2021

Good Morning All! How are you this Saturday morning? We are doing well. My first time in weeks using the computer to write this post and it feels a bit strange. Mr. Alvin is patiently waiting downstairs for my return. I have been upstairs for a bit as I had a shower, put on makeup (yes, I did), got dressed, made the bed (yup) and a few other little things (okay brushing teeth). I am so happy that we had our first sleep upstairs in five weeks. It did not go quite as I had planned or hoped. There was a glimmer of hope that he would be so happy to be in the bed again that he would not react to the harness and leash although he has been wearing it the previous couple of nights on the sofa. I had washed his harness and dried in the dryer. Usually I let it air dry and I think that perhaps it may have shrunk a bit. Anyway, it just looked uncomfortable. So I put him in the main bathroom while I ran back downstairs to get the one dog collar that I have and put that on him. Now he has only ever wore a collar a couple of times since he came to live with me so he was freaked out by the whole thing. Perhaps it was more that we were upstairs, I don’t know and will never really know. We will see what happens tonight. He/We slept until just before 5:00 a.m. which was good considering we went to bed at 10:00 p.m. I gave him his breakfast and we went outside in the cool morning air. Once done I thought we would have a bit more sleep on the sofa. This time I was going to try and just keep my arm over him but he kept jumping up. I honestly think that those metal gate things are giving him anxiety. So I got his bed out of the kitchen and put in the living room. I laid back down on the sofa and although it took him a couple of minutes he did lay down on the bed. So that will be our future routine when we get up in the morning. If we keep doing it he will get used to it and not get so freaked out. When we got up the second time it was 7:22 a.m. and just now a huge ROAR of THUNDER. The once clear skies are overcast and perhaps we are going to have some rain. That would be nice. Although I did plan to take him for a walk in the next few minutes and almost my friends are having my birthday party here at 10:00 a.m. It was supposed to be at Gillian’s house but with Alvin, I cannot leave him for that long or at least not yet. It is one thing being upstairs. Back to getting up…. I gave him a pain pill and anti-anxiety pill and some food. He has actually been quite good since I came upstairs. Only a few barks.

Perhaps he will finally get used to the new routine. I have to start getting ready upstairs and it would be great to do this post on the computer. I am still figuring things out on the phone. The set up is a bit different. I was not able to change the category and it has been saving as miscellaneous and things like that.

Well I had better get going. I have a few things to do before the party starts. I guess there will be no walk. Don’t need to get rained on or to be struck by lightning. Good thing that Mr. Alvin is not scared of storms.

So this is our life. Living with a senior dog and being a senior, Yes, I will be 64 on Monday. That just seems not right. My mind is still in the 1970’s most days.

I hope that you are doing well. Thank you for continuing to read my posts, I so appreciate it.

Time to go back downstairs. I am going to make coffee early ….. need some.

Feels strange to have makeup on ….. I have not even been putting my “eyebrows” on lately.

I think it is raining. Good thing that I did not have the chance to water the flowers. HAIL. It seemed like hail as coming down so hard. The party may be delayed if the rain does not stop. ARGH.

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

Always, Carol & Alvin

Thought for the day ….

Good Morning and Welcome to Saturday the 9th day of June, 2018.

Oh, what an absolutely glorious morning it is here in Edmonton.

Alvin was up early and then we went back to bed.

I had wanted to get up earlier than usual so that we could go for a walk before the heat sets in and possibility of storms.

We were up about 7:30 a.m. which isn’t that early for a lot of people but I am up at 5:00 or earlier during the work week and like to sleep in on the weekends when I can.

I opened some windows to create that cross draft as there is a beautiful cool breeze.

Donned my shorts and t-shirt.

Grabbed the leash and cornered the boy to put his harness on.

(He was upstairs).

Usually it is going around the kitchen table for ten minutes (as he hides underneath) before I am able to get him ready.

Anyway, that is okay.

Grabbed some more poop bags, sandals on of course and the keys and not forgetting Al’s water bottle.

And we were off.

The cool breeze hit me as I opened the door blowing into my face and washing over me.

I could have stood there for eternity basking in the perfect cool air.

Locking the house we were on our way.

I admired my flowers in the front flower bed as we skipped down the sidewalk.

Well perhaps “skipped” is more of a term in a musical but we were happily going along.

The sun shining brightly.

We past a neighbour closer to the lake out watering his flowers and said “good morning” to each other.

At the lake the breeze moved the trees and grass around the water.

Each blade of grass appeared to be dancing around as the branches on the trees swayed to that music of the birds.

I have never heard so many birds singing their songs all at once.

I thought I was in heaven or some magical place.

We looked for the geese and their goslings but to no avail.

We saw a couple of ladies out walking with their dogs (one was running).

Stopping to say “hello.”

The smell to the air is better than the smell of freshly brewing coffee.

Er, maybe I mean to say “the freshness of the air tickled my nose and gave me this washed over feeling of zen.

Nothing compares to, nothing compares to coffee.

I love the smell of coffee brewing.

Now that we have that established….carry on.

Alvin enjoyed sniffing every blade of grass along the way.

He also enjoyed a sip of water here and there.

The water shone with a brilliance of polished diamonds.

So absolutely breathtaking, I had to stop and just take it all in.

Both Alvin and I could have stayed there forever.

It was one of the best walks we have ever taken, perfection.

Everything fell perfectly into place.

 

So now back at home time for a reality check.

Time to change bedding, start laundry, have breakfast and that beloved cup of COFFEE and get things done.

I hope that you all have that magic in your day.

 

Special Hello to: all those folks who enjoy a morning walk.

Always, Carol & Alvin

 

Trip to Regina

On Canada Day this year, I flew with my daughter to Regina, Saskatchewan to see family and friends.  I left my little dog Alvin in the more than capable hands of my son-in-law ( I know he loves him as much as I do).  This was the first time that I have left Alvin for more than one day.  So it was hard but a good thing for us both.  I must tell you all, really having Alvin is like having a little child once again.  You want to leave them and you do not want to leave them.  What a quandary! Alvin had his “cousins” or “niece and nephew” ??? to play with ….. that is Elton and Penny.  I cannot think of what they are to each other but I do know they are friends.  Back to the trip.  We left Edmonton pretty much on time.  Which is a good thing.  I was happy to see that we didn’t have to remove our footwear and put on those “blue hospital slipper things” ……   My best friend Linda picked us up at the airport.  When we opened the door to leave the airport in Regina we were hit by the hot humid air.  WOW.  We went back to Linda’s house and relaxed.  After supper that night Amanda went to visit some of her friends.  It was a quick trip so we did not have time to see everyone and for that I apologize.  Next trip.  Linda and I went for a walk to a nearby Second Cup Coffee Shop to have coffee and found it closed.  I guess we should not have been surprised as it was Canada Day after all.  But we had a wonderful walk taking in my old neighbourhood and getting some exercise so that was great.  Later that evening, the wind got up, lightning bolts bombarded the air and the thunder roared and it RAINED.  There were tornado watches or warnings out (I do not remember which means what, possibly you might blow away or run for cover).  We survived the night, thank goodness.

On our second day, Amanda and I walked to my nephew Troy’s house.  When I lived in Regina it was about a ten minute walk so tack on a couple of minutes extra from Linda’s house.  We were excited to walk by our old apartment building and the lake across the street.  About five minutes away from Linda’s we realized that perhaps we should have called Troy to come, and get us as it was HOT AND HUMID.  But of course, as strong and determined and STUBBORN women we didn’t call we just kept going.  I guess if Amanda wasn’t carrying her backpack with her camera & equipment and purse and I wasn’t carrying my purse and extra bag with presents for the kids, it might have been cooler.  Oh well.  A bit of sweating, er I mean perspiring (LOL) never hurt anyone.  We arrived.  So happy to see see Troy, his wife Sara and the little ones, almost five year old Azlin and baby Zane (8 months).  Oh my gosh, you could just eat those boys with a spoon.  So cute and so much fun.  I threatened to take the boys home to Edmonton with me.  We had a fun day with them.  Started with coffee and visit, then went for lunch and then drove to check out some properties outside of town.  Oh my, some of the yards so beautiful.  When we got back to their house – Troy found out that he had to leave for work (a day earlier than he expected).  A last minute decision found Amanda and I at the theatre with Azlin watching “Toy Story 3” ….. it was such a great movie.  I was in tears.  If you haven’t seen it – take your family to see it.  It has something for every age.  Very well done.  Sara and baby Zane picked us up at the theatre and then took us back to Linda’s.  There appeared to be a storm brewing. Winds got up but luckily never amounted to anything.  We had such a wonderful time.  I even managed to get a short play in with Azlin.  I miss our time together.

On Saturday, the temperature was a bit cooler so that was a good start.  My sister Cindy picked us up from Linda’s and we went to her house.  Joined by my niece Dara, her “hubby” Geoff and daughter Selena.  We had coffee (a must).  We girls hit the playground which is across the street to do some swinging and take some photos.  Such a nice day.  We had a great visit.  Supper was a barbecue (Geoff made us veggie burgers on the grill) and it was so yummy.  Enjoyed by one and all. Cindy has been doing some stuff around the yard, too.  They took out a tree.  It wasn’t your average tree, either.  It was HUGE.   In the middle of painting the garage.  Looks great.  Also Cindy has some beautiful flowers.  Later that evening Sara and the boys came over.  We played some games and visited.  It was close to midnight when we returned to Linda’s.  Tired but happy.

Then it was Sunday and we were leaving to go back to Edmonton.  Linda made breakfast and her daughters Kadie & Melissa and grand-daughter Abi joined us.  We had a great visit.  It was a warm morning as we had coffee on the deck.  Linda dropped us off at Cindy’s on their way to the RCMP Open House.  We had a nice lunch and then back to the airport.  A whirlwind weekend but a great time.  So many wonderful memories.

No matter how many days you have with family and friends it always seems too short.  Both Amanda and I are grateful for the time that we did get to spend with them.  The little kids were glorious.  All so cute and awesome.  I miss my dear friend Linda, my sister Cindy and all of the family (you know who you are).

Hard to believe that we have been home one week tomorrow already.  Where does the time go?

Thank you to everyone for making our stay in Regina so awesome.  We love you guys……..