Second Half of the NEW YEAR.

Good Morning ALL,

TGIF.

I never really used that “term” when it was all the rage back in the day.

I do not even remember what decade it was ….. 80’s maybe??

Anyway in this decade it seems as though the younger ones are all about using abbreviations for everything.

Yes, I know they do not refer to the shortened versions of words as abbreviations, there are all sorts of words to describe.

Also in this decade it is all about the memes and emojis, words that are new to us older folk.

Always something …. what will be next, I wonder?

Food for thought.

 

After work last night Alvin and I enjoyed a nice walk.

The air was warm and no gale force wind or bugs.

Just gorgeous.

Today they said 24 degrees celsius.

That would be considered a warm summer’s day.

 

There is a breeze out there this morning.

But it was warm when I was out earlier picking up the little treasures Alvin leaves for me on the grass.

I love the little guy.

Never would have thought that I would have a doggie and be picking up poop from my backyard.

Actually I dreamed of having my own backyard and it wasn’t until several months before it happened that I started to think that I could have one.

I likely kept the house out of my life all those years when I was a single Mom.

Perhaps if I had changed my train of thought and had been thinking “anything is possible and I can have a house” ….. it may have happened much sooner.

Oh well, I am happy that I have one now and my daughter well she has a beautiful one …..

Sometimes you have to work your way up.

 

Mr. Alvin was up just after 3:00 a.m. as his paws were bothering him, he also had to pee and poop.

Too much information, sorry.

So up we went.

I gave him his glucosamine chew and also a pain pill.

Outside to do his thing and then back to the sofa.

I wanted to get up at 6:15 and we had woke up but I was tired and thought it was earlier than it was ….

Next time it was 6:38 a.m.

So had to put the pedal to the metal this morning.

Thankfully I still had time to have a shower and do what I needed to do.

 

Well time to go and I definitely need that cup of coffee this morning.

I hope that you have the best Friday ever.

I wish you love and support, compassion and care, kindness and respect.

 

Living my life with kindness and respect

I/We shall remain,

As Always, Carol & Alvin

 

Was taken a bit ago but I love these flowers …. so pretty.

We all need a bit of pretty in our lives……..

Living … One day at a time.

Hello,

Wow, can you believe it is Thursday, September 5th, 2019?

Almost one week into September.

Close to the official day of FALL or Autumn.

I remain home with the boy.

After 26 hours without diarrhea (which was what the Vet had wanted) and while I was on the phone with the Vet’s Assistant; the only time that I had left him alone outside he had D.

I was glad that I had decided to check once I was off the phone.

We had a pretty quiet evening.

I knew that he really wanted to go for a walk but cleaning up D is not fun and not easy to do.

So we had a quiet evening.

He had his bland diet and was not happy when I had a vegetable stir fry with his fav vegetables but they have to be eaten.

I feel so badly for him and he is being so strong and shows little frustration with it all.

After that phone call (at 5:00 p.m.) and my find in the yard; I called the clinic back once again and asked to have his Dr. call me back.

When she was finished with her patients she called back.

I explained what happened and was told …. it has only been a short time on the medication …. we have to give it time to work.

Dr. K said that if there was no change meaning he had not had a regular bowel movement – it would be back to have blood work done to get to the bottom of things.

Bedtime went per norm.

Keeping the time close to our regular time.

He woke up at 2:08 a.m. ….. not sure why.

Seemed like he wanted to go downstairs and possibly outside, so down we went.

I grabbed my sweater and flip flops and out we went.

He just stood and breathed in the night air.

No signs of distress, I attempted to coax him to come down to the grass but to no avail.

So back into the house.

This time I decided to just crash on the sofa.

No point going back upstairs.

I do not remember if it was 5 something or closer to 6 when we woke up and went back outside.

Only peed.

Back into the house and then had his first meal of the day and his meds.

I am thankful that I purchased two packages of chicken on Sunday and froze one (as yesterday I had to cook the second one).

After that …. outside….

Nothing ….

Back to the sofa for bit more sleep.

Up around 7:45 or so and decided to get dressed and go for a walk.

He had been sitting in his chair and was watching the children out on their way to school.

Other pups out for walks.

So I decided that it would be worth the fresh air for both of us although we have been spending quite a lot of time outside.

So dressed and ready and out the door.

The coolness of the morning air felt so refreshing on our faces as we strolled down the sidewalk toward the park.

We were not at the park for more than a couple of minutes and he took the pooping stance.

I held my breath.

Then without further …. out came D, this time no gas, no flying through the air.

I guess that is an improvement.

I cleaned it up as good as I could …. thankfully I had taken paper towel and several extra bags.

Just after I had wiped his bum with paper towel … a young boy on a bike came over to where we were and said “I like your dog, is it a he or a she.”

I replied “he and his name is Alvin.”

We had a nice conversation ….. I told him that Alvin was not feeling well but not catchy for him.

He said that he had a cat and wanted to pet Alvin.

Which he gently did.

We chatted about school …. he was going into grade 5.

When I asked which school he was attending …. he said the name that I had not heard of and pointed to the south.

Then he said …. no it is ….. and mentioned that he has moved a few times and forgot.

Poor little guy.

It was nice.

We continued for a couple of minutes together him on his bike and us walking.

He said “thank you I enjoyed our chat.”

Wow, from a grade five boy …. must be an old soul.

I was glad to have some conversation not about diarrhea.

 

Well I guess we are back to it.

I need coffee ….. and in less than one hour it will be time for Alvin’s second small meal of the day.

I sure hope that by the end of this day things are different and that the poop is good.

Never so much talk of poop in my life ….

 

I am grateful for the sunshine as it has made our time at home in and out of the house much easier.

Feeling a bit frustrated but trying to be patient and keep positive thoughts rattling round my brain.

We never know what is coming round the corner, do we?

I guess all we can do is our best …. be kind and respectful …..

Patience ….. having patience is important.

 

As I laid on the sofa earlier, the blinds were open enough to see our front tree.

I noted how many of the leaves had already started to turn yellow.

In that moment I was watching the leaves and branches sway gently in the breeze.

It seemed as though time had stood still for just that one moment in time.

In that moment life was perfection.

Alvin was laying in his chair … in his happy place.

I was taking in the view.

Life was perfect.

 

Wishing you all a happy Thursday.

Time for coffee, I think.

 

Being kind and respectful to yourself is just as important as it is to be toward others.

 

 

Always, Carol & Alvin

 

 

 

Thought for they day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Sunday the 15th day of July, 2018.

What a gorgeous Sunday morning.

The sky was clear blue until just a moment ago and now there are clouds rolling in.

Just over to check in on my charges:  Humphrey the Cat and Cinder the Gecko.

They are doing well.

On my way into my house I stopped to pull a few of those little weeds that spring up overnight.

The ones that after a rain …. come up just because they can.

Are they not amazing when you come to think about it.

There can be no sign of growth and then voile they are one inch high.

Too bad plants that we can eat do not grow that quickly.

Or perhaps they do and it just does not seem that way.

Alvin and I had a great weekend.

Cleaning the house.

Mowing the back grass patch, tidying up.

Pulling weeds.

Yup those fast growing weeds.

Laundry, as somehow there always seems to be something in the laundry basket.

Washing floors as they do get dirty.

Bathrooms …. yup, them, too.

Made a big supper so that when my daughter comes today, I do not have to cook.

Besides the temperature is to be more warm than yesterday.

Right now the house is comfortably cool.

We both slept well last night.

 

This morning my girls have invited me for an early birthday celebration.

They were checking their calendars and the next weeks where they were both free was in September.

YIKES, I am busy not now quite that busy.

So just on my way to having a shower and get ready to go for an early birthday celebration.

Then my daughter and pups will be arriving for a visit.

Spend the afternoon and have supper.

 

What a great weekend.

Lots of work done followed by lots of play.

Does not get better than that.

Hopefully we will have some more sunshine today.

 

I hope that you are having a great weekend wherever you are ….

I hope that you are in great health and feeling mighty fine ….

I hope that you are working on making your dreams come true …

I hope that you are surrounded by people you love and good energy ….

I hope that you are having a blast being you.

 

Special Hello to: my sister, see you soon.

Always, Carol & Alvin

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Saturday the 14th day of July, 2018.

It is overcast and considerably cooler than it has been over the past several days.

Relief actually to be a bit on the cooler side after the heat.

Much better for sleeping.

The sky is filled with deep dark clouds but every one in awhile the sun peers through and makes us happy.

There is a breeze as I can see the trees swaying.

 

Yesterday was an unusual day at work.

We had been closed since Tuesday as we are implementing a new version of our computer system.

Our higher ups made certain this time around that staff were involved in the process and ending with us having proper training and time to “play.”

Having that time to go into the test environment and practice is crucial to learning the new version.

On Friday after the testing had been done we had some “play – fun” time.

We had a couple of game competitions with prizes, snacks and lunch provided.

After a long week.

It was so much fun.

I was exhausted.

The system is LIVE on Monday so that will be fun.

Will be busy after being closed for 4 days and there be MAIL, FAXES and DROP-OFFS …..

 

Well today and for the weekend I am pet/house sitting for a neighbour and friend.

Already went to see Humphrey the Cat and Cinder the Gecko a couple of times.

Time for laundry and cleaning.

Tomorrow the girls are throwing me a birthday party as everyone has busy weekends until almost September.

Also my daughter and pups may be coming for a visit.

So have to get all of my house work and laundry done today.

 

I am so blessed to be surrounded by good people.

People that are kind and nice, supportive and loving.

I should sign off as Mr. Alvin needs his Momma.

 

I hope that you have a wonderful Saturday.

See you tomorrow.

Also need COFFEE…..

 

Special Hello to: my sister …..

Always, Carol & Alvin

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Wednesday the 20th day of September, 2017.

Well another rainy dark morning here in Edmonton.

I caved after work and turned on the HEAT.

After hearing that during the day we had a SNOW RAIN mix (it did not stay), I felt so sorry for Mr. Alvin.

Home in the dark with no heat.

I know that he has a fur coat but just the same ….. he needed some heat.

So it is the first warm morning in the house for awhile.

Sure was nice having a shower without freezing before the warm hit me body.

Too much information …… sorry.

 

According to the weather channel this is our reality for a few days.

Rain and more rain.

Low temperatures.

Hopefully I will be able to dig out the flowers once the sun comes out.

If it freezes it will make it almost impossible until spring.

Oh well.

I guess I should have paid closer attention to the forecast.

I just could not bear to clean out the pots when the flowers were still somewhat green and the flowers were blooming.

Some of the snapdragons were so pretty that I picked them Monday night and am glad that I did.

Perhaps once this wet cool snap passes we shall have a nice long warm fall.

That would be nice.

Well almost time to hit the road.

Extra layers and shoes that lace up.

Umbrella, of course.

Cannot leave home without it.

 

Have an awesome Wednesday.

Special Hello to: my sister ……

Always, Carol & Alvin

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Sunday the 17th day of September, 2017.

Today is the birthday of my Steeped Tea Leader, Happy Birthday “C.”

She is a sweet, kind and wonderful gal.

 

The sun is shining this morning.

The house does not seem as cold as it has the past few mornings.

I am steadfast in my decision not to turn on the furnace at this time.

Obviously if the temperature dips below ZERO degrees, it will have to go on as I do not wish the pipes to freeze.

Will have to watch my plants as the colder it gets at night the harder it is to pull them out (these are annuals in pots).

My tomato plant was DONE yesterday so I pulled it.

My first one and I even had tomatoes, so happy about that.

 

Yesterday with the new blade for Mr. Alvin’s electric clippers I gave him a great hair cut EXCEPT …..

I noticed later last night that I missed a bit on his one side.

How could I have missed that spot is beyond me but I did ….. glory me.

Oh well at some point I will grab him (he does not like having his hair cut) and trim that up.

He does look back to his most handsomest self, I must say.

After his oatmeal and aloe shampoo/conditioner with bath after the cut he is so SOFT.

 

Well I guess time to get this day going.

Oh, the grand-pups stopped by for a nice visit yesterday.

At one point all three were laying in different areas chewing on a chew treat.

Alvin on the sofa, Baby Milo on Alvin’s chair by the window and Miss Aspen on the floor.

Did not have time to grab a video as it would have been PRICELESS but I have the image engrained in my memory banks for all time.

So we had a great Saturday.

Along with cleaning up some things outside and mowing the back patch of grass, we did laundry, okay I did laundry, baked a ginger chocolate loaf (Steeped Tea), Alvin’s hair cut, made a huge supper

so will have leftovers for a few days and VACUUMED.

So will have a more quiet day which is nice.

Happy Sunday everyone.

 

As much as I love the fall ……. oh, the leaves are falling and that is a sign that the other is not far behind.

It would be so nice to have a nice long warm fall (about 17-21 degrees celsius).

 

Oh, I forgot and I do not know how I managed not to hear about this but there is a new STAR TREK television series starting on September 24, 2017.

Next Sunday.

I had one of the new STAR TREK movies on the television when the kids picked up the pups and my son-on-law asked me if I was excited about the new show.

I saw “what.”

I am so excited that it will be on CTV and not just SPACE as I do not have the SPACE channel.

So lucky me do not even have to add another channel to my cable package.

No extra money.

So excited ….. STAR TREK DISCOVERY.

No. 1 on my fall line-up.

 

Have an awesome Sunday.

I am going now.

Special Hello to: all those STAR TREK fans …. yay a new television series.

Always, Carol & Alvin

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Friday the 1st day of September, 2017.

Welcome September.

Gorgeous sunrise.

The sky is this incredible pink with hues of blue and purple.

So pretty.

 

So on this Friday.

I am going to take myself just a little less seriously.

Take a “laugh break” throughout the day.

Be kind to others and to myself – always.

Be in the moment.

This is my Friday mantra.

 

Happy Friday Everyone.

Special Hello to: all those folks starting the month with a birthday, Happy Birthday.

Always, Carol & Alvin

Thought for the day ….

Good Morning and Welcome to Friday the 30th day of September, 2016.

Wow, another month come and almost gone.

Well September you were pretty nice.

Thank you.

Last night Alvin and I put away the deck furniture, cleaned out most of the flower bed, put away odds and ends, mowed the grass and covered the air

conditioner in preparation of the following season.

Alvin enjoying running in circles from one end of the deck to the other and making the cutest jumps to the upper level of the deck.

He was pooped after that …..

Yesterday I posted the following about something happening in Canada.

After I wrote this which is early between 6:00 – 6:30 a.m. in the morning, I thought of more that I could and would like to say on this topic.

How is it that we human beings can murder another human being or even many and go to prison.

We are not put to death (most times).

In prison they are not denied food or shelter.

They can receive an education even earning a degree if they so desire.

We give them a chance to  rehabilitate themselves.

So why is it that when our four legged companions injure or cause death to a human, the punishment is automatically death.

There is no discussion.

No thinking about it.

Just do it.

They are animals after all.

They do not feel anything or reason and are not human.

I have heard those words so many times and it makes me so mad.

What the hell is wrong with us.  (excuse the language but it is necessary).

Are we so blind and cruel that we cannot do something to change this?

I am so sad by all of this……

Sometimes where do I go from here.

Every day I am shamed by the acts of my fellow human beings.

I am not saying that I am perfect because I am not.

Just wishing we were overly compassionate instead of the other way.

Well it is time for me to head out to catch the bus.

Have a good Friday.

Special Hello to: all those folks who work tirelessly to help all living creatures ……

Always, Carol and Alvin

 

 

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Thursday the 15th day of September, 2016.

YAY, today is payday.

Paid some bills already this morning.

Nice to have them paid.

All I can see if darkness from my window.

But by the time I am on the bus for a few minutes the sun will be rising.

It is a glorious sight.

By the time I am at work it will be LIGHT outside.

Wow, middle of September already.

Fast approaching two / three of my favourite times of year.

Autumn, Halloween and Christmas.

I do not want to get to the third one just yet as it will come soon enough.

The flowers are still blooming which is so nice.

My grass in the backyard is doing so well, I believe I might have mentioned this before but it is doing the best now.

Alvin is comfy cozy on his blanket on our bed.

He will come downstairs when I go.

He is quite the character.

This morning he wanted to come back into the house.

I opened the door and said “Come on in, Mr. Alvin.”

He sat there and waited and waited until I said the magic word “Please.”

So just goes to show that if I expect manners from him …. it must also be returned.

Like I said he is quite the character.

Oh well.

Here we go again.

Another work day.

I have decided not to wear my jacket this morning as by the end of the day it is so warm that you end up carrying the jacket.

Besides yesterday morning on the way to the bus I was quite surprised by how warm it was.

The furnace has not cut in this morning yet so it must be warm out.

Well time to go.

This time always passes quickly.

I must start staying up instead of hitting the sofa for those extra cuddles and snoozes with Alvin.

Have a great day.

Special Hello to: my friends and family.

Always, Carol and Alvin

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Thursday the 30th and last day of June, 2016.

The end of the first half of 2016.

Where did it go?

Did you accomplish what you set out to do?

Did you set goals?

Did you just enjoy the first six months and not worry about goals and such?

We all do things differently.

You might set short term goals of things to do in a short period of time.

No matter what course of action or inaction might have been we are heading into July.

I usually do small chunks of goals and mainly they revolve around finances.

I guess that might be par for the course.

In this economy or any economy finances are important.

Some months are easier than others for sure.

That can be held true for most of us these days.

But at the end of it all it has been a great first half of 2016.

We did suffer a loss in our family and some near misses.

But we know that life goes on and you must, too.

I am looking forward to July, August, September, October, November and DECEMBER.

We are fast approaching my favourite part of the year.

Any clues there ……

Well I decided as I just could not haul my “fanny farkle” off the sofa this morning after firstly rising with Alvin at 4:30 a.m. that I would just take the later bus.

I still arrive at work on time just not ultra early but I am okay with it for today.

Next week will be off to a fresh start.

Hard to change your schedule overnight ….. it is.

Well tomorrow we celebrate CANADA DAY, the 1st day of July.

There will be fireworks for sure.

Alvin and I will enjoy the day together.

On this beautiful (already 18 degress celsius) morning ….. I am so happy.

Have a great Thursday wherever you are and whatever you are doing …. just be joyful.

Feeling badly really does not help ….. I understand…..totally.

Special Hello:  to my friend “V” who might be coming for a visit ….. sure hope so.

Always, Carol and Alvin

P.S.  my “leader” for the Heart & Stroke Campaign picked up my packets last night.  I am proud to say I collected $85.00.  Pretty good for this economy.