Then just enjoyed our walk. When back home, Alvin had his supper and I decided to order pizza as a treat to myself. It was so yummy. Always feels good to do some community service. I do want to mention that some of my friends that commented on my FB post about the trash pick up – said they saw lots of disposable masks just laying on the ground in their communities as well. I would think that this is a problem everywhere. What is wrong with people? I will say this, I was thinking that perhaps this is part of the reason that the pandemic is not going away and why our oceans and lakes and rivers are becoming filled with trash. People just do not seem to care. Easier to turn a blind eye and walk away. Well I will say this, eventually you will have no choice, it will be on your doorstep, your neighbours and mine. If everyone kept in front of their homes and packed their garbage properly …. it would help so much. On that note, I will say Happy Easter. I do hope after my “rant” that people are doing well and are safe.

Happy Easter

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

Happy Easter ALL

Love Carol & Alvin

2021

Good Morning ALL. How are you today? I, We are well. The birthday party was awesome. We had a great time. Alvin received very thoughtful gifts. He received a beautiful i.d. tag with his name Alvin and our phone number engraved on the back. So thoughtful. From his best buddy and his little sister – two different chew treats. I gave him a toy. The guests all arrived right on schedule. Alvin was slightly overwhelmed when everyone arrived. The kids and grandpups came in the back door from the garage and Teddy & Kobi from the front door. Alvin just ran around barking while everyone said hello. I could tell he was overwhelmed. At one point he jumped up onto the sofa and just barked and stared at me. Poor boy. After several minutes of loving attention from his sister he calmed down. I guess we have not had that many pups in the house since his last birthday. The birthday cupcake and frozen yogurt were a hit with the pups. Amanda had picked up the birthday cupcake and frozen yogurt from the Bone & Biscuit. The cupcake was the same as last year. I should have remembered how hard it was to cut into pieces after being frozen. The packaging said to keep frozen. Even with a hot knife to cut …. it was difficult. Between me and my son-in-law, we managed to get it cut into pieces to share with the five pups: the birthday boy, Aspen, Milo, Teddy and Kobi. I loved how they pretty much all were in a circle around Steven who was holding the cupcake while Amanda and I snapped video and photos. I should say that Steven doled out the yogurt by the spoonful to each pup while I was cutting up the frozen cupcake. At the end of it all …… the pups gobbled down the cupcake and the yogurt. A fine time was had by all. A bit out of order here but we had the pasta salad and garlic bread first and then followed by gift opening. I must say that gift opening is my favourite part. Not because of gifts but I love watching Mr. Alvin open his presents. He has got so proficient at gift opening over the years. All due to the many parcels that our friend Val has sent to us and she always sends a separate gift for the boy. One paw on the gift and with his mouth he rips opens the wrapping. His favourite I think is the tissue paper. Never eating it …. just ripping it, well actually shredding it. So cute to watch. After the pups were all done with their treats – we had the homemade vanilla cupcakes that I had made for the humans. They were a hit as well. The recipe turned out to be a good one. I will keep it in my treasure trove of recipes. Before the kids left for home, my daughter helped me bring the green chair back downstairs from its’ temporary home in my bedroom. I had been thinking that Mr. Alvin was missing sitting in the chair and looking out the window. At Christmas – we took it up as it made more room. For some unknown reason it took us way longer to get it out of the bedroom than it took us to get it into the bedroom. Steven had taken the pups out to the backyard thinking it would only take us a couple of minutes. He had to bring them back in as it took us more than a couple of minutes. Then we had pups running between the chair and the door and under foot. Finally we managed to get the chair out of the bedroom and called the pups to go downstairs which they did. The only ones that had run upstairs were Alvin, Kobi and Milo. In the living room, I moved the brown chair back to its’ spot and the green chair to where it belonged. I would have thought that Alvin would have jumped up but he did not. I placed his blue blanket on the chair but nothing. I guess too much going on.

After everyone had left ….. the house was quiet and still once again. No pups running about. We just sat down on the sofa and chilled. I think that Mr. Alvin was pooped out. Thankfully I made enough pasta salad for an army and will have salad for supper for the next few days. So pasta salad it was for supper. After I washed the dishes that would not fit into the dishwasher – we just say on the sofa and watched t.v. for the evening. Well actually Alvin napped and I sort of watched television. What a great day we had.

We were up early a couple of times before at 5:00 for Alvin to have breakfast and then up to stay at 6:45 this morning. I had the most strange dream ever. Somehow I ended up with these people and I was much younger. Over the course of a few hours I realized that they must be some kind of cult as things just were not normal. The children and young adults were not siblings. The woman in charge was scary. There was a man, that I knew and he was visiting with another adult male. At one point I told him that I was scared and wanted to leave with him. When it was time to go – he was gone. Even the coffee they offered me did not taste like coffee and then I asked for a glass of water and they gave me water with cauliflower. Very strange. I managed to get some plain water. It was all a blur. Very strange and frightening. At one point, I grabbed my belongings which was some books and a small black case and ran out of the door. Another strange thing was that my Mother lived a short distance away. An easy run or walk. Then I woke up. There was also a young girl who was expecting and she was cooking something, I do not remember what at this point. Where this came from I do not know. But definitely woke up with a dry mouth from being scared.

Okay time to head downstairs and put on the coffee and go out and pick up the poop. It is very cold outside. Minus 30 degrees celsius roughly with the windchill. No walking today for us. Likely not this week so we shall have to figure out another means of exercise. Perhaps going up and down the stairs.

I hope that you had a great Sunday.

Continuing to live our lives with kindness, respect, compassion and patience.

Always, Carol & Alvin

Second Half of the NEW YEAR.

Good Morning after WHAT A  NIGHT!

Another storm rolled in after a hot sunny day.

I am reading this book which is a crime psychological suspense novel.

THE TURN OF THE KEY by Ruth Ware.

WOW, what a book.

Likely not the best to be reading before bed with a storm looming.

Anyway that is what I have been reading.

I only read a few pages last night as we were up late.

I decided to rent a movie “The Old Guard” from our cable provider.

It was good but it was 10:30 by the time it was over and then we had to get ready for bed.

So it was late for me and Alvin.

After putting down the book – I found it hard to settle down.

Alvin did as well.

Likely in part as it was warm.

I had the electric fan on a low setting with the window open.

At first there was not much of a breeze but it increased over time.

I would just almost be asleep and then Alvin would stir.

Then settle down again.

Only to be awoke by this noise.

It sounded like someone was in the house and coming up the stairs.

I froze.

I could not move.

No blinking of my eyes or beat of my heart, as I momentarily held my breath.

As I lay there in sheer terror for what felt like forever – I suddenly realized that Alvin was not stirring.

Odd, as he would have been up and barking if there were anyone or anything in the house.

So I took a breath and looked around the room in the partial light coming in from the windows.

One of the blinds was not closed to the bottom of the window so a bit of light was coming in.

As I lay there I scanned the room.

Nothing and then I realized where the noise was coming from.

That whossing, small thud was coming from the door.

The darn door.

I was relieved to be sure.

I have started in the last couple of years to close but not shut the door tight.

My thoughts were if something happened to me during the night at least Alvin could get out of the bedroom.

I still was a bit nervous, I will be say but I climbed out of bed and closed the door.

The noise stopped.

I stopped and listened and no more noise.

Do you think that I turned on the light and looked further, absolutely NOT.

So that was our excitement for the night.

Alvin woke up about 4:30 or was it 5:30, actually I do not remember as I was so tired.

Exhausted after two nights of storms.

After he was fed, watered and went outside we hit the sofa, it was 7:22 when we woke again.

My mind said get up but my body said not until 8:00 a.m. so I set the timer on the microwave for 40 minutes.

We were up just after 8:00 a.m.

The sun is shining and the birds are singing.

I went outside in my pj’s to the backyard to move my potted flowers back to their spots away from the protection of the house.

Surviving another storm.

I decided to go into the garage and bring out the cushions for the patio furniture and put up the umbrella as the sun is shining bright.

Thinking that was a great idea until I checked the weather station and they are forecasting rain to start at 9:00 a.m. which is in less than 10 minutes now.

Oh well,

I have decided to take Mr.Alvin for a walk after I am done writing this post as according to the forecast we are to get rain off and on all day.

My friend Gillian invited me over for coffee at 10:00 so there is time to get out for a walk before I leave.

She lives about 3 minutes away.

 

So that was my night.

My day was far better.

I did some laundry, gave Mr. Alvin a haircut and bath and worked at my job for 3.5 hours.

I know, crazy working on a beautiful afternoon.

But there is so much to do this really gives me peace of mind that I will not be super stressed out during the week.

I have a few hours to do this afternoon as well.

I was thinking that I have not been further than a few blocks from my house since March 19, 2020.

My daughter and my friends have been picking up groceries as I need things.

To be honest the thought of going on the bus or to the store or to work slightly frightens me at this point.

 

Well I must go.

Time to get the boy out for a walk.

There is a nice breeze.

 

Wishing you a great Sunday.

Be surrounded by love and laughter.

Living in kindness with respect.

I/We shall remain,

As Always, Carol & Alvin

This morning exactly the same as yesterday.

Oh, I put the cushions on the furniture ….

 

 

Living … One day at a time.

Hello,

Wow, Saturday morning and almost time for me to pop over and pick up Mr. Humphrey who will be spending the weekend except for sleeping at our house.

There has been peeps of sunlight coming through the smoke filled sky this morning.

The wind is blowing so what that will mean, only time will tell.

Last night my daughter gave me a ride home from work as a couple of food items of mine had been left mixed with hers.

She helped me or rather set up a couple of things on the new phone for me.

After she left which was about 5:15 or so, Alvin and I left the house for a walk.

We were only a few doors down when I noticed a man trying to corral his dogs one being a large dog and the other a small one.

He yelled to a neighbour (our friend) who was out in her front yard to pick up the small dog while he called after the large dog who just kept running.

This is the breed that killed another friend’s dog and I will say I am just a bit, okay a lot scared of that dog.

So we ran onto a porch of another friend and hid at the front door.

She has a large full tree in the front so we were not in sight.

Thankfully.

I figured that she would be at work and she has a small older dog who had seen us go by …

Jazmin did not start barking and I was hoping that the owner of the large dog would hurry and get him.

He kept calling to the dog “come get into the truck” as he walked to his truck.

Meanwhile cars are zooming by ….. the dog stayed on the other side of the street but at one point was right directly across from us.

Alvin barked once and I covered him with my body and sort of pinned him against the door for protection.

I was not taking any chances.

Hoping that he would not start barking grabbing he attention of the loose large dog.

Not with my Alvin.

Just as Jazmin started to bark again …. the door opened and we almost fell into the house.

My friend was at home (happened to have the day off) and had been upstairs when we first arrived on her porch.

I noticed that the dog ran by towards his owner.

My heart was racing.

It was finally over.

Only was a handful of minutes but seemed forever.

So we ended up staying for a visit.

Alvin had some treats.

Life is good.

After that we continued on our walk.

We saw that the Geese including the goslings were on the grass by the water in the park.

So great so see those darling babies.

As we rounded the ponds we, I spotted a friend out watering her garden.

I said hello and that started a long chat.

Alvin was pretty patient.

After that, we turned around to go home and met a woman with her two small dogs.

We stopped and had a meet.

One of her dogs was a senior at 15 and then had a 7 year old small dog.

The senior about Alvin’s age but not his weight.

After that we headed home.

Saw other neighbours out walking with their doggie but we only said a quick hello.

Just about home when I saw other friend and her son.

She spotted Alvin whom she loves …. another beautiful conversation.

Guess what time we got home?

7:30 p.m.

So then we were famished or at least I kind of was …..

What a walk we had!

Other than the large dog experience … it was great to see so many friends.

Well I better get this day going.

I was going to mention that I started watching a mini series called “THE HOT ZONE.”

Based on true events in the United States (assuming).

I had watched the first of three two hour episodes Thursday night and watched all but about one hour last night.

I was so tired and poor Mr. Alvin …. kept trying to get me to go upstairs.

 

Well in the moment …. Living … One day a time.

Have an awesome Saturday.

Time to go and pick up Humphrey.

His Momma left about 8:00 a.m.

So he is okay …

Alvin will be happy to have company.

 

Laundry and grass mowing await me but not before picking up Humphrey and oh, yes COFFEE.

I also have to have breakfast.

Somewhere between changing bedding and gathering laundry and a handful of chores, I forgot.

 

Be kind …. and always aware of what is going on around you.

 

Always, Carol & Alvin

 

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Sunday the 9th day of December, 2018.

The sun is now shining and the sky is clear.

What a Saturday I had …..

Master Teddy slept over on Friday night so I had both of the pups here yesterday.

We were up a few times during the night as I mentioned yesterday.

So the baking and laundry got off to a late start but a good start.

I somewhere along the line decided to change up the cookie menu and make the following:

Raisin Nut cookies, Oatmeal Chocolate Coconut cookies and Chocolate Chip Cookies.

After the first two cookies were baked I took a break and we went for a walk.

It was so nice out.

Me and the pups went for the full 1/2 walk and it was great.

Once back to the house after checking and doing more laundry, it was back to the cookie baking.

The time past and then it was time for the boys to eat.

I opened the pantry door which is on the interior wall in the kitchen to fetch the food.

Note: that I had been in and out of the pantry all day long.

The pups did not act any differently than usual BUT when I moved the plastic container which housed Al’s food I saw something move and I freaked screaming so loud that I

almost gave myself an anxiety attack.

The pups stopped in their tracks.

I grabbed the rubbermaid container that is currently housed the excess baking supplies and placed it in front of the pantry door.

Knowing full well that it did not completely block the opening at the bottom of the door.

I need weather stripping.

I grabbed the phone and started calling neighbours and by the fifth one I finally reached someone at home.

It was my friends that helped with the dryer, installing the trap door by the dryer vent on the deck and so on.

My friend “N” came over shortly thereafter.

I wasn’t even sure it was still in the pantry but when he opened the door …. yes it was still there.

It moved.

I screamed.

He tried in vain to catch it with his gloves ( it was very small ) but it ran under the basement door and the chase was on.

I kept the dogs away.

My friend followed it down the stairs and watched it run to the bottom and into the family room.

He asked where the light was and I yelled down where it was …

I got up the courage to go down the stairs not quite to the bottom but I could see over the stairway partial wall what was going on.

I said to close the door to the furnace room as the carpet is so thick he would not be able to run under the door.

There were a few boxes stacked in the corner by the trunk and he gingerly removed each one looking for the little creature.

ARGH.

He said we should try and catch it in the vacuum.

I took the vacuum down and plugged it in removing all of the extensions so it was down to the handle portion.

We did not see it for awhile and then it came out and ran along the wall.

I screamed.

The chase continued.

After several minutes of chasing the mouse from one side of the room to the other.

Under the television stand and around and back, my friend caught the mouse in his big thick gloves.

I ran FAST up the stairs to unlock the back door and back to the living room to keep the dogs away and to be at a safe distant.

My friend, the male friend who is older than me – did not quite get how absolutely terrifying this was for me.

So he went to show me what he had in his gloves – I screamed and he went to the back door and threw it onto the snow bank.

Which in hind sight was likely not the best plan as I watched from the bay window in the kitchen, at a safe distance …. it running down the snowbank toward the house.

I felt coldness fall over my whole body.

My friend had shut the door and was checking the weather stripping to ensure it could not get in that way and determined it likely came in when I had the door open for the dogs.

He determined that it ran under the deck at the house by the garbage can and just told me to leave the door closed and perhaps take the pups out the front if they had to go.

Not really that easy.

Anyway for a moment I calmed down.

By this time, I lost my desire to continue with the baking and felt sick and drained.

I cleaned up the kitchen.

Made sure that the boys had supper.

Made a bit of supper for myself when Teddy’s Mom and Dad arrived to pick him up.

I told her quickly and she said that she could stay with me if I wanted and I gratefully said no, that is okay.

After Teddy left …. I ate supper….. we just left all of the lights on as I heard they do not like bright lights.

I settled down later to watch a movie when the phone rang and it was my friend who was on her way home from Calgary.

He had arrived home and saw that I had called … I had not left a message.

I retold the story and she had some ideas.

After a lengthy conversation I told her that I had been watching a movie (rented one) and it was getting late by then so had to go.

Thanking her for her call.

What a night.

WHEW.

I must get this show on the road as I am once again baking and have a long list of things to do.

 

I know what it is like to be so terrified of something that it stops you literally in your tracks.

So scared that it is hard to think straight.

 

I know in my brain that it is silly to be scared of something so small when I am so big.

Perhaps it is because they are so fast.

Perhaps it is because they can carry disease.

Perhaps it is just because I had two, no actually three bad experiences when I was a child.

Scarred for life.

 

Special Hello to: all those folks who have fear for something …. I know your pain.

Always, Carol & Alvin

 

 

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Thursday the 12th day of November, 2015.

Happy Belated Birthday to my nephew “T” ….. hope you had a great day.

Part II

Well yesterday did not have a happy ending.

I wished that those small creatures would just stay outdoors.

Anyway ….. I washed my winter boots and wore them on the main floor (no carpet) as they were my strength.

Alvin stayed close thank goodness.

We managed to get through most of the day …..

I cut up and cleaned the huge Halloween pumpkin.

Half of it I gave to one of my neighbours and the other half I cooked.

It was so yummy warm with some butter, salt and pepper.

Alvin had some plain ……

It was after that which was about 5:00 p.m. that I realized Alvin had not had his supper yet.

So I opened the pantry door …. grabbed his bowl and his food container and about that time … the MOUSE ran out of the pantry …. SCREAMING, I managed to place Alvin’s glass bowl on the counter and yell instructions to Alvin who by this time was in hot pursuit of this not welcome guest.

Screaming I watched it run under my fridge and I managed to get Alvin to come to me.

It did not come out.

I scooped up Alvin and ran over to the neighbours.

Gasping and sobbing I told them the story ….

“S” came back to the house with me.

Decided to put down the sticky traps not that I particular like the thought of them but I cannot live in fear.

One in the bottom of the pantry …. (removed Alvin’s food container and the two boxes with garage bags).

After that was done …..

While she was here I put back into the fridge my salad ingredients because I did not want to stand in the kitchen.

Grabbed the last muffin and two oranges and we stayed in the living room.

Twice I quickly walked Alvin to the door and outside.  I went with him.

This morning no sitting at the kitchen table to write in my gratitude journal.

No lemon water.

No oatmeal.

No banana at the table.

Instead I grabbed Alvin food container out of the bathroom (next to the pantry) and fed him.

We both went outside.

I grabbed a banana from the table and we stood near the edge of the cupboards at the living room entrance and shared the banana.

Then I took my journal, pen and our water and came upstairs.

In just a few minutes my neighbour is coming over to check the traps before I leave for work.

One is in the pantry and the other in the oven drawer (which is empty).

I feel so helpless even though I am much better than the first go around with those little beasts.

I just wished they would go elsewhere …..

Thank goodness for great friends and neighbours and Alvin who truly is my hero.

I think he knows …..

Well I better start getting prepared … downstairs …. Alvin will need to go out again.

Funny how something so small can make you so scared.

I know how people feel that have these phobias ….. not fun.

I hope that you have a great Thursday.

Hopefully the deed is done and that is that.

I will be wearing my boots regardless for a few days ….. will have to buy some indoor foot wear that has solid soles and goes up the calf.

I feel somewhat guarded … protected.

 

Special Hello: to my nephew “T” … I called you but your phone was not in use …. perhaps you stopped with the land line…..

Always, Carol and Alvin