2021

Good Morning ALL. Welcome to Tuesday, February 16, 2021. Last week I was writing the month of May in my phone log and this morning I almost wrote January. Oh well. Could be worse, I could be actually thinking it is January or May. Would that really be worse. Guess it is not doing any harm. Funny, actually. Sometimes our brains go in strange directions. Or at least mine seems to from time to time. Did you have a good weekend? I thoroughly enjoyed my long weekend. Teddy, Kobi and their Mom dropped a piece of “key lime pie” off just before my supper last night. Always nice to see the pups. They bring instant joy to the house. Supper was the last of the Chef’s Plate meals for this go around. Not sure that I will be ordering from them again or not. I think that I will just cook on my own for awhile. Last night’s meal was a roasted chickpea and red pepper dish with a tabbouleh salad and baked feta. It was quite good. I most especially loved the warm soft feta. Never have had that before and I really enjoyed the feta baked. I eat a lot of chickpeas and peppers roasted/baked in the oven so that part was not new to me. The tabbouleh salad I have made over the years a handful of times but I will be making the feta with a similar dish again. After supper, I had part of the key lime pie for dessert. It was different than I have had before …. but good. I watched a couple of my recorded shows and then it was off to bed. We had a good night sleep and of course, we were up a couple of times before the final get up and go for the day but that is okay. Life is what you make it. If I choose to be cranky and miserable and think that I am tired because of our odd sleep schedule then I have no one to blame but me. As we age and the same applies to animals ….. they have aches and pains and need to go to the bathroom at all times of the day and night. Alvin and I are on the same schedule in life so it makes it so much easier. I wouldn’t change a thing. I am grateful that I am working for home as I end up with a couple of extra hours of sleep. So grateful. I really hope that our employer decides to let us continue to work from home. We go to the office once every month of two and that suits me fine. It is great for Alvin ….. most especially as he is getting older. It would be an incredibly long day for him by himself and not being able to get outside when he needs to as he does now. Well looks like the sun is beginning to rise as it gets closer and closer to springtime in Western Canada.

Well it is time to head on downstairs. I put on the coffee when I had to take a quick break from this a few minutes ago to let Mr. Alvin outside. This afternoon at 3:00 p.m. – Alvin has his regular appointment and his two/three year vaccinations. His nails are getting a bit long as this appointment is a week longer I think than his last one and then two weeks earlier to have his shots. Kind of in between. Today is to be much warmer so we will be able to walk to Alvin’s appointment.

Take care on this Tuesday. Remember to live with kindness, respect, compassion and patience for all other living creatures.

Always, Carol & Alvin

2021

Good Morning ALL. I hope this post finds you well on this Monday morning, January 18, 2021. We had rain off and on yesterday and followed by some snow. Not much snow but enough to cover the wet ground which may have turned to ice overnight. Be careful if you are out driving or walking for that matter. What a great weekend. I did the majority of items on my TO DO LIST which was wonderful. We had some chilling time. I had a visit over the “fence” with my neighbour Sonja. She was shovelling/ice picking on her back sidewalk/steps and I had been doing some cleaning/tidying of the garage.

This week is big for me and for the United States. Tomorrow Mr. Alvin turns 12 and on Wednesday the United States inaugurates their new President and Vice-President. I look forward to watching after work. I am recording the inauguration to watch later as I work on Wednesday. Hopefully everything will go smoothly and peacefully.

Stuck, I am stuck for words. Really. I cannot think of anything else to say. How did that happen? Usually I do not have a problem coming up with something to say. I apologize. When you are writing your thoughts as they happen sometimes the well is dry.

My daughter and pups will be here today after they receive their shots/vaccinations at noon. They will stay with us while she goes to the Dentist. I asked for the afternoon off. I also have to take a quick trip out to pick up a gift for Mr. Alvin’s birthday and some treats for the guest goodie bags, a cake or something similar and then a few groceries. It will be nice to have a little time away on my own.

Okay that is it. I have nothing more. Tomorrow is a big day.

Be safe, take care.

Wishing you a wonderful Monday.

Living this life with kindness, respect and compassion.

Always, Carol & Alvin

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Thursday the 7th day of February, 2019.

Another COLD day has arrived …. actually the COLD has not departed.

When the sun shines during the day it seems like we have received a reprieve but once outside not so much.

But then again it is WINTER and part of winter is cold temperatures.

January was such a mix of temperatures.

So far this month is colder than January.

Oh well, each day the sun is rising earlier and setting later.

As always we are wishing the days away until the warmth touches our faces and soothes our souls.

Summer which is always a fleeting time of year ….. here one day and gone the next.

Or so it would seem.

Life in CANADA.

We are strange animals, we humans.

 

So onto another topic.

I took a couple of vacation days as Mr. Alvin is having surgery.

He is having a growth on his eye lid removed and his teeth cleaned.

They will also clean the anal glands, trim his nails and give him his regular vaccinations.

We and I mean, we, have had nothing to EAT or to DRINK since last night at 9:00 p.m.

We are FASTING.

Actually I tried and tried to get him to drink before bed as he could have a drink until 10:00 p.m. but no.

Poor little guy was looking all over for his water dishes.

The one in our room and the one in the kitchen.

I feel like a horrible bad Momma.

He was able to have his glucosamine this morning so that was good.

In about 45 minutes from now our friend will arrive to take us to his appointment.

I took this photo a couple of minutes of my boy.

He is not going to like me when I leave him at the Vet.

This is not the first time but this time feels different for some reason.

Perhaps because we usually walk over as it is in the summer.

Anyway, I know everything will go well and I will get the phone call to come and get him.

Last couple of times just after he woke up – they called for me to come and get him.

Keep positive thoughts for our boy.

Always good ….

Well I should go and get things ready.

 

Have an awesome Thursday.

Special Hello to: all those folks with beloved furry companions..

Always, Carol & Alvin

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Saturday the 26th day of January, 2019.

Last night it was raining and raining hard.

This morning it is +2 degrees celsius in the afternoon forecasted to be +5 or so.

Remembering it is Edmonton, Alberta, CANADA and almost the end of January, 2019.

There is a beautiful sunrise this morning and it started about 7:30 a.m. …. so nice to see sunrise earlier.

The sky is clearing the morning covering to display a beautiful palette of oranges, pinks and yellows.

So, so pretty.

Alvin is laying on his blue blanket beside me.

 

Last night I had a complete change of plans.

One of my friends messaged me about going out for supper.

She said that it was being paid for by our other friend’s husband.

Our friend’s husband” gave us a gift card to Original Joe’s, a restaurant in our neighbourhood so that we girls could go out and celebrate her birthday.

We were supposed to go out on the 1st of February which is her actual birthday but her husband would be working away from home and they have a young daughter.

Who is old enough to be alone after school but they don’t like leaving her alone at night.

Makes sense to me.

I was planning to do laundry, call my sister and do some cleaning as my cousins are coming for a visit and supper today.

So I contacted my sister and she was okay with changing to Sunday.

I thought laundry could wait.

So long story short, I went out with the girls for a nice night out with them.

I do not go out much so figured it was a good idea.

Late on Thursday I noticed that the growth on Alvin’s eye had changed colour so after work yesterday I called our Vet to see if I should bring him in today or if okay to wait

until his appointment next Saturday which is the 2nd of February.

The vet was busy so I asked if they could call us back as I wanted to take Alvin for a walk.

Said yes.

Just after we arrived back home and I had our coats off and Alvin’s paws dried off, the phone rang.

Dr. K wants to see him this morning to see if the growth needs to be removed or not.

I am thinking yes.

So we switched his appointment from next Saturday (his regular exam and vaccinations) to today at 10:00 a.m.

I am kind of nervous but I know that of course he will be okay.

I also contacted my cousin to let them know as this might push back their arrival time depending on how long we are at the vet.

So that has been my last less than 24 hours …..

All good things, right.

Always look at the silver lining.

If and I am quite certain it will be a yes, he needs the surgery … perhaps while he is under they will clean his teeth.

That would be a good thing.

I have a dental appointment next Thursday to put on the permanent crown.

Teddy comes for a sleepover on Wednesday night and for a day or so.

Never rains but it pours.

Thankfully the crown costs will be covered by my insurance which is great.

Just have to pay it up front and put in my claim.

The sun is almost up and I think that the load of laundry I put on 30 minutes or so ago should be done.

Might as well get the second one going before I have a shower.

Hopefully I can have a cup of coffee before we leave.

Keep us in your thoughts, at least positive energy for Mr. Alvin.

I am certain that all will be okay at the end of it all, but doesn’t hurt to have some positive energy streaming.

 

Special Hello to: my sister, thank you.

Always, Carol & Alvin

 

 

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Saturday the 10th day of February, 2018.

The sun is rising and the sky is clearing and it is WARM outside.

What a great way to begin the weekend.

Just about to get ready to take Alvin for his regular appointment at his Doctor’s and to include his slightly overdue vaccinations.

Somehow or other I missed seeing the reminder card in the mail but noticed it on one of the recent receipts.

So today we have an enjoyable walk and also get him back on track.

Also today I am baking a chocolate cake for my friend’s birthday party tomorrow which I am hosting.

I have to research to find out some ideas for decorations, something easy but unique.

There of course is always laundry and cleaning the toilets.

That is one thing that I could do without …. cleaning out the white porcelain bowl.

Oh well, that is life.

 

Last night the City of Edmonton had their big trucks out in the neighbourhood.

They were valiantly attempting to scrap the streets and sand them.

But of course there were so many people parked on the streets, making that almost impossible.

Doesn’t anyone listen to the radio, news or read signs?

People.

 

Well I hope that this finds you having a perfect Saturday morning.

I am so excited to go for a walk this morning.

It is so nice outside for a change.

Nothing tropical but considerably warmer than usual.

 

Happy Saturday.

Special Hello to: You, of course.

Always, Carol & Alvin