The New YEAR 2022

Good Morning ALL! How are you this Saturday morning? Alvin and I are fine. He was up early and a few times so we slept in. But today is laundry and cleaning and more shovelling so the time I start is not as important as if you have to be somewhere for a specific time. I am grateful for that. The sky is white matching the ground once again.

I am happy to say that we were able to get a treatment for Mr. Alvin and my friend, his BF’s Mom picked it up from the Vet yesterday and even helped apply it. We ran a fine comb over him and did not find anything. Breathing a sigh of relief. There were two treatments in the box so there is one to apply in one month’s time.

Today is the birthday of my Aunt Lorraine, my Dad’s only sister. There was only the two of them. I mailed her a birthday card and letter a while ago to ensure that it arrived on time. I am like her or perhaps she is like me but we are the same in that we love to receive cards and letters. I think that mailing cards and letters is beginning to make a come back. I have not stopped. With the price of postage I have cut back but I still try and send as many as I can. Who does not like to open the mailbox and find an envelope addressed to them that is not a bill or spam mail or flyers. ME, I do! Happy Birthday Aunt.

Does not look like we got much more snow overnight which is great so I will only have the driveway to shovel. It is good exercise so I don’t mind.

What are your plans for today? Are you leaving the house? Or hanging out like I am and doing laundry and cleaning? I love being at home. We had another survey from work about “how we feel about going back to the office even if it is only for meetings such as the all staff one coming up on the 15th of March?” Well I can tell you this it freaks me out big time. I love being at home and have no desire to go to the office. I like my coworkers but I prefer to be at home. Anyway I explained why I would like to continue working from home with only the odd time going to the office. If there are people that want to work from the office – go ahead but if you are like me and you have been able to do your job effectively from home – then you/me should be able to continue to do so. Working from home has been great my health and sick time (when I was at the office I was always catching something from people who didn’t think to stay home when they were sick or clients coming in when they were sick). I am so happy without a 2-3 hour commute everyday. I love being able to walk at noon when the weather allows and after work. Being home with Alvin especially since his two surgeries last year and his age has been a godsend. Back to our all staff meeting coming up – gives me anxiety but I am trying to just breathe and not think about it as I do not have a choice in the matter. I understand why they want to have meetings but that does not mean that I have to “love” it.

Well back to the weekend. I am grateful for weekends and having time to do my thing. I hope that you have time to do your thing as well whatever that may be.

Happy Saturday.

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

Always, Carol & Alvin

P.S. I had the first of the two cinnamon buns with cream cheese icing from my friend last night and it wa so delicious. Time for coffee.

It is a NEW YEAR.

Hello, Good Morning Everyone.

Yesterday was a crazy day for us.

Started out Monday night with very little sleep for me and Alvin.

He is/was/has/had diarrhea.

Needless to say that I was not in good condition to work or to write my blog.

Poor little Alvin.

Monday night and Monday day were the absolute worse.

Yesterday I was able to pick up some medicine for him (don’t remember the name off hand).

These pills are to help stop the diarrhea.

He remains on the bland diet of chicken and rice.

Also at the same time we (my neighbors and I) are working to get our shared fence fixed.

We found out yesterday that not only is one or likely multiple posts are rotted away so is about 20 feet of the fence.

So unless I change the deck, any future boards will rot as well.

You see on the other side is a backyard made of stone.

Without getting into too much detail as I am running late (I am sorry for this), moisture gets trapped and the wood cannot breathe, so it rots.

We are looking at the possibility of using vinyl instead of wood.

 

Anyway, I/We are missing our walks.

I long for the time when Alvin is back to his old self.

Has been a week today since this started.

 

The next few days are to be rainy so no work could be done.

At least we know that 20 feet of the fence has to be replaced.

My deck might require some changes or NOT.

Life ……

 

My mind is running like mad between Alvin and the fence.

So much …..

 

I hope that you are all well.

Continuing to live your life with kindness and respect.

 

I/We Remain,

As Always, Carol & Alvin

 

P.S. oh how I need coffee this morning.

 

Living … One day at a time

Good Morning …. Tuesday it is.

Dark out and that will be our reality for the next few months as we enter winter.

Yesterday was a crazy day.

Started out with my carpool not going in to work.

Grateful that I was able to catch a ride to work with Humphrey’s Mom.

So grateful.

I was prepared as I had a winter coat and boots out and ready to wear.

When catching the bus you have to be prepared for anything weatherwise.

When I got to work I was pleasantly surprised just outside the office building by the approach of a man.

The man turned out to be my brother from another mother.

He feels like my younger brother.

In fact, I quite often refer to him as such.

We used to work together and he is such a nice guy.

It was wonderful to see him and catch up.

Throughout the day it was busy.

 

At 3:45 p.m. the fire alarm went off in our building.

The alarm is deafening.

I grabbed my phone, purse and coat (not in that order).

Not realizing until I was outside that my house keys were in my big bag.

Four fire trucks came out to the call.

We waited semi patiently outside in the freezing cold and wind for the all clear to go back inside.

I did think to text Humphrey’s Mom and thankfully she was able to come over and let Alvin outside and feed him.

I had no idea of how long it was going to take before we could go back in.

It was almost twenty minutes later before we got the call.

The other half of the building is under construction / renovations.

This is not the first time the alarm has gone off and was not a test.

Once given the go ahead I rushed back into the building and up the stairs.

Got to my desk.

Turned off the computer.

Put on my boots, grabbed the big bag (checked for house keys), threw my purse inside the bag and ran to the bathroom.

Cause everyone knows when you get cold you have to pee.

Yup, I said that word.

Once done, I made a hasty exit of the building and walked as fast as I could for the bus stop.

I was pretty certain that I was going to be late but held out hope that I would make it.

At least at the end of it all – Alvin was fed and let outside.

So I did not have to worry about him.

Luckily I managed to get not the first bus but the next one.

We passed the first one at some point and I only had to wait at the bus terminal for a few moments.

Even got home near the same time as usual when I catch the bus.

Whew.

So grateful …..

 

Well almost time to head downstairs.

That was my Monday.

Today will be quiet and easy.

Let us hope.

 

With kindness and respect, I shall get through each day.

 

Always, Carol & Alvin

 

Living … One day at a time.

Hello, a bright sunny windy Monday morning here in Edmonton.

Alvin has been not feeling well since the wee hours of Saturday morning.

It started with extremely bad gas.

I have never heard anything quite like it before from him.

I will not give you the graphics but suffice to say it has truly been a long weekend.

After changing his food yesterday to a bland diet of chicken and rice yesterday it has helped in some respects.

But he is still not his old self.

He is drinking water so that is good.

We only last night finally got more than two hours of sleep.

I feel a bit more rested but still anxious about my boy.

 

You might say why not take him to the vet.

Well our regular vet is closed for the long weekend and the emergency vet would mean a car ride.

He gets so stressed and anxious in the car – I wanted to try all that I could before putting him into that situation.

Other than the bottom end now …. he is okay.

But that is always a concern.

 

I just wanted to share this as my posts this weekend were not the norm, and I had so wanted to share more photos and stories of my August vacation.

But for now this is all that I can do.

I have to keep an eye on my boy.

We may have to make a trip to the vet before the end of the day.

 

I hope that you all have a wonderful day.

Alvin is a strong guy and I am quite certain he will be fine once he gets over this.

 

 

Treat all creatures big and small with kindness and respect.

 

Always, Carol & Alvin

Living … One day at a time.

Hello,

Morning started out bright and sunny and the clouds are now rolling in.

Mr. Alvin had us both up most of the night in and outside.

This morning he was sick to his stomach.

A little while ago he ate his breakfast and seems better now.

I feel like a zombie.

Clicking away on the computer.

 

This morning was/is our girls coffee date.

I am going to pop over to see them for a few minutes.

Need some coffee….

Alvin seems fine.

Perhaps he will finally settle down and sleep.

I am going to sleep like a baby tonight.

But if I lay down any later this morning …. I am afraid that I will be awake tonight.

That would not bode well for working tomorrow.

 

Thankfully I did all of the cleaning, some yard work and laundry yesterday so today is an easy day.

Oh and I transplanted all my house plants except the big one in my office.

Into the nice new plant pots from IKEA.

Just have to bring up the laundry that is hanging to dry in the basement.

Go for a walk later.

 

Do you have a pet?

Alvin has been with me for over 9 years now.

He is family.

When he is not well ….. it hurts my heart.

I try to do the best for him.

HE goes to the Vet on a regular basis as you know.

Yesterday he actually went for his regular 5 week “pedicure” and “anal gland check.”

I will say that he was a bit more mellow when his nails were being done ….

 

The house phone rang a bit ago and I jumped up from the sofa where we had finally fallen asleep but did not see who was calling because I did not have my glasses on.

A few minutes later Humphrey’s Mom was a the door.

We chatted and she said that Humphrey was a bit off his game as off late so perhaps it was just a bug or something they ate.

She had popped over to see if I had any of her boy’s treats as she was out.

Yes, I did.

 

Anyway, never a dull moment.

I am going to go and see my friends as my mental health is important as well.

He seems fine and I will not be away for long.

Also need coffee – although I could easily make myself some.

 

At the end of it all ….. it is always a good thing to treat your four-legged companions with love and respect.

They are just as important as we are …. maybe more.

He brings me such great joy and is such a good companion.

All he asks is for food and me.

He doesn’t gossip or treat me ill.

He is always here.

 

Well I am going to go downstairs and wait a few minutes to see how he is…..

Then pop over to my friend’s house where the girls have congregated.

 

Happy Sunday.

Always be kind and respectful of yourself and others.

 

Always, Carol & Alvin

 

 

 

Living … One day at a time.

Hello,

Bright and sunny with some deep blue clouds dotting the morning sky.

Well we were up unexpectedly later than usual last night.

The last orders of jewelry were delivered last night and we had a nice visit.

It was later when we got to bed …. after 9:30 p.m.

We were not in bed more than 10 minutes when Alvin started to act strangely.

I recognized this behaviour.

Always happens just before he is about to throw up.

I ran to grab a towel / cloth / paper towel whatever but did not make it back to the bed before he had thrown up.

Luckily I have one of the best cleaners for just this type of job.

“Dog Whisperer” with Cesar Millan for carpet and upholstery.

Actually I spray it on the spot / area once I have cleaned and then wipe it off.

No sight this morning that anything at all had happened.

After that first bout of upset tummy for the boy, he just could not settle down.

Sat partially upright for what seemed liked forever.

With me right beside him.

In between the wait time I grabbed a towel to lay in front of him and the paper towels, just in case.

He did throw up one more time.

Landing on the paper towel.

What luck.

He was exhausted by this time or so I thought.

A few minutes later he wanted to go downstairs.

After a wobbly start and then hesitation he went down the stairs with his Momma keeping an eagle eye on him.

Outside at whatever time it was …. before 11:00 p.m., I think.

He went pee.

Then I waited and watched.

He seemed to be okay.

I tried to coax him into the house and then it happened.

The burst of such energy.

He let out a bark or two (yikes, sorry neighbours) and then ran.

He ran up the steps onto the upper deck.

I went up to see if he would come down.

A few moments later …. down he jumped.

All round the deck like a crazy dog.

Then with his signature little hop, skip he jumped onto the grass.

A moment later back onto the deck.

This went on for a few minutes before after I opened the back door and he raced with all his might through the open door.

What a guy.

Well appeared he was okay for sure.

Then back to bed.

I made sure that the towel was in front of him.

But a few minutes later he was fast asleep.

So I am a bit late this morning as was TIRED.

Yup, tired.

Set the timer on the microwave twice …

We were up at 4:34 so set it for 60 minutes.

Then when it went off …. set for another 10 as I just could not bear to haul my butt up and start the day.

So now it is almost 6:35 a.m. and time for me to head on downstairs.

Carpool is off on vacation until next Tuesday.

So you know what that means.

BUS RIDING TIME.

I have the tickets ….. ready…

The only bad or not so great thing is I don’t get home until almost 5:30 p.m. ….. later than the usual.

 

Always, Living … One day at a time.

Have an awesome Wednesday.

Relax, be kind, be nice.

We only get one chance at this thing we call life.

 

Always, Carol & Alvin

Thought for the day ….

Good Afternoon and today is Wednesday the 2nd day of January, 2019.

Woke up with some kind of bug or other.

After sleeping most of the day I feel much better.

Have to go and drink lots of water as I feel dehydrated and headachy.

 

I hope that you had a great Wednesday.

Alvin and I had a visit yesterday afternoon with his BFF, Teddy and family.

It was nice to get out for a walk.

Today appears to be even more nice and the snow is melting.

 

 

Special Hello to: my friends all over the world.

Always, Carol & Alvin

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Wednesday the 31st day of January, 2018.

I just wanted to sign in and let you know that I am home sick for the third day.

Certainly has kicked the stuffing out of me.

Alvin is happy that I am home ….

I am happy to be with him but thinking about my desk and the amount of work piling up.

ARGH.

 

Always, Carol & Alvin

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Thursday the 16th day of November, 2017.

 

The past couple of days has seen some snow.

Back to work today after being home sick for a couple of days.

Not sure what happened but started with the chills.

Alvin liked having me at home but I am ready to head back to work.

Weather to be warming up this weekend which is good for walking.

Poor Alvin has not had a walk since the weekend and I am sure he will be ready to head out for one this evening.

 

Yesterday was my nephew “J’s” 31st birthday …… cannot believe he is 31.

Just like I cannot believe that I am 60.

Where does the time go?

Evaporates, me thinks.

 

Well back to the slate …. to the quarry ……. been thinking of the Flintstones as of late.

I loved watching the Flintstones.

 

Funny about what you think about when you are home sick.

I had the strangest dream last night and this morning.

Travel …… airport …… I still have not updated my passport.

 

Well I guess time to get this show on the road.

Have an awesome day.

 

Special Hello to: all those folks who are not feeling well …… feel better.

Always, Carol & Alvin

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Wednesday the 21st day of June, 2017.

We had quite the storm again last night.

This one lasted quite a bit longer.

I am always shocked at how strong our trees are when the winds are blowing them almost to the ground.

They are very flexible.

 

Happy First Day of Summer.

Longest day of the year.

They said we would have 17 hours of daylight today.

WOW ……

Guess it definitely will be light when I go to bed this evening.

Lots of sunshine this morning.

BREEZY.

Very breezy.

 

Do you have any special things that you do on the longest day of the year?

Me, not really other than make certain we go for a walk and then check the sky for the moon.

Love being able to see both the sun and the moon sharing the sky.

 

Feeling quite better now.

Not sure what hit me but glad it is over.

Feeling rested as I slept most of yesterday.

 

Special Hello: to my sister …… not long now.

Always, Carol & Alvin